The opposition has intensified the demand for the resignation of Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra’s son for his alleged role. Lakhimpur cucumber violence, BJP Sources said on Monday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take a final call on the matter after the completion of the police investigation.
At least three senior party leaders Indian Express The Union Minister has denied the involvement of his son in the incident and the police have not found any evidence against him, the official said. “If there is any evidence which shows his involvement in the incident, the top leadership will take a decision. The BJP will not come under pressure just because the opposition parties are demanding his resignation.
Sources said the BJP has assessed that the incident is not likely to have any major impact on its electoral prospects in the assembly elections due early next year. “However, the final decision of the party will be based on the progress of the investigation,” a leader said.
Meanwhile, the Congress party increased the pressure on the ruling BJP by holding a silent sit-in on Monday demanding the resignation of Ajay Mishra from the Union Council of Ministers. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury also demanded Mishra’s removal from the government, saying “justice will not be served by his continuance as a minister”.
Ashish Mishra was arrested on Saturday evening after he was out of the first summons issued by the SIT probing the Lakhimpur Kheri incident.
On October 3, eight people, including four farmers, were killed, leading to a bloody clash, after a convoy of three SUVs, including an SUV owned by a Union minister, hit a group of farm protesters at Lakhimpur Kheri. The farmers had claimed that Ashish was in a vehicle, a charge denied by both father and son.
Some videos, which were purportedly shot at the site of the violence, indicated that Ashish was driving one of the vehicles, which fell into the protesting farmers.
Meanwhile, senior leaders of the BJP’s Uttar Pradesh unit held a meeting with the national leaders in-charge of the state on Monday to discuss the strategy for the upcoming assembly elections. Sources said the party will first focus on the 100 constituencies where it has either lost the election or feels it is losing its influence.
In Monday’s meeting, the leaders have finalized the BJP’s campaign strategy for the coming 100 days. The party will organize 100 events in these constituencies, which will include meetings at booth and mandal level.
The meeting was held by BJP President JP Nadda and National General Secretary (Organisation) BL Santosh. Union ministers also participated in this Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP state in-charge Radha Mohan Singh, UP BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh and General Secretary (Organisation, UP) Sunil Bansal.
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