In what is an embarrassment for the BJP in Gujarat, students at M.R. Gardi Secondary and Higher Secondary School in Anindra village, Surendranagar, were reportedly asked to bring their mobile phones and their parents were allegedly enrolled as party members during the BJP’s ongoing membership drive.
State BJP Chief and Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil last week launched the party’s ‘Sadasyata Abhiyan 2024’ in Ahmedabad, setting an ambitious target of 2 crore members for the BJP in the state. Reports indicate that local party leaders were involved in registering students as BJP members during the school function.
Students were reportedly instructed to bring their parents’ mobile phones to the event on Monday.
During that time, secondary school students were handed national flags and photographed before being registered as BJP members through their parents’ phones.
The school’s principal defended the action, claiming the phones were collected to download a government educational app. The institution further alleged that someone with malicious intent was unfairly targeting it.
Following the incident, the school’s principal, Mukesh Nimavat, has gone on leave and the Education Department has sought clarification from the school management.
BJP leader K.C. Patel responded to the allegations, asserting that official party membership can only be registered at the booth level and denying any involvement in the incident.
Insisting that the technology utilised prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from joining the party, Patel further mentioned that the membership drive will soon spread to colleges, universities and public spaces. He blamed the Opposition for starting controversy in order to harm BJP’s image.
Congress’ Reaction
Congress has taken a firm stance against the incident. Party leader and spokesperson Dr Manish Doshi accused the BJP of using teachers as tools to gather support ahead of upcoming teacher union elections.
Doshi highlighted that similar practices had been employed in the past to gather crowds for government events and the party is now allegedly exploiting educators to advance its membership numbers. Congress has initiated its own investigation and plans to file a formal complaint on the matter.
Vibes of India has not received any official comment from the BJP despite multiple requests.
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