News Analysis India

Tag: Rajya Sabha

  • Over 250 children kidnapped during Covid lockdown, highest from UP

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Over 250 children, including 190 from Uttar Pradesh, were kidnapped during the Covid-19 lockdown period in the country, the centre told the Rajya Sabha Wednesday.

    In 2022 till the end of June, 78 children were kidnapped, of which 64 were from Uttar Pradesh alone, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Zubin Irani told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

    The ministry, however, said that no cases of children forced to leave their homes for illegal child labour, smuggling and forced marriage during Covid lockdown have come to the notice.

    After UP, Bihar reported 13 child kidnappings during the Covid lockdown period. In 2022, 7 children were kidnapped from the state.

    In Haryana, 16 children were kidnapped during the Covid lockdown. It was followed by Rajasthan (7). Delhi, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh reported five cases, while Maharashtra and West Bengal both reported three kidnapping cases respectively during the lockdown due to Covid.

    Tamil Nadu reported two kidnapping cases during the lockdown, while Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand reported one case each.

    In 2022, two children were kidnapped from Rajasthan and Delhi respectively, while one case each from Madhya Pradesh and Haryana were reported.

    The ministry is supporting a 24-hour childline service for children in crisis, which links them to emergency or long-term care and rehabilitation service. At present, childline is operational in 603 districts and 138 railway stations in the country.

    Further, a number of projects and initiatives have also been undertaken under Nirbhaya Fund for strengthening the surveillance system for prevention of crimes against women and children, the minister said.

    330 stations have been covered under the project of ‘Integrated Emergency Response Management System (IERMS) for installing CCTVs and monitoring rooms at railway stations. 

    NEW DELHI: Over 250 children, including 190 from Uttar Pradesh, were kidnapped during the Covid-19 lockdown period in the country, the centre told the Rajya Sabha Wednesday.

    In 2022 till the end of June, 78 children were kidnapped, of which 64 were from Uttar Pradesh alone, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Zubin Irani told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

    The ministry, however, said that no cases of children forced to leave their homes for illegal child labour, smuggling and forced marriage during Covid lockdown have come to the notice.

    After UP, Bihar reported 13 child kidnappings during the Covid lockdown period. In 2022, 7 children were kidnapped from the state.

    In Haryana, 16 children were kidnapped during the Covid lockdown. It was followed by Rajasthan (7). Delhi, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh reported five cases, while Maharashtra and West Bengal both reported three kidnapping cases respectively during the lockdown due to Covid.

    Tamil Nadu reported two kidnapping cases during the lockdown, while Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand reported one case each.

    In 2022, two children were kidnapped from Rajasthan and Delhi respectively, while one case each from Madhya Pradesh and Haryana were reported.

    The ministry is supporting a 24-hour childline service for children in crisis, which links them to emergency or long-term care and rehabilitation service. At present, childline is operational in 603 districts and 138 railway stations in the country.

    Further, a number of projects and initiatives have also been undertaken under Nirbhaya Fund for strengthening the surveillance system for prevention of crimes against women and children, the minister said.

    330 stations have been covered under the project of ‘Integrated Emergency Response Management System (IERMS) for installing CCTVs and monitoring rooms at railway stations. 

  • No menstrual hygiene policy for menstruating transmen, says Centre

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: India has no policy measures to ensure access to menstrual hygiene for menstruating transmen the Centre told Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

    In a written reply, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharti Pravind Pawar said, “No policy measures exist to ensure access to menstrual hygiene for transgender menstruating men.”

    The government reviews the menstrual hygiene scheme in the review meetings with the states and union territories. 

    The scheme is also reviewed along with the other programmes and schemes under the National Health Mission by the Common Review Mission teams, which visit the selected states and UTs.

    She said the centre distributes sanitary napkins via its Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkin (JASSN) scheme, which started in 2018.

    She said while in 2018-19, 88,92,244 pads were distributed; in 2019-2088,92,244 pads were sold.

    In2019-20, 2,72,99,728-pads were sold ; 2020-21, the number went up to touch 8,74,71,580.

    In 2021-22, the figure stood at 11,28,20,604 pads and in 2022-23 till date, 3,80,48,428 pads were sold, the minister said.

    NEW DELHI: India has no policy measures to ensure access to menstrual hygiene for menstruating transmen the Centre told Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

    In a written reply, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharti Pravind Pawar said, “No policy measures exist to ensure access to menstrual hygiene for transgender menstruating men.”

    The government reviews the menstrual hygiene scheme in the review meetings with the states and union territories. 

    The scheme is also reviewed along with the other programmes and schemes under the National Health Mission by the Common Review Mission teams, which visit the selected states and UTs.

    She said the centre distributes sanitary napkins via its Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkin (JASSN) scheme, which started in 2018.

    She said while in 2018-19, 88,92,244 pads were distributed; in 2019-2088,92,244 pads were sold.

    In2019-20, 2,72,99,728-pads were sold ; 2020-21, the number went up to touch 8,74,71,580.

    In 2021-22, the figure stood at 11,28,20,604 pads and in 2022-23 till date, 3,80,48,428 pads were sold, the minister said.

  • Monsoon Session day one: Congress gives adjournment notices in Rajya Sabha on Agnipath scheme

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: On the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Congress has given adjournment notices in the Rajya Sabha on the Agnipath recruitment scheme for armed forces and sought a discussion.

    Congress member Deepender Hooda has moved a notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha, demanding a discussion on the Agnipath scheme after setting aside all other business of the House.

    He sought a discussion on the Agnipath scheme, which he alleged has been “implemented across the country by the government unilaterally without any prior discussion and deliberation”.

    Another Congress member, Shaktisinh Gohil, also moved an adjournment notice demanding immediate withdrawal of the scheme and saying that it is not good for the country’s national security.

    He claimed that the youth are agitated over the scheme and have been protesting against it.

    Similarly, in the Lok Sabha, Congress member Manickam Tagore has moved an adjournment notice on the rise in prices of domestic LPG prices to Rs 1,053 per cylinder.

    He has demanded that the government bring down the prices of domestic LPG to levels of 2014 and subsidies be provided to the beneficiaries of government schemes.

    “The government should come forward to reduce the price of domestic cylinders and petroleum products in the country to ensure a standardised price at least for a year,” Tagore said in his adjournment notice.

    Meanwhile, the Monsoon session of the Lok Sabha began on Monday with obituary references and new members taking oath, and was then adjourned till 2 pm so members could vote in the presidential poll.

    As the House met for the first time in the Monsoon session of Parliament, three MPs, including veteran Bollywood actor and Trinamool Congress’ Shatrughan Sinha, took oath as member of the Lok Sabha.

    Speaker Om Birla then read out obituary references to three foreign leaders, including former Japan prime minister Shinzo Abe, and eight former members who passed away recently.

    Birla said elections in India are celebrated as a festival.

    And since the election to the president was underway, it should also be celebrated, he said.

    Members should participate in the festival, the speaker said, and declared the House adjourned till 2 pm.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi were among those present in the House.

    NEW DELHI: On the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Congress has given adjournment notices in the Rajya Sabha on the Agnipath recruitment scheme for armed forces and sought a discussion.

    Congress member Deepender Hooda has moved a notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha, demanding a discussion on the Agnipath scheme after setting aside all other business of the House.

    He sought a discussion on the Agnipath scheme, which he alleged has been “implemented across the country by the government unilaterally without any prior discussion and deliberation”.

    Another Congress member, Shaktisinh Gohil, also moved an adjournment notice demanding immediate withdrawal of the scheme and saying that it is not good for the country’s national security.

    He claimed that the youth are agitated over the scheme and have been protesting against it.

    Similarly, in the Lok Sabha, Congress member Manickam Tagore has moved an adjournment notice on the rise in prices of domestic LPG prices to Rs 1,053 per cylinder.

    He has demanded that the government bring down the prices of domestic LPG to levels of 2014 and subsidies be provided to the beneficiaries of government schemes.

    “The government should come forward to reduce the price of domestic cylinders and petroleum products in the country to ensure a standardised price at least for a year,” Tagore said in his adjournment notice.

    Meanwhile, the Monsoon session of the Lok Sabha began on Monday with obituary references and new members taking oath, and was then adjourned till 2 pm so members could vote in the presidential poll.

    As the House met for the first time in the Monsoon session of Parliament, three MPs, including veteran Bollywood actor and Trinamool Congress’ Shatrughan Sinha, took oath as member of the Lok Sabha.

    Speaker Om Birla then read out obituary references to three foreign leaders, including former Japan prime minister Shinzo Abe, and eight former members who passed away recently.

    Birla said elections in India are celebrated as a festival.

    And since the election to the president was underway, it should also be celebrated, he said.

    Members should participate in the festival, the speaker said, and declared the House adjourned till 2 pm.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi were among those present in the House.

  • Presidential candidates to lose 9,280 votes in Jammu and Kashmir

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: The Presidential candidates would lose 9,280 votes in Jammu and Kashmir in the absence of a Legislative Assembly, and no representative in Rajya Sabha.

    Only five Lok Sabha members, including three from National Conference and two from BJP, will cast their votes. 

    While Droupadi Murmu is certain to get 1,400 votes from the BJP MPs, Yashwant Sinha would get 2,100 votes from NC. Each MP has a vote value of 700.

    However, with J&K having no Assembly, the candidates would lose 6,480 votes, as it has 90 seats, with the value of each vote till the abrogation of Article 370 being 72.

    Also, J&K used to send four MPs to Rajya Sabha, making 2,800 votes.

    The J&K Assembly would not be a part of this exercise for the second time.

    In 1992, a similar situation arose as the Lok Sabha election could not take place in 1991 due to insurgency.

    SRINAGAR: The Presidential candidates would lose 9,280 votes in Jammu and Kashmir in the absence of a Legislative Assembly, and no representative in Rajya Sabha.

    Only five Lok Sabha members, including three from National Conference and two from BJP, will cast their votes. 

    While Droupadi Murmu is certain to get 1,400 votes from the BJP MPs, Yashwant Sinha would get 2,100 votes from NC. Each MP has a vote value of 700.

    However, with J&K having no Assembly, the candidates would lose 6,480 votes, as it has 90 seats, with the value of each vote till the abrogation of Article 370 being 72.

    Also, J&K used to send four MPs to Rajya Sabha, making 2,800 votes.

    The J&K Assembly would not be a part of this exercise for the second time.

    In 1992, a similar situation arose as the Lok Sabha election could not take place in 1991 due to insurgency.

  • Not new suggestion, only compilation of words already expunged: Govt sources on unparliamentary terms list

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: After opposition uproar over certain words of common use being categorised as unparliamentary in a booklet by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, government sources Thursday said “it is not a suggestion or order”, as the terms have already expunged by presiding officers of Parliament and state legislatures.

    They said the words were considered as unparliamentary even during the UPA regime. Sources in Parliament said 62 new words have been added to the list during the last year and some of these may be under review.

    Government sources said the list is not a new suggestion, but merely a compilation of words already expunged in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha or state legislatures.

    It also contains words considered unparliamentary in parliaments of Commonwealth countries, they said.

    They said the opposition has created a hue and cry about the compilation of unparliamentary words in Parliament.

    But what is “amusing” is that they have tried to create a storm without knowing the facts, an official said, adding that this list is brought out every year.

    “Most of these words were considered unparliamentary even during the UPA government. The booklet is mere compilation of the words not suggestions or order,” the official said.

    Lok Sabha sources said the practice to compile expunged words has been in existence since 1954 and the list only acts as a reference for parliamentarians.

    “If certain words are found objectionable and not in consonance with decorum and dignity of Parliament, it is under the jurisdiction of the Chair of either house to expunge those words,” a Lok Sabha source said.

    Opposition has hit out at the government for listing “every word used by them to describe how BJP was destroying India” as unparliamentary.

    Government sources pointed out that the word ‘abused’ was considered unparliamentary in the House of Representatives of Australia, while ‘childishness’ was frowned upon in Qubec’s National Assembly.

    They said the phrases ‘lollipops in the budget’ and ‘you have reached here telling a lie’ were expunged from the Punjab Assembly.

    The words ‘atam, shatam, aksham’ and ‘anpadh, anargal’ were expunged from the proceedings of the assemblies of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan respectively, the sources said.

    “Most of these words were considered unparliamentary even during the UPA government,” a source said, adding that the word ‘asatya’ was expunged from Rajasthan assembly in 2021.

    The word ‘corrupt’ and the expression ‘corrupt man’ were expunged on July 25, 1980, while the expression ‘incompetent ministers’ was expunged on November 17, 1976, officials said.

    NEW DELHI: After opposition uproar over certain words of common use being categorised as unparliamentary in a booklet by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, government sources Thursday said “it is not a suggestion or order”, as the terms have already expunged by presiding officers of Parliament and state legislatures.

    They said the words were considered as unparliamentary even during the UPA regime. Sources in Parliament said 62 new words have been added to the list during the last year and some of these may be under review.

    Government sources said the list is not a new suggestion, but merely a compilation of words already expunged in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha or state legislatures.

    It also contains words considered unparliamentary in parliaments of Commonwealth countries, they said.

    They said the opposition has created a hue and cry about the compilation of unparliamentary words in Parliament.

    But what is “amusing” is that they have tried to create a storm without knowing the facts, an official said, adding that this list is brought out every year.

    “Most of these words were considered unparliamentary even during the UPA government. The booklet is mere compilation of the words not suggestions or order,” the official said.

    Lok Sabha sources said the practice to compile expunged words has been in existence since 1954 and the list only acts as a reference for parliamentarians.

    “If certain words are found objectionable and not in consonance with decorum and dignity of Parliament, it is under the jurisdiction of the Chair of either house to expunge those words,” a Lok Sabha source said.

    Opposition has hit out at the government for listing “every word used by them to describe how BJP was destroying India” as unparliamentary.

    Government sources pointed out that the word ‘abused’ was considered unparliamentary in the House of Representatives of Australia, while ‘childishness’ was frowned upon in Qubec’s National Assembly.

    They said the phrases ‘lollipops in the budget’ and ‘you have reached here telling a lie’ were expunged from the Punjab Assembly.

    The words ‘atam, shatam, aksham’ and ‘anpadh, anargal’ were expunged from the proceedings of the assemblies of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan respectively, the sources said.

    “Most of these words were considered unparliamentary even during the UPA government,” a source said, adding that the word ‘asatya’ was expunged from Rajasthan assembly in 2021.

    The word ‘corrupt’ and the expression ‘corrupt man’ were expunged on July 25, 1980, while the expression ‘incompetent ministers’ was expunged on November 17, 1976, officials said.

  • Words like ‘ashamed’, ‘abused, ‘betrayed’, ‘corrupt’ to be unparliamentary in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: 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, according to a new booklet by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

    The booklet listing out unparliamentary words 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.

    The Lok Sabha secretariat has further listed words like ‘dohra charitra’, ‘nikamma’, ‘nautanki’, ‘dhindora peetna’ and ‘behri sarkar’ as unparliamentary expressions, according to the booklet.

    Some words and expressions are declared unparliamentary from time to time by the Chair in different Legislative bodies in in the country as well as in Commonwealth Parliaments, have been compiled by the Lok Sabha Secretariat for ready reference in the future.

    However, the Rajya Sabha Chairman and the Lok Sabha Speaker will have the last word in expunging words and expressions.

    The compilation contains references to words and expressions declared unparliamentary in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and state legislatures in India during 2021, besides those disallowed in some of the Commonwealth Parliaments in 2020.

    The list states that some of the keywords may not appear unparliamentary unless read in conjunction with the other expressions spoken during the parliamentary proceedings.

    The list of expressions also includes any aspersions made against the Chair in both the houses in either English or Hindi, which shall be considered as unparliamentary and are expunged from the records of Parliament.

    Rajya Sabha Chairman or Lok Sabha Speaker vets the words spoken in the house during the session and unparliamentary words are expunged by the Chair.

    Such words do not form part of the Parliament records of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

    Among some of the English words listed by the Secretariat as unparliamentary include ‘bloodshed’, ‘bloody’, ‘betrayed’, ‘ashamed’, ‘abused’, ‘cheated, ‘chamcha’, ‘chamchagiri’, ‘chelas’, ‘childishness’, ‘corrupt’, ‘coward’, ‘criminal’ and ‘crocodile tears’.

    Besides words like ‘disgrace’, ‘donkey’, ‘drama’, ‘eyewash’, ‘fudge’, ‘hooliganism’, ‘hypocrisy’, ‘incompetent’, ‘mislead’, ‘lie’ and ‘untrue’ would also be prohibited for use in Parliament henceforth.

    Among some of the Hindi words listed as unparliamentary include ‘anarchist’, ‘gaddar’, ‘girgit’, ‘goons’, ‘ghadiyali ansu’, ‘apmaan’, ‘asatya’, ‘ahankaar’, ‘corrupt’, ‘kala din’, ‘kala bazaari’ and ‘khareed farokht’.

    Besides, words like ‘danga’, ‘dalal’, ‘daadagiri’, ‘dohra charitra’, ‘bechara’, ‘bobcut’, ‘lollypop’, ‘vishwasghat’, ‘samvedanheen’, ‘foolish’, ‘pitthu’, ‘behri sarkar’ and ‘sexual harassment’ would be considered as unparliamentary and would not be included as part of record.

  • West Bengal votes in mind, BJP may send Mithun da, Dona Ganguly to Rajya Sabha

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is planning to nominate actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty and well-known Odissi dancer Dona Ganguly to the Rajya Sabha, sources said. The party expects the move to boost its prospects in West Bengal, they added. The duo will replace Rupa Ganguly and Swapan Dasgupta, whose terms came to an end recently. 

    Dona is the wife of former cricketer and current BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, who himself is said to be in the race. According to party insiders, the second seat would be given to either Dona or Sourav.

    Mithun Chakraborty had campaigned for the BJP in the last Assembly elections as well as the Lok Sabha bypolls. “He still has enormous magnetic appeal and it was seen during his campaign in the Asansol LS bypoll recently. He will certainly be an added advantage for us,” said a BJP leader with the caveat that only the top leadership can say anything on the record. Popularly known as ‘Disco Dancer’, a moniker conferred on him by his fans for his outstanding performance in the movie with the same name, has also become active in politics after a short gap. According to sources, he recently went to the West Bengal BJP office and expressed his willingness to spend time on party affairs in the state. 

    “Chakraborty’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha will not only give a strong message to the masses but it will also increase two votes for the upcoming vice-presidential elections,” said political analyst P K D Nambiar.

    READ COLUMN | Fresh and frozen decide Rajya Sabha choices

    At present, the saffron party has no representative from West Bengal in the Rajya Sabha ahead of upcoming vice-presidential elections after the terms of Ganguly and Dasgupta ended recently.

    Speculations about the Ganguly couple’s Rajya Sabha prospects began after Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited their home during his last visit to the state and had dinner with them. The Gangulys have neither confirmed nor denied reports of their being considered for Rajya Sabha. 

  • BJP mission south push through four RS nomination

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: In what appeared to be a meticulously chalked-out strategy the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gave another push to its ‘Mission South’ ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in some states and the next 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

    As part of the mission, the Modi government after a month of deliberations within its think-tank nominated the four eminent personalities on Wednesday to the Rajya Sabha from various acclaimed fields.

    Sources in BJP on Thursday in private conversation with this daily stated that more such surprising moves are in the pipeline of the party as part of the well-thought-out ‘Mission South’ keeping regional electoral issues in mind.

    “Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala are the prime target of the party’s mission south in which every issue concerning the people and conducive to electoral gains are being included after the expert scrutinise,” shared a senior BJP functionary.

    ALSO READ | Athlete PT Usha, music maestro Ilaiyaraaja nominated to Rajya Sabha

    For example, athlete PT Usha, who belongs to Kerala carries a name and fame in mass electorates of Kerala and her nomination to the RS has given a strong message among a larger section of sport-loving young electorates.

    “In the same way, music composer Ilaiyaraaja, philanthropist Virendra Hedge and famous screenwriter-director V Vijayendra Prasad-all acclaimed in larger sections of electorates, who have not started appreciating the party’s decision to nominate them to the RS. In politics, perception matters a lot in deciding the final outcome of the electorate battles,” remarked a former BJP MP, who is still considered close to the senior central leadership of the party.

    He pointed out, “In this way, on the sideline of nominations to the Rajya Sabha, BJP has tried to give even more edge to its ‘Mission South’ and more is learnt to be in the pipeline to put the Opposition in a tatter.”

    ALSO READ | Ilaiyaraaja on RS nomination: It will inspire more younger minds to pursue music and art

    World acclaimed athlete PT Usha is from Kerala. Ilaiyaraaja hails from Tamil Nadu and belongs to the Dalit community while Hedge heads the famous shrine temple of Karnataka. Not only this, if we look, V Vijayendra Prasad comes from Andhra Pradesh and is widely acclaimed amongst the movie buffs for producing super-hit films like ‘Bahubali’.

    “The list from the south for the RS is a reflection of Modi’s vision of inclusivity in selecting people, who have delivered and made a mark of themselves without controversies. Certainly, their nominations will have a fruitful impact on BJP’s electoral success,” opined NKD Nambiar, a noted political analyst from South India argued.

    He added further that the BJP wants to cultivate the five states of the South – Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana wherein 129 Lok Sabha seats are being eyed for electoral gains.

    Sources further said that the maximum, out of a total of 144 Lok Sabha constituencies, recently identified as weak for the BJP, is in these five states of South India.

    ALSO READ | Veteran music composer Ilaiyaraaja receives praises over Rajya Sabha nomination

    The recent meeting of the party’s National executive committee was also an initial part of this mission followed by the PM’s visit to Andhra Pradesh. The BJP wants to use Karnataka as the launching pad of its politics to other states of South India because of being in power here.

    In Karnataka, there are 28 Lok Sabha seats, out of which 26 are occupied by BJP+. In poll-bound Telangana and Tamil Nadu, the BJP is leaving no stone unturned to dislodge the ruling parties raising dynastic and other issues before the people ahead of the 2023 assembly elections.

    In AP, there are 25 Lok Sabha seats and the BJP in the 2029 LS elections had failed to win even a single seat. However, the BJP won the two seats in 2014 in Andhra Pradesh. Now, working to project as an alternative to Jaganmohan Reddy’s YSR Congress, the entire electoral stage is farmed here.

    In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the assembly elections are in 2026, so the BJP has given ample time for these two states right from bringing influential faces into the party to raising people-centric issues through various media platforms. In 2024, the party’s eye will be on opening an account in Kerala for its total of 20 Lok Sabha seats through proper electoral planning, which has been incorporated in the mission south.

  • Athlete PT Usha, music maestro Ilaiyaraaja nominated to Rajya Sabha

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Legendary athlete P T Usha and music maestro Ilaiyaraaja were among prominent personalties nominated to Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

    Philanthropist and administrator of the Dharmasthala temple Veerendra Heggade and noted screen writer V Vijayendra Prasad were also nominated to the Upper House of Parliament.

    “The remarkable PT Usha Ji is an inspiration for every Indian. Her accomplishments in sports are widely known but equally commendable is her work to mentor budding athletes over the last several years. Congratulations to her on being nominated to the Rajya Sabha,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter.

    He also shared his pictures with Usha and Ilaiyaraaja along with his congratulatory messages in separate tweets.

    “The creative genius of @ilaiyaraaja Ji has enthralled people across generations. His works beautifully reflect many emotions. What is equally inspiring is his life journey- he rose from a humble background and achieved so much. Glad that he has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha,” Modi said.

    The Rajya Sabha had vacancies in the nominated category.

  • Maha Vikas Aghadi 4th candidate losses to BJP candidates in high voltage biennial RS elections

    Express News Service

    Big set back to Maha Vikas Aghadi in Rajya Sabha elections. Shiv Sena’s second candidate Sanjay Pawar got defeated by BJP candidate Dhananjay Mahadik in the second preference of vote counting on the early morning of Saturday.

    Union minister Piyush Goel, BJP leader Dr Anil Bhonde and Dhananjay Mahadik won the Rajya Sabha elections while NCP leader Praful Patel, Congress leader Imran Pratapgarhi and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut won the election while Shiv Sena candidate Sanjay Pawar lost it again BJP candidate Dhananjay Mahadik.

    In a neck and neck fight, union minister Piyush Goel and Dr Anil Bhonde secured 48 votes while Dhananjay Mahadik got 26 as first preference votes against the winning quota of 41 seats. On the other hand,  NCP leader Praful Patel got 43 votes, Congress leader Imran Pratapgarhi secured 44 votes, Sanjay Raut got 41 votes and Sanjay Pawar got 33 votes. Mahadik and Sanjay Pawar could not compete the required quota in the first round, therefore, the second preference votes were counted and BJP’s additional first preference votes got transferred to him which helped Mahadik to win the elections in the second round.

    BJP was able to get additional 12 votes against its actual numbers. BJP successfully pursued independent MLAs and smaller parties to cast their votes for BJP candidates. Independent was king maker and BJP used them properly.