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“Allah ki bachchi thi, Allah ne bula liya”: How the anti-CAA protests in Delhi killed a 2 month old baby

OpIndia Staff
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“Allah ki bachchi thi, Allah ne bula liya”: How the anti-CAA protests in Delhi killed a 2 month old baby

The anti-CAA and anti-NRC have been continuing unabated in the national capital for the past 51 days. The real agenda behind the protest was rather apparent from the anti-Hindu posters and slogans like ‘Jinnah Wali Azadi’ being chanted at Shaheen Bagh. While the Jihad waged on at Shaheen Bagh, the media hailed one 20-day-old baby.

20-day old infant who was hailed by media as her mother brought her along for ‘protests’ in Delhi’s Jamia Nagar

In December, a 20-days-old baby whose mother was cradling her in her lap while sitting at Shaheen Bagh to protest against NRC and CAA.

In an exclusive story, OpIndia can now confirm that a child, about 2-months-old, who used to come to Shaheen Bagh for “protests” with her mother has breathed her last. Congress worker Sadaf Jafar also took to Facebook to announce that a two-months-old infant who accompanied her mother from Batla House in Jamia Nagar for protests, has breathed her last.

Similar posts were shared by other prominent personalities on social media.

The entire established media that seems to report constantly from Shaheen Bagh is yet to break this story or even acknowledge that a child has died due to the harsh weather conditions that she was put through during the 51-day long protest. There almost seems to be a concerted silence to ensure that the news of this child breathing her last is not published.

When our journalists visited Shaheen Bagh and spoke to some reporters from established media who were present at Shaheen Bagh, the reply was rather shocking. They said they are aware that a 2-month-old child has died due to the Shaheen Bagh protests, however, most of the media channels are unwilling to run this news.

When our reporters spoke to the protestors, it was revealed that a child has indeed lost her life due to the harsh weather conditions. The child was 2-months-old and her mother was taking her to protests at Shaheen Bagh and Jamia both. We were also told that the child and her mother used to travel from Batla house to the protest venue. After the death of the child, ‘dua’ was also read at Shaheen Bagh and Jamia for her.

When a protestor was asked about the death of the child, the protestor said, “Humne thodi maara hau suko? Allah ki bacchi thi, Allah ne apne paas bula liya. (We didn’t kill her. She was Allah’s child and she has gone back to Allah’)”. She further added, “Yahan par to bado par bhi goli maari jaa rahi hai, woh to bhala bachhi thi, qurban ho gayi (here even grown up people are shot at, she was after all a child. She has sacrificed her life).”

This unfortunate development raises various questions over using children as props for furthering agenda through protests. Multiple child welfare groups had also raised concerns over children being used during the anti-CAA protests at Jamia and Shaheen Bagh. A complaint was filed with National Commission for Protection of Child Rights in January against the use of children during the anti-CAA protests. Now, one two-months-old has lost her life because adults in her life threw away her life for political goals.

 

Burkina Faso: 20 civilians die after Jihadi terrorists attack a village, govt decides to arm citizens to combat terrorism

OpIndia Staff
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Burkina Faso: 20 civilians die after Jihadi terrorists attack a village, govt decides to arm citizens to combat terrorism

The Sahel region in north-west Burkina Faso was yet again subjected to Jihadist violence on Saturday night. Heavily armed Islamic fundamentalists carried out their terror attack in Lamdamol village in Seno province, killing 20 civilians.


A local official stated, “There is panic in the village and the surrounding area.” He added that people have been forced to flee their homes and migrate towards centre-north region of Burkina Faso. The official also informed that the chief nurse in Lamdamol was among the victims.

The attack comes at the backdrop of France’s decision to send additional troops to the Sahel region. The conflict began with Islamic fundamentalists gained control over northern Mali in 2012. This prompted the French government to launch a military offensive against them.

Even though a peace treaty was signed between the two parties in 2015, it never materialised. The jihadists are known to be associated with al-Qaeda and the ISIS.

Read- 35 civilians killed in Burkina Faso terrorist attack, 80 Jihadis neutralised in operation by Army and Air Force

In light of the terrorist attacks that have plagued the country and claimed close to 4000 lives, the government of Burkina Faso has decided to arm its civilians. It is of the view that armed volunteers can help stop the spread of violence. Critics, however, argue that such a move can heighten the ethnic conflict between rival farming and fishing communities.

In its defence, the Government has stated that such a move was necessary, keeping in mind the limited number of soldiers and the absence of proper training facilities. As such, any individual above the age of 18 who possess a “spirit of sacrifice” and is not associated with any political party can be recruited by the government.

Burkina Faso has come under several attacks from Islamic fundamentalists in recent times. In a deadly terrorist attack executed in December last year, a total of 35 civilians lost their lives.

After Arrnab Goswami, Kunal Kamra starts stalking Raj Thackeray: Here is what happened

OpIndia Staff
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After Arrnab Goswami, Kunal Kamra starts stalking Raj Thackeray: Here is what happened

Kunal Kamra has suffered a meltdown in recent times. After his theatrics involving Arnab Goswami in an Indigo flight led to a six-month suspension by multiple airlines, Kamra resorted to employing stalker-like tactics against the Republic TV anchor. After being thoroughly ignored by Arnab, Kunal Kamra has found himself a new target it seems.

On Monday, Kunal Kamra asked Raj Thackeray for a ‘date’ because he ‘loves’ him. The alleged comedian was requesting the firebrand leader from Maharashtra to be a guest on his podcast. He said in the tweet, “For all the people who think I’ve to not hussle to get guests on my podcast… here’s how much I do & I’m willing do even more to produce good content for you guys…”

Read: Kunal Kamra camps outside Republic studio to say ‘he’s not sorry’ after being banned by several airlines for unruly behaviour towards Arnab Goswami

In a ‘letter’ to the MNS supremo that Kunal Kamra shared on social media, he said, “As I have done my research and found out you are a big fan of Kirti College wada pav, here I am trying to bribe you with one of your favourite food items so that you could come on my podcast.”

Kunal Kamra’s letter to Raj Thackeray

Kamra also clicked a picture of himself outside the Shivaji Park residence of Raj Thackeray with a wada pav in his hand. The wada pav in his hand was the bribe Kamra was referring to in his letter.

Source: Kunal Kamra/Twitter

Only recently, Kamra had threatened to leak the phone numbers of politicians associated with the BJP after he had started receiving calls from unknown numbers.

Read: ‘Mentally unstable’ Kunal Kamra abuses and heckles Arnab Goswami on a flight to Lucknow: Here is what actually happened

Kunal Kamra’s mental health was called into question when he was heckled by the leftwing comedian. Kamra soon followed it up by sending Arnab Goswami creepy texts and holding a placard in front of the studios of Republic TV.

Ranjeet Bachchan killed because he was going to make a huge announcement on CAA: Murdered Vishwa Hindu Mahasabha chief’s wife

OpIndia Staff
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Ranjeet Bachchan killed because he was going to make a huge announcement on CAA: Murdered Vishwa Hindu Mahasabha chief’s wife

Yesterday, unknown assailants shot dead the Uttar Pradesh Vishwa Hindu Mahasabha chief Ranjeet Bachchan in Lucknow. Bachchan had gone for a morning walk when the assailants, riding on a bike, shot him on his head. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. A day after his gruesome assassination, Ranjeet’s wife has come forth stating that her husband was going to make a big announcement on CAA, which has possibly caused his murder.

Even as eight teams of Uttar Pradesh Police and Crime Branch have initiated the investigation into Bachchan’s murder, his wife Kalindi Bachchan has revealed that her husband was killed because he had extended his support to the newly legislated Citizenship Amendment Act that intends to grant citizenship to persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

While speaking to Navbharat Times, Ranjeet’s wife claimed that her husband was soon going to organise a grand event regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). “Ranjeet was planning to organise a big event regarding CAA, to create awareness among people about the citizenship law through a cycle trip across Uttar Pradesh. He solicited support through social media. I suspect he was murdered for supporting the CAA,” Kalindi said.

Kalindi also talked about the controversy surrounding Rajneet’s multiple marriages. Denying that Ranjeet had three wives, Kalindi said that Rajneet had a second wife, named Smriti Verma, who lived in Vikasnagar area of Lucknow. “My husband used to live with me. Yes, sometimes he used to visit Smriti. But it was all consensual. Yes, initially I opposed these things, which is natural. However, I had accepted their relationship later. I was married on 30 March 2014. He was married to Smriti on 18 January 2015,” Kalindi said.

UP Police have released CCTV footage of two suspected assailants in connection with Ranjeet’s murder. The police have announced a reward of Rs 50 thousand to anyone who provides them with additional information about the assaulters. The police have currently deployed 8 teams to probe the murder case. On the other hand, four policemen including Outpost Incharge have been suspended on charges of negligence in the case.

Opposition to CAA: Here is how the assorted ‘Liberals’, ‘Activists’ and opposition members kept changing the goalpost

S. Sudhir Kumar
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Opposition to CAA: Here is how the assorted ‘Liberals’, ‘Activists’ and opposition members kept changing the goalpost

On account of their religion, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Christians, Parsis, and Buddhists of three neighbouring Islamic countries were persecuted. They came to India seeking shelter. Through totally constitutional means, India stood by them by bringing in CAA 2019. Every single question asked in the Parliament of India was responded to by the Home Minister of India. It is one thing for political parties to have opposed this, but what was simply shocking was how the English language media simply went berserk after the Act was passed.

They first asked if this is the most important thing that needs to be done. The argument was killed almost instantly because, in the same Parliament session where the Citizenship Amendment Act was passed, GoI also passed fifteen other bills that include The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, The SPG Act, the merging of Daman & Diu and Dadar & Nagar Haveli Union Territories amongst others!

They then asked why this was done in such a hurried fashion, without any proper debate. There is a 2003 committee report tabled in Parliament recommending CAA. Bill first introduced in July 2016. Sent to another committee which submitted a report in Jan 2019. Lok Sabha passed it in Feb 2019 but Rajya Sabha rejected it. Bill introduced again (with changes) in December 2019. Both houses of Parliament passed it. If they slept for 16 years while the debate was going on, is it the country’s fault?

Read: Khilafat 2.0: How Useful Idiots in the media and political parties were fooled by Jamia students associated with the ‘blood brother’ of a banned Radical Islamic outfit

They then said BJP used brute majority to push through the bill that is “unconstitutional”. Turns out the Congress party demanded the same in the year 2003. Turns out that the Left parties also demanded the same in the year 2012. In addition to the BJP, parties such as BJD, JD(DU), TDP, YSRCP, SAD, AIADMK, Shive Sena, MNPP, NPF, NDPP, MNF also supported the bill. How does this amount to pushing a bill through brute majority?

They then asked how dare you exclude Muslims. When asked to explain if Muslims are persecuted in a Muslim country for practising Islam, they had no answer. When explained that not a single Indian Muslim will be impacted by CAA, they refused to listen. When explained that any migrant from anywhere in the world can still apply for citizenship, they exhibited unparalleled stubbornness in accepting the explanations.

They then asked why not give citizenship to other persecuted groups from other countries. When told that India has already given citizenship to nearly 4,61,000 Tamils (yes, nearly FOUR LAKHS) from Srilanka from 1964 to 2008, they went into hibernation. When told about how India gave citizenship to Hindus from Uganda who were thrown away from that country, they pretended as if Uganda didn’t even exist. The Home Minister of India made a special about the Dandakranya project of 1958 to rehabilitate persecuted tribals from the then East Pakistan. They ensured they didn’t print anything about this project!

Read: Nexus between Congress and Islamists in stoking anti-CAA riots? PFI spent over 120 crores, transferred huge sums to Kapil Sibal and Indira Jaising: Read details

Meanwhile, they were continuously resorting to violence. They damaged assets of the country. They burnt buses with people in them (luckily no one died). They beat up people. They first tried to mask the violence by calling them as mere “protests”. When arrested, they cried fascism. When prevented, they shouted emergency. When asked why they expected the state not to stop violence, they fell in line and begged compatriots to stop the violence.

They then asked again – how dare you decide not to give citizenship to Muslims? Turns out just in the past 5 years, nearly 600 Muslims were granted Indian citizenship based on existing rules. No new restrictions have been introduced going forward too. There is NO RULE in India that prohibits granting citizenship based on religion. So what do they do now?

They then moved away from CAA and said you are bringing in NRC to throw out Muslims. They were explicitly told that the modalities of a nationwide NRC haven’t even been discussed. They were told that no Indian citizen needs to be ever worried about anything. At multiple forums, by multiple ministers, many assurances were given that this baseless rumour is being only spread by those who hate the country. Clueless on how to react, they then introduced a whole new angle.

They then asked why you are doing NPR. They were then told that NPR was done before. They were told how NPR helps all governments plan their social schemes in a much robust fashion. While they refused to listen, except for Kerala and West Bengal governments, all other state governments have agreed to go ahead with the process of NPR.

They came up new slogans – kaagaz nahi dikhayenge, for example. When asked who asked for papers, no answer was forthcoming. When asked what papers were asked, no answer was forthcoming. Instead, they continued to get violent, post fake news and tears, merely because they didn’t have a way out of the trap they themselves laid.

They then told us that Modi was doing all this to divert attention. I wondered diversion from what? Because while they were busy repeating the same questions again and again, the government of India was busy with ushering in one of the biggest reforms in the Ministry of Defence – establishing the institution of Chief of Defence Staff; it was busy with one of the biggest reforms in the Ministry of Railways – the complete restructuring of the Railway Board; it was busy with solving the decades-old suffering of Bru-Reang refugees in Manipur; it was busy signing the Bodo Accordand bringing in closure to decades-old violence; it was busy with meeting business leaders and a multitude of citizen groups to prepare for the budget; it was busy trying to complete much delayed 24,000 crores infrastructure projects; and more. Why would any government want to divert attention from so many path-breaking initiatives?!

They are now wondering why their “protests” are failing. They are coming up with explanations that they failed because they linked it to Friday prayers! They failed to realise that they failed because of one simple reason – No Indian has lost his/her citizenship because of the CAA. This was their basic premise. It’s been two months, and not a single Indian lost his or her citizenship. Not a single Indian will lose his or her citizenship because of the NPR exercise. The NRC is not even defined yet.

Ordinary citizens have seen through the chicanery of the media and political industry that wanted to feed off baseless rumours and mindless violence. The handful left to “protest” is now unable to decide the way out!

Uttar Pradesh: Villagers in Firozabad forced to sell their homes and leave village due to fake cases filed against them under SC/ST Act

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Villagers in Firozabad forced to sell their homes and leave village due to fake cases filed against them under SC/ST Act

People in a village in Firozabad district in Uttar Pradesh fleeing the village due to fake cases registered against them under the SC/ST Act. According to reports, residents of Gothua village are selling their homes and moving to other places due to harassment of fake cases. Villagers have written on the outside walls and doors of their houses that they will be sold.

In a recent incident, on January 27, an argument among children escalated to a full-scale fight among adults, with two sides physically assaulting each other. After that the side belonging to schedules caste families lodged a complaint against the other side under the SC/ST Act, alleging that they used casteist remarks against them. This has created huge problems for the villagers facing the charges as it is a very strict act.


According to villagers, the people belonging scheduled caste have already sent 14 persons from the village on false charges under the SC/ST Act. They allege now again preparations for filing fake cases have been started. The villagers also allege that those youths are specifically targeted by fake charges who are preparing for jobs. After cases under the law are registered against the youths, their future is destroyed as they don’t get any job after that.

Talking to media, a villager said, if even goats of general category farmers enter the farms of Dalits, they go to the police station and file case. He said that their women tear their own clothes and then file false cases against general category youths.

Read- Supreme Court recalls its order which had virtually diluted the SC/ST Act, allows review petition by centre

Due to such continued harassment, the villagers have now decided to leave the village by selling their properties there. They also allege that the police and administration are not listening to them, and if they don’t get justice, they will be forced to leave the village.

A local police officer Ajay Chouhan said that they had assured the villagers that they will get justice as law is equal to all. He said that nobody has left the village yet, but they are scared that cases will be filed against them in minor incidents. He appealed everyone to abide by the law, no injustice will be done.

Arvind Kejriwal’s bid to win over Hindus backfires, Islamists outrage over him reciting Hanuman Chalisa

OpIndia Staff
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Arvind Kejriwal’s bid to win over Hindus backfires, Islamists outrage over him reciting Hanuman Chalisa

With just 5 days to go for the assembly elections in Delhi, Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal recited the Hanuman Chalisa during an event organised by a news channel. In a pre-poll event named Agenda Delhi organised by News 18 Hindi, the anchor had asked him if he visited Hanuman Temples, to which Kejriwal replied enthusiastically, “Of course I do”. Then, the interviewer proceeded to ask him if he knew the Hanuman Chalisa, to which, Kejriwal again answered in the affirmative. After a moment of awkward silence, Kejriwal was prompted to treat the audience with a rendition of the Hanuman Chalisa to which he readily agreed.


Kejriwal’s stunt in connivance with a pliant media appears to be well-timed with the Delhi elections in his bid to prove his ‘Hindu credentials’ after his party MLA Amanatullah Khan was spotted leading the riots in the national capital during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests. Recently, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia had also said that they stand in solidarity with the protesters at Shaheen Bagh.

Read- Twitter users attack Arvind Kejriwal after he shares an ‘anti-Hindu’ image

However, in his efforts to win Hindu votes, Kejriwal appears to have angered Islamists on social media. Islamists are also angry with the media for imploring Kejriwal to prove his Hindu credentials.


In recent weeks, the BJP has targeted Kejriwal heavily for his party’s conduct in recent times. Shaheen Bagh has become an important issue in these elections. The slogans of ‘La ilaha illallah’ and ‘Jinnah Wali Azadi’ heard at these protests against the CAA have polarized the elections. Despite all of this, the Aam Aadmi Party had decided to come out in support of these protests. Kejriwal’s recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa appears to be directed towards reducing the ill-will his party has earned for its support to the Shaheen Bagh protesters. It remains to be seen whether it has any positive impact at all on results day.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan hits out at radical Islamist organisation SDPI, accuses it of creating unrest using anti-CAA protests.

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan hits out at radical Islamist organisation SDPI, accuses it of creating unrest using anti-CAA protests.

On Monday, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, hit out at the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), for infiltrating the supposedly “peaceful” Anti-CAA protests. He squarely blamed the radical Islamist organization for creating “communal disharmony” in the state.


Pinarayi Vijayan was answering a question about the arrest of 200 anti-CAA protestors. He had earlier stated that no case had been filed against peaceful protestors but action had been taken against those involved in acts of violence.

Read- Assault on RSS man Varun after pro-CAA rally: 6 SDPI supporters arrested, had planned to target Tejasvi Surya

This led to a verbal altercation between the ruling and the Opposition benches. Vijayan questioned, “Why is the opposition getting agitated when I mention the name of SDPI? Are they saying that I should not talk about SDPI and extremism?”

Following the murder of SFI activist Abhimanyu in 2018, Kerala CPIM leader Thomas Issac had also called for a “social boycott” of extremist religious organizations such as PFI and SDPI.

After information surfaced that these radical Islamist organizations were planning to eliminate BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister JC Madhuswamy had told the media that the government was planning to take stern action against these organisations.

The killing of its own party member in 2019 had also prompted the Congress party to snap ties with both SDPI and PFI. In December last year, two radical Islamists who joined the ISIS were allegedly associated with SDPI’s sister organization, PFI.

Sharad Pawar’s last Hurrah, Raj Thackeray and why BJP must resist the temptation to get close to MNS

Ajay Sudame
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Sharad Pawar’s last Hurrah, Raj Thackeray and why BJP must resist the temptation to get close to MNS

On 23rd January, (Balasaheb Thackeray’s 93 birth anniversary) Raj Thackeray changed his party’s flag. From a multi-coloured one with Railway Engine on it, he went straight for a Saffron flag with Shivaji Maharaj’s Royal Seal (Rajmudra) inscribed on it. For his party, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), this is not just a change of Flag, (Zhenda) but complete re-launch of agenda. It’s quite evident that this happened because, in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena went into a post-poll alliance with NCP-Cong. Now the question is why this step and why now?

On 9th March 2006, by breaking away from his Uncle Balasaheb, Raj had launched MNS. A result of sibling rivalry between Raj and Uddhav; who apparently was leading the fight for the throne. For most of the observers, amongst these two, Raj clearly was a better candidate to lead the party. He was a better organizer and a far better orator. But for Balasaheb, blood was thicker than water, which was evident through various decisions regarding party hierarchy etc.

And though Raj Thackeray broke away from Shiv Sena he could never come out of the overarching large shadow cast by Balasaheb’s massive popularity and influence. Which was Shiv Sena’s biggest strength! To turn this hindrance into an advantage, Raj modelled his party exactly like Shiv Sena. Right from the inception, neither Raj Thackeray nor his party functionaries ever made an attempt to hide their identity, aspiration or plan. Their rank and file came from the same social background as Shiv Sena’s, their party goals would match that of with Shiv Sena and they even targeted the same voters. They wanted to replace Shiv Sena.

Read: Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut proposes Sharad Pawar’s name for 2022 presidential election, says will have enough numbers on their side by then

On the back of disgruntled Shiv Sena leaders (who had shifted to MNS) angst and disappointment of many voters, MNS met with some success initially. In 2009, it fought first assembly elections in Maharashtra and won 13 seats by cornering 5.7% of popular votes.  In 2012 it achieved massive success by capturing Nasik Municipal Corporation. However due to lack of party structure, next assembly in 2014 and next in 2019 proved to be a disaster. MNS only won one seat each in both.

So 14 years on, Raj Thackeray, a firebrand orator, a leader with a mass following, blessed with a rich legacy and with all the money and street power at his disposal, was back to square one! So what does he do? Obviously what an entrenched, entitled dynast would do and has done before. Go for another low hanging fruit! Chase disappointed Hindu votes.  Hence Saffron Flag with a Rajmudra!

But then why delve into an already crowded market place? When most of the political parties are turning their gaze towards Hindu vote, why Raj Thackeray wants to become another Me Too? And why compete with BJP? The big daddy of Hindu votes.

Read: To fill the void left by newly ‘secular’ Shiv Sena, Raj Thackeray’s MNS goes saffron on Balasaheb’s birth anniversary

The reason is Sharad Pawar! And his new project. At this ripe age of 80, he is getting ready for a one last swan song. If you look at Sharad Pawar’s career briefly, there is one trait, which you just can’t miss. This man’s greed for power has no limits. He has taken so many U-Turns, that he makes Kejriwal looks a beginner. He became MLA for the first time when he was 27 and a CM at  38. Since then till today, he formed his own party twice, only to wind them up and join Congress twice. Only to leave it again in 1999, citing Sonia Gandhi’s  ‘Foreign Origin’. Only to ally with Congress in 2004 again. For the next full decade, he was Agricultural Minister in Sonia’s cabinet.

In 2014 General Election  Modi wave sank Congress and also regional players like NCP. But in the Maharastra Assembly elections, held a few months later, instead of fighting alongside with Congress, NCP went in alone. BJP notched its best performance ever by winning 122 seats, Just short of the halfway mark of 148. Shiv Sena was is no mood to support BJP. But Mr U-Turn of Indian politics again, true to his character showed his colours and supported BJP. Which forced Shiv Sena to support the government one month later.

Come 2019, this time pre-poll alliance of BJP-Shiv Sena won a clear majority. Capitalizing on Uddhav Thackeray’s greed for Chief Minster’s chair, Sharad Pawar, without blinking, formed an alliance with Sena  &  Congress! The party which took pride in demolishing Babri and party which believed Prabhu Ram was mythological character agreed to share power.  Everybody was stunned!

When it comes to making compromises and taking u-turns there is no one like Sharad Pawar. And all this, either to stay in power or close to power.

Read: MNS chief Raj Thackeray to extend support to CAA-NRC after an hour long meeting with Devendra Fadnavis: Reports

Coming back to a new avatar of MNS and Sharad Pawar connection. After losing Shiv Sena, the disappointment in Hindutva camp is palpable. There is also anger amongst those who voted for Sena candidates because of alliance with BJP. And with BJP going full throttle on Hindu Agenda (Ram Mandir, Abolition of 370 and Triple Talaq etc) it is in pole position to capitalize on that anger and corner most of the Hindu vote. To dent this possibility, a wily old fox from Baramati and his disciple, have created this decoy of new Hindu Right party in Maharashtra.

By doing this Sharad Pawar is attempting a Modi on Modi. He is using ‘Hindu’ parties to wean away BJP’s Hindu vote. MNS is not the first party with which he is trying that. Shiv Sena is first! Sena fought the 2019 assembly elections on pretext on ‘Hindu’ party. But broke away from BJP after elections. That’s what Raj & Pawar are trying to do.

In 2019, BJP won a massive mandate of 303 seats. The principal reason, of course, being Modi’s popularity, consolidation of Hindu votes and an efficient welfare management system.  But another important reason is, ideologically allied players have refused to cede any space to Congress and vice versa. For Example, in Uttar Pradesh (UP), Samajwadi Party (SP) & Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Congress, who otherwise were part of Mahagathbandhan, fought against each other. Resulting in the triangular contest, benefiting BJP. It won 67 seats out of 80.Ditto in case of Aam Admi Party (AAP) and Trinamul Congress (TMC).In Bihar,  Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (U) though a  Centre-Left party, deserted UPA in 2017 and came back into NDA. These Third Front parties and Congress have some kind of voter base but are also fighting each other.  Which makes BJP’s job much easier.

Now when Raj Thackeray is turning full Saffron, he is going mainly for voters who will desert Shiv Sena. But the aim is to stop BJP from advancing. In this whole jigsaw puzzle, the only missing piece now is BJP allowing Raj Thackeray to come closer. The duo’s dream of harvesting the crop of disgruntled Hindu voters is not going to be realized till MNS is ‘seen to be’ close to BJP. Devendra Phadnavis and Amit Shah must resist temptation and stay away from MNS.

I am not ruling out the possibility of an alliance with the BJP in future: Maharashtra CM and Congress ally Uddhav Thackeray

OpIndia Staff
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I am not ruling out the possibility of an alliance with the BJP in future: Maharashtra CM and Congress ally Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, on Sunday, in an interview with Shiv Sena mouthpiece-Saamana, said that there is a possibility of BJP and Shiv Sena to form an alliance in future.

“I am not saying that we will never unite with them (BJP) again,” Thackeray said.

In the interview that was hosted by motormouth Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, Thackeray stated the reason for allying up with the ideologically disparate parties of NCP and Congress in Maharashtra. “I had decided to go on any extent to fulfil the promise made to my father- Balasaheb Thackeray, about making a Shiv Sainik chief minister of Maharashtra. When I realised that I can’t achieve the promise made to my father by staying with the BJP, I had no option but to accept the bigger responsibility.”

Read: Maharashtra: BJP trumps Shiv Sena-Congress in Bhiwandi Mayor polls with a little help from 18 Congress Corporators

BJP and Shiv Sena fought the Maharashtra Assembly elections together. However, the relations between the two alliance partners strained over the dispute of the rotational chief ministerial post.

Shiv Sena eventually broke away with its long-time partner- BJP and formed a tenuous alliance with Congress and NCP to stake a claim at the government in Maharashtra. The alliance-Maha Vikas Aghadi finalised Uddhav Thackeray as the Chief Minister of the state while the deputy chief minister position went to the NCP and the Speaker of the Assembly to the Congress party.

Read: Maharashtra government to bring reservations for Muslims in the state soon: Congress minister Aslam Sheikh

“If they had fulfilled their promise and not lied to me, I would have never become the chief minister of Maharashtra. I only asked them to honour the pre-poll promises,” Thackeray added, stating that he was “sandwiched” between the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former CM Devendra Fadnavis, both of whom addressed him as their younger brother.

However, it is notable to mention that the BJP has vehemently denied getting into a pre-poll agreement with the Shiv Sena over the rotational chief ministerial post. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said that both he and PM Modi had declared in the election campaign rallies that if the alliance wins the elections, Devendra Fadnavis will be the chief minister of the state. “Nobody objected back then, now they have come up with a new set of demands which is unacceptable to us,” Shah said.

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