News Analysis India

Tag: BJP

  • ‘Nothing for BJP to hide and be afraid of”: Amit Shah on Hindenburg-Adani row

    By ANI

    AGARTALA: With the opposition targeting the BJP-led government over the Hindenburg-Adani row, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that it will not be appropriate for him to comment as the Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the matter but there is nothing “for the BJP to hide or be afraid of”.

    “The Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the matter. As a minister, if the Supreme Court is seized of the matter it is not right for me to comment. But in this, there is nothing for the BJP to hide and nothing to be afraid of,” Shah said in an exclusive interview with ANI.

    The Hindenburg-Adani row has turned into a major political controversy with the Congress and other opposition parties making allegations of favouritism and crony capitalism against the government. They raised the issue during the budget session of parliament demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe.

    The opposition parties have also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

    They have sought questions over the investment of LIC and some public sector banks in the Adani group. The government has rejected the allegations with PSUs and regulatory bodies also issuing statements about their following the norms and acting to their mandates.

    The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that SEBI had agreed to constitute a committee to protect investor interests following Hindenburg’s report on Adani Group.

    Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud that SEBI is completely equipped to deal with the situation that took place due to a recent report by Hindenburg Research.

    Mehta also said that the government has no objection to appointing a committee to suggest how to ensure investors are protected in the future. However, he said that the remit of the committee is important since it has an effect internationally and that the government will provide names in a sealed cover.

    Asked about Rahul Gandhi’s recent speech in Lok Sabha, which was almost entirely concerned with the Adani group, Shah said it is for the Congress leader or his scriptwriters to decide what speech he wants to give.

    “What speech he wants to give is for him or his speech writers to think,” he said.

    Reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s “crony capitalism” allegation against BJP, Shah said. “There is no question. Nobody has been able to level such an allegation against the BJP to date. During their (Congress) era, agencies, be it CAG or CBI, they had registered cases taking cognizance of corruption. There were scams of Rs 12 lakh crore.”

    Asked about allegations of Congress and other opposition parties of BJP “capturing institutions”, Shah said they should go to court noting that courts are not under influence of the BJP.

    “Court ‘humare kabze mein nahi hai,” he said.

    “Why don’t they go to the court? Even at the time when the Pegasus issue was raised, I had said to go with proofs to the court…They only know how to create noise. Those who approached the court, the court took cognizance of Pegasus and also delivered its judgement. The investigation was also done,” he added.

    Asked about BJP spokespersons indicating that there is such “conspiracy” ahead of elections, he said it is for them to reply.

    “Thousands of conspiracies cannot harm the truth. Truth shines bright like the sun. They have been doing it since 2002 against PM Narendra Modi. And every time, he has emerged stronger, truthfully and by gaining more popularity among people every time,” he said when asked if there is a conspiracy in the wake of the Hindenburg report and BBC documentary.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech at the Lok Sabha in reply to the debate on the motion of thanks on the President’s address had lashed out at the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, saying that it converted “every opportunity into a crisis” during its 10 years at the helm between 2004 and 2014. PM Modi said UPA’s term at the helm between 2004 and 2014 was “full of scams”. (ANI)

    AGARTALA: With the opposition targeting the BJP-led government over the Hindenburg-Adani row, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that it will not be appropriate for him to comment as the Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the matter but there is nothing “for the BJP to hide or be afraid of”.

    “The Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the matter. As a minister, if the Supreme Court is seized of the matter it is not right for me to comment. But in this, there is nothing for the BJP to hide and nothing to be afraid of,” Shah said in an exclusive interview with ANI.

    The Hindenburg-Adani row has turned into a major political controversy with the Congress and other opposition parties making allegations of favouritism and crony capitalism against the government. They raised the issue during the budget session of parliament demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe.

    The opposition parties have also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

    They have sought questions over the investment of LIC and some public sector banks in the Adani group. The government has rejected the allegations with PSUs and regulatory bodies also issuing statements about their following the norms and acting to their mandates.

    The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that SEBI had agreed to constitute a committee to protect investor interests following Hindenburg’s report on Adani Group.

    Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud that SEBI is completely equipped to deal with the situation that took place due to a recent report by Hindenburg Research.

    Mehta also said that the government has no objection to appointing a committee to suggest how to ensure investors are protected in the future. However, he said that the remit of the committee is important since it has an effect internationally and that the government will provide names in a sealed cover.

    Asked about Rahul Gandhi’s recent speech in Lok Sabha, which was almost entirely concerned with the Adani group, Shah said it is for the Congress leader or his scriptwriters to decide what speech he wants to give.

    “What speech he wants to give is for him or his speech writers to think,” he said.

    Reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s “crony capitalism” allegation against BJP, Shah said. “There is no question. Nobody has been able to level such an allegation against the BJP to date. During their (Congress) era, agencies, be it CAG or CBI, they had registered cases taking cognizance of corruption. There were scams of Rs 12 lakh crore.”

    Asked about allegations of Congress and other opposition parties of BJP “capturing institutions”, Shah said they should go to court noting that courts are not under influence of the BJP.

    “Court ‘humare kabze mein nahi hai,” he said.

    “Why don’t they go to the court? Even at the time when the Pegasus issue was raised, I had said to go with proofs to the court…They only know how to create noise. Those who approached the court, the court took cognizance of Pegasus and also delivered its judgement. The investigation was also done,” he added.

    Asked about BJP spokespersons indicating that there is such “conspiracy” ahead of elections, he said it is for them to reply.

    “Thousands of conspiracies cannot harm the truth. Truth shines bright like the sun. They have been doing it since 2002 against PM Narendra Modi. And every time, he has emerged stronger, truthfully and by gaining more popularity among people every time,” he said when asked if there is a conspiracy in the wake of the Hindenburg report and BBC documentary.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech at the Lok Sabha in reply to the debate on the motion of thanks on the President’s address had lashed out at the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, saying that it converted “every opportunity into a crisis” during its 10 years at the helm between 2004 and 2014. PM Modi said UPA’s term at the helm between 2004 and 2014 was “full of scams”. (ANI)

  • Adani-Hindenburg row: AAP holds protests in Srinagar, Jammu; demands JPC probe 

    By PTI

    JAMMU: Police on Sunday prevented AAP workers from staging a protest outside the BJP office here over the Adani-Hindenburg row.

    Led by AAP’s central Kashmir youth president Jibran Dar, party workers assembled in Jawahar Nagar area and raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business tycoon Gautam Adani.

    The protesters alleged that Modi was favouring Adani, but doing nothing for ordinary people.

    Before they could reach the BJP office in the area, the protesters were detained by police and whisked away to the local police station.

    Adani Group stocks have taken a beating after US-based activist short-seller Hindenburg Research made a litany of allegations, including fraudulent transactions and share price manipulation, against it. The Adani Group has dismissed the allegations as lies.

    The AAP also staged a protest outside the BJP office in Jammu over the issue and demanded a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into independent India’s “biggest scam”.

    AAP workers led by senior party leaders assembled outside the BJP office in Trikuta Nagar and chanted slogans against the BJP-led government, claiming that Modi gave all resources to one person and made him the second richest person in the world.

    Terming it independent India’s “biggest scam”, senior AAP leader T S Tony said, “In 2014, Adani’s assets were worth Rs 37,000 crore.

    They increased to Rs 59,000 crore in 2018, Rs 2.5 lakh crore in 2020 and Rs 13 lakh crore in 2022.

    ” “We are here to bring the BJP’s direct link to this scam before the people. the exposed government is running away and not giving answers,” he said.

    Tony, who is the chairman of the AAP’s minority welfare wing, also demanded a JPC probe into the alleged scam.

    Opposition parties have been demanding a JPC probe or a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the allegations against the Adani Group.

    Parliamentary proceedings during the first week of the ongoing Budget Session were virtually washed out amid protests by opposition parties, including the AAP.

    JAMMU: Police on Sunday prevented AAP workers from staging a protest outside the BJP office here over the Adani-Hindenburg row.

    Led by AAP’s central Kashmir youth president Jibran Dar, party workers assembled in Jawahar Nagar area and raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business tycoon Gautam Adani.

    The protesters alleged that Modi was favouring Adani, but doing nothing for ordinary people.

    Before they could reach the BJP office in the area, the protesters were detained by police and whisked away to the local police station.

    Adani Group stocks have taken a beating after US-based activist short-seller Hindenburg Research made a litany of allegations, including fraudulent transactions and share price manipulation, against it. The Adani Group has dismissed the allegations as lies.

    The AAP also staged a protest outside the BJP office in Jammu over the issue and demanded a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into independent India’s “biggest scam”.

    AAP workers led by senior party leaders assembled outside the BJP office in Trikuta Nagar and chanted slogans against the BJP-led government, claiming that Modi gave all resources to one person and made him the second richest person in the world.

    Terming it independent India’s “biggest scam”, senior AAP leader T S Tony said, “In 2014, Adani’s assets were worth Rs 37,000 crore.

    They increased to Rs 59,000 crore in 2018, Rs 2.5 lakh crore in 2020 and Rs 13 lakh crore in 2022.

    ” “We are here to bring the BJP’s direct link to this scam before the people. the exposed government is running away and not giving answers,” he said.

    Tony, who is the chairman of the AAP’s minority welfare wing, also demanded a JPC probe into the alleged scam.

    Opposition parties have been demanding a JPC probe or a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the allegations against the Adani Group.

    Parliamentary proceedings during the first week of the ongoing Budget Session were virtually washed out amid protests by opposition parties, including the AAP.

  • Maharashtra: Fadnavis tells BJP cadres to take social media by storm 

    Express News Service

    The Maharashtra unit of the BJP has asked its elected representatives, leaders and workers to be active on social media, and amplify the party’s voice by tweeting, and retweeting tweets of prime minister, party national and state presidents and important leaders.

    Maharashtra BJP had held a two-day meeting of BJP leaders in Nasik where the Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis asked his party’s elected representatives and leaders to promote the party’s agenda on social media, particularly on Twitter.

    He alleged that the Opposition is trying to build a fake narrative against them by using social media. “The opposition parties have learned the trick of social media now, therefore the BJP leaders and workers if they want to be in BJP have to be active on social media to amplify the party’s views. This is a must and need of the hour,” Devendra Fadnavisa said.

    In the meeting it was discussed, that many BJP Lok Sabha MPs, MLAs and other leaders’ Twitter accounts are there for the name’s sake while some of them have not taken the effort to open social media accounts.

    “We are going to monitor the social media accounts of all BJP elected representatives and leaders. And this will be one of the criteria while giving the party ticket. The followers of the aspirant candidates and their influence on social media will also be checked. Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the person who wants to contest the Lok Sabha should have a minimum 25,000 followers on Twitter. So before too late, we should pull our socks and work for the party,” said a senior BJP leader in the meeting.

    BJP leader told the party MLAs not to expect inductions in the cabinet now or anything major in this government. “We have to look after the future. Each one should devote his time to the party. There should be commitment. If you give time for the party, then the party will take care of you. We have to work hard so that party will remain in power for the next 25 days,” he added.

    In this meeting, BJP has also set the mission – 200 MLAs for the 2024 Maharashtra state assembly while mission 45 for Lok Sabha in Maharashtra.

    “To achieve this goal, the central leaders will come to Maharashtra and campaign for the BJP from this month onwards. We have to focus on the constituencies where BJP is weak or lost by a slender margin and reach out to all people to strengthen the base,” said a senior BJP leader.

    The Maharashtra unit of the BJP has asked its elected representatives, leaders and workers to be active on social media, and amplify the party’s voice by tweeting, and retweeting tweets of prime minister, party national and state presidents and important leaders.

    Maharashtra BJP had held a two-day meeting of BJP leaders in Nasik where the Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis asked his party’s elected representatives and leaders to promote the party’s agenda on social media, particularly on Twitter.

    He alleged that the Opposition is trying to build a fake narrative against them by using social media. “The opposition parties have learned the trick of social media now, therefore the BJP leaders and workers if they want to be in BJP have to be active on social media to amplify the party’s views. This is a must and need of the hour,” Devendra Fadnavisa said.

    In the meeting it was discussed, that many BJP Lok Sabha MPs, MLAs and other leaders’ Twitter accounts are there for the name’s sake while some of them have not taken the effort to open social media accounts.

    “We are going to monitor the social media accounts of all BJP elected representatives and leaders. And this will be one of the criteria while giving the party ticket. The followers of the aspirant candidates and their influence on social media will also be checked. Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the person who wants to contest the Lok Sabha should have a minimum 25,000 followers on Twitter. So before too late, we should pull our socks and work for the party,” said a senior BJP leader in the meeting.

    BJP leader told the party MLAs not to expect inductions in the cabinet now or anything major in this government. “We have to look after the future. Each one should devote his time to the party. There should be commitment. If you give time for the party, then the party will take care of you. We have to work hard so that party will remain in power for the next 25 days,” he added.

    In this meeting, BJP has also set the mission – 200 MLAs for the 2024 Maharashtra state assembly while mission 45 for Lok Sabha in Maharashtra.

    “To achieve this goal, the central leaders will come to Maharashtra and campaign for the BJP from this month onwards. We have to focus on the constituencies where BJP is weak or lost by a slender margin and reach out to all people to strengthen the base,” said a senior BJP leader.

  • India belongs to me as much as it does to PM Modi, Mohan Bhagwat: Jamiat chief

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Madani has claimed that India is the “birthplace of Islam” and asserted that the country belongs to him as much as it does to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

    Madani said it is wrong to suggest that Islam came from outside while claiming that the “first Prophet of Islam Adam descended here.”

    The Jamiat chief appealed to the RSS to urge its affiliates to shun “hate and enmity” and jointly work for making the country the most developed in the world. He also urged both Hindus and Muslims of the country to defy extremism and live with each other in peace.

    Madani’s remarks came during his two speeches, one Friday evening and the other Saturday afternoon, during the ongoing annual general session of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (Mahmood Madani faction) here at the Ramlila ground.

    “The distinction of this land is that the first Prophet of Islam Adam descended here. This land is the birthplace of Islam and the first homeland of Muslims. Therefore, to say that Islam is a religion that came from outside is completely wrong and historically baseless,” he said on Friday.

    “This is our country. As much as this country belongs to Narendra Modi and Mohan Bhagwat, it belongs to Mahmood. Neither Mahmood is one inch ahead of them nor are they one inch ahead of Mahmood,” he said.

    Islam is a religion of this country and it is also the oldest of all religions, he claimed.

    “The last Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, came to complete the same religion. So, I have no qualms in saying that India is the best place for Hindi Muslims,” Madani said.

    ALSO READ | ‘Here as family member, not as PM’, Modi tells Dawoodi Bohra Muslims

    In his remarks on Saturday, Madani expressed concerns about the alleged increase in incidents of Islamophobia and hate speech in the country. The Jamiat chief called on the RSS to jointly work with all for making the country the most developed and ideal in the world. “We want to make it clear here that we do not have any religious or ethnic enmity with the RSS and the BJP, but our differences are based on ideology,” Madani said.

    “In the current situation, Jamiat appeals to the RSS and its leaders to take practical steps in the light of the current ideas of their leaders and to convince their affiliated organisations to shed the cloak of hatred and sectarianism,” he said.

    “We have no grudge against the promotion of Santan Dharma, nor should you have any grudge against the promotion of Islam,” Madani said.

    Madani also stressed that the percentage of people spreading hatred in the country is very small and that the majority is still secular and believes in tolerance. “In the current dark atmosphere of hatred, we welcome and support all those who are trying to initiate a dialogue and understand each other’s ideas in order to foster stronger mutual relations,” Madani said.

    Mutual negotiation is the solution to all problems, he asserted.

    The plenary session of the event is scheduled to take place on Sunday. According to a release issued by Jamiat on Saturday, the prominent Muslim organisation also passed a 17-point resolution. Jamiat opposed the efforts to implement a Uniform Civil Code in India, the statement said.

    It argued that the UCC will have a direct impact on the country’s unity and diversity, and is contrary to the spirit of democracy and the constitutional guarantees given in Articles 25 to 29 of the Constitution. The Jamiat alleged that the government’s efforts in this direction are motivated by “vote-bank” politics rather than the protection of fundamental rights. It called on Muslims to remain steadfast in implementing Islamic Shariah and protecting the rights of women according to Islamic teachings, the statement said.

    ALSO READ | All people living in India are Hindus, claims RSS chief 

    In its 34th General Session, Jamiat also recommended measures to protect the freedom and autonomy of madrassas Despite their contributions to the country, a section of society and even some Muslims are spreading misconceptions about madrassas and blaming them for terrorism, Jamiat said.

    The meeting recommended various steps to address the situation including utilising the media to correct the “distorted” image of madrassas, protect them from terrorism and anti-national activities and adhere to the laws of the country for their management.

    In its resolutions, Jamiat also expressed concern about the alleged rise of Islamophobia and incitement against the Muslim community in the country. The organisation called for immediate action, including a separate law to give strict punishment to those who spread hatred and incite violence against minorities. The organisation also warned youth and student organisations to be cautious of anti-patriotic elements and to avoid organisations that propagate extremism and violence in the name of Islam.

    “The general session of the Jamiat condemned the Islamophobic campaign carried out by the media,” the statement said.

    The Jamiat also expressed concern about the protection of Muslim endowment (Waqf) properties and their income. It raised the issue of alleged “forced evictions” of homeless people, arrests of thousands “in the name of child marriage” and incidents of attacks and “mob lynching” of Dalits and Muslims.

    NEW DELHI: Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Madani has claimed that India is the “birthplace of Islam” and asserted that the country belongs to him as much as it does to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.

    Madani said it is wrong to suggest that Islam came from outside while claiming that the “first Prophet of Islam Adam descended here.”

    The Jamiat chief appealed to the RSS to urge its affiliates to shun “hate and enmity” and jointly work for making the country the most developed in the world. He also urged both Hindus and Muslims of the country to defy extremism and live with each other in peace.

    Madani’s remarks came during his two speeches, one Friday evening and the other Saturday afternoon, during the ongoing annual general session of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (Mahmood Madani faction) here at the Ramlila ground.

    “The distinction of this land is that the first Prophet of Islam Adam descended here. This land is the birthplace of Islam and the first homeland of Muslims. Therefore, to say that Islam is a religion that came from outside is completely wrong and historically baseless,” he said on Friday.

    “This is our country. As much as this country belongs to Narendra Modi and Mohan Bhagwat, it belongs to Mahmood. Neither Mahmood is one inch ahead of them nor are they one inch ahead of Mahmood,” he said.

    Islam is a religion of this country and it is also the oldest of all religions, he claimed.

    “The last Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, came to complete the same religion. So, I have no qualms in saying that India is the best place for Hindi Muslims,” Madani said.

    ALSO READ | ‘Here as family member, not as PM’, Modi tells Dawoodi Bohra Muslims

    In his remarks on Saturday, Madani expressed concerns about the alleged increase in incidents of Islamophobia and hate speech in the country. The Jamiat chief called on the RSS to jointly work with all for making the country the most developed and ideal in the world. “We want to make it clear here that we do not have any religious or ethnic enmity with the RSS and the BJP, but our differences are based on ideology,” Madani said.

    “In the current situation, Jamiat appeals to the RSS and its leaders to take practical steps in the light of the current ideas of their leaders and to convince their affiliated organisations to shed the cloak of hatred and sectarianism,” he said.

    “We have no grudge against the promotion of Santan Dharma, nor should you have any grudge against the promotion of Islam,” Madani said.

    Madani also stressed that the percentage of people spreading hatred in the country is very small and that the majority is still secular and believes in tolerance. “In the current dark atmosphere of hatred, we welcome and support all those who are trying to initiate a dialogue and understand each other’s ideas in order to foster stronger mutual relations,” Madani said.

    Mutual negotiation is the solution to all problems, he asserted.

    The plenary session of the event is scheduled to take place on Sunday. According to a release issued by Jamiat on Saturday, the prominent Muslim organisation also passed a 17-point resolution. Jamiat opposed the efforts to implement a Uniform Civil Code in India, the statement said.

    It argued that the UCC will have a direct impact on the country’s unity and diversity, and is contrary to the spirit of democracy and the constitutional guarantees given in Articles 25 to 29 of the Constitution. The Jamiat alleged that the government’s efforts in this direction are motivated by “vote-bank” politics rather than the protection of fundamental rights. It called on Muslims to remain steadfast in implementing Islamic Shariah and protecting the rights of women according to Islamic teachings, the statement said.

    ALSO READ | All people living in India are Hindus, claims RSS chief 

    In its 34th General Session, Jamiat also recommended measures to protect the freedom and autonomy of madrassas Despite their contributions to the country, a section of society and even some Muslims are spreading misconceptions about madrassas and blaming them for terrorism, Jamiat said.

    The meeting recommended various steps to address the situation including utilising the media to correct the “distorted” image of madrassas, protect them from terrorism and anti-national activities and adhere to the laws of the country for their management.

    In its resolutions, Jamiat also expressed concern about the alleged rise of Islamophobia and incitement against the Muslim community in the country. The organisation called for immediate action, including a separate law to give strict punishment to those who spread hatred and incite violence against minorities. The organisation also warned youth and student organisations to be cautious of anti-patriotic elements and to avoid organisations that propagate extremism and violence in the name of Islam.

    “The general session of the Jamiat condemned the Islamophobic campaign carried out by the media,” the statement said.

    The Jamiat also expressed concern about the protection of Muslim endowment (Waqf) properties and their income. It raised the issue of alleged “forced evictions” of homeless people, arrests of thousands “in the name of child marriage” and incidents of attacks and “mob lynching” of Dalits and Muslims.

  • ‘Kushti’ in Kerala, ‘dosti’ in Tripura: PM Modi attacks Cong-CPI(M) alliance

    By PTI

    TRIPURA: Lashing out at the Congress-CPI(M) alliance in Tripura, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the two parties fight ‘kushti’ (wrestling) in Kerala and have done ‘dosti’ (friendship) in the northeastern state.

    Making a veiled reference to Tipra Motha, Modi claimed that some other parties were also helping the opposition alliance from behind but any vote for them will take Tripura several years backward.

    “Old players of misgovernance have joined hands for ‘chanda’ (donation). Those fighting ‘kushti’ (wrestling) in Kerala have done ‘dosti’ (friendship) in Tripura,” the PM said at an election rally in Radhakishorepur in Gomati district.

    “The opposition wants to divide the votes. Some small ‘vote-cutter’ parties are waiting for the election results, hoping to get their price. Those out with dreams of horse-trading, lock them in their homes now itself,” he said.

    Addressing another election rally in Ambassa in Dhalai district earlier in the day, he alleged that the Left and Congress governments created division among tribals, while the BJP worked to resolve their issues, including that of the Brus.

    “The BJP is working for the upliftment of tribals across India. We have rehabilitated in Tripura over 37,000 Brus displaced from Mizoram. Our government has introduced tribal language Kokborok in higher education,” he said.

    In the Union budget, the BJP government at the Centre has allocated Rs 1 lakh crore for the development of tribal areas, Modi said.

    Referring to the fight against COVID-19, he said, “In a Left-ruled state, a lot of people suffered of coronavirus and died, but Tripura was safe as the BJP worked for protecting people’s lives.

    “Appealing to the people to vote for the ‘double-engine’ government to continue the streak of development in the northeastern state, he told the rally, “Beware of the double-edged sword of Congress and Left, they want to stop all schemes that benefit the people.

    “The PM said the Congress and Left know only how to betray the poor, alleging that people have suffered due to years of their misgovernance.The two parties want the poor to remain poor. They have countless slogans for the poor but have never understood or addressed their pain,” Modi said.

    The PM said that houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana were built for three lakh families, benefitting 12 lakh people, while five lakh poor people were made beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and toilets were constructed in four lakh houses in the state.

    The first dental college in the state was also built under the BJP government, he said.

    The PM said that in Gomati district alone, Rs 80 crore has been credited to the bank accounts of around 40,000 farmers, without any ‘cut’ or ‘donation’.

    “Earlier, CPI(M) cadres used to control police stations, while the BJP established rule of law in the state,” he said.

    Modi asserted that the BJP has freed Tripura from the atmosphere of fear and a culture of ‘chanda’ (donations).

    “Earlier, the condition of women in the state was miserable. Now, they can come out of their homes with heads held high,” he said.

    The PM said that as there is peace in Tripura, employment opportunities are also increasing, whereas the Left and Congress had shattered the dreams of the youths, forcing many to migrate.

    “Your votes will keep the Leftists away from power and ensure the continuance of ‘double-engine’ government in Tripura,” he added.

    Listing the initiatives taken by his government for the development of the state, Modi said that Tripura’s economy will massively benefit from the Act East policy of the Centre and it will soon become the gateway to Southeast Asia.

    “Work on four-laning of road from Agartala to Churaibari is underway at a fast rate, while a new airport was inaugurated in the state capital, while optical fibres have been laid throughout the state for better internet services and waterways and railway connectivity between Tripura and Bangladesh is being strengthened,” he said.

    Modi said that the BJP government at the Centre has increased budget allocation for Northeast by several times.

    TRIPURA: Lashing out at the Congress-CPI(M) alliance in Tripura, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the two parties fight ‘kushti’ (wrestling) in Kerala and have done ‘dosti’ (friendship) in the northeastern state.

    Making a veiled reference to Tipra Motha, Modi claimed that some other parties were also helping the opposition alliance from behind but any vote for them will take Tripura several years backward.

    “Old players of misgovernance have joined hands for ‘chanda’ (donation). Those fighting ‘kushti’ (wrestling) in Kerala have done ‘dosti’ (friendship) in Tripura,” the PM said at an election rally in Radhakishorepur in Gomati district.

    “The opposition wants to divide the votes. Some small ‘vote-cutter’ parties are waiting for the election results, hoping to get their price. Those out with dreams of horse-trading, lock them in their homes now itself,” he said.

    Addressing another election rally in Ambassa in Dhalai district earlier in the day, he alleged that the Left and Congress governments created division among tribals, while the BJP worked to resolve their issues, including that of the Brus.

    “The BJP is working for the upliftment of tribals across India. We have rehabilitated in Tripura over 37,000 Brus displaced from Mizoram. Our government has introduced tribal language Kokborok in higher education,” he said.

    In the Union budget, the BJP government at the Centre has allocated Rs 1 lakh crore for the development of tribal areas, Modi said.

    Referring to the fight against COVID-19, he said, “In a Left-ruled state, a lot of people suffered of coronavirus and died, but Tripura was safe as the BJP worked for protecting people’s lives.

    “Appealing to the people to vote for the ‘double-engine’ government to continue the streak of development in the northeastern state, he told the rally, “Beware of the double-edged sword of Congress and Left, they want to stop all schemes that benefit the people.

    “The PM said the Congress and Left know only how to betray the poor, alleging that people have suffered due to years of their misgovernance.The two parties want the poor to remain poor. They have countless slogans for the poor but have never understood or addressed their pain,” Modi said.

    The PM said that houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana were built for three lakh families, benefitting 12 lakh people, while five lakh poor people were made beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and toilets were constructed in four lakh houses in the state.

    The first dental college in the state was also built under the BJP government, he said.

    The PM said that in Gomati district alone, Rs 80 crore has been credited to the bank accounts of around 40,000 farmers, without any ‘cut’ or ‘donation’.

    “Earlier, CPI(M) cadres used to control police stations, while the BJP established rule of law in the state,” he said.

    Modi asserted that the BJP has freed Tripura from the atmosphere of fear and a culture of ‘chanda’ (donations).

    “Earlier, the condition of women in the state was miserable. Now, they can come out of their homes with heads held high,” he said.

    The PM said that as there is peace in Tripura, employment opportunities are also increasing, whereas the Left and Congress had shattered the dreams of the youths, forcing many to migrate.

    “Your votes will keep the Leftists away from power and ensure the continuance of ‘double-engine’ government in Tripura,” he added.

    Listing the initiatives taken by his government for the development of the state, Modi said that Tripura’s economy will massively benefit from the Act East policy of the Centre and it will soon become the gateway to Southeast Asia.

    “Work on four-laning of road from Agartala to Churaibari is underway at a fast rate, while a new airport was inaugurated in the state capital, while optical fibres have been laid throughout the state for better internet services and waterways and railway connectivity between Tripura and Bangladesh is being strengthened,” he said.

    Modi said that the BJP government at the Centre has increased budget allocation for Northeast by several times.

  • Three-way fight will help Left-Congress alliance in Tripura polls: Sitaram Yechury

    By PTI

    AGARTALA: The three-cornered fight that is unfolding in the tiny but politically crucial state of Tripura will help the Left-Congress alliance in the upcoming assembly elections, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said.

    The Communist leader told PTI that local-level leaders will make an assessment to see “who is best able to defeat the BJP”, while looking at possible adjustments with other parties (such as Tipra Motha) in the run up to the polls slated for February 16.

    “The BJP (and its ally IPFT) had won 18 seats in the last elections out of 20 seats in the tribal areas,” pointed out Yechury.

    In the 60-member Tripura assembly, 20 seats are reserved for tribal areas. The BJP had won a total of 36 seats to form a government in 2018, with half of them coming from the tribal region.

    “This time the Tipra Motha is at the forefront in tribal areas. The IPFT is now just a rump and BJP has given them only 5 seats. The advantage that BJP got last time won’t be repeated. That should help the Left-Congress alliance,” he explained.

    Analysts here tend to agree with CPI(M)’s assessment that with the rise of the Tipra Motha, a party founded by Pradyut Kishore Manikya Debbarma, a scion of the former royal family of the state and a Tripuri, BJP’s vote and seat share in tribal areas will be drastically reduced.

    In the last elections, BJP had a 43.59-per cent vote share compared to CPI(M)’s 42.22 per cent and Congress’s couple of percentage points.

    “We will gain from it,” asserted Yechury.

    In 2018, the BJP had stormed to power, gobbling up most of the Congress vote that in 2013 was nearly 37 per cent and partially into the CPI(M)’s vote bank, which was 48 per cent in 2013.

    Tipra Motha had won a majority in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council in 2021, trouncing the BJP-supported IPFT.

    Since then its demand for Greater Tipraland has consolidated its hold over tribals and seen large-scale desertions from IPFT to its ranks.

    With the expected reduction in tribal votes (which accounts for nearly a third of the state’s total) for the BJP, the Left believes the alliance led by it stands to gain an advantage in the forthcoming elections.

    The elections to this tiny state’s assembly are considered important as political pundits see the possibility of a tough contest between the ruling party and the opposition, the first in a year of polls to elect state governments.

    Till 2018, the electoral contest in the state was largely between the Congress and CPI(M), with smaller tribal parties playing minor but at times crucial roles.

    With both the erstwhile Maharaja and Maharani, having been Congress MPs (Kirit Bikram Kishore Manikya Deb Barman Bahadur won three terms in Lok Sabha – 1967, 1977 and 1989 – while his wife Bibhu Kumari Devi won in 1981), the grand old party had a strong presence in the tribal belt.

    However, legendary tribal Communist leaders like Dasarath Debbarma, who became a popular chief minister of the state and Jitendra Choudhury, a possible Left candidate for chief ministership in this election, have ensured that the CPI(M), too, has a huge presence in the tribal belt where Tripuris, Reangs, Jamatias, Chakmas, Mogs, Kuki and others live.

    “At the ground level, who will be able to defeat the BJP, that assessment will be made by ground-level leaders,” Yechury said, explaining his statement made earlier at a press conference that though there is no pre-poll adjustment with Tipra Motha, there can be a local-level understanding.

    “That is why I said there is a likelihood at that point of time because the people will decide who can achieve this objective (of defeating the BJP),” he said, without committing to any further elaboration on ground-level adjustments that may be made.

    He also explained the visible resurgence of the CPI(M) as a result of among other things, his party’s ‘consistent opposition to repression unleashed” by the BJP government.

    “CPI(M) was the most consistent in opposing the repression unleashed on the people and that has been recognised by the people,” Yechury said.

    He also added that the “people have realised the necessity of unifying all secular and democratic forces in order to ensure the BJP government is removed”.

    The CPI(M), which suffered attacks on its party offices and workers in the past and desertions by some of its workers to BJP, has been more than visible in the assembly elections.

    Hammer and sickle red flags dotting the countryside, convoys of trucks and motorcycles ferrying supporters of the SFI (the Communist students’ wing) and CPI(M) activists wearing red t-shirts are part of the landscape.

    Speaking on the possibility of post-poll negotiations, Yechury said, “Let us see” the first battle to be won is on the 16th (February, the election date). The second battle will emerge on March 2 (counting day). That we will meet then”. 

    AGARTALA: The three-cornered fight that is unfolding in the tiny but politically crucial state of Tripura will help the Left-Congress alliance in the upcoming assembly elections, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said.

    The Communist leader told PTI that local-level leaders will make an assessment to see “who is best able to defeat the BJP”, while looking at possible adjustments with other parties (such as Tipra Motha) in the run up to the polls slated for February 16.

    “The BJP (and its ally IPFT) had won 18 seats in the last elections out of 20 seats in the tribal areas,” pointed out Yechury.

    In the 60-member Tripura assembly, 20 seats are reserved for tribal areas. The BJP had won a total of 36 seats to form a government in 2018, with half of them coming from the tribal region.

    “This time the Tipra Motha is at the forefront in tribal areas. The IPFT is now just a rump and BJP has given them only 5 seats. The advantage that BJP got last time won’t be repeated. That should help the Left-Congress alliance,” he explained.

    Analysts here tend to agree with CPI(M)’s assessment that with the rise of the Tipra Motha, a party founded by Pradyut Kishore Manikya Debbarma, a scion of the former royal family of the state and a Tripuri, BJP’s vote and seat share in tribal areas will be drastically reduced.

    In the last elections, BJP had a 43.59-per cent vote share compared to CPI(M)’s 42.22 per cent and Congress’s couple of percentage points.

    “We will gain from it,” asserted Yechury.

    In 2018, the BJP had stormed to power, gobbling up most of the Congress vote that in 2013 was nearly 37 per cent and partially into the CPI(M)’s vote bank, which was 48 per cent in 2013.

    Tipra Motha had won a majority in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council in 2021, trouncing the BJP-supported IPFT.

    Since then its demand for Greater Tipraland has consolidated its hold over tribals and seen large-scale desertions from IPFT to its ranks.

    With the expected reduction in tribal votes (which accounts for nearly a third of the state’s total) for the BJP, the Left believes the alliance led by it stands to gain an advantage in the forthcoming elections.

    The elections to this tiny state’s assembly are considered important as political pundits see the possibility of a tough contest between the ruling party and the opposition, the first in a year of polls to elect state governments.

    Till 2018, the electoral contest in the state was largely between the Congress and CPI(M), with smaller tribal parties playing minor but at times crucial roles.

    With both the erstwhile Maharaja and Maharani, having been Congress MPs (Kirit Bikram Kishore Manikya Deb Barman Bahadur won three terms in Lok Sabha – 1967, 1977 and 1989 – while his wife Bibhu Kumari Devi won in 1981), the grand old party had a strong presence in the tribal belt.

    However, legendary tribal Communist leaders like Dasarath Debbarma, who became a popular chief minister of the state and Jitendra Choudhury, a possible Left candidate for chief ministership in this election, have ensured that the CPI(M), too, has a huge presence in the tribal belt where Tripuris, Reangs, Jamatias, Chakmas, Mogs, Kuki and others live.

    “At the ground level, who will be able to defeat the BJP, that assessment will be made by ground-level leaders,” Yechury said, explaining his statement made earlier at a press conference that though there is no pre-poll adjustment with Tipra Motha, there can be a local-level understanding.

    “That is why I said there is a likelihood at that point of time because the people will decide who can achieve this objective (of defeating the BJP),” he said, without committing to any further elaboration on ground-level adjustments that may be made.

    He also explained the visible resurgence of the CPI(M) as a result of among other things, his party’s ‘consistent opposition to repression unleashed” by the BJP government.

    “CPI(M) was the most consistent in opposing the repression unleashed on the people and that has been recognised by the people,” Yechury said.

    He also added that the “people have realised the necessity of unifying all secular and democratic forces in order to ensure the BJP government is removed”.

    The CPI(M), which suffered attacks on its party offices and workers in the past and desertions by some of its workers to BJP, has been more than visible in the assembly elections.

    Hammer and sickle red flags dotting the countryside, convoys of trucks and motorcycles ferrying supporters of the SFI (the Communist students’ wing) and CPI(M) activists wearing red t-shirts are part of the landscape.

    Speaking on the possibility of post-poll negotiations, Yechury said, “Let us see” the first battle to be won is on the 16th (February, the election date). The second battle will emerge on March 2 (counting day). That we will meet then”. 

  • Congress hits back at PM Modi over Nehru surname remark in Rajya Sabha

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Asking who in India uses their maternal grandfather’s surname, the Congress on Friday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks on the Gandhis not using the Nehru name and said he doesn’t have the basic understanding of Indian culture.

    “Only god can save the country,” AICC general secretary Randeep Surjewala told reporters a day after PM Modi, in a speech in the Rajya Sabha, asked why the Gandhis were ashamed of using the Nehru surname.

    “Someone who is sitting in such a responsible position does not know or understand the culture of India…will speak like this….You can ask any person in the country, who uses the maternal grandfather’s surname?” Surjewala told a press conference at the party headquarters in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

    “If he does not even have this basic understanding of India’s culture, then only God can save this country,” Surjewala said.

    In his speech in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Prime Minister Modi targeted the Congress which has criticised the government for ignoring Jawaharlal Nehru’s efforts in nation-building.

    “…if Nehru ji’s name is left out by us, we would correct our mistake as he was the first prime minister of the country. But I do not understand why anyone from his clan is afraid of keeping Nehru surname? Is there any shame in having the Nehru surname? What is the shame? When the family is not ready to accept such a great personality, why do you keep questioning us,” he said.

    The prime minister also criticised Nehru and former prime minister Indira Gandhi for repeatedly using Article 356 of the Constitution to topple state governments led by non-Congress parties.

    NEW DELHI: Asking who in India uses their maternal grandfather’s surname, the Congress on Friday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks on the Gandhis not using the Nehru name and said he doesn’t have the basic understanding of Indian culture.

    “Only god can save the country,” AICC general secretary Randeep Surjewala told reporters a day after PM Modi, in a speech in the Rajya Sabha, asked why the Gandhis were ashamed of using the Nehru surname.

    “Someone who is sitting in such a responsible position does not know or understand the culture of India…will speak like this….You can ask any person in the country, who uses the maternal grandfather’s surname?” Surjewala told a press conference at the party headquarters in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

    “If he does not even have this basic understanding of India’s culture, then only God can save this country,” Surjewala said.

    In his speech in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Prime Minister Modi targeted the Congress which has criticised the government for ignoring Jawaharlal Nehru’s efforts in nation-building.

    “…if Nehru ji’s name is left out by us, we would correct our mistake as he was the first prime minister of the country. But I do not understand why anyone from his clan is afraid of keeping Nehru surname? Is there any shame in having the Nehru surname? What is the shame? When the family is not ready to accept such a great personality, why do you keep questioning us,” he said.

    The prime minister also criticised Nehru and former prime minister Indira Gandhi for repeatedly using Article 356 of the Constitution to topple state governments led by non-Congress parties.

  • BJP’s North Bengal MLA Suman Kanjilal joins TMC

    By Express News Service

    KOLKATA: In a jolt to BJP’s north Bengal stronghold, an MLA from Alipurduar of the saffron camp on Sunday defected to the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

    Suman Kanjilal, a BJP MLA from the north Bengal constituency, joined the Trinamool Congress in presence of Abhishek Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress’s national general secretary and nephew of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.  

    With the defection of Kanjilal, BJP’s strength in the Assembly has come down to 69 from 77 as five other MLAs had joined the ruling TMC earlier. Two MPs, who had contested in the 2021 Assembly elections and won, decided to function as representatives in the lower house of the Parliament.

    “As an MLA, I want to work for the common people. I discussed it with the chief minister. I decided to join the TMC to work better for the people. I wanted to perform more when I was a BJP MLA using the schemes of the Union government. But I could not because many projects were stalled by the BJP-led Centre,’’ said Kanjilal.

    Kanjilal’s change in political allegiance is said to be significant ahead of the panchayat elections in the state.

    Though the TMC had secured a sweeping victory by bagging 214 seats out of 292 in the 2021 Assembly polls, the party failed to leave a footprint in the Alipurduar district as the BJP secured victory in all five seats.

    “The people who voted for the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and 2021 Assembly polls are disappointed. They realised there is no alternative political force other than the TMC which can offer good governance,” said a senior TMC leader, adding that there were more surprises waiting for the BJP in North Bengal.

    In the 2019 general elections, the BJP bagged 18 seats out of 42 in Bengal of which seven were from north Bengal.

    Previously, two other BJP MLAs from north Bengal – Krishna Kalyani of Raiganj and Soumen Roy of Kaliaganj joined the TMC at different times.

    Three other saffron party legislators from the southern part of the state, including former Union minister Mukul Roy, also switched sides.

    Lok Sabha MP and former West Bengal BJP vice-president Arjun Singh had also joined the TMC.

    KOLKATA: In a jolt to BJP’s north Bengal stronghold, an MLA from Alipurduar of the saffron camp on Sunday defected to the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

    Suman Kanjilal, a BJP MLA from the north Bengal constituency, joined the Trinamool Congress in presence of Abhishek Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress’s national general secretary and nephew of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.  

    With the defection of Kanjilal, BJP’s strength in the Assembly has come down to 69 from 77 as five other MLAs had joined the ruling TMC earlier. Two MPs, who had contested in the 2021 Assembly elections and won, decided to function as representatives in the lower house of the Parliament.

    “As an MLA, I want to work for the common people. I discussed it with the chief minister. I decided to join the TMC to work better for the people. I wanted to perform more when I was a BJP MLA using the schemes of the Union government. But I could not because many projects were stalled by the BJP-led Centre,’’ said Kanjilal.

    Kanjilal’s change in political allegiance is said to be significant ahead of the panchayat elections in the state.

    Though the TMC had secured a sweeping victory by bagging 214 seats out of 292 in the 2021 Assembly polls, the party failed to leave a footprint in the Alipurduar district as the BJP secured victory in all five seats.

    “The people who voted for the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and 2021 Assembly polls are disappointed. They realised there is no alternative political force other than the TMC which can offer good governance,” said a senior TMC leader, adding that there were more surprises waiting for the BJP in North Bengal.

    In the 2019 general elections, the BJP bagged 18 seats out of 42 in Bengal of which seven were from north Bengal.

    Previously, two other BJP MLAs from north Bengal – Krishna Kalyani of Raiganj and Soumen Roy of Kaliaganj joined the TMC at different times.

    Three other saffron party legislators from the southern part of the state, including former Union minister Mukul Roy, also switched sides.

    Lok Sabha MP and former West Bengal BJP vice-president Arjun Singh had also joined the TMC.

  • CPI-M in Tripura objects candidature of its MLA Moboshar Ali contesting for BJP

    By Express News Service

    AGARTALA: The CPI-M in Tripura objected to the candidature of one of its MLAs contesting as a BJP candidate from the Kailashahar seat in the Unakoti district.

    The CPI-M argued that Md Moboshar Ali neither resigned as an MLA of the party nor did it expel him and as such, he is still its member. 

    He had joined the BJP on January 28 in New Delhi and hours later, the party released the list of its candidates which had his name.

    In a complaint lodged with the Returning Officer (RO), the CPI-M said unless Ali resigns from the Assembly or it expels him, he may not be accepted as a member of any other party or an independent candidate. 

    “Hence, Mr Ali, a member of the CPI-M as a sitting MLA in the Assembly, simultaneously may not be a member of the BJP as stated in his nomination filed before you,” the CPI-M’s letter to the RO reads. 

    “In Para 3 of from ‘B’ of symbol allotment, there is a statutory declaration of the authorized signatory of the party symbol certifying that the candidate whose name is mentioned above is a member of this political party and his name is duly borne on the rolls of members of this party,” the letter further reads.

    In the light of this, the CPI-M said Ali should not be treated as a BJP candidate. It demanded that he be disqualified for being a BJP candidate “for want of statutory legal requirement.”

    Ali’s nomination was accepted by the RO.

    AGARTALA: The CPI-M in Tripura objected to the candidature of one of its MLAs contesting as a BJP candidate from the Kailashahar seat in the Unakoti district.

    The CPI-M argued that Md Moboshar Ali neither resigned as an MLA of the party nor did it expel him and as such, he is still its member. 

    He had joined the BJP on January 28 in New Delhi and hours later, the party released the list of its candidates which had his name.

    In a complaint lodged with the Returning Officer (RO), the CPI-M said unless Ali resigns from the Assembly or it expels him, he may not be accepted as a member of any other party or an independent candidate. 

    “Hence, Mr Ali, a member of the CPI-M as a sitting MLA in the Assembly, simultaneously may not be a member of the BJP as stated in his nomination filed before you,” the CPI-M’s letter to the RO reads. 

    “In Para 3 of from ‘B’ of symbol allotment, there is a statutory declaration of the authorized signatory of the party symbol certifying that the candidate whose name is mentioned above is a member of this political party and his name is duly borne on the rolls of members of this party,” the letter further reads.

    In the light of this, the CPI-M said Ali should not be treated as a BJP candidate. It demanded that he be disqualified for being a BJP candidate “for want of statutory legal requirement.”

    Ali’s nomination was accepted by the RO.

  • Opposition parties may have differences but united against BJP-RSS ideology: Rahul Gandhi

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: Opposition parties may have differences but they will stand united against the ideology of RSS and BJP, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said here on Sunday, a day before his Kanyakumari-to-Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra culminates.

    Addressing a press conference here, his 13th during the 134-day long yatra, Gandhi said the Opposition unity comes after dialogue, conversation and vision.

    Responding to a question on the cold shoulder offered to his yatra by Opposition leaders like TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, he said it is not correct to say the Opposition is fragmented.

    “It is true that there are differences among Opposition and discussions take place but the opposition will fight together this battle of ideologies in which on one side there is the BJP and RSS and on the other side are forces opposing them,” he said.

    Gandhi said yatra may have traversed the country from South to North but its impact is countrywide.

    ALSO READ | Promise made to India fulfilled: Rahul after hoisting tricolour in Srinagar

    “The BJP and RSS are attacking the institutional framework of this country. Whether it is Parliament, assemblies, judiciaries, or media. All institutions are being attacked and captured by the BJP. What you have seen in different parts of the country and Jammu and Kashmir are the result of that assault on the institutional framework,” he said.

    Summing up the yatra, which will culminate on Monday with him hoisting the tricolour at a Congress office here, Gandhi said this march is no longer a Congress show but has become a movement for the aam janta (common people).

    He said the Bharat Jodo Yatra envisages to provide to people with an alternative vision of brotherhood to BJP and RSS’ “politics of hate and arrogance.”

    “This yatra has given an alternative to the people of this country. On one side is the vision to crush others while ours is the vision of embracing and taking people together,” he said.

    He said the march will have a tremendous effect on the politics of this country.

    “I cannot tell what exactly will be the effect but I can tell that this yatra is not over. It is a first step towards a new beginning,” he said.

    ALSO READ | Bharat Jodo Yatra helps Rahul Gandhi rebuild political image

    SRINAGAR: Opposition parties may have differences but they will stand united against the ideology of RSS and BJP, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said here on Sunday, a day before his Kanyakumari-to-Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra culminates.

    Addressing a press conference here, his 13th during the 134-day long yatra, Gandhi said the Opposition unity comes after dialogue, conversation and vision.

    Responding to a question on the cold shoulder offered to his yatra by Opposition leaders like TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, he said it is not correct to say the Opposition is fragmented.

    “It is true that there are differences among Opposition and discussions take place but the opposition will fight together this battle of ideologies in which on one side there is the BJP and RSS and on the other side are forces opposing them,” he said.

    Gandhi said yatra may have traversed the country from South to North but its impact is countrywide.

    ALSO READ | Promise made to India fulfilled: Rahul after hoisting tricolour in Srinagar

    “The BJP and RSS are attacking the institutional framework of this country. Whether it is Parliament, assemblies, judiciaries, or media. All institutions are being attacked and captured by the BJP. What you have seen in different parts of the country and Jammu and Kashmir are the result of that assault on the institutional framework,” he said.

    Summing up the yatra, which will culminate on Monday with him hoisting the tricolour at a Congress office here, Gandhi said this march is no longer a Congress show but has become a movement for the aam janta (common people).

    He said the Bharat Jodo Yatra envisages to provide to people with an alternative vision of brotherhood to BJP and RSS’ “politics of hate and arrogance.”

    “This yatra has given an alternative to the people of this country. On one side is the vision to crush others while ours is the vision of embracing and taking people together,” he said.

    He said the march will have a tremendous effect on the politics of this country.

    “I cannot tell what exactly will be the effect but I can tell that this yatra is not over. It is a first step towards a new beginning,” he said.

    ALSO READ | Bharat Jodo Yatra helps Rahul Gandhi rebuild political image