Savarkar was first proponent of two-nation theory: Bhupesh Baghel
Raipur, May 27: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel Monday claimed Hindu Mahasabha leader Vinayak Damodar Savarkar had first sown the seed of the two-nation theory which was later taken forward by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the late founder of Pakistan.
The Congress leader claimed efforts are being made to change Jawaharlal Nehru's idea of India and said the first Prime Minister started nuclear and space programmes and oversaw building of world-class institutions.
Addressing Congress leaders and workers at a function on Nehru's 55th death anniversary organised at the party's state headquarters 'Rajiv Bhawan' here, Baghel paid rich tribute to the first prime minister of the country and gave an account of works done by him.
"Savarkar, who was a leader of the Hindu Mahasabha, had sown the seed of division of the country which was later implemented by Muhammad Ali Jinnah," he said.
Later, talking to reporters on the sidelines of the programme, Baghel said, "It is a historical fact that in Hindu Mahasabha, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar had proposed that Hindustan should be independent as two nations.
"He had put forth the demand of two nations on religious ground and Muhammad Ali Jinnah implemented it. It is a fact and no one can prove it wrong."
Speaking at the function, Baghel said, "As soon as Nehru ji got the responsibility (of PM), he started AIIMS, nuclear programme, space programme to build the nation.
"Bhilai Steel Plant set up in our state is an example of his farsightedness to eliminate hunger and unemployment."
Baghel, who is also state Congress president, said Nehru was a true democrat.
"In a democratic system, the people's biggest strength is to ask questions. Nehru ji was its supporter but today you can't question the Prime Minister," the CM said in an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Today, efforts are being made to change Nehru's India. Today, where we stand, the biggest credit for it goes to Nehru," Baghel added.
"When we read his 'Discovery of India', we get astonished because his book provides wealth of information on history, geography, arts and culture.
"Nehru ji had written that the bigotry in any manner is harmful for the country," Baghel said.
He said the legendary leader was against obscurantism and narrow nationalism.
"Nehru ji never projected hollow and irrelevant things. He believed in nationalism but not in narrow nationalism," the Chief Minister said.
Reacting to his remarks, former Chief Minister and BJP vice-president Raman Singh said Baghel should re-read history to gain a better understanding of the subject.
"He (Baghel) should read history once again. He should have better understanding of history. Debate on division and background of division of the country is not required today.
"He should not speak more with limited knowledge, Singh told reporters when asked about his successor's remarks.
Singh said, "The comments came as a result of shock over his party's debacle in the Lok Sabha polls."
Of the 11 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the BJP has won nine, while the Congress got just two.
The Congress came to power in Chhattisgarh in December last after a massive victory in the assembly polls, ending the 15-year-old rule of the BJP.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
