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After TMC leader Sujata Mondal Khan labels Dalits as ‘beggars’, BJP writes to National Commission of SC, demands inquiry

OpIndia Staff
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After TMC leader Sujata Mondal Khan labels Dalits as ‘beggars’, BJP writes to National Commission of SC, demands inquiry

A controversy erupted on April 10, after Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sujata Mondal Khan made some disparaging comments against the Dalit community. In response to the TMC leader’s remarks, BJP has urged the National Commission of Schedule caste to take necessary action against her.

BJP national general secretary and Rajya Sabha member Bhupendra Yadav took to Twitter to share the memorandum submitted by his party to the National Commission of SC drawing its attention towards the blatant display of casteism by the TMC leader.

Quoting OpIndia report, the letter by BJP said that under Article 21 of the constitution of India, the members of the SC/ST community are entitled to equal rights and dignity like the people of any other community. “Even though Mamata Banerjee helped the poor Scheduled Castes. Yet their scarcity will never mitigate. There is a saying that some are beggars by nature while others are beggars by circumstance. The Scheduled Castes here are beggars by nature,” the BJP quoted the TMC leader as saying.

Condemning Mamata Banerjee’s party for constantly trying to polarise the electorate during the polls in the state by invoking religion or caste, BJP alleged that Sujata Mondal Khan has not only violated Constitutional principles but various provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

“Such deeply shocking and insulting statements are a blow to the “socialist, secular, democratic, Republic” envisaged by Babasaheb Ambedkar and it is utterly shameful and disgraceful that such statements are openly and brazenly made by the ruling leadership of the Trinamool Congress to create enmity and hatred between different social classes in West Bengal”, read the letter, adding that BJP has urged EC to take action against Sujata as well as the “leadership” of the Trinamool Congress.

BJP urged the commission to launch an inquiry and action against the TMC leader for her disparaging remarks against Dalits.

Prior to this, BJP had also approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday urging it to take necessary action against Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sujata Mondal Khan for making derogatory comments against the Scheduled Castes (SC) community.

TMC leader Sujata Mondal Khan labels Dalits as ‘beggars’, calls them ungrateful

For the uninitiated, while speaking to News 18 Bangla, Sujata Mondal Khan claimed, “Even though Mamata Banerjee has helped the poor Scheduled Castes, yet their scarcity will never mitigate.” Furthermore, the TMC leader remarked, “Mane ekta kotha thake na ki keu thake sobhabe bhikari aar keu thake obhabe bhikari. Ekhaner Scheduled Caste gulo holo Sobhabe bhikari. (There is a saying that some are beggars by nature while others are beggars by circumstance. The Scheduled Castes here are beggars by nature).”

She also accused the Dalit community of being ungrateful and siding with rival BJP.

A video of the same was shared by BJP’s SC Morcha on April 10.

Twitter censors criticism of Black Lives Matter co-founder for purchasing home worth $1.4 million in White neighbourhood

OpIndia Staff
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Twitter censors criticism of Black Lives Matter co-founder for purchasing home worth $1.4 million in White neighbourhood

Twitter is censoring criticism of the co-founder of the Black Liver Matter movement on its platform after people pointed out her hypocrisy when news of her purchase of a property worth $1.4 million broke out. The expensive home Patrisse Khan-Cullors bought is in a predominantly White neighbourhood and is reportedly one of the 4 properties she currently owns.

The social media account of Jason Whitlock, an African-American himself, was locked after he criticised the purchase by Cullors.

It turns out Whitlock’s was not the only account to be locked. Another account was locked for sharing an article about the incident.

According to Twitter, their accounts were locked because they posted someone’s “private information without their express authorization and permission”. The exact content of the article they shared is not known, therefore, it is not possible to determine whether the article contained any information that was not already publicly available.

Furthermore, it is not clear the extent to which such rules should apply to political leaders and Black Lives Matter is indeed a political movement. Therefore, the purchase of a property may be private information but it is in public interest to know when political leaders make outrageous purchases so that people can make informed choices.

Esteemed legal analyst Jonathan Turley opined, “The issue for me is not the house or claimed hypocrisy. It is the censorship of Twitter of such criticism. Cullors is a public figure who is subject to public scrutiny and commentary. Twitter is rife with a such criticism over the lifestyle choices of figures on the right ranging from Donald Trump Jr. to Rand Paul. That is an unfortunate aspect of being in a high visibility position. I would be equally concerned if criticism of Trump Jr.’s big game hunting exploits or Giuliani’s lavish tastes were censored.”

Gangster Mukhtar Ansari, who was suffering from illness in Punjab, recovers miraculously in UP but has been trying to ‘fall ill’ again ever since

OpIndia Staff
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Gangster Mukhtar Ansari, who was suffering from illness in Punjab, recovers miraculously in UP but has been trying to ‘fall ill’ again ever since

Two days prior to being shifted to the Banda jail in Uttar Pradesh, notorious criminal Mukhtar Ansari had complained about backache to the Ropar jail administration in Punjab. However, a team of doctors found no ‘immediate health issues’ that could potentially prevent him from travelling 900 kilometres from Punjab to Uttar Pradesh.

As such, Mukhtar Ansari was brought back to UP on April 7 and shifted to barrack 16 in Banda jail under the supervision of 3 security officials and CCTV cameras. It must be mentioned that the gangster had already served 2 years in the Ropar jail. The UP police had tried to secure his custody on 9 different occasions but had failed.

The Medical Board of the Ropar jail had earlier claimed that the notorious criminal had been suffering from various ailments including depression, high sugar levels in the blood, and heart disease.

Mukhtar Ansari evaded the UP police under the Punjab Congress govt

Interestingly, in October 202, the Punjab government had put Mukhtar Ansari on ‘bed rest’ for three months when a team of UP Police had visited Punjab to bring back the gangster. This was the fourth time when Uttar Pradesh police had returned empty-handed. Thrice prior to this incident, Mukhtar Ansari managed to evade the UP police with the help of the Punjab authorities.

While the Uttar Pradesh government alleged in the court that there is collusion between Mukhtar Ansari and the Punjab Police, the Amarinder Singh government refuted these allegations. The gangster-turned-politician has been in Punjab jail since January 2019. Ansari reportedly got himself shifted to Punjab jail fearing a threat to his life in UP jails. Mukhtar Ansari’s endearment for Congress is not unknown.

Not many people know that notorious gangster Mukhtar Ansari is the nephew of India’s former Vice President and Congress leader Hamid Ansari. Pertinently, in 2014, Ansari had backed Congress candidate against Modi in Varanasi.

Mukhtar Ansari miraculously recovers after reaching UP

It must be mentioned that Mukhtar Ansari was regularly seen appearing in a wheelchair for hearings at the Mohali court of Punjab. However, on reaching the Banda jail in Uttar Pradesh, the notorious criminal was seen exiting from the back door of the ambulance on foot. In a 13-second clip shared by TOI journalist Raj Shekhar Jha, Ansari stepped out of the vehicle and walked sturdily into the jail premises.

While speaking to Republic TV, the driver of the ambulance informed, “There was no wheelchair in the ambulance.” Reportedly, his wheelchair was kept in another vehicle that accompanied the ambulance from Ropar jail to the Banda jail. Interestingly, a patient with serious ailments in Punjab, Mukhtar Ansari miraculously recovered on reaching Yogi Adityanath-ruled Uttar Pradesh.

After miraculously recovering and walking on his own, Mukhtar Ansari tries desperately to fall ill again in UP

On Monday (April 12), Mukhtar Ansari will be presented before a court in Uttar Pradesh. The case pertains to the assault of a janitor and Deputy jailor in Lucknow. He will also appear before the Mohali court via video conferencing in connection to another case of extortion.

While Mukhtar Ansari recovered from ‘life-threatening diseases’ miraculously and walked on his own upon reaching Uttar Pradesh, ever since Ansari stepped into the Banda jail, he complained of several new health complications and has been trying to ‘fall ill’ again. On April 8, he alleged that he pain in the neck region. Hospital authorities summoned an ENT specialist, diagnosed sore throat and prescribed medicines accordingly. Again on April 10, he claimed that he had ‘clouded vision’. An eye specialist was then called in to examine Ansari and was given a new pair of spectacles. With an array of ‘severe’ health conditions, the gangster tried to evade arrest by UP police but failed in the end.

UP government’s crackdown on Mukhtar Ansari

Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari had been booked by Ghazipur police under the Uttar Pradesh Gangster and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act. The UP government has been demolishing multiple illegal properties of Ansari spread across the state and had also cracked down on Ansari’s aides and associates, as well as his illegal businesses. Ansari, the descendant of a politically powerful family linked with Congress leaders and has been a mafia don and MLA for several consecutive terms.

‘This is a conspiracy and I demand CBI probe’: Daughter of Bihar cop Ashwini Kumar who was lynched by a mob in West Bengal

OpIndia Staff
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‘This is a conspiracy and I demand CBI probe’: Daughter of Bihar cop Ashwini Kumar who was lynched by a mob in West Bengal

The daughter of the Bihar police officer Ashwini Kumar who was lynched by a mob during a raid in Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal in the wee hours of Saturday has demanded a CBI probe into the murder.

Speaking to the media, Ashwini Kumar’s daughter, Nancy, alleged conspiracy behind the brutal killing of her father. She raised apprehensions on the role of the other officers who accompanied her father during the operation. She questioned how they all returned unharmed while only her father was killed.

Lamenting that her father was abandoned by his colleagues despite all being armed, Nancy said: “Not only circle inspector Manish Kumar, but all those who ran away should be punished. This is a conspiracy and I demand CBI probe”.

Meanwhile, the former Bihar cabinet minister Krishna Kumar Rishi and senior BJP leader MLC Dilip Jaiswal have also demanded a CBI inquiry into the lynching of the Bihar cop.

Arrests made till now

The Goalpokhar police have made three more arrests in the case so far. Two out of these three culprits have been identified as Malik alias Abdul Malik and Israel. Prior to this, three accused— Firoze Alam, Abuzar Alam and Sahinur Khan— had been arrested in connection with the death of the Bihar cop.

Based on the statement of suspended Circle Inspector Manish Kumar an FIR was registered at Gawalpokhar police station of West Bengal against 21 identified and 500 unidentified accused.

Bihar cop Ashwini Kumar mob-lynched in West Bengal

Ashwini Kumar, station in charge of the Kishanganj police station, was known for his no-nonsense attitude and strict crackdown against the liquor mafia. On April 10, Kumar was leading a raid in connection with a bike theft case in a neighbouring area under Panjipoda police station of West Bengal.

However, while conducting the raids, Kumar was surrounded by a mob and lynched.

Subsequently, Kumar was rescued by a team of police personnel from the Panjipura outpost and rushed to the Islampur Sadar Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. 

Family of SHO alleges conspiracy

Kumar’s family refused to accept his body after he was granted a gun salute at the police lines, alleging a conspiracy. They raised questions over the role of other police personnel in the team when Kumar was being thrashed by the mob. The family also questioned why was the West Bengal Police was not kept in the loop about the raid.

Seven police personnel, including Inspector Manish Kumar, have been suspended for negligence who abandoned SHO Kumar and fled from the spot of violence when the SHO was attacked by the mob. The suspended policemen include Raju Sahni, Akhileshwar Tiwari, Pramod Kumar Paswan, Ujjwal Kumar Paswan, Sunil Chaudhary and Sushil Kumar.

A day after the Bihar cop’s mortal remains reached home, his aged mother too died of shock. The mortal remains of the mother and the son were taken for the final rites together on April 11, 2020. 

Bareilly: Patient Abdul Rehman beats another patient to death after argument over hospital bed

OpIndia Staff
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Bareilly: Patient Abdul Rehman beats another patient to death after argument over hospital bed

A patient identified as 25-year-old Abdul has killed another patient identified as 45-year-old Hansram over occupancy of bed in the hospital in the state medical college at Shahjahanpur, Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh. The argument between Abdul Rehman and his fellow patient Hansram started when Abdul came from the washroom and could not locate his bed. He thought Hansram had occupied his bed, and they started arguing that led to Hansram’s death, as per reports.

As per the hospital authorities, Hansram was admitted to the hospital on April 10 after he complained of high fever and weakness. Abdul was also getting treatment at a nearby bed of the same ward for dehydration. Hansram was allotted bed number 21, while Abdul was on bed number 27. On Sunday morning, when Abdul came back from the washroom, he could not locate his bed. He mistook Hansram’s bed for his own and asked him to vacate it. Hansram, who was on his bed, refused to move.

They both started arguing, during which Abdul picked him up and threw him on the floor. While Hansram was on the ground, Abdul sat on his chest and started thrashing him, leading to his death. The hospital staff rushed to Hansram’s rescue after learning about the incident, but by the time they reached, Abdul had severely injured him.

After Hansram’s death, his family members created a ruckus in the hospital and accused the administration of negligence. The hospital called the Police to control the situation and take the necessary steps. After learning about the incident, Indra Vikram Singh, District Magistrate, Shahjahanpur and senior police officials visited the hospital and ensured necessary action would be taken against the accused. Rehman, the father of Abdul, claimed that his son was mentally ill. However, he could not provide any medical documents to prove his claims.

Sanjay Kumar, Superintendent of Police (city), said that an FIR had been registered under section 304 (culpable homicide), and the accused has been detained. “He is not able to give proper answers to our questions. The family members of the victim are satisfied with police action,” he added.

50% of the Supreme Court staff tests positive for COVID-19, Judges to work from home

OpIndia Staff
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50% of the Supreme Court staff tests positive for COVID-19, Judges to work from home

India’s daily new coronavirus cases seem to be on a constant rise. As the nation grapples with the second wave of the Chinese virus, 50% of Supreme Court’s staff has tested positive for coronavirus. The Supreme Court judges will now be functioning from home and assembling through video conferencing.

The entire premises of the Supreme Court including courtrooms are being sanitized and the benches will assemble an hour later than the scheduled time. 

The decision was taken instantly to avoid a grim situation like last year when six Supreme Court judges had got infected with the coronavirus.

India has recorded a new peak with 1.68 lakhs new Covid-19 cases and 904 deaths in the last 24 hours. India is now the second country, just behind the United States to be affected by the second wave of Covid-19. 

Strengthening the vaccination drive

To inoculate the population at the earliest, the Union government launched a four-day Tika Utsav starting yesterday to encourage people above 45 years of age to get themselves vaccinated.

In the largest vaccination drive more than 27 lakh vaccination doses were administered on the first day of the Tika Utsav.

After the sudden spike in cases, many states reported an acute shortage of Remdevisir, a drug pertinent to the treatment of Covid-19. The government on Sunday has issued a ban on the export of Remdevisir injections with immediate effect till the situation improves. 

The government has also asked the domestic manufacturers to display the information of stockists and distributors on their website to facilitate access. 

States like Maharashtra, Delhi and Punjab have reported a shortage of equipment from oxygen to ventilators. The hospital and ICU beds in these states are fast filling with no place to accommodate new patients in critical condition. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a review meeting on Sunday emphasized that mortality should be avoided under all circumstances. He directed the states to ramp up healthcare infrastructure, availability of oxygen, ventilators besides required logistics.

Shops burnt, stones pelted on police in Baran, Rajasthan after 3 Muslim men stabbed one Kamal Singh: What we know so far

OpIndia Staff
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Shops burnt, stones pelted on police in Baran, Rajasthan after 3 Muslim men stabbed one Kamal Singh: What we know so far

On April 10, a man identified as Kamal Singh was stabbed by three youth named Fareed, Aabid and Sameer over a minor argument in Chhabra, Baran district in Rajasthan. The incident took the shape of a major communal tension on April 11 (Sunday).

As per reports, incidents of stone-pelting took place during the violence. At least six shops and many vehicles parked in the area were burned down. After the fire incident, the power supply was cut off to avoid further damage. The administration had imposed a curfew on Sunday evening. Internet services were barred to avoid the spread of any misinformation or provocative messages.

Internet services in the area have been suspended till 4 pm on April 13.

The incident that led to the violence

On Saturday, Kamal Singh, a resident of the Chhabra subdivision, was buying fruits from the market. He got into an argument over car parking with the three youth named Fareed, Aabid and Sameer. During the fight, the boys took out a knife and attacked Kamal. The shopkeepers at the scene intervened to stop them. Rakesh Nagar, one of the shopkeepers who had intervened and Kamal were injured in the incident. They were admitted to the hospital for treatment.

After the incident, a group of people allegedly reached the police station to demand action against the three accused. The police detained the accused and interrogated them. After learning about the police action, some people gathered at the Dharnavada intersection on April 11 morning. People of both communities started stone pelting at each other leading to a stampede in the market.

While at least six shops were set on fire, other shops were looted and ransacked. Vehicles parked in the region were also set on fire. The vehicles of the fire department were attacked by the rioters. Around 12 police personnel also got injured while trying to control the violence.

Later, police had to restore to lathi-charge and tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. On learning about the incident, SP Vinit Kumar Bansal and Collector Rajendra Vijay rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation. By the evening, the situation was under control. Additional forces were called from the nearby police station. Ravi Dutt Gaur, Inspector General, Kota, also reached the spot.

BJP leader condemned the violence

Pratap Singh Singhvi, MLA and former Minister, said, “The incident could have been avoided if the local police had taken the incident between the boys of the two communities seriously on Saturday evening. It is the failure of the local police that there was a huge loss where shops of innocent traders were burnt.”

In a follow-up tweet, he requested Baran Police to ensure no innocents get booked under the pretext of the violence.

Section 144 has been imposed in Chhabra, Baran by the collector.

West Bengal: Illegal arms manufacturing unit with bombs, gunpowder and bullets recovered in a constituency that goes to poll on 22nd April

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: Illegal arms manufacturing unit with bombs, gunpowder and bullets recovered in a constituency that goes to poll on 22nd April

The North 24 Parganas district is set to go for polls in the sixth phase of assembly elections in West Bengal on the 22nd of April. As per a New Indian Express report, just 10 days before polling, the police have recovered bombs, bomb-making equipment, gunpowder and bullets from an illegal arms manufacturing unit in the Madral Joychanditala area of Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas district on Saturday. 

Further investigations are underway and the police have registered a case under the Explosive Substances Act and Arms Act. 

The Election Commission has intensified vigilance across West Bengal especially post Cooch Behar’s violent episode to ensure no untoward incident takes place in the remaining polling season. The silence period before the day of polling, where politicians are not allowed to campaign in the constituency going to poll, has been increased from 48 hours to 72 hours in the remaining phases.

The voting in the Bhatpara constituency in North 24 Parganas will be held on April 22 post which two more phases of polling will take place in the state before the elections conclude.

Series of violence in West Bengal amidst assembly polls

The state, even before going into polling was marred with political killings and violence. More than five BJP karyakartas have been found dead since the assembly elections began in the state.

As per reports, a BJP worker identified as Amit Sarkar, the Mandal President of the BJP unit in Dinhata, was found hanging just three days ahead of the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections.

After a few peaceful hours, several cases of violence were reported amid the second phase of polling in West Bengal. From attacking the cars and convoys of top BJP leaders to stopping voters from reaching the polling booth to incumbent CM Mamata Banerjee camping in a polling booth, the second and third phases too witnessed cases of violence and political gimmicks in spurts.

However, the fatal violence in the fourth phase of polling shook not just the state but the entire nation. Violence triggered at the polling station in Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar after an 18-year old was shot dead allegedly by TMC goons.

The situation went downhill from there with the locals attacking the CISF personnel in an attempt to snatch their weapons which led to the death of four youths in retaliatory fire by the CISF. A woman’s toddler was allegedly snatched from her after a frenzied mob ambushed the polling booth in the same area.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has blamed Mamata Banerjee’s instigating speech for the flaring violence in the state has urged the voters to conduct the remaining polls peacefully.

Islamists ‘misuse’ mosques for terror attacks, says J and K IGP Vijay Kumar. Here are 3 such incidents

OpIndia Staff
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Islamists ‘misuse’ mosques for terror attacks, says J and K IGP Vijay Kumar. Here are 3 such incidents

During a press briefing on Sunday, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, said that Islamists have been misusing mosques for orchestrating terror attacks. He noted that such ‘misuse’ of mosques took place during terror attacks in Shopian (April 9, 2021), Pampore (June 19, 2020) and Sopore (July 1, 2020).

“Public, Masjid Intizamia (mosque authorities), civil societies and media should condemn such acts,” IGP Kumar emphasised.

Two terrorists take refuge in Jamia mosque during Pampore attack

On June 19 last year, the Indian security forces neutralised two terrorists during a fierce encounter in Pampore in South Kashmir. Although the commandos of the Special Operations Group tried to convince the terrorists to surrender, they instead took refuge in the local Jamia mosque. A gun battle ensued between the security forces and the terrorists, resulting in their killing.

While speaking about the matter, J&K DGP Dilbag Singh, “Both the ongoing operations resumed in the morning today. At Meej Pampore, after the killings of one militant, two others entered the local Jamia Mosque which is a huge structure. Forces have exercised restraint and only limited tactics have been used. Operation team is on the job.” Later, the Inspector General of Police in Kashmir informed that although the forces took time to complete their mission. the sanctity of the mosque had been maintained.

CRPF soldier martyred after terrorists attack from inside of the mosque in Sopore

On July 1 last year, one CRPF personnel and a 65-year-old civilian were killed after the terrorists fired at them from the attic of a mosque in Sopore in North Kashmir. Besides, three other personnel, namely Constables Bhoya Rajesh, Deepak Patil and Nilesh Chawde were also injured.

While speaking about the incident, a CRPF spokesman informed, “The personnel were de-boarding near Model Town Chowk, Sopore, Baramulla, for patrolling duties… Head Constable Deep Chand later died of his injuries.” A 3-year-old boy seen sitting on the body of his grandfather was also rescued by the security forces. IG Police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar informed that Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists Usman Bhai and Adil were involved in the attack.

He emphasised that a total of 30 bullets were fired by the terrorists. The security forces had recovered a full magazine from the premises of the mosque. The police have also refuted baseless social media claims that the civilian and the grandfather of the child was killed by the security forces.

Terrorists open fire at security forces from inside a mosque in Shopian

On Friday (April 9), five terrorists were gunned down by Indian security forces in Shopian in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir Zone Police had informed that two terrorists were firing at the security personnel from inside a mosque during the encounter. They have also recovered two AK guns from the neutralised terrorists.

Reportedly, the encounter began on April 8 in Shopian where the terrorists had been hiding. The Jammu and Kashmir police had sent the local Imam and the brother of one of the terrorists to convince them to surrender. In a tweet, the police said that efforts were being made to save the mosque. The joint operation by J & K police and security forces helped in trapping the Chief of terror outfit named Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGuH). The operation was undertaken on the basis of specific intelligence about the location of terrorists.

After explosive Clubhouse confessions, Prashant Kishor starts building ground to blame only Mamata Banerjee if Bengal is lost: Here’s how

OpIndia Staff
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After explosive Clubhouse confessions, Prashant Kishor starts building ground to blame only Mamata Banerjee if Bengal is lost: Here’s how

On Saturday (April 7), audio clips of a Clubhouse conversation between Lutyens journalists and election strategist Prashant Kishor went viral where Kishor had so much as accepted defeat in West Bengal. Now, in an interview with Rajdeep Sardesai, while trying to fire-fight the fall-out from the Clubhouse conversation, Prashant Kishor seems to have smartly positioned the narrative to blame Mamata Banerjee and TMC on 2nd May, should they lose West Bengal.

In an interview with Rajdeep Sardesai, Prashant Kishor says that “parties win or lose because of their own intrinsic strength, the leadership, the work they have done or they have not done. We, or people like us, can only help in the margin”.

Further, inferring from what Prashant Kishor said, Rajdeep Sardesai asks him whether he means that he cannot turn a losing fight into a winning fight. Pat came the response, “absolutely not”.

While nobody really expects poll strategists to be miracle workers, what Prashant Kishor seems to be doing here is trying to set the foundation to push the blame solely on Mamata Banerjee should TMC lose the critical West Bengal 2021 Assembly Elections. It is important to remember that only a couple of days ago, Prashant Kishor had admitted on a content app Clubhouse that according to the TMC internal survey, BJP was winning a comfortable victory in West Bengal.

Earlier, if one recalls, Prashant Kishor had categorically said that if BJP makes it to the three-digit mark, he was all set to quit his job as a poll strategist and retire.

Therefore, it is evident that the West Bengal elections are as critical for Prashant Kishor as they are for Mamata Banerjee. Given that the rumours indicate, as alluded to by Prashant Kishor himself, that Mamata Banerjee may lose Bengal because now she solely listens to Prashant Kishor, the poll strategist seems to be on overdrive to use sympathetic journalists to build a narrative that can later be used to exonerate his role in TMC’s loss.

Prashant Kishor rose to fame after he ‘managed’ the 2014 Lok Sabha elections for BJP and PM Narendra Modi. Riding on the Modi wave, Kishor positioned himself, with help from a friendly media, of course, as one who can make or break political fortunes. However, he has had a string of failures ever since. He couldn’t sell Rahul Gandhi to the people of India, failed with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, failed in states like Uttar Pradesh.

People seem to be catching on to the fact that Kishor simply rose to fame because he managed to be a part of a campaign where the leader he was with already had a wave of support in the nation and that he failed miserably when the election actually needed to be turned. And he knows that. Owing to that, Prashant Kishor seems to be desperate and he seems to be looking at his media friends to rescue his own professional prospects should he fail spectacularly in West Bengal as well.

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