Is ruling party’s ‘foot in mouth’ disorder at peak?

Is ruling party’s ‘foot in mouth’ disorder at peak?

Pune: Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued directives to all BJP leaders including ministers and MLAs of the party about not issuing any statements that will cause an uproar in the society and stay away from controversies, too many BJP leaders are ending up causing controversies with their statements and embarrassing the ruling party. 

After Mumbai MLA Ram Kadam’s controversial statement which became a huge political issue a fortnight ago in Maharashtra, now Union Minister Prakash Javadekar’s comments in a speech in Pune last week has caused an uproar in Maharashtra after which Javadekar had to issue a clarification. Just too many BJP leaders are seen making some controversial statements and then withdrawing them in Maharashtra.  
 
Just a few months ago (April 2018), Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed his displeasure over controversies saying BJP leaders should not provide ‘masala’ to the media and avoid from making ‘irresponsible’ statements by commenting on every issue as soon as they saw camera persons. Despite that, not only young and rookies but also veteran leaders are seen making these mistakes. 

Prakash Javadekar’s statement made in Pune claiming that ‘some educational institutes come to the government with a begging bowl asking for funds’ caused an uproar in Pune with opposition parties protesting against these comments. 

But Javadekar is not the only leader who had to withdraw his statement. Girish Bapat. a senior leader of BJP in western Maharashtra, also had to withdraw his statements many times. 

Bapat was seen passing controversial statements in public functions many times and then withdrew it later. He had said at a public event that ‘government will change next year and those who plan to get any work done from him should approach him’. 

Minister Girish Mahajan made a comment that female brand names will boost the sale of liquor brands in State but later he had to apologise for it. In Hingoli, Dilip Kamble, Minister of State for Social Justice, made some comments about media which became controversial. While BJP’s State President Raosaheb Danve also had to withdraw his public comments or statements several times in the past few months after being embroiled in controversies.  

At the national level too, BJP’s Chief Minister in Tripura Biplab Kumar Deb created an uproar with some of his statements recently while BJP MP and Union Minister Satyapal Singh’s comments about Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution also became very controversial. 

Prakash Pawar, a political expert, said, “Controversial political statements are rustic and sophisticated. Leaders are identified with their voters. They are not necessarily uneducated but behave like one purposely and in their bid to appeal to their voters in their rustic style, end up making improper and thoughtless statements.”

Neelam Gorhe, Shiv Sena Spokesperson, said, “Controversial statement shows intellectual confusion, lack of discipline and irresponsible behaviour of BJP leaders. They are making individual statements, they forget that it is the political statements of the party and not individual views. Statements are random and their purpose is sensitisation.” 

Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini works in the domain of training of social-political activists, especially for BJP. Ravindra Sathe who is working as Executive Director, Prabodhini, admitted that it is not suitable for political leaders to make such statements but he further commented, “Most of the time, we come to know through media. Hence, we should have to check reference while commenting on the controversial statement of leaders. BJP top leaders may be taking cognisance of these statements.” 

Anant Gadgil, senior Congress leader and spokesperson of the party, said, “I think, there are three reasons behind such statements. One is immaturity and they are still thinking that they are in opposition. Another is popularity and lack of professionalism. The third reason is to make a controversial statement deliberately and plan to divert attention from serious issues. The government has failed on different fronts. Hence, they are making such statements after every two months.”
 

Enjoyed reading The Bridge Chronicle?
Your support motivates us to do better. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay updated with the latest stories.
You can also read on the go with our Android and iOS mobile app.

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
The Bridge Chronicle
www.thebridgechronicle.com