News Analysis India

Tag: opposition

  • Opposition slams Centre after NCERT panel’s suggests replacing ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ in textbooks

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Leaders of several opposition parties on Wednesday opposed an NCERT panel’s recommendation to replace “India” with “Bharat” in school textbooks, and alleged that the ruling BJP wanted to change history and was taking such “desperate steps” fearing its defeat at the hands of the opposition bloc INDIA.

    Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said the word “India” evoked as much pride as “Bharat” but the ruling dispensation wants “to indoctrinate an entire generation into hating a word we grew up feeling a lot of pride towards.”

    There has been a raging debate over the government using “Bharat” instead of “India” at various international events in the recent past after the opposition parties named their grouping as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

    A high-level committee constituted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to revise the social sciences curriculum has recommended that “India” should be replaced with “Bharat” in textbooks for all classes.

    According to committee chairperson C I Isaac, the panel has also suggested introducing “classical history”, instead of “ancient history”, in the curriculum and including the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) in the syllabus for all subjects. NCERT Chairman Dinesh Saklani, however, said no decision has been taken yet on the panel’s recommendations.

    Reacting sharply to the recommendations, Congress leader Venugopal said, “Be it Team India on the field or the Indian Space Research Organisation – the word India evokes pride just as much as Bharat. Their fear of a resounding defeat at the hands of INDIA is making them take such desperate steps.”

    “These name-changers want to indoctrinate an entire generation into hating a word we grew up feeling a lot of pride towards,” he said in a post on X.

    He later told reporters that the BJP is neither sincere towards “Bharat” nor towards “India.”

    “Changing the name is merely a tactic by the BJP for politics of polarisation,” he said.

    Venugopal claimed that they are suggesting so many things in their bid to distort India’s history through school textbooks and curriculum. “For us, India and Bharat are equal,” he asserted.

    Another Congress leader, Ambika Soni, said, “In the Constitution, it is written India that is Bharat. Both names are there.”

    RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha said it has been a hysterical reaction of the BJP regime ever since the INDIA bloc was formed. “Will they change the name of country to ‘Jambudweep’ or some other name if the INDIA alliance changes its name to ‘BHARAT’,” he claimed.

    AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said, “It shows the fear PM Modi has of the INDIA alliance. His alliance partners are leaving him. Instead of changing name, efforts should be made to focus on issues of joblessness, inflation, and corruption.”

    DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said the BJP is restoring to name-change politics in order “to divert the attention of people from its misdeeds and maladministration.”

    Congress leader and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the NCERT panel recommendation was “wrong” and alleged an NDA hand behind the move.

    Shivakumar wondered why there is the Reserve Bank of India, Indian Administrative Services and Indian Foreign Services, hinting that the word “Bharat” was not used. “Why the Republic of India is written on Indian passport,” he asked.

    Alleging that the NDA government forced the NCERT to take the “decision”, he said the move was “completely wrong” and urged the Centre not to accept the recommendation.

    “You cannot change the history of India. Though you try to change Congress’ history, you cannot do it. The Congress’ history is the country’s history. So the Congress party has given the country a great history. We have ensured India’s independence. We call it Indian independence. We don’t call it Bharat independence,” he said.

    Congress leader Salman Khurshid said, “Our perspective is far more profound when it comes to Bharat, whether it’s India, Bharat, or Hindustan, they (BJP) won’t understand. They only focus on their electoral gains in everything they do.”

    Congress leader Jignesh Mevani the move showed disrespect towards the Constitution in which “India, that is, Bharat” is written. “So, both words can be used interchangeably,” he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

    NEW DELHI: Leaders of several opposition parties on Wednesday opposed an NCERT panel’s recommendation to replace “India” with “Bharat” in school textbooks, and alleged that the ruling BJP wanted to change history and was taking such “desperate steps” fearing its defeat at the hands of the opposition bloc INDIA.

    Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said the word “India” evoked as much pride as “Bharat” but the ruling dispensation wants “to indoctrinate an entire generation into hating a word we grew up feeling a lot of pride towards.”

    There has been a raging debate over the government using “Bharat” instead of “India” at various international events in the recent past after the opposition parties named their grouping as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    A high-level committee constituted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to revise the social sciences curriculum has recommended that “India” should be replaced with “Bharat” in textbooks for all classes.

    According to committee chairperson C I Isaac, the panel has also suggested introducing “classical history”, instead of “ancient history”, in the curriculum and including the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) in the syllabus for all subjects. NCERT Chairman Dinesh Saklani, however, said no decision has been taken yet on the panel’s recommendations.

    Reacting sharply to the recommendations, Congress leader Venugopal said, “Be it Team India on the field or the Indian Space Research Organisation – the word India evokes pride just as much as Bharat. Their fear of a resounding defeat at the hands of INDIA is making them take such desperate steps.”

    “These name-changers want to indoctrinate an entire generation into hating a word we grew up feeling a lot of pride towards,” he said in a post on X.

    He later told reporters that the BJP is neither sincere towards “Bharat” nor towards “India.”

    “Changing the name is merely a tactic by the BJP for politics of polarisation,” he said.

    Venugopal claimed that they are suggesting so many things in their bid to distort India’s history through school textbooks and curriculum. “For us, India and Bharat are equal,” he asserted.

    Another Congress leader, Ambika Soni, said, “In the Constitution, it is written India that is Bharat. Both names are there.”

    RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha said it has been a hysterical reaction of the BJP regime ever since the INDIA bloc was formed. “Will they change the name of country to ‘Jambudweep’ or some other name if the INDIA alliance changes its name to ‘BHARAT’,” he claimed.

    AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said, “It shows the fear PM Modi has of the INDIA alliance. His alliance partners are leaving him. Instead of changing name, efforts should be made to focus on issues of joblessness, inflation, and corruption.”

    DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said the BJP is restoring to name-change politics in order “to divert the attention of people from its misdeeds and maladministration.”

    Congress leader and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the NCERT panel recommendation was “wrong” and alleged an NDA hand behind the move.

    Shivakumar wondered why there is the Reserve Bank of India, Indian Administrative Services and Indian Foreign Services, hinting that the word “Bharat” was not used. “Why the Republic of India is written on Indian passport,” he asked.

    Alleging that the NDA government forced the NCERT to take the “decision”, he said the move was “completely wrong” and urged the Centre not to accept the recommendation.

    “You cannot change the history of India. Though you try to change Congress’ history, you cannot do it. The Congress’ history is the country’s history. So the Congress party has given the country a great history. We have ensured India’s independence. We call it Indian independence. We don’t call it Bharat independence,” he said.

    Congress leader Salman Khurshid said, “Our perspective is far more profound when it comes to Bharat, whether it’s India, Bharat, or Hindustan, they (BJP) won’t understand. They only focus on their electoral gains in everything they do.”

    Congress leader Jignesh Mevani the move showed disrespect towards the Constitution in which “India, that is, Bharat” is written. “So, both words can be used interchangeably,” he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

  • India asking corruption, dynasty, appeasement to quit India: PM Modi’s swipe at Opposition

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Recalling the Quit India movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India is now speaking in one voice against corruption, dynasticism, and appeasement.

    Modi’s apparent swipe at the Opposition came as the ruling BJP organises events across the country on Wednesday on these lines.

    Tributes to the greats who took part in the Quit India Movement. Under the leadership of Gandhi Ji, this Movement played a major role in freeing India from colonial rule. Today, India is saying in one voice:Corruption Quit India.Dynasty Quit India.Appeasement Quit India. pic.twitter.com/w6acXBoNq1
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 9, 2023
    “Tributes to the greats who took part in the Quit India Movement. Under the leadership of Gandhi Ji, this Movement played a major role in freeing India from colonial rule,” he said in a tweet.

    He added, “Today, India is saying in one voice: Corruption Quit India. Dynasty Quit India. Appeasement Quit India.”

    Modi has repeatedly accused opposition parties of pursuing the politics of corruption, dynasty and appeasement, calling upon people to shun them.

    NEW DELHI: Recalling the Quit India movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India is now speaking in one voice against corruption, dynasticism, and appeasement.

    Modi’s apparent swipe at the Opposition came as the ruling BJP organises events across the country on Wednesday on these lines.

    Tributes to the greats who took part in the Quit India Movement. Under the leadership of Gandhi Ji, this Movement played a major role in freeing India from colonial rule. Today, India is saying in one voice:
    Corruption Quit India.
    Dynasty Quit India.
    Appeasement Quit India. pic.twitter.com/w6acXBoNq1googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 9, 2023
    “Tributes to the greats who took part in the Quit India Movement. Under the leadership of Gandhi Ji, this Movement played a major role in freeing India from colonial rule,” he said in a tweet.

    He added, “Today, India is saying in one voice: Corruption Quit India. Dynasty Quit India. Appeasement Quit India.”

    Modi has repeatedly accused opposition parties of pursuing the politics of corruption, dynasty and appeasement, calling upon people to shun them.

  • Parliament adjourned till noon amid opposition protests over Manipur

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha proceedings on Tuesday were adjourned till noon amid protest by opposition parties demanding discussion on the Manipur issue in the House.

    Soon after the listed papers were tabled in the House, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed anguish over repeated disruptions of the proceedings in the House on the “same issue”.

    He said a short-duration discussion on the issue was scheduled the previous day, but it could not take place.

    Dhankhar also did not approve 60 notices for taking up discussion on the Manipur issue under Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha which allows for suspension of the day’s business to debate on any issue suggested by a member.

    Meanwhile, opposition members started raising slogans. Around 11.25 am, the Chair adjourn House proceedings till noon.

    Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Tuesday following protests by opposition members on the Manipur issue.

    As soon as the House met for the day, opposition members started shouting slogans and held up placards Some of them were in the Well of the House while some stood near the Speaker’s Chair, holding placards, as they sought to raise the Manipur issue.

    Speaker Om Birla told the protesting members that they will be given time to raise the issues.

    BSP member Kunwar Danish Ali, standing in his seat, raised slogans on the violence in Nuh in Haryana.

    “Sir, Nuh jal raha hai (Nuh is burning),” he said, addressing the Speaker.

    Three questions and related supplementary were taken up during Question Hour, which went on for around 15 minutes.

    However, as the protests continued, the proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm.

    Protests on the Manipur violence have been disrupting Lok Sabha proceedings since the start of the Monsoon session on July 20.

    NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha proceedings on Tuesday were adjourned till noon amid protest by opposition parties demanding discussion on the Manipur issue in the House.

    Soon after the listed papers were tabled in the House, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed anguish over repeated disruptions of the proceedings in the House on the “same issue”.

    He said a short-duration discussion on the issue was scheduled the previous day, but it could not take place.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Dhankhar also did not approve 60 notices for taking up discussion on the Manipur issue under Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha which allows for suspension of the day’s business to debate on any issue suggested by a member.

    Meanwhile, opposition members started raising slogans. Around 11.25 am, the Chair adjourn House proceedings till noon.

    Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Tuesday following protests by opposition members on the Manipur issue.

    As soon as the House met for the day, opposition members started shouting slogans and held up placards Some of them were in the Well of the House while some stood near the Speaker’s Chair, holding placards, as they sought to raise the Manipur issue.

    Speaker Om Birla told the protesting members that they will be given time to raise the issues.

    BSP member Kunwar Danish Ali, standing in his seat, raised slogans on the violence in Nuh in Haryana.

    “Sir, Nuh jal raha hai (Nuh is burning),” he said, addressing the Speaker.

    Three questions and related supplementary were taken up during Question Hour, which went on for around 15 minutes.

    However, as the protests continued, the proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm.

    Protests on the Manipur violence have been disrupting Lok Sabha proceedings since the start of the Monsoon session on July 20.

  • Dressed in black, Opposition MPs meet to chalk out strategy in Parliament

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Dressed in black as a mark of protest against the government over the Manipur issue, MPs belonging to the Opposition’s INDIA bloc met in the chamber of Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge here on Thursday to finalise their strategy in both Houses of Parliament.

    Sources said the opposition leaders will not allow any business to be taken up in Lok Sabha after a no-confidence motion against the government was admitted by Speaker Om Birla.

    The opposition MPs have pointed out that ideally the no-confidence motion should be discussed before any other business is taken up.

    They wore black clothes as a mark of protest for not allowing a discussion on Manipur and Prime Minister Narendra Modi not making a statement in both Houses on the violence-racked northeastern state.

    The opposition MPs have been protesting in Parliament every day over the issue.

    A no-confidence motion against the government by Congress on behalf of the opposition alliance was admitted by Birla on Wednesday.

    Birla said a date for a discussion on the motion will be decided after consulting the leaders of all parties.

    NEW DELHI: Dressed in black as a mark of protest against the government over the Manipur issue, MPs belonging to the Opposition’s INDIA bloc met in the chamber of Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge here on Thursday to finalise their strategy in both Houses of Parliament.

    Sources said the opposition leaders will not allow any business to be taken up in Lok Sabha after a no-confidence motion against the government was admitted by Speaker Om Birla.

    The opposition MPs have pointed out that ideally the no-confidence motion should be discussed before any other business is taken up.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    They wore black clothes as a mark of protest for not allowing a discussion on Manipur and Prime Minister Narendra Modi not making a statement in both Houses on the violence-racked northeastern state.

    The opposition MPs have been protesting in Parliament every day over the issue.

    A no-confidence motion against the government by Congress on behalf of the opposition alliance was admitted by Birla on Wednesday.

    Birla said a date for a discussion on the motion will be decided after consulting the leaders of all parties.

  • Pressure on PM Modi to intervene as Manipur situation remains fluid

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI/GUWAHATI: With violence in Manipur continuing unabated, the chorus for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention is growing louder. Parliament is likely to witness noisy scenes and disruption on Monday as well, as the Opposition parties have planned joint protests on the situation in Manipur. 

    While the Opposition has been pressing for a statement from PM Modi in Parliament before a discussion on the issue, the government’s position has been that home minister Amit Shah will speak instead. On Sunday, civil rights activist Irom Sharmila, who hails from Manipur, urged the prime minister to immediately intervene to address the situation. Describing the incident of strip-and-parade of two tribal women as ‘inhuman’, she also demanded that Manipur CM Biren Singh admit his failure and apologise to the people. 

    Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal, who reached Imphal on Sunday, appealed to Prime Minister Modi and Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani to visit the strife-torn state to understand the ground situation and the extent of people’s suffering.

    Meanwhile, 78 Meiteis left Mizoram for Imphal, Guwahati and Kolkata in three different flights on Sunday, a day after 56 of them left for Imphal by a flight from Aizawl.  Reports also said 31 Mizo students left Imphal for Aizawl by a flight on Sunday over security concerns. 

    In the fresh bout of violence that erupted on Saturday evening at Kwakta near the border of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts, three persons were reportedly injured. According to official sources, two groups were engaged in a gunfight till the early hours of Sunday, during which shots were fired intermittently. 

    NEW DELHI/GUWAHATI: With violence in Manipur continuing unabated, the chorus for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention is growing louder. Parliament is likely to witness noisy scenes and disruption on Monday as well, as the Opposition parties have planned joint protests on the situation in Manipur. 

    While the Opposition has been pressing for a statement from PM Modi in Parliament before a discussion on the issue, the government’s position has been that home minister Amit Shah will speak instead. 
    On Sunday, civil rights activist Irom Sharmila, who hails from Manipur, urged the prime minister to immediately intervene to address the situation. Describing the incident of strip-and-parade of two tribal women as ‘inhuman’, she also demanded that Manipur CM Biren Singh admit his failure and apologise to the people. 

    Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal, who reached Imphal on Sunday, appealed to Prime Minister Modi and Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani to visit the strife-torn state to understand the ground situation and the extent of people’s suffering.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Meanwhile, 78 Meiteis left Mizoram for Imphal, Guwahati and Kolkata in three different flights on Sunday, a day after 56 of them left for Imphal by a flight from Aizawl.  Reports also said 31 Mizo students left Imphal for Aizawl by a flight on Sunday over security concerns. 

    In the fresh bout of violence that erupted on Saturday evening at Kwakta near the border of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts, three persons were reportedly injured. According to official sources, two groups were engaged in a gunfight till the early hours of Sunday, during which shots were fired intermittently. 

  • From bumpy road to ‘old wine in new bottle’, NDA vs ‘INDIA’ is set for a soap-opera showdown

    By Online Desk

    NEW DELHI: With battlelines drawn for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the newly formed opposition alliance ‘INDIA’ on Wednesday braced for a bumpy ride ahead from ironing out differences in states to seat sharing and choosing its leader even as the ruling BJP called the coalition “old wine in a new bottle.” 

    As a political slugfest erupted a day after 26 opposition parties formed a front — Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) — to unitedly take on the ruling BJP-led NDA at the Centre, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Congress rejected speculation that the JD(U) leader was dissatisfied for not being made the convenor of the new grouping.

    Kumar, who hosted the first mega meeting of opposition parties in Patna last month, also reiterated he does not have any ambition for himself, adding leaders at the opposition conclave held in Bengaluru on Tuesday were happy at the outcome of the deliberations.

    While Congress leader Jairam Ramesh told PTI there is a “new enthusiasm” among the constituents of INDIA, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee claimed that the BJP was “shivering with fear” after the formation of the opposition grouping.

    The assertions by Ramesh and Banerjee came even as senior BJP leader and former Himachal Pradesh chief minister PK Dhumal said the opposition front would fall “like a pack of cards” before the Lok Sabha elections.

    BSP chief Mayawati, meanwhile, announced that her party will go it alone in the next Lok Sabha elections as well as in Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana, dubbing the NDA, INDIA coalitions “anti-Dalit” alliances.

    A resolution adopted at a meeting of the 39 constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Delhi on Tuesday said the opposition is faced with a crisis of identity and relevance. “Today, the opposition is confused and disoriented,” the resolution said.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed the meeting. The BJP also intensified the online political fight as the party posted three short videos on social media portraying its rivals as ten-headed Ravana.

    ALSO READ | Opposition bloc ‘INDIA’ gets its tagline; BJP calls it as ‘ten-headed’ Ravana

    In one video, the BJP sought to convey that the people of the country are confused with the opposition alliance as it does not have any policy, vision and a leader to head the coalition.

    The BJP also took a swipe at the opposition parties over a Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator’s remark in the Maharashtra Assembly on chanting ‘Vande Mataram’, asking if this was their idea of ‘INDIA’.

    The BJP’s reaction came after SP MLA Abu Azmi, while raising the Sambhajinagar district riots issue in the Assembly, said chanting ‘Vande Mataram’ was unacceptable to him.

    “Is this idea of I.N.D.I.A? Or is this anti-India? SP is a part of this alleged I.N.D.I.A,” BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a tweet, taking a swipe at the newly formed coalition.

    Asked about the name INDIA chosen by opposition parties for their alliance, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, “Someone does not change by changing the name. They are the same people. It is a old wine in a new bottle.”

    The new alliance, meanwhile, finalised “Jeetega Bharat” as its tagline, setting the tone for its Lok Sabha election campaign. The Hindi tagline means “India will win” and is likely to be replicated in several regional languages, sources said.

    ALSO READ | Inside Opposition’s meet: A look at how ‘INDIA’ was chosen alliance name

    Talking to reporters after inaugurating a month-long ‘Malmas Mela’ in Rajgir in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar claimed that the BJP will be wiped out in the Lok Sabha polls.

    “The (Bengaluru) meeting was very fruitful and we all are very happy with the outcome. I could not attend the press conference after the conclave as I had to come back to Patna. My effort is to unite all opposition parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and now things are taking shape,” the JD(U) leader said.

    BJP leader Sushil Modi on Tuesday had claimed that Nitish Kumar returned to Patna without attending the press meet as he was “upset” over not being made the convenor of the alliance. The CM asked, “Who takes Sushil Modi seriously?”

    “We are working to unify all non-BJP parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Patna opposition meeting was attended by 16 parties and there were 26 parties in Bengaluru. Our numbers are increasing and the unity of the opposition parties is getting strengthened,” he added.

    JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh ‘Lalan’ described as “dushprachar” (canard) reports of Nitish Kumar being unhappy with the acronym INDIA and going into a sulk over not being made convener of the new coalition. The name INDIA bore the stamp of approval from all leaders present at the opposition conclave, said Lalan, who accompanied the CM on the trip to Bengaluru. He also asserted that selecting the convenor was not on the agenda of Tuesday’s meeting.

    “It may be thought about when the next meeting takes place in Mumbai….Nitish Kumar is the sutradhar (driving force) of opposition unity. And a sutradhar never gets angry,” Lalan said in Patna. He also claimed that the NDA meeting on Tuesday was indicative of its “desperation”.

    READ MORE:

    Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala asserted that no matter how hard the BJP tries to create a rift in the opposition alliance INDIA, it will not succeed. “We are all united. No matter how hard the BJP and Modi ji try to create a rift in Team India, they will not succeed,” he told reporters in Delhi.

    “The restlessness of the BJP is understandable. I wish them luck in continuing with their conspiratorial agenda.”

    Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said parties that love the country and motherland have come together, and asserted there is now a strong front against “dictatorship.”

    SP president Akhilesh Yadav took a dig at the NDA and said the ruling coalition’s meeting in Delhi was its “farewell ceremony.”

    “The BJP has become afraid of ‘INDIA’. This name (of the opposition bloc) is good. ‘INDIA’ is a message of development and inclusiveness,” Yadav said in a statement in Lucknow.

    Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also took a swipe at the BJP, saying the ruling party remembered the NDA only after 26 opposition parties came together to form the grouping ‘INDIA’.

    AIADMK general secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami claimed the NDA would win 330 seats in the Lok Sabha elections.

    BJP leader and former Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the new opposition grouping does not have a consensus candidate to take on Prime Minister Modi and they will soon start fighting among themselves.

    (With Additional Inputs from PTI)

    NEW DELHI: With battlelines drawn for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the newly formed opposition alliance ‘INDIA’ on Wednesday braced for a bumpy ride ahead from ironing out differences in states to seat sharing and choosing its leader even as the ruling BJP called the coalition “old wine in a new bottle.” 

    As a political slugfest erupted a day after 26 opposition parties formed a front — Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) — to unitedly take on the ruling BJP-led NDA at the Centre, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the Congress rejected speculation that the JD(U) leader was dissatisfied for not being made the convenor of the new grouping.

    Kumar, who hosted the first mega meeting of opposition parties in Patna last month, also reiterated he does not have any ambition for himself, adding leaders at the opposition conclave held in Bengaluru on Tuesday were happy at the outcome of the deliberations.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    While Congress leader Jairam Ramesh told PTI there is a “new enthusiasm” among the constituents of INDIA, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee claimed that the BJP was “shivering with fear” after the formation of the opposition grouping.

    The assertions by Ramesh and Banerjee came even as senior BJP leader and former Himachal Pradesh chief minister PK Dhumal said the opposition front would fall “like a pack of cards” before the Lok Sabha elections.

    BSP chief Mayawati, meanwhile, announced that her party will go it alone in the next Lok Sabha elections as well as in Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana, dubbing the NDA, INDIA coalitions “anti-Dalit” alliances.

    A resolution adopted at a meeting of the 39 constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Delhi on Tuesday said the opposition is faced with a crisis of identity and relevance. “Today, the opposition is confused and disoriented,” the resolution said.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed the meeting. The BJP also intensified the online political fight as the party posted three short videos on social media portraying its rivals as ten-headed Ravana.

    ALSO READ | Opposition bloc ‘INDIA’ gets its tagline; BJP calls it as ‘ten-headed’ Ravana

    In one video, the BJP sought to convey that the people of the country are confused with the opposition alliance as it does not have any policy, vision and a leader to head the coalition.

    The BJP also took a swipe at the opposition parties over a Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator’s remark in the Maharashtra Assembly on chanting ‘Vande Mataram’, asking if this was their idea of ‘INDIA’.

    The BJP’s reaction came after SP MLA Abu Azmi, while raising the Sambhajinagar district riots issue in the Assembly, said chanting ‘Vande Mataram’ was unacceptable to him.

    “Is this idea of I.N.D.I.A? Or is this anti-India? SP is a part of this alleged I.N.D.I.A,” BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said in a tweet, taking a swipe at the newly formed coalition.

    Asked about the name INDIA chosen by opposition parties for their alliance, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said, “Someone does not change by changing the name. They are the same people. It is a old wine in a new bottle.”

    The new alliance, meanwhile, finalised “Jeetega Bharat” as its tagline, setting the tone for its Lok Sabha election campaign. The Hindi tagline means “India will win” and is likely to be replicated in several regional languages, sources said.

    ALSO READ | Inside Opposition’s meet: A look at how ‘INDIA’ was chosen alliance name

    Talking to reporters after inaugurating a month-long ‘Malmas Mela’ in Rajgir in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar claimed that the BJP will be wiped out in the Lok Sabha polls.

    “The (Bengaluru) meeting was very fruitful and we all are very happy with the outcome. I could not attend the press conference after the conclave as I had to come back to Patna. My effort is to unite all opposition parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and now things are taking shape,” the JD(U) leader said.

    BJP leader Sushil Modi on Tuesday had claimed that Nitish Kumar returned to Patna without attending the press meet as he was “upset” over not being made the convenor of the alliance. The CM asked, “Who takes Sushil Modi seriously?”

    “We are working to unify all non-BJP parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Patna opposition meeting was attended by 16 parties and there were 26 parties in Bengaluru. Our numbers are increasing and the unity of the opposition parties is getting strengthened,” he added.

    JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh ‘Lalan’ described as “dushprachar” (canard) reports of Nitish Kumar being unhappy with the acronym INDIA and going into a sulk over not being made convener of the new coalition. The name INDIA bore the stamp of approval from all leaders present at the opposition conclave, said Lalan, who accompanied the CM on the trip to Bengaluru. He also asserted that selecting the convenor was not on the agenda of Tuesday’s meeting.

    “It may be thought about when the next meeting takes place in Mumbai….Nitish Kumar is the sutradhar (driving force) of opposition unity. And a sutradhar never gets angry,” Lalan said in Patna. He also claimed that the NDA meeting on Tuesday was indicative of its “desperation”.

    READ MORE:

    ‘INDIA’: Opposition alliance gets a name, to set up 11-member coordination committee
    NDA will secure over 50 per cent of votes in 2024 Lok Sabha elections, says PM Modi
    Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala asserted that no matter how hard the BJP tries to create a rift in the opposition alliance INDIA, it will not succeed. “We are all united. No matter how hard the BJP and Modi ji try to create a rift in Team India, they will not succeed,” he told reporters in Delhi.

    “The restlessness of the BJP is understandable. I wish them luck in continuing with their conspiratorial agenda.”

    Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said parties that love the country and motherland have come together, and asserted there is now a strong front against “dictatorship.”

    SP president Akhilesh Yadav took a dig at the NDA and said the ruling coalition’s meeting in Delhi was its “farewell ceremony.”

    “The BJP has become afraid of ‘INDIA’. This name (of the opposition bloc) is good. ‘INDIA’ is a message of development and inclusiveness,” Yadav said in a statement in Lucknow.

    Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also took a swipe at the BJP, saying the ruling party remembered the NDA only after 26 opposition parties came together to form the grouping ‘INDIA’.

    AIADMK general secretary and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami claimed the NDA would win 330 seats in the Lok Sabha elections.

    BJP leader and former Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the new opposition grouping does not have a consensus candidate to take on Prime Minister Modi and they will soon start fighting among themselves.

    (With Additional Inputs from PTI)

  • Monsoon Session showdown: Opposition to raise key national issues; Centre aims to push 31 Bills

    By Online Desk

    Ahead of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session, ‘INDIA’, the newly formed alliance of Opposition parties is aiming to raise key issues including the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, while the Centre aims to take up as many 31 bills during the session.

    Apart from the situation in Manipur, the opposition will also raise the issue of rail safety, on the back of the horrific triple train crash in Odisha’s Balasore district on June 2. 

    Unemployment, inflation, the status of the India-China Border and the trade balance between the two countries are among other key issues set to be raised by these parties.

    AAP’s fight against the Union government’s ordinance — bypassing an SC verdict — on the transfer and posting of bureaucrats in Delhi will also take centre stage in the monsoon session.

    Some of the parties have planned to move an adjournment motion over Manipur violence among other issues on day one of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session on Thursday.

    The Monsoon Session will be conducted till August 11 and will have 17 sittings.

    Almost all the parties including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharat Rashtra Smithi (BRS), Samajwadi Party, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal United (JDU), Dravina Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), CPM, CPI, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) shared their plan while speaking to media followed by an all-party meeting called by the government in the Parliament premises. A total of 34 parties and 44 leaders participated in the meeting.

    The Congress on Wednesday announced to raise the Manipur violence issue on day one of the Monsoon Session seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply over the matter.

    “Today, in the beginning (of the meeting), I kept my point. Our first issue is the violence in Manipur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should come and answer in Parliament over the issue. We will bring adjournment motion over the matter tomorrow,” Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary told ANI after attending an all-party meeting called by the government.

    Choudhary, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, also said that there should be a discussion on the issue of flood and the federal structure of India.

    In the meeting, Choudhary said, he asked the government to allow all opposition parties to speak in the House pointing “We have not come here for tourism so want discussion in House.”

    Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the opposition’s demand for a discussion on the situation in Manipur is “non-negotiable”, asserting that the government must shun its “my way or the highway” approach and follow a middle path for the smooth functioning of Parliament.

    Ramesh said his party will oppose the bill that would be brought in to replace the Delhi ordinance, which he alleged “curtails constitutional rights and responsibilities of the elected government.”

    Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the government was ready for a discussion on the situation in Manipur but termed a “caveat for disruption” the opposition’s demand for a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

    “All parties have been demanding a discussion on Manipur. The government is ready for a discussion on Manipur whenever the Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha Speaker decide a date and time,” Joshi said after the meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

    Asked about the opposition’s demand for a statement by the prime minister, Joshi said when the government has agreed to a discussion, then raising issues that the prime minister should come is like putting a caveat for creating disruption in Parliament.

    AAP leader Sanjay Singh objected to bringing the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 and said his party as well as other like-minded Opposition parties will oppose when the Bill will be introduced in the House for its passage. He further stated his party will also raise Manipur violence and misuse of Central agencies among other issues.

    IUML leader Mohd Basheer said he registered a strong protest against Uniform Civil Code in the meeting and “I say that it is dangerous and will disturb the harmony of the country.”

    JDU raised the question of inflation, unemployment, flood, and no caste census as its leader Lallan Singh said “No one gave any answer on whether it will be discussed or not”.

    DMK’s Tiruchi Siva raised the issue of the Tamil Nadu Governor’s recent activity in the state and demanded that RN Ravi should be recalled.

    He also demanded that the Manipur incident should be discussed in the Monsoon Session and that PM Modi should come to the House and give his statement.

    Issues of unemployment were raised by the DMK leader, who also demanded that the Uniform Civil Code should not be brought. “All issues raised to be considered by the government,” said T Shiva.

    The contentious Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 is among 31 Bills that are listed for the Monsoon Session of the Parliament beginning on Thursday.

    Apart from the Personal Data Protection Bill, the bill to replace the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, promulgated in May this year is among other key Bills listed for the monsoon session. The ordinance deals with the control of services in Delhi and was promulgated after the Supreme Court verdict on an appeal by the Delhi government.  

    As per a list, all these 31 Bills will be tabled in the Monsoon Session, which consists of 17 sittings in the old Parliament building.

    The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (To replace ordinance) is on the top among all 31 Bills followed by the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019; the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019; the Mediation Bill, 2021; the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022; the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023; the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023; the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022 (with respect to State of Himachal Pradesh); the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022 (with respect to State of Chhattisgarh); he Postal Services Bill, 2023; the National Cooperative University Bill, 2023; and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

    (With additional inputs from ANI and PTI)

    Ahead of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session, ‘INDIA’, the newly formed alliance of Opposition parties is aiming to raise key issues including the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, while the Centre aims to take up as many 31 bills during the session.

    Apart from the situation in Manipur, the opposition will also raise the issue of rail safety, on the back of the horrific triple train crash in Odisha’s Balasore district on June 2. 

    googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Unemployment, inflation, the status of the India-China Border and the trade balance between the two countries are among other key issues set to be raised by these parties.

    AAP’s fight against the Union government’s ordinance — bypassing an SC verdict — on the transfer and posting of bureaucrats in Delhi will also take centre stage in the monsoon session.

    Some of the parties have planned to move an adjournment motion over Manipur violence among other issues on day one of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session on Thursday.

    The Monsoon Session will be conducted till August 11 and will have 17 sittings.

    Almost all the parties including the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharat Rashtra Smithi (BRS), Samajwadi Party, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal United (JDU), Dravina Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), CPM, CPI, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) shared their plan while speaking to media followed by an all-party meeting called by the government in the Parliament premises. A total of 34 parties and 44 leaders participated in the meeting.

    The Congress on Wednesday announced to raise the Manipur violence issue on day one of the Monsoon Session seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply over the matter.

    “Today, in the beginning (of the meeting), I kept my point. Our first issue is the violence in Manipur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should come and answer in Parliament over the issue. We will bring adjournment motion over the matter tomorrow,” Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary told ANI after attending an all-party meeting called by the government.

    Choudhary, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, also said that there should be a discussion on the issue of flood and the federal structure of India.

    In the meeting, Choudhary said, he asked the government to allow all opposition parties to speak in the House pointing “We have not come here for tourism so want discussion in House.”

    Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the opposition’s demand for a discussion on the situation in Manipur is “non-negotiable”, asserting that the government must shun its “my way or the highway” approach and follow a middle path for the smooth functioning of Parliament.

    Ramesh said his party will oppose the bill that would be brought in to replace the Delhi ordinance, which he alleged “curtails constitutional rights and responsibilities of the elected government.”

    Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said the government was ready for a discussion on the situation in Manipur but termed a “caveat for disruption” the opposition’s demand for a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

    “All parties have been demanding a discussion on Manipur. The government is ready for a discussion on Manipur whenever the Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha Speaker decide a date and time,” Joshi said after the meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

    Asked about the opposition’s demand for a statement by the prime minister, Joshi said when the government has agreed to a discussion, then raising issues that the prime minister should come is like putting a caveat for creating disruption in Parliament.

    AAP leader Sanjay Singh objected to bringing the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 and said his party as well as other like-minded Opposition parties will oppose when the Bill will be introduced in the House for its passage. He further stated his party will also raise Manipur violence and misuse of Central agencies among other issues.

    IUML leader Mohd Basheer said he registered a strong protest against Uniform Civil Code in the meeting and “I say that it is dangerous and will disturb the harmony of the country.”

    JDU raised the question of inflation, unemployment, flood, and no caste census as its leader Lallan Singh said “No one gave any answer on whether it will be discussed or not”.

    DMK’s Tiruchi Siva raised the issue of the Tamil Nadu Governor’s recent activity in the state and demanded that RN Ravi should be recalled.

    He also demanded that the Manipur incident should be discussed in the Monsoon Session and that PM Modi should come to the House and give his statement.

    Issues of unemployment were raised by the DMK leader, who also demanded that the Uniform Civil Code should not be brought. “All issues raised to be considered by the government,” said T Shiva.

    The contentious Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 is among 31 Bills that are listed for the Monsoon Session of the Parliament beginning on Thursday.

    Apart from the Personal Data Protection Bill, the bill to replace the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, promulgated in May this year is among other key Bills listed for the monsoon session. The ordinance deals with the control of services in Delhi and was promulgated after the Supreme Court verdict on an appeal by the Delhi government.  

    As per a list, all these 31 Bills will be tabled in the Monsoon Session, which consists of 17 sittings in the old Parliament building.

    The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (To replace ordinance) is on the top among all 31 Bills followed by the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019; the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019; the Mediation Bill, 2021; the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022; the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023; the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023; the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022 (with respect to State of Himachal Pradesh); the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022 (with respect to State of Chhattisgarh); he Postal Services Bill, 2023; the National Cooperative University Bill, 2023; and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

    (With additional inputs from ANI and PTI)

  • PM Modi claims Opposition insulted country’s sentiments by boycotting Parliament inauguration

    By PTI

    AJMER: In his first remarks on the Congress-led Opposition boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said they “insulted” the sentiment of the country and the hard work of 60,000 labourers.

    “India got a new Parliament building three days back. I ask you whether you are proud of it or not. Did you feel the joy on the increase in India’s prestige? The Congress and some parties like it hurled muck of politics on this too,” he said at a rally in Ajmer.

    Modi also said the Congress is a party that took “85 per cent commission”, and referred to a statement by former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi that when his government sent one rupee only 15 paise would reach the intended beneficiary.

    The Congress and 20 other parties boycotted the inauguration of the new Parliament building by the prime minister on Sunday, saying it was an insult to President Droupadi Murmu, a tribal woman, that she was not invited by the government to do the honours.

    Referring to the inauguration of the new Parliament building, Modi said such opportunities come once in generations, but the Congress used this for its “selfish protest.”

    “They insulted the hard work of 60,000 (Shramjivis) labourers and the sentiment of the country,” he said, adding that Congress is unable to digest the progress India is making.

    Modi alleged the main Opposition party is angry because a “son of the poor” is not allowing it to do what it wants and is “raising questions on their corruption and parivarwad (dynastic politics).”

    The prime minister accused the Congress of following a policy of misleading the poor and keeping them deprived during its rule.

    “Fifty years ago, Congress guaranteed that it will remove poverty. But it turned out to be their biggest betrayal to the poor. It has been a policy of the Congress to mislead the poor and keep them deprived. The people of Rajasthan have also suffered a lot due to this.”

    The rally marked the start of a series of BJP public meetings over a month in a major outreach campaign as the party completes nine years in power at the Centre.

    The Congress-run Rajasthan goes to the polls this year-end.

    Before addressing the rally at Kayad Vishram Sthali on the Jaipur-Ajmer Road, Modi offered prayers at the Brahma temple in Pushkar.

    The nine years of the BJP government were dedicated to the service of people, good governance, and welfare of the poor, Modi said.

    Before 2014, he said, people were on the streets against corruption, terror attacks rocked major cities, crimes against women were rising, policies were in disarray, investors were disappointed and there was a “superpower” over the then-prime minister and his government was being run by remote control.

    During its rule, the Congress developed a corrupt system that “sucked the country’s blood”, he said.

    Now, the prime minister said, people across the world are talking about India, and experts are saying India is very close to ending extreme poverty.

    “Behind every success the country achieves, there is sweat of the people of India. The determination shown by every Indian to take the country forward is unique, but some people are not able to digest this,” he said.

    “When it comes to loot, the Congress does not discriminate against anyone. The Congress loots every citizen of the country equally be it poor, Dalit, oppressed, tribals, minorities, women or youths,” he said.

    There has never been a dearth of money for development work in the country, the prime minister said.

    “It is important that the money sent for development work is fully used in the work but the Congress had developed a corrupt system which was hollowing out the country,” he said.

    Development accomplished under the last nine years has been possible as the BJP government eliminated the path of loot the Congress carved, Modi said, adding had the grand old party been in power such achievement was not possible.

    He said the general vaccination campaign run under the Congress government is an example of how the party “played with the lives” of crores of women and children.

    “When the Congress government was in power, the vaccination coverage in the country was just about 60 per cent. At that time, 40 out of 100 pregnant women and children could not get life saving vaccines.”

    “Had the Congress government been there, it would have taken another 40 years for 100 per cent vaccination coverage. How many generations would have passed? A large number of poor women and children would have to lose their lives,” he said.

    He said only 14 crore people had gas connections before 2014, and at that rate, it would have taken another 20 years to cover the entire country.

    But this situation was not acceptable to him, and therefore, the PM said, he ensured 19 crore gas connections are given in just nine years.

    He made similar comparisons for other schemes as well.

    He said that his government gave One Rank One Pension to soldiers, while the Congress “betrayed” brave soldiers over the issue. The OROP would not have seen the light of day if the Congress were in power, he said.

    Attacking the state government, he said people gave a mandate to the Congress but the chief minister, his ministers and MLAs are busy fighting among themselves, and there is instability and anarchy.

    “The Congress in Rajasthan is not worried about the public. Crime is at its peak. People cannot celebrate festivals peacefully. The government has drowned in appeasement of terrorism,” he said.

    He also alleged the Congress government has given a free hand to those who do not care about the interests of their daughters.

    “In nine years, the BJP government paid attention to every problem related to mothers and sisters,” he said, highlighting women’s welfare schemes of his government.

    Union ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal, Kailash Chaudhary, Gajendra Singh, BJP state president CP Joshi, his predecessor Satish Poonia, former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore and other leaders were also present on the stage.

    Modi began his 40-minute address by paying tributes to deities people in the area revere such as including Tejaji, Lord Devnarayan, Diggi Kalyan, Mata Shakambhari, Khoda Ganeshji. He said Ajmer has been home to sages and also houses the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti.

    This was the second visit of Modi to Rajasthan in less than a month. Earlier this month, Modi visited Rajsamand and Sirohi districts.

    AJMER: In his first remarks on the Congress-led Opposition boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said they “insulted” the sentiment of the country and the hard work of 60,000 labourers.

    “India got a new Parliament building three days back. I ask you whether you are proud of it or not. Did you feel the joy on the increase in India’s prestige? The Congress and some parties like it hurled muck of politics on this too,” he said at a rally in Ajmer.

    Modi also said the Congress is a party that took “85 per cent commission”, and referred to a statement by former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi that when his government sent one rupee only 15 paise would reach the intended beneficiary.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The Congress and 20 other parties boycotted the inauguration of the new Parliament building by the prime minister on Sunday, saying it was an insult to President Droupadi Murmu, a tribal woman, that she was not invited by the government to do the honours.

    Referring to the inauguration of the new Parliament building, Modi said such opportunities come once in generations, but the Congress used this for its “selfish protest.”

    “They insulted the hard work of 60,000 (Shramjivis) labourers and the sentiment of the country,” he said, adding that Congress is unable to digest the progress India is making.

    Modi alleged the main Opposition party is angry because a “son of the poor” is not allowing it to do what it wants and is “raising questions on their corruption and parivarwad (dynastic politics).”

    The prime minister accused the Congress of following a policy of misleading the poor and keeping them deprived during its rule.

    “Fifty years ago, Congress guaranteed that it will remove poverty. But it turned out to be their biggest betrayal to the poor. It has been a policy of the Congress to mislead the poor and keep them deprived. The people of Rajasthan have also suffered a lot due to this.”

    The rally marked the start of a series of BJP public meetings over a month in a major outreach campaign as the party completes nine years in power at the Centre.

    The Congress-run Rajasthan goes to the polls this year-end.

    Before addressing the rally at Kayad Vishram Sthali on the Jaipur-Ajmer Road, Modi offered prayers at the Brahma temple in Pushkar.

    The nine years of the BJP government were dedicated to the service of people, good governance, and welfare of the poor, Modi said.

    Before 2014, he said, people were on the streets against corruption, terror attacks rocked major cities, crimes against women were rising, policies were in disarray, investors were disappointed and there was a “superpower” over the then-prime minister and his government was being run by remote control.

    During its rule, the Congress developed a corrupt system that “sucked the country’s blood”, he said.

    Now, the prime minister said, people across the world are talking about India, and experts are saying India is very close to ending extreme poverty.

    “Behind every success the country achieves, there is sweat of the people of India. The determination shown by every Indian to take the country forward is unique, but some people are not able to digest this,” he said.

    “When it comes to loot, the Congress does not discriminate against anyone. The Congress loots every citizen of the country equally be it poor, Dalit, oppressed, tribals, minorities, women or youths,” he said.

    There has never been a dearth of money for development work in the country, the prime minister said.

    “It is important that the money sent for development work is fully used in the work but the Congress had developed a corrupt system which was hollowing out the country,” he said.

    Development accomplished under the last nine years has been possible as the BJP government eliminated the path of loot the Congress carved, Modi said, adding had the grand old party been in power such achievement was not possible.

    He said the general vaccination campaign run under the Congress government is an example of how the party “played with the lives” of crores of women and children.

    “When the Congress government was in power, the vaccination coverage in the country was just about 60 per cent. At that time, 40 out of 100 pregnant women and children could not get life saving vaccines.”

    “Had the Congress government been there, it would have taken another 40 years for 100 per cent vaccination coverage. How many generations would have passed? A large number of poor women and children would have to lose their lives,” he said.

    He said only 14 crore people had gas connections before 2014, and at that rate, it would have taken another 20 years to cover the entire country.

    But this situation was not acceptable to him, and therefore, the PM said, he ensured 19 crore gas connections are given in just nine years.

    He made similar comparisons for other schemes as well.

    He said that his government gave One Rank One Pension to soldiers, while the Congress “betrayed” brave soldiers over the issue. The OROP would not have seen the light of day if the Congress were in power, he said.

    Attacking the state government, he said people gave a mandate to the Congress but the chief minister, his ministers and MLAs are busy fighting among themselves, and there is instability and anarchy.

    “The Congress in Rajasthan is not worried about the public. Crime is at its peak. People cannot celebrate festivals peacefully. The government has drowned in appeasement of terrorism,” he said.

    He also alleged the Congress government has given a free hand to those who do not care about the interests of their daughters.

    “In nine years, the BJP government paid attention to every problem related to mothers and sisters,” he said, highlighting women’s welfare schemes of his government.

    Union ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal, Kailash Chaudhary, Gajendra Singh, BJP state president CP Joshi, his predecessor Satish Poonia, former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore and other leaders were also present on the stage.

    Modi began his 40-minute address by paying tributes to deities people in the area revere such as including Tejaji, Lord Devnarayan, Diggi Kalyan, Mata Shakambhari, Khoda Ganeshji. He said Ajmer has been home to sages and also houses the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti.

    This was the second visit of Modi to Rajasthan in less than a month. Earlier this month, Modi visited Rajsamand and Sirohi districts.

  • Road to 2024: Meeting of opposition parties to be held in Patna on June 12

    Express News Service

    PATNA: A much-awaited meeting of Opposition parties to chalk out strategy to counter the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is set to be held in Patna on June 12. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar will chair the meeting.

    Nitish hinted at the proposed meeting of Opposition parties to be held in the state capital on June 12 while speaking on the concluding day of the two-day conclave of the JD(U) office bearers in Patna on Sunday.

    Kumar, the JD(U)’s supremo, has been pitching for “opposition unity” ever since he snapped ties with the BJP in August last year, following accusations that the ally was trying to create fissures in his party and diminish his standing. Leaders from several parties have thanked him on the occasion and appreciated his step.

    “We have been working for Opposition unity ever since the grand alliance government was formed in Bihar. The positive result of our efforts for uniting Opposition parties against BJP will be visible soon,” he asserted.

    He said the date of the meeting has been finalised after consultation with leaders from Opposition parties across the country. On May 22, Nitish had called on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.

    At the joint press conference, both Rahul and Nitish had said that the date of the meeting of Opposition parties would be finalised in two-three days. The leaders of over two dozen non-BJP parties will attend the meeting.

    Earlier, Nitish had met his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and leaders from the Left parties.

    As part of the “opposition unity” drive, Kumar has held parleys with not only Congress allies like Uddhav and Pawar but also its opponents like Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao.

    A meeting with Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, ostensibly to seek land for a Bihar government guest house in that state, is being used by BJP to mock Kumar as the Biju Janata Dal supremo has virtually ruled out joining any broader formation.

    In fact, the idea of hosting a meeting of opposition leaders in Patna was floated by Banerjee, who had invoked the memory of Jayaprakash Narayan upon meeting Kumar in Kolkata last month.

    All eyes would now be on which parties agree to be represented in the meeting, given faultlines like Congress’ mistrust of Kejriwal and KCR and Banerjee’s famed rivalry with the Left.

    (With additional inputs from PTI)

    PATNA: A much-awaited meeting of Opposition parties to chalk out strategy to counter the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is set to be held in Patna on June 12. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar will chair the meeting.

    Nitish hinted at the proposed meeting of Opposition parties to be held in the state capital on June 12 while speaking on the concluding day of the two-day conclave of the JD(U) office bearers in Patna on Sunday.

    Kumar, the JD(U)’s supremo, has been pitching for “opposition unity” ever since he snapped ties with the BJP in August last year, following accusations that the ally was trying to create fissures in his party and diminish his standing. Leaders from several parties have thanked him on the occasion and appreciated his step.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    “We have been working for Opposition unity ever since the grand alliance government was formed in Bihar. The positive result of our efforts for uniting Opposition parties against BJP will be visible soon,” he asserted.

    He said the date of the meeting has been finalised after consultation with leaders from Opposition parties across the country. On May 22, Nitish had called on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.

    At the joint press conference, both Rahul and Nitish had said that the date of the meeting of Opposition parties would be finalised in two-three days. The leaders of over two dozen non-BJP parties will attend the meeting.

    Earlier, Nitish had met his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and leaders from the Left parties.

    As part of the “opposition unity” drive, Kumar has held parleys with not only Congress allies like Uddhav and Pawar but also its opponents like Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao.

    A meeting with Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, ostensibly to seek land for a Bihar government guest house in that state, is being used by BJP to mock Kumar as the Biju Janata Dal supremo has virtually ruled out joining any broader formation.

    In fact, the idea of hosting a meeting of opposition leaders in Patna was floated by Banerjee, who had invoked the memory of Jayaprakash Narayan upon meeting Kumar in Kolkata last month.

    All eyes would now be on which parties agree to be represented in the meeting, given faultlines like Congress’ mistrust of Kejriwal and KCR and Banerjee’s famed rivalry with the Left.

    (With additional inputs from PTI)

  • PM Modi lashes at Opposition, says committed to taking tough steps to rid India of graft, nepotism

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: As the saffron party celebrates its 44th foundation day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the party workers virtually in the Parliament, here today. 

    Addressing the party workers, PM Modi said that the party stands against dynastic politics. He added that BJP works with the spirits of ‘social justice’ for ‘Saab Ka Vikash” with ‘Saab ke saath’ while other parties like Congress and like-minded have an identity of ‘parivarbad, vanshvaad’ and ‘Jaativad’ in politics (dynasty, nepotism and casteist political parties).

    Over 80 crore people get free benefits under PM Anna Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana & other govt schemes, he added.

    #WATCH | BJP believes in social justice; 80 cr people get free benefits under PM Anna Yojana. People also get benefits from Jan Dhan Yojana & other govt schemes. This is social justice that BJP is doing but the opposition party only thinks about their family: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/E7Sv9AR0ff
    — ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2023
    Applauding democracy PM Modi said, BJP has taken birth from the womb of Democracy, has been nourished and nurtured with the ‘Amrit’ of the Democracy, and has been deeply consecrated to strengthen the Constitution and Democracy.

    Modi drew parallels between Lord Hanuman and the BJP and asserted that the party believed in the ideals of selfless service. He said India was realising its potential just like Lord Hanuman after eliminating self-doubt.

    “If we see the whole life of Lord Hanuman, he had a ‘can-do’ attitude that helped him achieve big successes,” PM Modi said.

    He alleged that the opposition parties could not think big, set small goals and were satisfied with small achievements while BJP believes in dreaming big and achieving even bigger goals.

    He said: “The people of the country in 2014 had not only changed the government but also heralded a new journey of India’s renaissance after coming out of the slavery of more than 800 years. Now, India as a nation has risen again to regain its lost glory”.

    Modi said even though the British has left in 1947, they left the mentality of keeping people as slaves here. “After independence, such a class flourished in the country which considered as its birthright”, he remarked, adding that the people of class with imperial mentality have always treated the people of the country as their slaves.

    “Today, they have become so desperate that they have openly started saying ‘Modi teri kabar khudegi’,” PM Modi said.

    The prime minister stressed on forming new intellectual cells, and youth cells using technology-driven initiatives to bring changes in society. He also advised the party to train the workers in using social media for sharing government performances. He motivated the party workers to keep interacting with the people not only to win the elections but also to serve them by redressing the people’s problems.

    NEW DELHI: As the saffron party celebrates its 44th foundation day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the party workers virtually in the Parliament, here today. 

    Addressing the party workers, PM Modi said that the party stands against dynastic politics. He added that BJP works with the spirits of ‘social justice’ for ‘Saab Ka Vikash” with ‘Saab ke saath’ while other parties like Congress and like-minded have an identity of ‘parivarbad, vanshvaad’ and ‘Jaativad’ in politics (dynasty, nepotism and casteist political parties).

    Over 80 crore people get free benefits under PM Anna Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana & other govt schemes, he added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    #WATCH | BJP believes in social justice; 80 cr people get free benefits under PM Anna Yojana. People also get benefits from Jan Dhan Yojana & other govt schemes. This is social justice that BJP is doing but the opposition party only thinks about their family: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/E7Sv9AR0ff
    — ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2023
    Applauding democracy PM Modi said, BJP has taken birth from the womb of Democracy, has been nourished and nurtured with the ‘Amrit’ of the Democracy, and has been deeply consecrated to strengthen the Constitution and Democracy.

    Modi drew parallels between Lord Hanuman and the BJP and asserted that the party believed in the ideals of selfless service. He said India was realising its potential just like Lord Hanuman after eliminating self-doubt.

    “If we see the whole life of Lord Hanuman, he had a ‘can-do’ attitude that helped him achieve big successes,” PM Modi said.

    He alleged that the opposition parties could not think big, set small goals and were satisfied with small achievements while BJP believes in dreaming big and achieving even bigger goals.

    He said: “The people of the country in 2014 had not only changed the government but also heralded a new journey of India’s renaissance after coming out of the slavery of more than 800 years. Now, India as a nation has risen again to regain its lost glory”.

    Modi said even though the British has left in 1947, they left the mentality of keeping people as slaves here. “After independence, such a class flourished in the country which considered as its birthright”, he remarked, adding that the people of class with imperial mentality have always treated the people of the country as their slaves.

    “Today, they have become so desperate that they have openly started saying ‘Modi teri kabar khudegi’,” PM Modi said.

    The prime minister stressed on forming new intellectual cells, and youth cells using technology-driven initiatives to bring changes in society. He also advised the party to train the workers in using social media for sharing government performances. He motivated the party workers to keep interacting with the people not only to win the elections but also to serve them by redressing the people’s problems.