The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently announced its first list of candidates for the upcoming general elections, cutting tickets for 34 incumbent MPs, including Bhopal’s Pragya Singh Thakur, a figure long known for her controversial statements. When asked why her ticket was cut, she speculated, 'Perhaps I said something that Modi Ji did not appreciate.'
BJP released a list of 195 candidates last Saturday. This time, Alok Sharma has been chosen to represent the Bhopal constituency. The party has declared candidates for 24 out of 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh. The tickets of two sitting MPs, Pragya Thakur from Bhopal and KP Sharma from Guna, were cut, paving the way for Jyotiraditya Scindia to run.
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'I Did Not Request for a Ticket Then, Nor Am I Requesting Now'
Upon being questioned about her candidacy's withdrawal, Pragya Thakur responded, 'It's the organization’s decision, we shouldn't dwell on why or how the ticket was cut. I didn’t ask for a ticket earlier and haven't asked for one now either.'
'I Shall Never Forgive Pragya Thakur', Modi had Declared
Prime Minister Modi had expressed his displeasure with Pragya Thakur. She had called Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, a 'true patriot', which led Modi to state he would never forgive her. She apologized for her remarks but stated, 'I will never be forgiven by Modi for insulting Gandhi.'
'Modi Ji Didn't Like Some of My Words'
BJP’s incumbent MP confessed, 'Perhaps I used such words that didn't resonate with Modi Ji, who stated he wouldn’t forgive me, though I had already asked for forgiveness. My truth-speaking grates on the opponents and Congress, who use it as an opportunity to target Modi Ji.'
'I Spoke Only the Truth,' Claims MP
Thakur stood by her statement involving Godse, declaring everything she said as truth. When asked about possibly quitting the party due to her lost ticket, she firmly stated, 'I have no intention of leaving the party. I will dutifully fulfill any responsibility given to me and will be available wherever needed.'
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'I Respect Gandhi,' Asserted the MP
Pragya Singh Thakur, who faced charges in the Malegaon blasts, was BJP’s 2019 Lok Sabha election candidate from Bhopal. She initially hailed Godse as a 'patriot' during her campaign, retracted her statement amidst controversies and apologized, affirming deep respect for Gandhi and his indelible legacy.
Modi-Shah Were Annoyed, Too
The party leader’s contentious comment caused a stir within BJP, attracting criticism from Congress and other opposition parties for PM Narendra Modi's silence. Home Minister Amit Shah also sought an explanation from her. Despite the controversy, BJP did not revoke her candidacy. In the 2019 general elections, she defeated Congress leader Digvijaya Singh with a significant margin of 3.64 lakh votes.
