When Modi watched ‘Gadar’ with BJP’s Rajya Sabha pick
When the BJP announced its Rajya Sabha nominees from Uttar Pradesh on 5 October, Gopi Krishna Pandey’s name from Kanpur stood out. A long-time, low-profile party worker, Pandey soon became the subject of discussion in the city’s political circles: why had the BJP chosen him for the Upper House?
An old anecdote offers a glimpse into his association with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Pandey recalled that in 2001, before Modi became Gujarat Chief Minister, he visited Kanpur for party work and stayed at his home. The two also went to a cinema hall in Kanpur to watch the Sunny Deol-starrer Gadar, which was popular at the time.
Nearly 25 years later, that meeting has acquired a significance of its own.
Modi, who once stayed at the home of an ordinary party worker, is now the Prime Minister, while Pandey, who remained in touch with him during those years, is set to enter the Rajya Sabha.
Pandey’s political identity, however, has largely been that of a grassroots organisational worker rather than a leader known for his proximity to senior BJP figures.
Originally from Kanpur Dehat, Pandey has lived in Kanpur city for several decades and spent nearly four decades in organisational politics. He began his association with the RSS as a young volunteer and later held responsibilities in the Bajrang Dal, Hindu Jagran Manch and various BJP organisations.
In 1998, he was appointed state vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM). He later served as state vice-president of the BJP Kisan Morcha and handled organisational responsibilities in other states.
Nara Lokesh’s Red Book and Naidu’s ledger
In Delhi’s power corridors, a red book brandished by Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi or any INDIA bloc politician usually signals a defence of the Constitution. Down south in Andhra Pradesh, however, the same colour takes on a different political meaning.
Since the TDP-led alliance came to power in Andhra Pradesh, the state’s bureaucracy has been on edge over IT Minister Nara Lokesh’s infamous ‘Red Book’. What began as a campaign diary cataloguing “vindictive” YSR Congress Party leaders and bureaucrats accused of favouring them has since acquired several new chapters.
Massive “Siddham” (ready) hoardings featuring Lokesh holding the crimson diary have sprung up along national highways and in YSRCP strongholds. Lokesh has teased the imminent opening of its “third chapter”, keeping the opposition on edge. Even routine transfers of IAS and IPS officers are being linked to the Red Book, whose contents are expected to be acted upon during the government’s five-year term.
For Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, however, the red-book reference takes on a more administrative avatar: a seemingly harmless ledger of reforms and policies. The wounded YSRCP, however, alleges that one item on its checklist is to weaken the party by reopening cases against its leaders.
While TDP leaders hail it as Naidu’s masterclass in political warfare, the Opposition and political analysts view Andhra’s Red Book-driven politics as a tool of political retribution.
Why CJP couldn’t take an auto to Bengaluru protest
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leadership found itself without a ride in Bengaluru last Thursday, setting off a flurry of activity among security personnel ahead of its scheduled protest in India’s IT capital.
“They did not have a car to take them to the protest and wanted to take an auto, but the security detail flatly denied it,” a member of the security team told ThePrint.
Dhruv Rathee and CJP leaders, including Abhijit Dipke, Sourav Das and Ashutosh Rana were staying at the upscale Shangri-La hotel and did not have a ride to Freedom Park, about 2.3 km away.
People aware of the incident said the protesters had been provided special security under the aegis of Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge. Allowing them to travel without adequate protection, they said, could have escalated the protest and embarrassed the Congress government in the state.
“We flatly denied their request to take an auto as it is a serious security issue,” a security personnel said.
The group eventually had to hitch a ride with someone visiting the hotel.
Also Read: ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0 is on, we’ll keep fighting’: CJP and SFI refuse to back down from protest
Shoes and slurs at UP Congress HQ during oath ceremony
The Congress in Uttar Pradesh may have little left to lose politically, but its internal controversies show no signs of abating. A ruckus broke out at the party headquarters in Lucknow on Sunday between supporters of former state unit chief Ajay Rai and Mahila Congress workers at an event.
The event was held to mark the assumption of charge by newly appointed state president Aradhana Mishra and working president Imran Masood.
According to eyewitnesses, some women’s wing leaders allegedly used foul language against Rai when he arrived at the headquarters. This triggered protests by his supporters, who allegedly started throwing their shoes.
Rai subsequently lodged a complaint with senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari, state president Aradhana Mishra, and working president Imran Masood.
He said such people were damaging the party’s image and that their presence would spoil the atmosphere within the organisation. Rai also demanded the expulsion of the state Mahila Congress chief Mamta Chaudhary from the party. He was reportedly assured that action would be taken.
According to a senior party leader, Rai arrived at the Congress office with his supporters. Seeing the crowd gathered there, they asked people to make way, saying, “The president is coming out, please clear the way.”
A women’s wing leader reportedly responded by asking, “Which president?” The exchange soon escalated into a confrontation between the two groups.
Also Read: Modi’s obsession with UP elections is blinding him to larger reality. He’s helping Rahul, CJP