Latest Politics News

Patel leader in Gujarat says was offered Rs 1 cr to join BJP, another quits party

Published

9 years ago

October 23, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]BJP’s troubles in poll-bound Gujarat increase as Congress’ attempts to consolidate Patel-Dalit-Adivasi-Minority votes gain momentum

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his third visit to his home state of Gujarat within a month to shore up support for his distraught BJP, the saffron party’s troubles in the state which it has ruled for over two consecutive decades seem to be mounting even as its principal political rival, the Congress, appears to be consolidating voter-support.

On Monday, Nikhil Sawani – a prominent face of the state’s politically influential Patel/Patidar community who had joined the BJP just 15 days ago – quit the saffron party “in protest” against allegations made by another Patel Andolan leader – Narendra Patel – who had on Sunday night, in a dramatic turn of events, claimed that he had been offered Rs 1 crore in bribe to join the BJP.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Narendra Patel, a close aide of Hardik Patel who has emerged as the face of the two-year-old Patel agitation – had joined the BJP earlier on Sunday in what was touted as a big catch for the ruling party ahead of the state assembly polls scheduled for December. However, within hours, Narendra Patel convened a press conference, brandishing wads of currency notes totaling to Rs 10 lakh, and alleged that the money was an “advance bribe” given to him by the BJP to join the party.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]The humiliation from the BJP has come at a time when the party is already facing flak for allegedly pressurizing the Election Commission to delay an announcement on the poll schedule for the Gujarat Assembly elections. Earlier this month, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC_ AK Joti had, in a controversial move, broken with the poll panel’s convention of announcing simultaneous polls for assemblies whose terms end within six months of each other when he declared the poll schedule for Himachal Pradesh but deferred it for Gujarat. Joti is now facing allegations that he had done so as a “quid pro quo” to favour the BJP, whose government in Gujarat had purportedly extended a favour to the CEC by letting him retain an official bungalow in the state for a year after he moved to New Delhi to head the poll panel.

In what is significant about the developments that began rolling since Sunday is that they come close on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s frequent visits to his home state – three within this month alone – to drum up support for his party. Modi’s speeches at various public rallies in Gujarat have also drawn criticism for his reported attempt at continuing to blame the Congress for the political, administrative and social troubles which plague the state that he himself ruled for 12 years (of the 22 that the BJP has ruled the state). The Opposition as well as a section of political observers has noted that Modi seems to have suddenly gone on the defensive, dumping his characteristic style of perpetually being in attack-mode, while speaking to his Gujarati electorate.

The events also coincide with apparent political gains for the Congress, which only a few months ago – during the Rajya Sabha polls in the state – was fraught with internal troubles that began with cross-voting during the Presidential polls and continued with the resignation of party veteran Shankersinh Vaghela and over half a dozen legislators loyal to him just before Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel was to face his election for Parliament’s Upper House. While Ahmed Patel had managed to secure his RS seat after much drama within the Congress’ ranks, it was believed that the party was once again losing ground to the BJP and would be routed in the forthcoming assembly polls.

However, in stark contrast to the BJP’s growing troubles, the Congress seems to be on an upswing. On Sunday it managed to rope in prominent backward caste and adivasi activist-leader Alpesh Thakore within its ranks and is likely to field him as a party candidate in the upcoming polls too. The party’s efforts to get the big-catch of Hardik Patel have so far not yielded fruit while the state’s rising Dalit leader, Jignesh Mewani has been non-committal on the party’s offer to him for contesting polls as a Congress candidate.

Yet, there seems to be increasing support for the Congress in the state which is working to build a formidable rainbow coalition of Patidar-Dalit-Adivasi-Minority communities. Whether this would actually turn into incremental votes for the party and help propel it to the seat of power the state that has evaded it for over two decades is still unclear, but there seems to be a perception that the BJP’s popularity is waning. The Congress is also taking much joy from the indisputable fact that its vice president, the gaffe-prone Rahul Gandhi who has often been spurned by the electorate of Gujarat (and rest of the country), is attracting huge crowds during his public rallies – including the one organised in Gandhinagar on Monday – and that the electorate seems to be reacting approvingly of his attack against the BJP for its failure to provide jobs to youth and allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending the Indian economy on a downward spiral.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Related Topics:BJP Congress GUJARAT Narendra Modi

Up Next

Modi govt takes a step back on Kashmir, appoints ex-IB chief as interlocutor

Don't Miss

Smriti Irani attacks Rahul on Twitter, again. Now over Jay Shah

India News

Yogi Adityanath takes a dig at Akhilesh Yadav over Ram Temple visit plan

Yogi Adityanath’s remarks came after the Samajwadi Party announced that Akhilesh Yadav would visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on December 12.

Published

3 hours ago

November 7, 2026

APNLive Desk

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday took an apparent swipe at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav over his planned visit to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, saying those who had fired on Ram devotees should first apologise to them and to the saints.

Yogi made the remarks while addressing the 10th edition of Deepotsav in Ayodhya. He did not name Akhilesh Yadav directly.

Yogi’s remarks come after Akhilesh’s Ayodhya visit plan

The chief minister’s comments came after the Samajwadi Party announced that Akhilesh Yadav would visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on December 12. It would be his first visit to the temple since its inauguration, according to the report.

Yogi said those who had earlier neglected and insulted Ayodhya, opened fire on Ram devotees and subjected saints to lathicharge should come to the city only after seeking forgiveness.

“Let them apologise to the devotees of Lord Ram; let them apologise to the saints,” Yogi said, adding that they should repent for their past actions.

Reference to 1990 firing on kar sevaks

Yogi’s remarks referred to the 1990 police firing on kar sevaks during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. At the time, the Uttar Pradesh government was headed by Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav’s father.

The chief minister said those who had once “bloodied” Ayodhya were now remembering the city. He also criticised political leaders over their conduct at religious gatherings, referring to the decorum of a katha.

Akhilesh has not yet visited the Ram Temple

Akhilesh Yadav has visited Ayodhya earlier but has not so far visited the Ram Temple. The SP leader was in the city on October 8 to attend a Bhagwat Katha organised by party leader Pawan Pandey.

According to the report, Akhilesh and his wife, Mainpuri MP Dimple Yadav, are scheduled to offer prayers at the Ram Temple and Hanumangarhi on December 12.

The planned visit comes amid political activity in Ayodhya ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections due by February 2027.

Yogi highlights Ayodhya’s transformation

During his Deepotsav address, Yogi also spoke about the changes in Ayodhya and described the city’s transformation as an ideological victory.

He said those who had previously neglected Ayodhya were now witnessing its development. He also said Lord Ram represented India’s national consciousness, culture, values and self-respect.

The chief minister further recalled the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and said Ayodhya had regained the glory for which kar sevaks and saints had struggled.

India News

Himanta Sarma to approach court over threat to gherao home in Zubeen case

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said his government would approach the Supreme Court and Gauhati High Court over a threat to gherao his residence if two prime accused in the Zubeen Garg death case are granted bail.

Published

5 hours ago

November 7, 2026

APNLive Desk

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said the state government would bring before the Supreme Court and Gauhati High Court a threat by a group to gherao his residence in connection with the Zubeen Garg death case.

Speaking to reporters, Sarma described the threat as a serious matter, saying it posed a danger to his family and could amount to a direct attempt to murder.

The development comes ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on November 30 of the bail petitions filed by Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddhartha Sharma, the two prime accused in the case.

Why Himanta Sarma plans to approach the courts

Sarma said he had instructed the state government’s legal department to bring the matter to the notice of both the Supreme Court and Gauhati High Court.

The Chief Minister objected to the group threatening to target his residence rather than holding a protest near the Chief Minister’s Office.

He said those questioning the judicial process should approach the Supreme Court or the high court instead of targeting him. Sarma also maintained that the courts should be allowed to carry out their work.

According to him, attempts to question the judicial process in this manner could obstruct the path of justice.

What the group said about the bail pleas

The Zubeen Garg Nyay Samiti, led by Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi, had announced on Thursday that it would gherao the Chief Minister’s residence under certain circumstances.

The group said it would carry out the protest if Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddhartha Sharma were granted bail or if the Assam government failed to mount an effective legal opposition to their bail pleas.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the bail petitions of the two accused on November 30.

Bail granted to two accused in the case

The Gauhati High Court granted bail to singer Amritprava Mahanta, an accused in the Zubeen Garg death case, on October 9. She was granted bail against a bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of the same amount.

The high court has also granted bail to Sandipan Garg in the case.

Referring to the bail order concerning Amritprava Mahanta, Sarma said it mentioned that 160 witnesses had not named her during the court hearing, despite having done so during the investigation conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Responding to questions over the development, Sarma said the witnesses should be questioned about the discrepancy rather than him.

What happened to Zubeen Garg?

Singer Zubeen Garg died in Singapore on September 19 last year while swimming in the sea.

Police in Singapore had said that no foul play was involved in his death. Garg had travelled to Singapore to attend the fourth edition of the North East India Festival (NEIF).

India News

Rahul Gandhi targets Modi government over alleged ‘petrol chori’

Rahul Gandhi has accused the Modi government of ‘petrol chori’, citing Karnataka government tests that allegedly found excess ethanol in several petrol samples.

Published

7 hours ago

November 7, 2026

[email protected]

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has stepped up his criticism of the Centre over the E20 petrol issue, alleging that consumers could be paying for petrol while receiving fuel containing more ethanol than the prescribed 20 per cent level.

In a post on X on Saturday, Mr Gandhi referred to the issue as “petrol chori” and cited test results from petrol samples collected by the Karnataka government.

He said the government maintains that petrol contains 20 per cent ethanol, but alleged that testing of samples from seven Karnataka districts showed higher levels in several cases.

Rahul Gandhi cites Karnataka petrol test results

According to the figures cited by Mr Gandhi, 11 of 14 samples tested contained more than 20 per cent ethanol. He highlighted results of 31.2 per cent for an IOCL sample and 30.5 per cent for an HPCL sample.

He also named IOCL, HPCL, BPCL, Nayara and Shell while alleging that samples from both government-owned and private companies exceeded the 20 per cent level. These are allegations based on the tests cited by Gandhi and the Karnataka government, rather than an independently established finding covering all petrol sold by these companies.

The samples were reportedly collected from areas including Bengaluru, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Mangaluru and Tumakuru and tested at the Shriram Research Institute in Bengaluru.

What Rahul Gandhi said about ‘petrol chori’

Mr Gandhi used the phrase “E20 turned into 420” in his post, linking the reference to Section 420 of the erstwhile Indian Penal Code, which dealt with cheating.

He questioned the Centre over the actual ethanol content of petrol and asked when action would be taken against companies that, according to the allegations, supplied fuel containing more than 20 per cent ethanol.

He also argued that excessive ethanol blending could affect vehicle performance, including mileage and maintenance costs, and questioned why fuel stations do not disclose the actual ethanol content of the petrol being sold.

Oil companies dispute Karnataka findings

The three state-run oil marketing companies — Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation — have disputed the Karnataka government’s findings.

The companies said the reported results were not supported by testing carried out according to the prescribed statutory and technical procedures. They maintained that E20 petrol supplied through their retail networks conforms to the Bureau of Indian Standards’ IS 17021 specifications, which prescribe an ethanol range of 19-21 per cent.

The companies have also questioned aspects of the sampling and testing process and sought access to the relevant samples and documentation for independent testing.

Rahul Gandhi reiterates debate challenge

Mr Gandhi also reiterated his challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an open debate, saying the ethanol-blending issue could be included along with the other issues he has been raising.

His latest remarks come amid a political exchange over the Karnataka government’s allegations concerning ethanol levels in petrol and the oil companies’ rejection of those findings.