Controversy Erupts as BJP Assigns Poll Duty to Bidhuri in Tonk: Opposition Accuses ‘Rewards Hate
Opposition leaders have expressed strong criticism against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for appointing their Lok Sabha member, Ramesh Bidhuri, to handle poll responsibilities in Rajasthan’s Tonk district. This decision has sparked controversy due to Bidhuri’s derogatory comments aimed at Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Danish Ali, which drew widespread condemnation.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal, in a social media post, raised concerns about the BJP’s choice, stating that the party seemed to be rewarding Bidhuri for his verbal attack on Danish Ali during a Special Session of Parliament. Sibal referred to Bidhuri’s use of “unspeakable words” in his criticism.
Sibal emphasized the potential implications of this move by pointing out that Tonk district in Rajasthan has a significant Muslim population, accounting for approximately 29.25 percent of its residents. He asserted that this appointment symbolizes a strategy of promoting “hate” for political gains, suggesting that the BJP might be attempting to exploit divisive rhetoric for electoral purposes.
In a recent social media post, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh voiced his criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with a play on their slogan, stating, “‘Sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas’ yeh sab hai inka bakwaas,” implying that the BJP’s claims of inclusive development and trust-building were mere rhetoric.
Adding to the chorus of disapproval, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra questioned the BJP’s decision to assign new responsibilities to Ramesh Bidhuri, despite his prior controversial remarks directed at a Muslim MP, Danish Ali. Moitra expressed her concerns over this move and openly questioned whether this was part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s envisioned “Sneha Yatra” or outreach to minority communities, given the seemingly contradictory actions by the BJP. Her comments underscored the ongoing debate regarding the BJP’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and unity among all sections of the population.
The Tonk district, with its four assembly seats, has a substantial presence of the Gurjar community, making it a significant electoral battleground. Notably, one of these seats is held by senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot, adding to the district’s political significance. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in a strategic move, has entrusted Ramesh Bidhuri with responsibilities in this district, considering his potential influence on the Gurjar community due to his shared caste background.
Bidhuri, who himself hails from the Gurjar community, is seen as a valuable asset for the BJP’s election strategy in Tonk. His role is expected to parallel that of the BJP’s poll in charge of the district, indicating the party’s determination to make inroads in this region. The Gurjar community’s sizeable presence and the fact that Sachin Pilot, also a Gurjar, holds one of the assembly seats, make this a closely watched battleground in regional politics. As such, Bidhuri’s appointment underscores the BJP’s intent to harness caste-based affiliations to secure electoral gains in the Tonk district.
Ramesh Bidhuri, the BJP Member of Parliament representing South Delhi, recently took to social media platform X to share an update about his involvement in a coordination meeting pertaining to the Tonk district. The meeting, which was held in Jaipur, was presided over by Rajasthan BJP president C P Joshi, signifying the party’s strategic focus on the region.
This development comes in the wake of Bidhuri’s controversial remarks targeting BSP MP Danish Ali during a session in the Lok Sabha, which had ignited a firestorm of outrage and condemnation from various quarters. In response to the widespread backlash, the BJP had issued a show cause notice to Bidhuri, raising questions about his conduct and statements. The opposition had vehemently demanded his suspension from the House in light of these derogatory remarks.
Despite the controversy surrounding him, Bidhuri’s active involvement in the coordination meeting for the Tonk district suggests that the BJP continues to retain him in a prominent role within the party’s political activities, highlighting the complexities and strategic considerations of contemporary Indian politics.
Ramesh Bidhuri’s comments directed at BSP MP Danish Ali during a discussion concerning the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission last Thursday ignited a significant controversy, triggering widespread outrage. Opposition leaders swiftly united in condemning Bidhuri’s remarks and called for severe repercussions against the BJP Member of Parliament.
Opposition parties, including prominent members of the Congress, TMC, and NCP, among others, have coalesced in support of Danish Ali. They have collectively directed their ire toward the BJP, vehemently demanding stringent action against Bidhuri for his objectionable comments.
In a concerted effort to seek justice and accountability, several lawmakers have taken the step of writing to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, urging him to take the most stringent measures against Bidhuri for his offensive statements. This unified stance from various opposition parties underscores the gravity of the issue and the widespread consensus on the need for a robust response to uphold parliamentary decorum and standards of civility.
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