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Tag: BJP

  • BJP wrests key UP seats from SP in LS bypoll

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The BJP wrested two prestigious seats from the SP in Uttar Pradesh while Punjab sent a pro-Khalistan leader to Parliament, dealing a stunning blow to the ruling AAP, as results of the Lok Sabha by-polls came in on Sunday.

    Tripura Congress leader BirajitSinha being treated for injuriessustained during clashes In the bypolls to seven Assembly seats in four states, the BJP won three on four in Tripura, while the ruling YSRC retained a seat in Andhra Pradesh, AAP in Delhi and Congress in Jharkhand. There were allegations of BJP goons indulging in violence after it lost the Agartala seat in Tripura to the Congress, with at least 19 people, including Tripura Congress chief Birajit Sinha, suffering injuries.

    In Uttar Pradesh’s BJP’s Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’ won from Azamgarh while Ghanshayam Singh Lodhi snatched the Rampur seat defeating SP’s Dharmendra Yadav and Asim Raja respectively by margins of 8,679 and 42,192 votes. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and SP leader Azam Khan had vacated their Azamgarh and Rampur seats respectively, hence the bypoll.

    In Punjab, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party suffered a severe blow as Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann won in the Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency, which is the bastion of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Simranjit Singh Mann defeated AAP’s Gurmail Singh in a neck-and-neck fight.

    However, Delhi did not disappoint the AAP as its candidate Durgesh Pathak comfortably retained the Rajendra Nagar Assembly seat by 11,000 votes. In Tripura, BJP Chief Minister Manik Saha won in Town Bardowali constituency, defeating Congress candidate Ashish Kumar by 6,104 votes. He needed a win to continue as the CM.

    The party defeated CPI(M) in its stronghold Jubarajnagar 4,572 votes. The saffron camp retained Surma while Congress wrested away its Agartala seat. In Andhra, YSRC retained Atmakur assembly constituency with its candidate Mekapati Vikram Reddy defeating BJP rival by 82,888 votes. Congress candidate Shilpi Neha Tirkey won Jharkhand’s Mandar seat.

    LOK SABHA

    Uttar PradeshRampur: BJP wrests from SPAzamgarh: BJP wrests from SP

    PunjabSangrur:SAD (Amritsar) wrests from AAP

    STATE ASSEMBLIESTripura: Jubarajnagar: BJP wrests from CPM Surma: BJP retains Town Bardowali: BJP retainsAgartala: Cong wrests from BJP

    DelhiRajinder Nagar: AAP retains

    JharkhandMandar: Cong retains

    Andhra PradeshAtmakuru:YSRC retains

  • Maharashtra crisis: MVA government will last two to three days, says Union minister Danve

    By PTI

    JALNA: Union minister Raosaheb Danve on Sunday said the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra, racked by the rebellion in main constituent Shiv Sena, will last “two to three days”.

    Speaking at the inaugural function of an agriculture department building here in the presence of state NCP minister Rajesh Tope, the BJP leader said the MVA should complete the remaining development works at the earliest as “we (BJP) will be in opposition only for two to three days”.

    “Time is running out. This government will last for two to three days. The BJP has nothing to do with this rebellion. Shiv Sena rebels have resentment towards Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray as development funds were diverted by NCP and Congress,” the Union Minister of State for Railway, Coal and Mines said.

    Queried on the possibility of the Eknath Shinde-led group merging with the BJP, Danve, himself a former state unit chief, said there was no such proposal and if one comes then the senior leadership would take a call.

    He also said there was no chance of President’s Rule being imposed in the state.

  • Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde met Amit Shah, Devendra Fadnavis in Gujarat on Friday: Sources

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI: While the BJP is said to be distancing themselves from Maharashtra minister’s Eknath Shinde rebellion, terming it as internal matter of Shiv Sena, it has now been reported that Union Home Minister Amit Shah and state Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis had a confidential meeting in Vadodara with Shinde late Friday night. 

    According to highly placed sources, Fadnavis was seen at Mumbai airport on Friday night taking a flight to Gujarat and it is believed that Shinde, who left Guwahati’s Blue Radisson Hotel where all rebels are campled, had met Shah to discuss their further strategy and solve the crisis.

    “The rebel camp wasn’t expecting the party to disqualify them as MLAs for defacation, as they will be in trouble if the disqualifaction is a succes. The Assembly deputy speaker has also called them for an hearing to the disqualification notice and if all of them come together, then a solution can be brought opon to keep the flock together,” said a source requesting anonymity.

    “Even during Chagan Bhujbal’s revolt against Shiv Sena, initially 18 MLAs had rebelled but in reality only 11 were left.  Beside, when Narayan Rane left Shiv Sena, that time also same issue happen. Shinde is worried about repeating the same history and that will jeopardise both his political career and BJP’s dream of coming back to power in Maharashtra,” the source added.

    CLICK HERE FOR LIVE COVERAGE OF MAHARASHTRA CRISIS

    He said that Shinde had asked the BJP to find out the solutions for this crisis. “It has been five days since the rebel MLAs are outside Maharashtra. Their restlessness is increasing due to insecurity and protests against them in their respective constituencies by Shiv Sainiks. If there is any delay in government formation, then things can slip out of their hand,” he said.

    “While such operations have to be carried out quickly, this is taking more time and it can damage to such an extent that the fight is likely to dragged to court and state assembly only. Therefore, Shinde asked for Shah and other leader’s immediate intervention and hence, the Vadodara meeting was arranged,” he added. Fadnavis, who also attended this high level meeting, wasn’t not available for a comment.

    Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that six rebel ministers will be sacked from Uddhav Thackeray’s ministry and gave a ’24 hour ultimatum’ to come back and meet the chief minister to whom they can put forth their demands. 

    “Our government follows laws. Therefore, it will take little time but the ministers and MLAs who cheated us will face the public music. The legal team is working over and within 24 hours, we will see the result,” Raut said.These rebel ministers include Eknath Shinde, Gulabrao Patil, Dada Bhuse, Sandepan Bhumars besides Bacchu Kadu.

    Sources said that Thackeray will write to governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari demanding sacking of the said ministers.

    ALSO READ| My fight is for rescuing Shiv Sena from ‘python of MVA’: Eknath Shinde

    Earlier today, Shinde alleged that the security of the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs and that of their family members was removed. “If something happens with them, then this Aghadi government including the chief minister and home minister will be held responsible,” he said.

    However, home minister Dilip Walse Patil denied the report that no such decision of removing security has been taken and in fact looking at the present political situation, the security has been provided.

  • BJP wants to finish off Shiv Sena as it does not want to share Hindu vote bank: Uddhav Thackeray

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Striking a defiant note, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday night dared rebel leader Eknath Shinde and the BJP to try and take away the Shiv Sena cadre and those who vote for the party, and also accused the BJP of trying to finish off the Sena.

    In a virtual address to party corporators, he said that the common Shiv Sena workers were his “wealth”, and as long as they were with him, he did not care about criticism by others. The Shiv Sena has been “betrayed by its own people,” he said, as his government faced a crisis after majority of Sena MLAs joined Eknath Shinde who is camping in Guwahati.

    CLICK HERE FOR LIVE COVERAGE OF MAHARASHTRA CRISIS

    “We gave these rebels tickets to contest assembly elections despite many of you being aspirants for the same. These people are disgruntled after getting elected owing to your hard work, and you are standing by the party in this crucial time. I can’t thank you enough,” Thackeray, who is also the Shiv Sena president, told party workers.

    “I had told Eknath Shinde to look into complaints regarding alliance partners. He told me that legislators were pressurizing him that the Sena should join hands with the BJP. I told him to bring these MLAs to me, let’s discuss this. BJP treated us badly, didn’t honour promises. Many of the rebels have cases filed against them. So if they go with BJP, they will become clean, if they stayed with us, they will go to jail. Is this a sign of friendship?” Thackeray asked.

    “If a Shiv Sena worker is going to become a chief minister, you should go (with the BJP). But if you are, after all, going to become a deputy chief minister, you should have told me, I would have made you deputy chief minister,” he said, apparently referring to Shinde.

    ALSO READ| Eknath Shinde leaves Guwahati hotel in SUV, returns in cop’s private car

    If Sena workers felt that he was incapable of running the party, he was ready to resign as party president, Thackeray further said.

    “Shiv Sena is an ideology…BJP wants to finish it off because they don’t want to share the Hindu vote bank with anyone,” he said, adding that late Bal Thackeray had initiated the alliance with the BJP only to avoid a split in Hindutva votes.

    “The rebel group has no option but to join the BJP, and even if it succeeded in forming the government, it will not last long because many MLAs among them are not really happy. The rebels will not be able to win the next election,” Thackeray claimed.

    Hitting out at Shinde and BJP, he dared them to try and lure away the Shiv Sena’s voters. “You have taken away those who got elected. But if you have the courage, try and take away those who got you elected. Those who want to leave are free to go openly….I will create a new Shiv Sena,” he said.

  • If Agniveers don’t get pension, why should public representatives: BJP MP Varun Gandhi

    By PTI

    PILIBHIT: In his fresh criticism of the Centre’s ‘Agnipath’ scheme, BJP MP Varun Gandhi Friday said if those recruited in the armed forces under this initiative are not eligible for a pension, then why should public representatives get this post-retirement benefit.

    Gandhi has been questioning the ‘Agnipath’ scheme since it was unveiled on June 14 by the Centre. The scheme envisages recruiting young soldiers on a contractual basis for four years and retire 75 per cent of them without pension and health benefits.

    अल्पावधि की सेवा करने वाले अग्निवीर पेंशन के हकदार नही हैं तो जनप्रतिनिधियों को यह ‘सहूलियत’ क्यूँ?राष्ट्ररक्षकों को पेन्शन का अधिकार नही है तो मैं भी खुद की पेन्शन छोड़ने को तैयार हूँ।क्या हम विधायक/सांसद अपनी पेन्शन छोड़ यह नही सुनिश्चित कर सकते कि अग्निवीरों को पेंशन मिले?
    — Varun Gandhi (@varungandhi80) June 24, 2022
    However, it assures them of an exit package of Rs 11.70 lakh. “If Agniveers who serve for a short period of time are not entitled to a pension, then why this ‘facility’ should be for public representatives? If those who protect the country do not have the right to pension then I am also ready to forego mine,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.

    “Can we, the MLA/sMPs, give up our pension to ensure that Agniveers get a pension,” he said. Earlier, he had extended support to students protesting against the Agnipath defence recruitment scheme, but had urged them to follow the path of non-violence.

  • Sena’s count in Assembly gone down, but we are confident of rebels supporting MVA in floor test: Raut

    Raut also attacked BJP leader Narayan Rane, without naming him, for “threatening” NCP chief Sharad Pawar. Shinde is currently camping with 37 rebel MLAs of the Sena and nine independents in a hotel.

  • Jayant Sinha says party comes before family

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  BJP MP and former Union minister Jayant Sinha is in no dilemma when it comes to deciding who he will vote for in the presidential election. The son of Opposition’s presidential nominee Yashwant Sinha, Jayant Sinha has made it clear that his loyalty towards the party came first and he would discharge his duty as a BJP MP rather than according priority to being a son to his father. 

    Yashwant Sinha, the unanimous consensus candidate of the Opposition parties, is pitted against NDA presidential pick Droupadi Murmu. Junior Sinha took to social media and cleared the doubt declaring his loyalty to the party’s decision.

    “My respected father Yashwant Sinha ji has been declared the Opposition’s joint candidate for President. I am getting a lot of calls of people and media. At this time, I request all of you not to make it a family issue and don’t look at me as a son. I am a BJP worker and MP from Hazaribagh. I am fully aware of my Constitutional duties, as an MP  and will  fulfill them,” he said.

  • Shiv Sena workers didn’t approve of alliance with Congress, NCP: Goa BJP chief Sadanand Tanavade

    By PTI

    PANAJI: Goa BJP chief Sadanand Shet Tanavade on Thursday said that Shiv Sena workers in Maharashtra were angry because of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party’s decision to form alliance with the NCP and Congress.

    The Thackeray government in Maharashtra is facing a crisis as senior Sena minister Eknath Shinde has rebelled along with several MLAs. Talking to reporters here, Tanavade claimed that Sena workers had not approved of the alliance of their party with Congress and NCP. “The workers were angry with such an alliance,” he said.

    ALSO READ| ‘We stand by CM Uddhav Thackeray’: NCP to support crisis-hit MVA

    The Sena defied its principles only to get the chief minister’s post, Tanavade alleged, adding that the BJP had won the mandate after the 2019 Assembly elections in Maharashtra. The Sena ditched the BJP after the 2019 polls.

  • BJP tries disrupt polling, misused power: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav

    By PTI

    LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday accused the ruling BJP of misuse of power in the bypolls to the Azamgarh and Rampur Lok Sabha seats, alleging that efforts were made to disrupt voting.

    He alleged that though the Election Commission was informed about the developments, the election machinery remained a mute spectator. The party workers were harassed and undue pressure was created on them to vote for BJP candidates, he alleged.

    “The BJP misused power in the bypolls to Azamgarh and Rampur. Hurdles were created by the ruling party to disrupt polling. Though the EC was informed, the entire election machinery remained a mute spectator. Voters were not allowed to vote without fear,” Yadav said in a statement issued here.

    Yadav alleged that all this was done in a planned way. “Fake voting was done and EVMs were found faulty in various booths,” he said, adding that in Assembly constituencies of Gopalpur, Sagdi, Mubarakpur, Azamgarh, Mehnagar in Azamgarh, party agents were removed from booths.

    Women belonging to a minority community were stopped from voting in the Rampur’s Suar Assembly constituency and Narpat Nagar, he said, adding that police resorted to a lathicharge to create fear.

  • Voting begins for Rajinder Nagar bypoll in Delhi

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Voting began Thursday morning for the bypoll to Rajinder Nagar in Delhi, largely being seen as a battle between a confident AAP and a spirited BJP for the crucial assembly constituency.

    A total of 1,64,698 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the by-election, in which 14 candidates are in the fray, with water shortage and the city government’s liquor policy among the key election issues.

    The two major contenders — the AAP and the BJP have exuded confidence that their candidates will emerge victorious in the bypoll with a huge margin. Polling began at 7 am amid tight security arrangements and is scheduled to be held till 6 pm.

    “Mock polls were held at all polling stations, and voting has begun under tight security arrangements for the Rajinder Nagar bypoll. Actor Sonam Kapoor has released a video message to appeal to voters to exercise their franchise,” Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Ranbir Singh told PTI.

    To raise awareness, Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor has been chosen as an icon, and her images have been used on posters and social media to reach out to greater number of voters, especially the youth.

    Six companies of CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) personnel have been deployed for security arrangements during the bypoll necessitated in the wake of AAP leader Raghav Chadha leaving the seat after being elected to the Rajya Sabha recently.

    ALSO READ | Rajinder Nagar goes to vote today, 14 candidates in fray

    Chadha was the MLA from the Rajinder Nagar Assembly seat. The Counting of votes will take place on June 26, and poll authorities here are hopeful that turnout in this bypoll will exceed the voting percentage recorded in the 2020 election.

    In the 2020 polls, the voter turnout in Rajinder Nagar was 58.27 per cent — 58.09 per cent male voters and 58.5 per cent female voters.

    In addition to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress candidates, there are three others from unrecognised parties and eight Independent nominees.

    A total of 190 polling stations, including 13 auxiliary ones, have been set up at 21 locations, equipped with all necessary facilities and amenities for differently-abled people too such as ramps and drinking water, besides creches for mothers if they come to vote with their children.

    Of the total number of eligible voters for the bypoll, 92,221 are male, 72,473 female and four belong to the third gender. Also, 1,899 voters in this assembly seat are in the 18-19 age group.

    The number of eligible voters in the Rajinder Nagar assembly seat for the 2022 bypoll is less than the count of electors in this assembly seat that was for the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, as death and migration of voters have been factored in.

    ALSO READ | Deputy CM Manish Sisodia reaches out to Rajinder Nagar voters

    AAP, which enjoys a reigning popularity in this key assembly constituency, has fielded Durgesh Pathak while BJP has fronted Rajesh Bhatia as its candidate. Prem Lata is the Congress nominee.

    While AAP has exuded confidence that it will register a “record victory” in the bypoll and hand out a crushing defeat to the BJP, the saffron party is hopeful of westing the seat from the ruling party that had bagged 62 of the 70 seats in the 2020 Delhi polls.

    From setting up specialised polling stations, including an all-women one, to deployment of security personnel and running awareness campaigns, the Delhi CEO office has made all preparations to ensure that the bypoll is held in an inclusive, accessible and fair manner.

    According to the residents of the area, the AAP government’s liquor policy and water shortage are among the main issues in the bypoll. The bypoll is taking place amid a spike in Covid-19 cases in the national capital.

    All safety norms will be followed, and hand sanitisers and masks would also be kept at all booths, in case some has forgot to bring them, officials said.

    “For visually-impaired voters, facilities have been created too. The EVM machines will have Braille markings and also on dummy ballot to allow a voter with visual impairment to cast his or her vote independently. Even voters slip will have Braille markings to facilitate them,” Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ranbir Singh had earlier said.

    There are 591 electors, who are persons with disability, 39 voters are visually impaired, 64 are service voters, and 2,486 voters who are in the age group of 80 and above.