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No need for ‘Batenge toh Katenge’ narrative in Maharashtra, focus should be on development: Pankaja Munde

Aseem — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 13:45:25 +0000

Pankaja Munde in 2019. The senior BJP leader attributed her defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election to the prevalence of a fake narrative.
| Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI

The 2024 Lok Sabha election had its fair share of shock results, and the defeat of the senior BJP leader and former Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Pankaja Munde from her family stronghold of Beed would certainly count among them. The daughter of the late Gopinath Munde, the BJP’s first mass leader in Maharashtra, her loss was attributed to the Maratha vs non-Maratha polarisation. Six months later, with polling in the Maharashtra Assembly election scheduled for November 20, the situation has not changed much on caste lines, but the BJP is strongly pushing non-Maratha cards in the campaign.

Elected as a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council in July this year, the OBC leader is one of her party’s popular campaigners across the State, particularly in Vidarbha, Marathwada, and North Maharashtra. In an interview with Frontline at her residence in Parli of Beed district in the Marathwada region, she said that her campaign was focussed on issues of development. Excerpts:

This is the first election in a decade where you are not a candidate. How is the response to campaigning for other candidates?

I don’t feel that I am not a candidate. I have to appeal in several constituencies to vote as if I am the candidate. So, I don’t feel I am not contesting. Rather, I was looking forward to take up the organisational responsibility and devote time entirely for it. I am getting a huge response all over and I can sense it.

The lotus (BJP) symbol is missing from the Parli Assembly constituency for the first time in almost four decades. Do you feel sorry?

Of course I feel sad. It is my father’s constituency. I have been here since I was a toddler. For the past five years when I had nothing, the workers remained by my side. Thousands joined me when held a meeting to campaign for Dhananjay [Munde of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), also her cousin]. They felt sad too. But I appealed them to campaign for the clock [NCP] symbol, thinking it is the lotus.

Is your party worker worried about your political future?

Every worker would worry about the future of their leader. My job is to reduce that fear as we don’t know what the future has to offer.

Also Read | I am sure people want change: Sharad Pawar

Has the situation changed in Beed district after the Lok Sabha election?

I am campaigning in all seats in the State. But I am sure we will win Parli and all other seats in Beed district.

But just a few months ago, you lost in the Lok Sabha election.

I do not think about the past. I am for the future. I lost by 6,000 votes only despite such a terrible condition. Technically, I won. The situation has changed, yes, and it has changed for the better: to the extent that we will win the State once again.

According to you, what were the reasons of the Lok Sabha debacle?

The biggest reason was a fake narrative. It was about many things, including the Constitution. But it is not working anymore, and people are not going to vote merely to defeat someone. They know that development will take place because of good people. People want a State government that will work under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

Pankaja Munde (centre) during an election campaign in support of party candidate Madhuri Misal from the Parvati constituency ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly election, on October 5, 2024.
| Photo Credit:
PTI

Do you agree with the new narrative “Batenge to Katenge” [if we are divided, we will be slaughtered] being peddled by your party members in Maharashtra?

Frankly, my politics is different. I won’t support it just because I am of that party. My belief is that we should work on development alone. A leader’s job is to make every living person on this land as our own. Therefore, we need not bring any such topic to Maharashtra.

The leader who said it did so in a different context and in the political situation of that land. The meaning of that is not what we are using in Maharashtra. PM Modi ji has given justice to everyone. He did not see caste or religion when he gave ration, housing, or cylinders to people.

Is the BJP relying on its old strategy of OBC consolidation in this election? The proof of it being you are campaigning all around?

This is not the first time when I am travelling across the State as a star campaigner. My focus has always been developmental policies and issues and to seek votes only on that. In the early days, my father the late Gopinath Munde, the late Pandurang Fundkar, Anna Dange, and others gave a Bahujan face to the party. They made combinations that are needed in politics. Those political changes were positive ones. They brought common people into politics and we are taking forward that legacy. Working for the downtrodden, oppressed classes cannot be termed as a strategy but it is who we are ideologically—that’s our core.

Is the BJP indulging in caste-based campaigning?

That’s not true. It is natural for a leader to campaign in an area where he/she has a large following. Every party does it. That does not mean we are doing caste-based campaigning. I think this is being looked at differently after the Lok Sabha [election].

Also Read | BJP returns to Ma-Dha-Va formula as Maratha-OBC polarisation threatens its Assembly prospects

Is it true that [Deputy Chief Minister] Devendra Fadnavis is not campaigning in Marathwada?

I don’t know who plans his rallies. We have a war room which decides where the rally will be held. Devendra ji follows the same procedure. He addressed a rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and now he will campaign in Nanded. I really have no time to check where he is addressing rallies.

Is falling prices of soya bean becoming a political issue in this election?

It is important to know that certain things depend on the international market. There could be a way out of this where farmers are given certain subsidies if rates fall below the MSP [minimum support price]. It will change the picture.

Do you think that the rebellion in Beed district would harm your chances?

Not only Beed, but across the State. And not only within us, but even the MVA [Maha Vikas Aghadi, the opposition bloc] is facing the same. I don’t belong to Beed alone now. I am an MLC and belong to the entire State. Rebellion is because people are eager to contest. But we have managed to curb most of it.

Do you eye a bigger role in State politics?

I can’t say this now. My seniors will decide my role after the election. Even in the past five years, I never expressed any discontent in my speeches or interviews. It was all a media creation. When people asked me why I was not getting the position, I told them it was a party decision and we have a culture to accept party decisions. We never expressed unhappiness.

Sanjay Singh takes jibe at CM Yogi's ‘Batoge toh katoge’ remark: BJP will finish Ambedkar's constitution if…

Aseem — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 06:50:03 +0000

While using the title “Hamle aur Jumle ki party” for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh on Sunday questioned why the BJP is not fighting elections on issues like education, healthcare, and employment in Uttar Pradesh.

Giving reference to UP CM Yogi Adityanath‘s recent remark, “batoge toh katoge”, AAP leader Sanjay Singh called for unity among the people of “Dalit, SC, ST, and other minority communities” and said, “batoge toh barbaad hoge”.

“BJP will finish Baba Saheb Ambedkar‘s constitution and reservation if people will not unite,” said Sanjay Singh minutes before concluding his press conference in Delhi on Sunday.

Arvind Kejriwal will resume Delhi padyatra from today, says Sanjay Singh

Expressing gratitude towards the public for supporting AAP during the first phase of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal‘s padyatra, Sanjay Singh said, that people showed their belief in AAP for bringing changes in Delhi.

Giving update on Arvind Kejriwal’s padyatra (footmarch), Singh said that the party convenor will resume his footmarch on Sunday from Rajouri Assembly constituency. He also reinstated his party’s claim that the BJP tried to stop Arvind Kejriwal’s padayatra and even tried to attack him.

“People showered us with love and support during the first phase of Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘padyatra’. Wherever he went, people showed their belief in AAP for bringing changes in Delhi. This is why, BJP workers tried to stop the ‘padyatra’. They attacked Arvind Kejriwal and made videos of it. The first phase of ‘padyatra’ was paused because of Diwali and we will resume it from today from Rajouri Assembly constituency,” PTI quoted Sanjay Singh as saying on Sunday.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on August 26 that the “nation will be empowered only when we stay united” while warning, “if we are divided, we will be destroyed.”

Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Adityanath invokes Mathura, Kashi at Ayodhya's record-setting Deepotsav

Aseem — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 01:22:52 +0000

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on October 30 that the transformation of Ayodhya town is a proof of the ‘double-engine government delivering on its promise.’ The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader also asserted that a similar transformation must also happen in Kashi and Mathura towns of Uttar Pradesh by 2047, when India celebrates 100 years of independence.

Ayodhya was transformed into a breathtaking spectacle on Wednesday as it gleamed with the light of 25,12,585 diyas along the banks of the Saryu river in two world-record setting feats during the eighth edition of Deepotsav on Diwali eve.

This was the first Deepotsav since the consecration of the Ram Mandir on January 22, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath leading the celebrations, along with his cabinet colleagues and Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

The records that were set were for the largest display of oil lamps and most number of people performing an “aarti” simultaneously, representatives of the Guinness World Records declared in the evening.

“This is just the beginning and this beginning has to reach its logical conclusion. So by 2047, when the country celebrates 100 years of its independence, Kashi and Mathura must also shine like Ayodhya,” the Chief Minister said.

Kashi, Mathura Court Battles

A court battle is underway for the resolution of the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi mosque row in Varanasi. A similar court case is on over the Krishna Janam Bhoomi and the Shahi Eidgah dispute in Mathura.

Adityanath said Ayodhya’s transformation was “just the beginning” and part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the development of the heritage of Sanatan Dharma and taking it to the global stage.

Adityanath hit out at the opposition saying, “just like mafia dons, these barriers would also be eliminated.”

According to government estimates, more than 35 lakh lamps illuminated Ayodhya. Of these, 25,12,585 lamps were lit on 55 ghats, including Ram ki Paidi, along the Saryu river.

Deepotsav saw 1.71 lakh diyas in 2017, 3.01 lakh in 2018, 4.04 lakh in 2019, 6.06 lakh in 2020, 9.41 lakh in 2021, 15.76 lakh in 2022 and 22.23 lakh in 2023, the government said.

Beginning with 1.71 lakh lamps in 2017, the illumination has soared to an impressive 25,12,585 lamps in 2024, casting a radiant glow across Ayodhya. The lighting of more than 25 lakh lamps together set a new world record for the largest oil-lamp display, Guinness World Records adjudicator Pravin Patel announced.

This is just the beginning and this beginning has to reach its logical conclusion.

The other record was set for the first time – the highest number of people performing an “aarti” simultaneously, with 1,121 vedacharyas rotating diyas along the Saryu, Patel said.

Investment proposals of Rs 40 lakh crore bear shows growing interest in UP: Yogi Adityanath

suimt — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 10:15:40 +0000

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that the increasing interest of investors from around the world in the state is evident with investment proposals worth Rs 40 lakh crore that were received during last year’s Global Investors Summit.
Addressing an event, he said, these proposals not only highlight the state’s progress but also reveal the journey of its transformative development journey.
“Over the past seven years, Uttar Pradesh has seen major changes that have improved its reputation both in India and around the world. As a result, investors from across the globe are now drawn to invest in the state. Investment proposals Rs 40 lakh crore received during last year’s Global Investors Summit bear testimony to the growing interest of investors from across the globe in the state,” the minister stated.
He said that previously, (before BJP came to power), the state was struggling with a damaged reputation.
He added that the state had been known for riots, criminal gangs, political corruption, and governance issues, leading to young people facing a jobs crisis, lack of respect, and insecurity. Residents used to be constantly worried about violence which often dampened festivals and celebrations.
“Today, however, the state is free from riots and lawlessness. Previously, investors hesitated to invest in UP and those who did often sought ways to leave. Now the state has created a safe and stable environment that attracts businesses and provides new opportunities for its youth,” Adityanath said.
He also emphasized that the recent Global Investor Summit showcased the state’s economic potential to the nation and Rs 12 lakh crore worth groundbreaking projects have already taken place from the committed proposals. Apart from this, at present, investment proposals of Rs 10 lakh crore are ready.
Highlighting these investments, he said that they not only concern economic growth but also represent vast job opportunities for the state’s youth.
Aligning with PM Narendra Modi’s vision,Currently, one of India’s leading state economies, Uttar Pradesh, aims to achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2029.
He said that once the state that faced an identity crisis, is now attracting investors and tourists because of its secure environment. Uttar Pradesh is now gathering attention from people from across the globe, who look forward to being part of its growth. “
This transformation required significant policy changes by the state government to bring in new opportunities and foster a climate of safety and development,” he added.
Adityanath stated that Uttar Pradesh now has 28 specific investment policies that are designed to attract investors across various sectors. He also praised the state’s rich history, emphasizing the importance of its festivals, especially Dhanteras and Deepotsav.
Yogi said that Dhanvantari, the Hindu god of medicine, was born in the state’s oldest city, Varanasi and this heritage is celebrated across the nation.
The UP chief minister also announced that a grand Deepotsav would be held in Ayodhya on Wednesday to mark a significant occasion of being the first major celebration since Ramlala took his place in his sacred abode after 500 years.

Was the Bahraich communal flare-up motivated?

Aseem — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 13:45:53 +0000

Yogi Adityanath-ruled Uttar Pradesh is witnessing a political row over another possible instance of bulldozer force a month before the byelection, scheduled for nine Assembly seats in the State on November 13.

On October 13, communal clashes in the Maharajganj area of Bahraich district left one person, identified as Ram Gopal Mishra, dead and several wounded. The police have arrested over 80 accused persons, mostly Muslims, while several young men have reportedly fled the area fearing police action.

The accused have been booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 121 (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 309 (robbery) and 191 (every member of an unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object).

But opposition leaders have condemned the riots as “pre-planned,” alleging that the BJP is deliberately engineering communal tensions to sway the upcoming November election.

Also Read | India’s bulldozer raj: Over 1,50,000 homes razed, 7,38,000 left homeless in two years

In the immediate aftermath of the violence, the Public Works Department (PWD) declared the Kundasar-Mahasi-Nanpara road—the focal point of the disturbances—as a major district road. Between October 17 and October 23, notices were issued to 23 houses and shops owners in the area, with a striking 20 from the Muslim community.

The notices mandated the removal of illegal constructions within three days, citing regulations that prohibit structures within 60 feet of the road’s centre without prior approval. Though the PWD notices gave three days time, the affected families have got relief from the Allahabad High Court.

Meanwhile, the Adityanath government’s action is being seen as part of his larger politics wherein bulldozers symbolise his communal aggression. Ever since Adityanath became Chief Minister, the State has witnessed liberal use of police encounters and demolition drives against alleged criminals from the Muslim community. No wonder, bulldozers were made the engine of his electoral campaign in the run-up to the 2022 State Assembly election.

But the row over the intended use of bulldozers in Bahraich has taken an intriguing turn after a BJP MLA filed an FIR against members of his own party, accusing them of inciting communal violence during the Durga idol immersion on October 13.

This unprecedented move ahead of Assembly byelection has brought the ruling party under the scanner. Javed Ali Khan, a Samajwadi Party (SP) Rajya Sabha MP, lambasted the State government for the communal flare-up. “Since the bypolls are round the corner, the ruling party is completely relying on Hindu-Muslim polarisation. The BJP-led State government has abdicated its responsibilities completely,” Khan told Frontline, adding that, “A riot is always planned and organised. In Bahraich too, the rioters were deputed whereas the local people have acted very responsibly.”

Locals in the region vacated their shops after the Public Works Department pasted notices on several properties asking them to remove any illegal construction and warning of action, in the violence-hit Maharajganj area of Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh on October 19, 2024.
| Photo Credit:
PTI

Khan referred to a viral video in which two accused persons, Prem Kumar Mishra and Saburi Mishra, purportedly claimed that violence in Bahraich was “sponsored”. They confessed to having taken part in it. Both of them were later arrested. Earlier, the Bahraich Superintendent of Police Vrinda Shukla had termed the claims made in the video clip as the “rambling of drunk men”.

“Shame on BJP’s politics and its hunger for power,” Akhilesh Yadav, the SP supremo and former Chief Minister, said in a video appearance on social media as he accused the ruling party of conspiring to incite riots. “The BJP has lost its face in the wake of new revelations,” he said, referring to BJP MLA Sureshwar Singh’s FIR.

Singh’s FIR incidentally names BJP workers, including Aarpit Srivastava, the president of the BJP youth wing, Anuj Singh Raikwar, and Shubham Mishra. The FIR accuses them of violent acts such as rioting, stone-pelting, and attempted murder. It details the violent protests surrounding the deceased Ram Gopal Mishra, during which Singh and his associates were reportedly attacked with stones and faced gunfire.

The role of electronic media

On October 23, Singh clarified his position at a press conference held at his residence. “It was only after the case was registered that I learned Arpit Srivastava is the city president of the BJP’s youth wing. Beyond that, I do not believe anyone from the BJP was involved,” he stated. “I have made it clear that filing a case does not equate to someone being guilty. There are CCTV cameras at the incident location. Investigators will review the footage, and appropriate action will be taken against anyone found guilty, including those who fired shots or threw stones.”

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh’s halal branding ban: Strategy to subjugate Muslims?

Notably, the role of electronic media has also come under scrutiny for adding fuel to the communal fire. Several TV channels and media outlets claimed that Ram Gopal Mishra was allegedly brutalised before he was killed, quoting a purported postmortem report. The police have rejected such claims. Without referring to media reports, the Bahraich police wrote on social media that the misleading claims were aimed at disturbing communal harmony.

On October 21, the Allahabad High Court granted relief to individuals served with demolition notices for alleged illegal structures, extending the deadline for filing responses by 15 days. This decision followed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, represented by its Vice President for UP East, Sayed Mehfuzur Rehman. The petition challenged the notices issued in the Mahsi area of Bahraich district, where recent violence occurred amid claims that the UP government intends to demolish properties belonging to those allegedly involved in the unrest. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on November 4.

On October 22, the Supreme Court indirectly warned the Adityanath government regarding potential bulldozer action. The court emphasised that it is the State government’s “choice” to risk contravening its directives. However, the court clarified that it would not intervene if the structures in question are deemed illegal.

Previously, on October 1, the Supreme Court had reserved judgment on petitions challenging the demolition of homes as a punitive measure, a practice commonly referred to as “bulldozer justice”. A bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan clarified that demolitions cannot occur solely because an individual is an accused or convicted criminal. During the hearings, the bench discussed guidelines to prevent the misuse of local laws regarding demolition, ensuring due process is followed. They announced plans to issue “pan-India guidelines” that will apply equally to all communities.

“Of late, the higher judiciary has sent a positive signal, we are hopeful that it will discourage the BJP’s ‘bulldozer’ politics in the days to come,” said Javed Ali Khan.

'If Akhilesh Yadav believes in JP's ideas, why did he ally with Emergency party Congress,' BJP hits back at SP

Aseem — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 04:38:19 +0000

After the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) denied Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav permission to visit the Jai Prakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC) for the freedom fighter’s birth anniversary, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said that Samajwadi Party had forgotten the ideals of Jai Prakash Narayan, and further alleged that after defeat in Haryana assembly elections, entire INDI alliance is resorting to “political stunt”.

Bhandari said, “Akhilesh Yadav is doing politics. The notice that has been issued makes it very clear that the construction is incomplete. Had Akhilesh Yadav had good intentions, he could have paid tribute to Jai Prakash Narayan even in his office. Today, SP has forgotten the ideals of Jai Prakash Narayan. Had they followed those ideals, they would not have forged an alliance with Congress party.”

He said, “After the defeat in Haryana, the entire INDI alliance is resorting to political stunt. They understood that the country’s people wanted the ideals of Jai Prakash Narayan to be taken forward by PM Narendra Modi. Jai Prakash Narayan had an Anti-emergency ideology. But Akhilesh Yadav forgot it and allied with Congress…Akhilesh Yadav knows that he will lose in the upcoming by-polls. So, to divert attention from this defeat, he will try to play victim cards one after the other. Arvind Kejriwal is trying the same in Delhi because they lost deposits in Haryana. So, the people of UP and the country are asking Akhilesh Yadav if he believes in the ideals of Jai Prakash Narayan, why did he forge an alliance with the emergency party Congress?”

Also Read: Akhilesh Yadav climbs boundary wall after being stopped from garlanding JP Narayan, warns of ’total revolution’ | Watch

Meanwhile, barricading and police forces were deployed outside the Samajwadi Party (SP) office in Lucknow on Friday.

‘BJP doing dictatorship’

Meanwhile, SP MLA Ravidas Malhotra said that they would pay tribute by breaking through all barricades.

As reported by ANI, Malhotra slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government, asserting that they cannot be silenced by suppression, injustice, or dictatorship. He emphasised the party’s determination to honor Jai Prakash Narayan despite the obstacles imposed by the government.

“JPNIC was built during Samajwadi Party govt… On his (Jai Prakash Narayan) birth anniversary we wanted to garland his statue to pay tribute. But the BJP govt isn’t allowing this… But, we will do this by breaking all the barricades put up by the BJP govt. The BJP govt can’t silence us through suppression, injustice and dictatorship,” he said.

JPNIC has been sealed, barricaded and the police force has been deployed ahead of Akhilesh Yadav’s scheduled visit on the birth anniversary of Jayaprakash Narayan on Friday.

Akhilesh Yadav went to JPNIC on Thursday evening after the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) refused to grant him permission to visit the site on Friday for the freedom fighter’s birth anniversary, citing security concerns.

Upon arriving at JPNIC, Yadav criticised the Uttar Pradesh government for blocking the entrance gate with tin sheets.

“The government wants to hide something by building this tin boundary. Why are they not letting us honour a great leader? This is not happening for the first time. Every year on Jayaprakash Narayan Jayanti the workers and leader of SP used to gather and pay their respects to him…Why does the government want to hide?… This is not under construction, this will be sold,” he said.

Also Read: Uttar Pradesh News: ‘Why mind words by someone on his way out..,’ Akhilesh Yadav’s cryptic jab at Yogi Adityanath

In a letter dated October 10, the LDA mentioned that JPNIC is a construction site with haphazardly spread materials and potential insect infestations due to rain. “JPNIC is a construction site where construction material is spread haphazardly, and there is a possibility of many insects due to rain,” the LDA said.

The letter also noted that Yadav has Z-plus category security, making it unsafe for him to garland the statue and visit the site. “SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has Z plus category security, due to which it is not safe and appropriate for him to garland the statue and visit JPNIC due to security reasons,” it added.

The SP chief further alleged that a wall was erected to stop him and others from paying tribute to Jayaprakash Narayan on his birth anniversary on Friday. He further accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of harbouring ill will toward every freedom fighter.

“This is the ostentatious Amritkal of freedom under BJP rule. A wall was raised so that people could not pay tribute. The path that the BJP has closed is a symbol of their closed thinking,” the SP chief wrote in a post on X in Hindi.

He continued, “The BJP holds ill-will and animosity towards every freedom fighter like Jayaprakash Narayan ji who took part in the freedom struggle of the country. It is the guilt within the BJP colleagues, who did not take part in the freedom struggle of the country that does not allow them to pay tribute to the revolutionaries even on their birth anniversaries. Condemnable!”

JP Narayan is renowned for leading a mass movement against the Congress government and for forming India’s first non-Congress government by uniting the Opposition against the Congress’s alleged corruption during the Emergency.

He is also recognised for his remarkable total revolution, or Sampoorna Kranati, and for rallying a coalition of Opposition parties in the mid-1970s against Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

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Business NewsPoliticsNews’If Akhilesh Yadav believes in JP’s ideas, why did he ally with Emergency party Congress,’ BJP hits back at SP