News Analysis India

Tag: BJP

  • ‘If Pilot can become CM by getting shoes hurled at me he should do it’: Rajasthan Minister Chandna

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Minister Ashok Chandna has reacted sharply to Sachin Pilot supporters hurling footwear towards a stage where he was present, saying if the ex-state Congress president can become a chief minister by getting shoes hurled at him, he should do it.

    He also got into a war of words with Deputy Leader of Opposition in Assembly Rajendra Rathore, who along with him and other leaders of the Congress and BJP was present on the stage when shoes were hurled.

    The incident happened on Monday at a mass meeting held before the immersion of the ashes of Gurjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla in the Pushkar lake.

    However, former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot was not present at the mass meeting.

    Both Pilot and Chandna are from the Gurjar community.

    As soon as Industries Minister Shakuntala Rawat, Sports Minister Chandna and other Congress leaders got on the dais, Pilot’s supporters in the crowd started hooting, upset over the former deputy chief minister allegedly not being invited to the programme.

    Some of them even hurled shoes toward the stage.

    However, the footwear did not make contact with anyone as they fell short of the dais.

    Police had to be called in to control the situation.

    Family members of the over 70 people killed in police firing during Gurjar agitations for reservation in the past were also present on the stage.

    Chandna took to Twitter to express his displeasure over the incident.

    “A wonderful sight was seen when Rajendra Rathore, the then cabinet member who ordered the killing of 72 people, was applauded when he came on stage and shoes were thrown at those whose family members went to jail in the agitation,” he tweeted in the evening.

    A few hours later, he posted another tweet challenging Pilot.

    “If Sachin Pilot becomes chief minister by getting a shoe thrown at me, then he should do it soon because today I do not feel like fighting. The day I come to fight, then only one will be left and I do not want this,” he said.

    There has been no reaction from Pilot over this controversy so far.

    Rathore reacted to Chandna’s tweet referring to him, saying that before accusing others, he should introspect and see why the situation has arisen.

    “If you take the ripe crop of others to your field, then the result will be like this. Now look ahead and see what happens,” Rathore tweeted.

    Chandna replied, “Wasn’t you a minister in the 2007 ‘Golikand’ government? Your experience and age are more than mine, so I will not comment. Everyone has seen who came yesterday to harvest the crop.”

    Vijay Bainsla, the son of Kirori Singh Bainsla, said that Pilot was extended an invitation for the mass meeting but he did not come.

    “He must have been busy elsewhere.”

    Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot wrote a letter paying tributes to Kirori Singh Bainsla on Monday.

    Pilot tweeted in the evening paying homage to Bainsla on his birth anniversary and immersion of his ashes.

    JAIPUR: Rajasthan Minister Ashok Chandna has reacted sharply to Sachin Pilot supporters hurling footwear towards a stage where he was present, saying if the ex-state Congress president can become a chief minister by getting shoes hurled at him, he should do it.

    He also got into a war of words with Deputy Leader of Opposition in Assembly Rajendra Rathore, who along with him and other leaders of the Congress and BJP was present on the stage when shoes were hurled.

    The incident happened on Monday at a mass meeting held before the immersion of the ashes of Gurjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla in the Pushkar lake.

    However, former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot was not present at the mass meeting.

    Both Pilot and Chandna are from the Gurjar community.

    As soon as Industries Minister Shakuntala Rawat, Sports Minister Chandna and other Congress leaders got on the dais, Pilot’s supporters in the crowd started hooting, upset over the former deputy chief minister allegedly not being invited to the programme.

    Some of them even hurled shoes toward the stage.

    However, the footwear did not make contact with anyone as they fell short of the dais.

    Police had to be called in to control the situation.

    Family members of the over 70 people killed in police firing during Gurjar agitations for reservation in the past were also present on the stage.

    Chandna took to Twitter to express his displeasure over the incident.

    “A wonderful sight was seen when Rajendra Rathore, the then cabinet member who ordered the killing of 72 people, was applauded when he came on stage and shoes were thrown at those whose family members went to jail in the agitation,” he tweeted in the evening.

    A few hours later, he posted another tweet challenging Pilot.

    “If Sachin Pilot becomes chief minister by getting a shoe thrown at me, then he should do it soon because today I do not feel like fighting. The day I come to fight, then only one will be left and I do not want this,” he said.

    There has been no reaction from Pilot over this controversy so far.

    Rathore reacted to Chandna’s tweet referring to him, saying that before accusing others, he should introspect and see why the situation has arisen.

    “If you take the ripe crop of others to your field, then the result will be like this. Now look ahead and see what happens,” Rathore tweeted.

    Chandna replied, “Wasn’t you a minister in the 2007 ‘Golikand’ government? Your experience and age are more than mine, so I will not comment. Everyone has seen who came yesterday to harvest the crop.”

    Vijay Bainsla, the son of Kirori Singh Bainsla, said that Pilot was extended an invitation for the mass meeting but he did not come.

    “He must have been busy elsewhere.”

    Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot wrote a letter paying tributes to Kirori Singh Bainsla on Monday.

    Pilot tweeted in the evening paying homage to Bainsla on his birth anniversary and immersion of his ashes.

  • Kejriwal in Gujarat: AAP chief gets in argument with cops over dinner with auto-rickshaw driver

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday night had dinner at an auto-rickshaw driver’s home in Ahmedabad after accepting his invitation, but the event was preceded by high drama after the Delhi CM got into a heated argument with police officials outside his hotel over security protocols.

    Kejriwal, accompanied by a couple of AAP leaders, travelled to the auto-rickshaw driver’s home in his three-wheeler.

    The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reacting to the dinner invite, took potshots at the AAP leader and dubbed him an “actor”.

    Before heading for dinner, Kejriwal had a heated argument with some police officials outside a five-star hotel where he is staying over security protocols as the chief minister was not ready to take along policemen with him to the house of his host – auto-rickshaw driver Vikram Dantani.

    Kejriwal, who is on a two-day Gujarat visit as part of the AAP’s campaign for the upcoming Assembly polls, addressed a gathering of auto-rickshaw drivers in Ahmedabad in the afternoon.

    After his address, auto-rickshaw driver Dantani, a resident of the city’s Ghatlodia area, requested Kejriwal to have dinner at his home.

    “I am your fan. In a video I saw on social media, you went to have dinner at the home of an auto driver in Punjab. So, will you come to my home for dinner?” asked Dantani.

    The Delhi CM immediately replied in the affirmative to the invitation.

    “Autowalas of Punjab and Gujarat love me. Should I come today evening? at 8 pm,” said the AAP leader.

    Dantani agreed when Kejriwal urged him to pick him up from his hotel and take him to his house in his auto-rickshaw.

    As agreed, Dantani reached the five-star hotel on Sindhu Bhavan Road to pick up the Delhi CM late in the evening.

    Gujarat AAP president Gopal Italia and the party’s national joint general secretary, Isudan Gadhvi, also sat in Dantani’s auto-rickshaw with the Delhi CM.

    After the argument over security protocols, a police official sat beside the auto-rickshaw driver, while two police cars escorted the three-wheeler till Ghatlodia.

    Kejriwal and other state AAP leaders had dinner while sitting on the floor in Dantani’s modest house.

    Taking a jibe at Kejriwal, Gujarat Minister of State for Home and BJP leader Harsh Sanghvi, while reacting to a video of dinner invitation earlier in the day, tweeted, “What an actor”! 

    Kejriwal on Monday alleged probe agencies were being used to conduct raids for “extortion” and not to end corruption as he held town hall meetings with a cross-section of people, including auto-rickshaw drivers, during his latest visit to poll-bound Gujarat.

    Besides auto-rickshaw drivers, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener interacted with advocates and businesspersons at town hall meetings and made a slew of promises to them and assured to fulfil them if his party is voted to power in Gujarat, where Assembly polls are due by the year-end.

    Expanding his party’s outreach, Kejriwal, who is on a two-day visit to the state, promised a monthly stipend for new lawyers in Gujarat and a strong mechanism for their protection if the AAP forms a government after polls.

    He also promised auto-rickshaw drivers in the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state to bring Regional Transport Office (RTO) services to their doorsteps to check corruption and to shield them from harassment.

    He urged the business sector in the state to support the AAP in the Assembly polls as a victory would mean the AAP will have three chief ministers (in Delhi, Gujarat and Punjab), which will allow its voice to be heard by the Centre for simplification of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

    In a swipe at the Centre, Kejriwal alleged that probe agencies were being used to conduct raids for “extortion” and not to end corruption.

    He said the country cannot progress until businessmen are free from the fear of raids, while interacting with a group of businessmen at another town hall.

    The AAP government will be corruption-free, will ensure people do business without fear of raids and also work towards simplification of the GST process at the state and central levels, the Delhi CM maintained.

    Speaking about the purported raid conducted by “three policemen” at the AAP’s office in Ahmedabad on Sunday, Kejriwal claimed the policemen were enquring about money.

    “We are a poor party with no money. The policemen searched our office for two hours and left. They were asking our people about money. They left when we said there was no money. Today, the Ahmedabad police said no raid took place. This is surprising,” he said.

    The Ahmedabad police had refuted the AAP’s claim that its office was raided on Sunday.

    In an interaction with a group of advocates in Ahmedabad, Kejriwal said he will study the Kerala government’s scheme to pay a monthly stipend to young lawyers and will come up with a scheme better than the southern state.

    “I think Delhi is the only state where electricity for the court chambers of lawyers is free. They had two other demands – namely life and health insurance cover – for which we have framed a very liberal policy,” he said.

    The total cost of providing health and life insurance cover to lawyers is Rs 40 crore-50 crore for the Delhi administration, “which is not a big amount for a government”, the chief minister said.

    He promised strict implementation of the Advocates’ Protection Act in Gujarat if the AAP wins elections in the state, where the BJP is ensconced in power for nearly three decades now.

    Kejriwal said auto-rickshaw drivers had played a vital role in his victory in the Delhi elections and urged them to do the same by promoting the AAP among their passengers and through social media.

    The CM said his government in Delhi paid Rs 5,000 each to nearly 1.5 lakh drivers twice during the coronavirus-induced lockdowns.

    “In Delhi, you do not need to go to the RTO (Regional Transport Office) for works like a renewal of licence, change of ownership, permit, or hypothecation (pledging an asset to the bank while applying for loan).”

    “We have given a phone number. Give a call and a Delhi government officer will come to your doorstep. You will get your licence renewed in the same way you order a pizza on phone,” Kejriwal said.

    During his earlier visits to Gujarat, the AAP had made a slew of pre-poll promises related to free power, quality education, dole for unemployed youths, job creation and allowance for women, among others.

    Kejriwal on Monday promised a monthly stipend for new lawyers in Gujarat and a strong mechanism for their protection if the AAP forms a government after polls, due in December this year.

    Interacting with a group of advocates in Ahmedabad, Kejriwal said he will study the Kerala government’s scheme to pay a monthly stipend to young advocates and will come up with a scheme better than the southern state.

    He assured free electricity to the court chambers of lawyers in Gujarat on the lines of Delhi and said a “very liberal policy” has been framed in view of lawyers’ demand for health and life insurance cover.

    “I understood that till now, whatever we did for advocates in Delhi was the best. Just now I learnt that Kerala has gone ahead of me. I had no idea about the Kerala scheme (of paying a monthly stipend to young lawyers),” the Delhi chief minister said when a lawyer pointed out this in a town hall.

    Kejriwal said he will also study the Kerala scheme.

    “I assure you that we will provide you with a better scheme than Kerala. We will also fulfil the demand for granting automatic stature of a notary to lawyers who completed 10 years of practice (in Gujarat)”, the AAP leader said.

    Kejriwal said lawyers’ chambers are getting free electricity in Delhi.

    “I think Delhi is the only state where electricity for the court chambers of lawyers is free. They had two other demands namely life and health insurance cover, for which we have framed a very liberal policy,” he said, adding that the total cost of providing health and life insurance cover to lawyers is Rs 40-50 crore for the Delhi government, “which is not a big amount for a government”.

    He promised the implementation of the Advocates’ Protection Act in Gujarat if AAP comes to power.

    “As you say the draft is ready, we will strengthen it if required. The law will have to be strengthened along with the police machinery. We will bring a law for the protection of lawyers and a system. These things do not cost too much,” he said.

    AHMEDABAD: Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday night had dinner at an auto-rickshaw driver’s home in Ahmedabad after accepting his invitation, but the event was preceded by high drama after the Delhi CM got into a heated argument with police officials outside his hotel over security protocols.

    Kejriwal, accompanied by a couple of AAP leaders, travelled to the auto-rickshaw driver’s home in his three-wheeler.

    The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), reacting to the dinner invite, took potshots at the AAP leader and dubbed him an “actor”.

    Before heading for dinner, Kejriwal had a heated argument with some police officials outside a five-star hotel where he is staying over security protocols as the chief minister was not ready to take along policemen with him to the house of his host – auto-rickshaw driver Vikram Dantani.

    Kejriwal, who is on a two-day Gujarat visit as part of the AAP’s campaign for the upcoming Assembly polls, addressed a gathering of auto-rickshaw drivers in Ahmedabad in the afternoon.

    After his address, auto-rickshaw driver Dantani, a resident of the city’s Ghatlodia area, requested Kejriwal to have dinner at his home.

    “I am your fan. In a video I saw on social media, you went to have dinner at the home of an auto driver in Punjab. So, will you come to my home for dinner?” asked Dantani.

    The Delhi CM immediately replied in the affirmative to the invitation.

    “Autowalas of Punjab and Gujarat love me. Should I come today evening? at 8 pm,” said the AAP leader.

    Dantani agreed when Kejriwal urged him to pick him up from his hotel and take him to his house in his auto-rickshaw.

    As agreed, Dantani reached the five-star hotel on Sindhu Bhavan Road to pick up the Delhi CM late in the evening.

    Gujarat AAP president Gopal Italia and the party’s national joint general secretary, Isudan Gadhvi, also sat in Dantani’s auto-rickshaw with the Delhi CM.

    After the argument over security protocols, a police official sat beside the auto-rickshaw driver, while two police cars escorted the three-wheeler till Ghatlodia.

    Kejriwal and other state AAP leaders had dinner while sitting on the floor in Dantani’s modest house.

    Taking a jibe at Kejriwal, Gujarat Minister of State for Home and BJP leader Harsh Sanghvi, while reacting to a video of dinner invitation earlier in the day, tweeted, “What an actor”! 

    Kejriwal on Monday alleged probe agencies were being used to conduct raids for “extortion” and not to end corruption as he held town hall meetings with a cross-section of people, including auto-rickshaw drivers, during his latest visit to poll-bound Gujarat.

    Besides auto-rickshaw drivers, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener interacted with advocates and businesspersons at town hall meetings and made a slew of promises to them and assured to fulfil them if his party is voted to power in Gujarat, where Assembly polls are due by the year-end.

    Expanding his party’s outreach, Kejriwal, who is on a two-day visit to the state, promised a monthly stipend for new lawyers in Gujarat and a strong mechanism for their protection if the AAP forms a government after polls.

    He also promised auto-rickshaw drivers in the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state to bring Regional Transport Office (RTO) services to their doorsteps to check corruption and to shield them from harassment.

    He urged the business sector in the state to support the AAP in the Assembly polls as a victory would mean the AAP will have three chief ministers (in Delhi, Gujarat and Punjab), which will allow its voice to be heard by the Centre for simplification of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

    In a swipe at the Centre, Kejriwal alleged that probe agencies were being used to conduct raids for “extortion” and not to end corruption.

    He said the country cannot progress until businessmen are free from the fear of raids, while interacting with a group of businessmen at another town hall.

    The AAP government will be corruption-free, will ensure people do business without fear of raids and also work towards simplification of the GST process at the state and central levels, the Delhi CM maintained.

    Speaking about the purported raid conducted by “three policemen” at the AAP’s office in Ahmedabad on Sunday, Kejriwal claimed the policemen were enquring about money.

    “We are a poor party with no money. The policemen searched our office for two hours and left. They were asking our people about money. They left when we said there was no money. Today, the Ahmedabad police said no raid took place. This is surprising,” he said.

    The Ahmedabad police had refuted the AAP’s claim that its office was raided on Sunday.

    In an interaction with a group of advocates in Ahmedabad, Kejriwal said he will study the Kerala government’s scheme to pay a monthly stipend to young lawyers and will come up with a scheme better than the southern state.

    “I think Delhi is the only state where electricity for the court chambers of lawyers is free. They had two other demands – namely life and health insurance cover – for which we have framed a very liberal policy,” he said.

    The total cost of providing health and life insurance cover to lawyers is Rs 40 crore-50 crore for the Delhi administration, “which is not a big amount for a government”, the chief minister said.

    He promised strict implementation of the Advocates’ Protection Act in Gujarat if the AAP wins elections in the state, where the BJP is ensconced in power for nearly three decades now.

    Kejriwal said auto-rickshaw drivers had played a vital role in his victory in the Delhi elections and urged them to do the same by promoting the AAP among their passengers and through social media.

    The CM said his government in Delhi paid Rs 5,000 each to nearly 1.5 lakh drivers twice during the coronavirus-induced lockdowns.

    “In Delhi, you do not need to go to the RTO (Regional Transport Office) for works like a renewal of licence, change of ownership, permit, or hypothecation (pledging an asset to the bank while applying for loan).”

    “We have given a phone number. Give a call and a Delhi government officer will come to your doorstep. You will get your licence renewed in the same way you order a pizza on phone,” Kejriwal said.

    During his earlier visits to Gujarat, the AAP had made a slew of pre-poll promises related to free power, quality education, dole for unemployed youths, job creation and allowance for women, among others.

    Kejriwal on Monday promised a monthly stipend for new lawyers in Gujarat and a strong mechanism for their protection if the AAP forms a government after polls, due in December this year.

    Interacting with a group of advocates in Ahmedabad, Kejriwal said he will study the Kerala government’s scheme to pay a monthly stipend to young advocates and will come up with a scheme better than the southern state.

    He assured free electricity to the court chambers of lawyers in Gujarat on the lines of Delhi and said a “very liberal policy” has been framed in view of lawyers’ demand for health and life insurance cover.

    “I understood that till now, whatever we did for advocates in Delhi was the best. Just now I learnt that Kerala has gone ahead of me. I had no idea about the Kerala scheme (of paying a monthly stipend to young lawyers),” the Delhi chief minister said when a lawyer pointed out this in a town hall.

    Kejriwal said he will also study the Kerala scheme.

    “I assure you that we will provide you with a better scheme than Kerala. We will also fulfil the demand for granting automatic stature of a notary to lawyers who completed 10 years of practice (in Gujarat)”, the AAP leader said.

    Kejriwal said lawyers’ chambers are getting free electricity in Delhi.

    “I think Delhi is the only state where electricity for the court chambers of lawyers is free. They had two other demands namely life and health insurance cover, for which we have framed a very liberal policy,” he said, adding that the total cost of providing health and life insurance cover to lawyers is Rs 40-50 crore for the Delhi government, “which is not a big amount for a government”.

    He promised the implementation of the Advocates’ Protection Act in Gujarat if AAP comes to power.

    “As you say the draft is ready, we will strengthen it if required. The law will have to be strengthened along with the police machinery. We will bring a law for the protection of lawyers and a system. These things do not cost too much,” he said.

  • Congress tweets picture of khakhi shorts on fire, BJP calls it instigation for violence

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday tweeted a picture of a khakhi shorts — a part of the RSS uniform earlier — on fire, drawing sharp reaction from the BJP which dubbed it as an “instigation for violence”.

    The Congress tweeted along with the picture, “To free the country from shackles of hate and undo the damage done by BJP-RSS. Step by step, we will reach our goal.”

    145 days more to go, it said of the party’s ongoing “Bharat Jodo Yatra”.

    The BJP lashed out at the Congress for its “promotion of violence” and dubbed its yatra as “Bharat Todo Yatra”.

    Noting that many RSS, the Hindutva organisation considered the BJP’s ideological mentor, members have been killed in Kerala where the Congress yatra is going presently, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged that the opposition party has signalled to “terrorists” in the southern state to target their functionaries.

    Patra asked Congress to immediately take down the post, saying there is no room for violence in India’s constitutional scheme of things.

    Hitting out at the Congress, he said the party part has had an old association with “fire”.

    Punjab was put on fire when the party was in power and Sikhs were burnt alive during the 1984 riots, he said.

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday tweeted a picture of a khakhi shorts — a part of the RSS uniform earlier — on fire, drawing sharp reaction from the BJP which dubbed it as an “instigation for violence”.

    The Congress tweeted along with the picture, “To free the country from shackles of hate and undo the damage done by BJP-RSS. Step by step, we will reach our goal.”

    145 days more to go, it said of the party’s ongoing “Bharat Jodo Yatra”.

    The BJP lashed out at the Congress for its “promotion of violence” and dubbed its yatra as “Bharat Todo Yatra”.

    Noting that many RSS, the Hindutva organisation considered the BJP’s ideological mentor, members have been killed in Kerala where the Congress yatra is going presently, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged that the opposition party has signalled to “terrorists” in the southern state to target their functionaries.

    Patra asked Congress to immediately take down the post, saying there is no room for violence in India’s constitutional scheme of things.

    Hitting out at the Congress, he said the party part has had an old association with “fire”.

    Punjab was put on fire when the party was in power and Sikhs were burnt alive during the 1984 riots, he said.

  • ED issues fresh summons to Abhishek Banerjee’s kin after notice row; Trinamool MP threatens of gheraoing BJP leader’s houses

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate was left red-faced when Maneka Gambhir, the sister-in-law of TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, arrived at its office here past midnight as the notice served on her in a money laundering case asked her to appear before the agency at 12.30 AM on Monday.

    Wearing a blue kurta, Gambir reached the ED office at CGO complex in the Salt Lake area and posed for a picture before a locked office along with the notice, which the agency later termed as a “typographical error”.

    “I was served with notice to report at 12:30 AM and so I had come,” Gambhir later told a local news channel.

    She was accompanied by a lawyer during her midnight visit to the ED office.

    Gambhir was handed over the summons to appear at the ED office here on Monday “at 12:30 AM” by agency officials at the Kolkata airport on September 10 after she was denied from taking an international flight.

    The agency said she was required to join investigation in an alleged coal scam case.

    She has been issued a fresh summons to appear before the agency here around 2 PM, the officials said.

    The sources said the midnight time printed on the earlier summons was a “typographical error” and erroneous and it should have been “12:30 PM” on September 12.

    Gambhir has not been questioned by the ED in this case till now.

    The CBI had earlier questioned her in the said case.

    The Calcutta High Court in August directed the ED to question Gambhir at its regional office in Kolkata and not in Delhi and also not to take coercive steps against her till the next date of hearing.

    Gambhir had challenged an ED summons that asked her to appear before it in Delhi on September 5 in connection with the alleged coal scam case and had sought direction from the court to the agency to allow her to appear before it in Kolkata, where she claimed she resides.

    The ED has questioned Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), and his wife Rujira in this case earlier.

    This case is being investigated by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) with Anup Majee being alleged to be the kingpin of a coal mining pilferage-linked money laundering case related to Eastern Coalfield Limited’s mines in Kunustoria and Kajora in and around Asansol in West Bengal.

    Houses of all BJP MPs and MLAs in West Bengal will be gheraoed if provident fund and gratuity benefits are not provided to over 3 lakh tea garden workers in the state by the end of this year, Banerjee said on Sunday.

    Addressing a rally of tea workers in Jalpaiguri district’s Malbazar, Banerjee asked the party’s trade union to start a protest programme demanding PF and gratuity from Monday itself and lodge police complaints against tea garden owners who refuse to provide these benefits.

    “BJP leaders are like migratory birds, they come before the elections, make big promises and fly out after the elections without fulfilling those.

    The Centre promised to take over seven closed tea gardens but did nothing, while the TMC government in the state ensured that all closed tea gardens become operational once again,” he said.

    “Though Narendra Modi was a tea seller, he did nothing for the tea garden workers. Providing PF and gratuity benefits are the responsibilities of the Centre. I ask you all to start protesting on the issue from tomorrow itself. File police complaints against tea garden owners who refuse to provide these. And if the issues are not addressed by the end of this year, then houses of BJP MLAs and MPs will be gheraoed from January,” he added.

    Banerjee, a Lok Sabha MP and the nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, promised the tea workers that the state will set up 31 creches for their children in the next six months, primary health centres, and provide them with clean drinking water and land rights.

    “The basic wage was Rs 67 during the Left rule in the state and it has now been increased to Rs 232. The new wage will be implemented in the next three months,” he said, noting that he will take the demands of the tea garden workers to Delhi.

    The announcements by Banerjee, the TMC’s national general secretary, are being seen as a bid to wrest the tea belt of the state from the BJP, which won all the seats in the region in 2019 Lok Sabha polls and continued the streak by winning the most number of seats in last year’s assembly election.

    Asserting that his party will fight against all moves to divide the state, Banerjee said he was also against terms such as ‘north Bengal’ and ‘south Bengal’.

    “There are talks about carving out Coochbehar with parts of sub-Himalayan West Bengal to create a separate state or territory. We will not allow that,” he said.

    “TMC will fiercely oppose any attempt to create a separate state. Even I am opposed to casually referring to the region as north Bengal, and districts in the southern region as south Bengal. Why such terms?” he asked.

    Banerjee also hit out at the BJP, alleging “misuse” of ED and CBI to harass its political opponents.

    “(Law minister) Moloy Ghatak’s house was raided but only Rs 14,000 in cash could be found. Why people who looted crores of rupees of public money and provided shelter by the BJP are being spared?” he asked.

    On speculation of his “new Trinamool Congress”, Banerjee said he never meant that the party will get rid of old-timers.

    “I meant we will continue to reflect the aspirations of people and voice their wishes. We will fix mistakes if any during the journey,” he explained.

    “If anyone commits any wrong, if anyone cheats people, the party will not stand by him. Remember that TMC took action against such offenders,” he claimed.

    The BJP said it was not giving much importance to Banerjee’s rally, claiming that the people of the state have already turned their faces away from the TMC.

    “His rally will not cut much ice as people of Bengal have turned away from the TMC. Also, let me ask why he did not care about the condition of tea gardens all these years. The Modi government and our party MPs are doing everything to improve their condition,” BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.

    KOLKATA: The Enforcement Directorate was left red-faced when Maneka Gambhir, the sister-in-law of TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, arrived at its office here past midnight as the notice served on her in a money laundering case asked her to appear before the agency at 12.30 AM on Monday.

    Wearing a blue kurta, Gambir reached the ED office at CGO complex in the Salt Lake area and posed for a picture before a locked office along with the notice, which the agency later termed as a “typographical error”.

    “I was served with notice to report at 12:30 AM and so I had come,” Gambhir later told a local news channel.

    She was accompanied by a lawyer during her midnight visit to the ED office.

    Gambhir was handed over the summons to appear at the ED office here on Monday “at 12:30 AM” by agency officials at the Kolkata airport on September 10 after she was denied from taking an international flight.

    The agency said she was required to join investigation in an alleged coal scam case.

    She has been issued a fresh summons to appear before the agency here around 2 PM, the officials said.

    The sources said the midnight time printed on the earlier summons was a “typographical error” and erroneous and it should have been “12:30 PM” on September 12.

    Gambhir has not been questioned by the ED in this case till now.

    The CBI had earlier questioned her in the said case.

    The Calcutta High Court in August directed the ED to question Gambhir at its regional office in Kolkata and not in Delhi and also not to take coercive steps against her till the next date of hearing.

    Gambhir had challenged an ED summons that asked her to appear before it in Delhi on September 5 in connection with the alleged coal scam case and had sought direction from the court to the agency to allow her to appear before it in Kolkata, where she claimed she resides.

    The ED has questioned Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), and his wife Rujira in this case earlier.

    This case is being investigated by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) with Anup Majee being alleged to be the kingpin of a coal mining pilferage-linked money laundering case related to Eastern Coalfield Limited’s mines in Kunustoria and Kajora in and around Asansol in West Bengal.

    Houses of all BJP MPs and MLAs in West Bengal will be gheraoed if provident fund and gratuity benefits are not provided to over 3 lakh tea garden workers in the state by the end of this year, Banerjee said on Sunday.

    Addressing a rally of tea workers in Jalpaiguri district’s Malbazar, Banerjee asked the party’s trade union to start a protest programme demanding PF and gratuity from Monday itself and lodge police complaints against tea garden owners who refuse to provide these benefits.

    “BJP leaders are like migratory birds, they come before the elections, make big promises and fly out after the elections without fulfilling those.

    The Centre promised to take over seven closed tea gardens but did nothing, while the TMC government in the state ensured that all closed tea gardens become operational once again,” he said.

    “Though Narendra Modi was a tea seller, he did nothing for the tea garden workers. Providing PF and gratuity benefits are the responsibilities of the Centre. I ask you all to start protesting on the issue from tomorrow itself. File police complaints against tea garden owners who refuse to provide these. And if the issues are not addressed by the end of this year, then houses of BJP MLAs and MPs will be gheraoed from January,” he added.

    Banerjee, a Lok Sabha MP and the nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, promised the tea workers that the state will set up 31 creches for their children in the next six months, primary health centres, and provide them with clean drinking water and land rights.

    “The basic wage was Rs 67 during the Left rule in the state and it has now been increased to Rs 232. The new wage will be implemented in the next three months,” he said, noting that he will take the demands of the tea garden workers to Delhi.

    The announcements by Banerjee, the TMC’s national general secretary, are being seen as a bid to wrest the tea belt of the state from the BJP, which won all the seats in the region in 2019 Lok Sabha polls and continued the streak by winning the most number of seats in last year’s assembly election.

    Asserting that his party will fight against all moves to divide the state, Banerjee said he was also against terms such as ‘north Bengal’ and ‘south Bengal’.

    “There are talks about carving out Coochbehar with parts of sub-Himalayan West Bengal to create a separate state or territory. We will not allow that,” he said.

    “TMC will fiercely oppose any attempt to create a separate state. Even I am opposed to casually referring to the region as north Bengal, and districts in the southern region as south Bengal. Why such terms?” he asked.

    Banerjee also hit out at the BJP, alleging “misuse” of ED and CBI to harass its political opponents.

    “(Law minister) Moloy Ghatak’s house was raided but only Rs 14,000 in cash could be found. Why people who looted crores of rupees of public money and provided shelter by the BJP are being spared?” he asked.

    On speculation of his “new Trinamool Congress”, Banerjee said he never meant that the party will get rid of old-timers.

    “I meant we will continue to reflect the aspirations of people and voice their wishes. We will fix mistakes if any during the journey,” he explained.

    “If anyone commits any wrong, if anyone cheats people, the party will not stand by him. Remember that TMC took action against such offenders,” he claimed.

    The BJP said it was not giving much importance to Banerjee’s rally, claiming that the people of the state have already turned their faces away from the TMC.

    “His rally will not cut much ice as people of Bengal have turned away from the TMC. Also, let me ask why he did not care about the condition of tea gardens all these years. The Modi government and our party MPs are doing everything to improve their condition,” BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.

  • Ahead of Kejriwal’s town hall interactions, Gujarat Police ‘raids’ AAP office in Ahmedabad

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Police conducted a raid at the AAP office in Ahmedabad on Sunday, the party said while claiming the ruling BJP is “extremely rattled” by the “immense support” it is getting in the run-up to the Gujarat Assembly polls.

    Leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Gujarat unit said on Twitter that the raid was carried out soon after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal arrived in Ahmedabad.

    Reacting to the development, Kejriwal said the Gujarat police found nothing at the party office as the leaders and workers of the AAP are “hardcore honest”.

    There was no immediate response from the Gujarat Police to the AAP’s claim.

    “The BJP is extremely rattled by the immense support that the AAP is getting from the people of Gujarat. There is a storm in favour of the AAP in Gujarat,” Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi.

    “Raids have started in Gujarat too after Delhi. Nothing was found in Delhi, nothing was found in Gujarat too. We are hardcore honest and patriotic people,” he added.

    The AAP national convenor hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after his party’s Gujarat unit leader Isudan Gadhvi claimed on Twitter that police raided the party office and carried out searches for two hours, soon after Kejriwal arrived in Ahmedabad.

    “Gujarat Police’s raid at the Aam Aadmi Party’s office as soon as Kejriwal arrived in Ahmedabad. Carried out searches for two hours and left. Nothing found. Said they will come again,” Gadhvi said in a tweet in Hindi.

    “The BJP is so scared with the growing popularity of the Aam Aadmi Party in Gujarat that now it is misusing power to get our office raided,” the Gujarat unit of the AAP said in a tweet.

    After Delhi, now they have started getting raids conducted in Gujarat too.

    Be it Delhi or Gujarat, they are not going to find anything, it added.

    The Gujarat Assembly polls are slated to be held later in the year.

    The raid comes ahead of Kejriwal’s interactions with auto-rickshaw drivers, businessmen and lawyers in three different town hall meetings in Ahmedabad on Monday, ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls due later this year.

    Aam Aadmi Party’s national convener Kejriwal reached Ahmedabad on Sunday evening to attend various public programmes and meet local party leaders on Monday and Tuesday as part of the AAP’s election campaign in BJP-ruled Gujarat.

    As per the schedule shared by the Gujarat AAP unit, Kejriwal will participate in three town hall meets here on Monday where he will interact with auto-rickshaw drivers, businessmen, and lawyers.

    On Tuesday, Kejriwal will hold another town hall meet with sanitation workers.

    He will also hold discussions with local AAP leaders and workers and welcome new members to the party in Ahmedabad.

    He will also announce an “important guarantee” for the people of Gujarat, as per the party.

    Kejriwal on Sunday said his next “guarantee” to the people of Gujarat will be to provide a “corruption-free” government.

    During his multiple visits to Gujarat in the recent past, Kejriwal had announced a slew of “guarantees”, including allowances for women and unemployed youth, free and quality healthcare and education, creation of jobs, and free electricity up to 300 units.

    NEW DELHI: Police conducted a raid at the AAP office in Ahmedabad on Sunday, the party said while claiming the ruling BJP is “extremely rattled” by the “immense support” it is getting in the run-up to the Gujarat Assembly polls.

    Leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Gujarat unit said on Twitter that the raid was carried out soon after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal arrived in Ahmedabad.

    Reacting to the development, Kejriwal said the Gujarat police found nothing at the party office as the leaders and workers of the AAP are “hardcore honest”.

    There was no immediate response from the Gujarat Police to the AAP’s claim.

    “The BJP is extremely rattled by the immense support that the AAP is getting from the people of Gujarat. There is a storm in favour of the AAP in Gujarat,” Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi.

    “Raids have started in Gujarat too after Delhi. Nothing was found in Delhi, nothing was found in Gujarat too. We are hardcore honest and patriotic people,” he added.

    The AAP national convenor hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after his party’s Gujarat unit leader Isudan Gadhvi claimed on Twitter that police raided the party office and carried out searches for two hours, soon after Kejriwal arrived in Ahmedabad.

    “Gujarat Police’s raid at the Aam Aadmi Party’s office as soon as Kejriwal arrived in Ahmedabad. Carried out searches for two hours and left. Nothing found. Said they will come again,” Gadhvi said in a tweet in Hindi.

    “The BJP is so scared with the growing popularity of the Aam Aadmi Party in Gujarat that now it is misusing power to get our office raided,” the Gujarat unit of the AAP said in a tweet.

    After Delhi, now they have started getting raids conducted in Gujarat too.

    Be it Delhi or Gujarat, they are not going to find anything, it added.

    The Gujarat Assembly polls are slated to be held later in the year.

    The raid comes ahead of Kejriwal’s interactions with auto-rickshaw drivers, businessmen and lawyers in three different town hall meetings in Ahmedabad on Monday, ahead of the Gujarat Assembly polls due later this year.

    Aam Aadmi Party’s national convener Kejriwal reached Ahmedabad on Sunday evening to attend various public programmes and meet local party leaders on Monday and Tuesday as part of the AAP’s election campaign in BJP-ruled Gujarat.

    As per the schedule shared by the Gujarat AAP unit, Kejriwal will participate in three town hall meets here on Monday where he will interact with auto-rickshaw drivers, businessmen, and lawyers.

    On Tuesday, Kejriwal will hold another town hall meet with sanitation workers.

    He will also hold discussions with local AAP leaders and workers and welcome new members to the party in Ahmedabad.

    He will also announce an “important guarantee” for the people of Gujarat, as per the party.

    Kejriwal on Sunday said his next “guarantee” to the people of Gujarat will be to provide a “corruption-free” government.

    During his multiple visits to Gujarat in the recent past, Kejriwal had announced a slew of “guarantees”, including allowances for women and unemployed youth, free and quality healthcare and education, creation of jobs, and free electricity up to 300 units.

  • Power Games: Scindia, Vijayvargiya join hands to promote heirs

    By Express News Service

    Family FirstScindia, Vijayvargiya join hands to promote heirs

    A newfound bonhomie between arch-rivals Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kailash Vijayvargiya has had the Madhya Pradesh political watchers racking their brains to figure out the reason for this realignment. Supporters of the two leaders had earlier come to blows when Vijayvargiya first challenged Scindia in the election for the post of Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) president. The clash between the two groups was so fierce that the police resorted to lathi charge to help the authorities conduct the election. Scindia defeated Vijayvargiya. They have since remained at loggerheads. But developments in the last two weeks have baffled all. During an MPCA award ceremony at Indore earlier this month, Scindia surprised the who’s who of the state’s cricketing and political fraternity present on the occasion by walking down the dais to bring Vijayvargiya, who was sitting in the audience, onto the stage. Scindia along with his son Mahanaryaman also went for lunch at Vijayvargiya’s residence at Indore.

    While initially their new equation was seen as the emergence of an axis within the state BJP, informed sources say the two leaders have decided to work together in the interest of their heirs. Scindia’s son Mahanaryaman was recently appointed vice-president of the Gwalior Division Cricket Association. Scindia wants him to take over from him as the head of MPCA. For this, he needs the support of Vijayvargiya. For Vijayvargiya, who has been sidelined in the party, joining hands with Scindia would ensure the re-election of his son Akash as an MLA from Indore. The Scindias wield considerable clout in Indore by virtue of their close ties with the widely-respected Holkar royal family of Indore. State Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has heaved a sigh of relief on learning that the new alliance is not a ploy to target his chair. Both Scindia and Vijayvargiya are contenders for the post of chief minister.

    Karnataka ElectionsBJP sees red as Yediyurappa plays truant

    The BJP’s first chief minister in south India, B S Yediyurappa, is not amused by the central leadership’s decision to appoint him to the parliamentary board. He has been trying to persuade the central leaders to appoint his son B S Vijayendra as a minister in the state government. The party leadership has refused to oblige. He has reportedly been told that his son would be made deputy chief minister if he helps the party return to power. Yediyurappa says when his son is not being made a minister now, what is the guarantee that he would be made a deputy chief minister later? At one point he was so disappointed by the party’s continued efforts to sideline him that he announced retirement from politics.

    Last year, he was asked to step down as the chief minister of Karnataka as the party felt his government had become unpopular and it may not be able to return to power under his leadership. The party’s electoral fortunes have, however, failed to change even after his exit. Yediyurappa is by far the most popular leader among Karnataka’s numerically strong Lingayat community which has largely supported the BJP over the years. This has forced the party to bring him back to a position of prominence.

    Sources said Yediyurappa continues to sulk as he and his family have been kept away from power politics and forced to live on the margins. Efforts are on by the party to persuade their Lingayat strongman. The fact that the party now realises his importance was also evident when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent visit to Mangaluru, called Yediyurappa to the dais when he saw him sitting in the audience. Party’s overtures notwithstanding, BSY appears in no mood to bring back a government in which he and his family would have no role to play.

    Family First
    Scindia, Vijayvargiya join hands to promote heirs

    A newfound bonhomie between arch-rivals Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kailash Vijayvargiya has had the Madhya Pradesh political watchers racking their brains to figure out the reason for this realignment. Supporters of the two leaders had earlier come to blows when Vijayvargiya first challenged Scindia in the election for the post of Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) president. The clash between the two groups was so fierce that the police resorted to lathi charge to help the authorities conduct the election. Scindia defeated Vijayvargiya. They have since remained at loggerheads. But developments in the last two weeks have baffled all. During an MPCA award ceremony at Indore earlier this month, Scindia surprised the who’s who of the state’s cricketing and political fraternity present on the occasion by walking down the dais to bring Vijayvargiya, who was sitting in the audience, onto the stage. Scindia along with his son Mahanaryaman also went for lunch at Vijayvargiya’s residence at Indore.

    While initially their new equation was seen as the emergence of an axis within the state BJP, informed sources say the two leaders have decided to work together in the interest of their heirs. Scindia’s son Mahanaryaman was recently appointed vice-president of the Gwalior Division Cricket Association. Scindia wants him to take over from him as the head of MPCA. For this, he needs the support of Vijayvargiya. For Vijayvargiya, who has been sidelined in the party, joining hands with Scindia would ensure the re-election of his son Akash as an MLA from Indore. The Scindias wield considerable clout in Indore by virtue of their close ties with the widely-respected Holkar royal family of Indore. State Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has heaved a sigh of relief on learning that the new alliance is not a ploy to target his chair. Both Scindia and Vijayvargiya are contenders for the post of chief minister.

    Karnataka Elections
    BJP sees red as Yediyurappa plays truant

    The BJP’s first chief minister in south India, B S Yediyurappa, is not amused by the central leadership’s decision to appoint him to the parliamentary board. He has been trying to persuade the central leaders to appoint his son B S Vijayendra as a minister in the state government. The party leadership has refused to oblige. He has reportedly been told that his son would be made deputy chief minister if he helps the party return to power. Yediyurappa says when his son is not being made a minister now, what is the guarantee that he would be made a deputy chief minister later? At one point he was so disappointed by the party’s continued efforts to sideline him that he announced retirement from politics.

    Last year, he was asked to step down as the chief minister of Karnataka as the party felt his government had become unpopular and it may not be able to return to power under his leadership. The party’s electoral fortunes have, however, failed to change even after his exit. Yediyurappa is by far the most popular leader among Karnataka’s numerically strong Lingayat community which has largely supported the BJP over the years. This has forced the party to bring him back to a position of prominence.

    Sources said Yediyurappa continues to sulk as he and his family have been kept away from power politics and forced to live on the margins. Efforts are on by the party to persuade their Lingayat strongman. The fact that the party now realises his importance was also evident when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent visit to Mangaluru, called Yediyurappa to the dais when he saw him sitting in the audience. Party’s overtures notwithstanding, BSY appears in no mood to bring back a government in which he and his family would have no role to play.

  • Crude bombs hurled at BJP rally in Coochbehar

    By PTI

    DINHATA: Several crude bombs were hurled at a BJP rally in West Bengal’s Coochbehar district on Sunday, triggering panic among the people.

    The incident happened in Sitalkuchi Bazar during a BJP protest march against the TMC government in the state, police said.

    As the bombs were hurled, the BJP supporters ran for their lives. When they regrouped after the mayhem, police stopped the march to prevent a further flare-up.

    Some people received minor injuries from flying splinters but no one had to be hospitalised, a police officer said. The BJP alleged that the TMC was behind the attack on its workers.

    “The incident proves again that ‘jungle raj’ is prevailing in West Bengal and police are mute spectators,” BJP’s national vice-president Dilip Ghosh said.

    The TMC alleged that the BJP itself orchestrated the attack to get public attention.

    “We were busy with Abhishek Banerjee’s public meeting in Malbazar. Why should we foment trouble in Sitalkuchi?” said TMC’s Dinhata MLA Udayan Guha, the minister of North Bengal Development.

    DINHATA: Several crude bombs were hurled at a BJP rally in West Bengal’s Coochbehar district on Sunday, triggering panic among the people.

    The incident happened in Sitalkuchi Bazar during a BJP protest march against the TMC government in the state, police said.

    As the bombs were hurled, the BJP supporters ran for their lives. When they regrouped after the mayhem, police stopped the march to prevent a further flare-up.

    Some people received minor injuries from flying splinters but no one had to be hospitalised, a police officer said. The BJP alleged that the TMC was behind the attack on its workers.

    “The incident proves again that ‘jungle raj’ is prevailing in West Bengal and police are mute spectators,” BJP’s national vice-president Dilip Ghosh said.

    The TMC alleged that the BJP itself orchestrated the attack to get public attention.

    “We were busy with Abhishek Banerjee’s public meeting in Malbazar. Why should we foment trouble in Sitalkuchi?” said TMC’s Dinhata MLA Udayan Guha, the minister of North Bengal Development.

  • SP leader withdraws election petition against BJP MP Sanghamitra Maurya

    By PTI

    BADAUN: Samajwadi Party leader Dharmendra Yadav has said he has withdrawn his election petition filed before the Allahabad High Court against sitting MP Sanghamitra Maurya, accusing her of submitting “incorrect information” in a poll affidavit.

    Maurya, the daughter of Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya, had fought the 2019 general elections from Budaun on a BJP ticket.

    She had won the contest defeating Dharmendra Yadav, the then sitting MP from the seat, with a margin of 18,000 votes.

    Dharmendra Yadav is a cousin of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.

    After the conclusion of the 2019 general election, Dharmendra Yadav had filed the petition contending that some information provided by Sanghamitra Maurya in her election affidavit was incorrect.

    He had also alleged voting fraud in his petition and accused the election officials of not being fair.

    Dharmendra Yadav on Saturday told PTI that he had filed an undertaking to withdraw the petition a few months ago which was accepted by the High Court on Friday last.

    “There seems to be no need for the petition now. Swami Prasad Maurya, father of Sanghamitra Maurya, is in our party, and to avoid a situation of differences the petition was taken back.”

    Swami Prasad Maurya, who was a minister in the previous Yogi Adityanath government, was in the BJP at the time of the 2019 general elections.

    He had moved to the SP just before the recent state assembly elections, and is currently an MLC from SP.

    Sanghamitra Maurya, reacting to the development, told PTI: “I don’t know about his personal thoughts before taking back the petition. I just want to say that he has accepted the defeat of 2019 from his heart.”

    When asked if she will join the SP like her father, she said, “I have the support of the people. I have not been swayed by anyone in the past three years. If Dharmendra Yadav wants to join BJP, he is welcome.”

    BADAUN: Samajwadi Party leader Dharmendra Yadav has said he has withdrawn his election petition filed before the Allahabad High Court against sitting MP Sanghamitra Maurya, accusing her of submitting “incorrect information” in a poll affidavit.

    Maurya, the daughter of Samajwadi Party leader Swami Prasad Maurya, had fought the 2019 general elections from Budaun on a BJP ticket.

    She had won the contest defeating Dharmendra Yadav, the then sitting MP from the seat, with a margin of 18,000 votes.

    Dharmendra Yadav is a cousin of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.

    After the conclusion of the 2019 general election, Dharmendra Yadav had filed the petition contending that some information provided by Sanghamitra Maurya in her election affidavit was incorrect.

    He had also alleged voting fraud in his petition and accused the election officials of not being fair.

    Dharmendra Yadav on Saturday told PTI that he had filed an undertaking to withdraw the petition a few months ago which was accepted by the High Court on Friday last.

    “There seems to be no need for the petition now. Swami Prasad Maurya, father of Sanghamitra Maurya, is in our party, and to avoid a situation of differences the petition was taken back.”

    Swami Prasad Maurya, who was a minister in the previous Yogi Adityanath government, was in the BJP at the time of the 2019 general elections.

    He had moved to the SP just before the recent state assembly elections, and is currently an MLC from SP.

    Sanghamitra Maurya, reacting to the development, told PTI: “I don’t know about his personal thoughts before taking back the petition. I just want to say that he has accepted the defeat of 2019 from his heart.”

    When asked if she will join the SP like her father, she said, “I have the support of the people. I have not been swayed by anyone in the past three years. If Dharmendra Yadav wants to join BJP, he is welcome.”

  • Nation in anguish under BJP rule, says Pawar; NCP calls for opposition unity

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Ahead of the next round of assembly elections, the NCP on Saturday gave a clarion call for unity of anti-BJP forces and said that party chief Sharad Pawar would play an important role in this regard.

    Addressing the extended working committee of the NCP here, Pawar alleged that the Modi government was “anti-farmer” and had also “failed” to tackle the issue of unemployment. He also slammed the BJP over the release of convicts in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case.

    “I am surprised that the prime minister speaks of upholding the dignity of women and two days later the BJP government in the prime minister’s home state reduced the sentence of those who committed atrocities against Bilkis Bano and her family,” Pawar said.

    The extended working committee of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also re-elected Pawar as the national president of the party.

    The veteran leader said that farmers were looking forward to getting a good price for their paddy crop, but the government has imposed a 20 per cent export duty on rice and banned the export of broken rice.

    “The nation is in deep anguish and we will have to take up these issues vigorously at every forum,” Pawar said.

    A draft political resolution moved during the meeting called for the unity of like-minded parties to fight against the BJP and its allies.

    “Sharad Pawar has played an important role in bringing together these parties and putting up a united front to counter the NDA. We must strengthen this resolve and work towards the goal of opposition unity and make sure we achieve this successfully,” the political resolution read.

    Speaking on the political resolution, senior NCP leader Praful Patel said leaders across the political spectrum seek Pawar’s counsel on issues of national importance and the veteran leader will play a key role in shaping the politics in the coming times.

    Addressing the meeting, senior NCP leader P C Chacko slammed the Congress for remaining in the old mindset and failing to recognise the changed political scenario.

    Chacko, a former Congress leader, said the Congress cannot win a single panchayat election in Uttar Pradesh and only Pawar could bring all opposition parties together.

    Assembly elections are due in BJP-ruled Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh in December, while nine other states, including Rajasthan and Karnataka, will go to polls next year.

    Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have also had talks with Pawar and the leaders have been pitching for opposition unity to take on the BJP.

    NEW DELHI: Ahead of the next round of assembly elections, the NCP on Saturday gave a clarion call for unity of anti-BJP forces and said that party chief Sharad Pawar would play an important role in this regard.

    Addressing the extended working committee of the NCP here, Pawar alleged that the Modi government was “anti-farmer” and had also “failed” to tackle the issue of unemployment. He also slammed the BJP over the release of convicts in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case.

    “I am surprised that the prime minister speaks of upholding the dignity of women and two days later the BJP government in the prime minister’s home state reduced the sentence of those who committed atrocities against Bilkis Bano and her family,” Pawar said.

    The extended working committee of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also re-elected Pawar as the national president of the party.

    The veteran leader said that farmers were looking forward to getting a good price for their paddy crop, but the government has imposed a 20 per cent export duty on rice and banned the export of broken rice.

    “The nation is in deep anguish and we will have to take up these issues vigorously at every forum,” Pawar said.

    A draft political resolution moved during the meeting called for the unity of like-minded parties to fight against the BJP and its allies.

    “Sharad Pawar has played an important role in bringing together these parties and putting up a united front to counter the NDA. We must strengthen this resolve and work towards the goal of opposition unity and make sure we achieve this successfully,” the political resolution read.

    Speaking on the political resolution, senior NCP leader Praful Patel said leaders across the political spectrum seek Pawar’s counsel on issues of national importance and the veteran leader will play a key role in shaping the politics in the coming times.

    Addressing the meeting, senior NCP leader P C Chacko slammed the Congress for remaining in the old mindset and failing to recognise the changed political scenario.

    Chacko, a former Congress leader, said the Congress cannot win a single panchayat election in Uttar Pradesh and only Pawar could bring all opposition parties together.

    Assembly elections are due in BJP-ruled Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh in December, while nine other states, including Rajasthan and Karnataka, will go to polls next year.

    Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have also had talks with Pawar and the leaders have been pitching for opposition unity to take on the BJP.

  • Need credible face to seek votes in 2024 LS polls, meeting leaders won’t make difference: Prashant Kishor

    By ANI

    PATNA: Poll strategist Prashant Kishor on Saturday said that 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. Kishor’s remarks came on the backdrop of his former ally Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s visit to the national capital recently to meet Opposition leaders.

    Speaking to ANI, Kishor who was earlier given the post of national president in Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and was later expelled from the party, said, “Such meetings and discussions taking place will not change the political situation on the ground. I do not have such an experience. He is more experienced than me. But I do not see the meeting of some leaders individually or collectively, holding discussions or press conferences, as an Opposition unity or a political development.”

    “Unless you create a people’s movement and generate a popular narrative, form a formidable entity, and a credible face that can make the public believe that he can be a better alternative to the BJP, only then they (people) will vote for you,” he said.

    When asked about the series of meetings undertaken by Kumar recently including with Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao who had visited Bihar recently in his attempt to unite the Opposition, Kishor said that such meetings would not make “much of a difference”.

    “When he was with the BJP, he met the leaders who were with them. Now he is no more with the BJP, so he is meeting the parties and leaders who are in opposition of the BJP. That would not make much of a difference. You need a credible narrative, people’s trust, workers on the ground, and a trustworthy face and people’s movement for doing it,” he said.

    When asked who can be a better face of the Opposition among leaders such as Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and KCR, he said, “Right is the one who can unite everyone and is acceptable to all.”

    The polls strategist further dismissed the speculation of Nitish Kumar being disappointed with his former party leader. “Let him do what he wants to do in Bihar. His statements have no meaning. Does he know ABC of what has been done in the state since 2005?” Nitish Kumar had said.

    “Nitish Kumar is not pissed off with me. It is his way of speaking. I have a kindred relation with him. Who will take Nitish Kumar’s talks seriously? He himself was with the BJP until one month ago. He has been chief minister for more than two-thirds of his tenure as the chief minister in past 17 years. It is hilarious that he talks about who can be with the BJP. There is no need to give importance to it,” Prashant Kishor said.

    Talking about the Bharat Jodo Yatra taken out by Congress, Kishor said its focus is “disproportionately more in those states where the BJP is not a big political power.”He suggested that the yatra should have mostly covered the states where the BJP is a strong political force.

    “Looking at the route of the yatra, it seems that its aim is to unite the people or political activists against the work being done by the BJP or its ideology. The centre of the yatra should have been those states where the BJP is strong. The yatra is being carried out mostly in those states where the BJP is not a very strong political force. The focus of the yatra is disproportionately in those states where the BJP is not a big social and political power. I find there is a contradiction with the said aim of the yatra,” he said.

    Kishor noted that there is discontent among the public in Bihar even after Nitish Kumar parted ways with the BJP last month to rejoin the Mahagathbandhan, and said that this would be “reflected in the next elections”.

    “I see there are two sections in public. One which is furious and the other which is sad. I don’t see a big chunk of society where there is excitement about the work being done by the state government. Wherever I go, I find people complaining. The complaints that I hear about every day are bureaucracy and corruption. I don’t think the people are happy and that would be reflected in the next elections,” he said.The poll strategist predicted that the current formation which consists of seven political parties including Congress, Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD, JD(U) and the Left parties, will not remain the same in the next assembly elections.

    “The next assembly elections will not be held in this formation where there are seven parties on one side and there is BJP on the other. A lot of changes are due in it,” Kishor said. 

    PATNA: Poll strategist Prashant Kishor on Saturday said that 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. Kishor’s remarks came on the backdrop of his former ally Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s visit to the national capital recently to meet Opposition leaders.

    Speaking to ANI, Kishor who was earlier given the post of national president in Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and was later expelled from the party, said, “Such meetings and discussions taking place will not change the political situation on the ground. I do not have such an experience. He is more experienced than me. But I do not see the meeting of some leaders individually or collectively, holding discussions or press conferences, as an Opposition unity or a political development.”

    “Unless you create a people’s movement and generate a popular narrative, form a formidable entity, and a credible face that can make the public believe that he can be a better alternative to the BJP, only then they (people) will vote for you,” he said.

    When asked about the series of meetings undertaken by Kumar recently including with Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao who had visited Bihar recently in his attempt to unite the Opposition, Kishor said that such meetings would not make “much of a difference”.

    “When he was with the BJP, he met the leaders who were with them. Now he is no more with the BJP, so he is meeting the parties and leaders who are in opposition of the BJP. That would not make much of a difference. You need a credible narrative, people’s trust, workers on the ground, and a trustworthy face and people’s movement for doing it,” he said.

    When asked who can be a better face of the Opposition among leaders such as Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and KCR, he said, “Right is the one who can unite everyone and is acceptable to all.”

    The polls strategist further dismissed the speculation of Nitish Kumar being disappointed with his former party leader. “Let him do what he wants to do in Bihar. His statements have no meaning. Does he know ABC of what has been done in the state since 2005?” Nitish Kumar had said.

    “Nitish Kumar is not pissed off with me. It is his way of speaking. I have a kindred relation with him. Who will take Nitish Kumar’s talks seriously? He himself was with the BJP until one month ago. He has been chief minister for more than two-thirds of his tenure as the chief minister in past 17 years. It is hilarious that he talks about who can be with the BJP. There is no need to give importance to it,” Prashant Kishor said.

    Talking about the Bharat Jodo Yatra taken out by Congress, Kishor said its focus is “disproportionately more in those states where the BJP is not a big political power.”He suggested that the yatra should have mostly covered the states where the BJP is a strong political force.

    “Looking at the route of the yatra, it seems that its aim is to unite the people or political activists against the work being done by the BJP or its ideology. The centre of the yatra should have been those states where the BJP is strong. The yatra is being carried out mostly in those states where the BJP is not a very strong political force. The focus of the yatra is disproportionately in those states where the BJP is not a big social and political power. I find there is a contradiction with the said aim of the yatra,” he said.

    Kishor noted that there is discontent among the public in Bihar even after Nitish Kumar parted ways with the BJP last month to rejoin the Mahagathbandhan, and said that this would be “reflected in the next elections”.

    “I see there are two sections in public. One which is furious and the other which is sad. I don’t see a big chunk of society where there is excitement about the work being done by the state government. Wherever I go, I find people complaining. The complaints that I hear about every day are bureaucracy and corruption. I don’t think the people are happy and that would be reflected in the next elections,” he said.The poll strategist predicted that the current formation which consists of seven political parties including Congress, Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD, JD(U) and the Left parties, will not remain the same in the next assembly elections.

    “The next assembly elections will not be held in this formation where there are seven parties on one side and there is BJP on the other. A lot of changes are due in it,” Kishor said.