Page 54 - Politics

Leaders who attended oppn meet involved in scams worth Rs 20 trn: Shah

Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah on Thursday accused opposition leaders, who had attended the June 23 meeting in Patna, of being involved in scams worth over Rs 20 lakh crore. Taking on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who organised the meeting, Shah said the people of the state will give a befitting reply to corrupt leaders in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Union home minister was addressing a mega rally at Lakhisarai in Munger parliamentary constituency, organised by his party BJP. Bihar has always raised its voice against corruption. Opposition leaders who attended the June 23 meeting in Patna are involved in scams worth over Rs 20 lakh croreBihar will give a befitting reply to corrupt leaders in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Shah said. In a reference to Kumar who dumped the BJP last year to form the 'Mahagathbandhan' government in the state, Shah said leaders who ditched the National Democratic Alliance must be punished. Shah also questioned the chief minister's

Scams part of Congress DNA, it sees corruption everywhere, says BJP

The BJP on Wednesday hit back at the Congress for raising questions on the India-US drone deal, saying doing scams in defence deals has become a part of the opposition party's DNA and it cannot see beyond corruption in defence purchases. Party chief spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Baluni said defence and strategic experts have unanimously welcomed the decision to purchase predator drones during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to the US. The Congress is so addicted to engaging in corruption in defence deals when in power and opposing them at the cost of the nation's security and soldiers' safety when in opposition that it has become a part of its DNA, he said. "While benefits of the purchase are visible to the world, the question is why is the Congress criticising the agreement? The reason is that a habitual thief sees a thief in others," he said. From the alleged jeep scam of 1952 to the suspected corruption in the purchase of Bofors guns, submarines and the ...

Only genuine accountability will restore civilians-army trust: Mehbooba

Only genuine accountability will restore "trust between civilians and the armed forces" in Kashmir, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said here on Wednesday. Her remarks came in response to the reports of the Army launching an investigation into the allegations of troops compelling worshippers in a mosque at Zadoora in Pulwama to chant "Jai Shree Ram". Thankful to @ChinarcorpsIA for taking swift action in the Zadoora incident. Only genuine accountability will restore trust between civilians & armed forces. Kashmir is the only state where a pilgrimage like Amarnath Yatra coincides with Eid. This is the spirit of Kashmiriyat, Mufti said on Twitter. The Army has been maintaining silence on the allegations and the action taken. When asked about whether there was any action taken by the Army, Srinagar-based defence PRO Col Emron Musavi said he had no information. If I get something, I'll share, Col Musavi told PTI. On June 24, Mufti, a former chief of J-K, alleged on the social media platform .

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 .

Don't make such issues part of 'dog-whistle politics': RJD attacks PM Modi

The RJD on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks in Madhya Pradesh on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), saying he should not make such issues an instrument of "dog-whistle politics". The attack by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha came after Prime Minister Modi said that even the Supreme Court has advocated for having the UCC, but those practising vote bank politics are opposing it. Addressing BJP workers in Bhopal on Tuesday under the party's 'Mera Booth Sabse Majboot' campaign, Modi, while talking of the UCC, said Indian Muslims have to understand which political parties are taking advantage of them by provoking them. "We are seeing that work is being done to instigate such people in the name of Uniform Civil Code. If there is one law for one member in a house and another for the other, will the house be able to run? So how will the country be able to run with such a dual system?" he said. Reacting to the prime minister's ..

BJP expanding its real estate footprint across India, Congress struggling

BJP's frenetic acquisition of real estate has coincided with its electoral expansion beyond its traditional catchment areas of northern and central India

BJP has decided it won't adopt path of appeasement, vote bank politics: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided it would not adopt the path of appeasement and vote bank politics. During his visit to Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal, Modi was addressing BJP workers selected from across the country who have made effective contributions in empowering their booths under the party's 'Mera Booth Sabse Majboot' campaign. Party workers are BJP's biggest strength, Modi said, adding that Madhya Pradesh has a big role in making the BJP world's largest party. "We don't sit in air-conditioned offices and issue diktats, we brave harsh weather to be with people," PM Modi said to the BJP workers. "The BJP has decided that it won't adopt the path of appeasement and vote bank," he said. He also said those supporting triple talaq were doing grave injustice to Muslim daughters. The PM further said development of villages was must for India to become a developed country.

Mob attacks BSF outpost in Meghalaya, 5 injured; CM says keeping watch

At least five people, including two BSF personnel, were injured when villagers attacked a border outpost in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district, officials said on Monday. The incident took place at Umsyiem village near Dawki town, 100 km south of the state capital, on Sunday night after the border guards seized some clothes allegedly meant to be smuggled to Bangladesh. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the situation in the area close to the international border is under control and the state government is keeping a close watch on the development. BSF Meghalaya Frontier inspector general Pradip Kumar told PTI: In the last few days, we seized a number of items meant to be smuggled to Bangladesh and identified the smugglers. Due to this, they led a mob to attack the outpost forcing the BSF to retaliate by firing in the air. In a statement, the BSF said they seized clothes worth over Rs 2.7 lakh meant for smuggling. The BSF foiled two smuggling bids on Sunday. In the morning, the

Union minister Puri meets school principals, shares Centre's achievements

Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday met the principals of 25 prominent public schools here and shared with them the achievements of the Narendra Modi government. At the event held at India Habitat Centre, Puri briefed the school principals and their spouses about the various achievements of the Modi government during its nine years, BJP leader Neel Kant Bakshi said. "I met principals of many Delhi schools as part of my #SamparkSeSamarthan campaign to discuss the transformational change under leadership of PM narendramodi Ji in #9YearsOfSeva. These professionals are preparing a generation which will shape the destiny of India's #AmritKaal," Puri tweeted after the event. The BJP is carrying out a month-long outreach campaign across the country during which senior leaders and Union ministers are interacting with different sections of society to inform them about the achievements of the party-led government at the Centre. The minister discussed "transformational changes in the

Eshwarappa displeased over indiscipline in BJP, blames Cong turncoats

With statements from some Karnataka BJP leaders that adjustment politics contributed to the party's rout in the Assembly elections sparking off a political debate, veteran leader K S Eshwarappa on Monday expressed displeasure about party discipline being "flouted", and urged the state president to take necessary steps to curb it. Accepting that there is some amount of indiscipline in the BJP, the former deputy chief minister, while blaming the Congress' "influence" on a few in the party for it, said that the party high command is strong and will take action at an appropriate time to control it. "It is unfortunate that such discussions are happening openly in the BJP. If such things have happened, it should have been discussed sitting inside four walls. I have spoken to our state president and have requested him to call those who were speaking openly, and talk to them and end the issue," Eshwarappa said. Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I will also request those who are making .

Key NCP leaders to take call on Ajit's desire for party role: Sharad Pawar

Days after Ajit Pawar appealed that he be assigned a role in the NCP organisation, party president Sharad Pawar on Monday said such a decision cannot be taken by one person and key party leaders will sit to take a call on it. Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar, who is the nephew of Sharad Pawar, recently appealed to the party leadership to relieve him of the responsibility as Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly and assign him any role in the party organisation. Notably, Sharad Pawar recently entrusted the responsibility of Maharashtra to his daughter and Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule by appointing her as a working president. Praful Patel is another working president for other states. Asked about Ajit Pawar's desire to have a position in the party organisation, the NCP chief said such decisions are not taken by any one person. "Key leaders including him (Ajit) will sit together and they will take a decision on this. Today, everyone in the party has the sentiment to work i

Oppn leaders' Patna meeting a photo session, says BJP Chief JP Nadda

BJP national president J P Nadda on Monday hit out at the opposition parties in the country by terming their recent meeting in Patna as a "photo session" and said that if people wanted development instead of dynastic, appeasement and vote bank politics, they should support his party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nadda also lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his speech in the United Kingdom in March this year, saying he went to the country which had ruled over India for over 200 years and asked them to save democracy here while forgetting that his grandmother -- Indira Gandhi -- had jailed around 1.88 lakh people during emergency. "Democracy is safe here. You save yourself," Nadda said while speaking at a public meeting here on the occasion of the Narendra Modi government completing nine years at the Centre. Regarding the opposition leaders' meeting in Patna last week, the BJP national president said, "They were there for a photo session. Congratulations to them." A

Patna to New Delhi

Opposition will need to manage contradictions

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17 opposition parties decide to fight unitedly against BJP in 2024 LS polls

As many as 17 opposition parties on Friday resolved to fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections unitedly to defeat the BJP and work with flexibility by setting aside their differences. Addressing a joint press conference after an almost four-hour-long meeting, during which leaders of 17 parties expressed their views, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said the leaders will meet in the next few days to give final shape to their plan of fighting together. "We had a good meeting and several leaders expressed their views during the meeting. 17 parties have decided to work together and contest the Lok Sabha elections unitedly," he told reporters. Kumar, who hosted the first such meeting, said they were working in the national interest and accused the BJP of acting against the national interest as it was trying to change the country's history. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced that the next meeting of opposition leaders would be held in Shimla in Himachal Pradesh next month. "We

PM's US visit unprecedented, decisions taken will help build new India: BJP

The BJP on Friday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US tour as "unprecedented" and said several diplomatic and strategic decisions taken during the visit will help build a "new India" with economic progress. The prime minister's visit has resulted in "significant outcomes" in the areas of defence, cooperation with regards to strategic technology, a partnership in renewable energy and also critical minerals cooperation, BJP leader and Union minister Smriti Irani told a press conference at the party's headquarters. "Several diplomatic and strategic decisions were taken during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US which will help build a new India with the resolve of Atmanirbhar Bharat, and provide opportunities of economic progress to Indians," she said. "Fifteen standing ovations and over a hundred applause to the prime minister's speech at the US Congress, this was not only the hallmark of the prime minister's visit to the US but what is unprecedented is the Indo-US ...

Cong seeking support since it can't defeat PM Modi alone: BJP on Oppn meet

The BJP on Friday derided the opposition parties' efforts to forge a front against it and said the Congress was seeking the support of others because it was "incapable of defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi alone" in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Top leaders of Opposition parties went into a huddle in Patna on Friday to chalk out a roadmap for the formation of an anti-BJP front for next year's general elections. The meeting was hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the JD(U) and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD. BJP leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani took a dig at JD(U) and other opposition parties, saying it was "ironic" that some of the leaders who witnessed the "murder of democracy" during the Emergency have assembled under the Congress' parasol in Patna. They have sent out a message that they are unable of taking on Modi on their own, she claimed. "I want to especially express gratitude to the Congress for openly announcing that it is incapable of defeating Modi

We are going to defeat BJP together: Rahul Gandhi ahead of Oppn meeting

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said all Opposition parties are going to defeat the BJP in the 2024 general elections unitedly. Accusing the BJP of working to "divide India and spread hate and violence", he asserted that a fight of ideologies is going on in India. On one hand, there is the Congress' 'Bharat Jodo' ideology and on the other the BJP and RSS' 'Bharat Todo' ideology, Gandhi said. "You know that hate cannot be countered with hate. It can be defeated only with love. The Congress is working for uniting the country and spreading love," he said. "That is why we have come to Bihar because the DNA of the Congress is in Bihar," Gandhi said. "All Opposition parties have come here and together we are going to defeat the BJP," the former Congress chief said, adding, "In Karnataka, the BJP leaders gave speeches and went everywhere but the result is there for you to see." "As soon as the Congress stood united, the BJP disappeared in Karnataka. I am saying it from this stage

Oppn meet: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Kharge arrive in Bihar's Patna

Speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, Kharge said that the opposition parties' agenda is to remove the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre and they all would fight together

Opposition parties to meet in Patna tomorrow; check who all are attending

The meeting is being seen as a starting point for the Opposition to come together to take on the Narendra Modi-led BJP