M.P. Speaker tenders apology for remarks on OBC community

Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar has issued an apology over his recent alleged offensive remarks on the Kushwaha community in which he appeared to take a dig at its loyalty and political credibility.

In a letter addressed to the community, Mr. Tomar expressed regret and said he made the remarks at a family event. The move is being seen as an attempt at damage control following the BJP’s defeat in the Datia Assembly bypoll. Political observers believe that the OBC community may have sided with the Congress.

Addressing a gathering at the house of BJP’s Morena district chief Kamlesh Kushwaha on July 31, Mr. Tomar had said the community occasionally “gulati khata raha (switched loyalty)” and “apni vishwasniyata ko khandit kiya (tarnished its credibility)”.

A purported video of the remarks went viral on social media, resulting in a backlash from the community. The Opposition Congress also criticised Mr. Tomar’s remarks while terming them an insult to all OBC communities.

The Kushwaha community is considered among the strongest OBC groups in terms of the State’s population and holds political significance in various regions, including the Gwalior-Chambal region, where both Morena and Datia fall.

“The other day, I had gone to the residence of [Morena district] BJP president Kamlesh Kushwaha for a family function and there was a discussion in that atmosphere. The Kushwaha community and we are complementary to each other. I have respected the Kushwaha community all my life and will continue to do so. I cannot even imagine insulting it. If any of my words have hurt any member of the community, I withdraw those words and express regret for the pain caused,” the letter dated August 4, stated. 

Support of OBC groups, that constitute about 50% of the State’s population, has been one of major strengths of the BJP’s social coalition in Madhya Pradesh, which also helped in its massive victory in the 2023 Assembly elections. 

Courtesy call

Meanwhile, former Home Minister Narottam Mishra called on Ashutosh Tiwari, who was picked over him as the BJP’s candidate for the Datia bypoll, and denied speculations hinting at a feud between the two.

“I urge all my supporters and workers not to engage in any action, comment, or behaviour that could cause harm to the party, the organization, or Ashutosh ji in any way. Our strength lies in our unity, discipline, and values,” Mr. Mishra said on X, sharing a picture from the meeting.

Rumours have been rife in the State that Mr. Mishra “sabotaged” the BJP’s chances in Datia, after being denied the ticket on the seat he has represented thrice. Various statements from Mr. Tiwari after the result have also hinted at the same. 

Mr. Tiwari is learnt to have levelled the allegations at a meeting of senior BJP leaders in Bhopal. The party has already formed a two-member panel to review the Datia results and based on its recommendations dissolved its entire local organisational unit in a disciplinary action. 

Many of those functionaries are considered close to Mr. Mishra and had offered to resign after he was snubbed in candidate selection.