Page 53 - Aap

Nitish Kumar's INDIA exit buzz grows, Rahul Gandhi takes stock in Delhi

This came a day after the Trinamool Congres (TMC) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ruled out any seat adjustment with the Congress in West Bengal and Punjab, respectively, in a big setback to the alliance

INDIA bloc was never meant to work: AIADMK's Edappadi K Palaniswami

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami also said it has to be seen "who all exits" the alliance over the course of time

Lok Sabha elections 2024: Big blow for INDIA bloc as AAP, TMC to contest without Congress

The Indian Opposition bloc cracks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. After Mamata Banerjee, now Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has ruled out an alliance between AAP and the Congress in the state.

Chinks in INDIA bloc as TMC, AAP rule out seat sharing in Bengal and Punjab

The constituents of the INDIA bloc were expected to contest against each other in Kerala, but two more states, Bengal and Punjab, have now been added to the list

No strikes, criticism on social media by employees: MCD's education dept

The MCD's Education Department in the Rohini zone has issued a directive to its teachers and staff putting a ban on engaging in any strikes demonstrations or criticism on social media against it, according to an official notification. Strict action would be taken against any staff indulging in such activities, it said. "If any employee is found indulging/participating in any form of strike/mass casual leave/boycott of work etc or adversely criticising the department on social media and press, strict action may be initiated against the defaulter," the notice dated January 22 read. The notice said such activities are a violation of CCS, Conduct Rules, 1964. Calls and texts were sent to Rishi Pal Rana, deputy director, education, Rohini Zone, MCD but no response was received. In the notice addressed to head of schools of all schools, the department directed its employees to get disassociated from unrecognised associations, saying they were maligning the image of the department on soc

Saurabh Bhardwaj making false statements on Delhi slums: Delhi L-G's office

The LG on his part, after his last visit to the shelters last year, had flagged the lack of basic amenities and hygiene, in them and asked for the same to be rectified

AAP brought Punjab to brink, 85% fall in investment is alarming: BJP

"Reports appearing in the media suggested that there was more than an 85 percent decline in the investments coming to the state, which was a cause for alarm for Punjab, "Chugh told ANI

Ram temple event Highlights: Nadda gets invite, to visit after Jan 22

As the Ram temple consecration draws closer, Delhi government has announced that it will organise a three-day Ramlila program starting Saturday, January 20

Delhi missing deadline to treat sewage makes Yamuna cleaning goal tough

Having missed the December 2023 deadline to treat all the sewage generated in the city, a crucial step towards cleaning the Yamuna, the Delhi government now strives to achieve the target by March this year, according to a new report prepared by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). The delay means that cleaning the Yamuna to bathing standards by February 2025, a key promise made by the AAP government, has proven to be more challenging than the government had expected. According to the report presented on January 10 before the High-Level Committee on Yamuna Rejuvenation, set up by the National Green Tribunal, Delhi has increased its sewage treatment capacity by 35 million gallons a day since January 2023. The city generates 792 million gallons a day (MGD) of sewage, only 667 MGD of which can be technically treated by the 37 Sewage Treatment Plants, or STPs, set up in the capital. At present, these STPs utilise only 71 per cent of their installed capacity, treating only 565 M

Ahead of Ram temple consecration, Delhi govt to organise 3-day Ramlila

Ahead of the Ram temple consecration ceremony, the Delhi government on Friday announced it will organise a three-day Ramlila from Saturday. The announcement triggered a slugfest between the AAP and the BJP, with the ruling party claiming that the Centre denied permission to hold the event at the Bharat Mandapam and the opposition party saying the venue is not allotted for religious events. From Saturday, a grand three-day Ramlila event is being organised. The special Ramlila that will go on till January 22 at the Pearey Lal Auditorium near ITO is free for everyone, a Delhi government statement said. The 'Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra' will present the live three-hour Ramlila performance from 4 pm to 7 pm, it said. The conclusion of the event will coincide with the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Thousands of dignitaries from across fields, including political leaders, have been invited to the ceremony. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, however, has said he

ED summons 'illegal', BJP wants to stop me from campaigning: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said the ED summonses issued to him were "illegal" and part of a political conspiracy to stop him from campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. He alleged that the entire exercise of serving him summons was being carried out to arrest him before the high-octane polls, expected in April-May. The chief minister said he was issued a summons by the Enforcement Directorate last week for the fourth time, and asked him to appear before the agency on January 18 or January 19. "The BJP is running the ED. They only intend to arrest me so that I cannot campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections," he said. Kejriwal said he had sent his reply to the central agency. "The four notices sent me are illegal in the eyes of the law. Such general, non-specific notices have been quashed in the past by the courts. I have repeatedly written to the ED saying the notices are illegal but they have not replied to me," he told reporters on the sidelines

Haryana AAP leader Ashok Tanwar quits, cites party's 'alignment' with Cong

In a setback to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Haryana, senior leader Ashok Tanwar quit the party on Thursday, expressing displeasure with its alignment with the Congress. In a letter to AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Tanwar wrote, "In view of the current political scenario and your alignment with the Indian National Congress, my ethics won't allow me to continue as chairman, Election Campaign Committee, Aam Aadmi Party Haryana." "Therefore, kindly accept my resignation from primary membership and all other responsibilities of the Aam Aadmi Party," he added. Tanwar further said that he would continue to work for the betterment of the state of Haryana, "Bharat" and its people. "As a responsible citizen of this country and being into active politics since my student days, I have always believed in our Constitution, the country and its people first," he added. Tanwar's resignation came as another setback to the AAP in Haryana as two of its senior leaders, former minister Nirmal

Delhi Forest dept fails to submit report on CM house, NGT slaps Rs 15K fine

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a cost of Rs 15,000 on the Delhi forest department for the non-submission of a proper report by a panel formed earlier to find the factual position regarding the alleged violations of green norms at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence. The NGT also directed the Delhi government and its public works department (PWD) to pay a cost of Rs 10,000 each for not submitting their reports according to the tribunal's earlier directions. The NGT was hearing a petition that alleged the raising of permanent and semi-permanent constructions and the felling of more than 20 trees for developing structures at 6, Flag Staff Road (the chief minister's residence) and 45-47, Rajpur Road (properties adjoining it). In May last year, the tribunal formed a joint committee for ascertaining the factual position. The committee comprised the chief secretary and principal secretary (environment and forest) of Delhi, a nominee of the Delhi Urban Art Commission .

PM Modi's degree row: SC stays defamation proceedings against AAP leaders

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the proceedings before a trial court on a defamation complaint filed by the Gujarat University against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP MP Sanjay Singh for their alleged remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's educational qualification. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta passed the order while hearing Singh's plea seeking a transfer of the case pending before a trial court in Gujarat outside the state, preferably in Kolkata. The apex court asked the Gujarat High Court to take a decision within four weeks on a plea filed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders seeking quashing of the summonses issued to them by the trial court. The bench said in the meantime, the proceedings before the trial court will remain stayed. Singh, in his plea filed in the top court through advocate Karan Sharma, had alleged bias in the proceedings before the trial court, saying while the plea was pending before the high court, the trial judge w

SAD leader Majithia appears before special SIT in Patiala in drugs case

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Tuesday appeared before a special investigation team of the Punjab Police in Patiala district in a drugs case. The former minister was summoned by the SIT led by Deputy Inspector General (Patiala range) Harcharan Singh Bhullar. Tight security arrangements were made around the police lines in Patiala ahead of the appearance of Majithia before the SIT. Several Akali workers had gathered at the spot to express solidarity with Majithia. Majithia was previously questioned by the SIT, led by the then additional director general of police Mukhwinder Singh Chhina, on December 30, 2023 in connection with the drugs case. Before that he was grilled by the SIT on December 18. The Punjab Police formed a new SIT under the chairmanship of Bhullar after Chhina retired on December 31. Majithia was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act on December 20, 2021, when the then chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi-led .

AAP-Cong perfect example of 'friendship with benefits': Shehzad Poonawalla

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shehzad Poonawalla launched a pointed critique against the Congress-Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alliance preceding the Lok Sabha elections, asserting that the coalition exemplifies a case of 'friendship with benefits'.Attacking the opposition, BJP National spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla in an address to the media, said "On one hand Congress & AAP are doing dosti in Delhi & on other hand they do kushti in Punjab & accuse each other of corruption & more"."Now Sidhu, who is close to Priyanka Vadra, accuses AAP government of doing illegal sand mining in Punjab & accumulating a sum of Rs39,000 crores. Earlier Bhagwant Mann said Ek Thi Congress & Congress responded by saying Ek Tha Joker. Can such alliances be trusted?", Poonawalla said."The AAP which once held the Congress responsible for the 1984 riots and demanded Rajeev Gandhi return his Bharat Ratna, is now making an alliance. Now who is doing compromise? Has the AAP ...

Ram temple consecration: AAP plans 'Sundar Kand' in Delhi on Tuesdays

In an apparent attempt to counter the BJP's focus on the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the AAP has announced its plan to hold "Sundar Kand" recital programmes across Delhi on Tuesdays. The consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya will be held on January 22 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present there. "'Sundar Kand' recitation programme will be held in all Assembly constituencies and municipal wards on the first Tuesday of every month. Party MLAs, councillors and office bearers will take part in the programmes that will held at over 2,600 places in the city," said AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj. He invited the people of Delhi to participate in the programme enthusiastically. "Sundar Kand" is one of the chapters in the Ramayana devoted to Lord Hanuman. The Aam Aadmi Party will organise "Sundar Kand" recitation at the Assembly level and after that, it will be done at the ward level and then at the mandal level also, the AAP

Ahead of LS polls, Delhi CM Kejriwal to be on two-day Goa visit from Jan 19

The party had drawn a blank in the 2017 Goa assembly polls, but won two seats in the 2022 elections

BJP-led central government wants to demolish all slums in Delhi: AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday alleged the BJP-led central government wants to demolish all slums in Delhi. Addressing a press conference, Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj said slums in the national capital are being demolished "in an inhuman manner" without rehabilitating the affected slum dwellers. Atishi alleged that in a meeting on January 9, the Centre directed land-owning agencies like the Delhi Development Authority and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to clear all slum clusters in the city. In November, a slum cluster between Sundar Nursery and Delhi Public School inhabited by about 1,000 to 1,500 people, most of whom worked as ragpickers, street hawkers, maids and labourers, was demolished following a court's order. The slum dwellers had claimed that they were asked to vacate their houses in two days with no offer from the government for relocation.

Seat-sharing talks with AAP likely to be held in Jan 12 meeting: Congress

Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely on Wednesday said the key discussions on seat-sharing between his party and the AAP to fight the Lok Sabha elections together from Delhi will take place in the next meeting likely to be held on January 12. Lovely said that no discussion on seat-sharing took place in the first meeting held on January 8 and added it was the first time that the Delhi Congress and the AAP came together for a discussion. "No discussion on seat-sharing has taken place yet. Media reports stating the AAP offered three seats to the Congress is incorrect. The meeting held on December 8 was the first time we came together for a discussion and various strategies to fight the elections were discussed," Lovely told PTI. "Seat-sharing will most likely be discussed in the next meeting," he added. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) maintained its stand on contesting in an alliance with the Congress in five states, including Punjab, and the discussion has so far been positive, .