News Analysis India

Tag: Prime Minister

  • Farm laws: Damage control bid in poll-bound states, say political analysts and Opposition leaders

    By Express News Service

    For BJP, PM Narendra Modi’s big heart could have prompted the repeal of three contentious farm laws. For political analysts and Opposition leaders, it is simply a matter of electoral arithmetic. This holds especially true in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh and its spillover effect in Punjab elections.

    In western UP, 16 districts comprise 136 Assembly seats out of the total of 403. Jat votes in these districts, which consolidated after the 2013 riots in BJP’s favour, have disintegrated. That means the Jats, an aggressive section of the farmer stir, are going back again with the Muslims against BJP — a grim warning for the party.

    Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was blunt in his reaction. “The repeal symbolises the defeat of an individual’s ego, which has been prompted by the fear of losing 2022 polls. They’ll bring the same laws after elections.”

    Congress’s Priyanka Gandhi said, “Why is the PM apologising now when 600-700 farmers have lost their lives? It is because (BJP’s) internal surveys have warned them of defeat in polls,” she said in LucknowSome analysts term it as the PM’s masterstroke to deny the Opposition any chance to gain an edge in the polls.

    They say the formidable Jat-Muslim votes would now stand divided to BJP’s advantage. In Punjab, political analyst Prof Ashutosh of Punjab University says BJP can now hope to have some kind of presence in the polls. “They would co-opt farmer leaders to preempt a backlash in the polls.”

    Another political observer, Prof Kuldeep Singh says the decision would enable the Centre to have wider consultations with various farmer unions, something the government should have done earlier. “In the process, BJP would like to take credit for the decision and make a fresh beginning in Punjab after losing support.

    The saffron party faces isolation in Punjab after it parted ways with the Akalis following enactment of the laws. Many say the poll dynamics would change with former CM Amarinder Singh going ahead with seat adjustment with the BJP.

    In Uttarakhand, stakes are high for BJP. Jay Singh Rawat, a political commentator, said, “The repeal will have its effects in US Nagar where a sizable population of farmers supported the protests.” The Bajpur seat in the US Nagar district is considered a stronghold of former state minister Yashpal Arya. He was a cabinet minister for BJP and joined Congress last month.

    Harpreet Bajwa (Chandigarh), Vineet Upadhyay (Dehradun), ENS (Lucknow)

  • Caste census on PM Narendra Modi’s government agenda next?

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Will the Narendra Modi government bite the bullet to go ahead with a nationwide caste census? Yes, feel insiders from the NDA constituents. Like the decision to repeal the farm laws, the ruling dispensation is said to be mulling over a rethink on the contentious issue of caste census ahead of the polls in states including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

    “A deep consideration to review the BJP stand on the nationwide caste census is going on. If everything goes well after considering all pros and cons, the BJP-led government may take another dramatic decision on it soon,” a party insider says, adding that the inputs received on the BJP’s stand have not been favourable.

    In September, the central government had ruled out the possibility of a caste-based census through the Census-2021 exercise. After sustained attack by opposition parties and unease among its alliance parties, the BJP had shifted the onus of conducting such exercise on state government. 

    Given that Friday’s announcement to set aside the three agriculture laws is the second major volte face of the government after it put land acquisition on hold in 2015, the sources indicate that there may be an announcement of a caste census with the caveat of being again voted to power after 2024 general elections.

    Those in the know from the NDA admit that the latest decision was taken in the wake of the Lakhimpur-Kheri episode. The decision to repeal the farm laws in principle was taken soon after former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, they say.

    “It may have been Amarinder’s condition for a pre-poll alliance or because of mounting pressure from the Opposition and farmers. Or, it may be because of the unfavourable inputs the party had received in its internal survey. But it is a strategic move ahead of the polls in five states,” said a senior NDA leader.

    Incidentally, the PM’s announcement to repeal the farm laws caught its allies in Bihar by surprise. “It was his (Modi) decision to bring the laws and again it is his decision to repeal. What can we comment on it?” said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

  • Laws were aimed at getting farmers the right price: PM Narendra Modi

    By Express News Service

    Three agricultural laws were introduced as part of this great campaign to improve the condition of the farmers. The aim was that the farmers of the country, especially the small farmers, should be empowered and get the right price for their products and more options to sell their produce.

    For years, this demand was made by the farmers, agricultural experts, agricultural economists and farmers’ organisations. In the past also, many governments had brainstormed on this issue. This time also, there was debate in Parliament following which these laws were introduced. A large number of farmers and several farmers’ organisations welcomed and supported it. I want to thank all of them.

    Our government brought in the laws with a good intention, full sincerity and complete dedication for the welfare of farmers, especially small farmers, in the interest of agriculture and the country and for a bright future of the poor in villages. But we have not been able to explain to some farmers that such a sacred thing is absolutely pure and for the benefit of the farmers.  

    Even though only a section of farmers was protesting, it was still important for us. Agricultural economists, scientists, progressive farmers also tried hard to make them understand the importance of agricultural laws.

    We kept on explaining with utmost humility and with an open mind. Individual and group interactions also continued through various mediums. We did not leave any stone unturned to understand the arguments of the farmers. The government also agreed to change the provisions of the laws on which they had objections. We proposed suspending these laws for two years. In the meantime, this matter went to the Hon’ble Supreme Court. All these things are in front of the country, so I will not go into further details.

    This is not the time to blame anyone. I want to tell you, the entire country, we have decided to repeal all three agricultural laws. We will complete the constitutional process to repeal these laws in the Parliament session later this month.

    I urge all my agitating farmer companions that today is the holy day of Guru Purab and you should return to your homes, fields and to your families. Let’s make a fresh start. Let’s move forward with a fresh beginning. Today, the government has taken another important decision related to the agriculture sector. Excerpts from the PM’s address to the nation

  • Previous governments devastated Bundelkhand: PM Narendra Modi

    By PTI

    MAHOBA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the previous state and central governments of devastating the Bundelkhand region by handing over its resources and forests to mafia elements who “looted” them.

    “The governments which had been there in Delhi and UP left no stone unturned in devastating this region turn by turn,” Prime Minister said here while inaugurating a slew of projects aimed at ending the water scarcity in the parched Bundelkhand region.

    “It is not hidden from anyone that the jungles and resources were handed over to the mafia. The manner in which these people behaved with Bundelkhand will not be forgotten by the people here,” he said.

    “A lot was said and done in the name of ‘nalkoop’ and hand pumps but earlier governments did not tell how water could be made available in the absence of groundwater,” the Prime Minister pointed out.

    “Now when the bulldozer is being used against mafia (elements), some people are raising hue and cry. But whatever they may try to do, the development UP and Bundelkhand will not stop,” the Prime Minister asserted.

    “The question is how this area, which was an example for water conservation in the past, turned into a centre of exodus and water-related problems,” the prime minister said.

    “Why were the people not ready to marry their daughters here and daughters here wished they got married to areas where there is water?” he asked.

    Attacking the “pariwarwadis” (dynastic) governments, he said they kept most of the UP villages thirsty for decades but the government of ‘karma yogis’ in two years gave tap water to 30 lakh people, said Modi, lauding the Yogi Adityanath government’s work in the parched region.

    “The governments of ‘pariwarwadis’ kept children and daughters deprived of drinking water facilities but the double engine government made separate toilets in schools,” he said.

    They made announcements in the name of farmers but not a paisa used to reach them, he said. “In the name of ponds, ribbons were cut but the ‘commission’ was taken in the digging work for embankments and there was corruption in drought relief works.

    “Those in the government looted Bundelkhand and benefitted their families without caring for your families crying for every drop of water,” he said, citing the example of the Arjun Sahayak project, inaugurated by him today, as an example of their work culture.

  • PM Modi should apologise to farmers for pain caused due to farm laws: Congress

    'Modi ji is seeing his loss clearly in upcoming elections and this fear has forced him to take back his decision and shed his 'raaj hath' (stubbornness),' he charged.

  • See wave of change in UP that will wipe out BJP in 2022 Assembly polls: Akhilesh Yadav

    By PTI

    GAZIPUR: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said he sensed a “wave of change” in Uttar Pradesh that will “wipe out” the BJP in the 2022 Assembly polls as he held a ‘Vijay Rath Yatra’ on the Purvanchal Expressway inaugurated a day ago by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    He claimed the 341-km-long expressway was initiated by the Samajwadi Party when it was in power in the state. He also alleged that the Purvanchal Expressway is still “incomplete”.

    In a dig at Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Samajwadi Party president claimed that it was “bulls and bulldozers that were moving around in the state” and asked the people would not they “wipe out bulls and bulldozers”.

    Yadav was referring to the problem of stray cattle in the state and the chief minister’s claim of bulldozers demolishing unauthorised properties.

    “I see a wave of change in the state the BJP will be wiped out. I can assure you that in the coming days, Uttar Pradesh will see a change and that will be for peace. There will definitely be a change in 2022 (assembly polls).”

    “It was the Samajwadi Party’s dream of building the Purvanchal Expressway to reduce travelling time between Lucknow and Delhi. It was to be an expressway of prosperity.” Attacking the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, he said that petrol and diesel have become costlier under the current dispensation.

    “These are the very people who had said that poor with slippers will travel by air. But the way the prices of diesel and petrol have gone up, riding a motorcycle has become difficult.” Referring to the promises the BJP made to the people, Yadav said, “Unemployed youths waited for jobs for five years. Where are the jobs? Will the youth not bring a change? All sections of the society, be it farmers, labourers and youths, are ready to bring a change in the state.”

    Buoyed by the surging crowd, the Samajwadi Party chief said, “This is the beginning, the BJP will be wiped out. A historical rally will be held here soon.” Referring to the different shades of flags of his alliance partners in the crowds, Yadav said, “I can see red, yellow, green and blue. It is a rainbow of all colours. The Samajwadi Party takes all the colours along.

    “He took a dig at the ruling party, accusing it of being “of one hue and they cannot take the state on the path of prosperity.” In an ostensible reference to a video on social media where PM Modi is seen in a four-wheeler surrounded by his security personnel in Sultanpur and Adityanath walking, Yadav said, “It was for the people to bring them on the road, but they themselves have started trodding down that path.”

    “We have to take this expressway to Ballia and connect it with Bihar. When the Samajwadi Party forms government, it will provide a better road, mandis and employment opportunities for the youth,” the Samajwadi Party chief said.

    His alliance partner, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) president Om Prakash Rajbhar said “the government will not change till we all fight together against it” and asked people not to rest till the BJP is voted out of power.

  • ‘Commander-in-thief ‘ remark against PM: Rahul Gandhi moves Bombay HC for quashing of defamation case

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday moved a petition before the Bombay High Court seeking quashing of the defamation case filed against him by a BJP supporter for the former’s “commander-in-thief” remark targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    The complainant Mahesh Shrishrimal had stated that this remark was made by Rahul Gandhi while attacking the prime minister in 2018 over the Rafale fighter jet deal.

    After taking cognizance of the complaint, a magistrate’s court in Mumbai had issued summons to Rahul Gandhi in October 2019. The former Congress president has not appeared in person so far before the magistrate.

    The petition to quash the defamation case was filed before Justice S K Shinde of the Bombay high court by Rahul Gandhi’s lawyer Kushal Mor stating that the said remark was made against the prime minister and the complainant is not the aggrieved party.

    Shrishrimal had stated that Rahul Gandhi’s statement had hurt the sentiments of the supporters of the prime minister. Rahul Gandhi had not only defamed the PM but also members of BJP, he had claimed. The high court has posted the matter for hearing on November 22.

  • Anguished by loss of lives: PM Modi on Ahmednagar hospital fire

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a major fire that broke out in a hospital in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar this morning.

    At least 10 coronavirus patients were killed and another suffered serious burn injuries in the fire that broke out in the district civil hospital in Ahmednagar, officials said.

    The blaze erupted around 11 am in the intensive care unit (ICU), where 20 COVID-19 patients were undergoing treatment, they said.

    In a tweet, Modi said, “Anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire in a hospital in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest.” Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has ordered an in-depth inquiry into the incident.

    Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday ordered an in-depth inquiry into the fire at Ahmednagar civil hospital, which claimed the lives of 10 COVID-19 patients.

    Expressing grief over the tragedy, Thackeray directed the administration to ensure that those responsible for it get strict punishment.

  • COVID-19 vaccination drive needed to be taken door-to-door: PM Modi

    Modi made the remarks at a meeting, held via video conferencing, with district magistrates of over 40 districts having low vaccination coverage.

  • COVID-19 vaccination drive needs to be taken door-to-door: PM Modi

    Modi made the remarks at a meeting, held via video conferencing, with district magistrates of over 40 districts having low vaccination coverage.