New Delhi: Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot is in no mood to celebrate PM-elect Narendra Modi’s swearing-in. On the contrary, he called out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for disturbing and dismantling the state governments of opposition parties in West Bengal, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. Welcome to politics, Mr. Gehlot.
Even before the swearing in ceremony of newly elected BJP government, they are trying to disturb and dismantle the state governments of the opposition parties including West Bengal, Karnatka and Madhya Pradesh.
My best wishes from Jaipur.— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) May 30, 2019
Nothing can dampen Mr. Modi’s spirits though. Early morning, he paid his respects to former BJP leader and Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s at his memorial.
We remember beloved Atal Ji every single moment.
He would have been very happy to see BJP get such a great opportunity to serve people.
Motivated by Atal Ji’s life and work, we will strive to enhance good governance and transform lives.
Here are glimpses from ‘Sadaiv Atal.’ pic.twitter.com/7LXNkU0DP4
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 30, 2019
Meanwhile, Congress president Rahul Gandhi made a brief appearance on Twitter to congratulate Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on being sworn in as chief minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Congratulations to Jagan Reddyji on being sworn in as the CM of Andhra Pradesh.
My best wishes to him, his new team of ministers and to all the people of the state.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 30, 2019
And here are words of advice for him from former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha — if you don’t stand firm on your resignation, you will fall further in public estimation. Sensible advice, Sir, but do you think the Congress president will listen to you?
If Rahul Gandhi does not stand firm on his resignation, he will lose further in public estimation. Let the party be run by a presidium or any other arrangement at least for some time.
— Yashwant Sinha (@YashwantSinha) May 30, 2019
Randeep Singh Surjewala, communications in-charge of the Congress party, was in a communicative mood: the party has decided not to take part in any television debates for a month — how’s that for communication?
.@INCIndia has decided to not send spokespersons on television debates for a month.
All media channels/editors are requested to not place Congress representatives on their shows.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) May 30, 2019
He also received some unsolicited advice on this move by former member of the Aam Aadmi Party, Ashutosh.
Congress has taken a decision to not participate in TV debate a little too late. They should have done it long back. Majority of TV anchors only kill Congress/Rahul and sing paeons for Modi/govt. Unless there is level playing field opposition should keep away from TV.
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) May 30, 2019
Meanwhile, social media in-charge of the Mahila Congress, Chitra Sarwara took a little help from singer Bob Dylan for a potshot at Time for its ‘divider-in-chief’ cover on Modi and its latest one saying he united India.
What to say…
The @TIME s, they are a-changing 🙂 https://t.co/2zpccyNL01— Chitra Sarwara (@ChitraSarwara) May 29, 2019
Here’s someone else praising Modi for uniting India — senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan. A bit too much hyperbole, Mr Chouhan?
आज भारत के प्रधानमंत्री पद की शपथ लेने जा रहे यशस्वी नेता श्री @narendramodi को शुभकामनाएँ दीं।
मोदी जी ईश्वरीय शक्ति हैं; उन्होंने जिस वैभवशाली, गौरवशाली, शक्तिशाली, सम्पन्न, सुरक्षित भारत की नींव रखी है, उसके बल पर 'एक भारत, श्रेष्ठ भारत' के निर्माण का संकल्प अवश्य पूर्ण होगा।
— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) May 30, 2019
Translation: Successful leader going to take oath as the Prime Minister of India today @narendramodi Best wishes to Modiji is the divine power; The glorious, glorious, powerful, prosperous, safe India that he has laid the foundation of, the determination to build a ‘India, Best India’ will surely be fulfilled.
Khushbu Sudnar, spokesperson of the Congress party, expressed ‘shame’ over a retired subedaar of the Indian Army being sent to a detention centre after being declared a foreigner. Whatever happened to “Sabka Vishwas”?
What nonsense is this?? shame!!! https://t.co/AO5xfjFuBL
— KhushbuSundar ❤️ (@khushsundar) May 30, 2019
While BJP leader Suresh Prabhu made it a point to greet actor and BJP member Paresh Rawal on his birthday, Mr. Rawal was tweeting things like this on his birthday. Whatever happened to starting the birthday on a positive note?
पद्म श्री से सम्मानित अभिनेता एवं भाजपा सांसद श्री परेश रावल जी को #जन्मदिन की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है कि आप सदैव स्वस्थ रहें एवं दीर्घायु हों। @SirPareshRawal
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) May 30, 2019
Translation: Padma Shri honored actor and BJP MP Shri Paresh Rawal #जन्मदिन Warm wishes of Pray to God that you should always be healthy and long life. @SirPareshRawal
How come one country produces so many …..!!!courtesy Tarek Farah . https://t.co/ibnVOZ5pwZ
— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) May 30, 2019
And here’s a really unusual Twitter thread: BJP’s Atif Rasheed joined a never-ending thread talking about oranges, dosas, udupi, paan and other random items which evoke odd associations. Here’s Rasheed’s offensive comparison for Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
I say " चाँटा " they hear kejriwal. https://t.co/UywS4NAZTc
— Atif Rasheed (@AtifBjp) May 30, 2019