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Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP sees opportunity to wrest Mukhtar family's traditional Mau seat in bypoll
Lucknow: The disqualification of Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) MLA Abbas Ansari from Mau Sadar assembly seat following his conviction in a hate speech case has necessitated byelection on the seat. All eyes are now on the BJP-led NDA which sees a chance to wrest the constituency which has been a stronghold of late gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari and his family for nearly two decades. Mukhtar's son Abbas Ansari won the seat in 2022 on SBSP ticket, which was then an ally of the Samajwadi Party. Now, SBSP is BJP's ally. Abbas had defeated BJP's Ashok Singh by 48,000 votes. The Mau Sadar seat was represented by Mukhtar since 1996 – twice on a BSP ticket (1996 and 2017), twice as an independent (2002 and 2007), and once as a Quami Ekta Dal candidate in 2012. Mukhtar died following a cardiac arrest while being lodged in Banda jail in Mar 2024. Party sources said BJP's organisational machinery has hit the ground running in the Muslim-dominated constituency. Sources said the party plans to build a groundswell on the lines of Muslim-dominated Rampur and Kundarki assembly seats, which the BJP won in byelections in 2022 and 2024, respectively. UP BJP chief Bhupendra Chaudhary said the party is working among the people in the district. "We will intensify the groundwork in the coming days," he said, adding that the party's central leadership would decide the candidate after due consultation. "The byelection on Mau would be contested by the NDA. Whether it would be BJP or SBSP will be decided in due course," he said. SBSP, too, has staked its claim to contest from the seat. SBSP president and UP minister Om Prakash Rajbhar said his party, which has been a strong contender in Mau Sadar, would seek to contest the byelection with BJP's support. Rajbhar emphasised that the SBSP was the runner-up in 2017 and won the seat in 2022, highlighting the party's growing influence in the region. A senior BJP functionary, however, said the party gave a fair chance to the SBSP by allowing it to contest the Ghosi Lok Sabha seat in 2024 which includes the Mau Sadar segment. The move, however, did not yield the desired results as Congress-backed SP candidate Rajeev Rai defeated Rajbhar's son Arvind by a significant margin of over 1.6 lakh votes. Experts said the BJP wants to capitalise on Mukhtar Ansari family's legal troubles besides highlighting the clean governance of the Yogi govt. Analysts say the disqualification of Abbas Ansari and Mukhtar's absence have significantly weakened the family's political influence in the seat. At present, Mukhtar's brother, Afzal Ansari, is Ghazipur MP on an SP ticket while his elder brother Sibghatullah's son Suhaib Ansari is MLA from Mohamadabad. However, Afzal Ansari too faces multiple criminal cases, further jeopardising the family's political future.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
DK Suresh sets sights on KMF chair, ignites Congress turf war
Bengaluru: DK Suresh may have engineered a win for Congress-backed candidates in polls to Bangalore Milk Union Ltd (Bamul) board, a move that has strengthened the former Lok Sabha MP's bid to secure the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) chairman post, but rather than be a source of joy for his party, it has reignited a factional feud within. Supporters of deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar are pushing for his brother Suresh to head KMF, while chief minister Siddaramaiah's camp is backing Malur MLA KY Nanje Gowda. The clash is deepening tensions in the party, already strained by the reported unresolved issue of a power-sharing pact. The situation is further complicated by current KMF chairman LBP Bheema Naik's claim that Siddaramaiah had assured him of another term. KMF governs 16 milk unions in the state and as per its bylaws, chairpersons of unions become directors on its board. A KMF chairman is elected from among them. So far, 15 of the 16 unions have completed elections. The final one — Kolar Milk Union Ltd (Komul) — will vote on June 25. The KMF chairman election will likely be in the first week of July. Bamul's new board will elect its chairperson on June 10. With 11 of 14 members backed by Congress, Suresh is expected to take over. BJP has two members on the board and JD(S) has one. "We have Suresh at the forefront. We need his presence to strengthen KMF," said HS Rajkumar, outgoing Bamul chairman. "Party seniors may have promised somebody in the context of that time, but circumstances have changed now. Suresh will be elected chairman. Nobody can stop him." Shivakumar appears determined to bring his brother back into the spotlight after his 2024 Lok Sabha defeat to BJP from Bangalore Rural and the KMF post appears ideal. It is politically significant, since the federation oversees 25 lakh milk producers across Karnataka. It has historically been a powerful platform too. Former PM HD Deve Gowda's son HD Revanna led KMF for 13 years until 2009, using it to strengthen rural and Vokkaliga base of JD(S). Shivakumar now appears to be eyeing a similar strategy. "Many want me to take over as KMF chairman," said Suresh. "But that requires due procedure and consensus among various stakeholders, including party seniors. Let us wait and see." However, Siddaramaiah loyalists are pushing back. They have reportedly urged the CM not to yield to pressure from Shivakumar's camp. Urban development minister Byrathi Suresh, a Siddaramaiah supporter, recently said the CM will serve a full five-year term, challenging an alleged power-sharing formula. Meanwhile, Nanje Gowda remains firm on his claim. "Even the deputy CM assured me of the post. I hope he and the CM will not go back on their word. I've served the dairy sector for 38 years and I deserve the post," he said.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
ABVP smears cow dung in DUSU president's office to protest Rahul Gandhi's visit
Following a dispute between the RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Congress-backed National Students' Union of India (NSUI) during Rahul Gandhi's visit to the Delhi University (DU) on Thursday, the ABVP on Monday smeared cow dung in the office of Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) president Ronak Khatri, and also a member of NSUI. Members of the ABVP also alleged that the visit was unannounced and held a protest march in north campus, during which they burnt an effigy of the senior Congress leader. DU Proctor Rajni Abbi had issued a note stating that she had received a complaint that several students had been 'locked inside DUSU secretary and ABVP member Mitravinda Karawal's room' when Mr. Gandhi was visiting on Thursday, and strict action will be taken against the accused students. However, Mr. Khatri said the note was 'politically motivated' and the allegations should have been subject to proper inquiry. When asked about the cow dung smearing incident, Ms. Abbi said she will look into the matter on Tuesday.
India Gazette
24-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
K'taka: BJP launches 'Kalaburagi Chalo' protest, demands Priyank Kharge's ouster over Chittapur incident
Kalaburagi (Karnataka) [India], May 24 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to stage a major protest titled 'Kalaburagi Chalo' here, demanding the removal of Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge from the state Cabinet over the recent incident in Chittapur. The protest comes in the wake of the May 21 incident, where Congress workers allegedly laid siege to a guest house in Chittapur, Kalaburagi district, where the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanswamy, was staying. Reacting to the incident, Narayanswamy compared his treatment during previous protests with the current political atmosphere. He said, 'Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was once the Leader of Opposition. Back then, during our government, when a small protest happened in Kodagu, he was arrested, but we still gave him full security and treated him with respect. But now, Congress leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge are making disrespectful remarks. He even called RSS and BJP supporters 'dogs' and claimed none of them took part in the freedom struggle.' Echoing similar concerns, BJP leader Rajkumar Patil accused Minister Priyank Kharge of misusing his official position to target political rivals. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Patil alleged that Kharge orchestrated attacks on BJP leaders, including Narayanswamy, during what he described as a peaceful protest in Chittapur. 'BJP leaders, including Narayanswamy, were deliberately harassed during a peaceful Satyagraha in Chittapur. Congress-backed individuals attacked his car and even tried to assault him,' Patil alleged. Calling for urgent action, Patil said, 'The Chief Minister has to take strict action. All those police officers involved must be suspended, especially those who mishandled the 'Darna Dutt Satyagraha'. Those responsible for the attack should be arrested under the Gunda Act.' He also criticised the Congress-led state government for failing to act on multiple complaints against Priyank Kharge. 'Only those who are with Congress receive protection. Whether under Congress rule or the Constitution, nothing seems to function properly in Kalaburagi. The entire area is witnessing illegal activity,' Patil said. Claiming that both ministers and citizens are fearful, he added, 'Some ministers are scared to come here. People are afraid that Priyank Kharge has kept some people under his control. Those people come and disrupt protests like the Dharna Satyagraha.' 'Until Priyank resigns or is removed from the Cabinet, Siddaramaiah ji will not act. We will continue our protest,' Patil asserted. 'Unless Siddaramaiah acts and removes Priyank, we will not back down,' he reiterated. (ANI)
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP launches 'Kalaburagi Chalo' protest in Karnataka, demands Priyank Kharge's ouster over Chittapur incident
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to stage a major protest titled 'Kalaburagi Chalo' here, demanding the removal of Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge from the state Cabinet over the recent incident in Chittapur. The protest comes in the wake of the May 21 incident, where Congress workers allegedly laid siege to a guest house in Chittapur, Kalaburagi district, where the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanswamy, was staying. Reacting to the incident, Narayanswamy compared his treatment during previous protests with the current political atmosphere. He said, "Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was once the Leader of Opposition. Back then, during our government, when a small protest happened in Kodagu, he was arrested, but we still gave him full security and treated him with respect. But now, Congress leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge are making disrespectful remarks. He even called RSS and BJP supporters 'dogs' and claimed none of them took part in the freedom struggle." Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Semua yang Perlu Anda Ketahui Tentang Limfoma Limfoma Pelajari Undo Echoing similar concerns, BJP leader Rajkumar Patil accused Minister Priyank Kharge of misusing his official position to target political rivals. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Patil alleged that Kharge orchestrated attacks on BJP leaders, including Narayanswamy, during what he described as a peaceful protest in Chittapur. "BJP leaders, including Narayanswamy, were deliberately harassed during a peaceful Satyagraha in Chittapur. Congress-backed individuals attacked his car and even tried to assault him," Patil alleged. Live Events Calling for urgent action, Patil said, "The Chief Minister has to take strict action. All those police officers involved must be suspended, especially those who mishandled the 'Darna Dutt Satyagraha'. Those responsible for the attack should be arrested under the Gunda Act." He also criticised the Congress-led state government for failing to act on multiple complaints against Priyank Kharge. "Only those who are with Congress receive protection. Whether under Congress rule or the Constitution, nothing seems to function properly in Kalaburagi. The entire area is witnessing illegal activity," Patil said. Claiming that both ministers and citizens are fearful, he added, "Some ministers are scared to come here. People are afraid that Priyank Kharge has kept some people under his control. Those people come and disrupt protests like the Dharna Satyagraha." "Until Priyank resigns or is removed from the Cabinet, Siddaramaiah ji will not act. We will continue our protest," Patil asserted. "Unless Siddaramaiah acts and removes Priyank, we will not back down," he reiterated.
