News Analysis India

Category: Nation

  • Visiting Vaishno Devi Temple? You May Not Get Prasad Anymore; Know Why |

    In an innovative initiative, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has resolved to distribute plant saplings as ‘Prasad’ to the pilgrims visiting the Shri Vaishno Devi temple. To facilitate this, a state-of-the-art facility has been established at Katra, the starting point of the sacred journey.

    The Vaishno Devi Shrine is regarded as one of the most sacred shrines in India. They have attracted approximately 10 million devotees annually. Located on the Trikuta Hills, the Shrine Board officials explained that the motive behind this initiative is to inspire individuals to plant an increasing number of trees, thereby contributing to the fight against climate change and global warming. 

    These saplings, given as Prasad, will also serve as a divine blessing and a memento of the sacred pilgrimage. Viney Khajuria, the Assistant Conservator of Forest at SMVDSB, stated that the Board is soon going to officially commence the distribution of plants as ‘Parshad’ to the pilgrims of Vaishno Devi. A high-tech outlet is being planned at the Nahirika complex in Katra for this purpose, where devotees can receive the saplings as a blessing from Maa Vaishno Devi.

    Khajuria also revealed that a sophisticated nursery has been established by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board at the village of Kunia in the Panthal area near Katra in Reasi. The indigenous plant species are suitable to the local climate and are easy to transport and transplant. 

    The devotees have expressed their delight and enthusiasm about this novel concept. Devotees have called it a  ‘unique idea’, and are ‘thrilled’ to bring home the blessing of Mata Rani in the form of a plant.

  • ‘Rahul Gandhi Can Become Prime Minister But Of Pakistan’: Himanta Biswa Sarma |

    Assam Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma has been campaigning for the party candidates across states and has been quite vocal about why the NDA is vying for over 400 seats in this Lok Sabha Elections. Addressing a public meeting in Bihar’s Siwan, Sarma said that if the NDA gets 400 seats, it would not only fulfil the promise of the Uniform Civil Code but will also end ‘the business of marrying four times’. Indirectly referring to Madrasas, Sarma said that the NDA government will also ‘shut down shops that produce mullas’. He said that the ‘new India’ led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not need madrassas but modern institutions that produce doctors and engineers.

    The Assam CM also added that there won’t be any reservations based on religion and the NDA government would end Muslim reservations. Sarma also said that grand temples would be built in Varanasi and Mathura if the NDA returns to power by winning over 400 Lok Sabha seats.

    He was indirectly referring to Gyanvapi row in Varanasi and Shahi Idgah row in Mathura. The Assam CM said the NDA, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will ensure that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which is an integral part of India, returns to the country.

    मैं लालू यादव जी से कहना चाहता हूँ कि अब हिंदू जग गया है। आप दलितों, आदिवासियों और पिछड़े वर्गों का आरक्षण छीन कर मुसलमानों को नहीं दे पायेंगे। अगर आपको देना है तो पाकिस्तान में जाके दीजिए#BiharCampaign2024 pic.twitter.com/h9Vu1mduS2
    — Himanta Biswa Sarma (Modi Ka Parivar) (@himantabiswa) May 18, 2024

    Invoking the Ram Temple to slam Congress and RJD, Sarma said, “Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Prasad did not attend the consecration of Ram Mandir. They want to send Ram Lalla back to the tent. We must not let this happen.” 

    Slamming the INDIA bloc over reservations based on religion, Sarma said, “Religion-based reservations should be given to Muslims in Pakistan, not India. Lalu Prasad should go to Pakistan to give reservations to Muslims. The NDA will not allow this at any cost.”

    Hitting out at Rahul Gandhi’s PM ambition, Sarma said that the Congress leader can contest elections in Pakistan and become PM there. Sarma also alleged that besides putting up its own candidates, Congress and RJD are also backing Independent candidates in certain seats against BJP nominees.

  • Dhanajay Singh, Brij Bhushan Saran Singh, Raja Bhaiya: BJP’s Thakur Vote Bank Looks Sorted Now |

    Ahead of the critical phases of the Uttar Pradesh elections, it seems that the BJP has managed to resolve its Thakur dilemma. The past month has been quite eventful where several events have unfolded. 

    Why BJP Needs The Support Of Thakurs? 

    Thakurs hold a strong hold in many constituencies in central and eastern UP, which vote in the upcoming fifth, sixth, and seventh phases. There has been an evident discontent among Thakurs in west UP, who felt sidelined by the BJP in ticket distribution. 

    Enacting on the same, BJP has now all the influential Thakur strongmen in its kitty. BJP has now commanded dominance in politics of the following regions. Their leaders include Brij Bhushan, whose influence extends to Gonda; Brijesh Singh in the Varanasi region; Raghuraj Pratap Singh, also known as ‘Raja Bhaiya’, in the Pratapgarh area; Dhananjay Singh of Jaunpur; and Abhay Singh of Ayodhya. While they all hail from east UP, their influence reaches beyond their respective areas.

    In order to emerge victorious the party made amends by nominating community leaders in key seats such as Kaiserganj, Rae Bareli, and Mainpuri. 

    Jaunpur Lok Sabha Seat 

    Dhananjay’s wife, Srikala Reddy, initially received the Jaunpur Lok Sabha ticket from the BSP, replacing the incumbent MP Shyam Singh Yadav.In an unexpected twist, she was later dropped as a candidate, and Yadav was reinstated. 

    Thereafter, Dhananjay declared his support for the BJP, and Srikala was seen in a photo with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

    BJP leaders believe that these developments have essentially guaranteed the Jaunpur seat for their candidate, Kripa Shankar Singh. Dhananjay is known to wield influence over not only Thakurs but also OBCs in Jaunpur and the neighboring Machhlishahr constituency.

    Kaiserganj Lok Sabha Seat 

    In Kaiserganj, despite internal opposition, the BJP nominated the son of senior leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who had to be replaced due to allegations of sexual harassment by female wrestlers.

    Brij Bhushan is believed to have a significant influence among Thakurs and Kurmis in Gonda, Ayodhya, Barabanki, Basti, Balrampur, and Sidharth Nagar. 

    Rae Bareli And Mainpuri Lok Sabha Seat 

    Dinesh Pratap Singh and Jaiveer Singh are the BJP’s candidates in Rae Bareli and Mainpuri, respectively, running against leaders of the INDIA bloc, Rahul Gandhi and Dimple Yadav.

    With Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a Thakur himself, there were whispers of him being overlooked in the ticket distribution in west UP, which have now subsided. Dinesh Singh is considered close to the CM.

    Varanasi Lok Sabha Seat

    Brijesh Singh, a mafia don based in Varanasi, has always been open about his allegiance to the BJP, and particularly to Adityanath. He has been out on bail since August 2022, after being acquitted in most of the 35 serious charges against him, including murder. He was arrested in 2008 by the Delhi Police.

    In 2016, Brijesh became an Independent MLC after the BJP did not field a candidate against him from Varanasi. In 2022, his wife Annapurna Singh won the same MLC seat in a surprise victory against a BJP candidate, sparking speculation about who supported her.

    Brijesh is believed to have influence among Thakurs and Bhumihars in Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Ghazipur, Mau, Ballia, and also in some districts of Bihar and Jharkhand.

    Pratapgarh Lok Sabha Seat 

    ‘Raja Bhaiya’, who has consistently won the Kunda Assembly seat seven times, six of those as an Independent before establishing his own party in 2022, is thought to have the support of Adityanath. However, recently, Raja Bhaiya voiced his stance and said, “After a meeting with party leaders and workers, a decision has been taken that the party will not support any candidate in the Lok Sabha elections. Our voters and supporters may cast their votes as per their will.”

    In 2013, when Raja Bhaiya was a minister in the Samajwadi Party government led by Akhilesh Yadav and was charged with the murder of Deputy SP Zia-ul-Haq in Pratapgarh, Adityanath, then a BJP MP from Gorakhpur, deviated from the party line to declare that Raja Bhaiya had been wrongly accused. 

    Raja Bhaiya has served in the BJP governments of Kalyan Singh and Rajnath Singh, as well as the Samajwadi Party government of Mulayam Singh Yadav, in addition to the Akhilesh government. Earlier this year, he supported BJP candidates in the Rajya Sabha elections in UP.
    He is perceived as having sway among Thakurs and OBCs, including Yadavs and Kewats, in the districts of Pratapgarh and Kaushambi.

    What’s The Situation In Ayodhya?

    Abhay Singh, once a friend but now an adversary of Dhananjay, and the incumbent SP MLA from the Gosainganj constituency in Ayodhya, has also pledged his loyalty to the BJP. He voted for the BJP in this year’s Rajya Sabha elections. His father and wife joined the BJP last month.

    Abhay is known to be assisting the BJP in the constituencies of Ayodhya, Ambedkar Nagar, Barabanki, and Basti.

  • Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Kharge’s ULTIMATUM To Adhir Ranjan On Mamata: ‘Those Who Won’t Follow, Will Be Out Of The Party’ |

    With the election season getting intense everyday, the war of words is leaving many jaws dropped. Garnering a lot of heat is none other than the Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who has now given an explosive ultimatum to Adhir Ranjan.  

    Speaking on the matter, Mallikarjun Kharge said at a press conference in Mumbai, “(West Bengal CM) Mamata Banerjee has said that she will support the INDIA alliance (government) from outside. As far as Congress leader Adhir Ranjan’s remark is concerned, he is no one to decide anything. The top leaders and high command will decide that and those who won’t follow the same will be out of the party.”

    VIDEO | Here’s what Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) said responding to a media query.

    “(West Bengal CM) Mamata Banerjee has said that she will support the INDIA alliance (government) from outside. As far as Congress leader Adhir Ranjan’s remark is… pic.twitter.com/JjDTMbNMsB
    — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 18, 2024

    What did Adhir Ranjan say?

    Actually, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had targeted the statement of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in which she had said that if the INDIA alliance forms the government, then TMC will provide external support. On this statement of Mamata Banerjee, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had reacted that, “She left the alliance. She can also join hands with BJP,” 

    BJP’s Watching 

    Reacting on the inter-party heat in the Congress camp, the official handle of BJP posted, “It’s high time the West Bengal Pradesh Congress spokespersons stop their pathetic shadowboxing against TMC and start addressing TMC’s endless scams—from recruitment fraud to cattle smuggling—on Bengali TV shows. If not, they face the same fate as Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, ousted and humiliated.”

    It’s high time the West Bengal Pradesh Congress spokespersons stop their pathetic shadowboxing against TMC and start addressing TMC’s endless scams—from recruitment fraud to cattle smuggling—on Bengali TV shows. If not, they face the same fate as Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury… pic.twitter.com/8MXoZfnqgt
    — BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) May 18, 2024

  • Maharashtra Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Phase 5 Voting Timing, Key Candidates And Polling Constituencies |

    New Delhi: Maharashtra is all set to contest polls for 13 Lok Sabha seats in Phase 5 on May 20. The state has 48 seats and 13 of them are going to vote in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha Election. The parliamentary constituencies going for the polls are Dhule, Dindoi, Nashik, Palghar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Thane, Mumbai North, Mumbai North – West, Mumbai North – East, Mumbai North – Central, Mumbai South – Central and Mumbai South.

    Phase 5 Voting Date And Time

    The Lok Sabha elections for Phase 5 are going to be held on May 20. The voting for all the seats will begin at 7 am and counting is scheduled to be held on June 4.

    Maharastra Lok Sabha Polls:  Key Candidates And Constituencies In Fray In Phase 5

    Dhule: Dr Subhash Ramrao Bhamre (BJP) vs Dr Shobha Dinesh Bachhav (INC)

    Dindori: Bharati Pravin Pawar (BJP) vs Bhaskar Bhagare (NCP(SP))

    Nashik: Rajabhau Waje (Shiv Sena (UBT)) vs Godse Hemant Tukaram (Shiv Sena)

    Palghar: Dr Hemant Vishnu Savara (BJP) vs Bharti Kamadi (Shiv Sena (UBT))

    Bhiwandi: Kapil Moreshwar Patil (BJP) vs Suresh Mhatre NCP(SP)

    Kalyan: Vaishali Darekar (Shiv Sena (UBT) vs Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena)

    Thane: Rajan Vichare (Shiv Sena (UBT)) vs Naresh Mhaske (Shiv Sena)

    Mumbai North: Piyush Goyal (BJP) vs Bhushan Patil (INC)

    Mumbai North-West: Amol Kirtikar (Shiv Sena (UBT)) vs Ravindra Dattaram Waikar (Shiv Sena)

    Mumbai North-East: Mihir Kotecha (BJP) vs Sanjaydina Patil (ShivSena (UTB))

    Mumbai North – Central: Adv. Ujwal Nikam (BJP) vs Gaikwad Varsha Eknath (INC)

    Mumbai South – Central: Anil Desai (Shiv Sena (UBT)) vs Rahul Shewale Shiv Sena

    Mumbai South: Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena (UBT)) vs Yamini Yashwant Jadhav (Shiv Sena)

  • Weather Update: India Reels Under Scorching Summer, Temp Nears 47 Degrees Mark In UP, Rajasthan |

    New Delhi: The Indian Meteorological Department predicted hot and humid weather over the region of Jharkhand Odisha, Assam, Goa, Tripura and Meghalaya on Saturday. While Uttar Pradesh is expected to continue its Warm night conditions Kariyana, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh are likely to experience heat weave conditions in May. 

    IMD raised an orange alert for states like Bihar, and Gurarat, while a red alert raised for Rajasthan. As per IMD predictions, the heat wave-like situation is likely to continue in the coming days for the states like Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand and Gujarat.

    Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan To Soar Heat Wave

    Uttar Pradesh’s Agar and Rajasthan’s Barmar experienced the maximum temperature of 46.9 and 46,5 degrees Celcius on Friday, While Matdya Pradesh’s Gwalior experienced 44.9 degrees Celsius temperature yesterday.

     

    Indian Meteorological Department tweets, “Observed Maximum Temperature Dated 17.05.2024” pic.twitter.com/JeaQdXzhVV
    — ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2024

     

    IMD Fordcast For Rainfall And Thunderstroms

    The department predicted thunderstorms with lighting and gusty wind over the region of Karnataka, Nagaland, Manipur and coastal Andhra Pradesh, While, heavy rainfall to serve over the region of Assam and Meghalaya, Puducherry and Nagaland.

  • Dry Days In Mumbai: Liquor Shops And Bars To Remain CLOSED For 3 Days – Know Why |

    Ahead of the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha  elections, the authorities in Mumbai has announced dry days from May 18 to 20. Maharashtra will vote in this fifth phase on May 20.  Key constituencies like Mumbai, Palghar, Kalyan, and Thane are gearing up to vote in the upcoming phase. 

    According to reports, wine shops and bars in Mumbai will close on May 18 at 5 pm and remain shut through May 19. The wine shops and bars will reopen on May 20 at 5 pm. On polling day, May 20, these establishments will be closed all day. These alcohol sales restrictions are intended to maintain public order.

    Moreover, another dry day will be observed on June 5. The nation gears up for vote counting and the official announcement of election results. These measures are essential for ensuring a peaceful and orderly election process. 

    Voting was held in 96 Lok Sabha seats in the fourth phase, out of which 25 were from Andhra Pradesh, 17 from Telangana, 13 from Uttar Pradesh, 11 from Maharashtra, eight each from Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, five from Bihar, four each from Jharkhand and Odisha, and one from Jammu and Kashmir.
    A total of 1,717 candidates were in the electoral fray in this phase.

    Fourth Phase Of Lok Sabha Elections

    In the third phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections on May 7, 93 constituencies saw a voter turnout of 65.68 percent, as reported by the Election Commission. The voter turnout in the third phase comprised 66.89 percent men, 64.41 percent women, and 25.2 percent third-gender individuals who exercised their right to vote.

    Lok Sabha Elections 2024

    Lok Sabha elections 2024 are being held in 7 phases from April 19 to June 1. The remaining three phases of voting will be held on May 20, May 25 and June 1. The results of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will be announced on June 4.

  • Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE | PM Modi Takes A Dig At SP, Congress, Says ‘They Will Bulldoze The Ram Temple’ |

    Lok Sabha Elections 2024 News Updates: Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and other INDIA bloc partners will take part in a large rally in Amethi at 1 pm. Rahul and Akhilesh will attend a joint rally in Raebareli later in the day at 3 pm.

  • Shah’s ‘Badi Bottle’ Swipe At Kejriwal, Says Liquor Scam Will Follow Delhi CM Wherever He Will Go |

    New Delhi: BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit hits out at Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal on Friday and said that people will only remember the ‘liquor scam’ whenever they see Kejriwal and the party during the campaigning in the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections.

    “I think wherever he’ll go for the poll campaign, the people will remember the liquor scam, even in Punjab. People will also see big bottles in front of them when they see Kejriwal,” Shah said.

    Shah also counters Kejriwal for saying he “won’t have to go to jail if you vote for me” during his roadshow in Punjab’s Amritsar. Shah said that there is no bigger contempt of the Supreme Court than this.

    “There can be no bigger contempt than this. Will the Supreme Court make decisions on crime based on (electoral) victory or defeat? I am not saying it; Kejriwal ji is saying it,” he said.

    During an interview with ANI, Amit Shah responded to BJP’s plan B in an ongoing Lok Sabha Elections. he said that PM Modi will come to power again with a full majority and there is no need for plan B.

    “Plan B needs to be made only when there is less than a 60% chance for Plan A (to succeed). I am certain that PM Modi will come to power with a thumping majority…” Shah said.

    Meanwhile, BJP leader also countered Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader KT Rama Rao’s remarks on the North-South divide on Friday. Shah said that the South as a separate country was highly objectable

    Reacting to the North-South divide Shah said, “This country can never be divided again. A senior Congress leader had said that divide North India and South India, and Congress did not distance itself from this statement. The people of the country should think about the agenda of Congress.”

    While expressing his confidence, Shah asserted that BJP will perform better in south India in the ongoing Lok Sabha Polls. He said, “The BJP is going to become the largest party in five southern states – Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka.”

  • JD(S) MLA HD Revanna Gets Interim Bail In Sexual Harassment Case |

    New Delhi: Janata Dal (Secular)  MLA and former Karnataka Minister HD Revanna was granted an interim bail from Bengaluru court in connection with a sexual harassment case.

    Bengaluru court granted bail till Friday, shortly after obtaining conditional bail in connection with a Kidnapping case related to the ‘obscene video’ case. JD(S) leader HD Revanna filed a bail petition in a sexual harassment case on Thursday.

    The 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court (ACMM) granted interim bail and said that the main bail plea will be heard on Friday at 3 pm. While the Special Investigation Team (SIT) contented that JD(S) MLA’s bail plea should be dismissed. 

    SP Jayna Kothari requested the judicial custody of the accused, JD(S) MLA Revanna, in the case. As per ANI, Revanna’s advocate Arun, said, “This is a bailable case.”