Chandigarh, Jan 16 (IANS) Even before it has been held, BJP president Amit Shah's rally in Amritsar to launch a campaign against drugs in Punjab has created a virtual storm. It has not only brought out fissures within the Akali Dal-BJP alliance but led to infighting in the Congress too.
The rally, postponed twice this month, was to be held initially Jan 12. The date was later shifted to Jan 22. But, with the Delhi assembly polls announced for Feb 7, it has been postponed again. It will be held some time in February.
After the Punjab BJP leadership announced that the anti-drugs campaign would be launched at Shah's rally, it caused a lot of heartburn to its ally, the Akali Dal. This was because the BJP gave, and the Akalis assumed, the impression that the blame for the drugs problem was on the Akali Dal government and its leaders.
This was mainly a fallout of the Enforcement Directorate summoning Punjab's Revenue Minister and Sukhbir Badal's brother-in-law Bikram Singh Majithia for questioning in a money laundering racket involving NRIs linked to a Rs.6,000 crore international synthetic drugs racket busted in 2013 by Punjab Police.
The Akalis, led by its president and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, tried to pre-empt the BJP rally of Jan 12 by announcing that they would hold protests Jan 5 against the Border Security Force (BSF) along the border with Pakistan for failing to curb smuggling of drugs into Punjab.
The Akali Dal move was to embarrass the Narendra Modi-led government. Sukhbir Badal's wife and Bikram's sister Harsimrat Badal is a minister in the Modi cabinet.
The whole episode and statements of Akali Dal and BJP leaders made it clear that the Amit Shah rally had ruffled feathers in the ruling alliance.
As the Akalis announced the Jan 5 date for protests, the BJP shifted the Shah rally to Jan 22. This led to another controversy - this time in the opposition Congress.
Former chief minister and Congress MP from Amritsar Amarinder Singh announced that he would hold a parallel rally the same day (Jan 22) to counter Shah's rally in Amritsar. He even rallied 35 of the Congress' 45 legislators and top leaders for the showdown with the BJP.
The Amarinder move was not to the liking of Punjab Congress president Pratap Singh Bajwa and his supporters. Feeling isolated, Bajwa tried to hijack the Amarinder move by claiming that the rally to counter the BJP's rally was a state Congress event.
Amarinder, who has gone public about his dislike for Bajwa and has even sought his removal from the post from the party high command, immediately rebutted Bajwa.
Both Congress leaders were involved in a bitter war of words over countering the BJP president.
The anti-climax was that the BJP postponed the Jan 22 rally saying Shah and other leaders would be busy with the Delhi elections. Amarinder and his camp immediately claimed victory, saying the BJP "ran away" after the threat to counter Shah.
BJP leaders are now saying that the anti-drugs rally will surely be held, but only after the Delhi elections. The new date is set to bring another set of political fireworks in Punjab.
No Filter Neha: Neha approves of Aditya and Ananya's relationship. Dating secrets of artists revealed
Neha Dhupia is all set to entertain the audience with the sixth season of 'No Filter Neha'. There is a new addition this season. Along with a podcast, the show will also be a video show. From Kartik
IND vs SL: What did not happen in 38 years and 149 ODIs was done by Rohit Sharma's team, they created history even without wanting to
The three-match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka has started in a very exciting way. The first match of this series was a tie. Both the teams scored equal and then that work was recorded in
Best smartphone with 48 MP and 6GB RAM, price less than 15,000
When buying a smartphone, we all focus on the phone camera, RAM, storage, and processor, so if you want to buy a phone with great picture quality and 6 GB RAM, then there are many phones in the market
Hijab Row: Hearing continues in Supreme Court, AG of Karnataka said – Hijab banned in Turkey and France too
The petitions against the hijab ban in Karnataka were heard once again in the Supreme Court today. Arguments were made on behalf of both the government and the petitioner. Advocate General Prabhuling
Ban on TikTok continues in India, the Government said- no order has been issued to unblock the app
The government has not issued any order to unblock the Chinese internet media platform TikTok. After some people accessed the TikTok website on their desktop browser, reports of it being unblocked
Security Lapse: Case registered under UAPA in case of lapse in security of Parliament, Special Cell of Delhi Police is investigating.
On Wednesday, Delhi Police registered a case related to the lapse in security of Parliament under the section of UAPA and started an investigation. Delhi Police has come under severe scrutiny in this
'Development and heritage will move forward together', PM Modi said - There is no scope for division in India's mantra of unity in diversity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the picture of new India is a confluence of both development and heritage. PM Modi said that this is the picture of the new India, where modernity is
IND vs WI: Rohit Sharma continues as an opener; For the last 9 years, no batsman is even near him, see the figures
Team India under the leadership of Rohit Sharma has made a bang in the three-match ODI series against West Indies. In the first match, the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the series after thrashing Windies
PM Modi: Not for the government, hard work has to be done to build the country... said, PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Har Ghar Jal Utsav being held in Goa on Friday. He first congratulated the countrymen on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami. After this, Prime Minister
Modi attacks AAP over donations (Second Lead)
New Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday hit out at the AAP over the alleged malpractice in donations received by the party and said it has betrayed the nation with its
