The Chhattisgarh

Tag: BJP

  • Congress To Promise ‘Right To Employment’ To Youth, Stringent Punishment For Paper Leak In Manifesto |

    NEW DELHI: Seeking to woo the country’s youth ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress will for the first time ever offer them the “right to employment” as part of its poll promise for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections besides mulling stringent punishment to those responsible for paper leaks in examinations. The party top leadership is likely to make an announcement on the ‘right to employment’ during a public rally at Badanawar in Madhya Pradesh, where both Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi will be present. Top party sources said the promises will be part of the Congress manifesto which is likely to be finalised soon, once the Congress Working Committee approves it.

    “This is the first time ever that such a scheme to give ‘right to employment’ will be given to the youth of the country and some allowance may also be offered to the youth,” a source said, adding that even developed countries do not offer their youth such a scheme. The party would also provide for a stringent law and punishment against those responsible for paper leaks in the country and will suggest measures to bring transparency in government recruitments in its manifesto.

    The measures come after Rahul Gandhi during the ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ has focussed on the plight of lakhs of students suffering due to frequent paper leaks and cancellation of exams thereafter in some cases like in Uttar Pradesh. The thrust of the manifesto is likely to be on the 5-nyay (five pillars of justice) promised by the Congress during party leader Rahul Gandhi-led ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’, the sources said.

    The party would also focus on giving legal guarantee to minimum support price and promising a caste-based census in the country for filling up the government vacancies. The Congress is likely to give a thrust to some welfare measures like providing financial assistance to marginalised sections of the society and ensuring that they get justice and be part of the state welfare measures.

    This comes after the Congress promises made to the people helped the party get into power in states like Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh recently. The Congress manifesto committee, headed by former union minister P. Chidambaram, met here to give a final shape to the manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls at a five-hour meeting this evening.

    Several members of the party’s manifesto committee were present during the meeting at the AICC headquarters. Chidambaram said the committee has given final shape to the draft manifesto which will become the party document once the CWC approves the same. The panel wound up internal deliberations for giving final shape to the party manifesto which is likely to include some innovative measures like an apprenticeship scheme for the youth to deal with the issue of unemployment.

    “We have completed our draft manifesto. It’s a draft. It will go to the Congress working committee. It is the Congress Working Committee which finalises the manifesto and then it becomes a Congress party document. At the moment, we have completed the work on the draft manifesto,” Chidambaram told reporters after the meeting.

    “I hope to be able to present it to the Congress president along with members available in Delhi sometime tomorrow,” he added. The party’s manifesto committee also has senior leaders like Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Shashi Tharoor and Anand Sharma, among others. Vadra and Sharma were, however, not present in the meetings held on Monday and Tuesday.

    Among those who participated in the discussions on Tuesday include Chidambaram and Tharoor, minority chief head Imran Pratapgarhi, Ranjeet Ranjan and Gurdeep Sappal. Pratapgarhi after the meeting said, “We had taken views from all across the country and compiled it accordingly. It combines everything, youth women, unemployment, inflation etc.” “It will go now to the CWC and will notify upon issued,” said Ranjan.

    Sources also said the party manifesto will focus on empowering the youth, women, poor and farmers. They added the party is mulling a plan to tackle the menace of paper leaks and is likely to present its vision for bringing about transparency in government recruitments. The 16-member panel includes Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and former union minister Jairam Ramesh while former Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister TS Singh Deo is its convenor.

  • A Raja’s Controversial Remark On India, Lord Ram Draws BJP’s Ire; Congress Distances Itself |

    Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP A Raja’s remark on Lord Ram and India started a new series of political uproar on Tuesday. A part of A Raja’s recent speech was shared by the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) on social media where the DMK MP was heard referring to India as more of a subcontinent than a nation. Additionally, he proclaimed himself as an enemy of Lord Ram. A Raja was speaking in Madurai on March 4, where he questioned the rationale and perspective behind calling India a nation. He further said that ‘Jai Shri Ram is chi.’ After which the leaders from BJP are demanding the arrest of A Raja for his derogatory remark and causing offense to many. 

    What A Raja Said? 

    A Raja, in his address in Madurai district, expressed the view that ‘India should not be viewed as a nation but rather as a subcontinent.’ He questioned the basis for this perspective, asserting that within India, individual languages and regions like Tamil, Malayalam, and Oriya could be seen as distinct nations, each with its own identity and culture. According to Raja, these diverse nations collectively constitute India as a subcontinent rather than a singular country. He  

    He claimed that in BJP says this is God, if this represents Jai Sri Ram and Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Tamil Nadu rejects such notions. He further said that people of Tamil Nadu hates ‘Jai Shri Ram’. He claimed that he lacks belief in the Ramayana and Lord Ram and added that ‘Jai Shri Ram’ is viewed with disdain. “Your Jai Shri Ram is Chi! Idiots!” he allegedly said. 

    BJP Slams A Raja, INDIA Bloc 

    The speech has invited wrath from both BJP and Congress party. BJP leader Amit Malviya on ‘X’ said that the silence of INDIA bloc and especially the PM candidate Rahul Gandhi is deafening. “After Udhayanidhi Stalin’s call to annihilate Sanatan Dharma, it is now A Raja who calls for balkanisation of India, derides Bhagwan Ram, makes disparaging comments on Manipuris and questions the idea of India, as a nation,” he added. Malviya uploaded the video of the speech in Tamil and additionally provided the English translation of the purported comments.

    The hate speeches from DMK’s stable continue unabated. After Udhayanidhi Stalin’s call to annihilate Sanatan Dharma, it is now A Raja who calls for balkanisation of India, derides Bhagwan Ram, makes disparaging comments on Manipuris and questions the idea of India, as a nation.… pic.twitter.com/jgC1iOA5Ue


    — Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) March 5, 2024

    Tamil Nadi BJP Chief K Annamalai took a dig at DMK saying that the party run on appeasement of haters of Sanatan Dharm. “A party run by dynasts and a member of the I.N.D.I. Alliance runs on a two-point agenda: appease your masters who hate Sanathana Dharma and loot beyond proportion,” he wrote in a tweet. 

    Congress Distances From Remark 

    Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson, Supriya Shrinate condemned A Raja’s remarks in a press conference. She said she completely disagree with his comments, and she wants to express her strong disapproval. She added that Lord Ram transcends any specific community and is inclusive of all and I distance myself from such remarks. She urged people to exercise caution and restraint when expressing their opinions. 

  • Mamata Banerjee Govt Refuses To Hand Over Sheikh Shahjahan To CBI Despite HC Order |

    Kolkata: In a dramatic turn of events, the West Bengal government on Tuesday chose defiance over compliance, refusing to surrender custody of Sandeshkhali violence accused Sheikh Shahjahan to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) despite a clear directive from the Calcutta High Court. The former Trinamool heavyweight stands accused of a litany of charges, including extortion, land grabbing, and sexual assault in Bengal’s Sandeshkhali region.

    HC Order Ignored: CBI Left Empty-Handed

    Despite the High Court’s explicit instruction to transfer Shahjahan’s custody to the police’s criminal investigation department (CID), the state government held its ground, citing an appeal to the Supreme Court as justification. Consequently, a CBI team dispatched to claim custody departed from Kolkata’s police headquarters without their intended prize, leaving the legal tug-of-war unresolved.

     

    #WATCH | CBI team left from police headquarters in Kolkata. West Bengal CID did not hand over custody of Sheikh Shahjahan to CBI as the state government went to the Supreme Court regarding this matter. pic.twitter.com/sAJeWoihYK
    — ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2024

     

    Assets Frozen: ED Cracks Down

    Simultaneously, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) made significant strides in its pursuit of justice, provisionally attaching assets totaling Rs 12.78 Crore linked to Shahjahan and his associates. The seizure, which includes a variety of immovable properties and bank accounts under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002, underscores the gravity of the allegations against the former Trinamool leader.

    High Court’s Scathing Rebuke

    The Calcutta High Court did not mince words in its assessment of the state police’s handling of the case, lambasting their perceived bias and advocating for a thorough investigation by the CBI. Echoing the sentiments of many, the court emphasized the need for impartiality and integrity in resolving the accusations against Shahjahan.

    BJP’s Allegations; Sandeshkhali’s Unrest

    The arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan has not quelled the storm of controversy surrounding his actions. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of sheltering Shahjahan from the scrutiny of federal investigative agencies, suggesting political motivations behind his sudden apprehension.

    Meanwhile, Sandeshkhali continues to reverberate with protests, as women in the community demand justice for the alleged atrocities committed by Shahjahan and his cohorts. Their voices, amplified by widespread discontent, serve as a potent reminder of the stakes involved in this ongoing saga of power, politics, and justice.

  • `Fodder Thief…`: BJP`s Smriti Irani Hits Back At Lalu Yadav`s `Parivaarvad` Remarks On PM Modi

    Smriti Irani challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to compare the ten years of UPA rule with the performance of the Modi government.

  • Big Setback For Congress As Gujarat MLA Arjun Modhwadia, Ambarish Der Resign Ahead Of Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra, Lok Sabha Polls |

    Three days ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’s Gujarat leg, a big setback came for Congress as two key party leaders resigned from the grand old party. Congress MLA and former president of the party’s Gujarat unit Arjun Modhwadia resigned from the assembly and the party while the party’s working president of the Gujarat unit Ambarish Der also resigned leaving the party in troubled waters ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

    Two Big Leaders Quit Congress

    Modhwadia submitted his resignation to the state Assembly Speaker. He was among the Congress CM contenders during the 2017 polls. Addressing the media, Modhwadia said, “When a party loses its connection with the people, it cannot survive for long. The people of the country wanted the Ram Temple to be constructed. The Congress had also decided that after a constitutional verdict from the Supreme Court, we would support it. Even then the invitation to the Pran Pratishtha was declined. I raised my voice then too, that this would hurt the public sentiment and we should not make such political decisions and that decision showed a lack of connection with the people. I tried to convey my message in several other matters, but I was not successful. Finally, I decided to resign today.”

    The party’s Gujarat unit working president Ambarish Der also resigned from the party and said he will join the ruling BJP on Tuesday. His resignation came after the party suspended Der from all posts and as a primary member of the Congress for a period of six years for his ‘anti-party activities’.

    Earlier in the day, Gujarat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president CR Paatil visited Der’s residence in Ahmedabad. Der also said that he was upset with the party’s stand on Ram temple in Ayodhya. The 46-year-old former MLA claimed it will be his “home-coming” as he was with the BJP in the past and worked extensively for it when he was young.

    Der had represented the Rajula seat in the Amreli district from 2017 to 2022 as the Congress MLA. He had defeated BJP’s heavyweight Hira Solanki, the younger brother of state minister Parshottam Solanki. Ahead of the 2022 Gujarat assembly polls, Der was made the Congress working president and remained on the post despite suffering defeat at the hands of his arch rival Hira Solanki.

    Assembly, Lok Sabha Polls Speculation

    While there is speculation that Hira Solanki might be asked to resign as the Rajula MLA and fielded from the Bhavnagar Lok Sabha seat, and Der might be the BJP candidate for the Rajula seat bypoll. The BJP might field one of the two leaders in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

    Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra

    Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra will enter Gujarat on March 7 and will cover 400 kilometres across seven districts over four days. During this, Rahul Gandhi will offer prayers at temples and visit the historic Swaraj Ashram at Bardoli to pay tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. “There will be 27 corner meetings and six public gatherings as part of the yatra’s Gujarat leg. Some of the distance will be covered using cars and buses, while foot marches will be held in urban areas,” said the Congress. 

    The yatra, which began in the strife-torn Manipur, will culminate in Mumbai on March 20-21 after covering 6,713 kilometres across 110 districts over a period of 67 days, as per party leaders.

  • ‘Main Bhi Hoon Modi Ka Parivar’: PM Modi Coins New Slogan In Telangana |

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Opposition INDIA alliance over nepotism and corruption and accused them of resorting to personal attacks on his family. Emphatically, the PM declared that ”140 crore Indians” are part of his extended family. PM Modi said this in response to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s ”parivaarvaad” jibe at the PM. Addressing the ‘Jan Vishwas Maha Rally’ at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, former Bihar CM and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said, “What is this Modi?… This Narendra Modi is attacking ‘parivaarvaad’ these days. First, you should tell why you do not have any children or family. For the people with more children, he (PM Modi) says that it is dynasty politics. You don’t have a family…You are not even a Hindu. Every Hindu tonsures their head to mourn their mother’s death. Answer why did you not get your hair and beard removed…”

    Opposition’s Real Manifesto Exposed: PM

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the INDI Alliance leaders, highlighting their involvement in corruption, dynasty politics, and appeasement. He asserted that their real manifesto for the 2024 elections has been revealed, emphasizing his commitment to serving the nation and addressing dynasty politics.

     

    #WATCH | Telangana: In Adilabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “Leaders of INDI Alliance who are involved in corruption, dynasty and appeasement are going berserk. They have now come out with their real manifesto for the 2024 elections. When I question their dynasty… pic.twitter.com/tCVzsuLOcU
    — ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2024

     

    My Life Is An Open Book: PM

    Responding to allegations about his family, PM Modi affirmed, “My life is like an open book. People of the country know and understand me very well.” He shared anecdotes about receiving letters from citizens, acknowledging their concern for his well-being while working tirelessly for the nation.

    PM Modi reflected on leaving his home as a child with a dream in his eyes to serve the people. He pledged to spend his life fulfilling the dreams of the citizens, emphasizing that crores of people in the country consider him as their own family.

    Telangana’s Future Unaffected By Change In Leadership

    Addressing the political landscape in Telangana, PM Modi asserted that nothing significant will change with Congress replacing BRS. He praised the contributions of the people of Telangana, especially the tribal community, underlining the BJP Government’s efforts for their development.

    In Adilabad, PM Modi inaugurated, laid the foundation stone, and dedicated over Rs 56,000 crore worth of development projects. The projects spanned across power, rail, and road sectors, symbolizing a new chapter of development not only for Telangana but the entire nation.

    PM Modi highlighted various projects, including the inauguration of IITs, IIMs, and AIIMS, showcasing India’s pace of development. He emphasized the significance of tribal empowerment and the launch of the world’s largest storage scheme for farmers.

     

    From Adilabad in Telangana, launching development initiatives that will further strengthen the country’s power, road and rail infrastructure.https://t.co/KV6jbwPsh4
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 4, 2024

     

    Focus On Tribal Development

    The Prime Minister celebrated the achievements of tribal women, pointing out that before the BJP came to power, the idea of an Adivasi woman becoming the country’s President was unimaginable. He dedicated projects that symbolize progress in tribal welfare and honour.

    Energy And Infrastructure Boost To Telangana

    PM Modi dedicated significant energy projects, including NTPC’s 800 MW unit in Telangana and 660 MW unit in Jharkhand. He stressed the importance of these projects for Telangana’s energy production capabilities and the overall progress of marginalized communities.

    Connectivity And Infrastructure Development

    The Prime Minister inaugurated national highways, highlighting the enhanced connectivity through railways and highways. He emphasized the positive impact on travel time, tourism, and employment opportunities in the region.

    Expanding Renewable Energy

    PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various solar and hydroelectric projects across different states, reinforcing the commitment to renewable energy and sustainable development.

    Rail And Road Connectivity Projects

    The electrification of the Ambari – Adilabad – Pimpalkhuti rail line and the foundation stone for two major National Highway projects connecting Telangana with Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh were also part of the extensive development initiatives unveiled by PM Modi.

    In the presence of Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundarajan, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, PM Modi showcased the government’s dedication to comprehensive development, leaving a lasting impact on the nation’s progress.

  • BJP Draws Out Plan For ‘Viksit Bharat’: Agenda Set For 100 Days After Return To Power |

    PM Modi and his council of ministers convened on Sunday to discuss the detailed roadmap for India’s transformation into a developed nation by 2047. As per government sources the comprehensive plan, named “Viksit Bharat,” was crafted through a Whole of Government approach, engaging all ministries. Five ministers from the Modi-led government gave presentation in the meeting. 

    The strategic meeting, held just days before the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect, outlined a 100-day agenda aimed at the quick implementation of immediate steps following the formation of the new government in May 2024, according to government sources. 

    The planning involved extensive consultations with state governments, academia, industry bodies, civil society, scientific organizations, and the active participation of the youth. The exhaustive process included over 2,700 meetings in a span of two years, workshops, and seminars conducted at various levels, seeking input from more than 20 lakh youth. 

    “The roadmap for Viksit Bharat has a comprehensive blueprint with a clearly articulated national vision, aspirations, goals, and action points,” asserted government sources. The goals outlined in the plan span a wide range of areas, including economic growth, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ease of living, ease of doing business, infrastructure, and social welfare. 

    Sources confirmed that Viksit Bharat aims to position India as a global economic powerhouse, focusing on sustainable development and improving the overall quality of life for its citizens. The roadmap lays down specific strategies to address key challenges and leverage opportunities across multiple sectors. 

  • Former Gujarat CM Nitin Patel Opts Out Of Lok Sabha Race For Mehsana Seat |

    The ongoing trend of BJP candidates stepping down from their candidacies persists, with Nitin Patel, the BJP nominee for the Mehsana Lok Sabha seat, declaring his withdrawal from electoral politics on Sunday. Patel conveyed his decision through a social media post on ‘X’. This move follows similar decisions from other BJP MPs including Gautam Gambhir, Jayant Sinha, and Harsh Vardhan, who also opted out of political responsibilities recently. 

    On a post on the microblogging site, Nitin Patel mentioned that the candidates for 15 Lok Sabha seats in the state have been announced, while the selection process for the Mehsana Lok Sabha candidate is still underway. Earlier today, Harsh Vardhan, a former Union Minister and the current BJP MP, revealed his choice to retire from politics. This announcement followed the release of the BJP’s first list of Lok Sabha election candidates, wherein Harsh Vardhan was not included. 

    The former cricketer and MP of East Delhi, Gautam Gambhir on Saturday announced his dismissal from politics through a tweet hours before the BJP’s first list of candidates was released. After which Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh MP Jayant Sinha conveyed his intention to refrain from participating in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. 

    The BJP on Saturday evening announced the first list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, comprising 195 individuals spread across 16 States and two Union Territories. Among the 195 candidates, 107 come from backward communities, including 27 from Scheduled Castes, 18 from Scheduled Tribes, and 57 from other backward classes (OBCs). The list includes 28 female candidates and 47 candidates under the age of 50. Abdul Salam, a Muslim candidate, has been nominated to contest from Malappuram in Kerala.

  • Lok Sabha Polls 2024: Is AAP Making Same Mistake As Samajwadi Party And RJD By Allying With Congress? |

    Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came into existence opposing the Congress and BJP. In the true sense, that X-factor has been a key to the grand success of AAP in Delhi and Punjab. In Delhi, it gave AAP three consecutive successes and Punjab a victory greater than Congress and Akalis. The Aam Aadmi Party has managed to increase its vote share in many other states like Gujarat, Haryana and Goa. But ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the AAP appears to have fallen into the trap of the Congress-led INDIA bloc and it may hurt the party’s prospects in the Parliamentary polls.

    AAP-Congress Seat Sharing Deal

    In Delhi (7 seats), Congress will contest three seats and AAP on four while in Gujarat, Congress will contest 24 seats and AAP on two seats – Bharuch and Bhavnagar. Of the 10 seats in Haryana, Congress to contest nine and AAP on one -Kurukshetra. In Chandigarh, the Congress will contest on the lone seat while in Goa, the Congress to contest on both seats. The AAP had already announced a candidate for one of the two seats in Goa but withdrew it after a deal with the Congress.

    Delhi | Congress and AAP announce seat-sharing in Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Chandigarh and Goa

    In Delhi (7 seats), Congress to contest on 3 and AAP on 4
    In Gujarat (26 seats), Congress to contest on 24 and AAP on 2 (in Bharuch and Bhavnagar)
    In Haryana (10 seats), Congress to… pic.twitter.com/vCauAdvkUm
    — ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2024

    Historical Data From Delhi 2019 Polls

    In Delhi, where the AAP is multiple times stronger than Congress, the ruling party has given three out of seven seats to the grand old party. The Congress has been continuously witnessing an erosion of its vote bank in the national capital in favour of the AAP. By joining hands with Congress, AAP has sent out a message that both parties are the same and thus it is bound to alienate those voters who support AAP for its distinct ideology. In fact, on all the seven seats, the combined vote share of AAP-Congress was less than that polled by the BJP in the 2019 polls with the Congress securing second position and the AAP at third rank. 

    Learnings From RJD, Samajwadi Party

    In Bihar, during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and even during the 2020 assembly elections, the RJD was in alliance with the Congress. It gave nine seats to the Congress in the Parliamentary polls but the alliance failed to win even a single seat. In the 2020 assembly polls, the RJD contested 144 seats and won 75 of them while the Congress contested 70 seats and won just 19. The lower strike rate of Congress was considered one of the reasons that the RJD lost out on power by a whisker. In Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party had allied with the Congress during the 2017 Assembly polls. The Samajwadi Party contested 298 seats and the Congress on 105 seats. The Congress won just seven seats while the SP bagged 47 of them. 

    In the 2022 assembly polls, Akhilesh Yadav opted not to ally with the Congress and contested 347 seats on its own by allocating 56 seats to the regional parties. Due to this, the SP managed to increase its winning seats to 111 while the Congress despite contesting 399 seats, won just two seats. This shows that allying with Congress hurts the regional parties’ prospects. Whenever a party, strong in a particular region or state allies with the Congress, its winning chances decrease while helping the Congress survive extinction threat. If the trend continues, AAP may witness a decrease in its vote share while that of Congress may increase slightly. This may further hurt the AAP’s effort to increase its presence across the country.

  • Gautam Gambhir Opts Out Of 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, Urges BJP President To Relieve Him From `Political Duties`

    Gautam Ganbhir urged to be relieved from his political duties as he wishes to focus on his cricket commitments.