BJP's True Character Exposed, Opposition on Danish Ali Episode

New Delhi: The Opposition leaders have slammed the BJP over its Lok Sabha member Ramesh Bidhuri, who is in the eye of a storm for his derogatory comments against BSP MP Danish Ali, being given poll responsibility by the party in Rajasthan's Tonk district.

Slamming the BJP, Mr Ali said this was akin to "rewarding" spread of hatred and that the ruling party's true character had been "exposed" by the move. “If they think that they can consolidate the majority vote by promoting such people, then they are mistaken," he said.

The BSP lawmaker further mentioned the incident of vandalising and shaming the Parliament after the controversial Telangana Bill in 2014 was introduced in the Lok Sabha. He pointed out how the then Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee took strict action against those parliamentarians who descended into the Well of the House and indulged in an unprecedented ruckus opposing the bill. He further hoped that the Lok Sabha Speaker will take action against Mr Bidhuri in the current matter.

Mr Bidhuri recently made communal remarks against Mr Ali, which led Union defence minister Rajnath Singh to express his regret over the matter. The BJP too served a showcause notice to Mr Bidhuri.

Trinamul MP Mahua Moitra also waded into the row, tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi on her X post and asking the PM, "Is this your Sneha Yatra ('love outreach') for minorities?"

Independent Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal accused the BJP of having "rewarded" Mr Bidhuri for his shocking outburst in Parliament.

"The BJP rewards 'hate'. Mr Bidhuri rewarded for attacking Mr Ali with unspeakable words he used in the special session of Parliament. Made the BJP in-charge of Tonk district in Rajasthan," Mr Sibal said.

He pointed out that Muslims account for nearly 30 per cent of Tonk's population and posted on X, "(The appointment of Ramesh Bidhuri) symbolises 'hate' for political dividends."