After removal of Article 370, democracy reached grassroots in J&K: Shah

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After removal of Article 370, democracy reached grassroots in J&K: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that it was this land (Jammu) where Syama Prasad Mukherjee and Pandit Prem Nath Dogra fought for total integration of J&K with the rest of the country.

“Our leader, Syama Prasad Mukherjee gave the supreme sacrifice to ensure that the country has only ‘Ek Pradhan, Ek Nishan, Ek Vidhan’ (One Prime Minister, one flag, and one Constitution).

Under Article 370, J&K’s elected head of government was called ‘Wazir-e-Azam’ (Prime Minister), the state had its own flag and a separate constitution.

Shah started his speech by bowing to Mata Vaishno Devi and by offering tributes to those who laid down their lives in the service of the country. He praised the services of that CRPF personnel who have earned awards by fighting for peace and unity in the country.

“Since 2014 after Narendra Modi took over as the Prime Minister, a lot has taken place in J&K. Democracy was brought to the grassroots level. Every village here has elected Panch and Sarpanch who have been empowered to work for the development at the village level.

“After removal of Article 370, women and weaker sections like the tribals have been ensured their rightful place. Rs 33,000 crore investment target had been made on the ground and for thus I congratulate Lt governor, Manoj Sinha.

“J&K has broken all records in road expansion whether these are highways, large or small roads in villages. Seven new medical colleges, 2 AIIMS have been established.

“Corruption is also being tackled effectively.

“Whenever the CRPF is called in to handle a difficult situation, people heave a sigh of relief knowing fully well that things would immediately be brought under control”, he said.

“This day in 1950, Sardar Patel, country’s home minister presented colors to this force.

“On October 21, 1959, when China attacked us at hot Springs, some CRPF jawans fought valiantly and stopped the aggressor. It is for this reason that police commemoration day is observed in every state on October 21.

“As the country’s Home Minister, I thank the jawans of the CRPF for ensuring that the people live peacefully in the country.

“Whenever elections are held in the country, the largest deployment of CRPF is made to ensure peaceful elections. CRPF rapid action force (RAF) has ensured to control riots in the shortest period of time. Before the RAF came into existence, these riots took a longer time to control.

“RAF has also trained local police forces to handle riots more professionally and the two have worked together since then.

“The Prime Minister has set a target of 5 trillion dollar economy and for this, the CRPF has a greater role to play by ensuring peace and tranquility”, Shah said.

He said recently orders have been passed that the CAPFs parades are held in different parts of the country so that these organizations get to interact and form a closer bond with the local people.

Before his address, Shah took a salute at the 83rd CRPF Raising Day parade at the Maulana Azad Stadium here. This is the first time that the Raising Day parade of the CRPF is being held anywhere outside the organization’s headquarters.

Smartly turned out contingents of various wings of the force marched before the podium, where Shah wearing a typical Dogra turban, took salute.

A large number of people including Dr. Jitendra Singh (MoS), PMO, Lt governor, Manoj Sinha, Chief Justice of J&K and Ladakh high court Justice Pankaj Mithal, Union Home Secretary A.K. Bhalla, director, IB, Arvind Kumar, J&K chief secretary, Arun Kumar Mehta, Kuldeep Singh, DG, CRPF, Dilbag Singh, DGP, J&K, Pankaj Kumar Singh DG, BSF, and other senior civil and police officers attended the function.

In addition, a large number of school children and other civilians also attended the function.

YSRCP seeks probe into Mamata’s allegation against TDP

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YSRCP seeks probe into Mamata’s allegation against TDP

Andhra Pradesh’s ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Friday demanded a probe into West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s allegation that the previous TDP government in the state had purchased spyware from Pegasus.

YSRCP spokesman and MLA Ambati Rambabu said the true colors of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) were exposed after Banerjee spilled the beans on Pegasus software. He demanded the Central and state governments probe the matter.

Banerjee categorically stated that Chandrababu Naidu-led government was in possession of the software, Rambabu told the media here on Friday.

He said the West Bengal Chief Minister revealed in the Assembly that the Andhra government had Pegasus software during Naidu’s regime. Rambabu pointed out that she was neither a friend to the YSRCP nor an enemy to Naidu and in fact, they both were together as the Grand Alliance in the 2019 elections.

The MLA said though the YSRCP didn’t make any allegations on the TDP with regard to Pegasus software, the TDP was scared and reacted aggressively, raising doubts.

He said Naidu should condemn the statement of Mamata Banerjee and file a defamation suit against her. “If he doesn’t file the suit, this will amount to confessing that the TDP government purchased Pegasus software,” he said.

The MLA expressed doubt that Naidu might have bought spyware software through private entities rather than government institutions and alleged that he always indulged in unethical politics managing the institutions. He said the YSRCP had been saying that the TDP was tapping phones when it was in power and its proof has now come to light.

TDP General Secretary Nara Lokesh had said on Thursday that the TDP government had rejected the offer of Pegasus to sell its spyware to the state.

Lokesh, who was Minister for Information Technology in the TDP cabinet headed by his father Naidu, clarified that the TDP government did not purchase any spyware.

“Yes, Pegasus offered to sell its spyware to the AP government as well but we rejected it,” he had told reporters.

He was reacting to Banerjee’s purported claim that the Naidu government purchased the Pegasus spyware. “She was misinformed. If we had resorted to such things, Jagan Mohan Reddy would not have come to power in 2019,” he said.

BJP fields Agnimitra Paul from Asansol LS seat against Shatrughan Sinha

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BJP fields Agnimitra Paul from Asansol LS seat against Shatrughan Sinha

The BJP on Friday announced four candidates for the biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha from different states and for the by-polls for the Lok Sabha and the assemblies from West Bengal, Bihar, and Maharashtra. The BJP has fielded Agnimitra Paul for the Lok Sabha by-polls from Asansol in West Bengal against TMC candidate and former union minister Shatrughan Sinha. Paul is the MLA from Asansol South assembly constituency and general secretary of the West Bengal BJP.

The BJP has fielded Keya Ghosh from the Ballygunge assembly constituency for the by-polls against former union minister Babul Supriyo. For the Rajya Sabha biennial polls, the BJP has given tickets to Pabitra Margherita from Assam, Dr. Sikandra Kumar from Himachal Pradesh, S. Phangnon Konyak from Nagaland, and Dr. Manik Saha from Tripura.

In a statement, BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said, “The BJP Central Election Committee has approved the following names for biennial polls of Rajya Sabha.”

From the Bochahan assembly constituency in Bihar, the BJP has given the ticket to Baby Kumari for the by-polls. From the Kolhapur North assembly seat, the BJP has nominated Satyajit (Nana) Shivajirao Kadam as its party candidate.

Polling for the Rajya Sabha biennial polls will be held on March 31 and counting of votes will take place after the end of voting on the same day. Polling will be held on April 12 for one parliamentary constituency Asansol and one assembly constituency each in West Bengal (Ballygunge), Chhattisgarh (Khairagarh), Bihar (Bochahan), and Maharashtra (Kolhapur North), and counting of votes will take place on April 16.

Body of K’taka student killed in Ukraine to arrive on Sunday

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Body of K’taka student killed in Ukraine to arrive on Sunday

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said that the body of Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar will arrive at the Bengaluru international airport from Ukraine on Sunday.

Naveen, a student from Karnataka’s Haveri district, who was studying medicine in Ukraine, was killed during Russian shelling in the war-torn Kharkiv city on March 1.

Bommai said that his body will arrive at 3 a.m. The state government has given financial aid of Rs 25 lakh to the deceased’s family.

Naveen’s father, Shekarappa, who was comforted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his son’s demise, had requested the Prime Minister to safely bring back students stuck in Ukraine at the earliest, as they are assets to the country.

He had also raised concerns about the expensive medical education in India and the inability of meritorious students to secure medical seats within the country.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress and JD(S) have demanded to scrap the NEET entrance test alleging that it encourages tuition mafia in the country.

Grand swearing-in ceremony for Yogi next week

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Grand swearing-in ceremony for Yogi next week

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is planning a grand swearing-in ceremony for Yogi Adityanath, who will take over as chief minister for a second consecutive term next week.

Official sources said that the swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held in the Ekana stadium with the list of invitees running into several thousand.

The party is preparing a list of invitees for the event and the guests will include beneficiaries of various government schemes – known as ‘labharti’- who have played a crucial role in voting the BJP back to power.

Arrangements are also being made for around 200 VVIPs at the stadium.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president J.P Nadda, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, and others, chief ministers of BJP-ruled states and some prominent leaders, including from the opposition, will be invited.

Officials supervising the preparations said that the ceremony would be ‘unmatched’ in style and grandeur.

The BJP has retained power for the second consecutive term in Uttar Pradesh, winning 255 seats in the 403-member Legislative Assembly.

Congress demands unemployment emergency in Telangana

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Congress demands unemployment emergency in Telangana

Stating that 40 lakh people are facing hardships due to unemployment problem in Telangana, the opposition Congress party has demanded an unemployment emergency in the state.

AICC spokesperson Dasoju Sravan Kumar said Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao should consider concrete interventions to address and resolve the unemployment problem.

He also urged the Chief Minister to set up a high-level task force with various national-level industrialists, academicians, intellectuals, strategists, policymakers to formulate a strategy with specific task policies to deal with the unemployment which is plaguing the Telangana society. He recalled that such a task force was set up by the Kiran Kumar Reddy government in undivided Andhra Pradesh.

“Since this is a social issue, an emergency all-party meeting should be held with all political parties,” the Congress leader said and demanded that each unemployed youth should be provided with an unemployment allowance of Rs 3,016 a month as promised in the 2018 assembly elections by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS).

“Skill Development Centres should be set up in each Mandal center in collaboration with the Central Government and job fairs should be organized in collaboration with private sector companies to provide employment to the youth, employment opportunities, and training,”

Stating that there are lakhs of applications pending in SC, ST, BC, Minority, and MBC corporations, he demanded immediate disbursement of self-employment loans so that they can stand on their feet.

Congress also demanded to bring a statutory Act to ensure that 95 percent of jobs reserved for locals in the private sector too. He also made several other demands, including ex-gratia of Rs one crore to the 70 field assistants who died after being dictatorially terminated from the service causing serious distress, and also suggested releasing the full salary to them for two years.

Sravan Kumar said the Telangana government failed to create new jobs and instead the existing jobs were blown away. The government laid off a total of 52,515 employees, including 7651 field assistants. He said 21,200 employees in Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, 1640 Nurses, 709 in Mission Bhagiratha, 315 in Horticulture, 16,400 Education Volunteers, 2000 Junior Panchayat Secretaries, Social Welfare and Education, and 2,640 employees of Road Transport Corporation (RTC) were sacked.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, he found fault with the chief minister for his announcement made in the Assembly that 90,000 jobs would be filled while the Bishwal Committee said that there were 1.91 lakh job vacancies in the government departments.

He also offered to help the government as a former professor of HRD and also having worked in large companies, in various capacities in human resource development departments, in solving the unemployment problem.

India, Australia leaders to hold virtual summit on March 21

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India, Australia leaders to hold virtual summit on March 21

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison will participate in the second India-Australia virtual summit on March 21, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India and Australia virtual summit will be held on March 21 where Indian and Australian leaders will hold the summit.

“This summit follows the historic first virtual summit which was held on June 4, 2020, when our bilateral relationship was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership,” Bagchi said.

He also said that during this forthcoming virtual summit the leaders will take stock of progress made on various initiates under the comprehensive strategic partnership.

The virtual summit will lay forward the new initiatives and enhanced cooperation in a diverse range of sectors.

“The leaders are expected to commit to closer cooperation in trade, critical minerals, migration and mobility and education among others. “Views on regional and international issues will also be discussed,” said the officer.

India, Australia’s comprehensive strategic partnership has maintained the momentum of an upward trajectory.

Both countries continue to collaborate closely despite the Covid-19 pandemic in areas such as science and technology, cyber defense, critical and strategic minerals, public administration, and governance.

Modi met Morrison in Washington for their first in-person meeting after the Covid-19. This meeting was held last September on the margin of Quad leaders summit 2021.

In June 2020, India and Australia elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and signed a landmark deal for reciprocal access to military bases for logistics support.

The Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) allows militaries of the two countries to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies, besides facilitating scaling up of overall defense cooperation.

Telangana BJP MLAs stage protest over suspension

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Telangana BJP MLAs stage protest over suspension

All three BJP MLAs in Telangana staged a protest here on Thursday against what they call refusal of Assembly Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy to honor the orders of the High Court on their suspension from the House.

Wearing black scarves Eatala Rajender, Raja Singh and Raghunandan Rao sat on the protest at Indira Park in the heart of the city.

A large number of party leaders and workers participated in the day-long ‘Save democracy protest’ amid tight security by the police.

The MLAs alleged that they were suspended at the instance of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and though the High Court had suggested the Speaker reconsider their suspension, he did not honour the suggestion of the court.

The police had initially denied permission for the protest but later granted the same after BJP leaders moved the High Court.

Raghunandan Rao said only BJP can restore democracy in the state.

He said with the permission of the party leadership they planned to organize similar protests in all districts.

He said they were suspended for questioning the government’s move to do away with the governor’s address on the first day of the budget session.

Rajender alleged that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao spent hundreds of crores to defeat him in Huzurabad by-election. He said after failing in this attempt, KCR got him suspended from Assembly along with other BJP MLAs to muzzle the voice of the opposition.

He said they would take the issue to the people’s court which will ultimately take a decision to save democracy.

BJP MLAs had called on Speaker on March 15, a day after the High Court asked them to meet him.

They had informed him about the observations made by the court while hearing their petition challenging the suspension.

March 15 was the last day of the budget session of the State Assembly. The session had commenced on March 7 and on the very first day, all three MLAs of BJP were suspended for disrupting the proceedings.

Protesting over the government’s move to commence the budget session without the Governor’s address, the BJP legislators tried to disrupt the proceedings.

On a resolution moved by the government, the Speaker announced their suspension for the entire session.

The MLAs had approached the high court challenging their suspension. They argued that their suspension was against the rules of the Legislative Assembly and the Constitution of India.

After a single judge refused to stay the suspension, the legislators filed an appeal before a division bench.

A bench of Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice A. Venkateswar Reddy on March 14 left the decision to the Speaker. The court hoped that the Speaker will take an appropriate decision to uphold democratic principles in line with the impartial role of his office in the House.

Punjab CM announces launch of phone number to expose corrupt

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Punjab CM announces launch of phone number to expose corrupt

A day after taking an oath of office, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday announced to launch a mobile phone number on March 23, the martyrdom day of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, exclusively for the public to upload videos of officials demanding bribes for day-to-day work or indulging in malpractices.

Exhorting the top brass of civil and police administration to discharge duties as a public servant in the letter and spirit, thus respecting the massive mandate got by the AAP in the recently concluded assembly polls, the Chief Minister said the people who have given “us an opportunity to serve the state are the real rulers in the democracy having the power to make the leaders rule or show them the door”.

Taking a cue from the performance of the Indian cricket team, Mann said, “Matches are won or lost but it is the team spirit which matters”.

Therefore, he urged the officers to display team spirit immaculately to make Punjab the frontrunner state. He further said, “Our prime concern should be to make our state as real Punjab, not London, California or Paris”.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister said his government would not indulge in political vendetta and asked the entire administration to discharge their duties fearlessly without any political pressure, unlike earlier regimes, with utmost dedication, sincerity, and honesty to cherish the aspirations of the Punjabis who have voted to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to power with the unprecedented verdict.

“I don’t keep a red diary like the earlier political parties and have only a green one, so you need not worry about any vendetta,” he said.

Appreciating the capabilities and capacities of both civil and police officers, Mann said, “I expect you to respect the common man and in turn, we would too give you respect and due recognition in exhibiting the real spirit of being a public servant”.

Without mincing any word, he said, “Corrupt officers have no place in my government and if any such complaint comes to my notice, then don’t expect any sort of sympathy for such officers”.

Breaking the tradition, the Chief Minister also announced to reward both civil and police officers with a ‘Best Performance Award’ quarterly for making a difference in the lives of the common man, besides ensuring free and fair justice to one and all to boost their morale.

Reiterating his commitment to making Punjab a model state, Mann said the foremost concern of his government would be to create abundant job opportunities for our youth to check the unfortunate trend of brain drain from the state to foreign shores.

“This scenario has even forced the poor and hapless parents to sell their properties for sending their wards abroad for better prospects to earn a livelihood”.

Mann promised his government would soon come up with a comprehensive action plan to generate tremendous job opportunities for our unemployed youth on top priority.

Vice-President greets people on eve of Holi

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Vice-President greets people on eve of Holi

Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday greeted the people on the occasion of Holi.

“I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Holi – the festival of colors,” Naidu said.

Naidu noted that Holi is a time for family and friends to come together and rejoice in the spirit of the spontaneous, joyful celebration of life.

“Celebrated with traditional fervor and enthusiasm throughout the country, Holi is a time for family and friends to come together and rejoice in the spirit of the spontaneous, joyful celebration of life. The lighting of the bonfire on the eve of Holi symbolizes the triumph of virtue over evil,” he said.

The Vice-President stated that on the auspicious occasion of Holi, “let us strive to strengthen the bonds of friendship and amity that hold our society together”.

“May this festival bring peace, harmony, prosperity, and happiness in our lives,” he added.

Nadda discusses UP govt formation with Yogi, other leaders

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Nadda discusses UP govt formation with Yogi, other leaders

BJP President J.P. Nadda and Uttar Pradesh caretaker Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other party leaders, including from the state, met on Wednesday evening to discuss the formation of the government.

Sources said the formation of the new government, the new ministers, and the names of candidates for the upcoming Legislative Council polls were discussed in the over four-hour-long meeting held at the BJP national headquarters here.

Party national General Secretary, Organisation, B.L. Santhosh, state election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Dinesh Sharma, Uttar Pradesh unit President Swatantra Dev Singh, and state General Secretary, Organisation, Sunil Bansal were present in the meeting.

“Names of new ministers were discussed taking care of the social and regional balance. Dates for calling legislative party meet to elect a new leader and date for swearing-in ceremony were also discussed,” a party insider said.

“Election for 36 seats of Legislative Council is scheduled on April 9. Names of candidates for these seats were discussed and short-listed for final approval of BJP’s parliamentary board,” the party leader said.

Sources said that all the names finalized will be discussed with union Home minister Amit Shah, BJP central observers for the election of legislative party leader in Uttar Pradesh, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Azad, Sonia to meet for sorting out issues, Rahul, Priyanka may also join in

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Azad, Sonia to meet for sorting out issues, Rahul, Priyanka may also join in

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is leading the ‘G-23’ group demanding sweeping organizational changes in the party, is likely to meet party interim chief Sonia Gandhi on Thursday to address the grievances of the group sources said.

It is likely that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will also be present at this meeting.

On Wednesday, ‘G-23’ leaders met at Azad’s residence to chalk out their strategy ahead of the meeting.

Apart from the initial members, some more leaders including Mani Shankar Aiyar, Patiala MP and former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh’s wife Preneet Kaur, senior leader P.J. Kurien, former Punjab Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Raj Babbar, Kuldeep Sharma were also seen arriving at Azad’s residence for the meeting.

Shankarsinh Vaghela and Sandeep Dikshit were also taking part.

Vaghela has been in Congress in the past but his present status is not clear.

The meeting is being held to devise a further strategy after the CWC endorsed Sonia Gandhi’s leadership. The group has already reached out to like-minded leaders within the Congress.

The Congress President on Tuesday removed state chiefs of five states and after which loyalists started targeting the dissenters.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot hit out at Kapil Sibal that he does not know the “ABCD of Congress”, and is an outsider who was given everything from the party.

However, talking to in an interview, Dikshit said: “The Congress President should have accessibility, acceptability, and accountability.”

Chief ministers of Goa and Manipur meet PM Modi

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Chief ministers of Goa and Manipur meet PM Modi

Caretaker chief ministers of Goa Pramod Sawant and Manipur N Biren Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.

Party insider said that the chief ministers discussed the formation of the BJP government in their respective states.

The BJP has won the Assembly polls in Goa for the third time in a row and for the first time got the majority on its own in Manipur.

In a tweet after meeting Sawant, Prime Minister Modi said: “Met @DrPramodPSawant and the team of @BJP4Goa. Our party is grateful to the people of Goa for blessing us yet again with the mandate to serve the state. We will keep working for Goa’s progress in the times to come.”

“Met Shri @NBirenSingh Ji and congratulated him on @BJP4Manipur’s stupendous victory in the recently concluded Assembly Polls. Our Party is committed to working even harder to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Manipur,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

Sawant expected to meet Union home minister Amit Shah, BJP chief J.P. Nadda and party national general secretary (organization) B.L. Santhosh, and others to discuss the formation of the new BJP government in Goa.

Goa BJP president Sadanand Shet Tanavade was also expected to join the meeting.

While incumbent Sawant is a front runner for the post, many other aspirants are also trying their luck to become chief minister in the coastal state. “With extra time everyone is trying to become chief minister and pushing their candidature before seniors,” a party leader in Goa said.

On Tuesday, BJP chief Nadda and Santhosh met Manipur caretaker chief minister Singh, state election in-charge Bhupender Yadav, in-charge Sambit Patra held a discussion about the formation of a new government in the North-Eastern state.

Late Monday evening, top BJP leadership met at Prime Minister Modi’s residence to discuss the formation of the party’s government in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Manipur.

Vijayan seeks to placate CPI with Rajya Sabha seat

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Vijayan seeks to placate CPI with Rajya Sabha seat

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday sprang a surprise when he offered one Rajya Sabha seat to the CPI – the second-biggest constituent of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) – while his CPI-M keeps the other that they are sure to win.

Of late, the CPI, especially its state Secretary Kanam Rajendran, has been vocal on a few decisions taken by Vijayan and had minced no words about them. It is seen that with this unexpected offer, Vijayan will be able to keep them quiet.

The CPI was quick to announce its candidate will be its Kannur district party Secretary P. Santhosh Kumar.

PDF Convenor A. Vijayaraghavan, soon after the LDF meeting, informed the media that the CPI-M and CPI will share the two seats and the respective parties will decide on who their candidates would be.

On Tuesday when CPI-M state Secretary opened the topic of the two Rajya Sabha seats at the LDF meeting, alliance partners including the CPI, the NCP, and also outgoing member M.V. Shreyams Kumar’s LJD also raised their wish to get one seat, but Vijayan put the issue to rest when he said that this time, it is essential that a CPI member should be there in the Upper House and soon everyone agreed to this.

The two seats are out of the three that will fall vacant next month as sitting members – Congress veteran A.K.Antony, CPI-M’s K. Somaprasad, and Shreyams Kumar – retire.

The third seat will be won by the Congress-led opposition and if a need arises for an election, it will happen on March 31.

With the CPI getting the seat, their tally in the upper house will go up to two as former state Minister Binoy Viswam is already a member.

Now all eyes are on the CPI-M nominee as there are quite a few hopefuls. But, here too, it would be Vijayan who will take the call as he did it last year when he chose top journalist John Brittas, who headed the party-backed TV channel, and V. Sivadasan, who was heading the social media campaign team of the CPI-M.

Telangana to pay for education of students returned from Ukraine

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Telangana to pay for education of students returned from Ukraine

The Telangana government will bear the educational expenses of over 700 students brought back from war-torn Ukraine to enable them to complete their medical education in India, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced on Tuesday.

He told the Assembly that the state government will write to the Centre to give permission to 740 students who returned from Ukraine to complete their MBBS course.

KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, said the students were studying medicine in various universities in Ukraine and the war has forced them to discontinue the education and return home.

He said that since the students face an uncertain future due to the current situation in Ukraine, the state government is ready to bear the expenses to help them complete the MBBS.

His announcement came while he was replying to the debate on the Appropriation Bill.

He said over 20,000 Indian students were stranded in Ukraine. They had gone there to study medicine as there were no opportunities for them in India.

“To study MBBS in India, it was costing them over Rs 1 crore and since they could not afford this they went to Ukraine where they had to pay Rs 20-25 lakh,” he said.

In another major announcement, KCR declared that 7,000 field assistants working for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) will be taken back. The field assistants were removed after they went on strike. The CM advised them not to go on strike again.

He also announced that 4,000 employees working for the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) will be given salaries at par with the government employees.

KCR announced that Government Order (GO) 111 will be revoked after receiving the report of the experts’ committee.

He said the GO, which imposes certain restrictions on constructions on around 1.32 lakh acres in catchment areas of Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs in Hyderabad, has become redundant as the water from the two reservoirs is no longer being used for drinking purposes. He pointed out that water is being pumped from projects on Krishna and Godavari rivers to meet the drinking water needs of the city and surroundings.

KCR said the government will take all necessary steps to ensure that there is no haphazard development in 1.32 lakh acres with the revocation of GO 111.

The GO was issued in 1996 for the protection of two reservoirs.

Priyanka to take stock of poll debacle in UP

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Priyanka to take stock of poll debacle in UP

Amid a call for leadership change in the party, Congress General Secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has called a meeting of party leaders on Tuesday to find out the reasons for the defeat.

The Congress could only get just over 2 percent votes and two seats in the Uttar Pradesh polls.

The meeting has been called in Delhi which will be attended by the office-bearers and important leaders of the party.

Congress has faced a massive loss in all the five states though Priyanka tried hard to make the party relevant but could not get the support of the people.

The Congress Working Committee on Sunday reposed faith in interim party chief Sonia Gandhi after its marathon meeting to discuss the outcome of the Assembly polls and authorised her to undertake “necessary and comprehensive” organizational changes.

Party General Secretary K.C. Venugopal and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that the CWC endorsed the holding of a ‘Chintan Shivir’ (brainstorming session).

“The recent Assembly election results of five states are a cause of serious concern for the Indian National Congress. The party accepts that due to shortcomings in our strategy, we could not effectively expose the misrule of the BJP state governments in four states and overcome the anti-incumbency in the state of Punjab in the short time after effecting a change of leadership,” said the CWC resolution.

It said that the Congress “represents the hopes of millions of Indians against political authoritarianism prevailing in the country today and the party is fully conscious of its immense responsibility.”

The resolution said that “humbly accepting the electoral verdict of the latest round of Assembly elections, the Congress party assures its workers and the people of India that it will continue to remain a vigilant and vibrant opposition. The Congress Party will be fully prepared to face the electoral challenges in the election-going states in 2022 and 2023 as well as in the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

“The CWC unanimously reaffirms its faith in the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and requests the Congress President to lead from the front, address the organizational weaknesses, effect necessary and comprehensive organizational changes in order to take on the political challenges.”

K-Rail: Vijayan dodges points raised by Opposition

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K-Rail: Vijayan dodges points raised by Opposition

The Kerala Assembly on Monday witnessed a debate on the pet project of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan – the K-Rail. As expected the treasury benches batted for it, while the Congress-led opposition termed it as an ecological, environmental and economic disaster if it becomes a reality. At the end of it, the treasury benches said come what may they will go ahead with it and the opposition walked out expressing their displeasure.

If completed, the project will see a 529.45 km corridor connecting Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod and a high-speed train will cover this distance in around four hours. It will cost Rs 63,940 crores. NITI Ayog says it might cost Rs 1.24 lakh crores and is expected to be completed in 2025 according to the detailed project report.

When the opposition sought leave to discuss this project, much to their surprise, Vijayan who last month shot it down, on Monday agreed to hold a two-hour discussion on it.

Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan pointed out various discrepancies in the project in its preliminary feasibility report, the final feasibility report, and what Vijayan said about this project on the floor of the assembly.

“He (Vijayan) says they have had discussions with the people, but that discussion was a monologue where things were told, what should have been done was a dialogue.”

“the ridership in the first report says they expect 40,000 passengers daily and two months later in the final report says the ridership expected is over 80,000. With regard to the embankment needed to build this in the first report, it says it’s 89 km, in the second report it becomes 236 km and in the detailed project report, it says 384 km. This is nothing but data fudging, which is a criminal offense,” said Satheesan.

He pointed out that the Vizhinjam container port terminal work is stuck because of the nonavailability of limestones.

“The fact of the matter is K-Rail will need more limestones even if the entire Western Ghats is demolished and used. This project has come at a time when the whole world is conscious of the climate change phenomenon and this project of the CPI-M is 60 years old and we will not allow this project at all,” added Satheesan.

Vijayan however failed to answer any of the points raised by Satheesan and instead just said that the project is environmentally and economically viable and is meant for our future generations.

“We held discussions with lots of people across the state and we did not get a negative response at all and the general impression was everyone wanted it to be finished at the earliest. The ongoing protests against this project have caused a lot of damage and numerous police and revenue officials have been attacked. Come what may, we will go ahead with this project as this is one which is much needed for the development of the state,” said Vijayan.

He later invited the opposition legislators to come and watch a presentation on K-Rail where all their doubts will be answered on Tuesday.

Satheesan later told the media outside the assembly that they are certain that this project will be one that will finish off Kerala and they will go ahead with their already announced protests from Saturday with more than 1,000 rallies across the state.

Nitish Kumar rebukes speaker Vijay Sinha in Bihar Assembly

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Nitish Kumar rebukes speaker Vijay Sinha in Bihar Assembly

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday pulled up Assembly Speaker Vijay Sinha after BJP MLA Sanjay Sarawgi pointed out an issue of Lakhisarai in the house.

Vijay Sinha had recently brought a breach of privilege motion in the house after two SHOs and a DSP rank officer allegedly misbehaved with him in his home district Lakhisarai on February 9.

Under the special privilege motion, he asked the chief secretary and DGP of Bihar to take action in this matter. Unfortunately, no action has been taken against alleged SHOs and DSP.

Sanjay Sarawgi, a BJP leader took up the issue during the Question hour of Vidhan Sabha and asked the minister to inform the house about the action taken report.

As the chief minister is also holding the home minister portfolio, he got upset. He stood from the seat and directly told the speaker that the house cannot run like this. “This is my fourth stint as chief minister and have never come across any situation like this where a question is repeatedly asked in the Assembly. The House cannot run like this. You (Speaker) cannot interfere in every matter. The investigation is currently underway. We neither frame nor save anyone. Who are you to adjourn the house over a question of a particular place?” Kumar asked.

“I will ask the department concerned to provide the status of the investigation. If anyone has any doubt, I will hold a meeting on this matter today,” Kumar said.

Replying to the chief minister, Speaker Sinha said: “The members of the entire house including you (Chief Minister) elected me as the speaker. I am a custodian of the house and it is my duty to strengthen the voice of every public representative of the house. This issue has been pointed out thrice in the house and legislators of ruling and opposition parties have the same stand. Despite this, the issue was not addressed by the home department. The situation is as such that despite sitting on the chair of the speaker, I am unable to raise issues of my areas (My district),” Sinha said.

“When I visit my constituency, people ask me that I am sitting on such a big post but unable to address the issues of my areas. Why has the state government not taken action against two SHOs and a DSP?” Sinha said.

“When it comes to the constitution, people like me are always eager to learn from you (Chief Minister) and other senior members of the house. You are more knowledgeable than me but please don’t disrespect the Speaker’s chair,” Sinha said.

Yogi Adityanath meets President Kovind

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Yogi Adityanath meets President Kovind

Caretaker Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath on Monday called on President Ram Nath Kovind.

This is the first meeting of Adityanath with President Kovind after the party’s historic victory in Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls and sources said that it was a courtesy meeting.

Earlier today, Adityanath also met Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. After the meeting, Gadkari tweeted: “Met Yogi Adityanath ji today at Delhi residence. This year’s Uttar Pradesh election was historic, people have put their stamp on the development in Uttar Pradesh under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and under the leadership of Yogi Ji.

“I am sure that the double engine government of Uttar Pradesh will stand the test of the people. Congratulations and best wishes to the people of Uttar Pradesh and all the workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party on the victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Gadkari said.

After the meeting, Adityanath tweeted: “Your (Gadkari) special support is being received in realizing the concept of ‘New Uttar Pradesh’.”

On Sunday, the chief minister paid a courtesy visit to Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu. He had also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP chief J.P. Nadda to discuss the formation of a new cabinet in Uttar Pradesh.

As per the sources, Yogi Adityanath has extended an invitation to the Prime Minister for the swearing-in ceremony of the new BJP government in Uttar Pradesh.

He had also met BJP national general secretary (organization) B.L. Santhosh and discussed cabinet formation.

Yogi meets Governor, submits resignation

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Yogi meets Governor, submits resignation

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Friday evening, met Governor Anandiben Patel and handed over his resignation.

The Governor has asked him to continue working till the formation of the new government.

Earlier, the Chief Minister held a cabinet meeting where he thanked his colleagues for working to fulfill the aspirations of the people which led to the BJP winning the election with a good majority.

The Chief Minister’s resignation has paved the way for the process of installation of the new government. Sources said that the new government was likely to be sworn in next week, before Holi.

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