News Analysis India

Tag: BJP

  • Gujarat Assembly polls: Amit Shah casts vote, asks people to strengthen state’s ‘development model’

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday cast his vote in Ahmedabad during polling for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly elections and appealed to people to strengthen the state’s “development model” by coming out to vote in large numbers.

    Shah, who represents Gandhinagar seat in the Lok Sabha, reached the Naranpura sub-zonal office polling booth here along with his family members including wife Sonalben Shah and son Jay Shah.

    Talking to reporters after casting his vote, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader appealed to people to carry forward and strengthen Gujarat’s ‘development model’ through their votes.

    “I urge all the voters, especially the first time voters, to exercise their franchise without fail to take ahead this two-and-a-half decades of journey of development, because Gujarat’s development is not limited to our state only. Gujarat’s development is a medium to bring development in the country,” Shah said.

    The BJP has been in power in Gujarat for more than 25 years.

    Shah said Gujarat’s development serves as the foundation for the development of the entire country.

    The BJP leader said various achievements of the ‘Gujarat model’, such as high industrial investment, 100 per cent enrolment in schools, zero drop out and poverty alleviation schemes, have been attracting attention of the whole country.

    “I urge the voters to come out in large numbers and vote for strengthening this development model,” said Shah.

    Voting was underway on Monday for the second phase of polls in 93 out of the total 182 Assembly seats in Gujarat.

    Earlier, polls in 89 Assembly seats were held on December 1. The counting of votes in all the seats will be taken up on December 8.

    AHMEDABAD: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday cast his vote in Ahmedabad during polling for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly elections and appealed to people to strengthen the state’s “development model” by coming out to vote in large numbers.

    Shah, who represents Gandhinagar seat in the Lok Sabha, reached the Naranpura sub-zonal office polling booth here along with his family members including wife Sonalben Shah and son Jay Shah.

    Talking to reporters after casting his vote, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader appealed to people to carry forward and strengthen Gujarat’s ‘development model’ through their votes.

    “I urge all the voters, especially the first time voters, to exercise their franchise without fail to take ahead this two-and-a-half decades of journey of development, because Gujarat’s development is not limited to our state only. Gujarat’s development is a medium to bring development in the country,” Shah said.

    The BJP has been in power in Gujarat for more than 25 years.

    Shah said Gujarat’s development serves as the foundation for the development of the entire country.

    The BJP leader said various achievements of the ‘Gujarat model’, such as high industrial investment, 100 per cent enrolment in schools, zero drop out and poverty alleviation schemes, have been attracting attention of the whole country.

    “I urge the voters to come out in large numbers and vote for strengthening this development model,” said Shah.

    Voting was underway on Monday for the second phase of polls in 93 out of the total 182 Assembly seats in Gujarat.

    Earlier, polls in 89 Assembly seats were held on December 1. The counting of votes in all the seats will be taken up on December 8.

  • Samajwadi Party legislators hold dharna against govt in UP assembly premises

    By PTI

    LUCKNOW: Alleging misuse of official machinery during bypolls, price rise and poor law and order in the state, Samajwadi Party legislators on Monday sat on a dharna in the Uttar Pradesh assembly premises.

    Before the start of the Winter Session, the SP MLAs sat near the Chowdhury Charan Singh statue with placards that read, “Janta ka paisa ghate hain, ghaplebaaj sarkaar chalate hain” (They swindle people’s money, scamsters run the government) and “BJP vifal hai apne kaamo se, janta trast hai badhte daamo se” (The BJP has failed in its works and people are fed up with inflation).

    SP chief spokesperson Rajendra Chowhdury said, “Our legislators sat on a dharna to point out misuse of official machinery by the BJP in bypolls. They were preventing people from casting votes.”

    “In the BJP regime, price rise is at its peak, youth are not getting employment and law and order has broken down in the state. The BJP has failed on all fronts. We are here to point out the government’s failures,” he said.

    Mainpuri Lok Sabha by-polls | I don’t know on whose orders the administration is working from the day polling started. What briefing has been given to him? Complaints are coming continuously since morning. Police is not allowing people to cast votes: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav pic.twitter.com/jhfcVQ68HM
    — ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2022
    The Winter Session of the Uttar Pradesh assembly commenced on Monday in which a supplementary budget is to be tabled.

    LUCKNOW: Alleging misuse of official machinery during bypolls, price rise and poor law and order in the state, Samajwadi Party legislators on Monday sat on a dharna in the Uttar Pradesh assembly premises.

    Before the start of the Winter Session, the SP MLAs sat near the Chowdhury Charan Singh statue with placards that read, “Janta ka paisa ghate hain, ghaplebaaj sarkaar chalate hain” (They swindle people’s money, scamsters run the government) and “BJP vifal hai apne kaamo se, janta trast hai badhte daamo se” (The BJP has failed in its works and people are fed up with inflation).

    SP chief spokesperson Rajendra Chowhdury said, “Our legislators sat on a dharna to point out misuse of official machinery by the BJP in bypolls. They were preventing people from casting votes.”

    “In the BJP regime, price rise is at its peak, youth are not getting employment and law and order has broken down in the state. The BJP has failed on all fronts. We are here to point out the government’s failures,” he said.

    Mainpuri Lok Sabha by-polls | I don’t know on whose orders the administration is working from the day polling started. What briefing has been given to him? Complaints are coming continuously since morning. Police is not allowing people to cast votes: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav pic.twitter.com/jhfcVQ68HM
    — ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2022
    The Winter Session of the Uttar Pradesh assembly commenced on Monday in which a supplementary budget is to be tabled.

  • Uttar Pradesh gears up for bypolls in Mainpuri, Khatauli, Rampur: All you need to know

    The outcomes of the bypolls will not have any impact on the central or the state governments as the BJP enjoys a comfortable majority at both levels.

  • West Bengal: TMC supporters ‘block, attack BJP karyakartas’ heading to attend Suvendu Adhikari’s rally

    Express News Service

    KOLKATA: BJP ‘karyakartas’ on their way to the venue –Diamond Harbour, South 24 Parganas district– of a rally to be addressed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari were stopped by Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters at different places. Several BJP leaders were allegedly beaten up by TMC men, going by the videos tweeted by BJP leaders.

    Your Administration didn’t allow the Rally at 1st, Hon’ble Court granted permission. You blocked roads, obstructed supporters from reaching the venue, disrupted arrangements & placed hurdles at each step.Your onslaughts couldn’t dent the determination of @BJP4Bengal Karyakartas: pic.twitter.com/n5CI7ySUVT
    — Suvendu Adhikari • শুভেন্দু অধিকারী (@SuvenduWB) December 3, 2022
    TMC supporters allegedly pelted stones at a bus carrying BJP men at Kulpi shattering the windscreens. In turn, BJP men blocked the road in protest against the attack.

    Following this, a large contingent of police force was deployed at the spot. The police dispersed the BJP men who were blocking the road.

    Adhikari alleged at least 200 buses were not allowed to reach the venue and they were waylaid midway by TMC supporters in connivance with the police.

    ‘’Your administration didn’t allow the Rally at 1st, Hon’ble Court granted permission. You blocked roads, obstructed supporters from reaching the venue, disrupted arrangements & placed hurdles at each step. Your onslaught couldn’t dent the determination of @BJP4Bengal Karyakartas,’’ Adhikari tweeted.  

    BJP MLA and party’s general secretary Agnimitra Paul also faced resistance at Hatuganj when she was on her way to the venue of the rally.

    ‘’Tyres were set on fire and thrown on the road to stop me from heading to the venue. The police stood as a mute spectator,’’ alleged Agnimitra.

    Bjp karyakartas were beaten mercilessly today..Their fault..they were on their way to participate LOPs sabha at Diamond HarbourThe wheel of ADHARMA, ANAITIKATA, ASATYA can’t move for longYour days are numbered mam @MamataOfficial pic.twitter.com/SUatdx4uuc
    — Agnimitra Paul BJP (@paulagnimitra1) December 3, 2022
    She said the TMC supporters started spreading terror from Friday night at villages from where the BJP expected an impressive turnout of party supporters. ‘’They visited door-to-door and threatened with dire consequences. Villagers were not allowed to leave their villages,’’ the MLA alleged.

    TMC, however, rubbished the allegation. Kunal Ghosh, spokesperson of the ruling party said, ‘’Suvendu’s rally was a flop show. BJP faced resistance by the rival faction within the party.’’

    The Calcutta High Court granted conditional permission to Trinamool Congress MP and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, Abishek Banerjee to hold a political rally in Bengal’s Kanthi at the scheduled venue, less than 200 metres from the residence of the Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari.

    ALSO READ | Bengal: Onset of winter sees political temperature soaring between TMC, BJP

    The TMC-BJP faceoff has grown fierce ahead of panchayat elections scheduled to be held next year.

    KOLKATA: BJP ‘karyakartas’ on their way to the venue –Diamond Harbour, South 24 Parganas district– of a rally to be addressed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari were stopped by Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters at different places. Several BJP leaders were allegedly beaten up by TMC men, going by the videos tweeted by BJP leaders.

    Your Administration didn’t allow the Rally at 1st, Hon’ble Court granted permission. You blocked roads, obstructed supporters from reaching the venue, disrupted arrangements & placed hurdles at each step.
    Your onslaughts couldn’t dent the determination of @BJP4Bengal Karyakartas: pic.twitter.com/n5CI7ySUVT
    — Suvendu Adhikari • শুভেন্দু অধিকারী (@SuvenduWB) December 3, 2022
    TMC supporters allegedly pelted stones at a bus carrying BJP men at Kulpi shattering the windscreens. In turn, BJP men blocked the road in protest against the attack.

    Following this, a large contingent of police force was deployed at the spot. The police dispersed the BJP men who were blocking the road.

    Adhikari alleged at least 200 buses were not allowed to reach the venue and they were waylaid midway by TMC supporters in connivance with the police.

    ‘’Your administration didn’t allow the Rally at 1st, Hon’ble Court granted permission. You blocked roads, obstructed supporters from reaching the venue, disrupted arrangements & placed hurdles at each step. Your onslaught couldn’t dent the determination of @BJP4Bengal Karyakartas,’’ Adhikari tweeted.  

    BJP MLA and party’s general secretary Agnimitra Paul also faced resistance at Hatuganj when she was on her way to the venue of the rally.

    ‘’Tyres were set on fire and thrown on the road to stop me from heading to the venue. The police stood as a mute spectator,’’ alleged Agnimitra.

    Bjp karyakartas were beaten mercilessly today..
    Their fault..they were on their way to participate LOPs sabha at Diamond Harbour
    The wheel of ADHARMA, ANAITIKATA, ASATYA can’t move for long
    Your days are numbered mam @MamataOfficial pic.twitter.com/SUatdx4uuc
    — Agnimitra Paul BJP (@paulagnimitra1) December 3, 2022
    She said the TMC supporters started spreading terror from Friday night at villages from where the BJP expected an impressive turnout of party supporters. ‘’They visited door-to-door and threatened with dire consequences. Villagers were not allowed to leave their villages,’’ the MLA alleged.

    TMC, however, rubbished the allegation. Kunal Ghosh, spokesperson of the ruling party said, ‘’Suvendu’s rally was a flop show. BJP faced resistance by the rival faction within the party.’’

    The Calcutta High Court granted conditional permission to Trinamool Congress MP and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, Abishek Banerjee to hold a political rally in Bengal’s Kanthi at the scheduled venue, less than 200 metres from the residence of the Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari.

    ALSO READ | Bengal: Onset of winter sees political temperature soaring between TMC, BJP

    The TMC-BJP faceoff has grown fierce ahead of panchayat elections scheduled to be held next year.

  • Congress-‘mukt’ Gujarat will solve all your problems, says UP CM Yogi Adityanath

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Yogi Adityanath on Saturday appealed to people to rid Gujarat of Congress which he said would solve all problems.

    He was addressing a rally in support of the BJP contestant in Khambhat town of Anand district on the last day of the campaigning for the second and final phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections.

    Out of the total 182 seats, polling for 89 seats was held on December 1. The remaining 93 constituencies will vote on December 5. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 8.

    Adityanath dubbed both Congress and Aam Aadmi Party as a “threat to security and a barrier to development”.

    “Mahatma Gandhi had once said the Congress party should be disbanded once India achieves Independence. Now it is your responsibility to do that. A ‘Congress-mukt’ Gujarat will solve all your problems,” he said.

    Adityanath said the people of UP gave just two seats to Congress and nil to AAP in the last Assembly elections “as they knew both these parties are a threat to security and a barrier for achieving development”.

    He accused Congress of creating hindrances in the construction of the Somnath Temple in Gujarat after Independence and the temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya in the recent past.

    “Today, Gujarat has become free of curfew and riots. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has successfully eliminated terrorism, Naxalism and separatism,” he added.

    AHMEDABAD: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Yogi Adityanath on Saturday appealed to people to rid Gujarat of Congress which he said would solve all problems.

    He was addressing a rally in support of the BJP contestant in Khambhat town of Anand district on the last day of the campaigning for the second and final phase of the Gujarat Assembly elections.

    Out of the total 182 seats, polling for 89 seats was held on December 1. The remaining 93 constituencies will vote on December 5. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 8.

    Adityanath dubbed both Congress and Aam Aadmi Party as a “threat to security and a barrier to development”.

    “Mahatma Gandhi had once said the Congress party should be disbanded once India achieves Independence. Now it is your responsibility to do that. A ‘Congress-mukt’ Gujarat will solve all your problems,” he said.

    Adityanath said the people of UP gave just two seats to Congress and nil to AAP in the last Assembly elections “as they knew both these parties are a threat to security and a barrier for achieving development”.

    He accused Congress of creating hindrances in the construction of the Somnath Temple in Gujarat after Independence and the temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya in the recent past.

    “Today, Gujarat has become free of curfew and riots. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has successfully eliminated terrorism, Naxalism and separatism,” he added.

  • Using abusive words against PM Modi new normal for Congress: BJP

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The BJP on Saturday said that using abusive words against Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become a “new normal” for the Congress.

    BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra cited reports of Karnataka Congress leader V S Ugrappa calling Modi “Bhasmasur”, a demon in Indian mythology, to hit out at the opposition party.

    He noted that it comes close on the heels of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge throwing “Ravan” barb at the prime minister.

    It has become an issue of common occurrence as far as the Congress is concerned. The Congress has become an abusive party, he alleged at a press conference.

    Citing US President Joe Biden’s statement that he stands with his “friend” Modi as India took over the G-20 presidency, Patra said on one hand the world stands with him and on the other, the Congress uses such language for him. “This is sad and worrisome,” the BJP spokesperson said.

    Drawing on the epic Mahabharata, he said the Congress has thrown “100 abuses” at Modi and people will wield ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ like Lord Krishna to finish off the opposition party democratically in the Gujarat assembly polls.

    The BJP leader cited several developments and welfare initiatives of the Modi government to assert that such a leader cannot be a “Bhasmasur”.

    NEW DELHI: The BJP on Saturday said that using abusive words against Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become a “new normal” for the Congress.

    BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra cited reports of Karnataka Congress leader V S Ugrappa calling Modi “Bhasmasur”, a demon in Indian mythology, to hit out at the opposition party.

    He noted that it comes close on the heels of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge throwing “Ravan” barb at the prime minister.

    It has become an issue of common occurrence as far as the Congress is concerned. The Congress has become an abusive party, he alleged at a press conference.

    Citing US President Joe Biden’s statement that he stands with his “friend” Modi as India took over the G-20 presidency, Patra said on one hand the world stands with him and on the other, the Congress uses such language for him. “This is sad and worrisome,” the BJP spokesperson said.

    Drawing on the epic Mahabharata, he said the Congress has thrown “100 abuses” at Modi and people will wield ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ like Lord Krishna to finish off the opposition party democratically in the Gujarat assembly polls.

    The BJP leader cited several developments and welfare initiatives of the Modi government to assert that such a leader cannot be a “Bhasmasur”.

  • Assam MP Badruddin Ajmal asks Hindus to adopt ‘Muslim formula’ of early marriage, FIRs filed

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: Assam MP Maulana Badruddin Ajmal stirred a hornet’s nest with his remarks that the Hindus should marry at a young age, so they can have more children like the Muslims.

    “Muslim boys get married at 22 while Muslim girls do it at 18. The Hindus keep one to three illegal wives till the age of 40 years and they do not allow babies to be born. They save money and enjoy,” Ajmal told a news channel in Assam’s Karimganj on Friday. 

    The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief continued in the same vein, “They marry after 40 years when forced by the parents or for other reasons. How can you expect to have more children if you marry at such an age? When you plough a fertile land and on time, you get a good harvest.”

    Suggesting that the Hindus adopt the “Muslim formula”, the Dhubri MP said they should arrange the marriage of their sons and daughters when they attain the age of 20-22 years and 18-20 years respectively. 

    In the wake of the protests, Ajmal withdrew his statement. “If what I said has hurt the sentiments of anybody, I take back my statement,” he told journalists on Saturday.

    At least two FIRs were filed against him in Guwahati and Hailakandi.

    Ajmal also made some alleged offensive remarks on “love jihad” targeting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The ruling BJP and opposition parties are now going for his jugular.

    ALSO READ | Headmaster in Assam wields machete in school, sent on leave

    “Ajmal is a contemporary edition of the harem culture of the Mughals, the Sultans and the Khiljis. In the medieval era, the Muslim aggressors built harems after killing Hindu men. Ajmal is trying to continue that culture,” BJP Assam spokesman Ranjib Kumar Sarma said.

    BJP MLA Diganta Kalita likened Ajmal to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and said the Assamese society would never accept the Arabic culture. 

    The AIUDF chief made the remarks soon after the CM had received an interim report from the Commission for Review & Assessment of Problems of Satra Land. Satras are Vaishnavite prayer centres and their lands are under encroachment.

    Kalita found a link between Ajmal’s statement and the latter’s vote-bank politics. “We all know that the Satra lands have been encroached upon by the migrant Muslims. Ajmal targeted the CM to protect his vote banks,” Kalita said.

    The Congress said the police should suo moto register a case against Ajmal for his attempt to break law and order.

    “I am surprised why organisations, which champion the cause of the Hindus, have not yet filed a case against him. We cannot tolerate such a communal statement that he made to counter our CM’s remarks on love jihad during the Gujarat election campaign,” Congress MLA and leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia said.

    The Trinamool Congress registered its protest by burning Ajmal’s effigy in Guwahati. Calling him an agent of the BJP, the Trinamool demanded his arrest for insulting the Hindus and attempting to incite violence.

    GUWAHATI: Assam MP Maulana Badruddin Ajmal stirred a hornet’s nest with his remarks that the Hindus should marry at a young age, so they can have more children like the Muslims.

    “Muslim boys get married at 22 while Muslim girls do it at 18. The Hindus keep one to three illegal wives till the age of 40 years and they do not allow babies to be born. They save money and enjoy,” Ajmal told a news channel in Assam’s Karimganj on Friday. 

    The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief continued in the same vein, “They marry after 40 years when forced by the parents or for other reasons. How can you expect to have more children if you marry at such an age? When you plough a fertile land and on time, you get a good harvest.”

    Suggesting that the Hindus adopt the “Muslim formula”, the Dhubri MP said they should arrange the marriage of their sons and daughters when they attain the age of 20-22 years and 18-20 years respectively. 

    In the wake of the protests, Ajmal withdrew his statement. “If what I said has hurt the sentiments of anybody, I take back my statement,” he told journalists on Saturday.

    At least two FIRs were filed against him in Guwahati and Hailakandi.

    Ajmal also made some alleged offensive remarks on “love jihad” targeting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The ruling BJP and opposition parties are now going for his jugular.

    ALSO READ | Headmaster in Assam wields machete in school, sent on leave

    “Ajmal is a contemporary edition of the harem culture of the Mughals, the Sultans and the Khiljis. In the medieval era, the Muslim aggressors built harems after killing Hindu men. Ajmal is trying to continue that culture,” BJP Assam spokesman Ranjib Kumar Sarma said.

    BJP MLA Diganta Kalita likened Ajmal to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and said the Assamese society would never accept the Arabic culture. 

    The AIUDF chief made the remarks soon after the CM had received an interim report from the Commission for Review & Assessment of Problems of Satra Land. Satras are Vaishnavite prayer centres and their lands are under encroachment.

    Kalita found a link between Ajmal’s statement and the latter’s vote-bank politics. “We all know that the Satra lands have been encroached upon by the migrant Muslims. Ajmal targeted the CM to protect his vote banks,” Kalita said.

    The Congress said the police should suo moto register a case against Ajmal for his attempt to break law and order.

    “I am surprised why organisations, which champion the cause of the Hindus, have not yet filed a case against him. We cannot tolerate such a communal statement that he made to counter our CM’s remarks on love jihad during the Gujarat election campaign,” Congress MLA and leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia said.

    The Trinamool Congress registered its protest by burning Ajmal’s effigy in Guwahati. Calling him an agent of the BJP, the Trinamool demanded his arrest for insulting the Hindus and attempting to incite violence.

  • Sisodia will have to ‘face the music’ in Excise policy ‘scam’ case, says BJP

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The BJP on Saturday claimed that the AAP used the Delhi Excise policy to “receive kickbacks” and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia who was “instrumental” in framing it will “face the music and the law”.

    Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy have been weaving stories through press conferences to spread a “lie” that there was no “scam” in the implementation of the excise policy and that Sisodia was innocent, alleged BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra.

    An immediate reaction was not available from the AAP on the issue.

    “The probe against Sisodia is underway and the allegations against him are very serious,” Patra said at a press conference citing the remand note of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) presented in a court recently against a liquor “scam” accused Amit Arora.

    A case against Sisodia and several other persons was registered by the CBI in August this year over the alleged irregularities in the implementation of Excise Policy 2021-22.

    The policy implemented in November 2021 was scrapped by the Kejriwal government after the CBI probe into it was recommended by Delhi LG VK Saxena.

    A study of the excise policy leaves no one in doubt that Sisodia will have to “face the music and the law”, Patra claimed.

    Citing the remand note, Patra said Sisodia along with top Excise officials who are suspended now, were “instrumental” in framing the Excise policy without required approvals to provide “undue benefits” to liquor licensees.

    “The excise policy was a device used by the AAP to receive kickbacks,” he alleged.

    The AAP dispensation had earlier assailed the BJP and its government at the Centre for trying to frame Sisodia and send him behind bars to prevent the good works of the Delhi government.

    NEW DELHI: The BJP on Saturday claimed that the AAP used the Delhi Excise policy to “receive kickbacks” and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia who was “instrumental” in framing it will “face the music and the law”.

    Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy have been weaving stories through press conferences to spread a “lie” that there was no “scam” in the implementation of the excise policy and that Sisodia was innocent, alleged BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra.

    An immediate reaction was not available from the AAP on the issue.

    “The probe against Sisodia is underway and the allegations against him are very serious,” Patra said at a press conference citing the remand note of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) presented in a court recently against a liquor “scam” accused Amit Arora.

    A case against Sisodia and several other persons was registered by the CBI in August this year over the alleged irregularities in the implementation of Excise Policy 2021-22.

    The policy implemented in November 2021 was scrapped by the Kejriwal government after the CBI probe into it was recommended by Delhi LG VK Saxena.

    A study of the excise policy leaves no one in doubt that Sisodia will have to “face the music and the law”, Patra claimed.

    Citing the remand note, Patra said Sisodia along with top Excise officials who are suspended now, were “instrumental” in framing the Excise policy without required approvals to provide “undue benefits” to liquor licensees.

    “The excise policy was a device used by the AAP to receive kickbacks,” he alleged.

    The AAP dispensation had earlier assailed the BJP and its government at the Centre for trying to frame Sisodia and send him behind bars to prevent the good works of the Delhi government.

  • Rebels play spoilsport for parties in battle for 34 central Gujarat seats

    Express News Service

    AHMEDABAD:  Dissidents from both BJP and Congress can hurt the parties on 34 seats in central Gujarat, where BJP won only seven of the 28 seats in 1998 elections, but post-Godhra riots, it strengthened its position, bagging 23 seats in 2002.

    Central Gujarat is seen as a BJP stronghold where polling is due in the second phase on December 5. However, this time senior BJP leaders like Madhushrivastav and Dinesh Patel filed their candidature as independents after failing to find a place on the party list.

    That has put BJP under pressure. Vadodara city has been the party’s bastion for years, but this time it is facing trouble in neighbouring Savli, Padra, Waghodia, Dabhoi, and Karajan seats where former BJP MLAs are fighting as Independents.

    How anxious the BJP is to save this stronghold can be seen from the fact that it has fielded 76-year-old Yogesh Patel from Manjalpur constituency in Vadodra in spite of state party chief CR Patil’s expressed caveat before the media that the party would not nominate those aged above 75 years. In Panchmahal district, the party is facing a tougher puzzle. Former BJP MP Prabhatsinh Chauhan, who recently quit the BJP, is contesting the Kalol seat as a Congress candidate.

    Congress has its own fixed vote bank in central Gujarat. However, the party does not have an influential leader. In Narmada’s Dediapada seat, the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) is also facing the problem posed by a rebel who has filed his papers as an AAP candidate from Dediapada seat.  Congress held the Chhota Udaipur seat in the north of Narmada for years, but this time, the BJP has inducted senior Congress leader and 11-time MLA Mohan Singh Rathawan, giving his son Rajendra Singh the ticket.

    AHMEDABAD:  Dissidents from both BJP and Congress can hurt the parties on 34 seats in central Gujarat, where BJP won only seven of the 28 seats in 1998 elections, but post-Godhra riots, it strengthened its position, bagging 23 seats in 2002.

    Central Gujarat is seen as a BJP stronghold where polling is due in the second phase on December 5. However, this time senior BJP leaders like Madhushrivastav and Dinesh Patel filed their candidature as independents after failing to find a place on the party list.

    That has put BJP under pressure. Vadodara city has been the party’s bastion for years, but this time it is facing trouble in neighbouring Savli, Padra, Waghodia, Dabhoi, and Karajan seats where former BJP MLAs are fighting as Independents.

    How anxious the BJP is to save this stronghold can be seen from the fact that it has fielded 76-year-old Yogesh Patel from Manjalpur constituency in Vadodra in spite of state party chief CR Patil’s expressed caveat before the media that the party would not nominate those aged above 75 years. In Panchmahal district, the party is facing a tougher puzzle. Former BJP MP Prabhatsinh Chauhan, who recently quit the BJP, is contesting the Kalol seat as a Congress candidate.

    Congress has its own fixed vote bank in central Gujarat. However, the party does not have an influential leader. In Narmada’s Dediapada seat, the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) is also facing the problem posed by a rebel who has filed his papers as an AAP candidate from Dediapada seat.  Congress held the Chhota Udaipur seat in the north of Narmada for years, but this time, the BJP has inducted senior Congress leader and 11-time MLA Mohan Singh Rathawan, giving his son Rajendra Singh the ticket.

  • Gujarat polls: Congress responsible for keeping Banaskantha thirsty, must be punished: PM Modi

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday alleged that the Congress only believed in ‘atkana, latkana aur bhatkana’ (stalling, delaying and misleading), and said those who looted poor people in the country were now abusing him for putting an end to corruption.

    He also alleged that the previous Congress governments never showed any interest in bringing the Narmada river water to the parched regions of Gujarat as the party was only interested in doing those works where there was scope to indulge in corruption.

    Modi was addressing a rally in Kankrej village of Banaskantha district, where voting for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly polls will be held on December 5.

    “Congress only believed in ‘atkana’, ‘latkana’ and ‘bhatkana’. Elderly people from this region would tell you how Congress governments used to talk about bringing Narmada water in this parched region, but nothing was done on that front during their rule,” he said.

    ALSO READ | Medha Patkar slams Modi, says BJP targeting her presence in Bharat Jodo Yatra for ‘vote bank politics’

    The prime minister accused the Congress of trying to stall the construction of the Sardar Sarovar dam and supporting those who delayed the project through litigations, a veiled reference to Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) activist Medha Patkar.

    “Can people of Banaskantha forgive those who indulged in this sin of stopping water from coming here? Congress was responsible for keeping Banaskantha thirsty. They must be punished. I hope you will not forget this during polling,” Modi said.

    “Congress never shows interest in those works where their leaders do not find any opportunity to make money. Since they used to get kickbacks in the relief work wherein people were given the task to dig pits during drought, Congress was not providing water. Because they knew that if water is supplied here, their illegal income will stop,” he alleged.

    According to him, it was the BJP government which brought Narmada water into this parched region and promised that it will reach those areas too which were left behind.

    The PM said his government at the Centre had pumped in nearly Rs 1 lakh crore to finish as many as 99 water supply schemes which were abandoned across the country during Congress rule.

    ALSO READ | Gujarat elections: State govt not filling up 5 lakh posts as most will go to Dalits, STs, OBCs: Kharge

    Without taking names, Modi said those who “looted” poor citizens are now giving him ‘gaalis’ (abuses) for putting an end to corrupt practices, like cancelling nearly four crore fake ration cards.

    “Food grains meant for the poor were diverted somewhere else. If you rob poor people, Modi will take action. And when such people are caught, they start abusing me,” he said.

    He claimed that he was confident of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory in Gujarat the way people took part in voting on December 1 under the first phase.

    Before addressing the rally, Modi visited Augarnath temple in Kankrej and offered prayers.

    AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday alleged that the Congress only believed in ‘atkana, latkana aur bhatkana’ (stalling, delaying and misleading), and said those who looted poor people in the country were now abusing him for putting an end to corruption.

    He also alleged that the previous Congress governments never showed any interest in bringing the Narmada river water to the parched regions of Gujarat as the party was only interested in doing those works where there was scope to indulge in corruption.

    Modi was addressing a rally in Kankrej village of Banaskantha district, where voting for the second phase of Gujarat Assembly polls will be held on December 5.

    “Congress only believed in ‘atkana’, ‘latkana’ and ‘bhatkana’. Elderly people from this region would tell you how Congress governments used to talk about bringing Narmada water in this parched region, but nothing was done on that front during their rule,” he said.

    ALSO READ | Medha Patkar slams Modi, says BJP targeting her presence in Bharat Jodo Yatra for ‘vote bank politics’

    The prime minister accused the Congress of trying to stall the construction of the Sardar Sarovar dam and supporting those who delayed the project through litigations, a veiled reference to Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) activist Medha Patkar.

    “Can people of Banaskantha forgive those who indulged in this sin of stopping water from coming here? Congress was responsible for keeping Banaskantha thirsty. They must be punished. I hope you will not forget this during polling,” Modi said.

    “Congress never shows interest in those works where their leaders do not find any opportunity to make money. Since they used to get kickbacks in the relief work wherein people were given the task to dig pits during drought, Congress was not providing water. Because they knew that if water is supplied here, their illegal income will stop,” he alleged.

    According to him, it was the BJP government which brought Narmada water into this parched region and promised that it will reach those areas too which were left behind.

    The PM said his government at the Centre had pumped in nearly Rs 1 lakh crore to finish as many as 99 water supply schemes which were abandoned across the country during Congress rule.

    ALSO READ | Gujarat elections: State govt not filling up 5 lakh posts as most will go to Dalits, STs, OBCs: Kharge

    Without taking names, Modi said those who “looted” poor citizens are now giving him ‘gaalis’ (abuses) for putting an end to corrupt practices, like cancelling nearly four crore fake ration cards.

    “Food grains meant for the poor were diverted somewhere else. If you rob poor people, Modi will take action. And when such people are caught, they start abusing me,” he said.

    He claimed that he was confident of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory in Gujarat the way people took part in voting on December 1 under the first phase.

    Before addressing the rally, Modi visited Augarnath temple in Kankrej and offered prayers.