News Analysis India

Tag: BJP

  • Clash breaks out between Sena, BJP workers in Mumbai over Ayodhya land deal ‘scam’

    By Express News Service
    MUMBAI: A scuffle broke out between BJP and Sena workers at Shiv Sena Bhawan in Dadar on Wednesday over allegations against the saffron party’s connection in the alleged irregularity in the purchase of land at Ayodhya by Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trus

    BJP accused Shiv Sena of hurting the sentiments of Hindu community by making allegations against the Ram Temple Trust’s land deal.

    It was alleged that the temple trust bought the land for over Rs 18 crore from people who purchased it for just Rs 2 crore — just minutes before.

    BJP workers organised a ‘Phatkar Morcha’ against Shiv Sena for their recent comments in the party’s mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ about the alleged Ayodhya Ram Temple construction scam.

    Senior BJP leader Ashish Shelar claimed that Sena workers assaulted BJP workers despite them holding peaceful protests.

    ALSO READ | Opposition calls Ayodhya land deal ‘scam’; Ram temple trust says committed to ‘full transparency’

    “Our party workers had taken permission from the police for this peaceful protest at Sena Bhavan, but the Sena workers cowardly attacked our workers, mainly women workers. The protest was over when this attack took place. We will not tolerate this and a strong reply will be given to them,” Shelar asserted.

    At least 40 Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists have been detained after a scuffle broke out between BJYM and Shiv Sena supporters in Dadar on Wednesday afternoon.

    BJYM workers have alleged that the Shiv Sena workers who were already present at the spot assaulted them.

    Shelar said, Sena was once proud of the demolition of the Babri mosque, but now for political reasons it is defaming Lord Ram.

    “Sonia or Vadra (Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra) have now become Sena’sdeities,” he said, takign a swipe at the alliance with the Congress in Maharashtra.

    Sena MLA Sada Sarvankar said, “We were first told that BJP workers were coming to protest, later we learnt that they are coming to vandalise the Sena Bhavan. So we stopped them before they could reach near it.”

    ​An FIR was being registered, said an officer of Mahim police station.

  • BJP posters in Rajasthan without former CM Vasundhara Raje face fan factional fight

    Express News Service
    After years of getting prominent display on BJP posters in Rajasthan, former chief minister and BJP bigwig Vasundhara Raje’s face went missing from the party hoardings for the first time in two decades, indicating that Congress is not alone in fighting factionalism.

    While BJP’s state unit president Satish Poonia said newer faces replacing the older is indicative of a generational shift, Raje supporters were not amused, insisting hers was the most popular BJP face in the state.

    Poonia, a known Raje critic, said the decision on who would get a place on posters is taken by the Central leadership.

    ALSO READ: Ashok Gehlot appoints Vasundhara Raje loyalist as mayor, creates divide in Rajasthan BJP

    “The state unit has no say in this matter. According to an established norm, the state president’s photo is displayed on hoardings in all the states, along with the photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, national president J P Nadda, the chief minister of the state where the party is in power. But where ever the party is in opposition, the protocol is to put the photo of the leader of the Opposition and the state president. All this is decided by Delhi,” he said.

    However, the explanation did not cut ice with Raje’s supporters. A former BJP MLA, Prahlad Gunjal, not only targeted Raje critics but also asserted that it’s impossible for the BJP to return to power in Rajasthan without Raje.

    ALSO READ: With return of Vasundhara Raje, factionalism erupts in Rajasthan BJP

    “Who are these people who want to sideline Raje? Frankly, it’s unimaginable how BJP will return to power in Rajasthan without Vasundhara at the helm. We do not have a single leader of her stature in the state,” he said.

    Clearly, the decision to drop Raje from BJP posters and the party’s state chief’s attempt to justify it has fanned the flames of discontent, which will only likely grow stronger. 

  • Demand for separate North Bengal UT by BJP MP, Mamata Banerjee says ‘will not allow Bengal to be divided’

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: A controversial demand for carving out a union territory comprising North Bengal districts out of Bengal, made by two BJP MPs from the region has sparked off a sharp reaction with the ruling TMC with party Supremo Mamata Banerjee stating she would not allow any part of Bengal to lose its freedom and be dependant on New Delhi.

    At a closed-door meeting at the residence of BJP MP for Alipurduar John Barla at Lakhipara Tea Garden, the demand for a separate Union Territory was raised and discussed on Sunday.

    Barla told PTI in a telephonic conversation on Tuesday I made the demand there have been movements here for a separate Kamtapuri, a greater Cooch Behar and for Gorkhaland.

    My belief is that North Bengal should be detached and made into a separate union territory.

    The MP who has earlier led an agitation for an autonomous tribal area in the last decade, said small states perform better.

    North Bengal is neglected, it also faces security issues. Our economy is affected, tea gardens are being shut down. We will be better off as a Union territory.

    Barla, said that he along with others from the region would be meeting both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on this issue as well as would raise it in Parliament.

    BJP has four MPs from the region and at least one of them Jayanta Roy from Jalpaiguri said that though Barlas comments were made in is personal capacity, he supported them.

    However, BJP Bengal unit state president Dilip Ghosh said his party does not have any such agenda.

    “None of our officials has said any such thing,” he said, claiming that attempts are being made by the TMC to malign the BJP by raking up various issues.

    “I want to make it clear that the BJP has no such agenda to divide Bengal or create a different state,” Ghosh said.

    The Trinamool Congress has came out strongly despite BJPs denials.

    Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “They should be ashamed after their humiliating loss in the elections but, instead, they are trying to divide Bengal. In whose interest are they trying to split Bengal? She argued that formation of a Union territory takes away a peoples rights as it denies them of the benefits of statehood. I will not allow anyone to divide Bengal. UT means being at the mercy of New Delhi and losing all freedom. But I will not allow North Bengal or any other part of Bengal to lose its freedom and become dependent on New Delhi.”

    The longest and most violent agitation movement in North Bengal was for a separate territory for Gorkhaland which was resolved by a series of accords that finally saw the setting up of Gorkhaland territorial Administration.

    Other movements such as for Kamtapuri which saw the setting up of the proscribed Kamtapur Liberation Organisation, have largely petered out.

  • LS Speaker assures of committee over disqualification of two TMC MPs, says Sudip Bandopadhyay

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: The Trinamool Congress on Monday again took up with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla the issue of disqualification of party MPs Sisir Adhikari and Sunil Mondal who joined the BJP.

    Leader of TMC in Lok Sabha Sudip Bandopadhyay told reporters that he spoke to Birla over the phone, the second time this month, and was assured that a committee would be formed to examine the issue.

    “The two MPs and I will be present before the committee. I told the speaker that I am ready to be present whenever asked,” Bandyopadhyay said.

    “We have enough evidence to support our demand of disqualification. They shared the podium with PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah at BJP’s election rallies, calling to defeat TMC. We have video clips and audio recordings, apart from their interviews and press clippings,” he said.

    The senior TMC lawmaker also raised the issue with the speaker on June 3.

    Besides, he had sent two letters to Birla in January and May.

    Adhikari, the MP from Kanthi, and Mondal, who won the Bardhaman Purba seat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, had switched over to the BJP ahead of the West Bengal assembly polls without resigning as parliamentarians.

  • Ayodhya land deal row: Big scam by Ram temple trust, SC must take cognisance, says Congress

    Surjewala said facts that have come to light point to scam in funds collected from devotees and this amounts to committing a big sin and wrongdoing.

  • Ayodhya land deal row: BJP, RSS have made Ram temple a ‘business’, says SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar

    By PTI
    BALLIA: Backing the demand for a central agency probe into the alleged corruption in the purchase of land for the proposed Ram temple in Ayodhya, SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar on Monday said the BJP and the RSS have made the shrine a “medium of business”.

    He also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath when action will be taken against the accused.

    Rajbhar’s remarks came a day after the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that Shriram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai bought 1.208 hectares of land in Ayodhya’s Bag Bjaisi village worth Rs 2 crore at an inflated price of Rs 18.5 crore for the Ram temple with the help of trust member Anil Mishra.

    Terming it a case of money laundering, SP leader Pawan Pandey and AAP leader Sanjay Singh sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the matter.

    ALSO READ: AAP and Samajwadi Party allege corruption worth crores by Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust members

    Rai strongly refuted the allegations.

    Speaking to reporters here in Rasra, Rajbhar said, “The temple is a symbol of faith for common people but the BJP and the RSS have made it a medium of business.”

    The Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief claimed the said piece of land was purchased for Rs 2 crore on March 18 for the construction of Ram temple and five minutes later, it was bought by the Ram Mandir Trust for Rs 18.50 crore.

    The SBSP leader also sought a probe by the CBI and the ED into the “scandal”.

    Targeting Modi and Adityanath, Rajbhar, a former BJP ally, said, “Both the leaders claim zero tolerance (for corruption). Modi ji and Yogi ji should make it clear as to when a case will be registered against the trustee of the Ram Mandir Trust and when the accused persons will be sent to jail.”

    “The sentiments of crores of devotees have been hurt by this scandal,” he said.

    The SBSP chief also claimed that BJP president J P Nadda had called him a few days ago but he refused to speak to him.

    In a statement issued on Sunday, Rai had said, “Allegations of assassinating Mahatma Gandhi were also levelled against us. We do not fear allegations. I will study the allegations levelled against us and probe them.”

  • AAP will contest all seats in 2022 Gujarat polls: Kejriwal; says BJP and Cong in ‘tacit’ alliance

    During the press conference, the former head of a Gujarati news channel, Isudan Gadhvi, joined the AAP in the presence of Kejriwal.

  • Madhya Pradesh: BJP Yuva Morcha leader fined Rs 10,000 for flouting COVID-19 norms

    By ANI
    KATNI: The Katni administration on Sunday imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yuva Morcha district president Mridul Dwivedi for flouting COVID-19 norms during his birthday celebration here.

    According to Katni’s Tehsildar, the action was taken after a video went viral of Dwivedi celebrating his birthday flouting COVID-19 norms and many people were seen in the viral video.

    “A video went viral on social media where a public representative was seen celebrating his birthday flouting COVID-19 norms. We took cognizance of the matter and a team was set up. The public representative was sent notice. He also submitted the fine of Rs 10,000 over the matter,” Katni’s Tehsildar Sandeep Srivastava said.

    Srivastava also said that the people present at the event have been instructed to stay in home isolation for 7 days. In the viral video, BJP Yuva Morcha district president Mridul Dwivedi along with his guests were seen without masks in public and was not following the social distancing norms.

    According to the official data, there are 4251 active cases of COVID-19 in Madhya Pradesh, while the death toll due to COVID has reached 8552.

  • Return of turncoats sparks uneasiness in Trinamool Congress also

    Express News Service
    KOLKATA: Mukul Roy’s ghar wapsi has sparked concerns not only in the BJP but also in West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress. The worry in the BJP camp is over the possibility of more Trinamool Congress turncoats in the party following Roy’s footsteps.

    Meanwhile, the return of Roy and the possibility of others following him have caused unease among a section of TMC workers who are opposed to the induction of “traitors” who attacked the party while campaigning for the recent Assembly elections. 

    Concerns have mounted after former Trinamool Congress minister Rajib Banerjee, who is now in the saffron camp, held talks with TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh on Saturday. “Now he (Rajib) is criticising BJP for its divisive politics. But before the election, he organised a rally comprising Hindu hardliners and used the Election Commission against TMC workers in Domjur. He visited Kunal’s house but it doesn’t mean that he washed all his sins by taking a holy dip in the Ganges,” said Serampore Kalyan Banerjee, a TMC MP. Rajib contested from Domjur constituency for the BJP, but failed to win.

    There is also strong buzz that former TMC MLA Sabyasachi Dutta, who joined the BJP, is set to follow his mentor Roy into the party. It was Roy, who is known for his ability to poach functionaries from rival camps, who brought Dutta to the saffron party.

    Some in the TMC have already raised their voice against Dutta’s possible induction. TMC minister Sujit Bose is one of them. “The party will take the decision. But if the leadership wants to know my opinion, I will let them know my stance on his return,” said Dutta.

    Even when Dutta was in the TMC, a rift between him and Bose had surfaced on many occasions. While campaigning for the election, Dutta had aggressively attacked Bose. Not just Dutta and Rajib, at least eight MLAs and an MP from north Bengal are expected to jump ship to the Trinamool Conrgess as an after-effect of Roy’s return to his old battle-pitch.

  • No alliance with BJP in future, says SBSP leader Om Prakash Rajbhar ahead of Uttar Pradesh polls

    By PTI
    BALLIA: Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) leader Om Prakash Rajbhar on Sunday ruled out tying up with the BJP again, accusing the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh of “deceiving” backward sections of society.

    The SBSP had contested the 2017 UP Assembly elections in alliance with the BJP, but later parted ways.

    Assembly polls in UP is slated for early next year.

    Speaking to PTI, Rajbhar said, “In future there will be no alliance with the BJP. We are not in touch with any leader of the BJP, and till now no BJP leader has contacted me.”

    He said the BJP might try to woo leaders of backward classes and dalits ahead of the Assembly polls, and cautioned them against the saffron party.

    ALSO READ | Yogi govt caught in caste-based matrix; has not delivered jobs, growth: RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary ahead of UP polls

    He also alleged the BJP passed over backward leaders and even deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya was “ignored” in the Yodi Adityanath dispensation.

    “The BJP has deceived the backward section, and in the coming elections the farewell of the government is certain,” he said, terming the BJP “Bharatiya Jhooth Party”.

    In the 2017 Assembly elections, SBSP contested in eight seats and won four.

    Rajbhar was made a Cabinet minister, but he resigned later.