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  • “Shakti” of good to triumph over inept, inefficient, indifferent Congress governments: Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal

    The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said that Congress and its allies are flag bearers of nepotism, corruption, division and corruption.

    He addressed multiple meetings where he met and interacted with party cadres of BJP and AGP at Makum, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh Legislative Assembly constituencies under the Dibrugarh Parliamentary constituency.

    Highlighting the good work done by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the last one decade, the “Shakti” of Bharat would triumph over inept, inefficient, indifferent of Congress led opposition, added Sonowal, the BJP nominated candidate for Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency. Sonowal called upon party cadres to harness their Shakti to trounce any opposition towards realization of the vision of Viksit Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat.Sonowal said, “It is heartening to witness such an enthusiastic response from both BJP and AGP the party cadres as we join our Power to win people's mandate. The Narendra Modi led NDA government has worked tirelessly towards championing the elevation of the poor & the marginal with the Antodaya approach. This has helped more than 25 crores Indians come out of object poverty in last one decade. This is a great realization towards improving the quality of lives for everyone in the country. The successful welfare schemes like Ujjwala, PM Awas Yojana, Swacha Bharat, Aiyushman Bharat and many more have helped people to reap the benefits of a democratic welfare country, that were long denied under the sixty years of Congress or Congress led governments. The inept, inefficient, indifference of Congress governments must be defeated with the 'Shakti' of Bharat be it Yuva Shakti, Nari Shakti, farmers and the poor. The NDA government, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is committed to harness this Shakti to power rebuilding of Bharat as it envisions to become a Vista Bharat, Atmanirbhar Bharat by 2047.”

    “Congress and its allies are flag bearers of nepotism, corruption, division and corruption. The BJP led NDA, on the other hand, champions the heritage of Bharat to build a robust foundation of a nation that aims at development and prosperity,” added Sarbananda Sonowal said while campaigning in various parts of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts, including the newly formed Makum assembly constituency. Sonowal held various organizational meetings with party workers and called for intensifying the campaign by further accelerating public outreach by creating awareness about the various welfare measures through schemes taken by the BJP's double engine governments.

    “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the double engine BJP led governments have been able to deliver good governance. Today, people from all walks of life, whether from Barak or Brahmaputra valleys, whether from hills or valleys, are living a life of dignity, secured, and equipped with a vision to build a new nation that is strong, prosperous, healthy, and happy. The people of Dibrugarh have also acknowledged the elevation of quality of lives with the efficient delivery of welfare development schemes, equipping communications with world class infrastructure, steps to secure and empower the social ethos of our society, modernize the nation with better education for the children. and measures to improve the health of the society. PM Narendra Modi has not only brought development, but also came down heavily on Terrorism, Corruption,” said Sonowal.”When the NDA was in power under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the people were able to see the face of development & good governance. In the last 10 years, people saw the same spirit of governance of inclusivity and development under the leadership of Modi ji. Today, the people can witness the competition India is entering with top advanced countries like America, China, or Japan. It is important that this trend of governance continues so that the vision of Modiji's 'Viksit Bharat' and for that, we must ensure that people give a decisive mandate. We, the people of Assam and people of Dibrugarh, must also join this historic movement to make 'Viksit Assam in a Viksit Bharat'. To be strong in Dibrugarh means that Assam is strong, Assam is strong means India is strong. With your energy and enthusiasm, we must ensure win for BJP and contribute to the 'Abki Baar 400 Paar' with 'Akow Ebaar, Modi Sarkar',” called Sonowal.On the occasion of the BJP's foundation day on April 6, senior party leader Sarbananda Sonowal appealed the party cadres to hoist the party flag at the homes, especially by all the office bearers of every booth committees of Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency.

  • Byelections in 26 ACs across India; 6 Himachal Congress rebels' seats to go on polls on June 1

    Byelections in 26 ACs across India; 6 Himachal Congress rebels' seats to go on polls on June 1

  • BJP eyes gains from polarization due to CAA

    While notification of Rules of The Citizenship Amendment Act and consequent enforcement of the law has put the future of thousands of Muslim immigrants in jeopardy, it has served to polarize the electorate in equal measure. Enforcement of the law on the eve of elections after a wait of four years gives BJP another handle to rally the Hindutva votes behind it while parties like Congress, TMC, CPIM have strongly opposed it on the grounds that it will lead to persecution of Muslims.

    West Bengal and Assam are expectedly witnessing the impact of CAA implementation with TMC and Congress opposing it vociferously in the respective states. TMC plans to hold a roadshow in Siliguri on Wednesday while chief minister Mamta Banerjee has declared CAA as “unconstitutional and discriminatory” and a violation of Article 14 (Right to Equality).

    The Matua community, which is in favor of CAA as it will guarantee it the right to citizenship in India, firmly backs BJP and this had helped the saffron party win the Bongaon Lok Sabha seat in 2019. Sitting MP and Union Minister Shantanu Thakur, who hails from this caste, has been fielded again by the BJP.“Mamta Banerjee is provoking the people to protest against CAA and also giving it a communal angle,” Sukanta Majumdar, BJP West Bengal unit chief, told ET.

    Muslim population in West Bengal is estimated to be 30% and forms a sizable chunk of the TMC votebase. BJP seeks to gain by polarizing the Hindu votes in its favor on the issue of Muslim migrants from Bangladesh.

    In Assam, there is an overwhelming support to CAA due to resentment with the Mia Muslims who have settled down the state and the resultant polarization will help the BJP. There have been protests in parts of the state against this law. In Kerala, where BJP tries to woo the Christian voters along with the Hindus with limited success, CAA has given a new ray of hope. Chief Minister and CPM leader Pinarayi Vijayan has said CAA will not be implemented in the state. With CAA keeping only the Muslim migrants out, BJP expects the Christians to support it while the Left parties and Congress vie for the Muslim vote. “In Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), the Christians constitute 14% of the votes while Muslims are only 9.1%. Similarly, in Pathanamthitta (where Sabarimala temple is located) and Thrissur, the Christians and Hindus outnumber Muslims. On the other hand, the Muslim vote will be divided in Kerala between CPM and Congress,” K Rajasekharan, senior BJP leader, told ET. Some Christian missionaries have reportedly backed CAA.

    The reactions of BJP's political opponents against CAA makes it clear that the saffron party's aim of polarizing votes on communal lines is working though their criticism that this law is a violation of Article 14 and 15 has wide support.

    Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has said that CAA notification after four years and three months and after seeking nine extensions from the Supreme Court, the BJP government has notified the rules to polarize the elections, especially in West Bengal and Assam.

    NC leader Omar Abdullah has said CAA is BJP's gift to Muslims on Ramadan, while PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti alleged this is an attempt to target Muslims.

  • 4 BRS Leaders, 1 From Congress Join BJP In Telangana Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls |

    New Delhi: Four leaders from Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and one from Congress joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday in the presence of party's General Secretary Tarun Chugh in New Delhi.

    The four BRS leaders who joined the BJP are former MP Godam Nagesh, former MLA Saidhi Reddy, former MP Sitaram Naik and former MLA Jalagam Venkat Rao. Also, Srinivas Gomase, who resigned as General Secretary from Telangana Congress also joined the BJP on Sunday.

    Welcoming these leaders in the party, BJP general secretary Tarun Chugh said that all these “eminent personalities” have played an important role in the society with their contributions.

    “Four former BRS leaders have joined today. All these are experts in their field. Godam Nagesh is a big voice. Saidhi Reddy is popular among people for providing employment opportunities. Sitaram Naik is a big name in himself, all his life he made contributions. to the society,” Tarun Chugh said.

    “Jalagam Venkat Rao has also played a crucial role in curbing the naxal movement. Srinivas Gomase who has resigned from Congress had also worked a lot for the Scheduled Castes community,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit Telangana on March 12 and will hold a meeting with the Bharatiya Janata Party booth committee president and party office bearers to provide guidance to the party's leaders and workers regarding the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

    The meeting will be chaired by the Union Home Minister at the LB Stadium in Hyderabad, where he will likely brief leaders about the strategies to be adopted in the parliamentary elections.

    The Bharatiya Janata Party has already announced candidates for nine out of the 17 parliamentary constituencies in Telangana for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

  • 'Kaan Khol Ke Sun Lo…': PM Modi's message to INDIA block over 'Parivarwaad' in politics

    'Kaan Khol Ke Sun Lo…': PM Modi's message to INDIA block over 'Parivarwaad' in politics

  • Lok Sabha polls: Will contest all 3 seats in Kashmir valley, says National Conference

    National Conference (NC) Tuesday said while the party will be contesting all the three Lok Sabha seats in the Kashmir valley, it is in talks with the Congress to decide on three seats of Jammu and Ladakh regions. Both the parties are members of the opposition INDIA bloc.

    The NC's announcement came after a marathon meeting of its parliamentary board at the party headquarters here.

    “The National Conference will contest these three seats from the valley on its own,” NC provincial president, Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani, told reporters after the meeting. The Farooq Abdullahled party, however, said discussions were on with the Congress for seat sharing on two seats in Jammu and one in Ladakh.

    “For the rest three seats, including Ladakh, talks with the Congress are on,” Wani said.

  • DNA Exclusive: Decoding Congress Party’s Love For Pakistan |

    NEW DELHI: Tonight’s episode of DNA delves into a recent development from Karnataka that has ignited a political firestorm over the last couple of days. Allegations swirl that during the celebrations following the Rajya Sabha election results in Karnataka, chants of “Pakistan Zindabad” reverberated outside the state assembly. Nasir Hussain, the triumphant candidate, stands accused of endorsing these chants during his victory festivities.

    While the BJP has mounted a vigorous offensive on this issue, the Congress government in Karnataka has taken a defensive stand. The pivotal question remains: were pro-Pakistan slogans indeed raised during Nasir Hussain’s celebration? Further complicating matters, Congress leader BK Hariprasad has voiced support for Pakistan, deepening the turmoil within the party.

    DNA: Karnataka heated up over Pakistan-supported slogan. DNA analysis of Congress leader’s love for Pakistan.

    Why is there sympathy in Congress regarding Pakistan? #DNA #DNAWithSourabh #Karnataka #Congress #Pakistan @saurabhraajjain pic.twitter.com/dSIIfG3Wr1 — Zee News (@ZeeNews) February 29, 2024


    In any nation, the euphoria of electoral victory often echoes through celebratory slogans, a manifestation of national pride. However, the recent events in Karnataka have left the Indian populace perturbed. The Rajya Sabha elections held on the 27th in Karnataka saw some MLAs casting their votes, resulting in Nasir Hussain’s ascension as the Congress representative. Nonetheless, the festive atmosphere soured when cries of “Pakistan Zindabad” emerged, sparking investigations into whether these chants stemmed from genuine support or conspiratorial machinations.

    The BJP has vehemently raised objections, prompting police intervention and the initiation of legal proceedings. As the Karnataka police sift through video evidence and endeavor to identify the parties involved, the BJP has amplified the issue across the state. Amidst this tumult, the veracity of a contentious video remains in question. While Nasir Hussain has refuted claims of endorsing pro-Pakistan sentiments, the BJP has sharpened its criticism of the Karnataka government, alleging favouritism towards Hussain.

    Congress’s BK Hariprasad’s recent statement, characterizing Pakistan as a neighbor for Congress and an enemy of the BJP, has further inflamed tensions. This ideological divergence underscores the BJP’s contention that Congress’s stance towards Pakistan elucidates its antipathy towards India’s interests. While India refrains from formally designating Pakistan as an enemy state, widespread acknowledgment exists of Pakistan’s adversarial actions, fueling public ire.

    Given the sensitivity surrounding Pakistan-related sentiments in India, the clamor for a thorough investigation has intensified. Only through meticulous scrutiny of pertinent videos can the truth be unearthed, ensuring accountability for those responsible. Tonight, on DNA, we dissect this unfolding saga, unraveling its implications within the political landscape.

  • Suvendu Adhikari urges people of West Bengal to vote for BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

    Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday said that the people of West Bengal should exercise their fundamental right of voting and should consider the BJP for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

    “We are responsible choices. Congress has been tested and rejected. So was the CPIM. We have seen in the last 11 years, how the party has been. Now, people should exercise an alternate responsible choice,” Adhikari said. “BJP will continue to fight against Trinamool Congress and Mamata Banerjee unless Banerjee becomes a former CM of the state,” the BJP leader added.

    “In Lok Sabha polls, defeat of Trinamool Congress is evident,” Adhikari said. “Women are consolidated against Trinamool Congress following the Sandeshkhali incident.”Ghar Wapsi of BJP MLA Soumen Roy, who won from Kaligunj with a BJP ticket in 2021 returned to BJP fold today. “It is a homecoming after 2.5 years. I won’t call it defect. Roy is a Rajbonshi community representative and his soul and family was with BJP. Originally a BJP MLA, Roy had defected to Trinamool Congress and now returns,” Adhikari said.

    “We are not willing to return home for everyone. We have refused such home return of Mukul Roy. We have allowed his gharwapsi of Roy as he never spoke against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party as such. Rajya Sabha MP Anant Maharaj has advised Roy to work in Bengal,” Adhikari said.

    Roy said his family is with the BJP. After the recent incident, Roy who returned to BJP expressed disbelief over TMC using the death of children for political gains. Adhikari meets CEOAdhikari said, “Bengal will witness different kinds of vote this time. It is not similar to what and how opposition was in CPIM’s time where Biman Basu ate fish fry with Mamata Banerjee.” “We have submitted 15,000page documents at the CEO office. We have urged him to take steps on the fake voters’ list,” Adhikari said, adding “Using a section of District Magistrates, major mismanagement has been done by the state administration. We have submitted 16.91 lakh fake voters’ lists.”

    “Today, we have submitted a list of 17 lakh plus duplicate voters to the EC in Bengal, where the name, relation name and age are exactly the same. Incidentally, in 2019, the gap between the BJP and TMC was 17 lakh,” Adhikari said in his X handle.

    “If elections in WB are to be fair, EC must clean up the duplication…” he said.

    In total, 150 companies of central forces will be coming to Bengal ahead of the declaration of Lok Sabha polls.

  • Himachal Crisis Live Updates: ‘Govt Is Safe…’, Says CM Sukhu After Meeting Congress Observers |

    New Delhi: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday said that they will continue to run the government for five years, amid a political turmoil in Himachal Pradesh after the Congress candidate lost the Rajya Sabha elections. “There is no question of resignation. The high command has not asked me or anyone else to resign,” Sukhu told PTI Videos while answering a question. He said, “The state BJP leaders did a lot of mischief. They did not have faith in their own people. They deployed CRPF and Haryana police. They used a helicopter.” The Congress suffered a shocking defeat in Himachal Pradesh, as the BJP won the state’s only Rajya Sabha seat with its candidate Harsh Mahajan beating Congress heavyweight Abhishek Manu Singhvi and possibly paving the way for a no-confidence motion in the assembly.

    The six Congress MLAs, who were given show-cause notice for violating the whip for Rajya Sabha polls on Tuesday, appeared before the Speaker with their lawyer and claimed that they did not receive all the relevant documents. The petition has been filed by the Congress against the six party MLAs who voted for the BJP in the Rajya Sabha elections.

    8:50 PM: Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh says, “There is a difference between taking back the resignation and not pressing the resignation till the time the dialogue and the action of the observers is not complete… We have talked to the observers. We have informed them about the present situation… I will not press my resignation until a decision is taken. The final decision will be taken in the coming time…”

    08:30 PM: Congress MP Rajeev Shukla says, “Our party observers who have come to Shimla are talking to the party MLAs and taking their opinion. First, they met the PCC Chief and also met Vikramaditya Singh. CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has said that he is not going to accept his resignation and he has also agreed not to press on his decision to resign…”

    08:00 PM: Here’s what senior Congress leader Kaul Singh Thakur said after attending a meeting with party observers (Deepender Hooda, Bhupesh Baghel and DK Shivakumar) in Shimla in view of the ongoing political crisis in Himachal Pradesh. “Our government will be safe at all costs. It is unfortunate that despite having a majority, we lost the Rajya Sabha polls (in Himachal Pradesh). Being a senior Congress leader, I appeal my friends who have gone to return to the party fold.”

    07:40 PM: After meeting with party Observers, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says, “…Discussion was held regarding elections. Our govt is safe…”

    06:50 PM: Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda – appointed as the Congress Observers of Himachal Pradesh – meet Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Party incharge for the state Rajeev Shukla and former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel also present.

    06:30 PM: “I am sad over the fact they (rebel MLAs) might be upset with me over a leading advocate like Abhishek Manu Singhvi, but not voting for candidates who should have been sent to Rajya Sabha from Himachal is betrayal with the party,” says Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu amid the ongoing political crisis in the state.

    06:00 PM: Congress observers Bhupendra Singh Hooda and DK Shivakumar will hold meeting with MLAs at 6 pm today.

    05:45 PM: Here’s what Congress MLA Vikramaditya Singh, who resigned from Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu cabinet earlier today, said about the party observers meeting in Shimla. “It is for the party’s high command to decide on the future course of action. I never was in pressure during my ministerial position; I am the one who creates pressure.”

    05:30 PM: Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visits Tara Devi temple in Shimla.

    05:00 PM: Dk Shiv kumar And Bhupinder Hooda reaches Shimla Hotel

    04:30 PM: On notice to 6 Congress MLAs who voted for the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections yesterday, Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania says, “The hearing is underway… The Parliamentary Affairs Minister has filed a petition. When the petition came to me, then I, as a Speaker have to function like a Tribunal… The hearing was underway till 2 pm… The hearing will continue again at 4 pm…”

    04:00 PM: Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says “…We’ve brought disqualification motion against them (Congress MLAs who voted for BJP candidate in RS polls) and hearing for the same is underway. The budget was passed today and the conspiracy to topple our govt has been foiled and our govt will complete 5 years…”

    03:45 PM: Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says “One of the MLAs (who voted for BJP candidate in RS polls) has said to forgive him as he has betrayed the party…People of the state will give them an answer…” On Vikramaditya Singh’s resignation, CM says, “I have spoken with Vikramaditya Singh and he is my younger brother. There is no reason to accept his resignation. He has some grievances that will be solved.”

    03:30 PM: Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda leaves for Shimla. He has deployed by the party to address the ongoing political crisis in the hill state.

    03.00 PM: On notice to 6 Congress MLAs who voted for the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections yesterday, Advocate Satya Pal Jain says, “Notice has been served to them (by Speaker) as to why they should not be disqualified under the anti-defection law. I appeared on their behalf and we have said that we have only received the notice, not the copy of the petition, so a copy of the petition should be given to us and after that, we will present our stand. As per Rule 7, a minimum time of 7 days should be given. The hearing will be held again today at 4 pm…”

    2.45 PM: Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday said people became disillusioned with the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government within 14 months as it failed to fulfil the tall promises it made during the election. Speaking to reporters, Thakur said Congress MLAs voted against their own candidate in the Rajya Sabha election as they were angry at a non-Himachali being fielded from the state.

    2.30 PM: On cross-voting, Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh says, “Accountability will definitely be fixed. Accountability was fixed in Haryana…There are two parts of this report – first, why did the cross-voting happen here and how was it allowed to happen. Second, what steps should be taken to save the government and uphold the mandate? When the report comes, discussions will be held and decision will be made. Until then, all reports and speculations are baseless.”

    1.45 PM: Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu denies reports of his resignation. “I am not someone who will get scared and I can say this with guarantee, that Congress is going to win when the Budget will be presented. The budget will be passed today. BJP is spreading rumours of my resignation. Congress is united…” he said.

    1.10 PM: Congress observer DK Shivakumar asked people to not believe in hearsay and added that there is no crisis. “As per the directions of the Congress high command, I am reaching Himachal Pradesh. Also there is absolutely no need to indulge in any hearsay, as I am confident that Congress Party legislators will be loyal to the party and stay put with the mandate that has been accorded to them. However, what should be questioned and worrisome is the extremes to which BJP is going in terms of acquiring power, deliberately attempting to crush democracy and public mandate in the process,” said Shivakumar.

    12.50 PM: Six rebel Congress MLAs have extended support to the BJP. On the other hand, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has also resigned from the post. 

    12.15 PM: Rebel Congress MLAs were not being allowed to enter the assembly to attend the budget session.

    – हिमाचल विधानसभा के गेट पर जबरदस्त हंगामा
    – विधानसभा पहुंचे सभी बागी विधायक
    – विधानसभा के गेट से विधायकों को अंदर नहीं आने दिया जा रहा@DDNewslive pic.twitter.com/fFzYnAPIEQ
    — DD News Himachal (@DDNewsHimachal) February 28, 2024

    12.00: BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan said that Congress Government is toppling. “So such attempts are being made – to suspend them. These are delay tactics and are followed in every Vidhan Sabha…Congress has dismantled from here. All the attempts they make now will fail. BJP will form the Government here…Nine MLAs (who cross-voted) are in my support,” said Mahajan.

    11.32 AM: 15 BJP MLAs including LoP Jairam Thakur, Vipin Singh Parmar, Randheer Sharma, Lokender Kumar, Vinod Kumar, Hans Raj, Janak Raj, Balbir Verma, Trilok Jamwal, Surender Shori, Deep Raj, Puran Thakur, Inder Singh Gandhi, Dileep Thakur and Inder Singh Gandhi, have been expelled by the Assembly Speaker for allegedly shouting slogans and misconduct in the Chamber of Speaker today.

    11.15 AM: Himachal Pradesh Assembly speaker today suspended 15 BJP MLAs as they kept on demanding division of votes on the finance bill. Now, by expelling 14 BJP MLAs, the Congress govt has made its path clear for the passage of the budget bill.

    11.05 AM: All I would like to say is that under the current circumstances, it is not correct for me to continue as a part of the government. So, I have decided that I am resigning from the Council of Ministers. I am resigning as a minister. In the time to come, I will have video consultations with my people and then decide about the future course of action, said Vikramaditya Singh.

    10.50 AM: Himachal Pradesh minister and Congress MLA Vikramaditya Singh said, “The chain of events that took place in the last 2-3 days is a matter of concern in a democracy, in Himachal Pradesh. This is concerning because the 70 lakh people of the state elected a government and after that gave the mandate to the Congress party. But such chain of events (cross-voting) occurring after that is a matter of concern.”

    #WATCH | Shimla | Himachal Pradesh minister & Congress MLA Vikramaditya Singh holds a press conference following Himachal Pradesh Rajya Sabha election result.

    He says, “…There is no doubt that former CM Virbhadra Singh’s name was used in the (Assembly) election…This is a… pic.twitter.com/kWDicjg7hW
    — ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2024

    10.30 AM: Himachal Pradesh Budget Session today. BJP demands division of votes.

    10.10 AM: Six Congress Himachal Pradesh’s legislators who cross voted in Rajya Sabha elections on Tuesday and were staying at a hotel in Haryana left for Shimla in a helicopter for the Budget Session of the state assembly on Wednesday. Earlier on Tuesday, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had claimed that opposition leaders were obstructing the work of counting officials, and that “5-6 Congress MLAs were taken away in a convoy of the CRPF and Haryana Police.”

    #WATCH | Haryana: Chopper boarded by Himachal Pradesh MLAs, takes off from Panchkula. https://t.co/2R5baFaAbZ pic.twitter.com/IqXBrvhweT
    — ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2024

    9.40 AM: Himachal Pradesh BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan said that the BJP will form a government in the state. “BJP is going to form its government in the state. Some more MLAs of Congress are in touch with us. I got phone calls from some of their MLAs and ministers…The situation is going to change in the next few hours and you will see BJP will form its govt soon…For the next 10-20 years, Congress is not going to come to power here…” he said.

    #WATCH | HP BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan – who won the Rajya Sabha Elections says, “BJP is going to form its government in the state. Some more MLAs of Congress are in touch with us. I got phone calls from some of their MLAs and ministers…The situation is going to change in the… pic.twitter.com/2aPmfIhOrU
    — ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2024

    9.25 AM: Himachal Pradesh BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan said that BJP is the game-changer in the politics. “People are upset with the Sukhu government. All good leaders are joining BJP. It is a future party…There has been cross-voting. On today’s date, Congress has lost its majority in the state. This Govt is not going to last for long…” he said.

    08.50 AM: Watch: BJP Delegation led by LoP Jairam Thakur Meets Himachal Governor

    #WATCH | Shimla: Himachal Pradesh LoP Jairam Thakur along with BJP’s legislative party met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla at Raj Bhawan. pic.twitter.com/ZmnpXI2mxm
    — ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2024

    BJP Meets Governor

    BJP has claimed that the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government in the state has lost its majority. Before meeting the governor today, former CM ahd LoP Jairam Thakur said, “We will apprise the Governor about what happened in the Assembly. We demanded division during the vote on the financial bill, it wasn’t allowed. The House was adjourned twice. This is not right, it has never happened in Himachal Pradesh. The government has lost the moral right to stay in power.”

    Number Game

    In the 2022 Himachal Pradesh assembly elections, the Congress emerged victorious with 40 seats out of the 68-member house. Additionally, the party secured the backing of three independent MLAs.  The majority mark is 35. The BJP, on the other hand, attained 25 seats. There is speculation that if Congress loses the support of nine MLAs, its count would decrease to 31 MLAs.

    Options With Congress

    If the BJP demands a trust vote, the Assembly speaker may disqualify the rebel Congress MLAs as they not only violated party’s whip but also indulged in anti-party activity by cross voting. In that case, the majority mark will come down benefitting the Congress. 

    Congress MLAs In Panchkula

    After yesterday’s cross-voting, many Congress MLAs are in Panchkula along with some BJP MLAs. Zee News TV also reported that many Congress MLAs are upset with CM Sukhu and have urged the party’s high command to change the Chief Minister. However, they left for Shimla in a helicoptre to attend the budget session.

    Congress Rushes Observers

    After the cross-voting led to the defeat of the Congress candidate in the Rajya Sabha, the grand old party rushed two observers – Bhupinder Singh Hooda and DK Shivakumar – to Shimla. They will meet the MLAs and the Chief Minister to bring the situation under control and prevent the collapse of the Sukhu government.

     

  • RS polls expose chinks in Karnataka BJP, raises morale in ruling Congress

    A BJP MLA allegedly voted for a Congress candidate while another party MLA abstained from voting in the polling for four Rajya Sabha seats in Karnataka on Tuesday, catching the saffron party by surprise.

    The outcome of the election was on expected lines with AICC leader Ajay Makan and sitting Congress members GC Chandrashekar and Syed Naseer Hussain, and BJP candidate Narayansa K Bhandage emerging winners.

    The polls, however, exposed the chinks in the BJP ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha polls months away. The party is now mulling tough action against ST Somashekar, a Bengaluru MLA, on charges of defying the party whip. Shivaram Hebbar (Yellapur) absented himself, and the party has decided to wait and hear him out before taking a call on him.

    The two MLAs were earlier with the Congress and switched over to the BJP in 2019, along with a bunch of others, helping the saffron party unseat the JDSCongress coalition regime and form a government of its own. Speculations swirled around for some time that the two lawmakers would return to Congress.

    The JDS and BJP workers held protest demonstrations and burnt the effigy of Somashekar, while urging him to quit the BJP.The BJP has decided to seek disqualification of Somashekar for crossvoting in the polls, defying the whip, as it amounted to violating the antidefection law, the party legal cell head Vivek Subba Reddy said. He was confident that Somashekar’s membership would get disqualified henceforth. The party would move the Supreme Court if the Speaker delayed a decision, he said.The BJP, which had hoped the two MLAs would not ditch it, has decided to take Somashekar’s case to its logical conclusion. Former BJP minister and mining magnate G Janardhan Reddy (Gangavati) is said to have voted for the Congress. Reddy, against whom Siddaramaiah had waged a war and led a padayatra from Bengaluru to Ballari in 2010, has maintained a cordial relationship with the ruling party.

    The success of all three Congress candidates has raised the morale of Congress workers and is sure to leave Deputy CM Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, with one more feather on his cap. Known for pulling off election winning strategies in the past, Shivakumar managed to keep the Congress MLAs together and ensured the party got votes of independents too.

    The CM attacked the JDS for fielding a candidate though the party lacked the number of votes it needed to win. “The party tried to lure the Congress MLAs..Do they have a conscience,” he posted on X.

    Shivakumar called the act of the two BJP MLAs as their way of casting a “vote of conscience.” He wondered why the BJP candidate got 47 votes while the votes needed to win polls was 45 votes. “The BJP could have transferred surplus votes, but it has shortchanged the JDS by retaining 47 votes for its candidate,” he said, in a bid to pit the JDS against its alliance partner BJP. As for Somashekar, he said it was a vote against the unholy BJPJDS alliance,” Shivakumar, who is also the president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee said.

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