India

Row Over Cleric's Palestine Remark, BJP's Fearmongering Charge And SP's Attack

A political row has erupted in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh following remarks by cleric Maulana Jarjis Ansari, who invoked Palestine while warning of burnt homes and bulldozer action if Yogi Adityanath returns as Chief Minister. The Bharatiya Janata Party accused the cleric of deliberate fearmongering and stoking communal sentiment, alleging he acts on behalf of the Samajwadi Party and Congress. In response, the Samajwadi Party accused the state government of running a dictatorial regime with biased action. Meanwhile, Mahant Vishnu Das of Ayodhya called for police action against the cleric for inciting Muslims.

India Today

15:42

Row Over Cleric's Palestine Remark, BJP's Fearmongering Charge And SP's Attack

'Politics Is About Public Perception': Sushmita Dev on Ramlila Rally NumbersIn an interview with India Today, Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev countered Congress allegations regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and voter list revisions. Calling Congress's claim that 13.36 crore voters were deleted a bluff, Dev clarified that the figure represents an unfinalized draft roll containing deceased, relocated, and untraceable individuals.

Challenging the opposition's statements about crowds at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, she said, "Politics is about public perception," maintaining that responsible parties must expose exaggerated attendance claims. Dev questioned how large numbers of voters become untraceable, explaining that such individuals are either non-existent entries or people lacking citizenship documentation.

She noted that while the Election Commission cannot declare someone a foreigner, Foreigners Tribunals hold that authority. Responding to queries about the ruling party's nationwide demonstrations, Dev described the BJP's protests as a strategic counter-effort to show ground strength against the INDI Alliance.

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