UP Cong leads in announcing candidates for municipal polls

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UP Cong leads in announcing candidates for municipal polls

Always known to lag behind other parties in declaring candidates for elections, the Congress in Uttar Pradesh has taken a lead this time by announcing candidates for 15 wards of Lucknow.

Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Brijlal Khabri said, “Yes, we have shortlisted candidates for all the seats in 17 municipal corporations, 199 municipal boards (Nagar Palika Parishad), and 544 town areas (Nagar Panchayats) of the state. Though a list of the party’s organizational teams is yet to be released, we have informed the new office-bearers about the work allocation through the phone.”

The Congress is making a desperate bid to improve its performance and make the party an important player in the urban local bodies polls, scheduled on May 4 and 11 in Uttar Pradesh.

At present, the poor organizational structure at different levels poses a big challenge for the party as it is still in the process of constituting teams at state, zonal, and district levels for the urban local body elections.

Meanwhile, scrutiny of the performance of different political parties indicates that Congress had put up a poor show in the 2017 urban local body elections. The Congress had failed to win any seat of Mayor in the state with 17 municipal corporations.

The UP Congress has also opened a ‘war room’ on the premises of its headquarters in Lucknow to organize and monitor the ongoing month-long ‘Jai Bharat Satyagraha’ campaign in the state. The initiative is a part of the pan-India drive launched by the party on March 29.

Telangana, Andhra Pradesh CMs pay tributes to Jyotirao Phule

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Telangana, Andhra Pradesh CMs pay tributes to Jyotirao Phule

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday paid tributes to social scientist and philosopher Mahatma Jyotirao Govinda Rao Phule on his 197th birth anniversary.

Chandrasekhar Rao said that the aspirations and actions of Jyotirao Phule, who dedicated his entire life to the fight against hegemonic values and for equality in all fields, are still an inspiration to the present generation.

KCR said that Jyotiba Phule had taken up activities almost 200 years ago with an aim to uplift Dalits, and tribal and backward communities against caste and gender discrimination.

The CM said that the path of social equality followed by Jyotiba Phule paved the way to bring a radical change in the traditional social values and systems in the Indian society of that time.

He noted that Phule’s action plan encouraged women and Dalits and Backward communities to fight for qualitative change.

The CM recalled that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar himself declared Mahatma Phule as his ‘guru’. He stated that the state government is implementing development and welfare programs, according to its priority to fulfill the aspirations of great people like Jyotiba Phule.

With his inspiration, the state government is working towards the development of the weaker sections by following the policy of ‘Development is an antidote to discrimination’. The Chief Minister said that with the development and welfare schemes implemented by the state government, Dalits, tribals, weaker sections, and women in Telangana achieved good results in socio-political, economic, and cultural aspects and progressed towards social equality.

The CM said that most of the beneficiaries of the programs implemented by the state government are Backward communities. Special Development Fund for Scheduled Castes and Tribes, Ambedkar Overseas Scholarship, Skill Training for SCs, Free Electricity up to 101 Units for SCs, Special Development Fund for Scheduled Tribes, TS Pride for Entrepreneurs, Free Electricity up to 101 Units for STs, Self Respect buildings for Tribals and Upgradation of Tandas as Gram Panchayats are implemented exclusively for the development of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy said that Phule was a great man who dedicated his life to the downtrodden. He called him a pioneer of social justice and women empowerment movements in modern India.

He said Phule believed that development and justice are possible with education. “His path is our journey,” said Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer also remembered Phule on his birth anniversary.

The Governor noted that Phule was a champion of equal rights for all people and is remembered for his sociocultural reforms and for his contribution to women’s education and empowerment.

Amit Shah likely to be in Bengal this weekend

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Amit Shah likely to be in Bengal this weekend

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to make a visit to West Bengal this weekend in the wake of the forthcoming three-tier panchayat elections in the state, BJP sources said.

A member of the state committee of BJP said that the Minister is likely to arrive in Kolkata on Friday morning after which he is expected to attend a rally in Birbhum.

“In the afternoon, he is scheduled to return to Kolkata and later in the evening, Shah is expected to have a meeting with the state BJP core committee members. The next day he is scheduled to offer prayers at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple and will return to Delhi later,” the member said.

He added that in the recent past, a number of the scheduled trips of the Union Home Minister had been canceled at the last moment.

“But we are hopeful that he will visit this time finally. He is expected to give directions to the state party leaders of the strategy in view of the panchayat polls this year as well as the 2024 Lok Sabha elections,” the state committee member said.

Political observers feel that the choice of Birbhum as the proposed venue for the rally is quite interesting.

It comes in the absence of the Trinamool Congress’s district president Anubrata Mondal, who is currently lodged at the Tihar Jail for his alleged involvement in the multi-crore cattle smuggling scam in West Bengal.

Against the backdrop of the development, the saffron camp has decided to focus on this district, the observers noted.

Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari has already expressed confidence in the BJP winning both the Lok Sabha constituencies in Birbhum next year.

YSRCP launches mega survey to reach out to five crore people

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YSRCP launches mega survey to reach out to five crore people

In a massive exercise to reach out to five crore people ahead of next year’s assembly elections, Andhra Pradesh’s ruling party YSRCP on Friday launched a state-wide survey.

Under the two-week-long campaign titled ‘Jagananne Maa Bhavishyathu’ (Jagan Anna our future), about 7 lakh grassroots workers will reach out to all 1.65 crore households in the state, covering a five crore population.

These workers including a wide network of newly appointed Gruha Sarathis and ward sachivalayam conveners have been tasked with conducting the door-to-door mega survey.

This is claimed to be the most expensive and on-ground campaign done by any political party in the country.

Education Minister Botsa Satyanarayana, Rajya Sabha MP Alla Ayodhya Rami Reddy, MLC Marri Rajasekhar, and Lok Sabha MP Sanjeev Kumar were present during the campaign’s launch at the YSRCP Central Office in Tadepalli.

“Never in this country has any political party dared to go in public and seek a review of their performance. We are confident of our work and the people’s support and so we will present you the result of this mega people’s survey when the campaign culminates on April 20,” MLC Marri Rajasekhar told media persons.

The groundwork for the campaign kick-started a few months ago post and YSRCP have now managed to bring all the important stakeholders on a single platform. All the grassroots soldiers were directly in contact with the party’s central office, regional coordinators as well as MLAs for the last three-four months. They underwent mandal-wise training in mission mode where they were taught how to conduct public connect programs effectively.

Rajya Sabha MP Alla Ayodhya Rami Reddy praised the cadre for all the hard work they put in the past few months. “I congratulate all the 7 lakh YSRCP grassroots cadres for participating in this extensive campaign. We are transparent and confident of exemplary support from people in this mega survey that we are undertaking,” he said.

The education minister said the visiting party workers would explain to the people a comparison between YSRCP and TDP governments by showing a pamphlet.

The workers will carry Praja Maddathu Pusthakam or a survey questionnaire for feedback. People will be asked five questions including the question of whether they trust Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for their future.

They would give acknowledgment to the participants in the survey. “Those who express their satisfaction with Chief Minister Jagan’s government will be given a receipt. Then, Gruha Saradhis will paste door and mobile stickers of Chief Minister Jagan with the permission of households,” said Botsa.

At the end of the survey, the party workers would request the public to give a missed call to the party’s dedicated mobile number 8296082960. As soon as they give a missed call, a voice call from the Chief Minister would be received by the caller, as a token of thanks.

Lok Sabha MP Sanjeev Kumar shared how the party came up with the slogan. “Maa Nammakam Nuvve Jagan’ is a slogan that came from the public itself during our Gadapa Gadapaku program. This was a resounding message that we got across the state and it only proves that Chief Minister Jagan is in the hearts of people,” he said.

Jolt to Congress: Former Andhra CM Kiran Kumar Reddy joins BJP

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Jolt to Congress: Former Andhra CM Kiran Kumar Reddy joins BJP

Last Chief Minister of United Andhra Pradesh Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday joined the BJP here in the presence of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. He resigned from Congress on March 12.

Taking a dig at the Congress leadership, Reddy said, “I had never imagined that I’ll have to leave Congress…There is a saying- ‘My king is very intelligent, neither does he think on his own, nor listens to anyone’.”

Welcoming the leader into the party fold, Union Minister Joshi said, “Several members of Kiran Kumar Reddy’s family were in Congress. When I met him some time ago, he told me that he was influenced by Prime Minister Modi. Today he is taking a big leap and joining us. He will strengthen our fight against corruption because his image as an MLA and minister has been very clean. It will be a big boost for BJP in Andhra Pradesh”.

Reddy’s decision to join the BJP comes ahead of the Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh next year, where the ruling YSR Congress and the main opposition Telugu Desam Party are locked in a bitter contest.

The move could potentially tip the scales in favor of the BJP, which is hoping to make inroads in the state.

Stand with CM Bommai but not joining BJP, says Kannada superstar Kichcha Sudeep

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Stand with CM Bommai but not joining BJP, says Kannada superstar Kichcha Sudeep

Kannada superstar Kichcha Sudeep on Wednesday announced that he will support Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in the upcoming Assembly elections, but clarified that he is not joining the BJP or any other political party.

Talking to reporters here, Sudeep said that he shared a good bond with Bommai since his childhood.

“I call him ‘mama’. There is no question of my stand or politics in my decision. I have been seeing CM Bommai since I was a child. He stood with me at the time of my crisis in the film industry. He is the person whom I love. I am here to stand with him.

“There was no godfather and few stood with me. Now, I am extending my support to him. But, I am not joining politics and I am clearing this to my fans,” he added.

“I am going to take up campaigning for CM Bommai and I will also campaign for the candidates whom he suggests. It is not possible to go to all constituencies. Leaders from other parties have also supported me. If they seek help, I will campaign for them as well. When CM Bommai stood by me without seeking my background, I was very small. Similarly, I am supporting him,” Sudeep contended.

Reacting to actor Prakash Raj’s tweet expressing his reservation at Sudeep supporting the BJP, he said that Prakash Raj is a fine artiste. “I had done ‘Ranna’ with him. I am expecting to act with him in another movie. I am not entering politics and that is the wish of my fans. It has been 27 years of struggle. This (support to Bommai) is a decision taken on humanitarian grounds,” he said.

Bommai, however, maintained that if Sudeep is supporting him, he is supporting his party (BJP) as well.

“He has not joined any political party, he has come forward to support me. I have spoken to him twice or thrice. I had told him that his campaigning is needed, though he did not join the party. Hence, he will campaign for my party,” he added.

‘Modi@20 Sapne Hue Sakar’ sells like hot cakes at BJP office in Jaipur

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‘Modi@20 Sapne Hue Sakar’ sells like hot cakes at BJP office in Jaipur

‘Modi@20 Sapne Hue Sakar’, a book written on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s successful tenure, was sold like hotcakes during the BJP state office-bearers meeting on Sunday at the party headquarters here.

The party workers ‘wanted to learn the success stories of PM to take them to the ground level’ as the BJP has announced that elections in Rajasthan will be contested on Modi’s face.

On Sunday, veteran party workers were present at the state headquarters as in-charge Arun Singh had triggered suspense by announcing that the name of the leader of opposition in the Assembly would be disclosed on April 2. The position has been lying vacant since Gulab Chand Kataria was appointed as the Assam Governor.

As said, the party announced the name of Rajendra Rathore as the Leader of the Opposition and Satish Poonia as deputy leader of the opposition on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the party workers, who had come from different parts of the state, were seen showing keen interest in a stall, which was put up in the corridor, to sell the ‘Modi@20 Sapne Hue Sakar’.

Speaking to Media, a senior worker on condition of anonymity said, “The party has openly announced that it will contest elections on Modi’s face and we all have a target to disseminate the information about the central government’s schemes to the ground level. Hence, I am buying this book to ensure I take these schemes to the ground level.”

Party workers said that the book costs Rs 600 at the party office. However, on Sunday it was available at a discounted price of Rs 550 while it is available at online stores at Rs 750.

The book has been compiled by eminent intellectuals and experts in diverse fields and is an attempt at a definitive and detailed exploration into the fundamental transformation of Gujarat and India over the past 20 years due to Modi’s unique model of governance, said party workers.

When asked how many copies were sold, the party workers said, “The counter was set up by the Delhi team. Whenever such meetings are held anywhere in India, such counters are set up by the party leadership to ensure that central flagship schemes are taken to the ground level, so we can’t claim the right number, however, the long queue of workers speaks volumes that the book was sold like hot cakes.”

Neelam Yadav, BJP district secretary, Alwar North, said, “We are confident to win the Assembly polls on PM Modi’s face. The flagship schemes introduced under him have been translated at the ground level and hence am buying this book to get a detailed vision of his successful working.”

President, PM greet people of Odisha on Utkal Dibasa

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President, PM greet people of Odisha on Utkal Dibasa

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik greeted the people of Odisha on the occasion of Utkal Dibasa (Odisha Day).

Extending her greetings to Odia people, the President said Odisha has the potential to be the growth engine of the Indian economy.

“My greetings to fellow citizens, especially to the people of the State, on Odisha Day. With abundant natural resources and skilled and industrious people, Odisha has the potential to be the growth engine of our economy. My best wishes for a bright future for the people of Odisha,” the President said in a tweet.

Similarly, wishing the people, Modi said, “This is a day to acknowledge the rich role of Odisha, Odia people, and culture in the progress of our nation.”

The Prime Minister wished for good health and prosperity for the people of Odisha in the coming times.

Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Patnaik paid his respects to the legendary leaders, who contributed to the creation of a separate state Odisha. “Let’s maintain the pride and dignity of the Odia community, commit and march ahead to build a new and ambitious Odisha,” he said.

Union Ministers Amit Shah, Dharmendra Pradhan and Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, along with many other leaders from different political parties wished the Odia people on this special day.

Khattar invites industrialists to set up bases in Haryana

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Khattar invites industrialists to set up bases in Haryana

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday released the coffee table book titled ‘Sikh Business Leaders of India’, authored by Prabhleen, at a function here.

On the occasion, Khattar invited the industrialists present in the programme to set up industries in the state, adding that the government has created a conducive environment and is providing various facilities.

The Chief Minister said they will not face any problems in doing business in Haryana.

“The government has created a single-window system, under which all types of permissions to industries are given in 45 days. The government has made four categories A, B, C, and D. If industries are set up in category C and D zones, the government will reimburse Rs 4,000 per worker per month for the next four years.”

Khattar said the Sikh community has made a huge contribution to the state, the country, and the world as well.

“This community is a working community and has worked hard with the struggle to advance their business, family, country, and society. They are also working to take forward and uplift the needy, who have been left behind from the mainstream due to some reason.”

Appreciating the works of the Chief Minister, former Rajya Sabha MP Tarlochan Singh said after the formation of Haryana, maximum work has been done for the Sikh community under the leadership of Khattar.

He said the Chief Minister has an important contribution to reviving the history of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur.

Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Mahant Karmjit Singh said incomparable work has been done for Sikhism and the Punjabi language under the leadership of Khattar.

Rahul to visit K’taka on April 5 to take on BJP over disqualification row

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Rahul to visit K’taka on April 5 to take on BJP over disqualification row

The Congress is planning a mega program for April 5 to retaliate on the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the very place where the contentious speech was made in Karnataka, sources confirmed on Tuesday.

The party is planning to have Rahul Gandhi deliver his address.

Gandhi faced disqualification for his speech in Kolar city in Karnataka. Hence, the Congress wants to hold the event at the same venue and use it to its advantage, sources confirmed.

He delivered the speech which resulted in his disqualification during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He was seeking votes for the Congress candidate, former Union Minister K.H. Muniyappa.

During his speech, Rahul Gandhi stated, “Neerav Modi, Lalit Modi, and Narendra Modi, all have the same surname and all are thieves. All these thieves have looted the country.”

He reiterated this at the function in Sir M. Visvesvaraya stadium in Kolar during the roadshow of Mulabagal and at a public rally in Corporation Grounds in KGF.

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