Page 278 - Bjp

INDIA bloc leaders slam BJP, Stalin stresses on unity to defeat BJP

Amid rumblings in the opposition INDIA bloc, its leaders on Friday stressed on the need to defeat the ruling BJP in the coming Lok Sabha polls, with DMK chanting the unity mantra to achieve the goal. Top leaders of some of INDIA bloc constituents--Congress, DMK, the Left parties and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi attended a "Democracy will win" conference organised by the VCK here. VCK, headed by Lok Sabha MP Thol Thirumavalavan, is a key ally of the DMK in Tamil Nadu. DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, leaders of the CPI (M) and the CPI, Sitaram Yechury and D Raja, respectively and many others spoke at the well-attended conference which came amidst the ruling Mahagathbandhan in Bihar appearing to be on tenterhooks with strong indications that JD (U) president and that state CM Nitish Kumar may do yet another volte-face and return to the BJP-led NDA. JD (U), Lalu Prasad Yadav-led RJD, Congress and Left parties are the constituents of the ruling coalition in ...

Forest fire along LoC in J-K triggers landmine explosions in Poonch

A forest fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district triggered explosions in several landmines on Friday night, official sources said. The fire occurred this evening in Balnoi and Krishnagati sectors of the district, prompting army, locals and forest officials to launch an operation to contain it, they said.

Resetting the Republic

Legatees of political forces Indira Gandhi locked up during Emergency are now redefining some of India's foundational principles. They can be challenged, just as she was in the 1970s

BJP calls meeting of party MPs, MLAs in Patna amid turmoil in Bihar

Amid the turmoil in Bihar's ruling Mahagathbandhan, the opposition BJP has called a meeting of its MPs and MLAs on Saturday apparently to discuss the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. According to BJP state unit chief Samrat Choudhary, the meeting will deliberate on the party's strategy for the general elections, the dates for which are yet to be announced. Asked about speculations that the BJP is set for another innings with Nitish Kumar's JD(U), Choudhary told reporters, "No such thing has been discussed at our level." The BJP leaders on Friday dropped major hints about Kumar's reported discussions with the party's senior leaders. Meanwhile, talking to reporters, senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said, "No door is closed in politics. The door can be opened if needed." In a separate development, Bihar Congress leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan has called a meeting of party MLAs and former legislators in Purnea at 2pm on Saturday. He also denied reports that the meeting had anything to do with

Nitish Kumar turns up at Raj Bhavan high tea on R-Day, Tejashwi skips

Amid speculations of a rift in the ruling Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday attended the high tea ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan here on the occasion of the Republic Day with his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD remaining conspicuous by absence. The seat next to that of Kumar was occupied by senior JD(U) leader and minister Ashok Kumar Choudhary who removed the slip said to be bearing the name of Yadav before occupying the chair. Leader of the opposition in the assembly, Vijay Kumar Sinha of the BJP, sat next to Choudhary and he was seen exchanging pleasantries with Kumar. The high tea was organised on the occasion of the Republic Day. Though education minister Alok Kumar Mehta, who is also a national general secretary of the RJD, was among the attendees, Yadav and many other party leaders, including Speaker Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, did not turn up. Speculations are rife that Kumar was unhappy with the Mahagathbandhan, which includes the Congress and

LIVE: Pneumonia outbreak kills over 200 children in Pakistan, says report

LIVE news updates today: Catch all the latest updates from around the world here

Nitish's ties with INDIA bloc worsen, Sushil Modi hints at coalition

Senior BJP leaders held consultations among themselves and with allies on Friday amid signs that the party is open to joining hands with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar yet again as his ties with INDIA bloc partners nosedive. Former Bihar deputy chief minister and Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Modi, who has been among the state leaders consulted by the BJP top brass, told reporters that doors are never closed permanently for anyone in politics. They open and close as per the necessity, he said, when asked about the party's earlier stand that its doors were closed for Kumar forever after he snapped ties with the BJP in August 2022. Modi said, "As far as Kumar or the JD(U) are concerned, doors are never permanently closed in politics. Closed doors open when the time comes but whether they will open or not is for our central leadership to decide." However, BJP sources declined to comment on whether a decision has been taken to join hands with the JD(U). Home Minister Amit Shah an

BJP-led govt implemented initiatives for systemic changes: Haryana CM

Khattar said his government took several steps to rein in corruption and a stern message has been sent across that corruption will not be tolerated

JDU chief Nitish Kumar will soon return to BJP-led NDA: Jitan Ram Majhi

Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi said on Friday it was only a matter of time before JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar returns to the BJP-led NDA. Asked about the timing of Kumar joining hands with the NDA, Manjhi said, "It will happen at any moment. I knew from the beginning that the grand alliance government of the RJD-JD(U) would fall." On the reason for Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav skipping the governor's high-tea ceremony on Republic Day, Manjhi said, "I cannot comment on this. You should ask him (Tejashwi Yadav) why he was absent." Earlier in the day, Manjhi had said that the 'grand alliance' government in Bihar would not remain intact. "There is not much to say about the political atmosphere in Bihar. Nitish Kumar's statement on dynastic politics was directed at the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). The 'grand alliance' government in Bihar will not remain intact after this statement from the CM. Kumar had also mentioned that some people wanted

Firmly with INDIA bloc but would like Congress to do introspection: JD(U)

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) on Friday asserted that the party was "firmly with INDIA coalition" but wanted the Congress to do "introspection" with regard to alliance partners and sharing of seats. State JD(U) president Umesh Singh Kushwaha made the statement, refuting rumours that his party, headed by the chief minister, was thinking of a return to the BJP-led NDA. "All is well in Bihar's ruling Mahagathbandhan and the media speculations are driven by some agenda," Kushwaha told reporters. He also said, "I met the CM yesterday as well as today. It is a routine affair. There is no truth in the rumours doing the rounds. We also reject the rumours that party MLAs have been asked to rush to Patna". He also made light of Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav, who is in RJD, sitting far from each other at the Republic Day parade, asserting that "we are firmly with INDIA coalition". Kushwaha, however, said, "We want the Congress, which is our alliance partner, to do some ...

Book on life, legacy of 'Jan nayak' Karpoori Thakur to hit stands in May

A new book on the life and legacy of former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur, commemorating the birth centenary of the political luminary, will hit the stands in May, Penguin Random House India has announced. Written by Santosh Singh and Aditya Anmol, "The Jannayak Karpoori Thakur: Voice of the Voiceless" focusses on his politics that introduced groundbreaking concepts such as "quota within quota, or equity within equity". Thakur had played a pivotal role in bifurcating reservation among OBC, EBC, EWS and women in 1978 -- a model that significantly influenced the recommendations of the Mandal Commission. "I am greatly elated and excited about Penguin bringing out our book on socialist legend and former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur. And my happiness has just doubled with the announcement of Thakur getting the Bharat Ratna. Thakur's lasting legacy is not just pioneering the OBC quota but his inclusive and cohesive politics," author Singh said in a statement. Earlier this week, Presid

On 75th Republic Day, PM Modi wears multi-coloured 'bandhani' turban

Continuing his tradition of wearing flamboyant and colourful turbans, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose a multi-coloured 'bandhani' print safa for his Republic Day look on Friday. Bandhani is a type of tie-dye textile popular in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The fabric is decorated by plucking the cloth with fingernails into many tiny bindings that form a figurative design. He wore a white kurta-pyjama with a brown V-neck jacket. The turban with a long trail had shades of yellow, saffron, pink and red. Rajasthani turbans have been a popular choice of the prime minister for his Independence Day and Republic Day looks. Last year too, Modi wore a multi-coloured Rajasthani turban and complemented it with pants and kurta. Later that year, on the 77th Independence Day, he opted for a vibrant Rajasthani-style turban, with multiple colours and a lengthy tail. In 2019, Modi sported a multi-coloured turban as he gave his sixth Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort after return

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unfurls National flag on Republic Day

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended his greetings to fellow Indians on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day

Republic Day: Resolve to make India developed country, says BJP's JP Nadda

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda unfurled the national flag on 75th Republic Day, at party headquarters in the national capital on Friday

LIVE news: Centre announces Padma awardees on eve of Republic Day

LIVE news updates today: Catch all the latest updates from around the world here

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

Will he, won't he? Buzz on Nitish Kumar's BJP return amid INDIA rift

Union Home Minister Amit Shah himself sounded more open to such a possibility in a recent interview

Budget 2024 LIVE: India Inc awaits FM's Budget for growth boosting measures

Union Budget 2024 Live Updates: The Interim Budget 2024 is set to be presented on February 1. Catch all the budget-related live updates here

Public sounds poll bugle for Modi, says PM ahead of Lok Sabha elections

PM Modi's remark came at the BJP event in Bulandshahr, which was meant to kickstart the saffron party's 2024 Lok Sabha campaign from western Uttar Pradesh

Noida traffic police issues advisory in view of BJP's Bulandshahr event

Noida traffic advisory today: In case of an emergency in Commissionerate Gautam Budh Nagar, traffic diversion will be done for a short time on Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and Yamuna Expressway