Tag: political parties

  • Lok Sabha polls: Showbiz personalities galore in Bengal electoral fray

    The not-so-old trend among major political parties in West Bengal to throw their weight behind silver screen personalities continues unabated in the current edition of Lok Sabha polls where stars of yesteryears are contesting the elections shoulder to shoulder with contemporary celluloid icons of the industry. In terms of numbers the state’s ruling Trinamool Congress, like in the past, is way ahead of its completion this time around as well by fielding six of the nine filmstars in the poll fray.

    While the opposition BJP has nominated two film personalities, the CPI (M) has settled for one well-known tinsel town figure from the Tollygunge film and TV industry to try and dent the opposition vote bank.

    TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has reposed her faith in Bollywood superstar of the 70s and 80s, Shatrughan Sinha, a repeat candidate from Asansol, and on reigning Tollygunge superstar Dipak Adhikari aka Dev from the Ghatal seat for a third consecutive term in Lok Sabha. She also nominated tried and tested contemporary actors-cum-politicians Saayoni Ghosh and June Maliah from the Jadavpur and Medinipur constituencies respectively. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther StatesSatabdi Roy, another popular star of the 80s, is TMC’s candidate from Birbhum who is eyeing her fourth term in the lower house of the Parliament. Successful Bengali film heroine of the 90s, former Miss Calcutta and immensely popular TV show host, Rachana Banerjee, is the party’s candidate of choice from the Hooghly seat. Banerjee, of course, makes her debut in politics with her role as a prospective parliamentarian. TMC’s inclination for film stars also comes with Mamata Banerjee’s decision to drop from the fray Mimi Chakraborty and Nusrat Jahan, leading ladies of the Bengali film fraternity who won the polls in 2019 from Jadavpur and Basirhat seats respectively. “I am happy to be working under the country’s strongest and most popular political figure Mamata Banerjee and want to continue serving the people of Asansol,” Sinha, fondly called ‘Bihari babu’ by his fans, said.

    The veteran actor has already spent over two decades in politics and switched camps from the BJP to the Trinamool following his fallout with the Narendra Modi-led BJP regime.

    A distant follower of the TMC with respect to the number of showbiz figures it has managed to field, the BJP’s candidate list includes actor-turned-politician Locket Chatterjee from the Hooghly seat and Tolly star Hiran Chatterjee from Ghatal.

    While Hiran, a sitting BJP MLA from Kharagpur, takes on fellow star Dev, debutant Rachana finds herself pitted against Locket, the incumbent MP from Hooghly.

    An initially reluctant Dev, who publicly expressed his desire to stay away from electoral politics during the current polls, later relented under the insistence of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and the party’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

    “My dream is to implement the Ghatal masterplan which will put an end to people’s distress arising out of recurrent floods in the area. I have been trying to implement the project since 2014 and felt I should continue in politics a while longer and finish what I started,” Dev told PTI.

    Dev’s rival Hiran had debuted in politics ahead of the 2021 Assembly polls.

    “It’s easy to fight injustices on reels, but you have to be part of the system to change it,” said Hiran who is a bitter critic of alleged corruption under the current TMC regime.

    Rachana, so far, seems to be enjoying the different kind of limelight she has been put under.

    “I don’t believe politics is a pastime for people like us. Village women are mobbing me. They want to touch me. Men are asking me to bless their children during road shows,” said Banerjee, host of the high TRP-grosser ‘Didi Number One’ reality show.

    Rachana, though, drew a flak from her rival Locket who is seeking re-election for the third time.

    “If she thinks hitting campaign trails coming straight from a studio and waving hands at people will fetch her votes, she is grossly mistaken. Elections are a different ball game,” Chatterjee said.

    Another familiar face from the industry, June Maliah, a Trinamool MLA of the Medinipur assembly segment, is locking horns with BJP’s Agnimitra Paul, a known fashion designer and MLA of Asansol South, at the Medinipur Lok Sabha seat.

    TMC’s youth wing president and a popular actor in her own right, Saayoni Ghosh, has been pitchforked by the party to lead the party’s challenge in Jadavpur. Ghosh had unsuccessfully contested against Paul in the 2021 assembly elections.

    “My experiences over the past three years have been rewarding and helped me mature as a politician. That is allowing me to reach out to my electorate in a better manner this time,” Ghosh said.

    CPI(M) nominee Devdut Ghosh, a familiar face in TV soaps, OTT platforms and films, is trying his luck from the Barrackpore Lok Sabha seat after biting the dust in the 2021 state polls from Tollygunj.

    “As an actor, I have a certain sensitivity. I cannot remain confined to my profession and fraternity when the state is burning. I need to respond and drive home my message to the people I can connect with,” he said, justifying his foray into electoral politics.

    TMC spokesperson Trinankur Bhattacharya said, “Dev, June and Saayoni have already proved their political acumen. While Dev and June have regularly been in touch with the voters of their constituencies, Saayoni gave a good fight to the BJP in 2021. She has emerged as an important leader with street fighter instincts.

    SFI state committee member Subhajit Sarkar called TMC’s nomination of candidates like Rachana Banerjee “nothing but a stunt”. “Remember they did not renominate Nusrat Jahan or Mimi Chakraborty. People have seen through their gimmicks,” he said.

    BJP’s actor-leader Rudranil Ghosh said he was all in favour of people joining politics from various walks of life. “But we don’t need star personalities with little or no idea of what they are getting into,” he added.

  • Political parties from 10 countries visiting India on BJP’s invite to experience polls

    New Delhi: Representatives of 18 political parties from 10 countries will interact with a host of BJP leaders, including party president J P Nadda and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during their visit to India on the ruling party’s invitation to get a first-hand experience of the Lok Sabha polls. The BJP said the foreign leaders will also be given insights into the party’s election campaign and will be briefed about its strategies and the overall electoral process. They will meet Nadda on Wednesday and also interact with Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Australia’s Liberal Party, Vietnam’s Communist Party of Vietnam, Bangladesh’s Awami League, Israel’s Likud Party, Uganda’s National Resistance Movement, Tanzania’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi, and Russia’s United Russia Party are among the political parties whose representatives are visiting India. Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and United National Party from Sri Lanka, Militant Socialist Movement, Mauritius Labour Party, Mauritian Militant Movement and Parti Mauricien Social Democrate from Mauritius, and Nepali Congress, Janamat Party, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and Rashtriya Swatantra Party from Nepal are among other parties visiting on the BJP’s invitation. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther StatesBJP’s foreign affairs department in-charge Vijay Chauthaiwale said the visit is part of the party’s global outreach programme ‘Know BJP’, which was launched by Nadda on its 43rd foundation day last year.

  • Lok Sabha polls: EC asks political parties to share details of aircraft, helicopters used in campaigning

    The Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked political parties to furnish details of aircraft and helicopters being used for campaigning, including their origin and destination and details of people ferried in them. A letter by Tejas Samel, deputy election officer of Mumbai Suburban district, dated April 12, said such information has to be furnished three days before the journey to the district election office, but that duration has now been reduced to 24 hours.

    “We are sending a revised letter on April 17. Instead of three days, they have to inform us 24 hours in advance,” Samel told PTI on Tuesday night.

    The details should also include the make of the aircraft/helicopter and people travelling in them. The letter said this information has to be furnished under the Model Code of Conduct in force for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, which has to be sent to the ECI.

    Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, which has 48 seats, will be held in five phases between April 19 and May 20.

  • ‘Follow Model Code Of Conduct’: EC’s Advisory To Political Parties Ahead Of 2024 Lok Sabha Polls |

    NEW DELHI: In an effort to address the declining standards of political campaign discourse witnessed in recent elections, the Election Commission of India has issued a crucial advisory to all political parties. The advisory emphasizes the need to maintain decorum, exercise utmost restraint in public campaigning, and elevate the discourse to focus on issue-based debates.

    Notice To Star Campaigners And Candidates: EC Warns Of Stern Measures

    The Election Commission has put ‘Star Campaigners’ and candidates on notice, cautioning against violations that may breach the Model Code of Conduct. The commission’s meticulous approach aims to assess any indirect violations based on advisory guidelines, providing a fair basis for issuing notices in terms of time and content for the upcoming elections.

     

    Ahead of LS polls, EC asks parties to maintain decorum and utmost restraint, raise level of election campaign to issue-based debate
    — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 1, 2024

     

    EC To Watch Repeat Offences

    For the upcoming general election to the Lok Sabha and four state Legislative assemblies, the Election Commission will consider “repeat” offences across all phases and geographical areas. This approach aims to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of campaign conduct, discouraging parties from flouting ethical standards repeatedly.

    CEC Urges Responsible Political Dialogue

    Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has underscored the importance of fostering ethical and respectful political discourse. Encouraging parties to inspire rather than divide and promote ideas over personal attacks, Kumar’s statements align with the proactive advisory, setting the stage for a more civil and issue-focused 2024 General Election.

     

    Star campaigners, candidates who have received notices in past will face stern action for repeat violation of model code: EC advisory
    — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 1, 2024

     

    Balancing Freedom of Expression And Level Playing Field

    While recognizing the need to balance freedom of expression and maintain a level playing field, the advisory notes the Election Commission’s self-restrained approach. The commission’s notices aim to serve as moral censure, encouraging responsible conduct without outright prohibitions to minimize disruptions to campaigning activities.

    EC Acknowledges IT And Social Media Impact

    The advisory acknowledges the challenges posed by the evolving landscape of information technology and social media platforms. It recognizes the blurred lines between pre-MCC and the 48-hour silence period, urging political parties, leaders, and candidates to adhere to the Model Code of Conduct and legal framework to prevent surrogate or indirect violations.

     

    Social media posts vilifying or insulting rivals, posts that are in bad taste or below dignity not to be shared: EC advisory before LS polls
    — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 1, 2024

     

    Responsibility Of Star Campaigners To Uphold Ethical Standards

    Designated as “star campaigners” under Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, political party leaders delivering speeches during rallies enjoy privileges but bear the responsibility of upholding the highest ethical standards. The advisory reinforces the harmonious and purposeful construction of the Model Code of Conduct and statutory provisions, emphasizing ethical conduct during election campaigns.

  • Delhi HC asks EC to respond to PIL for model procedure for internal polls of political parties

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court Thursday sought the Election Commission’s (EC) reply on a plea seeking framing of a model procedure for intra-party polls and its incorporation in the constitutions of all the political parties in the country.

    A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh issued notice to the EC and asked it to file reply while listing the petition for further hearing on December 23.

    The petitioner informed the court that he has filed a fresh plea as the EC’s reply to his representation was unsatisfactory.

    He had earlier filed a petition which was disposed of by the court with a direction to the EC to decide it as representation.

    Petitioner C Rajashekaran, a lawyer who was also one of the founding members of Kamal Haasan’s political party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), claimed that there was a lack of regulatory oversight by the EC of the internal elections in political parties.

    He also claimed that the EC had in 1996 issued a letter to all recognised national and state political parties as well as registered unrecognised parties stating that various provisions relating to the organisational elections were not being followed by them and called upon them to follow their respective constitutions relating to said elections scrupulously.

    The petition had alleged that internal elections of most parties “are often an eyewash for established political families within the said parties to continue to retain power as the top leadership of said party.”

    “The lack of internal democracy in political parties, as opposed to other private organisations/ institutions, has a significant bearing on the nation’s governance, as the lack of transparency and internal democracy in political parties are often reflected in similar non-democratic governance models when said political parties come to power,” the petition contended.

    It claimed that data provided by the EC shows that a total of 2,598 political parties are registered in the country with their own distinct symbol provided by the commission.

    “However, various political parties out of the registered ones do not mandatorily conduct intra-party elections, and as such, no steps have been taken by the Election Commission to address the same,” the petition claimed.

  • Lakhs will take part in Kisan Mahapanchayat to inaugurate ‘Mission Uttar Pradesh’: SKM

    The farmers #39; body said that mobilisation meetings have taken place in several places across UP, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

  • Election Commission writes to political parties about criminal antecedents of candidates

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Days after the Supreme Court directed that political parties have to publish information regarding criminal antecedents of candidates on the homepage of their websites, the Election Commission has written to heads of recognised political parties saying that it has created a fund in which fines for contempt of court can be deposited for failing to comply with the apex court’s directions.

    It also reminded the political parties that the Commission was directed by the apex court to carry out an extensive campaign to make every voter aware of his or her right to know and the availability of information regarding criminal antecedents of all contesting candidates.

    For this purpose, a fund was to be created within four weeks.

    The EC was also directed to create a separate cell that will also monitor the required compliances so that the court can be apprised promptly of non-compliance by any political party of the directions contained in the court’s orders.

    The court had said that if such a political party fails to submit such compliance report with the EC, the poll panel will bring such non-compliance by the political party to the notice of the court “as being in contempt of this court’s orders/directions, which shall in future be viewed very seriously”.

    The letter sent out on August 26 said in compliance with the Supreme Court directions, the Election Commission has created the “fund” in which fines for contempt of court can be deposited.

    It also gave out details f the bank account where such fines can be deposited.

    On August 10, the Supreme Court had said that political parties have to publish information regarding criminal antecedents of candidates on the homepage of their websites.

    The apex court had directed the Election Commission to create a dedicated mobile application containing information published by the candidates regarding their criminal antecedents so that voter gets information on his or her mobile phone at one stroke.

    A bench of justices R F Nariman and B R Gavai passed these directions in its verdict on a plea seeking contempt action against several political parties including the BJP and the Indian National Congress for non-compliance of its February 13, 2020 directions during Bihar assembly polls last year.

    The bench modified one of its earlier directions given in its February last year order on furnishing of details about the criminal antecedents of candidates.

    “We clarify that the direction in paragraph 4.4 of our order dated February 13, 2020, be modified and it is clarified that the details which are required to be published, shall be published within 48 hours of the selection of the candidate and not prior to two weeks before the first date of filing of nominations,” it said.

    It also directed the EC to carry out an extensive awareness campaign to make every voter aware of his right to know and the availability of information regarding criminal antecedents of all contesting candidates.

    The apex court held several political parties guilty of its contempt in 2020 Bihar assembly polls for disobeying an order requiring them to publish antecedents of candidates within 48 hours of selection or not less than two weeks before filing of nominations and imposed varying fines on them.

    It directed that fine imposed for contempt of court in the matter may be directed to be paid in the fund which must be created within four weeks.

    In its February last year verdict aimed at decriminalising Indian politics, the apex court had directed the political parties to upload on their websites and social media platforms the details of pending criminal cases against their candidates and the reasons for selecting them as also for not giving ticket to those without criminal antecedents.

  • Parties form queues to meet kin of rape-murder victim in Delhi

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Political leaders including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday made a beeline to meet the parents of the nine-year-old Scheduled Caste girl, who was allegedly raped and murdered in Old Nangal Rai Village of Delhi Cantonment area.

    Gandhi assured all support to the family. “Tears of the mother and father are saying only one thing. Their daughter — daughter of the country — deserves justice. And I am standing with them on this path of justice,” he tweeted. He was the first leader to reach out to the victim’s parents on Wednesday.

    Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also met them and announced a magisterial inquiry into the matter.According to allegations, the girl was raped and killed by a priest and three employees of a crematorium near Delhi Cantonment. Delhi Police has registered a case against the four on the basis of the statement of the minor’s mother, who alleged her daughter was cremated without their consent on Sunday.

    A delegation led by CPI (M) polit buro member Brinda Karat also visited the family. Delegation members said they are with the family in their fight for justice. “We demand speedy justice through a fast-track court and slapping appropriate sections of the IPC against the culprits. The Central government, being responsible for law and order in the capital, must provide additional compensation to the family,” said KM Tiwari, secretary, CPI(M) Delhi.

    The accused have been booked under Sections 302, 376 and 506 of the IPC, along with relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the SC/ST Act.Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati also demanded strict action against the culprits.

    “The brutal murder of a nine-year-old girl and her cremation is very sad and shameful. BSP demands strict action against the culprits and necessary steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents,” tweeted the fromer UP CM in Hindi on Wednesday.In the evening, Bhim Army, led by its chief Chandrashekhar Azad, held a candle light protest at India Gate to seek justice in the case.