News Analysis India

Tag: BJP

  • Azamgarh: Previous governments in Uttar Pradesh made Azamgarh hub of crime and mafia activities, says CM Adityanath

    Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday alleged the previous governments in Uttar Pradesh made Azamgarh a hub of crime and mafia activities, and said the image of which has changed now with developmental activities. “Azamgarh was known for crime and mafia activities seven years ago, but today the prime minister is showering the district with money, bringing forth projects worth thousands of crores of rupees,” he said.

    Speaking at the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony of 782 development projects worth Rs 34,700 crore at the Manduri Airport complex in Azamgarh, Adityanath expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing a better security environment to Azamgarh over the past decade and for spearheading its development, modernising infrastructure and implementing various public welfare initiatives.

    The chief minister said the Azamgarh, Lalganj and Ghosi seats will show its support to the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Adityanath highlighted the pivotal role of the Purvanchal Expressway, constructed at a cost exceeding Rs 22,000 crore, in the development of Azamgarh.

    He emphasised that it has transformed the economy of eastern Uttar Pradesh, enabling the residents of Azamgarh to reach Lucknow in just two hours.

    “The prime minister’s vision of ensuring that even those who wear slippers can travel by plane is now a reality in UP and across the nation. In UP, where earlier only two airports were operational, we now have nine operational airports and the PM has inaugurated five new airports today,” Adityanath said. The chief minister emphasized the longstanding demand for Azamgarh to have its own university which is now set to become a reality. “Named after Maharaja Suhail Dev, renowned for his bravery and valour in history, this university was inaugurated by the prime minister,” he said.

    Adityanath underscored the transformative initiatives of the double engine government, citing the establishment of a Music College in Hariharpur to enrich the cultural landscape of Azamgarh.

    “Through the ‘one district, one product’ scheme, local products like Black Pottery and Mubarakpur silk sarees have garnered global acclaim, contributing to the vision of a self-reliant India. Additionally, an Atal Residential School has been established to provide education to the children of the labourers,” he said.

    Highlighting the remarkable turnaround, the chief minister noted that while Azamgarh was once associated with fear, it is now earning national and international recognition for its contributions to art, education, literature and development.

    Adityanath said that Azamgarh has reclaimed its ancient identity and is on the path of prosperity under Prime Minister Modi’s guidance.

    “The previous governments in the state made Azamgarh a hub of crime and mafia activities, the image of which has changed now with developmental activities,” he said.

    Asserting the emergence of a new India, Adityanath said, “We are witnessing the new railway and national highway projects within the state. Before Holi, the residents of the state are receiving gifts worth thousands of crores of rupees.”

    The chief minister highlighted that the double-engine government is ensuring that the benefits of governance schemes reach every village, including the poor, youth, and farmers without any discrimination.

    “In Azamgarh district, 11.30 lakh Ayushman cards have been distributed, while 7.5 lakh farmers have received Rs 1,940 crore under the Kisan Samman Nidhi. Three lakh beneficiaries have received free cooking gas connections under the Ujjwala scheme,” Adityanath said.

    “Housing has been provided to 1.10 lakh beneficiaries under the PM Awas (Rural) scheme with an additional 17,000 beneficiaries in the urban areas in Azamgarh,” he added.

  • Rajasthan Petrol Pump Strike: Fuel Stations Go On Strike Demanding Reduction In VAT

    Addressing rallies during the assembly elections held in November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to look into ways to reduce the fuel prices in the state. Long queues were witnessed at fuel stations yesterday. 

  • Lok Sabha Polls: In Bihar, BJP Nears Seat Sharing Deal With Chirag Paswan, JDU

    Last night, Chirag Paswan held a meeting with BJP chief JP Nadda but a formal decision of seat-sharing is yet to be announced. 

  • Ahead Of PM Modi’s Kashmir Visit, MARCOS Commandos, Snipers Turn Srinagar Into Fortress |

    New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir’s Capital Srinagar has become a fortress as stringent security arrangements have been put in place to ensure an incident-free visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. The city has been declared as a “Temporary Red Zone” for the operation of drones and quadcopters, as per the Drone Rules, 2021. Anyone violating the rules will face legal action, the Srinagar Police said. Marine Commandos (MARCOS), CRPF, J&K police and snipers have been also deployed in Srinagar.

    Prime Minister Modi will address a public rally at Bakshi Stadium, which has been drapped in tricolors. He will also unveil development projects worth over Rs 6,400 crore for the union territory. PM Modi will also participate in the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ programme and dedicate to nation about Rs 5000 crore worth programme for boosting agri-economy in Jammu and Kashmir.

    High Alert In Srinagar

    Security forces have been deployed in large numbers along the routes that the prime minister will take during his stay in Srinagar. Barricades have been set up at many places to restrict the movement of the people during his visit, the officials said.

    Surveillance devices such as drones and CCTV cameras have been installed to monitor the situation. Security forces have also intensified foot patrolling in a two-kilometre radius around the rally venue.

    Marine commandos (MARCOS) have been stationed in Jhelum river and Dal Lake to thwart any possible attacks from these water bodies, the officials said.

    Political Significance Of PM Modi’s Visit

    Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the valley, his first after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, has a political significance as well. With the Lok Sabha elections approaching and the opposition parties demanding the restoration of statehood and assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister’s speech may address these issues.

    The Centre had scrapped the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 on August 5, 2019 and split the former state into two union territories – Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

    Several schools in Srinagar have been shut for Wednesday and Thursday due to the prime minister’s visit. Board exams scheduled for Thursday have also been postponed till next month.

    The prime minister will also launch tourism-related projects worth more than Rs 1,400 crore under the ‘Swadesh Darshan’ and ‘PRASHAD’ schemes, including a project for the integrated development of the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar.

  • From KS Hegde To Abhijit Gangopadhyay, Meet Judges Who Quit Judiciary To Join Politics |

    Calcutta High Court Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who recently announced retirement and said that he will join the BJP, has again brought back to light former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s statement that pre-retirement judgements get influenced by the post-retirement jobs. Justice Gangopadhyay is not the first judge to join politics as the list has several big names. 

    KS Hegde

    Kawdoor Sadananda Hegde was born on 11 June 1909 in the village Kawdoor of Karkala Taluk in South Kanara district of the erstwhile State of Mysore. He began his legal profession in 1933 and worked as a Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor during the period 1947-51. Hegde was elected to the Rajya Sabha as a Congress Party nominee in 1952. Hegde served in the Upper House till 1957. In 1957, Hegde resigned from the Rajya Sabha when he was appointed a Judge of the Mysore High Court. He was later elevated to the Supreme Court. On 30 April 1973, Hegde tendered his resignation when one of his junior colleagues was appointed as the Chief Justice of India. In 1977, he was elected to the Sixth Lok Sabha from the Bangalore South constituency on a Janata Party ticket and was made the Speaker of the Sixth Lok Sabha. 

    Baharul Islam

    Baharul Islam, a former judge of the Supreme Court, made a significant career shift by resigning six weeks before his scheduled retirement. In 1983, he entered the political arena and contested the Lok Sabha elections as a Congress candidate from Barpeta in Assam. Before this, he had a political stint when he was elected to the Rajya Sabha on April 3, 1962, as a Congress candidate and secured another term in 1968. He resigned from the Rajya Sabha on January 20, 1972, accepting an appointment as a judge in the Gauhati High Court. Later, on December 4, 1980, he was elevated to the position of a Supreme Court judge. On January 13, 1983, Baharul Islam resigned from his position and got the Congress nomination from Barpeta for the Lok Sabha elections. However, due to unrest caused by the Assam agitation, the election in Barpeta had to be postponed. Despite this, the Congress accommodated Islam once again by making him the Rajya Sabha MP in 1983.

    VR Krishna

    Justice V R Krishna Iyer was born on 15th November 1915 a Palakkad, in the Malabar region of the then Madras State. In 1956, he was elected initially to the Madras Legislative Assembly and later, after the reorganisation of States, to the Kerala Assembly, where he was appointed as Minister in charge of important portfolios, like Home, Law, Social Welfare, etc. He was appointed as a Judge of the Kerala High Court in 1968. He was a Member of the Law Commission from 1971 to 1973. He was appointed as Judge of the Supreme Court of India in 1973.  He was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan in 1999.

    Mohammad Hidayatullah

    Justice Md. Hidayatullah was born on 17th December 1905 at Betul in the erstwhile Central Provinces and Berar. He was appointed Additional Judge of Central Provinces and Berar High Court (now Madras HC) on 24th June 1946. He was appointed as Permanent Judge of the High Court on 13th September 1946. On 3rd December 1954, he was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. On 1st December 1958, he was elevated to the Supreme Court and became the Chief Justice of India on 25th February 1968. He retired from that high office on 17th December 1970. Justice Hidayatullah was sworn in as the Acting President of India on 20th July 1969. After his retirement as the Chief Justice of India, he was unanimously elected as the Vice President of India between 1979 to 1984. During his tenure as Vice President, he also acted as the President in 1982.

    Rangnath Mishra

    Justice Ranganath Misra was appointed as a Permanent Judge of the Orissa High Court in 1969. He was elevated as an acting Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court on November 6th 1980. He then became the permanent Chief Justice on 16 January 1981. Justice Misra was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on March 15th 1983. He became the 21st Chief Justice of India on 25 September 1990. After his retirement, he became the first Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission. He became a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha from the Congress Party, serving between 1998 and 2004. 

    Koka Subba Rao

    Koka Subba Rao, the former Chief Justice of India (CJI), assumed the role of CJI on June 30, 1966. In 1967, the Swatantra Party extended an invitation to him to be the United Opposition’s candidate for the presidential election in India. Subba Rao, accepting the nomination a day later, entered the presidential race. Unfortunately, he faced defeat as the Congress candidate Zakir Hussain emerged victorious in the election.

    Ranjan Gogoi

    Justice Ranjan Gogoi was born on 18th November 1954. He was appointed as Permanent Judge of Gauhati High Court on 28th February 2001 and was transferred to Punjab & Haryana High Court on 9th September 2010. He was appointed Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court on 12th February 2011. Justice Gogoi was elevated to the Supreme Court on 23rd April, 2012 and was appointed as The Chief Justice of India on 03.10.2018. He is currently a Member of the Rajya Sabha, having been nominated by then President Ram Nath Kovind on 16 March 2020.

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

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

    HC Order Ignored: CBI Left Empty-Handed

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

     

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

     

    Assets Frozen: ED Cracks Down

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

    High Court’s Scathing Rebuke

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

    BJP’s Allegations; Sandeshkhali’s Unrest

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Two Big Leaders Quit Congress

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

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

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

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

    Assembly, Lok Sabha Polls Speculation

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

    Rahul Gandhi’s Nyay Yatra

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

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

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

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

    Opposition’s Real Manifesto Exposed: PM

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

     

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

     

    My Life Is An Open Book: PM

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

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

    Telangana’s Future Unaffected By Change In Leadership

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

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

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

     

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

     

    Focus On Tribal Development

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

    Energy And Infrastructure Boost To Telangana

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

    Connectivity And Infrastructure Development

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

    Expanding Renewable Energy

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

    Rail And Road Connectivity Projects

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

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

  • Sukanta Majumdar accident: Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar’s car meets with accident, leader escapes unhurt

    West Bengal BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar narrowly escaped injury when his car met with an accident on NH-34 in Shantipur, Nadia district, on Sunday, police said. Majumdar said the accident took place when his car, which was trying to overtake a bus, was hit by the trailing pilot car. Three persons in the pilot car sustained injuries, he said.

    “As the bus was blocking a side of the highway, my car tried to overtake it and collided with a guard rail put up on the same side by police. In the process, the trailing pilot car hit my car,” he said.

    “I escaped unhurt but three occupants of the pilot car were injured,” Majumdar, the Balurghat MP, said. Majumdar, who was fielded by the party from Balurghat Lok Sabha seat for the second time, was returning from a football tournament where he was the chief guest.

    He demanded an inquiry to determine if there was any conspiracy to target opposition BJP leaders in the state.

    A police official attributed the accident to congestion due to ongoing road repair works along the stretch, with the bus partly obstructing one side of the road. Meanwhile, the BJP’s West Bengal unit shared an image of two cars, claiming that Majumdar was the victim of a life-threatening attack as the police pilot car, allegedly partisan to the TMC, collided with his car at a high speed. “Majumdar was saved due to the support of people of Bengal. The injured security personnel were admitted to a hospital,” the party said on X.

    Countering BJP claims, West Bengal Police said when Majumdar was heading towards Krishnanagar along NH-34, his escort vehicle belonging to the CISF hit his car near Gobindapur within Santipur police station area resulting in “slight damage”.

    West Bengal Police expressed regret over attempts to “distort facts with an ulterior motive” by claiming that the vehicle involved in the collision belonged to the state police.

    “Stern legal acti-on is being initiated against those resorting to blatant lies and trying to incite people,” the X handle of Ranaghat Police District under West Bengal Police said.