Report Wire

Category: Politics

  • KC Tyagi, face of JDU outside Bihar, resigns as spokesperson

    New Delhi: Longtime Janata Dal (United) national spokesperson, KC Tyagi, resigned from the post of national spokesperson on Saturday evening. Tyagi was the political advisor and national spokesperson of JDU. His resignation was accepted by the party on Sunday and Rajeev Ranjan was appointed in place of Tyagi.

    After receiving his resignation letter, Tyagi was called by Bihar chief minister and JDU president Nitish Kumar, following which Tyagi agreed to remain as the party’s political advisor.

    In his letter to Nitish Kumar, Tyagi said he was not comfortable with the kind of debate TV channels were holding and he was unable to put forward the vision of JDU. Though Tyagi said he was resigning for personal reasons, sources told ET that he was asked to resign by the party leadership.Recent statements regarding the lateral entry into government jobs and Tyagi’s stand on Israel Palestine conflict where he demanded the Indian government to stop supplying ammunition to Israel, didn’t go along well with the party leadership.

    The JDU leadership is trying to showcase a completely insync relationship with the BJP and Tyagi’s day to day statements were a big deterrent and creating confusion among the leadership of the two NDA partners.

    The new JDU, post2024, has been grappling with enforcing the leadership decisions of the party and is trying to set a standard guideline to be followed by party leaders. Senior JDU leader and Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary on Thursday launched an attack on the Bhumihar. The community is considered to be strong supporters of the BJP. The attack has led to some Bhumihar leaders from the JDU like Jagdish Sharma and party spokesperson Neeraj Kumar to attack Choudhary.The JDU leadership is accessing the extent of the damage caused by Choudhary and the party is trying to evolve a media strategy where leaders will not be allowed to share their opinion with the media unless there is an approval from the party leadership.

    Shyam Rajak joins JDU

    Amidst all this, the party is also trying to extend its base. On Sunday, former Bihar minister and RJD leader Shyam Rajak joined the party in the presence of senior leadership. Rajak is likely to contest the assembly elections in 2025 on a JDU ticket.

  • Rahul Gandhi to visit US from Sept 8 to 10

    Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will visit the US from September 8 to September 10 during which he will hold numerous interactions in Washington DC and Dallas, including at the University of Texas.

    Incidentally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to visit the US late September.

    Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress, Sam Pitroda on Saturday shared details of Gandhi’s first visit to the US after becoming the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. “Since Rahul Gandhi has become the leader of the opposition, I as chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, with a presence in 32 countries have been bombarded with requests from Indian diaspora diplomats, academicians, businessmen, leaders, international media and many others for interactions. with Rahul Gandhi,” Pitroda said in a video statement.

  • UCC must for gender parity, says VP Jagdeep Dhankhar

    NEW DELHI: Close on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi espousing a secular civil code for the nation during his Independence Day speech, vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday stressed on the need for a uniform civil code (UCC), saying it is a ” constitutional ordinance” as it is mentioned in the Directive Principles. UCC will be a big contributor to the cause of gender justice, he said.

    “Uniform civil code is a constitutional ordinance. It is in Directive Principles (of State Policy). The Supreme Court has severely that it is being delayed but UCC, which has been on the shelf for too long, is a small measure of justice to your (women) segment… It will help in several ways but majorly it will help your gender,” Dhankhar said while addressing students of Bharati College, a women’s college affiliated to the University of Delhi.

    Article 44 of the Constitution, under the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), suggests that there should be a UCC in the country. However, provisions listed under DPSP are not binding on the government and hence not justiciable. PM Modi had also stated in his speech that the Supreme Court has often suggested that there should be a UCC.

    Dhankhar emphasized that a UCC would ensure gender parity in society and at the workplace as well as help create a level playing field for all.

  • JMMCongress front takes guard amid ChampaiBJP bonding

    As former Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren, the veteran JMM leader who quit the party, is set to join the BJP on Friday, the JMMCongressRJDCPI(ML) ruling coalition in the state is adopting a cautious approach to deal with the potential fallout of the influential tribal leader’s angry exit.

    A section of the coalition said the immediate task is to ensure that Soren’s exit does not destabilize the JMMled government of CM Hemant Soren ahead of the assembly election in the state, expected by OctoberNovember.

    The JMM and Congress camps exuded confidence, claiming Champai Soren would not be able to trigger a largescale exodus of JMM MLAs before the polls and that the ruling coalition has sufficient numbers to be comfortably placed in the assembly.Still, they expect some disgruntled and suspended JMM functionaries, including a suspended MLA, to make use of the new opportunities. The Congress leadership is also keeping a close eye on some restive elements, including a few party MLAs.

    However, many leaders in the ruling coalition consider the longterm task of the JMM guarding against the electoral impact of Champai Soren in crucial areas, especially his stronghold of Kolhan and across the Santhal Pargana belt, as a far more delicate task.

    “The JMMCongressRJDCPI (ML) alliance is united and we will fight the elections together,” said a senior leader of the coalition, who did not wish to be identified. “While we stood by Hemant Soren ji when he was in Jail, and backed his decision to return as CM (by replacing Champai), now it will be up to Hemant ji to guard his party base from the Champai SorenBJP moves.” Some said that when Hemant Sorenled JMM managed to withstand a rift within the family when Shibu Soren’s daughterinlaw Sita Soren quit the party and joined the BJP (she lost the Lok Sabha election) the party would similarly fight back. after Champai Soren’s rebellion as well. Others, however, pointed out that, unlike Sita, Champai is an entrenched politician. While the JMMled government is banking on Hemant Soren triggering a sympathy wave among tribals over his recent arrest and jailing, some are cautious given how another jailed INDIA bloc CM, Arvind Kejriwal of AAP, failed to stir up any sympathy in Delhi during the general election.

  • Third Eye: Left wondering, on lighter note and coconut weapon

    Left wonderingIn a move that has left the Naval community confused, former Navy chief Admiral Hari Kumar has quit as chairman of National Maritime Foundation. Traditionally, the most recently retired Navy chief functions as chairman of the foundation. While he took charge just a few months ago, those still part of the foundation are wondering what triggered Admiral Kumar’s move.On lighter noteThe collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue in Sindhudurg has caused a political storm in Maharashtra. But there was a lighter side to the issue too. Asked if this is a bad omen for BJP ahead of assembly polls, a senior BJP leader said Sharad Pawar does not believe in such superstitions, so collapse will not be viewed as a positive or negative sign by him and his followers. This logic could be debatable as Pawar, Sena (UBT) and Congress have aggressively cornered BJP on the incident. Coconut weaponUsually, politicians invite film personalities and other celebrities to watch trained ‘Govindas’ form pyramids to break Dahi Handis. However, BJP’s Kirit Somaiya thought otherwise and decided to be a star himself. Somaiya, 70, was part of a 2.5 tier pyramid that was formed to ensure his balance with four people holding him. Not content with this, Somaiya then attempted to break the pot with his bare hands. After trying twice, he gave up and used a coconut to break the pot.

  • JJP allies with Azad’s party for Haryana polls

    The Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) on Tuesday announced that it has entered into an alliance with Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) of Chandrashekhar Azad, its fourth ally since its inception in 2019. As per the agreement, JJP will contest on 70 seats while ASP (Kanshi Ram) on 20.

    With JatsDalits voting as one block in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and their combined vote share accounting to more than 45%, all the main players in Haryana politics, including the Congress and Indian National Lok Dal, are looking to woo this section.

    These two communities Jats with 25% vote share and SCs with 21% backed the Congress in 2024 polls and increased its tally from zero in the 2019 elections to five seats in 2024. Abhay Chautalaled INLD has also announced its alliance. with Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP).

  • Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections: Congress announces candidates for nine seats

    The Congress on Tuesday announced a list of nine candidates who will contest in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections in a document signed by AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal.

    Prominent leaders announced were Ghulam Ahmad Mir from Dooru and Vikar Rasool Wani from Banihal. While Peerzada Mohd Syed will contest for the important Anantnag constituency, Sheikh Riaz seeks the Doda seat.

    Earlier today, the Congress and NC announced their seat sharing agreement. NC will contest in 51 seats, Congress gets 32 seats and five seats would be fought in a friendly manner by the two parties.

    Jammu and Kashmir will be voting in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, marking the first time since the abrogation of Article 370. The counting of votes is scheduled for October 4.

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    Here is the full list of Congress candidates and their Assembly seats:Surinder Singh Channi Tral Amanullah Mantoo Devsar Ghulam Ahmad MirPeerzada Mohd Syed Anantnag Sheikh Zafarullah Inderwal Nadeem Sharief Bhadrwah Sheikh Riaz Doda Dr Pradeep Kumar Bhagat Doda West Wikar Rasool WaniBanihal

  • CBI gets nod to bring to trial Lalu Prasad Yadav’s former OSD in landforjobs case

    The Central Bureau of Investigation has received sanction to prosecute Bhola Yadav, former officer on special duty (OSD) to former railway minister Lalu Prasad, for his alleged role in the landforjobs case.

    An intimation to this effect was given by CBI to a local court last week. As per available information, the competent authorities of Central Railway and Western Central Railway zone have agreed sanction to prosecute Bhola Yadav in the alleged scandal.

    The two sanctions were placed on record by CBI last week. The court was also informed that the CBI’s request seeking sanction for prosecution against Lalu Prasad and 31 other public servants is “under consideration” of the competent authorities.Irked by the delay in grant of sanction to prosecute Lalu Prasad and 31 others, a local court last month directed the authorities to take a decision on the same by August 20. The court had made it clear that in absence of any final decision, an authorized official from the office of the said competent authority shall appear in person to explain the delay.

    According to people in the know, an authorized official was present in the court last week. The court was informed that the CBI’s request is “under consideration”. As regards Lalu Prasad, the competent authority to accord prosecution sanction is the Union home ministry. As regards other public servants, the sanction will have to be decided by the railways ministry.

    CBI had previously received sanction to prosecute Lalu Prasad for his alleged involvement in the case. The agency had filed two charge sheets elaborating the former minister’s alleged role in illegal recruitment of employees in two zones Central and Western Central Railway.However, CBI filed its final and composite charge sheet in the case, including all the remaining railway zones (besides Central and Western Central). Lalu Prasad and some public servants were also charged in the final charge sheet. It is for this final charge sheet that CBI had sought prosecution sanction from the competent authorities in June. A decision on the same is awaited. In June, CBI had filed its final charge sheet against Lalu Prasad, wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav, daughter Hema Yadav, and the then OSD, Bhola Yadav, among others. A total of 78 individuals, including candidates (beneficiaries), were named in the charge sheet by CBI.

    In its July 15 order, a special court had impressed upon the need for an expeditious decision on sanction. The order said: “The proceedings in the entirety of the three charge sheets and the two supplementary charge sheets are presently at a standstill for want of decision on the aspect of sanction for prosecution of the public servants in question.”

  • Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray lead MVA protests against Badlapur minors sexual assault case

    The Maha opposition alliance Vikas Aghadi on Saturday staged protests in different districts of Maharashtra against the Badlapur sexual assault case and the state’s handling of the incident.

    Uddhav Thackeray, who heads the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray Sena, held a ‘silent’ protest at Dadar’s Sena Bhavan, whereas Nationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar staged a protest in Pune.

  • Third eye: Not so impactful after all & name calling being called out

    What is there in caste?So far, not many people bothered to know about Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot’s caste. But his ‘Dalit’ background has come to the fore ever since he permitted prosecution of chief minister Siddaramaiah. The Congress party’s attacks on him as BJP’s puppet has not gone down well with the saffron party, which finds the comment insulting to a Dalit governor. The Congress, far from being defensive, is asking the BJP why then Gehlot has not been made a Union minister. Not so impactful after allRecently at a Nagpur tour, MNS president Raj Thackeray said if he becomes the chief minister after the upcoming assembly polls, he would “clean up the state” in just a few hours. But it looks like Thackeray forgot to say this to his own cadres. Barely minutes after he left a party meeting in Chandrapur, two groups of his cadres came to blows and began assaulting each other in the same venue over who gets an assembly ticket. Also, the meeting also saw the wallets of many senior cadres stolen in Chandrapur. Name calling being called out Recent action of BJP Rajasthan incharge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal has irked some party leaders in the state. During a recent meeting of a membership drive, senior state BJP leader Rajendra Rathor left the meeting midway. Later, when Agarwal came to address the meeting, he took on Rathor for leaving the meeting early and sought a report of all the leaders who were not present in the meeting or left early. Now some state leaders are not very happy with the public name call.