Top Trending Politics News & Highlights
Bihar Catch-22 Congress and RJD are hesitant to take action against MLAs who did not participate in Rajya Sabha elections
Both parties are currently in a difficult situation after the Opposition Mahagathbandhan lost to the NDA in the pivotal Rajya Sabha elections earlier this week due to the absence of four of its MLAs, three from the Congress and one from the RJD. They are unsure of how to deal with them. Surendra Mehta (Valmiki Nagar), Manoj Vishwas (Forbesganj), and Manohar Prasad Singh (Manihari) have all received show-cause notices from the Congress, and the RJD has not yet made a decision regarding their Dhaka lawmaker Faisal Rahman.Asit Nath Tiwari, a spokesperson for the Bihar Congress, told The Indian Express that the notifications were sent out despite the fact that Rajya Sabha elections are exempt from the anti-defection law. "Top party leaders will meet and decide on the appropriate course of action after we receive their responses," he stated.Another Congress leader, however, pointed out that the MLAs make up almost half of the party's strength in the Assembly and suggested that disciplinary action was improbable. What happens if the Speaker acknowledges them as a distinct group? Regardless, the rebels weren't actually members of Congress. Singh is known to be close to JD(U) leaders, whereas Mehta received a ticket because of the influence of (Independent Purnea MP) Pappu Yadav," the politician stated.Rahman, the son of former MP Motiur Rahman, presents a similar problem for the RJD. "Faisal narrowly secured his seat in the Assembly elections last year. Additionally, we have verified that his mother was quite ill on March 16, the day of the election. The party is likely to call the MLA once our leader Tejashwi Yadav comes to Patna. An RJD senior stated that the party will not be provoked by NDA leaders "who want to further weaken it," although no official show-cause notice has yet been issued.
Published 21 Mar 2026 05:57 PM
What is the reason behind Punjab Governor Kataria's abrupt praise of the Bhagwant Mann government in contrast to cooperation
The Punjab Assembly's budget session began earlier this week when Governor Gulab Chand Kataria gave a speech that mainly commended the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's performance, despite opposition protests interfering with Assembly business and the governor's own anti-drug march weeks prior continuing to garner political attention.In sharp contrast to his predecessor, Banwarilal Purohit, who had multiple run-ins with the Punjab government, Kataria praises the initiatives of the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government. The government drafts the governor's address, which summarizes their accomplishments.Governors Thaawar Chand Gehlot and R N Ravi, who has since been named governor of West Bengal, have recently omitted portions of their speeches that commended the state governments in states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, where the governors are perceived to have a tumultuous relationship with the state government.Mann's AAP government and Purohit had a number of issues between 2022 and 2024. One such disagreement occurred in early 2023 when the Governor first refused to approve the Budget session, which forced the state government to petition the Supreme Court.However, Kataria's 51-page speech on March 6 detailed the state government's efforts in a number of areas, including welfare programs, infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and anti-drug campaigns.The extension of Aam Aadmi Clinics throughout the state was one of the efforts that were emphasized. According to the governor, hundreds of clinics are currently in operation and have given locals crores of free consultations and medications. The speech also mentioned the government's "Yudh Nashean Virudh" anti-drug program, which includes outpatient opioid-assisted treatment clinics and de-addiction centers for drug addicts' rehabilitation.In order to improve government education, Kataria mentioned hiring thousands of instructors and creating Schools of Eminence. The address also mentioned road infrastructure upgrades, irrigation facilities, 300 units of free power for the majority of homes, and farmer welfare programs including increased sugarcane prices.Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and other Congress lawmakers frequently interrupted the speech by shouting slogans about things like law and order. Assuring the lawmakers that they could voice their objections during the discussion later, Kataria pleaded with them to let him finish the constitutional address first. Congress MLAs eventually organized a walkout as the protests persisted. Following the speech, the Governor spoke at a joint press conference with Mann, praising the Punjab government's efforts to combat drug misuse and enhance education. According to him, the Opposition ought to have let the speech end before voicing its opinions in the House so that their complaints could be legally documented.
Published 09 Mar 2026 05:58 PM
Unauthorized reviews, dubious log-ins, and fuzzy documents: TMC MP to Supreme Court on SIR
TMC MP Dola Sen told the Supreme Court that Election Commission-appointed micro-observers were allegedly overriding decisions made by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), the statutory authority for including and deleting electors, raising concerns that eligible voters could be removed from the final electoral roll during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal.In two applications filed on February 16 and 18, Sen, a petitioner before the Supreme Court contesting the SIR, also claimed that documents uploaded to the system were becoming "blurry" after submission and that officials were allegedly logging into the ECINET portal from locations other than where they were deputed. On February 28, West Bengal's final electoral roll is expected to be released. The Indian Express asked the EC for comment on Sen's claims, but the EC did not reply.The EC only deployed micro-observers in West Bengal, which was a first, despite announcing the SIR in nine states and three Union Territories on October 27 of last year. The EC informed the Supreme Court on February 4 that the purpose of the 8,100 micro-observers, who work for the Central Government, was to support EROs and Assistant EROs (AEROs). The EC had stated, "It is false to suggest that statutory powers have been vested in the micro-observers."
Published 25 Feb 2026 05:54 PM
A new system is implemented by Priyanka Gandhi to choose Congress candidates for the Assam elections.
Senior state leaders are typically summoned to the nation's capital for the screening committee's meeting with the state election committee (SEC) in Delhi. The three committee members have been given five districts each by Priyanka ji, who has instructed them to visit these areas in order to get input from stakeholders and local leaders. The three leaders are currently visiting local media, civil society activists, and cadres in the three areas. All of these sessions are private, and the results will be presented to the screening committee at its next meeting," the source stated. If Vadra's trial is successful and the system functions effectively, the AICC may think about adopting it for next state elections, a senior AICC leader told The Indian Express. According to the leader, "this system could be emulated in other upcoming elections, regardless of how we do in the Assam polls in terms of winning seats."The rest of the state would be discussed later, but the exercise is currently taking on in Upper Assam. Additionally, the split was made using the districts' social engineering. Since Ulaka is a tribal leader himself, he has been allocated several districts with a sizable population of tribal communities, whereas Masood has been allotted districts with a sizable Muslim population, the source said.
Published 18 Feb 2026 05:52 PM
Politics
Politics is one of the most discussed topic in every corner of the globe and almost every citizen wants to know what is happening in domestic politics as well as the world politics which is now a days dominated by USA followed by India and China politics.
Commission inks €400 million deal with Turkey to aid in its post-quake recovery in 2023
The European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) granted €400 million to Türkiye today to support post-disaster recovery efforts following the catastrophic earthquakes that struck the nation in early 2023.Mehmet Kemal Bozay, the deputy minister of foreign affairs of Turkey, and Elisa Ferreira, the commissioner for cohesion and reforms, signed the agreement in Brussels."This catastrophe, one of the worst in the country's history, shocked us all as we saw the devastating effects it had on the Turkish people," stated Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms. There was an outpouring of compassion for the homes destroyed and the lives lost throughout Europe. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that this is the biggest sum that the EU Solidarity Fund has ever given to a candidate nation. Additionally, Türkiye is receiving aid from the EUSF for the first time. Europe steps up when help is required, not just for its neighbors but also for its member states. Standing in solidarity with other nations and people is at the heart of the EUSF.This is a portion of the €1 billion in support that the EU announced for Türkiye at the International Donors' Conference in March 2023. It is the largest financial award made under the EUSF for a candidate nation since its founding in 2002. The European Commission and the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council co-hosted the conference, which contributed to the collection of €7 billion in commitments for the victims of the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey. The €400 million grant announced today is a portion of the EU Solidarity Fund package that was approved by the Commission on August 23, 2023, and it will help Turkey recover from the earthquakes.The European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) granted €400 million to Türkiye today to support post-disaster recovery efforts following the catastrophic earthquakes that struck the nation in early 2023.The European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) granted €400 million to Türkiye today to support post-disaster recovery efforts following the catastrophic earthquakes that struck the nation in early 2023. Mehmet Kemal Bozay, the deputy minister of foreign affairs of Turkey, and Elisa Ferreira, the commissioner for cohesion and reforms, signed the agreement in Brussels. "This catastrophe, one of the worst in the country's history, shocked us all as we saw the devastating effects it had on the Turkish people," stated Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms. There was an outpouring of compassion for the homes destroyed and the lives lost throughout Europe. Thus, it should come as no surprise that this is the biggest prize ever given.This is a portion of the €1 billion in support that the EU announced for Türkiye at the International Donors' Conference in March 2023. It is the largest financial award made under the EUSF for a candidate nation since its founding in 2002. The European Commission and the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council co-hosted the conference, which contributed to the collection of €7 billion in commitments for the victims of the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey. The €400 million grant announced today is a portion of the EU Solidarity Fund package that was approved by the Commission on August 23, 2023, and it will help Turkey recover from the earthquakes.
Report Raises Doubts About Bidens Age
The Justice Department on Thursday released a damning report that said President Joe Biden had intentionally kept and disclosed classified material in unsecure places at his homes in Delaware and Virginia. Although federal investigators for Special Counsel Robert Hur concluded that Biden's actions were inappropriate, they did not bring any criminal charges against him."Our investigation uncovered evidence that President Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen," according to the almost 400-page report. Nevertheless, the investigators "conclude that the evidence does not establish Mr. Biden's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."In a hurriedly scheduled press conference at the White House on Thursday night, Biden angrily declared that he had done nothing wrong. "They made a firm conclusion: I did not break the law, period," he stated. He also made a comparison between the document investigation against him, which ended in no charges, and the investigation against Donald Trump, which produced an indictment. "I was especially pleased to see the special counsel make clear the historic distinction between this case and Mr. Trump's case," he stated. "The special counsel acknowledged I cooperated completely - I did not throw up any roadblocks, I sought no delays."Political claims that the Justice Department treats Biden differently than Trump—his most likely rival in the 2024 presidential contest—will probably be strengthened by this report.
Hemant Soren Arrested At Raj Bhavan
Jalpaiguri On Thursday, Governor CP Radhakrishnan refuted claims that Raj Bhavan had anything to do with the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) arrest of former chief minister Hemant Soren in connection with a money laundering case involving a purported land scam. Hemant Soren, the executive president of JMM as well, was taken into custody on January 31 following a seven-hour interrogation by federal agency detectives. A few days later, he claimed that the Centre had hatched a "conspiracy" to get him arrested, and Raj Bhavan had played a key role in it."There is no indication that Raj Bhavan has been misused. We have adhered to every democratic standard with extreme strictness...The former chief minister himself has agreed in his letter that he resigned before being taken to ED custody," he added. I'm never sure who works in the ED. Their faces and names elude me. For a short while, I was with them. "I won't recognize them if you want me to," CP Radhakrishnan said at a press conference held here. It was the CMO who announced that Hemant Soren would be filing for resignation, according to CP Radhakrishnan, not Raj Bhavan. "Our principal secretary received a call from the ED stating that we have taken custody The second message was from the chief secretary, who declared himself to be the prime minister. My principal secretary then clarified that he would remain so until his resignation. Additionally, I was told by the CMO that he would be resigning today. The governor remarked, "I waited for three hours straight." According to CP Radhakrishnan, after that, the chief secretary called his principal secretary and told him that the chief minister couldn't accompany the ED officials alone and that a few senior ministers should be permitted to accompany him. The governor went on, "I told him three of the most senior ministers can accompany him."
Democracy Will Be Served by Elections: Pakistan Army
With an eye toward using the results of the polls as a "catalyst for further strengthening democracy" in the coup-prone nation, Pakistan's powerful military congratulated the country on the "generally peaceful and violence-free" conduct of the general elections on Thursday. As millions of Pakistanis cast ballots in an election involving Imran Khan, the country's former prime minister who was deposed in a no-confidence vote, violence erupted in a number of the country's polling places on Thursday."It is our fervent hope that our sacrifices would not be in vain and this election will serve as a catalyst for further strengthening democracy in Pakistan, and that it will pave the way for the realisation of the aspirations of the people of Pakistan," the ISPR, the media arm of the military, said in a press release. Throughout its more than 75 years of existence, the formidable Pakistan Army has ruled over a coup-prone Pakistan and has thus far possessed significant influence over security and foreign policy issues. According to the statement, the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are honored to have been instrumental in ensuring security for the sacred election process, supporting civil authority, and upholding Pakistan's Constitution.The statement continued, "137,000 army personnel and civil armed forces were deployed at approximately 6,000 selected "most sensitive" polling stations and over 7,800 QRFs to ensure a safe and secure environment for the public." "Gratitude is owed to other law enforcement agencies that worked hand in hand with the armed forces to safeguard the democratic process," it read. The ISPR claims that in spite of 51 cowardly terrorist attacks, the majority of which took place in the unrest-plagued provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan with the intention of upsetting the electoral process, the soldiers remained resolute and successfully maintained peace and security throughout Pakistan. Twelve people, including ten members of law enforcement and security personnel, were reportedly killed and 39 others injured in these attacks, according to the army. "Through proactive intelligence manoeuvres and swift action, many potential threats were neutralised, underscoring the unwavering commitment of our security agencies to protect the democratic rights of our citizens," it continued.
When SRK-Salman Fight Was Put Out by Former Congress Leader Baba Siddique
After almost 50 years of affiliation with the Congress, former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique announced his resignation today. Veteran of the Maharashtra political scene, Mr. Siddique held ministerial positions during the administrations of both the Congress and the NCP coalition led by Sharad Pawar. In addition to his cross-party political connections, Mr. Siddique is well-known for throwing extravagant parties. During one such gathering in 2013, Mr. Siddique unintentionally helped bring Bollywood superstars Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan together.Over the years, the two actors have remained close despite their publicized arguments and sporadic clashes. Their five-year cold war came to an end in 2013 at Baba Siddique's Iftaar party, marking a pivotal point in their relationship. The highly anticipated reunion between the Khans took place against the backdrop of Mr. Siddique's Iftaar party. After an intense argument at Katrina Kaif's birthday party in 2008, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan avoided each other until they finally met. They gave each other a warm greeting and a sincere hug, which instantly relieved the tension that had been hanging over their relationship. That moment was captured in a picture that quickly went viral on social media and news outlets. After an incredible 48 years, Mr. Siddique announced his resignation from the Congress in a social media post today. "It has been a noteworthy 48-year journey for me to become a member of the Indian National Congress party when I was a young teenager. With immediate effect, I am leaving the Indian National Congress Party @INCIndia as of today. I would have liked to say a lot, but sometimes it's better to keep things quiet. I express my gratitude to everyone who has shared in this journey," he wrote.
Following Rahul Gandhis denial that he was born into an OBC family,
Following Rahul Gandhi's assertion on Thursday afternoon in the Lok Sabha that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not born into an Other Backward Class community, the government responded sharply to Gandhi. During his 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' in Odisha, Mr. Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of "misleading" the public by claiming to be an OBC member. He stated that Mr. Modi "was born in(to) a family of the Ghanchi caste... which was included in the OBC list during the BJP government's tenure in Gujarat" .The Modh Ghanchi caste, and the subgroup to which Mr. Modi belongs, "stands included in the Gujarat government's list... of socially (and) educationally backward class and OBCs," the government stated in a brief note titled "facts regarding Rahul Gandhi's statement on PM's caste." "After a survey in Gujarat, Mandal Commission prepared a list of OBCs under Index 91(A),, which included the Modh Ghanchi caste." Modh Ghanchi is also on the Indian government's list (of) 105 OBC castes for Gujarat," the statement read. The government has also reminded Mr. Gandhi that on July 25, 1994, when the Congress controlled Gujarat, the home state of Mr. Modi, a notification was sent out to include the sub-group in the list of OBCs.
The Chandigarh poll event was deemed a mockery of democracy by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court condemned the returning officer on Monday for alleged irregularities in the contentious Chandigarh mayoral election, which the BJP unexpectedly won 16–12 after the AAP–Congress coalition's eight votes were declared invalid. The court expressed its disgust at the way the returning officer "murdered democracy" by tampering with ballot papers before rejecting them.The Chandigarh mayor election vote papers and video footage were ordered to be turned over to the Punjab and Haryana High Court registrar by the Supreme Court.On Monday, the Supreme Court ordered that the registrar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court get all of the ballot papers and other original records, including the video footage, pertaining to the Chandigarh mayor elections."It's evident that the returning officer tampered with the ballots? Is he destroying democracy? The top court stated, "Can't allow democracy to be murdered like this," in response to a case filed by Kuldeep Dhalor, a councillor for the Aam Aadmi Party who had lost the mayoral race to Manoj Sonkar of the Bharatiya Janata Party. "This is an abomination of democracy," declared the highest court. The meeting of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, which was set for February 7, was also ordered to be postponed by the highest court.The presiding officer's decision to eliminate eight opposition votes helped the BJP win the mayoralty, as evidenced by the harsh statement made by the top court a few days later. Allegations of vote rigging were raised by the action.In the race for mayor, Sonkar defeated Kuldeep Kumar of the AAP with 16 votes to his opponent's 12. There were eight invalid votes.AAP council members squatted outside the municipal corporation building under the leadership of Sunny Ahluwalia, the party's co-incharge for Chandigarh."The goal of this relay hunger strike is to preserve democracy and oppose the BJP, which we believe is a vote thief." He declared that this demonstration will go on until the "fake" mayor is deposed and Presiding Officer Anil Masih is taken into custody.In anticipation of the Lok Sabha election, the Congress and the AAP had projected an easy victory for their alliance in the 35-member Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, viewing it as an early test for the opposition grouping in INDIA.
Chandigarh Mayor Polls Postponed Until February 6 Amid BJP-AAP Conflict
"Chandigarh's mayoral elections, which were postponed earlier today amidst much controversy, will now take place on February 6, according to the Union Territory's Deputy Commissioner. A statement from the Commissioner's office stated, ""This decision follows a thorough assessment of the security and law and order situation by the Senior Superintendent of Police, UT, Chandigarh.""""As the Prescribed Authority for this important meeting, Shri Anil Masih, a councilor, has been nominated by Vinay Pratap Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh. The statement stated that the meeting to elect the mayor will be chaired by Councilor Sh. Anil Masih and will follow the prescribed rules and procedures.The presiding officer became ill, so the election that the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress had partnered for was postponed. The AAP and the Congress both claimed that the BJP had scuttled it because they expected to lose.He went on to say, "BJP is like a disgruntled child who takes away the bat and declares an end to the game when they are called out in gully cricket." He questioned why elections had to be postponed if the BJP was losing.The Congress is running for the deputy mayor and senior deputy mayor positions, and the AAP is running for mayor. The parties asserted that because of their combined strength, the BJP had yielded and they were the first party in the Opposition INDIA grouping. "
On February 6, PM Modi will open India Energy Week in Goa.
In addition to laying the cornerstone for several projects totaling more than ₹ 1,330 crore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the permanent campus of the National Institute of Technology to the country on Tuesday, marking the start of India Energy Week 2024 in Goa. Additionally, PM Modi will speak about the Viksit Bharat and Goa 2047 initiative. At 10:30 am, the PM will kick off India Energy Week and open the ONGC Sea Survival Center in Betul village, South Goa. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, he will take part in the afternoon Viksit Bharat, Viksit Goa 2047 program at Fatorda.About 17 energy ministers from various nations are expected to attend the Energy Week, which is India's largest and only comprehensive energy exhibition and conference. The Prime Minister has made achieving "aatmanirbharta" (self-reliance) in energy requirements one of his main areas of focus. India Energy Week 2024, which will take place in Goa from February 6 to 9, is another step in this direction, according to the PMO. It will bring together the entire energy value chain and be the largest and only comprehensive energy exhibition and conference in India. It will also act as a catalyst for the country's energy transition goals. According to the release, the PM will host a roundtable with CEOs and experts from the global oil and gas industry. One of the main goals of India Energy Week 2024 will be to support, nurture, and integrate startups into the energy value chain. It said that approximately 35,000 attendees, more than 900 exhibitors, and about 17 energy ministers from various nations are anticipated to attend.The United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, Canada, and the United States will all have country pavilions during Energy Week. A dedicated Made in India pavilion will also be set up to present cutting-edge energy-related solutions that Indian MSMEs are leading the way in developing.
What Made Jaya Bachchan Lose Her Composure in Parliament? "We e Not Schoolchildren
Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan responded sharply to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar's comment about a Congress leader during an outcry by opposition members over the omission of a question, stating that the members are "not schoolchildren" and would have understood if the matter had been explained to them. She added that respect should be shown for the MPs. During Tuesday's Question Hour, Deputy Chairman Harivansh of the Rajya Sabha was questioned by Ms Bachchan, Congressman Deepender Singh Hooda, and other opposition members about why a question on aviation had been skipped. Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankhar, asked the opposition members to take their seats amid the commotion and announced he would come back to the question. "You are not her (Ms. Bachchan's) spokesperson," Mr. Dhankhar remarked as Mr. Hooda persisted in his protest. She is one of the more senior members. She is a very senior member, so you don't need to help her." In an attempt to diffuse the tension a bit later, Mr. Dhankhar stated he had mentioned that the answer to question number 18, which had been overlooked, would be addressed following the completion of the response to question number 19. It will be addressed calmly and an attempt will be made to find a solution. Since Jaya Bachchan ji is a very senior member, she can be trusted to take her feelings seriously when they come to me ", she remarked. The chairman cut Ms. Bachchan off mid-sentence, saying, "Jaya Bachchan ji, you are a very senior member. I would like to make a request. Anything you say is respected in the nation, even if it isn't otherwise. You will lift our spirits all together, and I have no doubt that a talented actor such as yourself had to retake a lot of scenes. Ms. Bachchan stepped in to say that she should be given the opportunity to speak and emphasized how much she respects the deputy chairman.
Why Rahul Gandhis ‘Nyay Yatra’ won help Congress win Lok Sabha polls 2024
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has chosen the wrong time to start the ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’, cited ace political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor and further critised his advisors saying, ‘it was the worst time to leave the Delhi headquarters’. Speaking to India Today, he said, “Look at whoever is advising them. This could be the worst time for you to leave headquarters and go for a yatra."Kishor cited that the yatra should have been conducted six months to a year before elections, and further stressed the need to focus on strategic allies, finalising candidates and campaign strategy.“When you are needed at headquarters, you are in the field. When you needed to be in the field then you were sitting in Delhi. I don't know who advises them," Kishor said. Along similar lines, Kishor told Indian Express that he finds no logic in Rahul Gandhi's Manipur-to-Mumbai yatra. “At a time when he should be at the centre of where politics happen, he is busy doing a Yatra in the Northeast. Visiting the areas is fine but deserting the headquarters is definitely not a wise move. I don’t know who is advising him on these issues."The 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,' which started in Manipur on January 14, will cover to traverse 6,713 km over 67 days, spanning 110 districts in 15 states, concluding in Mumbai on March 20. The dates are very close to the Lok Sabha elections, which are likely to be held between April and May. The statement holds significance as Congress is receiving flak from some INDIA bloc allies over ‘seat-sharing’ deals. In Bihar, Nitish Kumar ditched the Mahagathbandhan and formed a new government in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party it also severed ties with the opposition alliance.
Nitishs Return to NDA: Its Wrong to Conclude a Cakewalk for the BJP in Bihar
“The BJP, of course, has got psychological advantage by bringing the Bihar CM and Janata Dal (United) president from the INDIA bloc, of which he was the architect. But there is a palpable anger among the people against Nitish. The BJP will have to pay the price for accepting him back to its fold,” the election strategist turned activist, Prashant Kishor said.Kishore predicted, “Irrespective of whatever alliance Nitish contests with, his party won’t be able to win more than 20 seats in the assembly polls.” Kishore, who is on his Jan Suraj padyatra in north Bihar’s Begusarai district these days, has been advancing this argument in his speeches as well as his interviews with the media. The widely held ‘assumption’ that the BJP’s victory is a “done deal” particularly after Nitish jumping to its side has subsumed the likely troubles that the Hindutva party might face in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, expected in April-May, this year.The first and foremost trouble which the BJP is all set to face is over sharing of seats. Nitish’s JDU and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) of Ram Vilas Paswan (alive then) were the part of the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 2019. The BJP and the JDU had shared 17 seats each, sparing six seats for the LJP. The NDA had won 39 seats—BJP-17, JDU-16 and LJP-6. Now, besides Nitish’s JDU, the BJP has Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Aawam Morcha – Secular (HAMS), Chirag Paswan’s LJP and his uncle Pashupatinath Paras’s Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP) are in the NDA. Creating a buzz in the name of Ram temple and around Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘persona’, the BJP cadres are clamouring for more seats than what they had contested in Bihar in 2019. The RLSP, the HAMS, the LJP and the RLJP, which have been with the BJP from before Nitish’s JDU has joined it, are, obviously, expecting their share of seats. There are only 40 seats in the state to share with. How many seats the BJP will keep in its share and how much will it spare for its five other partners? Needless to say that there is an apparent disquiet in the camps of these parties on Nitish’s return in the NDA; their lack of enthusiasm was obvious at Nitish’s ninth swearing-in as the CM at Patna’s Raj Bhavan on Saturday-January 28.
Global Corruption Index 2023: India Ranks 93rd Out of 180 Countries, Was 85th in 2022
The index comes at a time when the Union government run by the Bharatiya Janata Party is targeting only opposition leaders through its investigating agencies – ostensibly to weaken their public appeal before the crucial 2024 general elections and project the INDIA alliance as corrupt.Significantly, of India’s 28 states, BJP and its allies were in power in 17 in 2023. As per the country-wise corruption perception index (CPI) of the report put together by Transparency International (TI), a noted platform that works in over a hundred countries to fight corruption and promote transparency in public life, India has slipped from 85th position in 2022 to 93rd in 2023. In all, TI ranks 180 countries in terms of their perceived levels of public sector corruption in a scale of 0 to 100; the perceived levels are drawn from consultations with experts and people in business in the respective countries. Those closer to the scale of 100 are perceived to be highly corrupt. While India stands at 93, the country’s overall score for 2023 stands at 39, one point lower than 2022. About India, the TI report states, “India (39) shows score fluctuations small enough that no firm conclusions can be drawn on any significant change. However, ahead of the elections, India sees further narrowing of civic space, including through the passage of a bill that could be a ‘grave threat to fundamental rights’.”Among India’s neighbours, China is shown at a score of 42 (against India’s 39) but the report cautions that the country’s heavy reliance on punishment rather than institutional checks on power raises doubts over the long-term effectiveness” of its anti-corruption measures. China, which has been grabbing headlines for cracking down on corruption, has punished over 3.7 million public officials in the last 10 years.
Tamil Nadu government retracts announcement about V-C appointments
This happened a few days after M K Stalin, the chief minister, met Ravi in response to the Supreme Court's recent recommendation that they work out their problems.In the midst of the current impasse between the Tamil Nadu government and Raj Bhavan regarding the vice chancellor appointments to three universities, governor R N Ravi revoked three notices he had sent out regarding the subject last year on Tuesday.This happened a few days after M K Stalin, the chief minister, met Ravi in response to the Supreme Court's recent recommendation that they work out their problems.According to a statement released by the Raj Bhavan, "the governor is hopeful that the government will now constitute search committees including a nominee of UGC (University Grants Commission) chairman in line with the judgments of constitutional courts." But he also demanded that the state revoke its three notices and proceed by sending out new ones to form search committees in compliance with the 2018 UGC regulations and rulings from the Supreme Court and lower courts.The Madras High Court's December 19, 2018, ruling, which ordered Puducherry's government and Puducherry Technological University to "amend statutory provisions governing the varsity to bring it in conformity with the UGC Regulations 2018," was cited by Governor Ravi. The statement from Raj Bhavan stated, "In view of this clear enunciation of the law, the Hon'ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, in his capacity as Chancellor of the concerned Universities, is confident that the Government of Tamil Nadu would withdraw its Notifications in deference to constitutional proprietary and legality." "...and awaits appropriate action in this regard from the Government of Tamil Nadu as soon as possible to ensure that the state's future and the cause of higher education are not negatively impacted."GOVT REACTION The Tamil Nadu government, led by the DMK, filed a case in the Supreme Court in November contesting the governor's notifications. Chief Minister M K Stalin led a delegation of senior ministers and bureaucrats to the Raj Bhavan on December 31 in response to the top court's directive that the two meet to resolve outstanding matters.
The 12th Parliaments first session will begin at 3 p.m. on January 30, 2024.
Tomorrow, January 30, at 3 p.m., President Mohammed Shahabuddin will give the opening speech at the 12th Jatiya Sangsad (JS). Every year, the President addresses the first legislative sitting in accordance with parliamentary custom.Tomorrow, January 30, at 3 p.m., President Mohammed Shahabuddin will give the opening speech at the 12th Jatiya Sangsad (JS). Every year, the President addresses the first legislative sitting in accordance with parliamentary custom. Earlier, he used the authority granted to him by Article 72 (1) of the Constitution to call the first meeting of the legislature for 2024.President's Press Secretary Md. Joynal Abedin told BSS that the cabinet has already authorized the president's address. He stated that the President's speech will prioritize the achievements and future ambitions of the Awami League government, especially its development initiatives. In addition, the spokesperson stated that a number of proposals are probably going to be introduced and approved by the House during this conference. Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury will preside over a meeting of the Parliamentary Business Advisory Committee to determine the agenda items and length of the meeting prior to the start of House business that day.Under the direction of Deputy Speaker Shamsul Hoque Tuku, the 12th parliament's first session got underway today. At approximately 3 p.m., the day's events started with a reading from the Holy Quran. In accordance with parliamentary procedure, President Mohammed Shahabuddin will give the opening speech.Earlier, he used the authority granted to him by Article 72 (1) of the Constitution to call the first meeting of the legislature for 2024. The president will give a speech to the group highlighting the achievements and goals for the future, including the government of the Awami League's development initiatives.
RS revokes suspension of 11 Oppn MPs held guilty of breach of privilege
The Rajya Sabha Privileges Committee on Tuesday held 11 suspended opposition MPs guilty of breach of privilege and contempt of the Council of States, but Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar revoked their suspension allowing them to attend the Budget session, sources said.In its report to the Rajya Sabha chairman a day before the session starts on Wednesday, the committee also recommended that the period of suspension already suffered by the members be treated as "sufficient punishment" for the transgression. The MPs held "guilty of breach of privilege and contempt of the Council" of States are Jebi Mather Hisham, L Hanumanthaiah, Neeraj Dangi, Rajmani Patel, Kumar Ketkar, G C Chandrashekhar, Binoy Viswam, Sandosh Kumar P, M Mohamed Abdulla, John Brittas and A A Rahim.The committee presented the report to Dhankhar, taking note of the situation that the suspended members would not be able to attend the special address of President Droupadi Murmu to both Houses of Parliament, the first address in the new building of Parliament, on Wednesday. The committee usually submits its recommendations to the House.The sources said the chairman invoked the authority vested in him under the rules of procedure to revoke their suspension enabling the members to attend the special address by the president.The matter of 11 MPs suspended by the chairman during the Winter session of Parliament were referred to the Privileges Committee.
Congress slams govt over UGC dereservation row, demands to sack chairman
Stepping up attack, the Congress on Monday demanded the dismissal of UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar over the draft guidelines for "de-reservation" of posts in higher education institutions, with party leader Rahul Gandhi alleging it was a "conspiracy" to end the reservation given to SC, ST and OBC categories.The party had on Sunday demanded the immediate withdrawal of the UGC's draft guidelines proposing that any vacancy reserved for SC, ST and OBC candidates can be "declared unreserved" if enough candidates from these categories are not available.Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, however, has clarified that not a single post will be de-reserved and there is no scope for ambiguity about reservations after the introduction of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers' Cadre) Act, 2019.In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi claimed it was an attempt by BJP and RSS to "eliminate" the participation of deprived sections and the party demanded that Kumar should apologise to the entire backward classes. "In the new draft of UGC, there is a conspiracy to end the reservation given to SC, ST and OBC categories in higher education institutions."Today, out of approximately 7000 reserved posts in 45 central universities, 3000 are vacant, and of which only 7.1 per cent are Dalit, 1.6 per cent are tribal and 4.5 per cent are backward class professors."The BJP-RSS, which have even talked about reviewing reservation, now want to snatch the jobs of the deprived classes from such higher education institutions," Gandhi alleged."This is an attempt to kill the dreams of the heroes who have fought for social justice and to eliminate the participation of the deprived sections," he said.Gandhi said this was the difference between 'politics of symbolism' and 'real justice' and reflected the character of the BJP. He said Congress will never allow this to happen and will continue to fight for social justice. Vacant posts will be filled only with qualified candidates from reserved categories, the former Congress chief asserted.Addressing a press conference alongside Congress' SC Department chief Rajesh Lilothia, Chairman of Unorganised Workers and Employees Congress Udit Raj said after the Congress party protested against the "anti-people" move, the UGC was forced to issue a statement in the media that there is no such decision.
BJP again crying CAA for votes: Mamata after Union Ministers guarantee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday saying that the party has again started crying "CAA CAA" for the sake of votes as Lok Sabha elections are approaching."We have fought against the NRC. Rajbanshis are citizens of India. They have again started shouting CAA, CAA for the sake of votes," Mamata Banerjee said at a public distribution program in West Bengal's Cooch Behar on Monday.Banerjee's remarks came after Union Minister Shantanu Thakur said on Sunday that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will be implemented across the country in a week.The West Bengal Chief Minister said that her government has acknowledged all colonies as "permanent addresses," and all residents who get the benefit of various state government benefits are citizens of the country."All of you are citizens. We have given permanent addresses to all colonies. They get ration, go to school, get scholarships, get Kisan Bandhu, Shikhashree, Oikoshree, Laxmir Bhandar. How could they get these benefits if they had not been citizens? Had they been able to cast votes if they were not citizens?" Banerjee questioned. Hitting out at the central government for misusing central agencies, Banerjee said, "Do you remember the Sitalkuchi case? The CISF has earlier shot four people to death. They shoot people as if they are zamindars. If anyone oppresses you in your village, fire an FIR first. They instil fear and conduct elections through agencies."Various reports have claimed that four people were killed in West Bengal's Sitalkuchi after being fired by CISF during the assembly elections in 2021.Accusing the BJP of misusing the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation, to harass political opponents, Banerjee said, "They call leaders and say that if you do not come with us, we will send ED to your houses. What will the ED do? What will the CBI do? They are here today by they may not be there tomorrow." The CAA, introduced by the Narendra Modi government, aims to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants - including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians - who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014. Following the passage of the CAA by Parliament in December 2019 and its subsequent Presidential assent, significant protests erupted in various parts of the country.
