New Delhi: If there’s any place more action-packed than Madhya Pradesh, Tuesday, it’s Twitter.
Everyone wants to have their say on Jyotiraditya Scindia quitting Congress. Politicians, journalists and political pundits pressed pause on their Holi celebrations to type out an opinion on the developments in the state as up to 20 Congress MLAs also quit alongside Scindia – effectively destabilising the Congress government there.
First up, a warm family welcome from aunt Yashodhara Raje Scindia, BJP leader from Madhya Pradesh.
राजमाता के रक्त ने लिया राष्ट्रहित में फैसला साथ चलेंगे,नया देश गढ़ेंगे,अब मिट गया हर फासला।@JM_Scindia द्वारा कांग्रेस छोड़ने के साहसिक कदम का मैं आत्मीय स्वागत करती हूँ।
— Yashodhara Raje Scindia (@yashodhararaje) March 10, 2020
And, here’s “hail fellow well met” from an old comrade-in-arms, Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also quit the Congress party.
A great #Holi this is!
Heartening to see old colleague, & very dynamic Sri @JM_Scindia having come to the fold of @BJP4India, a party that's a rangoli of all colors & believes in taking everyone along.
We shall have a great time together #JyotiradityaScindia ji.#MadhyaPradesh
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) March 10, 2020
BJP Twitter troubleshooter Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga spills the beans on why Scindia got a big ignore from the Congress leadership.
मेरे कांग्रेस के एक बहुत अच्छे मित्र और राहुल जी के करीबी से एक दिन चाय पर पूछा आपने सिंधिया जी और पायलट जी को मुख्यमंत्री क्यों नही बनाया युवा है,मेहनती है,कांग्रेस के लिए भविष्य के बड़े चेहरे बन सकते थे।उन्होंने जवाब दिया,मै मानता हूं लेकिन वो राहुल जी के लिए खतरा बन सकते है।
— Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (@TajinderBagga) March 10, 2020
The Congress is lamely trying to make a fight of it: armed with the perfect metaphor, party leader Sanjay Jha hits back.
Leadership is not everyone’s cup of tea. Or coffee.
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) March 10, 2020
Rajasthan chief minister and Congress stalwart Ashok Gehlot calls out Scindia.
Joining hands with BJP in a time of national crisis speaks volumes about a leaders self-indulgent political ambitions. Especially when the BJP ruining the economy, democratic institutions, social fabric and as well the Judiciary.
1/2— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) March 10, 2020
Mr Scindia has betrayed the trust of the people as well as the ideology. Such people proves they can’t thrive without power. Sooner they leave the better.
2/2— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) March 10, 2020
And in another example of how Gehlot and the Rajasthan deputy CM Sachin Pilot don’t seem to agree, here’s Pilot’s tweet from Monday, appealing for calm.
I am hopeful that the current crisis in MP ends soon and that leaders are able to resolve differences. The state needs a stable government in order to fulfill the promises make to the electrolate.
— Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) March 9, 2020
Indian Youth Congress leader from Karnataka B. Srivatsa is the eternal optimist.
Indian National Congress is a movement??
I am in INC as its the only party capable of keeping India Progressive & Democratic. Dont we see what BJP is doing now?
Ideology & Leaders who believe in it matter
Crores of Party Workers, Volunteers & Ppl are with us. We will overcome.
— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) March 10, 2020
Meanwhile, Congress National convenor Saral Patel thinks it’s time Rahul Gandhi did something. Where is he, by the way?
.@RahulGandhi Ji, Please come back before it's too late. We need you, #Congress party needs you.
Come back, take strict decisions & set the house in order before it's too late and all is lost. ??#MadhyaPradeshCrisis #JyotiradityaScindia
— ????? ????? (@SaralPatel) March 10, 2020
What’s in a name? Everything, if you ask political strategist Prashant Kishor.
Amazing that those who usually find fault with #Gandhis leading Congress because of their surname are finding a #scindia leaving #INC as big jolt for the party!
Fact is but for his surname even @JM_Scindia has little to show as mass leader, political organiser or administrator.
— Prashant Kishor (@PrashantKishor) March 10, 2020
Congress leader from Haryana, Kuldeep Bishnoi issues what sounds like a stern warning to the High Command — is anyone listening?
.@JM_Scindia’s departure is a big blow to @INCIndia. He was a central pillar in the party & the leadership should’ve done more to convince him to stay. Like him, there are many other devoted INC leaders across the country who feel alienated, wasted & discontented. 1/2 https://t.co/oTLXuqTAui
— Kuldeep Bishnoi (@bishnoikuldeep) March 10, 2020
Journalist Amir Baruah digs out an old tweet that lays bare how far Scindia has travelled to arrive at BJP’ doorstep today.
Teen Saal Pehle (before moving on) https://t.co/M2qMwyBqti
— amit baruah (@abaruah64) March 10, 2020
On a lighter note, author Chetan Bhagat’s witty explanation on “expulsion”.
Expelled?
It's like
Parent: 'Wanted to tell you my child is leaving your school'
Principal: 'No, your child is expelled.' https://t.co/ko3mGz4WuL— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) March 10, 2020
And here’s actor Ranvir Shorey imitating TV news for a delightful pun.
BREAKING: Congress.
— Ranvir Shorey (@RanvirShorey) March 10, 2020
Journalists Payal Mehta and Arvind Gunasekar were ahead of the times, with this heads-up on Scindia’s resignation.
Knowing the @BJP4India well..don't be surprised if a big joining from @INCIndia happens on Holi!!!!#BuraNaManoHoliHai pic.twitter.com/4a5CZIlpRB
— Payal Mehta/પાયલ મેહતા/ पायल मेहता/ পাযেল মেহতা (@payalmehta100) March 9, 2020
A BJP leader had told our colleague @Anurag_Dwary last week that “#OperationKamal is planned n MP for Holi”,on the eve of Holi,things unfolding swiftly.
Jyotiraditya Scindia wanted a RS seat but Kamal Nath & Digvijay Singh opposed,result Congress all set to lose one more state !
— Arvind Gunasekar (@arvindgunasekar) March 9, 2020
Lastly, journalist Nistula Hebbar has a complaint for the BJP. Find out what about.
Dear @BJP4India , be advised that u are now the most anti-Hindu party for making reporters work on festivals (this is not the first time). sab Yaad Rakha Jaayega….sincerely, peeps covering party.
— Nistula Hebbar (@nistula) March 10, 2020