PM hints at Cabinet expansion, says "I am watching"

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

PM hints at Cabinet expansion, says "I am watching" 

Wants action against arrogant Indore BJP MLA saying “No matter whose Son”

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, July 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a stern warning to the BJP lawmakers saying arrogance has no place in the party and such people be expelled without exception. Referring to a specific incident of Indore's BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya recently who was caught on camera assaulting an official with a cricket bat last week, Modi said, action be taken against him “Whoever it may be, whoever’s son he may be... such arrogance, misbehaviour cannot be tolerated."

The PM was pained to state that action be taken against all those who had welcomed Akash Vijayvargiya after his release from prison on bail. Looking at Union Home Minister and BJP president Amit Shah who was also sitting with the PM at the BJP parliamentary party, Modi said, “ I am surprised that there was no remorse after the incident. Rather, the person was given a rousing welcome after he was released from jail on bail. Is this acceptable? ” without referring to any one, the PM also condemned the tendency to defend such leaders.

Akash Vijayvargiya, 34, was garlanded by supporters as he stepped out of prison on bail. The first time BJP lawmaker is the son of BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvergiya, who is a close confidant of Amit Shah. Incidentally, Kailash Vijayvergiya was sitting in the last row at the Parliamentary party meeting today morning.

PM did not name him but obviously he was upset that the senior Vijayvergiya did not condemn his son's behaviour and rather defended him. Kailash Vijayvargiya had downplayed his son's offence, calling him a "kachha khiladi" (novice) and insisted it wasn't a "big issue" when he visited Indore yesterday.

PM did not stop here. He took the first time MPs of his party to task saying their absence at the time of the voting of crucial bills was surprising. “Its time for them to learn and sit in the house by participating. I am keeping a close watch on who is doing watch, how many sit and how many participate in the committee meetings and how many speak.”

The PM did not stop there. He surprised the MPs when he said, “ Whenever Cabinet expansion takes place, your performance will matter and nothing else.”

The word Cabinet expansion coming directly from the PM raised hopes among the many aspirants who had missed the bus on May 30. But it was clear message to the young first timers that they will have to work hard.

The BJP working president J P Nadda sat next to the PM and felicitated him on arrival along with Amit Shah and others.

BJP axes 15th leader above 75 years age

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

BJP axes 15^th leader above 75 years age

No Decision on Sumitra Mahajan yet

Malini Gaur in Race 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, April 2

With the denial of ticket to 15^th leader Lilabhai Vaghela who was 83 years old by the BJP high command in Patan, Gujrat, the last of the legends Sumitra Mahajan is miffed over the delay in announcing her candidature. The 8^th term Lok Sabha MP from Indore and Speaker of the Lok Sabha is waiting with bated breath for the green signal to contest 9^th time from the coveted seat.

The BJP veteran was so upset that she chose to stay away from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mai Bhi Chowkidar’ event in Indore on Sunday last. Until the event it was widely believed that the “Tai” as she is popularly known in the BJP, will get the ticket. Her argument convinced some of the BJP leaders that Speaker is not a government post but a Constitutional one and 75 year rule should not apply in this case.

But the the fact that the BJP has showed the door to 15 leaders so far who were above the age of 75 years, Indore is the only seat where BJP has not declared the candidate. Sumitra Mahajan's absence from the “Mai Bhi Chowkidar” event has triggered speculations that all is not well.

Though some other BJP leaders, including Indore-V MLA Mahendra Hardia and Indore-III MLA Akash Vijayvargiya too skipped the program, it was Sumitra Mahajan's absence that triggered speculations about the possibility to becoming the 16^th victim of the rule.

A miffed Mahajan has not even added the prefix Chowkidar to their official twitter handle in support of the PM Narendra Modi’s Mai Bhi Chowkidar call. She is among the handful of such leaders. May be, she has got wind of the impending decision and staying away from media glare for the past sometime.

This development has, however, elated the supporters of Indore Mayor Malini Gaur in the party. She is a BJP loyalist and brought laurels to the city by getting the Cleanest City of the country for the past two years. The Prime Minister is very happy with her performance and wants to elevate her. She was not given the MLA ticket when the Assembly polls took place as party general secretary Kailash Vijayvergiya gave it to his son. Now he has been told to confine himself to West Bengal.

The last date of filing nomination papers is April 29 for Indore, where polling will be held on May 19.

ends