News Analysis India

Category: Politics

  • Comparing Charan Singh’s legacy to ‘small election’ of 2024 belittles him: Jayant Chaudhary

    To compare the legacy of Chaudhary Charan Singh with a “small election” of 2024 is belittling him, Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Jayant Chaudhary said, refusing to spill beans over the said “deal” between his party and the BJP. He was asked about speculations of the RLD joining the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and switching over from the INDIA bloc after Bharat Ratna was announced for his grandfather.

    “If you compare a small election of 2024 with the great legacy of Chaudhary Charan Singh, you are belittling him and insulting his supporters. It is an insult to an honour like Bharat Ratna,” Chaudhary said.

    Asked about the allegations of a “deal” between RLD and BJP, he said, “The process of deciding on Bharat Ratna is a pious process. The government takes decisions in the interest of the nation, keeping in mind people’s sentiment… 37 years after his death, a government thought of honouring him. If they are seeing something wrong with this and if they think there is a transaction, it shows their ideological decline.” Asked what went wrong with the Samajwadi Party, he said it is an “internal matter”, adding that he will explain later why he changed his stand.

    “Those are internal matters, based on trust. Whatever discussions took place between me and Akhilesh ji, I will not discuss it outside… When our alliance is decided and announced, I will be able to tell why I changed my stand and the way ahead,” he said.

    On his earlier remarks that he will not “flip like a coin”, Singh said there should be an “expiry date” to remarks. “This used to happen earlier as well, but earlier the records were not available all the time. In the times of internet, you can also see my statements from 20 years ago when I fought with the support of the BJP and became an MP from Mathura. There is an expiry date to statements, something was said during poll campaign… Amit Shah had said something about me, I said something to keep my people together. I did not intend to insult him, nor did he take it personally. Otherwise, would Chaudhary sahab get a Bharat Ratna?” he said. “I am responsible for Lok Dal. My responsibility is to see how I can do better for my people and how I can help farmers. I will take a decision based on that,” he added.

    The remarks come amid speculations of the RLD joining BJP-led NDA ahead of the general elections.

    Singh on Saturday praised the Modi government for honouring his grandfather and former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh with Bharat Ratna.

    On Friday, after the announcement that Bharat Ratna will be conferred on Singh, Chaudhary had said “Dil jeet liya (They have won my heart)”.

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  • “PM Modi’s caste wasn’t recommended for OBC list by Mandal Commission”: Gehlot backs Rahul’s claim

    Jaipur: Defending the remarks made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not an OBC as he was born into the general category, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said the latter’s caste was not included in Other Backward Classes (OBC) list as per the recommendations made by Mandal Commission and Bakshi Committee.

    In a post on X, Ashok Gehlot said, “Rahul Gandhi has spoken the truth on the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inclusion in OBC because Modi/Ghanchi caste was not included in OBC list in the recommendations of Mandal Commission and Bakshi Committee, which was formed in 1978 for backward classes in Gujarat. His caste was that of a business community in the entire country. People from Jain, Maheshwari, and Agarwal communities commonly use the Modi surname.”

    Gehlot further said if PM Modi considers himself as the biggest supporter of the OBC community, then he shoudl have a nationwide caste census conducted at the earliest. “If Narendra Modi considers himself an OBC and a supporter of the interests of the OBC class, then as per the demand of former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, the central government should immediately announce the holding of a nationwide caste census. As our Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, on the one hand caste census will make it easier for the Central and state governments to ensure social justice for the backward classes from a scientific point of view and on the other hand, there should not be any confusion around caste census creating obstacles in the progress of people of general category,” Gehlot said.

    In January 1978, the Centre decided to set up a second backward classes commission, under the Chairmanship of BP Mandal. The Mandal Commission submitted its report in December 1980. The Mandal Commission identified 3,743 castes that it found to form India’s Other Backward Classes, representing 52 per cent of the country’s population. Noting that OBCs only occupied 12.5 per cent of civil service posts, it recommended 27 per cent reservation for them.

    Earlier, on Thursday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not an OBC as he was born into the general category.Addressing a public rally during the Odisha leg of his ongoing ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ here, the Wayanad MP said, “Whenever BJP workers come to you, tell them, ‘Our Prime Minister lied to the country that he belongs to the backward class. He wasn’t born into a backward class, he belongs to the general caste’. Do say this to every BJP worker.” Responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s denial of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s OBC status, BJP’s Amit Malviya accused him of spreading a ‘blatant lie.’

    Malviya shared an official document listing OBC categories from Gujarat dated October 27, 1999, asserting that Modi’s caste was officially recognized as OBC two years before he took over as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

    Malviya also claimed that the Nehru-Gandhi family, right from Jawaharlal Nehru to Rahul Gandhi, has consistently been opposed to OBCs.

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  • Amravati MP Navneet Rana demands Bharat Ratna for Balasaheb Thackeray, Savarkar – The Economic Times Video

    On Maharashtra leaders demanding Bharat Ratna for Balasaheb Thackeray and VD Savarkar, Amravati MP Navneet Rana says, “…PN Narasimha has been named for Bharat Ratna. I thinks all the names that have been announced are welcome. The demands have been made now, so I think that in the time to come, this government will take note of it. They should be awarded…”

  • White Paper on UPA decade: Congress lacked 'neeyat and niyam', says FM Sitharaman

    White Paper on UPA decade: Congress lacked 'neeyat and niyam', says FM Sitharaman

  • ‘Remember your own remarks…’: Karnataka CM after PM Modi criticizes Congress ‘tax protest’

    After Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at Congress for creating a North-South divide over sharing of tax funds, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said the former should remember his own remarks in the past during his tenure as Gujarat chief minister against the Congress-led UPA on similar issues.

    The Karnataka chief minister said PM Modi owes an explanation as to how his past criticisms of the Union government did not pose a threat to the nation’s unity and security.

    In a post on X, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark about our ‘Chalo Delhi’ campaign, aimed at protesting the injustices suffered by Kannadigas due to the Union Government’s unfair tax allocation, being a threat to the nation’s unity and security, is surprising. I urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remember his own remarks opposing the UPA Government when he served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.””Weren’t your statements back then also seen as potentially endangering the nation’s unity and security? I await your reply,” he added.

    The Karnataka CM claimed that Prime Minister Modi, during his stint as Gujarat CM, argued before the Finance Commission that the criteria for tax allocation should be revised to provide greater incentives to states demonstrating effective financial management and developmental efforts.

    — siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) “Modi asserted the necessity of reforming the current tax allocation system, which disproportionately rewards underperforming states at the expense of those excelling in fiscal management. He advocated for incentivising states that have significantly contributed to infrastructure development and national progress,” Karnataka CM posted on X. “Numerous such U-turns in stance could be listed. PM Modi owes an explanation as to how his past criticisms of the Union Government did not pose a threat to the nation’s unity and security, while similar protests from others supposedly do,” he added. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday ripped into the grand old party for allegedly working against the “interests of the nation.”

    “Some are trying to divide the country over funds. What can be a bigger misfortune for the country? Such a mindset is being demonstrated by a responsible national party. It is unfortunate! Our tax, our money! What language is being used? This is dangerous for the future of the country,” PM Modi said.

    Earlier, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar on Wednesday held a protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capital to protest against the Centre’s tax devolution policies to the southern state.

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  • White Paper: From Crisis to Confidence: Modi govt’s ‘White Paper’ examines economic evolution since UPA tenure

    The government has released a white paper, shedding light on what it perceives as the economic challenges inherited from the previous administration. The document, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament, outlines the alleged shortcomings of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and emphasizes the strides made under the current leadership.

    Economic Comparison

    The white paper underscores contrasting economic conditions between the previous UPA tenure and the present government’s term. It accuses the UPA of leaving behind a “non-performing” economy after a decade in power, contrasting it with the purportedly healthier economic landscape inherited by the current administration from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.Challenges and Progress

    Highlighting the hurdles faced, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) acknowledges the multifaceted challenges in revitalizing the Indian economy. Despite facing what it terms a “hydra-headed challenge,” the government asserts progress in restoring economic fundamentals and global confidence. The paper cites achievements such as India’s substantial contribution to global growth and successful international engagements like the G20 Presidency in 2023.

    Addressing Previous ConcernsThe white paper references past scandals and economic crises during the UPA tenure, including the 2G and Coalgate scams, double-digit inflation, foreign exchange crises, and policy paralysis. In contrast, it highlights current achievements such as extensive 4G and 5G coverage, transparent resource auctions, reduced inflation rates, and record foreign exchange reserves.The white paper concludes by asserting the current government’s progress in overcoming the purported challenges inherited from the previous administration. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defends the timing of the document’s release, emphasizing the need to address past economic issues. However, opposition figures like P Chidambaram from the Congress call for independent scrutiny of the paper’s contents.

    In response to the government’s white paper, the Congress has issued its own document, termed a ‘black paper,’ highlighting concerns such as rising unemployment, sluggish GDP growth, and vacant government positions. Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader, released the document, indicating a continued political debate over economic performance.

    This white paper serves as a comprehensive overview of the government’s perspective on economic governance, inviting scrutiny and debate as the nation approaches a pivotal general election.

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  • rahul gandhi viral video: PM Modi is not an OBC, was born in a general caste, claims Rahul Gandhi

    In a recent public rally in Odisha, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stirred controversy by accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of falsehood regarding his caste identity. Gandhi claimed that PM Modi, during his time in Parliament, misrepresented himself as belonging to the Other Backward Caste (OBC) community when he was actually born into the General caste.

    Gandhi’s accusations came during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, where he asserted, “PM Modi was not born in the OBC category. He was born Teli caste in Gujarat.” He further added, “He will not allow caste census to be conducted in his entire life because he was not born in OBC, he was born in General caste.”

    — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) The Congress leader urged the public to confront BJP workers with this information, stating, “Whenever BJP workers come to you, tell them one thing that our Prime Minister lied to the entire country that he belonged to the backward class.”

    PM Modi’s assertion of being ‘sabse bada OBC’ (the biggest OBC) in Parliament was referenced by Gandhi, who accused the BJP of hypocrisy and double standards in dealing with leaders of backward communities.

    In his rebuttal during the ‘Motion of Thanks’ on the President’s Address in Lok Sabha, PM Modi criticized the Congress party’s historical treatment of OBCs, claiming that they did not deliver justice to the community. He highlighted the lack of representation of OBC members in certain government bodies during the UPA government’s tenure.

    Gandhi’s remarks during the Odisha leg of the yatra emphasized the need for caste census and equitable representation of marginalized communities. He questioned the media’s diversity and representation and highlighted the absence of Dalits and Adivasis in prominent sectors like top companies and government positions.Accusing PM Modi of favoring billionaires over OBCs, Gandhi also showcased a humane gesture by pausing his speech to allow an ambulance to pass, garnering attention amidst the political discourse.The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, with Gandhi clad in a white t-shirt, continued its journey from Odisha towards Chhattisgarh, accompanied by AICC leader Ajoy Kumar and OPCC president Sarat Pattnayak, aiming to address socio-political issues and connect with the masses.

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  • Congress likely to bring ‘Black Paper’ in response to Modi govt’s ‘White Paper’ on economic mismanagement

    In response to the Central government’s plan to release a ‘White Paper’ criticising the Congress led UPA government’s tenure, the grand old party is preparing to counter with its own ‘Black Paper’, highlighting the shortcomings of the Modi government’s 10-year rule.

    ANI sources said that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is likely to spearhead the presentation of this ‘Black Paper’, aiming to provide a contrasting narrative to the government’s assessment and offer their perspective on the past decade of governance.

    Earlier, during a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the interim Budget, Jayant Sinha, chairman of the Standing Committee on Finance, talked about the significance of the government’s forthcoming ‘white paper.’ According to Sinha, this document will shed light on India’s economic struggles when the Congress-led UPA government relinquished power and the subsequent efforts made by the current administration to reverse the situation.

    He emphasised that India was categorized among the ‘fragile five’ economies globally during the UPA regime in 2013, indicating the severity of the economic challenges at that time.

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  • Soren undertook ‘blatant’ misuse of power: ED tells PMLA court

    Ranchi, The ED on Wednesday produced WhatsApp chat records between former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and a close associate where information related to transfer and posting of state government officials involving “huge amount of money” is alleged to have been discussed. The Enforcement Directorate made the submission before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Ranchi while producing the 48-year-old JMM leader on the expiry of his five-day remand.

    After the ED informed the court of Special Judge Dinesh Rai that its investigation against Soren was “not restricted” to alleged fraudulent acquisition of a 8.5 acres land in Ranchi by him, but there are “several other properties linked to him (Soren)”, the court extended his custody by five days.

    Soren was arrested by the ED on January 31 from the Raj Bhavan after about seven hours of his questioning at his official residence at Kanke Road here. He resigned as the CM before the agency took him under custody. The ED told the court that during the time Soren was in its custody, “details of several other properties have also emerged, to which the accused person Shri Hemant Soren is neither divulging true information in his knowledge nor showing cooperation”.

    The federal agency said it was also undertaking raids in this case on Wednesday and it wanted to confront Soren with Bhanu Pratap Prasad, a revenue department sub- inspector, whom it has arrested in this case for allegedly conspiring with the former CM for allegedly acquiring 12 plots of land measuring about 8.5 acres.

    It informed the court that Soren was confronted with WhatsApp chats between him and his close associate Binod Singh which it claimed were “highly incriminating and contain details of several properties and had several confidential documents”. These chats “not only include exchange of confidential information regarding several properties but other incriminating information relating to transfer and posting, sharing of government records, etc., out of which huge amount of money appears to have been generated and transacted”. The agency claimed that Binod Singh also had WhatsApp chats with several other persons regarding transfer and posting of officials and sharing of several admit cards of students appearing for competitive exams held by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission.

    While appending some pictures of the WhatsApp exchanges between Soren and Binod Singh, the ED said these were only “a few samples” and such conversations run in over 530 pages.

    The ED said it requested the politician to produce the mobile phone on which he had conversations with Binod Singh but he “deliberately” did not furnish the device to “conceal facts and stall investigation relating to suspected proceeds of crime”.

    “The proceeds of crime acquired by him is not only restricted to the investigation of the property measuring 8.5 acres but there are several other properties linked to him (Soren) and investigation to identify the said proceeds of crime and its trail of money is essentially required at this stage,” the agency said.

    The ED, seeking further remand of Soren, told the court that Soren undertook “blatant misuse of power in hampering and frustrating the evidences” linked to the 8.5 acre measuring immovable asset.

    The agency said it issued the first summons to Soren for questioning on August 8, 2023 and called him for recording of his statement six days later on August 14.

    It claimed that a man identified as Raj Kumar Pahan filed a petition before the circle officer of Baragai in Ranchi on August 16 saying some people have got illegal ‘jamabandi’ (documents of legal rights) of his land and requested the authorities to save his land.

    The land was resorted to Pahan on January 29 this year even as the agency said it was conducting raids in this case in Delhi that day, the ED said.

    It was alleged by the agency before the court that it seized documents related to this 8.5 acre land from the cupboard of Soren’s room that is located in a Delhi house.

    The agency also said that when it conducted the survey of this land in April last year, it met a ‘chowkidar’ (caretaker) posted at the property named Santosh Munda who told its officials that Soren and his wife Kalpana visited the property “two-three times”.

    It is evident, the ED said, Soren “acquired proceeds of crime and also indulged in corrupt practice and misuse of position for destruction of evidence in order to conceal the proceeds of crime acquired by him to keep himself away from the property measuring 8.5 acres”.

    The agency also told the court that as Soren was taken to the Jharkhand assembly on February 5 and therefore a “substantial time passed out in arrangements and bringing him back to its office for investigation”.

    The ED sought Soren’s enhanced custody to “ascertain the source of funds” through which the said land was acquired and to confront him and other accused.

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  • Mallikarjun Kharge asks Rajya Sabha chair to restore expunged parts of his speech

    Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, on Wednesday urged Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to restore the expunged parts of his speech on the Motion of Thanks on the president’s address. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Kharge said two pages from his February 2 speech were removed, leading to distortion of intent.

    “I had raised certain points…they have been removed from the record,” he said, and emphasised that he had not taken anybody’s name nor violated any rules.

    He cited several rules to support his argument against the removal of parts of his speech. The Congress leader added that he also did not made any remarks on “persons in high authority” which required to be expunged.

    “I register my strong objection…I would like to request you to restore the expunged part in the House proceedings,” Kharge, who has also give a written note to the chairman on the matter, said.

    Dhankhar said he would look into it and give his ruling. He also there is a book on ‘unparliamentary words’. On a suggestion from a Rajya Sabha member, the chairman also said he would be happy to constitute a committee to revisit the list of ‘unparliamentary expressions’. “I have received a written communication from the Leader of the Opposition. I have gone through it. I will give my ruling on it,” he said.

    Dhankhar said Kharge had raised four points in his written communication. The first point relates to a word which is “unparliamentary” and was hence expunged. Points number two, three and four relate certain portion of Kharge’s remarks which were made after the Chair had announced “that nothing will go on record”.

    Earlier in the day, Dhankhar said the House would meet on Saturday (February 10) in order to complete essential government business. There will be no Zero Hour and Question Hour on Saturday.

    According to the original schedule, Friday would have been the last day of the ongoing Budget session.

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