M.P. Speaker tenders apology for remarks on OBC community
Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar has issued a formal apology following backlash over his disparaging remarks about the Kushwaha OBC community. The apology is viewed as a strategic move to mitigate political fallout after the BJP's recent bypoll defeat.
Why it matters
The OBC vote bank is critical in Madhya Pradesh politics, and alienating this demographic poses a significant electoral risk for the ruling BJP.
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)”.
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