BJP using 'e-Ravanas' on social media to spread propaganda and hatred: Akhilesh Yadav
Lucknow, Jul 31: The BJP is using "e-Ravanas" on social media to spread "propaganda and hatred" ahead of the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged on Saturday while underlining the perils of fake news on virtual platforms.
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said he has alerted his party cadres against social media content used by the BJP to paint its political rivals in a bad light and also asked them to be "disciplined and decent".
"Like the demon king Ravana, the BJP is using 'e-Ravanas' on social media to spread its propaganda and hatred. Like Ravana, they are there on social media in disguise and spread lies and rumours," the Samajwadi Party (SP) president told PTI in an interview.
He claimed "pseudo BJP leaders" pose as SP supporters, and post and forward "indecent remarks" on virtual platforms.
"I have asked my party cadres to remain alert and keep an eye on the activities of such dubious elements. Party workers have also been asked not to share, respond or forward anything objectionable on social media, and report the same to the party office," Yadav said.
Taking an aggressive stand against those spreading false information targeting the SP, the party last week filed a complaint against unidentified people for allegedly creating a fake Twitter account of the party chief and spreading hatred.
The complaint was filed by state SP chief Naresh Uttam, who submitted screenshots of a tweet claiming the party would construct a "Babri mosque" at the place of the Ram temple in Ayodhya after coming to power in the state, sources said.
An FIR was registered in the matter against unidentified people at the Gautam Palli Police Station on July 25.
Sounding a word of caution, Yadav said, "As the state polls are near, BJP men can do anything as they are experts in spreading lies to fool the people to grab power. Their objective is to divert the attention of people from core issues, including development."
"We have asked our workers to be disciplined, decent and practice restraint in the language they use on social media, which has emerged as a strong medium to communicate. Unfortunately, the BJP is misusing it," he said.
The former UP chief minister added that it is ironical the BJP cannot highlight any achievement of its government despite ruling the state for four-and-a-half-years.
Stating that the people of the state have hopes from the SP, Yadav claimed the party will win 350 seats in the upcoming assembly elections.
"When the BJP can win over 300 seats by lying, why cannot we win more seats on the development work done by our previous government?" he asked.
The BJP, Yadav asserted, has no faith in democracy.
"It is conspiring so that the entire system goes out of the hands of the people. Its intention is that the people should be behind and the system should dominate. Democracy is in danger. In order to save democracy from BJP''s deceit, the SP is raising the voice of people," he added.
The SP leader also hit out at the worsening law and order situation in the northern state under the BJP regime.
"The entire country has seen what treatment was meted out to women during the panchayat poll nominations how BJP goons took the law in their hands and misbehaved with women," he said.
Yadav had earlier alleged that BJP workers pulled the saris of SP candidate Ritu Singh and her proposer Anita Yadav during the recent block panchayat chief elections in Lakhimpur Kheri.
Based on Ritu Singh's complaint, a case was filed against BJP workers in Lakhimpur. Six policemen were also suspended.
Refuting Yadav's claims, state BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla said, "People whom he (the SP chief) is referring to as e-ravanas are actually e-yodhyaas, who are exposing the real face of the Samajwadi Party."
The BJP has said those involved in any misbehaviour will not be spared, he said.
"Owing to the active nature of social media, the real face and character of the SP has reached the masses. People have come to know that how they (the SP) literally looted government jobs by appointing their people as chairmen of various commissions," Shukla said.
People have seen "how investors returned from UP (without investing) after seeing the atmosphere of fear. There were celebrations at Saifai, while people living in camps in Muzaffarnagar, continued to shiver in the cold. These things are still fresh in the minds of people only because of social media", he said attacking the SP.
Shukla added that the SP chief did not do anything constructive while in opposition.
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Bihar minister Nitin Nabin appointed BJP's national working president
New Delhi (PTI): Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin was on Sunday appointed as the BJP national working president and is likely to eventually succeed JP Nadda as its national president, signalling a generational shift in the ruling party.
Nabin, 45, son of late Nabin Kishore Prasad Sinha -- a veteran BJP leader and former MLA -- is considered dynamic and ideologically rooted, and deeply committed to the organisation, party leaders said.
A five-time MLA, he represents Bankipur assembly constituency in Bihar and has served twice as a minister in the Bihar Government.
His tenures as a minister in Bihar and his role as the party incharge of Chhattisgarh have been truly outstanding and marked by his effective organisational leadership, they said.
The BJP parliamentary board picked Nabin for the post.
"Bharatiya Janata Party's parliamentary board has appointed Nitin Nabin, a minister in the Bihar government, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s national working president with immediate effect," BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said in a notification.
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Nabin, who belongs to the Kayastha community, is likely to succeed incumbent BJP chief Nadda and is one of the youngest leaders to occupy the post, the leaders said.
Nadda, 65, was appointed the BJP President in January 2020 and has already completed his full term. He was granted extensions to lead the party through the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Congratulating Nabin on his appointment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he has distinguished himself as a "hardworking Karyakarta" and expressed confidence that his energy and dedication will strengthen the party.
"He is a young and industrious leader with rich organisational experience and has an impressive record as MLA as well as Minister in Bihar for multiple terms. He has diligently worked to fulfil people's aspirations.
"He is known for his humble nature and grounded style of working. I am confident that his energy and dedication will strengthen our Party in the times to come. Congratulations to him on becoming the BJP National Working President," PM Modi said on X.
Nabin has also worked extensively for Yuva Morcha. His appointment reflects the BJP’s focus on capable leadership and signals a generational shift, the leaders said.
BJP chief Nadda also greeted Nabin and said he was confident that the party would attain new heights under his leadership.
"I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the dynamic BJP leader from the sacred land of knowledge and culture, Bihar, and Minister in the Bihar Government, Shri Nitin Nabin ji on his appointment as the National Working President of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
"I am fully confident that under the guidance of the esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and your leadership, the organisation will reach new heights with the sentiments of nation-building and public service. Heartfelt best wishes for your illustrious and successful tenure," he said on X.
