News Analysis India

Tag: BJP

  • Ban on collection of donations in Kashmir shrines triggers row

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: The ban on collection of donations in shrines in the Valley managed by J&K Waqaf Board, which is led by a BJP leader, has evoked criticism from political parties. The Board, which is headed by Darakhshan Andrabi, recently ordered a complete ban on collection of donations by trustees (locally known as Muttawali) at shrines and mosques run by it across the Valley.

    The Board said the ban was imposed after it received a large number of complaints against some people receiving donations forcibly and through exploitative measures at the shrines. “Despite coming from reasonably sound economic background, such people are permanently occupying particular spots within the shrines for their activities, and there are instances when such spots are being outsourced or contracted out against receipt of large sums of money that violates the sacrosancity of the shrines,” the Board said.

    The J&K Waqaf Board manages shrines, mosques, and hundreds of educational institutes in Kashmir.After the ban, Board officials removed donation boxes, etc from most major shrines in the Valley.The move has drawn opposition from many trustees of the shrines, who say it goes against the centuries-old tradition prevalent in the Valley.

    Political parties have also criticised the ban saying it amounts to undue interference in religious and traditional practices of people. “It is not for the government to decide the state of affairs in the shrines. Government must, albeit with great care and sensitivity, tread this path to ensure people’s beliefs aren’t abridged,” National Conference general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said.

    He added that there was no need for this “undue and harsh measure”, which besides hurting the religious sentiments of people, has also shown the shrines in bad light. J&K Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said the Board has taken such a big decision without having consultations with the stakeholders.

    He said the traditional donation collection system at the shrines is a centuries-old practice, which should not be revoked overnight. “Reforms, if needed, should be done only after having consultations with experts and stakeholders,” he said. Senior Congress leader and former J&KPCC chief also urged the Board to review the decision.

    SRINAGAR: The ban on collection of donations in shrines in the Valley managed by J&K Waqaf Board, which is led by a BJP leader, has evoked criticism from political parties. The Board, which is headed by Darakhshan Andrabi, recently ordered a complete ban on collection of donations by trustees (locally known as Muttawali) at shrines and mosques run by it across the Valley.

    The Board said the ban was imposed after it received a large number of complaints against some people receiving donations forcibly and through exploitative measures at the shrines. “Despite coming from reasonably sound economic background, such people are permanently occupying particular spots within the shrines for their activities, and there are instances when such spots are being outsourced or contracted out against receipt of large sums of money that violates the sacrosancity of the shrines,” the Board said.

    The J&K Waqaf Board manages shrines, mosques, and hundreds of educational institutes in Kashmir.
    After the ban, Board officials removed donation boxes, etc from most major shrines in the Valley.
    The move has drawn opposition from many trustees of the shrines, who say it goes against the centuries-old tradition prevalent in the Valley.

    Political parties have also criticised the ban saying it amounts to undue interference in religious and traditional practices of people. “It is not for the government to decide the state of affairs in the shrines. Government must, albeit with great care and sensitivity, tread this path to ensure people’s beliefs aren’t abridged,” National Conference general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said.

    He added that there was no need for this “undue and harsh measure”, which besides hurting the religious sentiments of people, has also shown the shrines in bad light. J&K Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said the Board has taken such a big decision without having consultations with the stakeholders.

    He said the traditional donation collection system at the shrines is a centuries-old practice, which should not be revoked overnight. “Reforms, if needed, should be done only after having consultations with experts and stakeholders,” he said. Senior Congress leader and former J&KPCC chief also urged the Board to review the decision.

  • CBI sold, so Centre asks ED to act: BJP’s national vice-president Dilip Ghosh

    By Express News Service

    KOLKATA: Embarrassing his own party, BJP’s national vice-president Dilip Ghosh on Sunday said that realising a section of CBI officers has been sold, the Centre has asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to swing into action and probe into corruption in Bengal.

    “A section of CBI officers is sold in exchange of lakhs or crores. Realising it, the Centre asked the ED to step in and probe into different cases of corruption in the state. The ruling TMC is scared because they cannot settle a deal with the ED as they did with the CBI,’’ said Ghosh at an event organised by the Ministry of Culture.

    Ghosh’s comment to attack the TMC came at a time when the saffron camp’s Bengal chapter maintained distance over the issue of the ongoing probes being conducted by the CBI and ED saying ‘’it is a matter which is under judiciary’’. A section of BJP leaders in Kolkata said Ghosh’s statement was aimed at attacking the TMC but, it actually gifted the ruling party a tool to lambast the saffron camp.

    “The TMC never misses an opportunity to accuse the central agencies to act at the behest of the BJP. Ghosh’s comment will strengthen their allegation of embarrassing us,’’ said a BJP leader.

    TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh raised questions asking whether Ghosh raised his finger at the BJP-ruled central government. ‘’By mentioning CBI’s deal, did Ghosh point his finger at someone within the BJP? Did he indicate why Leader of Opposition Subhendu Adhikari is not being touched by the CBI?’’ Ghosh asked.

    Adhikari, the former lieutenant of Mamata Banerjee, is one of the accused in Narada sting operation case in which several persons having resemblance with TMC leaders and ministers were seen accepting money from the representatives of a fictitious company.

    In May, Ghosh was asked by the BJP’s central leadership not to make any comment which could embarrass the party. Earlier, he also alleged that the CBI was not acting promptly in the alleged recruitment scam in schools promptly despite the high court’s order.  

    The CBI, however, said arrested TMC strongman Anubrata Mondal played the role of an ‘’omnipotent facilitator’’ to smuggle cattle into neighbouring Bangladesh. After interrogating the politician, whom chief minister Mamata Banerjee supported after his arrest, the sleuths of the central agency said Mondal’s powerful network of his men ensured safe passage for cattle movement through Birbhum district to Malda and Murshidabad which share a border with Bangladesh.

    ­‘’At least seven police stations in Murshidabad districts are under our scanner. The cattle smugglers used the route that passes through the jurisdiction of these police stations,’’ said a CBI officer.

    KOLKATA: Embarrassing his own party, BJP’s national vice-president Dilip Ghosh on Sunday said that realising a section of CBI officers has been sold, the Centre has asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to swing into action and probe into corruption in Bengal.

    “A section of CBI officers is sold in exchange of lakhs or crores. Realising it, the Centre asked the ED to step in and probe into different cases of corruption in the state. The ruling TMC is scared because they cannot settle a deal with the ED as they did with the CBI,’’ said Ghosh at an event organised by the Ministry of Culture.

    Ghosh’s comment to attack the TMC came at a time when the saffron camp’s Bengal chapter maintained distance over the issue of the ongoing probes being conducted by the CBI and ED saying ‘’it is a matter which is under judiciary’’. A section of BJP leaders in Kolkata said Ghosh’s statement was aimed at attacking the TMC but, it actually gifted the ruling party a tool to lambast the saffron camp.

    “The TMC never misses an opportunity to accuse the central agencies to act at the behest of the BJP. Ghosh’s comment will strengthen their allegation of embarrassing us,’’ said a BJP leader.

    TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh raised questions asking whether Ghosh raised his finger at the BJP-ruled central government. ‘’By mentioning CBI’s deal, did Ghosh point his finger at someone within the BJP? Did he indicate why Leader of Opposition Subhendu Adhikari is not being touched by the CBI?’’ Ghosh asked.

    Adhikari, the former lieutenant of Mamata Banerjee, is one of the accused in Narada sting operation case in which several persons having resemblance with TMC leaders and ministers were seen accepting money from the representatives of a fictitious company.

    In May, Ghosh was asked by the BJP’s central leadership not to make any comment which could embarrass the party. Earlier, he also alleged that the CBI was not acting promptly in the alleged recruitment scam in schools promptly despite the high court’s order.  

    The CBI, however, said arrested TMC strongman Anubrata Mondal played the role of an ‘’omnipotent facilitator’’ to smuggle cattle into neighbouring Bangladesh. After interrogating the politician, whom chief minister Mamata Banerjee supported after his arrest, the sleuths of the central agency said Mondal’s powerful network of his men ensured safe passage for cattle movement through Birbhum district to Malda and Murshidabad which share a border with Bangladesh.

    ­‘’At least seven police stations in Murshidabad districts are under our scanner. The cattle smugglers used the route that passes through the jurisdiction of these police stations,’’ said a CBI officer.

  • RJD claims reservation within party structure is implemented

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Days after the patch-up with Janata Dal (United), the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) claimed on Sunday to have become the first party in the country to implement ‘reservation’ in its organizational structure. This has been done at a time almost national and regional parties, especially in Bihar BJP included, are working on this equation to create a strong vote-bank on the basis of social engineering ahead of the 2024 LS and the 2025 assembly elections. 

    This reservation roster in the organisational elections of RJD will continue in effect further with an aim to make what RJD chief calls-‘samata-mulak samaj’.(egalitarian society).

    Sharing details with this newspaper here, Chittaranjan Gagan- assistant national chief electoral officer of RJD, said that reservation has been implemented in the party for organisational structure with the purpose of giving special representation to the most backward and scheduled castes and tribes in the organizational structure.

    “A provision has been made for special reservation for these classes in the constitution of RJD.  According to the constitutional provisions of the party, 28 per cent of posts of party office bearers at the block and district levels including the party district presidents have been reserved for the most backward classes and 17 per cent for the scheduled castes and tribes now”, he claimed.

    He further elaborated that the same roster of reservations has been implemented in the organizational election year 2022-2025, which was earlier implemented in the organizational election year 2019-2022.

    The category, for which the posts of block president and district president were reserved in the last organizational year, would continue same for the same category in this organizational year also. “There has been no change in the previous roster”, he said.

    At present, the RJD has around 50 organizational district units in Bihar. “Among these units, 17 district units, the party president post has been reserved for the most backward classes whereas in 7 district units, the president’s post has been reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

    Sharing details, he said that  Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, Madhubani, Darbhanga,Samastipur, Begusarai , Supaul, Saharsa, Purnia, Purnia , Munger, Bhagalpur , Banka, Biharsharif , Jehanabad and Patna Mahanagar(metropolis) have been reserved for the most backward, whereas  Navgachia, Arwal, Kaimur, Nalanda, Araria, Siwan and Bagaha have been reserved for SC and ST.

    “Along with this, provision has been made for co-opted members to ensure proper representation of special interests in the organization.  Under which, out of the total co-opted members at various levels, except the initial unit, the participation of minimum of 25 per cent women, 25 per cent minorities, 30 per cent scheduled castes/tribes and the remaining 20 per cent of those sections which have not got representation will be ensured”, he added.  In the primary unit, one member of the SC/ST will be represented as a ‘sahvarit’ (co-opted) member.

    NEW DELHI: Days after the patch-up with Janata Dal (United), the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) claimed on Sunday to have become the first party in the country to implement ‘reservation’ in its organizational structure. This has been done at a time almost national and regional parties, especially in Bihar BJP included, are working on this equation to create a strong vote-bank on the basis of social engineering ahead of the 2024 LS and the 2025 assembly elections. 

    This reservation roster in the organisational elections of RJD will continue in effect further with an aim to make what RJD chief calls-‘samata-mulak samaj’.(egalitarian society).

    Sharing details with this newspaper here, Chittaranjan Gagan- assistant national chief electoral officer of RJD, said that reservation has been implemented in the party for organisational structure with the purpose of giving special representation to the most backward and scheduled castes and tribes in the organizational structure.

    “A provision has been made for special reservation for these classes in the constitution of RJD.  According to the constitutional provisions of the party, 28 per cent of posts of party office bearers at the block and district levels including the party district presidents have been reserved for the most backward classes and 17 per cent for the scheduled castes and tribes now”, he claimed.

    He further elaborated that the same roster of reservations has been implemented in the organizational election year 2022-2025, which was earlier implemented in the organizational election year 2019-2022.

    The category, for which the posts of block president and district president were reserved in the last organizational year, would continue same for the same category in this organizational year also. “There has been no change in the previous roster”, he said.

    At present, the RJD has around 50 organizational district units in Bihar. “Among these units, 17 district units, the party president post has been reserved for the most backward classes whereas in 7 district units, the president’s post has been reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

    Sharing details, he said that  Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, Madhubani, Darbhanga,Samastipur, Begusarai , Supaul, Saharsa, Purnia, Purnia , Munger, Bhagalpur , Banka, Biharsharif , Jehanabad and Patna Mahanagar(metropolis) have been reserved for the most backward, whereas  Navgachia, Arwal, Kaimur, Nalanda, Araria, Siwan and Bagaha have been reserved for SC and ST.

    “Along with this, provision has been made for co-opted members to ensure proper representation of special interests in the organization.  Under which, out of the total co-opted members at various levels, except the initial unit, the participation of minimum of 25 per cent women, 25 per cent minorities, 30 per cent scheduled castes/tribes and the remaining 20 per cent of those sections which have not got representation will be ensured”, he added.  In the primary unit, one member of the SC/ST will be represented as a ‘sahvarit’ (co-opted) member.

  • ‘Make India No.1 campaign part of Kejriwal’s strategy to fulfil national ambition, counter BJP’: AAP

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Amid a raging debate on freebies, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recently launched the AAP’s ‘Make India No.1’ campaign, calling for the utilisation of public funds to provide free education to children and healthcare facilities to citizens, among other things.

    He invited the BJP, the Congress and other parties to join the “apolitical” campaign, even as he blamed the parties that have ruled so far, without taking names, for the slow progress of India since independence.

    According to AAP sources, the ‘Make India No.1’ campaign is part of the party’s renewed strategy to realise its national ambition by breaching BJP bastion Gujarat, where Assembly polls are scheduled to be held later this year, and stop the Modi juggernaut in the 2024 general elections.

    The AAP’s strategy for realising its national ambition has been in the works since it stormed to power in Punjab earlier this year and opened its account in Goa by winning two of the 40 assembly seats, the sources told PTI.

    A series of big sub-campaigns have also been planned to rally support for the cause of making India the number one country in the world, they said.

    “Through these campaigns, we will sensitise people to the fundamental issues and problems that the country is facing like unemployment, rising fuel prices and imposition of GST on various food items.”

    “The BJP-led central government has ruined the country’s economy by writing off loans worth crores of rupees to benefit the prime minister’s friends and also reduced the corporate tax but did not give any relief to the common people. We will tell people about the wrongdoings of the Modi government and their impact on their lives,” a source said.

    The party’s campaigns will also sensitise the masses to the “significance and need” for providing free and quality education and healthcare facilities to all, free electricity and water as well as employment and livelihood opportunities to everyone in the country.

    There has been political acrimony between the BJP and the AAP over the issue of freebies with the former accusing Kejriwal of using them as “bait” to lure voters.

    Kejriwal has said free education and healthcare are not freebies and can help eliminate poverty in one generation.

    The Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) action against Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and the arrest of minister Satyendar Jain by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) will also figure prominently in the AAP’s nationwide campaigns to counter the BJP, according to the sources.

    “The CBI action against Sisodia has turned the public sentiment in our favour and we will go big with this during our campaigns because he has a very clean image,” the source said.

    “Kejriwal was scheduled to go on a two-day visit to Gujarat alone on Monday but we had to rework the programme to send Sisodia with him because our state unit asked for it citing public demand,” the source said.

    The CBI has named Sisodia as an accused in an FIR registered in connection with alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Delhi government’s Excise Policy 2021-22.

    The agency raided 31 locations including his residence on Friday.

    Jain is behind bars on money laundering charges.

    To effectively take its various campaigns to the masses, the AAP is banking on Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak, touted as the party’s Chanakya.

    “Pathak is building and strengthening our organisation in an organic manner across the country. He is in regular touch with the key office-bearers of our party’s state units and travels across the country to hold meetings with them,” a source told PTI.

    A former faculty member of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and the AAP’s Gujarat in-charge, Pathak is credited for the party’s resounding victory in the Punjab elections.

    The sources said these sub-campaigns will be launched one by one at the appropriate time to connect the masses with the party’s “national mission”.

    AAP chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said people have a lot of interest in the party and Pathak is working to convert it into votes.

    “We are confident of rallying people’s support for our cause. We still have about two years before the next general elections,” he said.

    While the AAP is confident of achieving its target, political observers do not see the party emerging as the principal opponent to the BJP in 2024 and said Congress would still be playing that role.

    Senior journalist and political analyst Neerja Choudhury said the AAP has certainly brought in a new political energy and force and is on its way to expanding its footprint but the party playing a key role at the national level is going to be “a long haul”.

    Noted political analyst Abhay Kumar Dubey said the AAP is the only regional party that has been growing continuously since its inception and is in power in two states.

    He said the Kejriwal-led party has a significant presence in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

    “But I am not saying that it will win the elections and become the main opposition party in Gujarat or Himachal Pradesh. I am only saying that it is in a significant position and the BJP has sensed the danger. That’s why we are seeing the CBI raids in Delhi,” he said.

    The “AAP model” has generated curiosity among people in different parts of the country and has raised hopes but in 2024, “the Congress will be the principal opponent to the BJP”.

    The AAP will challenge the BJP in Delhi and Punjab, he said.

    NEW DELHI: Amid a raging debate on freebies, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recently launched the AAP’s ‘Make India No.1’ campaign, calling for the utilisation of public funds to provide free education to children and healthcare facilities to citizens, among other things.

    He invited the BJP, the Congress and other parties to join the “apolitical” campaign, even as he blamed the parties that have ruled so far, without taking names, for the slow progress of India since independence.

    According to AAP sources, the ‘Make India No.1’ campaign is part of the party’s renewed strategy to realise its national ambition by breaching BJP bastion Gujarat, where Assembly polls are scheduled to be held later this year, and stop the Modi juggernaut in the 2024 general elections.

    The AAP’s strategy for realising its national ambition has been in the works since it stormed to power in Punjab earlier this year and opened its account in Goa by winning two of the 40 assembly seats, the sources told PTI.

    A series of big sub-campaigns have also been planned to rally support for the cause of making India the number one country in the world, they said.

    “Through these campaigns, we will sensitise people to the fundamental issues and problems that the country is facing like unemployment, rising fuel prices and imposition of GST on various food items.”

    “The BJP-led central government has ruined the country’s economy by writing off loans worth crores of rupees to benefit the prime minister’s friends and also reduced the corporate tax but did not give any relief to the common people. We will tell people about the wrongdoings of the Modi government and their impact on their lives,” a source said.

    The party’s campaigns will also sensitise the masses to the “significance and need” for providing free and quality education and healthcare facilities to all, free electricity and water as well as employment and livelihood opportunities to everyone in the country.

    There has been political acrimony between the BJP and the AAP over the issue of freebies with the former accusing Kejriwal of using them as “bait” to lure voters.

    Kejriwal has said free education and healthcare are not freebies and can help eliminate poverty in one generation.

    The Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) action against Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and the arrest of minister Satyendar Jain by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) will also figure prominently in the AAP’s nationwide campaigns to counter the BJP, according to the sources.

    “The CBI action against Sisodia has turned the public sentiment in our favour and we will go big with this during our campaigns because he has a very clean image,” the source said.

    “Kejriwal was scheduled to go on a two-day visit to Gujarat alone on Monday but we had to rework the programme to send Sisodia with him because our state unit asked for it citing public demand,” the source said.

    The CBI has named Sisodia as an accused in an FIR registered in connection with alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Delhi government’s Excise Policy 2021-22.

    The agency raided 31 locations including his residence on Friday.

    Jain is behind bars on money laundering charges.

    To effectively take its various campaigns to the masses, the AAP is banking on Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak, touted as the party’s Chanakya.

    “Pathak is building and strengthening our organisation in an organic manner across the country. He is in regular touch with the key office-bearers of our party’s state units and travels across the country to hold meetings with them,” a source told PTI.

    A former faculty member of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi and the AAP’s Gujarat in-charge, Pathak is credited for the party’s resounding victory in the Punjab elections.

    The sources said these sub-campaigns will be launched one by one at the appropriate time to connect the masses with the party’s “national mission”.

    AAP chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said people have a lot of interest in the party and Pathak is working to convert it into votes.

    “We are confident of rallying people’s support for our cause. We still have about two years before the next general elections,” he said.

    While the AAP is confident of achieving its target, political observers do not see the party emerging as the principal opponent to the BJP in 2024 and said Congress would still be playing that role.

    Senior journalist and political analyst Neerja Choudhury said the AAP has certainly brought in a new political energy and force and is on its way to expanding its footprint but the party playing a key role at the national level is going to be “a long haul”.

    Noted political analyst Abhay Kumar Dubey said the AAP is the only regional party that has been growing continuously since its inception and is in power in two states.

    He said the Kejriwal-led party has a significant presence in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

    “But I am not saying that it will win the elections and become the main opposition party in Gujarat or Himachal Pradesh. I am only saying that it is in a significant position and the BJP has sensed the danger. That’s why we are seeing the CBI raids in Delhi,” he said.

    The “AAP model” has generated curiosity among people in different parts of the country and has raised hopes but in 2024, “the Congress will be the principal opponent to the BJP”.

    The AAP will challenge the BJP in Delhi and Punjab, he said.

  • ‘Indian women see moon through sieve, those in US, China live in world of science’: Rajasthan minister’s comment creates row

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Minister Govind Ram Meghwal stirred a controversy on Saturday, saying it is unfortunate that women in India still see the moon through a sieve and pray for their husband’s long life on Karwa Chauth while those in developed countries live in the world of science.

    His remark drew sharp criticism from the BJP, which demanded an apology from him and asked Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to take action against his colleague.

    “Women in China and the US are living in the world of science, but it is unfortunate that even today, women here on Karwa Chauth see through a sieve, talk about the long life of their husband.

    But a husband never sees a sieve for the long life of his wife,” the minister for disaster management and relief said at the closing ceremony of ‘Digifest’ here.

    “People are pushing (others) into superstition, they are making others fight in the name of religion and caste,” he added.

    Gehlot was also present at the venue.

    Slamming the minister, BJP state spokesperson and MLA Ramlal Sharma said he should be aware that astronaut Kalpana Chawla had been to space and many Indian women were serving as pilots.

    “He has insulted crores of women of the country. He should apologise and withdraw the statement. The chief minister should take action against him,” Sharma said.

    The BJP leader said Indian women are known for following the traditions and they know to strike a balance between their personal life and profession.

    However, Meghwal later told reporters that he was only promoting scientific temper and education.

    “I am not against Karwa Chauth. Whoever wants to follow it may do so. I was talking about the importance of scientific temperament,” he said.

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Minister Govind Ram Meghwal stirred a controversy on Saturday, saying it is unfortunate that women in India still see the moon through a sieve and pray for their husband’s long life on Karwa Chauth while those in developed countries live in the world of science.

    His remark drew sharp criticism from the BJP, which demanded an apology from him and asked Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to take action against his colleague.

    “Women in China and the US are living in the world of science, but it is unfortunate that even today, women here on Karwa Chauth see through a sieve, talk about the long life of their husband.

    But a husband never sees a sieve for the long life of his wife,” the minister for disaster management and relief said at the closing ceremony of ‘Digifest’ here.

    “People are pushing (others) into superstition, they are making others fight in the name of religion and caste,” he added.

    Gehlot was also present at the venue.

    Slamming the minister, BJP state spokesperson and MLA Ramlal Sharma said he should be aware that astronaut Kalpana Chawla had been to space and many Indian women were serving as pilots.

    “He has insulted crores of women of the country. He should apologise and withdraw the statement. The chief minister should take action against him,” Sharma said.

    The BJP leader said Indian women are known for following the traditions and they know to strike a balance between their personal life and profession.

    However, Meghwal later told reporters that he was only promoting scientific temper and education.

    “I am not against Karwa Chauth. Whoever wants to follow it may do so. I was talking about the importance of scientific temperament,” he said.

  • In poll-bound Himachal Pradesh, BJP promises ST status for Hatti community

    By ANI

    SIRMAUR (Himachal Pradesh): Bharatiya Janata Party president JP Nadda on Saturday assured that the Centre is considering for inclusion of the Hatti community in the list of Scheduled Tribes in the state and a decision would soon be taken over this.

    “Several years have passed but no one took initiative to grant ST status to Hatti community but our government is considering for inclusion of the Hatti community in the list of Scheduled Tribes in the state and a decision would soon be taken over this,” he said.

    He also reiterated the Centre’s commitment towards making India ‘Aatmanirbhar’ and said that there is a need to make Himachal Pradesh, which is set to go to polls this year, also self-reliant.

    “Today over 200 crore Covid vaccine doses have been administered. We also provided vaccines to other countries for free. I congratulate CM Jairam Thakur as Himachal came first in both first and second dose administrations. We’ve come to power for ‘Seva’,” Nadda said.

    “If we turn Himachal ‘Aatmanirbhar’, the nation will turn ‘Aatmanirbhar’, Satyagraha is now self-introspection, to fulfil our responsibilities,” Nadda said at the Paonta Sahib.

    Referring to the Atal tunnel, Nadda said its foundation was laid in 2002 by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “We lost our government in 2004 and uptill 2014, out of the 10-kms merely 1300mtrs were constructed.”

    “PM Narendra Modi fulfilled the dream of Vajpayee and its work was completed in six years. Today the tunnel is a key facilitator for the defence sector,” he asserted.

    Nadda is on a two-day visit to poll-bound Himachal Pradesh. He deliberated on the strategy with the leaders of the state unit for the upcoming Assembly elections to be held later this year.

    “I am on a very emotional two-day visit to Himachal Pradesh. I will get the opportunity to visit Nahan where I worked for the organization in my youth. I will get to relive the moments with old companions,” Nadda’s tweet read in Hindi.

    Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Wednesday, while citing the instances of breach of jinx in the results of the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, said that the BJP will change the trend of alternative governments in the hill state and form the government again this year.

    Speaking to ANI, Thakur had said, “Uttarakhand is our neighbouring state which went to polls recently. No government was repeated in the state since its formation, but history was changed.

    The same was witnessed in Uttar Pradesh. Haryana was a state where we faced difficulties in saving our deposits earlier. Manohar Lal Khattar is leading the government since 2014 there. Elections are due here and we will change the trend too.”

    Himachal Pradesh is slated to go to the polls later this year, along with Gujarat. Both the states are being currently ruled by BJP. 

    SIRMAUR (Himachal Pradesh): Bharatiya Janata Party president JP Nadda on Saturday assured that the Centre is considering for inclusion of the Hatti community in the list of Scheduled Tribes in the state and a decision would soon be taken over this.

    “Several years have passed but no one took initiative to grant ST status to Hatti community but our government is considering for inclusion of the Hatti community in the list of Scheduled Tribes in the state and a decision would soon be taken over this,” he said.

    He also reiterated the Centre’s commitment towards making India ‘Aatmanirbhar’ and said that there is a need to make Himachal Pradesh, which is set to go to polls this year, also self-reliant.

    “Today over 200 crore Covid vaccine doses have been administered. We also provided vaccines to other countries for free. I congratulate CM Jairam Thakur as Himachal came first in both first and second dose administrations. We’ve come to power for ‘Seva’,” Nadda said.

    “If we turn Himachal ‘Aatmanirbhar’, the nation will turn ‘Aatmanirbhar’, Satyagraha is now self-introspection, to fulfil our responsibilities,” Nadda said at the Paonta Sahib.

    Referring to the Atal tunnel, Nadda said its foundation was laid in 2002 by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “We lost our government in 2004 and uptill 2014, out of the 10-kms merely 1300mtrs were constructed.”

    “PM Narendra Modi fulfilled the dream of Vajpayee and its work was completed in six years. Today the tunnel is a key facilitator for the defence sector,” he asserted.

    Nadda is on a two-day visit to poll-bound Himachal Pradesh. He deliberated on the strategy with the leaders of the state unit for the upcoming Assembly elections to be held later this year.

    “I am on a very emotional two-day visit to Himachal Pradesh. I will get the opportunity to visit Nahan where I worked for the organization in my youth. I will get to relive the moments with old companions,” Nadda’s tweet read in Hindi.

    Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Wednesday, while citing the instances of breach of jinx in the results of the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, said that the BJP will change the trend of alternative governments in the hill state and form the government again this year.

    Speaking to ANI, Thakur had said, “Uttarakhand is our neighbouring state which went to polls recently. No government was repeated in the state since its formation, but history was changed.

    The same was witnessed in Uttar Pradesh. Haryana was a state where we faced difficulties in saving our deposits earlier. Manohar Lal Khattar is leading the government since 2014 there. Elections are due here and we will change the trend too.”

    Himachal Pradesh is slated to go to the polls later this year, along with Gujarat. Both the states are being currently ruled by BJP. 

  • Nitish as opposition’s PM face? Can be an option if parties want, says senior JDU leader

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Amid the buzz that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may emerge as the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate, his party Janata Dal (United) said on Friday that this is an option if other parties want.

    JD(U) president Lalan Singh said Kumar’s main focus is on uniting opposition parties to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and he will visit the national capital to meet leaders from various parties after the vote of confidence in the Bihar assembly next week.

    Kumar, Bihar’s longest-serving chief minister and the main face of the JD(U), is not a contender for the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate, his close aide Singh told PTI.

    Asked for the party’s view in case of other opposition parties backing him to take on the mantle, he said, “If other parties decide and want so, then it’s an option.”

    The JD(U) president and Lok Sabha MP noted that many opposition leaders, including Sharad Pawar and Arvind Kejriwal, called up Kumar to congratulate him after he snapped ties with the BJP and allied with its rivals to form a new government in Bihar.

    Singh asserted that Kumar has all the required attributes to be a prime minister while stressing that he is not a contender for the job.

    He said all opposition parties should sit together to decide on the leadership to take on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP in the next Lok Sabha polls.

    “Or, all parties should fight unitedly to defeat the BJP and decide later who will be their leader. Both options are there. Nitish Kumar will work on bringing all other parties fighting the BJP on one platform to pose a united challenge to its rule,” he said.

    Kumar’s decision to break ties with the BJP, his ally since 1996 except for the period between 2013-17, has fuelled speculation about his prime ministerial bid.

    BJP leaders have claimed that it was this ambition which was behind his decision to join hands with the RJD-Congress-Left alliance.

    Kumar has rejected such claims.

    There is a view that his image untainted by allegations of corruption and nepotism — twin planks of the BJP to target most opposition parties including the Congress — makes him a strong choice for the leadership role of the joint opposition.

    Coming from Kurmi caste, which falls in Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, Kumar also ticks right boxes in terms of his social profile, his supporters say.

    Lalan Singh also made light of the BJP’s target of winning at least 35 of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, and claimed the party will lose 40 seats from its 2019 tally in Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand alone.

    Losing 40 seats will reduce the BJP’s tally to below the majority mark, he noted, saying the ruling party should worry about its fate across the country in such a scenario.

    In the 2019 polls, the BJP had won 303 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha.

    NEW DELHI: Amid the buzz that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may emerge as the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate, his party Janata Dal (United) said on Friday that this is an option if other parties want.

    JD(U) president Lalan Singh said Kumar’s main focus is on uniting opposition parties to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and he will visit the national capital to meet leaders from various parties after the vote of confidence in the Bihar assembly next week.

    Kumar, Bihar’s longest-serving chief minister and the main face of the JD(U), is not a contender for the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate, his close aide Singh told PTI.

    Asked for the party’s view in case of other opposition parties backing him to take on the mantle, he said, “If other parties decide and want so, then it’s an option.”

    The JD(U) president and Lok Sabha MP noted that many opposition leaders, including Sharad Pawar and Arvind Kejriwal, called up Kumar to congratulate him after he snapped ties with the BJP and allied with its rivals to form a new government in Bihar.

    Singh asserted that Kumar has all the required attributes to be a prime minister while stressing that he is not a contender for the job.

    He said all opposition parties should sit together to decide on the leadership to take on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP in the next Lok Sabha polls.

    “Or, all parties should fight unitedly to defeat the BJP and decide later who will be their leader. Both options are there. Nitish Kumar will work on bringing all other parties fighting the BJP on one platform to pose a united challenge to its rule,” he said.

    Kumar’s decision to break ties with the BJP, his ally since 1996 except for the period between 2013-17, has fuelled speculation about his prime ministerial bid.

    BJP leaders have claimed that it was this ambition which was behind his decision to join hands with the RJD-Congress-Left alliance.

    Kumar has rejected such claims.

    There is a view that his image untainted by allegations of corruption and nepotism — twin planks of the BJP to target most opposition parties including the Congress — makes him a strong choice for the leadership role of the joint opposition.

    Coming from Kurmi caste, which falls in Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, Kumar also ticks right boxes in terms of his social profile, his supporters say.

    Lalan Singh also made light of the BJP’s target of winning at least 35 of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, and claimed the party will lose 40 seats from its 2019 tally in Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand alone.

    Losing 40 seats will reduce the BJP’s tally to below the majority mark, he noted, saying the ruling party should worry about its fate across the country in such a scenario.

    In the 2019 polls, the BJP had won 303 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha.

  • ‘Girls change boyfriends frequently’: Vijayvargiya in soup for using sexist jibe at Nitish

    By PTI

    INDORE: Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya has taken a jibe at the political realignment in Bihar, where Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) has dumped the saffron party, and quoted a foreign friend as apparently saying such things happen in his country where “girls change their boyfriends frequently”.

    Vijayvargiya has also said, “The foreigner told me Bihar Chief Minister (Nitish Kumar) was like that – it is hard to tell when he will walk out of a relationship and when he will enter into a new relationship.”

    As his controversial remarks, made on Thursday, drew the Opposition fire, Vijayvargiya on Friday said he has immense respect for women and he was merely quoting a foreign friend in the backdrop of latest political development in Bihar and that the objectionable words were not uttered by him.

    “I was abroad when the government (of the JDU-BJP) changed in Bihar. On this issue, a man there told me that such things happen there where girls change their boyfriends frequently,” he had told reporters here upon his return from the US.

    Facing criticism for his remarks, the former Madhya Pradesh minister said he respects women.

    “As far as women are concerned, we respect them. Women are worth worshipping for us. For women, at least for Indian women, we all have immense respect,” Vijayvarigya said.

    The BJP leader said if a person is interpreting his words and presenting them in a distorted form, then it shows he lacks wisdom.

    Last week, Kumar snapped ties with the coalition ally BJP and joined hands with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led grand alliance, which also consists of the Congress and Left parties, to stay put as Chief Minister.

    The Janata Dal (United), the RJD, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) slammed Vijayvargiya over his Thursday’s comments.

    SP president Akhilesh Yadav tweeted, “With BJP people harbouring such a negative approach towards women, how will their condition improve in the country under their rule.”

    Taking potshots at Vijaywargiya, Congress Member of Parliament Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted, “BJP general secretary sets a new example in women’s respect.”

    Surjewala also attached the BJP leader’s audio and video clip containing his controversial remarks with his tweet.

    INDORE: Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya has taken a jibe at the political realignment in Bihar, where Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) has dumped the saffron party, and quoted a foreign friend as apparently saying such things happen in his country where “girls change their boyfriends frequently”.

    Vijayvargiya has also said, “The foreigner told me Bihar Chief Minister (Nitish Kumar) was like that – it is hard to tell when he will walk out of a relationship and when he will enter into a new relationship.”

    As his controversial remarks, made on Thursday, drew the Opposition fire, Vijayvargiya on Friday said he has immense respect for women and he was merely quoting a foreign friend in the backdrop of latest political development in Bihar and that the objectionable words were not uttered by him.

    “I was abroad when the government (of the JDU-BJP) changed in Bihar. On this issue, a man there told me that such things happen there where girls change their boyfriends frequently,” he had told reporters here upon his return from the US.

    Facing criticism for his remarks, the former Madhya Pradesh minister said he respects women.

    “As far as women are concerned, we respect them. Women are worth worshipping for us. For women, at least for Indian women, we all have immense respect,” Vijayvarigya said.

    The BJP leader said if a person is interpreting his words and presenting them in a distorted form, then it shows he lacks wisdom.

    Last week, Kumar snapped ties with the coalition ally BJP and joined hands with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led grand alliance, which also consists of the Congress and Left parties, to stay put as Chief Minister.

    The Janata Dal (United), the RJD, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) slammed Vijayvargiya over his Thursday’s comments.

    SP president Akhilesh Yadav tweeted, “With BJP people harbouring such a negative approach towards women, how will their condition improve in the country under their rule.”

    Taking potshots at Vijaywargiya, Congress Member of Parliament Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted, “BJP general secretary sets a new example in women’s respect.”

    Surjewala also attached the BJP leader’s audio and video clip containing his controversial remarks with his tweet.

  • Rajasthan: BJP leader caught on tape admitting ‘lynching’, Congress says party’s true face exposed

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra on Saturday shared on Twitter a purported video clip of BJP’s former MLA Gyan Dev Ahuja, who is allegedly seen admitting his supporters have so far “lynched five people”.

    The BJP leader is seen making the comment while interrupting a speaker, who was urging a group of people to launch an agitation against the lynching of 45-year-old Chiranjilal Saini.

    Saini was allegedly lynched by members of the Mev Muslim community on Sunday morning in Govindgarh town on suspicion of tractor theft.

    He died during treatment at Jaipur’s state-run SMS Hospital on Monday.

    BJP’s Alwar (South) chief Sanjay Singh Naruka told PTI that the party “does not have this thinking”.

    “These are his own views,” he added.

    When contacted, the former Ramgarh MLA maintained his remarks, saying anyone involved in cow smuggling and slaughter won’t be spared.

    Sharing the video, Dotasra said it has exposed the BJP’s true face.

    “What more proof is needed of the BJP’s religious terror and bigotry? The real face of the BJP has been exposed,” he said.

    Ahuja said he was sitting with a local RSS leader who suggested that an agitation should be launched to protest the lynching of Chirajilal Saini.

    In the video, the former MLA interrupted him, “We have so far lynched five people, be it in Lawandi or Behror. This has happened for the first time in this area that they have lynched someone.”

    “I have given free hand to workers to kill. We will get them acquitted and secure bail,” he continues.

    In recent years, at least two incidents have taken place in Alwar where cow vigilantes attacked Mev community people on allegations of cow smuggling.

    In one such incident, 55-year-old Pehlu Khan was lynched in Behror on April 1, 2017.

    Similarly, Rakbar Khan died after being beaten up in Lawandi village in Alwar’s Ramgarh on July 20, 2018 on suspicion of cow smuggling.

    When contacted, Ahuja said he was sitting with a local RSS leader who suggested for launching an agitation to protest against the lynching of Chirajilal Saini.

    Ahuja told PTI that he told the speaker that five Mev Muslims who were smuggling cows were “beaten up by our workers”.

    “It is the Mev people who smuggle and slaughter cow and Hindus have sentiments for cows, therefore, they target such smugglers,” he told PTI.

    Ahuja said it was his duty to protect his workers.

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra on Saturday shared on Twitter a purported video clip of BJP’s former MLA Gyan Dev Ahuja, who is allegedly seen admitting his supporters have so far “lynched five people”.

    The BJP leader is seen making the comment while interrupting a speaker, who was urging a group of people to launch an agitation against the lynching of 45-year-old Chiranjilal Saini.

    Saini was allegedly lynched by members of the Mev Muslim community on Sunday morning in Govindgarh town on suspicion of tractor theft.

    He died during treatment at Jaipur’s state-run SMS Hospital on Monday.

    BJP’s Alwar (South) chief Sanjay Singh Naruka told PTI that the party “does not have this thinking”.

    “These are his own views,” he added.

    When contacted, the former Ramgarh MLA maintained his remarks, saying anyone involved in cow smuggling and slaughter won’t be spared.

    Sharing the video, Dotasra said it has exposed the BJP’s true face.

    “What more proof is needed of the BJP’s religious terror and bigotry? The real face of the BJP has been exposed,” he said.

    Ahuja said he was sitting with a local RSS leader who suggested that an agitation should be launched to protest the lynching of Chirajilal Saini.

    In the video, the former MLA interrupted him, “We have so far lynched five people, be it in Lawandi or Behror. This has happened for the first time in this area that they have lynched someone.”

    “I have given free hand to workers to kill. We will get them acquitted and secure bail,” he continues.

    In recent years, at least two incidents have taken place in Alwar where cow vigilantes attacked Mev community people on allegations of cow smuggling.

    In one such incident, 55-year-old Pehlu Khan was lynched in Behror on April 1, 2017.

    Similarly, Rakbar Khan died after being beaten up in Lawandi village in Alwar’s Ramgarh on July 20, 2018 on suspicion of cow smuggling.

    When contacted, Ahuja said he was sitting with a local RSS leader who suggested for launching an agitation to protest against the lynching of Chirajilal Saini.

    Ahuja told PTI that he told the speaker that five Mev Muslims who were smuggling cows were “beaten up by our workers”.

    “It is the Mev people who smuggle and slaughter cow and Hindus have sentiments for cows, therefore, they target such smugglers,” he told PTI.

    Ahuja said it was his duty to protect his workers.

  • No new cars, practice humility: Tejashwi to RJD ministers amid jibes from BJP, Prashant Kishor

    By PTI

    PATNA: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Saturday came out with a list of directives for cabinet colleagues belonging to the RJD, in an obvious attempt at image makeover for his party.

    The RJD heir apparent issued the commandments on his official Twitter handle, whereby party ministers have been forbidden from purchasing new cars and also from allowing visitors to touch feet.

    “Greetings should be exchanged with namaste or aadab,” said Yadav, whose party is facing the heat over criminal cases pending against many ministers.

    He further asked ministers to conduct themselves “with dignity and humility” and give priority to helping the poor “irrespective of their religion and caste”.

    “Please also promote exchange of books or pens in place of bouquets,” added the leader who now seems intent on projecting a more mature image of himself.

    In an apparent bid to restrain RJD members from gloating over their party being the largest partner, he used the term “under the leadership of honourable chief minister” twice while instructing ministers to encourage probity, transparency and quick action and make use of social media to apprise the people of the government’s initiatives.

    The BJP, which has been in a sulk over the sudden loss of power after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar quit NDA alleging attempts at splitting his JD(U), reacted with sarcasm.

    “The script is well written. But who is going to read and understand. Nonetheless, in the interests of Bihar we appeal to the ministers to heed the advice of Tejashwi bhai,” state BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand said in a statement.

    The opposition BJP in Bihar on Friday flagged the presence of a private staff and a relative at official meetings of Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and his elder brother and cabinet colleague Tej Pratap Yadav respectively.

    Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, who has come out of political hibernation to lead the charge against “betrayal” of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, shared on his Twitter handle photographs of the Deputy CM with Sanjay Yadav, who has for long been the point man of the RJD heir apparent, besides officials of health and road construction department which he holds.

    Earlier, Modi had shared photographs of Tej Pratap Yadav with officials of the latter’s ministry for environment, forestry and climate change where Shailesh Kumar, married to RJD president Lalu Prasad’s eldest daughter and Rajya Sabha MP, Misa Bharti, was present.

    Modi, who had served as the state’s deputy CM for nearly a decade and a half, said: “For so many years, we remained in power in Bihar. Never could we think of bringing family members or supporters to official meetings. But these are changed times. The happenings are a reflection on the dominance of Lalu family over Bihar’s political landscape.”

    The wily leader also remarked: “No IAS officer can dare raise an objection to the entry of people who have no business being present at official meetings. And (Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar has no choice, but to look on helplessly. The RJD hit back reminding Modi that his own party was not above reproach.”

    ALSO READ | Bihar: Congress urges Nitish, Tejashwi to take necessary steps over law minister row

    “While the BJP was in power till a fortnight ago, the son of the then Deputy CM Tarkishor Prasad was known to be giving orders to officials. The then road construction minister Nitin Nabin’s family members were often seen at his office,” said RJD spokesperson and former MLA Shakti Yadav.

    “Sushil Modi should know that neither of the two photographs of Tej Pratap was of any review meeting, as suggested by him. These were just get-togethers where presence of family members does take place. As far as the Deputy CM is concerned, Sanjay Yadav has been Tejashwi Yadav’s key aide for long and he is tipped to be formally appointed as a personal assistant,” Yadav added.

    Another RJD spokesperson Chitaranjan Gagan also shared on Twitter a photograph of Union minister Ashwini Choubey at an official function where his son can be seen standing behind him.

    Gagan also shared a Facebook post in which Ram Naresh Prasad Yadav, the husband of BJP MLA Gayatri Devi, proudly claimed to have “summoned” officials and directed them to address grievances of the people.

    Political strategist turned politician Prashant Kishor on Friday claimed that the new cabinet in Bihar had a few ministers whose names had been “vetoed” in 2015 when the “Mahagathbandhan” (Grand Alliance) had come to power after winning the Assembly polls.

    Kishor, who had worked closely with the alliance which then comprised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), Lalu Prasad’s RJD and the Congress, made the claim in reply to queries from journalists in Darbhanga district where he was asked about the controversy surrounding “tainted ministers”.

    “There were many names which were vetoed in 2015 since the persons concerned had taints of criminal records. In the ministry that has been sworn in, I can see three of them comfortably ensconced,” said Kishor, refusing to divulge further details.

    Kishor, who was inducted into the JD(U) in 2018 and elevated to the post of national vice president within a month, only to be ousted less than two years later, also blamed inconsistency in the party line for his unceremonious exit.

    ALSO READ | ‘All options open, including joining BJP’: RCP Singh amid verbal volleys between saffron party, Grand Alliance

    “It was decided in the party that we will oppose the Citizenship Amendment Bill. But the JD(U) MPs ended up voting in its favour. Nitish Kumar told me he was not aware since he was away on tour and he later got a resolution passed against NRC in the state Assembly. I grew uncomfortable with this lack of consistency”, he said.

    The recent upheaval was just one more event to have taken place in the state which has been rocked by political instability since 2012 when Narendra Modi started getting national prominence, Kishor claimed.

    “My best wishes are with the new government but this seven-party alliance will not remain as it is,” he said.

    Kishor, who is touring the state as part of the Bihar-centric “Jan Suraaj” campaign, which may later evolve into a political party, had earlier in the day launched an online poll seeking feedback from the people on Nitish Kumar’s latest volte-face.

    In the poll launched on his official Twitter handle, Kishor asked users to vote with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to his query in Hindi.

    He said, “This is the sixth experiment by Nitish Kumar in the last 10 years towards government formation. Do you think, this time, the people of Bihar stand to benefit?” Earlier this month, Nitish Kumar broke ranks with the BJP-led NDA and became the chief minister of the rival Grand Alliance.

    The current ruling coalition comprises seven parties, JD(U), RJD, Congress, CPI(ML), CPI, CPI(M) and HAM, which together have more than 160 MLAs in the 243-strong assembly.

    PATNA: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Saturday came out with a list of directives for cabinet colleagues belonging to the RJD, in an obvious attempt at image makeover for his party.

    The RJD heir apparent issued the commandments on his official Twitter handle, whereby party ministers have been forbidden from purchasing new cars and also from allowing visitors to touch feet.

    “Greetings should be exchanged with namaste or aadab,” said Yadav, whose party is facing the heat over criminal cases pending against many ministers.

    He further asked ministers to conduct themselves “with dignity and humility” and give priority to helping the poor “irrespective of their religion and caste”.

    “Please also promote exchange of books or pens in place of bouquets,” added the leader who now seems intent on projecting a more mature image of himself.

    In an apparent bid to restrain RJD members from gloating over their party being the largest partner, he used the term “under the leadership of honourable chief minister” twice while instructing ministers to encourage probity, transparency and quick action and make use of social media to apprise the people of the government’s initiatives.

    The BJP, which has been in a sulk over the sudden loss of power after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar quit NDA alleging attempts at splitting his JD(U), reacted with sarcasm.

    “The script is well written. But who is going to read and understand. Nonetheless, in the interests of Bihar we appeal to the ministers to heed the advice of Tejashwi bhai,” state BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand said in a statement.

    The opposition BJP in Bihar on Friday flagged the presence of a private staff and a relative at official meetings of Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and his elder brother and cabinet colleague Tej Pratap Yadav respectively.

    Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, who has come out of political hibernation to lead the charge against “betrayal” of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, shared on his Twitter handle photographs of the Deputy CM with Sanjay Yadav, who has for long been the point man of the RJD heir apparent, besides officials of health and road construction department which he holds.

    Earlier, Modi had shared photographs of Tej Pratap Yadav with officials of the latter’s ministry for environment, forestry and climate change where Shailesh Kumar, married to RJD president Lalu Prasad’s eldest daughter and Rajya Sabha MP, Misa Bharti, was present.

    Modi, who had served as the state’s deputy CM for nearly a decade and a half, said: “For so many years, we remained in power in Bihar. Never could we think of bringing family members or supporters to official meetings. But these are changed times. The happenings are a reflection on the dominance of Lalu family over Bihar’s political landscape.”

    The wily leader also remarked: “No IAS officer can dare raise an objection to the entry of people who have no business being present at official meetings. And (Chief Minister) Nitish Kumar has no choice, but to look on helplessly. The RJD hit back reminding Modi that his own party was not above reproach.”

    ALSO READ | Bihar: Congress urges Nitish, Tejashwi to take necessary steps over law minister row

    “While the BJP was in power till a fortnight ago, the son of the then Deputy CM Tarkishor Prasad was known to be giving orders to officials. The then road construction minister Nitin Nabin’s family members were often seen at his office,” said RJD spokesperson and former MLA Shakti Yadav.

    “Sushil Modi should know that neither of the two photographs of Tej Pratap was of any review meeting, as suggested by him. These were just get-togethers where presence of family members does take place. As far as the Deputy CM is concerned, Sanjay Yadav has been Tejashwi Yadav’s key aide for long and he is tipped to be formally appointed as a personal assistant,” Yadav added.

    Another RJD spokesperson Chitaranjan Gagan also shared on Twitter a photograph of Union minister Ashwini Choubey at an official function where his son can be seen standing behind him.

    Gagan also shared a Facebook post in which Ram Naresh Prasad Yadav, the husband of BJP MLA Gayatri Devi, proudly claimed to have “summoned” officials and directed them to address grievances of the people.

    Political strategist turned politician Prashant Kishor on Friday claimed that the new cabinet in Bihar had a few ministers whose names had been “vetoed” in 2015 when the “Mahagathbandhan” (Grand Alliance) had come to power after winning the Assembly polls.

    Kishor, who had worked closely with the alliance which then comprised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), Lalu Prasad’s RJD and the Congress, made the claim in reply to queries from journalists in Darbhanga district where he was asked about the controversy surrounding “tainted ministers”.

    “There were many names which were vetoed in 2015 since the persons concerned had taints of criminal records. In the ministry that has been sworn in, I can see three of them comfortably ensconced,” said Kishor, refusing to divulge further details.

    Kishor, who was inducted into the JD(U) in 2018 and elevated to the post of national vice president within a month, only to be ousted less than two years later, also blamed inconsistency in the party line for his unceremonious exit.

    ALSO READ | ‘All options open, including joining BJP’: RCP Singh amid verbal volleys between saffron party, Grand Alliance

    “It was decided in the party that we will oppose the Citizenship Amendment Bill. But the JD(U) MPs ended up voting in its favour. Nitish Kumar told me he was not aware since he was away on tour and he later got a resolution passed against NRC in the state Assembly. I grew uncomfortable with this lack of consistency”, he said.

    The recent upheaval was just one more event to have taken place in the state which has been rocked by political instability since 2012 when Narendra Modi started getting national prominence, Kishor claimed.

    “My best wishes are with the new government but this seven-party alliance will not remain as it is,” he said.

    Kishor, who is touring the state as part of the Bihar-centric “Jan Suraaj” campaign, which may later evolve into a political party, had earlier in the day launched an online poll seeking feedback from the people on Nitish Kumar’s latest volte-face.

    In the poll launched on his official Twitter handle, Kishor asked users to vote with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to his query in Hindi.

    He said, “This is the sixth experiment by Nitish Kumar in the last 10 years towards government formation. Do you think, this time, the people of Bihar stand to benefit?” Earlier this month, Nitish Kumar broke ranks with the BJP-led NDA and became the chief minister of the rival Grand Alliance.

    The current ruling coalition comprises seven parties, JD(U), RJD, Congress, CPI(ML), CPI, CPI(M) and HAM, which together have more than 160 MLAs in the 243-strong assembly.