(Image source from: The top ten controversies of Modis ten- day governance})
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally at the helm of things, can one finally look forward to the “achche din” now? Let's see. Within 72 hours after assuming office, PM Modi got to business and chalked out a 100-day plan to put the rails of governance back on track. Not just that, he also directed his Cabinet to list out a 10-point agenda, focusing on efficient governance, delivery and implementation of schemes and programmes. That said, the first 10 days of have not all been rosy for the PM and his team. From controversies to arrests and a death, the 10 days of Modi governance has braved many odds. We jot down the top ten controversies that made waves during the first 10 days of Modi's tenure. Read on.
PMO Twitter handle:
When ex-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demitted office, the outgoing staff archived the contents of @PMOIndia to another Twitter account, causing an outcry in the political circles. The BJP called it “disgraceful, unethical and illegal”. However, the matter was resolved within days after Modi was sworn in as the new PM of the country. In a statement, the PMO had said, “All official communications from PMO in print and in digital form are being archived according to RTI Act. Copyrights and control remain with the PMO. The handover is being facilitated for the next administration.” The BJP condemned it saying that @pmoindia should not have been archived and should have been right away passed on to Modi’s office as a national, digital asset.
Article 370
The recently sworn in Minister of State, Jitendra Singh unlatched the Pandora's can of troubles after he revealed that the discussion to revoke Article 370, providing special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was on. This led to a full blown war of words between various political parties who vehemently condemned Singh’s statement. J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah lashed out at the Modi government in his tweet: “Mark my words & save this tweet – long after Modi Govt is a distant memory either J&K won’t be part of India or Art 370 will still exist”. Facing flak, the MoS later explained that he was ‘misquoted’.
Smriti Irani qualification row
That same day, another controversy hit the political arena over the educational qualification of the newly inducted HRD Minister Smriti Irani. It was found that she had made contradictory declarations on her qualification while contesting for the LS polls in 2004 and 2014. The Congress leaders left no chance to take pot shots at Irani, doubting her ability to deliver as a HRD minister given her lack of degrees. The 38-year-old television actor-turned politician lashed back saying that she should be judged by her work and not her qualifications.
Shiv Sena throws a fit over portfolio
On the second day of work, Anant Geete of the Shiv Sena threw a fit and demanded that his current portfolio of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Ministry be replaced with something better. The matter got resolved after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a word with Sena honcho Uddhav Thackeray.
Baliyan in Modi cabinet
The inclusion of Sanjeev Baliyan as the the Minister of State with independent charge sparked another outcry with Congress questioning his inclusion alleging his big contribution in the Muzaffarnagar riots. Congress leader Digvijaya Singh had tweeted. “Why media is surprised by the inclusion of Muzaffarnagar riot accused in the ministry? After all it is Modi Sarkar (government),” BJP, however, shrugged it off saying Dr. Baliyan was framed in a politically motivated case.
Modi in school syllabi
The Prime Minister condemned inclusion of chapters on him in the school syllabi stating that “ living individuals should not be included as a part of the school curriculum.” While PM snubbed the idea, books devoted to him continue to be sold at the BJP offices.
Munde’s degree row
Like Irani, even the deceased Gopinath Munde’s education qualification triggered a controversy. According to the affidavit, late Munde had claimed that he did his Bachelors degree from New Law College, Pune in 1976. However, the college was established only in 1978. Defending Munde, BJP clarified that it was a typo. Munde had graduated from ILS Law College.
Yashwant Sinha behind bars
While Prime Minister Modi was busy setting out the ground rules of good governance, senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha left the party hyperventilating after he was remanded in judicial custody for allegedly assault of a Jharkhand State Electricity Board official. Sinha and 54 others were put in 14-day judicial custody by a local court after they refused to seek bail.
Sex-racket busted in BJP MP’s house
A prostitution racket was allegedly bust in a flat owned by former Mumbai Police chief Satyapal Singh, now a BJP Member of Parliament, stunning the political circles. Two young women were rescued from his Andheri flat that was raided during the weekend. The shocked Lok Sabha MP from Baghpat said he would take a legal action against the private company to whom he had leased out his flat for 33 months.
Modi ditches Scorpio for BMW
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ditched his most trusted Mahindra Scorpio for a specially designed armored 7 series BMW that got the tongues wagging. Apparently, Mahindra & Mahindra chairman, Anand Mahindra had requested Modi to choose company’s Scorpio as his official vehicle. However, the PM dashed all hopes after he opted for a BMW flagship to ferry him around.
AW: Suchorita Choudhury
