Page 66 - Aap

AAP extends 'in-principle' support to UCC, wants govt to hold consultations

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday extended its "in-principle support" to a Uniform Civil Code but said it should be brought in with a consensus after extensive consultations with stakeholders. The government should hold extensive consultations on the proposal with all stakeholders, including political parties and non-political entities, AAP national general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Pathak said. "The AAP supports UCC in principle. Article 44 (of the Constitution) also supports it," Pathak told PTI. But the government should bring in UCC only when there is a consensus among the stakeholders, he said. "We believe that on such issues we should go ahead with consensus. We believe that this (UCC) should be implemented only after there is a consensus among all the stakeholders," Pathak said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Tuesday made a strong push for a Uniform Civil Code, asking how can the country function with dual laws that govern personal matters.

Criminal investigation needed: Congress on Kejriwal's house renovation

Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken on Tuesday said a full-blown criminal investigation is required into the "egregious expenditure of Rs 171 crore" on the renovation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence. He welcomed the Comptroller and Auditor General's probe into the "squandering" of public funds on Kejriwal's "sheesh mahal". The Union home ministry has recommended a special CAG audit, taking note of a May 24 letter by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena which pointed out the "gross and prima facie financial irregularities" in the "reconstruction" of the chief minister's official residence. "A full-blown criminal investigation is not just needed; it's a demand of justice. It's outrageous that public money was squandered on Dior-polished imported marble, million-rupee curtains, and kitchen appliances worth crores, all while demolishing a British-era heritage structure and callously decimating trees," Maken said on Twitter. "Sheesh Mahal Breaking News: Encouraged to see the CAG .

Reflects BJP's 'desperation': AAP slams CAG audit in Kejriwal's renovation

The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday condemned the Centre's decision to initiate a CAG audit into the reconstruction expenses of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's official residence, saying the move "reeks of desperation" as the BJP anticipates a defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha poll. The ruling party's sharp reaction came after Raj Niwas officials informed the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India will conduct a special audit into the alleged "irregularities and violations" in the "reconstruction" of the chief minister's residence. The Union home ministry has recommended the special CAG audit taking note of a May 24 letter by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena which pointed out the "reconstruction" "gross and prima facie financial irregularities" in the "reconstruction" of the chief minister's official residence, the officials claimed. "This move by the Modi government reeks of desperation as the BJP anticipates an inevitable defeat in the upcoming 2024 general elections. As far as the C

Withdraw Sikh Gurdwaras Bill or face stir: SGPC chief Dhami tells govt

SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami on Monday warned that an agitation will be launched against the AAP-led Punjab government if the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was not withdrawn. Dhami also slammed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of interfering in SGPC matters and trying to implement the anti-Sikh thinking of AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal with a motive of capturing the SGPC. Dhami was addressing a special general house session of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) here against the state government's move of bringing the bill. The Punjab Assembly on June 20 had passed the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which is aimed at ensuring free telecast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple. Addressing SGPC members here, Dhami, while condemning the Bill, asked the Punjab government to withdraw it immediately. If the state government does not stop interference in Sikh matters, then a morcha (agitation) will be started against it after performing 'ardas' ...

Arvind Kejriwal promises to redevelop all MCD schools in 5 to 7 years

The AAP government has bridged the gap between the rich and the poor in Delhi's education system by improving government schools, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday, promising to redevelop all MCD schools in the next five to seven years. He was speaking after inaugurating Sarvodaya Co-ed school in Libaspur village. Its classrooms, labs, library and halls are far better than those in private schools of Delhi, he said. Earlier, the condition of government schools in Delhi used to be terrible. Classes were held inside tents, ceilings of schools were broken. There were no toilets or facility even drinking water. Poor families were compelled to send their children to such schools but the AAP government bridged the gap between the rich and the poor in education in Delhi, Kejriwal said. He further said the AAP government has been focusing on improving schools run by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. "We have started focusing on redeveloping MCD schools and it will take at le

Manipur is burning: AAP hits back at Rajnath as he takes on Mann govt

I think that Rajnath Singh has received the wrong information about Punjab. In Punjab the law and order situation has improved under the AAP-Bhagwant Mann government, Chadha said

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AAP slams Rajnath Singh as he takes on Mann govt over law, order issue

Hours after the Union Defence Minister took on the Bhagwant Mann government over the law and order issue, the ruling AAP slammed Rajnath Singh, saying that he was worried about Punjab but oblivious to the situation in Manipur. In a statement here, AAP Punjab spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang said the defence minister should focus on controlling the volatile situation and violence in Manipur before making a statement on the law and order situation in Punjab. "Violence is widespread in Manipur. Hundreds of people have died so far and thousands have become homeless, but the BJP's central minister is doing politics to defame the non-BJP ruled states," he alleged. He said the prime minister has gone on a foreign visit while the home minister is holding rallies and the rest of the ministers are busy criticising the opposition parties. "While looking at the current situation in Manipur, all cabinet ministers, including the Prime Minister, should have focused their attention on stopping th

AAP skips press briefing, slams Cong silence over Delhi services ordinance

Stopping short of staging a walkout at the opposition meeting in Patna on Friday, the Aam Aadmi Party skipped the press briefing and came out with a statement condemning the Congress' silence over the Delhi central ordinance. Party founder Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chaddha, who represented AAP at the meeting, were conspicuous by their absence at the press conference. However, on its official Twitter handle, the party came out with a statement asserting the centrality of the black ordinance, which not only aims to snatch democratic rights of an elected government in Delhi but poses a significant threat to India's democracy and constitutional principles. The statement noted that among the parties that attended the meeting in Patna, 12 have representation in the Rajya Sabha and except for the Indian National Congress all others have clearly expressed their stand against the ordinance and announced that they would ..

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AAP to move SC against appointment of ex-HC judge Umesh Kumar as DERC chair

The AAP government will move the Supreme Court against the appointment of former Allahabad High Court judge Umesh Kumar as the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) chairman, Power Minister Atishi said on Thursday. Addressing a press conference, she said the government had recommended the name of Justice (retd) Sangeet Lodha for the post on June 21. However, it was "sidelined and former Allahabad High Court judge Umesh Kumar was appointed as the chairman by the BJP-led Centre. This has been done to 'trouble' the elected government of Delhi. In the coming days, we will approach the Supreme Court against this 'illegal' appointment," she said. A statement issued by the lieutenant governor's office on Wednesday night said Justice Kumar has been appointed the DERC chairman by President Droupadi Murmu. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had in January recommended the name of retired high court judge Rajeev Kumar Shrivastava for appointment as the chairperson of the power regulator.

Delhi CM calls NCCSA meeting to discuss transfer, posting of officers

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called the second meeting of the National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA) on June 28 to discuss the transfer and posting of officers in the city.

Punjab Assembly passes Bill to replace Governor from Chancellor's post

Amid conflict between AAP govt in Punjab and Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Punjab Assembly passed Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, aiming to replace Governor from the post of chancellor

AAP MLA calls for adherence to fire safety rules in Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar

He mentioned that all the concerned departments under the Delhi Government were quick to respond, thus preventing any unwarranted situation from occurring

AAP accuses Centre of boosting criminals' morale as crimes shot up in Delhi

A day after a Delhi University student was stabbed to death outside Aryabhatta College, the AAP on Monday claimed that crimes have increased in the national capital and accused the BJP-led Centre of boosting the morale of criminals. The first-year student of the university's School of Open Learning was allegedly stabbed to death in the South Campus after he objected to his girlfriend being harassed by another student, police said on Sunday. Priyanka Kakkar, the AAP's chief spokesperson, said at a press conference, "Why is it happening in Delhi again and again? Law and order in Delhi come under a government that boosts the morale of criminals. Criminals who are declared absconders by the police appear on BJP forums after a few months." The AAP leader further said, "They are not scared of the law. We have been asking the L-G about how many PCR vans have increased in Delhi and how many police stations he has visited. But he does not answer." The Lt Governor has control over public ord

Punjab is ready to help Karnataka overcome rice shortage: AAP's Prithvi

When BJP and Congress are engaged in a war of words over the implementation of free rice scheme, Ktaka AAP unit stated that Punjab is ready to help in this regard

BJP setting up NCB in Amritsar for political gains: AAP leader Sanjay Singh

"The Modi government is working towards delivering the nation from drug addiction and uprooting the drug trade within Punjab," Singh added

Those who can't manage trains, how will they run nation: Kejriwal slams BJP

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday attacked the BJP alleging that the AC and sleeper coaches of trains under the Indian Railways are "worse" than general ones and questioned how the saffron party can run the country if it is unable to run the railway system. Kejriwal's tweet was met with a sarcastic reply by the BJP, which attacked him over the condition of the Delhi Transport Corporation buses. The AAP national convener retweeted several tweets wherein people had complained about air-conditioned and sleeper coaches being overcrowded with people who did not have reservation. "They destroyed the fleet of the well-running railways. Today, even if you take reservation of AC coach, you will not get a seat to sit or sleep. AC and sleeper coaches are worse than general. They do not know how to run the government. They don't understand at all. Illiterate government. They are ruining every field," Kejriwal said. In another tweet, he said, "Those who cannot manage trains, how wi

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AAP objects to certain dialogues, scenes of film 'Aadipurush', targets BJP

The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday raised objections to certain dialogues and scenes of the film "Aadipursh" -- a retelling of the Ramayana -- accusing it of hurting Hindu sentiments and alleged the BJP allowed its making for "cheap politics". As AAP panned the film, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor demanded that the Censor Board temporarily bar screening of the film "Adipurush" until a re-examine of its "controversial" scenes and dialogues. Directed by Om Raut, "Adipurush" has been panned on social media over its poor VFX and colloquial dialogues, with writer Manoj Muntashir Shukla under fire for Lord Hanuman's dialogues in the 'Lanka Dahan' sequence, among others. Addressing a press conference at AAP headquarters, Rajya Sabha MP and the party's national spokesperson Sanjay Singh read out some of the dialogues of the film and described them as a "grave insult" to Lord Ram, Goddess Sita and Lord Hanuman as well as the Hindu society. He claimed that the film has been made