News Analysis India

Tag: assembly polls

  • Srinagar Diary

    Express News Service

    National Conference  preparing for pollsWith an eye on first-ever Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, National Conference has announced constituency incharge for the Assembly seats in Kashmir. The constituency incharges appear to be party candidates for the Assembly polls, which is likely to be held in April-May next year. The most significant inclusion in the list is that of Salman Sagar, who is son of party general Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar. Both father and son have been made constituency incharge for two seats in Srinagar – Salman Sagar (Hazratbal seat) and Ali Mohammad Sagar (Khanyar seat).

    Israeli diplomat visits Jammu farms Agriculture Attache MASHAV at Israel’s embassy in India, Yair Eshel visited Jammu and Kashmir recently and visited three farms in Jammu region. He met J&K’s Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo and briefed him about the Indo-Israel Agriculture Project (IIAP) of establishing proposed Centers of Excellence (CoE) in J&K. Each CoE will be comprising nursery management, best practices cultivation techniques, irrigation, and fertigation. On his visit to three farms in Jammu, Eshel said the region has potential to produce vegetables and fruits by using modern technology. 

    Young researchers gather at KUResearchers from various academic institutions of the state and elsewhere in the country have gathered at University of Kashmir for hands-on training and sensitisation on state-of-the-art scientific equipment. The week-long training programme is being organised by Department of Chemistry in collaboration with Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation Facility, Punjab University, under the aegis of a DST-sponsored ‘Synergistic Training Programme Utilizing the Scientific and Technological Infrastructure’. The theme of the programme is, “Insights and Hands-On Training Programme on Analytical Techniques in Chemical, Physical and Biological Sciences”.

    Fayaz waniOur correspondent in Jammu and [email protected]

    National Conference  preparing for polls
    With an eye on first-ever Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, National Conference has announced constituency incharge for the Assembly seats in Kashmir. The constituency incharges appear to be party candidates for the Assembly polls, which is likely to be held in April-May next year. The most significant inclusion in the list is that of Salman Sagar, who is son of party general Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar. Both father and son have been made constituency incharge for two seats in Srinagar – Salman Sagar (Hazratbal seat) and Ali Mohammad Sagar (Khanyar seat).

    Israeli diplomat visits Jammu farms 
    Agriculture Attache MASHAV at Israel’s embassy in India, Yair Eshel visited Jammu and Kashmir recently and visited three farms in Jammu region. He met J&K’s Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo and briefed him about the Indo-Israel Agriculture Project (IIAP) of establishing proposed Centers of Excellence (CoE) in J&K. Each CoE will be comprising nursery management, best practices cultivation techniques, irrigation, and fertigation. On his visit to three farms in Jammu, Eshel said the region has potential to produce vegetables and fruits by using modern technology. 

    Young researchers gather at KU
    Researchers from various academic institutions of the state and elsewhere in the country have gathered at University of Kashmir for hands-on training and sensitisation on state-of-the-art scientific equipment. The week-long training programme is being organised by Department of Chemistry in collaboration with Sophisticated Analytical Instrumentation Facility, Punjab University, under the aegis of a DST-sponsored ‘Synergistic Training Programme Utilizing the Scientific and Technological Infrastructure’. The theme of the programme is, “Insights and Hands-On Training Programme on Analytical Techniques in Chemical, Physical and Biological Sciences”.

    Fayaz wani
    Our correspondent in Jammu and Kashmir
    [email protected]

  • As Meghalaya, Nagaland head for polls, there’s unrest in the air

    By IANS

    SHILLONG: When political pundits are sceptical about the Naga peace talks while all parties and organisations are united in seeking resolution of the issue before the Assembly polls, ethnic troubles, along with resumption of agitations in support of old demands including introductions of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, causing the situations hot up in neighbouring Meghalaya.

    Assembly elections to Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura are expected to be held in February 2023 even though political parties and the Election Commission already started their activities in the three northeastern states.

    Ethnic tension and troubles have been prevailing in Shillong and its outskirts after the October 28 rally organised by the Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) highlighting unemployment problems in Meghalaya.

    As per eyewitnesses accounts and official reports, some FKJGP members, many of them masked, punched, kicked, and pushed passers-by indiscriminately, injuring a large number of people, mostly non-tribals, and causing panic and huge traffic jams in the area.

    Two days after the violence, the administration of the East Khasi Hills District – under which the Meghalaya capital falls, promulgated prohibitory orders 144 Cr Pc in the city and adjoining areas, banning all kinds of gatherings and rallies, except religious processions.

    However, on November 1, violating the prohibitory orders, the Save Hynniewtrep Mission (SHM), a conglomerate of NGOs, organised a rally in Shilling, attended by hundreds of people, and met Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong in support of their nine-point demand, including the imposition of Inner Line Permit in the state.

    The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO), an apex body of over 17 organisations, has been spearheading the agitation since 2019 for introduction of ILP in the entire state, as against three autonomous district council areas at present.

    The SHM’s other demands include inclusion of Khasi language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, solution to the long-pending Harijan Colony issue, and review of the MoU signed between Meghalaya and Assam in phase one of inter-state border talks.

    It is also demanding a CBI or judicial probe into the killing of former militant leader Cherristerfield Thangkhiew by the police, filling up of vacant posts in government departments, and immediate repeal of Gambling Act.

    SHM leader Roy Kupar Synrem, who is also the General Secretary of CoMSO, said they had informed the Deputy CM that they would further intensify their stir over non-fulfillment.

    “Not just in Shillong, whenever the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister or any minister visits any part of the state, our members and volunteers would go there to ask questions and remind them as to what happened to our nine-point charter of demands,” he said.

    If the ILP is enforced in entire Meghalaya, like in four other northeastern states — Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur, the state would keep itself out of the purview of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

    The ILP, under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, is an official travel document that allows an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period.

    To visit the ILP-governed states, foreign nationals and even people from other states of India need to take a permit from the state government.

    The main aim of the ILP system is to check settlement of other Indian nationals in these states to protect the native population. Protection is also extended to the indigenous people with regard to land, jobs and other facilities.

    Political experts said that ahead of the election to the 60-seat Meghalaya Assembly, agitations on old issues, including ILP, expected to intensify in the mountainous state, which also often witnessed ethnic violence during the agitations of various organisations including the anti-CAA movement.

    In neighbouring Nagaland, amidst the unrest over the non-settlement of the Naga political issue, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that unresolved issues are behind the backwardness of the state.

    If final solution is reached to the Naga political issue, Assembly elections may be deferred to enable interim arrangements. In the proposed political settlement, increase the number of Assembly constituencies, increase of seats in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the state and economic packages are likely to be considered, the CM had said.

    Rio, the top leader of the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), said that though Nagaland was created in 1963, it was lagging behind in all areas of development while many states that came into existence much later had progressed faster.

    SHILLONG: When political pundits are sceptical about the Naga peace talks while all parties and organisations are united in seeking resolution of the issue before the Assembly polls, ethnic troubles, along with resumption of agitations in support of old demands including introductions of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, causing the situations hot up in neighbouring Meghalaya.

    Assembly elections to Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura are expected to be held in February 2023 even though political parties and the Election Commission already started their activities in the three northeastern states.

    Ethnic tension and troubles have been prevailing in Shillong and its outskirts after the October 28 rally organised by the Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) highlighting unemployment problems in Meghalaya.

    As per eyewitnesses accounts and official reports, some FKJGP members, many of them masked, punched, kicked, and pushed passers-by indiscriminately, injuring a large number of people, mostly non-tribals, and causing panic and huge traffic jams in the area.

    Two days after the violence, the administration of the East Khasi Hills District – under which the Meghalaya capital falls, promulgated prohibitory orders 144 Cr Pc in the city and adjoining areas, banning all kinds of gatherings and rallies, except religious processions.

    However, on November 1, violating the prohibitory orders, the Save Hynniewtrep Mission (SHM), a conglomerate of NGOs, organised a rally in Shilling, attended by hundreds of people, and met Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong in support of their nine-point demand, including the imposition of Inner Line Permit in the state.

    The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO), an apex body of over 17 organisations, has been spearheading the agitation since 2019 for introduction of ILP in the entire state, as against three autonomous district council areas at present.

    The SHM’s other demands include inclusion of Khasi language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, solution to the long-pending Harijan Colony issue, and review of the MoU signed between Meghalaya and Assam in phase one of inter-state border talks.

    It is also demanding a CBI or judicial probe into the killing of former militant leader Cherristerfield Thangkhiew by the police, filling up of vacant posts in government departments, and immediate repeal of Gambling Act.

    SHM leader Roy Kupar Synrem, who is also the General Secretary of CoMSO, said they had informed the Deputy CM that they would further intensify their stir over non-fulfillment.

    “Not just in Shillong, whenever the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister or any minister visits any part of the state, our members and volunteers would go there to ask questions and remind them as to what happened to our nine-point charter of demands,” he said.

    If the ILP is enforced in entire Meghalaya, like in four other northeastern states — Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur, the state would keep itself out of the purview of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

    The ILP, under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, is an official travel document that allows an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period.

    To visit the ILP-governed states, foreign nationals and even people from other states of India need to take a permit from the state government.

    The main aim of the ILP system is to check settlement of other Indian nationals in these states to protect the native population. Protection is also extended to the indigenous people with regard to land, jobs and other facilities.

    Political experts said that ahead of the election to the 60-seat Meghalaya Assembly, agitations on old issues, including ILP, expected to intensify in the mountainous state, which also often witnessed ethnic violence during the agitations of various organisations including the anti-CAA movement.

    In neighbouring Nagaland, amidst the unrest over the non-settlement of the Naga political issue, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that unresolved issues are behind the backwardness of the state.

    If final solution is reached to the Naga political issue, Assembly elections may be deferred to enable interim arrangements. In the proposed political settlement, increase the number of Assembly constituencies, increase of seats in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the state and economic packages are likely to be considered, the CM had said.

    Rio, the top leader of the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), said that though Nagaland was created in 1963, it was lagging behind in all areas of development while many states that came into existence much later had progressed faster.

  • Himachal Pradesh polls: Nadda announces Uniform civil code, quota for women in govt jobs 

    By PTI

    SHIMLA: BJP president JP Nadda on Sunday promised Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and 33 per cent reservation for women in government jobs in Himachal Pradesh while releasing the party’s manifesto for the state Assembly polls.

    With less than a week left for assembly polls in his home state, Nadda announced various soaps, including 8 lakh jobs, scooters for girls pursuing higher education and five new medical colleges.

    Releasing the BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’, Nadda promised implementation of UCC in Himachal Pradesh if the party is voted to power and said a committee will be formed for it.

    At the same time, he said the BJP government will also conduct survey of Waqf properties in the state to check their illegal use.

    Focussing on women voters, Nadda released the party’s separate manifesto for them announcing 33 per cent reservation in government jobs. He also announced cycles for girl students in classes 6 to 12.

    Replying to a question, Nadda criticised the Congress manifesto — released on Saturday — saying it lacks both vision and weight.

    The BJP had formed a committee to take suggestions from the general public to draft the manifesto. The BJP is eyeing to change the trend of alternate governments in Himachal Pradesh. Elections for the 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly will be held on November 12.

    SHIMLA: BJP president JP Nadda on Sunday promised Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and 33 per cent reservation for women in government jobs in Himachal Pradesh while releasing the party’s manifesto for the state Assembly polls.

    With less than a week left for assembly polls in his home state, Nadda announced various soaps, including 8 lakh jobs, scooters for girls pursuing higher education and five new medical colleges.

    Releasing the BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’, Nadda promised implementation of UCC in Himachal Pradesh if the party is voted to power and said a committee will be formed for it.

    At the same time, he said the BJP government will also conduct survey of Waqf properties in the state to check their illegal use.

    Focussing on women voters, Nadda released the party’s separate manifesto for them announcing 33 per cent reservation in government jobs. He also announced cycles for girl students in classes 6 to 12.

    Replying to a question, Nadda criticised the Congress manifesto — released on Saturday — saying it lacks both vision and weight.

    The BJP had formed a committee to take suggestions from the general public to draft the manifesto. The BJP is eyeing to change the trend of alternate governments in Himachal Pradesh. Elections for the 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly will be held on November 12.

  • 67 companies of CAPF sought for Himachal Pradesh polls

    By PTI

    SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh state election office has sought 67 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces for holding free and fair Assembly polls in the state.

    This information was given by state Chief Electoral Officer Maneesh Garg on Friday evening.

    As many as 65 CAPF companies were deployed during the last Assembly elections in 2017, he told the media.

    The CEO said a notification for the state elections will be issued on October 17 and the last date for the filing of nominations is October 25.

    Scrutiny of papers will be held on October 27 and the last date for the withdrawal of papers will be October 29, he added.

    The voting is scheduled to take place on November 12 while the counting will take place on December 8.

    As many as 55,74,793 people are eligible to vote in the polls as of now. The state has 68 Assembly seats.

    SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh state election office has sought 67 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces for holding free and fair Assembly polls in the state.

    This information was given by state Chief Electoral Officer Maneesh Garg on Friday evening.

    As many as 65 CAPF companies were deployed during the last Assembly elections in 2017, he told the media.

    The CEO said a notification for the state elections will be issued on October 17 and the last date for the filing of nominations is October 25.

    Scrutiny of papers will be held on October 27 and the last date for the withdrawal of papers will be October 29, he added.

    The voting is scheduled to take place on November 12 while the counting will take place on December 8.

    As many as 55,74,793 people are eligible to vote in the polls as of now. The state has 68 Assembly seats.

  • AAP releases 4th list of 12 candidates for Gujarat Assembly polls; 41 seats covered so far

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday released its fourth list of 12 candidates for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, giving tickets to people from a cross-section of society, including teachers, businesspersons and tribals.

    Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal exhorted his party candidates to “fight hard” in the upcoming elections, saying the people of Gujarat have pinned their hopes on those joining the fray from the AAP this time.

    “Many congratulations to all the new AAP candidates for the Gujarat elections. Fight the election hard. This time, people of Gujarat have pinned their hopes on you only,” the party’s national convenor said in a tweet in Hindi.

    The Arvind Kejriwal-led party had earlier announced 29 candidates for the Assembly polls in the BJP-ruled state in the end of the year.

    With the latest list, the Delhi-headquartered party, which seeks to contest on all the 182 Assembly seats in Gujarat, has so far announced 41 candidates.

    The fourth list of candidates covers 12 seats, two of which are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) — Garbada and Gandevi.

    Two out of these 12 seats were won by the Congress in 2017, while 10 were bagged by the BJP.

    Two of these dozen seats — Amraiwadi and Vatva — are in Ahmedabad city, while one — Limbayat — is in Surat city.

    Among the candidates in the latest list are teachers, businessmen and social workers, Gujarat AAP president Gopal Italia said.

    The candidate list includes Nirmalsinh Parmar for Himatnagar seat, who is a retired teacher, while Doulat Patel for Gandhinagar (South) is a businessman.

    Kuldeep Vaghela (Sanand seat) is an industrialist, Bipil Patel (Vatva) sells garments and Bharat Patel (Amraiwadi) is an AAP worker who has contested the corporation election in the past, Italia told reporters.

    Among other candidates, Ramjibhai Chudasama (Keshod) is a leader from the Koli community who was in the past associated with the Congress.

    Natwarsinh Rathod (Thasra, Kheda district) has worked as a district panchayat member, while Takhatsinh Solanki (Shehra, Panchmahal district) is a popular leader in the region, Italia said.

    Dinesh Baria (Kalol, Panchmahal district) is an arts teacher while Shailesh Bhabhor (Garbada) is an AAP worker.

    Pankaj Tayde (Limbayat, Surat) is a businessman and social worker while Pankaj Patel (Gandevi) is a young tribal leader, the AAP leader said.

    The AAP, which rules Punjab and Delhi, has positioned itself as the main challenger to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power in Gujarat for nearly three decades now.

    AAP convener Kejriwal has been aggressively campaigning in the state, holding rallies and town halls and making a host of pre-poll “guarantees”, including free electricity and better education and healthcare facilities, to woo voters.

    The Opposition Congress and the BJP have yet to release their lists of nominees.

    The Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has announced three candidates.

    NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday released its fourth list of 12 candidates for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, giving tickets to people from a cross-section of society, including teachers, businesspersons and tribals.

    Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal exhorted his party candidates to “fight hard” in the upcoming elections, saying the people of Gujarat have pinned their hopes on those joining the fray from the AAP this time.

    “Many congratulations to all the new AAP candidates for the Gujarat elections. Fight the election hard. This time, people of Gujarat have pinned their hopes on you only,” the party’s national convenor said in a tweet in Hindi.

    The Arvind Kejriwal-led party had earlier announced 29 candidates for the Assembly polls in the BJP-ruled state in the end of the year.

    With the latest list, the Delhi-headquartered party, which seeks to contest on all the 182 Assembly seats in Gujarat, has so far announced 41 candidates.

    The fourth list of candidates covers 12 seats, two of which are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) — Garbada and Gandevi.

    Two out of these 12 seats were won by the Congress in 2017, while 10 were bagged by the BJP.

    Two of these dozen seats — Amraiwadi and Vatva — are in Ahmedabad city, while one — Limbayat — is in Surat city.

    Among the candidates in the latest list are teachers, businessmen and social workers, Gujarat AAP president Gopal Italia said.

    The candidate list includes Nirmalsinh Parmar for Himatnagar seat, who is a retired teacher, while Doulat Patel for Gandhinagar (South) is a businessman.

    Kuldeep Vaghela (Sanand seat) is an industrialist, Bipil Patel (Vatva) sells garments and Bharat Patel (Amraiwadi) is an AAP worker who has contested the corporation election in the past, Italia told reporters.

    Among other candidates, Ramjibhai Chudasama (Keshod) is a leader from the Koli community who was in the past associated with the Congress.

    Natwarsinh Rathod (Thasra, Kheda district) has worked as a district panchayat member, while Takhatsinh Solanki (Shehra, Panchmahal district) is a popular leader in the region, Italia said.

    Dinesh Baria (Kalol, Panchmahal district) is an arts teacher while Shailesh Bhabhor (Garbada) is an AAP worker.

    Pankaj Tayde (Limbayat, Surat) is a businessman and social worker while Pankaj Patel (Gandevi) is a young tribal leader, the AAP leader said.

    The AAP, which rules Punjab and Delhi, has positioned itself as the main challenger to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power in Gujarat for nearly three decades now.

    AAP convener Kejriwal has been aggressively campaigning in the state, holding rallies and town halls and making a host of pre-poll “guarantees”, including free electricity and better education and healthcare facilities, to woo voters.

    The Opposition Congress and the BJP have yet to release their lists of nominees.

    The Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has announced three candidates.

  • JD(U) lost in 2020 because it sought votes in name of Nitish: BJP

    By PTI

    PATNA: The BJP in Bihar on Sunday claimed that the JD(U) had suffered a debacle in the last assembly polls because Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had “lost his popularity” but candidates kept invoking his name besides that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    State BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal made a statement to this effect at a press conference here that he had called to declare that Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s two-day tour of the Seemanchal region in Bihar was a “historic success”.

    “Nitish Kumar has been rejected by the people of Bihar. What else went wrong in 2020 when we contested together? Our (BJP) candidates sought votes in the name of PM Modi and 74 of them got elected. JD(U) candidates committed the mistake of always conflating Modi’s name with that of Nitish Kumar,” Jaiswal said. 

    The JD(U) won 43 assembly seats in the 2020 polls. Jaiswal’s claim was ridiculed by the chief minister’s party which underscored that the BJP was “brought to its knees” in the 2015 assembly polls, which were held a year after the massive victory of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

    “Again in 2019, the NDA won 39 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. Which factor worked in favour of the BJP-led alliance? Obviously, it was the return of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to power (in the state),” said JD(U) national secretary Rajiv Ranjan Prasad.

    The BJP should “seriously worry” about the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, he said.

    “In Bihar, they (BJP) have lost Nitish Kumar in whose support the multi-party Mahagathbandhan has come out. So they can imagine what they would be up against,” Prasad pointed out.

    The JD(U) leader also said, “The events of Bihar have wider ramifications. Nitish Kumar’s exit (from NDA) has led to a galvanisation of forces against the use of central probe agencies for political vendetta and horse-trading, which was witnessed in Maharashtra and attempted in Bihar. The BJP, which gloats over its majority in the Lok Sabha, faces serious trouble in 2024.”

    Notably, the JD(U) had been the BJP’s senior ally in Bihar till they first broke up in 2013, after nearly two decades of partnership.

    PATNA: The BJP in Bihar on Sunday claimed that the JD(U) had suffered a debacle in the last assembly polls because Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had “lost his popularity” but candidates kept invoking his name besides that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    State BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal made a statement to this effect at a press conference here that he had called to declare that Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s two-day tour of the Seemanchal region in Bihar was a “historic success”.

    “Nitish Kumar has been rejected by the people of Bihar. What else went wrong in 2020 when we contested together? Our (BJP) candidates sought votes in the name of PM Modi and 74 of them got elected. JD(U) candidates committed the mistake of always conflating Modi’s name with that of Nitish Kumar,” Jaiswal said. 

    The JD(U) won 43 assembly seats in the 2020 polls. Jaiswal’s claim was ridiculed by the chief minister’s party which underscored that the BJP was “brought to its knees” in the 2015 assembly polls, which were held a year after the massive victory of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

    “Again in 2019, the NDA won 39 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. Which factor worked in favour of the BJP-led alliance? Obviously, it was the return of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to power (in the state),” said JD(U) national secretary Rajiv Ranjan Prasad.

    The BJP should “seriously worry” about the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, he said.

    “In Bihar, they (BJP) have lost Nitish Kumar in whose support the multi-party Mahagathbandhan has come out. So they can imagine what they would be up against,” Prasad pointed out.

    The JD(U) leader also said, “The events of Bihar have wider ramifications. Nitish Kumar’s exit (from NDA) has led to a galvanisation of forces against the use of central probe agencies for political vendetta and horse-trading, which was witnessed in Maharashtra and attempted in Bihar. The BJP, which gloats over its majority in the Lok Sabha, faces serious trouble in 2024.”

    Notably, the JD(U) had been the BJP’s senior ally in Bihar till they first broke up in 2013, after nearly two decades of partnership.

  • BJP announces state in charges, Tawde in Bihar and Mangal Pandey in Bengal

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda on Friday appointed in charge of various states and union territories including poll-bound states like Tripura and Telangana.

    Vinod Tawde has been appointed as General Secretary in Bihar, while Harish Dwivedi continues to be the co-in-charge.

    Om Mathur who had been recently appointed to the Parliamentary board has been made in charge of Chhattisgarh.

    Former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb has been given an organisational responsibility and made in-charge of Haryana.

    Vinod Sonkar who was in charge of Tripura, which goes into election next year, has been replaced by former union minister and Noida MP Dr Mahesh Sharma.

    Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has also been given organisational responsibilities in Punjab and Chandigarh. National General Secretary Tarun Chugh continues to be in charge of Telangana.

    Bengal has found a new in charge in the form of Bihar MLC Mangal Pandey whereas Amit Malviya continues to be the co-in charge.

    Kerala has a new in charge in the form of former union minister Prakash Javadekar. General secretary Arun Singh also continues to be in charge of Rajasthan.

    National general secretary Dilip Saikia has been replaced by Laxmi Kant Bajpai in Jharkhand. Recently Bajpai was brought to the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh and has also been made the chief whip of the party in the Rajya Sabha

    Sources aware of the development say that these appointments have been made keeping in mind various combinations of caste and keeping people who have previously held positions of power engaged in organisational work.

    The year 2023 will be full of electoral battles in which states like Tripura, Meghalaya, and Nagaland are going to the polls in the first part of the year. The mid-year will be the Karnataka assembly elections.

    While the BJP is in power in the states of Meghalaya and Nagaland in alliance with NDA partners, the party which stunned everyone with the Tripura elections in 2018 is looking at a repeat term.

    Amid the backlash that Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has been facing recently, Karnataka will be a stiff challenge for BJP.

    It is already known that the mother of all battles will be Telangana, where the BJP is pitted against the ruling TRS party and the party has been constantly making its presence felt on the ground.

    While the BJP continues to be in power in Madhya Pradesh with Shivraj Singh Chauhan at the head, it will be a stiff challenge for them to come back to power in the states of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan which they lost in the last election.

    Incidentally, former Rajasthan chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and former Chhattisgarh CM Dr Raman Singh continue to be the most powerful and strong faces.

    BJP national spokesperson Sumit Batra has been entrusted with the responsibility of being the coordinator for the north-east region.

    NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda on Friday appointed in charge of various states and union territories including poll-bound states like Tripura and Telangana.

    Vinod Tawde has been appointed as General Secretary in Bihar, while Harish Dwivedi continues to be the co-in-charge.

    Om Mathur who had been recently appointed to the Parliamentary board has been made in charge of Chhattisgarh.

    Former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb has been given an organisational responsibility and made in-charge of Haryana.

    Vinod Sonkar who was in charge of Tripura, which goes into election next year, has been replaced by former union minister and Noida MP Dr Mahesh Sharma.

    Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has also been given organisational responsibilities in Punjab and Chandigarh. National General Secretary Tarun Chugh continues to be in charge of Telangana.

    Bengal has found a new in charge in the form of Bihar MLC Mangal Pandey whereas Amit Malviya continues to be the co-in charge.

    Kerala has a new in charge in the form of former union minister Prakash Javadekar. General secretary Arun Singh also continues to be in charge of Rajasthan.

    National general secretary Dilip Saikia has been replaced by Laxmi Kant Bajpai in Jharkhand. Recently Bajpai was brought to the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh and has also been made the chief whip of the party in the Rajya Sabha

    Sources aware of the development say that these appointments have been made keeping in mind various combinations of caste and keeping people who have previously held positions of power engaged in organisational work.

    The year 2023 will be full of electoral battles in which states like Tripura, Meghalaya, and Nagaland are going to the polls in the first part of the year. The mid-year will be the Karnataka assembly elections.

    While the BJP is in power in the states of Meghalaya and Nagaland in alliance with NDA partners, the party which stunned everyone with the Tripura elections in 2018 is looking at a repeat term.

    Amid the backlash that Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has been facing recently, Karnataka will be a stiff challenge for BJP.

    It is already known that the mother of all battles will be Telangana, where the BJP is pitted against the ruling TRS party and the party has been constantly making its presence felt on the ground.

    While the BJP continues to be in power in Madhya Pradesh with Shivraj Singh Chauhan at the head, it will be a stiff challenge for them to come back to power in the states of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan which they lost in the last election.

    Incidentally, former Rajasthan chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and former Chhattisgarh CM Dr Raman Singh continue to be the most powerful and strong faces.

    BJP national spokesperson Sumit Batra has been entrusted with the responsibility of being the coordinator for the north-east region.

  • Himachal Pradesh BJP leader Indu Verma joins Congress

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: BJP leader and former chairperson of the Family and Child Welfare Board in Himachal Pradesh Indu Verma on Friday joined the Congress ahead of the Assembly elections slated to be held later this year.

    She is the wife of three-time former legislator Rakesh Verma.

    The family has a hold in the Shimla district.

    She also runs the ‘Mahila Jagrukta Manch’ an NGO in the state.

    Welcoming her into the Congress fold, All India Congress Committee Secretary in charge of Himachal Pradesh Rajiv Shukla said her entry would help the party in forthcoming polls.

    The BJP is facing desertions after the recent bye-elections in which the people did not favour the party.

    The BJP will be defeated in the next assembly elections, he said.

    Shukla also announced the Congress will on July 27 launch the ‘Yuva Rozgar Yatra’ from Dharamshala to create awareness among the youth about the unemployment situation and try to convince them that the party will create job opportunities if voted to power.

    He also said that if elected to power, the Congress will bring back the old pension system for government employees in the state.

    NEW DELHI: BJP leader and former chairperson of the Family and Child Welfare Board in Himachal Pradesh Indu Verma on Friday joined the Congress ahead of the Assembly elections slated to be held later this year.

    She is the wife of three-time former legislator Rakesh Verma.

    The family has a hold in the Shimla district.

    She also runs the ‘Mahila Jagrukta Manch’ an NGO in the state.

    Welcoming her into the Congress fold, All India Congress Committee Secretary in charge of Himachal Pradesh Rajiv Shukla said her entry would help the party in forthcoming polls.

    The BJP is facing desertions after the recent bye-elections in which the people did not favour the party.

    The BJP will be defeated in the next assembly elections, he said.

    Shukla also announced the Congress will on July 27 launch the ‘Yuva Rozgar Yatra’ from Dharamshala to create awareness among the youth about the unemployment situation and try to convince them that the party will create job opportunities if voted to power.

    He also said that if elected to power, the Congress will bring back the old pension system for government employees in the state.

  • First assembly polls in sight, Congress set to replace its J-K chief

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR:  In a bid to end factionalism and revive the party ahead of first Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, the Congress is looking to replace its J&K Congress chief, Ghulam Ahmed Mir.

    Sources said meetings of party leaders were held in New Delhi to discuss the change. In the meetings, AICC general secretary (org) KC Venugopal, in-charge J&K Rajni Patil and Mir, discussed the probable names to take up the post.

    Six names three each from Kashmir and Jammu — are said to be under consideration for the post in J&K Congress, which is ridden with factionalism. While Vikar Rasool, G M Saroori and Manohar Lal are the candidates from Jammu, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Tariq Hamid Karra and Ghulam Nabi Monga are in the race from Kashmir.

    The party may prefer a leader from Jammu region in view of the changed political scenario and increase of seven Assembly seats in the region after the revocation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K state in 2019. According to sources, Rasool, a former minister, is the top favourite as he is accepted by all and is also close to former J&K chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

    He was one among the dissident J&K Congress leaders who had written a letter to party chief Sonia Gandhi seeking Mir’s removal. Mir was appointed to the post in 2014. During his tenure, the party did not fare well in 2014 Assembly polls and he himself lost the parliamentary election from the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat in 2019. 

  • Banshidhar Bhagat appointed protem speaker of U’khand Assembly 

    By PTI

    DEHRADUN: Senior BJP MLA Banshidhar Bhagat was on Monday appointed as the protem speaker of the Uttarakhand Assembly.

    A notification on Bhagat’s appointment as the protem speaker was issued by Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Gurmit Singh.

    A seven-time MLA, Bhagat won from the Kaladhungi seat in the just concluded state polls. He will function as the protem speaker until a speaker is elected. The newly elected members of the state Assembly will be sworn in by Bhagat.

    Bhagat became an MLA for the first time in 1991 when he was elected from Nainital in undivided Uttar Pradesh. He was elected from Nainital again in 1993 and 1996, and became a state minister. He was also a minister in the interim Uttarakhand government in 2000.

    In 2007, Bhagat was elected to the Uttarakhand Assembly from Haldwani. He has been the MLA from Kaladhungi since 2012.