25 Apr. 24: In a recent development, Usman Ghani, the Bikaner BJP Minority Morcha district president, has been expelled from the party for his public criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks regarding Muslims during election rallies in Rajasthan, said a PTI report. Mr. Ghani expressed his displeasure with the Prime Minister’s statements, claiming they had caused discontent among the Muslim and Jat communities.
Mr. Ghani’s remarks came to light following a video of him speaking to a news channel in New Delhi, where he predicted losses for the BJP in several Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan and condemned PM Modi’s comments about Muslims. He stated that the Muslim community was perturbed by the Prime Minister’s statements and sought explanations from him when he approached them for votes.
The BJP state disciplinary committee, chaired by Onkar Singh Lakhawat, took swift action against Mr. Ghani, citing his attempt to ‘tarnish’ the party’s image in the media. Consequently, Mr. Ghani has been expelled from the BJP for a period of six years.
This incident underscores the sensitivity of political discourse during election season, especially concerning religious and community sentiments. PM Modi’s recent remarks alleging that a Congress-led government would redistribute wealth to Muslims have ignited criticism from various opposition parties.
The Bikaner Lok Sabha seat, where Mr. Ghani was active, went to polls in the initial phase on April 19. The fallout from his comments highlights the internal challenges and the party’s efforts to maintain a cohesive message during the ongoing election cycle.