BJP flays RJD's Misa Bharti for threatening to put PM Modi in jail if INDIA bloc comes to power
New Delhi, Apr 11: The BJP lashed out at RJD leader Misa Bharti on Thursday for threatening to put its leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in jail if the INDIA bloc is voted to power at the Centre and said people will give the opposition parties a fitting reply in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls for such remarks.
Talking to reporters in Patna on Thursday, Bharti raised the issue of electoral bonds and said Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Bihar as well as the prime minister will be put behind bars for raising donations through the scheme by misusing central agencies.
Reacting sharply to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RLD) leader's remarks, BJP chief J P Nadda said those facing a probe for alleged corruption and out on bail are "abusing" Modi, who has an unblemished political career.
"They are hurling various kinds of abuses on Modi. In the last 23 years, Modiji served as the Gujarat chief minister for more than 12 years and as the prime minister for 10 years. Modiji has worked as the country's chief administrator and there is no blemish on him. Misa Bharti is saying she will send such a person to jail," Nadda told a poll rally in the Anadaman and Nicobar Islands.
Such remarks against the prime minister reflect the frustration of the opposition leaders, he said.
Nadda said RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, who was involved in the fodder scam, is out on bail on health grounds while his daughter, Bharti, is also an accused in a land-for-jobs case.
"Those who are on bail and facing a probe are abusing Modiji," he said and exhorted people to give the opposition parties a fitting reply by voting in favour of the BJP in the Lok sabha polls.
The RJD has fielded Bharti, a Rajya Sabha MP and the eldest daughter of Prasad, from the Patliputra Lok Sabha seat.
BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde, who is also the party's in-charge for Bihar, said Bharti's remarks show the low the opposition is hitting in its fight against the saffron party.
"They are making every effort to stop us from reaching the target of 400 seats, but their attempts are only giving us a boost," he said.
Tawde also cited Chhattisgarh Congress leader Kawasi Lakhma's alleged reference to Modi's death to hit out at the opposition.
Addressing a rally, Lakhma had reportedly said he will emerge victorious in the Lok Sabha polls and Modi will die.
Tawde said people want terrorists and those who launch an attack on the country to die but the Congress is falling to such a low.
Slamming Bharti for her remarks, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said Prasad had named her Misa so that he would remember his resolve throughout his life to "demolish" the Congress as the Indira Gandhi government had put him and other socialist leaders in jail under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during Emergency.
"Has Misa forgotten her father's resolve or is she making fun of it?" Trivedi asked and said the RJD leader should change her name.
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Karnataka rolls out climate action plan to tackle global warming: Minister Khandre
Bengaluru (PTI): Minister Eshwar Khandre on Tuesday said that a Karnataka state action plan on climate change has been formulated to mitigate the impact of global warming and climate change, and directions have been issued to ensure its proper implementation.
Speaking after presiding over a seminar on extreme heat and its impact on Bengaluru, organised by the Karnataka Media Academy, he said the Environmental Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI), which comes under the environment department, has taken steps to implement the action plan in coordination with various state government departments.
He said training programmes are being organised in cooperation with zilla panchayat offices for district officials and other related institutions regarding the implementation and progress of the Karnataka state action plan on climate change.
The Forest, Ecology and Environment minister said such programmes will be conducted in all 31 districts of Karnataka.
According to a statement issued by the minister’s office, in terms of climate resilience, Khandre said a dedicated radio programme, “Havamaana Mitra” (weather friend), was launched in April 2025 to share information on best practices, and 24 programmes have so far been broadcast on Akashvani.
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He said these efforts aim to create public awareness.
Khandre emphasised that due to global warming and climate change, even seasons are changing today.
“Keeping this in mind, after becoming Forest Minister, I have been making every effort to increase green cover, especially in Bengaluru city,” he said.
He noted that during the last three years, about 11 crore saplings have been planted in the state, and information on their survival rate has been made available on the Forest Department website.
According to him, encroachments on about 250 acres of forest land worth around Rs 10,000 crore in several parts of Bengaluru, including Kothanur, Kadugodi, B M Kaval, and Turahalli, have been cleared.
Thousands of saplings have been planted and groves created on the cleared land, thereby preserving lung spaces essential for Bengaluru city.
The minister also recalled that more than 400 acres of forest land in Peenya plantation had earlier been allotted to the central government-owned HMT for industrial purposes.
He said HMT had sold 160 acres of this land, while 280 acres remain, and a decision has been taken to reclaim it for the department to preserve an essential lung space for Bengaluru. A legal battle is underway, and the case is currently in the Supreme Court.
In addition, he said 444 acres in the Jarakabande area had been allotted to the Indian Air Force. Under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, forest land cannot be diverted without due process. Hence, in 2017, the then Deputy Commissioner cancelled the land allotment.
“Steps are now being taken to reclaim this forest land and preserve the green space,” he said.
Khandre also highlighted that the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Gantiganahalli, where the international air show is held once every two years in Bengaluru, is on forest land.
He said 159 acres in Gantiganahalli village is classified as a reserved forest area.
“If the Air Force submits a proposal for diversion and provides alternative land, this area may be considered for transfer; otherwise, steps will be taken to reclaim it for the forest department,” he said.
“The Indian Air Force is presently using this area as a runway. However, the RTC and mutation records are in the name of the Forest Department, and the land has not been legally converted. Hence, this forest land will be reclaimed,” he said.
He added that the government has resolved to construct a major biological park on 153 acres at Madappanahalli in Bengaluru North taluk, and cabinet approval has been obtained.
“The CM will lay the foundation stone next month. This will be the largest park after Lalbagh and Cubbon Park. It would not be incorrect to call this an achievement of the century,” he said.
