Who is bigger OBC leader? Bali, Bharti supporters slug it out

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, August 26

Who is bigger OBC leader in Kangra district? The Chief Parliamentary Secretary Neeraj Bharti, who is known for his stinging social media outbursts, and supporters of Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Transport and Technical Education GS Bali are slugging it out on social media and in public these days.

The recent war of words started a few days ago when the independent MLA from Kangra, Pawan Kajal, posted on social media that he had not been slapped by anybody. He was reacting to the rumours on social media that Kajal had been slapped by Neeraj Bharti in Shimla.

Bharti then reacted to the post of Kajal and claimed that he had not slapped the latter. He alleged that the rumours were being spread at the behest of a prominent leader from Kangra district who wanted to create difference between him and Kajal, the two OBC leaders from Kangra district.

In later posts Bharti continued his outbursts alleging that he was to be made minister of state in the present government but his name was dropped due to unprecedented reasons. He alleged that his father Chander Kumar was annoyed at his not being made the minister but he was satisfied at the development works being done in his constituency.

Bharti made veiled attacks on Union Minister for Steel Barinder Chaudhary and GS Bali.

This infuriated the supporters of Bali. Today the OBC leaders Kangra held a press conference and attacked Neeraj Bharti. Mann Singh, a block Congress leader from Nagrota Bagwan, and an OBC leader alleged that before making any kind of attack on GS Bali, Bharti should state what had he done for the welfare of OBCs in Kangra district. He further alleged that the OBCs of Jawali Assembly constituency were not able to find Bharti as he was sleeping half the day and was busy making Facebook posts for the rest of the day.

Ruma Kaundal, zila parishad member from Jawalamukhi area and an OBC leader, alleged that Bharti had done nothing for the welfare of the OBCs of the state. He has, in fact, married a non-OBC girl, she alleged. She further said that it was only Bali who is protecting the interests of OBCs of Himachal.

The OBC leaders, who held a press conference here today, alleged that they would launch an agitation in case Neeraj Bharti continued outbursts against their leader.

Bharti had been in trouble earlier also for his Facebook outbursts against Leader of Opposition PK Dhumal and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The fight between Neeraj Bharti and OBC supporters is getting shriller at least on social media. Neeraj Bharti has threatened to expose the supporters of GS Bali in another post of social media.

Meanwhile, hundreds of GS Bali supporters, especially the youth brigade, are leaving no stone unturned to flay Neeraj Bharti. Though the exchange of harsh words between Neeraj Bharti and supporters of GS Bali had occurred earlier also but this time the controversy has assumed serious proportions.

GS Bali, when contacted on phone, declined to comment saying he does not indulge in petty politics. He also appealed to his supporters to exercise restraint.