BJP demands Irfan Ansari’s dismissal over remarks, launches statewide protest
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi: The BJP on Friday demanded the immediate dismissal of Jharkhand Health Minister and Congress leader Irfan Ansari…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi: The BJP on Friday demanded the immediate dismissal of Jharkhand Health Minister and Congress leader Irfan Ansari from the Hemant Soren cabinet over his controversial remarks about mobilising 40 lakh people, challenging the Army and the country’s leadership. The party accused him of making statements that could provoke unrest and undermine democratic institutions.
The BJP also sought clarification from Chief Minister Hemant Soren on whether he agreed with Ansari’s remarks, warning that a minister holding constitutional office could not make such statements without political accountability.
As part of its protest, the BJP organised a statewide demonstration and burnt effigies of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. In Ranchi, party workers staged an effigy-burning protest near DPS under the leadership of senior state leaders.
Bauri seeks minister’s removal, questions Hemant Soren
Addressing the protesters, BJP state general secretary Amar Kumar Bauri said a video of Ansari’s remarks had exposed what he described as an attempt to create unrest in the country.
He said Ansari’s claim that 40 lakh people were waiting to take to the streets and that Rahul Gandhi was holding them back was extremely serious. Bauri questioned what could happen if Rahul Gandhi gave the alleged signal for such a mobilisation.
Bauri accused Ansari of challenging not only the elected government but also the country’s security establishment and the Army. He asserted that no attempt to destabilise the country or overthrow its democratic system would succeed.
The BJP leader also demanded that Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the JMM clarify whether they endorsed the minister’s remarks. If the Chief Minister disagreed with Ansari, he should immediately remove him from the cabinet, Bauri said.
He further demanded that the Congress’s recognition be cancelled over the controversy.
What Irfan Ansari said
The controversy centres on remarks made by Ansari while speaking about public discontent against the BJP-led government at the Centre and protests over the revision of electoral rolls.
According to reports of his interaction with the media on November 5, Ansari claimed that young people, farmers, Dalits, tribals, Muslims and the middle class were facing difficulties under the present regime.
“I went to Delhi and spoke to students there. Forty lakh youth are out on the streets. They are waiting for just one command. They will not go beyond what Rahul Gandhi says. Rahul Gandhi held these young people back,” he said.
He warned that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not pay attention to public grievances, an emergency-like situation could emerge in the country, adding that the situation could become worse than that in Bangladesh and Nepal.
Ansari’s remarks triggered a political controversy, with BJP leaders accusing him of encouraging unrest. The minister had made similar remarks at an INDIA bloc rally in Delhi on November 1, where he also threatened to bring Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to Ranchi with supporters if he refused to resign.
The New Indian Express+1
BJP leaders participate in statewide protest
The BJP organised demonstrations across Jharkhand, with party workers burning effigies of Rahul Gandhi to protest against Ansari’s statements.
In Ranchi, the demonstration was held near DPS and was attended by state organisation secretary Pawan Sai, Sunil Soren, Amar Kumar Bauri, Manoj Singh, Sameer Oraon, Sudarshan Bhagat, Roshni Khalkho, Ashok Baraik, Sunny Toppo, Meera Munda, Aarti Kujur, Anita Murmu, Shakuntala Oraon, Sanjay Sardar, Shivshankar Oraon, Varun Sahu and Gangotri Kujur, among other party workers.
