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Karnataka: BJP’s Sadanand Gowda files complaint against lewd video, says it is deep fake

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: BJP’s Sadanand Gowda files complaint against lewd video, says it is deep fake

On September 19, senior BJP leader and former union minister DV Sadanand Gowda filed a complaint with the cybercrime police over the lewd video that went viral on social media platforms. Gowda has claimed in his complaint that it is a deep fake video that made its way to social media sites to tarnish his image.

In his statement issued on Twitter, he said that the video was created by his “adversaries with vested interest to malign his impeccable image.”

In his statement, Gowda wrote, “Dear well-wishers, a morphed (deep fake) video of mine has been making rounds on social media. I would like to inform you that it is not me in the video, it’s created to malign my impeccable image by my adversaries with a vested interest.”

He further added that he has filed a complaint with the cybercrime police and trusts the department to find out who is behind the video. The former Chief Minister of Karnataka also got an injunction order from the court, making it a punishable offence for anyone who uploads or forwards the video as per relevant sections of the law. Gowda urged his followers to inbox the details of anyone who is seen forwarding or uploading the video on any platform.

In a follow-up tweet, Gowda shared the complaint copy and said, “Malefactors, who are upset by my rise on the political front, have brought out a fake, lewd video of mine for my fall. The video has become viral on social media, which pains me.”

He further added, “A complaint has been filed with the concerned authorities, to arrest and punish the guilty parties immediately.” The complaint signed by Thamme Gowda M read, “I have reliably learnt that politically motivated fake, fabricated, concocted video has been made by making use of our MP Sri D.V. Sadananda Gowda. The same is being circulated in social media. The said creation of the video is only to tarnish his image. The same is politically motivated. The said video came to be created by way of impersonation.”

What is deep fake?

Deep fake can be defined as synthetic media in which the existing person in an image or a video is replaced with someone else. Though morphing images or videos is not a new technique, and it is being done for a long time, deep fakes are different as the techniques used to create such images or videos use advanced technologies, including machine learning and artificial intelligence. While the technology has several positive applications, but the modern morphed-imaging technology is capable of producing real-like content that can be used for criminal purposes.

Taliban flags reappear on Lal Masjid in Islamabad, this time Maulana Abdul Aziz appears with a rifle and threatens cops

OpIndia Staff
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Taliban flags reappear on Lal Masjid in Islamabad, this time Maulana Abdul Aziz appears with a rifle and threatens cops

The Lal Masjid in Islamabad in Pakistan, which is known for its support to the Taliban, is back in news. This time, several Taliban flags were again found to be hoisted on the roof of the mosque. It is notable that a women’s madrassa known as Jamia Hamsa is also located near the mosque which is supervised by a cleric named Abdul Aziz.

Cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz threatened the police that reached there to remove the flags. Abdul Aziz, who is known to be an Islamic fundamentalist, was seen carrying a rifle and intimidated the Islamabad police in the name of the Pakistan Taliban. A large number of women belonging to the madrassa were also present at the spot. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.

From the video that emerged, it appeared that Abdul Aziz warned the policemen who came for removing the Taliban flag against doing so, and told them that the Pakistani Taliban would never forgive them. He also told the policemen that if this is what they are supposed to do then they should quit their jobs and (Allah) would give them even better jobs.  “Iss naukri ko chhodo… Allah aur achhi naukriyan dega,” he told the cops.

According to reports, Hamza Shafqat, the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad asserted that hoisting of the flags of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan would not be tolerated and the culprit would be punished. Later the flags were removed from the roof of the mosque by the cops. Following the incident, the maulana and his associates have been booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act and different sections of the Pakistan Penal Code by the police.

This is not the first time that the Taliban flags were hoisted at the mosque. Last month also, several Talibani flags were seen on the mosque, which were later removed by the police. After that, the students of the madrassa had even sung a song in the praise of the Taliban. The Lal Masjid-linked Jamia Hafsa had organised an event to celebrate Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, and the students had sung the song ‘Salam Taliban’ in that event.

Ambika Soni, who declined offer to become Punjab CM, was Sanjay Gandhi’s aide during Emergency, oversaw his programmes including compulsory sterilisation

Dibakar Dutta
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Ambika Soni, who declined offer to become Punjab CM, was Sanjay Gandhi’s aide during Emergency, oversaw his programmes including compulsory sterilisation

Amidst the ongoing political crisis in Punjab, following the resignation of Captain Amarinder Singh, veteran Congress leader Ambika Soni rejected the proposal to become the new Chief Minister before Charanjit Singh Channi was named as the next CM.

As per reports, Ambika Soni said that the Chief Ministerial position must be occupied by a leader from the Sikh community only. She spoke to Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and even Navjot Singh Sidhu about the matter but declined the offer to become the State CM. While emphasising the need to ‘follow her inner voice’, the Congress leader said that she was not convinced about filing into the shoes of Captain Amarinder Singh.

The attempts made by the top Congress leadership to convince Ambika Soni was not successful. Now far from the political limelight, Soni once was a prominent figure in the power corridors of Delhi. Her entry into politics was not conventional but rather unusual at best. Married to diplomat Uday Soni, ‘homemaker’ Ambika Soni lived in several places around the globe. During the couple’s stay in Rome in Italy, Soni caught the eye of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “You must join politics,” Gandhi had insisted and Soni did not resist.

It was in 1969 that she was inducted into the Congress party. A few years later in 1975, Ambika Soni was appointed as the President of the Youth Congress. She became one of the closest aides of Indira Gandhi’s son Sanjay Gandhi. Following the proclamation of National Emergency by Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on June 25, 1975, on the advice of Indira Gandhi, Soni and the Youth Congress played a critical role during the period. Alongside bureaucrat Naveen Chawla, socialite Rukhsana Sultana (infamous for forced sterilisation campaign), police officer PS Bhinder, Ambika Soni oversaw the implementation of Sanjay Gandhi’s 5-point programme.

This included demolition of slums/ beautification drive, adult literacy, abolition of dowry, caste system and contentious family planning. “At 34, the attractive Mrs Soni is still politically young, but her election as president of the Indian Youth Congress seems to have infused her three million party members with a new strength of purpose. In the brief period of time since her elevation from general secretary of the Youth Congress to its presidentship on November 13, Ambika Soni and her party have been figuring prominently in the news,” India Today magazine published on December 31, 1975 edition.

A tale of power, high-handedness and political overreach

Ambika Soni was ambitious and did not wish to be known as the wife of a diplomat alone. “I don’t intend to be a mere ambassador’s wife and live abroad. I belong with the party. In five years from now, I see myself still with the party, and still in politics,” she had said then. The Emergency of 1975 placed uncontrollable power in the hands of a selected few and it included Ambika Soni and other aides of Sanjay Gandhi. One such testimony of ‘unrestricted power’ appears in the book titled, ‘The Emergency: A Personal History’ by journalist Coomi Kapoor in 2016.

Kapoor narrated how her husband Virendra was put under arrest on November 1, 1975, for challenging Soni’s authority and asking her to adhere to the laws of the land. She wrote, “On that evening at the Red Fort function, Soni and a couple of her Youth Congress activists got hold of a boy who was barely out of his teens. She ordered the others present, including the police, to thrash the boy.” The vivid description gives a clear idea about the power that the Youth Congress President Ambika Soni yielded during the Emergency era. When Coomi Kapoor’s husband Virendra intervened, she was taken aback by his audacity.

“Why are you beating this boy? What has he done? If he has broken any law, the police will look after it. You are not the police,” he had asked. Soni initially mistook him for a cop but when she saw him walking away, the Youth Congress President was taken aback. On being told that he was an ordinary citizen like her, a disgruntled Soni claimed, “‘But don’t you think that instead of helping me arrest these boys, you were preventing me from getting hold of them?” Within minutes, Virendra was arrested and thrashed with batons. The fear among the cops was equally evident when DSP (Chandni Chowk) Ramamurthy Sharma told Virendra, “You have taken panga with Sanjay Gandhi’s special friend. I cannot help you.”

Political vendetta and vengeance : Ambika Soni

Unfortunately, no colleague of Coomi Kapoor came forward to provide evidence on circumstances that led to her husband’s arrest. Virendra Kapoor was released on bail and then arrested again under the draconian Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). “It is indicative of the terror prevailing at the time that no Indians, not even colleagues, were prepared to give evidence on the circumstances surrounding Virendra’s arrest,” she wrote in her book. Life had become hard for the journalist, due to limited resources and difficulty in raising her toddler.

Coomi Kapoor also recounted that Soni had earned a reputation of being ‘free with her hands’, prior to the proclamation of Emergency as well. “Just before the Emergency, Soni had manhandled a group of Socialist youth who had marched to the Gol Methi Chowk outside the PM’s residence at 1 Safardarjung Road, demanding Mrs Gandhi’s resignation in the light of the judgment. The police had looked on passively,” she narrated. Today, when Ambika Soni hogs the limelight once again, owing to her self-righteous inner voice, the wrongdoings of the yesteryears have come back to haunt her.

References: Kapoor, C. (2016). The Emergency: A Personal History. India: Penguin Books Limited.

Jammu and Kashmir: PDP workers remove national flag from govt building and hoist their party flag, FIR registered by police

OpIndia Staff
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Jammu and Kashmir: PDP workers remove national flag from govt building and hoist their party flag, FIR registered by police

Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP has once again allegedly insulted the National Flag after her party workers replaced the National Flag with the PDP flag at a government building at Kotranka locality under Rajouri district of Jammu & Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti refused to comment on the incident or condemn it even when this was done by her party workers during her tour.

Jammu & Kashmir Police in a press note informed that an FIR (136/2021) has been registered at Kandi police station against unknown persons under section 2 (A) of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971.

The police further informed that on Saturday, an application was forwarded to the Kandi police station by the Naib Tehsildar of Kotranka. The Naib Tehsildar stated that it was reported in some sections of social media that unknown persons had removed the National Flag from atop the building of Dak Bungalow, Kotranka on the intervening night of 17-18 September 2021. 

The FIR was registered on the instruction of Rajouri district deputy commissioner Rajesh Kumar Savam when he came to know about the incident. The tricolour was restored on the Dak Bungalow by the police later on his instructions. A video shows officials singing the national anthem after restoring the national flag at its place.

Notably, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti was touring in Peer Panjal range when the Dak Bungalow was kept ready for her possible stay. According to the reports, some of the PDP workers removed National Flag from the govt building and fixed their party flag in its place.

But Mehbooba Mufti, who is also facing accusations of remaining soft on Pakistan sponsored terrorism, refused to condemn the incident when asked for her comment. She said that she was unaware of the issue and they should ask the party workers who did it.

Anil Deshmukh prima facie received Rs 4.7 crores from Sachin Waze and aide, says Court

OpIndia Staff
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Anil Deshmukh prima facie received Rs 4.7 crores from Sachin Waze and aide, says Court

A special PMLA court in Mumbai on Sunday said that money trails prima facie indicated that former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh received Rs. 4.7 crores from Sachin Waze and his aide Kundan Shinde. The court made the comment while taking cognizance of a charge sheet filed against Waze and others in a case of money laundering.

The court observed, “On careful perusal of the statements and charge showing trail of money prima-facie indicate that Rs. 4.7 crore received by Anil Deshmukh from Sachin Waze and Kundan Shinde.” The cash was then transferred by Anil Deshmukh to Surendra Jain and Virendra Jain through ‘Havala’ transactions on the instructions of Hrishikesh Deshmukh, the order mentions.

The Court also said that the money was “deposited in the account of Shri Sai Shikshan Sanstha, owned by Deshmukh.” The court also added that there is sufficient prima facie grounds to proceed against the accused under the PMLA.

Hrishikesh Deshmukh is the son of Anil Deshmukh. The matter was adjourned till the 27th of September after summons were issued to the accused over the matter.

There have been significant developments regarding the matter in recent days. It has been reported that Sachin Waze has told the Enforcement Directorate that Anil Deshmukh wanted Arnab Goswami to be arrested in the TRP scam case.

Sachin Vaze has submitted before the ED that he paid Rs. 2 crores to get reinstated into the force by Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh. He also revealed that Anil Deshmukh used to personally call him to his office or home to brief him on various cases. These included the TRP rigging case, the case related to Arnab Goswami, Dilip Chhabria’s case, and the social media fake follower case.

All round development, Rs 3 lakh crore investment, 4.5 lakh govt jobs: UP CM Yogi Adityanath narrates achievements of his govt in 4.5 years

OpIndia Staff
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All round development, Rs 3 lakh crore investment, 4.5 lakh govt jobs: UP CM Yogi Adityanath narrates achievements of his govt in 4.5 years

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed a press conference in Lucknow to give a report on the achievements of the BJP government during four and half years of its rule in the state.

CM Yogi Adityanath said that the achievements made during the last four and a half years of BJP rule in Uttar Pradesh helped to change the perception of the state.

The Chief Minister stressed the fact there had been no riots in the state in the last four and half years while before that riots broke out every three-four days in the state. He also mentioned that lands captured by the mafia were in the process of being released and criminals were being jailed.

“All round development is the identity of the new Uttar Pradesh in the new India” said the CM. He also said that transparency in the recruitment process was encouraged and more than 4.5 lakh people were recruited.

CM Yogi Adityanath mentioned that the BJP government in UP provided employment only on the basis of merit while the previous government was involved in bribery in matters concerning employment.

The Chief Minister added that industrialists in India and around the world are ready to invest in Uttar Pradesh, with Rs 3 lakh crore of investment already made in the state. He also said that during these years of his governance no one could blame them for carrying out illegal transactions in the transfer-posting process. CM said that before 2017, Uttar Pradesh was considered a hurdle in the path of national progress but since then, with sincere intentions and under honest leadership, the state is leading the biggest plans of the nation.

Under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, more than 6.90 crore people received insurance cover worth 5 lakhs. During 2007-2017, the payment on the Sugar Cane value was only Rs 95 thousand crore while a record payment of rupees Rs 1.44 lakh crore to the farmers during the last 4.5 years itself. According to the Chief Minister, the present government in UP bought 66 lakh metric tonnes of rice directly from the farmers while the previous government had bought only 6 lakh metric tonnes of rice, that too from the middlemen or brokers.

CM Yogi Adityanath emphasized that the arrangements of Dipotsav in Ayodhya and Rangotsav in Barsana by the present government introduced the traditions of Uttar Pradesh to the rest of the country and to the whole world. It was also mentioned that Uttar Pradesh from being the sixth largest economy in 2016-2017 , climbed to the second position and became the second largest economy of the nation. Uttar Pradesh also conducted the highest number of Covid-19 tests and the highest number of vaccinations claimed CM Yogi Adityanath. He also added that 42 lakh poor people received housing accommodations.

Ahead of Gujarat elections, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi to meet don Atique Ahmed in Sabarmati jail: Reports

OpIndia Staff
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Ahead of Gujarat elections, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi to meet don Atique Ahmed in Sabarmati jail: Reports

Days after All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi inducted mafia don Atique Ahmed (in absentia) and his wife Shaista Parveen into the party, Desh Gujarat reported that the Hyderabad MP may meet Ahmed in Sabarmati jail in Ahmedabad.

The development comes ahead of Owaisi’s scheduled visit to the state of Gujarat on September 20. The AIMIM chief will also meet Muslim scholars at the Tagore Hall in Ahmedabad. Desh Gujarat also reported that Owaisi will meet party leaders in Gujarat and chalk out strategies for the upcoming Assembly elections in the State. In total, he will conduct two meetings and a press conference in Ahmedabad. AIMIM is planning to will contest 85-90 seats in the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections.

Atique Ahmed, ex-MP from Praygraj, is accused of 103 murders and currently serving jail time in Ahmedabad. Earlier on September 7, his wife Shaista Parveen joined AIMIM in the presence of Asaduddin Owaisi. The Hyderabad MP had defended the decision by alleging that the BJP too had several lawmakers (37% MLAs in UP Assembly and 117 MPs in the Parliament) with serious criminal charges pending against them.

He claimed, “…If a politician is named Pragya, Ajay, Kuldeep, Sangeet, Suresh or Kapil, he or she will be a lokpriya neta. But those named Atiq and Mukhtar will be (called) bahubali.” While justifying his decision, Owaisi asserted, “If Atiq Ahmad delivered a provocative speech before the Muzaffarnagar riots or made a speech in Gorakhpur which led to trouble and he belonging to the community which is in power, then the cases against him would have been withdrawn. This is the reality. As per Indian law, he is yet to be convicted in any case.”

 Reportedly, AIMIM will contest 100 seats in Uttar Pradesh after having forged an alliance with ‘Bhagidari Sankalp Morcha’ of Om Prakash Rajbhar. The alliance has several parties including Janta Kranti Paryu, Apna Dal (Krishna Patel), Rashtroday Party, Rashtriya Bhagidari Party, and SSBP.

Charanjit Singh Channi announced new Punjab CM, was accused of sending inappropriate messages to woman IAS officer during #MeToo movement

OpIndia Staff
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Charanjit Singh Channi announced new Punjab CM, was accused of sending inappropriate messages to woman IAS officer during #MeToo movement

Punjab minister Charanjit Singh Channi is declared as the new chief minister of Punjab. Congress leader Harish Rawat took to Twitter to make the announcement.

Prior to him, there were reports of Congress leader Sukhjinder Randhawa being selected the new chief minister of Punjab. Navjot Singh Sidhu and Ambika Soni were also frontrunners in the race to become the chief minister of Punjab after the sudden resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday.

In October 2018, Channi was accused of sending inappropriate messages to a woman IAS officer. The matter was ‘resolved’ to the woman officer’s satisfaction, reports said. The woman officer had alleged Channi had sent her multiple messages to which she had objected but he continued to send them. When one message was sent late at night, she had decided to object and escalate the matter. Turns out he had sent an Urdu couplet to the woman officer ‘by mistake’ which she objected to. He, however, later apologised for the same.

Channi is an MLA from Chamkaur Sahib Assembly constituency.

Amarinder Singh had on Saturday said that he felt humiliated by the manner in which he has been treated by the Congress party and resigned as Punjab CM. His resignation came after months of dispute with the Congress high command over the greater influence of Navjot Singh Sidhu within the party.

Sports equipment given by Olympians and Paralympians attract high bid prices at the third auction of gifts received by PM Modi

OpIndia Staff
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Sports equipment given by Olympians and Paralympians attract high bid prices at the third auction of gifts received by PM Modi

Over time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi receive several gifts and mementoes, which PM has auctioned to raise funds for different projects. PM Modi has been auctioning such gifts and mementoes since he was Chief Minister of Gujarat. The third edition of the auction that went live on September 17 is more special than ever as it includes the gifts presented to the Prime Minister by Olympians. The Olympians who had won medals in Tokyo Olympics 2020 and Paralympics 2020 had gifted various sports items to the PM, which are being auctioned now. The proceeds collected from the auction would go to the Namami Gange initiative.

While announcing the auction, Prime Minister Modi wrote, “Over time, I have received several gifts and mementoes which are being auctioned. This includes the special mementoes given by our Olympics heroes. Do take part in the auction. The proceeds would go to the Namami Gange initiative.” Notably, PM Modi had asked Neeraj if he was okay with auctioning the Javelin when PM received the gift from him. When he was Gujarat CM, he had raised Rs 89.96 crore by auctioning gifts he had received and donated the proceeds to the Kanya Kelavani Fund, a scheme for education of the girl child.

The auction will be live from September 17 to October 7 2021. Those who want to bid in the auction can register on https://pmmementos.gov.in. A total of 1330 mementoes, including sports gear and equipment gifted to PM by winners of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, are included in the auction. Artefacts include replicas of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Chardham, Rudraksh Convention Centre, models, sculptures, paintings, angavastras, among others, are also up for the grab.

As per the press release issued by the Minister of Culture, the javelin used by gold medalist Sumit Antil in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, and the javelin used by Neeraj Chopra in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are list at Rs. one crore each as the base price. Other items gifted by Olympians are also being auctioned with a base price of Rs. one crore each, however, the bid prices for them have risen to Rs ten crore now.

Some of the items available for bidding include Table Tennis racket autographed by Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Silver Medallist Bhavina Patel, Badminton racquet autographed by Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Gold Medallist Krishna Nagar, Discus autographed by Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Silver Medallist Yogesh Khatuniya, Racket and Badminton Bag used by Tokyo Olympic 2020 Bronze medalist P.V. Sindhu, Badminton racquet autographed by Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Gold Medallist Pramod Bhagat. Apart from that, a large number of sports equipment donated by the Olympians are available for purchase on the auction site. The current bid prices for most of these items are Rs 10 crore now, indicating their high popularity.

Some clothing items, like a T-shirt by Paralympic silver medalist in table tennis Bhavina Patel, and a stole autographed by the Indian contingent for the Tokyo 2020 paralympic games, are also going under the hammer, and are quoted Rs 10 crore each at present.

Minister of Culture G Kishan Reddy said in a tweet, “Here is an opportunity for you to own a piece of history & glory. The 3rd edition of e-Auction of gifts and mementoes received by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has started.”

Double Olympic Medal Winner PV Sindhu gave a video message urging everyone to participate in the auction. In her message, she said that she was happy to learn that her gift (badminton Racquet) to PM Modi is being auctioned for the cause. She said, “Never thought that my racquet would serve such a unique and noble purpose.” She further added that she is eagerly waiting to see who wins her racquet and contribute to the Namami Gange Mission.

The proceeds from the e-Auction will go to the Namami Gange Mission that is aimed to conserve and rejuvenate Ganga.

Babul Supriyo justifies decision to join TMC amid strong criticism, says ‘didn’t create history by shifting sides’

OpIndia Staff
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Babul Supriyo justifies decision to join TMC amid strong criticism, says ‘didn’t create history by shifting sides’

A day after singer-turned-politician Babul Supriyo defected to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) from the BJP, he took to Twitter to justify his political decision. Supriyo joined the Mamata Banerjee-led party in presence of senior TMC leaders Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O’Brien, and has been widely criticised by BJP supporters for this sudden move, as he had announced that he is quitting politics.

Columnist and Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta had expressed his disappointment over Babul Supriyo’s sudden change of heart. While calling him an ‘asset’ to the BJP, Dasgupta had thanked Supriyo for his service to the party. “For those of us for whom BJP is a lifelong commitment, the fight goes on—even in adverse circumstances,” he had remarked.

On Sunday (September 19), the BJP leader had stated that the party workers are angry at the singer’s defection to the rival TMC. He added that ordinary citizens are disgusted by his decision. “Learning to digest adversity & having patience is part of politics. Sadly, Babul was in a tearing hurry. He may end up damaging his own image,” Swapan Dasgupta concluded. However, Babul Supriyo was quick to defend his position by claiming that he did not do anything unusual.

Babul Supriyo justifies his decision to join TMC

The erstwhile singer conceded that the BJP workers are angry at him but also added that he too was angry at the BJP leadership. “It was expected and is fair too. I accept it. But what about this same Babul publicly protesting against inducting outsiders into BJP? Did BJP do good to its image then? Please ask the same supporters who were sidelined by these outsiders.”

He claimed that he was not the first to switch sides and thus did not create a historical precedent in this process. To rationalise his decision, Babul Supriyo said that all those ‘rivals’ from the Trinamool Congress that defected to the BJP were given top posts. “Well, then all the ‘Rivals’ who joined BJP, were embraced & made to sit on top posts ignoring all those ‘real’ BJP grass-root fighters shud be dumped cuz they may have all spoiled their images(like u said I did) tarnishing BJP’s image. Right?” he asked.

Earlier on July 31, Supriyo announced his premature retirement from electoral politics. He said that he was leaving politics, and also resigning from parliament. He was the Member of Parliament (MP) from the Asansol constituency and was the Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change before he was dropped from the Union Ministry.

Babul Supriyo clarified that he did not want to give a false impression about his decision to quit politics. He urged everyone to not mistake his decision as a bargaining chip for a new Ministerial position. The Asansol MP, however, conceded that the loss of Ministership had influenced his decision but to a very small extent. He claimed that the infighting with the BJP Bengal unit not only weakened the party at the ‘ground zero’ but also demoralised the party workers. Later, on the insistence of the BJP leadership, he did not resign from his post as Lok Sabha MP.

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