Being targeted as I am lone Muslim MLA:Imran Khedawala on BJP Minister’s remarks in Gujarat Assembly
Gandhinagar: A heated debate unfolded in the Gujarat Assembly on February 25 during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks for the Governor’s address. The controversy arose when BJP minister Jagdish Vishwakarma stated that most encroachments around religious places were carried out by “a particular community.”
Congress MLA Imran Khedawala, the lone Muslim legislator in the Gujarat Assembly, strongly objected to the remark, accusing the minister of targeting his community. Khedawala claimed that BJP MLAs often single him out whenever issues concerning the minority community arise.
Speaking about the incident, Khedawala said, “Being a minister, you cannot make such statements in the Vidhan Sabha. Gujarat has a population of 6.5 crore people, each with their own beliefs. The minister also claimed that there have been no curfews or riots in Gujarat since 2002. If that is true, why is the Disturbed Areas Act still being imposed in several regions?”
Khedawala further alleged that his microphone was turned off during the session, preventing him from officially responding. Despite this, he voiced his objections loudly. He also highlighted that Congress MLAs supported him, though their numbers were limited, with only a few present in the House at the time.
Regarding the broader political climate, Khedawala criticized what he described as "demolition politics" under the BJP government and emphasized the need for peaceful coexistence. “Every year, the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad is conducted peacefully. We do not engage in Hindu-Muslim politics. We want to talk about development,” he said.
The MLA also expressed concern about being repeatedly targeted in the Assembly. “I am the only Muslim MLA in a House of 182. Whenever there is an issue involving my community, I am pointed at as if I am the accused,” he said. He called on Muslims in Gujarat to be politically aware and vote for deserving candidates who could raise their concerns in the Assembly.
When asked about reports of Muslims shifting their political allegiance to the BJP, Khedawala dismissed such claims, arguing that those who joined the ruling party did so “under compulsion or to seek cover for illegal acts.”
The Congress is set to hold its All India Congress Committee (AICC) session in Gujarat for the first time in 64 years, with discussions underway about whether it will take place in Ahmedabad or Gandhinagar. Khedawala acknowledged that the party has struggled to regain power in the state but emphasised efforts to reconnect with voters.
“We have not been in power for 30 years, and it is natural that people have distanced themselves from us. But our supporters remain with us despite challenges,” he stated.
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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.
