Decision to repeal farm laws a historic win for farmers, says actor Karthi

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Decision to repeal farm laws a historic win for farmers, says actor Karthi

Welcoming the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to repeal three contentious farm laws wholeheartedly, actor Karthi on Friday said that the announcement to repeal the laws signaled a historic win for the unceasing struggle of simple farmers.

Taking to Twitter, actor Karthi, in Tamil, wrote that the announcement by the honourable Prime Minister that the government would be repealing the three farm laws was a historic win for the year-long relentless struggle of farmers.

The actor went on to thank both the government and the farmers. While he expressed his love to the farmers who staged the protest, he expressed love and gratitude to the government for understanding the issue.

Karthi, who is the younger brother of actor Suriya, has always been a vocal supporter of farmers’ rights.

While Suriya’s Agaram Foundation has helped scores of underprivileged children gain access to education, Karthi’s Uzhavan Foundation has been helping struggling farmers in Tamil Nadu.

In fact, the actor was among the first to express support for farmers in Delhi when they first sat in protest against the three farm laws that had been brought in by the Union government.

Modi slams previous govts for creating water crisis in Bundelkhand

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Modi slams previous govts for creating water crisis in Bundelkhand

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lashed out at ‘previous governments in Lucknow and Delhi’ for creating water crisis in the Bundelkhand region.

At a rally that marked the inauguration of the Arjun Sahayak project, the Prime Minister said: “The wait for water is over now. Over four lakh people will get clean drinking water. The people of Mahoba, Banda, Hamirpur and Lalitpur will benefit from this scheme.”

He said that Bundelkhand at one time, was a model for water conservation and management. Rivers like Ken, Betwa, Dhasan made the region famous and prosperous.

“The land of Bundelkhand blessed Lord Ram when he was in exile. However, those who ruled Delhi and UP never worked towards its development. Earlier governments mistreated the region,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that water problem in the region became so acute that people refused to marry their daughters in this area and this led to migration.

“The previous family-oriented government destroyed natural resources and allowed the mafia to prosper. After Yogi Adityanath came to power, the mafia was bulldozed but you should not forget what the previous governments did to you. In their regime, scams and commissions were the order of the day,” he stated.

He said that the previous government showed no interest in the Arjun Sahayak Yojana because they worked to loot and we work to serve. “Some do the politics of problem while we do the politics of solution,” he said.

Modi said that the scheme will give a new lease of life to the Bundelkhand region.

“Over 30 lakh families have benefitted from the ‘nal se jal’ scheme,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Arjuna Sahayak irrigation project worth Rs 2,655 crore, is a significant initiative to alleviate water distress in the districts like Mahoba, Hamirpur and Banda and to bring relief to the farmers of the state.

The mega project on the river Dhasan will not only provide irrigation facilities to over 1.5 lakh farmers of about 168 villages of Mahoba, Banda and Hamirpur but will also facilitate the provision of clean drinking water (potable water) to over 4 lakh families residing in water-scarce regions.

The project will play an important role in benefitting the crop growers along with other projects.

The project, which started nearly a decade ago (2009-10), will not only make Bundelkhand green but its operationalisation will also help in irrigation of around 44,382 hectares of land in the districts of Mahoba, Hamirpur and Banda.

Along with this, 15,104-hectare irrigation capacity will also be restored. In addition, 20 MCM drinking water will also be available to Mahoba from the Kabrai Dam.

Nearly 1,49,755 farmers of 168 villages will be benefitted.

According to the government spokesman, the Arjun Sahayak Project, which was started in the year 2009-10 at a cost of Rs 850 crore, was to be completed in the year 2015.

However, due to the neglect of the previous governments, not only the completion of the project was delayed but also its cost was increased to Rs 2655.36 crore.

The Bundelkhand region, for long, has been facing acute water shortage where most wells and hand-pumps have dried up due to decreasing groundwater levels. The residents in the drought-prone regions were forced to buy basic necessities such as drinking water.

In view of solving the water crisis in such regions, the government completed the Rasin Dam Project (Chitrakoot) Bandai Dam Project (Lalitpur) between March 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021.

In the coming days, projects like Kulpahar and Shahzad of Bundelkhand will serve as a model for the state. These are being connected to the sprinkler system. With this, more irrigation will be done in less water and the yield will also increase.

Decision only because of upcoming polls: Priyanka

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Decision only because of upcoming polls: Priyanka

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that the government had agreed to repeal the three farm laws only because it had understood that they would face reverses in the upcoming elections.

“After 600-700 farmers died during the year-long agitation, the Prime Minister is now apologizing for the laws but he has not uttered a word about martyred farmers. What about Lakhimpur incident and why has the minister not been dismissed till now? We will have to understand that the government decided to change its decision only after recent surveys showed that it was slipping,” she said.

Asked why the farmers were not immediately calling off their agitation, the Congress leader said, “The farmers have been called names like ‘aatankwadi’, ‘andolanjeevi’, ‘gundey’, and ‘deshdrohi’. Why should they trust the government so blindly in a minute? Besides, the government has the option of bringing an ordinance so why is it waiting for the Parliament session?”

Priyanka further said that she was happy that the government had finally realised the strength of farmers and also the fact that no one is greater than the farmers.

“If the government is serious about what has happened then it should take necessary steps. The minister involved in the Lakhimpur incident should be dismissed. Other problems of farmers like MSP, shortage of fertilizer and other such issues, should also be addressed,” she said.

Priyanka said that she was also happy that the entire opposition had stood by the farmers during their agitation.

Vijayan applauds farmers, says credit goes to them

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Vijayan applauds farmers, says credit goes to them

Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Friday announcement of repealing the three farm laws, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress leader V.D. Satheesan gave full credit to the protesting farmers.

Vijayan wrote on his Facebook post; “It was just because of the historic protests of the determined farmers which led to Modi repealing the three controversial farm laws.

“Despite facing numerous hardships and being engaged in a very long protest, the Indian farmers never wilted under pressure and held on and we give full credit for them,” said Vijayan.

Satheesan said the farmers protest will go down as the biggest protest seen in Independent India .

“It remains to be seen if this has been done for real love and concern to the farmers, or is it after finding that the Modi government is losing ground and with two key states going to the polls shortly, it was decided to withdraw the laws. The Congress party has been the backbone for the support of the farmers and all through it has been raising this issue in the parliament,” said Satheesan.

Mamata Banerjee congratulates farmers on their victory

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Mamata Banerjee congratulates farmers on their victory

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Centre has decided to repeal the three controversial farm laws, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday congratulated the farmers on their huge victory.

Taking to Twitter, she said: “My heartfelt congratulations to every single farmer who fought relentlessly and were not fazed by the cruelty with which @BJP4India treated you. This is your victory…

“My deepest condolences to everyone who lost their loved ones in this fight.”

Not only Banerjee, but MP and senior Trinamool Congress leader Sougata Roy said: “This is a victory for the farmers. The BJP government has decided to repeal these draconian laws because they understand that they will lose in the Assembly elections scheduled next year”.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress spokesperson and Rajya Sabha Member Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said that the “Modi government has understood that they have lost the support of the people and they will be defeated in the Assembly polls in the five states scheduled next year”.

“They were afraid after the farmers threatened to go to the parliament in the next session starting from November 29.”

CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said: “I am happy, very happy because the decision to repeal the three farm laws shows that there is no alternative to the people’s movement. It shows that in democracy people speak the last word. We are happy because we were also part of this movement. Farmer leader Hannan Mollah has been with the farmers fighting for their cause. Like Narendra Modi, it is time for Mamata Banerjee to realise that however autocratic he or she might be, nothing is more powerful than the common people and all will have to bow down infront of them.”

Priyanka’s Secretary booked for alleged assault

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Priyanka’s Secretary booked for alleged assault

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s personal secretary, Sandeep Singh, and two other party leaders, Shiv Pandey and Yogesh Kumar Dixit, have been booked for alleged assault and snooping on a house at 7 Mall Avenue in state capital Lucknow.

The FIR was lodged at Hussainganj police station on a complaint by a driver with the estate department of the Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday evening.

The complainant Prashant Singh alleged that Sandeep Singh, Pandey and Dixit were spying on his house at Mall Avenue around midnight on Wednesday.

“I saw them moving suspiciously in my house and when I objected, the trio abused and thrashed me,” he alleged.

The police said the Congress leaders named in the case were holding prime posts in the party and have been booked for criminal intimidation and voluntarily causing hurt.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), Central Zone, Raghvendra Mishra, said an FIR has been registered in the case and probe is underway.

Telangana CM stages dharna in Hyderabad to protest Centre’s policies

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Telangana CM stages dharna in Hyderabad to protest Centre’s policies

Demanding the Centre to enhance rice procurement from Telangana and protesting its policies, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, his cabinet colleagues, MPs and state legislators began ‘maha dharna’ here on Thursday.

Alleging that Telangana’s farmers were suffering due to the policies of the Centre, Rao described the ‘maha dharna’ as the beginning of a struggle to protect the farmers’ interests.

KCR, as the chief minister is popularly known, declared that the movement will continue till the Centre relents and change its policies to procure rice from Telangana on a par with Punjab.

“This is just the beginning. If necessary we will go to Delhi. We are ready to take it to any extent,” said the Chief Minister while formally launching the mega protest at Indira Park in the heart of the city.

He alleged that the Centre’s policies were harming the farmers of Telangana at a time when they were moving on the path of prosperity and contributing to the country’s progress.

He declared that their protest was also in support of farmers of north India who have been demanding the Centre to take back new farm laws.

KCR’s entire cabinet, MPs, members of Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, other elected representatives and leaders of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) were participating in the dharna, which began at 11 a.m. and will continue till 2 p.m.

A delegation of TRS leaders will later reach Raj Bhavan to submit a representation to Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan.

Dismissing BJP’s criticism for staging protests despite being in power in the state, KCR recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sat on a 51-hour dharna when he was the chief minister of Gujarat.

The TRS chief said it was the responsibility of Narendra Modi to avoid a situation where the chief minister of a state has to sit on dharna.

This is the second protest by TRS in less than a week. State ministers, MPs and state legislators and other leaders had participated in the dharnas held in all Assembly constituencies on November 12.

The ‘maha dharna’ was held a day after KCR wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to enhance the target of rice procurement from Telangana.

KCR demanded that he ask the FCI to enhance the target beyond 40 lakh tonnes for procurement of rice during the ongoing Kharif 2021-22 to 90 per cent of the production as done in Punjab.

The Chief Minister also requested Modi to direct the FCI to complete the procurement of the balance 5 lakh tonnes of rice produced in Rabi 2020-21. He also sought direction to FCI to conform to the target of procurement of rice from Telangana during the ensuing Rabi season.

KCR wrote that FCI was following certain policies which were creating confusion in the minds of farmers as well as the state governments.

He pointed out that the FCI has not fixed the target of procurement for the entire year in one go and that even though the production is increasing year by year the procurement is not keeping pace.

“Due to these policies of FCI, it is becoming difficult for the states to plan an appropriate cropping pattern and explain the same to the farmers. For instance, even though the production of rice in Telangana during Kharif 2020-21 was 55.75 lakh tonnes, the procurement was only 32.66 lakh tonnes which is 59 per cent of the production. This was less than the 78 per cent procured in kharif 2019-20. Such wide variation in procurement levels does not allow the state to implement a rational cropping pattern,” reads the letter.

KCR pointed out that to clear these confusions and fix the appropriate target for procurement, he had personally met union minister for food and public distribution Piyush Goyal on September 25 and 26. “I requested that the annual target for procurement be fixed immediately. It has been 50 days since I have met the Hon’ble Union Minister but no policy decision has been taken and communicated to us,” he wrote.

KCR urges Modi to enhance rice procurement from T’gana

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KCR urges Modi to enhance rice procurement from T’gana

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to enhance the target of rice procurement from Telangana.

Rao wrote to the Prime Minister to ask the FCI to enhance the target beyond 40 lakh tonnes for procurement of rice during the ongoing Kharif 2021-22 to 90 per cent of the production as done in Punjab.

The Chief Minister also requested Modi to direct the FCI to complete the procurement of the balance 5 lakh tonnes of rice produced in Rabi 2020-21. He also sought direction to FCI to conform the target of procurement of rice from Telangana during ensuing Rabi season.

Rao wrote the letter amid a raging row in the state between ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the opposition BJP over procurement.

The chief minister sent the letter a day before a mega dharna by state ministers, MPs, state legislators and other TRS leaders in Hyderabad to demand the Centre to enhance rice procurement from the state. This is the second protest by the ruling party in six days.

KCR, as the chief minister is popularly known, wrote that FCI, which has the mandate of ensuring food security for the people by maintaining the buffer stocks and supplying rice and wheat through the public distribution system, was following certain policies which were creating confusion in the minds of farmers ad well as the state governments.

He wrote that the FCI has not fixed the target of procurement for the entire year in one go and that even though the production is increasing year by year the procurement is not keeping pace

“Due to these policies of FCI, it is becoming difficult for the states to plan an appropriate cropping pattern and explain the same to the farmers. For instance even though the production of rice in Telangana during Khariff 2021 was 55.75 lakh tonnes the procurement was only 32.66 lakh tonnes which is 59 per cent of the production. This was less than the 78 per cent procured in kharif 2019-20. Such wide variation in procurement levels does not allow the state to implement a rational cropping pattern,” reads the letter.

KCR pointed out that to clear these confusions and fix the appropriate target for procurement, he had personally met union minister for food and public distribution Piyush Goyal on September 25 and 26. “I requested that the annual target for procurement be fixed immediately. It is 50 days since I have met the Hon’ble Union Minister but no policy decision is taken and communicated to us,” he wrote.

KCR also brought to the notice of Modi that since the formation of the state in 2014, Telangana achieved tremendous progress in agriculture sector and claimed that this was due to a series of policies and measures taken by the state government to strengthen agriculture sector.

The farmers were given encouragement in terms of investment support of Rs 10,000 per acre for year and free 24/7 quality power. The hardworking farmers of Telangana have increased the yields in a significant way, thereby constructing to the progress of the country.

KCR pointed out that before the formation of the state there was drought and hunger prevalent everywhere. Today, due to the enormous increase in irrigation facilities, Telangana is not only able to meet its food grain requirements but has become a huge grain surplus state.

“The farmers of Telangana are now able to produce for the rest of the country and this progress is also known to you,” he added.

Kamal Nath calls tribal leaders for meeting on Nov 24

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Kamal Nath calls tribal leaders for meeting on Nov 24

Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief and former chief minister Kamal Nath has called party’s MLAs and other leaders of Schedule Tribes (ST) for a meeting in the state capital on November 24 to chalk out strategy for the upcoming panchayat elections.

“All leaders and workers of all 89 tribal dominated blocks of 22 districts will be present in the meeting in view of party’s preparation for upcoming gram panchayat elections in the state,” a party spokesperson said.

Sources said that the party has also planned to organise some special events to garner tribal votes in the state.

In September too, the Congress had organised an event to bring all tribal leaders and workers on one stage.

The State Election Commission has already issued instructions to Panchayat and Rural Development Department to prepare for elections, which will be held in three phases from December 20 to January 3.

On the ther hand, the BJP-led state government on Wednesday kicked off scheme – ‘Ration Aapke Gram’ in 89 tribal-dominated areas in the state.

Priyanka to interact with women in UP’s Bundelkhand today

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Priyanka to interact with women in UP’s Bundelkhand today

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will start a direct dialogue with women in Bundelkhand under the aegis of her campaign ‘Ladki hoon, lad sakti hun’.

The meeting is slated to take place at Ramghat in Chitrakoot on Wednesday.

This is another step by the Congress to consolidate woman power for the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh.

According to state Congress president Ajay Kumar Lallu, the party is aware of the kind of challenges women are facing in their everyday life because of the faulty policies of the ruling government.

“No other party has taken up the cause of women. Our leader Priyanka Gandhi will lend a patient hearing to the plight of women in Bundelkhand region,” he said.

Political analysts stated that the selection of Chitrakoot as the venue for a dialogue with women was a carefully curated move as the Ramghat area of the district is, perhaps, one of the only other places to be close to the life of Lord Ram who has played a key role in drawing the political canvas of Uttar Pradesh in recent decades.

Lord Ram spent over 11 years of his term in exile in Chitrakoot. It is also believed to be the place where Maharishi Valmiki scripted the Ramayana. The agenda of political messaging by Priyanka becomes clear amid reports that she would be visiting the temple area and seek the blessings of Kamtanathji – the deity worshipped by Lord Ram,” said one of Congress leaders.

Earlier, the Congress had announced to give 40 per cent reservation in tickets to women candidates in the upcoming Assembly elections.

The party has also announced sops that include tabs and e-scooters to girls who pass Class 12 and Rs 10,000 as honorarium to ASHA workers.

BJP, Cong yet to finalise candidates for council elections in K’taka

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BJP, Cong yet to finalise candidates for council elections in K’taka

Even as elections to the Legislative Council known as Upper House in Karnataka legislature are nearing, major political parties — ruling BJP and opposition Congress — have not been able to finalise their candidates yet.

The elections for 25 council seats will be held on December 10 and the process of nomination has begun on Tuesday. The results will be out on December 14.

According to sources, the candidates list was supposed to be finalised by November 18 by both parties. However, competition within party leaders for tickets is delaying the process. The list is expected to be out by November 20 or 21. The BJP has decided to announce the candidates list in a phased manner.

State BJP unit has considered the elections very seriously as there is a good opportunity to rein in Council for the first time in the history.

The probable candidates list has been already finalised by the state BJP and sent for approval by the central leaders. The parliamentary board of the party is likely to finalise the list by Wednesday night and announce the list in two phases. The first list is likely to be announced on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and state party President Nalin Kumar Kateel who want to leave no stone unturned to establish majority in Council, have prepared a list on the criterion of winnability of candidates, according to sources.

November 23 is the last date for the submission of nominations. The BJP is strategising to win 18 seats from the total of 25. The BJP high command has directed the leaders to take all possible steps to ensure victory of BJP candidates.

Opposition Congress is also trying hard to quell dissent within the party. The Congress candidates represented 14 seats out of 25, which are going to elections.

Six candidates have decided not to contest the MLC elections and are eyeing MLA tickets for the 2023 Assembly elections.

Priyanka to start dialogue with women in Chitrakoot

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Priyanka to start dialogue with women in Chitrakoot

 Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will start a direct dialogue with women – “Ladki hun lad sakti hun” in Chitrakoot on Wednesday at Ramghat.

The venue has been chosen to give subtle message as Chitrakoot has religious importance and had its own identity since times immemorial. The first known mention of the place is in the Valmiki’s Ramayan, which is believed to be the first ever Mahakavya. Valmiki speaks of Chitrakoot as an eminently holy place.

The Congress General Secretary will also visit temple in the area. The Congress is making big promises to the fairer gender and hopes to make inroads in the women vote bank.

The Congress has prepared a separate manifesto for women for the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. Priyanka Gandhi had announced last month that her party will give 40 per cent tickets to women in the polls slated for early next year, saying the decision is aimed at making women, who constitute roughly half the vote bank, a “full-fledged partner in power”.

The other assurances include an honorarium of Rs 10,000 per month to ASHA and Anganwadi workers; appointment of women to 40 per cent posts according to the provisions of reservation; pension of Rs 1,000 to old widows; and opening of 75 skill schools that will be named after the brave women of the state.

The Congress is trying to consolidate women power in its favour for the Assembly polls.

She had said last month that all class 12 pass girls will be given a smartphone while all graduate girls will get an electric scooter if her party forms a government in the state.

Vice Prez to inaugurate Bengaluru Tech Summit 2021

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Vice Prez to inaugurate Bengaluru Tech Summit 2021

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu will inaugurate the 24th edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit 2021 on Wednesday.

While Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett and Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison will participate virtually, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will be present at the event.

Minister of Science and Technology, Higher Education & IT, BT of Karnataka N. Ashwath Narayan on Tuesday visited the venue to inspect the preparations. Speaking to media, he said: the 24th edition of the event which is being conducted in hybrid format will witness participation of over 30 countries.

“For the first time South Africa, Vietnam, and UAE will be participating in the BTS. It is also for the first time that mutual participation of Karnataka and Australia through BTS and Sydney Dialogue is being arranged.”

“As part of this, the Sydney Dialogue sessions will be held during the same time (November 17-19). On November 18, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually address the session, which will be streamed on the BTS platform.

He further said “India Innovative Alliance” and India US Tech Conclave initiatives have been introduced for the first time.

“BTS-2021 will bring together global leaders, Indian Corporate, R&D, and Start-Ups from electronics, IT, Deeptech & Biotech and policymakers driving the next wave of innovation into one platform.”

The event having 75+ conference sessions is expected to see the participation of 300+ speakers, 5,000+ start-up attendees, 300+ exhibitors, 20,000+ business attendees and overall digital reach to half a million tech enthusiasts, he added.

Keynote speakers at BTS include Martin Schroeter, CEO, Kyndryl, Prof Klaus Schwab, Founder and Chairman, World Economic Forum, Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, Indian-American Physician, Priya Balasubramaniam, Vice President, Operations Apple Inc., Anant Maheshwari, President, Microsoft India, GavenStandon, Executive Partner Ecosystem, Telstra, Gil Shwed, Founder and CEO, Checkpoint among others.

Chetan Bhagat, Indian Author & Columnist will deliver a plenary talk on November 19.

Mamata likely to meet Modi next week

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Mamata likely to meet Modi next week

If everything goes according to the schedule then Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the middle of next week.

According to official sources Banerjee might go to Delhi on November 22 and is likely to return on November 25. During her two-day stay in the national capital, she is likely to meet the Prime Minister and discuss pending issues.

Sources in the CMO (Chief Minister’s Office) indicated that the discussion of the Chief Minister with the Prime Minister might revolve around the pending financial dues of the state and the recent extension of the operation area of BSF from 15 kilometres to 50 kilometres. The chief minister is also likely to meet the leaders of the opposition parties, including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

The extension of the area of operation of the BSF has triggered political controversy and several Trinamool Congress leaders have raised their voices against the Centre’s decision alleging that this is an intrusion in the federal structure of the country.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has written to the Prime Minister protesting against the Centre’s decision. Trinamool Congress have even decided to bring a resolution against this in the Assembly on Tuesday. Senior Trinamool leader Sougata Roy said that the party will raise their voice in the winter session of Parliament. So, it is expected that Banerjee will have a discussion with the Prime Minister on this issue, sources said.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also been vocal regarding the pending financial dues of the state. It is expected that she will also apprise the Prime Minister about the financial dues of the state. Recently the Minister of State for finance Chandrima Bhattacharya raised the issue during a meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday.

According to the state, the Centre is increasing its income by imposing cess, but the states are not getting their share. The state’s demand was that the the authority to take a loan of 5 per cent of the GDP by the Centre was accepted at only 3.5 per cent. Not only that, the state has been alleging that they are not getting the portion of the central funds for the centre-state run projects. The Centre is also not releasing funds for the disaster affected people. These issues are likely to take the centre stage of the discussion.

In July after coming to power for the third time Banerjee went to Delhi and met several leaders, including Sonia Gandhi but things have changed in these few months. Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee have repeatedly attacked the Congress for their inability to lead the opposition against BJP.

With the Trinamool trying to spread its organisation to smaller states like Goa and Tripura, the perspective of Trinamool Congress and Mamata Banerjee have changed in the last five months. The party that was once considered to be a regional outfit is trying to emerge as an alternative to the Congress nationally. So Mamata Banerjee’s meeting with the opposition leaders will definitely have a significance.

Telangana CM pays tributes to Birsa Munda

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Telangana CM pays tributes to Birsa Munda

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday paid tributes to tribal leader and freedom fighter Birsa Munda on his 146th birth anniversary.

The Chief Minister noted that Birsa Munda had sacrificed his life at a very young age fighting for the country’s independence, for the self-respect and rights of the adivasis, tribes and found a permanent place in the history of the country’s freedom movement.

KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, said that under self-governance in Telangana, the government is implementing several welfare and development programmes for the adivasis, tribes and protecting their self-respect.

The Union government has declared November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas or Tribal Pride Day as a tribute to Birsa Munda.

Born on November 15, 1875, in Ulihatu village in present day Jharkhand, Birsa Munda participated in the freedom movement.

PM Modi attends ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ celebrations in Bhopal

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PM Modi attends ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ celebrations in Bhopal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday participated in the ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ celebrations in Bhopal.

He reached the Jamburi maidan, where over two lakh people had gathered from across Madhya Pradesh to celebrate the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

Upon reaching, Modi inspected a tribal museum, their handcrafts and interacted with senior citizens of the communities.

People had started reaching the venue since early morning by special buses and vehicles from different districts. Those from far away places had reached the capital last night only.

The tribal groups were spotted in their traditional attires.

Soon after Modi ascended the dais, he was welcomed by Union and state cabinet ministers. A traditional folk dance was performed by a group of tribals.

Spread over five acres, Jamburi maidan was choc-a-block with people.

After addressing a packed gathering here, Modi left for Habibganj railway station which has been renovated at a cost of Rs 100 crore and renamed Rani Kamlapati station and dedicated it to the nation.

All India DGP conference in Lucknow from Nov 19

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All India DGP conference in Lucknow from Nov 19

The first all-India conference of Directors General of Police (DGP) and Inspectors General (IG) will be held at the Police Headquarters in Lucknow from November 19 to 21.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest, while the three-day meet will also have Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in attendance.

The conference is being organised by the Intelligence Bureau (IB).

According to official sources, on the inaugural day, Shah will be the guest and will give away medals.

The Prime Minister will attend the meet on November 20 and 21 and also give medals besides addressing the conference.

About 80 officers of the rank of DGPs and IGs from states and other forces will attend the conference.

Key security issues such as left-wing extremism, terrorism, cybercrime, crime against women, the Covid-19 pandemic and other challenges will be discussed at the meet.

Each state DGP will give a presentation and several committees of IGs have been formed to hold sessions on key topics.

Meanwhile, preparations are being held on war-footing for the event.

CCTVs are being installed and a separate force of about 2,000 cops drawn from Lucknow police Commissionerate has been prepared for security.

Night-vision drones will also be deployed.

Rahul says Hinduism & Hindutva are different

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Rahul says Hinduism & Hindutva are different

After a controversy erupted over remarks made by senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid in his new book ‘Sunrise Over Ayodhya: Nationhood in Our Times’, the Congress seems to have got into more trouble with Rahul Gandhi saying that Hinduism and Hindutva are different things.

Speaking virtually at a party function he said, “Is there something common between Hindutva and Hinduism, what is the difference between Hinduism and Hindutva. If they are the same why they have different names — why then use name of Hinduism, and not Hindutva.”

He asked “is there something common between what Guru Nanak, Kabir, Gandhiji and King Ashoka said about the Hindutva ideology? The difference between Hinduism as we know it & Hindutva? Are they same thing? Can they be same thing? They are obviously two different things.”

Rahul Gandhi said the RSS has overshadowed the Congress ideology. “Today whether we like it or not, the divisive, hateful ideology of the RSS-BJP has overshadowed the loving, affectionate and nationalistic ideology of the Congress. We have to accept it. Our ideology is alive, it’s vibrant but it has been overshadowed.”

He said we have to train groups of people who have understanding of the ideology and connect with the issues and we have to explore and understand and develop a group of people who understand the difference between these and apply these differences to issues.

The debate on Hindutva is already in the public domain and the Congress is facing flak from the BJP. A passage from a chapter titled ‘The Saffron Sky’ from Khurshid’s book reads: “Sanatan Dharma and classical Hinduism known to sages and saints were being pushed aside by a robust version of Hindutva, by all standards a political version similar to the jihadist Islam of groups like ISIS and Boko Haram of recent years.”

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad disagreed and said in a statement, “We do not agree with Hindutva as political ideology distinct from composite culture of Hinduism, but comparing Hindutva with ISIS and Jehadi Islamist is factually wrong and an exaggeration.”

Meanwhile, Vineet Jindal, a Delhi-based lawyer, on Thursday filed a complaint with the police against Khurshid for the remarks made in his book, demanding an FIR be lodged against Khurshid under Sections 153, 153A, 298 and 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code.

YSRCP announces 11 candidates for Legislative Council polls

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YSRCP announces 11 candidates for Legislative Council polls

Andhra Pradesh’s ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Friday announced 11 candidates for the upcoming Member of Legislative Council (MLC) elections under Local Authorities’ Constituencies (LACs) quota.

Veteran leader and former Union Minister of State Ummareddy Venkateswarlu has been renominated by the YSRCP. He was the YSRCP floor leader in the Legislative Council and his term had ended in June this year.

Raghu Raju of Vizianagaram, Varudhu Kalyani and Vamshi Krishna Yadav of Visakhapatnam, Anantha Babu of East Godavari, Talasila Raghuram and Mondithoka Arun Kumar of Krishna, Ummareddy Venkateswarulu and Murugudu Hanumantha Rao of Guntur, Thumati Madhava Rao of Prakasam, Barath Krishna of Chittoor and Y Siva Rami Reddy of Anantapur are the candidates announced by the ruling party.

Earlier, YSRCP announced Palavalasa Vikrant of Srikakulam, Ishaq Basha of Kurnool and DC Govindar Reddy of YSR Kadapa district as nominees under the MLA quota.

Government Advisor (Public Affairs) Sajjala Rama Krishna Reddy told reporters that Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy continued his endeavour to widen the social base by allocating six seats to Backward Classes and Minorities and one seat to Schedule Caste Madiga.

He pointed out that of 18 members who are currently in legislative council, 11 people belong to BC, SC and minorities and added that once the recently announced candidates win the elections, 18 out of 32 members in Legislative Council would be from BC, SC and Minority classes.

He said for the first time in the history of the Legislative Council there will be four members belonging to Minorities.

Elections to 11 seats of the Legislative Council from LACs quota are scheduled to be held on December 10.

Elections to three seats from Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) quota will be held on November 29.

Bengal govt to bring resolution against extension of BSF jurisdiction

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Bengal govt to bring resolution against extension of BSF jurisdiction

The West Bengal government is planning to bring a resolution in the Assembly against the extension of jurisdiction of the BSF in the state.

After Punjab, West Bengal will be the second state to bring such a resolution.

Earlier on Friday, the Union Home Secretary held a meeting with the state officials over infiltration and fencing of border.

The Central government had last month amended the BSF Act to authorise the border guarding force to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a 50 km stretch, up from the existing 15 km, from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam.

Both Punjab and West Bengal have opposed the move.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing the move and asked him to revoke the decision immediately because, according to her, it will have an effect on the federal structure of the country.

“See what took place at the border… ‘Law and order’ is a state subject. It’s not there in the BSF Act. There will be miscommunication between the police and BSF. We will discuss in the Assembly under Rule 185 and will place the demand to revoke extension of BSF jurisdiction,” Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Partha Chatterjee said.

Chatterjee was referring to the incident at Sitai in Coochbehar where three persons including one Indian and two Bangladeshis have been killed in the BSF firing.

“There is no need for this kind of decision. There is no need for this kind of extension. This is an effort to put a hand on the state’s jurisdiction,” MLA of Dinhata in Coochbehar, Udayan Guha told the assembly on Friday.

Alleging that BSF is hand in glove with the smugglers and infiltrators, Guha said: “They have a fencing in Coochbehar which is secure and hard to cross. They only open the gates three times for an hour each time. Now in this condition how can infiltrators enter without their help? The Central government should try to control its forces first without trying to overstep into the jurisdiction of the state.”

Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee chief Adhir Choudhury also said that the state government should make it clear to the Centre that they are unwilling to accept the move of the MHA and for which an assembly resolution is much needed. He said that the people of the bordering districts will not feel safe with the enhanced power of BSF.

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