New Delhi: Today is all about Sachin Pilot, once more.
After he was sacked as Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and state party president, Pilot remained unfazed – he’s holding on to the ‘truth’, whatever that is.
सत्य को परेशान किया जा सकता है पराजित नहीं।
— Sachin Pilot (@SachinPilot) July 14, 2020
His colleague Sanjay Jha, who also has some experience of being fired in the party, is proving to be quite a loyal companion.
First, Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Now, Sachin Pilot.
Who next?
Watch this space!
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) July 14, 2020
Another Congress Young Turk, Jitin Prasada praises Pilot and holds out hope for the future.
Sachin Pilot is not just a collegues but my friend. No one can take away the fact that all these years he has worked with dedication for the party. Sincerely hope the situation can still be salvaged. Sad it has come to this…
— Jitin Prasada जितिन प्रसाद (@JitinPrasada) July 14, 2020
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On the other hand, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera defended the party’s official stance.
Those accusing @INCIndia of not giving space to the young, should take a look at 2009 UPA cabinet. When we win in states, you attribute the victory to regional leaders, when there’s a crisis in states, you say it is due to central leadership. These double standards won’t work https://t.co/bUnQvhOPdo
— Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) July 13, 2020
Lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan warns Pilot against BJP’s crumbs.
If Pilot falls for this BJP trap/lure he can write off his political future, just as Scindia would have to write off his political future, irrespective of the crumbs that have come his way in MP now. No self respecting politician can thrive in this Modi/Shah BJP https://t.co/tutTDsxINg
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) July 14, 2020
BJP has maintained a stoic silence, mostly, but there is this from spokesperson Sambit Patra who seems ‘fairly’ proud of his pun on Fairmont, the hotel where Gehlot camped with his MLAs.
Fair count at the Fairmount pic.twitter.com/vR5sJnUeAQ
— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) July 13, 2020
INC Nagaland tries to bravely hold up a crumbling fort.
Why INC?
Because
India Needs Congress.RT if you agree.
— Nagaland Congress (@INCNagaland) July 13, 2020
Meanwhile, there was another Congress-BJP drama brewing elsewhere.
Outlook magazine was caught in the crossfire. The magazine published a story claiming that Gandhi had requested the government to let her remain in her Lutyens’ bungalow in Delhi – she had been served an eviction notice. Priyanka said it was `Fake News’.
The @ians_india news story had been picked up by @Outlookindia through an automated news feed routinely employed by various media organizations.@priyankagandhi @INCIndia https://t.co/ULzP0ykCx2
— Outlook Magazine (@Outlookindia) July 14, 2020
This is FAKE NEWS.
I have not made any such request to the government. As per the eviction letter handed to me on the 1st of July, I will be vacating the government accommodation at 35 Lodhi Estate by the 1st of August.https://t.co/GkBO5dkaLs
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) July 14, 2020
However, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri was having none of it – he accused Gandhi of pulling strings to stay in the bungalow.
Facts speak for themselves!
A powerful Congress leader with much clout in the Party called me on 4 July 2020 at 12:05 pm to request that 35, Lodhi Estate be allotted to another INC MP so that Priyanka Vadra can stay on.
Let’s not sensationalise everything please. https://t.co/n1RQr6SGm6
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) July 14, 2020
Gandhi then, respectfully, set things straight with ‘Mr Puri’.
If someone called you Mr Puri, I thank them for their concern, and thank you for your consideration as well but it still does not change the facts: I have made no such request, and I am making no such request. As I said, I will be vacating the house by the 1st of August..1/2 https://t.co/jeHSZAf4MR
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) July 14, 2020
Just when you thought the drama was over, Union Minister Smirti Irani found it prudent to dive into the controversy.
Facts and CONgress can never go ‘hand’ in ‘hand’… The ‘fact’ that a notice had to be served & dues were not paid speaks for itself…The congress leader called you @HardeepSPuri ji coz high command ka order hai ☺️ https://t.co/5k8SrIt29o
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) July 14, 2020
And here is TMC MP Derek O’ Brien calling out BJP President J.P. Nadda for spreading fake news.
BJP’s national president himself is also spreading fake news. He is competing with his IT troll ring leaders. Jumping to conclusions without facts in desperation to score political points. Instead, he would do well to stand by the deceased’s family. Every death is a tragedy. Sad https://t.co/DrHriNvXtW
— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) July 14, 2020
Rajya Sabha MP Rakesh Sinha reminds everyone that we are still in the middle of a pandemic.
कैसी विडंबना है ! कुछ " होशियार" लोग बढ़ते संकट की इस घड़ी में भी मास्क को गले में लटकाकर या पॉकेट में लेकर चलते हैं। सरकार या जान पर खेलकर सेवारत डॉक्टर इनका क्या कर सकते हैं ?
— Prof Rakesh Sinha (@RakeshSinha01) July 14, 2020
And finally, Brookings fellow Constantino Xavier takes a swipe at Nepal PM K.P. Sharma Oli, who had claimed that Hindu God Ram was actually Nepali.
Too bad the India-Nepal border is open: no immigration records for Lord Ram. https://t.co/HateMfX2A5
— Constantino Xavier (@ConstantinoX) July 13, 2020
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