BJP chief summons ex-MP Sanjeev Balyan over ‘silence’ during Bhagwant Mann’s jibe at PM Modi at UP event

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Nabin has sought an explanation from former party Member of Parliament Sanjeev Balyan for his silence over Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a recent event in Uttar Pradesh, news agency PTI reported on 2 April, citing sources.

Addressing a recent Jat conclave in Meerut, Aam Aadmi Party leader Mann reportedly criticised Modi on various issues, including price rise. The Punjab chief minister said at the event that while the Union government talks about making India a "Vishwaguru" (teacher of the world), PM Modi has turned the country into a "Vishwachela" (disciple of the world). Balyan, who was present at the event, did not raise an objection to Mann's remarks.

Taking serious exception to Balyan's "silence" over the Punjab chief minister's remarks, Nabin has summoned the BJP leader and sought an explanation from him, sources said.

"Nitin Nabin ji called Sanjeev Balyan and demanded an explanation today," a source told PTI.

Balyan was a BJP MP from Muzaffarnagar in Western Uttar Pradesh in 2014 and 2019. He was appointed as the Minister of State for Agriculture and food processing in the National Democratic Alliance government in May 2014

When asked, Balyan initially denied being summoned by the BJP chief, but later clarified that it was wrong to say he had remained silent at the event.

"I had objected to Bhagwant Mann's comment twice (when he was speaking). I said there should not be such political talk, as it is a non-political event attended by leaders from all parties. After that, the organisers also did not let Mann at the inauguration, and he left," Balyan said.

"I had registered my protest and also spoken to the media in this regard. All the newspapers have published it here," Balyan told PTI.

Addressing an event in Sakauti village in Meerut, he said, "Trump's orders prevail here," and that the nation's policies appear to be influenced by external pressures.

"While people abroad are talking about travelling to Mars, we haven't even managed to fully cover the open sewers in our cities," he said, highlighting that fundamental problems remain even after 80 years of independence.

(With PTI inputs)