BJP to hold ‘massive’ meeting of office bearers on Dec 5-6

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BJP to hold ‘massive’ meeting of office bearers on Dec 5-6

With campaigning for Gujarat Assembly and Delhi civic polls coming to an end, BJP National President J.P. Nadda has called a “massive” meeting of all national and state-level office bearers of the party in the national capital on December 5 and 6 to discuss future elections.

The meeting, party sources say, has been called to discuss the strategy and preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2023 assembly elections in several states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address the concluding session of the meeting virtually on December 6.

Along with all the national office bearers of the party, in-charge and co-in-charge of all the states, state presidents and state organization general secretaries of all states have also been called to the meeting.

A senior BJP leader said that information about the achievements of the government will also be shared with the office bearers during the meeting, which will be presided over by Nadda. The functioning of the organization will also be reviewed in the meeting.

Considering India’s G-20 presidency a major achievement, the party will also outline programmes linked with it to apprise people about the country’s “growing global influence under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi”.

Assam govt to convert 1,100 wooden bridges to concrete

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Assam govt to convert 1,100 wooden bridges to concrete

In an effort to improve road connectivity across the state, the Assam government has decided to convert 1,100 wooden bridges to concrete, an official said here on Friday.

The government will invest Rs 4,000 crore for the project. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held a meeting regarding the project with top Public Works Department (PWD) officials in Guwahati on Thursday evening.

Apart from the construction of new concrete bridges, the state government has decided to reconstruct roads in the Dima Hasao district which were damaged during the heavy monsoon floods earlier this year.

For this, nearly Rs 3,800 crore has been allocated. Both these projects have received the Central government’s approval, the official added.

During Thursday’s meeting, Sarma also informed that in association with World Bank and Asian Development Bank, the Public Works (Roads) Department is implementing numerous crucial projects in the state.

Notable among these were the Rs 2,608-crore Guwahati-North Guwahati Bridge, and Rs 3,197-crore Palasbari-Suwalkuchi Bridge.

The Chief Minister also said that the state government has already set a deadline of March 2026 to complete all the major road projects in the state.

Gujarat Polls: Urban voter turnout 15% lower than in tribal & rural belt

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Gujarat Polls: Urban voter turnout 15% lower than in tribal & rural belt

In the first phase of the Gujarat assembly elections, rural and tribal voters have come out in large numbers, but the urban voters have not come out to vote on such a scale.

Till 3 p.m., 48.48 % of voters voted for 788 candidates in 89 constituencies in Saurashtra and Kutch, and South Gujarat. The highest voting has been reported in Tapi district at 64.27%, Narmada at 63.88%, and Dangs at 58.55%.

In Saurashtra’s Bhavnagar district it was 45.91 percent, Junagadh district 46.03 %, and Surat 47.01% votes.

Constituency-wise voting shows a huge difference between enthusiasm for voting in tribal reserve seat Nizar at 66.42%, Kaprada (64.45%), whereas in the urban areas it was 42.90% in Rajkot West and 43.42% in Rajkot South.

In Rajkot district, in the most sensitive assembly constituency Gondal, Congress candidate Yatish Desai alleged that the party’s polling agent Jaydeep Parakhiya was beaten up by BJP leader Babubhai Toliya’s son, they attempted bogus voting at Jamvadi polling station of the constituency.

Not scared, ready to cooperate with ED, says KCR’s daughter Kavitha

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Not scared, ready to cooperate with ED, says KCR’s daughter Kavitha

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s daughter K. Kavitha, whose name figured in the investigation by Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the Delhi liquor policy scam, said on Thursday that she will fully cooperate with the central agency and is not scared of anything.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader alleged that the BJP government at the Centre is resorting to cheap tactics to damage her reputation through media leaks.

Addressing the media and her supporters at her residence here, Kavitha told Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop using central agencies like ED, CBI, and IT to target his political opponents and come to power.

“We have already said we are ready to face any probe. If the agency comes and questions, we will definitely reply but if you resort to media leaks to damage the reputation of leaders, people will definitely fight back,” she said.

Kavitha, a member of the Telangana Legislative Council, also dared the Modi government to put her in jail. “If you want to put me in jail, do it. There is no problem but we will not stop working for the people and we will continue to expose the failures of the BJP,” she said.

The former MP alleged that the ED, CBI, and IT cases against ministers, MLAs, and other TRS leaders were BJP’s reaction to TRS exposing its conspiracy to topple the democratically elected government.

“You conspired to topple the government and since we exposed this before people, as a reaction ED, CBI, and IT cases are booked against ministers, MLAs, and MLCs,” she said.

Kavitha made it clear that she is not scared. “We are not scared. At the most what you can do. Will you hang us? At the most, you can put us in jail. Do it. As long as people are with us and we are working sincerely for people, there is nothing to fear,” she said.

The TRS alleged that the entire country knows that during the last few years, the BJP has toppled democratically elected governments in nine states and came to power through manipulation.

“In every state, ED comes a year before elections. ED comes before Modi. There is nothing new in Telangana as the elections are to be held here next year,” she said.

She advised Narendra Modi to stop using central agencies to come to power. “Go to people, tell them what you will do for them, and get democratically elected but using CBI, ED to win and that too in politically conscious Telangana is not possible,” she said.

Kavitha’s name has surfaced in the remand report filed by the ED in a Delhi court on Wednesday for the remand of businessman Amit Arora in the Delhi liquor policy scam.

According to the remand report, businessman Vijay Nair, who has already been arrested in the case, received kickbacks of Rs 100 crore on behalf of AAP leaders from a group, called ‘South Group’.

According to the report, the group is controlled by Sarath Reddy, Kavitha, and Magenta Srinivasulu Reddy. Sarath Reddy, one of the directors of pharma major Aurobindo Pharma, has already been arrested.

Srinivasulu Reddy is a member of Parliament belonging to Andhra Pradesh’s ruling party YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).

Telangana governor anguished over manner of Sharmila’s arrest

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Telangana governor anguished over manner of Sharmila’s arrest

Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan has termed “disturbing” the visuals of YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) leader Y. S. Sharmila’s car being towed away while she was inside.

The governor expressed concern over the developments and the consequent arrest of the YSRTP president and former chief minister Dr. Y.S. Rajshekhar Reddy’s daughter Y.S. Sharmila.

Tamilisai took to Twitter to react to Tuesday’s incidents. She tagged the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Union Home Minister, and Director General of Police of Telangana.

“The Governor expressed anguish at the way Smt. Sharmila was arrested and expressed concern about her safety and health condition. The visuals of towing away of her car, when she was inside the car, were disturbing,” reads the tweet from her official handle.

Tamilisai Soundararajan stated that whatever may be the political background or ideology, women leaders need to be treated in a more dignified and respectful way.

“Women cadres & women leaders need to be treated in a more dignified & respectful way in such situations,” she said.

Sharmila, who is the sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, was arrested amid high drama on Raj Bhavan Road on Tuesday when she was marching to the chief minister’s residence to stage a protest against an attack on her padyatra in Warangal district by the supporters of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) the previous day.

Sharmila, who was driving a car damaged in the attack by TRS men, refused to get down. The police then called a towing vehicle, which towed the car away with the leader still sitting inside it.

The YSRTP leader was shifted to the SR Nagar police station. She, along with six others, was booked for unlawful assembly, public nuisance, criminal intimidation, insulting the modesty of a woman, using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty, and theft.

The police on Tuesday night produced them before a magistrate, who granted them bail.

Wanted UP SP MLA booked for travelling on forged Aadhaar

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Wanted UP SP MLA booked for travelling on forged Aadhaar

The absconding Samajwadi Party MLA Irfan Solanki has been booked for boarding a New Delhi to Mumbai flight on a forged Aadhaar card on November 11.

The MLA and his brother Rizwan were already wanted by the Kanpur police for allegedly setting a woman’s house on fire to grab her 365 square yard plot in Jajmau’s Defence Colony.

Anand Prakash Tiwari, joint commissioner of police (law and order) said that a senior woman SP leader Noori Shauqat and three others, who allegedly helped Solanki obtain the Aadhaar card, have been arrested. The three others were Ashraf Ali, Anwar Mansoori, and Akhtar Mansoori. Two more people named Ishrat Ali and Ammar Ilahi were yet to be arrested, said Tiwari.

The MLA flew from Delhi to Mumbai using this forged identity card to evade arrest. The Aadhaar card carried his photograph but had his name mentioned as Ashraf Ali, the officer said. Tiwari said the fresh FIR was lodged with the Gwaltoli police.

“The police have seized the computer and other gadgets that were used to forge the Aadhaar,” he said, adding the police charged Solanki and six others under sections 212, 419, 420, 467, 468, 471, and 120-B of the IPC.

Several police teams were conducting raids in several cities for the arrest of the MLA. While on his trail, the police team found that Solanki had gone to Mumbai from New Delhi.

The police obtained CCTV footage of airport terminals in the two cities that confirmed Solanki’s entry and exit after the said flight landed, said the JCP.

The footage also purportedly showed that some people had come to the airport to receive the MLA. “All these people knew that Solanki was wanted in a criminal offense and that he was traveling on forged documents. They have also been made an accused,” he added.

The FIR came ahead of the hearing on Solanki’s anticipatory bail plea in a district court. His lawyer, Naresh Chandra Tripathi, alleged that the MLA was being framed.

Hyderabad cops tow away car with Sharmila sitting inside

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Hyderabad cops tow away car with Sharmila sitting inside

A car with YSRTP leader Y.S. Sharmila in it was towed away by police here on Tuesday when she was heading towards Chief Minister’s official residence to protest the alleged attack by TRS supporters on her padyatra in Warangal district on Monday.

The YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP) leader herself was driving the car and proceeding towards Pragathi Bhavan as a mark of protest against the attack by the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).

Police stopped her on the way. As Sharmila refused to get down from the car, the police called a crane that towed away the vehicle with the YSRTP leader sitting in it.

Sharmila, who is the sister of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, was arrested and taken to S.R. Nagar Police Station.

After reaching the police station, she refused to get down of the car. Police personnel forcibly opened the car door and whisked her away to the police station.

Meanwhile, some YSRTP workers who reached the police station to stage the protest were arrested.

A case was registered against her at Panjagutta Police Station. The case was booked under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), section 333 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty), and section 327 (voluntarily causing hurt to extort property, or to constrain to an illegal act)

Meanwhile, Sharmila’s mother Y.S. Vijayamma was placed under house arrest by the police as she was leaving for S.R. Nagar Police Station to meet her. The police did not allow Vijayamma to come out of her residence in Jubilee Hills. Vijayamma began a protest at the residence along with her supporters.

She condemned the police behavior with her daughter. She alleged that the state government was trying to snatch the democratic right to raise people’s issues.

Sharmila along with supporters took out the protest march and headed towards the CM’s residence in Begumpet.

When they reached near Yashoda Hospital on Raj Bhavan Road, police stopped them.

The YSRTP workers raised slogans against the ruling party. As they tried to proceed toward the chief minister’s residence, police detained them.

The protest march by YSRTP also included the padyatra bus that was stoned and burnt by the TRS activists on Monday.

Sharmila’s Yatra bus and other vehicles were attacked at Narasmpet in the Warangal district when she was visiting the area as part of her Praja Prasthanam Yatra.

The YSRTP alleged that TRS men went on a rampage indiscriminately attacking the Padayatra, stoning and burning a bus, unleashing filthy language, and tearing down banners and party flags.

The police later arrested Sharmila on the ground that she was continuing the foot march despite their advice to call it off in view of the tense situation in the area.

The police later shifted the YSRTP leader to Hyderabad on Monday night. Addressing a press conference, she made it clear that her yatra and the fight against the TRS atrocities would not stop.

Sharmila added she would not be cowed down by the ‘rowdies and rogues of TRS’ and would march for the sake of 4-crore Telangana people who stood by her.

In continuation of her protest, she began her march towards Pragati Bhavan to “seek an explanation from KCR” and “know if this is part of his governance that those who questioned his government’s failures and tyranny had to be attacked and harmed”.

Some party leaders who also staged a protest at the party’s office in Jubilee Hills were also arrested by the police.

President Murmu opens International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra

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President Murmu opens International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra

President Droupadi Murmu on the first day of a two-day tour to Haryana on Tuesday offered prayers amidst chanting of mantras as she formally inaugurated the International Gita Mahotsav (IGM) — 2022 organized on the banks of Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra, the holy land of the Shrimad Bhagwad Gita.

Later, the President offered flowers on the religious scripture Gita as she performed the yagna near Lord Shri Krishna’s chariot idol located at Purushottampura Bagh.

Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar were also present on the occasion.

President Murmu inaugurated the Gita Shilp Udyan, built-in Purushottam Bagh, dedicated to the ongoing celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

At the Gita Shilp Udyan, an attempt has been made to give a glimpse of ongoing celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav along with many other significant aspects of Indian culture.

Twenty-one craftsmen from various states, comprising Haryana, Odisha, Telangana, Rajasthan, and Assam, have contributed beautiful sculptures.

The sculptures made of black marble, weighing 5 to 12 tons, have been prepared by the artists by carving pieces of the same rock. All the sculptures have been prepared on subjects related to Mahabharata. These beautiful sculptures have been made under the leadership of Hriday Kaushal and other promising art craftsmen along with the efforts of the Art and Cultural Affairs Department.

The sculptures have become witness to the celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and this work has not only given the young artists of the state special recognition at the international level but has also made the vanishing art of modern sculptures alive.

This amazing modern art, which has been alive for centuries, is working to increase the pride and honor of Haryana.

The Shilp Udyan has become the center of attraction for tourists during the IGM — 2022.

International Gita Mahotsav — 2022 became more memorable for Haryanavis as the President gifted three pivotal projects to the state which include first-of-its-kind Nirogi Haryana, a health checkup scheme, covering Antyodaya families, the foundation stone of Sirsa Medical College and the e-ticketing system of the state roadways.

Later, she participated in the International Gita Seminar held at Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Sadan at Kurukshetra University here. The seminar is a part of the series of ongoing programs being held at IGM — 2022 in Kurukshetra.

The President, while attending the seminar, virtually launched these projects in the presence of Governor Dattatraya and Chief Minister Khattar, among other dignitaries.

Yogi compares Shivpal Yadav to a pendulum

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Yogi compares Shivpal Yadav to a pendulum

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) leader Shivpal Yadav’s condition has become like that of a pendulum that moves from one side to another.

Addressing his first election rally in Mainpuri, the Chief Minister targeted the Yadav clan and said: “Some people have become a football. They should ensure that they are not treated like one. Shivpal Yadav was not even given a chair to sit on and we all saw him sitting on the handle of a chair not so long ago.”

Adityanath further said that one should never be a pendulum in life because the pendulum has no target.

“The FIFA football tournament is going on at present. Like football, whenever a person turns around, one kicks from this side, and the other kicks from the other side. That poor fellow is only able to dance. Some people have become football… they have no movement. One must avoid becoming a football. With great clarity, we must move forward with respect and self-respect.

“To protect this honor and self-respect, the Bhartiya Janata Party has fielded Raghuraj Singh Shakya in this by-election and you must vote for him,” he said.

Earlier, Adityanath started his address by paying tribute to Mulayam Singh Yadav.

He attributed the victory of the BJP in the Azamgarh and Rampur Lok Sabha by-polls to the blessings of ‘Netaji’ (Mulayam) and said that with his blessings now, “the Lotus (party symbol) will bloom in Mainpuri as well”.

YSRCP will draw a blank in 2024 polls: Chandrababu Naidu

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YSRCP will draw a blank in 2024 polls: Chandrababu Naidu

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Leader of Opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday predicted that the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) will draw a blank in the next Assembly elections.

The former chief minister said that YSRCP will suffer defeat in all 175 Assembly constituencies.

He predicted that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will lose the election in his constituency, Pulivendula.

Naidu’s prediction is a counter to Jagan Mohan Reddy’s claim that YSRCP will make a clean sweep in the 2024 polls by winning all 175 seats.

The YSRCP leader stated on many occasions that Naidu will lose the election on his home turf Kuppam.

The TDP chief claimed that the public response he received during his visit to the Kurnool district was unprecedented during his 40-year-long career. He said this has triggered tremors in YSRCP and forced it to replace presidents of eight district units of the party.

Naidu alleged that the aquaculture is in deep crisis now in Andhra Pradesh due to the faulty policies of the state government.

Participating in a state-wide seminar on ‘Idemi Kharma Aqua rytanganiki’ (what is this ill-fate for aquaculture), Chandrababu Naidu said that the policies of the state government should always be in favor of the farming sector but this government is only trying to have an upper hand on all the sectors.

Those who ruled the State earlier had always worked for the betterment of all systems but due to the wicked policies of this government aqua farmers are suffering a lot now, Naidu observed.

Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, always thinks of his share in every decision that he takes and he works only to mint money, the TDP national president maintained.

Prices of all commodities, including petrol and diesel, are skyrocketing only in Andhra Pradesh and even the prices of essential commodities and power tariffs are highest in the state, he stated.

The ‘Badudee Badudu’ programme organized by the TDP to highlight the highest tax structure in the state evoked tremendous response from the public, Chandrababu Naidu noted.

”When the TDP was in power, we encouraged every sector, including agriculture and aquaculture but now no Minimum Support Price (MSP) is being paid for any farm product, leave alone aqua products,” he said.

The former chief minister felt that several enactments have been made only to control the aqua farmers. The new legislations are only aimed at making money by looting the farmers, he remarked.

Chandrababu Naidu promised to supply power at Rs 1.50 per unit when the TDP comes back to power and also assured subsidy to the farming sector for installing solar energy systems.

”I am promising that quality seed and feed will be supplied to the farmers,” he said and remarked that if Jagan is ready to sacrifice his commission, he too can give subsidy in power and products.

UP ministers ready to cross shores for Global Investors’ Summit

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UP ministers ready to cross shores for Global Investors’ Summit

Uttar Pradesh ministers will travel to 19 cities across 17 countries between December 9 and 19, ahead of the Global Investors’ Summit (GIS) scheduled early next year.

The roadshows will work in a simultaneous mode which means that more than one roadshow will take place per day.

Sources said the schedule had been verbally approved by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who may travel separately closer to the event in January. The required paperwork for visas and other things has been initiated by the partner industry bodies.

Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) have been engaged for the event that eyes to attract an investment of over Rs 10 lakh crore to the state.

As per the schedule, state finance minister Suresh Khanna will travel alone between December 9 and 15 and lead roadshows in London, New York, and San Francisco.

Cabinet minister for industries and infrastructure development Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’ and PWD minister Jitin Prasada will travel between December 9 and 14 to lead roadshows in Frankfurt, Brussels, and Stockholm.

On the same dates, Speaker UP Vidhan Sabha and former minister for industrial development Satish Mahana will travel to Canada to hold roadshows in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. He will be accompanied by Dharampal Singh, cabinet minister for animal husbandry, dairy development, political pension, minority welfare, Muslim waqf, and haj and civil defense departments.

Canada has extended support to the UP GIS 2023 as a partner country. Dharampal Singh will travel to Los Angeles on December 16 as well.

Minister for tourism Jaiveer Singh would travel to Tokyo and Seoul between December 9 and 16 with Ashish Patel, minister for technical education, consumer protection, weights, and measures minister.

The minister for MSME Rakesh Sachan will conduct the roadshow in Dubai and will head to his destination on December 11.

Power minister Arvind Kumar Sharma and Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh would travel to Sydney and Singapore City between December 13 and 16.

Deputy chief ministers Brijesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya will travel in different directions from December 13 and 16 respectively.

While Pathak would head to Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires with Sanjay Nishad, the minister for fisheries, Maurya would cover Hague and Paris with IT minister Yogendra Upadhyay.

Though the program for the chief minister is yet to be finalized, he may travel in January closer to the event.

Sources said his schedule was also subject to security clearances from the Union Ministry of External Affairs.

Senior officials had earlier pointed out that the focus sectors being targeted through the roadshows, include electronics manufacturing, retail, automobile, EV-manufacturing, defense, textile, agro and food processing, chemical, pharmaceuticals, venture capitalists, and transport among others.

Meanwhile, domestic roadshows will be led by senior officials from the industries department.

BJY enters MP, Rahul Gandhi to address mahasabha in Ujjain on Nov 29

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BJY enters MP, Rahul Gandhi to address mahasabha in Ujjain on Nov 29

After winding up its Maharashtra leg, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra (BJY) on Wednesday entered Madhya Pradesh.

The foot march began around 6.30 a.m. after Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole handed over the yatra flag to Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath at a village in Burhanpur district around 5.30 a.m.

Of the total 120 people, who are marching along with Rahul Gandhi from Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu) and will be part of the entire 3,070 km yatra (from Kanyakumari to Srinagar), 11, including four women, hail from Madhya Pradesh. The list excludes two-time former chief minister Digvijaya Singh, who is the convener of the Yatra.

During a press conference at Burhanpur, Congress general secretary and in-charge of communication, publicity, and media department Jairam Ramesh said that the yatra will cover around 21-22 km every day in two parts.

“Padyatra will start every day between 6 a.m. to 6.30 a.m. and continue till 9.30 a.m. During this period, it will cover 14-15 km and the second part of the yatra will begin at 3:30 p.m. covering around 8-10 km till 7.30 p.m.,” Jairam Ramesh said.

He added that the schedule for yatra will remain the same for the next 11 days in the state, except days fixed for rest for yatris.

Giving further details about some other programs in the state, Jairam Ramesh said on November 26, Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Mahow — the birthplace of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar.

Rahul Gandhi is expected to attend a public rally on November 28 in Indore and address a Mahasabha in Ujjain on November 29.

“A press conference will also be organized on November 28 in Indore, the seventh time when Rahul Gandhi will answer the media persons’ queries since the Yatra started on September 7,” Jairam Ramesh added.

Jairam Ramesh also informed us that November 30 has been fixed as the rest day.

“Here, I would like to make it clear that Rahul Gandhi will rest in Madhya Pradesh, during which he will also meet with people, but will not go to Delhi. Bharat Jodo Yatra will enter Rajasthan on December 4,” Jairam Ramesh added.

Digvijaya Singh, meanwhile, took a dig at the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government, saying, “Today, when yatra began in Burhanpur, the entire area was filled with dust from the damaged road. The BJP always targets me on roads issue, but this is the real condition of roads in Madhya Pradesh.”

Thevar initiative builds bridges between OPS, V.K. Sasikala

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Thevar initiative builds bridges between OPS, V.K. Sasikala

The deposed leader of the AIADMK and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, O. Panneerselvam (OPS) seems to be gradually aligning with V.K. Sasikala, former interim general secretary of the AIADMK and close aide of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

Both Panneerselvam and Sasikala belong to the powerful Thevar community which has major inroads and political decision-making powers in South Tamil Nadu. Thevars have been a mainstay for the AIADMK and the deposing of OPS by Edappadi K. Palaniswami and his associates from the party has not gone down well with the community. Media had reported earlier that Sasikala and Panneerselvam were in the process of reaching an alignment at the behest of the Thevar community.

In a recent interaction with the media at his Theni residence, OPS said that he would meet T.T.V. Dhinakaran of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) if he gets an opportunity. Dhinakaran the nephew of V.K. Sasikala has been calling the shots from behind for a long.

Meanwhile, Dhinakaran had also told mediapersons that there was nothing wrong in meeting OPS as he was a reformed man from his earlier stand of attacking Sasikala. He also said that he and his party would in no way align with the EPS faction in the AIADMK.

With the AIADMK openly stating that some allies of the ruling DMK would cross over to the AIADMK-led alliance, the announcements of OPS and Dhinakaran assume significance. OPS has also said that he would be appointing office-bearers of his group in all districts of the state and tour the entire Tamil Nadu.

Dr. Kamalakannan, Professor of Political Science at a reputed university of Tamil Nadu while speaking to the Media, said, “While EPS and his associates think that they have edged out OPS, the ground reality is something different which the Central BJP leadership knows for sure. In South Tamil Nadu, the Thevar community is a powerful force and OPS and Sasikala are the best faces of the community in the state. Thevar is a powerful community with deep social connectivity across South Tamil Nadu and the community has not taken the snubbing of OPS lightly and hence the alliance with Sasikala and OPS at its behest. This can be a game changer in Tamil Nadu politics and both the AIADMK factions are aiming for 2026 Assembly elections.”

It has to be seen how the electoral politics of Tamil Nadu will evolve in the days to come and how the new bonhomie will affect the elections for 2026.

CCTV footage surfaces of Satyendar Jain enjoying massage in Tihar

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CCTV footage surfaces of Satyendar Jain enjoying massage in Tihar

CCTV footage of Tihar Jail has surfaced in which Delhi minister and AAP leader Satyendar Jain could be seen getting a massage.

The footage of jail no 7 has also been accessed by IANS.

Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had told a Special PMLA court that Jain was having luxurious facilities at Tihar Jail.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxsena had also ordered an inquiry into the matter, post which Jail Superintendent of Tihar Jail, Ajit Kumar, a DANICS official was earlier placed under suspension.

“He has prima facie been found to have committed irregularities that warrant an inquiry,” read a recent order of LG.

As of now, no official has commented on the matter in connection with the video that has surfaced.

Jain was arrested on May 30 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Jain was in de-facto control of shell companies used for alleged money laundering, and the co-accused persons Ankush Jain and Vaibhav Jain were just dummies.

The ED initiated a money laundering investigation on the basis of the CBI’s FIR lodged against various suspects including Udai Shanker Awasthi, MD IFFCO, Pankaj Jain, Promoter of Jyoti Trading Corporation and Rare Earth Group, Dubai, Amarendra Dhari Singh, and others.

They were accused by the CBI of allegedly hatching a criminal conspiracy, cheating, and criminal misconduct.

The ED learned in the investigation that Awasthi and others in IFFCO generated proceeds of crime and layered it through various unrelated entities and part of PoC was then transferred to the entities controlled by them.

The allegations include the receipt of illegal commission by the accused from overseas suppliers through a complex web of fake commercial transactions through multiple entities registered outside India (controlled by the accused persons) to camouflage the fraudulent transactions as genuine.

“Awasthi (father of Amol Awasthi & Anupam Awasthi) and Parvinder Singh Gahlaut (father of Vivek Gahlaut) wield considerable influence in the Fertilizer industry by virtue of their position as Managing Director of IFFCO & Director of IPL (U. S. Awasthi) and Managing Director of IPL (Parvinder Singh Gahlaut). Such payment of commission to them through their sons bleed the coffers of IFFCO & IPL and is a fraud upon the shareholders of IFFCO & IPL which consists of many State Marketing Federations wherein stakes are held by various State Governments,” the ED said.

Earlier, Enforcement Directorate had arrested Jain’s business partners A D Singh and Alok Kumar Agarwal with whom he had business relations. A D Singh had also received Rs 27.79 crore from Dubai through illicit means. Both Jain and Singh have used the vehicle provided by Agarwal to receive the proceeds of crime in India.

The ED had also filed a Prosecution Complaint before a Special Court in 2021 against six accused.

Further investigation is under progress.

Rahul Gandhi dares govt to stop Bharat Jodo Yatra

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Rahul Gandhi dares govt to stop Bharat Jodo Yatra

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday challenged the government to stop the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra (BJY) “which is conveying the message of love – not hatred – among the people of India”.

Referring to certain Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena (BSS) leaders questioning the need for the BJY, he said that it is intended to “connect” the country, “hear” the voices of the masses, and spread the message of love through the march.

“If the government still feels they want to stop it, then let them do it… No problems. I have decided to continue it from Kanyakumari to Kashmir and hoist the tricolor in Srinagar,” declared Gandhi, in a media interaction here this afternoon.

Touching upon the statements by certain Bharatiya Janata Party leaders that “when the country is not divided then where’s the need to unite it” through the BJY, Gandhi said that the country’s atmosphere has completely changed in the past 8 years, with hatred seen all around.

He said that the BJY is countering the ideology of those who spread “hate” with the idea of “love” by those who work to unite the country as hatred makes the nation weak while love strengthens it.

“Lakhs of people are joining the BJY… Farmers, workers, youth, shopkeepers, and women, speak of their issues, problems, pains, and suffering during the march, I am learning a lot We are getting a tremendous response and we are being showered with love,” said Gandhi.

Referring to the V.D. Savarkar issue, Gandhi waved and read out a letter written by the revolutionary to the British government, saying he (Savarkar) wanted to be a servant of the colonial rulers.

“What wrong have I said? I have only presented the historical truth. Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patil, and others were also jailed by the British for years but they did not secure their release by writing (such) letters to the colonial rulers,” Gandhi pointed out.

During the BJY, he said he was “listening to the voice of the farmers, workers, youth and women” of the country, which “the government of India is not hearing” and how the voice of the opposition is also being suppressed.

“Whenever we, the Congress and other Opposition parties attempt to raise the concerns of the masses like demonetisation, economy, GST inflation, China, in the parliament, the mikes are switched off, there is pressure on the institutions and the judicial system from the ruling party,” Gandhi said.

Through the BJY, he is highlighting all these questions, and learning how the people are living under the shadow of fear, hatred, and violence, he said.

Dwelling upon the major problems of the people that he encountered during the BJY, Gandhi said these pertain to the farmers and the youth of the country, who feel “they have no future”, but he was questioning and demanding answers from the government.

“Farmers are in distress, they don’t get the due price for their produce, no compensation, loan waivers, or insurance claims for crop losses. When the (former) UPA government was in power, we gave the farmers all help they needed. The youth of the country are worried as there’s no guarantee of jobs even after getting the necessary qualifications and skills, spending money taken on education loans,” Gandhi said.

He said that if the farmland suicides have to be stopped, then they need proper support and timely help, they are the people who feed the nation and it’s the responsibility of the government to stand behind them, just as the UPA government had done in the past.

“The youth are facing a similar scenario. Young boys and girls say they are acquiring education, but not one youth I met was confident that he/she will get employment. Their parents work hard, borrow from various sources and mostly spend it on private colleges for education, inflation is high, and the future is bleak with no jobs for their children. The government is not paying attention to all this,” said Gandhi.

Slamming the BJP, Gandhi said that all out attempts are being made to end the Opposition parties in the country with the lure of money and power, citing the Maharashtra example.

He mentioned how a Shiv Sena-UBT MLA informed of a Rs 50 crore offer to join the rebel group but he refused, and the erstwhile Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state collapsed in June.

“The Shiv Sena-UBT MLAs were given Rs 50 crore and taken away by the rival camp. Corrupt people are going there and efforts are on to decimate the Opposition parties. But there’s no dearth of good and honest people in the country,” declared Gandhi.

The Congress MP field questions in Marathi, Hindi, and English and was flanked by top party leaders like K.C. Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, H.K. Patil, Ashish Dua, and state leaders including Nana Patole, Balasaheb Thorat, Atul Londhe, Dr. Raju Waghmare, Kapil Dhoke, Dr. Sudhir Dhone, and others.

Controversy over Kamal Nath’s cake cutting, BJP accuses him of insulting Hindus

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Controversy over Kamal Nath’s cake cutting, BJP accuses him of insulting Hindus

Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and senior Congress leader Kamal Nath is embroiled in a controversy as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sharply criticized him for cutting a temple-shaped cake on his birthday, accusing him of insulting the sentiments of crores of Hindus in the country.

On Thursday, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya shared the video of Nath cutting the cake and tweeted, “Former MP CM and senior Congress leader Kamalnath, runs a knife through a four-tiered, temple shaped cake, with a saffron flag and image of Lord Hanuman on top. During elections he had claimed to be Hanuman bhakt and is now insulting crores of Hindus by denigrating their deity.”

On Wednesday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attacked Nath and the Congress for cutting such a cake and termed it as an insult to the Hindu religion and Sanatan tradition.

Chouhan, in a tweet, said that Congress workers had no devotion to God.

He added that the party also opposed the construction of the Ram Mandir and that society would not accept this insult.

G20: Modi, Sunak to confirm new bespoke route for young professionals

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G20: Modi, Sunak to confirm new bespoke route for young professionals

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak will meet on Wednesday at the G20 Summit in Bali during which the two leaders will confirm “a new bespoke, reciprocal route” that will open in early 2023 to give young professionals a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in a professional and cultural exchange.

Hours after Sunak and Modi met on the sidelines of the summit on Tuesday, the British Prime Minister announced that 3,000 Indians will be granted visas annually to come to the UK.

Under the new UK-India Young Professionals Scheme, the country will offer 3,000 places annually to 18-30-year-old degree-educated Indian nationals to come to the UK to live and work here for up to two years.

According to a statement issued by the UK Prime Minister’s Office, India is the first visa-national country to benefit from such a scheme, highlighting the strength of the UK-India Migration and Mobility Partnership agreed upon last year.

“The Indo-Pacific is increasingly crucial for our security and our prosperity. It is teeming with dynamic and fast-growing economies, and the next decade will be defined by what happens in this region,” Sunak said in a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office.

“I know first-hand the incredible value of the deep cultural and historic ties we have with India. I am pleased that even more of India’s brightest young people will now have the opportunity to experience all that life in the UK has to offer, and vice-versa, making our economies and societies richer.”

The scheme will be reciprocal.

“The launch of the scheme is a significant moment both for the bilateral relationship with India and the UK’s wider commitment to forging stronger links with the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen both the economies,” the statement added.

Nearly a quarter of all international students in Britain are from India, and Indian investment in the UK supports 95,000 jobs across the UK.

The UK is also negotiating a trade deal with India, which would build on the UK-India trading relationship, already worth 24 billion pounds, and allow the UK to seize the opportunities presented by India’s growing economy.

Besides Modi, Sunak is also scheduled will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, becoming the first British Prime Minister to meet the latter in almost five years.

He will be clear on the need for China and the UK, as permanent members of the UN Security Council and major global economies, to establish a frank and constructive relationship.

K’taka Cong launches campaign against painting of classrooms in saffron colour

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K’taka Cong launches campaign against painting of classrooms in saffron colour

Karnataka Congress has launched a campaign against the state government’s “Viveka Scheme” under which newly-built classrooms will be painted in saffron color.

The Congress started the campaign with the hashtag “CM Uncle” and urged Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to first build toilets for children instead of painting the classrooms.

Through the campaign, Congress has posed questions to Bommai on behalf of school children.

“Throughout the state, there is a lack of infrastructure in schools. The children are struggling without toilets. CM Uncle, before painting school buildings in saffron, first build toilets, give us hygienic drinking water and facilities that would attract children to schools,” the party tweeted.

The Congress also said that the state government is implementing the scheme in the name of Swami Vivekananda who was responsible for the industrial and scientific revolution in the country, but the Chief Minister is not “forthcoming with implementing programs which inculcate scientific temperament in students”.

“There is no good teaching, no proper midday meal, what action are you going to take? The scheme to give eggs to malnourished children is not being implemented properly. Take action to distribute eggs, do not give room for corruption in purchasing eggs also,” the party added.

Under the “Viveka Scheme”, 8,100 classrooms will be painted in saffron color.

Besides this, the BJP-led Karnataka government is also set to start meditation classes for primary, high school, and class 11 and 12 students.

PM Modi arrives in Vizag, holds roadshow

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PM Modi arrives in Vizag, holds roadshow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Friday night and conducted a road show organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

BJP workers and supporters lined up on either side of the road from INS Dega to Naval Dockyard to welcome the Prime Minister.

Sitting in his vehicle, Modi waved at the crowd amid cheers by the BJP supporters, who were carrying BJP flags and placards. The roadshow was held for 1.5 km amid tight security by the police and other security agencies.

After the roadshow, he reached the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) headquarters for the night halt at Chola Guesthouse.

Earlier, Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan and Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy received the Prime Minister at INS Dega, a naval air station of the Indian Navy.

Modi’s arrival from Madurai was delayed by nearly an hour due to rains in Tamil Nadu, officials said.

A thick security blanket has been thrown around the city in view of the PM’s visit and roadshow.

Security was beefed up at the airport in view of the recent incident of violence.

The Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of various projects worth over Rs 10,500 crore on Saturday.

He will lay the foundation stone of the Andhra Pradesh section of the six-lane Greenfield Raipur- Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor. It will be built at a cost of more than Rs 3,750 crore.

He will also lay the foundation stone of a dedicated Port Road from Convent Junction to Sheela Nagar Junction in Visakhapatnam.

The PM will dedicate to the nation, Narasannapeta to the Pathapatnam section of national highway 326 built at a cost of more than Rs 200 crore as a part of the Srikakulam-Gajapati Corridor.

He will dedicate to the nation, the U-field onshore deep water block project of ONGC developed at a cost of more than Rs 2,900 crore.

Modi will lay the foundation stone of the Srikakulam Angul Natural Gas Pipeline Project of GAIL. Foundation stone will also be laid for the redevelopment of Visakhapatnam Railway Station.

The PM will also lay the foundation stone for the modernization and upgradation of Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour.

He will address a public meeting at Andhra University Engineering College grounds. Governor, chief minister, central minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and a few others will be present.

This will be the first public meeting to be addressed by the PM in Andhra Pradesh since YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) came to power in 2019.

More than 6,000 police personnel have been deployed as part of the massive security arrangements in the port city for the Prime Minister’s visit.

Pawan Kalyan likely to meet PM in Vizag

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Pawan Kalyan likely to meet PM in Vizag

Tollywood actor and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi when the latter arrives here on Friday night to take part in various programs the next day.

The Jana Sena leader will arrive in the port city later in the day and call on the Prime Minister at around 8.30 p.m.

According to Jana Sena sources, the meeting will take place at the hotel where Modi would be staying.

Jana Sena’s political affairs committee chairman N. Manohar is also likely to accompany Pawan Kalyan during the meeting. Sources said the meeting was fixed as per the information received from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

This will be a significant political development in Andhra Pradesh as Pawan Kalyan, an ally of the BJP, is keen to forge a grand alliance of opposition to take on the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in the 2024 elections.

A bitter critic of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the actor had stated a few months ago that he is waiting for a roadmap from BJP to dislodge YSRCP from power.

The meeting will be significant in the wake of Pawan Kalyan’s desire to have the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) as an ally to prevent the division of anti-YSRCP votes in the next elections.

Pawan Kalyan had backed the TDP-BJP alliance in the 2014 elections to the state Assembly and Lok Sabha.

Jana Sena had not contested the polls but the actor-politician had campaigned for the alliance and addressed a few public meetings along with Modi and TDP leader N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Jana Sena had later parted ways with both BJP and TDP for not granting special category status to Andhra Pradesh as committed at the time of the bifurcation of the state in 2014.

In 2019, Jana Sena had contested the elections in alliance with the Left parties and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), but it won just one seat in the 175-member Assembly with Pawan Kalyan himself losing in both the seats he contested.

In 2020, Jana Sena and the BJP agreed to revive their alliance. However, they have not yet undertaken any joint program on people’s issues.

The state BJP leaders are also not in support of Pawan Kalyan’s suggestion to revive the alliance with the TDP.

The Prime Minister will be laying the foundation stone for various projects in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. He will also address a public meeting, which is likely to be attended by Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy.

There have been speculations for the last few days on whether Pawan Kalyan would be invited to the public meeting.

The state BJP leaders were tightlipped over this.

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