News Analysis India

Tag: opposition

  • Maharashtra Opposition boycotts Shinde government’s tea party

    Express News Service

    MUMBAI:  Opposition parties in Maharashtra boycotted the tea party organised by the incumbent Eknath Shinde government on the eve of the monsoon session of the Maharashtra state assembly citing the reason that the present government is unconstitutional and they are not following the democratic procedures at all.

    The Opposition called its party meeting at Vidhan Bhavan. The meeting was chaired by the Leader of Opposition and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar. As per traditions, the Opposition parties were invited to the tea party on the eve of the monsoon session of the Maharashtra state assembly. All Opposition party leaders signed a seven-page letter which was also sent to former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.

    Ajit Pawar said that the opposition parties had decided to boycott the tea party. “The way the government came to power, it is our unanimous view that the Shinde government has not been formed according to stipulated constitutional regulations. The Supreme Court verdict on the petitions regarding it is pending. The government has been formed against all democratic values and rules.”

    In its scathing attack on the incumbent government, Pawar said that lawlessness will not be tolerated in Maharashtra after a video of Eknath Shinde’s faction MLA Sanjay Bangar abusing and slapping a mid-day meal employee went viral.

    Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the Oppositions are like Gajani that are forgetting everything which was promised by them only. “We had invited the Opposition for a tea party but they boycotted it. When we were in Opposition, we had raised the same issues that Oppositions are raising through its letter,” he said.

    MUMBAI:  Opposition parties in Maharashtra boycotted the tea party organised by the incumbent Eknath Shinde government on the eve of the monsoon session of the Maharashtra state assembly citing the reason that the present government is unconstitutional and they are not following the democratic procedures at all.

    The Opposition called its party meeting at Vidhan Bhavan. The meeting was chaired by the Leader of Opposition and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar. As per traditions, the Opposition parties were invited to the tea party on the eve of the monsoon session of the Maharashtra state assembly. All Opposition party leaders signed a seven-page letter which was also sent to former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.

    Ajit Pawar said that the opposition parties had decided to boycott the tea party. “The way the government came to power, it is our unanimous view that the Shinde government has not been formed according to stipulated constitutional regulations. The Supreme Court verdict on the petitions regarding it is pending. The government has been formed against all democratic values and rules.”

    In its scathing attack on the incumbent government, Pawar said that lawlessness will not be tolerated in Maharashtra after a video of Eknath Shinde’s faction MLA Sanjay Bangar abusing and slapping a mid-day meal employee went viral.

    Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the Oppositions are like Gajani that are forgetting everything which was promised by them only. “We had invited the Opposition for a tea party but they boycotted it. When we were in Opposition, we had raised the same issues that Oppositions are raising through its letter,” he said.

  • Oppostion didn’t care for sanctity of House, says Joshi

    Express News Service

    Parliament watchers heaved a sigh of relief when the Lok Sabha resumed normal functioning on Monday afternoon with a discussion on price rise as demanded by the Opposition. The hours-long debate that saw Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responding to the lawmakers’ concerns came about after the government agreed to revoke the suspension for four Congress MPs. Until Monday, most of the monsoon session, which began on July 18, had been a washout in the wake of various controversies. The session has time until August 12 to make up for the lost time.

    In an interview with TNIE, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi talks about MPs’ behaviour inside the House and the wastage of public money in the lost hours of parliamentary debates.

    Excerpts:

    Why were Opposition members not allowed to speak on price rise in the last two weeks?From day one, we have been telling them that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was down with Covid and that she would recover within a few days. Since she is the right person to answer all their queries, we told them the debate could take place when she was present in the House. However, the Opposition kept on insisting, resulting in wastage of public money and Parliament time.

    The logjam has led to suspension of some MPs. Will all suspensions be revoked?When we were in the opposition, we never got placards to the House. Opposition MPs not just held placards before the Speaker, but even advanced towards the ruling party gallery. The House has a sanctity about which they did not care. We are not expecting their apology. The least they can say is that they will not repeat it or bring placards in future. Their suspension can be revoked. If such a response does not come from the members, their party floor leader can convey that.

    The GST has been a burden on people. What is the government stand?The GST Committee has approved tax on many essentials. The committee members include CMs of Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan and other party leaders. Why didn’t they raise the issue there? Let them take it up before the GST Council; the Finance Minister will take a call.

    Only 10 days are left for the monsoon session to end. Do you see normal debates taking place on various bills?We had earlier indicated that there are 32 bills on various issues. We will bring some to the House. We will allow the Opposition to take part in debates if their MPs do not create a ruckus to disturb the proceedings.

    Will the government ban outfits such as the Popular Front of India and SDPI?This is under discussion. I cannot reveal anything now. Home Minister Amit Shah will announce a suitable decision.

    How are the Vice Presidential election preparations going on?Our candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar is from a humble background. We are requesting even non-NDA MPs to vote for him. We are confident of him winning with a larger margin than our Presidential candidate has won.

    Parliament watchers heaved a sigh of relief when the Lok Sabha resumed normal functioning on Monday afternoon with a discussion on price rise as demanded by the Opposition. The hours-long debate that saw Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responding to the lawmakers’ concerns came about after the government agreed to revoke the suspension for four Congress MPs. Until Monday, most of the monsoon session, which began on July 18, had been a washout in the wake of various controversies. The session has time until August 12 to make up for the lost time.

    In an interview with TNIE, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi talks about MPs’ behaviour inside the House and the wastage of public money in the lost hours of parliamentary debates.

    Excerpts:

    Why were Opposition members not allowed to speak on price rise in the last two weeks?
    From day one, we have been telling them that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was down with Covid and that she would recover within a few days. Since she is the right person to answer all their queries, we told them the debate could take place when she was present in the House. However, the Opposition kept on insisting, resulting in wastage of public money and Parliament time.

    The logjam has led to suspension of some MPs. Will all suspensions be revoked?
    When we were in the opposition, we never got placards to the House. Opposition MPs not just held placards before the Speaker, but even advanced towards the ruling party gallery. The House has a sanctity about which they did not care. We are not expecting their apology. The least they can say is that they will not repeat it or bring placards in future. Their suspension can be revoked. If such a response does not come from the members, their party floor leader can convey that.

    The GST has been a burden on people. What is the government stand?
    The GST Committee has approved tax on many essentials. The committee members include CMs of Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan and other party leaders. Why didn’t they raise the issue there? Let them take it up before the GST Council; the Finance Minister will take a call.

    Only 10 days are left for the monsoon session to end. Do you see normal debates taking place on various bills?
    We had earlier indicated that there are 32 bills on various issues. We will bring some to the House. We will allow the Opposition to take part in debates if their MPs do not create a ruckus to disturb the proceedings.

    Will the government ban outfits such as the Popular Front of India and SDPI?
    This is under discussion. I cannot reveal anything now. Home Minister Amit Shah will announce a suitable decision.

    How are the Vice Presidential election preparations going on?
    Our candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar is from a humble background. We are requesting even non-NDA MPs to vote for him. We are confident of him winning with a larger margin than our Presidential candidate has won.

  • Opposition protests continue, site of protest moves to entrance of Parliament

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Opposition has chosen the entrance to the Parliament as its new protest site as it wants to remind Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the promise he made when he entered the House for the first time in 2014, its leaders said Thursday.

    The protests against the suspension of Opposition MPs started on Wednesday under the sky near the Gandhi statue.

    “We want to remind Modi of the promise he made when he arrived on the first day. That is the place where he touched his forehead on the stairs. Also, since there was no tent, because of the rain, we had to move the agitation somewhere. This place was symbolic,” said a leader.

    The entrance to the Parliament has now been chosen as the site of the Opposition protest as it is both strategic as well as practical.

    Braving mosquitoes and the heat, five suspended MPs, including CPI’s Santosh Kumar and AAP’s Sanjay Singh, spent the night near the Gandhi statue in Parliament complex.

    TMC’s Dola Sen and Santanu Sen were present at the site till post midnight.

    With authorities not granting permission for a tent, the five MPs slept under the sky as a protest against the suspension of 24 of their fellow parliamentarians, 20 from Rajya Sabha and four Congress members from Lok Sabha.

    “Due to heavy rain,50hr dharna has moved from Gandhi statue to #Parliament main entrance. 29hrs down. 21hrs to go. Oppn MPs still at Dharna demanding Govt to revoke suspension of (now) 27 MPs & discuss #PriceRise #GST,” tweeted TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien.

    On Thursday morning, TMC MP Mausam Noor who brought tea for the MPs said that the Opposition MPs will not apologise and the protests will continue.

    The MPs were provided lunch of idli by the DMK while the TMC served them fish fry, dinner will be served by TRS, sources said.

    AAP has been asked to supply liquids to the MPs through the protest — juice, lassi and water have been made available in abundance to ensure that they don’t suffer from dehydration.

    The TMC which served tandoori chicken for dinner on Tuesday generated a controversy with BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala objecting to non-vegetarian food being served in front of the Gandhi statue.

    “As per media reports, some suspended MPs protesting in front of the Gandhi Statue in Parliament consumed tandoori chicken. Everyone knows Gandhi ji had staunch views on the slaughter of animals. Many people are asking if this was a protest or a farce and a picnic,” Poonawala said.

    TMC leader Sushmita Dev hit back at Poonawala saying that the BJP was scared of the Opposition solidarity.

    “Behind closed doors people and leaders of RSS eat everything behind closed doors. So, don’t make a comment on our food. They can’t tolerate that the food is being brought not from our home, but by other MPs. They are scared of this solidarity,” Dev told reporters.

    Another senior opposition leader, who did not want to be named said that the comment showed the BJP’s intolerance. “While some have roti at lunch, we have fish curry and rice or chicken. What is wrong with that? We have the right to eat what we want,” he said.

    The protesting MPs also thanked the office of secretary general of the Rajya Sabha which provided two ambulances, a doctor on call, two driver to ferry the MPs and maintenance staff to keep the protest site clean.

    The MPs however, brought their own linen and mattresses.

    O’ Brien even brought Odomos mosquito repellant creams for them. “Small gestures went a long way and showed a camaraderie among the MPs. Each party was ready to contribute in any way they could and this spirit shows a united front,” said an opposition leader.

    Sources, however, say that the Congress MPs who arrived last night spent a few hours at the site. AAP MP Singh also composed a parody of a popular yesteryear’s song which loosely translates to him imagining “a world without Modi and Shah, where people get food and children get milk.” The opposition has demanded a discussion on price rise in both Houses of Parliament.

    NEW DELHI: The Opposition has chosen the entrance to the Parliament as its new protest site as it wants to remind Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the promise he made when he entered the House for the first time in 2014, its leaders said Thursday.

    The protests against the suspension of Opposition MPs started on Wednesday under the sky near the Gandhi statue.

    “We want to remind Modi of the promise he made when he arrived on the first day. That is the place where he touched his forehead on the stairs. Also, since there was no tent, because of the rain, we had to move the agitation somewhere. This place was symbolic,” said a leader.

    The entrance to the Parliament has now been chosen as the site of the Opposition protest as it is both strategic as well as practical.

    Braving mosquitoes and the heat, five suspended MPs, including CPI’s Santosh Kumar and AAP’s Sanjay Singh, spent the night near the Gandhi statue in Parliament complex.

    TMC’s Dola Sen and Santanu Sen were present at the site till post midnight.

    With authorities not granting permission for a tent, the five MPs slept under the sky as a protest against the suspension of 24 of their fellow parliamentarians, 20 from Rajya Sabha and four Congress members from Lok Sabha.

    “Due to heavy rain,50hr dharna has moved from Gandhi statue to #Parliament main entrance. 29hrs down. 21hrs to go. Oppn MPs still at Dharna demanding Govt to revoke suspension of (now) 27 MPs & discuss #PriceRise #GST,” tweeted TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien.

    On Thursday morning, TMC MP Mausam Noor who brought tea for the MPs said that the Opposition MPs will not apologise and the protests will continue.

    The MPs were provided lunch of idli by the DMK while the TMC served them fish fry, dinner will be served by TRS, sources said.

    AAP has been asked to supply liquids to the MPs through the protest — juice, lassi and water have been made available in abundance to ensure that they don’t suffer from dehydration.

    The TMC which served tandoori chicken for dinner on Tuesday generated a controversy with BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala objecting to non-vegetarian food being served in front of the Gandhi statue.

    “As per media reports, some suspended MPs protesting in front of the Gandhi Statue in Parliament consumed tandoori chicken. Everyone knows Gandhi ji had staunch views on the slaughter of animals. Many people are asking if this was a protest or a farce and a picnic,” Poonawala said.

    TMC leader Sushmita Dev hit back at Poonawala saying that the BJP was scared of the Opposition solidarity.

    “Behind closed doors people and leaders of RSS eat everything behind closed doors. So, don’t make a comment on our food. They can’t tolerate that the food is being brought not from our home, but by other MPs. They are scared of this solidarity,” Dev told reporters.

    Another senior opposition leader, who did not want to be named said that the comment showed the BJP’s intolerance. “While some have roti at lunch, we have fish curry and rice or chicken. What is wrong with that? We have the right to eat what we want,” he said.

    The protesting MPs also thanked the office of secretary general of the Rajya Sabha which provided two ambulances, a doctor on call, two driver to ferry the MPs and maintenance staff to keep the protest site clean.

    The MPs however, brought their own linen and mattresses.

    O’ Brien even brought Odomos mosquito repellant creams for them. “Small gestures went a long way and showed a camaraderie among the MPs. Each party was ready to contribute in any way they could and this spirit shows a united front,” said an opposition leader.

    Sources, however, say that the Congress MPs who arrived last night spent a few hours at the site. AAP MP Singh also composed a parody of a popular yesteryear’s song which loosely translates to him imagining “a world without Modi and Shah, where people get food and children get milk.” The opposition has demanded a discussion on price rise in both Houses of Parliament.

  • 20 suspended Rajya Sabha MPs begin 50-hour relay protest; 4 Cong LS members join later

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Twenty suspended Rajya Sabha members Wednesday started a 50-hour relay protest inside the Parliament complex, with sources saying the Opposition declined the Chairman’s offer that they express regret over their members’ behaviour in the House to get the suspension revoked.

    They were later joined by four Congress MPs who have also been suspended from Lok Sabha for remainder of the Monsoon session.

    The Rajya Sabha MPs are holding the protest near the Gandhi statue and will stay at the site through night, Trinamool Congress’ Dola Sen, who is one of the suspended members, said earlier in the day.

    The 20 MPs, suspended over Monday and Tuesday, include seven from the TMC, six from the DMK, three from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), two from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and one each from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

    The Nationalist Congress Party and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha who have no members suspended will also join the protests, sources said.

    “Question: What were Opposition MPs demanding Answer: A discussion on #PriceRise #GST hurting millions of people Action : Dictatorial @narendramodi govt suspends 24 MPs from #Parliament Next few days 24x 7 dharna at Gandhi statue. Peaceful satyagraha will always WIN,” tweeted TMC’s Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien.

    While the Congress and other Opposition parties were protesting at different venues in the morning, by the evening, it seemed they had come together on the issue of price rise.

    Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh visited the site of the protests and said his party will be part of the day-night dharna organised by the other Opposition parties.

    “Congress, DMK, TMC, CPM & AAP MPs from both Houses on 50 hour continous dharna by turns in Parliament precincts. They are protesting their suspension for demanding URGENT debate on price rise and GST on food items,” he tweeted later at night.

    “There’s a 170% increase in suspension of MPs under Modi govt compared to UPA. 24 MPs suspended this Monsoon session alone!” he said.

    “We are fighting the Modi-Shah onslaught on democracy and it’s clear that the Modi regime will be seen as a black spot in Indian history. All four Lok Sabha MPs are standing in solidarity with RS MP and are sitting in batches,” said Manickam Tagore, one of the four Congress MPs suspended from Lok Sabha.

    The CPI, whose one member has been suspended, said in a statement the suspension is an assault on the basic rights of freedom of expression of members of Parliament.

    “The suspension of 4 opposition MPs of the Lok Sabha and 20 MPs of the the opposition in the Rajya Sabha including two MPs of the CPI(M) on successive days is a serious blow to the democratic functioning of Parliament.

    “It is the Modi government that has been stubbornly refusing to accept any motion moved by the opposition under the Rules for a structured discussion on the burning problems being faced by the people, destroying their lives, like price rise, unemployment etc.”

    Opposition sources also said feelers from the “other side” has indicated that there is a view within the government that suspending 19 opposition MPs at one go in Rajya Sabha was a wrong strategic move and should have been avoided.

    In fact, in the morning, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu met leaders of the Opposition parties in RS and an offer was made to them that if they express regret over their behaviour in the House, another resolution will be brought to revoke the suspensions, the sources said.

    However, none of the leaders acquiesced, saying instead that the government should express regret over the decision of not discussing price rise.

    With the suspension of the MPs in RS concluding on Friday, a discussion on price rise will be taken up after that.

    Sources in the Opposition also said a detailed plan of action has been drawn out for the dharna and a roster of duties created which is being circulated on a dedicated WhatsApp group.

    While on Wednesday, idli-sambhar breakfast was organised by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, lunch with curd rice was arranged by the DMK. Dinner will be roti, daal, paneer and chicken tandoori courtesy the TMC.

    On Thursday, the DMK would be in charge of breakfast, the TRS of lunch and the AAP will arrange dinner.

    Sources said the parties have taken upon themselves to appoint leaders to take turns of one to two hours to sit at the site in support of those who have been suspended.

    In fact parties such as the NCP and JMM who have no members suspended will also join the protests, sources said.

    The leaders, however, will have to sleep under the sky, with their request of a tent being denied by the authorities, as no structures can be built, even temporarily inside the premises. The protesting MPs can, however, use the toilet in the bathroom of the Parliament library.

    NEW DELHI: Twenty suspended Rajya Sabha members Wednesday started a 50-hour relay protest inside the Parliament complex, with sources saying the Opposition declined the Chairman’s offer that they express regret over their members’ behaviour in the House to get the suspension revoked.

    They were later joined by four Congress MPs who have also been suspended from Lok Sabha for remainder of the Monsoon session.

    The Rajya Sabha MPs are holding the protest near the Gandhi statue and will stay at the site through night, Trinamool Congress’ Dola Sen, who is one of the suspended members, said earlier in the day.

    The 20 MPs, suspended over Monday and Tuesday, include seven from the TMC, six from the DMK, three from the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), two from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and one each from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

    The Nationalist Congress Party and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha who have no members suspended will also join the protests, sources said.

    “Question: What were Opposition MPs demanding Answer: A discussion on #PriceRise #GST hurting millions of people Action : Dictatorial @narendramodi govt suspends 24 MPs from #Parliament Next few days 24x 7 dharna at Gandhi statue. Peaceful satyagraha will always WIN,” tweeted TMC’s Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien.

    While the Congress and other Opposition parties were protesting at different venues in the morning, by the evening, it seemed they had come together on the issue of price rise.

    Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh visited the site of the protests and said his party will be part of the day-night dharna organised by the other Opposition parties.

    “Congress, DMK, TMC, CPM & AAP MPs from both Houses on 50 hour continous dharna by turns in Parliament precincts. They are protesting their suspension for demanding URGENT debate on price rise and GST on food items,” he tweeted later at night.

    “There’s a 170% increase in suspension of MPs under Modi govt compared to UPA. 24 MPs suspended this Monsoon session alone!” he said.

    “We are fighting the Modi-Shah onslaught on democracy and it’s clear that the Modi regime will be seen as a black spot in Indian history. All four Lok Sabha MPs are standing in solidarity with RS MP and are sitting in batches,” said Manickam Tagore, one of the four Congress MPs suspended from Lok Sabha.

    The CPI, whose one member has been suspended, said in a statement the suspension is an assault on the basic rights of freedom of expression of members of Parliament.

    “The suspension of 4 opposition MPs of the Lok Sabha and 20 MPs of the the opposition in the Rajya Sabha including two MPs of the CPI(M) on successive days is a serious blow to the democratic functioning of Parliament.

    “It is the Modi government that has been stubbornly refusing to accept any motion moved by the opposition under the Rules for a structured discussion on the burning problems being faced by the people, destroying their lives, like price rise, unemployment etc.”

    Opposition sources also said feelers from the “other side” has indicated that there is a view within the government that suspending 19 opposition MPs at one go in Rajya Sabha was a wrong strategic move and should have been avoided.

    In fact, in the morning, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu met leaders of the Opposition parties in RS and an offer was made to them that if they express regret over their behaviour in the House, another resolution will be brought to revoke the suspensions, the sources said.

    However, none of the leaders acquiesced, saying instead that the government should express regret over the decision of not discussing price rise.

    With the suspension of the MPs in RS concluding on Friday, a discussion on price rise will be taken up after that.

    Sources in the Opposition also said a detailed plan of action has been drawn out for the dharna and a roster of duties created which is being circulated on a dedicated WhatsApp group.

    While on Wednesday, idli-sambhar breakfast was organised by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, lunch with curd rice was arranged by the DMK. Dinner will be roti, daal, paneer and chicken tandoori courtesy the TMC.

    On Thursday, the DMK would be in charge of breakfast, the TRS of lunch and the AAP will arrange dinner.

    Sources said the parties have taken upon themselves to appoint leaders to take turns of one to two hours to sit at the site in support of those who have been suspended.

    In fact parties such as the NCP and JMM who have no members suspended will also join the protests, sources said.

    The leaders, however, will have to sleep under the sky, with their request of a tent being denied by the authorities, as no structures can be built, even temporarily inside the premises. The protesting MPs can, however, use the toilet in the bathroom of the Parliament library.

  • Opposition gives political interests preference over nation, PM Modi

    By PTI

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Laws are being passed without detailed deliberations and scrutiny, says Chief Justice of India

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Saturday said political opposition is translating into hostility which is not a sign of a healthy democracy.

    He said there used to be mutual respect between the government and the opposition, which is diminishing. “Political opposition should not translate into hostility, which we have been sadly witnessing these days. These are not signs of a healthy democracy,” Ramana said.

    He was speaking at an event organised at the Rajasthan Assembly by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). “There used to be mutual respect between government and opposition. Unfortunately, space for opposition is diminishing,” he said.

    The CJI also raised concerns over the quality of legislative performance. “Sadly, the country is witnessing a decline in the quality of legislative performance,” he said, adding laws are being passed without detailed deliberations and scrutiny.

    “Instead of engaging in meaningful debates for furthering democracy, politics has become acrimonious,” he said.

    He called for steps to address the “grave” issue of the high number of undertrial prisoners that is affecting the criminal justice system, saying there is a need to question procedures that lead to prolonged incarceration without any trial.

    Out of 6.10 lakh prisoners in the country, nearly 80 per cent are undertrial prisoners, he said at an event here and lamented that in the criminal justice system, the process “is a punishment”.

    “In the criminal justice system, the process is a punishment. From indiscriminate arrest to difficulty in obtaining bail, the process leading to prolonged incarceration of undertrial prisoners needs urgent attention. We need a holistic plan of action to increase the efficiency of the administration of the criminal justice system,” he said.

    However, he said that the goal should not be limited to enabling the early release of undertrial prisoners.

    “Rather, we should question procedures which lead to such prolonged incarceration in huge numbers without a trial,” he said.

    JAIPUR: Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Saturday said political opposition is translating into hostility which is not a sign of a healthy democracy.

    He said there used to be mutual respect between the government and the opposition, which is diminishing. “Political opposition should not translate into hostility, which we have been sadly witnessing these days. These are not signs of a healthy democracy,” Ramana said.

    He was speaking at an event organised at the Rajasthan Assembly by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). “There used to be mutual respect between government and opposition. Unfortunately, space for opposition is diminishing,” he said.

    The CJI also raised concerns over the quality of legislative performance. “Sadly, the country is witnessing a decline in the quality of legislative performance,” he said, adding laws are being passed without detailed deliberations and scrutiny.

    “Instead of engaging in meaningful debates for furthering democracy, politics has become acrimonious,” he said.

    He called for steps to address the “grave” issue of the high number of undertrial prisoners that is affecting the criminal justice system, saying there is a need to question procedures that lead to prolonged incarceration without any trial.

    Out of 6.10 lakh prisoners in the country, nearly 80 per cent are undertrial prisoners, he said at an event here and lamented that in the criminal justice system, the process “is a punishment”.

    “In the criminal justice system, the process is a punishment. From indiscriminate arrest to difficulty in obtaining bail, the process leading to prolonged incarceration of undertrial prisoners needs urgent attention. We need a holistic plan of action to increase the efficiency of the administration of the criminal justice system,” he said.

    However, he said that the goal should not be limited to enabling the early release of undertrial prisoners.

    “Rather, we should question procedures which lead to such prolonged incarceration in huge numbers without a trial,” he said.

  • Opposition flays ‘gag order’ on some terms used in Parliament

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Congress and Trinamool Congress on Thursday slammed the “gag order” on usage of certain words in Parliament, saying all terms used by the Opposition to describe the Modi dispensation will now to be considered “unparliamentary”.

    According to a new booklet by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, use of terms like ‘jumlajeevi’, ‘baal buddhi’, ‘Covid spreader’ and ‘Snoopgate’ and even commonly used words like ‘ashamed’, ‘abused, ‘betrayed’, ‘corrupt’, ‘drama’, ‘hypocrisy’ and ‘incompetent’ will henceforth be considered unparliamentary in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

    Slamming the move, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “All words used by the Opposition to describe the reality of Modi Sarkar now to be considered ‘unparliamentary’. What next Vishguru”. Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala also said, “Saheb knows his qualities very well”. He also shared a copy of the news report.

    The Congress said in a tweet in Hindi, “Who will be afraid of ‘Jumlajeevi’ – who has given jumlas. Who will be afraid of the word ‘Jaichand’ – who has betrayed the country. These words are not being banned in Parliament, the fear of PM Modi is coming out.”

    Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien said, “Session begins in a few days. GAG ORDER ISSUED ON MPs.”

    “Now, we will not be allowed to use these basic words while delivering a speech in #Parliament : Ashamed. Abused. Betrayed. Corrupt. Hypocrisy. Incompetent. I will use all these words. Suspend me. Fighting for democracy,” the TMC leader said.

    Another Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said on Twitter, “Latest List of ‘banned words’ in Parliament is BJP Govt desperate attempt to control criticism & hard-hitting truth.” “BJP Government wants Parliament to turn into ‘yes man’ chamber and ‘cheerleading stadium’ rather than house of accountability and answerability,” he also said.

    Gujarat Congress’ working president Jignesh Mevani tweeted, “Ashamed, abused, betrayed, corrupt, drama, hypocrisy, incompetent jumlajeevi, baal buddhi, Covid spreader, dohra charitra, nikamma, nautanki, dhindora peetna, behri sarkar are among the many words that will now be called unparliamentary.

    What’s happening in the country?” The compilation of words listing out as unparliamentary and expressions comes ahead of the Monsoon session beginning July 18, during which the use of words like ‘anarchist’, ‘Shakuni’, ‘dictatorial’, ‘taanashah’, ‘taanashahi’, ‘Jaichand’, ‘vinash purush’, ‘Khalistani’ and ‘khoon se kheti’ would also be expunged if used during debates or otherwise in both the houses.

    NEW DELHI: The Congress and Trinamool Congress on Thursday slammed the “gag order” on usage of certain words in Parliament, saying all terms used by the Opposition to describe the Modi dispensation will now to be considered “unparliamentary”.

    According to a new booklet by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, use of terms like ‘jumlajeevi’, ‘baal buddhi’, ‘Covid spreader’ and ‘Snoopgate’ and even commonly used words like ‘ashamed’, ‘abused, ‘betrayed’, ‘corrupt’, ‘drama’, ‘hypocrisy’ and ‘incompetent’ will henceforth be considered unparliamentary in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

    Slamming the move, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “All words used by the Opposition to describe the reality of Modi Sarkar now to be considered ‘unparliamentary’. What next Vishguru”. Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala also said, “Saheb knows his qualities very well”. He also shared a copy of the news report.

    The Congress said in a tweet in Hindi, “Who will be afraid of ‘Jumlajeevi’ – who has given jumlas. Who will be afraid of the word ‘Jaichand’ – who has betrayed the country. These words are not being banned in Parliament, the fear of PM Modi is coming out.”

    Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien said, “Session begins in a few days. GAG ORDER ISSUED ON MPs.”

    “Now, we will not be allowed to use these basic words while delivering a speech in #Parliament : Ashamed. Abused. Betrayed. Corrupt. Hypocrisy. Incompetent. I will use all these words. Suspend me. Fighting for democracy,” the TMC leader said.

    Another Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said on Twitter, “Latest List of ‘banned words’ in Parliament is BJP Govt desperate attempt to control criticism & hard-hitting truth.” “BJP Government wants Parliament to turn into ‘yes man’ chamber and ‘cheerleading stadium’ rather than house of accountability and answerability,” he also said.

    Gujarat Congress’ working president Jignesh Mevani tweeted, “Ashamed, abused, betrayed, corrupt, drama, hypocrisy, incompetent jumlajeevi, baal buddhi, Covid spreader, dohra charitra, nikamma, nautanki, dhindora peetna, behri sarkar are among the many words that will now be called unparliamentary.

    What’s happening in the country?” The compilation of words listing out as unparliamentary and expressions comes ahead of the Monsoon session beginning July 18, during which the use of words like ‘anarchist’, ‘Shakuni’, ‘dictatorial’, ‘taanashah’, ‘taanashahi’, ‘Jaichand’, ‘vinash purush’, ‘Khalistani’ and ‘khoon se kheti’ would also be expunged if used during debates or otherwise in both the houses.

  • Gopalkrishna Gandhi declines Opposition request to contest Presidential polls 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi on Monday declined the opposition leaders’ request to contest the upcoming presidential election and said the candidate for the polls should be one who will generate a national consensus and ensure opposition unity.

    In a statement, Gandhi said several esteemed leaders of the Opposition have done him the honour of thinking of him for the opposition’s candidature in the upcoming elections for the presidency.

    “I am most grateful to them. But having considered the matter deeply I see that the Opposition’s candidate should be one who will generate a national consensus and a national atmosphere besides Opposition unity. I feel there will be others who will do this far better than I,” he said.

    “And so I have requested the leaders to give the opportunity to such a person. May India get a President worthy of the office presaged by Rajaji as the last Governor General and inaugurated by Dr Rajendra Prasad as our first President,” Gandhi said.

    The 77-year-old former bureaucrat had also served as India’s High Commissioner to South Africa and Sri Lanka.

    He is the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and C Rajagopalachari.

  • Voice of truth can’t be supressed any longer: Opposition

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Opposition parties were united in welcoming the Supreme Court order putting the sedition law in abeyance and called for scrapping the colonial-era provision so that no government could misuse it to silence criticism.

    The Congress said the verdict had spelt it loud and clear that the voice of truth couldn’t be suppressed now and that speaking truth to power was not sedition, but “true nationalism and the true test of how committed you are to your country and to your people”.

    “A clear-cut message has gone today to suppressors and subjugators of public opinion, of dissent, of everyone who criticises the autocratic and dictatorial rulers and their policy, that you can no longer suppress the voice of truth, of dissent. Those critical of government must be heard and course corrections need to be done,” said the party.

    The party claimed it had promised to repeal the draconian law in its manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. CPM general-secretary Sitaram Yechury hailed the SC order as a “correct step in the right direction”, but added that the court should repeal the legislation because the Central government was using it to target those who are questioning it.  “The Supreme Court must not wait for this government’s review and proceed to scrap the anachronistic Section 124(A) of the Indian Penal Code,” Yechury said.

    Casting doubts on the intent of the government, the Left leader said, “Whenever the government doesn’t want to take a decision, it says a review is being done. Meetings take place and the issue is dragged on but there is no outcome.”

    The Aam Aadmi Party also demanded that the clause be permanently removed from the statute book. Alleging that misuse of Section 124(A) had increased since the BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014, the party said the Centre should take the SC’s observations and directions as a “warning” that the judiciary was also unhappy with the rampant abuse of the sedition law.

    Other opposition parties also lauded the decision, with TMC spokesperson Sukhendu Sekhar Ray tweeting that the top court had once again played a “historic role” and the Bahujan Samaj Party demanding that the illegal use of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act should also be stopped. 

  • Opposition driven by ‘vote bank’ politics not country’s interest: PM Modi 

    By PTI

    AMETHI/ PRAYAGRAJ: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday attacked opposition parties, saying guided by “vote bank and dynastic politics”, they have always sacrificed the interest of the country and the poor.

    Modi also questioned the “silence” of rivals over the court’s recent verdict on Ahmedabad blasts, saying, “Being hostage to vote bank politics, they would even not hesitate to insult the army or the police”.

    Modi was addressing a rally for nine constituencies of Amethi and neighbouring Sultanpur.

    The prime minister’s remarks came days after a special court in Ahmedabad sentenced to death 38 members of the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen in the 2008 serial blasts case.

    The court also sentenced 11 other convicts to life imprisonment.

    Modi started the day with the election rally in Amethi and later went to Prayagraj for his second public meeting.

    At the Prayagraj rally, PM Modi said two crore people visited Mecca and around one crore visited Vatican City in Rome in 2019.

    These countries had given facilities for the visiting devotees, he said.

    “But, if we do the same in India, these people see this through the lens of communalism,” he said attacking the rivals.

    Modi appealed to the youths to remain beware of dynasts who are “hostage” to vote bank politics.

    He also sought to puncture the euphoria of opponents over voting in the first four phases of the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, saying “people have showered blessings on the BJP in abundance, proving that the rivals’ math on division of votes has gone wrong”.

    Assembly constituencies of Sultanpur were included in the first rally while BJP candidates of Pratapgarh were also present in the second meeting.

    The prime minister fondly remembered February 24, saying on this day, he had launched PM Kisan Yojna three years back and also became an MLA for the first time 20 years ago from Rajkot in Gujarat.

    Before independence, there was inner party democracy in the Congress and different people headed it but after the independence, the leadership of the party rested with only one family, the prime minister said at the rally in Amethi.

    “Other parties, including the SP, have copied this and the sequence of power transfer from father to son continues.

    The dynasts care only for their family interest and giving the interest of the poor and the country a go-by,” Modi said.

    “Whereas in the BJP, since the days of the Jana Sangh, has never been a ‘father-son Ltd company’ and different people hailing from varied regions have held the chair of party president,” he said.

    Modi said he took the Covid vaccine only after the jabs were given to health workers and others and so was his elderly mother.

    “Neither me nor my 100-year-old mother jumped the line and took the jab.

    When the government started giving booster doses, my mother who has no co-morbidity did not take it,” he said giving some examples.

    He further said during rules of the dynasts in Uttar Pradesh, ministers had not much relevance as the man at the helm in office used to “distribute districts and departments among family members”.

    “The officials knew very well that the ministers had not much importance and would follow the instruction of ‘super ministers’ (family members) to improve their CR so that they can get plum posting,” he said.

    In an apparent dig at Rahul Gandhi, he said the person whom the people had blessed here (Amethi) for long but “chased away” in 2019 to Kerala, did not miss an opportunity to question the wisdom of people here.

    Amethi Lok Sabha MP Smriti Irani and Sultanpur MP Maneka Gandhi were present on the dais.

    While Irani addressed the rally, Maneka Gandhi did not address the gathering.

    At the Prayagraj rally, Modi mocked the poll promises of the rivals on employment and said while only two lakh jobs were provided in 10 years before 2017 in Uttar Pradesh on the basis of “favouritism and bundle of notes”, the Yogi Adityanath government generated five lakh government jobs in as many years with complete transparency.

    BSP ruled UP from 2007-12 while Akhilesh Yadav was in power in the state from 2012-17.