‘BJP’s next target is to change the Constitution, abolish reservation’
Telangana CM says Cong. will win 14 seats out of the 17 seats in State, he says Modi is refusing a prominent role for south Indians in political representation; adds that Adani and Ambani are the double engine government that BJP talks about
While he still regarded his uncle, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, as a “deity”, rebel NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday expressed his disappointment with the NCP patriarch and said that he did not get the opportunity to head the party just because he was not Mr. Sharad Pawar’s son.
Mr. Ajit Pawar made these remarks during a public address in the Shirur Lok Sabha constituency.
“Pawar saaheb is our daivat [deity] and there is no doubt about it, but every person has his time. After crossing 80, new people should be given opportunities. Had I been his son, I would have been given a chance. But since I am not, there was no chance,” Mr. Ajit Pawar said.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Congress’s Baharampur nominee, campaigning on Thursday.
Mr. Ajit made the remarks during a public address in the Shirur constituency. elangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has stirred a hornets’ nest by claiming that the BJP will abolish reservation, forcing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat to react. He believes it is not a political narrative for the election but a real issue given the thought process of the RSS. He also speaks about the north-south divide and Centre-State relations. Excerpts:
TYou have created a new narrative on reservation forcing Prime Minister Modi to react. Is it just a political issue? Do you think realistically is it possible in the country to abolish reservation?
I wish to speak on the existing reality and how the RSS wants to change the Indian Constitution and push its agenda through its political
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi’s comment “Mera Baap Gaddar Hai” (My father is a traitor) against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s son Shrikant Shinde, who is contesting from the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency, has sparked a political row between both front, the Bharatiya Janata Party. With the BJP’s support, it has pushed its agenda — Article 370, Citizenship Amendment Act, Triple Talaq, Ayodhya Ram temple. Their next target is changing the Indian Constitution and abolishing reservation. There is a link between this agenda and the BJP not taking up the 2021 Census, which was being done from the British era every 10 years.
Mr. Modi knows that people are demanding census and also the caste census. Why isn’t the BJP asking for a majority but insisting on 400 seats? Because they can amend the Constitution only with a 2/3rd majority.
Do you think Rahul Gandhi has the persona to take on Mr. Modi and present an alternative the Shiv Sena factions.
Each of the Senas picked up a line from the Bollywood movies Deewar and Bulandi.
Her comment drew reactions from Mr. Shinde’s Shiv Sena and the ruling alliance Mahayuti.
Shinde faction spokesperson and deputy leader Sheetal Mhatre picked up a dialogue from Bulandi – “Billi ke daant gire nahi aur chali sher ke muh mein haat daalne” (Cat’s teeth haven’t fallen and wants to put hand in lion’s mouth).
I am telling you again and again that Owaisiji is working directly with the BJP. Wherever BJP feels, he [Owaisi] elds someone to push back others PRIYANKA GANDHI VADRA Congress leader
before the country?
In Telangana, before the Assembly election, everyone said KCR [BRS chief K. Chandrashekhar Rao] is the biggest personality. So how come Revanth Reddy defeated KCR? When Indira Gandhi was defeated by some not-so-famous politicians of that era, then what is the big deal about defeating Narendra Modi? In a democracy, the public will have the nal say.
How do you see the north-south divide narrative which politicians like you are referring to quite often?
Mere statements will not divide the country but actions will divide. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is refusing a prominent role for south Indians in its political representation and there is a feeling that south is being denied its nancial share. Telugu is the second largest spoken language in India after Hindi. But there is just one Cabinet berth for 42 MPs from two Telugu States while Gujarat with just 26 MPs, it gets seven Cabinet berths. Uttar Pradesh has 12 Cabinet Ministers in the Centre. All the prime posts like Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister, Urban Development Minister, Rural Development Minister, Commerce Minister have gone to north Indians.
These issues will come up for discussion. There is a discrimination feeling on the next delimitation. The Government of India should explain the terms of reference.
How do you react to the two names — Ambani and Adani — which are often spoken about?
With regard to Adani and Ambani, there is a feeling that they are the double engine sarkaar that the BJP talks about.
People also feel Adani and Pradhani are the ‘Twin Engine’ government at the national level.
The Election Commission on Thursday ordered repolling on May 11 at Parthampur polling station under the Dahod Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat. Vijay Bhabhor, son of BJP candidate Jasvantsinh Bhabhor, had live-streamed voting there on May 7. The incident was reported as attempted booth capturing.
It seems that voting in three phases is unsettling Modi... It seems he thinks that situation would change by bringing communal thoughts SHARAD PAWAR
NCP (SP) Chief
You have been critical of the Centre. Since you said your focus will be the State, how do you see Centre-State relations? How do you have a relationship if you are in Opposition? Telangana has been having a lot of borrowing issues with the Centre and you are going to face it?
I’m in the war zone as of now. I have to act accordingly. When I go back to my CM’s responsibility fully after the poll code, I will perform as a Chief Minister. I will maintain my good relations with the Prime Minister. India is a Union of States. The Prime Minister is the elder brother of all the Chief Ministers. So, he has to play that role. I have requested the PM and Finance Minister to restructure my loan system.
Has there been any strategic planning for these elections?
We have done our work and I am sure Congress will win 14 seats in Telangana out of 17 seats. We have made commitments and we have to deliver.
(For the full interview visit: bit.ly/revanthinterview)