News Analysis India

Tag: BJP

  • Hardik quit Cong fearing jail in sedition cases, says party leader; claims his resignation scripted by BJP

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: A day after Hardik Patel left the Congress, the party’s Gujarat unit president Jagdish Thakor on Thursday claimed that he took the step as he was afraid that he might have to go to jail in sedition cases registered against him.

    Thakor also claimed that Patel might join the ruling BJP.

    The Congress leader made these claims soon after Patel held a press conference here, in which he alleged that he was not given any meaningful work despite being the working president of the party’s state unit.

    Patel also accused the party of having no vision and its state unit being too much into “caste-based politics”.

    Patel resigned from the Congress on Wednesday, months ahead of the Assembly polls in Gujarat, claiming that top leaders of the party were distracted by their mobile phones and that Gujarat Congress leaders were more interested in arranging chicken sandwiches for them.

    Patel was made the working president in July 2020, a year after he was inducted into the Congress in the presence of Rahul Gandhi.

    Talking to reporters in Rajkot, over 220 kms from here, Thakor alleged that whatever Patel spoke during the press conference earlier in the day and what was written in his resignation letter was scripted by the ruling BJP.

    “Hardik feared that he may have to go to jail in sedition cases if he stays in Congress. Hence, to save himself from the possible punishment, he decided to quit Congress and he might join the BJP as well,” Thakor claimed.

    Patel, who once led the Patidar community’s agitation for reservation, faces nearly 25 criminal cases in Gujarat, including sedition FIRs registered one each in Ahmedabad and Surat.

    Refuting Patel’s allegations that he was sidelined and not given any important work despite being a working president, Thakor said the party had made him a “star campaigner” in the recently-held Assembly polls to five states.

    “Not just that. He was given the facility to travel in helicopters and planes. He was always given importance during the key national-level party meetings,” claimed Thakor, who accused him of being in touch with the BJP for some time.

    “The way he was speaking (against leadership) for the last one month, we had an indication about his next move. We also knew that he was in touch with the BJP. But we were trying to resolve the issue amicably because we were confident that he will not surrender so easily just out of fear of going to jail,” he added.

  • PM Modi to address BJP ‘Chintan Shivir’ in Jaipur as saffron party plans massive show of strength in Congress-ruled state

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The BJP’s proposed 3-day long ‘Chintan-Shivir’, starting from May 19 to 21 at Jaipur in poll-bound Congress-ruled Rajasthan, will shape a new round of party strategies for the upcoming polls in six states-Gujarat, MP, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh with a renewed electoral vigour to expose both the Congress Party and the AAP. 

    A grand preparation has been made for the Jaipur gathering of party’s more than 150 senior leaders and office-bearers.

    “The Jaipur meeting will bring us Jai Jai (victory) in all states in the upcoming assembly elections and the LS elections also in 2024. We have vision to translate into politics for prosperity and peace”, remarked a senior leader on Wednesday evening after the meeting of Rajasthan BJP’s core committee concluded.

    Arun Singh- in charge of Rajasthan BJP told the media that all national vice-presidents, presidents of all fronts and state presidents and organisational heads besides several former ministers and other senior leaders from across the country will attend the meeting.

    “All from Kashmir to Kanyakuamri and Kutch to Kamrup will attend this meeting, which will shape a new vision for making the party more victorious and vibrant ahead”, Singh told the media, adding that national president pf party JP Nadda will inaugurate the 3-day meeting on may 19.

    On May 20, detailing about schedule , Singh said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the meeting of national office-bearers, state presidents and organisation heads virtually and address the participants.

    “There will be also being a program of dialogue with then people of Jaipur with party president. We want to come into power in all states, Rajasthan included, through people’s spontaneous supports against the ruling Congress Party’s misrules”, a senior leader, camping in Jaipur said. 

    Lashing out at the Rajasthan government Arun Singh said that state has fallen in the grip of unabated crimes, atrocities against women and the people of Schedule Castes. 

    “The state has become a synonymous with corruption and an example of kakistocracy”, he said.

    “The BJP has emerged as the hope of Rajashthan people and will take development to every nook and corner under the vision of the PM Modi and ensure peace after dislodging the Gehlot government-failed on all fronts”, Singh claimed.

    The Rajasthan unit of BJP, elated at the meeting just after the recently–held Chintan-Shivir of Congress Party, has planed to erect the welcome gates at 75 places symbolising the 75 years of Independence and on-going ‘Aazadi Ka 75th Amrit Mahotsava” to welcome the leaders.

  • ‘Want Hindus to idealize Muslims for ingraining religion staunchly among kids’: MP Minister Usha Thakur

    By Express News Service

    BHOPAL: A Madhya Pradesh minister who once demanded ban on entry of non-Hindus at Garba venues and accused Madarsas of breeding terrorism, has now asked Hindus to idealize Muslims for ingraining religious sanskar (sacrament) staunchly among children.

    “Ingraining dharmik sanskar (religious sacrament) with tenacity and staunchly  among Hindu kids is the responsibility of all family members, including mothers and sisters. If you want to learn staunch religious culture and practices, then idealize Muslims. One and all among them (Muslims), spanning from small kids to officials and traders will leave all their work, wear skull caps to offer namaz at stipulated time. But what do we (Hindus) do, we’re fond of building temples in villages, but dont love participating in Arti there,” said MP culture and tourism minister Usha Thakur said at a Gau Pujan event in communally sensitive Khandwa district on Tuesday evening.

    The video of her public utterances went viral on Wednesday. She is the minister in-charge of Khandwa district.

    Caught up in a controversy following the viral video, the minister explained that she didn’t imply learning dharmik kattarta (staunch religious practices), but getting inspired from Muslims on their religious discipline and commitment to their religious practices.

    Reacting to the minister’s viral video, state Congress spokesperson Narendra Saluja said, “I hope that bhakts don’t demand the sacking of the staunch RSS supporter minister and bulldozing her house for candidly praising the virtues of a particular community.”

    Thakur, the Mhow (Indore) MLA has been often in news for off the cuff remarks. She had in 2014, as the Indore-III MLA demanded ban on entry of non-Hindus at Garba venues.

    In 2020, she had demanded ending government support to Madarsas, accusing them of breeding terrorism.

    BHOPAL: A Madhya Pradesh minister who once demanded ban on entry of non-Hindus at Garba venues and accused Madarsas of breeding terrorism, has now asked Hindus to idealize Muslims for ingraining religious sanskar (sacrament) staunchly among children.

    “Ingraining dharmik sanskar (religious sacrament) with tenacity and staunchly  among Hindu kids is the responsibility of all family members, including mothers and sisters. If you want to learn staunch religious culture and practices, then idealize Muslims. One and all among them (Muslims), spanning from small kids to officials and traders will leave all their work, wear skull caps to offer namaz at stipulated time. But what do we (Hindus) do, we’re fond of building temples in villages, but dont love participating in Arti there,” said MP culture and tourism minister Usha Thakur said at a Gau Pujan event in communally sensitive Khandwa district on Tuesday evening.

    The video of her public utterances went viral on Wednesday. She is the minister in-charge of Khandwa district.Caught up in a controversy following the viral video, the minister explained that she didn’t imply learning dharmik kattarta (staunch religious practices), but getting inspired from Muslims on their religious discipline and commitment to their religious practices.

    Reacting to the minister’s viral video, state Congress spokesperson Narendra Saluja said, “I hope that bhakts don’t demand the sacking of the staunch RSS supporter minister and bulldozing her house for candidly praising the virtues of a particular community.”

    Thakur, the Mhow (Indore) MLA has been often in news for off the cuff remarks. She had in 2014, as the Indore-III MLA demanded ban on entry of non-Hindus at Garba venues.

    In 2020, she had demanded ending government support to Madarsas, accusing them of breeding terrorism.

  • BJP MP Sushil Modi comes to rescue Bihar boy’s education dreams

    By Express News Service

    PATNA: Sonu Kumar’s family members are elated over former Bihar deputy chief minister and Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Modi’s assurances that Sonu would get admission in a Navodaya Vidyalaya.

    Sushil Modi met Sonu and his family members at his native village in Nalanda district on Tuesday, three days after the chief minister Nitish’s visit when Sonu had requested Nitish to make arrangements for his proper studies.

    Sushil Modi said that Sonu would not only get admission in a Navolaya Vidyalaya but also be paid Rs.2,000 per month as financial assistance for his studies.

    The senior BJP leader shared the pictures of his visit to Sonu’s house on social media.

    11-year-old Sonu hogged the limelight when he had requested Nitish during his visit to his native village Kalyan Bigha in Nalanda district on May 14 to make arrangements for his studies as his parents were not taking proper care of his studies.

    “Sir, Suniye. Mein padhna chahta hun. Mere pariwar ke log support nahi karte hain. Aap mera admission kisi private school mein karwa dijiye (Sir, listen to me. I want to study. But my parents are not cooperating me. Kindly ensure my admission in a private school),” Sonu said while drawing the chief minister’s attention.

    Sonu, a resident of Nima Kaul village under Harnaut block in Nalanda district, revealed that his father Ranvijay Yadav used to sell curd and other dairy items to earn livelihood. 

    “I have to give tuition to my juniors to meet the expenses,” he had told the CM.

    Taken aback over the minor boy’s candid revealation, Nitish had directed the district magistrate in-charge of Nalanda to take care of Sonu’s problems. Sushil Modi’s assurance has come as a great relief for the family.

  • BJP has always supported demand for caste census: Sushil Modi

    By PTI

    PATNA: Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday asserted that his party has always been in support of a caste census, which has become a burning issue in the state, and rebutted the “dushprachaar” (misinformation) on part of political rivals.

    The former Bihar deputy chief minister came out with a video and a series of tweets asserting that the BJP has all through remained in support of the caste census demand even though the Narendra Modi government at the Centre has expressed inability to get it conducted because of “practicalities”.

    Sushil Modi’s averment came in the wake of the contention by Lalu Prasad’s RJD that the BJP has been opposed to social justice and thus it had not agreed to caste census nationally and was indifferent towards getting the same conducted on a state level despite being a partner in the Nitish Kumar government.

    The former deputy CM pointed out that the BJP had voted in the favour of two resolutions passed by both houses of the legislature in Bihar in support of a caste census and “a senior cabinet minister from our party, Janak Ram, was a part of the delegation led by the CM that had met PM Narendra Modi to press the demand last year”.

    He also underscored that the BJP had similarly backed the demand when it was raised in adjoining Jharkhand where “our state president was part of the delegation formed to meet the PM”.

    “We voted in favour of a resolution on caste census when it was passed in Odisha. When state-specific caste surveys were conducted in Telangana and Karnataka we did not oppose the same. Parliament’s records are proof that our late leader Gopinath Munde had strongly supported caste census when there was a debate on the issue in 2010, while the Congress-led UPA was in power,” Modi added.

    Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has indicated that a state-specific survey will be conducted soon after seeking inputs from different groups at an all-party meeting.

  • NCP claims woman member attacked by BJP workers at Irani’s event; Congress protests price rise

    By PTI

    PUNE: The NCP Pune city unit on Monday alleged an office-bearer of the party was assaulted by BJP workers inside an auditorium during a face-off between the two sides when Union Cabinet minister Smriti Irani was attending a book release event at the venue here on Monday evening.

    Police said a probe was on into the alleged incident.

    Congress and NCP workers staged protests against price rise outside a luxury hotel and the Bal Gandharva auditorium, where Irani attended events during her visit to the city.

    The two parties are constituents of the Shiv Sena-led MVA government in Maharashtra.

    “One of our party functionaries, Vaishali Nagawade, was assaulted by BJP workers inside the auditorium when she and others went to give a memorandum (to the minister),” claimed Prashant Jagtap, Pune city NCP president.

    Some NCP members workers went to the Deccan Gymkhana police station to register an offence against BJP activists, he said.

    Speaking to reporters, Nagawade said the incident took place when she along with other NCP workers went to submit a memorandum to Irani over the LPG price hike.

    Senior NCP leader Ankush Kakade said when the BJP was in opposition at the Centre before 2014, Irani used to aggressively raise the price rise issue and his party was doing the same now.

    “When Irani was in a hotel for some event, our women party workers requested her to accept a memorandum but she refused. As a result, our women workers staged an intense agitation outside the hotel,” he said.

    Kakade said the book launch event at the auditorium, organised by the BJP, was open to all.

    “Our four party functionaries, including Vaishali Nagawade, had gone inside the auditorium. Some BJP workers said they are from NCP and started heckling them, and assaulted Nagawade. Had the police not intervened in time, things would have turned really ugly,” he said.

    Kakade said the police should investigate the incident thoroughly and take stringent action against the culprits.

    Murlidhar Karpe, senior inspector, Deccan police station, said four women workers of the NCP had come to attend the programme and they were identified by BJP workers which led to some tension.

    He said these women were escorted out by police after commotion inside the auditorium.

    Asked about allegations of heckling and assault, Karpe said a probe was on.

    Congress workers staged protests and shouted slogans against the Centre over the price rise issue during the visit of Irani.

    “Around 12 noon, Pune city women Congress committee members staged a protest (outside the hotel) over inflation and rising prices of LPG. Since the central government has failed to check inflation in the country, the women members had gone to present bangles to Union minister Smriti Irani,” said a party functionary.

    The protesting Congress members were detained by police and later released, he said.

    Later in the evening, Congress activists held a demonstration over soaring prices of essential goods outside the Bal Gandharva auditorium.

    Pune city Congress president Ramesh Bagwe said, “We shouted slogans against the rising prices and showed placards standing outside the auditorium.”

    Irani attended the release of Marathi version of a book on the political journey of Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah.

    The English version of the book is titled ‘Amit Shah and the March of BJP’.

  • BJP government destroyed economy, says Rahul Gandhi

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of destroying the country’s economy, which was “strengthened” by the former UPA government.

    At a rally in Rajasthan’s Banswara district, he also charged that the BJP and Prime Minister Modi want to create two Hindustans, with one for the rich and select two-three industrialists and the other of Dalits, farmers, the poor and underprivileged.

    The Congress, he said, wants only one Hindustan. The Congress leader, who has been targeting the government over the state of the economy and issue of unemployment, said,”The BJP government has attacked our economy. PM did demonetisation, wrongly implemented GST due to which the economy got destroyed. UPA worked to strengthen the economy but Narendra Modi caused harm to our economy”.

    Slamming the ruling party at the Centre, he charged that the “BJP wants to create two Hindustans and we want one Hindustan. This is the fight in the country”.

  • Those with no ground reality connection calling shots: BJP MP hits out at party’s Bengal unit

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: BJP MP Arjun Singh, who had so far been criticising the Centre’s jute policies, on Sunday fired a fresh salvo at the saffron camp top brass, alleging that he “not being allowed to work” in West Bengal, despite being a state vice president of the party.

    Singh, who has been called to Delhi by the central leadership next week, told reporters at his residence in Bhatpara that grassroots-level members were also finding it difficult to carry out their day-to-day activities as leaders helming the state unit of the BJP were coming in the way of their work.

    “Let’s be clear. By posting tweets on social media, we cannot dislodge the TMC from power in West Bengal. Those having no connection with the ground reality are calling the shots while proven fighters having mass base are being ignored. How can the BJP achieve its objective then?” said Singh, who had switched over to the saffron camp from the Mamata Banerjee-led party in 2019 The Barrackpore MP claimed that his hands, too, were tied despite being the BJP state vice president.

    “It is like I have been gifted a fountain pen without ink and paper,” he argued.

    Senior leader and BJP MLA from Asansol South Agnimitra Paul, when asked about Singh’s assertions, however, said that he had been given adequate space to work.

    “So far I know, Arjun Singh had been given adequate power and space in the state organization. Don’t know why he is levelling such charges,” she stated.

    Meanwhile, TMC MLA from Jagatdal, Somenath Shyam, maintained that it “hardly mattered what Arjun says” as he is still with the BJP.

    “Arjun is not trustworthy,” Shyam, who was seen sharing dais with Singh during a recent programme, added.

  • Bengal Governor seeks report from state as Suvendu Adhikari says cops entered his MLA office by force

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: West Bengal Governor Jadgeep Dhankhar on Sunday sought an urgent report from the state’s chief secretary H K Dwivedi over an “attack by the police” on the MLA office of Leader of Opposition in Assembly Suvendu Adhikari.

    He said such action on the MLA office of Adhikari is a matter of “deep concern”.

    “In view of worrisome inputs from Leader of Opposition West Bengal Legislative Assembly @SuvenduWB that his MLA office of Nandigram has been attacked by police, sought an urgent report Chief Secretary,” he tweeted.

    Adhikari, later taking to the microblogging platform, said the police entered his office by force.

    “Without giving any prior information, without showing a search warrant, and without the presence of a magistrate, the ‘Mamata’ police (West Bengal Police) forcefully entered my Nandigram MLA’s office unnecessarily.

    “This is a lousy and cruel act on the part of the Mamata Banerjee government. It is a conspiracy against the Leader of the Opposition,” he wrote, attaching three videos to substantiate the claim.

    Dhankhar said that that chief secretary has been asked to file a report on the incident by 10 PM.

    “CS @chief_west to render status report by 10 PM today indicating full details of heavy police and rapid action force posse & senior officials @WBPolice present in & outside MLA office of LOP @SuvenduWB.”

    “Such an action in the MLA office of LOP is a matter of deep concern,” he added.

  • Eleven MLAs in Tripura to take oath as ministers on Monday

    By PTI

    AGARTALA: Altogether eleven MLAs – nine from the BJP and two from the IPFT – will take oath as the cabinet ministers of Tripura on Monday.

    All the ministers of the Biplab Kumar Deb cabinet, barring Mevar Kumar Jamatia of IPFT, found a place in the new cabinet, an official said.

    Notably, a rift between Jamatia, the minister for Tribal Welfare in the Biplab Kumar Deb government, and Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura supremo NC Debbarma came to the fore recently.

    Governor SN Arya will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the cabinet ministers at a programme in Raj Bhavan in the presence of Chief Minister Manik Saha, former chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb and other dignitaries.

    “Jishnu Dev Varma, NC Debbarma (IPFT), Ratan Lal Nath, Pranajit Singha Roy, Manoj Kanti Deb, Santana Chakma, Ram Prasad Paul, Bhagaban Das, Sushanta Chowdhury, Rampada Jamatia and Prem Kumar Reang (IPFT) will take oath as the cabinet ministers of the state tomorrow,” said the new CM in a letter to the governor on Sunday night.

    Saha was sworn in as the chief minister of Tripura during the day.

    Former chief minister Biplab Deb, whose sudden resignation on Saturday evening got Saha the top job, was present at the ceremony along with BJP MLAs and state ministers.

    Rampada Jamatia, a veteran tribal leader of the BJP, was included in the list of cabinet ministers.

    IPFT MLA Prem Kumar Reang has also been inducted into the new cabinet.