News Analysis India

Tag: BJP

  • 38 of Mamata’s MLAs in touch with BJP, claims party leader Mithun Chakraborty

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty, who had joined the BJP ahead of the West Bengal Assembly polls last year, on Wednesday claimed that 38 TMC MLAs are in touch with the saffron camp. Of the 38 legislators, 21 are directly in touch with him, he said.

    “At least 38 TMC MLAs are in touch with the BJP. Out of them, 21 are personally in touch with me. When I was in Mumbai, I read in newspapers one fine morning that the Shiv Sena and the BJP have formed the government in Maharashtra,” he said while addressing a press conference here.

    The TMC, while reacting to his allegations, said the famed actor is “trying to fool the people by making false claims”.

    Chakraborty said the BJP is in power in 18 states, and the party’s flag will “fly high in a few other states very soon”.

    “The BJP will not stop its fight in West Bengal. If free and fair polls are held in the state today, the party will form the next government,” he said.

    “Such statements are an attempt to fool the masses. It has no relation with reality,” TMC MP Santanu Sen said.

    The TMC has 216 MLAs in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly. The opposition BJP has 75 legislators. However, five saffron party MLAs have joined the ruling party without resigning as legislators.

    In Maharashtra, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and the Congress collapsed last month after Eknath Shinde raised a banner of revolt against the Sena leadership with a majority of party MLAs.

    Shinde was sworn in as the new chief minister of Maharashtra and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as deputy CM in Mumbai.

    KOLKATA: Actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty, who had joined the BJP ahead of the West Bengal Assembly polls last year, on Wednesday claimed that 38 TMC MLAs are in touch with the saffron camp. Of the 38 legislators, 21 are directly in touch with him, he said.

    “At least 38 TMC MLAs are in touch with the BJP. Out of them, 21 are personally in touch with me. When I was in Mumbai, I read in newspapers one fine morning that the Shiv Sena and the BJP have formed the government in Maharashtra,” he said while addressing a press conference here.

    The TMC, while reacting to his allegations, said the famed actor is “trying to fool the people by making false claims”.

    Chakraborty said the BJP is in power in 18 states, and the party’s flag will “fly high in a few other states very soon”.

    “The BJP will not stop its fight in West Bengal. If free and fair polls are held in the state today, the party will form the next government,” he said.

    “Such statements are an attempt to fool the masses. It has no relation with reality,” TMC MP Santanu Sen said.

    The TMC has 216 MLAs in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly. The opposition BJP has 75 legislators. However, five saffron party MLAs have joined the ruling party without resigning as legislators.

    In Maharashtra, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and the Congress collapsed last month after Eknath Shinde raised a banner of revolt against the Sena leadership with a majority of party MLAs.

    Shinde was sworn in as the new chief minister of Maharashtra and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as deputy CM in Mumbai.

  • Shinde was given second position in party, but he betrayed and toppled his government: Thackeray  

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in an interview with his party mouthpiece Saamana on Tuesday said when he was hospitalised for spine surgery and under anaesthesia, his body parts were not moving, but his own people – rebelled MLAs, who were given everything was plotting against him to topple his government.

    In the first interview, after a major revolt of Shiv Sena MLAs, Thackeray spoke with Shiv Sena leader and Editor of Saamana Sanjay Raut that the hunger and greediness for the power of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his camp are insatiable and he had given the number two position in government and party.

    Coming heavily on Shinda, Thackeray said, “Shinde is the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, now he wants to gobble up his mother party – Shiv Sena. This is demon-like greediness that no one can satisfy.” 

    “He wants to be the Shiv Sena president. So, even if we had given him the Chief Minister post, he would not have stopped there. Sena has faced many revolts, but no one tried and succeeded to finish their mother-party Shiv Sena, but here they want to finish Shiv Sena with the help of the BJP. I will not blame him or these rebelled MLAs, but it is my fault that I trusted and believed them blindly like our family members. And they conspired against me when I was in the hospital,” he said.

    “When I was in the hospital for spine surgery, some people were praying for my health and others were praying that he stayed unwell so that they can grab the Shiv Sena and Chief Minister post. They broke my trust,” he added.

    Thackeray commenting on the rebellion Sena MLAs act said that these rebels are like rotten leaves of a tree. “After sucking the mother tree, these rotten leaves left the tree. Once these rotten and discarded leaves are gone, the tree looks bare and people call it the end of tree life. But after a few days, the same tree gets fresh leaves. Like that, Sena will emerge with new leadership. Shiv Sainik has the power to make ordinary people extraordinary and extraordinary into common people,” Thackeray said.

    He added, “After this revolt, many senior Sena leaders who worked with Balasaheb Thackeray are coming to meet him and giving blessings for their stand.”

    “I wanted to question those who are now screaming over Hindutva. In 2014, when BJP broke an alliance with Shiv Sena, did we leave Hindutva? No, we didn’t,” he said. 

    Thackeray without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, “After Godra, everyone was against him, but Balasaheb Thackeray stood with him only because of Hindutva ideology and the same person wants to finish the Shiv Sena with the help of rebelled Shiv Sena MLAs.”

    “What should we call it,” Thackeray questioned. He said they want to steal his Shiv Sena and his father’s legacy as well. “They have betrayed me, split the party. The (rebels) should take the blessings of their own parents and campaign, give speeches and seek votes. Why are they stealing my father? You have no dedication, no sense of duty, no courage? You are a traitor,” he said.

    “I dare them to try and separate Thackeray and Shiv Sena. If they claim they are right by breaking Shiv Sena, then let’s face the fresh elections, let’s go to the public court where their decision will be final. If people reject us, then we are ready to sit at home as well,” he said.

    Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that they were called rotten leaves of the tree, but these same leaves formed the government. While deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that it was a fixed interview so he will not comment much on the fixed match.

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray in an interview with his party mouthpiece Saamana on Tuesday said when he was hospitalised for spine surgery and under anaesthesia, his body parts were not moving, but his own people – rebelled MLAs, who were given everything was plotting against him to topple his government.

    In the first interview, after a major revolt of Shiv Sena MLAs, Thackeray spoke with Shiv Sena leader and Editor of Saamana Sanjay Raut that the hunger and greediness for the power of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his camp are insatiable and he had given the number two position in government and party.

    Coming heavily on Shinda, Thackeray said, “Shinde is the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, now he wants to gobble up his mother party – Shiv Sena. This is demon-like greediness that no one can satisfy.” 

    “He wants to be the Shiv Sena president. So, even if we had given him the Chief Minister post, he would not have stopped there. Sena has faced many revolts, but no one tried and succeeded to finish their mother-party Shiv Sena, but here they want to finish Shiv Sena with the help of the BJP. I will not blame him or these rebelled MLAs, but it is my fault that I trusted and believed them blindly like our family members. And they conspired against me when I was in the hospital,” he said.

    “When I was in the hospital for spine surgery, some people were praying for my health and others were praying that he stayed unwell so that they can grab the Shiv Sena and Chief Minister post. They broke my trust,” he added.

    Thackeray commenting on the rebellion Sena MLAs act said that these rebels are like rotten leaves of a tree. “After sucking the mother tree, these rotten leaves left the tree. Once these rotten and discarded leaves are gone, the tree looks bare and people call it the end of tree life. But after a few days, the same tree gets fresh leaves. Like that, Sena will emerge with new leadership. Shiv Sainik has the power to make ordinary people extraordinary and extraordinary into common people,” Thackeray said.

    He added, “After this revolt, many senior Sena leaders who worked with Balasaheb Thackeray are coming to meet him and giving blessings for their stand.”

    “I wanted to question those who are now screaming over Hindutva. In 2014, when BJP broke an alliance with Shiv Sena, did we leave Hindutva? No, we didn’t,” he said. 

    Thackeray without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, “After Godra, everyone was against him, but Balasaheb Thackeray stood with him only because of Hindutva ideology and the same person wants to finish the Shiv Sena with the help of rebelled Shiv Sena MLAs.”

    “What should we call it,” Thackeray questioned. He said they want to steal his Shiv Sena and his father’s legacy as well. “They have betrayed me, split the party. The (rebels) should take the blessings of their own parents and campaign, give speeches and seek votes. Why are they stealing my father? You have no dedication, no sense of duty, no courage? You are a traitor,” he said.

    “I dare them to try and separate Thackeray and Shiv Sena. If they claim they are right by breaking Shiv Sena, then let’s face the fresh elections, let’s go to the public court where their decision will be final. If people reject us, then we are ready to sit at home as well,” he said.

    Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that they were called rotten leaves of the tree, but these same leaves formed the government. While deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that it was a fixed interview so he will not comment much on the fixed match.

  • ‘Big Brother always listening to politicians’ phone calls in new India’: Alva’s jibe at Centre

    Alva had earlier said she has been unable to make or receive calls after she spoke to some 'friends in the BJP'.

  • Jharkhand: 16 BJP MLAs are in their contact seeking their consent to join the party, claims JMM

    Express News Service

    RANCHI: Amid speculation rife over possible political realignment in Jharkhand, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday claimed that 16 of the BJP MLAs are in their contact and have requested the party leadership to include them in the party.

    JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya told that dissatisfied with the self-proclaimed legislative party leader Babulal Marandi and the party’s working style in Jharkhand, 16 of the BJP MLAs have requested JMM to include them in the party.

    “Some of the BJP MLAs, having expertise in executing exercises like Maharashtra, told us that they would form a group to switch the party. JMM is thinking about it seriously, if they want to support us we will definitely welcome them,” Bhattacharya said.

    Notably, all these developments are taking place at the time when Soren and his associates are facing legal trouble, both in the Jharkhand High Court and the Election Commission of India, over the charges of corruption and misuse of power.

    The BJP has already moved a plea before the Election Commission seeking his disqualification for alleged irregularities in the grant of mining leases and also on transactions of some shell companies purportedly operated by his family members and associates.

    RANCHI: Amid speculation rife over possible political realignment in Jharkhand, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday claimed that 16 of the BJP MLAs are in their contact and have requested the party leadership to include them in the party.

    JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya told that dissatisfied with the self-proclaimed legislative party leader Babulal Marandi and the party’s working style in Jharkhand, 16 of the BJP MLAs have requested JMM to include them in the party.

    “Some of the BJP MLAs, having expertise in executing exercises like Maharashtra, told us that they would form a group to switch the party. JMM is thinking about it seriously, if they want to support us we will definitely welcome them,” Bhattacharya said.

    Notably, all these developments are taking place at the time when Soren and his associates are facing legal trouble, both in the Jharkhand High Court and the Election Commission of India, over the charges of corruption and misuse of power.

    The BJP has already moved a plea before the Election Commission seeking his disqualification for alleged irregularities in the grant of mining leases and also on transactions of some shell companies purportedly operated by his family members and associates.

  • Opposition gives political interests preference over nation, PM Modi

    By PTI

    KANPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the Opposition of obstructing development works merely on the ground that they could not accomplish these during their tenure while alleging that they keep their political interests above that of society and the country.

    “Many times, the opposition parties put some obstacles in the government’s work as they could not implement the decisions taken by them when they were in power,” Modi said addressing virtually a programme on the 10th death anniversary of former Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha member Harmohan Singh Yadav.

    “Now, if they (decisions) are implemented, they oppose it. People of the country don’t like it,” he added.

    Recalling words of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Modi underscored the primacy of the nation over party politics.

    “Parties exist because of democracy and democracy exists because of the country. Most parties in our country, especially all non-Congress parties, have followed this idea,” he said.

    “I remember the 1971 India-Pakistan war when all major parties stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the government. When the first nuclear test was conducted by the country, all parties stood firmly with the government,” Modi added.

    The prime minister said when the country’s democracy was crushed during the Emergency, all major parties came together to save the Constitution.

    “Chaudhary Harmohan Singh Yadav was also a ‘jujharu sainik’ (combative soldier) of that struggle. In other words, the interests of our country and that of society are bigger than our ideologies,” he stressed.

    “However, in recent times, there has been a trend to put ideology and political interests above the interests of the country and that of society,” he added.

    Speaking on social justice, Modi said every section of society should get equal opportunities.

    “No one should be deprived of the basic needs. The country will move forward when the Dalits, backwards, tribals, women and divyang move ahead. Harmohanji considered education as the most important for this transformation,” he said.

    Hailing Yadav, Modi said he not only took a political stand against the massacre of the Sikhs in 1984 but also came forward to save them. He risked his life and saved the lives of many Sikh families, Modi said, adding that the country recognised his leadership and awarded him the Shaurya Chakra for it.

    Modi said Yadav took forward the ideals of socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia in his long political life. “The work which he has done for society and his contribution to the politics of UP and the country will guide coming generations,” he said.

    The prime minister said Lohia worked on the cultural strength of the country by organising Ramayana fairs and caring for the Ganga.

    “Lohiaji was of the view that socialism is a principle of equality. He used to alert (people) that the decline of socialism may convert it into inequality. In India, we have seen both these situations,” he said.

    Modi said India is realising Lohia’s dreams by initiatives like the Namami Gange, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Eklavya Schools for tribal areas and the promotion of education in mother tongue.

    Drawing attention to the swearing-in of Droupadi Murmu as the country’s new President, Modi said, “For the first time after Independence, a woman from tribal society is going to lead the country. “This is a living example of the strength of our democracy and the ideology of ‘sarva samaveshi’ (touching everyone),” he said.

    Born on October 18, 1921, Harmohan Singh Yadav was a towering leader of his community. He remained active in politics for a long time and served in various capacities as an MLC, MLA, member of the Rajya Sabha and the chairman of the Akhil Bhartiya Yadav Mahasabha.

    He was also instrumental in establishing many educational institutions in and around Kanpur with the help of his son Sukhram Singh.

    The PM attending his death anniversary programme is being seen in political circles as part of the BJP’s outreach to numerically strong Yadavs, the core vote bank of the Samajwadi Party led by Akhilesh Yadav.

    The veteran leader’s grandson Mohit Yadav has already joined the BJP and his father Sukhram Yadav denied renomination by the SP in the upper house. He also met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

    KANPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the Opposition of obstructing development works merely on the ground that they could not accomplish these during their tenure while alleging that they keep their political interests above that of society and the country.

    “Many times, the opposition parties put some obstacles in the government’s work as they could not implement the decisions taken by them when they were in power,” Modi said addressing virtually a programme on the 10th death anniversary of former Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha member Harmohan Singh Yadav.

    “Now, if they (decisions) are implemented, they oppose it. People of the country don’t like it,” he added.

    Recalling words of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Modi underscored the primacy of the nation over party politics.

    “Parties exist because of democracy and democracy exists because of the country. Most parties in our country, especially all non-Congress parties, have followed this idea,” he said.

    “I remember the 1971 India-Pakistan war when all major parties stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the government. When the first nuclear test was conducted by the country, all parties stood firmly with the government,” Modi added.

    The prime minister said when the country’s democracy was crushed during the Emergency, all major parties came together to save the Constitution.

    “Chaudhary Harmohan Singh Yadav was also a ‘jujharu sainik’ (combative soldier) of that struggle. In other words, the interests of our country and that of society are bigger than our ideologies,” he stressed.

    “However, in recent times, there has been a trend to put ideology and political interests above the interests of the country and that of society,” he added.

    Speaking on social justice, Modi said every section of society should get equal opportunities.

    “No one should be deprived of the basic needs. The country will move forward when the Dalits, backwards, tribals, women and divyang move ahead. Harmohanji considered education as the most important for this transformation,” he said.

    Hailing Yadav, Modi said he not only took a political stand against the massacre of the Sikhs in 1984 but also came forward to save them. He risked his life and saved the lives of many Sikh families, Modi said, adding that the country recognised his leadership and awarded him the Shaurya Chakra for it.

    Modi said Yadav took forward the ideals of socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia in his long political life. “The work which he has done for society and his contribution to the politics of UP and the country will guide coming generations,” he said.

    The prime minister said Lohia worked on the cultural strength of the country by organising Ramayana fairs and caring for the Ganga.

    “Lohiaji was of the view that socialism is a principle of equality. He used to alert (people) that the decline of socialism may convert it into inequality. In India, we have seen both these situations,” he said.

    Modi said India is realising Lohia’s dreams by initiatives like the Namami Gange, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Eklavya Schools for tribal areas and the promotion of education in mother tongue.

    Drawing attention to the swearing-in of Droupadi Murmu as the country’s new President, Modi said, “For the first time after Independence, a woman from tribal society is going to lead the country. “This is a living example of the strength of our democracy and the ideology of ‘sarva samaveshi’ (touching everyone),” he said.

    Born on October 18, 1921, Harmohan Singh Yadav was a towering leader of his community. He remained active in politics for a long time and served in various capacities as an MLC, MLA, member of the Rajya Sabha and the chairman of the Akhil Bhartiya Yadav Mahasabha.

    He was also instrumental in establishing many educational institutions in and around Kanpur with the help of his son Sukhram Singh.

    The PM attending his death anniversary programme is being seen in political circles as part of the BJP’s outreach to numerically strong Yadavs, the core vote bank of the Samajwadi Party led by Akhilesh Yadav.

    The veteran leader’s grandson Mohit Yadav has already joined the BJP and his father Sukhram Yadav denied renomination by the SP in the upper house. He also met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

  • Delhi BJP protests against AAP govt’s excise policy, demands Sisodia’s resignation

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Delhi BJP leaders and workers on Monday staged a demonstration near the Aam Aadmi Party office here over alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Arvind Kejriwal government’s excise policy.

    The protesters assembled near the ITO crossing and tried to march towards the AAP’s DDU Marg office but were stopped by police. Those who jumped the barricades put up by the police were detained, BJP leaders said.

    The Excise Policy 2021-22 of the Delhi government has come under the scanner with Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena recommending a CBI probe into alleged violation of rules and procedural lapses in its implementation.

    Demanding action against Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the excise portfolio, the protesters claimed that there was a “scam” in the implementation of the policy.

    “We have come here to protest and demand the sacking of Sisodia, as well as another minister of Kejriwal government Satyendar Jain, who is currently in jail in a money laundering case,” said Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta.

    For the first time in history, a minister has been jailed but is yet to be removed from the government, and this shows the “shamelessness” of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he said.

    Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, BJP state general secretaries Kuljeet Chahal and Dinesh Pratap Singh, party vice president Ashok Goel Devraha and many other leaders took part in the demonstration.

    Bidhuri claimed that the Kejriwal government pushed the youth of the city towards alcoholism by increasing the number of liquor stores to 849.

    NEW DELHI: Delhi BJP leaders and workers on Monday staged a demonstration near the Aam Aadmi Party office here over alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Arvind Kejriwal government’s excise policy.

    The protesters assembled near the ITO crossing and tried to march towards the AAP’s DDU Marg office but were stopped by police. Those who jumped the barricades put up by the police were detained, BJP leaders said.

    The Excise Policy 2021-22 of the Delhi government has come under the scanner with Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena recommending a CBI probe into alleged violation of rules and procedural lapses in its implementation.

    Demanding action against Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the excise portfolio, the protesters claimed that there was a “scam” in the implementation of the policy.

    “We have come here to protest and demand the sacking of Sisodia, as well as another minister of Kejriwal government Satyendar Jain, who is currently in jail in a money laundering case,” said Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta.

    For the first time in history, a minister has been jailed but is yet to be removed from the government, and this shows the “shamelessness” of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he said.

    Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, BJP state general secretaries Kuljeet Chahal and Dinesh Pratap Singh, party vice president Ashok Goel Devraha and many other leaders took part in the demonstration.

    Bidhuri claimed that the Kejriwal government pushed the youth of the city towards alcoholism by increasing the number of liquor stores to 849.

  • ‘Revolt this time aimed at finishing off Shiv Sena’: Uddhav Thackeray hits out at Shinde camp

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has said unlike previous rebellions in the party, the revolt this time was aimed at “finishing off” the Sena.

    The Sena indulges in politics for Hindutva, whereas the BJP uses Hindutva for its political interests, Thackeray claimed while addressing the Sena workers on Sunday after inaugurating a ward-level party office in south Mumbai.

    Last month, Sena MLA Eknath Shinde and 39 other legislators revolted against the party leadership, leading to the collapse of the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

    Shinde was on June 30 sworn in as the chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as the deputy CM.

    “Unlike the earlier rebellions, this coup is to finish off the Shiv Sena forever. They have hired professional agencies to counter us. This is a battle between money and loyalty,” Thackeray said.

    Thackeray, who will turn 62 on July 27, said this time he does not want bouquets on his birthday, but affidavits from the Sena workers that they trust the party and more and more registrations of people as party members.

    “The battle is now also taken to the Election Commission of India, claiming they are the original Shiv Sena. We need not just vigour, but staunch support and registration of people as party members,” Thackeray said.

    ALSO READ | Amid continuous attack from Shinde camp, Uddhav seeks loyalty proof from Shiv Sena cadre

    The former chief minister, without taking any name, targeted his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) head Raj Thackeray, who had reportedly said he would consider allowing the 40 Sena rebel MLAs to merge into his party if needed.

    “I know there is an offer made to these people. I do not know what type of ‘chemical locha’ (imbalance) is this, but these people have no idea whom they have messed up with,” Uddhav Thackeray said.

    Referring to the rebel MLAs, he said, “I do not know what to call you.”

    To this, the crowd shouted “traitors”.

    The Sena chief then said, “This is the stamp on their head and they will have to carry it with them wherever they go. They have earned it by their own actions. Despite being representatives of people, they are moving around with protection from the central government.”

    “The Sena turned ordinary people into extra-ordinary” and that is how these 40 (rebel) MLAs won the election.

    Now it is time to repeat it with a new set of Shiv Sena workers, he said.

    MUMBAI: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has said unlike previous rebellions in the party, the revolt this time was aimed at “finishing off” the Sena.

    The Sena indulges in politics for Hindutva, whereas the BJP uses Hindutva for its political interests, Thackeray claimed while addressing the Sena workers on Sunday after inaugurating a ward-level party office in south Mumbai.

    Last month, Sena MLA Eknath Shinde and 39 other legislators revolted against the party leadership, leading to the collapse of the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

    Shinde was on June 30 sworn in as the chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as the deputy CM.

    “Unlike the earlier rebellions, this coup is to finish off the Shiv Sena forever. They have hired professional agencies to counter us. This is a battle between money and loyalty,” Thackeray said.

    Thackeray, who will turn 62 on July 27, said this time he does not want bouquets on his birthday, but affidavits from the Sena workers that they trust the party and more and more registrations of people as party members.

    “The battle is now also taken to the Election Commission of India, claiming they are the original Shiv Sena. We need not just vigour, but staunch support and registration of people as party members,” Thackeray said.

    ALSO READ | Amid continuous attack from Shinde camp, Uddhav seeks loyalty proof from Shiv Sena cadre

    The former chief minister, without taking any name, targeted his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) head Raj Thackeray, who had reportedly said he would consider allowing the 40 Sena rebel MLAs to merge into his party if needed.

    “I know there is an offer made to these people. I do not know what type of ‘chemical locha’ (imbalance) is this, but these people have no idea whom they have messed up with,” Uddhav Thackeray said.

    Referring to the rebel MLAs, he said, “I do not know what to call you.”

    To this, the crowd shouted “traitors”.

    The Sena chief then said, “This is the stamp on their head and they will have to carry it with them wherever they go. They have earned it by their own actions. Despite being representatives of people, they are moving around with protection from the central government.”

    “The Sena turned ordinary people into extra-ordinary” and that is how these 40 (rebel) MLAs won the election.

    Now it is time to repeat it with a new set of Shiv Sena workers, he said.

  • Encourage use of bhang, cannabis as alternative to liquor, says Chhattisgarh BJP MLA, creates row

    By PTI

    BILASPUR: A Chhattisgarh BJP MLA has suggested that use of bhang and cannabis be encouraged as alternatives to liquor, claiming people addicted to these substances hardly commit crimes like rape, murder and dacoity.

    The statement made by legislator Dr Krishnamurti Bandhi on Saturday triggered a row with the ruling Congress questioning how a public representative can promote addiction.

    Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said if the MLA wants ganja to be legalised in the country, then he should put forth the demand before the BJP-led central government.

    The sale and consumption of cannabis is banned under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, while that of bhang, an edible mixture made using leaves of the cannabis plant, is permitted under law, according to official.

    To a query about the Congress’s poll promise of liquor ban in Chhattisgarh, Bandhi while talking to reporters in Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district said, “We have earlier raised the issue in the state Assembly and it will again be raised on July 27 as discussion on the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition BJP (against the state government) is scheduled that day.”

    “It is my personal opinion and once I had discussed it in the Assembly in the past. I had told that somewhere alcohol is the reason for rape, murder and quarrel, but I asked (in the House) tell me whether a person who consumes bhang has ever committed rape, murder and dacoity?” he said.

    To meet the addiction requirement and to ban liquor, a committee has been constituted (in the state), said the MLA from Masturi Assembly constituency.

    “The committee should think how we can move ahead towards bhang and ganja (cannabis). If people want addiction, then they should be served such stuff which does not result in murder, rape and other offences. It is my personal opinion,” he said.

    Asked about the MLA’s comments, CM Baghel on Sunday said addiction in any form is not good.

    He also took a dig at the BJP legislator, saying if he wants ganja to be legalised in the country, then he should make the demand with the Centre.

    “When central agencies are roaming in Mumbai to seize 10 gram ganja, its (BJP) senior leader is saying ganja should be consumed. Ganja is banned and he should first demand its government at the Centre to allow it (if he wants its consumption). See, addiction in any form is not good,” the CM told reporters at the airport in Raipur after returning from Delhi.

    Congress’s Bilaspur district unit spokesperson Abhay Narayan Rai said how can Bandhi, who is a three-time MLA and former state health minister, give such a statement to promote addiction instead of suggesting ways to free society of it.

    “The option to addiction cannot be addiction. Such immature ideas are unacceptable in a civilised society,” Rai said.

    BILASPUR: A Chhattisgarh BJP MLA has suggested that use of bhang and cannabis be encouraged as alternatives to liquor, claiming people addicted to these substances hardly commit crimes like rape, murder and dacoity.

    The statement made by legislator Dr Krishnamurti Bandhi on Saturday triggered a row with the ruling Congress questioning how a public representative can promote addiction.

    Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said if the MLA wants ganja to be legalised in the country, then he should put forth the demand before the BJP-led central government.

    The sale and consumption of cannabis is banned under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, while that of bhang, an edible mixture made using leaves of the cannabis plant, is permitted under law, according to official.

    To a query about the Congress’s poll promise of liquor ban in Chhattisgarh, Bandhi while talking to reporters in Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district said, “We have earlier raised the issue in the state Assembly and it will again be raised on July 27 as discussion on the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition BJP (against the state government) is scheduled that day.”

    “It is my personal opinion and once I had discussed it in the Assembly in the past. I had told that somewhere alcohol is the reason for rape, murder and quarrel, but I asked (in the House) tell me whether a person who consumes bhang has ever committed rape, murder and dacoity?” he said.

    To meet the addiction requirement and to ban liquor, a committee has been constituted (in the state), said the MLA from Masturi Assembly constituency.

    “The committee should think how we can move ahead towards bhang and ganja (cannabis). If people want addiction, then they should be served such stuff which does not result in murder, rape and other offences. It is my personal opinion,” he said.

    Asked about the MLA’s comments, CM Baghel on Sunday said addiction in any form is not good.

    He also took a dig at the BJP legislator, saying if he wants ganja to be legalised in the country, then he should make the demand with the Centre.

    “When central agencies are roaming in Mumbai to seize 10 gram ganja, its (BJP) senior leader is saying ganja should be consumed. Ganja is banned and he should first demand its government at the Centre to allow it (if he wants its consumption). See, addiction in any form is not good,” the CM told reporters at the airport in Raipur after returning from Delhi.

    Congress’s Bilaspur district unit spokesperson Abhay Narayan Rai said how can Bandhi, who is a three-time MLA and former state health minister, give such a statement to promote addiction instead of suggesting ways to free society of it.

    “The option to addiction cannot be addiction. Such immature ideas are unacceptable in a civilised society,” Rai said.

  • Power games: EPS, OPS struggle to seek BJP endorsement

    Express News Service

    Southern comfortEPS, OPS struggle to seek BJP endorsement

    The current round of AIADMK infighting has reached the door of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The warring EPS and OPS factions are vying to win Mr Modi’s support. Both leaders are trying hard to get an appointment with the Prime Minister during his Chennai visit on July 28. The PM is visiting the Tamil Nadu capital to inaugurate the Chess Olympiad scheduled to begin at Mamallapuram near Chennai. Mr Modi’s moves on the political chessboard set by the AIADMK factions will be carefully watched. Political circles are buzzing with speculation about which way the BJP will lean. Both Edapadi Palanisamy and O Panneerselvam have sacked each other, claiming ownership of the AIADMK throne. Both have visited Delhi and tried in vain to meet the PM and Home Minister Amit Shah. EPS flew into the national capital to attend outgoing President Ramnath Kovind’s farewell. He visited President-elect Droupadi Murmu’s house to congratulate her. But he could not meet the Prime Minister or the Home Minister in spite of best efforts. OPS could not be in Delhi during the past few days as he has reportedly contracted Covid. Though ESP has by all indications taken control of the AIADMK, the BJP had earlier supported OPS and had helped him become deputy chief minister. OPS has not given up hope of the BJP backing him once again to help him occupy a respectable place in the AIADMK. Busy as they were with the Presidential election, Maharashtra upheaval and the monsoon session of Parliament, the PM and home minister have so far kept away from the EPS-OPS tussle. The PM’s Chennai visit is now being keenly watched.

    Road to RaisinaKejriwal to be the face of AAP in Haryana polls

    Ek Mauka Kejriwal Ko will be the Aam Aadmi Party slogan in the Haryana state elections next year. AAP sources say that party chief Kejriwal will project himself as the chief ministerial candidate in Haryana election. The AAP chief hails from the Bhiwani district of Haryana. He is therefore a son of the soil, and his electoral debut in the state will be dubbed as a return of the native. “He will be projected as a person who wants to serve his home state after earning laurels in India and abroad for his campaign against corruption, which also won his party an overwhelming support of people in Delhi and Punjab elections,” said a reliable source. Rumours of Kejriwal planning to replace Bhagwant Mann as the chief minister of Punjab have also been brushed aside by the party. To achieve its national ambition, AAP is looking for a financially thriving state from where it can raise funds to feed its nationwide campaign. The party has identified Haryana as that state. Winning Punjab was a big achievement for AAP. It was the first full-fledged state that fell into the party’s kitty. After its victory in Punjab, funds are expected to flow into party coffers much more easily. But today’s Punjab is not the rich state it once used to be. It has struggled with its finances of late. Haryana, in comparison, has strong economic fundamentals with a wide industrial base. A victory in Haryana could see an exponential rise in AAP’s corporate donors. Haryana is, therefore, all set to witness a three-cornered fight between Kejriwal, chief minister M L Khattar and Congress party’s Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

    Rebellion in the ranksInfighting intensifies in Haryana Congress

    After losing the Rajya Sabha election because of cross-voting by one Congress MLA and disqualification of the vote of another, All India Congress Committee general secretary Ajay Maken has been working on a mission mode to find out the party MLA who marked the vote wrongly causing his defeat. Though the name of former leader of the opposition in Haryana assembly Kiran Choudhary has been doing rounds in political circles, Kiran herself has stoutly denied making the mistake in marking her preference. Maken has now formally charged Kiran with marking the vote wrongly. He has released a video record of the voting day to show that Kiran Choudhary was the 26th MLA to have voted, and it was the 26th vote that was cancelled. Maken has said that Kiran marked the vote wrongly and then showed it to the Congress party’s election agent Vivek Bansal, who did not bring the mistake to the notice of party’s senior leaders present at the polling centre. “It is statistically improbable that both Kiran Choudhary and the party’s polling agent made a mistake,” Maken said, and added that the two will now have to explain whether they actually made a mistake or there was a deliberate foul play. He is reportedly pressing for action against the guilty.

    Southern comfort
    EPS, OPS struggle to seek BJP endorsement

    The current round of AIADMK infighting has reached the door of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The warring EPS and OPS factions are vying to win Mr Modi’s support. Both leaders are trying hard to get an appointment with the Prime Minister during his Chennai visit on July 28. The PM is visiting the Tamil Nadu capital to inaugurate the Chess Olympiad scheduled to begin at Mamallapuram near Chennai. Mr Modi’s moves on the political chessboard set by the AIADMK factions will be carefully watched. Political circles are buzzing with speculation about which way the BJP will lean. Both Edapadi Palanisamy and O Panneerselvam have sacked each other, claiming ownership of the AIADMK throne. Both have visited Delhi and tried in vain to meet the PM and Home Minister Amit Shah. EPS flew into the national capital to attend outgoing President Ramnath Kovind’s farewell. He visited President-elect Droupadi Murmu’s house to congratulate her. But he could not meet the Prime Minister or the Home Minister in spite of best efforts. OPS could not be in Delhi during the past few days as he has reportedly contracted Covid. Though ESP has by all indications taken control of the AIADMK, the BJP had earlier supported OPS and had helped him become deputy chief minister. OPS has not given up hope of the BJP backing him once again to help him occupy a respectable place in the AIADMK. Busy as they were with the Presidential election, Maharashtra upheaval and the monsoon session of Parliament, the PM and home minister have so far kept away from the EPS-OPS tussle. The PM’s Chennai visit is now being keenly watched.

    Road to Raisina
    Kejriwal to be the face of AAP in Haryana polls

    Ek Mauka Kejriwal Ko will be the Aam Aadmi Party slogan in the Haryana state elections next year. AAP sources say that party chief Kejriwal will project himself as the chief ministerial candidate in Haryana election. The AAP chief hails from the Bhiwani district of Haryana. He is therefore a son of the soil, and his electoral debut in the state will be dubbed as a return of the native. “He will be projected as a person who wants to serve his home state after earning laurels in India and abroad for his campaign against corruption, which also won his party an overwhelming support of people in Delhi and Punjab elections,” said a reliable source. Rumours of Kejriwal planning to replace Bhagwant Mann as the chief minister of Punjab have also been brushed aside by the party. To achieve its national ambition, AAP is looking for a financially thriving state from where it can raise funds to feed its nationwide campaign. The party has identified Haryana as that state. Winning Punjab was a big achievement for AAP. It was the first full-fledged state that fell into the party’s kitty. After its victory in Punjab, funds are expected to flow into party coffers much more easily. But today’s Punjab is not the rich state it once used to be. It has struggled with its finances of late. Haryana, in comparison, has strong economic fundamentals with a wide industrial base. A victory in Haryana could see an exponential rise in AAP’s corporate donors. Haryana is, therefore, all set to witness a three-cornered fight between Kejriwal, chief minister M L Khattar and Congress party’s Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

    Rebellion in the ranks
    Infighting intensifies in Haryana Congress

    After losing the Rajya Sabha election because of cross-voting by one Congress MLA and disqualification of the vote of another, All India Congress Committee general secretary Ajay Maken has been working on a mission mode to find out the party MLA who marked the vote wrongly causing his defeat. Though the name of former leader of the opposition in Haryana assembly Kiran Choudhary has been doing rounds in political circles, Kiran herself has stoutly denied making the mistake in marking her preference. Maken has now formally charged Kiran with marking the vote wrongly. He has released a video record of the voting day to show that Kiran Choudhary was the 26th MLA to have voted, and it was the 26th vote that was cancelled. Maken has said that Kiran marked the vote wrongly and then showed it to the Congress party’s election agent Vivek Bansal, who did not bring the mistake to the notice of party’s senior leaders present at the polling centre. “It is statistically improbable that both Kiran Choudhary and the party’s polling agent made a mistake,” Maken said, and added that the two will now have to explain whether they actually made a mistake or there was a deliberate foul play. He is reportedly pressing for action against the guilty.

  • Twitter marks video of PM Modi tweeted by AAP, Congress leaders as ‘out of context’

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Social media platform Twitter on Sunday marked the tweets by Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh and Congress spokesperson Rohan Gupta, as “presented out of context”, who shared a clip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeting outgoing President Ram Nath Kovind in the Central Hall of Parliament.

    In the video shared by the two leaders, President Kovind is seen greeting the leaders, including PM Modi and Union minister Piyush Goyal sitting in the front row during the farewell function hosted by the MPs on Saturday.

    ऐसा अपमान Very Sorry Sirये लोग ऐसे ही हैं, आपका कार्यकाल ख़त्म अब आपकी तरफ़ देखेंगे भी नही। pic.twitter.com/xaGIOkuyDM
    — Sanjay Singh AAP (@SanjayAzadSln) July 24, 2022
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury were among those present on the occasion. President Kovind’s tenure as President came to an end on Sunday.

    Hitting out at the BJP, Gupta tweeted “Don’t Disturb” attaching the clip, while Singh tweeted “Such an insult Very Sorry Sir. These people are like this, your term is over, now they will not even look at you”.

    Twitter marked both the tweets as “out of context” and said, “PM Modi did greet President Ram Nath Kovind in his farewell event, say fact-checkers and news reports”.

    The social media platform, while attaching a picture via Rashtrapati Bhavan of PM Modi greeting the President while the latter went past him, said, “On July 23, 2022, a farewell event was organized in Parliament to commemorate the end of President Ram Nath Kovind’s tenure. A short clip from the event is being shared with misleading claims, according to fact-checkers. Boom Live, The Quint and other news media have reported PM Modi can be seen greeting the president in the original video footage.”

    Twitter marks the media “out of context” that “may deceive or confuse people and lead to harm”.

    “You may not share synthetic, manipulated, or out-of-context media that may deceive or confuse people and lead to harm (“misleading media”). In addition, we may label Tweets containing misleading media to help people understand their authenticity and to provide additional context,” according to the Twitter website.

    Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday, while alleging that Sanjay Singh had insulted Prime Minister Narendra Modi by sharing an “edited clip” of him greeting President Ram Nath Kovind in Parliament, questioned the intention behind the act of the AAP leader.

    BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that PM Modi had greeted President Kovind which could be seen in the complete video of the Parliament.

    Addressing a press conference here, Poonawalla said, “Sanjay Singh tweeted today in which he said that the outgoing president was insulted. There could not be anything more unfortunate than this. He posted an edited clip and levels allegations against the Prime Minister at such an event on which there should not be any politics. The edited clip was shared. The Prime Minister had greeted President Kovind which could be seen in the full video. There are pictures in the public domain showing PM Modi greeting the President. Still, such an allegation was levelled. What was the intention?” 

    NEW DELHI: Social media platform Twitter on Sunday marked the tweets by Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh and Congress spokesperson Rohan Gupta, as “presented out of context”, who shared a clip of Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeting outgoing President Ram Nath Kovind in the Central Hall of Parliament.

    In the video shared by the two leaders, President Kovind is seen greeting the leaders, including PM Modi and Union minister Piyush Goyal sitting in the front row during the farewell function hosted by the MPs on Saturday.

    ऐसा अपमान Very Sorry Sir
    ये लोग ऐसे ही हैं, आपका कार्यकाल ख़त्म अब आपकी तरफ़ देखेंगे भी नही। pic.twitter.com/xaGIOkuyDM
    — Sanjay Singh AAP (@SanjayAzadSln) July 24, 2022
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury were among those present on the occasion. President Kovind’s tenure as President came to an end on Sunday.

    Hitting out at the BJP, Gupta tweeted “Don’t Disturb” attaching the clip, while Singh tweeted “Such an insult Very Sorry Sir. These people are like this, your term is over, now they will not even look at you”.

    Twitter marked both the tweets as “out of context” and said, “PM Modi did greet President Ram Nath Kovind in his farewell event, say fact-checkers and news reports”.

    The social media platform, while attaching a picture via Rashtrapati Bhavan of PM Modi greeting the President while the latter went past him, said, “On July 23, 2022, a farewell event was organized in Parliament to commemorate the end of President Ram Nath Kovind’s tenure. A short clip from the event is being shared with misleading claims, according to fact-checkers. Boom Live, The Quint and other news media have reported PM Modi can be seen greeting the president in the original video footage.”

    Twitter marks the media “out of context” that “may deceive or confuse people and lead to harm”.

    “You may not share synthetic, manipulated, or out-of-context media that may deceive or confuse people and lead to harm (“misleading media”). In addition, we may label Tweets containing misleading media to help people understand their authenticity and to provide additional context,” according to the Twitter website.

    Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday, while alleging that Sanjay Singh had insulted Prime Minister Narendra Modi by sharing an “edited clip” of him greeting President Ram Nath Kovind in Parliament, questioned the intention behind the act of the AAP leader.

    BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that PM Modi had greeted President Kovind which could be seen in the complete video of the Parliament.

    Addressing a press conference here, Poonawalla said, “Sanjay Singh tweeted today in which he said that the outgoing president was insulted. There could not be anything more unfortunate than this. He posted an edited clip and levels allegations against the Prime Minister at such an event on which there should not be any politics. The edited clip was shared. The Prime Minister had greeted President Kovind which could be seen in the full video. There are pictures in the public domain showing PM Modi greeting the President. Still, such an allegation was levelled. What was the intention?”