News Analysis India

Tag: BJP

  • Trust in the KHAP: How caste equations are at the heart of the 2022 Gujarat elections   

    Express News Service

    AHMEDABAD: Many political observers have been saying that the BJP has made caste-based politics and political parties irrelevant in elections in India. But caste and community remain at the heart of the Assembly polls in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state.

    Such is the care being shown that both the BJP and Congress have done their utmost to ensure caste equations are maintained, fielding candidates from the same community in 57 out of the 142 unreserved seats in the state. The remaining forty seats going to the polls are reserved  – 13 for the Scheduled Caste and 27 for the Scheduled Tribe.

    The emergence of various caste-based social movements — including the Patidar agitation led by Hardik Patel, the OBC movement led by Alpesh Thakur and the Dalit agitation led by Jignesh Mevani, presently with the Congress — have played their part in ensuring that due emphasis is being paid in this direction.

    These agitations caused a lot of grief to the ruling BJP and brought down their numbers to under 100 seats in 2017. The BJP won 99 seats in those elections, while Congress numbers rose to 77 seats, proof as far as most experts were concerned that these agitations played their part in shoring up the Congress performance.

    Interestingly, the number of seats allocated to the Patidars by the BJP this time around is even more than that in 2017 underlining the importance being paid to the caste arithmetic by the ruling party. In 2017, the Patidars contested from 34 seats on BJP tickets. This time those numbers have risen to 45.

    ALSO READ | CM Bhupendra Patel Interview: ‘BJP has no challenger in Gujarat election’

    And if further proof was needed, it can be found in the number of OBC candidates the ruling party has fielded. Their numbers have gone up from 39 in 2017 to as many as 59 now.

    The OBCs and Patidars in that order in fact make up the majority of candidates in the list of both the BJP and Congress. 

    Breaking down the numbers further, in 2022, there are 28 seats where candidates from the OBC community are contesting against each other. The Patidars, meanwhile, are taking each other on in 25 seats, while 12 seats will witness a BJP-Congress fight involving the Thakors from the OBC community.

    When it comes to other communities, candidates from the Koli community (OBCs) are fighting it out in 10 seats, while two seats will see Kshatriyas (Rajputs) slug it out among themselves. Pitted against each other in two seats each also are candidates from the Ahir, Mehar and Chaudhary communities. Jain candidates from the BJP and Congress are locked in combat in one seat. Brahmin candidates from BJP and Congress are vying to be the MLA from another.

    ALSO READ | ‘Fund-starved’: Congress leaders shortchanged by own party in Gujarat

    The added emphasis on caste and community within the ruling party in the 2022 elections has also been triggered by the fact that leaders of various community movements have switched sides and joined the BJP. The Patidar agitation leader Hardik Patel, who fought against the BJP in 2017, is now the BJP candidate from Viramgam constituency, while OBC movement leader Alpesh Thakor has also switched sides and is now contesting from Gandhinagar South as a BJP candidate.

    The emphasis on caste equations in these elections might also have a lot to do with the Congress’ Madhav Singh Solanki, the late leader who made the best use of caste equations in Gujarat.

    In 1980, Solanki came up with the KHAM (Kshatriya-Harijan-Adivasi-Muslim) theory based on the fact that this bloc constitutes nearly three-fourths of Gujarat’s population. Wooing the KHAMs helped the Congress win big. They clinched 142 seats in 1980 and 149 seats in 1985, a record that the BJP has been trying to break for the last 27 years.

    This time the BJP has tried to conjure up an almost similar formula and do a Solanki. The only difference is that the ruling party has left out Muslims and included the Patidars — call it the KHAP (Kshatriya-Harijan-Adivasi-Patidar) theory, if you will. To help them further, they have sprinkled a liberal helping of Hindutva on top of this.

    Interestingly, the Congress, the one-time proponents of ‘KHAM’ and to great success, have also updated their version and gone the KHAP way, leaving out the Muslims.

    The Aam Aadmi Party, which always positioned itself as a party of change, has not been immune from these developments and has also handed out tickets on the basis of caste equations. 

    After contesting the Gujarat elections to little avail in 2017, they are attempting to give it their best shot this time around. The AAP had already tested the virtues of relying on the Patidar community in the 2021 Surat local corporation election and won 27 corporation seats.

    ALSO READ | Don’t waste your votes, Congress’ share will go below 13 per cent, says Kejriwal

    Since then, the AAP has started giving priority to Patidars in assembly tickets distribution, even though Isudan Gadhvi from the OBC community is their Chief Ministerial candidate, a move that Arvind Kejriwal and his lead planners hope will keep the OBCs in Gujarat happy as well.

    Footnote: An interesting Gujarat elections tidbit

    Polling for one! Gir forest’s lone voter got a polling booth for himself in 2017.

    AHMEDABAD: Many political observers have been saying that the BJP has made caste-based politics and political parties irrelevant in elections in India. But caste and community remain at the heart of the Assembly polls in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state.

    Such is the care being shown that both the BJP and Congress have done their utmost to ensure caste equations are maintained, fielding candidates from the same community in 57 out of the 142 unreserved seats in the state. The remaining forty seats going to the polls are reserved  – 13 for the Scheduled Caste and 27 for the Scheduled Tribe.

    The emergence of various caste-based social movements — including the Patidar agitation led by Hardik Patel, the OBC movement led by Alpesh Thakur and the Dalit agitation led by Jignesh Mevani, presently with the Congress — have played their part in ensuring that due emphasis is being paid in this direction.

    These agitations caused a lot of grief to the ruling BJP and brought down their numbers to under 100 seats in 2017. The BJP won 99 seats in those elections, while Congress numbers rose to 77 seats, proof as far as most experts were concerned that these agitations played their part in shoring up the Congress performance.

    Interestingly, the number of seats allocated to the Patidars by the BJP this time around is even more than that in 2017 underlining the importance being paid to the caste arithmetic by the ruling party. In 2017, the Patidars contested from 34 seats on BJP tickets. This time those numbers have risen to 45.

    ALSO READ | CM Bhupendra Patel Interview: ‘BJP has no challenger in Gujarat election’

    And if further proof was needed, it can be found in the number of OBC candidates the ruling party has fielded. Their numbers have gone up from 39 in 2017 to as many as 59 now.

    The OBCs and Patidars in that order in fact make up the majority of candidates in the list of both the BJP and Congress. 

    Breaking down the numbers further, in 2022, there are 28 seats where candidates from the OBC community are contesting against each other. The Patidars, meanwhile, are taking each other on in 25 seats, while 12 seats will witness a BJP-Congress fight involving the Thakors from the OBC community.

    When it comes to other communities, candidates from the Koli community (OBCs) are fighting it out in 10 seats, while two seats will see Kshatriyas (Rajputs) slug it out among themselves. Pitted against each other in two seats each also are candidates from the Ahir, Mehar and Chaudhary communities. Jain candidates from the BJP and Congress are locked in combat in one seat. Brahmin candidates from BJP and Congress are vying to be the MLA from another.

    ALSO READ | ‘Fund-starved’: Congress leaders shortchanged by own party in Gujarat

    The added emphasis on caste and community within the ruling party in the 2022 elections has also been triggered by the fact that leaders of various community movements have switched sides and joined the BJP. The Patidar agitation leader Hardik Patel, who fought against the BJP in 2017, is now the BJP candidate from Viramgam constituency, while OBC movement leader Alpesh Thakor has also switched sides and is now contesting from Gandhinagar South as a BJP candidate.

    The emphasis on caste equations in these elections might also have a lot to do with the Congress’ Madhav Singh Solanki, the late leader who made the best use of caste equations in Gujarat.

    In 1980, Solanki came up with the KHAM (Kshatriya-Harijan-Adivasi-Muslim) theory based on the fact that this bloc constitutes nearly three-fourths of Gujarat’s population. Wooing the KHAMs helped the Congress win big. They clinched 142 seats in 1980 and 149 seats in 1985, a record that the BJP has been trying to break for the last 27 years.

    This time the BJP has tried to conjure up an almost similar formula and do a Solanki. The only difference is that the ruling party has left out Muslims and included the Patidars — call it the KHAP (Kshatriya-Harijan-Adivasi-Patidar) theory, if you will. To help them further, they have sprinkled a liberal helping of Hindutva on top of this.

    Interestingly, the Congress, the one-time proponents of ‘KHAM’ and to great success, have also updated their version and gone the KHAP way, leaving out the Muslims.

    The Aam Aadmi Party, which always positioned itself as a party of change, has not been immune from these developments and has also handed out tickets on the basis of caste equations. 

    After contesting the Gujarat elections to little avail in 2017, they are attempting to give it their best shot this time around. The AAP had already tested the virtues of relying on the Patidar community in the 2021 Surat local corporation election and won 27 corporation seats.

    ALSO READ | Don’t waste your votes, Congress’ share will go below 13 per cent, says Kejriwal

    Since then, the AAP has started giving priority to Patidars in assembly tickets distribution, even though Isudan Gadhvi from the OBC community is their Chief Ministerial candidate, a move that Arvind Kejriwal and his lead planners hope will keep the OBCs in Gujarat happy as well.

    Footnote: An interesting Gujarat elections tidbit

    Polling for one! Gir forest’s lone voter got a polling booth for himself in 2017.

  • Life on the other side: 20 years after train carnage, communal fissures run deep in Godhra

    By PTI

    GODHRA: A road cleaves through, marking the divide between Muslim-dominated areas and Hindu-majority localities, a metaphor perhaps for communal fissures that run deep in a town that instantly recalls the 2002 Gujarat riots.

    Twenty years after the burning of a train in Godhra killed 59 ‘karsevaks’ and triggered one of India’s worst post-Partition riots, the poll-scape reflects the yawning gulf between the two communities.

    While several minority community residents complain of no development in their localities, people from other areas of the city admit to problems but say they will vote on the issue of Hindutva and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity.

    Corruption, rising unemployment and anti-incumbency against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that has been ruling the state for 27 years remain major issues in this sensitive constituency. However, Hindutva and Modi are determining factors and may triumph over them all.ALSO READ | Taught a lesson to 2002 rioters, says Amit Shah

    The road cuts through Patelwada and Polan Bazaar area near Rani Masjid, the former home to most Hindus and other communities and the latter dominated by Muslims.

    And the differences are visible.

    Polan Bazaar and its surrounding areas are crisscrossed by potholed, shoddily patchworked roads, garbage piled up on the sides and a choked drain winding through a distance away.

    The roads on the other side of the Muslim ghetto are wide.

    The Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) houses small industrial units. There is also a theatre, a Pantaloon showroom, and car showrooms.

    “There are no banks, ATMs, playgrounds on our side of town,” Ishak Bokda, a supporter of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen’s (AIMIM), told PTI.

    “Development has always been on the other side dominated by Hindus and other communities,” added Faisal Suleja, AIMIM’s councillor. The Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM stunned everyone last year by bagging seven seats in the 44-member civic body.

    Godhra has around 2,79,000 voters. Of these, 72,000 are in the Muslim-dominated area.

    As the campaign picks up for the 182-member Assembly elections being held over two phases on December 1 and 5, most bets are on BJP’s sitting MLA C K Raulji who has been representing Godhra since 2007 — from 2007 to 2016 as part of the Congress and the saffron party since 2017.

    Against him are the Congress’ Rashmitaben Chauhan, new entrant Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Rajeshbhai Patel and AIMIM’s Shabbir Kachba who is seeking to cement the gains made by the party in the civic polls last year.

    Kachba, a 33-year-old local imam, accused Raulji of not addressing the issues faced by the constituency, which votes in the second phase.

    “More importantly, how can a person who called Bilkis Bano case convicts ‘sanskari’ be elected,” he said, referring to Raulji’s comments on those convicted in the 2002 gangrape and murder case. They have now been freed.

    According to Raulji, his main agenda will be to fully implement the projects started in 2017, including a 400-bed medical college and an irrigation project for 104 villages.

    The pandemic, lack of opportunities and development are a constant concern.

    No riots have been reported after 2002 from this town in the Panchmahal district of Gujarat which has had a chequered history of communal riots since Independence.

    The polarisation is evident. Many expressed their disappointment with the ruling BJP but said they would again vote for the party.

    Manish Shah, 48, a restaurateur and real estate developer who lost his mother to Covid and said lack of major industries and corruption are major issues in Godhra.

    “But we will vote on the issue of Hindutva and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity,” Shah told PTI. Shah said he owned an oil depot on a road that borders the Muslim area of the city but sold his property in 2011 and ventured into real estate.

    His business partner Indubhai Bhojwani, 53, said corruption is an issue “but the safety of Hindus is an important factor.”

    Mukeshbhai Relwani, 47, who owns a paan shop at Lalbaug Chowk said he will “bleed lotus (the symbol of BJP)” if his vein is cut. “That (the other side where the Muslims reside) is mini-Pakistan. My vote will be for Hindutva,” he said reflecting the distrust between the two communities.ALSO READ | No material to support 2002 Godhra riots were pre-planned events: SC

    However, Relwani also said the BJP would have been certainly defeated if the opposition had fielded stronger candidates.

    “There is no option,” said a businessman on condition of anonymity.

    Harin Patel, 43, who is into mining said he had to send his son away to study engineering because Godhra lacks colleges that provide quality education.

    Some in the younger lot spoke of their willingness to give the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP a chance. Primary factors, they said, were unemployment and lack of opportunities.

    Deepak Padhiyar, 19, a second-year student at the Seth PT Arts and Science and Law College said he had applied for the post of a police constable but could not clear the written exam but his quest for a better life will continue.

    His father is a cobbler with the State Reserve Police Force and his mother is a homemaker who also takes care of their footwear shop.

    “There is hardly any income from the shop. Now I want to apply for the post of Talati (revenue officer). This time my preference will be to AAP,” Padhiyar said, citing the ‘Delhi model of governance’.

    Srimali Kirit (22), a first-year law student, claimed unemployment is a crucial factor here.

    “This (BJP) government is emphasising on contractual workers who have no pension. There is need for government jobs with the implementation of the old pension scheme that will give workers protection after retirement,” Kirit said.

    Kirit said his father is no more and his mother gets a pension of Rs 12,000 and another pension of Rs 1,200 under a central scheme for widows, not enough for the family to sustain their livelihood.

    The AAP has been pushing for the old pension scheme (OPS) in Gujarat if it is voted to power.

    The Gujarat government introduced a new contributory pension scheme for employees joining the service on or after April 1, 2005. According to the notification, it will make a matching contribution of 10 per cent of the basic pay plus dearness allowance contributed by the employees in the NPS fund.

    Under the Centre’s scheme, the government will contribute 14 per cent against an employee’s contribution of 10 per cent of his/her salary and DA with effect from April 1, 2019.

    After protests by employees, the state government said the new pension will not be applicable to those employees who had joined duty before April 2005.

    It also promised to increase its contribution to the fund to 14 per cent from 10 per cent earlier.

    The employees have staged massive agitations against the government in Gujarat while demanding restoration of the OPS because they believe the NPS is not in the interest of retiring employees.

    GODHRA: A road cleaves through, marking the divide between Muslim-dominated areas and Hindu-majority localities, a metaphor perhaps for communal fissures that run deep in a town that instantly recalls the 2002 Gujarat riots.

    Twenty years after the burning of a train in Godhra killed 59 ‘karsevaks’ and triggered one of India’s worst post-Partition riots, the poll-scape reflects the yawning gulf between the two communities.

    While several minority community residents complain of no development in their localities, people from other areas of the city admit to problems but say they will vote on the issue of Hindutva and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity.

    Corruption, rising unemployment and anti-incumbency against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that has been ruling the state for 27 years remain major issues in this sensitive constituency. However, Hindutva and Modi are determining factors and may triumph over them all.ALSO READ | Taught a lesson to 2002 rioters, says Amit Shah

    The road cuts through Patelwada and Polan Bazaar area near Rani Masjid, the former home to most Hindus and other communities and the latter dominated by Muslims.

    And the differences are visible.

    Polan Bazaar and its surrounding areas are crisscrossed by potholed, shoddily patchworked roads, garbage piled up on the sides and a choked drain winding through a distance away.

    The roads on the other side of the Muslim ghetto are wide.

    The Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) houses small industrial units. There is also a theatre, a Pantaloon showroom, and car showrooms.

    “There are no banks, ATMs, playgrounds on our side of town,” Ishak Bokda, a supporter of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen’s (AIMIM), told PTI.

    “Development has always been on the other side dominated by Hindus and other communities,” added Faisal Suleja, AIMIM’s councillor. The Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM stunned everyone last year by bagging seven seats in the 44-member civic body.

    Godhra has around 2,79,000 voters. Of these, 72,000 are in the Muslim-dominated area.

    As the campaign picks up for the 182-member Assembly elections being held over two phases on December 1 and 5, most bets are on BJP’s sitting MLA C K Raulji who has been representing Godhra since 2007 — from 2007 to 2016 as part of the Congress and the saffron party since 2017.

    Against him are the Congress’ Rashmitaben Chauhan, new entrant Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Rajeshbhai Patel and AIMIM’s Shabbir Kachba who is seeking to cement the gains made by the party in the civic polls last year.

    Kachba, a 33-year-old local imam, accused Raulji of not addressing the issues faced by the constituency, which votes in the second phase.

    “More importantly, how can a person who called Bilkis Bano case convicts ‘sanskari’ be elected,” he said, referring to Raulji’s comments on those convicted in the 2002 gangrape and murder case. They have now been freed.

    According to Raulji, his main agenda will be to fully implement the projects started in 2017, including a 400-bed medical college and an irrigation project for 104 villages.

    The pandemic, lack of opportunities and development are a constant concern.

    No riots have been reported after 2002 from this town in the Panchmahal district of Gujarat which has had a chequered history of communal riots since Independence.

    The polarisation is evident. Many expressed their disappointment with the ruling BJP but said they would again vote for the party.

    Manish Shah, 48, a restaurateur and real estate developer who lost his mother to Covid and said lack of major industries and corruption are major issues in Godhra.

    “But we will vote on the issue of Hindutva and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity,” Shah told PTI. Shah said he owned an oil depot on a road that borders the Muslim area of the city but sold his property in 2011 and ventured into real estate.

    His business partner Indubhai Bhojwani, 53, said corruption is an issue “but the safety of Hindus is an important factor.”

    Mukeshbhai Relwani, 47, who owns a paan shop at Lalbaug Chowk said he will “bleed lotus (the symbol of BJP)” if his vein is cut. “That (the other side where the Muslims reside) is mini-Pakistan. My vote will be for Hindutva,” he said reflecting the distrust between the two communities.ALSO READ | No material to support 2002 Godhra riots were pre-planned events: SC

    However, Relwani also said the BJP would have been certainly defeated if the opposition had fielded stronger candidates.

    “There is no option,” said a businessman on condition of anonymity.

    Harin Patel, 43, who is into mining said he had to send his son away to study engineering because Godhra lacks colleges that provide quality education.

    Some in the younger lot spoke of their willingness to give the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP a chance. Primary factors, they said, were unemployment and lack of opportunities.

    Deepak Padhiyar, 19, a second-year student at the Seth PT Arts and Science and Law College said he had applied for the post of a police constable but could not clear the written exam but his quest for a better life will continue.

    His father is a cobbler with the State Reserve Police Force and his mother is a homemaker who also takes care of their footwear shop.

    “There is hardly any income from the shop. Now I want to apply for the post of Talati (revenue officer). This time my preference will be to AAP,” Padhiyar said, citing the ‘Delhi model of governance’.

    Srimali Kirit (22), a first-year law student, claimed unemployment is a crucial factor here.

    “This (BJP) government is emphasising on contractual workers who have no pension. There is need for government jobs with the implementation of the old pension scheme that will give workers protection after retirement,” Kirit said.

    Kirit said his father is no more and his mother gets a pension of Rs 12,000 and another pension of Rs 1,200 under a central scheme for widows, not enough for the family to sustain their livelihood.

    The AAP has been pushing for the old pension scheme (OPS) in Gujarat if it is voted to power.

    The Gujarat government introduced a new contributory pension scheme for employees joining the service on or after April 1, 2005. According to the notification, it will make a matching contribution of 10 per cent of the basic pay plus dearness allowance contributed by the employees in the NPS fund.

    Under the Centre’s scheme, the government will contribute 14 per cent against an employee’s contribution of 10 per cent of his/her salary and DA with effect from April 1, 2019.

    After protests by employees, the state government said the new pension will not be applicable to those employees who had joined duty before April 2005.

    It also promised to increase its contribution to the fund to 14 per cent from 10 per cent earlier.

    The employees have staged massive agitations against the government in Gujarat while demanding restoration of the OPS because they believe the NPS is not in the interest of retiring employees.

  • Gujarat polls: BJP manifesto promises implementation of Uniform Civil Code in state

    By PTI

    GANDHINAGAR: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday released its manifesto for next month’s Gujarat Assembly elections, in which it promised to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state if the party retained power.

    In the manifesto, which was released here by BJP president J P Nadda, the party also promised free education to girls from KG to PG (kindergarten to post-graduation).

    It also assured that the amount of medical insurance coverage under the Ayushman Bharat scheme would be doubled from Rs five lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

    GANDHINAGAR: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday released its manifesto for next month’s Gujarat Assembly elections, in which it promised to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state if the party retained power.

    In the manifesto, which was released here by BJP president J P Nadda, the party also promised free education to girls from KG to PG (kindergarten to post-graduation).

    It also assured that the amount of medical insurance coverage under the Ayushman Bharat scheme would be doubled from Rs five lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

  • Congress accuses BJP of ‘doctoring’ video to discredit ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’

    By PTI

    SANAVAD: The Congress on Friday termed as “doctored” a video posted by the BJP IT cell head claiming that “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans were raised during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Madhya Pradesh, and said there will be “payback” for such tactics by the ruling party’s “dirty tricks department.”

    BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya posted a video of the Yatra in which former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath are seen walking and a voice purportedly shouting “Pakistan Zindabad” is heard towards the end of the 21-second clip.

    The Yatra was passing through Bhanbarad in the Khargone district at the time.

    “After Richa Chaddha’s public application to join Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat ‘Jodo’ Yatra, ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ (listen towards the end of the video) slogans raised in Khargon. INC MP posted the video and then deleted it after the faux pas came to light. This is Congress’s truth,” Malviya tweeted.

    Hitting back, Congress’ general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said a video “doctored” by the “dirty tricks department” of the BJP is doing the rounds to discredit the “highly successful” Bharat Jodo Yatra.

    “We are taking the necessary legal action immediately. We are prepared for such tactics, and there will be payback,” he said on Twitter.

    In another tweet, Ramesh also alleged that the Madhya Pradesh government “intimidated” and aggressively prevented tribal families displaced by a diamond mining project in the Chhatarpur district from meeting Rahul Gandhi in the afternoon.

    “This is democracy-BJP style,” the Congress leader said.

    Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, however, asked in a tweet, “The raising of Pakistan Zindabad slogan is uniting Bharat or uniting those who are breaking the country? Earlier also Bharat was divided, any plan to do it again? Those raising `Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans will not be spared at any cost.”

    State BJP president Vishnu Dutt Sharma said the raising of the slogan proved that this was the same Rahul Gandhi “who stood with those in JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University) who wanted to disintegrate Bharat Mata into pieces.”

    SANAVAD: The Congress on Friday termed as “doctored” a video posted by the BJP IT cell head claiming that “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans were raised during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Madhya Pradesh, and said there will be “payback” for such tactics by the ruling party’s “dirty tricks department.”

    BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya posted a video of the Yatra in which former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath are seen walking and a voice purportedly shouting “Pakistan Zindabad” is heard towards the end of the 21-second clip.

    The Yatra was passing through Bhanbarad in the Khargone district at the time.

    “After Richa Chaddha’s public application to join Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat ‘Jodo’ Yatra, ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ (listen towards the end of the video) slogans raised in Khargon. INC MP posted the video and then deleted it after the faux pas came to light. This is Congress’s truth,” Malviya tweeted.

    Hitting back, Congress’ general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said a video “doctored” by the “dirty tricks department” of the BJP is doing the rounds to discredit the “highly successful” Bharat Jodo Yatra.

    “We are taking the necessary legal action immediately. We are prepared for such tactics, and there will be payback,” he said on Twitter.

    In another tweet, Ramesh also alleged that the Madhya Pradesh government “intimidated” and aggressively prevented tribal families displaced by a diamond mining project in the Chhatarpur district from meeting Rahul Gandhi in the afternoon.

    “This is democracy-BJP style,” the Congress leader said.

    Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, however, asked in a tweet, “The raising of Pakistan Zindabad slogan is uniting Bharat or uniting those who are breaking the country? Earlier also Bharat was divided, any plan to do it again? Those raising `Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans will not be spared at any cost.”

    State BJP president Vishnu Dutt Sharma said the raising of the slogan proved that this was the same Rahul Gandhi “who stood with those in JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University) who wanted to disintegrate Bharat Mata into pieces.”

  • Shahjahanpur BJP MP declared absconder by UP court 

    By PTI

    SHAHJAHANPUR (UP): Local BJP MP Arun Kumar Sagar has been declared an absconder by a special MP/MLA court here after he failed to appear before it in connection with a case pertaining to seizure of poll material in 2019.

    Judge Asma Sultana declared him an absconder on November 21.

    During the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the then SDM Sadar had seized the campaign material of BJP candidate Sagar on the Bareilly-Jalalabad road and a case was registered.

    Sagar did not appear before the court despite several summons following which a non-bailable warrant was issued against him, Special Public Prosecution Officer Neelima Saxena told PTI on Wednesday.

    The court said the copy of the order should be pasted at the residence of the MP as well as at public places.

    SHAHJAHANPUR (UP): Local BJP MP Arun Kumar Sagar has been declared an absconder by a special MP/MLA court here after he failed to appear before it in connection with a case pertaining to seizure of poll material in 2019.

    Judge Asma Sultana declared him an absconder on November 21.

    During the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the then SDM Sadar had seized the campaign material of BJP candidate Sagar on the Bareilly-Jalalabad road and a case was registered.

    Sagar did not appear before the court despite several summons following which a non-bailable warrant was issued against him, Special Public Prosecution Officer Neelima Saxena told PTI on Wednesday.

    The court said the copy of the order should be pasted at the residence of the MP as well as at public places.

  • Akhilesh-Shivpal bonhomie talk of the town; but its longevity depends on Mainpuri bypoll results

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: The bonhomie between Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and uncle Shivpal Yadav, who owns Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party-Lohia  (PSPL), is there for everyone to watch and feel as both can be seen sharing each and every frame during the party’s ongoing by-poll campaign in Mainpuri.

    Shivpal figures prominently among 40 star campaigners of SP seeking votes for Mainpuri SP candidate Dimple Yadav who has been fielded by the party to take over the legacy of Mulayam Singh Yadav whose demise necessitated the by-poll in the parliamentary segment.

    Victory in Mainpuri, a traditional Mulayam bastion since 1996, is associated with the pride of SP. The stakes of the party are high as the ruling BJP is also making efforts to grab the seat by fielding Shivpal’s close aide Raghuraj Shakya.

    BJP has already shocked SP by snatching away Azamgarh and Rampur Lok Sabha seats at bypoll in June, this year.

    Even Akhilesh has gone out of his way to fortify his battle by reaching out to estranged uncle Shivpal knowing well his significance in Mainpuri after Mulayam Singh Yadav. In fact, Shivpal enjoys a respectable clout among Mulayam supporters who feel that Shivpal has been betrayed by Akhilesh.

    However, political pundits and SP rivals are wondering if the new-found bonhomie between Akhilesh and Shivpal will survive the test of times.

    “It will be clear after the Mainpuri bypoll if the two will go hand-in-hand into the UP civic polls and also into 2024 Lok Sabha elections,” says Prof AK Mishra, a prominent political scientist.

    The bonhomie between Akhilesh and Shivpal assumes significance as both have been sharing an oblique relationship with each other since 2016. The differences rose to such an extent that Shivpal parted ways with SP and floated his own PSPL in 2018. He even contested 2019 Lok Sabha elections against SP and became a reason for the defeat of SP candidates in a lot of constituencies.

    The political analysts see an uncanny resemblance in Akhilesh Shivpal ties at present and the alliance which they had struck in the run-up to the 2022 assembly polls in UP. However,  Akhilesh has struck that alliance with SHivpal on his own terms sparing just one seat for him and compelling him to contest from Jaswantnagar on SP symbol.

    Later, after the results, the ties between the two ended on a bitter note when Shivpal accused Akhilesh of ignoring him.

    At present, the SP chief also realises the significance of putting up a united face of the family to ensure the victory of Dimple Yadav.

    “The longevity of ties between Akhilesh and Shivpal will depend on the victory of Dimple. If she wins, the ties will remain intact, otherwise they may go sour again,” says Prof Mishra.

    On the other, SP insiders believe that this time the equation will last. “We have understood BJP’s tactic and a solution to it has now been found,” said a senior SP leader adding that this was just the beginning and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls would see the ‘return of a united SP’ in a big way.

    The BJP looks at the development as mere optics in wake of the by-poll and described the reconciliation between Akhilesh and Shivpal as “opportunistic” only for the Mainpuri elections. The BJP leadership feels that every time there is an election, Akhilesh remembers Shivpal and throws him away after accomplishing his mission.

    Shivpal is also walking an extra mile to keep nephew in good humour. After joining the SP star campaigners, Shivpal has thrown his weight behind Dimple’s candidature calling upon the Mainpuri voters to ensure the victory of the eldest daughter -in-law of Yadav clan.

    Recently, while sharing the stage with nephew during a public rally, when Akhilesh touched his feet, Shivpal took to twitter to put an emotional post saying he would never betray Akhilesh Yadav like he never betrayed ‘Netaji’ (Mulayam Singh Yadav) whom he worked closely with and learnt the tricks of politics.

    However, this warming up would be put to real test in upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024 when Shivpal would want his pound of flesh expecting Akhilesh to reciprocate by giving enough political space to him, his son Aditya and his loyalists who stood beside him in his lean days.

    LUCKNOW: The bonhomie between Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and uncle Shivpal Yadav, who owns Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party-Lohia  (PSPL), is there for everyone to watch and feel as both can be seen sharing each and every frame during the party’s ongoing by-poll campaign in Mainpuri.

    Shivpal figures prominently among 40 star campaigners of SP seeking votes for Mainpuri SP candidate Dimple Yadav who has been fielded by the party to take over the legacy of Mulayam Singh Yadav whose demise necessitated the by-poll in the parliamentary segment.

    Victory in Mainpuri, a traditional Mulayam bastion since 1996, is associated with the pride of SP. The stakes of the party are high as the ruling BJP is also making efforts to grab the seat by fielding Shivpal’s close aide Raghuraj Shakya.

    BJP has already shocked SP by snatching away Azamgarh and Rampur Lok Sabha seats at bypoll in June, this year.

    Even Akhilesh has gone out of his way to fortify his battle by reaching out to estranged uncle Shivpal knowing well his significance in Mainpuri after Mulayam Singh Yadav. In fact, Shivpal enjoys a respectable clout among Mulayam supporters who feel that Shivpal has been betrayed by Akhilesh.

    However, political pundits and SP rivals are wondering if the new-found bonhomie between Akhilesh and Shivpal will survive the test of times.

    “It will be clear after the Mainpuri bypoll if the two will go hand-in-hand into the UP civic polls and also into 2024 Lok Sabha elections,” says Prof AK Mishra, a prominent political scientist.

    The bonhomie between Akhilesh and Shivpal assumes significance as both have been sharing an oblique relationship with each other since 2016. The differences rose to such an extent that Shivpal parted ways with SP and floated his own PSPL in 2018. He even contested 2019 Lok Sabha elections against SP and became a reason for the defeat of SP candidates in a lot of constituencies.

    The political analysts see an uncanny resemblance in Akhilesh Shivpal ties at present and the alliance which they had struck in the run-up to the 2022 assembly polls in UP. However,  Akhilesh has struck that alliance with SHivpal on his own terms sparing just one seat for him and compelling him to contest from Jaswantnagar on SP symbol.

    Later, after the results, the ties between the two ended on a bitter note when Shivpal accused Akhilesh of ignoring him.

    At present, the SP chief also realises the significance of putting up a united face of the family to ensure the victory of Dimple Yadav.

    “The longevity of ties between Akhilesh and Shivpal will depend on the victory of Dimple. If she wins, the ties will remain intact, otherwise they may go sour again,” says Prof Mishra.

    On the other, SP insiders believe that this time the equation will last. “We have understood BJP’s tactic and a solution to it has now been found,” said a senior SP leader adding that this was just the beginning and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls would see the ‘return of a united SP’ in a big way.

    The BJP looks at the development as mere optics in wake of the by-poll and described the reconciliation between Akhilesh and Shivpal as “opportunistic” only for the Mainpuri elections. The BJP leadership feels that every time there is an election, Akhilesh remembers Shivpal and throws him away after accomplishing his mission.

    Shivpal is also walking an extra mile to keep nephew in good humour. After joining the SP star campaigners, Shivpal has thrown his weight behind Dimple’s candidature calling upon the Mainpuri voters to ensure the victory of the eldest daughter -in-law of Yadav clan.

    Recently, while sharing the stage with nephew during a public rally, when Akhilesh touched his feet, Shivpal took to twitter to put an emotional post saying he would never betray Akhilesh Yadav like he never betrayed ‘Netaji’ (Mulayam Singh Yadav) whom he worked closely with and learnt the tricks of politics.

    However, this warming up would be put to real test in upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024 when Shivpal would want his pound of flesh expecting Akhilesh to reciprocate by giving enough political space to him, his son Aditya and his loyalists who stood beside him in his lean days.

  • Gujarat: Clinching Viramgam seat in poll debut is no cakewalk for Patidar face Hardik Patel

    By PTI

    VIRAMGAM: The ruling BJP in Gujarat has fielded newly-inducted young Patidar leader Hardik Patel to snatch from the Congress the Viramgam Assembly seat that had thrown up a surprise in the last election and is considered immune to caste politics as leaders from different castes and religions, including a minority community, have represented it so far.

    For the 29-year-old Patel, a native of Chandranagar village of Viramgam taluka of Ahmedabad who was born and brought up in Viramgam town, it is his maiden Assembly election.

    He will lock horns with sitting Congress MLA Lakhabhai Bharwad, who defeated Bharatiya Janata Party’s Tejashree Patel in 2017 by a margin of over 6,500 votes.

    Viramgam Assembly segment, which comprises Viramgam, Mandal and Detroj talukas of Ahmedabad, has been with the Congress for the last 10 years. This and 92 other seats will go to polls in the second phase on December 5.

    Interestingly, in the 2012 Assembly polls, Tejashree Patel had contested as a Congress candidate and defeated BJP’s Pragji Patel by a margin of more than 16,000 votes.

    During her tenure as the Congress MLA, she left her mark as a fierce critic of the ruling BJP, both inside and outside the Assembly.

    However, to everyone’s surprise, when she switched sides and fought on the BJP ticket in 2017, voters rejected her and chose Congress’ Lakhabhai Bharwad, who belonged to the Other Backward Class (OBC).

    While some voters feel that Bharwad is facing anti-incumbency now, some others say he has been active as an MLA and worked hard to resolve the local issues, and hence defeating him would not be easy for Hardik.

    Viramgam comprises nearly 3 lakh voters, including 65,000 Thakor (OBC) voters, 50,000 Patidars or Patel voters, nearly 35,000 Dalits, 20,000 Bharwad and Rabari community voters, 20,000 Muslims, 18,000 Koli members and 10,000 Karadia (OBC) Rajputs.

    However, this seat has so far given MLAs from different castes, including Tejashree Patel (Patidar), Daudbhai Patel (Muslim) in 1980, Kamabhai Rathod (Karadia Rajput) in 2007 and Lakhabhai Bharwad (OBC).

    “People of Viramgam never vote on caste lines. That is the reason why candidates from different castes have won over the decades. Voters of this seat only see performance and commitment towards people and the party. I am confident of retaining this seat,” said Bharwad when asked if Hardik’s nomination may create trouble for him this time.

    Bharwad is relying on his past performance and the work done for the people or at least raising the issues in the Assembly as well as at the local level to get a solution.

    Both Viramgam Municipality and Taluka Panchayat are with the BJP.

    “Earlier, the condition of roads in the constituency was bad as they were not resurfaced for seven years. But due to my consistent efforts, they have resurfaced. However, the people of Viramgam town are suffering because the BJP is ruling the municipality. People are aware of who is at fault and who did their work,” Bharwad said.

    Some locals also endorsed Bharwad’s claims about the work he had done so far as an MLA.

    “There is no doubt that Patel is more popular. But it is also a fact that Bharwad was active as an MLA and worked hard to resolve our issues, be it bad roads or overflowing gutters. We have seen him on the ground. Though he was not able to solve all the issues, people know that he had tried,” said auto driver Kantilal Parmar.

    Another voter claimed that Hardik’s chances of winning had increased with the renomination of Bharwad.

    “Bharwad is facing anti-incumbency. Looking at the caste equations, Congress should have fielded someone from Thakor community. Now, Hardik’s chances have gone up with Bharwad’s renomination,” he said.

    The Aam Aadmi Party is also in the fray, which initially gave a ticket to one Kunvarji Thakor, before suddenly replacing him with Amarsinh Thakor.

    Kunvarji was unhappy with the development and decided to fight as an independent. In 2017, he contested as an independent and secured fourth place with 10,800 votes.

    One Kirit Rathod, a known Dalit activist from Viramgam, is also in the fray as an independent.

    Many believe that this trio, if they remain in the fray, can disrupt the voting equations and give unexpected results. The last date to withdraw nomination is November 21.

    Hardik, who rose to prominence after leading the Patidar reservation agitation seeking OBC status for the Patidar caste, joined the BJP in June after being with the Congress for nearly two years.

    He is now touring villages of the region.

    In the “list of promises” issued by him, the first one says he will make sure that Viramgam gets the status of a district and rural people are already thanking Patel for taking up this issue.

    “Viramgam is big enough to be declared as a separate district. People have been demanding it for some time. This will resolve many of our problems because we have to travel all the way to Ahmedabad for various works related to the collector’s office or for court-related matters. Hardik has rightly taken up the issue,” said Amrat Patel, a local farmer.

    Other key promises include building a modern sports complex, schools, 50-bed hospitals each in Mandal taluka, Detroj taluka and near Nal Sarovar, 1,000 government houses in Viramgam town, industrial estate, and gardens, among others.

    Notably, the four-page leaflet of promises does not find any mention of the word “Patidar” in it.

    In his short bio, it is mentioned that he was born in a “Hindu family” in Gujarat and his late father Bharatbhai was an active BJP worker in this region.

    Hinting at the EWS (economically weaker sections) quota introduced in Gujarat after his agitation for reservation, the leaflet says Hardik’s “historic agitation” was instrumental in providing many benefits to not just one but several communities.

    “Our campaign is going very strong and people are showering their blessings on Hardik. People are not happy with Congress MLA and they want a change this time. We are confident that people of Viramgam seat will vote for Hardik and once again bring BJP to power in the state,” said Hardik’s campaign manager Dipak Patel.

    VIRAMGAM: The ruling BJP in Gujarat has fielded newly-inducted young Patidar leader Hardik Patel to snatch from the Congress the Viramgam Assembly seat that had thrown up a surprise in the last election and is considered immune to caste politics as leaders from different castes and religions, including a minority community, have represented it so far.

    For the 29-year-old Patel, a native of Chandranagar village of Viramgam taluka of Ahmedabad who was born and brought up in Viramgam town, it is his maiden Assembly election.

    He will lock horns with sitting Congress MLA Lakhabhai Bharwad, who defeated Bharatiya Janata Party’s Tejashree Patel in 2017 by a margin of over 6,500 votes.

    Viramgam Assembly segment, which comprises Viramgam, Mandal and Detroj talukas of Ahmedabad, has been with the Congress for the last 10 years. This and 92 other seats will go to polls in the second phase on December 5.

    Interestingly, in the 2012 Assembly polls, Tejashree Patel had contested as a Congress candidate and defeated BJP’s Pragji Patel by a margin of more than 16,000 votes.

    During her tenure as the Congress MLA, she left her mark as a fierce critic of the ruling BJP, both inside and outside the Assembly.

    However, to everyone’s surprise, when she switched sides and fought on the BJP ticket in 2017, voters rejected her and chose Congress’ Lakhabhai Bharwad, who belonged to the Other Backward Class (OBC).

    While some voters feel that Bharwad is facing anti-incumbency now, some others say he has been active as an MLA and worked hard to resolve the local issues, and hence defeating him would not be easy for Hardik.

    Viramgam comprises nearly 3 lakh voters, including 65,000 Thakor (OBC) voters, 50,000 Patidars or Patel voters, nearly 35,000 Dalits, 20,000 Bharwad and Rabari community voters, 20,000 Muslims, 18,000 Koli members and 10,000 Karadia (OBC) Rajputs.

    However, this seat has so far given MLAs from different castes, including Tejashree Patel (Patidar), Daudbhai Patel (Muslim) in 1980, Kamabhai Rathod (Karadia Rajput) in 2007 and Lakhabhai Bharwad (OBC).

    “People of Viramgam never vote on caste lines. That is the reason why candidates from different castes have won over the decades. Voters of this seat only see performance and commitment towards people and the party. I am confident of retaining this seat,” said Bharwad when asked if Hardik’s nomination may create trouble for him this time.

    Bharwad is relying on his past performance and the work done for the people or at least raising the issues in the Assembly as well as at the local level to get a solution.

    Both Viramgam Municipality and Taluka Panchayat are with the BJP.

    “Earlier, the condition of roads in the constituency was bad as they were not resurfaced for seven years. But due to my consistent efforts, they have resurfaced. However, the people of Viramgam town are suffering because the BJP is ruling the municipality. People are aware of who is at fault and who did their work,” Bharwad said.

    Some locals also endorsed Bharwad’s claims about the work he had done so far as an MLA.

    “There is no doubt that Patel is more popular. But it is also a fact that Bharwad was active as an MLA and worked hard to resolve our issues, be it bad roads or overflowing gutters. We have seen him on the ground. Though he was not able to solve all the issues, people know that he had tried,” said auto driver Kantilal Parmar.

    Another voter claimed that Hardik’s chances of winning had increased with the renomination of Bharwad.

    “Bharwad is facing anti-incumbency. Looking at the caste equations, Congress should have fielded someone from Thakor community. Now, Hardik’s chances have gone up with Bharwad’s renomination,” he said.

    The Aam Aadmi Party is also in the fray, which initially gave a ticket to one Kunvarji Thakor, before suddenly replacing him with Amarsinh Thakor.

    Kunvarji was unhappy with the development and decided to fight as an independent. In 2017, he contested as an independent and secured fourth place with 10,800 votes.

    One Kirit Rathod, a known Dalit activist from Viramgam, is also in the fray as an independent.

    Many believe that this trio, if they remain in the fray, can disrupt the voting equations and give unexpected results. The last date to withdraw nomination is November 21.

    Hardik, who rose to prominence after leading the Patidar reservation agitation seeking OBC status for the Patidar caste, joined the BJP in June after being with the Congress for nearly two years.

    He is now touring villages of the region.

    In the “list of promises” issued by him, the first one says he will make sure that Viramgam gets the status of a district and rural people are already thanking Patel for taking up this issue.

    “Viramgam is big enough to be declared as a separate district. People have been demanding it for some time. This will resolve many of our problems because we have to travel all the way to Ahmedabad for various works related to the collector’s office or for court-related matters. Hardik has rightly taken up the issue,” said Amrat Patel, a local farmer.

    Other key promises include building a modern sports complex, schools, 50-bed hospitals each in Mandal taluka, Detroj taluka and near Nal Sarovar, 1,000 government houses in Viramgam town, industrial estate, and gardens, among others.

    Notably, the four-page leaflet of promises does not find any mention of the word “Patidar” in it.

    In his short bio, it is mentioned that he was born in a “Hindu family” in Gujarat and his late father Bharatbhai was an active BJP worker in this region.

    Hinting at the EWS (economically weaker sections) quota introduced in Gujarat after his agitation for reservation, the leaflet says Hardik’s “historic agitation” was instrumental in providing many benefits to not just one but several communities.

    “Our campaign is going very strong and people are showering their blessings on Hardik. People are not happy with Congress MLA and they want a change this time. We are confident that people of Viramgam seat will vote for Hardik and once again bring BJP to power in the state,” said Hardik’s campaign manager Dipak Patel.

  • Gujarat polls: Congress complains to NCPCR against PM for ‘misuse’ of children in campaign

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday filed a complaint with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP for using children for their political campaign in the run-up to the Gujarat assembly polls.

    The complaint was filed by the Congress’ social media department chairperson Supriya Shrinate to the chairman of the NCPCR Priyank Kanoongo after the prime minister shared a video in which a girl was seen speaking about BJP’s governance in Gujarati.

    “We have lodged a complaint before Priyank Kanoongo of NCPCR against the misuse of children for election and political campaigns by PM Modi in Gujarat. Have also marked a copy to the Election Commission for violation of the model code of conduct. Mr Kanoongo, you have been conspicuously quiet. Why?” she asked on Twitter while sharing her complaint.

    AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “This is an open and shut case of violation of child rights and misuse of children for electioneering by the PM himself. NCPCR and EC are on a severe test now.”

    In her complaint to the NCPCR, Shrinate accused the BJP and Narendra Modi of “misusing minor children for election and political campaign” during Gujarat assembly elections.

    Alleging that these actions are not only illegal under the law but are also in clear violation of the NCPCR and the Election Commission’s instructions, she hoped that the Chairman of the Commission would take strict action in the case at the earliest.

    “The impugned video with the minor child singing and campaigning for BJP has been endorsed (through re-tweets) and shared across various social media platforms, thereby making it amply evident that the said video and the minor child therein are being used for the election campaign of BJP by Shri Narendra Modi Ji. The election commission of India and other quasi-judicial bodies have time and again advised against the use of children as political actors/agents/mascots in any form or fashion for election campaigns,” she said in her complaint.

    The Congress leader said that a few weeks ago the NCPCR was particularly concerned about the very presence of children in the Bharat Jodo Yatra, which, she said, is an exercise to bring India and Indians together.

    “We hope that the concern was not selective and that you shall take the strictest and immediate action against the offenders in question who have egregiously, and without a shred of doubt, used a minor child for express campaign purposes.”

    “This is an actionable claim since it directly violates your own directive. We hope you will act swiftly against the offenders. We look forward to your timely intervention,” Shrinate said in her complaint.

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday filed a complaint with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP for using children for their political campaign in the run-up to the Gujarat assembly polls.

    The complaint was filed by the Congress’ social media department chairperson Supriya Shrinate to the chairman of the NCPCR Priyank Kanoongo after the prime minister shared a video in which a girl was seen speaking about BJP’s governance in Gujarati.

    “We have lodged a complaint before Priyank Kanoongo of NCPCR against the misuse of children for election and political campaigns by PM Modi in Gujarat. Have also marked a copy to the Election Commission for violation of the model code of conduct. Mr Kanoongo, you have been conspicuously quiet. Why?” she asked on Twitter while sharing her complaint.

    AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “This is an open and shut case of violation of child rights and misuse of children for electioneering by the PM himself. NCPCR and EC are on a severe test now.”

    In her complaint to the NCPCR, Shrinate accused the BJP and Narendra Modi of “misusing minor children for election and political campaign” during Gujarat assembly elections.

    Alleging that these actions are not only illegal under the law but are also in clear violation of the NCPCR and the Election Commission’s instructions, she hoped that the Chairman of the Commission would take strict action in the case at the earliest.

    “The impugned video with the minor child singing and campaigning for BJP has been endorsed (through re-tweets) and shared across various social media platforms, thereby making it amply evident that the said video and the minor child therein are being used for the election campaign of BJP by Shri Narendra Modi Ji. The election commission of India and other quasi-judicial bodies have time and again advised against the use of children as political actors/agents/mascots in any form or fashion for election campaigns,” she said in her complaint.

    The Congress leader said that a few weeks ago the NCPCR was particularly concerned about the very presence of children in the Bharat Jodo Yatra, which, she said, is an exercise to bring India and Indians together.

    “We hope that the concern was not selective and that you shall take the strictest and immediate action against the offenders in question who have egregiously, and without a shred of doubt, used a minor child for express campaign purposes.”

    “This is an actionable claim since it directly violates your own directive. We hope you will act swiftly against the offenders. We look forward to your timely intervention,” Shrinate said in her complaint.

  • Gujarat polls: ‘Fake Mazars’ removed from Dwarka; BJP to continue ‘clean-up’, says Amit Shah

    Express News Service

    AHMEDABAD: The Bharathiya Janata Party, (BJP), is leaving no stone unturned to continue its winning streak in the state.

    With the elections around the corner, the BJP – which earlier sought votes on the back of the “double engine model” in reference to the development works done by BJP’s central and state governments – is now trying to seek votes on the issue of Hinduism.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said BJP is doing work to remove specific community encroachment, which congress never did in the past due to vote bank politics.

    Amit Shah was addressing an election campaign rally in Gujarat’s Khambhat assembly constituency.

    Shah reminded the public about demolition work done by the BJP in Muslim areas saying “fake Mazars” (Muslim shrine/tomb) were removed from the residence of Lord Krishna’s Dwarka an island near Gujarat’s Okha.

    Shah said, “Be it Mazar or graves, shouldn’t encroachments be removed? Congress may not like it. But even if they don’t like it, BJP will continue the clean-up. There is no need to be afraid.”

    “Our CM Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi demolished the fake Mazars in Beyt Dwarka. They were all encroachments in the name of Mazars and they were cleared but Congress said we were polarising,” Shah added.

    Shah also reminded people about developments done by the BJP government at various pilgrimages, saying “For years, there was a Mazar in Pavagadh (pilgrimage in Central Gujarat). It is the BJP government that built a Kali temple atop the hill. Congress will never do such a thing. But we are not afraid of any vote bank. For the BJP government, the security of the country is more important than being in power.”

    “Don’t let Congress come to power or else communal riots will begin in the state again and you will face difficulties once again,” Shah Added.

    Talking about removing Article 370 in Kashmir, Shah said, “After so many years, PM Modi completed Sardar Patel’s dream of ‘Akhand Bharat’ and our Kashmir adorns the crown of Bharat Mata.”

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah talked about Muslim area demolition in an Assembly constituency where the Muslim population are a deciding factor.

    It is important to note that, on April 10, a clash erupted between the two communities during a Ram Navami procession in Shakarpur village of Khambhat town that resulted in the death of one person and also left six policemen injured.

    The BJP, which campaigned extensively across 83 seats in poll-bound Gujarat last week, held Sabhas on Tuesday, across 93 assembly constituencies that go into polls in the second phase of the state elections.

    The Elections for the 182-member State Assembly will be held in two phases on December 1 and 5. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 8.ALSO READ | Congress left no stone unturned to insult Sardar Patel: Amit Shah

    AHMEDABAD: The Bharathiya Janata Party, (BJP), is leaving no stone unturned to continue its winning streak in the state.

    With the elections around the corner, the BJP – which earlier sought votes on the back of the “double engine model” in reference to the development works done by BJP’s central and state governments – is now trying to seek votes on the issue of Hinduism.

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said BJP is doing work to remove specific community encroachment, which congress never did in the past due to vote bank politics.

    Amit Shah was addressing an election campaign rally in Gujarat’s Khambhat assembly constituency.

    Shah reminded the public about demolition work done by the BJP in Muslim areas saying “fake Mazars” (Muslim shrine/tomb) were removed from the residence of Lord Krishna’s Dwarka an island near Gujarat’s Okha.

    Shah said, “Be it Mazar or graves, shouldn’t encroachments be removed? Congress may not like it. But even if they don’t like it, BJP will continue the clean-up. There is no need to be afraid.”

    “Our CM Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi demolished the fake Mazars in Beyt Dwarka. They were all encroachments in the name of Mazars and they were cleared but Congress said we were polarising,” Shah added.

    Shah also reminded people about developments done by the BJP government at various pilgrimages, saying “For years, there was a Mazar in Pavagadh (pilgrimage in Central Gujarat). It is the BJP government that built a Kali temple atop the hill. Congress will never do such a thing. But we are not afraid of any vote bank. For the BJP government, the security of the country is more important than being in power.”

    “Don’t let Congress come to power or else communal riots will begin in the state again and you will face difficulties once again,” Shah Added.

    Talking about removing Article 370 in Kashmir, Shah said, “After so many years, PM Modi completed Sardar Patel’s dream of ‘Akhand Bharat’ and our Kashmir adorns the crown of Bharat Mata.”

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah talked about Muslim area demolition in an Assembly constituency where the Muslim population are a deciding factor.

    It is important to note that, on April 10, a clash erupted between the two communities during a Ram Navami procession in Shakarpur village of Khambhat town that resulted in the death of one person and also left six policemen injured.

    The BJP, which campaigned extensively across 83 seats in poll-bound Gujarat last week, held Sabhas on Tuesday, across 93 assembly constituencies that go into polls in the second phase of the state elections.

    The Elections for the 182-member State Assembly will be held in two phases on December 1 and 5. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 8.ALSO READ | Congress left no stone unturned to insult Sardar Patel: Amit Shah

  • Gujarat polls | Congress left no stone unturned to insult Sardar Patel: Amit Shah

    By PTI

    KHAMBHAT: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday alleged that the Congress did everything possible to “insult” Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and it has started praising him only now in view of the Gujarat Assembly elections.

    Even the last rites of the country’s first deputy prime minister were performed in an “unceremonious” way, the BJP leader said at an election rally at Khambhat in Gujarat’s Anand district.

    “I am surprised that the Congress now praises Sardar Patel. Since my childhood, I have never heard any Congress leader talking about Patel. Instead, they left no stone unturned to insult Patel, right from performing his last rites in an unceremonious manner to ensuring that no monument was built in his memory,” Shah said.

    Voting for Khambhat and 92 other seats will take place on December 5, in the second phase of the Assembly elections.

    Shah further said that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who paid a real tribute to Patel by constructing the Statue of Unity, Patel’s statue which is the world’s tallest monument.

    He also dared Congress candidate from Khambhat, Chirag Patel to produce any photograph where he is seen paying tributes to Sardar Patel at the Statue of Unity.

    “No Congress leader dares to visit the Statue of Unity at Kevadia for fear of losing ticket,” he claimed.

    He also accused the Congress of opposing the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya and the Triple Talaq prohibition law for its vote-bank politics.

    “If they support such causes, they fear they will lose those votes. I hope you understand which votes I am talking about. But their time is now over and PM Modi’s time has started. Rahul Baba (Gandhi), book a ticket to Ayodhya because a grand temple is going to be inaugurated on January 1, 2024,” said Shah.ALSO READ | Bhupendra is `puppet CM’, can not even change his peon: Kejriwal

    KHAMBHAT: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday alleged that the Congress did everything possible to “insult” Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and it has started praising him only now in view of the Gujarat Assembly elections.

    Even the last rites of the country’s first deputy prime minister were performed in an “unceremonious” way, the BJP leader said at an election rally at Khambhat in Gujarat’s Anand district.

    “I am surprised that the Congress now praises Sardar Patel. Since my childhood, I have never heard any Congress leader talking about Patel. Instead, they left no stone unturned to insult Patel, right from performing his last rites in an unceremonious manner to ensuring that no monument was built in his memory,” Shah said.

    Voting for Khambhat and 92 other seats will take place on December 5, in the second phase of the Assembly elections.

    Shah further said that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who paid a real tribute to Patel by constructing the Statue of Unity, Patel’s statue which is the world’s tallest monument.

    He also dared Congress candidate from Khambhat, Chirag Patel to produce any photograph where he is seen paying tributes to Sardar Patel at the Statue of Unity.

    “No Congress leader dares to visit the Statue of Unity at Kevadia for fear of losing ticket,” he claimed.

    He also accused the Congress of opposing the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya and the Triple Talaq prohibition law for its vote-bank politics.

    “If they support such causes, they fear they will lose those votes. I hope you understand which votes I am talking about. But their time is now over and PM Modi’s time has started. Rahul Baba (Gandhi), book a ticket to Ayodhya because a grand temple is going to be inaugurated on January 1, 2024,” said Shah.ALSO READ | Bhupendra is `puppet CM’, can not even change his peon: Kejriwal