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Tag: kerala assembly elections

  • In election 12 months, Kerala govt nod for OBC quota to Nadar Christians

    In a big transfer forward of the Kerala Assembly elections, the CPI(M)-led state authorities on Wednesday determined to offer OBC reservation to the Nadar Christian group within the state.
    The cabinet determined to increase the OBC reservation to the Nadar Christian group as per the advice of the Kerala State Commission for Backward Classes.
    At current, Hindu Nadar and SIUC-Christian Nadar segments have OBC reservation advantages in jobs and schooling. The new profit prolonged to Nadar Christian section can be applied with out affecting the OBC reservation of Hindu and SIUC Christian Nadar communities.

    The Nadar group has a substantial presence in Thiruvananthapuram district and has been historically pro-Congress. The Christian leaders, significantly Catholics, have been demanding OBC reservation for Nadar Christians apart from SIUC-Christians. By granting OBC reservation for all Christian Nadar communities, CPI (M) hopes to win over that section within the coming Assembly elections.
    The cabinet choice was promptly hailed by Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, who’s the top of Thiruvananthapuram-based Malankara Catholic Church.

  • Kerala’s formidable Silverline will get Centre’s inexperienced gentle

    Express News Service
    KOCHI: The Centre has given the inexperienced gentle to Silverline, the state’s Rs 64,000-cr semi high-speed rail challenge. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has despatched a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, asking the state authorities to expedite land acquisition after acquiring essential clearances for the challenge.The letter, dated January 5, additionally directed the challenge implementing company (PIA)/state authorities to have interaction with Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA) to finalise the funding facet.

    “In the meanwhile, land acquisition and other clearances may be expedited by the PIA,” mentioned the letter signed by Sitharaman.

    The letter insists the state to finish ongoing tasks value Rs 43,200 crore earlier than going forward with Silverline. With Rs 1,10,055 crore set to be allotted for the general improvement of the Railways beneath the National Rail Plan-2030, Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd (Okay-Rail) officers hope to begin executing the Silverline challenge at once.

    “Silverline is already part of the National Rail Plan-2030. With the funds insisting on implementing the plan in a time-bound method, we really feel the Silverline challenge too will be carried out at once.

    The FM’s letter on land acquisition and path to provoke dialogue with JICA are all constructive developments so far as the challenge is worried,” a Okay-Rail official instructed TNIE.“We are looking at a co-financing model. JICA has already evinced interest to provide $4.46 billion (Rs 33,000 crore) as loan.” 

    Fund: Okay-Rail in contact with worldwide businesses

    “We are also in talks with Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and KfW. We have requested $1 billion from ADB, $500 million from AIIB and $2.5 billion from remaining agencies,” mentioned a Okay-Rail official.“The entire loan amount will be delivered in tranches. All the agencies are awaiting the approval of the Department of Economic Affairs to take a final decision and have demanded at least 80% of required land to be in possession with the implementing agency for funding,” mentioned the official.

    The worldwide foreign money fluctuation is more likely to influence the borrowing price of the challenge. “Though we receive the loans at an interest of 0.2 to 1.5%, we will have to consider the dollar fluctuations up to 3-4%. So, the final interest rate will come to around 4-5%. Compared to commercial banks, it’s still a competitive rate,” the official mentioned.

    Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac, whereas presenting the state funds speech in January, had clarified that the state authorities was transferring forward with land acquisition. “The land acquisition activities for the Silverline Semi High-Speed Rail Project will be started in 2021-22 after completing necessary environmental assessment and clearance,” he had mentioned.  

    The 530.6-km-long hall contains 185 hectares of railway land and 1,198 hectares of personal land.In the Rs 63,941-crore challenge, Rs 11,535cr has been earmarked for compensation. Of this, Rs 6,100 crore will likely be for buying non-public land, Rs 975 crore for taking on railway land and Rs 4,460 crore to pay compensation to buildings that undergo harm. Another Rs 1,730 crore has been put aside for resettlement and rehabilitation.

  • Rs 65k crore for NH, Rs 1.96k crore for Metro — Sitharaman places Kerala BJP in ballot place

    By Express News Service
    KOCHI: Poll-bound Kerala obtained an enormous increase within the Union Budget with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman approving a slew of big-ticket tasks together with Rs 65,000 crore to develop 1,100 kilometres of nationwide highways within the state. The finances additionally proposed substantial funding within the growth of recent fishing harbours and fish touchdown centres.

    To begin with, 5 main harbours together with Kochi will likely be developed as hubs of financial exercise, she stated. The finances additionally allotted Rs 1,957.05 crore for the second part of Kochi Metro Rail. The 11.5km line will join JLN Stadium with Kakkanad.

    Sitharaman additionally introduced the plan for the Madurai-Kollam hall underneath the three,500-km NH mission in TN which can price Rs 1.03-lakh crore.With meeting elections set to be held in Kerala in one other two months or so, political commentators really feel the BJP will take advantage of the bulletins throughout its marketing campaign.

    “Apart from the controversies surrounding the Left government, BJP also needs such major announcements in the budget to seek votes. Whether these announcements translate into votes is a different question but BJP will make it a discussion point during the campaign,” stated political commentator P Sujathan. 

    Surendran all reward for finances, CM crucial

    While the Left and Congress leaders stated the NDA authorities’s ‘new-found love’ for Kerala was aimed on the meeting polls, BJP state president Ok Surendran stated the finances proved Narendra Modi authorities is with the folks of Kerala. “Once again it’s proved only the BJP government can lead this great nation to prosperity and development. Kerala got a very special place in the budget 2021,” he tweeted.Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated the finances mirrored NDA authorities’s intention to implement its neo-liberal insurance policies. 

    “Privatisation of more public sector units and increase in foreign direct investment in the insurance sector will leave the country fully in the commercial interests of multinational corporates,” stated Pinarayi.CII Kerala chairman & Muthoot Fincorp CMD Thomas John Muthoot stated states can even profit from 41% share of taxes as per fifteenth Finance Commission advice. “It will enable Kerala to potentially borrow an additional Rs 9,000 crore annually, on top of the Rs 26,288.49 crore it is already entitled to,” he stated.

    A finances for corporates, say Congress leadersT’Puram: Congress leaders on Monday stated the Union finances is with an eye fixed on the states the place meeting elections are going to happen and it’ll solely assist the company sector. They termed the finances as “disappointing”. Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that just like the state finances, the Union finances has additionally cheated folks.

    A bundle within the gentle of the pandemic has not been introduced which is a large blow to folks, he stated. KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran stated there isn’t any aid for these within the plantation sector for which solely Rs 681 crore has been earmarked. The cashew sector has been uncared for. Former CM Oommen Chandy stated opposite to the final expectations, the costs of petrol and diesel haven’t been diminished.

  • Had most farmers understood new farm legal guidelines, they might take to streets: Rahul Gandhi

    By Express News Service
    KALPETTA: Most farmers aren’t conscious of the main points of the three controversial farm legal guidelines and in the event that they did, there can be an even bigger agitation, mentioned Congress nationwide chief Rahul Gandhi. Addressing the UDF conference on Thursday at Kalpetta in Wayanad, his Lok Sabha constituency, on the second day of his two-day go to forward of the meeting elections, he mentioned, “Had they known the details of these laws, they would all be out on the street agitating against the Central government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is helping two or three corporates to plunder the farmers.”

    The Congress chief promised that extra younger women and men will likely be fielded by the UDF within the Kerala meeting elections. The Wayanad MP additionally opened the UDF conference in Sultan Bathery meeting constituency.He additionally inaugurated the distribution of planting supplies to Scheduled Caste farmers in Wayanad district as a part of the All India Integrated Research Project on Spices held at Ambalavayal Regional Agricultural Research Station. 

    Rahul mentioned he would ask the Central authorities to arrange a spice park within the district to maximise the value-added potential of spice crops and guarantee higher advertising and marketing. 

    Meanwhile, the image of Rahul Gandhi hugging a Christian nun went viral on social media. The image was shared by Shafi Parambil, MLA, on Facebook. Sister Mary Bartha and different inmates of the Adoration Convent in Ambalavayal had been ready for seeing the Gandhi scion passing by their convent. Upon seeing them, he stopped his car and interacted with them.

    Central probe businesses have a relaxed time in state, says RahulKalpetta: Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi mentioned the BJP on the Centre has a gentle nook in the direction of CPM within the state. Addressing the UDF assembly-level conference in Kalpetta on Thursday, Rahul mentioned central probe businesses too have a relaxed time right here.

    “BJP uses Central probe agencies — CBI and ED — to harass leaders in states where the opposition is in power. But CPM here does not face such a pressure. The agencies are having a relaxed time in Kerala. They have not put pressure on the government in any case,” he mentioned. “Do a simple thing. Check the newspapers. Who does the BJP attack more? The Congress or CPM?,” he mentioned including that BJP’s gentle nook in the direction of CPM is clear to all.

    “Whom does the PM attack more? The Kerala CM or the leadership of Congress party?” he mentioned.

  • Change type, discipline extra youths in polls: Rahul Gandhi to state Congress

    By Express News Service
    MALAPPURAM: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has requested the state unit to alter its working type and inject extra younger blood whereas choosing candidates for the meeting elections.“The method of determining a Congress candidate should change drastically in Kerala. We should do away with the traditional style. Priority should  be given to energetic young men and women,” Rahul instructed a gathering of the UDF MPs in Nilambur on Wednesday. He reached Kozhikode for a two-day go to to his constituency of Wayanad.”Candidates who’re linked with the folks must be nominated.

    Their choice must be clear. The election must be fought ideologically. Election manifesto must be ready among the many folks and never in a closed room. It ought to seize the feelings of the folks. I instructed this to the Congress leaders who had come to see me in Delhi. If all these are assured, I’ll positively be a part of each marketing campaign to be staged by the UDF forward of the meeting elections,” Rahul stated.

    He additionally took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the India-China border stand-off. “The PM claims to have a 56-inch chest, but what has he done for the country? The Chinese have been crossing the border frequently because they know the Modi regime is weak,” Rahul stated.

    “Modi is ruling for a few capitalists in the country. That is the reason why the BJP government opposes the farmers’ strike,” he added.Earlier, senior chief Oommen Chandy, Opposition chief Ramesh Chennithala, KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran, AICC common secretary Okay C Venugopal and leaders of Indian Union Muslim League welcomed Rahul on the Kozhikode airport.

  • PJ Joseph to launch new outfit forward of elections

    Express News Service
    KOCHI: Since the title and ‘Two Leaves’ image have been allotted to Kerala Congress (M) led by Jose Okay Mani, the PJ Joseph faction is seeking to float a brand new outfit forward of the meeting elections. If issues go as per plan, their candidates will contest beneath the banner of an outfit completely in Joseph’s title as they really feel that there isn’t any must have a reputation like ‘KC(M) Joseph’ because the title and image have gone to Jose. 

    A majority of the leaders are of the opinion to revive the KC(J) which was headed by Joseph till its merger with the Okay M Mani faction in 2010. However, Joseph has to face a number of hurdles to do revive the social gathering as its registration is now with P C Thomas, chief of Kerala Congress, an NDA ally.

    “The case regarding the symbol is pending in court. Hence, we will request the court to contest as an outfit under Joseph and a common symbol. As per the direction of the court, the Election Commission will grant permission to contest as a separate party. In the local body polls, the State Election Commission granted the ‘Chenda’ symbol to the faction, and our candidates contested under the banner KC(M) Joseph,” mentioned a high chief.

    However, the high-power committee assembly of the faction held on the residence of Joseph at Thodupuzha didn’t focus on the matter as the ultimate name on this regard will likely be taken by Joseph. The assembly determined to contest in all 15 seats allotted by UDF to KC(M) within the 2016 meeting elections. “We are not ready for a compromise on the 15 seats. The party’s demand will be raised at the UDF meeting on Thursday. Senior leader Joy Abraham and Mons Joseph, MLA, will attend the seat-sharing talks along with me. We will not exchange our seats with any other constituent,” mentioned Joseph. He additionally refuted stories that his son Apu John Joseph can be fielded as a candidate.

  • Congress allies to demand extra seats

    By Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Putting behind the row on seat sharing and poor candidature within the native physique elections, the Congress formally began bilateral talks with foremost ally Muslim League on Wednesday. While the League has demanded six extra seats, Congress has relented on two, that too solely a consensus candidate in a single. On Thursday, Congress leaders will maintain discussions with P J Joseph faction of Kerala Congress (M) and RSP individually. A remaining resolution on seat sharing shall be taken solely after Opposition chief Ramesh Chennithala’s ‘Aishwarya Kerala Yatra’ ends on February 22.

    At the final UDF assembly, Chennithala had maintained that the bilateral stage talks this time shall be held away from the prying eyes of the media. But on Wednesday, after he together with chairman of the newly constituted election administration and technique committee Oommen Chandy and KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran met Muslim League president Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal in Malappuram, the leaders themselves informed reporters that the ally has demanded six extra seats, aside from the 24 seats they’d contested in 2016. League nationwide common secretary P Okay Kunhalikutty, MP, state common secretary Okay P A Majeed and Youth League state president Panakkad Munavarali Shihab Thangal additionally attended the assembly.

    It is learnt that the Congress leaders expressed their apprehensions about parting with six extra seats and the ramifications it’d trigger within the central and southern districts. It ought to be recalled that the Congress’ conventional vote financial institution of Christian communities had expressed their apprehension of the League hijacking the UDF. At the identical time, Munavarali Shihab Thangal has been urging the get together management to allot seats to lady candidates this time.

    All UDF constituents are demanding extra seats because the Janata Dal (United), which is now Loktantrik Janata Dal, has joined the Left camp. In 2016, they’d contested in seven seats. The undivided KC(M) had contested in 15 seats which embrace 4 seats from the Joseph faction. Now the faction is agency that it needs all 15 seats although the Jose Okay Mani faction has switched to LDF.

    “Former K M Mani loyalists like the late C F Thomas, MLA, former Rajya Sabha MP Joy Abraham, former chief whip Thomas Unniyadan and former Tiruvalla MLA Victor T Thomas are currently in our camp. We have already asked the Congress leadership to maintain the status quo,” Mons Joseph, MLA, informed TNIE.On the Pala seat, the Joseph faction is awaiting the following transfer of sitting MLA Mani C Kappan of NCP, who stayed away from the LDF assembly on Wednesday. 

    The UDF camp is hopeful of seeing Kappan leaving the LDF and becoming a member of them ultimately. Currently, the emphasis of UDF allies is on deciding the variety of seats every of them will get. The constituencies shall be determined later. “Last time, RSP contested in five seats. This time, we would obviously demand more. Which all are those seats will be discussed within the front,” RSP chief N Okay Premachandran, MP, informed TNIE.

    The different ally, Kerala Congress (Jacob), is more likely to demand 4 seats, although Anoop Jacob was the only real contestant from his get together final time. Similarly, CMP can be anticipated to demand three seats. Its common secretary C P John, who had contested from Kunnamkulam, was the lone contestant. The smaller allies, Forward Bloc and Janata Dal (S) chief John John who didn’t go along with M P Veerendrakumar to the LDF, are additionally anticipated to get one seat every.

  • CPM reaches out to sad NCP

    By Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM has begun makes an attempt for a consensus inside the entrance over Pala seat. The CPM management reached out to the NCP which has been sad over Pala. The LDF has additionally began casual discussions on seat-sharing. CPM and CPI leaders held talks with Kerala Congress Jose Ok Mani faction on Wednesday.

    CPM, as a method to stop NCP from leaving, has been dilly-dallying on talks over Pala seat. There are indications that it has provided Rajya Sabha seat to NCP as a substitute of the Pala seat. NCP is prone to soften its earlier stance over Pala, stated sources. 

    “It seems the issue will soon be settled. NCP may take the Rajya Sabha offer,” stated a senior Left chief.Meanwhile, the LDF meet on Wednesday skipped discussions on seat-sharing inside the entrance. Before the meet, NCP state chief T P  Peethambaran stated he would elevate the problem of Pala seat earlier than the entrance. However after the assembly, the NCP softened its stance.

    Sources stated NCP tried to lift Pala challenge on the LDF meet. Though Peethambaran opined that seat-sharing talks ought to start earlier than LDF’s Kerala yatras, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated it may be mentioned later. Speaking to the media after the assembly, Peethambaran stated social gathering nationwide president Sharad Pawar will take a ultimate name on social gathering stance. “Currently, there’s no motive to sever ties with the LDF.

    The challenge of Pala seat didn’t come up for dialogue as no talks had been held on seat sharing,” he added. Later addressing the media, LDF convener A Vijayaraghavan stated the entrance will start seat discussions as soon as the election notification is issued.  “There are no issues in the NCP regarding Pala seat. They may have certain opinion. Other than that there are no issues,” he stated.

    Mani C Kappan provides LDF meet a missNCP chief and Pala MLA Mani C Kappan didn’t attend the LDF meet on Wednesday. Speaking to the media within the morning, Kappan stated he’ll attend LDF assembly solely after holding talks with NCP nationwide president Sharad Pawar. Speaking to media after the LDF meet, NCP state chief T P Peethambaram, nevertheless, stated as a result of Covid situation, it was determined that solely two individuals wanted to attend the assembly. NCP chief and minister A Ok Saseendran attended the assembly.

    No talks on seat sharing: Jose Ok ManiSpeaking to the media after the LDF meet, KC(M) chairman Jose Ok Mani stated no discussions had been held on seat sharing inside the entrance. The Pala meeting seat challenge may also come up for talks. “Soon talks will begin on seat-sharing. No discussions were held on the number of seats also,” he stated.

  • Left entrance to deal with growth for Assembly polls

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Left Front will deal with growth politics in its marketing campaign for the meeting polls. The two LDF Kerala yatras in February can be a part of an try and take the entrance’s developmental initiatives to the folks. During the native physique polls, the Left authorities received assist from all sections of society. The authorities will quickly maintain public adalats to deal with folks’s points.

    “The front would focus on political issues, not Solar case. It’s essential for the government to continue in office for the state’s development. LDF will campaign based on the developmental initiatives carried out by the government. UDF has lost its political direction and is now trying to challenge secularism through religious politics,” LDF convener A Vijayaraghavan informed reporters after the LDF meet on Wednesday.

    Vijayaraghavan mentioned BJP has been attempting to poison the state with its excessive Hindutva agenda. LDF has additionally determined to organise a one-day protest in opposition to gasoline worth hike in February. UDF has didn’t see the skyrocketing gasoline costs and the continuing farmers’ agitations. “Their focus is only on weakening LDF. That’s why they try to join hands with Muslim fundamentalist forces. Each day it’s becoming more evident that UDF is under IUML’s control. Even this morning, Oommen Chandy and Ramesh Chennithala went to Panakkad,” mentioned Vijayaraghavan.

    He additionally mentioned the Left authorities has referred many instances to CBI.“The government takes a call on whether to refer a case to CBI or not. In the Solar case, the decision was taken based on a request from the complainant,” he mentioned.

  • Kappan: Ready to compromise on Pala, let Saseendran give me Elathur

    Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  As Left ally NCP hurtling in direction of a vertical cut up over the Pala meeting seat, MLA Mani C Kappan has provide you with a tough proposal. In an interview with TNIE, Kappan stated he’s able to compromise on the Pala seat, if provided Elathur, the sitting seat of rival faction chief and state Transport Minister AK Saseendran. Rejecting the ‘K M Mani sentiment’ put forth by the Jose Ok Mani faction of Kerala Congress (M) in its declare for Pala seat, Kappan says his father too has lengthy been related to the constituency. He is all set to boost the problem on the LDF assembly on January 27. 

    Q. There are experiences that you’ve been provided the Kuttanad seat to contest as an alternative of Pala.  A. I’ve made it clear that I would like ‘neither Kuttanad nor Muttanad’ (billy goat); I don’t even know tips on how to swim!

    Q. With A Ok Saseendran faction planning to proceed in LDF, what are the probabilities of a cut up? A.There are probabilities of avoiding a cut up if I contest from Elathur (sitting seat of Saseendran). He is a five-time MLA and can be a minister. Let him now vacate the Elathur seat. I’d then be greater than able to compromise. Though I haven’t voiced this thus far, I now intend to inform Pawar. He (Saseendran) is the one who has been saying that the celebration ought to proceed within the Left entrance at any value and, for that, ought to be able to sacrifice something. So as a part of that sacrifice, let him give me Elathur. I’ll contest from there.Q. In impact, what are the probabilities of NCP persevering with within the Left entrance?A. What justification do they (KC(M)) have in demanding the Pala seat?  How can a seat that we gained final time be given to anyone who misplaced? 

    Q. Jose Ok Mani has laid claims to the seat citing his father Mani’s prolonged affiliation with it. A. My father (Cherian J Kappan) was in politics nicely earlier than that. Mani was my father’s junior advocate for 10 years. He was twice MLA from Thiru-Kochi meeting, and later turned an MP from 1962 to 1967. He was additionally the Pala municipal chairman from 1956 to 1962. So, if the seat must be determined by heredity, we come first. It would therefore be higher to not harp on that facet. Not solely that, I contested towards Mani and diminished his profitable margin step-by-step — from 25,000 to 7,500, then to five,500, later to 4,200 and at last gained the seat. How then can they declare the seat?

    Q. The Left entrance is scheduled to fulfill on January 27. Do you intend to boost this concern on the discussion board?A. I plan to attend the LDF meet. This concern will naturally be raised there. I’m not certain if a remaining image would evolve on the meet. 

    Q. What is the NCP state management’s stance?A. I completely agree with the state management’s opinion that the celebration ought to proceed with LDF and ought to be prepared for sacrifices. So let everybody make sacrifice. Elathur is a powerful constituency. Let there be unity throughout the Left. Let Saseendran contest from Kuttanad which too is a certain seat with a profitable probability. If he’s able to compromise, I too am. 

    Q. Has the CPM made any strategies relating to the seat?A. Nothing has come from anybody, apart from media experiences that Jose would contest. 

    Q. Have you bought any supply from the UDF?A. Such a state of affairs has not arisen. 

    Q. Are you assembly Sharad Pawar on Sunday?A. No remaining choice has been taken on that, as I’m but to get in contact with Pawar.