Dharma Sansad or Supreme Court?
With elections fast approaching, many parties have remembered Sri Rama out of the blue. Lakhs of people do not have a roof over their heads. Scores of workers and farmers have come to streets with demonetization. Economy is in doldrums with unemployment shooting up. Those who occupied the power corridors with the assurance of Acche Din, gave us the most horrendous days ever. This time around, Modi and his party know the ‘development mantra’ they used last time to win elections, may not work again.
Hence, BJP now thinks of Sri Rama. They are telling people that ‘acche din’ can come only when the Ram Mandir is built. Slogans are resonating on the street pressing for Ram Mandir. Ironically, BJP is in power in UP and demanding Ram Mandir. Who is this protest against? Earlier, UPA government was in power in the country and a protest would mean it was against the dispensation. But now, a protest by Hindutva elements would mean a protest against their own party! BJP which is chanting the Rama Mantra now think people of the country are fools?
Recently, a mega meeting of Dharma Sansad was held and participation of people was less than expected. Significantly, Shiv Sena which was in the forefront of the meeting. This has led to a big question now as to who would be using the ‘Hindutva’ keyword in the upcoming elections. Shiv Sena is a party that is with the BJP, and yet criticizes the latter in the most scathing terms. Uddhav Thackeray is very upset that the BJP government in coalition with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra has not given due credit to the former. There is also a fear of BJP completely consuming the Shiv Sena in the due course. Both parties have been seeking votes in the name of Hindutva. Shiva Sena is losing grounds in Maharashtra for various reasons such as the effect of Bal Thackeray waning with his demise, and Modi effect on their coalition. Hence, Sena needs to assert itself to stand on its own feet.
So in order to survive and cause enough embarrassment to BJP, Sena is speaking in high pitch on Ram Mandir construction. BJP cannot take to streets on this issue since its own party is in power in both the centre and state. Hence, Sena has spoken about this even before the elections are announced, and BJP uses it as first strike advantage. Ram is being juxtaposed against the BJP for the same reason. Even BJP understands this game Sena is playing and has already declared latter has nothing to do with building the Mandir. According to the BJP, Sena never fought for Mandir and had Thackrey been alive, he would have stayed away from Dharma Sansad. The party has already mocked its coalition partner Sena.
BJP has differences of opinion with VHP chief Praveen Togadia as well. He has held an open press conference and accused the Modi Government of plotting his murder. VHP had a prime role to play in Ram Mandir issue. After having used Parishad to usurp power, BJP has forgotten them completely say the VHP leaders. Some VHP leaders have decided to romp up the Ram Mandir issue against the BJP now. Their plan is to get BJP into a tricky situation. This does not mean all of them are against the BJP, but only that VHP and Sena are blackmailing their political partner. They know an election fought without Ram is a lost cause. And for VHP to join hands with BJP, some assurances need to be fulfilled by the BJP. Sena needs to be given its share of space in coalition. Or else, Sena is going to use the trump card of Mandir against the very BJP. If all these are met, they’ll come together to seek votes in the name or Ram for the next elections. Else, Sena and VHP will turn into major challenges for the partner BJP. But looks like RSS will ensure that the issues don’t get complicated to that extent.
Though the fight looks like this is against the government, the whole thing is pitted against the judiciary. Supporters are indicating Dharma Sansad is more important than the Supreme Court. If they win in this, constitution would lose. And what would democracy mean without the constitution? The next elections stands on a moot point of which one is significant to us, whether it is the Dharma Sansad or the Supreme Court. The country’s future rests on this.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Lost a good friend; void cannot be filled: Fadnavis mourns Ajit Pawar’s passing
Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday described Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s tragic death in a plane crash as unbelievable, and said he had lost a good friend.
Fadnavis said “today” (January 28) will be a government holiday and there will be a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect to Pawar.
Ajit Pawar’s death has left a void that will never be filled, he said. “After working closely together, it is unbelievable that he is no more,” Fadnavis said.
Talking to reporters, Fadnavis described Pawar as a people’s leader who knew the state well and had a deep understanding of the issues in Maharashtra. He said it takes several years to build and establish such leadership.
Fadnavis said he had apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the tragedy. The CM said he had also spoken with Ajit Pawar’s cousin Supriya Sule and his son Parth Pawar.
“Both (Deputy CM) Eknath Shinde and I are leaving for Baramati now. Once their entire family gathers in Baramati, we will share further details,” he said.
The entire state stands by Pawar’s family and his party NCP in this hour of grief, he added.
Ajit Pawar, 66, and four other persons were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Maharashtra’s Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials said. The incident occurred when the plane carrying Pawar and others landed near Baramati, they said.
Several state BJP leaders, including Ashish Shelar, Ravindra Chavan and Chandrashekhar Bawankule, expressed deep grief over Pawar’s passing.
“This heart-wrenching incident has left the mind numb. Maharashtra has lost an experienced, dutiful and resolute leader,” state minister Shelar said.
Pawar left a distinct imprint on the state’s politics through his strong grip over administration, decisiveness and relentless drive for Maharashtra’s all-round progress. “Firmness, discipline, punctuality and tireless dedication were defining aspects of his personality,” he said.
BJP state president Ravindra Chavan said Maharashtra’s politics was unimaginable without Pawar. He said Pawar was known as a dynamic leader with a powerful command over administration and an unwavering focus on the state’s comprehensive development.
He said Pawar held the record for serving the longest tenure as deputy CM in the state’s history and left an indelible mark while handling key portfolios such as irrigation, energy and finance. “With his passing, Maharashtra has lost a firm, disciplined, punctual and indefatigable leader. This void can never be filled,” Chavan said.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule described Pawar as a senior friend and guide. “Even now, it is difficult to accept that this tragedy has really happened,” he said. Pawar would be remembered as a true people’s leader who gave clear direction and unstoppable momentum to Maharashtra’s all-round development, Bawankule said.
Recalling Pawar’s immense administrative experience, Bawankule said he had personally sought the NCP leader’s advice on several occasions.
“The loss of Ajitdada is not merely the departure of one leader; it is a profound loss for Maharashtra itself. The nation has lost a visionary statesman, and I have lost a dear elder friend and guide,” Bawankule said, adding that the reality of Pawar no longer being among them felt impossible to accept.
VIDEO | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis expresses grief over the demise of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in an aircraft crash. He says, “This morning, a very tragic incident occurred. In extremely unforeseen circumstances, the news of the unfortunate demise of our state’s deputy chief… pic.twitter.com/sKIKJ5FvRW
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026
