The Chhattisgarh

Tag: Congress

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • ‘1-Hour Timer Fixed For…’: DK Shivakumar Says 10 Injured In ‘Low-Intesnity’ Bengaluru Cafe Blast |

    New Delhi: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday called the explosion in Rameshwaram cafe a ‘low intensity blast’. The Dy CM said that a timer was fixed for blast to happen after 1 hour. Shivakumar also stated that a youth came and kept a small bag, which exploded after an hour.  He has also asked the people of Bengaluru not to worry. “7-8 teams formed to probe the incident. We are looking at all angles,” Shivakumar said while addressing the media in Bengaluru.

    A bomb blast at a popular eatery in the city on Friday left ten persons injured and police have launched a probe from all angles after it emerged that an earlier suspected gas leak was not the cause of the explosion.

    #WATCH | On Bengaluru cafe blast, Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar says, “It was a low-intensity blast. A youth came and kept a small bag which exploded after an hour. About 10 people received injuries. 7-8 teams formed to probe the incident. We are looking at all angles. I ask… pic.twitter.com/UFlaVxfAV5
    — ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2024

    Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and State Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara, along with DGP Alok Mohan, also visited the Bengaluru explosion site for inspection. 

    A team from the National Investigation Agency also visited the explosion site in the Whitefield area.

    Earlier today, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the accused involved in Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram cafe will be traced and punished, adding that opposition parties should refrain from indulging in politics over the incident.

    Addressing reporters in Mysuru, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “CCTV footage from the cafe is being examined. It has come to be known that someone had left a bag at the cafe. The accused in the incident will be punished.”

    Asserting that “multiple explosions have also taken place in previous governments,” the Chief Minister said, “This incident has happened in our government. Disciplinary and strict action will be taken against those involved. Politics should not be done in this matter.”

     

  • Himachal Assembly Speaker Disqualifies 6 Rebel Congress MLAs |

    New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh assembly speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania terminated the membership of 6 rebel MLAs who defied the party whip to vote in favour of the government on the Finance Bill in the House.The disqualified MLAs are Rajinder Rana, Sudhir Sharma, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Devinder Kumar Bhutoo, Ravi Thakur and Chetanya Sharma.

    Addressing reporters here, Pathania, who had reserved his verdict on the disqualification of the MLAs on Wednesday, said the legislators attracted the anti-defection law by defying the Congress whip as they were elected on the party’s tickets. “These six MLAs are disqualified and cease to be members of Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly with immediate effect,” the Speaker said.

    These MLAs had cross-voted in favour of BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha elections on Tuesday. Later, they abstained from voting on the budget in the assembly.

    The petition was filed by Congress MLA and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harsh Wardhan Chauhan under the anti-defection law for disqualification of the six MLAs.

    Earlier on Wednesday, the Speaker said that the Parliamentary Affairs Minister had filed a petition against the six MLAs of the Congress party because the anti-defection law attracts proceedings against them.

    The Congress government in the state faces a crisis after six MLAs crossed sides and are learnt to be in touch with the BJP. The Congress has 40 MLAs, while the BJP has 25 in the 68-member state assembly. The remaining three seats are held by independents.

    The Congress had managed to pass the state budget after the speaker suspended 15 BJP MLAs for allegedly creating a ruckus in his chamber, a move that came under severe criticism from the BJP.

    “The BJP has 25 MLAs. The number increased to 34 after the Rajya Sabha voting. This created a danger for the government… They had to pass the budget somehow otherwise the government would fall. For this, they had to decrease the no. of BJP MLAs. 15 MLAs including me have been suspended… We were suspended to save the Congress government. After our suspension, they passed the budget” BJP leader Jairam Thakur said.

    The BJP has claimed the Congress had lost the moral standing to be in power after losing majority in the Assembly.

  • Himachal Crisis Live Updates: Congress Rebel MLAs Take Chopper Route To Shimla |

    In Himachal Pradesh, the political turmoil is being claimed by the BJP. This morning, a delegation of BJP MLAs including Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla to make him aware of the developments that took place in the last few days. It includes denial of cut motions and division voting on the finance bill and cross-voting by the Congress MLAs in the Rajya Sabha election. Despite claiming the support of around 45 MLAs including independents, the Congress got just 34 votes. A cross-voting by the Congress and independent MLAs saw the BJP tally going up to 34 despite having just 25 seats. 

    10.10 AM: Six Congress Himachal Pradesh’s legislators who cross voted in Rajya Sabha elections on Tuesday and were staying at a hotel in Haryana left for Shimla in a helicopter for the Budget Session of the state assembly on Wednesday. Earlier on Tuesday, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had claimed that opposition leaders were obstructing the work of counting officials, and that “5-6 Congress MLAs were taken away in a convoy of the CRPF and Haryana Police.”

    #WATCH | Haryana: Chopper boarded by Himachal Pradesh MLAs, takes off from Panchkula. https://t.co/2R5baFaAbZ pic.twitter.com/IqXBrvhweT
    — ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2024

    9.40 AM: Himachal Pradesh BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan said that the BJP will form a government in the state. “BJP is going to form its government in the state. Some more MLAs of Congress are in touch with us. I got phone calls from some of their MLAs and ministers…The situation is going to change in the next few hours and you will see BJP will form its govt soon…For the next 10-20 years, Congress is not going to come to power here…” he said.

    #WATCH | HP BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan – who won the Rajya Sabha Elections says, “BJP is going to form its government in the state. Some more MLAs of Congress are in touch with us. I got phone calls from some of their MLAs and ministers…The situation is going to change in the… pic.twitter.com/2aPmfIhOrU
    — ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2024

    9.25 AM: Himachal Pradesh BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan said that BJP is the game-changer in the politics. “People are upset with the Sukhu government. All good leaders are joining BJP. It is a future party…There has been cross-voting. On today’s date, Congress has lost its majority in the state. This Govt is not going to last for long…” he said.

    08.50 AM: Watch: BJP Delegation led by LoP Jairam Thakur Meets Himachal Governor

    #WATCH | Shimla: Himachal Pradesh LoP Jairam Thakur along with BJP’s legislative party met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla at Raj Bhawan. pic.twitter.com/ZmnpXI2mxm
    — ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2024

    BJP Meets Governor

    BJP has claimed that the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government in the state has lost its majority. Before meeting the governor today, former CM ahd LoP Jairam Thakur said, “We will apprise the Governor about what happened in the Assembly. We demanded division during the vote on the financial bill, it wasn’t allowed. The House was adjourned twice. This is not right, it has never happened in Himachal Pradesh. The government has lost the moral right to stay in power.”

    Number Game

    In the 2022 Himachal Pradesh assembly elections, the Congress emerged victorious with 40 seats out of the 68-member house. Additionally, the party secured the backing of three independent MLAs.  The majority mark is 35. The BJP, on the other hand, attained 25 seats. There is speculation that if Congress loses the support of nine MLAs, its count would decrease to 31 MLAs.

    Options With Congress

    If the BJP demands a trust vote, the Assembly speaker may disqualify the rebel Congress MLAs as they not only violated party’s whip but also indulged in anti-party activity by cross voting. In that case, the majority mark will come down benefitting the Congress. 

    Congress MLAs In Panchkula

    After yesterday’s cross-voting, many Congress MLAs are in Panchkula along with some BJP MLAs. Zee News TV also reported that many Congress MLAs are upset with CM Sukhu and have urged the party’s high command to change the Chief Minister. However, they left for Shimla in a helicoptre to attend the budget session.

    Congress Rushes Observers

    After the cross-voting led to the defeat of the Congress candidate in the Rajya Sabha, the grand old party rushed two observers – Bhupinder Singh Hooda and DK Shivakumar – to Shimla. They will meet the MLAs and the Chief Minister to bring the situation under control and prevent the collapse of the Sukhu government.

  • Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Left’s Wayanad Bid Throws Another Challenge For Rahul Gandhi, Congress-Led INDI Alliance |

    In a move that hints at more rifts in the Congress-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, the CPI(M) today announced its candidate fro the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala, curently held by Rahul Gandhi. The CPI(M) indirectly asked Congress to vacate the seat for the Left pary. The move puts the Congress on backfoot once again as the INDIA bloc parties have been posing a new challenge to the grand old party every other day.

    CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said, “CPI has declared its candidate for the seat in Wayanad, Comrade Annie Raja, who has played a key role in ‘Mahila Andholan’. Now she will be the candidate from the side of the whole LDF. Rahul Gandhi and Congress need to think, they say that their fight is against BJP. In Kerala, if you come and fight against Left, what message are you giving? So they need to think about their seat once again.”

    In the 2019 elections, the CPI had fielded 4 candidates but lost on all seats. Of the 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala, Congress bagged 15, the Indian Union Muslim League two and the CPI(M), KC(M), and RSP won 1 seat each.  

    Kerala Dare For Congress

    The Communist Party of India (CPI) has announced its first list of four candidates for Lok Sabha elections in Kerala yesterday. The CPI fielded Pannian Raveendran from Thiruvananthapuram, Annie Raja from Wayanad, VS Sunil Kumar from Thrissur and Arun Kumar from Mavelikara. Notably, all of the four seats are currently held by the Congress party – Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad and Shashi Tharoor from Thiruvananthapuram, T. N. Prathapan from Thrissur and Kodikunnil Suresh from the Mavelikara seat. By announcing the candidate for these seats first, CPI has played a similar card like Akhilesh Yadav did in Uttar Pradesh. Now, the ball is in Congress party’s court whether it accepts or rejects the Left party’s offer.

    The Left party has urged Congress to not contest from Kerala and insteat focus on North where the BJP is very strong. Just like Trinamool Congress in Bengal, Left and its allies want Congress to leave Kerala to them only. 

    Congress On Backfoot

    Congress is already on a backfoot when it comes to seat sharing as part of the INDIA bloc. While Mamata Banerjee has already refused to ally with Congress or Left in Bengal saying that TMC will contest all 42 seats alone against the BJP. Similarly, the AAP said that it will contest all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab alone. While the AAP and SP sealed seat sharing deal with Congress for some states, that made Congress minorty shareholder. In Uttar Pradesh, Congress has just got 17 seats out of the 80 while in Delhi, it has got 3 out of seven seats.

    Will Rahul Gandhi Quit Wayanad?

    It’s unlikely that Rahul Gandhi will leave the Wayanad seat. Recently, Rahul Gandhi rushed to the Wayanad after elephant attacks happened in the region. Also, Gandhi won from the Wayanad seat but lost from Amethi. There are very low chances of Rahul Gandhi contesting from Amethi once again. Thus, it’s likely that while Congress may agree to take one or two step back in Kerala to appease the Left, but it may go for a friendly fight from the Wayanad seat.

  • Rajya Sabha Election 2024 Live Updates: Khela In Uttar Pradesh And Karnataka? 15 Seats Up For Grabs In 3 States |

    Rajya Sabha elections in three states are going to be held on Tuesday with 15 seats up for grabs in three states – Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. The polls are anticipated to be highly competitive for three seats in two states governed by the Congress and one seat in Uttar Pradesh. Due to the fear of cross-voting in Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, the Congress and Samajwadi Party are keeping a close eye on their MLAs. 

    Resort Politics In Karnataka

    Ruling Congress in Karnataka has relocated its MLAs to a hotel to safeguard them from external pressures. On Monday, the Congress shifted all its MLAs to a hotel, marking the beginning of the state’s trademark resort politics. All parties have issued whips to their MLAs ahead of today’s election. On Monday, Janardhan Reddy, Karnataka MLA and chief of Kalyana Karnataka Pragati Paksha, met CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar after he announced his support for Congress in the Rajya Sabha election. This further solidifies Congress’s winning chances. 

    While the Congress had a smooth path in securing four of Karnataka’s three seats due to its numerical strength, the BJP-Janata Dal Secular alliance complicated matters by nominating a second candidate. If there were four candidates, each would need 45 votes to win; however, in the case of additional candidates, preference votes would come into play. The Congress with 135 MLAs has the exact number to elect its three candidates, Ajay Maken, Nasir Hussain and G C Chandrashekhar.

    The entry of multi-millionaire real estate baron, D Kupendra Reddy, a Janata Dal (Secular)-BJP candidate has turned the elections to the fourth seat into a keen contest. Reddy, who declared Rs 1,200 crore assets in his election affidavit, has been fielded by the JD(S)-BJP combine. Reddy is confident that he will get the votes to win the election. Earlier, the Congress has complained that MLAs are being blackmailed to vote for Kupendra Reddy. A Congress delegation filed a complaint with the Bengaluru Police Commissioner. The BJP has 66 MLAs, which means it can easily get its main candidate, party worker Narayansa Bhandage, elected. Combined with the 19 JD(S) MLAs, the BJP-JDs second candidate Kupendra Reddy will need to get support of three Independents and get at least three Congress MLAs to cross-vote if he wants to win.

    Khela In Uttar Pradesh

    In Uttar Pradesh, the cross-voting fear has gripped the Samajwadi Party but the leading opposition party has maintained that all is well. According to Zee News TV sources, 8 to 10 of the Samajwadi Party MLAs may vote for the BJP alliance. The ruling BJP and SP had sufficient support to secure the unopposed election of seven and three members to the Rajya Sabha, respectively. However, the BJP escalated the competition by nominating Sanjay Seth, a former SP member and industrialist, as its eighth candidate. To secure an election, a candidate from the state requires approximately 37 first-preference votes.

    Ahead of voting, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav hoped that all three candidates of his party will win despite the BJP’s tactics. “BJP will do everything possible for victory. Some of our leaders who want personal gains can go to the BJP,” said Yadav expressing apprehension of the cross-voting.

    The SP has put forward Jaya Bachchan, an actor-MP, retired IAS officer Alok Ranjan, and Dalit leader Ramji Lal Suman. This decision has reportedly caused a rift with ally Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) leader Pallavi Patel, who expressed disagreement with the choice of Bachchan and Ranjan and stated she would abstain from voting.

    Congress’s Whip To MLAs In Himachal 

    In Himachal Pradesh, the actions taken were not as extreme as in Karnataka. The party has warned its MLAs about the election of its lone Rajya Sabha seat.  The focal point of the Congress’ contest in the state is its senior leader, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, pitted against the BJP’s core committee member, Harsh Mahajan. The Congress enjoys a clear majority with 40 MLAs, while the BJP has 25 members. Three MLAs, including two BJP rebels, identify as independents. Sources indicate that the BJP is currently seeking to woo dissatisfied Congress MLAs. 

    41 MPs Elected Unopposed

    Elections were due for 56 Rajya Sabha seats but since 41 leaders were elected unopposed including former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, BJP chief JP Nadda, Ashok Chavan, Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and L Murugan, the elections are being held for 15 seats in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh.

  • INDI Alliance Back On Track? Congress Confident Of Seat-Sharing Deal With TMC, AAP Soon |

    New Delhi: The Congress is hopeful of soon finalising the Lok Sabha poll seat-sharing arrangements with INDIA bloc allies AAP and TMC, sources said on Friday, days after the principal opposition party arrived at an understanding with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. Sources said while the talks with the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP have almost been concluded, discussions are still underway with the Mamata Banerjee’s TMC.

    The sources expressed hope the leadership would work out a solution soon accommodating the expectations of all parties.The TMC, which is the ruling party in West Bengal, has sought two seats in Assam and one in Meghalaya, which are being discussed. But a senior leader said the Congress is not keen to give away the Meghalaya seat.

    There are 14 seats in Assam and two in Meghalaya. As for the understanding with the AAP, the talks between the two parties are almost over with the AAP contesting four seats in Delhi and the Congress three.However, the sources said the AAP has also sought one seat in Haryana and two in Gujarat which included Bharuch, where the late Congress leader Ahmed Patel hailed from. The AAP has already declared Chaitar Vasava as its candidate on the seat.

    The sources, however, said Rahul Gandhi is learnt to have put his foot down on the seat considering the party is “emotionally attached” to due it being Patel’s home turf. Patel’s son and daughter are seeking a ticket from Bharuch and talks are being held with the AAP leadership to agree to another seat.

    Patel’s son Faisal, who is a contender for the seat, said in a post on X, “Honorable Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji, you listened to me and the Bharuch Congress workers.” “By supporting us, I and my fellow Bharuch Congress workers have been honored. I promise you that I will live up to your faith by winning the Bharuch Lok Sabha,” he said indicating that the Bharuch seat would remain with the Congress.

    INDIA bloc parties are together and will fight the polls in alliance, the sources said.A senior party leader also said that seat-sharing talks in Maharashtra are over after top party leadership held discussions with leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar in the MVA.

    The sources said a formal announcement is delayed because of seats to be given to Prakash Amvedkar’s party.Meanwhile, AAP leaders also said certain new developments are delaying an official seat-sharing announcement with the Congress.

    The sources claimed the Congress has expressed willingness to contest North East, Chandni Chowk and North West Delhi seats. Earlier, an agreement was reached that the Congress will contest East, North East and Chandni Chowk seats. Udit Raj won from North West Delhi Lok Sabha seat as a BJP candidate in 2014 polls. He quit the BJP and joined the Congress after being denied a ticket in 2019.

    All the 7 Lok Sabha seats in Delhi including North West Delhi were currently held by the BJP. Raj is considered as a front runner probable of the Congress from the seat.

    Earlier in the day, AAP general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak in a press conference said that the talks between the two parties are in the “final stages”. Announcements for all the states will be made simultaneously, hopefully “very soon”, he said.Pathak sought to play down the development related to Bharuch seat, saying “its not a big deal.”

    Faisal on Thursday said that if Bharuch Lok Sabha seat went to the AAP, he and other “conscientious” Congress workers will not support its candidate. Pathak said, “We will settle the issue mutually. In an alliance such situations and statements come up. We will address it maturely.”