Amid Political Turmoil In Bihar, Dozens Of Senior Bureaucrats Transferred

Bihar politics crisis: According to a notification of the state government, IPS Sushil Mansingh Khopde, who was posted as the Additional Director General (Operations) of the Special Task Force, has been appointed as ADG (Prohibition).According to a notification of the state government, IPS Sushil Mansingh Khopde, who was posted as the Additional Director General (Operations) of the Special Task Force, has been appointed as ADG (Prohibition).IPS Amrit Raj (1998-batch IPS), who was the ADG (Prohibition), has been appointed as the ADG (Operations). IPS officer Deepak Ranjan, who is the current Superintendent of Police of Jehanabad, has been transferred as the commandant of Bihar Special Armed Police, Bodh Gaya. Ashok Kumar Singh who is the current Superintendent of Police (Araria) has been appointed as the new commandant of Bihar Special Armed Police, Sasaram, the government notification added.Meanwhile, speculation is rife that CM Nitish Kumar may cross over to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) again, an alliance he left in 2022 to join hands with the opposition and form 'Mahagathbandhan'.Several NDA leaders including former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi have indicated an alliance breakdown between JD(U)-RJD.Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi said that the ruling Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) government will not last for long. The HAM president said that by seeing the statements of his former ally and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, he had sensed earlier that there would be a change in the state.Recently I had said that there would be a change in Bihar after January 20 and the basis of this was Nitish Kumar's statement. He has said many things against RJD...On this basis, we said that the alliance would not work. Their alliance will not last for long. Nitish Kumar's dream of becoming PM has been shattered... Therefore, after breaking the alliance, he may contest the Lok Sabha elections independently or join the other alliance," Manjhi said.Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Friday said that the door can be opened if needed, indicating a possible revival of ties between Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar -led JDU.       

Nitish Kumar NDA alliance news: How RJD, Congress plan to deal with JDUs possible switch

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress have geared up to deal with any unexpected developments in case Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar switches alliances and return to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Speculations are rife that Nitish Kumar would soon resign as the Bihar Chief Minister and take oath for the ninth time, with an NDA cabinet. Nitish Kumar's JD(U) is currently in alliance with the RJD and the Left parties in Bihar. His move to snap ties with the Lalu Yadav's party would come as major hit to the Opposition's INDIA bloc ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. At a press conference, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has been given the task to handle the situation, likely to unfold in next "two-three days" in Bihar. Meanwhile, Lalu Yadav's party, the RJD, reportedly has a "game plan". RJD leader Manoj Jha said on Saturday that Lalu Prasad Yadav, the chief of the party, has been authorised to take all the decisions. After holding a meeting with RJD leaders, Jha said, "Discussion on several things was done. All the issues, whether from the national or state level, everything were discussed during the meeting. It was a legislature meeting, Lalu Yadav, Deputy CM (Tejashwi Yadav) all MLAs, everyone was present. We all have authorised Lalu Yadav to take the decision. Besides, Lalu Prasad Yadav reportedly asked all MPs to stay in Patna for the next few days. Sources told India Today that the former Bihar chief minister has also asked MPs not to switch off their mobile phones and be prepared for all adverse situations.  

Nitish Kumar set to resign as Bihar CM again? When and what is expected to happen amid JDU-NDA alliance buzz

Nitish Kumar is likely to resign as the Bihar Chief Minister soon. Reports emerged on Saturday claiming that the JD(U) chief may resign on Sunday, January 28. He might take oath later in the day, by 4 pm, AajTak reported while cited sources. According to reports, Nitish Kumar is likely to take oath as the chief minister for the ninth time on Sunday. This time, the JD(U) may form government with the new NDA cabinet on Sunday, they added. Earlier, Jan Ki Baat had cited sources as saying that Nitish Kumar may resign by 7pm on Saturday. However, there has been no official confirmation on the same.Times Now reported on Saturday evening that the JD(U) will hold a legislative meeting on Sunday morning. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and MPs will also meet at 10 am on Sunday at the Party office in Patna to further chalk out the strategy over the latest political situation in Bihar. The reports came amid speculations that Nitish Kumar will leave the Opposition's INDIA bloc and return to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In case Nitish Kumar decides to return to the NDA fold, the opposition united front will take a major hit ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha Election 2024. Earlier in the day, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh held a press conference and said party chief Mallikarjun Kharge is “trying to speak with the Bihar chief minister". Ramesh said Kharge made several attempts to speak with Nitish Kumar, but as both of them are very busy, no conversation could be held between them. Meanwhile, RJD leaders gathered at party supremo Lalu Prasad's home in Patna on Saturday to attend an emergency meeting convened by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav. Sources told ANI that during the meet, Tejashwi had hinted at many unexpected developments in the state."The Chief Minister used to sit with me on the stage and ask, "What was there in Bihar before 2005?" I never reacted... Now, more people are with us. Whatever remained undone in two decades, we managed to get it done within a short time- be it jobs, caste census, increasing reservation, etc. 'Bihar mein abhi khel hona baki hain' (The game is yet to begin in Bihar) Yadav reportedly said.    

Gujarat: Independent MLA Dharmendrasinh Vaghela resigns, to return to BJP

Ahmedabad, Independent MLA Dharmendrasinh Vaghela tendered his resignation as a member of the Gujarat legislative assembly on Thursday, and announced that he would soon return to the BJP along with his supporters.Vaghela, who represented the Vaghodia assembly constituency in Vadodara district, claimed that the motive behind his resignation was to strengthen the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in their endeavour to establish 'Ram Rajya' in the country. Vaghela is one of the three independent candidates who won the 2022 Gujarat assembly elections. He was with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prior to the assembly elections, but rebelled against the party and fought the polls as an independent candidate after being denied the ticket. He subsequently defeated BJP's Ashvin Patel by over 14,000 votes.  Vaghela on Thursday handed over his resignation to assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary in Gandhinagar in the morning, and it has been accepted, an official said. The move comes ahead of the Lok Sabha elections that are likely to be held in April.Talking to reporters after tendering his resignation, Vaghela said he will join the BJP soon and was not promised any post or renomination by the ruling party. "I have taken this decision after consulting the people from my constituency. I have resigned because I want to strengthen the hands of PM Modi and Amit Shah in their endeavour to establish Ram Rajya in the country. Neither the party has promised anything, be it ministership in the Gujarat government or renomination, nor have I placed any demand," he claimed.Vaghela and two other candidates were suspended by the BJP for contesting the polls as independents against the party candidates. The two others are Dhavalsinh Zala and Mavjibhai Desai. But after the election, the trio had announced their support to the BJP government saying they were inspired by the pro-people work of PM Modi.Vaghela is the third MLA who has resigned as a member of the state assembly in two months. In December, AAP MLA Bhupendra Bhayani, who represented the Visavadar seat, resigned as member of the state legislative assembly. Recently, Congress MLA CJ Chavda also resigned as the MLA of Vijapur seat.  

Rahul Gandhi to be arrested after Lok Sabha elections, says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday that action will be taken against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, on the charges of instigating violence during his ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ and he will be arrested after the Lok Sabha elections 2024. The remarks came a day after the Assam police registered a suo motu FIR against Rahul Gandhi for “wanton acts of violence" in Guwahati during his nationwide Yatra.    ''We have filed an FIR. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) will conduct the investigation and he (Gandhi) will be arrested after the Lok Sabha elections," Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on the sidelines of the event in the Sibsagar district of the state.Himanta Biswa Sarma directed the Director General of Police G P Singh to register a case against Rahul Gandhi for provoking the crowds, who clashed with police as the Congress leader wanted to enter Guwahati city. In the scuffle with the police, several Congress workers were injured including the state party President Bhupen Bora, and the leader of the opposition in the state assembly.Assam police said that four police personnel sustained injuries after Congress workers attempted to break barricades. They have charged Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi under criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, rioting, assault, or criminal force to deter public servants from discharging their duty, damaging public property and others. The DGP said that the case has been transferred to the state Crime Investigation Department (CID) for a thorough investigation and the special investigation team (SIT) headed by the Additional Director General of Police (CID) will conduct the probe into the matter.‘Himanta Biswa Sarma is the most corrupt CM’: Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi resumed his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Assam's Barpeta on Wednesday and trained his guns on the Assam Chief Minister calling him “the most corrupt CM." "The Chief Minister of Assam (Himanta Biswa Sarma) spreads hate all the time and takes away your (referring to the public) lands. He is the most corrupt chief minister," the Congress leader said.  

She is our didi, we respect her’: INDIA parties deny rift as Mamata Banerjee decides to fight LS polls alone in Bengal

After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerje's announcement that her Trinamool Congress (TMC) party will fight Lok Sabha polls alone in the state, other parties in the INDIA bloc have been trying to alleviate the situation and hoping for a reunification of the TMC with the bloc. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha said the statement was given in some particular situation and said that the INDIA parties will solve the conflict.PROMOTED   "Please wait for some time. Maybe the statement was given in some particular situation. If there is a conflict then the alliance (INDIA) would solve it." said Manoj Jha. INDIA bloc alliance is facing internal disagreements over seat-sharing in different states. Another INDIA bloc member, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is also locked in hectic negotiations with the Congress on seat sharing in Delhi and Punjab. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party believes that the TMC, the Congress and the alliance will resolve any differences.  "The TMC is a big party in West Bengal, the Congress and the Left have always been fighting against them. So seat-sharing with the TMC will be a little difficult. The issues between them will be resolved. Mamata Banerjee and Rahul Gandhi are committed to the success of the INDIA bloc. We are hopeful that all parties in the INDIA bloc will fight elections together," said AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj.Earlier on Wednesday, NCP working president Supriya Sule denied any internal rift in the alliance and said that all the member parties are in frequent conversation with each other. "She is our didi and we love and respect her. The alliance (INDIA) is united and we will all fight together. There will be no loss to the alliance. The model in every state will be different. There is no infight in the alliance. We are in frequent conversation," Sule told ANI on Wednesday.Amid speculations over the TMC's stance on Lok Sabha elections, Mamata Banerjee announced that the TMC would fight polls alone in Bengal."I had no discussions with the Congress party. I have always said that in Bengal, we will fight alone. I am not concerned about what will be done in the country but we are a secular party and in Bengal, we alone will defeat the BJP. I gave many proposals but they rejected them from the beginning. From then, we have decided to fight the elections in Bengal alone" the TMC supremo said.She also claimed that the grand old party didn't inform her about the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra's schedule of passing through Bengal. Her remark is in contrast with the Congress' claim that it had invited all INDIA bloc parties to join the Yatra.  

Live updates on the Bihar political crisis: JD(U) leaders rush to Nitish Kumars home

With the backing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nitish Kumar is expected to take the oath of office as Bihar Chief Minister once more tomorrow, following a well-known pattern from the 2020 elections. Congress and RJD have both requested that their legislators meet in the midst of the crisis. Congress, however, insists that the meeting is only to discuss arrangements for Rahul Gandhi's "Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra" and denies any involvement with the changing political landscape. Once associated with growth and stability, Nitish Kumar's political career has been marked by upheavals and realignments.Why Bihar Is in Political Crisis Reports circulating in political circles suggest that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar might reunite with the BJP, a party he left behind in 2022. In Bihar, the ruling 'Mahagathbandhan' coalition would face challenges following Mr. Kumar's departure.Amid chaos, D(U) leaders rush to Nitish Kumar's home.   Amid chaos, JD(U) leaders rush to Nitish Kumar's home.     Leading members of the JD(U) hurried to the home of party president and chief minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, on Saturday, amid strong hints that he was considering leaving the ruling 'Mahagathbandhan' and rejoining the BJP-led NDA.Around the same time that a meeting of legislators of the RJD, the JD(U)'s current ally, was in progress, leaders such as former national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh, 'Lalan', minister and national general secretary Sanjay Kumar Jha, and state legislative council chairman Devesh Chandra Thakur arrived at 1, Anney Marg, the chief minister's official residence here.  

A Thai court dismisses a politician; the partys future is yet unknown.

Despite avoiding disqualification from politics, a political leader in Thailand who guided his party to an unexpected electoral victory amid concerns of upending the nation's strong conservative establishment is still in doubt about his own and his party's political future.   On Wednesday, Pita Limjaroenrat, 43, was found not guilty of violating election laws by running for office while owning stock in a media company, the now-defunct broadcaster iTV, according to a case dismissed by Thailand's Constitutional Court.Parliamentarians are not permitted to own stock in media companies under Thai law. Pita was granted a majority decision by eight of the nine judges on the panel, stating that he had not broken the constitution because iTV had not been in operation since 2007, prior to his application for the party-list candidacy. This decision is one of two much awaited rulings against Pita and the progressive Move Forward Party that may lead to the dissolution of Thailand's most successful party in the most recent election, as well as the imposition of bans and criminal charges against its leaders.   Pita told reporters outside the courtroom following Wednesday's verdict that he will keep working for the people and that he hopes to return to his parliamentary duties "as soon as possible." I'll be there whenever I'm permitted entry," he declared.   Cheering "PM Pita," a reference to his candidacy for prime minister, supporters outside the court declared that justice had been served. While some carried signs that said, "We will always support the party," others made fun of the Election Commission for bringing the matter before the judge. Bangkok resident Supravee Sansuk, 63, said she is once again confident in the Thai legal system as a result of the outcome.   "I was concerned that the decision would go the other way. I was therefore ecstatic to hear the good news. Pita was innocent from the start, and the court shouldn't have been notified of this case,

I Don Need To Start A Poll Campaign, People Take Care Of It: PM Modi In Uttar Pradesh

Bulandshahr/Rewari: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, that he only sounds the poll bugle; the people are the ones who sound the development bugle. He made this claim while launching a number of projects in Uttar Pradesh. Speaking to a crowd in Bulandshahr following the official opening and foundation-laying of development projects valued at over ₹ 19,100 crore, he stated that discrimination and corruption would be eliminated once the government has reached all program participants. PM Modi continued, "This is true social justice and secularism.""Because of the honest service that Modi is providing you with, 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty under our government, and those who remain have hope for their future. Since you are my family and your dream is what drives me, I will invest in your strength and that of other ordinary families," he remarked.Speaking of the "Modi ki guarantee," which aims to achieve saturation of social programs, the prime minister declared, "Our government acts on what it says." Our goal is to make sure that everyone who is eligible for government programs receives their benefits. Modi is offering a 100 percent (saturation of schemes) guarantee of saturation." "Once all beneficiaries are reached by the government, then there.The prime minister went on to say that his goal was to swiftly and impartially assist everyone in need. "For a long time after Independence, someone gave a slogan of 'Garibi Hatao', someone kept lying about social justice but the poor people of the country saw that only a few families got rich and their politics flourished," he stated in an apparent attack on the Congress.   Additionally, PM Modi mentioned that he saw some channels claiming that he would announce the results of this program.Modi will sound the election bugle in Bulandshahr, according to what I've seen in the media. Modi sounds both the development bugle and the welfare bugle for the last person in line. Modi doesn't need to sound the poll bugle right now, nor did he need to do so in the past. He said, "People never stop doing it for him.   "When people sound the bugle for him, Modi does not need to spend time in it, he spends time in serving the people," the prime minister stated.He added that a large portion of the nation was left impoverished for decades following Independence because development was restricted to a small number of areas.   According to PM Modi, Uttar Pradesh was disregarded for many years following independence because the people in charge of the governments acted like tyrants and kept the populace in poverty.   According to PM Modi, "such people saw the path of dividing society as an easy route to attain power," and he claimed that Uttar Pradesh's development had accelerated because of the BJP's double-engine government.He continued, "Building a developed India is not possible without Uttar Pradesh's rapid development." The prime minister added that his government was building a "suraksha kavach (protective shield)" around farmers' families because farmers' interests were its first priority.   In Bulandshahr, Prime Minister Modi stated, "This region gave us Kalyan Singh, who dedicated his life to 'Ram Kaaj' and 'Rashtra Kaaj'."   "In Ayodhya, I said 'pran pratishtha' has been completed, now it is time to take 'rashtra pratishtha' to new heights," he stated.Earlier in the day, the prime minister used a video conference to flag off goods trains from New Khurja and New Rewari, marking the beginning of a 173-kilometer double-line electrified section on the dedicated freight corridor (DFC). Additionally, he opened a train line that connected the Chipiyana Buzurg-Dadri and Mathura-Palwal sections. The national capital's rail connection to eastern and southern-western India will be enhanced by these new lines.   PM Modi unveiled several initiatives for road development. Additionally, he opened the Tundla-Gawaria pipeline for Indian Oil. This 255-kilometer pipeline project, which was built for approximately ₹ 700 crore, was finished far ahead of schedule.

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Supreme Court Provides Relief to Samajwadi Party Leader Regarding Ramcharitmanas Remark

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed criminal proceedings against Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Swami Prasad Maurya in the case where he has been accused of having made "objectionable" remarks about 'Ramcharit Manas', a sacred text in the Awadhi language based on the epic Ramayana. In addition, the Supreme Court sent notice and requested a response from the Uttar Pradesh government regarding Mr. Maurya's appeal against an Allahabad High Court ruling that had denied his petition to have the proceedings in a state Pratapgarh court quashed."Why must you always be so sensitive? It's up for interpretation. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta questioned the Uttar Pradesh representative, "How is it an offence?"   The bench said, "Notice... Stay of proceedings." Days had passed since the idol of 'Ram Lalla,' the baby Lord Ram, the ruling deity of the recently constructed Ram temple in Ayodhya, was dedicated. Mr. Maurya challenged the charge sheet against him and the lower court's summons order, which required him to appear before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, in his petition.On October 31, 2023, the high court rejected his plea.   An FIR was lodged in Pratapgarh district last year against Maurya and others on a resident Santosh Kumar Mishra's complaint.   A lower court received a charge sheet from the police against Maurya and other individuals, and summonses were sent to them.According to Mr. Maurya, there is insufficient evidence to support the accusation that he denigrated the Hindu scriptures.   

Despite not being on the ballot, Joe Biden wins the Democratic primary in New Hampshire.

Washington: Despite not even being on the ballot, President Joe Biden emerged victorious in Tuesday's unofficial Democratic primary in New Hampshire. South Carolina Democrats will formally hold the first vote on February 3, as Biden and the Democratic Party decided to renounce New Hampshire's role as the traditional site of the first-in-the-nation primary, which takes place after the Iowa caucuses.    Notwithstanding the national party's directive, New Hampshire—whose catchphrase is "Live Free or Die"—opted to proceed with its pollConsequently, the vote will not yield any delegates, so it will only have symbolic value in the overall nomination process.   Nevertheless, Biden backers launched a last-minute write-in campaign to stop two potential opponents from swooping in unopposed to claim an embarrassing but meaningless victory.   Despite their best efforts, the two relatively insignificant candidates, Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson, have very little chance of unseating Biden because, in the contemporary political era, no primary opponent has ever won the nomination from an incumbent president.Biden has lived in New Hampshire before. In 2020, he ran a disastrous campaign for the Democratic nomination in this predominately white state; only the formidable backing of African Americans in the South Carolina primary kept him afloat. After winning, he essentially overthrew both Iowa and New Hampshire, telling the party hierarchy to rank South Carolina above both states. Although Democrats in New Hampshire, where holding the title of first in the nation is deeply ingrained in the state, were incensed by Iowa's quiet capitulation.Despite his four separate criminal indictments, New Hampshire was seen by Republicans as a crucial litmus test for whether Donald Trump would be able to hold onto his hold on the Republican Party.    With a resounding victory, he swept the northeast state, eliminating his lone credible Republican opponent, South Carolina governor and former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, who vowed to keep the race "far from over."    

Big Win For Donald Trump In Presidential Run-Up, Setback For Nikki Haley

Manchester, United States: On Tuesday, Donald Trump emerged victorious in the crucial New Hampshire primary, putting him one step closer to securing the Republican presidential nomination and setting up an incredible rematch with Joe Biden in the White House.Manchester, United States: On Tuesday, Donald Trump emerged victorious in the crucial New Hampshire primary, putting him one step closer to securing the Republican presidential nomination and setting up an incredible rematch with Joe Biden in the White House. The former UN ambassador during Trump's often turbulent presidency stated in a speech after the vote that the race was "far from over" and that Democrats "want" to run against her former employer.They are aware that Trump is the only Republican in the nation that Joe Biden can defeat," the 52-year-old Haley cautioned.   Haley had anticipated a significant upset given the northeastern state's high voter turnout. But as soon as the initial tallies were in, US broadcasters swiftly predicted her defeat.   Despite being the subject of four criminal trials since leaving office and having been impeached twice while president, Donald Trump was already the clear front-runner in national Republican polling. Even though Haley questioned the 77-year-old's mental state on several occasions and warned that another Trump presidency would result in "chaos," polls show that her efforts in New Hampshire were merely a speed bump.   Keith Nahigian, a former member of Trump's transition team and veteran of six presidential campaigns, told AFP that he believed Biden and Trump were the only contenders left in the race.   New Hampshire was markedly more Haley-friendly than states she will subsequently face, should she stay in the race, and continuing into February will be a tough sell without a win or at least a narrow loss.   Her next must-win stop will be her home state South Carolina.

Rahul vs Himanta in Assam: CM alleges Gandhi of ‘Naxalite tactics’; Congress MP says BJP actions helping Yatra. 5 points

Rahul vs Himanta in Assam: From facing restrictions in the state capital to being stopped from entering the temple, Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is vehement opposition in Assam. Meanwhile, the Wayanad MP continued to lash out at the Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP at public addresses during the foot march. Recently, Rahul Gandhi reiterated that the Assam government is one of the most corrupt state governments in the country, and said that BJP's attempts to thwart Bharat Jodo Yatra are helping the foot march to gain publicity. His comments have come after the Assam CM asked the DGP to register a case against the Congress leader for "provoking the crowd" to break barricades in the state. Earlier in the day, the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra was stopped from entering Guwahati on Tuesday, triggering protests from Congress workers who broke barricades and raised slogans. Amid the high-voltage drama unfolding in Assam due to the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, here are all the updates on the Rahul Gandhi-led foot march. Whatever the Assam CM is doing against the Yatra, it benefits the Yatra. The publicity that we might have not got, by doing this the Assam CM & Union Home Minister Amit Shah are helping us.   Now, the main issue in Assam is the Yatra. It is their intimidation tactics, our message of Nyay is reaching the people," said Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday while commenting on the restrictions imposed on his foot march in Assam. Touching important issues like unemployment, corruption, and inflation in Assam, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called CM Himanta Biswa Sarma one of the most corrupt chief ministers in the country.Earlier in the day, Assam CM instructed the Director General of Police (DGP) to file a case against former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for "provoking the crowd" to break barricades, and called their actions "Naxalite tactics". Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra was stopped from entering Guwahati. Heavy police force and barricades were placed in the main areas of the city. The restriction triggered massive protests from Congress workers who broke barricades and raised slogans. “We have broken barricades, but will not break the law," said Rahul Gandhi while addressing his party supporters on the outskirts of the city. A student interaction with Rahul Gandhi at the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya, (USTM) located in Meghalaya's Ri Bhoi district, bordering Assam, was stopped on the instructions of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, claimed the Congress leader. 

India’s Republic Day invite to Afghanistan Taliban envoy Badruddin Haqqani is ‘routine’: Report

The Indian Embassy in the UAE has invited Taliban envoy Badruddin Haqqani for Republic Day celebrations. He represents Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. This gesture sparked significant debate. Critics argue that it indicates India's acceptance of the Taliban. However, Indian officials label it as a standard diplomatic procedure, as per The Hindu.Badruddin Haqqani, previously associated with the Haqqani network, is a contentious figure. This network orchestrated attacks on Indian missions in Afghanistan. The most notable was the 2008 Kabul Embassy bombing. It claimed 58 lives, including Indian diplomats and security personnel. The invitation for “His Excellency Badruddin Haqqani" has caused a stir in diplomatic circles.  Afghanistan's Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ashraf Haidari, expressed disappointment. “This is utterly against Afghans’ basic expectation of India as an emerging democratic power to protect and defend Afghans’ human rights and to support their growing resistance against the same terrorists who bombed the Indian Embassy in Kabul and killed and wounded many Indian citizens," The Hindu quoted Haidari as saying.Afghanistan's Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ashraf Haidari, expressed disappointment. “This is utterly against Afghans’ basic expectation of India as an emerging democratic power to protect and defend Afghans’ human rights and to support their growing resistance against the same terrorists who bombed the Indian Embassy in Kabul and killed and wounded many Indian citizens," The Hindu quoted Haidari as saying. Globally, no country officially recognises the Taliban regime. However, several nations, including Russia, China and Central Asian states, have accredited Taliban representatives. In December 2023, China even accepted a Taliban-appointed ambassador, a first among nations. The Taliban's appointment of Badruddin Haqqani as envoy was seen as a significant development by their Acting Foreign Ministry. This appointment indicates expectations of strengthened ties between the UAE and the Taliban. The UAE recognised the Taliban during its initial rule from 1996 to 2001. While India has not officially reacted, The Hindu cited official sources to report that it was a “routine" invitation. The invite was extended to all diplomatic missions in the UAE, barring Pakistan, as per the sources. Sources have also revealed to the publication that the Afghan Embassy in Abu Dhabi still displays the Republic's tricolour. This contrasts with the Taliban's black and white flag. The Indian Embassy in New Delhi, reopened by Afghan Consuls linked with the Taliban, also retains the flag of the “Islamic Republic of Afghanistan", the publication added.  

Modi shifts political agenda, failed to protect borders from China: Tharoor

Congress Working Committee member and MP Shashi Tharoor on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of shifting the political agenda every election year and alleged that the BJP-government at the Centre was unable to protect the nation's borders from Chinese encroachment.The hard hitting accusations from the MP from Thiruvananthapuram came on the eve of the Ram Temple consecration ceremony at Ayodhya on Monday. Tharoor said that Modi contested and won in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls in the name of development and in 2019 in the name of national security by ordering surgical strikes on Pakistan.But now he cannot talk of development, following the problems caused to the public due to demonetisation nor can he raise the issue of national security as the government was unable to take back territory occupied by China, Tharoor claimed."So this time round, the only thing they have is their original cause -- Hindu Hriday Samrat. There is no doubt that would be their propaganda," he said. He further contended that the BJP's agenda was always politics."On January 22 the PM will officiate the ceremony at Ayodhya, then in February he will inaugurate a temple in Abu Dhabi and then elections will be announced. That is what I believe and I have said so earlier too," he told reporters.Tharoor said that the Congress plans to point out to the people the problems they are facing daily like scarcity of jobs, price rise and will ask them whether they have benefitted from the development claimed by the Central government. On being asked by reporters about the Congress leadership declining the invite to attend the consecration ceremony at Ayodhya, Tharoor said that the party felt it was a political programme.The MP from Thiruvananthapuram said that the party has always shown respect for religious beliefs of every individual."Each of us have our own religious beliefs and act accordingly. As a party, the stand is very clear. The Prime Minister is officiating what has become a very political exercise and we do not believe that is a good thing," he said.Asked whether he plans to offer prayers at a temple tomorrow on the occasion of the Ram Temple consecration ceremony, Tharoor said, "I go to the temple to pray and not to play politics." He said people's faith and religious beliefs were a personal issue and he does not find fault with that. The Congress MP also found fault with the Central government closing the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi on January 22 till 2.30 pm saying it would affect the large number of patients always waiting outside it for getting admitted or those requiring urgent medical aid."The government should withdraw the order. No hospital should be closed down. If people want to pray or watch the event on TV, that option is always available to them," he said.Meanwhile, AIIMS in Delhi has decided to remain open on Monday, reversing its earlier decision to shut OPD services till 2:30 pm on the occasion of the consecration ceremony at the Ayodhya Ram temple.The Ram temple complex, built in the traditional Nagara style, will be 380 feet in length (east-west direction), 250 feet in width and 161 feet in height.  

Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration Live Updates: Ram Temple lit up on eve of Pran Pratishtha; Aarti performed at Saryu Ghat

Ayodhya Ram Mandir Inauguration Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reached Dhanushkodi. He visited Arichalmunai, which is said to be the place from where the Ram Setu was built. The PM also performed pooja at Sri Kothandarama Swamy temple. 'Kothandarama' means Rama with the bow. According to popular belief, it was at this place that Ravana's brother Vibhishana first met Lord Ram and sought refuge. According to legends and ancient scriptures, this is also the place where Lord Ram conducted the coronation of Vibhishana. The PM will later wind up his 3-day tour of Tamil Nadu, during which he inaugurated the Khelo India Games 2023 in Chennai on Friday. On Saturday, he visited the Sri Ranganathaswamy and Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy temples in Srirangam and Rameswaram, respectively. Stay with TOI for all live updates. On the eve of pranpratishtha ceremony of Ayodhya Ram Temple, the words 'Jai Sri Ram' illuminates a parade ground in Dehradun. Jewellers come up with new collections to commemorate Ram temple consecrationSeveral jewellery retailers have joined the bandwagon of the Ram Temple consecration, unveiling new collections with temple-style motifs and imagery of Lord Ram.Senco Gold & Diamonds has launched its 'SiyaRam' collection, while Kalyan Jewellers introduced 'Nimah', a heritage jewellery line-up, company officials said. "The atmosphere of devotion to Lord Ram is palpable everywhere in anticipation of the Ram Mandir inauguration,” said Suvankar Sen, MD & CEO of Senco Gold & Diamonds.TTD chairman hands over laddus to Ram temple representative in AyodhyaTirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman B Karunakara Reddy, who is currently in Ayodhya to participate in the consecration of the Lord Ram temple, handed over laddus from the temple body to a representative of the Ram Mandir Trust on Sunday.The TTD, the official custodian of Sri Venkateswara temple in Tirupati, agreed to supply one lakh laddus for the Ayodhya Ram temple's consecration on Monday.Weighing 25 grams each, the laddus are meant for distribution among visitors during the consecration. They were dispatched in 350 boxes on a cargo plane to Ayodhya from Tirupati Airport recently.Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman reacted strongly on Sunday to a report in a Tamil newspaper that the Tamil Nadu government had banned special poojas in temples in the state managed by the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments department during the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on Monday. HR and CE minister P K Sekar Babu, who is attending the DMK youth conference in Salem, told TOI, “There is no such action.”Actors Kangana Ranaut, Shefali Shah, Pawan Kalyan, and Randeep Hooda were among the Indian cinema personalities who arrived in Ayodhya ahead of the grand Ram temple consecration ceremony.Veteran star Rajinikanth and music composer Shankar Mahadevan, who are also part of the event's guest list, were spotted at the Lucknow airport on Sunday as they left for the temple town. While about 8,000 people are in the long list of invitees for Monday's ceremony, the select list features 506 A-listers, including prominent politicians, leading industrialists, top film stars, sportspersons, diplomats, judges and high priests.Indian community in Taiwan celebrates the pranpratishtha of Ram temple in Ayodhya that will be held tomorrow, 22nd January 2024. Two events were organized on the eve of the occasion - one by the Indian diaspora in Taiwan and another by Isckon Taiwan.Actor Randeep Hooda along with his wife Lin Laishram arrives at the Lucknow airport to attend the Ram temple 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony in Ayodhya tomorrowHe says, "We are very excited and looking forward to being present there and getting the blessings of Lord Ram. It is not just a religious event, it is also a cultural and heritage event..."Two Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube-BHISHM, revolutionary mobile hospitals equipped with cutting-edge technology, have been deployed in Ayodhya to bolster medical readiness and response capabilities during the upcoming 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. This cube is a part of the broader initiative named “Project BHISHM” – Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri, is tailored to treat up to 200 casualties, emphasizing rapid response and comprehensive care. The Aid Cube is equipped with several innovative tools designed to enhance disaster response and medical support during emergencies. It integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to facilitate effective coordination, real-time monitoring, and efficient management of medical services in the field: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.    

Today in Politics: PM Modi to inaugurate Boeing campus in Bengaluru, caste census to begin in Andhra Pradesh

Plus, Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy will unveil a 125-foot Ambedkar statue in Vijayawada, and Karnataka Congress’s Lok Sabha election committee to meet in Bengaluru.Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set for a whirlwind tour of three states on Friday. Making his second visit to Maharashtra in as many weeks, the PM will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects in Solapur around 10.45 am. In this week’s State Watch column, Shubhangi Khapre attempts to decipher the political signals from the PM’s Maharashtra focus. The PM will then travel to Bengaluru, where at around 2.45 am he will inaugurate a new state-of-the-art Boeing India Engineering and Technology Centre (BIETC) campus. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the 43-acre campus has been built for Rs. 1,600 crore and is Boeing’s largest such investment outside the US. Modi will also launch the Boeing Sukanya Programme that aims to support the entry of more girl children into the country’s growing aviation sector. The programme will create STEM Labs at 150 planned locations to help spark interest in STEM careers, according to the PMO. The government said at the time that it had committed to allocating Rs 15,000 crore annually for the welfare of the backward classes and would be able to direct resources to communities that need them the most if the population of each backward class group was known. In context: Last April, Jagan Mohan Reddy forwarded to the Central government an Assembly resolution asking it to simultaneously conduct caste census and population census but learnt that it would not happen anytime soon. The state government then decided to go ahead with the BC caste census to comprehensively enumerate backward classes region-wise, profession-wise, and under other parameters such as socio-economic status. Meanwhile, on Friday evening Jagan Reddy will unveil a 125-foot statue of Dr B R Ambedkar in Vijayawada. The statue, constructed for an estimated Rs 404 crore, stands on an 81-foot pedestal, making it a 206-foot monument. At a time when some of the major players in the INDIA alliance of Opposition parties are pushing for a nationwide caste census in an attempt to find an ideological counter-narrative to the BJP’s Hindutva politics, the Andhra Pradesh government led by YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is all set to begin a comprehensive caste census on Friday to enumerate all castes in the state.Initially, the scope of the exercise was limited to enumerating the 139 Backward Class (BC) communities but now it has been expanded to cover all castes in the state. To conduct the exercise, the government will extensively deploy the village secretariat system along with the volunteer system. The PM will then travel to Bengaluru, where at around 2.45 am he will inaugurate a new state-of-the-art Boeing India Engineering and Technology Centre (BIETC) campus. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the 43-acre campus has been built for Rs. 1,600 crore and is Boeing’s largest such investment outside the US. Modi will also launch the Boeing Sukanya Programme that aims to support the entry of more girl children into the country’s growing aviation sector. The programme will create STEM Labs at 150 planned locations to help spark interest in STEM careers, according to the PMO. Deputy CM and state Congress president D K Shivakumar has said former BJP leaders Jagadish Shettar and Laxman Savadi who joined the party from the BJP before last year’s Assembly elections have also been invited to the meeting. Ministers in charge of districts have collected opinions from the areas under their jurisdiction and all that will be discussed at the meeting, according to Shivakumar.  

In Karnataka, Congress govt fights shy of Dalit sub-quota poll pledge, puts ball in Centre’s court

Siddaramaiah Cabinet decides to urge the Centre to amend the Constitution by inserting a provision under Article 341 – Article 341(3) – to allow states to provide internal reservations Despite promising in its manifesto that it would implement the Justice A J Sadashiva Commission report to provide for internal reservations for the Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Karnataka, the Congress dispensation in the state has now put the ball over the issue in the court of the BJP-ruled Centre.This was decided by the Congress Cabinet led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at a meeting here on Thursday, following which the government said that the implementation of the Dalit sub-quotas would be only possible if the Central government ensures the amendment of Article 341 of the Constitution. “Parliament is the only authority (on the SC internal reservation issue). State government has no role – it is only a recommendatory body,” Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa said. The state government will compile a list of all recommendations made regarding Dalit sub-quotas and submit them to the Centre, he said.The Congress had made a pledge ahead of the May 2023 Assembly polls that it would accept the Sadashiva panel report soon after coming to power. However, the Minister claimed Thursday that it could not be done as the erstwhile Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government had rejected the panel’s report. “After the Congress announced (that it would accept the Sadashiva panel’s report), the BJP government, in a hurry, formed a Cabinet sub-committee under Law Minister and recommended SC internal reservations to the Centre. They (also) said that the Sadashiva Commission was irrelevant and closed,” Mahadevappa said.The Bommai government had announced the SC internal reservations in March 2023, days before the Election Commission’s model code of conduct came into force for the polls. The BJP government had then proposed sub-quotas in the 17% SC reservation in the state by splitting it into 6% for the most backward SC (Left) group, 5.5% for the less backward SC (Right), and 4.5% for the SC (touchable) group, with other SC communities getting the remaining 1%. This had triggered protests across the state, especially from the SC (touchable) groups such as Bhovis and Banjaras, who, in the past, were accused of cornering a lion’s share of the Dalit quota.  The SC sub-quotas announced by the BJP government was based on Justice Nagamohan Das Commission’s report, Mahadevappa said. “They announced it without applying any legal mind.”The Nagamohan Das panel was constituted by the then BJP government in October 2019 to look into the demand of hiking SC/ST reservation.The Sadashiva panel was set up in 2005 by the then Congress-JD(S) government to look into the demand for the SC internal reservations, which submitted its report in 2012 to the then BJP government. However, it has not been tabled by the successive governments led by all the three major players – the Congress, BJP and JD(S).