News Analysis India

Tag: BJP

  • ‘Time for all to work towards ensuring change of govt in 2024’, says Pawar at Opposition leaders rally

    By PTI

    FATEHABAD: As several opposition leaders came together on one stage here, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Sunday said the time has come for everyone to work towards ensuring a change of the government at the Centre in 2024.

    Referring to the stir against the agri laws, he said farmers committing suicide is not a solution and that the real solution would be to bring about the change in government.

    Farmers staged protests on the borders of the national capital, but the central government did not heed to their demands for a very long time, Pawar said here at a mega rally organised by the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD).

    The rally organised by INLD was also attended by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Shiromani Akali Dal’s Sukhbir Singh Badal among others.

    Pawar said farmers and youths committing suicide is not a solution, but the real solution is to bring about a change and everyone must strive for a change of the government at the Centre in 2024.

    Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief OP Chautala, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Bihar CM and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, Bihar Dy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal and CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and others during a rally in Fatehabad, Sunday . (Photo | PTI)

    ALSO READ | Pawar renews pitch for opposition unity for 2024 Lok Sabha polls

    He said the central government had promised to withdraw cases filed against farmer leaders, but it has not fulfilled it as yet.

    At the same rally, Nitish Kumar also called for uniting all non-BJP parties, including the Congress and the Left, to take on the BJP and said this “main front of opposition” will ensure that the saffron party loses badly in the 2024 general elections. Kumar also said he was not a prime ministerial candidate. 

    “There is no question of a Third Front. There should be one front including Congress, then we can defeat BJP in 2024,” he added.

    Bihar’s deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav said the BJP earlier used to sing ‘menhgayi daayan maar gayi’ (price rise is killing every one), but now ‘menhgayi’ has become its ‘bhoujayi’ (sister-in-law).

    FATEHABAD: As several opposition leaders came together on one stage here, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Sunday said the time has come for everyone to work towards ensuring a change of the government at the Centre in 2024.

    Referring to the stir against the agri laws, he said farmers committing suicide is not a solution and that the real solution would be to bring about the change in government.

    Farmers staged protests on the borders of the national capital, but the central government did not heed to their demands for a very long time, Pawar said here at a mega rally organised by the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD).

    The rally organised by INLD was also attended by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Shiromani Akali Dal’s Sukhbir Singh Badal among others.

    Pawar said farmers and youths committing suicide is not a solution, but the real solution is to bring about a change and everyone must strive for a change of the government at the Centre in 2024.

    Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief OP Chautala, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Bihar CM and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, Bihar Dy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal and CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and others during a rally in Fatehabad, Sunday . (Photo | PTI)

    ALSO READ | Pawar renews pitch for opposition unity for 2024 Lok Sabha polls

    He said the central government had promised to withdraw cases filed against farmer leaders, but it has not fulfilled it as yet.

    At the same rally, Nitish Kumar also called for uniting all non-BJP parties, including the Congress and the Left, to take on the BJP and said this “main front of opposition” will ensure that the saffron party loses badly in the 2024 general elections. Kumar also said he was not a prime ministerial candidate. 

    “There is no question of a Third Front. There should be one front including Congress, then we can defeat BJP in 2024,” he added.

    Bihar’s deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav said the BJP earlier used to sing ‘menhgayi daayan maar gayi’ (price rise is killing every one), but now ‘menhgayi’ has become its ‘bhoujayi’ (sister-in-law).

  • Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad to meet Sonia Gandhi in Delhi today after 5 years

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: With an aim to unite the entire Opposition to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad will meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi in the national capital on Sunday.

    It is pertinent to mention that it will be the first meeting between the three parties in more than five years.

    Both the leaders are arriving in Delhi to attend a rally to be held in Fatehabad district on the birth anniversary of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) founder late Chaudhary Devi Lal by INLD leader OP Chautala.

    Earlier on Tuesday, Lalu had said he, along with Nitish Kumar, will meet Sonia in Delhi.

    “Everyone needs to be alert, BJP needs to be uprooted in 2024. I will go to Delhi and meet Sonia Gandhi soon. I will also meet Rahul Gandhi after the completion of his padyatra,” said the RJD supremo.

    However, Poll strategist Prashant Kishor said there is a need for a “credible face” and mass movement to seek people’s vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and opined that meeting leaders of various political parties “would not make much of a difference”.

    He said such meetings cannot be seen as Opposition unity or political development.

    He further said, “Those who don’t believe this need to wait and watch. It will certainly happen. I won’t comment on whatever someone says”.

    During his last visit to Delhi, Nitish Kumar met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

    Kumar met with the Opposition leaders after he broke his alliance with the BJP and joined hands with Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Congress and other parties to form a ‘Mahagathbandhan’ government in Bihar.

    Earlier Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao had also visited Bihar and met Nitish Kumar, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as part of efforts toward forging opposition unity.

    Meanwhile, various posters of Nitish Kumar projecting him as a prime ministerial candidate in the 2024 Lok Sabha election were seen in Patna last month.

    The posters put up by JD(U) promised good governance, and gave the slogan ‘Pradesh mein dikha, desh mein dikhega’.

    Taking a swipe at BJP, another poster carried the caption, “Jumla Nahi Haqiqat Hai” (No lies only reality).

    Additionally, Tejashwi Yadav had earlier stated that Kumar could be a “strong candidate” for the Prime Minister’s post in the 2024 elections.

    In 2020, the BJP-JD(U) fought election in an alliance and went on to form the government with Nitish Kumar being given the Chief Minister’s post.

    In less than two years’ time, Nitish Kumar flipped his choices and in a surprise move went on to stitch an alliance with RJD and Congress to form a ‘Grand Alliance’ government in Bihar.

    NEW DELHI: With an aim to unite the entire Opposition to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad will meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi in the national capital on Sunday.

    It is pertinent to mention that it will be the first meeting between the three parties in more than five years.

    Both the leaders are arriving in Delhi to attend a rally to be held in Fatehabad district on the birth anniversary of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) founder late Chaudhary Devi Lal by INLD leader OP Chautala.

    Earlier on Tuesday, Lalu had said he, along with Nitish Kumar, will meet Sonia in Delhi.

    “Everyone needs to be alert, BJP needs to be uprooted in 2024. I will go to Delhi and meet Sonia Gandhi soon. I will also meet Rahul Gandhi after the completion of his padyatra,” said the RJD supremo.

    However, Poll strategist Prashant Kishor said there is a need for a “credible face” and mass movement to seek people’s vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and opined that meeting leaders of various political parties “would not make much of a difference”.

    He said such meetings cannot be seen as Opposition unity or political development.

    He further said, “Those who don’t believe this need to wait and watch. It will certainly happen. I won’t comment on whatever someone says”.

    During his last visit to Delhi, Nitish Kumar met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

    Kumar met with the Opposition leaders after he broke his alliance with the BJP and joined hands with Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Congress and other parties to form a ‘Mahagathbandhan’ government in Bihar.

    Earlier Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao had also visited Bihar and met Nitish Kumar, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as part of efforts toward forging opposition unity.

    Meanwhile, various posters of Nitish Kumar projecting him as a prime ministerial candidate in the 2024 Lok Sabha election were seen in Patna last month.

    The posters put up by JD(U) promised good governance, and gave the slogan ‘Pradesh mein dikha, desh mein dikhega’.

    Taking a swipe at BJP, another poster carried the caption, “Jumla Nahi Haqiqat Hai” (No lies only reality).

    Additionally, Tejashwi Yadav had earlier stated that Kumar could be a “strong candidate” for the Prime Minister’s post in the 2024 elections.

    In 2020, the BJP-JD(U) fought election in an alliance and went on to form the government with Nitish Kumar being given the Chief Minister’s post.

    In less than two years’ time, Nitish Kumar flipped his choices and in a surprise move went on to stitch an alliance with RJD and Congress to form a ‘Grand Alliance’ government in Bihar.

  • Amit Shah on first Bihar trip since BJP’s fallout with JD(U)

    By PTI

    PATNA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will arrive in Bihar on Friday, for the first time after the political upheaval last month robbed the BJP of power in the state.

    Shah, a former party president who is regarded as the BJP’s principal strategist, will spend two days in the Seemanchal region.

    “The home minister will reach Bagdogra airport around 11.30 am and proceed to Purnea in a helicopter. Late in the evening, he will leave for Kishanganj,” state BJP vice-president Rajib Ranjan told PTI.

    A series of meetings with the party and administrative officials are scheduled during the two-day trip though the highlight will be a public meeting at Purnea, titled evocatively “Jan Bhavana Rally”, in line with the party’s stance that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has “betrayed public sentiments” by turning his back on the NDA as part of which he had won the mandate in 2020 assembly polls.

    The loss of power, in the third week of August, came as a rude shock for the party which had, less than a month earlier, held with much fanfare a two-day conclave in Patna — attended by Shah and BJP president JP Nadda.

    The BJP has been accused of having tried to break the JD(U) through former Union minister RCP Singh, whose induction had caused controversy.

    BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, who had served as the Deputy CM for long before being shunted out to an uneventful stint in Rajya Sabha, has claimed his ex-boss was looking for an alibi and Singh was inducted into the Union Cabinet with the consent of the Bihar CM, the JD(U) de facto leader, obtained over phone by Shah himself.

    Keen watchers of politics are likely to be interested in the manner in which Shah breaks his silence over the matter.

    However, the BJP realises well the limitations of righteousness, having acquired power “through back door” five years ago which it now accuses the RJD, Congress and Left combine of.

    Union minister Giriraj Singh has been camping in Seemanchal for a while, ostensibly to supervise the preparations for Shah’s visit, while making headlines with comments on alleged “demographic change” in Seemanchal and activities of the PFI.

    Singh, the MP from Begusarai, has been pulling no punches while blaming “appeasement politics” for terrorism, unchecked population growth and infiltration of illegal immigrants.

    The party had, while still in alliance with JD(U), made it clear that it will oppose tooth and nail any attempt to legitimise the alleged infiltration of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas under the headcount of castes being undertaken in the state.

    Besides, memories of the 2013 Patna serial blasts are being raked up to paint Kumar as a political vacillator whose alleged prime ministerial ambitions cause him to break up with BJP under one pretext or the other and claim that this results in a spurt in terror activities in the state.

    Raids have been conducted in several Bihar districts by the NIA and the BJP is clearly not willing to let go of the opportunity to firm up its narrative battle.

    The dog-whistling has irked the JD(U), which is eager to see its leader, now working for opposition unity, in a “national role”.

    Senior JD(U) leaders have been issuing statements, warning the BJP against polarisation and urging the people not to fall into the communal trap.

    In a sarcastic Facebook post, JD(U) parliamentary board chief Upendra Kushwaha said Shah will “speak in favour of special status for Bihar, expose the culprits of Pulwama terror attack, announce the distribution of black money brought from abroad among the poor, pledge to scrap the faulty collegium system of judges’ appointment and declare rollback of privatisation of public sector companies”.

    PATNA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will arrive in Bihar on Friday, for the first time after the political upheaval last month robbed the BJP of power in the state.

    Shah, a former party president who is regarded as the BJP’s principal strategist, will spend two days in the Seemanchal region.

    “The home minister will reach Bagdogra airport around 11.30 am and proceed to Purnea in a helicopter. Late in the evening, he will leave for Kishanganj,” state BJP vice-president Rajib Ranjan told PTI.

    A series of meetings with the party and administrative officials are scheduled during the two-day trip though the highlight will be a public meeting at Purnea, titled evocatively “Jan Bhavana Rally”, in line with the party’s stance that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has “betrayed public sentiments” by turning his back on the NDA as part of which he had won the mandate in 2020 assembly polls.

    The loss of power, in the third week of August, came as a rude shock for the party which had, less than a month earlier, held with much fanfare a two-day conclave in Patna — attended by Shah and BJP president JP Nadda.

    The BJP has been accused of having tried to break the JD(U) through former Union minister RCP Singh, whose induction had caused controversy.

    BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, who had served as the Deputy CM for long before being shunted out to an uneventful stint in Rajya Sabha, has claimed his ex-boss was looking for an alibi and Singh was inducted into the Union Cabinet with the consent of the Bihar CM, the JD(U) de facto leader, obtained over phone by Shah himself.

    Keen watchers of politics are likely to be interested in the manner in which Shah breaks his silence over the matter.

    However, the BJP realises well the limitations of righteousness, having acquired power “through back door” five years ago which it now accuses the RJD, Congress and Left combine of.

    Union minister Giriraj Singh has been camping in Seemanchal for a while, ostensibly to supervise the preparations for Shah’s visit, while making headlines with comments on alleged “demographic change” in Seemanchal and activities of the PFI.

    Singh, the MP from Begusarai, has been pulling no punches while blaming “appeasement politics” for terrorism, unchecked population growth and infiltration of illegal immigrants.

    The party had, while still in alliance with JD(U), made it clear that it will oppose tooth and nail any attempt to legitimise the alleged infiltration of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas under the headcount of castes being undertaken in the state.

    Besides, memories of the 2013 Patna serial blasts are being raked up to paint Kumar as a political vacillator whose alleged prime ministerial ambitions cause him to break up with BJP under one pretext or the other and claim that this results in a spurt in terror activities in the state.

    Raids have been conducted in several Bihar districts by the NIA and the BJP is clearly not willing to let go of the opportunity to firm up its narrative battle.

    The dog-whistling has irked the JD(U), which is eager to see its leader, now working for opposition unity, in a “national role”.

    Senior JD(U) leaders have been issuing statements, warning the BJP against polarisation and urging the people not to fall into the communal trap.

    In a sarcastic Facebook post, JD(U) parliamentary board chief Upendra Kushwaha said Shah will “speak in favour of special status for Bihar, expose the culprits of Pulwama terror attack, announce the distribution of black money brought from abroad among the poor, pledge to scrap the faulty collegium system of judges’ appointment and declare rollback of privatisation of public sector companies”.

  • RSS spreading hate, people don’t want such India: Rahul Gandhi

    By Express News Service

    KOCHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi came down heavily on the BJP and Sangh Parivar on Wednesday, saying they are spreading hate and dividing the country, but the citizens do not want such an India. He said as prime minister, Narendra Modi’s job was to clear the decks for the biggest businessmen in the country. Rahul was addressing a public meeting at Aluva, at the conclusion of the day’s Bharat Jodo Yatra.

    The yatra, which entered the Ernakulam district earlier in the day, evoked an overwhelming response from the supporters and workers alike. Hundreds thronged the highway to greet Rahul.“The prime minister’s job is to clear the way for the biggest businessmen in the country. And the way he does it is by dividing India — by making a brother fight with another brother, by creating hatred among the states, religions and regions of this country. The idea is to make them angry and violent because when you’re angry, you can’t see what’s happening to you,” he said.

    “Bharat Jodo Yatra’s first message is that we won’t accept an India that’s divided with hatred and violence that the BJP and RSS are spreading. The second message is that we will not accept an India which is unfair to a large majority of people. We will not accept an India where millions and millions of youth cannot find a job, but beg for it and die by suicide for not getting one. We won’t accept an India where parents spend their entire lives working to send their children to school, college, or university to be told that they will not get a job. We won’t accept an India where the vast majority of our people are drowning in high prices,” he said.

    “This anger, this hatred the BJP and Sangh are spreading is not India. It’s arrogance and cowardice while the real India is humble and brave,” he said. “Modi takes away everything that’s yours and gives it to his crony capital friends. These friends of his control the entire media, they fill all the channels with his images and visuals. That’s how they control any business they want. The result is that your money has gone into the pockets of one man who’s the second richest in the country,” added Rahul.

    “The only country in the world which fought against its biggest oppressor with kindness and non-violence is this country,” he said.The day started with Rahul paying floral tributes to Sree Narayana Guru at Kumbalam. Congress leader Sachin Pilot rejoined the yatra and trekked to Edappally. In the afternoon, Rahul interacted with representatives of Kochi’s IT sector, transgender community and Kerala Congress Joseph faction leaders.

    KOCHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi came down heavily on the BJP and Sangh Parivar on Wednesday, saying they are spreading hate and dividing the country, but the citizens do not want such an India. He said as prime minister, Narendra Modi’s job was to clear the decks for the biggest businessmen in the country. Rahul was addressing a public meeting at Aluva, at the conclusion of the day’s Bharat Jodo Yatra.

    The yatra, which entered the Ernakulam district earlier in the day, evoked an overwhelming response from the supporters and workers alike. Hundreds thronged the highway to greet Rahul.“The prime minister’s job is to clear the way for the biggest businessmen in the country. And the way he does it is by dividing India — by making a brother fight with another brother, by creating hatred among the states, religions and regions of this country. The idea is to make them angry and violent because when you’re angry, you can’t see what’s happening to you,” he said.

    “Bharat Jodo Yatra’s first message is that we won’t accept an India that’s divided with hatred and violence that the BJP and RSS are spreading. The second message is that we will not accept an India which is unfair to a large majority of people. We will not accept an India where millions and millions of youth cannot find a job, but beg for it and die by suicide for not getting one. We won’t accept an India where parents spend their entire lives working to send their children to school, college, or university to be told that they will not get a job. We won’t accept an India where the vast majority of our people are drowning in high prices,” he said.

    “This anger, this hatred the BJP and Sangh are spreading is not India. It’s arrogance and cowardice while the real India is humble and brave,” he said. “Modi takes away everything that’s yours and gives it to his crony capital friends. These friends of his control the entire media, they fill all the channels with his images and visuals. That’s how they control any business they want. The result is that your money has gone into the pockets of one man who’s the second richest in the country,” added Rahul.

    “The only country in the world which fought against its biggest oppressor with kindness and non-violence is this country,” he said.The day started with Rahul paying floral tributes to Sree Narayana Guru at Kumbalam. Congress leader Sachin Pilot rejoined the yatra and trekked to Edappally. In the afternoon, Rahul interacted with representatives of Kochi’s IT sector, transgender community and Kerala Congress Joseph faction leaders.

  • UP: BJP MLA, son booked after woman alleges rape, harassment 

    By PTI

    AGRA: A BJP MLA has been booked for harassment and his son for alleged rape after a 36-year-old woman lodged a complaint against them, police said on Wednesday.

    According to the FIR registered at Tajganj Police Station, the woman was allegedly raped by Laxmi Kant Verma, son of BJP MLA from the Fatehabad constituency Chhotey Lal Verma, back in 2003 when she was 17 years old.

    The woman was a friend of the MLA’s daughter and would visit their house frequently, she said in her complaint.

    On November 16, 2003, Laxmi Kant Verma gave her a drink allegedly laced with sedatives and after she fainted, he raped her, the woman said.

    She claimed that the accused recorded a video of the act and threatened her with dire consequences if she told anyone about it, according to the complaint.

    The woman said sometime later, Laxmi Kant Verma married her at a temple and got her a job as a receptionist at a cyber cafe in Agra that was owned by him and his friend.

    The couple’s firstborn was a girl and as the accused wanted the second child to be male, he forced her to get an abortion.

    She later gave birth to a son, the woman said.

    In 2006, Laxmi Kant Verma married another woman from Rajasthan after forcing the complainant to sign divorce papers, according to the FIR.

    The woman said the BJP MLA and other family members of the accused were responsible for destroying her and her two children’s lives.

    SHO Tajganj Police Station Bhupendra Baliyan said, “The complaint has been registered against Laxmikant Verma under sections 376 (rape), 313 (causing miscarriage), 323 and 328 (causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult), 506 (criminal intimidation), 494 (bigamy) of the Indian Penal Code.”

    AGRA: A BJP MLA has been booked for harassment and his son for alleged rape after a 36-year-old woman lodged a complaint against them, police said on Wednesday.

    According to the FIR registered at Tajganj Police Station, the woman was allegedly raped by Laxmi Kant Verma, son of BJP MLA from the Fatehabad constituency Chhotey Lal Verma, back in 2003 when she was 17 years old.

    The woman was a friend of the MLA’s daughter and would visit their house frequently, she said in her complaint.

    On November 16, 2003, Laxmi Kant Verma gave her a drink allegedly laced with sedatives and after she fainted, he raped her, the woman said.

    She claimed that the accused recorded a video of the act and threatened her with dire consequences if she told anyone about it, according to the complaint.

    The woman said sometime later, Laxmi Kant Verma married her at a temple and got her a job as a receptionist at a cyber cafe in Agra that was owned by him and his friend.

    The couple’s firstborn was a girl and as the accused wanted the second child to be male, he forced her to get an abortion.

    She later gave birth to a son, the woman said.

    In 2006, Laxmi Kant Verma married another woman from Rajasthan after forcing the complainant to sign divorce papers, according to the FIR.

    The woman said the BJP MLA and other family members of the accused were responsible for destroying her and her two children’s lives.

    SHO Tajganj Police Station Bhupendra Baliyan said, “The complaint has been registered against Laxmikant Verma under sections 376 (rape), 313 (causing miscarriage), 323 and 328 (causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult), 506 (criminal intimidation), 494 (bigamy) of the Indian Penal Code.”

  • PM Modi calls for decentralisation of urban planning, says it should be done at state level

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for the “decentralisation” of urban planning stating that the planning should be done at the state level.

    The Prime Minister further said that with the development of satellite towns, the pressure on cities will reduce.

    Addressing a conference of Council of Mayors and Deputy Mayors of BJP in Gujarat via video conferencing, PM Modi said, “Urban planning has been stressed upon in this year’s budget. It is necessary that the urban-planning should be decentralised. There should be an urban planning at the state level, everything cannot be done from Delhi. There are numerous satellite towns in the country which are developing around the big cities. Work should be done to develop the satellite towns strategically. Only then, the pressure on the cities will reduce”.

    The Prime Minister also hailed the conduct of the conference and said that it has a “major role to play in preparing a road map of India’s urban development for the next 25 years during Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”.

    PM Modi reminded the Mayors of the responsibility to work from the grassroots level. “Our country trusts BJP. It’s the responsibility of all Mayors to work from the grassroots level. Better facilities to be provided and growth should be well-planned,” he said.

    The Prime Minister remembered former Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who was once a member of Ahmedabad Municipality and said that the work done by him is still respected.

    “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was once a member of Ahmedabad Municipality. He had also led Ahmedabad as a Mayor. After this start, he reached to become deputy Prime Minister. The work that he did decades ago in the Municipality is still remembered with respect. We shall follow his path for a better India and work for its development. All Mayors must follow Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas And Sabka Prayas,” he said.

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for the “decentralisation” of urban planning stating that the planning should be done at the state level.

    The Prime Minister further said that with the development of satellite towns, the pressure on cities will reduce.

    Addressing a conference of Council of Mayors and Deputy Mayors of BJP in Gujarat via video conferencing, PM Modi said, “Urban planning has been stressed upon in this year’s budget. It is necessary that the urban-planning should be decentralised. There should be an urban planning at the state level, everything cannot be done from Delhi. There are numerous satellite towns in the country which are developing around the big cities. Work should be done to develop the satellite towns strategically. Only then, the pressure on the cities will reduce”.

    The Prime Minister also hailed the conduct of the conference and said that it has a “major role to play in preparing a road map of India’s urban development for the next 25 years during Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”.

    PM Modi reminded the Mayors of the responsibility to work from the grassroots level. “Our country trusts BJP. It’s the responsibility of all Mayors to work from the grassroots level. Better facilities to be provided and growth should be well-planned,” he said.

    The Prime Minister remembered former Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who was once a member of Ahmedabad Municipality and said that the work done by him is still respected.

    “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was once a member of Ahmedabad Municipality. He had also led Ahmedabad as a Mayor. After this start, he reached to become deputy Prime Minister. The work that he did decades ago in the Municipality is still remembered with respect. We shall follow his path for a better India and work for its development. All Mayors must follow Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas And Sabka Prayas,” he said.

  • PM Modi to address BJP mayors

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Tuesday address a meeting of all mayors belonging to the BJP.

    It is important that the growing urbanisation is viewed as an opportunity to work together towards building modern and futuristic cities, he said in a tweet on Monday.

    Modi said, “At 10:30 am tomorrow, 20th September, will address a meeting of all the Mayors belonging to the BJP. With growing urbanisation, it is important that we view it as an opportunity and work together towards building modern, futuristic cities.”

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Tuesday address a meeting of all mayors belonging to the BJP.

    It is important that the growing urbanisation is viewed as an opportunity to work together towards building modern and futuristic cities, he said in a tweet on Monday.

    Modi said, “At 10:30 am tomorrow, 20th September, will address a meeting of all the Mayors belonging to the BJP. With growing urbanisation, it is important that we view it as an opportunity and work together towards building modern, futuristic cities.”

  • BJP makes gain in Maharashtra local body elections

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI:  In the local body elections of gram panchayat, the BJP has emerged as the single largest party. While the NCP bagged second most seats, the Maha Vikas Aghadi as an alliance together, got the highest numbers of gram panchayats in Maharashtra.

    After the change of power in the state, for the first time there were local elections. The local body elections shows that the BJP still has a stronghold in Maharashtra with its bagging the highest numbers of gram panchayats that is 125, while the NCP continues to dominate its influence in the rural part of  the state with winning the second largest gram panchayats that is 118. 

    The performance of Congress, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde-led factions and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena’s performance in local elections turned out to be poor. Interestingly, if all three parties of the Maha Vikas Aghadi won gram panchayats, that is 181, while the BJP and Shinde camp has won 153-gram panchayats in the state. It shows that the Maha Vikas Aghadi together can still outperform the new political alignment in the state.

    In Pune district, the NCP continued its dominance in local body elections. Out of 61 gram panchayats, the NCP won the highest 30 while BJP won three, Shinde camp won the three and Shiv Sena won the two while the remaining gram panchayat were won by the local alliances. Interestingly, in Yavatmal district, Congress party bagged the highest 33 gram panchayats out of 71 while NCP won the nine, BJP won the two, Shiv Sena won the three gram panchayat and remained by local alliances.

    In Jalgaon district, the NCP won four while BJP, Shinde camp and Shiv Sena won the three seats in local body elections. On the other hand, in Dhule district, BJP out of 32 gram panchayats out of total 33 gram panchayats. It shows the BJP’s dominance in Dhule district in local body elections. 

    MUMBAI:  In the local body elections of gram panchayat, the BJP has emerged as the single largest party. While the NCP bagged second most seats, the Maha Vikas Aghadi as an alliance together, got the highest numbers of gram panchayats in Maharashtra.

    After the change of power in the state, for the first time there were local elections. The local body elections shows that the BJP still has a stronghold in Maharashtra with its bagging the highest numbers of gram panchayats that is 125, while the NCP continues to dominate its influence in the rural part of  the state with winning the second largest gram panchayats that is 118. 

    The performance of Congress, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde-led factions and Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena’s performance in local elections turned out to be poor. Interestingly, if all three parties of the Maha Vikas Aghadi won gram panchayats, that is 181, while the BJP and Shinde camp has won 153-gram panchayats in the state. It shows that the Maha Vikas Aghadi together can still outperform the new political alignment in the state.

    In Pune district, the NCP continued its dominance in local body elections. Out of 61 gram panchayats, the NCP won the highest 30 while BJP won three, Shinde camp won the three and Shiv Sena won the two while the remaining gram panchayat were won by the local alliances. Interestingly, in Yavatmal district, Congress party bagged the highest 33 gram panchayats out of 71 while NCP won the nine, BJP won the two, Shiv Sena won the three gram panchayat and remained by local alliances.

    In Jalgaon district, the NCP won four while BJP, Shinde camp and Shiv Sena won the three seats in local body elections. On the other hand, in Dhule district, BJP out of 32 gram panchayats out of total 33 gram panchayats. It shows the BJP’s dominance in Dhule district in local body elections.
     

  • Amarinder Singh set to join BJP; his son, daughter to follow suit

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Former chief minister and Punjab Lok Congress chief Amarinder Singh is likely to join the BJP here on Monday along with his son and daughter and supporters in the presence of senior leaders of the ruling party.

    Singh (80) will also merge his newly formed Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    Singh had floated the PLC last year after quitting the Congress following his unceremonious exit as chief minister, but his party failed to win any seat in the state assembly polls. Singh himself lost from his home turf of Patiala Urban.

    The PLC contested the elections in alliance with the BJP and the Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt).

    Singh will join the BJP in the presence of its senior leaders in Delhi on Monday, PLC spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal had said.

    Sources said the former Punjab chief minister’s son Raninder Singh and daughter Jai Inder Kaur will also join the saffron party along with him, besides some other leaders from the state.

    Singh’s wife Preneet Kaur is the Lok Sabha MP of the Congress from the Patiala seat. The BJP is seeking to strengthen its base in Punjab through this merger.

    Singh had recently returned from London following a spinal surgery, and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

    After his meeting with Shah on September 12, Singh said he held a very productive discussion on various issues related to national security, rising cases of narco-terrorism in Punjab and the future roadmap for the state’s overall holistic development. The two-time former chief minister is the scion of the erstwhile Patiala royal family.

    NEW DELHI: Former chief minister and Punjab Lok Congress chief Amarinder Singh is likely to join the BJP here on Monday along with his son and daughter and supporters in the presence of senior leaders of the ruling party.

    Singh (80) will also merge his newly formed Punjab Lok Congress (PLC) with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

    Singh had floated the PLC last year after quitting the Congress following his unceremonious exit as chief minister, but his party failed to win any seat in the state assembly polls. Singh himself lost from his home turf of Patiala Urban.

    The PLC contested the elections in alliance with the BJP and the Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt).

    Singh will join the BJP in the presence of its senior leaders in Delhi on Monday, PLC spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal had said.

    Sources said the former Punjab chief minister’s son Raninder Singh and daughter Jai Inder Kaur will also join the saffron party along with him, besides some other leaders from the state.

    Singh’s wife Preneet Kaur is the Lok Sabha MP of the Congress from the Patiala seat. The BJP is seeking to strengthen its base in Punjab through this merger.

    Singh had recently returned from London following a spinal surgery, and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

    After his meeting with Shah on September 12, Singh said he held a very productive discussion on various issues related to national security, rising cases of narco-terrorism in Punjab and the future roadmap for the state’s overall holistic development. The two-time former chief minister is the scion of the erstwhile Patiala royal family.

  • BJP using government machinery for party work: Nagaland’s Rising People’s Party

    By Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: The Opposition in Nagaland, the Rising People’s Party (RPP) accused BJP of using government machinery for party work in election-bound Nagaland.

    The Health Department has written to all chief medical officers/medical superintendents in the state seeking medical assistance for the BJP’s Seva Pakhwada teams for the conduct of medical camps from September 19 to October 1, 2022.

    “As directed by the Honourable Minister, Health & Family Welfare Nagaland, I am to attach herewith a letter received from the Bharatiya Janata Party Nagaland Head office Kohima dated 17th September 2022 (copy enclosed) for conducting medical camps across the districts of Nagaland…Therefore, you are requested to cooperate with the Seva Pakhwada team if they require assistance for the Medical Camp in your respective districts. This is for kind information and necessary action,” the letter, dated September 17 and issued by Principal Director of Health and Family Welfare Nagaland Dr K Vikato Kinimi, reads.

    The letter drew the attention of the opposition Rising People’s Party (RPP) which said “there is a limit to everything.” The opposition has asked the government to revoke the order within three days or face agitation.

    The RPP said that, as per the letter, Health Minister Pangnyu Phom and the BJP state unit directed the principal director of the department to issue this direction.

    “The RPP reminds the Hon’ble Minister and BJP Nagaland that this order is illegal and unconstitutional. The H&FW Department is not an extension of the BJP party apparatus nor are the CMOs/MS/employees of the health department party karyakartas that the BJP can give directions or utilise the department’s service at will,” the RPP said in a statement.

    The opposition also said the BJP was free to organise a medical camp using its own resources by hiring doctors or approaching charitable bodies such as Lion’s Club and Rotary Club.

    The RPP asked Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to “note the outrageous and condemnable manoeuvring of his own cabinet colleagues and alliance partners, which apart from undermining his own authority also portrays the picture that the CM is now a mute spectator with no real authority.”

    The Health Minister was not available for comment. BJP state president and minister Temjen Imna Along did not respond to the query.

    The BJP is a key component of the state’s ruling coalition.

    GUWAHATI: The Opposition in Nagaland, the Rising People’s Party (RPP) accused BJP of using government machinery for party work in election-bound Nagaland.

    The Health Department has written to all chief medical officers/medical superintendents in the state seeking medical assistance for the BJP’s Seva Pakhwada teams for the conduct of medical camps from September 19 to October 1, 2022.

    “As directed by the Honourable Minister, Health & Family Welfare Nagaland, I am to attach herewith a letter received from the Bharatiya Janata Party Nagaland Head office Kohima dated 17th September 2022 (copy enclosed) for conducting medical camps across the districts of Nagaland…Therefore, you are requested to cooperate with the Seva Pakhwada team if they require assistance for the Medical Camp in your respective districts. This is for kind information and necessary action,” the letter, dated September 17 and issued by Principal Director of Health and Family Welfare Nagaland Dr K Vikato Kinimi, reads.

    The letter drew the attention of the opposition Rising People’s Party (RPP) which said “there is a limit to everything.” The opposition has asked the government to revoke the order within three days or face agitation.

    The RPP said that, as per the letter, Health Minister Pangnyu Phom and the BJP state unit directed the principal director of the department to issue this direction.

    “The RPP reminds the Hon’ble Minister and BJP Nagaland that this order is illegal and unconstitutional. The H&FW Department is not an extension of the BJP party apparatus nor are the CMOs/MS/employees of the health department party karyakartas that the BJP can give directions or utilise the department’s service at will,” the RPP said in a statement.

    The opposition also said the BJP was free to organise a medical camp using its own resources by hiring doctors or approaching charitable bodies such as Lion’s Club and Rotary Club.

    The RPP asked Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to “note the outrageous and condemnable manoeuvring of his own cabinet colleagues and alliance partners, which apart from undermining his own authority also portrays the picture that the CM is now a mute spectator with no real authority.”

    The Health Minister was not available for comment. BJP state president and minister Temjen Imna Along did not respond to the query.

    The BJP is a key component of the state’s ruling coalition.