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AAP-BJP’s deathly duel

Published

9 years ago

on

Arvind Kejriwal

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Why the AAP imbroglio is more than an internal squabble

By Parsa Venkateshwar Rao Jr

Many Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters, who are also ardent anti-BJP people, have been puzzled, confused and even distraught over the B-grade Hindi film plot unfolding on the AAP front. The disclosure of sacked water minister Kapil Mishra that he had seen health minister Satyendra Jain offering a Rs 2-crore bribe to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is both murky and ridiculous. And this is preceded by the twist of Kumar Vishwas, the poet-demagogue of the party being pacified by Kejriwal even as he sacked Vishwas-acolyte Mishra, and how Vishwas-baiter Amanullah Khan is dropped from the ministry but given the chairmanship of legislative committees. Is Kejriwal engaged in the acrobatics of keeping all the balls in the air?

There is reason to believe in the conspiracy theory that the BJP might be fishing in troubled waters as it were. After the victory in the Delhi municipal elections last month, it is natural that the aggressive BJP is looking out for ways of pushing AAP to the brink. It had been trying to do that by harassing the Kejriwal government through former Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung, though the present L-G Anil Baijal is lying low for the moment. It can be the case that some disgruntled elements and other opportunists in the AAP may have been offered enough incentives to rock the AAP boat. It would be naïve to blame the BJP for trying to break up the AAP. That is part of politics – cunning, intrigue, and a bit of foul play too. So, it is not surprising that Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari, the Bhojpuri film actor-turned-political hero, should promptly demand the resignation of Kejriwal on moral grounds after Mishra’s bribe charge.

The AAP-BJP rivalry is bitter because the two are in many ways ideological twins. This is something that Delhi’s middle-class worshippers of AAP tend to forget. AAP and the BJP occupy the same political ground of lower middle class self-righteousness and nationalist piety. AAP’s success undermines the BJP, and it holds true conversely as well. That is why, the buzz from Punjab assembly election was that the BJP had preferred a Congress victory rather than AAP’s and that it has even facilitated Congress’ win by transferring its vote to its ostensible rival.

It is reasonable to infer that apart from consolidating its Hindutva constituency of the lower middle classes through its religious and nationalist appeal, and attracting the poor through its economic populism, the BJP wants to divide the opposition, break up the other parties when those parties are facing internal dissent. The BJP has managed to weaken the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) by admitting some of the leaders who walked away from the party in the run-up to the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. It is wooing members of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha who are not happy with Navin Patnaik lording it over the state and the party, and it is turning the heat on members of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), who are caught in wrongdoing. It is not then surprising that BJP is looking to take advantage of trouble inside AAP.

The BJP has a special negative bonding with the AAP because both of them are strong anti-corruption proponents, and it essentially turns out to be an anti-Congress offensive. AAP subscribes to the same nationalist fervour as does the BJP. In electoral terms, the two parties appeal to the same lower middle class constituency.

It is not surprising then that each wants the other out. While AAP has not done anything so far to undermine the BJP support base, BJP has been quite sore with AAP’s Delhi assembly success and it is using every dirty trick – it is more an amoral rather than immoral approach – in the book to attack AAP.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Mamata beater Suvendu Adhikari set to become next West Bengal CM

Suvendu Adhikari emerged as the BJP’s choice for West Bengal Chief Minister after the party’s legislature meeting in Kolkata following its historic Assembly election victory.

Published

2 hours ago

on

May 8, 2026

By

Suvendu-Adhikari

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is set to become the next Chief Minister of West Bengal after being elected leader of the BJP legislature party during a key meeting in Kolkata on Thursday.

The development comes days after the BJP secured a decisive victory in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, ending the Trinamool Congress’ long rule in the state. Party leaders met in the presence of senior central leadership to finalise the chief ministerial face ahead of the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for May 9.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the legislature party meeting where Adhikari’s name was formally announced. Reports said the BJP leadership backed him after he emerged as the party’s strongest face in Bengal politics over the past few years.

Adhikari played a major role in the BJP’s campaign across the state and remained one of the party’s most aggressive leaders against the ruling Trinamool Congress. He also defeated former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur during the Assembly elections, strengthening his position within the party.

The BJP’s victory is being viewed as a major political shift in West Bengal, where the party is set to form its first government. Adhikari, once a senior Trinamool Congress leader, had joined the BJP before the 2021 Assembly elections and later became Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly.

Following the announcement, celebrations were reported outside Adhikari’s residence in East Midnapore, with party workers distributing sweets and raising slogans in support of the BJP leader.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP government is expected to take place in Kolkata on May 9, where Adhikari will officially assume charge as the Chief Minister of West Bengal.

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Suvendu Adhikari emerges frontrunner for Bengal Chief Minister post

Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the leading candidate for the West Bengal Chief Minister post as BJP prepares to form its first government in the state. Reports suggest the new cabinet may also include two deputy chief ministers.

Published

8 hours ago

on

May 8, 2026

By

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the leading contender for the post of Chief Minister in West Bengal as the party prepares to form its first government in the state following its Assembly election victory.

The BJP legislature party is scheduled to meet in Kolkata to elect its leader, a decision that is expected to formally determine the next Chief Minister. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Kolkata ahead of the meeting and is overseeing the selection process.

Sources cited in media reports suggest the new BJP-led government may also appoint two deputy chief ministers, a post that has remained vacant in West Bengal for nearly two decades. One of the deputy CM positions could reportedly go to a woman leader. BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul is among the names being discussed for the role.

Another deputy chief minister could be chosen from north Bengal, with former Union minister Nisith Pramanik being seen as a possible contender, according to reports. There is also speculation that the BJP leadership may consider a representative from the tribal community for a senior cabinet role.

Adhikari, who played a key role in the BJP’s election campaign, defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur during the recently concluded Assembly elections. The BJP secured a two-thirds majority in the 294-member Assembly, paving the way for its first government in West Bengal.

The swearing-in ceremony for the new government is expected to take place on May 9 in Kolkata. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and several senior BJP leaders are expected to attend the event.

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West Bengal BJP government set for oath ceremony as suspense over new CM continues

The BJP is preparing to form its first government in West Bengal after securing a massive Assembly election victory, with the new Chief Minister expected to be chosen during a legislature party meeting in Kolkata.

Published

12 hours ago

on

May 8, 2026

By

The Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to form its first government in West Bengal after its decisive victory in the 2026 Assembly elections. The swearing-in ceremony of the new government is scheduled for May 9 in Kolkata, while suspense continues over the party’s Chief Ministerial choice.

According to reports, the BJP legislature party is expected to meet on Friday in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to elect its leader formally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and several senior BJP leaders are likely to attend the oath-taking ceremony.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the frontrunner for the Chief Minister’s post following the BJP’s strong performance in the elections. Other names reportedly under consideration include Samik Bhattacharya, Sukanta Majumdar and Swapan Dasgupta.

The political developments come a day after Governor RN Ravi dissolved the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and state cabinet following the completion of the Assembly election process. The dissolution order was issued under Article 174(2)(b) of the Constitution after outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declined to submit her resignation despite the Trinamool Congress losing power.

The BJP secured a clear majority in the 294-member Assembly, ending the Trinamool Congress’ 15-year rule in the state. The election outcome marks a major political shift in West Bengal, where the BJP is set to form a government for the first time.

Preparations for the swearing-in ceremony are underway at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground, where senior BJP leaders and party supporters are expected to gather for the event.

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