Page 85 - Bjp

BJP takes dig at Kejriwal over promise of Rs 18,000 honorarium to priests

The BJP on Wednesday took a swipe at Arvind Kejriwal calling him a "bagula bhagat" (pretentious devotee) over his pre-poll promise of giving a monthly honorarium of Rs 18,000 to priests of temples and granthis of gurudwaras. Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, party national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed that Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) exemplifies "unreliability" in Indian politics, adding that the people of Delhi have understood its "antics." He alleged that the AAP, which emerged with the promise of bringing change to the country's politics, has lost its "credibility" as it continues to pursue "the same old Congress politics." There was no immediate response from the AAP to the BJP's charge. Asked about Kejriwal's pre-poll promise of providing an honorarium of Rs 18,000 to priests of temples and granthis of gurudwaras, Trivedi wondered why he is making such an announcement instead of implementing it right away, when his party is still in power

Bangladesh's political turmoil gives Bengal BJP's membership drive a fillip

The violence against Hindus in Bangladesh has provided a fillip to West Bengal BJP's membership drive, as the party struggles to meet its ambitious one crore target, while campaiging against the atrocities on minorities across the border to consolidate Hindu support in the state. Attacks on the minority community on the other side of the border has provided the party with a rallying point, as it seeks to counter challenges posed by organisational gaps, internal discord, and the ruling Trinamool Congress's (TMC) political dominance. Both TMC and BJP are leveraging the Bangladesh issue to shape the political narrative ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The Bangladesh turmoil, where Hindu minorities have been at the receiving end, has accelerated the membership drive, as people see the BJP as the only party capable of ensuring stability and are afraid of similar events under TMC's rule, which is known for its minority appeasement, state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar told PTI. Top

Biren Singh hits back at Congress, accuses past leaders for Manipur crisis

Manipur CM Biren Singh apologised for the ongoing unrest, blaming Congress' past actions. He responded to Jairam Ramesh's criticism, citing political neglect by Congress leaders

Business Standard wishes all its readers a very happy new year

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After 2024 report card, ministers get ready for work on New Year's Day

Although the talk about the New Year agenda within the government was subdued on December 31, the day started with promise of work in 2025

Kerala CM slams BJP minister for 'Mini Pakistan'; remark, says 'deplorable'

The Congress also denounced Rane's comments, linking them to past Communist Party of India CPI(M) statements about the victories of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi in Wayanad

BJP accuses Arvind Kejriwal of exploiting children for political gains

Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia claimed that the Delhi government ignored concerns raised by the National Human Rights Commission

Student assault: BJP to take out 'justice rally' from Madurai to Chennai

Stepping up heat on the ruling DMK over the student sexual assault case, the BJP's state unit on Monday announced that the party's women's wing will take out a rally from Madurai to Chennai, seeking justice for the victim. BJP state president K Annamalai, announcing the protest, alleged the accused belonged to the DMK and there were attempts to "conceal the truth," in the matter. Condemning this and the atrocity inflicted on the women, the BJP's state Mahila Morcha, under its chief Umarathi Rajan, will take out the "justice rally" from Madurai to Chennai and will set off from the southern city on January 3, he said in a post on 'X.' "It has been decided, that upon completion of the rally in Chennai, a memorandum will be presented to the Tamil Nadu Governor on demands by the women's wing," Annamalai added. Madurai is located about 450 km from here. A 19 year-old student was sexually assaulted inside the campus of Anna University, a premier technical varsity, prompting outrage from

BJP stumbles in 2024 LS polls but stamps authority in state elections

The inauguration of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in January was meant to deliver an unprecedented electoral harvest to the ruling BJP in the Lok Sabha polls. And when it lost its majority, many thought it was the beginning of reverses awaiting the BJP. The outgoing year followed anything but a predictable path for the party. However, as the year drew to its end, the BJP has stamped its authority on the country's political map once again with remarkably improbable wins in what were seen as difficult state elections in Haryana and Maharashtra. The BJP's vulnerabilities and as well as strengths were in full display in the year but what stood out is its ability to adapt its message and methods to the voices from the ground, underlining the full-spectrum of its campaign machine in which various components rise and fall in importance depending on its electoral needs. If the RSS was seen to be less than fully active during the national elections, its affiliates and sympathisers were in full force

Shameful that AAP govt hasn't paid Anganwadi workers: BJP's Bansuri Swaraj

Bansuri called it 'shameful' that the Anganwadi workers have not been paid for seven months and that the stipend of the Asha workers has not been increased

UP Cong chief writes to CM, demands action against open sale of intoxicants

The Congress' Uttar Pradesh president Ajay Rai wrote to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday, drawing his attention to the "open sale of intoxicants" and demanding strict action so that future generations can be saved from addiction. Rai said incidents of open sale and use of drugs and other intoxicants had been seen in the state's urban and remote rural areas in the past few years. Calling it "very shameful for any civilised society", he said such incidents pointed towards an administrative failure. "The youth and poor section of the state are becoming its biggest victims." The youth, who have to be part of the state's development, are ruining their and the state's future by falling into the grip of drugs, Rai said in the letter. "The poor section, which is somehow feeding their family in this period of inflation by working as labourers and toiling all day, is also ruining their family by falling into the grip of drug abuse," he added. The situation is such that the common pe

News updates: Delhi records best December AQI since system began in 2015

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Rahul Gandhi exploited Manmohan Singh's death for his politics: BJP

Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, the BJP on Monday alleged that Rahul Gandhi exploited former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's death for his expedient politics and flew to Vietnam to ring in the New Year while the country is mourning his demise. The Congress hit back and asked when will the Sanghis stop this take diversion' politics. While the country is mourning Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's demise, Rahul Gandhi has flown to Vietnam to ring in the new year, BJP's IT cell head Amit Malviya said in a post on X. Gandhi politicised and exploited Dr Singh's death for his expedient politics but his contempt for him is unmissable, he charged. The Gandhis and the Congress hate Sikhs. Never forget that Indira Gandhi desecrated the Darbar Sahib, Malviya added. Reacting sharply, Congress leader Manickam Tagore wrote in a post on X, When will the Sanghis stop this take diversion' politics? He alleged that the way Prime Minister Narendra Modi denied Dr Singh a place for ..

Skipped Manmohan Singh's ashes immersion to ensure family privacy: Cong

With the BJP criticizing the grand old party leaders for not accompanying former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's family during the immersion of his ashes in the Yamuna, the Congress on Monday said it was to ensure privacy to them. Congress leader Pawan Khera said the senior leaders did not accompany the family to gather and immerse the ashes of Dr Singh "out of our deference to the privacy of the family". He said after the cremation of our beloved departed leader, senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met the family at their residence here. "After discussing with them, it was felt that since the family did not get any privacy at the time of the cremation and some extended family members could not reach the pyre site, it would be appropriate to give them some privacy for the 'Phool Chunana' and the immersion of the ashes which is an emotionally painful and difficult ceremony for close family members," Khera said in a statement. There has been a bitter war of words

Lathi charge on peaceful student protesters attack on democracy: Kejriwal

In a post on the social media platform X, Kejriwal highlighted the incident as an attack on democracy and criticised the government's response to student voices

Delhi transport department rejects AAP's inquiry claim against CM Atishi

Former chief minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal made multiple allegations against the BJP, including mass alteration of voters' lists in the Delhi Assembly. The BJP, however, dismissed his allegations

Bade miyan, chote miyan: BJP compares AAP to Congress for targeting ECI

This comes after AAP MP Sanjay Singh had accused the BJP of attempting to remove his wife Anita Singh's name from the voter list, not once but twice

Over 620k applicants for 127k opportunities under PM Internship Scheme

About 6.21 lakh applications have been received for 1.27 lakh opportunities under the Prime Minister's Internship Scheme and the selection process is continuing, the government said on Sunday. The scheme, announced in the 2024 Union Budget, aims to provide internship opportunities to 1 crore youth in top-500 companies over five years. A pilot project of the scheme, started on October 3, aims to provide 1.25 lakh internship opportunities during 2024-25. In a release on Sunday, the corporate affairs ministry said approximately 6.21 lakh applications have been received against 1.27 lakh internship opportunities. "The selection process for internship is ongoing." Partner companies have posted about 1.27 lakh internship opportunities on the internship scheme portal. About 4.87 lakh individuals have completed their KYC and registered themselves on the portal, the release said. Under the scheme, interns will be provided a monthly financial assistance of Rs 5,000 for 12 months and a one-

Congress accuses Centre of 'hidden agenda' over memorial for Manmohan Singh

The Congress on Sunday alleged that union government could not identify a designated space for performing the last rites of former PM Manmohan Singh, where a memorial could be built later, as it intervened in the matter with a "hidden agenda". It has long been the practice to set up a memorial at the same place where the last rites are performed. However, the BJP-led Union government mishandled the issue and worsened the situation, the party alleged. Speaking to reporters here, AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal said that not only the Congress party but also the Shiromani Akali Dal had harshly criticised the Union government on the matter. "A designated space was not found for Manmohan Singh's last rites and memorial because the central government intervened in the matter with a specific hidden agenda," he alleged. The Congress leader also wanted a discussion on the "brutal approach" and lapses on the part of the Centre. "It should be explained why the government is showing such

TMC's Banerjee slams sports, film celebs over 'silence' on MMS' demise

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday criticised prominent figures in the sports and film domain, claiming that they have remained silent in paying respects to former prime minister Manmohan Singh. Describing Singh as one of India's "greatest statesmen" whose visionary leadership reshaped the nation's economy, he also claimed that the "complete silence" of the sports and film fraternities may have stemmed from fear of government backlash. "It is both shocking and disheartening to see the complete silence from prominent figures in the SPORTS and FILM industries individuals who are often celebrated as ROLE MODELS'. "Their reluctance to even acknowledge Dr Singh's passing raises uncomfortable questions about their priorities, responsibility and integrity. It appears this silence is driven by fear of government backlash, as staying silent on national issues has become the norm for many of these so-called ICONS'," Banerjee wrote in a post on X. Singh, 92, was cremated with