BJP’s ‘Manmohan Singh Iftar’ Counter to PM’s Ganpati Row

BJP Uses Manmohan Singh’s 2009 Iftar to Counter Modi Criticism

The BJP has recently accused the opposition of ‘double standards’ for criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud’s home for Ganpati Puja. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla shared an old photograph of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosting an iftar party in 2009, which was attended by then-Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan.

Poonawalla tweeted, “2009- PM Manmohan Singh’s Iftar Party was attended by then CJI KG Balakrishnan- Shhhh – This is secular.. judiciary is safe. PM Modi attends Ganesh Puja at current CJI House – Oh God Judiciary compromised.”

The photos showed Manmohan Singh and then-Congress President Sonia Gandhi welcoming several dignitaries. The iftar event was graced by political leaders like then-BJP chief Lal Krishna Advani, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, and Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Former Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan, ex-Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, and Ambassadors from Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were also present at the event.

Earlier, the BJP had criticized opposition leaders questioning PM Modi’s visit to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud’s residence, saying it was limited to Ganpati Puja celebrations and was “part of our culture.”

On Wednesday, PM Modi shared pictures from Chandrachud’s residence in Delhi. The Chief Justice and his wife, Kalpana Das, were seen welcoming the Prime Minister, who wore traditional Maharashtrian attire for the occasion. Opposition parties criticized PM Modi’s visit, arguing that a distance should be maintained between current custodians of the legislature and judiciary. They suggested that it might raise doubts about judicial impartiality.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut stated, “In our Maharashtra case… the hearing is ongoing before CJI Chandrachud, so we have doubts if we will get justice because the PM is the other party. The Chief Justice should distance himself from this case because his relationship with the other party is openly visible. Will CJI Chandrachud be able to give us justice in such a situation?”

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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