Madhya Pradesh Speaker Apologises for Remarks on Kushwaha Community
Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar has issued a formal apology for remarks made about the Kushwaha community, which drew criticism after a video of his statement went viral on social media. In a letter addressed to the community on August 4, Mr. Tomar expressed regret and withdrew his words, saying he had no intention of insulting the community.
The controversy stems from a speech Mr. Tomar delivered on July 31 at the residence of Morena district BJP president Kamlesh Kushwaha. In the speech, he reportedly said the community occasionally “switched loyalty” and “tarnished its credibility.” A video of the remarks was widely shared online, prompting backlash from members of the community and criticism from the Opposition Congress.
In his letter, Mr. Tomar said, “The other day, I had gone to the residence of [Morena district] BJP president Kamlesh Kushwaha for a family function and there was a discussion in that atmosphere. The Kushwaha community and we are complementary to each other. I have respected the Kushwaha community all my life and will continue to do so. I cannot even imagine insulting it. If any of my words have hurt any member of the community, I withdraw those words and express regret for the pain caused.”
The apology comes amid political turbulence following the BJP’s defeat in the Datia Assembly bypoll, a seat reserved for a Scheduled Caste candidate. Political observers have suggested that displeasure among Other Backward Classes (OBC) groups may have influenced the outcome, with some sections of the community appearing to shift support to the Congress. However, no conclusive evidence links the bypoll result directly to Mr. Tomar’s remarks.
The Kushwaha community is one of the largest OBC groups in Madhya Pradesh, a state where OBCs constitute roughly 50 percent of the population. The community holds considerable political influence in the Gwalior-Chambal region, which includes both Morena and Datia. The BJP’s strong support among OBC voters has historically been a key pillar of its electoral success in the state, including its sweeping victory in the 2023 Assembly elections.
In a separate development, former Home Minister Narottam Mishra met Ashutosh Tiwari, who was chosen over him as the BJP’s candidate for the Datia bypoll. Mr. Mishra denied speculation of a rift, appealing to his supporters on social media to maintain party unity. “I urge all my supporters and workers not to engage in any action, comment, or behaviour that could cause harm to the party, the organization, or Ashutosh ji in any way. Our strength lies in our unity, discipline, and values,” he wrote on X, sharing a photograph of the meeting.
The meeting follows rumours that Mr. Mishra was dissatisfied after being denied the ticket for a seat he had represented three times. After the bypoll result, Mr. Tiwari reportedly made statements indicating he believed internal sabotage had hurt his campaign. At a meeting of senior BJP leaders in Bhopal, Mr. Tiwari is learnt to have raised similar concerns.
The BJP has since formed a two-member panel to review the Datia election results. Based on its recommendations, the party dissolved its local organisational unit, a disciplinary action viewed by many as an acknowledgment of internal issues. Several functionaries close to Mr. Mishra had offered to resign after he was passed over for the candidacy.
Both incidents highlight ongoing internal tensions within the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, even as the party works to maintain its broad social coalition. The Speaker’s apology and the efforts to project unity among party leaders are seen as steps to prevent further political fallout in a state where caste dynamics remain a decisive factor in elections.
