‘You neglected Dalits’: JDU slams Arvind Kejriwal, supports Amit Shah

NEW DELHI: Amid the ongoing political tussle between BJP-led NDA and the opposition bloc over Ambedkar’s legacy, Janata Dal (United) on Friday hit back at Aam Aadmi Party after its convener Arvind Kejriwal advised Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to reflect on home minister Amit Shah’s comments on the Dalit icon.
JD(U) working president Sanjay Jha reminded Kejriwal in a letter that while Kumar placed Jitan Ram Manjhi, a member of the Mahadalit community, as the CM, Kejriwal didn’t do the same when he resigned nor kept his Punjab poll promise of making a Dalit the deputy CM. In his letter to Kumar, Kejriwal had said, “BJP has insulted Baba Saheb in Parliament. People feel those who love Baba Saheb cannot support BJP. You should also think about this.”
In response, Jha posted on social media, “I read your letter to CM Nitish Kumar. I can understand the real reason for your pain. You are hurting because on that day in the House, home minister Amit Shah exposed the leader of your alliance, his party and his family,” Jha said in reference to Shah’s scathing attack on Congress and the Nehru- Gandhi family for not recognising Ambedkar’s contribution.
“Congress party’s ill-treatment of Baba Saheb is unforgivable,” he added.
Jha said the NDA was working towards a “developed India” and ensuring the inclusion of all sections of society. “Every member of the NDA family, including our party, is rapidly moving towards ‘developed India’ by taking along every section of society. But the progress of the country and the happiness of the people are going to the detriment of ‘one class’,” he wrote. “You and your alliance leader Rahul Gandhi cannot even imagine doing what Nitish Kumar did for Dalits and backward classes in Bihar by following in the footsteps of Baba Saheb,” he added.