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‘Murma ji, Covid’: BJP Demands Apology from Mallikarjun Kharge Over Remarks

July 8, 2025, 6:00 pm

Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge has triggered a political hurricane after reportedly making disparaging comments against President Droupadi Murmu and her predecessor Ram Nath Kovind. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come down heavily on the comments and called for an unconditional public apology from both Kharge and the Congress party.

Kharge delivered the objectionable comments on Monday during a public function in Chhattisgarh, where he blamed the BJP for “plundering the poor” and appropriating the people’s land and natural resources.

During a video clip posted on social media by BJP leaders, Kharge is heard pronouncing the names of the two leaders incorrectly, calling President Murmu “Murma ji” and former President Kovind “Covid”.

“It is their nature to threaten everyone. You will last only when you are not afraid. If we need to safeguard our jal, jungle, zameen (water, forest, land), then you all have to join hands in the battle against them (the BJP). The BJP is always talking about making (Droupadi) Murmu ji and (Ram Nath) Kovind ji the presidents of the country, but did the party do all this to steal our wealth, forests, water, and land?” Kharge said.

BJP Terms Remarks ‘Derogatory’, Demands Resignation of Mallikarjun Kharge

BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia responded sharply by accusing Kharge of having used “objectionable words” against the current and former Presidents and describing it as an insult to the Dalit and Adivasi communities.

#WATCH | Delhi: BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia says, “Udit Raj said that no country should get a President like Droupadi Murmu…Adhir Chowdhury addressed the President as ‘Rashtrapatni’. It was such a derogatory remark toward a tribal woman…The Congress leaders… pic.twitter.com/CjI6cuxnZy

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2025

“You (Kharge) speak big – you referred to Ram Nath Kovind ji as ‘covid’.You call ‘Murma ji’ and then referred to her (President Droupadi Murmu) as a land mafia, accusing her of becoming President just to loot assets, forests,” Bhatia accused.

Bhatia called for Kharge to apologize and for the Congress party to own up to the “distasteful and derogatory” words of their leader.

“If the Congress and Mallikarjun Kharge do not apologise, you will see every citizen (of the country) venting out their anger. This blunder will prove costly for Congress,” he threatened.

Congress Alleged to have an ‘anti-Dalit’ and ‘anti-Adivasi’ Mentality

Bhatia also called Kharge a “remote-controlled president”, supposedly working under the instructions of Rahul Gandhi. Bhatia said that Kharge’s statement is indicative of the Congress party’s old “anti-Dalit, anti-Adivasi and anti-Constitution” policy.

BJP leader CR Kesavan expressed similar views, saying Kharge’s statement was a “venomous and diabolical attack” on the integrity of the two constitutional heads.

“For the Congress party, not Dalit welfare but only Dynastic welfare has always been top priority,” Kesavan tweeted on X.

He also quoted examples from the past, claiming that Congress refused Bharat Ratna to Dr B.R. Ambedkar and has repeatedly disrespected leaders from marginalized communities.

The BJP warned it would intensify nationwide protests against the Congress for repeatedly insulting Dalits and Adivasis if no apology is issued.

Who Is Nainar Nagendran? Meet Tamil Nadu BJP’s New State President

April 11, 2025, 7:04 pm

In a pre-poll strategic development prior to the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has promoted Nainar Nagendran as the new Tamil Nadu unit president. He is replacing K Annamalai, who is a retired IPS officer with an aggressive style of functioning.

Nainar Nagendran was the sole candidate for the chief post, and his nomination remained unchallenged. His election marks a change in the party leadership style in the Dravidian-dominated politics of Tamil Nadu.

From AIADMK Loyalist to BJP Leader

Born in Vadiveeswaram on October 16, 1960, Nagendran entered politics with J Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK. He was a minister from 2001 to 2006, having important portfolios such as Electricity, Industry, and Transport. But when the AIADMK came back to power in 2011, he was excluded from the cabinet, leading him to ultimately switch to the BJP in 2017, only a few days after Jayalalithaa died.

STORY | Nainar Nagendran all set to become next TN BJP prez, party picks Annamalai for national role

READ: https://t.co/h1Xrp4rDDm pic.twitter.com/sFBnx61Agm

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 11, 2025

He was the vice president of Tamil Nadu BJP since 2020 and won the 2021 Assembly elections from Tirunelveli on a BJP ticket. He also commands the BJP’s legislative party in the state.

Heading the BJP’s Tamil Nadu Mission

As the 13th president of the BJP Tamil Nadu unit, Nagendran is likely to plan for broadening the party’s footprint in a state dominated long by the Dravidian parties such as DMK and AIADMK. His tenure in both state administrations and elections places him in a strategic position ahead of the next poll.

Past Controversies and Legal Scrutiny

Nagendran’s political career has not been void of scandal. In 2006, an investigation unearthed assets outside his declared income while he was in office as a minister. The Directorate of Vigilance charged him, his wife, and four relatives with a ₹3.9 crore disproportionate assets case under the Prevention of Corruption Act in 2010.

He also drew flak in 2018 for issuing death threats to Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu for making controversial remarks about Andal. “There is no need to hesitate in killing people who speak ill of Hinduism,” he had stated.

Currently leading the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit, Nagendran has the twin task of increasing the party’s reach and putting the past behind him.

Woman Chief Minister For Delhi? Check Out BJP’s Top Choices

February 11, 2025, 9:28 am

After securing a landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is abuzz with speculation over who will be the next chief minister. With 48 out of 70 seats, the party has ended its 26-year-long wait to reclaim power in the capital, reducing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to just 22 seats.

A Woman CM on the Cards?

Reports suggest that the BJP may opt for a woman leader this time, picking from its newly elected MLAs. Additionally, there is a possibility of appointing a deputy chief minister from a socially representative background, ensuring inclusive leadership. The new cabinet is also expected to include a diverse mix of women and Dalit leaders.

Probable Women Contenders

Several strong women leaders are being considered for the top post:

Rekha Gupta (Shalimar Bagh MLA): The national vice president of the BJP’s women’s wing, Gupta secured a convincing victory with a margin of 29,595 votes.
Shikha Roy (Greater Kailash MLA): Defeated AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj in a crucial contest, making her a strong candidate.
Poonam Sharma (Wazirpur MLA): Won her seat by 11,425 votes, adding to her credibility.
Neelam Pehalwan (Najafgarh MLA): Secured an impressive victory with 1,01,708 votes.
Smriti Irani: The former Union minister, despite her loss in Amethi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, remains a formidable political figure.
Bansuri Swaraj: Daughter of late Sushma Swaraj, recently won from the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat and is considered a rising star in BJP politics.

If a woman is appointed, she would join the ranks of Delhi’s few female chief ministers, including Sushma Swaraj (BJP), Sheila Dikshit (Congress), and Atishi (AAP).

When Will the Decision Be Made?

Sources indicate that the swearing-in ceremony is likely to take place after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from his US visit. The BJP is planning a grand event to mark its return to power, with chief ministers from all NDA-ruled states expected to attend.

Other Potential CM Candidates

Apart from women leaders, several other prominent BJP members are reportedly under consideration:

Vijender Gupta (Rohini MLA)
Ajay Mahawar (Ghonda MLA)
Abhay Verma (Laxmi Nagar MLA)
Kapil Mishra: Former AAP minister who switched to BJP, now being seen as a strong contender.
Parvesh Verma: Gained national attention by defeating Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva emphasized that the final decision will rest with the party’s top leadership. Given Delhi’s unique governance challenges and its proximity to BJP-ruled Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, the next chief minister will need to focus on key issues such as infrastructure, transport, and water supply.

With all eyes on the BJP’s final decision, Delhi awaits its new leader.

RSS holds the key to Delhi Assembly Outcome

January 27, 2025, 3:04 am

The much-awaited contest for the control of the Delhi Assembly and the government has pitted the Bharatiya Janata Party against the Aam Aadmi Party, with the Congress struggling to remain in the race. However, the election has created a dilemma for the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), since its primary objective would be to ensure that the Congress does not make a comeback at any cost. It is a well-known fact that the BJP is virtually the political arm of the Sangh though its president, J.P.Nadda, had during the Parliamentary polls, stated in a controversial interview, that his party was self-sufficient to take on its political opponents. The Lok Sabha election saw the RSS volunteers keeping away from the contest in many parts of the country resulting in a verdict which brought down the BJP’s numbers from 303 to 240.

However, the Sangh backed the BJP fully in both the Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly elections thus leading to the Congress rout in both places. The relations between the Sangh and the BJP have since then improved considerably. However, the RSS is also known to have played a major role in the India Against Corruption movement which led to the fall of the Congress dispensation at the Centre in the 2014 elections. It was a part of a well-thought through strategy that the RSS was able to dislodge the Manmohan Singh government and used multiple people including Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal to achieve the objective. After suffering successive defeats in the past two Assembly polls and also being impacted by the presence of AAP nominees in states like Haryana, Goa and Gujarat, the Congress has described AAP as the “B’’ team of the RSS. The Sangh as well as the AAP have in the past strived for a “Congress-Mukt’’ Bharat and this exercise commenced from the National Capital in 2013. The issue which has arisen is that what would the RSS do in the ongoing Delhi polls. If the Congress charge is presumed to be correct, would the “B’’ team get its backing when the “A’’ team is on the threshold of victory. A difficult choice if at all it has to be made. Ground reports suggest that the RSS volunteers are working in 50 out of 70 Assembly segments for the BJP. While the authenticity of such information is in the realm of speculation, it needs to be ascertained why would the RSS not work in all the 70 and only in select areas. This logic defies all logic and can easily be dismissed as propaganda by opponents of the BJP.

There is also source-based information which indicates that the RSS wants the BJP to come to power but would want AAP to be around so that the Congress does not make a comeback. It amounts to having your cake and eating it as well. It is another matter that the Congress faces internal challenges, the poor organizational network being its biggest hurdle. There are certain similarities in the BJP campaign for the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls. Political observers had pointed out that during the Parliamentary elections, the BJP tables in many areas had the Ram Mandir flags flying and not those of the party. In the current scenario, the sight of Ram Mandir flags being sold along with National flags at various intersections do provide a food for thought. While at one level, the BJP narrative of linking Nationalism with Ram Mandir is apparent, at another level it is a subtle way of introducing the Ram temple sentiments into the campaign. It should come as no surprise if the Ram Temple flags are flaunted at the BJP tables on the polling day as well. The RSS has in the past always pursued what it considers to be appropriate at different times. In 1980 and 1984, the Sangh backed the Congress, since in its perception, the grand old party was the only entity which could keep the country united. It backed the BJP in every election thereafter except in 2024, when it probably wanted to drive home the point of its supremacy. The choice in Delhi was never as hard as it is now, since in the last two Assembly polls, the contest was one sided with the AAP getting more than 50 percent of the votes that had been cast, a record of sorts. However, this time around, the BJP is hoping to wrest control of the government to end its string of defeats since the 1993 elections when it came to power on the strength of an aggressive campaign spearheaded by Madan Lal Khurana. There are multiple ironies that have emerged in the ensuing elections and the BJP and the Congress, both, seem to be working to diminish AAP and Arvind Kejriwal. However, the BJP realizes that it would be ideal if it comes to power, and AAP is relegated to a situation where its seats are down by at least one third.

The Congress wishes to reclaim its footprint by winning a few seats, thus heralding its revival. There are certain issues which also need to be understood and realized. The biggest question is the spoiler role played by AAP in Haryana, Goa and Gujarat, the three states where it had no chance of winning. The question is whether it fielded candidates in these places at the instance of the Sangh to thwart the Congress and reduce its chances. There is also this common objective which the BJP and the Congress nurture secretly. That is to reduce the role of regional parties and thus pave the way for a two-party system. In current context, it is the RSS which needs to be put under scrutiny to ascertain what its role would be in the Delhi Assembly polls, since this is a key element to the final outcome.

Delhi Election Drama: BJP Attacks Kejriwal With ‘Mogambo’ Poster, AAP Hits Back With Roast Video | WATCH

January 13, 2025, 12:27 pm

Political Tug-of-War Intensifies As the Delhi Assembly elections approach, political parties have stepped up their campaigns with fierce attacks and counter-attacks. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have been engaging in a highly charged battle of posters and videos that has dominated the political landscape. Recently, BJP launched a scathing poster against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, while AAP retaliated with a sharp spoof video.

BJP’s ‘Mogambo’ Poster Targets Kejriwal

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), BJP mocked Arvind Kejriwal by referring to him as ‘Mogambo,’ a famous villain character from Bollywood. The BJP’s message was aimed at portraying Kejriwal as anti-Purvanchal and accusing him of opposing people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The post, written in Hindi, stated, “AAP ka purvanchal virodhi chehra poore desh ke saamne benkaab ho chuka hai! Dilli mein reh rahe UP-Bihar ke log Arvind Kejriwal ke liye farji. Lekin Rohingya aur Bangladeshi ghuspaithiye inke yaar?” The BJP further accused Kejriwal of hypocrisy, suggesting that he supports Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants while targeting the people of Purvanchal.

AAP’s Retaliation: Spoof Video Mocking BJP

In response to BJP’s poster, AAP launched a spoof video mocking the BJP and Kejriwal’s opponents. The video featured a fictional conversation between Arvind Kejriwal and Union Minister Amit Shah. In a humorous twist, Kejriwal was depicted as confident about AAP’s impending victory in Delhi, while the BJP was portrayed as having no strong contender for the elections. The spoof claimed that BJP would fail to win any seats in Delhi, further intensifying the rivalry.

WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:

दिल्ली में हार सामने देख,
BJP के हाथ-पैर फूले ?? pic.twitter.com/01RxORlkIx

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) January 13, 2025

Escalating the “Poster-Video War”

This back-and-forth between BJP and AAP has further fueled the ongoing “poster-video war” between the two parties. Each new release from both sides adds another layer to their already heated electoral battle. In another poster, BJP accused Kejriwal of being the mastermind behind the Rs 2,026 crore liquor scam, a charge AAP has consistently denied. BJP’s aggressive attack suggests that the liquor scam will be a major issue in the upcoming election.

HAVE A LOOK AT THE POST:

AAP का पूर्वांचल विरोधी चेहरा पूरे देश के सामने बेनक़ाब हो चुका है !

दिल्ली में रह रहे यूपी-बिहार के लोग अरविंद केजरीवाल के लिए फर्जी। लेकिन रोहिंग्या और बांग्लादेशी घुसपैठिये इनके यार? pic.twitter.com/xko2GAdLPL

— BJP Delhi (@BJP4Delhi) January 13, 2025

AAP’s Counterattack on BJP’s Candidate

AAP also targeted BJP’s Kalkaji candidate, Ramesh Bidhuri, with a poster branding him as the “CM face of an abusive party.” The poster further added fuel to the political fire, mocking BJP’s choice of candidates as Delhi gears up for the upcoming polls.

Delhi Elections on the Horizon

With the Delhi Assembly elections set for February 5 and the vote counting scheduled for February 8, the political atmosphere is bound to heat up even more. Both BJP and AAP have ramped up their campaigns in a bid to secure the support of Delhi’s voters. The continued poster and video attacks highlight the intense competition between the two parties as they vie for political supremacy in Delhi.

As the election date nears, the campaign rhetoric is likely to intensify. With both BJP and AAP leaving no stone unturned, Delhi’s voters are in for a highly charged election period.

The Khuranas make an electoral comeback

January 13, 2025, 2:57 am

The last time the Bharatiya Janata Party won the Delhi Assembly polls was in 1993, and at that time Madan Lal Khurana, one of the tallest leaders of the capital had spearheaded its campaign. Khurana had quit office in February, 1996,to express solidarity with Lal Krishan Advani, who had been named in the Jain Diaries, which led to the big Hawala scandal that changed the politics of the country at that time. All those who were in the list got a reprieve from a High Court ruling and the former Chief Minister expected that he would be reinstated in place of Sahib Singh Verma, who had succeeded him. Unfortunately for him, internal BJP politics followed and Sushma Swaraj was made the Chief Minister in October, 1998 leaving Khurana sulking. The BJP’s top leadership of that time treated him unfairly and when he was asked to lead the campaign once again in 2003, deliberate and flawed ticket distribution by the Saffron Brigade ensured that Shiela Dikshit continued to be the Chief Minister.

Even though the BJP had lost, Khurana would have become an effective leader of Opposition, thus wielding enormous influence, but the position was denied to him, and instead he was made the Governor of Rajasthan, much against his wishes. The grapevine at that point was that Atal Behari Vajpayee and LK Advani, found Sheila to be more convenient, since the Khurana-Sahib Singh feud would have taken away a lot of their time. In any case, Khurana’s political innings was brought to an abrupt end and though many events followed subsequently, he was unable to make a comeback. After the BJP returned to power at the Centre in 2014, the Khurana family despite its great political record, continued to be on the sidelines. It is significant to state that Khurana was one politician who won more elections in the city than anybody else. He was victorious in 10 out of 11 polls, and the only time he lost was in 1984 following the assassination of Indira Gandhi.

I recall that I was in Times of India and when the counting of votes started for Delhi Sadar, his constituency, at the Ludlow Castle counting centre, Khurana led by 1500 votes from Moti Nagar/Kirti Nagar, his Assembly/Metropolitan Council despite the Congress wave. However, he conceded defeat and walked away. When asked why was he doing it despite his lead, he said that if in his own Metropolitan Council seat, he was winning by only 1500 votes and not 15000, as he would have wanted, how could he even think of winning in the remaining segments. Such was his calculation. The BJP has failed to win the Assembly polls and many believe that it was because of the unfair treatment to Khurana.
In any case, in the second list announced for the ongoing Assembly polls, Khurana’s second son, Harish has got the nomination from his father’s Moti Nagar seat, which for long was also represented by Subhash Sachdeva. Harish has a long way to go but he is likely to win and thus a Khurana maybe back in the Assembly. The former Chief Minister’s elder son, Vimal had predeceased him and the family choice this time was to push for a ticket for Harish, who is also the party spokesman. Interestingly, Sahib Singh Verma’s son, Parvesh is also contesting the Assembly polls on the BJP ticket against Arvind Kejriwal from New Delhi, a task which by no means can be described as easy.

The Saffron Brigade has not so far announced a Chief Ministerial face though speculation is that it could be ultimately a Poorvanchali, given that the largest vote base of the Aam Aadmi Party is from settlers belonging to that part of the country. In this context the name of Manoj Tewari, Lok Sabha MP from North East Delhi has been frequently mentioned but it is possible that the party could go with Satish Upadhyaya, former Delhi BJP Chief, who is contesting from Malviya Nagar. The demographics of the capital have considerably changed over the years and while the Punjabis dominated the political scene for several decades, the migrants from Eastern UP and Bihar, are a force to reckon with. The Punjabis have been on the margins and the BJP is wanting to also get its original vote bank back.

Harish has been given the ticket from Moti Nagar and Virendra Sachdeva is the current BJP president. In addition, Harsh Malhotra, MP from East Delhi is a member of the Union Council of Ministers. Whether these efforts would work to the advantage of the Saffron Brigade is not very clear as yet. Harish is making his electoral debut and must understand that following his father’s footsteps is a Herculean task. Madan Lal Khurana was an icon and stood his ground. He was the architect of the BJP in Delhi in the same manner in which Advani built the party nationally. It should be recalled that at the height of Indira wave in 1972, there were only five Jana Sangh members of the Metropolitan Council, who were able to win. Khurana, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, the then Chief Executive Councillor and Daljit Tandon were among those who made it to the Council.

The current tussle in Delhi involves three parties. The AAP is trying to retain its hold, the Congress is attempting to retrieve its lost ground and the BJP is wishing to score a win after its grand showing in 1993. Most of the established leaders have been marginalized and it is for the newcomers to make a mark in the city’s politics.

BJP Protests in Bengaluru Over 15% KSRTC Fare Hike

January 3, 2025, 1:36 pm

Workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged protests in Bengaluru on Friday in response to the Karnataka State Road Transportation Corporation’s (KSRTC) announcement of a 15 percent fare hike for bus services.

R Ashoka, the Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, condemned the fare increase, attributing it to the alleged financial mismanagement of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. “There has been a 15 percent hike in the fare charges. This should not be done… there is no money in the pocket of Siddaramiah, which is why they are doing this. He is the worst CM in the history of Karnataka,” Ashoka stated during a media briefing. He further claimed that during his tenure as Transport Minister, KSRTC was profitable, contrasting it with the current losses under Siddaramaiah’s leadership.

Concerns Over Affordability

Ashoka expressed concern over the impact of the fare hike on the public, stating, “15% hike is too much, how will people pay? Private taxis are cheaper than KSRTC buses.” He also criticized the government’s decision to offer free bus travel for women while increasing fares for men.

In response, Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy questioned the BJP’s motives, recalling a previous 12 percent fare increase during Yediyurappa’s tenure as Chief Minister. “Why did BJP increase the prices when they were in rule?” Reddy asked. He also highlighted the financial challenges faced by the KSRTC, stating, “When I became the Transport Minister, they left Rs 5,900 crore as a liability for us.”

BJP National Spokesperson Weighs In

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized the Congress government’s decision, labeling it the “khata khata loot model.” He claimed that the Congress party’s governance leads to increased prices across various sectors, including water, petrol, diesel, and now bus fares. “They promised free bus rides,” Poonawalla added.

Official Announcement of Fare Hike

The fare increase, approved by the state cabinet, is set to take effect on January 5, 2025. Minister HK Patil explained that the decision was made to address the financial deficit faced by the corporation, projecting a monthly revenue return of Rs 74.84 crores from the fare hike.

“Delhi’s AQI went above 500…”: BJP Releases ‘Aarop Patra’ Against AAP Government

December 23, 2024, 3:04 pm

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday launched an ‘Aarop Patra’ targeting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chief Arvind Kejriwal and his government in the national capital, amid rising concerns over pollution levels in Delhi. BJP leaders, including MP Anurag Thakur and Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva, were present for the announcement.

During the event, Anurag Thakur criticized the AAP government for its failure to deliver on key promises, stating, “These are the people who brought Anna Hazare forward, led movements against Congress’s corruption, and then went on to establish new standards of corruption.” He highlighted the plight of over 200,000 students who remain without access to education, despite promises of world-class schools. Thakur also pointed out that many families are forced to purchase water from tankers, contradicting the AAP’s commitment to provide clean and free water.

Thakur further condemned the AAP government for the deteriorating air quality in Delhi, which has seen the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceed 500. “The AQI level once crossed 1200 and is still above 500. They promised to make Delhi corruption-free, but eight ministers, one MP, and 15 MLAs from their party have already been to jail,” he said.

Addressing the issue of pollution in the Yamuna River, Thakur lamented that the festival of Chhath Puja, traditionally celebrated by people from Purvanchal, has been affected due to the river’s contamination. “Ten years have passed; has the Yamuna been cleaned? Delhi’s AQI went above 500, the Yamuna is heavily polluted, thank you, Kejriwal government,” he stated.

Thakur urged Kejriwal to take responsibility for the pollution crisis, saying, “I appeal to Kejriwal to take a dip in the Yamuna because if it is not cleaned by 2025, we will hold him accountable.” He also alleged multiple scams under the Kejriwal administration, including those related to the water board, classroom construction, and Mohalla Clinics.

“This is the only government where the health minister, deputy CM, and CM were all in jail. This was not a government for the people but a government for the jail,” Thakur concluded.

In the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, AAP secured 62 out of 70 seats, while the BJP won only eight. The next Delhi Assembly elections are anticipated to take place in early 2025.

After J&K Elections, Modi, Shah, and Yogi Poised to Surprise the Opposition in Maharashtra

November 10, 2024, 8:58 pm

In a historic triumph, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 29 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, achieving its highest-ever vote share of *26%* in the region. The party’s resounding success came after a series of high-powered rallies led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, whose campaign strategy defied initial predictions. Analysts had anticipated a modest win of just 13 seats, but the dynamic presence of Modi, Shah, and Yogi propelled the BJP to a stunning victory with 29 seats and significant margins in key constituencies. Now, BJP’s star trio is poised to make waves once again in the upcoming Maharashtra elections, where their combined influence could dramatically reshape the state’s political landscape.

Prime Minister Modi’s rallies were pivotal in reshaping the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. He addressed two major rallies in the Jammu region, one in Doda West, located in Doda district, which impacted four constituencies across the twin districts of Doda and Kishtwar. The BJP won Doda West, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, and Padder-Nagseni, marking significant victories in these constituencies. In the final phase, Modi’s massive rally in Jammu district propelled the BJP to win 10 out of 11 seats, solidifying his immense influence on the electorate.

Home Minister Amit Shah’s rallies further fueled BJP’s success across Jammu and Kashmir. Shah addressed high-impact rallies in constituencies including Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri, and Poonch. His speeches inspired a massive wave of support, particularly in areas where BJP had previously struggled. Shah’s leadership helped transform key battlegrounds into BJP strongholds, securing victories even in constituencies where the party had not anticipated success.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the third star campaigner, played a critical role in securing BJP’s dominance in Jammu and Kashmir. Yogi’s rallies, particularly in RS Pura, Kathua, Udhampur, and Samba, were instrumental in driving up BJP’s performance. His influence was felt across these four districts, with BJP winning nearly *99%* of the seats. Yogi’s bold rhetoric and emphasis on security and governance made him a key figure in rallying voters, contributing to BJP’s sweeping success in the region.

The combined efforts of Modi, Shah, and Yogi not only drew massive crowds but also sparked a shift in voter sentiment, leading to BJP victories in constituencies that were once seen as strongholds of rival parties. The impressive performance in key districts, from Jammu West to Samba, showcased the trio’s effectiveness in rallying support and consolidating BJP’s position across Jammu and Kashmir.

Looking ahead, BJP is hoping to replicate this success in the upcoming Maharashtra elections. Political analysts and party insiders are optimistic that Modi, Shah, and Yogi’s powerful rallies can once again shift the electoral dynamics, similar to what was seen in Jammu and Kashmir. In Maharashtra, where the political landscape is equally complex, BJP is eyeing a repeat of its performance in the Jammu and Kashmir elections, with hopes of securing significant victories across crucial constituencies. With large rallies and targeted voter outreach expected to dominate the campaign, BJP insiders believe that the success of Modi, Shah, and Yogi in Jammu and Kashmir could translate into a sweeping victory in Maharashtra as well.

Akhilesh Yadav Accuses BJP of Planning Bahraich Violence Ahead of Elections

October 21, 2024, 3:21 pm

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged on Monday that the recent communal violence in Bahraich was orchestrated by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a strategy for the upcoming elections.

Yadav stated, “Whatever happened in Bahraich was planned by the BJP in view of the upcoming elections in the state.”

The unrest began following the death of Ram Gopal Mishra, a 22-year-old resident of Rehua Mansoor village, who was shot during a religious procession on October 13. The incident escalated into communal violence after a dispute over loud music played outside a place of worship in Maharajganj. This turmoil resulted in protests that saw shops, vehicles, and a hospital set ablaze, prompting the authorities to impose an internet shutdown for four days.

Legal and Administrative Actions

In the aftermath of Mishra’s death, authorities registered at least 11 FIRs in connection with the violence, involving around 1,000 individuals, including six named suspects. Two men accused of killing Mishra were shot in the leg by police during an encounter while allegedly attempting to flee to Nepal.

Following the unrest, a station house officer (SHO) and a police outpost in-charge were suspended. Additionally, Circle Officer Rupendra Gaur, Tehsildar Ravikant Dwivedi, and District Information Officer Ghulam Waris Siddiqui were removed from their positions.

In related developments, the Uttar Pradesh administration issued demolition notices to several individuals in the area. The Allahabad High Court has granted these individuals additional time to file their replies, with the next hearing scheduled for October 23.

Three first timers hold key positions as fresh faces dominate the cabinet

October 18, 2024, 3:34 am

Saini Cabinet showcases a blend of fresh faces and established political families, marking a significant shift in Haryana’s political landscape. Four first-time MLAs have made their debut, while only one from the previous Cabinet — Mahipal Dhanda — has retained his position, along with former Home Minister Anil Vij who had opted out from Nayab Saini cabinet in March.

This change comes in the wake of a disappointing electoral performance, where eight out of 11 ministers from the prior cabinet faced defeat, underscoring a need for renewal and adaptation within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Among the new appointees, Arti Rao and Shruti Choudhary stand out as the only two women ministers. Both hail from influential political backgrounds—Arti is the daughter of Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh, while Shruti is the granddaughter of former Chief Minister Bansi Lal and daughter of current BJP Rajya MP Kiran Chaudhary. Arti Rao won from the Yadav-dominated Ateli constituency, defeating notable opponents like Attar Lal of the Bahujan Samaj Party and Anita Yadav of Congress by a substantial margin of over 56,000 votes. Her victory signifies the BJP’s third consecutive win in Ateli and establishes her as a prominent figure in Haryana politics.

Shruti Choudhary’s political journey has been marked by a notable family rivalry, as she defeated her cousin Anirudh Choudhary after her mother’s switch to the BJP following a tumultuous exit from the Congress party. Shruti is the only BJP MLA from the Bhiwani region who has managed to get a cabinet berth.

Another highlight of the cabinet is Gaurav Gautam, is the youngest minister in the Nayab Cabinet. Representing the Palwal constituency, Gautam (36) defeated veteran Congress leader Karan Singh Dalal with a resounding margin of over 33605 votes, securing a total of 109,118 votes. A member of the Brahmin community, Gautam is considered a rising star within the BJP and is recognized for his close association with central minister Krishna Singh Gurjar.

Additionally, Arvind Sharma, a former MP from Karnal, has transitioned to a cabinet role after winning his first election as an MLA from Gohana. His victory over three-time Congress MLA Jagbir Malik marks a significant achievement, helping the BJP secure Gohana assembly for the first time. The cabinet’s restructuring follows the electoral defeat of prominent figures such as Abhe Singh Yadav, JP Dalal, and Ranjeet Singh Chautala, simplifying the selection process for the BJP.

Saini takes oath as Haryana CM for 2nd time

October 18, 2024, 3:31 am

In a calculated move aimed at maintaining caste and regional equilibrium, the Bharatiya Janata Party unveiled its new cabinet under Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who was sworn in for a second consecutive term to lead the third BJP-led government in the state in a row.

The newly appointed cabinet is a mosaic of leaders from key communities, demonstrating the BJP’s strategic balancing act between caste and region. Along with Nayab Saini, the ministers sworn in include Anil Vij, Krishna Lal Panwar, Rao Narbir Singh, Mahipal Dhanda, Vipul Goel, Dr. Arvind Kumar Sharma, Shyam Singh Rana, Ranbir Gangwa, Krishna Kumar Bedi, Shruti Choudhary, and Aarti Singh Rao. Additionally, Rajesh Nagar and Gaurav Gautam took oath as Ministers of State (Independent Charge).

Held with much fanfare, the swearing-in ceremony saw the attendance of prominent BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, BJP president JP Nadda, and former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal.
The BJP, which secured an unprecedented third consecutive win in the recent Assembly elections, has meticulously crafted its cabinet with a balanced mix of caste groups. This strategy not only reflects the party’s outreach to various communities but also highlights its electoral arithmetic in a state that has historically been dominated by Jats.

The newly-formed Haryana cabinet, comprising 13 BJP MLAs, presents a carefully calibrated caste mosaic. It includes five OBC leaders—Chief Minister Nayab Saini, Ranbir Gangwa, Aarti Rao, Rao Narbir, and Rajesh Nagar—underscoring the party’s commitment to consolidating OBC support. The Brahmin community is represented by two leaders: Arvind Sharma and Gaurav Gautam. Similarly, two Jat leaders, Shruti Choudhary and Mahipal Dhanda, have secured their positions, signaling the BJP’s outreach to this traditionally Congress-leaning group. Dalit representation comes from veteran leaders Krishan Bedi and Krishan Lal Panwar. The cabinet further reflects diversity with Sham Singh Rana from the Rajput community, Anil Vij as the lone Punjabi representative, and Vipul Goel from the Bania community, ensuring a broad-based alliance across caste lines.

With more focus on OBCs, Dalits and Brahmins, this caste balance is seen as a key factor in ensuring broad-based support across the state, particularly after the BJP managed to pull off a victory despite the Congress gaining significant traction in Jat-dominated areas.
Nayab Saini, a leader from the OBC community, has secured his place in Haryana’s political history by becoming the second OBC Chief Minister in the state, following in the footsteps of Rao Birender Singh, who held the position in 1967. The BJP’s decision to appoint four additional OBC ministers underscores the party’s focus on consolidating its OBC vote bank.
The Jat community, which constitutes around 20–25% of Haryana’s population, has traditionally aligned with the Congress. However, the BJP’s decision to include two key Jat leaders—Shruti Chaudhary, daughter of Rajya Sabha MP Kiran Chaudhary, and two-time MLA Mahipal Dhanda from Panipat (Rural)—is seen as a strategic effort to bridge the gap and gain inroads into the community. Despite a significant portion of Jat votes swinging towards Congress in the elections, the BJP managed to split the vote and secure 28% of it, which proved crucial in their victory. From the Brahmin community, the BJP inducted Palwal MLA Gaurav Gautam and two-time Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sharma into the Cabinet. This move is significant, as the Brahmins, being a politically influential group, had been expecting greater representation in the power corridors. By appointing two Brahmins, the BJP has managed to maintain the delicate balance of power among upper-caste communities.

Further two Dalits, who make up a sizeable portion of Haryana’s population, have not been left behind in the new cabinet composition. Six-time MLA Krishna Lal Panwar and two-time MLA Krishna Bedi were sworn in, ensuring the BJP’s commitment to inclusivity while keeping the Dalit vote base intact. However, facing setbacks across several districts, including its traditional bastion along the GT Road belt, the BJP has notably reduced the representation of the Punjabi and Baniya communities in the new cabinet. Veteran leader Anil Vij, who was surprisingly left out of Nayab Saini’s first cabinet, has secured a spot this time, emerging as the sole Punjabi voice in the council. His inclusion reflects the BJP’s strategic intent to maintain support within the influential Punjabi community, which wields significant political clout in the urban pockets of Haryana. Similarly, Vipul Goel is the only leader from the Baniya community to secure a cabinet berth, signaling the party’s attempt to retain its foothold among this crucial business-oriented voter base.

The inclusion of diverse caste groups in the Nayab Saini Cabinet sends a clear political message: the BJP is positioning itself as a party that represents all communities, irrespective of the historical divides that have shaped Haryana’s political landscape. This inclusive approach is being viewed as a masterstroke, especially given the caste sensitivities that play a central role in Haryana’s electoral dynamics.

With a clear focus on regional representation, the BJP has ensured that leaders from various parts of the state are included, striking a geographic balance alongside the caste calculus. Particular emphasis has been placed on the BJP’s strongholds along the GT Road belt and the Ahirwal region. Four key leaders—Nayab Saini, Anil Vij, Krishan Panwar, and Mahipal Dhanda—hail from the GT Road region, reinforcing the party’s dominance there. Meanwhile, Aarti Rao and Rao Narbir Singh represent the politically significant Ahirwal belt.
Additionally, Vipul Goel and Rajesh Nagar bring representation from the Faridabad district, with Rao Narbir and Gaurav Gautam from Palwal, Arvind Sharma from Sonipat, Ranbir Gangwa from Hisar, Sham Singh Rana from Yamunanagar, Shruti Choudhary from Bhiwani, and Krishan Bedi from Jind district securing cabinet positions.

However, Karnal—once the epicenter of power under former Chief Minister Manohar Lal—has failed to secure a single cabinet berth, even though the BJP swept all five assembly seats from the district. However, speculation is rife that Gharaunda MLA Harvinder Kalyan may be offered the position of Assembly Speaker, a move that could help compensate for the district’s absence in the new cabinet lineup.

Cong claims moral victory by securing over 51% postal votes

October 15, 2024, 3:34 am

Despite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) winning a comfortable third consecutive term in Haryana, the Congress has claimed a moral victory by securing over 51% of the postal votes cast in the recent assembly elections. The Congress, which lost ground on electronic voting machines (EVMs), is now raising allegations of EVM manipulation, citing its significant lead in postal ballots. According to the Election Commission data, Congress bagged 51.7% of the postal votes, compared to BJP’s 34.89%.

The postal ballots, which accounted for just 0.57% of the total votes cast in Haryana, have become a political battleground for the Congress to challenge the BJP’s sweeping victory, alleging irregularities in counting of votes in EVMs. In a total of around 80000 postal votes, nearly 40000 were polled in favor of Congress, while the BJP garnered around 26700 votes. These ballots reflect votes from government employees on election duty, armed forces personnel, paramilitary forces, and essential services workers like firefighters and ambulance services, along with senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
In a striking revelation, Congress outperformed the BJP in postal ballots across 74 of the 90 assembly constituencies, even in several seats it ultimately lost. The party won more postal ballots than the BJP in 34 constituencies where it later fell behind on EVMs, fueling its claims of alleged “manipulation.” In contrast, the BJP led in only 16 seats on postal ballots, highlighting a stark disparity between the two modes of voting.

This discrepancy is not new. The Congress has consistently held an advantage in postal ballots, a trend observed during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where both parties won five seats each in Haryana. However, the Congress’s lead widened substantially in the 2024 Assembly polls, with the party gaining momentum through postal votes. In stark contrast, the BJP performed better in the traditional voting system through EVMs, securing 48 out of the 90 assembly seats, compared to Congress’s 37.

The Congress’s promise to restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for government employees played a crucial role in securing a majority of the postal votes. The Old Pension Scheme, aimed at wooing government employees, may have succeeded in drawing postal votes, but Congress failed to convert that into a majority of EVM votes, leaving the BJP to consolidate its hold over the state’s politics.

This scheme, aimed at benefiting a large section of government employees, particularly resonated with those availing the postal ballot provision, a significant chunk of whom are state employees.

In addition, the postal vote results indicate the preferences of Haryana’s Jat community, many of whom are employed in government jobs. The Congress’s lead in postal ballots stands in sharp contrast to its overall electoral performance, where the BJP secured 39.94% of the total vote share (combining postal ballots and EVMs), narrowly edging out Congress, which captured 39.09%. This narrow margin in overall vote share did not reflect in seat distribution, with the BJP achieving a decisive victory.

The Congress is now pointing to this gap between postal and EVM votes as evidence of potential electoral discrepancies.

The Congress has intensified its review of election results in 13 Haryana assembly constituencies, where it faced defeats in 12 seats at the hands of the BJP and one by the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD). The seats under scrutiny include Uchana Kalan, Pataudi, Indri, Badkhal, Faridabad NIT, Nalwa, Rania, Palwal, Ballabgarh, Barwala, Gharaunda, Kosli, and Badshahpur.

Following an earlier complaint to the Election Commission (EC) about vote-counting irregularities in seven assembly seats, the Congress has now submitted an updated memorandum alleging anomalies in 13 seats. The BJP claimed victory in 12 of these constituencies, while INLD secured one. Among the 13 seats, 11 featured direct BJP-Congress contests, one saw an INLD-Congress battle, and one involved a BJP-Independent face-off.

PM Modi Commends NC For Its Win, Hails BJP’s Performance In J&K Polls

October 9, 2024, 3:34 am

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday lauded the National Conference (NC) for its commendable performance in the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, which marked the first state polls held since the abrogation of Article 370.

In a post on the micro-blogging platform X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi congratulated the NC, acknowledging its electoral success, while also expressing pride in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) performance. “I would like to compliment JKNC for their commendable performance in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections,” Modi wrote.

He went on to thank those who supported the BJP, stating, “I am proud of the BJP’s performance in Jammu and Kashmir. I thank all those who have voted for our party and placed their trust in us. I assure the people that we will keep working for the welfare of Jammu and Kashmir. I also appreciate the industrious efforts of our Karyakartas.”
Modi highlighted the significance of these elections, calling them “very special” as they were held for the first time since the removal of Articles 370 and 35(A). “These elections in Jammu and Kashmir have been very special. They were held for the first time after the removal of Articles 370 and 35(A) and witnessed a high turnout, thus showing the people’s belief in democracy. I compliment each and every person of Jammu and Kashmir for this,” the post added.

The elections have drawn attention due to the high voter turnout, underscoring renewed engagement in the political process following the significant constitutional changes in the region.

BJP Slams Kejriwal For Clinging To ‘Sheesh Mahal’ As Atishi Moves In

October 7, 2024, 9:41 pm

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal of not formally vacating the official CM bungalow at 6 Flagstaff Road, Delhi. This claim comes as Delhi’s new chief minister, Atishi, moves into the residence vacated by her predecessor. According to BJP Delhi chief Virendra Sachdeva, despite leaving the bungalow, Kejriwal retains possession of the property.

Drama Over Bungalow Handover

On October 4, Kejriwal was seen publicly leaving the bungalow after staying there for 10 years as Delhi’s CM. However, BJP claims that this was merely a public display. “Kejriwal’s dramatic exit with his parents was staged for sympathy, and the keys were handed over just for the cameras,” Sachdeva said, adding that moments later, the keys were taken back by Kejriwal’s office.

‘Sheesh Mahal’ Controversy

The BJP has labeled the bungalow as ‘Sheesh Mahal’ and has previously campaigned against alleged overspending on its reconstruction and interior decorations. BJP claims that the bungalow is not reserved for the CM and is part of a common pool owned by the Public Works Department (PWD). A vigilance department investigation is ongoing into the expenses related to the property.

Atishi’s Swift Move Sparks Questions

According to BJP, Atishi’s quick request for the same bungalow has raised concerns. Sachdeva questioned what Atishi may be trying to conceal by occupying the bungalow so soon. He further stated that the people of Delhi are surprised by the back-and-forth over the keys and wonder if something significant is being hidden inside the ‘Sheesh Mahal.’

Concerns Over Protocol Breach

BJP also raised concerns that proper protocols were not followed during the vacating process. They claimed that no inventory or videography of the bungalow’s condition was done, as is standard when vacating a government property. The political friction continues as the people of Delhi await further developments in this controversy.

BJP Aims for Government Formation in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir

October 6, 2024, 4:21 pm

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Tarun Chugh expressed confidence on Sunday that the party will secure government formation in both Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir following the recently concluded Assembly elections. Chugh emphasized that the BJP will receive the blessings of the electorate.

BJP’s Development Agenda

Speaking to media regarding exit poll projections, Chugh stated, “BJP will form the government with full majority in both places (Jammu-Kashmir and Haryana).” He attributed the party’s anticipated success to the development initiatives led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the past decade, particularly highlighting efforts to assist the poor. Chugh asserted that voters are inclined towards the BJP, predicting a defeat for “the corrupt and looters” in the upcoming results.

In contrast, Congress leader Captain Ajay Singh Yadav projected confidence in the party’s performance, claiming, “Congress will win more than 55 seats in the Haryana Assembly elections… We will get the full majority.” He mentioned that the Chief Ministerial candidate will be decided by the Congress high command.

Exit Poll Projections Favor Congress

Various exit polls suggest a potential comeback for Congress in Haryana after a decade in the opposition. According to the TV-Today C voter projection, Congress is expected to win between 50-58 seats, while BJP is projected to secure 20-28 seats. The Republic TV-Matrize poll predicts Congress could achieve between 55-62 seats out of 90, whereas the BJP may capture 18-24 seats. The People Pulse poll indicates Congress could win 44-54 seats, while BJP might secure 15-29 seats.

In Jammu & Kashmir, exit polls suggest a hung assembly with the National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance slightly leading over the BJP. The Axis My India projection indicates that the NC-Congress alliance could win between 35-45 seats, while the BJP is estimated to secure 24-34 seats. The majority mark for government formation in the Union Territory is 46 seats, indicating no party is predicted to achieve a clear majority.

Additional forecasts suggest that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) could win 4-6 seats, while the Awam Ittehad Party, led by Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, might secure 3-8 seats. According to Axis My India, Sajjad Lone’s People’s Conference is projected to win 1-3 seats, with others possibly capturing 4-10 seats. The NC-Congress alliance is expected to garner a vote share of approximately 38%, while the BJP’s share is projected at 21%.

BJP Fails To Make It Jats Vs Non-Jats Contest In Haryana

October 5, 2024, 4:20 am

The Bharatiya Janata Party that has been in power in Haryana for the last ten years, is struggling for survival in the ongoing Assembly polls, largely because its tried and tested formula of pitting Jats Vs Non Jats, does not appear to be succeeding. In fact, the contest is now between the BJP and the Saffron Brigade on one hand, and the people on the other hand. The Congress would be the obvious beneficiary and though short of resources, the grand old party has managed to sustain its pole position due to a superior strategy. While it is not fair to speak about numbers while the polling is taking place, it is a foregone conclusion that short of a miracle that can work for the BJP, the Congress is poised to return to power. The reason for the Congress being so confident is that people want a change and this would be reflected very clearly on the counting day.

In Haryana, the anger against the ruling party is largely directed against the policies of the Central government and to a lesser degree against the State administration. In state where every household is virtually in a competition to send its young boys to the Army and the armed forces, the Agniveer scheme has been the subject of great criticism. Unlike earlier times, when one could see young men training and preparing for the Army recruitment at the various stadiums, there is no longer any enthusiasm despite repeated assurances by central leaders. The farmers agitation and the inability of the government to deal with the demands in an amicable manner, has made the BJP immensely unpopular in the rural belt, where party candidates were struggling to make their presence felt. In addition, the treatment meted to the Wrestlers while they were protesting on the streets of New Delhi, is deeply etched in the minds of the people. The majority of medals which the country won in the recent Paris Olympics were won by athletes from the state.

The slogan, Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan and Jai Pehalwan has an emotional connect, and essentially is responsible for the BJP’s dismal situation by and large. Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who has been spearheading the campaign has been successful in exposing the fault lines in the State government’s policies. He is being fully backed by Rahul Gandhi, for whom, defeating the BJP is the primary target. Ajay Maken, who was the chairman of the Screening Committee, has provided the data support to the campaign, by identifying issues and candidates for this crucial election. On Thursday, Ashok Tanwar, who was the BJP nominee for the Sirsa Lok Sabha seat in the Parliamentary elections, and who lost to Kumari Selja, rejoined the Congress at an election rally of Rahul Gandhi and Hooda. Sources confirmed that it was pressure from his family, wife and son, and his supporters which eventually changed Ashok Tanwar’s mind. For record’s sake, Ashok was with the Congress since his NSUI days and occupied many crucial positions. He had certain reservations because of which he had unexpectedly left, and subsequently did some party hopping before returning back to the Congress fold. The BJP success in the polls both in 2014 and 2019 was because it had adhered to the Bhajan Lal formula of pitting the non-Jats vs the Jats. It succeeded till the going was good but at the end of the day, the performance of the state government left a lot to be desired. Moreover, the expectations, people had from the party remained unfulfilled.

During the 10 years, neither the non Jats or the Jats, as the BJP tried to classify them for the polls, thrived. On every parameter the State government seemed to be lacking and this is what is going to be seen when the result comes out. The debate in Haryana is on whether the ongoing polls were a referendum on the Centre or the State. In this context, it is important to point out that the results would not in any manner affect the stability of the Central government, where Narendra Modi, will continue to be supreme and remain in power. However, it would certainly be a cause of worry, and force the Centre to have a relook at some of its policies. Another dimension to the possible BJP defeat is that all the Northern States, Himachal, Punjab, probably J&K and Delhi, shall have non-BJP governments. Therefore, in order to distract attention from this reality, the BJP could launch Operation Lotus in some areas to weaken the INDIA bloc. The BJP would also be concerned over how the Maha Yuti government in Maharashtra would fare in the Assembly polls there. And if there was to be change of guard in the State, it would be a development that shall not be good news for any BJP supporter. One of the factors, other than those stated above which is going against the party in Haryana, is that like in the past, it had not entered the fray as a cohesive and united entity. Its leaders were unhappy and the selection of nominees left many upset. Efforts to contain anti-incumbency by changing Manohar Lal Khattar with Nayeb Singh Saini, has apparently not worked. The debate now is only about numbers. How much would the party get eventually. There is also speculation whether the Congress would repeat its 2005 performance or be somewhere around that figure. The answers shall come on October 8th.

Is India’s Fourth Party System Still Standing Post-2024 Elections?

September 30, 2024, 3:50 am

India’s fourth party system, marked by the dominance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), remains largely intact despite the 2024 elections signaling a shift back toward coalition politics. While the BJP has lost its absolute majority and now depends on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners, several key features of the fourth party system still persist.

Presence of a Dominant Party

The BJP, which emerged as a dominant force in 2014 by securing a parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years, saw a decrease in its seat count in 2024 from 303 to 240. However, its national vote share dropped only marginally, from 37.3% in 2019 to 36.6% in 2024, signaling that its popularity remains largely intact. This makes the BJP the only true pan-Indian party alongside the Congress, with the former retaining a central role in shaping the electoral landscape.

BJP’s Central Role and Political Reach

The BJP’s reach extends beyond national politics into state-level governance, where it currently holds 43% of all chief ministerial positions across 13 states, a stark contrast to its 17% share in 2014. Additionally, the BJP controls 38% of all members of legislative assemblies (MLAs) in India, further reinforcing its political influence. In the Rajya Sabha, the party’s position remains strong, with 96 members, holding a slim majority through its NDA allies.

Fragmentation and Competition

While the number of political parties contesting elections has increased significantly, the BJP’s centrality has limited fragmentation. The effective number of parties (ENP) based on votes in 2024 remained at 5.3, close to 2019 levels, showing that political competition hasn’t dramatically intensified. However, the ENP for seats rose to 4.2, reflecting the resurgence of regional players and coalition-building.

Nationalisation of Politics

The nationalisation of Indian elections, which became a hallmark of the fourth party system post-2014, was somewhat reversed in 2024, with a more federalised and state-centric electoral contest. Despite the lack of a unifying national wave like in 2019, the BJP still managed to expand its footprint across different regions, even gaining ground in southern and eastern India.

Caste and Social Dynamics

The 2024 elections also saw a significant shift in the social composition of MPs, particularly in the Hindi belt, where Other Backward Classes (OBC) representation surged to nearly one in three MPs. This represents a historic high, even as upper and intermediate castes have seen their share fall to 39%.

Conclusion

While the BJP has faced electoral setbacks and the resurgence of coalition politics, its dominant role at the national level remains intact. The future of India’s fourth party system will largely hinge on Narendra Modi’s continued appeal, the cohesion of the opposition INDIA alliance, and the BJP’s ability to maintain its national and state-level strength.

Congress Demands FM’s Resignation

September 30, 2024, 3:31 am

Congress Member of Parliament and advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi strongly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the FIR filed against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The FIR relates to allegations of extorting money through the now-abolished electoral bonds. Singhvi said this development has “unmasked the true nature” of the BJP while calling for Sitharaman’s resignation. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Singhvi described the BJP’s actions as “sinister” and pointed to a pattern in how the electoral bond scheme allegedly helped certain companies avoid scrutiny by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or secure their release from custody.

The FIR against Sitharaman was ordered on Friday by a Bengaluru court in response to a petition filed by Adarsh Iyer of Janadhikar Sangharsh Parishad (JSP). The petition requested action against the Union Minister for her alleged involvement in the extortion scandal. Following the court’s decision, the Tilak Nagar police station in Bengaluru was instructed to file the FIR.

Singhvi, who is also the party’s national spokesperson, further claimed that the FIR was filed following a thorough investigation, while alleging that the total amount involved is Rs 8,000 crore. He suggested that the BJP’s top leadership, in addition to Sitharaman, may also be implicated.

“There is a process for how this FIR was filed. There is a filter, an investigation takes place and after the probe, an FIR is filed. The total figure is Rs 8,000 crore. I don’t think the finance minister alone took the decision and it must have been taken from top brass. The electoral bonds scheme is an extortionist BJP scheme,” he said, reiterating his demand for Sitharaman’s resignation.

Singhvi alleged that media reports over the last year have unveiled several stories involving the misuse of electoral bonds. “The media has published many stories and facts about electoral bonds in the last year,” Singhvi stated. These stories detailed how several companies bought electoral bonds after enforcement agencies raided their offices. Singhvi pointed out that investigations in these cases slowed down following the purchases. He also revealed instances where companies with significantly low capital were able to buy massive amounts of electoral bonds, such as one company with a paid-up capital of Rs 100 crore that managed to purchase bonds worth Rs 500 crore.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh also spoke at the press conference, accusing the BJP of exploiting electoral bonds through four distinct methods: prepaid transactions, postpaid deals, post-raid settlements, and through shell companies. Ramesh called for the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to further investigate the matter, while demanding Sitharaman’s resignation.

Cong Seeks To Turn The Tide In Former BJP Strongholds

September 30, 2024, 3:29 am

In a bid to counter the BJP’s aggressive campaign, led by its top leadership, the Congress is set to intensify its efforts with senior leader Rahul Gandhi spearheading the “Haryana Vijay Sankalp Yatra,” scheduled from September 30 to October 3.

The initiative aims to solidify the party’s connection with voters, especially in key areas like GT Road and Ahirwal, once perceived as bastions of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
This campaign phase marks a pivotal moment for the Congress party, which has been struggling to match the BJP’s aggressive outreach, including numerous rallies by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union ministers and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states. While Rahul has already addressed two rallies in the state, the yatra intends to establish a more personal connection with constituents, stepping away from the traditional large rallies that often dominate election campaigns.

As per the party officials Rahul to start the Yatra from with a public address at Naraingarh constituency of Ambala district and later he will cover other constituencies Sadhaura, Mullana, Shahbad, Ladwa and it will conclude with a public meeting at Thanesar of Kurukshetra. The party insiders say besides local candidates senior leaders from the party Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala. The yatra is expected to cover other constituencies in the following days before the campaign ends in Haryana on October 3. The schedule for the subsequent days is yet to be finalized.

The Yatra is a continuation of Rahul’s earlier successful two rounds of Bharat Jodo Yatra, which received a warm response nationwide during the Lok Sabha elections.
In Haryana, the stakes are particularly high. The party is working to counteract internal dissent, highlighted by the recent expulsion of 13 leaders for anti-party activities following their decisions to run as independents.

Although senior Congress leaders are tight-lipped about the specific route, insiders reveal that the yatra will strategically navigate various districts, avoiding locations where Rahul has previously campaigned. The focus is on districts where Congress believes it can reclaim lost ground and enhance its voter base. This is the second visit of Rahul in the past one week as on Thursday he addressed poll rallies at Assandh in Karnal and Barwala in Hisar.
“By rallying senior leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi, the Yatra aims to present a united front and reinforce the party’s resolve ahead of the crucial elections”, said a party leader.

In addition to the yatra, Priyanka Gandhi is expected to join her brother, adding her voice to the campaign with rallies scheduled for September 30 and October 2. Party officials have emphasized the importance of this collaborative effort, asserting that it aims to dispel notions of internal division and galvanise support for Congress. The party’s recent rallies, especially the one held in Assandh, showcased a united leadership, with senior figures like former Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda standing alongside Rahul, signaling a robust collective effort to mend any perceived fractures within the party.

With polling just days away, Congress is banking on Rahul Gandhi’s yatra to be a potential game-changer, as the party seeks to resonate with voters who may feel disconnected from the traditional rally format. The upcoming days will be crucial as the Congress aims to reclaim its footing in a state that has long been a fierce battleground. The results, to be announced on October 8, could very well determine the future political landscape in Haryana.

Haryana polls: Kejriwal Accuses BJP of Political Vendetta in Haryana

September 25, 2024, 4:52 pm

Ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Haryana, AAP National Convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating the arrest of AAP leaders through false accusations.

Election Promises for Haryana

During an election rally in Meham on Wednesday, Kejriwal outlined five key guarantees aimed at improving the lives of the people in Haryana. His promises included:

Free Electricity: Full waiver of pending electricity bills.
Free Medical Services: Establishment of hospitals and Mohalla clinics to provide free healthcare.
Quality Education: Creation of excellent government schools for children.
Financial Support for Women: Monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 for women above 18 years.
Youth Employment: Job creation initiatives to support young people.

Addressing Allegations of Corruption

Kejriwal expressed his belief that the BJP’s actions were an attempt to undermine his integrity. “They arrested all our party leaders to attack my honesty, labeling me a ‘Bhrashtachari’ and a ‘Chor’,” he stated. He emphasized that the people of Delhi could attest to his character, insisting, “I resigned, and I said that the people of Delhi will decide if I am honest or not.”

Letter to RSS Chief

In addition to his rally speech, Kejriwal sent a letter to RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, urging him to oversee the BJP’s activities. He posed five questions regarding the BJP’s direction and its alignment with allegedly corrupt leaders. “BJP was born from the womb of RSS; it is the responsibility of RSS to ensure that BJP does not go astray,” Kejriwal stated.

Haryana is set to hold its Assembly elections on October 5, with the results for both Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir to be announced on October 8.

Haryana Assembly Elections: PM Modi to Address Haryana BJP Workers on September 26

September 22, 2024, 4:58 pm

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Haryana on September 26. The address will be conducted via the Namo App, and Saini urged both party members and the public to participate in large numbers.

Saini stated, “PM Modi will engage with BJP workers on September 26. The BJP’s double-engine government will continue working for Haryana’s development.”

‘Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot’ launch

This announcement follows Prime Minister Modi’s launch of the ‘Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot’ program, aimed at interacting with party workers, volunteers, and supporters from Haryana. The interactive session is scheduled for around 12:30 PM on September 26.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi shared a link for supporters to submit questions and suggestions in advance of the event. He wrote, “Our workers, volunteers, and supporters have pledged to make the lotus bloom at every booth in the upcoming Haryana assembly elections.”

In preparation for the elections, Haryana’s Chief Electoral Officer, Pankaj Agarwal, revealed that special measures are being implemented to enhance voter turnout for the 15th Haryana Legislative Assembly General Election on October 5. Various Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) activities, including slogan writing, painting, street plays, and poster making, are being organized to encourage voter participation.

Voting for the 90-member Haryana Legislative Assembly will take place on October 5, with counting set for October 8, coinciding with the counting of votes in Jammu and Kashmir.

BJP Alleges Crime Scene Tampering In Kolkata Doctor’s Murder Case

September 5, 2024, 10:00 pm

In a shocking development surrounding the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused authorities of attempting to tamper with evidence. The accusations focus on Sandip Ghosh, the ex-principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, who allegedly ordered renovations near the seminar hall where the young doctor was raped and murdered.

Alleged Tampering After Tragic Incident

BJP Bengal chief Sukanta Mazumdar raised concerns by sharing a viral letter allegedly signed by Sandip Ghosh, dated August 10—just one day after the victim was found dead. According to the letter, Ghosh had requested renovation work in areas close to the crime scene, which many believe could interfere with the ongoing investigation.

The purported letter was addressed to executive engineers of the Public Works Department (PWD) and authorized repairs to attached toilets and doctors’ rooms at the hospital. The BJP now claims that this renovation order may have been part of an effort to tamper with crucial evidence.

Opposition Questions the Timing

Mazumdar questioned the timing of the renovation order, claiming that hospital authorities acted too quickly after the doctor’s death. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Despite complaints from colleagues and protesters about potential tampering, the Police Commissioner denied such allegations.”

The order, signed by Sandip Ghosh, former director of RG Kar Medical College, is dated August 10, just one day after the victim’s death. Despite allegations from colleagues and protesters about tampering with the crime scene, the Police Commissioner denied it. @CBIHeadquarters pic.twitter.com/FEOirTn0ho

— Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) September 5, 2024

The letter’s authenticity has not been verified independently, but its contents have raised significant concerns among opposition leaders and the public.

Family’s Struggle and Delay in FIR

Further complicating the matter, the victim’s family revealed that hospital officials initially told them the doctor had died by suicide. The father of the victim said it took over three hours for them to be allowed to view their daughter’s body. The Supreme Court has since questioned the Bengal government about the delay in registering a First Information Report (FIR) under sections related to murder.

Ongoing Investigation

Earlier this week, Sandip Ghosh was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for alleged financial misconduct, including selling corpses illegally. The ongoing probe into the doctor’s death has also led to the arrest of Sanjay Roy, a civil volunteer, who has been charged with the crime.

The incident, which took place in the seminar hall of the hospital while the doctor was resting during a 36-hour shift, has shocked the medical community and sparked widespread protests.

The BJP’s allegations have only added to the growing controversy surrounding the case, with calls for a thorough investigation and justice for the victim.

BJP wins 7 out of 12 MCD ward committee seats

September 5, 2024, 3:46 am

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the Delhi MCD Ward Committee elections held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. The BJP secured victory in 7 out of 12 zones, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Kejriwal, won 5 zones. As a result, the BJP now holds 9 seats on the standing committee, with AAP holding 8.

The BJP won the Keshavpuram MCD Zone unopposed and swept all three seats in the Shahdara North, Najafgarh, Shahdara South, Central, and Narela Zones. On the other hand, AAP secured two of the three zones—City SP, Karol Bagh, and West Zone—without opposition after the BJP failed to submit the necessary nominations due to insufficient elected councillors. AAP also won the Rohini Zone with 14 votes and claimed victory in the South Zone amid cross-voting.

In three zones—Karol Bagh, City SP, and Keshavpuram—elections were not held as neither the BJP nor AAP fielded candidates. In Karol Bagh, AAP’s Rakesh Joshi was elected unopposed as the chairman of the ward committee, with Jyoti Gautam and Ankush Narang securing the positions of deputy chairman and standing committee member, respectively.

Similarly, in the City SP Zone, AAP’s Mohd Sadiq, Kiran Bala, and Punardeep Singh Sawhney were elected unopposed to the roles of chairman, deputy chairman, and standing committee member due to the absence of BJP candidates. Councillors are voting to elect a chairman and deputy chairman for nine of the 12 zonal-level ward committees, as well as one member for the standing committee, which is the MCD’s highest decision-making body.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) ward committee elections was held on Wednesday at the agency’s headquarters, under heavy security.
These long-awaited elections are being held for the first time since the MCD was unified in 2022.

The polls had been delayed and were under judicial review due to a political deadlock between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Political Families Seek Tickets From Various Parties

August 24, 2024, 1:40 am

As Haryana prepares for its assembly elections scheduled for October 1, all major political parties, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the main opposition Congress, are intensely deliberating their ticket distribution strategies. Following the results of the recent Lok Sabha elections, the BJP and Congress are considered to be in close competition. Both parties are facing a deluge of applicants; the Congress has 2,556 candidates vying for tickets, and a similar scenario is unfolding within the BJP.
Political families with significant influence in Haryana are also prominent in this ticket scramble. Members from the families of three former Chief Ministers are actively seeking tickets from both major parties. Prominent figures such as Union Ministers Krishan Pal Gujjar, Rao Inderjeet, and MP Dharambir Singh are also pushing for tickets for their descendants. Notably, Savitri Jindal, mother of MP Naveen Jindal, is hoping for a BJP ticket from Hisar. Despite this, both the BJP and Congress have stated that ticket distribution will focus on candidates with the best chances of winning, rather than on the stature of the applicants.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal’s family, currently divided, is making headlines. His son, Ranjit Singh, a cabinet minister in the BJP-led state government, is contesting for the Rania seat. However, his bid faces challenges as Chief Minister Naib Saini recently suggested an alliance with Gopal Kanda’s Haryana Lokhit Party (Halopa), which has fielded Dhawal Kanda for Rania. Ranjit Singh’s public criticism of the party could jeopardize his chances, as dissent is considered a serious breach of discipline within the BJP. Additionally, Jagdish Chautala’s son, Aditya Chautala, is a contender for the Dabwali seat, while Amit Sihag, an MLA from Dabwali, is vying for a Congress ticket.

The family of former Chief Minister Chaudhary Bansi Lal is also in the mix. His daughter-in-law, Kiran Chaudhary, who recently joined the BJP and was made a Rajya Sabha candidate, is now contending for the Tosham seat for her daughter, Shruty Chaudhary. Conversely, Bansi Lal’s second son, Anirudh Chaudhary, is competing for a Congress ticket. The rivalry between Kiran and Ranbir Mahendra, Bansi Lal’s other son, is notable, but both are expected to secure tickets from their respective parties.

Chaudhary Bhajanlal’s family, another influential name, also sees division between his sons. Kuldeep Bishnoi, who joined the BJP in 2022 after leaving Congress, is hopeful for a ticket from Adampur, while his brother, Chandramohan, remains with Congress and is a strong contender for the Panchkula seat. With the BJP potentially revising its policy of “one family, one ticket” due to the anti-incumbency sentiment, Kuldeep’s prospects may improve if the party decides to allocate multiple tickets to the same family. Chandramohan, aligned with Kumari Selja’s camp, faces a different set of challenges. The BJP, which has traditionally opposed dynasty politics, may deviate from its policy to accommodate influential political families, as it grapples with maintaining its hold on power amid rising anti-incumbency. The party is considering fielding new faces in many constituencies while managing the expectations of prominent political families.

Congress Eyes Victory In Haryana

August 24, 2024, 12:46 am

With the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has been power in Haryana for the past ten years, attempting to battle anti-incumbency as well as internal dissensions, the Congress is all set to wrest power in the State. In fact, the grand old party is perhaps for the first time, very well prepared, and unless the Saffron Brigade does something spectacular to retain its position, the Congress would go into the October 1 polls with a distinct advantage. To begin with, the High Command has more or less made it clear to various other state leaders, that the election would be fought under the overall captaincy of former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and he shall be both the spearhead as well as the pivot of the campaign. On his part, Hooda in his various interviews has been reiterating that as per the Congress tradition, the next Chief Minister would be elected by the chosen MLAs, if his party wins, with the final approval of the top leadership. He has also been clearing the air about speculation surrounding his son, Deepender Singh Hooda, as the likely choice, by stating, that “I have neither retired nor am I tired’’.

The BJP has many internal issues which need to be ironed out. For instance, former deputy CM, Anil Vij is brooding at being sidelined after the last reshuffle. Former party chief Ram Bilas Sharma feels marginalized. Captain Abhimanyu was hopeful that he would be given a Lok Sabha ticket but was overlooked. Supporters of Rao Inderjit, Union Minister of State, are unhappy why their leader has not been projected as the Chief minister despite his seniority.

Kuldeep Bishnoi, son of former CM, Bhajan Lal, who had joined the Saffron Brigade after being disillusioned with the Congress, is miffed that instead of him, Kiran Chowdhury, daughter-in-law of former CM, Bansi Lal, has been given the Rajya Sabha nomination from Haryana in the seat vacated by Deepender Hooda. Kiran had recently joined the BJP and it is expected that her daughter Shruti may now contest the Assembly polls from Tosham, which has been the family bastion and could possibly face her cousin, who may be fielded by the Congress. There are problems within the Congress as well. Kumari Selja, who was elected from Sirsa and Randeep Singh Surjewala, senior leader and Rajya Sabha member, both also lead factions. Their supporters feel that they should also contest the Assembly polls, but the High Command is unlikely to grant them this permission. They are also demanding tickets for their supporters but going by last time’s experience, they may have to convince the top leadership about the merit and winnability factor of their nominees.
In 2019, at last 40 candidates, who were recommended by the anti-Hooda faction, fared poorly in the polls and the High Command is now determined to end factionalism, and back only those who can win. The party is depending on the findings of the surveys it has been conducting, which are both scientific and revealing. Sources said that Ajay Maken, party treasurer and screening committee head, who is well versed with the art of deciphering empirical data, could play an important role in the exercise. Incidentally, Ajay has recently cleared the difficult exam of being a member of the prestigious Statistical Institute in Kolkata and is to be awarded his degree in January next year.

The Congress has identified seats on the basis of caste domination and thus the nominees who shall be fielded would be from those communities which have the largest say. It is being assumed that the Jats, who are against the BJP, would all stand by the party due to Hooda’s leadership and thus, the Congress would have the opportunity to explore options of giving tickets to those who are from many other castes.

There are also constituencies, where the Congress has not won for a long time and thus, they would get attention of the High Command. In this context, for instance from Bawal (reserved), which borders Rajasthan, and from where the Congress has not won in 32 years, the party is considering the candidacy of Dr Teena Karamveer, a Delhi University lecturer who hails from there and who is highly qualified, and has done a book on Dr Ambedkar as well. In Dadri, where the BJP has been the dominant force, the claim of Ravinder Singh, alias Rabhu Pawar, is under consideration. There are seats where the Congress had lost by a small margin and those could also go to the losing candidates of last time.

However, all the sitting MLAs are unlikely to be repeated and thus, many could end up not getting the nomination. The five Lok Sabha candidates of the party who lost could also be fielded for the Assembly. For instance, Rao Dan Singh could be contesting from Bhiwani and Mahendra Pratap or his son from a seat in the Faridabad area. Gurgaon, may go to a newcomer since Raj Babbar could opt out. The party on the basis of the surveys has also identified the Bell Weather seats, meaning that the party which forms the government in the State, usually wins these constituencies also. Therefore, the approach appears to be extremely scientific but unless it gets implemented through proper monitoring, the party may not reap the political dividends. The BJP is not going to sit idle and allow the state to slip away so easily and would leave no stone unturned to retain its hold.

BJP Names Manan Mishra For Rajya Sabha; Upendra Kushwaha Joins

August 20, 2024, 10:33 pm

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday announced Manan Kumar Mishra, the Chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI) and a senior advocate at the Supreme Court, as the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) second candidate for the Rajya Sabha bypoll from Bihar. This decision follows the earlier announcement of former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha as the NDA’s first candidate.

Nominations and Election Process

Both Manan Mishra and Upendra Kushwaha are set to file their nomination papers on Wednesday, August 21, the final day for submitting nominations. The nomination papers will be scrutinized on August 22, and the bypolls are scheduled to take place on September 3.

The Rajya Sabha seats became vacant after BJP’s Vivek Thakur, elected from Nawada, and Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) Misa Bharti, elected from Pataliputra, moved to the Lok Sabha following the general elections held earlier this year.

NDA’s Stronghold on Both Seats

Considering the composition of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, which serves as the electoral college for the Rajya Sabha elections, it is highly likely that both seats will be secured by the NDA.

While Vivek Thakur’s Rajya Sabha seat has two years remaining in its term, Misa Bharti’s seat has four years left. As clarified by the Election Commission of India, each seat will be treated individually during the bypolls.

Manan Mishra: A Dark Horse Emerges

Manan Kumar Mishra, a native of Gopalganj, has served as the BCI chairman for a decade. He was unanimously elected as a member representative to the BCI for the third consecutive time. His selection as a Rajya Sabha candidate came as a surprise after a high-level meeting in New Delhi, attended by both Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, alongside other senior BJP leaders.

Mishra is expected to replace Misa Bharti in the Rajya Sabha, with a tenure of four years. His experience and long-standing association with the BCI are seen as significant assets for his new role in Parliament.

Upendra Kushwaha’s Return to Rajya Sabha

Upendra Kushwaha, who is set to replace Vivek Thakur, will serve a two-year term in the Rajya Sabha. This will mark his second stint in the upper house of Parliament. Kushwaha has previously been a member of the Lok Sabha, Bihar Legislative Assembly, and the Legislative Council, bringing extensive legislative experience to his upcoming role.

With these selections, the BJP aims to strengthen its representation in the Rajya Sabha and continue its influence in Bihar’s political landscape.

PDA Strategy Did The Trick, Says Akhilesh On SP Win Over BJP

July 30, 2024, 1:29 am

The national president of Samajwadi Party and ex chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav started off by emphasising how the Pichda, Dalit and Adivasi (PDA) helped the party defeat the gigantic election machinery of Bharatiya Janata Party.
Akhilesh Yadav said, “Alot of things are going on in the parliament right now (as a lot of issues are being picked up against the BJP) and therefore a lot of political parties become uncomfortable after they hear about PDA strategy. Recently when we gave a role of LoP in the assembly to person who comes from underrepresented community, the most uncomfortable party was the BJP. Moreover, had they worked for the people, the BJP would not have lost the elections with such a huge number, although Modi has won but going by the votes, he has lost.”

He also talked about how the caste census is going to uplift the underrepresented people, “If we see today, Congress who were against the caste census are today with caste census and it is going to benefit all the backward people and minorities. We gave the representation to PDA and therefore the BJP lost it.” He added, “We have made an effort to bring the people from PDA community together and that’s what we are going to focus on, help them grow.”

Asked whether they had marked out a particular strategy before elections, Akhilesh said, “We had no strategy, we were clear about our work and how we are going to tell people how BJP has failed and when Congress came together with us we got a national narrative and were able to fight together. The good thing is, both top leaders were seen together, we coordinated well about which I thankful to all the rank and file.”

Harsimrat Badal Flays Union Govt For Failing Farmers

July 27, 2024, 3:00 am

Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal today castigated the union government for failing farmers by refusing to implement the Swaminathan Commission recommendations on MSP for crops, even as she called for implementing the Bhav Antar scheme till this was not done. She also called for reopening the Wagah border for international trade, giving concessions to the cycles and sports industry and releasing Rural Development Fund and Sarv Siksha Abhiyan dues to Punjab.
Speaking on the budget, the Bathinda MP also called for righting the historical wrongs done to Punjab by giving it compensation for grant of 8 MAF water to Rajasthan as well as ensure the transfer of Chandigarh to the State. Asserting that the “Sarkar Bachao budget” 2024 had discriminated against the farmers, poor, women and youth, Mrs Harsimrat Badal said “this budget has only tried to serve the two alliance partner States of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar who received the lion’s share of funds along with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled States even as all other States had been given a step motherly treatment”.

The MP in her stirring speech said it was shocking that even natural calamities like floods and religious circuits had not been spared from bias. “Religious circuits and temple have received special grants but Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar where two lakh lakh devotees from across the globe visit every day, has not been given any grant under the religious tourism head. She said similarly the pick and choose policy had been implemented in the case of natural calamities as well. She said Himachal had received flood relief “but Punjab, which is flooded when gates of dams in Himachal are thrown open, has been forgotten”.