Naresh Bansal Backs Shah's Drug-Free Goal, Defends BJP Poll Win
New Delhi, October 22: Speaking to reporters on several issues, BJP MP Naresh Bansal addressed the controversy over photographs removed from Rehan Vadra's exhibition, Rahul Gandhi's foreign trips, Amit Shah's campaign against drug abuse, Akhilesh Yadav's charges of poll irregularities in Uttar Pradesh, and the denial of permission for a Diljit Dosanjh concert.
Bansal maintained that all public events and exhibitions must adhere to the regulations of the relevant institutions. He also linked the BJP's electoral success to the effort of party workers and effective leadership.
On the exhibition row, Bansal said that Bikaner House is likely to have its own SOP and rules. These rules, he noted, may determine how many photographs can be displayed and which kinds of images are acceptable. Organisers, he said, must respect the guidelines of the institution when planning any exhibition.
Reacting to BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia's comments on Rahul Gandhi's overseas visits, Bansal accused the Congress leader of travelling abroad without disclosure, despite heavy government expenditure on his security. He said the absence of clarity about the purpose of such trips and the individuals he meets abroad creates suspicion. Bansal also took issue with certain statements Gandhi has made in foreign countries, saying that remarks against the nation inevitably raise questions.
Bansal greeted Amit Shah on his birthday and expressed the hope that the Home Minister, who he described as steadfast in his commitments, would continue to lead the country for years. He noted that Shah had targeted making India Naxal-free by March 31, 2026, and that the goal has been met. Bansal said he believed Shah's plan to make Punjab and the rest of the country drug-free by 2029 would also succeed. Citing the minister's determination, he expressed confidence that the nation would move towards freedom from the drug problem.
On Uttar Pradesh, Bansal responded to Akhilesh Yadav's assertions by saying his party values political transparency. He described the BJP's wins as the outcome of its workers' toil and sound leadership. Pointing to earlier elections, he claimed booth capturing was common and criminals were released to sway outcomes. Today, he insisted, polls are conducted fairly. He argued that democracy's strength is vital and the voice of the people must prevail. Bansal referred to the BJP's seat numbers in several Lok Sabha constituencies, asserting that the party could have won even more seats if there had been any malpractice.
On the Delhi Police's refusal to allow the Diljit Dosanjh concert scheduled for October 30, Bansal said it was an administrative decision. If a programme threatens law and order, he said, the administration has the authority to refuse it. He urged that the matter be assessed purely from a law and order perspective.