Tuesday, Mar 19 2024 | Time 08:17 Hrs(IST)
image
India


Internal squabbling can boomerang on Cong: BJP

Internal squabbling can boomerang on Cong: BJP

By Nirendra Dev New Delhi, Oct 24 (UNI) Battling a perception that key segments of electorate in Gujarat – the Patidars and the OBCs – could shift allegiance to the Congress, the BJP poll strategists now say the inherent contradictions and squabbling in the opposition camp itself will help decimate the rivals. “By his outreach to players like Hardik Patel and Alpesh Thakor, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is only sidelining the genuine Congress workers. This inherent contradiction will help us electorally,” a key BJP leader told UNI here. Earlier too, he said, the BJP benefitted from internal contradictions in Congress between Shankersinh Vaghela camp and the rest. The BJP poll managers say that it is mostly only a “hyped and motivated perception” being sold out by the Congress that the Patidars and OBCs would back the opposition camp. In fact, none other than state Chief Minister Vijay Rupani himself said the Patidars’ desertion theory is only a “media perception”. He also called it a political conspiracy. However, the saffron party’s poll strategists say it is not for the first time Patidars are being wooed by the Congress. “They tried this in 2007 and also 2012 when disgruntled BJP leader Keshubhai Patel had floated the Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP),” he said, adding - but in both the instances the results were “shocking for the opposition camp”. A senior poll strategist for BJP in Gujarat also maintained that there were still a few cards up in sleeves of the saffron camp. “It ought to be remembered that even during the height of caste and Mandal politics in 1990s, Gujarat had presented a different story. Chimanbhai Patel could not carry it along despite support from V P Singh,” the source said. During elections every time in the western state, it is either development or the religious polarisation that come into play. “When was the last time, Congress leaders and Rahul Gandhi have spoken about secularism in recent weeks. They are also visiting temples,” the leader said making an obvious reference to the prevalent strong Hindutva mood in the state and suggested that Congress is only playing a soft Hindutva. It is in this context, one BJP insider said, “Don’t you think the game will change if Congress says Ahmed Patel is their Chief Ministerial candidate”. The BJP sources pointed out that it is on this backdrop that the senior state party leaders including Chief Minister Mr Rupani have been time and again throwing challenge to the Congress to name their Chief Ministerial candidate. “I am daring the Congress, announce your CM candidate and fight on development issues,” Mr Rupani told a TV channel. More UNI DEVN SV SB 1153

More News
Sanjay Singh to take oath as Rajya Sabha member on Mar 19

Sanjay Singh to take oath as Rajya Sabha member on Mar 19

18 Mar 2024 | 8:36 PM

New Delhi, Mar 18 (UNI) The Delhi High Court on Monday granted permission to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh to take oath as a Rajya Sabha member on Tuesday.

see more..
India, US bilateral HADR exercise 'Tiger Triumph-24' begins

India, US bilateral HADR exercise 'Tiger Triumph-24' begins

18 Mar 2024 | 7:31 PM

New Delhi, Mar 18 (UNI) A bilateral tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise between India and US, 'Tiger Triumph-24' commenced on the Eastern Seaboard on Monday.

see more..
India, US Defence Ministers discuss bilateral, regional security issues over phone

India, US Defence Ministers discuss bilateral, regional security issues over phone

18 Mar 2024 | 7:01 PM

New Delhi, Mar 18 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and both briefly discussed a range of bilateral, regional security and defence cooperation issues.

see more..
PM Modi twisting my 'Shakti' remark: Rahul Gandhi

PM Modi twisting my 'Shakti' remark: Rahul Gandhi

18 Mar 2024 | 6:50 PM

New Delhi, Mar 18 (UNI) After facing sharp criticism on his 'Shakti' remark, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that the Prime Minister was twisting the meaning of his 'Shakti' remark because Modi ji knew 'I was speaking only the truth'.

see more..
SC stays Orissa HC order nullifying Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim election in 2019

SC stays Orissa HC order nullifying Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim election in 2019

18 Mar 2024 | 6:46 PM

New Delhi, Mar 18 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Orissa High Court order in which it had nullified the election of Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim from Barabati Constituency in Cuttack and issued notices to the state government.

see more..
image