Battle for tribal turf hots up between BAP & BJP MPs
Jaipur: A fierce exchange of words between
BAP
's Banswara MP Rajkumar Roat and
BJP
's Udaipur MP Manna Lal Rawat has triggered a political storm in Rajasthan's tribal-dominated regions, with sharp reactions coming from tribal communities and political observers alike.
In his latest remarks, Rawat branded the Bhartiya Adivasi Party (BAP) as a "Lootere Gang," accused it of being "anti-Hindu," and alleged that it shields "illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators." These statements provoked a fiery response from Roat Sunday, who accused Rawat of conspiring "to burn tribal homes" and questioned the authenticity of Rawat's own tribal credentials.
"This is not just a personal attack—it's an insult to the entire tribal community," Roat told TOI.
He alleged that Rawat's comments reflect a broader agenda to "divide and malign" tribal unity ahead of local body elections.
Since their maiden victories in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, both leaders have been locked in a fierce battle for dominance, each striving to assert hegemony over Rajasthan's tribal belt. Roat, as the fiery young face of the new party, BAP, has carved out a loyal support base with his uncompromising "Tribal First" ideology, which resonates deeply among marginalised tribal communities.
BAP's sharp positioning has increasingly challenged the BJP's traditional dominance in the region, diminishing its appeal among sections of the tribal electorate.
In response, BJP has strategically entrusted Rawat with the task of keeping Roat in check—positioning him as the party's principal voice against BAP's growing influence. Rawat's recent statements, seen as direct attacks on BAP's ideology and leadership, reflect the BJP's determination to reclaim its foothold in the region by portraying BAP as divisive and disruptive.
Jaipur: A fierce exchange of words between BAP's Banswara MP Rajkumar Roat and BJP's Udaipur MP Manna Lal Rawat has triggered a political storm in Rajasthan's tribal-dominated regions, with sharp reactions coming from tribal communities and political observers alike.
In his latest remarks, Rawat branded the Bhartiya Adivasi Party (BAP) as a "Lootere Gang," accused it of being "anti-Hindu," and alleged that it shields "illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators."
These statements provoked a fiery response from Roat Sunday, who accused Rawat of conspiring "to burn tribal homes" and questioned the authenticity of Rawat's own tribal credentials.
"This is not just a personal attack—it's an insult to the entire tribal community," Roat told TOI. He alleged that Rawat's comments reflect a broader agenda to "divide and malign" tribal unity ahead of local body elections.
Since their maiden victories in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, both leaders have been locked in a fierce battle for dominance, each striving to assert hegemony over Rajasthan's tribal belt.
Roat, as the fiery young face of the new party, BAP, has carved out a loyal support base with his uncompromising "Tribal First" ideology, which resonates deeply among marginalised tribal communities. BAP's sharp positioning has increasingly challenged the BJP's traditional dominance in the region, diminishing its appeal among sections of the tribal electorate.
In response, BJP has strategically entrusted Rawat with the task of keeping Roat in check—positioning him as the party's principal voice against BAP's growing influence. Rawat's recent statements, seen as direct attacks on BAP's ideology and leadership, reflect the BJP's determination to reclaim its foothold in the region by portraying BAP as divisive and disruptive.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
26 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Shah's anti-English position harms India
Union Home Minister Amit Shah's denunciation of the English language is ill-conceived and uninformed, and will only work against the country's unity and development. Speaking at the launch of a book by a former civil servant in Delhi on Thursday, Shah said, ''The time is not far away for people speaking in English in the country to feel ashamed'. The prejudice against English is part of the ideology and politics of his party, and Shah has only given expression to it. He is right in saying that the languages of our country are the jewels of our culture, but wrong in dismissing the role of English as a linking and unifying language. He is also right in saying that we should take pride in our languages, but pride in one's own language need not translate into shame about another language. Languages are not zero sum games, and the knowledge of another language does not mean degradation or devaluation of the mother tongue. Languages gain by interaction. All Indian languages have enriched themselves from their interaction with English. .English not a shame but power: Rahul Gandhi hits back at Amit Shah's remarks, says discouraging it to deny opportunities .English is spoken by over 100 million people in the country, and the number exceeds the number of speakers of most other languages. It is the official language in many states. India is also said to have the second largest English-speaking population in the world. English has served as the official and link language for centuries in our country, which speaks richly diverse languages. It is difficult to imagine English losing its status in the near future, going by the people's attitude towards it. The usefulness and popularity of a language don't always depend on government policies. People's relationship with language is a sensitive matter and governments should handle it with care and caution. .Shah's tirade against English should also be seen in context of the efforts of the central government and the BJP to promote Hindi aggressively. This has resulted in apprehensions about domination of Hindi in non-Hindi states. English was the language of power in India during colonial times but after the British left, it serves as a link language, with an equal relationship with all languages of the country. The replacement of English would lead to its place being taken up by Hindi, which comes with political baggage. English is also India's window to the world in every respect, and closing that window would hurt and set the country back. Shah says India cannot be imagined with a foreign language. But the idea of India is not static--it has room for English, which is no longer considered a foreign language.
Hindustan Times
37 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
BJP activates Dalit outreach strategy for 2027 UP polls
With an eye on regaining ground among Dalit voters, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched an intensive outreach campaign across Uttar Pradesh targeting the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. The move is part of the party's broader strategy to consolidate its support base ahead of the 2026 panchayat elections and the 2027 state assembly contest. State general secretary (organisation) of the party is reaching out to the party's SC leaders and community members across the state (Sourced) State general secretary (organisation) Dharampal Singh is spearheading the party's outreach strategy, engaging directly with Dalit leaders, office-bearers and workers through a series of district-level dialogues titled 'Anusoochit Jaati Samvad' (Dialogue with SC community). Since May, Singh has travelled to over 10 districts, including Ayodhya, Bulandshahr, Unnao, Chitrakoot, Lalitpur, Jhansi, Agra, Azamgarh, Gorakhpur and Kushinagar, holding meetings that are being positioned as more than routine political events. 'All party leaders of the SC cell, office-bearers and grassroots workers are attending these sessions. They are briefed about various schemes and steps taken by the BJP government for the uplift of the Scheduled Caste community,' a senior BJP leader said. Participants are also being trained to mobilise support at the local level and inform community members about government initiatives, he added. The Samajwadi Party and Congress have come under frequent criticism during these meetings. At a gathering in Unnao on May 15, Singh urged participants to recall how Congress had 'conspired to defeat Babasaheb Ambedkar' in parliamentary elections. Dr B R Ambedkar had lost both his Lok Sabha elections, first in 1952 from Bombay North-Central, and again in a 1954 bypoll from Bhandara in Vidarbha. 'Highlight the difference in approach between the BJP and the opposition. While the BJP promotes respect and welfare of Scheduled Castes, the opposition lacks a development agenda and only spreads misinformation,' Singh has said at multiple events. The Scheduled Caste population forms around 21% of Uttar Pradesh's electorate, with Jatavs (11.7%), Pasis (3.3%), Valmiks (3.15 %), Gonds, Dhanuks, Khatiks (1.2%) and others (1.6%). Notably, of U.P's 80 Lok Sabha seats, 17 are reserved for Scheduled Castes. In the 2024 general elections, the BJP's performance saw a decline, winning 33 seats compared to 62 in 2019. Party insiders attribute the fall in numbers to the shift of SC and OBC voters towards the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) alliance led by the Samajwadi Party, which secured 37 seats. Congress won seven seats, while BJP allies Rashtriya Lok Dal and Apna Dal (Soneylal) won two and one seat, respectively. Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) also clinched one seat.
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Indian delegation in Ireland to attend 40th anniversary memorial of Kanishka bombing
Dublin [Ireland], June 23 (ANI): A high-level Indian delegation led by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri along with BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, and representatives from five states, has arrived in Ireland, to participate in the 40th anniversary memorial of the Air India Kanishka bombing. The commemoration will take place at the Ahakista Memorial in Cork on Sunday. The delegation includes prominent elected representatives, including Arvinder Singh Lovely (Delhi MLA), Baldev Singh Aulakh (Minister from Uttar Pradesh), Gurveer Singh Brar (MLA from Rajasthan), Trilok Singh Cheema (MLA from Uttarakhand), and Narinder Singh Raina (MLA from Jammu and Kashmir). The solemn memorial service will be attended by Ireland's Prime Minister, Micheal Martin, Canada's Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, and several other international dignitaries. This event not only commemorates the 329 innocent victims of the 1985 terror attack but also reinforces the global commitment against terrorism. In a post on X, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, 'On the way from Heathrow to dastardly mid air bombing of Air India Kanishka Flight 182 in 1985 which claimed 329 innocent lives off the Irish Coast remains one of the most inhuman acts of terror in aviation history.I was able to pay tribute to the victims at the Kanishka Memorial at Humber Bay Park in Toronto in September 2019 where I also met family members of several victims who had shared their pain and suffering.' 'On Monday, 23 June 2025, I will lead an Indian delegation comprising senior Punjab leader Sh@tarunchughbjpJi, legislators from several states Sdr@ArvinderLovelyJi, Sdr@BaldevAulakhJi, Sdr@GurveerBrarJi and Sdr Trilok Singh Cheema Ji, to join the Irish Prime Minister HE@MichealMartinTD, Canadian Minister of Public Safety HE Gary Anandasangaree@gary_srpand others, to pay homage to the victims at an event at the Ahakista Memorial in Cork, Ireland in a solemn moment of remembrance and unity, on the 40th anniversary of the reprehensible Kanishka Bombing,' he added. Speaking ahead of the ceremony, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh said, 'The Kanishka bombing was a painful reminder of the brutal face of terrorism, which claimed innocent lives across nations. As I stand on Irish soil, I pay my heartfelt tribute to those who perished, and reaffirm our resolve to unite against terror in all its forms.' (ANI)
