Today’s Big Story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jalandhar for his first physical rally in the state of Punjab yesterday. Thousands of security personnel had been deployed in and around the venue for his visit following the security breach of January 5th in Ferozepur. Meanwhile, several farmers and unions announced a peaceful protest during the PM’s visit to Punjab.
📯 What’s Going On?
Ahead of the election in Punjab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public rally in Jalandhar yesterday. The election in Punjab for 117 assembly seats will be held this Sunday.
Besides the heavy police force, central paramilitary forces were deployed from Adampur airport (where the Prime Minister landed in a chopper) to the venue in Jalandhar. According to reports, approximately 25,000 to 30,000 people attended the rally and BJP leaders brought them in vehicles (including 400 buses).
Here are a few key highlights from the PM’s speech yesterday:
There will be a 'nava punjab' which will be full of new opportunities
It is certain that NDA will form government in Punjab
Can see winds of change in Punjab; happy to see enthusiasm for change
Congress could never work for the benefit of Punjab; Congress party humiliated Captain Amarinder Singh
Those who are infighting cannot provide a stable government; Congress trying to save itself, cannot save Punjab
I want to save the younger generation from addiction
🔍 What Does this Mean?
Many on the left support farmer unions including the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) who have been protesting and opposing PM Modi's visit to Punjab, accusing the Central government of not fulfilling the promises they made, and condemning the bail granted to Ashish Teni (main accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident).
Many on the right argue that the High Court has granted bail to Ashish Teni so the opposition's demands for his father's resignation (MoS Ajay Mishra Teni) are moot, further arguing that opposition parties are simply threatened by the BJP's popularity in Punjab.
“Though farm laws have been repealed, the government is non-committal on MSP and cases against farmers still stand. Our target is not just BJP but its alliance partners Punjab Lok Congress and SAD (Sanyukt) who are contesting Punjab polls jointly,” he added. In its statement, the SKM said that the brutal case of mowing down four farmers and a journalist to death in broad daylight by the son of a Union minister was a trial for the rule of law across the country. “In such a case, despite clear evidence, the murder accused getting bail so soon and that too on the first day of elections in UP was a matter of surprise,” the SKM leaders said." - The Wire
"The Congress General Secretary in-charge of UP, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, alleged the police were nowhere to be seen at the time of the Lakhimpur Kheri incident but were present to prevent the Congress members who tried to visit the families. "But the father of the man, who did cause harm, stands on stages even today. A Prime Minister has a moral responsibility towards the nation and it is his dharma to fulfil this responsibility. This dharma is above every dharma" she said at an election rally in Rampur on Thursday." - NDTV
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed the Congress during a rally in Jalandhar today and accused the party of ‘humiliating’ Captain Amarinder Singh and trying to run the state government by “remote control”. PM Modi said his government will work for a “drug-free” and “nava Punjab” (new Punjab). “Look at the Congress party today… Their own leaders are talking against their party… How can such a party work for Punjab? How will they work for the development of Punjab?” asked PM Modi while addressing his first physical rally in Punjab for the assembly elections on February 20." - News 18
"Attacking the Congress ahead of Punjab Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the party spoke in the tone of Pakistan and doubted the Indian Army's credibility over the surgical strike while adding that his chopper was stalled in Pathankot to facilitate the movement of Rahul Gandhi referring him as 'Yuvraj'. In a scathing attack on the Congress, PM Modi said the party can never work for the betterment of Punjab as the family that controls the Congress avenges old enmity against the state." - India TV
💭 Why Should I Care?
Desperate Times
On the one hand, Ajay Mishra’s reluctance to resign as a minister, and the BJP’s decision to back him, gives opposition parties a handle to use against the ruling party. If Mishra resigns, it could take the wind away from the opposition’s main demands in their election campaign speeches. On the other hand, the view gaining credence on ground is that in its alleged influence over the court’s decision to grant bail to Ashish Mishra Teni, the BJP is trying to keep the 12 per cent Brahmin voters—that Mishra represents—on its side.
The Supreme Court-appointed SIT that investigated the Lakhimpur Kheri incident drew the conclusion in December 2021 that it “was a well-planned and deliberate act, not an act of negligence or callousness.” Thursday’s judgement to grant bail to Ashish Mishra came in spite of this SIT conclusion.
Have questions or comments about today’s newsletter?
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And in case you’re interested to learn more…
This article from the Outlook discusses probity in public life and how Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni’s resignation could benefit the BJP as well as opposition parties
✨ Below the Fold
The highlight of my weekend was going to be the premiere of Gehraiyaan but turns out that was the lowlight so I’m going to promptly skip to the good part - the IPL 2022 mega auction! It rained so much money all weekend. 10 franchises splurged approx. 550 crores to purchase 204 players and it was my first time witnessing anything like this.
What an amazing concept, conducting auctions. If only all of life’s high-stake decisions could be made with a paddle. Just coolly walk into super stressful situations like Kaviya Maran and let my paddle do all the talking. What a dream.
Anyway, here is a compilation of some pretty funny memes and tweets that went viral during the auctions. Enjoy!
💌What are you talking about, reading, watching, cooking, listening to lately? Let me know. I’ll read every letter sent and maybe even write a below the fold post about it.
“If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.”
– Erica Jong (an American novelist, satirist, and poet)