Page 142 - Bjp

BJP counts on a Soren to woo tribal votes in Jharkhand Assembly polls

As Champai Soren's switching sides gives BJP leaders renewed hope ahead of Assembly polls, ruling party claims it will only consolidate Hemant's tribal support base, reports Aditi Phadnis

Only Mahayuti alliance will burst crackers after Diwali: Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said only the Mahayuti alliance will burst crackers after Diwali, signalling the certainty of winning the upcoming assembly elections. Addressing a gathering at home turf Thane on Sunday late night, Shinde also paid rich tributes to his mentor, Anand Dighe, and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, emphasising that Sena led by him continues to uphold their teachings and principles. "Do you want all the schemes and programs started by the Yuti government to continue?" Shinde asked the audience which responded with affirmation. The ruling 'Mahayuti' or grand alliance comprising the Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP headed by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar faces stiff opposition from Maha Vikas Aghadi of Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and Congress in the assembly polls, due in October-November. Referring to political opponents, Shinde said, "Let them go to gallis (alleys) or Delhi, don't give them any importance. We will continue our work." He also mentioned his decision

BJP protests against Kejriwal over high power bills, water woes in slums

The Delhi BJP on Sunday protested against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over allegedly high electricity bills and dirty water in slums of East Delhi's Chitra Vihar. City BJP president Virendra Sachdeva led the protest and alleged the people of the area face lack of basic facilities. They also have to pay high power and water bills, and they get dirty water. "What is the mistake of these slum-dwellers that they are getting this dirty water? They live in Delhi where Kejriwal makes false promises. He does not fulfil any promise," Sachdeva said. Responding to the allegations, the AAP said the BJP must end "such theatrics" as they are responsible for the woes of slum-dwellers. "The BJP rendered Delhi's 'jhuggi' dwellers homeless through large-scale demolition drives by its agencies, including the Delhi Development Authority, Railways, and the Archaeological Survey of India," an AAP leader told PTI. Shyam Bai, a slum dweller, told PTI Videos that "the problem is that we are not getting

U'khand BJP leader Bora arrested for molesting minor; expelled from party

A BJP leader has been arrested for allegedly molesting a teenager in the ??Almora district of Uttarakhand. Almora SSP Devendra Pincha said on Sunday that Bhagwat Singh Bora, accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl, was arrested on Saturday night. Meanwhile, taking cognisance of the incident, Bora, who was the block unit chief of the party's Salt region, has been expelled with immediate effect on the instructions of BJP's state president Mahendra Bhatt. The SSP said the alleged incident took place on August 24 in the Salt revenue area, and an information regarding this was received on August 30. Pincha said that a case has been registered against the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 74 (assault or criminal force on a woman to outrage her modesty) of the BNS. Meanwhile, after recording the girl's statement, her medical examination was also conducted. Attacking the ruling BJP over the issue, state Congress president Karan Mahara .

Will dialogue with Pakistan end terrorism in valley: J&K BJP Prez asks NC

Slamming National Conference for advocating dialogue with Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina on Sunday asked it to clarify whether initiating dialogue with the neighbouring country will end terrorism and bloodshed in the Union Territory. He also played down the protests and resignations by his party leaders and workers over the selection of candidates, saying he is confident the BJP will form the government on its own. The assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled to take place on September 18, 25, and October 1. Votes will be counted on October 8. "Unfortunately, the NC leaders do not talk about the welfare of the people, the Pakistani gun which brought death and destruction to our land. By advocating for dialogue with Pakistan, they are not doing the right thing," Raina said. He said starting a dialogue with Pakistan is the prerogative only of the central government and the foreign minister. "NC leaders should know that our former PM A B Vajpayee

AAP cries councillor Ram Chander 'kidnapped'; BJP rubbishes claim

The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday accused the BJP of "kidnapping" its councillor Ram Chander, with the saffron party denying the charges even as the "abducted" member returned to his residence. Upon his return, Chander claimed that he was threatened on the pretext of being framed in ED-CBI cases by the opposition outfit. Ram Chander, who is a councillor from Ward No 28, was one of the five members who joined the BJP last Sunday. However, a few days later, he had a change of heart after he saw Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in his dream and returned to AAP, he said. Later, in a video message, he said that he was taken by some people to BJP headquarters. "There they threatened me saying I would be framed by ED and CBI. My son Akash called the police helpline while our senior party leaders called the police commissioner. When they (BJP) got to know about it, they sent me back home," Chander said in the video message. "I want to tell BJP, I am not scared of ED and CBI. I have done .

EC changed vote-counting date in J&K at BJP's behest: Mehbooba Mufti

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday alleged the Election Commission has changed the date of counting of votes for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls at the behest of the BJP. "They (ECI) do what suits the BJP. When I contested the (Lok Sabha) elections, they unnecessarily changed the date (of polling). Everything is done as per the wishes of the BJP and its proxy parties," she told reporters here. Mufti was talking to mediapersons after several second rung politicians joined the PDP at the party office here. The Election Commission on Saturday announced a change in the day of counting of votes in Jammu and Kashmir from October 4 to October 8. The move came after the poll body changed the polling date in Haryana from October 1 to October 5 in view of a festival in that state. On the transfer of senior police officers during the elections, the PDP chief said she is happy that all the officers are locals and hoped they will help in conducting free, fair and impartial poll ...

Mahayuti seat-sharing talks for Maha polls to conclude in 10 days: BJP

Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Sunday said seat-sharing talks for the assembly polls between the ruling allies will conclude in 10 days. Chances of winning and not the number of seats contested will be the criteria, he told reporters in Nagpur. "The seat-sharing talks in Mahayuti will conclude in 10 days. We have decided that seats will be allotted on the basis of winnability. We will leave some seats for our allies. How many each will contest is not important. What is important is to have double engine government to ensure continuity of welfare schemes," he said. Bawankule also said directives have been issued to all BJP functionaries to not make comments that could cause discord in the alliance, which also comprises Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Those violating this diktat will face strict action from the party, Bawankule added. Earlier, on Saturday, CM Shinde, and Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar held ...

Expect Wayanad relief; Gadgil, Kasturirangan reports impractical: Vijayan

The Kerala government has sought a Rs 2,000 crore relief package from the Centre for the unprecedented devastation that occurred in Wayanad recently and is hopeful of getting "good assistance", Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said here. He also dismissed as "not pragmatic" the recommendations made by the Madhav Gadgil and Kasturirangan committees on ecologically sensitive areas of the Western Ghats, saying the panels did not consider the societal expectations and ground realities in his state. Speaking to PTI this weekend during an interview on the Wayanad landslides, the chief minister said the state government has decided to construct new townships for the families of the victims and the survivors of the unprecedented devastation "within a year" and these dwellings would be "climate-resilient and sustainable". Vijayan said the state sought a disaster relief package of about Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre when he recently met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. The PM was

BJP's minority wing to seek Muslims' views on Waqf bill, notify parl panel

Amid strident criticism of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill by some major Muslim bodies, the BJP's 'Minority Morcha' will rally counterviews in support of reforms in Waqf boards and seek suggestions on the law to present it to the parliamentary committee examining the Bill. Sources said a team of seven BJP members, including state Waqf Board chairpersons, will elicit views of the minority community across the country and assuage their concerns on a host of issues. "We will convey to the committee every point of view. If there is any concern on any aspect of the Bill, we will express it as well. But the need for reforms in Waqf boards is felt by the community everywhere," a BJP leader claimed. They Minority Morcha will share the report with the BJP leadership and the parliamentary panel headed by veteran party MP Jagdambika Pal. The committee members include Shadab Shams, Sanwar Patel and Mohsin Lokhandwala, who head the boards in Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, and Haryana Waqf .

J-K youth will show exit door to 'Modi & Company' on Oct 1, claims Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday claimed "deception" is the only policy of the BJP for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and that they will show the door to "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and company" in the upcoming polls. In his post on X, Kharge said the youth unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir was a staggering 28.2 per cent (PLFS) in March. "Deception is the only policy of the BJP for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir!" he said. "Many exam paper leaks, bribes and rampant corruption have delayed hiring across departments for four years now. An astounding 65% of government department posts in Jammu & Kashmir remain vacant since 2019," Kharge claimed. In Jammu and Kashmir, over 60,000 government daily wagers have been toiling for more than 15 years, earning a meagre Rs 300 per day, he said. "Despite their long-standing service, they remain on contract basis, even in essential departments such as Power, Public Health, and Engineering, highlighting the precarious nature

Shivaji statue: BJP holds protests; MVA politicising issue, says Bawankule

The BJP on Sunday staged protests across Maharashtra against the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi for allegedly politicising the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Sindhudurg. The statue of the 17th century Maratha warrior king at Rajkot fort in Malvan tehsil fell on August 26. It was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4, 2023, on the occasion of Navy Day. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Bawankule, while taking part in a protest here, said PM Modi had apologised to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as well as the legendary warrior-king's followers in connection with the collapse. "Despite his apology, the MVA is politicising the issue for vote bank politics. The MVA is trying to spread anarchy in the state ahead of the assembly polls," Bawankule said. During his address in Palghar on Friday, PM Modi had said Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name or a king but a deity. "Today, I bow my head at his feet and apologise to my deity," he had ...

Teamwork with stakeholders key to solving Delhi's pollution woes: Gopal Rai

The problem of pollution in Delhi can only be solved through teamwork, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Sunday as he urged the Centre to give permission for artificial rain during winter, when air quality levels in the city plummet. Addressing a press conference, Rai said though the Delhi government has taken several steps to address the problem, pollution levels in and around the national capital spike in November. "An emergency situation arises in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The Kejriwal government is working to reduce the pollution levels. Ever since our government came to power, the pollution levels have declined," he said. But November witnesses a spike in pollution levels, he said. "Last year, IIT-Kanpur submitted a proposal that artificial rain or a cloud seeding experiment could be done in Delhi. They said that financial management and security permissions were needed. Last year, there was very little time so permissions could not come through. "We held

Maintaining law & order Rajasthan govt's top priority: CM Bhajanlal Sharma

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said that maintaining law and order in Rajasthan is the top priority of his government and police should adopt a "zero tolerance" policy against crime, according to an official statement. Sharma made the remarks at a meeting held at his office on Saturday night to review the law and order situation in the state. He directed the police department to ensure a safe environment for the common people in the state. The chief minister directed all additional director generals (ADG) to visit their respective ranges and hold a meeting with the police department officials regarding law and order in the district, the statement said. Sharma underlined that the prevention of cybercrime is necessary. For this, the general public should be made aware and strict action against criminals should continue. Along with this, prompt action should also be taken in narcotics-related cases and against illegal mining, he said. He said the police department has to keep an ey

Haryana Assembly election: Bishnois welcome decision to defer poll date

The Bishnoi community has thanked the Election Commission for deferring the Haryana Assembly poll date to October 5 from October 1 in view of the centuries-old festival of the community. The ruling BJP has also welcomed the EC's decision. The Election Commission on Saturday deferred the Haryana assembly poll date, saying the decision was taken keeping in mind the Bishnoi community's festival. Som Prakash Bishnoi, Akhil Bhartiya Bishnoi Mahasabha's vice president, said the entire community thanks the Election Commission for its decision to defer the poll date. Lakhs of members of the Bishnoi community take part in the festival and it takes 15-20 days to organise it, he said. "Earlier, we were worried what if people (Bishnoi community) cannot vote as they would be travelling or if they are not able to take part in the event too. Now, with the new poll date, our problem has been solved and we thank the EC for this," he said. Before the revision of the date, the Haryana polls were to

After former J'khand CM Champai Soren, ex-JMM MLA Lobin Hembrom joins BJP

A day after former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren joined the BJP, ex-JMM legislator Lobin Hembrom on Saturday crossed over to the saffron camp. Hembrom was given membership of the BJP by the party's state chief Babulal Marandi in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. "The JMM has changed from what was it in Guruji's (JMM supremo Shibu Soren) time. Now, there is no respect for senior leaders in the JMM. So, I decided to join the BJP for development of Jharkhand and uplift of tribals," the former Borio legislator said at the saffron camp's state headquarters here. Hembrom was disqualified from the Jharkhand assembly under the anti-defection law with effect from July 26. The former legislator, who had been vocal against his own party, contested as an independent candidate from the Rajmahal Lok Sabha seat, challenging JMM's nominee Vijay Hansdak. Hembrom tasted defeat in the parliamentary elections. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) had initiated proceedings

Statue collapse: Apology not enough, Maharashtra's pride hurt, says Patole

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole has said that simply apologising for the collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will not suffice as the episode has "hurt the pride of Maharashtra". He made the remarks on Friday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologised to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and those hurt by the collapse of the warrior king's statue in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district. The statue of the 17th century Maratha warrior king at Rajkot fort in Sindhudurg district's Malvan tehsil, which fell on August 26, was unveiled by the PM on December 4, 2023, on the occasion of Navy Day. During his address in Palghar on Friday, PM Modi said, "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name or a king. For us, he is our deity. Today, I bow my head at his feet and apologise to my deity." Talking to reporters in Bhandara, Patole said, "What made him (PM) apologise ? It means he has acknowledged that he had made a mistake. When the statue was ready, as a prime ...

BJP MLAs meet Prez Murmu, seek Kejriwal govt's dismissal, AAP slams move

A delegation of Delhi BJP MLAs met President Droupadi Murmu here on Friday to seek the dismissal of the AAP government over the "constitutional crisis" in the wake of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's imprisonment. Hitting out at the BJP, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused it of having no regard for the Constitution and accepting defeat even before elections are held in the national capital. The BJP delegation headed by Leader of the Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta submitted a memorandum to the president and formally appealed to her for urgent intervention in the ongoing "constitutional crisis plaguing Delhi". It also raised concerns over the functioning of the AAP government, according to a statement issued by Gupta. The AAP government has "lost all moral rights to govern and has blatantly deceived the mandate" given to it by the people of Delhi, said the memorandum. Gupta said the main issue of "paralysis of governance" was Kejriwal being in jail for more than four mon

Robert Vadra slams Kangana, says she does not deserve to be in Parliament

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's husband Robert Vadra slammed BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Friday for her comments on farmers' protests and said she does not deserve to be in Parliament. "She (Ranaut) is a woman. I respect her. But I feel she does not deserve to be in Parliament. She is not educated. I feel she does not think about people. She thinks only about herself. She should think about women. My appeal is that the entire country should come together and move forward on the issue of women's safety," Vadra told reporters here. Noting that the safety of women is the most important issue, he said all political parties must come together to address it. Ranaut, the member of Parliament from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, on Monday posted on X a clip of her interview with Hindi daily "Dainik Bhaskar", in which she suggested that a "Bangladesh-like situation" could have erupted in India during farmers' protests against three now-repealed farm laws but for the country's stro

Joint Parl panel on Waqf Bill seeks suggestions from experts, stakeholders

The Joint Committee of Parliament scrutinising the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Friday sought suggestions from stakeholders, experts and other institutions on the proposed law. The bill seeks to reforming the registration process for Waqf properties through a centralised portal. According to a statement issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the committee led by BJP's Jagdambika Pal has asked for "views/suggestions from the public in general and NGOs, experts, stakeholders and institutions in particular" considering the "wider implications" of the bill People have been asked to share their suggestions in writing in the next 15 days. The memoranda and suggestions submitted to the committee would form part of the records of the Committee and would be treated as "confidential", it said. Those who wish to appear before the committee, besides submitting views in writing, have been asked to specifically indicate so in their correspondence. The Bill is the first major initiative from the BJP-