Page 129 - Lok Sabha

Delhi Police takes wrestler Sangeeta to WFI chief's official residence

Delhi Police on Friday took wrestler Sangeeta Phogat to outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's official residence here to recreate the sequence of events that led to the sexual harassment of which he has been accused. According to sources, Phogat was accompanied by women constables. "At 1.30 pm women officers took Sangeeta Phogat to Brij Bhushan's official residence in Delhi. They were there for half an hour. They asked her to recreate the scene and recall the places where she faced harassment," sources said. The Delhi Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing sexual harassment allegations against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP from Kaiserganj, Uttar Pradesh is likely to submit in the court its investigation report in the two cases registered against him by next week, officials said on Wednesday. As part of its investigation, the SIT has questioned more than 180 people, the Delhi Police officials said. Top wrestlers of the country, ...

Election Commission takes stock of EVMs ahead of general elections in 2024

The EC issues a calendar for such exercises and there are standing instructions that are to be followed by state chief electoral officers

Oppn parties' wish for 2024 polls will wash away like Bihar bridge: BJP

The BJP on Thursday took a swipe at opposition parties over their meeting in Bihar on June 23, saying they may be looking for support in each other but their wish will wash away in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls like the Rs 1,750-crore bridge which collapsed in the state recently. Union Minister and party leader Smriti Irani also targeted the Congress over Rahul Gandhi's claim of running "mohabbat ki dukan" (shop of love) and asked if this "mohabbat" meant denouncing the Hindu way of life, killing of Sikhs, partnering with those who wish ill for India and seeking outside intervention to harm India's democracy. "What kind of love is this which is not for the country but for your politics. It does not say anything when 'Kerala Story' is shown," she said at a press conference. Does this love not extend to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she asked, lauding his spirit of "service", and added that she will be surprised if the Congress has any kind word for him. "It is incumbent upon the Congress

BJP 'scared' of facing united opposition in 2024 elections: Tejashwi Yadav

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday claimed that the BJP was "scared" of fighting the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in which it may have to face a united opposition. The RJD leader was responding to questions from journalists about remarks of some BJP leaders who have sought to make light of the conclave of opposition parties to be held in Patna on June 23. "It is not for the BJP to decide what impact the opposition conclave is going to have. They are scared of facing the Lok Sabha polls. They recently lost assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka. They are staring at a series of defeats in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Haryana," claimed Yadav. Notably, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the JD(U)'s supreme leader, who dumped the BJP last year, has since been advocating a "united opposition" to take on the NDA in the Lok Sabha polls. Yadav and JD(U) national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan' had on Wednesday announced that t

Undecided about contesting LS polls, aim to serve people: MP D K Suresh

The lone Congress Lok Sabha member from Karnataka D K Suresh on Thursday expressed doubts about him contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and said he is still undecided about it, and is feeling enough about politics. Suresh, MP from the Bangalore South segment, is the brother of state Congress President and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. "Taluk and Zilla Panchayat elections are coming in six months, there is not much time, we have to prepare for it. Some people are speaking about my election, Lok Sabha election. I have not yet decided whether I will contest or not, I'm still in confusion, because I'm feeling enough about politics," Suresh said. Addressing a party meeting here, he said, "So in the days to come based on your advice I will decide. My next aim is to serve the people and work for the development of the constituency." Amid talks to field him from the Ramanagara segment to contest the Assembly polls recently, Suresh had said that he was not interested in coming to .

EC to hold bypoll in Wayanad LS seat earlier held by Rahul Gandhi

The Election Commission has initiated the process to hold a bypoll in the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat which Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had held until he was disqualified following his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark. A court in Gujarat had sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail, following which the Lok Sabha Speaker disqualified him from the lower house. A communication sent to recognised political parties by Kozhikode deputy collector on June 5 in his capacity as district election officer said that a mock poll after verification of the Electronic Voting Machines and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems will be held on June 7 ahead of the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency bypoll. The parties were informed that the mock poll and verification of the EVMs and VVPAT system will be held at the Kozhikode Civil Station Aswasakendram Godown. The Election Commission's move comes at a time when Gandhi's criminal revision application against the

BJP will win more seats in 2024 LS polls than in 2019: Tejasvi Surya

Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) president Tejasvi Surya claimed on Tuesday that the BJP will get more seats in next year's Lok Sabha polls compared to the 2019 general election. He also said the "double-engine" government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has changed the face of Uttar Pradesh. Addressing a BJYM convention in Meerut, Surya said, "The BJP will get more seats in the 2024 polls than in 2019 and (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji will score a hat-trick for a third innings." The member of Parliament from Bangalore South also alleged that before 2014, when the Modi government came to power, there was a misrule in the country, adding that nine years of the Modi government have proved to be more effective than the 70 previous years. People's welfare is the topmost priority of this government, he said. Surya said the "double-engine" government has changed the face of Uttar Pradesh, adding that thanks to Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the ...

Shiv Sena minister bats for 2019 LS seat-sharing formula with BJP

Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena leader Tanaji Sawant on Monday said his party would contest 23 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state in the 2024 polls, the assertion coming a day after Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Shinde had said the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party, both part of the ruling coalition in the state, will contest all polls henceforth together. Speaking to reporters in Osmanabad (Dharashiv), Sawant said, "The (undivided) Shiv Sena had contested 23 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 general elections, winning 18. In the next Lok Sabha polls, which is less than a year away, we will do the same. Shiv Sena will contest 23 seats." Sawant's comments came a day after local BJP MLA Rana Jagjitsingh had claimed BJP will win Osmanabad Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 polls. Osmanabad was allotted to the Shiv Sena in the 2019 general elections and was won by Omprakash Rajenimbalkar, who is now with Uddhav Thackeray-le

Winnability will be criterion while allocating tickets for LS polls: Pawar

Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Monday said "elective merit" will be taken into consideration while allocating tickets to candidates for the next Lok Sabha elections. He also said the decision about the Shirur Lok Sabha seat, currently represented by Amol Kolhe of NCP, will be taken after discussion with senior leaders. In the 2019 polls, Kolhe defeated Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil of Shiv Sena (undivided) which contested in alliance with BJP. After severing ties with BJP after the last Assembly polls, Shiv Sena joined hands with NCP and Congress to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi. Pawar was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the review meeting of NCP which also discussed preparations for a public rally scheduled to be held in Ahmednagar to mark the party's foundation day on June 9. "While allocating tickets for Lok Sabha elections, the opportunity will be given to those candidates who have elective merit," the NCP leader said. Queried on Maharashtra BJ

Maha Cong takes stock of 41 LS seats, to review constituencies separately

The Maharashtra Congress has taken stock of 41 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state while the review of six constituencies in Mumbai and Chandrapur seat will be done separately, state party president Nana Patole has said. The allocation of seats will be discussed in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) meeting, Patole said on Saturday. Maharashtra sends 48 members to the Lok Sabha. Speaking to reporters on the last day of the two-day review meeting of the Congress, Patole said his party is prepared to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha polls with enthusiasm and the resolve to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party. 'The review of 41 Lok Sabha constituencies (out of the total 48) is complete. The review of Chandrapur and six constituencies in Mumbai will be conducted separately. The discussion has been positive. Congress workers want the party to contest the maximum number of constituencies," he said. The tripartite MVA comprises the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP

Maha Cong takes stock of 41 LS seats, to review Mumbai constituencies

The Congress in Maharashtra has taken stock of 41 Lok Sabha constituencies while the review of six constituencies in Mumbai and the Chandrapur seat will be done separately, state party unit president Nana Patole said on Saturday. He said the allocation of seats will be discussed in Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) meeting. Maharashtra sends 48 MPs to Lok Sabha. Speaking to reporters on the last day of the two-day review meeting of the party, Patole said Congress is prepared to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha polls with enthusiasm and the resolve to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party. 'The review of 41 Lok Sabha constituencies (out of the total 48) is complete. A review of Chandrapur and six constituencies in Mumbai will be conducted separately. The discussion has been positive. Congress workers want the party to contest the maximum number of constituencies," he said. The tripartite MVA comprises Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress. "The Congress party has organizational strength i

BJP will win 330 seats in 2024 Lok Sabha elections: Hardeep Singh Puri

The BJP will have a "very comfortable victory" in next year's parliamentary elections and will win 330 seats, party leader and Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday. The BJP won 303 seats out of 543 in the last Lok Sabha elections in 2019. "I think you are not looking at just a victory but a very comfortable victory. This time I will say 330 seats (for BJP)," Puri said at the India Economic Conclave. He said people consider serious issues while voting in the Lok Sabha elections and they will reclaim India's 7,000-year-old glory in the coming polls. On his party's defeat in the just-concluded assembly polls in Karnataka, Puri said he is glad that the BJP loses elections, otherwise the Opposition will level charges that electronic voting machines (EVMs) are not working properly. Replying to a quick question, he termed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi "pretender" and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal "liar". He said the prospect of leaders like Gandhi, Kejriwal or Mamata Banerjee win

Bihar ex- CM Jitan Ram Manjhi seeks 5 seats for HAM for 2024 LS polls

Jitan Ram Manjhi had met Home Minister Amit Shah. However, the former Bihar chief minister asserted that it was not a political meeting

Winnability to be key criteria for seat-sharing among MVA allies: Chavan

Chavan said the Congress is a national outfit and will take a decision on the number of Lok Sabha seats it wants to contest in the state based on feedback from party workers

Disqualification from Lok Sabha has given me huge opportunity: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said that he did not imagine his disqualification from Lok Sabha was possible when he joined politics but asserted that it has given him a "huge opportunity" to serve the people. Gandhi, who is in the US for a three-city US tour, made the remarks on Wednesday night in response to a series of questions from Indian students at the prestigious Stanford University Campus in California. The Wayanad (Kerala) Member of Parliament was disqualified from Lok Sabha earlier this year after he was convicted by a Surat court in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark. In his remarks, Gandhi said that when he joined politics in 2000, he never imagined this is what he would go through. What he sees is going on now is way outside anything that he had thought when he joined politics. Referring to his disqualification from Lok Sabha as a Member of Parliament, Gandhi, 52, said he didn't imagine that something like this was possible. "But then I

BRS leader claims delimitation of LS will be 'injustice' to southern states

Delimitation of Lok Sabha seats after 2026 will be a "gross injustice" to southern states if it is taken up on the basis of population, BRS leader and Telangana Minister K T Rama Rao said on Tuesday. The minister's view comes amid reports that the BJP-led government at the Centre would take up the delimitation process of Parliamentary constituencies if the BJP retains power in 2024 general elections. The Lok Sabha chamber in the new Parliament building, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28, has thrice the number of seats with enough space for 888 members, and the new Rajya Sabha has the capacity to seat 384 members. This is in light of the fact that a delimitation exercise at some point in future would lead to a rise in the number of MPs in the country. According to the 84th Amendment of the Constitution, the constituency borders were frozen until the first census after 2026, or at least until after 2031. The 1971 Census continues to serve as the foundati

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah gives target of winning 20 seats in LS polls

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who has formed a full-fledged government, has fixed targets for all his Cabinet colleagues, saying they should all strive to win at least 20 of the total 28 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. The Chief Minister on Saturday filled all 34 seats in his Cabinet by inducting 24 new ministers. Noting that the Lok Sabha elections are coming in a year, Siddaramaiah said, "We should win at least 20 Lok Sabha constituencies as a gift to party national president Mallikarjun Kharge and seniors Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi." The chief Minister has instructed the ministers to carry out their responsibilities by keeping this goal in mind and with commitment, honesty and agility, a statement from the chief minister's office said. "We should strive sincerely to ensure that the guarantees assured by us reach the people. The mistakes of the past should not be repeated this time," he was quoted as saying in the statement. Siddaramaiah assured th

Census unlikely before LS polls; citizens to be asked about smartphones

The decadal Census, which was postponed for an indefinite period due to the pandemic, is unlikely to be held before the next Lok Sabha elections that are due in April-May 2024, officials said. Access to smartphones, Internet, laptops, computers, cars, two-wheelers, main cereal consumed are some of the 31 questions to be asked in the Census, whenever it is held. The house listing phase of the Census and the exercise to update the National Population Register (NPR) were scheduled to be carried out across the country from April 1 to September 30, 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Census operation continues to be on hold and the government has not yet announced a new schedule. In January, the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India conveyed that the date of freezing of administrative boundaries -- creation of new districts or sub-districts -- has been extended to June 30, the officials said. According to the norms, the Census can be ...

BJP slams RJD for comparing new Parliament building design with coffin

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Sunday likened the architecture of the new Parliament building to a coffin, drawing a sharp response from the BJP which said people will bury the Bihar party in such a coffin in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. As the new building was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ruling party in Bihar put out a tweet that showed a coffin and the new legislature building side by side and asked, "What is this?" Hitting back, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, "People of the country will bury you in the same coffin in 2024 and will not give you the opportunity to enter the new temple of democracy. It is decided that the parliament building belongs to the country and the coffin to you." Bhatia said the inauguration marked a historic moment and parties such as the RJD will keep crying hoarse.

New Parliament building: Lotus motif for Rajya Sabha, peacock for Lok Sabha

Premium hand-knotted carpets weaved laboriously by as many as 900 artisans from Uttar Pradesh for a whopping "10 lakh man-hours" will adorn the floors of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the new Parliament building. The new Parliament building, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, will showcase exquisite motifs of national bird peacock and national flower lotus in the carpets of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, respectively. Obeetee Carpets, the over-100-year-old Indian company behind the project, said weavers crafted more than 150 carpets each for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha "before stitching them into a single carpet in the form of a semi-circle to sync with the architecture of each of the Houses spread across 35,000 square feet of area". "The weavers had to craft the carpets for halls measuring up to 17,500 square feet each. This posed a significant challenge for the design team, as they had to meticulously craft the carpet in separate pieces and seamlessly join them