Home Blog Page 6564

‘Neutral’ journalist Supriya Shrinate replaces existing Congress candidate two days after favouring Rahul Gandhi in her shows

Shashank Bharadwaj
-
0
‘Neutral’ journalist Supriya Shrinate replaces existing Congress candidate two days after favouring Rahul Gandhi in her shows

‘Neutral’ journalist Supriya Shrinate, Executive Editor of ET Now, on Friday joined Congress party after the party leadership announced her candidacy for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Maharajaganj, Uttar Pradesh. Supriya Shrinate replaced Tanushree Tripathi, whose name was initially announced as the candidate from Maharajganj.

Interestingly, Supriya Shrinate, who joined Congress party was working as an Editor at ET Now till this week raising questions about the ‘neutrality’ and integrity of journalists. Recently, Supriya Shrinate had carried out an interview with former RBI chief Raghuram Rajan and had also endorsed Rahul Gandhi’s NYAY programme on her show.


It is not unsurprising today to acknowledge that there are several journalists in the country who are sympathetic to the cause of the Gandhi Parivar but somehow pretend to be ‘neutral’ in the public. Supriya Shrinate’s transition from being a ‘neutral’ journalist to a Congress candidate may not have happened in few days and certainly, not after her recent news shows and interviews endorsing Congress President Rahul Gandhi.

Supriya Shrinate must have taken a sufficient time to lobby for her ticket or at least to comprehend the ideologies of any political party before being made a candidate for Lok Sabha elections. If at all Supriya Shrinate was lobbying for a ticket or contemplating on joining the Congress party from a long time, does that not amount to a conflict of interest or a clear case of bias in terms of her conduct as a journalist?

The integrity of Supriya Shrinate as a journalist is clearly questionable as her plans to join Congress may not be instinctive but carefully planned from a long time with utilising her privilege of being a ‘neutral’ journalist. It also raises questions not only on the credibility of the debates she carried out till recently and but also on the authenticity of the interview she did with Raghuram Rajan to endorse Rahul Gandhi’s policies.

Meanwhile, it is also intriguing to know whether ET Now was aware of the fact that Supriya Shrinate had inclinations towards the Congress party. If at all ET Now knew about her Congress links, why did the media organisation not disclose it in the public or at least try to keep her away from doing the Congress propaganda from ET Now studios under the garb of journalism?

Neutrality in the field of journalism is a facade. While every journalist is entitled to have their own political views, their bias often creeps into their profession, while the entire time, they pretend to be politically neutral. The likes of Supriya Shrinate lobbying for a Congress ticket despite being part of a media organisation is yet another low in Indian journalism and casts a shadow on the uprightness of the so-called independent ‘Lutyens’ journalists of the country.

Two cow smugglers arrested, two escaped after they try to run over the cops who were chasing them

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Two cow smugglers arrested, two escaped after they try to run over the cops who were chasing them

In Nanauta, Saharanpur, one constable and two cow smugglers were injured in a firing which took place on Thursday early morning. As per reports, the police have recovered two country pistols, cartridges and some cartons.

According to station in-charge Manoj Kumar Chaudhary, at around 4 am on Thursday, SI Saiyed Munajir Hussain, Head Constable Rajiv and other four police officers stopped a suspicious pickup truck for checking. However, the driver pushed the pedal and increased speed. Not just that, during the chase when the police team closed in on them, the driver of the pick-up truck tried to run over the policemen.

Then, four of the men occupying the pick-up truck jumped out and went near a lake from where they opened fire at the police. Head Constable Rajiv got injured in cross-firing but thankfully station in-charge Chaudhary was saved owing to the bulletproof jacket. In return firing by the police, two cow smugglers were injured whereas two managed to escape.

In reference to the case, one Kala, s/o Chhota and one Rahman s/o Rizwan who had opened fire on the police were injured. Nikim s/o Riyasat and Fana s/o Arshad managed to escape. Six calves, who were drugged with tranquilisers, were also rescued from the pick-up van.

The police have undertaken further investigation.

Punjab: AAP candidate contesting from Christian dominated Gurdaspur says nun rape case won’t have impact on voting

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Punjab: AAP candidate contesting from Christian dominated Gurdaspur says nun rape case won’t have impact on voting

Peter Masih Cheeda, the Aam Aadmi Party nominee from Gurdaspur constituency in Punjab for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, has stirred controversy while answering about the impact of the nun rape case on the voting in the Christian dominated Gurdaspur. He said that “There is no question that case will have any impact on voting pattern. The accusations have not been proved and were more in media.”

The AAP has fielded Peter Masih as its candidate from Gurdaspur Lok Sabha constituency, which has sizeable Christian population.

During 2017 Gurdaspur byelections, which was necessitated by BJP MP from the constituency, actor-turned-politician, Vinod Khanna’s death, AAP candidate Maj Gen Suresh Khajuria (retd) had faced a major defeat. The AAP candidate had lost despite the fact that then Catholic Church Bishop of Punjab and spokesperson of Masih Maha Sabha, Bishop Franco Mulakkal had announced to extend community’s support to Khajuria,

Mulakkal is the accused in Kerala nun rape case. He is also the first bishop in Indian Catholic history to be arrested in a rape case.

Surprisingly, this time too, AAP is counting on the Christian votes in the constituency, but the fact that Franco Mulakkal’s announcement in the last election did not help the party does not seem to bother Pater.

He remains unruffled at the fact that Mulakkal is a rape accused and feels that the accusation would have no impact on the voting pattern in Gurudaspur though it’s a Christian dominated constituency.

Talking to TOI, Masih said, “The government figures put Christians votes at around 7%, but I believe it is double the figure,” furthering that “Things have significantly changed now, I am going to give a tough fight to my opponents”.

He said that lack of development, poor education and health services were the main issues in the constituency, besides he intended to seek more funds for Christians. About the rape case, Masih said, “There is no question that the case will have any impact on the voting pattern”.

Meanwhile, Gurudaspur had significantly been a stronghold of Congress until BJP fielded Vinod Khanna in 1998. Since then Vinod Khanna had won the Gurudaspur seat 4 times, losing it once to the Congress in 2009, only to regain it in 2014 general elections.

Gurdaspur, which falls in the Manjha area, has never been considered to be AAP’s stronghold. In the 2014 parliamentary election, AAP candidate, Suchcha Singh Chhotepur had come on the third position after BJP and Congress.

In the 2017 byelections, the Congress won the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat which had fallen vacant following the death of Vinod Khanna of the BJP. Congress’ Sunil Jakhar defeated BJP’s Swaran Salaria with a huge margin of 1.93 lakh votes.

While Jakhar polled 4,99,752 votes, Salaria polled 3,06,533. AAP nominee Major General (Retd) Suresh Khajuria polled just 23,579 votes and forfeited his deposit.

This was, however, followed by the resignation of Khajuria from the party’s primary membership in November 2018.

Meanwhile, with the party faring badly in Gurdaspur in the last two polls, the hopes for AAP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections also appear to be bleak.

As AAP disintegrates, senior leader says AAP ready to dissolve and merge with Congress

OpIndia Staff
-
0
As AAP disintegrates, senior leader says AAP ready to dissolve and merge with Congress

As Aam Aadmi Party is losing relevance and facing an existential crisis in the Indian political scene, the leadership of the party seems to be desperate as senior AAP leader and Punjab unit President Bhagwant Mann has indicated that the party is willing to dissolve and merge with Congress party, reported The Tribune.

According to reports, AAP senior leader Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said that his party was ready to be dissolved if it saved the country from the “unholy nexus of PM Modi and Amit Shah”. Responding to a question regarding AAP’s attempts to join hands with Congress, Mann claimed that both Modi and Shah were pursuing ‘politics of hatred’, which he said was extremely dangerous to the federal structure.

“We were earlier part of the Mahagathbandhan of 23 parties at the national level to trounce Modi. If need be, we are even ready to dissolve our party. After all, we all came from various fields, including theatre and journalism. We all formed Aam Aadmi Party for course correction in Indian politics,” said AAP Punjab President Bhagawat Mann.

Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali President and Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal has reacted strongly, while stating that masks of Aam Aadmi Party were finally off and accused Mann of spreading hatred himself. He referred AAP as the B team of the Congress.


Aam Aadmi Party is in disarray as the party has lost its charm it had enjoyed five years ago. With Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal taking massive U-turns, corruption charges and lack of performance in Delhi, the party is facing an unprecedented backlash.

Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal has been literally pleading with Congress to form an alliance in the Delhi, as he is aware of the fact that he alone can not defeat the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, which had won all the seven seats in 2014.

Recently, Fatehgarh Sahib MP Harinder Singh Khalsa, who was suspended from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2015, joined the BJP in New Delhi. Khalsa a former IFS officer had called Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal a ‘dictator’ for extreme interference in state affairs. Another suspended MP Dharamvir Gandhi, who was elected from Patiala has started his new outfit Nawan Punjab Party.

AAP Punajb has been in disarray after chief Kejriwal ‘abandoned’ the state unit. After the Punjab assembly elections, the party has faced major backlashes, defection, and other allegations. Recently, an AAP MLA had accused the party of arrogance, sexual exploitation of women and corruption. Several MLAs, including Sukhpal Khaira and HS Phoolka, have quit the party in recent months.

AAP Punjab was also widely criticised for its alleged association with Khalistani elements.

Another controversy has erupted in the name of Aam Aadmi Party after many voters in Delhi alleged that they have been receiving phone calls from the AAP to inform that their named have deleted by the BJP only to be saved by Delhi CM Kejriwal, who had restored their names back to the list.

This mysterious phone calls to the voters of Delhi alleged to be from the AAP did not even leave senior BJP leaders as senior BJP leader Vijay Goel also received a similar call stating that his party has ‘removed his name’ from the voters’ list.

Election Commission says no violation of Model Code of Conduct in PM Modi’s Mission Shakti announcement

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Election Commission says no violation of Model Code of Conduct in PM Modi’s Mission Shakti announcement

The Election Commission of India has found no infringement of Model Code of Conduct in PM Modi’s announcement of a successful test of ASAT missile that placed India in the coveted list of countries possessing the anti-satellite capability. 

Responding to a complaint filed by Communist leader Sitaram Yechury, the election commission said that Modi’s speech did not attract the provisions of model code of conduct. EC had constituted a Committee of Officers to look into the accusations that Modi had violated the MCC.

Looking into the matter, the committee concluded that “the MCC provision regarding misuse of official mass media as contained in Para (IV) of Part (VII) of Model Code of Conduct, quoted above, is not attracted in the instant case”. The Election Commission accepted the conclusion of the committee, thereby giving a clean chit to Modi.

Checking whether the prime minister misused state broadcasters Doordarshan and All India Radio, the committee found that the speech was not directly broadcasted by them. They were informed that Doordarshan had used a feed provided by ANI, and AIR has used the audio from DD News. DG of DD submitted that Doordarshan subscribes to visuals of news event from News Agency ANI under an arrangement that is continuing for long time. DD broadcasted the video as received from ANI, and it was not directly captured and broadcasted by Doordarshan, the DG asserted

The DG of AIR also stated nobody from AIR went to record the speech of Modi, and they used audio signal from the telecast of the speech by DD News.

After studying the transcript of the speech of PM Modi and the responses of DD and AIR, the committee concluded that the model code of conduct not violated.

It may be noted that as state broadcasters, DD and AIR need to obtain prior permission from EC before broadcasting any message by politicians and ministers. But in this instance, PM Modi’s speech was not directly covered by DD and AIR. The speech was essentially broadcasted online by ANI, from where TV channels transmitted the feed. DD and AIR also had borrowed the feed from ANI, hence there was no requirement for them to seek EC’s permission before broadcasting the same.

The Election Commission had sought details after clamour from the opposition political parties regarding the violation of Model Code of Conduct grew as the announcement was made by the PM. The Model Code of Conduct is in force since March 10, 2019, when the Election Commission had announced the dates and other details of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The letter of EC and the report of the committee has been provided below.

Will work for spreading Christianity in whole world if elected, says candidate from Nagaland

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Will work for spreading Christianity in whole world if elected, says candidate from Nagaland

MM Thromwa Konyak of the Indian Christian Secular Party will now contest the Lok Sabha elections from the lone seat in Nagaland as an Independent after he failed to produce the original signed copies of Form A and B issued by his party.

Konyak, for his part, believes his candidature is the Christian God’s work. His primary poll promise is sending 10,000 Christian Missionaries from Nagaland out into the world to spread the message of Christ.

“Our forefathers had a dream, that Nagaland sends 10,000 Christian missionaries out into the world. But that dream remains unfulfilled. I will take up the task once I win the election,” Konyak was quoted as saying by TOI.

He stated further, “Nagaland is a Christian majority state. I believe in and practice politics that is based on Christian principles. But I should not be mistaken as a religious bigot or communal. I am Christian by faith, Indian by citizenship and Naga by blood.”

Konyak appears to be blatantly in violation of the Supreme Court verdict which outlawed election campaigns in the name of religion, caste, race, community or language. Only recently, the Election Commission had reiterated that the use of caste and religion is prohibited. “As per the Model Code of Conduct, the use of caste and religion during the election campaign is strictly prohibited,” a statement issued by Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer had said.

Konyak had contested earlier in state assembly elections in 2008 and 2013 but has never won. It is reported that he had tried unsuccessfully for a BJP ticket before announcing his candidature. Besides his dream of 10,000 missionaries, he has stated that he wants to build churches in all remote regions of Nagaland, especially along the Myanmar border.

It is notable here that Nagaland is a Christian majority state and the Church has been involved in politics in most elections. Last year, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council was in the news for asking voters to choose between the ‘Trishul and the Cross’, apparently in opposition of the BJP-led NDA. The NDPP, which is currently ruling in the state, is an NDA member.

The gushing pro-Imran lobby wouldn’t ask for ‘proof and evidence’ now

Ashish Shukla
-
0
The gushing pro-Imran lobby wouldn’t ask for ‘proof and evidence’ now

His swooning and gushing crowd in India would go berserk now that Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has acknowledged his country has terror groups and that the “Naya Pakistan” wouldn’t allow them to function with impunity on its soil. They wouldn’t bother to seek “proof and evidence” of this resolve, unlike Balakot.

The Lutyens Media is on its own trip, refusing to acknowledge what Imran has himself conceded—that Pakistan has a terror group on its soil. Instead, the Lutyens Media—Times of India, Indian Express, The Hindu and Hindustan Times—have all based headlines on Pakistan’s fear of India attacking them before 2019 Polls.

This swooning crowd is wrong on both counts—India never initiates a war and is always reactive to threats. Second, Imran Khan is unlikely to follow on his promise. But then, one has to ask why Pakistan has acknowledged that it has terrorists on its breakfast table?

That’s because Pakistan has seen the limitations of being a client-state to China. That’s because it knows it cannot do without the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which is controlled by the United States (nearly 18 per cent share). If it doesn’t fall in line with Trump’s distaste for their terrorism, Pakistan could simply blow up.

Before we illustrate that Imran Khan is unlikely to follow up his resolve on terrorism-on-its-soil, let’s look at its askance with China and IMF both.

Despite China pulling all stops to flow financial assistance, Pakistan needs at least $12 billion bailouts from the IMF to remain on its feet. As it is, China’s 22 infrastructure projects in Pakistan under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are worth $28.6  billion and Pakistan would have to pay back close to $100 billion to China by 2024, presently completely beyond its capacity.

Imran Khan has begun pushing back against this “client status” of China. It has downsized the main Chinese railway project by $2 billion, removed a $14 billion dam from Chinese financing and scrapped a 1320-megawatt coal-based power plant in the pipeline. The predatory swoop of China is hurting Pakistan: For instance, China would receive tax-free 91 per cent of revenues from the Gwadar port until it returns it to Pakistan in four decades.  Equipment imports from China are rising and the foreign-exchange reserves of Pakistan are consequently seriously depleted and the balance-of-payments crisis is acutely real.

Meanwhile, IMF, as said controlled by the United States, wants “complete transparency” from Pakistan before it loosens its purse strings. Chillingly, IMF has stated that it needs transparent disclosures to determine whether Pakistan has debt sustainability. This means that Pakistan would have to come out clean on the extent, composition and terms of Pakistan’s debts to China. The US, on its part, doesn’t see Pakistan fit to get IMF bailout. The US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has said there would be “no rationale” for an IMF bailout of Pakistan that pays off Chinese debts.

That makes it clear that Pakistan would’ve to hedge its bets. It can’t leave the umbrella of China which shields it from international furore on terrorists and sells it weapons that China’s own military has not inducted, including prototype nuclear power reactors.  It also can’t leave out IMF just to live another day, so to say.

The Immy (Imran)-loving elites in India are completely oblivious to the fact that China and Pakistan together are in a blood-pact to contain, if not destroy, India.

China is salami-slicing India in the Himalayan belt and Pakistan is inflicting a thousand cuts in Jammu and Kashmir through its terror networks, many of whom have been officially blacklisted so by the United Nations (UN) itself. Presently, 55 per cent of Jammu and Kashmir is in the hands of Pakistan (35%) and China (20%). China also has ambitions to build a land corridor to Pakistan so that the Arabian Sea and Indian Oceans opens up to them directly.

It would be great news for India if IMF doesn’t release another round of funds – this would be IMF’s 22nd bailout to Pakistan in six decades—unless Pakistan shows some real action on the ground against terrorists. Pakistan’s financial viability alone shouldn’t be criteria to supply the oxygen of funds.

There is no reason to believe that Imran Khan can walk the talk. The terrorist network and Pakistan’s army, which keeps Imran Khan in office, are Siamese twins. It’s simply time-buying tactics till Pakistan secures IMF loan.

So readers, don’t you believe a line in what you read in our partisan Lutyens Media. India is not an aggressor and would never be. It’s just to demonize Narendra Modi and the BJP/NDA government. Terrorism is Pakistan and Pakistan is terrorism.

Meanwhile, we await Navjot Singh Sidhu, Barkha Dutt and Shoba De to gush over how Imran Khan is “shanti ka messiah” in cracking the whip on terrorists. Let’s see if they also ask for its “proof or evidence.”

Congress making random poll promises as they know they won’t win, PM Modi tells Republic Bharat

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Congress making random poll promises as they know they won’t win, PM Modi tells Republic Bharat

Taking a dig at the Congress on its populist minimum income guarantee promise, PM Modi said that the fifth generation of a family is making same promise of eradicating poverty by making such fantastical promises because they know they are not going to come to power to actually implement the same.


Prime Minister Modi in his interview with Republic Bharat touched upon various issues including the prospects of the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the emergence of an Opposition front, dynastic politics, his campaign theme ‘Mein Bhi Chowkidar’, Pulwama and several other issues ranging from the Rafale deal to unemployment.

Stating that in a democracy like India, Modi said that the voter is at the centre of the election and hence political parties have to go to the polls only to meet the expectations of voters.

Prime Minister Modi added that this year the elections will personality-driven. “After 5 years of being in power, it is usual for the people to make the election campaigns synonymous with a personality and I’ve been constantly among the masses,” said PM Modi in his first interview post-Pulwama terror attacks.

Responding to question on Balakot air strikes conducted by India Air Force and the opposition parties’ reactions to these incidents, PM Modi said he had given full freedom to the armed forces to make a plan and excute it.  “It is my behaviour, where there is a risk to the jawans of India, I’m constantly involved it. There is no expectation from their end, but I could not sleep and I was aware of what was happening.”

Regarding the Opposition’s ‘personal attack’ and saying the Pulwama attack, as well as Balakot air strikes, was ‘match-fixing’ between PM Khan and PM Modi, he added, “No one can question my patriotism for my country. Everyone was aware of how big the attack was, but you should question the Opposition regarding such personal attacks. If they are sure of what they are blaming us for, they can go ahead with this as their agenda for the polls.”

On accusations of the opposition regarding the timing of ASAT programme launch, PM Modi defended the allegations stating that a lot of global planning is needed before an event like ASAT test. A government in power can make mistakes, he said. But, Congress, who has been in power for a long time, should have considered these allegations more seriously. Taking a dig at the utter cluelessness of the Opposition on ASAT missile, PM Modi said, “The Opposition cannot keep the country safe as it lacks primary knowledge.”

Clarifying that the ASAT announcement cannot be considered violation of model code of conduct, PM Modi said, “Can government say it’s not on duty? Should the government not respond to critical issues because of elections.”

He further asserted that the BJP will come back to power in 2019 with a much stronger mandate. PM Modi said that country is not against coalitions, the country wants stability. The people of India don’t want to go towards instability and the people of the country have made up their minds, they want a government with an absolute majority, said PM Modi. He further added that BJP will get more seats than it did in 2014.

“We are the government that works 24 hours. It is unfortunate that when Abhinandan Varthaman was detained in Pakistan, the Opposition started questioning the Balakot air strikes and his safe return. It was their plan and they were going to bring out a ‘candlelight march’ for it,” PM Modi said.

Targetting the opposition over questioning him on the issue of handling Pakistan, PM Modi took a dig on opposition parties and their ecosystem saying that, “They see statesmanship in Pakistan PM’s statements and they doubt their own PM. The people should recognise these people.”

He asserted that Pakistan Prime Minister should prove his intent for peace by returning perpetrators of terror and criminals to India. “Pakistan has always assured that they will take decisive action, but they don’t. I do not want to fall into their trap now,” said PM Modi.

With reference to PM Modi picking up Chowkidar as a campaign theme for the elections, Arnab Goswami asked the Prime Minister on why did not he ignore the abuses hurled at him. PM Modi said that he was a Chowkidar, even though not literally, but in its spirit. He said that the issue of Chowkidar was not a simple issue, rather it was an idea similar to the idea of MK Gandhi’s idea of trusteeship.

“There are people who have gotten into the habit of undertaking personal attacks. As far as Chaiwala is concerned, did you hear it when I was the CM of Gujarat? When I was declared the PM candidate, they dug out my background.

“I’ve been the longest serving Chief Minister of Gujarat. Yes, I’m a chaiwala and my past was never spoken about during my tenure as chief minister. But when I was elected as the Prime Minister, they started raising these issues and I proudly said that I was a chaiwala,” he said.

On being questioned about the fleeing of fugitive economic offenders Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya, PM Modi said that the Opposition is slamming him for losing these fugitives but was it is because of his strict actions in the country that they have had to flee, asked PM Modi. He claimed the credit of bringing them back stating that his government has come down severely on their assets for which they have had to run because of our actions.

“During Opposition rule, you would not have even known the names of such fugitives, leave alone know what happened to them and what action was taken against them. Properties worth Rs 14,000 crore belonging to Vijay Mallya have been seized even though total liability against him stands at Rs 9,000 crore,” said PM Modi.

PM Modi also spoke about middleman Michel, “I have got Christian Michel, he is sitting in jail and revealing details. The law is taking its course. We made a law for the fugitives, wherever in the world they hide, their money can be confiscated. All the cheats are waiting for the government to change so that they come back.”

Targetting Congress party over their involvement in various defence deals and scams, he said that previous governments used defence deals as their ATMs as they can not imagine that deals can be done with transparency.

With reference to the issue of Robert Vadra and failure of his government to take any action against the son-in-law of Sonia Gandhi, PM Modi said that the law is taking its course. “In India, there is a proper system of law. Congress has received a number of notices from the Court, but they take their own sweet time to respond. If we had to take the political route, we could have but we cannot and we have to ensure we follow the judicial system and it will the investigation is working at the right speed” added PM Modi.

Taking on the Mahagathbandhan, PM Modi said, “In Bengal, Kerala and Odisha, has there been any understanding between the Opposition parties then how is the gatbandhan working? It is not yet happening. If people of this country have decided to give us the majority, then who can keep us out even if they decide to ally up after the polls are done? The country has made its decision to ensure full majority and reinstate the NDA government, no one can question that,” asked PM Modi.
He also assured that after the outcome of the upcoming elections is declared, he will work with everyone together. “As a responsible citizen, as a responsible political party, as a responsible PM, I will work with everyone together. Be it Congress or Mayawati or Mamata Banerjee,” said PM Modi indicating that a national consensus may be reached post elections.

Commenting on dynastic politics, PM Modi said, “It is not my problem, but dynastic politics is a major threat to India’s democracy. The parties which are run by families, the country cannot function out of the families control. The party which works as a personal company where no one else can come in as President, this is wrong. It is the responsibility of media houses like you to bring out such dynastic political families.

Prime Minister Modi on TDP’s comments accusing him of ‘ending the democracy if Modi wins’, said, “Those who have no issue to raise will focus on fear-mongering to divert from problems. Were the founding fathers so weak that they would make something that one Modi could destroy? They are insulting those who died for independence.”

“Who wanted to impeach the SC judge, who brought in an emergency? Before levelling allegations they should look in the mirror,” PM Modi said.

“Those who have seen my tenure as CM of Gujarat in the past 13-14 years, they won’t accuse me of trying to control the judiciary and parliament. I’ve been silent all this while but should I question as to who ordered for the Emergency? Who jailed political leaders? Who stabbed their own father in law? Please, not make me open my mouth,” PM Modi warned against rumour mongering.

West Bengal: Brother of BJP Panchayat Member shot dead in Malda, Trinamool goons blamed

OpIndia Staff
-
0
West Bengal: Brother of BJP Panchayat Member shot dead in Malda, Trinamool goons blamed

Patanu Mondol, brother of a Gram Panchayat member from the BJP in West Bengal, Utpal Mondol, was murdered at Malda on Thursday. Mondol was allegedly shot dead by miscreants from Trinamool after barging into his home.

“We have received a complaint of murder against two persons, but they are on the run. Central paramilitary personnel will conduct route march in the area to restore confidence among the locals before the election,” a senior police officer of Malda district was quoted as saying.

District BJP president Sanjit Mishra blamed the Trinamool for Mondol’s murder. He said, “Mondol used to work as a civic police volunteer for Harishchandrapur police station. Earlier, Trinamool workers framed him in a false case and he lost his job. Thereafter, he became a BJP leader in the area and a couple of days ago he was instrumental in organising a rally in the area where more than 1,000 people gathered, unnerving the ruling party workers. Trinamool-backed goons have killed Mondol.”

“Since that victory last year, the family has been facing pressure from local Trinamool leaders. After Utpal’s victory, Trinamool workers set fire to his (Utpal’s) house and damaged the jute that he cultivated. Ruling party workers were also putting pressure on Patanu to join the Trinamool,” he added.

Khagen Murmu, the BJP candidate for Malda North, echoed Mishra’s sentiments as well. “He was our active worker and used to organise meetings. TMC-backed goons have killed him and the party is trying to spread terror before the polls,” he said.

The TMC, on the other hand, accused the BJP of murdering Mondol. Dulal Sarkar, TMC’s Malda district president, said, “The brother of the victim, Utpal, has already joined the Trinamool, and has been appointed the pradhan of local gram panchayat. Inspired by the development spree of the state government, Patanu, too, was also planning to join the Trinamool. BJP-backed goons killed him because of this.”

“The BJP is blaming the Trinamool for anything that is happening in Malda. They are trying to politicise every incident to gain mileage. Trinamool Congress is not involved in this incident at all,” said Moazzem Hussain, TMC’s candidate for Malda South.

Political violence has been a harsh reality in Mamata Banerjee’s Bengal. The Panchayat elections in the state were riddled with extreme violence and numerous cases of murder. There were numerous instances of murders, attacks, and vandalism. Even ballot boxes were looted and found destroyed in multiple areas. The TMC government is being charged with employing goons to intimidate its political rivals.

In 2018, there was a series of murders of BJP workers as saffron in the state began to rise as a serious political force. Earlier in January, a woman was gang-raped because her husband is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Congress: It is all about loving your family (business)

Nirwa Mehta
-
0
Congress: It is all about loving your family (business)

What is the similarity between the grand old party and Bollywood? Their constant state of denial when it comes to ‘loving their family’, or in other words, nepotism.

In both the industries (I would call Congress an industry because it is run more like a family business than as a political party), there is no educational qualification requirement. National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, another product of nepotism who perpetuates the same, had said how a politician making his child a politician is the same as a doctor making his child a doctor. Abdullah Senior (or should it be Abdullah junior if I were to refer to him as Shaikh Abdullah’s son?) clearly forgot that even if a doctor wants his child to become a doctor, the child will still have to clear all medical examinations to become one. Just because the child has seen the parent being a doctor, he/she magically cannot become one.

Similarly, if you are born into the Nehru-Gandhi family, by default your career is ‘politician’ with aspirations of being a prime minister of India. Like the Kapoors of Bollywood. But only a few made it to the A-league and gave hits, and others faded into oblivion (like Karan Kapoor and Kunal Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor’s children who disappeared from Hindi film industry without a trace).

Usually, defenders of nepotism argue that in politics, people elect their representative and in Bollywood, the audience makes a film a hit or a flop. These delusional fans forget that nepotism doesn’t guarantee success, but it just gives the star kids easy access and more opportunities to try succeeding or just failing better. Just like the Gandhis in Congress. Just because Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi’s father, grandmother and great grandfather were prime ministers, does not automatically give them the easy access to the prime minister’s chair or the right to become the Party President without proving one’s worth.

This is also why Rahul Gandhi, who seems to have realised that Amethi may not a ‘safe’ Congress seat, which The Family has won since the 80s, is now scouring for another ‘safe’ seat.

Another similarity between family-run political parties and Bollywood is that if you are even married into The Family, your entitlement quotient increases. A spouse of a forcefully successful film star kid sometimes gets to become a producer (for taxation purposes) or an interior designer or a fashion designer. Similarly, a spouse of The Family will have country’s top lawyers defending them in various cases like money laundering. The entitlement is such that even when one is neck-deep in corruption allegations, as a spouse of The Family, one casually expresses the desire that they would contest elections if The Party wants them to. ‘If the party wants me to,’ is the political equivalent of ‘I will kiss if the story demands’.

The contempt for those who are the ‘outsiders’ in the industry is also a common factor. We all know how Kangana was mocked at, and continues being mocked at only for speaking out the obvious. An ‘outsider’ dared to say that the star kids have it easier. An ‘outsider’ Modi dared to challenge The Family. A man, who once sold tea at a railway station is now prime minister of world’s largest democracy which till now had one or the other Family member at the helm of the affairs.

How dare he? How dare he believe that the country is not an ancestral property which gets handed down through generation? How dare he not have a ‘vansh‘ for whom he could accumulate wealth? How dare he dream of an India which is not run by The Family?

1...6,5636,5646,565...7,671Page 6,564 of 7,671