Top Trending Politics News & Highlights
Pawan Singh of the BJP Discusses Running for the Lok Sabha
Pawan Singh, an actor and singer from Bhojpur, stated on Monday that "time would tell" if he decided to run in the next Lok Sabha elections. Speaking to the media following his meeting with BJP president JP Nadda, Singh—who had been scheduled to run as the BJP candidate from Asansol in West Bengal but declared he would not after receiving negative feedback on his candidacy—avoided discussing the reasons behind his decision. "I spoke with the president of the party. After meeting with Nadda, Singh told the media, "Whatever happens in the future will be good." "That only time would tell," he responded when asked if he would run in the upcoming elections. I'll let you know if something occurs. Put it on hold for the time being "... On the other hand, Singh declined to respond to inquiries regarding the reasons behind his choice.Singh withdrew his name from the Lok Sabha election contest on Sunday from the West Bengal seat of Asansol, one day after the BJP announced him as its candidate from the seat currently held by Shatrughan Sinha of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).Singh thanked the BJP leadership in a post on X, but he also stated that he would not be able to run from Asansol "due to some reason," without providing an explanation.
Published 04 Mar 2024 05:25 PM
In Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee meets with PM Modi
"Following protocol, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described her interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Raj Bhavan on Friday night as a courtesy meeting. According to Banerjee, she also discussed with the PM the matter of the state's unpaid bills. ""In addition to chatting with the prime minister, I brought up state-related issues with him,"" Banerjee told reporters following the meeting.Beginning on Friday, PM Modi will spend the night at Raj Bhavan while on a two-day tour of West Bengal. The prime minister arrived at the governor's house shortly after Banerjee's convoy pulled in. Governor C V Ananda Bose took to X and said he met the PM at the Raj Bhavan. Earlier in the day, Bose had also attended the prime minister's official program at Arambagh, where Modi dedicated, inaugurated, and laid the groundwork for several development projects totaling more than ₹ 7,200 crore.Banerjee met with Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi in December of last year to demand the release of the state's outstanding debt. The TMC claimed that West Bengal owed the Center ₹ 1.18 lakh crore. According to the Union government, two tranches of tax devolution were released to all states on Thursday. West Bengal received ₹ 10,692 crore, which is the fourth-highest amount after Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. On Monday, the state government started paying over 30 lakh MGNREGA workers their outstanding debt of ₹ 2,700 crore, which had been unpaid since March 2022."
Published 01 Mar 2024 09:04 PM
Congress To Defend 18 Seats in Maharashtra Opposition Seat Deal
According to sources who spoke with NDTV on Friday morning, the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra has decided on a seat-sharing agreement for the 2024 Lok Sabha election. In 48 hours, there'll probably be an official announcement. Sources claim that 20 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state will be contested by the Shiv Sena faction, which is led by former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. The Nationalist Congress Party unit under Sharad Pawar will field candidates for the remaining 10 seats, with the Congress contesting 18 of them. The Sena (UBT) will give two seats to regional parties like Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi, and Mr. Pawar's share will give a ticket to an independent candidate named Raju Shetty.Additionally, according to sources, the Sena (UBT) will run for four of Mumbai's six Lok Sabha seats; the VBA may receive one of them, potentially the Mumbai North East seat. The MVA's seat-sharing agreement is a significant step forward for the opposition bloc in India, which is attempting to finalize agreements as soon as possible because the election is scheduled for a few weeks from now. State parties have consistently pushed the national outfit to secure a larger share of seats, making it difficult for the Congress-led group—which was founded in June of last year with the specific goal of unseating Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party—to reach agreements.Its task has been made even more difficult by the Congress's miserable electoral record over the past ten years, particularly in 2014 and 2019, when it won a combined total of fewer than 100 seats. In Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party has been riding the alliance to an almost impossible level. After the Congress persisted in negotiating Mamata Banerjee's "final" offer of two seats—the same (and only) two it had won the previous time—the Trinamool Congress in Bengal even ended all negotiations with the party.
Published 01 Mar 2024 10:24 AM
The Himachal Crisis and Congress: Navjot Sidhus War Cry
Navjot Sidhu's War Cry During Congress' Himachal Crisis: "Purge The Party" After launching a fierce attack this morning on six party lawmakers who crossed-vote in Tuesday's Rajya Sabha election, which the party should have easily won, Navjot Singh Sidhu, the leader of the Congress in Punjab, appeared to be siding with the Bharatiya Janata Party. A political crisis in the hill state, where the Congress won less than two years ago, has been brought on by the shocking Rajya Sabha loss. The BJP is now demanding that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's weakened government demonstrate its strength in the 68-member House.Next, Mr. Sidhu attacked "masqueraders" who were "secretly dancing to the tunes of agencies like CBI, ED" and said that leaders in the Congress should be removed for "prioritizing personal gain over the collective good." "'Masqueraders' (for) plum posts, covertly dancing to the tunes of agencies like Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate, and Income Tax Department, have spelt doomsday for us many-a-times!" said he.
Published 28 Feb 2024 05:25 PM
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Many items in my business are designed: Piyush Pandey
I spent a brief time working at Ogilvy Mumbai in the early years of my profession. I was definitely looking forward to meeting Piyush and simply watching and learning from his talent. It was the strongest incentive to sign up. However, deep down I was also realistic about it. I was aware that he would never have a conversation with a junior. After joining, I came to the realization that he most likely would have, but I also understood it was impossible given the amount of work he had to accomplish each day. And boy, was I glad I was. Apart from the fact that he is an advertising genius, these are the things I picked up from him during my tenure, even though I never worked directly with him.I learned the power of words from him. On my first day there, I recall being sucked into a film short for a newly launched bank. I expected an assignment when I walked in, but instead I got a really good poem. It was exquisite. The story and the slogan were both brimming with skill. Written specifically for the pitch, Piyush delivered it to the group by reading it aloud. The client gave it their blessing because it was so clever. It was enjoyable to come up with ways to carry it out. That day made me proud to be a copywriter because he demonstrated to me the power of words to accomplish goals that so many rounds of PowerPoints couldn't. I learned from him that leaders are people too.Everyone gathered on the floor to celebrate Piyush's birthday by cutting cakes. He was asked to speak a few words, as custom would have it. He became so overcome by the festivities during his remarks that he started crying. The largest agency leader in our nation displayed weakness during a time when all of them exuded strength and conceit. Furthermore, this was taking place in front of 200 or more workers. And we all cherished it. He taught me early on that leaders are people too and that it's appropriate to occasionally display your feelings as a leader since it's the right thing to do.
The biggest shake-up in Congress history
"The Congress announced significant organizational changes on Saturday in advance of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, including the removal of Priyanka Gandhi as the party's leader in Uttar Pradesh.The ancient party has named Ramesh Chennithala as its Maharashtra in-charge and Sachin Pilot, a former deputy chief minister of Rajasthan, as the leader of the Chhattisgarh Congress.With no designated job, Priyanka Gandhi will continue to serve as the party's general secretary, the Congress stated in a statement.The Congress president, Mallikarjun Kharge, presided over a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party's highest decision-making body, two days prior to the appointments. Senior leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, were present. Senior leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala, K C Venugopal, Mukul Wasnik, and Jairam Ramesh continue to serve as general secretaries, with responsibility for Gujarat, Karnataka, communication, and organization, respectively. According to the statement, Deepak Babaria is in charge of Delhi and Haryana, while Jitendra Singh, the general secretary in charge of Assam, was assigned the additional charge of Madhya Pradesh."
Congress rearranges the leadership group, giving Sachin Pilot a major role
"With the Lok Sabha elections quickly approaching, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge completed the much-needed reorganization of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretariat on Saturday. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was relieved of her duties as general secretary for the crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, and Sachin Pilot was named general secretary for the state of Chhattisgarh. These nominations followed the party's appointment of a manifesto committee, chaired by former Union Minister P Chidambaram, to formulate the party's platform and issues for the Lok Sabha election campaign. Several leaders of the party urged the Congress Working Committee (CWC) to act quickly and begin organizing for the general elections on Thursday. As general secretary, Priyanka will remain so ""without any assigned portfolio."" There are rumors that she might receive a significant position within the company. The AICC general secretary Pilot's promotion and Ashok Gehlot's appointment to the national alliance committee earlier this week suggest that the Congress may consider a different candidate for Rajasthan's Leader of the Opposition position. granted that Pilot has been granted a function outside of the state and that Ashok Gehlot was included in a national alliance group earlier this week, Congress may be considering a new candidate for Rajasthan's Leader of the Opposition."
Avinash Pande is who? The new UP chief for the Congress, who took over for Priyanka Gandhi
"In the party's reorganization ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Avinash Pande took over as the Congress General Secretary overseeing Uttar Pradesh, replacing Priyanka Gandhi. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party named senior leader Avinash Pande as the General Secretary responsible for Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. Pande responded to the appointment by writing on X, ""I swear, Smt. Priyanka ji, to uphold your legacy."" I shall fully utilize the authority bestowed upon me as the General Secretary in charge as well as the task that has been assigned to me."
"Those who receive a summons from Lord Ram...”: BJP as CPM's Yechury turns down an invitation to Ayodhya
"Following the CPI(M)'s confirmation on Tuesday that it will not be attending the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, a furor broke out. Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi stated, ""Invitations were sent to all (but) only those called by Lord Ram will come,"" in an interview with news agency ANI.I received the invitation from Nripendra Mishra ji and a leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. The CPI(M) respects and upholds each person's freedom to practice any religion they so choose. But now, the state is funding this inauguration ceremony. Attendees at the event will include the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, the Prime Minister, and other constitutional officials. Politicization like this is wrong, Yechury said to India Today TV. ""According to the Constitution and the Supreme Court, the state shall not profess any particular religion or have any religious affiliation,"" he added.Our stance is to uphold each person's freedom to practice their religion and their beliefs. Religion is a matter of personal preference that should not be used as a political tool. Despite being invited, Comrade Sitaram Yechury will not be attending the ceremony, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) announced on X."
Amit Shah and JP Nadda are scheduled to meet in Kolkata prior to the Lok Sabha elections.
"On Tuesday, December 16, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President JP Nadda arrived in Kolkata to evaluate West Bengal's organizational readiness for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Throughout the day, West Bengal BJP workers are expected to attend a number of organizational meetings with Amit Shah and JP Nadda. On the occasion of Veer Baal Diwas, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda attended and offered prayers at Gurudwara Bara Sikh Sangat in Kolkata on Tuesday."
Caste, religion, and god in Kannada: How Karnataka Rakshana Vedike came to represent the state's language war
On Wednesday, the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) made headlines once more when its members destroyed non-Kannada signage and vandalized commercial establishments in Bengaluru, demanding that they have 60% Kannada. The demand has been made by pro-Kannada organizations previously. However, Wednesday’s vandalism came after the state government directed all establishments to sport Kannada signboards prominently and the Bengaluru civic body – Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) – set a February 28, 2024, deadline for the same.Parties have refrained from confronting the KRV due to its influence and network, which have been established over 20 years, and Siddaramaiah government's cautious response to the most recent wave of vandalism."
Congress seeks to determine a ""safe"" path after the Ram Temple event, where the road was paved with mines.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust invited the Congress to the Pran Pratishtha, or consecration ceremony, of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, but the Congress is not at all happy about the invitation. The Congress is caught in a political minefield, trying to craft a stance that won't do too much electoral damage, knowing that the BJP stands to gain political ground from the ceremony on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections. The matter may also cause rifts within the INDIA alliance. The Trinamool Congress has hinted that Mamata will speak at the function, although the CPI(M) has formally announced that its general secretary Sitaram Yechury will not be there and has criticized the BJP and RSS for combining religion and politics. In response to the Cong predicament, Shashi Tharoor says that invitees ought to have the freedom to choose, ""rather than being described as 'anti-Hindu' if they don't go, or 'playing into BJP hands' if they do."""
The main political events of 2023, in numbers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the new Parliament building on May 28. The Lok Sabh However, in terms of Parliament's operations, the year was still turbulent. It started with the chaotic Budget Session, which saw the second-lowest amount of time this government has ever spent in office. Though the Monsoon and Winter Sessions saw some of the most Bills passed since 2019, the productivity of the next two regular Sessions of Parliament suffered as well. However, there were constant interruptions during each session, and many important and divisive bills were passed with little to no debate. The government called a Special Session in September and unveiled the women's reservation bill, which aimed to give women 33% of the seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, shocking the electorate ahead of the Assembly poll. During this session, the Bill was approved by both Houses.a chamber now has 888 seats, up from 543 in the previous building. Additionally, the Rajya Sabha chamber's capacity was increased from 250 to 384 seats. Although the precise amount has not been disclosed, the construction is thought to have cost around Rs 1,200 crore. However, because the PM was launching the Parliament and ""sidelining"" President Droupadi Murmu, the legitimate head of state, twenty opposition parties, representing 242 MPs in both Houses, boycotted the inauguration."
Rahul Gandhi bats for caste census after Modis iggest OBC remark
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reiterated calls for a caste census on Monday following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion that he was the ‘biggest OBC’. The Wayanad MP — currently travelling through Jharkhand for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra — said the PM appeared to ‘get confused’ during his address in Parliament and urged him to ‘decide first’. Gandhi said that it was necessary to count members of the community if the administration ‘wanted to give them participation’. The question is in front of everyone. PM calls himself OBC. In between he got confused and then started saying that there are only two castes in the country – rich and poor. So he should decide first...We want caste census to be done…" Gandhi said. Prime Minister Modi had come down heavily on the Congress and other Opposition parties during an address in Parliament on Sunday, accusing the UPA government of not delivering justice with OBCs. “Congress can't tolerate OBCs...They keep counting how many OBCs are there in government. Can't you (Congress) see the biggest OBC here (pointing towards himself)?" PM Modi said during his reply to the 'Motion of Thanks' on the President's address. This question is not just of one person but of the people of India. As an example, there are only three OBCs out of 90 IAS in Delhi. You will not find Dalits and tribals in the health and education system. Name any OBC owner among the top 100 corporate companies in India. You might have heard the names of Adani, Tata, and Birla but there is no name of any OBC. What kind of country would there be in India of injustice?" he added
Champai Soren to face floor test in Jharkhand Assembly today, Section 144 imposed
Jharkhand Assembly will witness crucial ‘floor test’ on Monday, 5 February, of the ruling alliance led by JMM leader and chief minister Champai Soren. Last week Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren was arrested by Enforcement Directorate in land fraud case, necessitating another senior JMM leader Champai Soren to take over. The Assembly will convene for a two-day session on 5 February. The newly formed Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Jharkhand under the leadership of Chief Minister Champai Soren will face the floor test today. Section 144 has been imposed near Jharkhand assembly. A special court in Ranchi allowed former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren to participate in the trust vote in the state assembly on February 5. JMM leader Manoj Pandey said, "I think it is just a formality. The spirit of the opposition is already low seeing the numbers and the unity of the INDIA alliance. The figure can also cross 48. Our party, our alliance is united...Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren will also be present and will vote during the floor test. The ruling alliance of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, and Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) had sent off their MLAs to Congress-ruled Telangana to prevent any poaching by Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).
Arvind Kejriwal sympathises with Delhi police action after MLA poaching charges.
On Delhi Police serving notice to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he said ‘Sympathise with police, they're being made to do drama instead of stopping crime.’Earlier in the day, a team of Delhi Police Crime Branch officials arrived at the residence of AAP leader and issued notice alleging that his party charged that Bharatiya Janata Party "of trying to buy AAP MLAs". They also sought a reply from him in the next three days Police officials also came to serve notice on Friday and asked him to provide evidence that BJP "of trying to buy AAP MLAs". They also visited the residence of AAP minister Atishi.Sources close to ANI cited that both the AAP leaders were not present at their respective residences.Atishi also revealed that the AAP possesses a recording of one such "Operation Lotus 2.0" conversation, hinting at its potential release if necessary. The Aam Aadmi Party accuses the BJP of attempting to destabilize the elected Delhi government through "Operation Lotus 2.0," and also alleged that BJP has offered bribes and threats to AAP MLAs to induce defection.Atishi said “BJP has started 'Operation Lotus 2.0', and is trying to topple the democratically elected AAP government in Delhi. 7 MLAs of the AAP have been contacted by the BJP, and have been told, that Arvind Kejriwal will be arrested soon, after which AAP MLAs will be rifted apart. They are in touch with 21 of our MLAs, using whom they aim to topple the Delhi government. Those 7 MLAs have been offered ₹25 crores each. Operation Lotus is the tactic used by the BJP to come into power in states, where they are not democratically elected. Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are examples,"
On Three Bharat Ratnas, Sonia Gandhi
The announcement of the Bharat Ratna to former prime ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, as well as scientist MS Swaminathan, was welcomed by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. "I'm happy to have them. She said to reporters outside the Parliament, "Why not?In addition to leading India through significant changes, Narasimha Rao enhanced the country's intellectual and cultural legacies, according to Prime Minister Modi. According to PM Modi, Rao's visionary leadership was crucial in propelling India's economy forward and laying the groundwork for future prosperity and expansion.The prime minister said, "Bharat Ratna to Charan Singh dedicated to his incomparable contribution to country." "Swaminathan made monumental contributions to country in agriculture and farmers' welfare," PM Modi stated.According to the prime minister, he made exceptional efforts to modernize agriculture and was crucial in assisting India in becoming self-sufficient in this area. L K Advani and Karpoori Thakur were earlier awarded the nation's highest civilian honor by the government.
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. "
