In the realm of current politics: BJP’s nomination of Ramesh Bidhuri sparks yet another political controversy.
Plus, Mallikarjun Kharge in Chhattisgarh to unveil social welfare initiatives of the Bhupesh Baghel government, and Amit Shah and J P Nadda will meet local RSS leaders in Jaipur.
The BJP’s decision to appoint Ramesh Bidhuri as the leader in charge of its affairs in the Tonk district of poll-bound Rajasthan has triggered a political row as it comes a week after the South Delhi MP was heard hurling communal slurs and abuse at Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Danish Ali in the Lok Sabha on the last day of the special session of Parliament. With a few Opposition leaders taking to social media to criticise the BJP’s decision, expect more reactions and counters today.
Tonk, which has four Assembly constituencies, has a sizable Muslim population. The district also has a sizable Gujjar population and the BJP will expect the MP to swing the votes for it. At present, the BJP controls only the constituency of Malpura in the district while the rest are with the Congress, including Tonk whose legislator is Sachin Pilot who is also a Gujjar.
The news of Bidhuri’s appointment comes a week after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made speeches in the state playing up identity politics and it may indicate the BJP’s move to strategically use identity politics in the poll-bound state.
Bidhuri’s appointment drew flak from Opposition leaders. Taking a dig at the BJP by using its “Sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas (With all, development for all, and with their trust)” slogan, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh wrote on X, “Sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas — yeh sab hai inka bakwaas (all of this is their nonsense).”
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra said Bidhuri had been “rewarded” for his remarks against a Muslim MP. “How does a showcaused person be given new role by @BJP4India? @narendramodi ji — is this your Sneha Yatra for minorities, your love outreach?” she said on X.
