The BJP and JD(U) in Bihar’s NDA government on Sunday began drifting towards the brink of separation as two senior BJP ministers defiantly stayed away from the Chief Minister, Mr Nitish Kumar’s public programmes in symbolic protest against his rebuff to the BJP icon, Mr Narendra Modi.
The Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Sushil Kumar Modi, and health minister Mr Nand Kishore Yadav, both of the BJP, refused to participate in Mr Kumar’s ongoing Vishwas Yatra statewide tour a day after the state government controversially returned Rs 5 crores in flood relief aid from the Gujarat government in a unilateral decision without the state BJP’s knowledge.
In Ranchi, meanwhile, the senior BJP leader, Mr Yashwant Sinha, accused Mr Kumar of doing a “childish act”, and went on to add that if the Chief Minister did not want to continue his alliance with the BJP, “let him clearly announce it”.
Saying he failed to understand the logic of returning the Gujarat government’s relief aid, Mr Sinha added: “There is no use of doing this drama.”
The BJP’s central leadership is scheduled to meet in New Delhi on Monday to discuss the party’s differences with the JD(U), where some of its senior Bihar leaders are also likely to be present.
Senior politicians Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav and Mr Ram Vilas Paswan, meanwhile, in a swipe at their BJP-JD(U) rivals, described Mr Kumar’s move to return flood relief aid to Mr Modi as a “political drama” and dared the saffron party to cut off ties “if it has any self-esteem left.”
In Patna, a pre-scheduled public meeting on Sunday evening where both Mr Kumar and Mr Nand Kishore Yadav were to speak had to be cancelled.
Showing posts with label Narendra Modi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Narendra Modi. Show all posts
Monday, June 21, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Nitish cancels dinner after Modi ad
he BJP’s controversial Hindutva icon, the Gujarat Chief Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, on Saturday sent ripples across Bihar’s political spectrum without speaking a word and brought the BJP and the JD(U) on an unexpected collision course.
A full-page advertisement published in some Bihar newspapers on the first day of the BJP’s national executive meet showing Mr Modi and the Bihar Chief Minister, Mr Nitish Kumar, of the JD(U) raising joined hands and smiling angered Mr Kumar, prompting him to threaten legal action against those behind the advertisement carrying the year-old photo of the two leaders.
Mr Kumar also cancelled the dinner at his residence to which he had invited the BJP leaders attending the party’s conclave, causing embarrassment to the BJP and casting a shadow on the future of the shaky JD(U)-BJP alliance in view of Bihar’s Assembly polls, due in November.
Even as top BJP leaders from across the country were busy discussing the party’s national strategy and showering praise on Bihar’s JD(U)-BJP government at Patna’s Hotel Maurya, the chief minister expressed his deep discontent with the BJP for the advertisements. Mr Kumar’s words signified that Mr Modi remained an anathema for the JD(U).
“These advertisements were published without my knowledge and permission. We will explore all appropriate legal action against this act,” Mr Kumar said at Hotel Chanakya during a lunch he had organised for journalists. “I would not have objected if the photo would have been published in a news report in the newspapers,” he added.
He also strongly protested the praise in the advertisements for the Gujarat government for providing hefty aid to Bihar during the Kosi flood tragedy of 2008. “Seeking credit for the help we do to others in need is not in our culture. We would like to repay them if they want,” said a depressed-looking Mr Kumar, who had been instrumental in preventing Mr Modi from campaigning in Bihar during the last Lok Sabha polls.
The advertisements, which apparently carried a Modi-Nitish photo taken during the NDA’s Ludhiana rally in May 2009, did not carry the BJP’s name, electoral symbol or the name of any BJP leader, though the names of several little known people were published as those who brought them out.
But speculation was rife in Patna’s political circles that it was the BJP that was behind these advertisements so as to accord greater legitimacy to Mr Modi in Bihar and to mount indirect pressure on the JD(U), the senior partner in Bihar’s NDA coalition government.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav was quick to attack Mr Kumar and the JD(U), saying both stood exposed by the advertisements. “If Nitish Kumar still has any honesty and integrity, he must ditch the BJP or merge his party with the BJP. He is cheating Bihar’s Muslims by a fake show of secularism,” said Mr Lalu Yadav. Bihar Congress president Mehboob Ali Kaiser echoed Mr Lalu Yadav’s views and asked Mr Kumar to come clean on the advertisements.
In his cagey response, senior BJP leader and spokesman Syed Shahnawaz Hussain clarified that the advertisements had nothing to do with the BJP and were published by an “enthusiastic supporter of the party”. He also said the Gujarat government had nothing to do with the advertisements.
On Mr Kumar cancelling the dinner for BJP leaders, Mr Hussain said: “The BJP is discussing crucial issues of national importance and is not interested in food at this time.”
A full-page advertisement published in some Bihar newspapers on the first day of the BJP’s national executive meet showing Mr Modi and the Bihar Chief Minister, Mr Nitish Kumar, of the JD(U) raising joined hands and smiling angered Mr Kumar, prompting him to threaten legal action against those behind the advertisement carrying the year-old photo of the two leaders.
Mr Kumar also cancelled the dinner at his residence to which he had invited the BJP leaders attending the party’s conclave, causing embarrassment to the BJP and casting a shadow on the future of the shaky JD(U)-BJP alliance in view of Bihar’s Assembly polls, due in November.
Even as top BJP leaders from across the country were busy discussing the party’s national strategy and showering praise on Bihar’s JD(U)-BJP government at Patna’s Hotel Maurya, the chief minister expressed his deep discontent with the BJP for the advertisements. Mr Kumar’s words signified that Mr Modi remained an anathema for the JD(U).
“These advertisements were published without my knowledge and permission. We will explore all appropriate legal action against this act,” Mr Kumar said at Hotel Chanakya during a lunch he had organised for journalists. “I would not have objected if the photo would have been published in a news report in the newspapers,” he added.
He also strongly protested the praise in the advertisements for the Gujarat government for providing hefty aid to Bihar during the Kosi flood tragedy of 2008. “Seeking credit for the help we do to others in need is not in our culture. We would like to repay them if they want,” said a depressed-looking Mr Kumar, who had been instrumental in preventing Mr Modi from campaigning in Bihar during the last Lok Sabha polls.
The advertisements, which apparently carried a Modi-Nitish photo taken during the NDA’s Ludhiana rally in May 2009, did not carry the BJP’s name, electoral symbol or the name of any BJP leader, though the names of several little known people were published as those who brought them out.
But speculation was rife in Patna’s political circles that it was the BJP that was behind these advertisements so as to accord greater legitimacy to Mr Modi in Bihar and to mount indirect pressure on the JD(U), the senior partner in Bihar’s NDA coalition government.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav was quick to attack Mr Kumar and the JD(U), saying both stood exposed by the advertisements. “If Nitish Kumar still has any honesty and integrity, he must ditch the BJP or merge his party with the BJP. He is cheating Bihar’s Muslims by a fake show of secularism,” said Mr Lalu Yadav. Bihar Congress president Mehboob Ali Kaiser echoed Mr Lalu Yadav’s views and asked Mr Kumar to come clean on the advertisements.
In his cagey response, senior BJP leader and spokesman Syed Shahnawaz Hussain clarified that the advertisements had nothing to do with the BJP and were published by an “enthusiastic supporter of the party”. He also said the Gujarat government had nothing to do with the advertisements.
On Mr Kumar cancelling the dinner for BJP leaders, Mr Hussain said: “The BJP is discussing crucial issues of national importance and is not interested in food at this time.”
Monday, March 29, 2010
Fully satisfied with questioning of Narendra Modi, says SIT chief
Chairman of the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT), R.K. Raghavan, said on Sunday that the SIT was “fully satisfied” with the questioning of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
Talking to journalists, Mr. Raghavan, who himself was not present during Mr Modi's questioning, said if necessary Mr. Modi could be called again. “But that is only if some major gaps have remained in his answers for which he can be called again for further clarity,” he said, hinting that new issues are unlikely to be raised by the SIT with him.
The SIT chairman said the practice was the same for all witnesses and not special for Mr. Modi. He said he could decide on calling Mr. Modi again only after studying the details of the questioning.
He said the SIT would now examine the evidence, study the reports and submit it to the Supreme Court. He said he was hopeful that the SIT would be able to keep the April 30 deadline for submitting its report to the Supreme Court.
He declined to comment on filing of an FIR against Mr. Modi as demanded by many activists and voluntary organisations.
The SIT's job was to “present our findings to the Supreme Court and then await its directions,” he said.
Without naming anyone, Mr. Raghavan regretted that “some people” were targeting the SIT. “It is very hurting,” he said and claimed that the SIT was performing its assigned tasks “dutifully and honestly.” He apparently was hinting at the Citizens for Justice and Peace general secretary, Teesta Setalvad, and some other voluntary organisations, for expressing doubts about the SIT's style of functioning, particularly when Mr. Modi had not been questioned. Ms Setalvad had even filed a petition in the Supreme Court demanding reconstitution of the SIT.
Talking to journalists, Mr. Raghavan, who himself was not present during Mr Modi's questioning, said if necessary Mr. Modi could be called again. “But that is only if some major gaps have remained in his answers for which he can be called again for further clarity,” he said, hinting that new issues are unlikely to be raised by the SIT with him.
The SIT chairman said the practice was the same for all witnesses and not special for Mr. Modi. He said he could decide on calling Mr. Modi again only after studying the details of the questioning.
He said the SIT would now examine the evidence, study the reports and submit it to the Supreme Court. He said he was hopeful that the SIT would be able to keep the April 30 deadline for submitting its report to the Supreme Court.
He declined to comment on filing of an FIR against Mr. Modi as demanded by many activists and voluntary organisations.
The SIT's job was to “present our findings to the Supreme Court and then await its directions,” he said.
Without naming anyone, Mr. Raghavan regretted that “some people” were targeting the SIT. “It is very hurting,” he said and claimed that the SIT was performing its assigned tasks “dutifully and honestly.” He apparently was hinting at the Citizens for Justice and Peace general secretary, Teesta Setalvad, and some other voluntary organisations, for expressing doubts about the SIT's style of functioning, particularly when Mr. Modi had not been questioned. Ms Setalvad had even filed a petition in the Supreme Court demanding reconstitution of the SIT.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Narendra Modi likely to appear before SIT today
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is likely to appear before the Special Investigation Team today in connection with a 2002 post-Godhra riot case, sources in the SIT said.
The date was also confirmed earlier by Mr. Modi’s lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani, who said March 27 was the mutually agreed date on which the BJP leader would appear before the Supreme Court-appointed probe team.
The venue and time of the deposition have been kept a closely-guarded secret.
Earlier, confusion prevailed over his appearance before the SIT with its chief R.K. Raghavan saying he would depose on March 21. But later, Mr. Modi in an open letter claimed that he was not summoned on that date.
SIT has summoned Mr. Modi to depose in connection with a complaint of Zakia Jaffery, widow of former Congress MP Eshan Jaffery, who was killed in the riot at Gulburg Society here along with 69 others.
If the Chief Minister appears before the probe panel, this will be for the first time that he would present himself for questioning in the post-Godhra riots that took place eight years ago.
The date was also confirmed earlier by Mr. Modi’s lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani, who said March 27 was the mutually agreed date on which the BJP leader would appear before the Supreme Court-appointed probe team.
The venue and time of the deposition have been kept a closely-guarded secret.
Earlier, confusion prevailed over his appearance before the SIT with its chief R.K. Raghavan saying he would depose on March 21. But later, Mr. Modi in an open letter claimed that he was not summoned on that date.
SIT has summoned Mr. Modi to depose in connection with a complaint of Zakia Jaffery, widow of former Congress MP Eshan Jaffery, who was killed in the riot at Gulburg Society here along with 69 others.
If the Chief Minister appears before the probe panel, this will be for the first time that he would present himself for questioning in the post-Godhra riots that took place eight years ago.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Amitabh to be Gujarat’s brand ambassador
Hindi film icon Amitabh Bachchan on Monday accepted the Gujarat government’s offer to be the new “brand ambassador” for the State.
In his letter of acceptance to Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Bachchan said: “You have very graciously considered my appointment as brand ambassador for Gujarat. I accept the offer with great humility. I hope we will be able to work together for the betterment of Gujarat.”
Mr. Bachchan had volunteered to act as the brand ambassador for the State during his visit to Gandhinagar on January 6 for a special screening of his film “Paa,” for Mr. Modi and other top dignitaries in the State, seeking tax exemption for the film. He was all praise for Mr. Modi and Gujarat, and said he was highly impressed by the development of the State and would like to “lend his voice and face” if the government planned any documentary to showcase the State’s case for development in tourism and other sectors. He had also described Mr. Modi as a “simple man,” unlike a head of state.
A thrilled Mr. Modi followed this up by sending him an offer to act as the State’s brand ambassador which was promptly accepted by Mr. Bachchan.
In his letter of acceptance to Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Bachchan said: “You have very graciously considered my appointment as brand ambassador for Gujarat. I accept the offer with great humility. I hope we will be able to work together for the betterment of Gujarat.”
Mr. Bachchan had volunteered to act as the brand ambassador for the State during his visit to Gandhinagar on January 6 for a special screening of his film “Paa,” for Mr. Modi and other top dignitaries in the State, seeking tax exemption for the film. He was all praise for Mr. Modi and Gujarat, and said he was highly impressed by the development of the State and would like to “lend his voice and face” if the government planned any documentary to showcase the State’s case for development in tourism and other sectors. He had also described Mr. Modi as a “simple man,” unlike a head of state.
A thrilled Mr. Modi followed this up by sending him an offer to act as the State’s brand ambassador which was promptly accepted by Mr. Bachchan.
