News Analysis India

Tag: opposition

  • Supreme Court junks plea filed by 14 parties over ‘misuse of central probe agencies’

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a plea by 14 parties, led by the Congress, alleging arbitrary use of central probe agencies against opposition leaders and seeking guidelines for the future.

    A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice J B Pardiwala said that “laying down general guidelines without having relation to facts of a case will be dangerous”.

    Sensing the disinclination on the part of the top court in entertaining the plea, senior advocate A M Sighvi, appearing for the political parties, sought permission to withdraw the petition.

    “Learned counsel seeks permission to withdraw the plea at this stage. The petition is accordingly dismissed as withdrawn,” the bench ordered.

    “You please come back to us when you have an individual criminal case or group of cases,” the bench said.

    The plea alleged an alarming rise in the use of coercive criminal processes against opposition political leaders and other citizens exercising their fundamental right to dissent.

    Besides the Congress, the parties that are part of the joint move are the DMK, RJD, BRS, Trinamool Congress, AAP, NCP, Shiv Sena (UBT), JMM, JD(U), CPI(M), CPI, Samajwadi Party and the J-K National Conference.

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a plea by 14 parties, led by the Congress, alleging arbitrary use of central probe agencies against opposition leaders and seeking guidelines for the future.

    A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice J B Pardiwala said that “laying down general guidelines without having relation to facts of a case will be dangerous”.

    Sensing the disinclination on the part of the top court in entertaining the plea, senior advocate A M Sighvi, appearing for the political parties, sought permission to withdraw the petition.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “Learned counsel seeks permission to withdraw the plea at this stage. The petition is accordingly dismissed as withdrawn,” the bench ordered.

    “You please come back to us when you have an individual criminal case or group of cases,” the bench said.

    The plea alleged an alarming rise in the use of coercive criminal processes against opposition political leaders and other citizens exercising their fundamental right to dissent.

    Besides the Congress, the parties that are part of the joint move are the DMK, RJD, BRS, Trinamool Congress, AAP, NCP, Shiv Sena (UBT), JMM, JD(U), CPI(M), CPI, Samajwadi Party and the J-K National Conference.

  • Those involved in corruption coming on one platform: PM Modi attacks Opposition parties

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday linked opposition parties coming together against the BJP to his government’s campaign against corruption, and asserted that the clampdown on graft will continue without being hindered by “false allegations”.

    After inaugurating an extension of the BJP headquarters here, Modi said that at a time when India’s strength is rising to a new high, it is natural that “anti-India” forces within and outside the country will join hands.

    “Some parties have launched ‘bhrashtachari bachao abhiyan’ (save corrupt campaign),” he said in a blistering attack on opposition parties protesting against the alleged misuse of probe agencies such as the ED.

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Lok Sabha following his conviction in a criminal defamation case has also become a rallying point for the Opposition.

    Modi said, “The country will not bend nor will the action against corruption stop due to false allegations.”

    The “anti-India” forces are attacking constitutional institutions as they are the strong “foundation” of a rising India, he said.

    And, to stop the country’s growth, they are resorting to attacking its foundation and are engaged in conspiracies to defame bodies such as the judiciary and probe agencies and destroy their credibility, he said.

    When agencies act against those involved in corruption, they are targeted and when courts deliver a verdict not to the liking of these forces, they are questioned, the prime minister said.

    “Some people are bound to get angry when we act so much against corruption,” he said.

    Never before in the history of independent India, such a big campaign against corruption has taken place and it has rattled the corrupt.

    “All those involved in corruption have come onto one platform,” he said, asserting that people realise that when the BJP comes to power, corruption goes away.

    Citing figures, Modi said that during the Congress-led UPA rule between 2004 and 2014, assets worth Rs 5,000 crore were seized under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, while the figure has zoomed to Rs 1.10 lakh crore in the nine years of the BJP rule.

    The cases registered under the act more than doubled under his government while the number of arrests surged 15 times, he said.

    Under the Congress rule, banks were “looted” and people accused of siphoning off Rs 22,000 crore fled abroad, he said, adding his government has seized their assets worth Rs 20,000 crore.

    The CBI has registered more than 5,000 cases under corruption charges under his government and hundreds of senior officials facing graft allegations were forcibly retired and are facing lawful action, Modi said.

    Corruption has harmed the country a great deal and hollowed it out like termites, he said, adding that people realise that the country will progress only when a graft is contained.

    People, Modi asserted, are applauding his government’s campaign against corruption and tell him wherever he goes, “Don’t stop Modi ji”.

    Taking a swipe at the Opposition for its campaign against the BJP and him, he said senior Congress leaders used to talk about rooting out the Jana Sangh once and now the main opposition party is talking about digging his grave.

    The BJP is a party that sacrificed itself to save democracy, he said, referring to the merger of the Jana Sangh, its earlier avatar, with other parties after the Emergency.

    In a reference to the probe into 2002 Gujarat riots when he was the state’s chief minister, Modi said many conspiracies were hatched to send him to jail but they all failed miserably while he flourished due to people’s blessings.

    In his speech, the prime minister dwelt on the BJP’s growth from having two Lok Sabha seats in 1984 to 303 in 2019.

    In an apparent reference to the anti-Sikh violence following then-prime minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination, he said it was a black chapter that the country will not be able to forget.

    The Congress won a historic mandate in emotionally-charged polls while the BJP was almost destroyed but it did not lose hope and blame others.

    It continued to work among people and strengthened its organisation.

    The BJP has now emerged as the only pan-India party amidst family-run political parties in the country as it worked on the ground with people braving all odds.

    “BJP started its journey from just two Lok Sabha seats and reached 303 in 2019. In many of the states, we get more than 50 per cent votes,” he said.

    “From north to south and from east to west, the BJP is the only pan-India party today,” he added.

    The BJP has emerged as not only the world’s biggest but also the most futuristic party, he said, adding that its only goal is to make a modern and developed India.

    The party is expanding in south India, he said, adding that it is the number one party in Karnataka and is the only reliable force in Telangana.

    It is growing in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, he said.

    “The people of the northeast have shown unprecedented faith in the BJP. It has four chief ministers there and is part of coalition governments in two other states,” he said.

    Modi met workers involved in the construction of the building before its inauguration.

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday linked opposition parties coming together against the BJP to his government’s campaign against corruption, and asserted that the clampdown on graft will continue without being hindered by “false allegations”.

    After inaugurating an extension of the BJP headquarters here, Modi said that at a time when India’s strength is rising to a new high, it is natural that “anti-India” forces within and outside the country will join hands.

    “Some parties have launched ‘bhrashtachari bachao abhiyan’ (save corrupt campaign),” he said in a blistering attack on opposition parties protesting against the alleged misuse of probe agencies such as the ED.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from Lok Sabha following his conviction in a criminal defamation case has also become a rallying point for the Opposition.

    Modi said, “The country will not bend nor will the action against corruption stop due to false allegations.”

    The “anti-India” forces are attacking constitutional institutions as they are the strong “foundation” of a rising India, he said.

    And, to stop the country’s growth, they are resorting to attacking its foundation and are engaged in conspiracies to defame bodies such as the judiciary and probe agencies and destroy their credibility, he said.

    When agencies act against those involved in corruption, they are targeted and when courts deliver a verdict not to the liking of these forces, they are questioned, the prime minister said.

    “Some people are bound to get angry when we act so much against corruption,” he said.

    Never before in the history of independent India, such a big campaign against corruption has taken place and it has rattled the corrupt.

    “All those involved in corruption have come onto one platform,” he said, asserting that people realise that when the BJP comes to power, corruption goes away.

    Citing figures, Modi said that during the Congress-led UPA rule between 2004 and 2014, assets worth Rs 5,000 crore were seized under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, while the figure has zoomed to Rs 1.10 lakh crore in the nine years of the BJP rule.

    The cases registered under the act more than doubled under his government while the number of arrests surged 15 times, he said.

    Under the Congress rule, banks were “looted” and people accused of siphoning off Rs 22,000 crore fled abroad, he said, adding his government has seized their assets worth Rs 20,000 crore.

    The CBI has registered more than 5,000 cases under corruption charges under his government and hundreds of senior officials facing graft allegations were forcibly retired and are facing lawful action, Modi said.

    Corruption has harmed the country a great deal and hollowed it out like termites, he said, adding that people realise that the country will progress only when a graft is contained.

    People, Modi asserted, are applauding his government’s campaign against corruption and tell him wherever he goes, “Don’t stop Modi ji”.

    Taking a swipe at the Opposition for its campaign against the BJP and him, he said senior Congress leaders used to talk about rooting out the Jana Sangh once and now the main opposition party is talking about digging his grave.

    The BJP is a party that sacrificed itself to save democracy, he said, referring to the merger of the Jana Sangh, its earlier avatar, with other parties after the Emergency.

    In a reference to the probe into 2002 Gujarat riots when he was the state’s chief minister, Modi said many conspiracies were hatched to send him to jail but they all failed miserably while he flourished due to people’s blessings.

    In his speech, the prime minister dwelt on the BJP’s growth from having two Lok Sabha seats in 1984 to 303 in 2019.

    In an apparent reference to the anti-Sikh violence following then-prime minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination, he said it was a black chapter that the country will not be able to forget.

    The Congress won a historic mandate in emotionally-charged polls while the BJP was almost destroyed but it did not lose hope and blame others.

    It continued to work among people and strengthened its organisation.

    The BJP has now emerged as the only pan-India party amidst family-run political parties in the country as it worked on the ground with people braving all odds.

    “BJP started its journey from just two Lok Sabha seats and reached 303 in 2019. In many of the states, we get more than 50 per cent votes,” he said.

    “From north to south and from east to west, the BJP is the only pan-India party today,” he added.

    The BJP has emerged as not only the world’s biggest but also the most futuristic party, he said, adding that its only goal is to make a modern and developed India.

    The party is expanding in south India, he said, adding that it is the number one party in Karnataka and is the only reliable force in Telangana.

    It is growing in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, he said.

    “The people of the northeast have shown unprecedented faith in the BJP. It has four chief ministers there and is part of coalition governments in two other states,” he said.

    Modi met workers involved in the construction of the building before its inauguration.

  • BJP to use Rahul’s ‘Modi surname’ jibe as key strategy for OBC outreach during poll campaigns

    Express News Service

    In what appears to be a well-crafted plan, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) is tossing up ex-Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s remark on ‘Modi surname’ as an ‘issue of insult’ to OBCs across the country in view of upcoming the 2024 general elections in particular and assembly elections in some states in general.

    Appearing as working with this ‘objectively’ crafted electoral strategy in the wake of the disqualification of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi after he was convicted in a criminal defamation case, the BJP leaders, especially those who belong to OBCs, have started protesting against Gandhi’s remarks on Modi surname in a planned way across the country describing it as an insult to OBCs. 

    In what appears also as a part of this strategy, adopted amid the Opposition’s persisting protests against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from LS membership, the BJP MPs of OBCs also demonstrated near the Gandhi statue on the premises of Parliament demanding an apology from Rahul Gandhi for hisremark on Modi’s surname.

    “Hindustan will not tolerate insult to Modi ji. Rahul Gandhi should have a shame, seek apology”, the BJP MPs demanded.  

    Some senior sources in BJP here said that Rahul Gandhi’s remark on ‘The Modi surname’ will certainly snowball into a big political issue to counter the Congress-led Opposition protest against disqualification and the accusation against the BJP over disqualification.

    “The Congress-led Opposition are accusing the BJP for what happened to Rahul Gandhi after his conviction. But in reality, the BJP has nothing to do with it. Rahul has insulted us (OBCs) and the BJP should use his remarks to project it as an insult to OBCs”, remarked an OBC leader belonging to the BJP.

    ALSO READ| ‘Modi surname’ case: Rahul Gandhi sentenced to two years in jail, has 30 days to appeal

    On Monday, BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi also said that the conviction of Rahul Gandhi over his remark on Modi’s surname has been done by the court. “It is not the decision of PM Modi or the BJP. Gandhi has insulted OBCs and will have to pay a penalty for it”, he remarked.

    But when the Congress Party along with other like-minded people started creating uproar over the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi after his conviction, the BJP shrewdly linked the Congress-led Opposition protest against Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in a defamation case and subsequent disqualification from LS with the sentiment of OBC people ahead of polls.  

    Many senior leaders including union ministers like Piyush Goyal, Anurag Thakur, Hardeep Singh Puri and others, have also demanded for an apology from Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the Modi surname and his remarks about the state of democracy in India while issuing a speech in London.

    “In India, 56 % of the country’s total voting population constitutes of OBCs.  Gandhi’s remark on Modi surname, which belongs to an OBC, has badly hurt the sentiment of OBCs in the country. The BJP will take this insult before the OBC people. PM Modi has given a new social reorganisation to OBCs and now 27 ministers in Modi’s cabinet belong to OBCs.

    ALSO READ| Gehlot says judiciary under pressure, ‘Modi surname’ remark by Rahul was just ‘political’ comment​

    The PM Modi is the single OBC –caring leader”, remarked a senior BJP leader. Upon being contacted, the National President of BJP OBC Morcha Dr K Laxman also said that the BJP MPs, belonging to OBCs, will meet together on Wednesday with the national president of the party JP Nadda, to chalk out further course of agitation against Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Modi surname.

    “Gandhi’s’ remark on Modi’s surname is not a small issue. We are taking it seriously as a big issue that has insulted the collective psyche of OBC people in the country. We will take this across the country in the next one year”, Dr Laxman, who is MP in RS, also remarked.

    He said that the OBC Morcha of BJP is launching a nationwide campaign taking the works done for the OBC people by the Modi government across 1 lakh villages to cover 1 crore houses of OBC people from April 6 to 14. 

    “The Congress has been insulting OBC people for a long time. Rahul Gandhi’s remark on Modi’s surname was a part of the anti-OBC mindset on which the court pronounced judgement against Gandhi. We will take this issue of insult of OBC people across the country”, he said. He added that all OBC MPs of the BJP will sit together with JP Nadda on Wednesday and discuss this.

    In what appears to be a well-crafted plan, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) is tossing up ex-Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s remark on ‘Modi surname’ as an ‘issue of insult’ to OBCs across the country in view of upcoming the 2024 general elections in particular and assembly elections in some states in general.

    Appearing as working with this ‘objectively’ crafted electoral strategy in the wake of the disqualification of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi after he was convicted in a criminal defamation case, the BJP leaders, especially those who belong to OBCs, have started protesting against Gandhi’s remarks on Modi surname in a planned way across the country describing it as an insult to OBCs. 

    In what appears also as a part of this strategy, adopted amid the Opposition’s persisting protests against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from LS membership, the BJP MPs of OBCs also demonstrated near the Gandhi statue on the premises of Parliament demanding an apology from Rahul Gandhi for his
    remark on Modi’s surname.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “Hindustan will not tolerate insult to Modi ji. Rahul Gandhi should have a shame, seek apology”, the BJP MPs demanded.  

    Some senior sources in BJP here said that Rahul Gandhi’s remark on ‘The Modi surname’ will certainly snowball into a big political issue to counter the Congress-led Opposition protest against disqualification and the accusation against the BJP over disqualification.

    “The Congress-led Opposition are accusing the BJP for what happened to Rahul Gandhi after his conviction. But in reality, the BJP has nothing to do with it. Rahul has insulted us (OBCs) and the BJP should use his remarks to project it as an insult to OBCs”, remarked an OBC leader belonging to the BJP.

    ALSO READ| ‘Modi surname’ case: Rahul Gandhi sentenced to two years in jail, has 30 days to appeal

    On Monday, BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi also said that the conviction of Rahul Gandhi over his remark on Modi’s surname has been done by the court. “It is not the decision of PM Modi or the BJP. Gandhi has insulted OBCs and will have to pay a penalty for it”, he remarked.

    But when the Congress Party along with other like-minded people started creating uproar over the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi after his conviction, the BJP shrewdly linked the Congress-led Opposition protest against Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in a defamation case and subsequent disqualification from LS with the sentiment of OBC people ahead of polls.  

    Many senior leaders including union ministers like Piyush Goyal, Anurag Thakur, Hardeep Singh Puri and others, have also demanded for an apology from Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the Modi surname and his remarks about the state of democracy in India while issuing a speech in London.

    “In India, 56 % of the country’s total voting population constitutes of OBCs.  Gandhi’s remark on Modi surname, which belongs to an OBC, has badly hurt the sentiment of OBCs in the country. The BJP will take this insult before the OBC people. PM Modi has given a new social reorganisation to OBCs and now 27 ministers in Modi’s cabinet belong to OBCs.

    ALSO READ| Gehlot says judiciary under pressure, ‘Modi surname’ remark by Rahul was just ‘political’ comment​

    The PM Modi is the single OBC –caring leader”, remarked a senior BJP leader. Upon being contacted, the National President of BJP OBC Morcha Dr K Laxman also said that the BJP MPs, belonging to OBCs, will meet together on Wednesday with the national president of the party JP Nadda, to chalk out further course of agitation against Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Modi surname.

    “Gandhi’s’ remark on Modi’s surname is not a small issue. We are taking it seriously as a big issue that has insulted the collective psyche of OBC people in the country. We will take this across the country in the next one year”, Dr Laxman, who is MP in RS, also remarked.

    He said that the OBC Morcha of BJP is launching a nationwide campaign taking the works done for the OBC people by the Modi government across 1 lakh villages to cover 1 crore houses of OBC people from April 6 to 14. 

    “The Congress has been insulting OBC people for a long time. Rahul Gandhi’s remark on Modi’s surname was a part of the anti-OBC mindset on which the court pronounced judgement against Gandhi. We will take this issue of insult of OBC people across the country”, he said. He added that all OBC MPs of the BJP will sit together with JP Nadda on Wednesday and discuss this.

  • ‘Election speech’, says Opposition on President Murmu’s address to Parliament

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  The Opposition parties came out all guns blazing on Tuesday against President Droupadi Murmu’s customary speech to the joint session of the two Houses of Parliament on the first day of the Budget session. While Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) boycotted the President’s address, most of the Congress MPs could not attend it as they were stranded in Srinagar after the culmination event of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. 

    “Due to delayed flights from Srinagar over inclement weather conditions, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and many other Congress MPs will be unable to attend the President’s address to both Houses of Parliament,” Jairam Ramesh tweeted.

    Calling it an election speech, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that the BJP government was trying to push its election campaign through the President’s address. “The President doesn’t contest elections. But it seems like the BJP government is conducting its next election campaign through her.

    The entire speech was an election speech trying to hail the government for its achievements,” he told the media. Speaking to this daily, CPI(M) MP Elamaram Kareem said that the speech was disappointing as it did not address burning issues such as the economic crisis, unemployment, farmers’ distress, and others.

    NEW DELHI:  The Opposition parties came out all guns blazing on Tuesday against President Droupadi Murmu’s customary speech to the joint session of the two Houses of Parliament on the first day of the Budget session. While Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) boycotted the President’s address, most of the Congress MPs could not attend it as they were stranded in Srinagar after the culmination event of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. 

    “Due to delayed flights from Srinagar over inclement weather conditions, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and many other Congress MPs will be unable to attend the President’s address to both Houses of Parliament,” Jairam Ramesh tweeted.

    Calling it an election speech, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that the BJP government was trying to push its election campaign through the President’s address. “The President doesn’t contest elections. But it seems like the BJP government is conducting its next election campaign through her.

    The entire speech was an election speech trying to hail the government for its achievements,” he told the media. Speaking to this daily, CPI(M) MP Elamaram Kareem said that the speech was disappointing as it did not address burning issues such as the economic crisis, unemployment, farmers’ distress, and others.

  • States should move SC against guvs: Achary

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: As Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its allies are readying a memorandum to be presented to President Droupadi Murmu seeking the removal of Tamil Nadu governor R N Ravi, Constitutional experts say that aggrieved states should approach the Supreme Court to end the constitutional impasse created by Governors in several Opposition-ruled states.

    Speaking to this newspaper, Constitutional expert and former Lok Sabha Secretary General PDT Achary said that the state’s move to submit a joint petition to the President doesn’t serve any purpose. “There is no precedence of Governors being removed on the demand of Opposition ruled states. Instead of approaching the President, the states should have approached the Supreme Court on grounds that the Governor is acting against the Constitution,” he said. For a long time, the Tamil Nadu government has been at loggerheads with the Governor for not sending the NEET Exemption Bill to the President after being passed twice in the state Assembly and a host of other issues.

    A memorandum signed by a majority of ruling DMK MPs and its allies alleged that the Governor is acting against the Constitution. “It impedes and obstructs a democratically elected government from serving the people, which is ex-facie unconstitutional,” read the petition.

    In Kerala too, the constant sparring between the Kerala government and Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has become uglier with the Governor demanding the resignation of nine Vice Chancellors and the sacking of ministers from the state cabinet. Another point of contention is that Khan is yet to sign two bills — Lok Ayukta and University Amendment Bills passed by the state assembly. Constitutional experts call it an unprecedented situation as the Governor has exceeded his powers.

    Achary points out that the Governor’s refusal of signing the Bills and demanding the sacking of state ministers can be challenged in the Supreme Court. “Let the SC come out with a judgment and settle it once and for all.  The state governments have enough grounds to challenge the Governor’s actions in the court,” he says. In addition to the issue of V-C appointments, Khan had threatened to sack state ministers for the remarks made by them.  He had said, “the ministers ceased to enjoy my pleasure”.

    However, Achary said that the Governor cannot dismiss state ministers unless recommended by the Chief Minister. For that, Article 154, Article 163, and 164 have to be applied together, he points out.According to Article 164 of the Indian Constitution, “The CM shall be appointed by the governor and the other ministers shall be appointed by the governor on the advice of the chief minister, and the ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the governor”.

    The state government can approach the Supreme Court as the Governor acted against the Constitution, he says. “The Governor has no authority to withdraw pleasure without taking the advice of the CM. It is unconstitutional,” says Achary. The stand-off will lead to a constitutional crisis when the Governor fails to discharge his duties and function in accordance with his position, says Achary.

    NEW DELHI: As Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its allies are readying a memorandum to be presented to President Droupadi Murmu seeking the removal of Tamil Nadu governor R N Ravi, Constitutional experts say that aggrieved states should approach the Supreme Court to end the constitutional impasse created by Governors in several Opposition-ruled states.

    Speaking to this newspaper, Constitutional expert and former Lok Sabha Secretary General PDT Achary said that the state’s move to submit a joint petition to the President doesn’t serve any purpose. “There is no precedence of Governors being removed on the demand of Opposition ruled states. Instead of approaching the President, the states should have approached the Supreme Court on grounds that the Governor is acting against the Constitution,” he said. For a long time, the Tamil Nadu government has been at loggerheads with the Governor for not sending the NEET Exemption Bill to the President after being passed twice in the state Assembly and a host of other issues.

    A memorandum signed by a majority of ruling DMK MPs and its allies alleged that the Governor is acting against the Constitution. “It impedes and obstructs a democratically elected government from serving the people, which is ex-facie unconstitutional,” read the petition.

    In Kerala too, the constant sparring between the Kerala government and Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has become uglier with the Governor demanding the resignation of nine Vice Chancellors and the sacking of ministers from the state cabinet. Another point of contention is that Khan is yet to sign two bills — Lok Ayukta and University Amendment Bills passed by the state assembly. Constitutional experts call it an unprecedented situation as the Governor has exceeded his powers.

    Achary points out that the Governor’s refusal of signing the Bills and demanding the sacking of state ministers can be challenged in the Supreme Court. “Let the SC come out with a judgment and settle it once and for all.  The state governments have enough grounds to challenge the Governor’s actions in the court,” he says. In addition to the issue of V-C appointments, Khan had threatened to sack state ministers for the remarks made by them.  He had said, “the ministers ceased to enjoy my pleasure”.

    However, Achary said that the Governor cannot dismiss state ministers unless recommended by the Chief Minister. For that, Article 154, Article 163, and 164 have to be applied together, he points out.
    According to Article 164 of the Indian Constitution, “The CM shall be appointed by the governor and the other ministers shall be appointed by the governor on the advice of the chief minister, and the ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the governor”.

    The state government can approach the Supreme Court as the Governor acted against the Constitution, he says. “The Governor has no authority to withdraw pleasure without taking the advice of the 
    CM. It is unconstitutional,” says Achary. The stand-off will lead to a constitutional crisis when the Governor fails to discharge his duties and function in accordance with his position, says Achary.

  • Congress loses chairmanship of parliamentary committee on IT, Home; 6 key panels with BJP

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Opposition parties have not been given the chairmanship of any of the four key parliamentary panels including the committee on Home Affairs and Information Technology, which were with the Congress, in the latest rejig announced on Tuesday.

    With this, the chair of six major parliamentary committees — Home, IT, Defence, External Affairs, Finance and Health — all are with the BJP and its allies.

    Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi has been replaced by BJP MP and retired IPS officer Brij Lal as the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing committee on Home Affairs.

    Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is contesting the party’s presidential polls, has been replaced by Prataprao Jadhav, a Shiv Sena MP from the Shinde faction, as the head of the Parliamentary Panel on Information Technology.

    The Trinamool Congress, which had the chair of the Parliamentary Panel on Food and Consumer Affairs, has not been given the chairmanship of any parliamentary committee after the reshuffle.

    “TMC is the third largest party in Parliament, also the second largest opposition party does not get a single chairmanship. The largest opposition party loses two crucial chairmanships of Standing committees. This is the stark reality of New India,” TMC leader in Rajya Sabha Derek O’Brien said in a statement.

    Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav has been replaced as the chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.

    The panel on food will be chaired by BJP MP Locket Chatterjee and Health by her party colleague Vivek Thakur.

    Also, the DMK has been given chairmanship of parliamentary panel on Industry which was till now with the TRS.

    NEW DELHI: Opposition parties have not been given the chairmanship of any of the four key parliamentary panels including the committee on Home Affairs and Information Technology, which were with the Congress, in the latest rejig announced on Tuesday.

    With this, the chair of six major parliamentary committees — Home, IT, Defence, External Affairs, Finance and Health — all are with the BJP and its allies.

    Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi has been replaced by BJP MP and retired IPS officer Brij Lal as the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing committee on Home Affairs.

    Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is contesting the party’s presidential polls, has been replaced by Prataprao Jadhav, a Shiv Sena MP from the Shinde faction, as the head of the Parliamentary Panel on Information Technology.

    The Trinamool Congress, which had the chair of the Parliamentary Panel on Food and Consumer Affairs, has not been given the chairmanship of any parliamentary committee after the reshuffle.

    “TMC is the third largest party in Parliament, also the second largest opposition party does not get a single chairmanship. The largest opposition party loses two crucial chairmanships of Standing committees. This is the stark reality of New India,” TMC leader in Rajya Sabha Derek O’Brien said in a statement.

    Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav has been replaced as the chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.

    The panel on food will be chaired by BJP MP Locket Chatterjee and Health by her party colleague Vivek Thakur.

    Also, the DMK has been given chairmanship of parliamentary panel on Industry which was till now with the TRS.

  • Congress loses chairmanship of parliamentary committee on IT, Home; 6 key panels with BJP

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Opposition parties have not been given the chairmanship of any of the four key parliamentary panels including the committee on Home Affairs and Information Technology, which were with the Congress, in the latest rejig announced on Tuesday.

    With this, the chair of six major parliamentary committees — Home, IT, Defence, External Affairs, Finance and Health — all are with the BJP and its allies.

    Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi has been replaced by BJP MP and retired IPS officer Brij Lal as the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing committee on Home Affairs.

    Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is contesting the party’s presidential polls, has been replaced by Prataprao Jadhav, a Shiv Sena MP from the Shinde faction, as the head of the Parliamentary Panel on Information Technology.

    The Trinamool Congress, which had the chair of the Parliamentary Panel on Food and Consumer Affairs, has not been given the chairmanship of any parliamentary committee after the reshuffle.

    “TMC is the third largest party in Parliament, also the second largest opposition party does not get a single chairmanship. The largest opposition party loses two crucial chairmanships of Standing committees. This is the stark reality of New India,” TMC leader in Rajya Sabha Derek O’Brien said in a statement.

    Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav has been replaced as the chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.

    The panel on food will be chaired by BJP MP Locket Chatterjee and Health by her party colleague Vivek Thakur.

    Also, the DMK has been given chairmanship of parliamentary panel on Industry which was till now with the TRS.

    NEW DELHI: Opposition parties have not been given the chairmanship of any of the four key parliamentary panels including the committee on Home Affairs and Information Technology, which were with the Congress, in the latest rejig announced on Tuesday.

    With this, the chair of six major parliamentary committees — Home, IT, Defence, External Affairs, Finance and Health — all are with the BJP and its allies.

    Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi has been replaced by BJP MP and retired IPS officer Brij Lal as the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing committee on Home Affairs.

    Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is contesting the party’s presidential polls, has been replaced by Prataprao Jadhav, a Shiv Sena MP from the Shinde faction, as the head of the Parliamentary Panel on Information Technology.

    The Trinamool Congress, which had the chair of the Parliamentary Panel on Food and Consumer Affairs, has not been given the chairmanship of any parliamentary committee after the reshuffle.

    “TMC is the third largest party in Parliament, also the second largest opposition party does not get a single chairmanship. The largest opposition party loses two crucial chairmanships of Standing committees. This is the stark reality of New India,” TMC leader in Rajya Sabha Derek O’Brien said in a statement.

    Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav has been replaced as the chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.

    The panel on food will be chaired by BJP MP Locket Chatterjee and Health by her party colleague Vivek Thakur.

    Also, the DMK has been given chairmanship of parliamentary panel on Industry which was till now with the TRS.

  • BJP flays Nitish Kumar for HC’s ruling on urban local bodies elections in Bihar

    Express News Service

    PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar came under sharp attack of the opposition once again on Tuesday after the Patna high court ruled as ‘illegal’ the reservation of seats for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) in urban local bodies election.

    A division bench of the high court comprising chief justice Sanjay Karol and justice S Kumar declared as ‘illegal’ reservation of seats for OBCs and EBCs and directed the state election commission to hold the polls ‘only by immediately re-notifying the seats reserved for OBCs, treating them as general categoryseats.’

    The order came barely a week before the local bodies elections are scheduled on October 10. The candidates have started campaigning in their respective areas with election symbols allotted to them by the commission. Around 1.14 crore electors were expected to exercise their franchise in two phases i.e on October 10 and 20, respectively.

    Former deputy chief minister and BJP Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Modi blamed the chief minister Nitish Kumar for the mess. “Had the state government constituted a dedicated commission in the wake of Supreme Court’s order, such situation would not have arisen ahead of the urban bodies elections,” he added. 

    He also took a dig at some JD(U) leaders for their attempt to divert the attention of the people on the issue. “Caste based count and ensuring reservation for OBCs and EBCs in the local bodies elections are two separate things,” he clarified. 

    The JD(U), on the other hand, claimed that the delay in conducting caste count in the state was among the factors that led to court’s order on Tuesday. JD(U) parliamentary board chairman Upendra Kushwaha tweeted, “It is unfortunate.” 

    Kushwaha, who is considered close to Nitish Kumar, said that the HC’s order was a part of the conspiracy of the union government and the BJP. “Had the union government led by PM Narendra Modi conceded the demand of caste census and fulfilled constitutional provisions, the situation would not have arisen,” he said.

    Kushwaha also threatened to launch agitation to expose the conspiracy the union government and the BJP on the issue. The court, while reserving its verdict on September 29, had said that the elections shall be subject to the outcome of the present petition and told the state election commission that it may defer the first phase of the elections should it find it “prudent” to do so.

    Following the HC’s September 29 observations, the SEC had issued a circular on September 30 to all district magistrates concerned who were asked to keep the contestants in the loop regarding the developments.

    PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar came under sharp attack of the opposition once again on Tuesday after the Patna high court ruled as ‘illegal’ the reservation of seats for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) in urban local bodies election.

    A division bench of the high court comprising chief justice Sanjay Karol and justice S Kumar declared as ‘illegal’ reservation of seats for OBCs and EBCs and directed the state election commission to hold the polls ‘only by immediately re-notifying the seats reserved for OBCs, treating them as general category
    seats.’

    The order came barely a week before the local bodies elections are scheduled on October 10. The candidates have started campaigning in their respective areas with election symbols allotted to them by the commission. Around 1.14 crore electors were expected to exercise their franchise in two phases i.e on October 10 and 20, respectively.

    Former deputy chief minister and BJP Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Modi blamed the chief minister Nitish Kumar for the mess. “Had the state government constituted a dedicated commission in the wake of Supreme Court’s order, such situation would not have arisen ahead of the urban bodies elections,” he added. 

    He also took a dig at some JD(U) leaders for their attempt to divert the attention of the people on the issue. “Caste based count and ensuring reservation for OBCs and EBCs in the local bodies elections are two separate things,” he clarified. 

    The JD(U), on the other hand, claimed that the delay in conducting caste count in the state was among the factors that led to court’s order on Tuesday. JD(U) parliamentary board chairman Upendra Kushwaha tweeted, “It is unfortunate.” 

    Kushwaha, who is considered close to Nitish Kumar, said that the HC’s order was a part of the conspiracy of the union government and the BJP. “Had the union government led by PM Narendra Modi conceded the demand of caste census and fulfilled constitutional provisions, the situation would not have arisen,” he said.

    Kushwaha also threatened to launch agitation to expose the conspiracy the union government and the BJP on the issue. The court, while reserving its verdict on September 29, had said that the elections shall be subject to the outcome of the present petition and told the state election commission that it may defer the first phase of the elections should it find it “prudent” to do so.

    Following the HC’s September 29 observations, the SEC had issued a circular on September 30 to all district magistrates concerned who were asked to keep the contestants in the loop regarding the developments.

  • Big question mark over Election Commission’s fairness in last few years: Prashant Bhushan

    By PTI

    NAGPUR: Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan on Sunday said the fairness of the Election Commission of India (ECI) has come under cloud in the last few years.

    He accused the ECI of keeping mum when big leaders from the ruling party violate the poll code, while acting swiftly against the opposition parties in such cases, and also claimed that the schedule of elections is made keeping in mind the convenience of the government.

    Bhushan alleged that the independence of the judiciary is under threat and those speaking against the government face sedition and other serious charges, and they are not able to get bail for years.

    He was speaking on the topic ‘Challenges before Democracy ‘ during a programme organised here by ‘Deshonnati’, a Marathi daily.

    “After T N Seshan became the chief election commissioner, for many years we could see that the Election Commission was very fair and impartial. But in the last six to seven years, a big question mark has arisen on its fairness,” he said.

    The Election Commission takes action if the Model code of conduct is violated by the opposition parties. But it keeps quiet when big leaders from the ruling party violate it. We have been witnessing this for a very long time, he alleged.

    The election dates are prepared as per the convenience of the government, he said.

    “Earlier, even the government did not know what dates will be decided by the EC for elections. But now, it is being witnessed that representatives of the ruling party even before the formal announcement tell what the polling dates are and the same dates are later announced by the EC,” he said.

    “The reason for the EC not being fair anymore. The problem with this has always been the selection in the poll watchdog is done by the government and there is no independent selection committee. And now, what the government is doing is that it is selecting people mostly from Gujarat and they are those who will do what the government will ask them to do. This also is an issue before democracy,” he said.

    Bhushan also alleged that there was a lack of independence in all regulatory institutions, and termed it as one of the biggest problems. He said the judiciary was formed to protect the fundamental rights of people and to keep the legislature and the executive within limits.

    “But now we are seeing that this is not happening. Those speaking against the government are facing sedition and sometimes false cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. They are not able to get bail for years and this is being done blatantly. Our judiciary is not able to act against it. Hence, the independence of the judiciary is also under threat,” he said.

    “Media is also being controlled by the government. The police agencies are also being used for political use. The selection of some agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Income Tax department is completely in the hands of the government, which has put democracy in real danger,” he alleged.

    On the electronic voting machines (EVMs), he said that although there was no significant manipulation in EVMs at present, in the coming times it cannot be ruled out.

    “There is a possibility of manipulation and I feel EVMs are very dangerous. Paper ballots should return and they have returned in most of the countries,” he said.

    In order to tackle these challenges, a number of reforms can be brought by introducing Initiatives and Referendum law, Pre-legislative Transparency and Consultation law, he said, adding that parliamentary committees should be revived.

    Since the opposition has become weak now, these reforms cannot be done by it alone and hence people need to raise their voices now. They can raise voices against unfair practices like which was done for the Lokpal Bill.

    People can launch big agitations on issues like unemployment and privatisation of public sector units, which will also strengthen the opposition, he said.

    Replying to a query by PTI on the sidelines of the programme about why the Supreme Court was not taking up the issue of electoral bonds on a priority basis, Bhushan said the government was not interested in the issue and probably they were stalling it.

    “However, with the new Chief Justice of India at the helm, the matter will be heard,” he said.

    Bhushan has filed a PIL challenging laws permitting funding of political parties through the electoral bond scheme.

    When asked whether the opposition parties would be able to put up a united fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the next elections, he said he was not sure whether united opposition would be a good idea or not.

    “But, in any case, civil society needs to play a major role to any major political change is to be brought in the country,” he said.

    NAGPUR: Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan on Sunday said the fairness of the Election Commission of India (ECI) has come under cloud in the last few years.

    He accused the ECI of keeping mum when big leaders from the ruling party violate the poll code, while acting swiftly against the opposition parties in such cases, and also claimed that the schedule of elections is made keeping in mind the convenience of the government.

    Bhushan alleged that the independence of the judiciary is under threat and those speaking against the government face sedition and other serious charges, and they are not able to get bail for years.

    He was speaking on the topic ‘Challenges before Democracy ‘ during a programme organised here by ‘Deshonnati’, a Marathi daily.

    “After T N Seshan became the chief election commissioner, for many years we could see that the Election Commission was very fair and impartial. But in the last six to seven years, a big question mark has arisen on its fairness,” he said.

    The Election Commission takes action if the Model code of conduct is violated by the opposition parties. But it keeps quiet when big leaders from the ruling party violate it. We have been witnessing this for a very long time, he alleged.

    The election dates are prepared as per the convenience of the government, he said.

    “Earlier, even the government did not know what dates will be decided by the EC for elections. But now, it is being witnessed that representatives of the ruling party even before the formal announcement tell what the polling dates are and the same dates are later announced by the EC,” he said.

    “The reason for the EC not being fair anymore. The problem with this has always been the selection in the poll watchdog is done by the government and there is no independent selection committee. And now, what the government is doing is that it is selecting people mostly from Gujarat and they are those who will do what the government will ask them to do. This also is an issue before democracy,” he said.

    Bhushan also alleged that there was a lack of independence in all regulatory institutions, and termed it as one of the biggest problems. He said the judiciary was formed to protect the fundamental rights of people and to keep the legislature and the executive within limits.

    “But now we are seeing that this is not happening. Those speaking against the government are facing sedition and sometimes false cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. They are not able to get bail for years and this is being done blatantly. Our judiciary is not able to act against it. Hence, the independence of the judiciary is also under threat,” he said.

    “Media is also being controlled by the government. The police agencies are also being used for political use. The selection of some agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Income Tax department is completely in the hands of the government, which has put democracy in real danger,” he alleged.

    On the electronic voting machines (EVMs), he said that although there was no significant manipulation in EVMs at present, in the coming times it cannot be ruled out.

    “There is a possibility of manipulation and I feel EVMs are very dangerous. Paper ballots should return and they have returned in most of the countries,” he said.

    In order to tackle these challenges, a number of reforms can be brought by introducing Initiatives and Referendum law, Pre-legislative Transparency and Consultation law, he said, adding that parliamentary committees should be revived.

    Since the opposition has become weak now, these reforms cannot be done by it alone and hence people need to raise their voices now. They can raise voices against unfair practices like which was done for the Lokpal Bill.

    People can launch big agitations on issues like unemployment and privatisation of public sector units, which will also strengthen the opposition, he said.

    Replying to a query by PTI on the sidelines of the programme about why the Supreme Court was not taking up the issue of electoral bonds on a priority basis, Bhushan said the government was not interested in the issue and probably they were stalling it.

    “However, with the new Chief Justice of India at the helm, the matter will be heard,” he said.

    Bhushan has filed a PIL challenging laws permitting funding of political parties through the electoral bond scheme.

    When asked whether the opposition parties would be able to put up a united fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the next elections, he said he was not sure whether united opposition would be a good idea or not.

    “But, in any case, civil society needs to play a major role to any major political change is to be brought in the country,” he said.

  • Neither ‘claimant nor desirous’ for PM’s post, working for united Opposition: Nitish Kumar

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday met several opposition leaders, including those from the Left and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, and claimed that he is neither a claimant for the prime minister’s post nor desirous of it.

    After meeting CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury, Kumar, who is on his first visit to the national capital after snapping ties with the BJP-led NDA last month, asserted that his focus is to bring together all opposition parties.

    It is time for the Left parties, the Congress and all regional parties to come together to form a united opposition, Kumar told reporters, amid speculation that his party is eying the leadership role for him in a proposed united front against the BJP in the run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

    He is also expected to meet Samajwadi Party’s Mulayam Singh Yadav and INLD’s Om Prakash Chautala.

    The JD-U leader also met CPI general secretary D Raja.

    ALSO READ | HDK meets Nitish Kumar in Delhi, looks at reviving Janata Parivar

    “I have had a long association with the CPI-M from my younger days. You all have not seen me, but whenever I used to come to Delhi, I used to come to this office. Today we are all together again. Our entire focus is to unite all Left parties, the regional parties, Congress. This will be a big deal if all of us come together,” he said.

    Asked about his aspirations to become prime minister, Kumar said, “This is wrong. I am not a claimant for the post, nor am I desirous of it.”

    According to Yechury, Kumar’s return to the Opposition fold and his desire to be part of a fight against the BJP is a great signal for Indian politics.

    “First, the agenda is to unite all parties, not to decide on the PM candidate. When the time comes we will decide the PM candidate and let you all know,” he said.

    Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was also present in Kumar’s meeting with AAP leader Kejriwal, whose equations with several other opposition parties like the Congress are far from smooth.

    JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha accompanied Kumar in his meetings.

    “Many thanks to Nitish ji for visiting my residence. Discussion was held on many serious issues related to the country like education, health, ‘operation lotus’, open horse-trading of MLAs to topple popularly elected governments, and increasing unrestrained corruption, unemployment and corruption for BJP dispensations,” Kejriwal tweeted while attacking the saffron party.

    The meeting between the two leaders lasted for nearly 90 minutes.

    OPINION | Opposition needs kingmaker to fight the king

    The Bihar chief minister had met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at his residence on Monday.

    Kumar has maintained that any opposition alliance against the BJP must include the Congress and the Left, a contention that is not fully shared by the AAP, Mamata Banerjee’s TMC and K Chandrashekar Rao’s TRS.

    JD(U) spokesperson K C Tyagi asserted the Congress and the Left parties are an “essential component” of any non-BJP formation as he noted that his party has authorised Kumar to take required steps to bring together all opposition parties.

    The state’s longest serving chief minister also expressed his thanks to the Congress and Left leaders for their support to him after he snapped ties with the BJP.

    Though he has constantly tried to play down the buzz about his prime ministerial bid, there has been a clamour within his party that Kumar is the most appropriate candidate to take on the mantle of the opposition leadership due to his vast experience and clean image.

    NEW DELHI: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday met several opposition leaders, including those from the Left and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, and claimed that he is neither a claimant for the prime minister’s post nor desirous of it.

    After meeting CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury, Kumar, who is on his first visit to the national capital after snapping ties with the BJP-led NDA last month, asserted that his focus is to bring together all opposition parties.

    It is time for the Left parties, the Congress and all regional parties to come together to form a united opposition, Kumar told reporters, amid speculation that his party is eying the leadership role for him in a proposed united front against the BJP in the run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

    He is also expected to meet Samajwadi Party’s Mulayam Singh Yadav and INLD’s Om Prakash Chautala.

    The JD-U leader also met CPI general secretary D Raja.

    ALSO READ | HDK meets Nitish Kumar in Delhi, looks at reviving Janata Parivar

    “I have had a long association with the CPI-M from my younger days. You all have not seen me, but whenever I used to come to Delhi, I used to come to this office. Today we are all together again. Our entire focus is to unite all Left parties, the regional parties, Congress. This will be a big deal if all of us come together,” he said.

    Asked about his aspirations to become prime minister, Kumar said, “This is wrong. I am not a claimant for the post, nor am I desirous of it.”

    According to Yechury, Kumar’s return to the Opposition fold and his desire to be part of a fight against the BJP is a great signal for Indian politics.

    “First, the agenda is to unite all parties, not to decide on the PM candidate. When the time comes we will decide the PM candidate and let you all know,” he said.

    Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was also present in Kumar’s meeting with AAP leader Kejriwal, whose equations with several other opposition parties like the Congress are far from smooth.

    JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha accompanied Kumar in his meetings.

    “Many thanks to Nitish ji for visiting my residence. Discussion was held on many serious issues related to the country like education, health, ‘operation lotus’, open horse-trading of MLAs to topple popularly elected governments, and increasing unrestrained corruption, unemployment and corruption for BJP dispensations,” Kejriwal tweeted while attacking the saffron party.

    The meeting between the two leaders lasted for nearly 90 minutes.

    OPINION | Opposition needs kingmaker to fight the king

    The Bihar chief minister had met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at his residence on Monday.

    Kumar has maintained that any opposition alliance against the BJP must include the Congress and the Left, a contention that is not fully shared by the AAP, Mamata Banerjee’s TMC and K Chandrashekar Rao’s TRS.

    JD(U) spokesperson K C Tyagi asserted the Congress and the Left parties are an “essential component” of any non-BJP formation as he noted that his party has authorised Kumar to take required steps to bring together all opposition parties.

    The state’s longest serving chief minister also expressed his thanks to the Congress and Left leaders for their support to him after he snapped ties with the BJP.

    Though he has constantly tried to play down the buzz about his prime ministerial bid, there has been a clamour within his party that Kumar is the most appropriate candidate to take on the mantle of the opposition leadership due to his vast experience and clean image.