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Trump & Musk Feud Turns Personal With Deportation Talk, Could Musk Be Deported?

July 2, 2025, 12:25 pm

Trump and Musk are back in the spotlight as their feud intensifies over subsidies and spending. US President Donald Trump suggested Elon Musk could face deportation following the billionaire’s strong criticism of a proposed $4 trillion tax and spending bill. When asked if he is considering deportation, Trump responded, “I don’t know. We’ll have to take a look.”

Trump also hinted that DOGE, or the Department of Government Efficiency, would investigate government support provided to Musk’s companies, including Tesla and SpaceX. “We might have to put DOGE on Elon… He gets a lot of subsidies. But Elon is very upset that the EV mandate is going to be terminated,” Trump said.

Trump is tired of Elon Musk 😂😂😂. He says they might deport him? pic.twitter.com/zWaktOFYB2

— Africa Research Desk (@MightiJamie) July 1, 2025

Musk replied with caution: “So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.”

Trump and Musk Fallout

The Trump and Musk conflict worsened after Musk publicly criticized Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill includes major spending changes, which Musk claims will deepen national debt and hurt the economy.

Musk previously supported Trump’s re-election and contributed to his campaign. But their relationship has changed as Trump pushes to remove electric vehicle subsidies, a move that would hurt Tesla and other Musk-led companies.

On Truth Social, Trump posted: “Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history… without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa.”

Musk has since hinted he might support challengers to lawmakers backing the bill and is even considering helping launch a third political party in the US.

Can Musk Be Deported?

Elon Musk has been a US citizen since 2002, after moving from South Africa and studying at the University of Pennsylvania. While the government can revoke naturalized citizenship through a process called denaturalisation, it only applies in cases of fraud. No such claims exist against Musk.

Despite Trump’s remarks, legal experts say he has no authority to deport a US citizen without due process. The Trump and Musk clash may now shift into legal and political territory, especially with election season nearing.

Twist in Sara Duterte Impeachment: Senators Now Decide Her Fate

June 10, 2025, 4:52 pm

A significant turn has taken place in the Sara Duterte impeachment case which has put the Senate at the centre of a pivotal phase. In a unique political turn of events, the senators from the Philippines might serve as jurors and directly influence how the trial against the vice president turns out.

The House is moving forward with the articles of impeachment and will soon transmit them to the Senate, which will then review the allegations. This development effectively transforms the Senate into an impeachment court, invoking a constitutional power last exercised during major political resignations. For Vice President Duterte, this shift places her political fate in the hands of lawmakers—many of whom hold connections across the political divide.

Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial: Will Senators Defend or Decide Her Fate?

In the unfolding Sara Duterte impeachment saga, senators now take on a dual role as national representatives and impartial jurors, sparking concerns about whether they will uphold political loyalty or constitutional duty. Some lawmakers, known as close allies of Duterte, may influence the Sara Duterte impeachment trial in her favor, while others choose to stay silent and withhold judgment until all evidence comes to light. This growing divide in the Senate draws intense public scrutiny, as citizens question whether impartial justice can prevail in such a politically charged environment.

This complexity intensifies an already fraught political atmosphere. “We will ensure a fair and impartial trial,” one senator emphasized, stressing that personal ties will not interfere with their duty to uphold the Constitution. However, critics argue that politics may influence the case’s outcome, especially given its timing and proximity to the November elections.

A Trial That Could Redefine Power

The Senate’s next decisions will carry enormous weight—not just for Sara Duterte’s political future but for the broader functioning of checks and balances in the Philippines. The outcome of the trial could mark a turning point and potentially establish new guidelines for executive accountability.

While the House of Representatives initiated the impeachment process, senators now hold the gavel. Whether they back Duterte or rule against her, their decision will have far-reaching consequences beyond the Senate chamber.

Selective Secularism: Hindus Sidelined, Iftar Prioritized – Vote Bank Politics at Play | TDG Explainer

March 21, 2025, 5:41 am

A heated debate has erupted after Mohtarma Maino, Maulana Akhilesh, and Jaya Begum attended the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) Iftar but skipped the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya and the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj (Iftar Over Faith). Their absence at two of the most significant Hindu religious events is raising serious questions:

Is this genuine secularism or a deliberate strategy to sideline Hindu sentiments?
Are Hindu traditions being ignored to safeguard vote banks?

Double Standards: Selective Respect for Religious Sentiments?

Political hypocrisy is on full display as these leaders happily attend Iftar parties with elaborate media coverage but choose silence and absence when it comes to Hindu religious milestones.

“If secularism is about respecting all religions equally, why are Hindu events being treated as second-class occasions?” asked a senior political commentator.

Are they afraid of alienating their core minority voter base by participating in Hindu events?
Why is embracing Hindu culture considered politically risky, but showcasing Iftar attendance seen as a badge of secularism?

Vote Bank Politics: Pandering to One, Ignoring Another?

It is no secret that Iftar diplomacy has become a symbolic political ritual to maintain a strong connection with minority communities. But critics argue that avoiding Hindu events is not a matter of personal faith but a calculated political maneuver.

“They want the votes of all communities but respect only one,” remarked a right-wing activist on social media.
“Why attend Iftar if you can’t honor the sentiments of Ram Mandir devotees?” questioned a prominent political analyst.

This pattern of selective outreach raises an uncomfortable but necessary question:

Are these leaders deliberately avoiding Hindu religious events to project a “secular” image while securing minority votes?

Hindu Sentiments: Ignored for Political Gains?

The Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha in Ayodhya was not just a religious event but a historic moment for millions of Hindus. Similarly, the Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world.

“When millions gathered to witness India’s cultural resurgence, where were these so-called champions of secularism?” asked a prominent Hindu leader.

Why does attending Hindu events become a “political liability” for these leaders?
Is ignoring Hindu sentiments a price they are willing to pay for maintaining their secular façade?

Controversial Statements: What the Public is Saying

The absence of these leaders has triggered strong reactions from across the political spectrum:

“They’ll go to Iftar but avoid Kumbh. This is not secularism, this is appeasement.” – A senior BJP leader
“It’s unfortunate that leaders who claim to be secular cannot participate in Hindu cultural milestones.” – Prominent Hindu scholar
“This selective respect for religious traditions is dividing India, not uniting it.” – Social media user

Even neutral voices are asking:

“Why is it that political correctness allows Iftar visits but frowns upon Ram Mandir participation?”
“Is appeasement politics slowly eroding India’s cultural balance?”

Point of View: Is This Fair to Hindus?

As an observer, it’s hard not to see the double standards at play. While political leaders preach “inclusivity and secularism,” their actions paint a different picture. Attending Iftar for political optics while ignoring Hindu events is not a mark of secularism—it is political convenience disguised as inclusivity.

“Hindus have always been tolerant and inclusive, but their patience is being tested. Will they continue to be ignored for political gains?”

This pattern is not just unfair but also potentially dangerous for national unity. When one community’s sentiments are prioritized over another, it breeds resentment and distrust.

Final Verdict: Time for Hindus to Question Selective Secularism?

As India moves forward, it’s time to ask:

Shouldn’t true secularism mean equal respect for all religions?
Will this pattern of selective respect for religious sentiments continue unchecked?

Trump Meets Zelenskyy at White House, Talks Ukraine War

February 28, 2025, 10:52 pm

US President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House on Friday for high-stakes discussions on Ukraine’s economic future and its ongoing war with Russia. The leaders addressed a landmark deal granting the US access to Ukraine’s vast natural resources, as well as potential solutions to the prolonged conflict.

US-Ukraine Resource Deal

During his visit, Zelenskyy is set to sign an economic agreement allowing the US to tap into Ukraine’s deep reserves of oil, gas, and rare-earth minerals. These resources are critical for technology and energy sectors. The deal is expected to secure funding for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.

“We’ll be dig, dig, digging,” Trump remarked ahead of the meeting, emphasizing the economic opportunities the deal presents for both sides.

Trump’s Stance on Ukraine-Russia War

Apart from economic cooperation, the leaders discussed the ongoing war with Russia. Trump recently made headlines by engaging in direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Ukraine—without Kyiv’s participation—marking a major shift in US policy.

He has also taken a tough stance on Zelenskyy, referring to him as a “dictator” and urging him to negotiate a settlement quickly or risk losing Ukraine as a nation. However, Trump later retracted his remark, saying, “Did I say that? I can’t believe I said that.”

Zelenskyy’s Response

Zelenskyy, in turn, criticized Trump for engaging with Russian narratives, stating that the former US president was operating in a “Russian-made disinformation space.”

Rising Tensions and Global Concerns

The tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy have raised concerns among European allies, many of whom worry about Washington’s evolving stance on the conflict. As the US re-engages diplomatically with Russia, Ukraine’s leadership faces mounting pressure to secure long-term Western support.

With this meeting, the future of US-Ukraine relations hangs in the balance, as both economic and geopolitical stakes continue to rise.

Pooja Hegde on Vijay’s Gateway into Politics: ‘I Feel Sad But Support His Decision’

January 31, 2025, 3:16 pm

Actor Pooja Hegde has voiced her thoughts on Tamil superstar Vijay’s decision to enter politics, expressing both admiration and a tinge of sadness. Hegde, who has worked with Vijay in the past and is set to reunite with him in Jana Nayakan, acknowledged that while she will miss seeing him on the big screen, she wholeheartedly supports his new journey.

The actress who last worked with Vijay on Beast has mentioned that she feels elated to be a part of his third and probably last film before his moving full-time to politics.

I feel sad. But at the same time, I support his decision. I am rooting for him and wishing all the best to him in this new chapter,” Hegde told PTI in an interview.

Vijay’s Final Work Before Politics

Vijay, who recently launched his very own political party, Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam, last year, launched the title of his 69th film Jana Nayakan which leaves everyone astounded all over. The film is said to be the last one, and he will completely take public service as a full-time career.

Meanwhile, the waves are being created by Pooja Hegde’s latest release, Deva, in which she stars opposite Shahid Kapoor. Diya, a fearless investigative journalist, will be played by Hegde in this film, which has Rosshan Andrrews at the helm.

In Deva, Hegde plays the role of Diya, an intrepid reporter who doesn’t flinch at crossing the line and questioning authority. Reflecting on her role, she said, “As an investigative journalist, you need to ask difficult questions, even if it makes people uncomfortable. I channeled that determination into my performance.”

She also disclosed that though she did not directly interact with journalists to prepare for the role, she was inspired by the Academy Award-winning film Spotlight. “I admired the way the journalists in that film pursued the truth. I also loved Erin Brockovich, even though she wasn’t a journalist. The way she was determined to uncover the truth inspired me.”

What’s Next for Pooja Hegde?

Coming from Deva, Hegde will be seen in some very exciting films: one is Retro, which she has done with Suriya; the other is a David Dhawan-directed comedy film alongside Varun Dhawan.

Vijay’s Jana Nayakan would be the emotional culmination of a career. The news of the political entry has created a huge commotion among the fans. On the other hand, Pooja Hegde continues to fascinate with each of her strong and different performances.

Polish YouTuber Karolina Goswami Faces Dhruv Rathee Fan Threats, Stays Strong In India

October 19, 2024, 2:07 am

Polish YouTuber Karolina Goswami, who runs the popular channel India in Details, recently took to social media to allege that she was threatened by fans of fellow YouTuber Dhruv Rathee. According to a report by The Times of India, Goswami shared her experience with her followers in a video on Instagram.

Karolina Goswami’s Response to the Threats

In the video, which has since gone viral, Goswami is seen walking through India with two security guards, providing a sense of safety amid the claims of harassment. She wrote, “We feature nothing. We will continue living in India no matter what happens,” making it clear that the threats would not deter her from her life in the country.

A Defiant Statement Amidst Growing Attention

The video, posted three days ago, has garnered over four million views, with Goswami reaffirming her commitment to continue spreading positivity. She added, “We’ll do our best, we’ll continue smiling and will do our best to bring smiles into your lives.” This strong statement has sparked widespread discussion among her followers and the wider social media community.

Background and Controversy

Goswami’s channel, India in Details, focuses on India’s culture, politics, and lifestyle from a Polish perspective, which has garnered both support and criticism. The alleged threats from Dhruv Rathee’s fans have ignited a debate online, with some calling for greater civility in online discourse.

This incident has left many wondering whether this is an isolated case or part of a larger pattern of online harassment directed at public figures in the digital space.

Takeaway:

Despite the threats, Karolina Goswami remains resolute in her decision to continue living in India and creating content that bridges cultural gaps. Her bold message reflects the ongoing challenges faced by public figures on social media and the importance of standing firm in the face of adversity.

Allegations against Rahul Gandhi unfounded

September 20, 2024, 3:34 am

Ideology, values and principles have their own special importance in Indian politics. This is not only necessary for the development and stability of the country, but it is also a proof of the responsibility of political parties towards the public. But, when personal attacks, baseless allegations and false propaganda start in politics, it only shows the declining level of politics. Unfortunately, the kind of politics that the Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to do is unacceptable for Indian democracy.

There should be no hesitation in saying that the Prime Minister’s silence on this decline in level is encouraging the talkative class. The baseless allegations made by the BJP on senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, are indicative of this distorted mentality. The repeated allegations of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against Rahul Gandhi are also the biggest proof of their political fear. Because, Rahul ji constantly asks questions to the government in the interest of the country. He raises the voice of the village, poor, labourer and farmer. He makes the issues of women oppression a national issue. Therefore, with the protection and encouragement of the Prime Minister, everyone from the Central Government ministers to the MLAs of different states make unnecessary allegations.

Personal attacks in politics
The trend of personal attacks has increased significantly under the political policy of the BJP. The allegations leveled by BJP on Rahul ji are not only in his personal life, but are also an unsuccessful attempt to challenge his political stature. This act of distorted and opposite ideology is also carried out by senior BJP leaders. This taunt points towards personal insult and ridicule, far from discussing any ideology or policy in politics. The purpose of such words and allegations is only to tarnish the image of Rahul ji. BJP forgets every time that due to all such efforts of theirs, the image of Rahul ji as a leader of the people emerges with more strength.

Perverted mindset of BJP
The baseless allegations leveled by BJP leaders on Rahul Gandhi are a symbol of the distorted mindset of BJP. Instead of healthy debate and discussion in politics, when there is politics of allegations and counter-allegations, it only creates division and rift within the society. Such allegations are an example of the mindset of the BJP, where opponents are not respected. Opposition parties play an important role in a healthy democracy, but for the BJP, the opposition is only a target of criticism. This mentality not only insults democratic values, but also shows how the BJP is ready to go to any extent in its greed for power.

Falling level of politics
The baseless allegations on Rahul ji are also a proof of the falling level of Indian politics. Politics used to be a platform of ideology and public service, but now it has become a game in which personal attacks and abusive language are used. It is because of the false arrogance of the BJP that there is a lack of healthy debate among political parties in today’s era. Instead of discussing policies, schemes and problems of the public, personal attacks keep happening more. This situation not only shows the falling level of BJP, but also tells how BJP, which is in power from the center to running the government in many states, has left behind democratic traditions and constitutional values in its greed for power.

Diversion from public issues
The truth of today’s political era is that the allegations and personal attacks on Rahul ji are not only against an individual, but it is a way to divert attention from the real issues of the public. When political parties fail to solve the problems of the public, they try to hide their failures by blaming their opponents. BJP’s attacks on Rahul ji are also a part of this strategy. Instead of facing criticism on the policies and schemes of the government, BJP is trying to hide its failures by targeting Rahul ji. This not only ignores the issues of the people but also undermines the basic purpose of politics.

Threat to democratic values
The allegations levelled against Rahul ji and the strategy adopted by BJP are a big threat to Indian democracy. In the basic definition of democracy, it is an established fact and truth that the place and respect of the opposition is important in a healthy democracy. The opposition criticises the policies of the government and raises the voice of the people. But, when there are absolutely baseless personal attacks on the top leadership of the opposition, it weakens the dignity and seriousness of the House as well as the foundation of democracy. The allegations levelled against Rahul ji garner short-lived discussion, but weaken the faith of the people in the democratic system. This sends a message among the people that personal attacks have become more important in politics than ideology and principles.

BJP lagged behind in the ideological battle
BJP may have forgotten but the people of the country know this truth very well that the allegations levelled by BJP against Rahul ji are not just personal attacks, but are a part of the ideological battle. The ideologies of both BJP and Congress are different and this ideological conflict is at the centre of Indian politics. BJP promotes its hate-filled ideology and divisive political sentiment, while Congress advocates a secular and inclusive society. Despite losing this ideological battle time and again, BJP targets Rahul ji only because it still finds itself dwarfed in front of Congress’ ideology. It gets defeated, but still keeps fighting shamelessly.

In the court of the people, now it is the responsibility of the people
In this era of falling standards in politics and baseless allegations, the public also has an important responsibility. The public has to understand that instead of allegations and counter-allegations, BJP wants to divert attention from the real issues. The allegations made on Rahul ji are only a part of politics, but the public has to understand that these allegations are made only for political gain. The public also has to learn to differentiate between truth and lies. It also has to be seen which politicians are committed to solving their problems.
In a healthy democracy, there should be discussion on ideology, policy and problems of the public, not the game of personal attacks and allegations. The public has to be alert and see which leaders in politics are paying attention to the real issues and who are resorting to falsehood only in the greed for power. The allegations made by the BJP on Rahul ji are not only an attack on a person, but also an attack on the values of Indian democracy, politics and society. The public has to understand that this is the falling level of politics and the responsibility of improving it lies in the public.

The author is the state president of Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee.

Mamata blames Centre for ‘man-made flood’ in Bengal

September 19, 2024, 3:18 am

Several areas in south Bengal face a massive flood risk as the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) released 3 lakh cusecs of water from its Panchet and Maithon dams within seven hours on the night of September 16 amid incessant low-pressure rains.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Pursurah in Hooghly district to take stock of the situation and said it is a “man-made” flood, caused by the Centre as DVC had never released so much water earlier.

“This is a man-made flood. They planned to drown Bengal. I personally spoke to the DVC authorities. I spoke to Hemant Soren, Chief Minister of Jharkhand at least thrice. The last time DVC released so much water was in 2009,” Banerjee told reporters.
“It was done to drown West Bengal. The Centre doesn’t undertake dredging. If dredging is done DVC can hold more water. Why do they not release water gradually when the dam is 70% – 80% full? In a bid to save Jharkhand, they release the water to Bengal. How much deprivation we shall take?” Banerjee complained.

“Even the water level in the Adi Ganga has shot up. I have never seen so much water in Adi Ganga. DVC released a huge amount of water. People have been requested to move to flood shelters. A few people got trapped at Khanakul in Hooghly district,” she told reporters earlier.

The Chief Minister’s residence at Kalighat in south Kolkata is located on the banks of the Adi Ganga, the original channel of River Ganga passing through Kolkata.
According to data shared by DVC, around 2.5 lakh cusec water was released for around six hours on Tuesday. The last time such a huge amount of water was released was in September 2009. DVC had then released 3,03,046 cusecs from its Panchet and Maithon dams.

“We released 2.5 lakh cusecs for around six hours on Tuesday. West Bengal was informed. The flow of release was reduced to 1.2 lakh cusecs later during the day,” said a DVC official.
Mamata also asked District Magistrates to remain alert and Nabanna, the State secretariat, has instructed officials to be prepared to deal with the situation.

Two people have already died because of this flood-like situation. While one person died due to wall collapse following rain in Purba Bardhaman district, another died of electrocution in Hooghly district. In Murshidabad district, floodwaters swept away a seven-year-old girl.

Star Cong campaigners yet to hit campaign trail

September 19, 2024, 3:10 am

With only two weeks left before the curtains fall on the election campaign for the Haryana Assembly polls, the Congress is facing a surprising setback as its top stars have yet to hit the campaign trail.

Despite announcing a robust list of 40 stars campaigners, including heavyweights like Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, none of the senior leaders have made an appearance in the state. As the October 5 elections inch closer, and campaign is set to conclude on October 3, the absence of the party’s central leadership has raised concerns within Congress circles.

So far, none of the national leaders from the Congress’ central leadership have arrived to address rallies or energise the party carder, worrying the contenders who are facing a tough challenge in this multi-cornered contest.

The Congress had released an extensive list of its star campaigners, including prominent names like Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. However, no official announcements have been made regarding their schedule for rallies or roadshows in Haryana. Party loyalists, eager to see a boost in momentum, are left waiting for these big names to take Centre stage. “Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will not only address rallies but will also lead roadshows to support party candidates. A detailed schedule will be released soon. This is all part of our strategy,” said a senior Congress leader on the condition of anonymity, attempting to assuage concerns about the slow start.

But with the BJP’s campaign in full throttle, the absence of Congress leaders has left many questioning whether the party is losing valuable time in the race to win voters. The ruling BJP on the other hand has wasted no time in ramping up its efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already held a rally in Kurukshetra, jumpstarting the BJP’s election campaign in the state. Modi’s presence in Haryana is set to grow stronger with three more rallies on the horizon, two in Sonipat and Hisar on September 26 and a final one in Palwal on October 2. Adding to the BJP’s aggressive campaigning, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already addressed two rallies, and the party’s national president JP Nadda is scheduled to visit Haryana on Thursday.

Union ministers Manohar Lal, Rao Inderjit Singh, Krishan Pal Gurjar, and senior BJP leader Anurag Thakur are also actively campaigning, further cementing the BJP’s dominant presence on the ground. In the absence of the heavyweights, the Congress has been relying heavily on its state leaders to spearhead the campaign.

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, along with Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala, have been working tirelessly to keep the party’s momentum going. However, their efforts are largely seen as insufficient to counter the BJP’s full-force offensive.

The party’s star campaigners, including wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, have also been active, particularly in Julana, where Phogat is locked in a fierce battle against the BJP and AAP candidates.
Still, their regional influence does little to compensate for the absence of Congress’ national heavyweights.

Political observers believe that the Congress is on a very strong footing in Haryana but the delay in the arrival of senior leaders in the election trail could prove costly.
While party insiders maintain that a last-minute surge led by the likes of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi will provide a significant boost, the question remains whether it will be too little, too late.

Congress woos Haryana voters with ‘7 promises’

September 19, 2024, 2:50 am

Promises MSP guarantee, Rs 2,000 for women, free 300 unit electricity, Rs 6000 pension to elderly, disabled and widows, caste survey, raising creamy layer limit to Rs 10 lakh
The Congress party has released its election manifesto with seven-guarantees, including promises of a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price and a caste survey, along with construction of a memorial in the memory of farmers who died during the 2020-21 farmers agitation.

Attempting to reach out to all voters, the Congress manifesto named as “Saat Vaade-Pakke Irade” (Seven Promises, Firm Intentions) was launched in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan, former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and AICC senior observers for the Haryana polls Ashok Gehlot, Ajay Maken, and Partap Singh Bajwa.

Speaking on the occasion, Kharge outlined that the manifesto will focus on providing benefits to families, empowering women, supporting the youth, strengthening social security, and improving lives of backward classes, farmers, and the poor. “We are committed to building a grand memorial for the farmers who laid down their lives fighting against the anti-farmer laws. Alongside that, we pledge to provide jobs to the next of kin of these martyrs,” said Kharge.

Briefing about the guarantees, Congress Haryana chief Udai Bhan said that the Congress’ seven guarantees includes Rs 2000 per month to every woman above 18 years, LPG gas cylinders at Rs 500, free electricity up to 300 units on the lines of Chiranjeevi scheme, Rs 25 lakh free treatment benefit. It also promises voters Rs 6000 pension per month for widows, disabled person, and senior citizens, return of the Old Pension Scheme, two lakh government positions to be filled to tackle unemployment and to make Haryana drug-free for youth upliftment. The manifesto also promises to ensure legal MSP guarantee, immediate crop compensation, 100 yard plot and two-room houses at a cost of Rs 3.5 lakhs to poor families, and a caste survey to fair distribution of resources and jobs and raising the creamy layer limit to Rs 10 lakh from current Rs 8 lakh.

Reacting over the election manifesto, former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda says, “We have given a guarantee for the women, youth, farmers (in the Congress manifesto for Haryana Assembly elections) Congress will be coming (in the state) and BJP will go.”
On Congress manifesto, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini says, “The government which is there in the politics for the past 60 years, if they have to give guarantee for getting the vote, then do not trust those guarantee…Congress revdi batne ka kaam karti hai, but never fulfil those promises…”

Similarly, BJP National Secretary Om Prakash Dhankar Criticizes Congress’ “Saat-Waade, Pakke-Irade slogan, saying “people don’t trust Congress, which is why they’ve resorted to using the slogan ‘Seven Promises, Firm Intentions”. Dhankhar also took a jibe at Congress’ promise to provide 2 lakh jobs to the youth. “The same people who were part of the ‘Bharati Roko Gang’ are now talking about giving jobs to the youth. Jobs were given to the youth without any favoritism or bribes, but Congress created hurdles in those jobs.
That’s why the youth protested in front of Congress leaders’ homes.”

However, Congress’ senior leaders from Haryana Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala were not present on the occasion when the manifesto was released as former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee President Udai Bhanwere present along with the central leadership of the party. But both the leaders have shared a picture of the seven guarantees of the election manifesto on their X accounts.

Meanwhile, the ruling BJP has delayed the release of the election manifesto by a day as the party’s national president will now release the Haryana Sankalap Patra on Thursday. Voting for the 90-member assembly will take place on October 5 while the counting of votes will be done on October 8.

Who Wants the Modi Govt to Fall?

September 18, 2024, 4:05 am

The Modi Government has completed 100 days in office during its third term. What is interesting is that this is an event that the Opposition has taken note of more than the government. The Congress specially went all guns blazing with multiple press conferences in various cities to point out all that the government had not delivered. It is never difficult to spot shortfalls and sure enough the feisty Supriya Shrinate came armed with a list of how the Modi Government had failed the farmers, youth, middle class, railways, infrastructure and the social fabric of the country. Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram called this a government of U turns. Certainly there have been one to many rollbacks in the first few months from the decision on indexation of property to lateral entry for bureaucrats, the broadcast bill and the Wakq Board Amendment bill.

Added to that the repeated criticisms from the RSS and the now open rebellion in election going states from those who have been left out of the candidate list this is certainly not a picture either the PRime Minister or the Home Minister would be comfortable with.
But having said that, the duo are carrying on with business as usual from Day One. Whether it was the decision to appoint the same cabinet as the one in Modi 2.0 (the big four remained the same), or to appoint a Lok Sabha speaker of this choice (again this was a repeat of Modi 2.0), or even the decision to defer the election/selection of a new BJP Chief, there is little in terms of optics to show that the all powerful duo are rattled by the opposition attack. Until the allies pull out the Modi Government is here to stay, which is why one can see some very subtle (and some not so subtle as in the budget grants) to appease Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. If these two are content then the rest dont really matter because if you look at it closely, no one wants this government to fall. The Opposition for all its hue and cry is in no position to form an alternate government. If the Congress was to take the lead, it would be at the mercy of its allies and in a much more precarious position than the current Modi government. If a smaller regional party leader gets to be prime minister then it would be the case of the tail wagging the dog. The Congress does not make for a reliable ally when it is in a supporting role. We have the United Front Experiment as a case in point (1996-1998). This is something Chandrababu Naidu also recalls all too well.

That leaves the RSS. For all its (implied) criticism of Narendra Modi’s style of functioning the RSS leadership is also all too aware that without Modi’s leadership the tally would have been much lower for the BJP. Coming back for a third term is no easy feat and Modi is still the BJPs best bet to stay on in power.

So in the end, the BJP may end up losing the Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and J&K polls as the pollsters are predicting. Yes it will be a loss of face, but will it lead to anything more than that, I doubt it. The Modi Government will last out its full term, because that is what all the political parties want.
Priya Sahgal

‘Pappu’ No More

September 11, 2024, 4:09 am

Recently during Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the United States, Sam Pitroda reminded the audience that Rahul Gandhi was no longer being referred to as a Pappu by the Opposition. “Rahul Gandhi’s agenda is to address some of the larger issues, he has a vision contrary to what BJP promotes by spending crores and crores of rupees. I must tell you he is not ‘Pappu’, he is highly educated, he is a strategist with deep thinking on any subject,” said Pitroda in Texas. This sparked off some debates back home in India about Rahul’s growth trajectory, with the BJP reminding the Congress in turn that it was not their party that came up with this moniker but instead it came from within the Congress. The BJP is right in that, for it was a (then – and perhaps now as well) disgruntled leader from Punjab who had first referred to Rahul as a sort of Pappu. Well, now the BJP has a new name coined for the newly minted Leader of the Opposition, for it was on the floor of the House that the Prime Minister referred to Rahul as balak buddhi. This created its own confusion with Congress leaders wondering why Pitroda would want to rake up that derogatory reference once again.

It is true that Rahul Gandhi has emerged as a leader in his own right post the 2024 results, or to be more accurate post the Bharat Jodo Yatra that positioned him as a man of the masses, someone who was reaching out to those on the ground. The fact that he did not take off for one of his sabbaticals but in fact went off on another yatra helped a great deal in warding off the Pappu tag. And then of course the results where the Congress may not have crossed the three digit mark, but it improved its tally and stopped the decline of the last two elections prior to 2024. Added to that the fact that the BJP lost seats, and suddenly Rahul’s politics gained momentum. He accepted the post of the Leader of Opposition and did not appoint a nominee as was the speculation. It is ironic that the first cabinet rank post Rahul has held has been when the party is in the opposition, but that is just the way he plays his politics.

All in all, Pitroda is right – no one, not his own party leaders or the opposition can now tag Rahul as a Pappu any more. But his leadership skills are yet to be tested. There is a view that in 2024 the Congress (and other opposition parties) too did well because there was a third term anti-incumbency against the BJP government. So it was a negative vote rather than a positive one. Also it should be noted that despite this, the BJP alone got more seats than the entire INDIA group managed together. So the road ahead is not going to be easy.

Rahul will have to keep at his game and up it with some election wins. So far the next round of assembly polls in Haryana, J&K , Jharkhand and Maharashtra could go against the BJP which will no doubt step up the opposition’s game and incentivise them to keep up the attack on the Treasury Benches during the winter session of Parliament. And as the Leader of Opposition, it will be Rahul Gandhi who will be leading this attack.

All in all, more than shedding the Pappu tag what Rahul Gandhi has done is to make politics more interesting with the Opposition playing a much more active role than it did during the last two terms of the BJP government.

Watch: Haryana BJP MLA Breaks Down After Being Dropped

September 6, 2024, 12:51 pm

On Friday, a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA broke down in tears during an interview after being denied a party ticket from Haryana. Shashi Ranjan Parmar, who was seeking BJP candidature from Bhiwani and Tosham for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, was visibly emotional when asked about his name being excluded from the candidate list.

“I had thought that my name would be on the list…,” Parmar began, but he quickly choked up, broke down, and started weeping. Despite the interviewer’s attempts to comfort him, saying the party and his constituency would recognize his value, the former MLA continued to cry. “I had assured people that my name was being considered. What do I do now? I am helpless,” he lamented.

Watch:

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The interviewer urged Parmar to stay strong for his party workers and supporters, saying in Hindi, “Netaji, aap honsla rakhein (Sir, please stay strong).” Struggling to speak, Parmar expressed his distress, saying, “What is happening to me… the way that I have been treated… I am in so much pain. What kind of decisions are being taken?”

Haryana is set to go to the polls on October 5, with votes being counted on October 8. The deadline for filing nominations is September 12, with scrutiny on September 13. Nominations can be withdrawn until September 16.

BJP Government offers highest MSP for crops in Haryana, says Anil Vij

September 4, 2024, 3:10 am

Former Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said that Haryana is a state where the BJP government has provided the highest Minimum Support Price (MSP) on crops for farmers. He mentioned that MSP has been given on 24 crops, making Haryana the first state in the country to do so. He further criticized Bhupinder Singh Hooda, saying that even when Hooda was the Chief Minister, he did nothing for the farmers and questioned when Hooda provided MSP on more crops than the BJP in Haryana.

In response to a question about the Supreme Court›s impending decision regarding bulldozer operations, he said that the decision of the Honorable Supreme Court will be studied because it is our guiding authority, and further actions will be taken in accordance with their ruling.

In response to Dushyant Chautala›s remark that the Chief Minister is like a cut kite, Vij said that they do not need to answer Chautala. When the BJP releases its list, the Chief Minister›s name will also be included. He advised Chautala to focus on his party as their supporters are fleeing.

Responding to Rahul Gandhi›s statement regarding mob lynching of Muslims under BJP›s rule, Vij said that the peace under Modi›s governance is unmatched, whereas during the Congress era, the entire country and states were engulfed in riots. However, under BJP›s rule, everything is under control.

When asked about Rahul Gandhi›s statement regarding changing the Constitution, Vij said that it was actually Rahul Gandhi›s grandmother who attempted to change the Constitution, not the BJP. She used Article 356 to dissolve state assemblies, whereas Narendra Modi has not done so.When asked about AAP›s claim that they will provide the same facilities in Haryana as they do in Delhi and Punjab, whereas BJP has provided none, Vij said that the people of Delhi threw AAP out from all seven Lok Sabha seats, and similarly, AAP faced a severe setback in Punjab. AAP has lost its credibility and now has nothing left. When asked about the absence of candidate lists from any party for the Haryana Assembly elections, Vij said that nominations haven›t even started yet, but he hopes that all party lists will be released before the nominations.

THE POLITICS OF A COMEBACK

September 4, 2024, 2:15 am

Why is there so much focus on the coming state elections, and how will they impact the politics of the Centre. Each state election is important in itself, but there is also a larger impact that this will have on the Central government. There is a psychological impact that is felt when the ruling government at the center wins or loses a state election, more so in the era of Modi when the Prime Minister has emerged as the party’s star campaigner and made each election a referendum on his leadership credibility.

Unfortunately for the BJP, the coming spate of state elections in Haryana, J&K and later on in Maharashtra and Jharkhand seemed veered towards the opposition more than the BJP. The BJP is in power in Haryana and Maharashtra and there is governor’s rule in J&K. Hence the first problem will be that of anti-incumbency. In the past the BJP under Narendra Modi has successfully warded off the perils of anti incumbancy but that has also been there has been a strong CM at the helm of the state. Here, the Haryana CM has not had much time to consolidate himself against a two term anti-incumbency while Maharashtra is a coalition government with a non BJP CM at the helm. It is not going to be easy for the party specially at a time when the Congress and its allies fancy their chances for a comeback.

Having said that, should the BJP fare poorly in the coming elections, how will it impact the Prime Minister. Here again, a lot depends on the individual. Any other Prime Minister would be affected by the optics of a resurgent opposition but so far Narendra Modi has shown no such qualms. He wasted no time in calling the newly elected BJP government as an NDA government and then went to fill the cabinet with his own team. Likewise with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Yes there have been some rollbacks on key issues but they have been dealt with swiftly as coalition compulsions. And since the PM did not dwell on them much but moved on to the next order of business it did not impact the governance optics all that much.

That, in a nutshell, is the secret of Narendra Modi. Go with the flow, manage the optics and bide your time for a comeback. Because if there is anyone who knows how to come out of a corner, it is Modi. It is now up to the Opposition led by a resurgent Rahul Gandhi to figure out how to contain this phenomenon. All in all, it does make for some interesting politics

‘Not even a seventh of farm loans waived off in Telangana,’ BRS’s KTR slams Congress

August 23, 2024, 3:33 am

BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Thursday said that the Congress government in Telangana had not fulfilled its promise of waiving off all farm loans up to Rs 2 lakh.
“We are fighting for the farmers. Congress party had promised that on 9 December, all loans up to Rs 2 lakh will be waived off.

But it has been 8 months now but now even not 1/7th of the loans have been waived off,” KTR told ANI.
He questioned Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s claim that his government had completed the waiving off of all farm loans as promised.

“Deputy CM, who also happens to be the State Finance Minister, has come on record and said that only Rs 7,000 Crores have been disbursed.
Out of the total Rs 49,000 Crores that was initially stated, only Rs 7,000 Crores has been completed. What is even more interesting and exasperating for us is that the CM claims that 100% loan waiver is done,” he said.

“So, we are questioning the Congress Government. Select any constituency and let’s go there. If there is a 100% loan waiver in even one of the locations, and farmers say so, I would resign and quit politics then and there.
“We have not received an answer to this date.

That is why, we tell the Congress Government to announce a date by which they would disburse 100% of the amount. As the principal opposition party, we are telling them to fulfil the promises, the 6 guarantees, that they had promised,” he added.
The Congress had promised a complete loan waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh for farmers as part of its ‘Warangal Rythu Declaration’, ahead of the Assembly elections.

The party had said that if they came to power, it would waive off farmers’ loans of Rs 2 lakh per acre.
However, after coming to power, the government split the waiver scheme into three instalments, which irked the farmers in dismay.

Meanwhile, BRS held protests in all Mandal and Constituency centres on Thursday, demanding an unconditional loan waiver for all farmers in the state.
BRS MLA T Harish Rao on Thursday slammed the Congress government in Telangana for “not waiving off” the farmers’ loans.

“Before the assembly elections, the Revanth Reddy government promised to waive off loans of Rs 2 lakhs to farmers. They promised to waive off loans on 9th December. But they did not waive off loans on 9th December,” Rao told ANI.

“Later, in the parliamentary elections, they went to every district and promised to waive off loans by the 15th of August. They looted the votes of farmers in the parliamentary elections as well. Today, 15th August is over. The loan waiver has not happened yet. Even half of the farmers have not got their loans waived,” he added.

Quest for Freedom Post Independence

August 16, 2024, 1:24 am

Swami Vivekananda’s statement on freedom, “Freedom is the song of the soul. The goal of each soul is freedom – mastery, freedom from the slavery of matter and thought, mastery of the internal and external,” emphasizes the universal pursuit of liberation.

Seventy-seven years have passed since our nation gained independence, liberating us from the chains of slavery. Conventional emblems of freedom, such as flag-raising, rendition of the national anthem, and the recitation of slogans like “Vande Mataram” and “Jai Hind,” are frequently perceived as demonstrations of our liberty. The sacrifice of many individuals paved the way for liberation from external rule, emphasising the price of the freedoms we cherish. As we commemorate seventy-seven years of independence, it is essential to consider whether our current state aligns with the true freedom envisioned by the martyrs or if we have fallen short of their aspirations.

When we discuss freedom, we often talk about fundamental rights. While political and social independence is frequently praised, we should also consider how individuals see freedom in different parts of their lives, including work. Do most people in our country genuinely understand their fundamental rights, which are meant to protect an undefined essence of freedom? Freedom means being free from outside control. Fundamental rights protect citizens’ freedoms, stop the government from getting involved, and are essential for personal and national development. These rights include freedom of speech, association, individual liberty, living with dignity, and respecting human dignity. The necessity for safeguarding something often stems from the fear of its loss. Do these fundamental rights truly protect our freedom? It is imperative to deliberate on the extent of self-governance inherent within freedom circumscribed by legal statutes.

Are we experiencing limited freedom wrapped in the fundamental rights described as the rights needed for thinking freely? The question arises: What special rights should we be aware of? The Constitution is the mother of freedom, and because of this, we can safeguard our limited freedom under the umbrella of the law. Regarding the right to education, it must guarantee free and compulsory education for children aged six to fourteen. Does this education provide basic literacy, or does it deliver a more comprehensive learning experience? We should be hopeful that a child should receive education up to the eighth standard. It is crucial to strive for more than entry-level jobs or roles as security guards. With seventy-seven years of freedom, having a significant population with only an eighth-grade education is unacceptable. While advocating self-reliance, labelling basic literacy as education is contradictory.

Ignorance is the barrier to the realisation of freedom used as a toolkit in the political system. It is essential to acknowledge and be grateful for the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr.Bhimrao Ambedkar, who, through their unique experiences, recognised the potential for freedom. Gandhi’s experiences in South Africa highlighted the significance of freedom for the ordinary person, leading him to focus on improving village life. On the other hand, Dr. Ambedkar’s exposure to discrimination in the USA and Britain emphasised the need for equal rights, thus significantly contributing to establishing our right to equality. For many years, the politicians in state power did not do what visionary leaders did. Instead, they used the population for political gain. They needed to provide well-kept roads, transparent governance, consistent electricity and clean water, good homes, high-quality education for their children, and enough healthcare services. They benefited from their ignorance because they had not seen the possibilities.

We have a common saying that “Divide and Rule” was the policy of the Britishers, but what are today’s politicians doing, dividing on caste and religion? Taking the benefit of their ignorance by providing a package of freebies and cash is the easiest way to remain in power. Improving and elevating their needs will not only do groundwork and dedication. The new slavery system is growing by putting the amount so that their position is always in power.

Everyone needs to have fundamental rights to live a good life with dignity. We need to think about things differently as India grows and aims high. We should add more rights, like the right to social security. Even though we pay many taxes, we still need social security. We also need to make sure people have jobs. Instead of giving money to people without jobs, we should give them an excellent education to support themselves. The urgent need for more rights, like social security, should make us feel the need for immediate social reforms. Social, economic, and political unfairness stop us from being truly free. We need to fix these problems before we can say we are free.

Ukrainian Deputy Minister Arrested In $500,000 Bribery Scandal

August 12, 2024, 3:28 pm

A Ukrainian deputy energy minister has been arrested on charges of accepting a bribe worth half a million dollars, along with three alleged accomplices, as announced by Ukraine’s SBU Security Service on Monday.

The minister, whose name was initially withheld by the SBU, allegedly demanded payments from mining industry officials in exchange for allowing the transfer of valuable equipment from mines in the frontline eastern Donetsk region to a coal basin in western Ukraine. The equipment in question is described as unique and critical, belonging to a state-owned coal company in Pokrovsk, an area heavily impacted by ongoing conflict.

In the spring of 2024, representatives from the mining sector reportedly approached the deputy minister to seek permission to evacuate the equipment from the war zone and repurpose it at mines in a safer western region. However, instead of granting the necessary permissions, the official, who was responsible for safeguarding the mining equipment, demanded a significant sum of money for its release.

The SBU’s investigation led to the arrest of the minister and his three accomplices, who were caught “red-handed” after the minister had received a portion of the bribe. While the identities of the suspects were initially kept confidential, Ukrainian opposition MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak later identified the minister as Oleksandr Kheilo, a deputy energy minister. Following the arrest, Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers issued an order to dismiss Kheilo from his position.

Ukraine, which has been grappling with corruption issues even before Russia’s invasion in 2022, has vowed to intensify its anti-corruption efforts as part of its bid for European Union membership and to maintain the trust of its Western allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who campaigned on a platform of eradicating corruption, has previously dismissed several officials, including his defense minister, over corruption scandals within the military.

Four Significant Bills Passed in 2nd Session of 18th Lok Sabha That You Must Know

August 10, 2024, 12:45 am

The Second Session of the 18th Lok Sabha concluded on Friday with notable achievements and high efficiency. Over 15 sittings spanning approximately 115 hours, the House achieved a productivity rate of 136 per cent. During the session, twelve bills were introduced, out of which four significant bills were passed: the Finance Bill 2024, the Appropriation Bill, the Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill, and the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak.

One of the major highlights was the presentation of the Union Budget 2024-2025 by the Finance Minister on July 23. The discussion on the budget extended for 27 hours and 19 minutes, with active participation from 181 members, and the Finance Minister addressed the debate on July 30. The session also saw the passage of the Appropriation Bill on August 5, following discussions on the Demands for Grants for various Ministries and Departments from July 30 to August 5.

Throughout the session, 86 starred questions were answered orally, and 400 matters of urgent public importance were raised during Zero Hour. Additionally, 358 matters were addressed under Rule 377. A total of 25 statements were delivered under Direction 73A, and 30 more statements, including those by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and suo motu statements by ministers, were made. Furthermore, 1,345 papers were laid on the Table of the House.

Significant discussions included a debate on India’s preparedness for the upcoming Olympic Games on July 22 and a Calling Attention Motion on July 31 concerning the impact of landslides and floods across various parts of the country. In Private Members’ Business, 65 Private Member’s Bills were introduced, including a resolution by MP Shafi Parambil on airfare regulation, which was discussed on July 26 but remained inconclusive.

The session also featured a visit from the IPU President and Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, H.E. Ms. Tulia Ackson, on August 1. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, in his valedictory address, praised the session’s accomplishments and the efficient legislative process.

Raghav Chadha Pushes For Minimum Age Requirement In Politics

August 1, 2024, 7:08 pm

In a country where the majority of the population is young, the political leadership remains predominantly older. This disparity has sparked debate about the need for younger voices in governance. Recently, Indian politician Raghav Chadha, a member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and a Member of Parliament, brought attention to this issue by advocating for a minimum age requirement for politicians.

Raghav Chadha’s Advocacy

Raghav Chadha has been vocal about the necessity of involving more young people in politics. In his recent statements, he highlighted the demographic reality of India, where a significant portion of the population is under the age of 35. Chadha pointed out that despite this youthful demographic, the country’s political leadership is overwhelmingly older, often with leaders well into their senior years.

Mr. Chadha said “We are a young country with old politicians, we must aspire to be a young country with young politicians.”

As the 35-year-old Raghav Chadha began addressing the issue, there was a light-hearted exchange between him and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The Chairman humorously inquired if Chadha had hoped to join Parliament at an even younger age.

Mr Chadha replied with a laugh. “I’ll tell you, sir. The issue is close to my heart… India, with an average age of 29 years, is one of the youngest countries in the world. In our country, 65% of the population is less than 35 years old and over 50% is less than 25 years old. But are our politicians and elected representatives as young?“

“You will be surprised to know that, in the first Lok Sabha, 26% of the people were less than 40 years old and the just-dissolved 17th Lok Sabha had only 12% people in that age group. So, as the country is getting younger, our elected representatives are getting older,” he added.

Raghav Chadha’s push for a minimum age requirement for politicians underscores a broader discussion about the need for rejuvenation in Indian politics. As India continues to grow and evolve, ensuring that its political leadership reflects the country’s demographic reality is crucial. While the idea of age limits for politicians is still up for debate, it brings to light the importance of creating opportunities for young leaders and fostering a more inclusive and representative political environment.

Ram Mohan Naidu Introduces New Aviation Bill in Lok Sabha to Replace British-Era Act

August 1, 2024, 4:53 am

On Wednesday, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu presented the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024, in the Lok Sabha, aiming to modernize civil aviation regulations by replacing the 90-year-old Aircraft Act.

In his address to the lower house, Naidu highlighted the need for new legislation, pointing out that the 1934 Act has undergone 21 amendments over nearly a century. The extensive amendments have led to ambiguities and confusion for stakeholders, prompting the need for a more streamlined and efficient framework.

The proposed bill seeks to address these issues by removing redundancies and simplifying the regulatory environment. It aims to enhance ease of doing business, support the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative for self-reliance, and provide a clearer framework for aircraft design, manufacturing, and maintenance. Additionally, it would grant the Central government greater authority to regulate construction activities, issue directives, detain aircraft, and enact emergency orders when necessary.

During the introduction of the bill, some opposition members raised concerns about its Hindi nomenclature, with RSP member N K Premachandran questioning the logic behind the name and expressing concerns about accessibility for people from south India. Naidu responded, noting that similar objections were addressed in previous discussions on criminal justice laws, and assured that the bill does not violate any constitutional provisions.

The new bill outlines ten primary objectives, including regulating aircraft design and manufacturing, establishing international aviation standards, and enhancing civil aviation security. However, experts have noted that the new bill does not appear significantly different from the 1934 Act, and the government has yet to clarify the specific changes made in the updated legislation.

Caste Politics Divides India, Best Avoided

August 1, 2024, 1:10 am

Opposition leaders are absolutely right. How can anyone ask anyone’s caste identity in this day and age? In the 21st century, as the world races ahead, to identify a person on the basis of one’s caste is reprehensible and symptomatic of a regressive mindset. But then the luminaries protesting a ruling party MP’s outburst against the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament are forgetting that most of them are guilty of the same practice of asking people’s caste—in fact, basing their entire politics on people’s caste. The Leader of Opposition may play the victim card on this, but in reality, not a day goes by without him mentioning the “C” word, that includes asking people’s caste. Since Mr Rahul Gandhi has forgotten, it is time to remind him of the incident during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, when during a rally in Rae Bareli, his supporters beat up a television cameraman belonging to this newspaper’s sister channel, India News, after the Congress leader tauntingly asked his name/caste and the company owner’s name/caste. Rahul Gandhi was trying to prove the point that OBCs and Dalits were discriminated against in the workplace. It’s a different matter that the reporter concerned was an OBC and Mr Gandhi’s narrative-spinning fell flat right at the spot. But then who can stop Rahul Gandhi when he has decided that caste deprivation is the plank that will give him electoral dividends?

As we saw in the general elections, all the efforts of the Opposition had only one focus—dividing the voters along caste lines. Rahul Gandhi’s sole focus was on winning OBC and Dalit votes, first by telling them that they were being deliberately deprived of their rights, and then by fear-mongering by spreading the canard that the BJP would end reservations if it returned to power. It’s a canard because no political party in present day India would commit the political hara-kiri of removing caste-based reservation. However, Congress’ message was effective enough to have some resonance in Uttar Pradesh in particular, with chunks of BJP’s Dalit votes shifting away from the party. Of course, Akhilesh Yadav’s caste engineering of bringing together Pichhde, Dalit and Alpsankhyak (Backward, Dalit and minorities) voters too played a big part in the SP-Congress success in UP. Hence, it can be said with certainty that the Opposition’s effort was to revert to identity politics from what had come to be known as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development politics. Of course there is another view that making the elections all about caste was the Congress’ way of fighting BJP’s efforts to unite Hindus on the plank of religion. And now that Rahul Gandhi believes his caste rhetoric has given his party the right kind of push, it seems the topic is not going away anytime soon. In fact, the ripples he created by saying that the pre-Budget halwa ceremony did not have any backwards or Dalits are yet to die down. In this context, let’s take a look at another political party in the Opposition camp, the DMK, which too says that issues of caste should not be raised in public. Given that DMK’s whole history is premised on demonizing a particular upper caste, to say that it’s not right to speak of caste in public, amounts to rank hypocrisy.

Regional parties make caste identity their political plank because their existence depends on identity-based voting blocs—not that this justifies their action; it doesn’t. It’s the same old caste narrative that these smaller parties play on for decades. But that shouldn’t be the case with national parties like the BJP and the Congress. Caste politics is divisive—it emphasises on the fault lines that exist in society and amplifies the divisions. To constantly talk of caste deprivation is to fan the flames of underlying social divisions. Every caste group has some unhappiness or the other. But to say that nothing has been done for these groups in the last 75 years, a majority of which was ruled by the Congress, is to make a mockery of facts. Calling certain caste groups deprived, automatically paints the less-deprived groups as villains and oppressors. Caste-based identities may lead to social fragmentation, often resulting in conflicts and violence, as groups develop animosities towards each other based on historical grievances. It’s a formula for dividing India and must not be pursued for short-term political gains by political parties, irrespective of their hues.

Shashi Tharoor Commends Rahul Gandhi’s Body Language as Leader of Opposition

July 31, 2024, 7:11 am

According to Shashi Tharoor, a former Congress leader and current Lok Sabha MP, the shift in Rahul Gandhi’s leadership style can be traced back to Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatras. Tharoor, who worked alongside Gandhi in both the Congress party and the Lok Sabha, observed that Gandhi’s recent behavior as Leader of the Opposition (LoP) reflects a strong sense of control and readiness to challenge the BJP-led NDA government.

Tharoor noted that since the latest Lok Sabha election results, Gandhi has been notably more accessible and active. He frequently participates in parliamentary sessions and demonstrates a hands-on approach, which Tharoor believes signals a new level of leadership and confidence. This shift in Gandhi’s demeanor, Tharoor argued, sends a clear message to his party, allies, and the BJP that he is ready to take on the ruling party.

In the most recent Lok Sabha elections, Congress faced its third consecutive defeat by the BJP, securing 99 seats against the BJP’s 240 in the 543-member House. Despite this loss, Congress nearly doubled its previous seat count from the 2019 elections, achieving its highest tally in a decade. Consequently, for the first time in ten years, there will be an official Leader of the Opposition in the Lower House, a position now held by Gandhi, the MP from Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh.

Tharoor attributed this transformation in Gandhi’s role to the two Bharat Jodo Yatras, which he believes marked the beginning of Gandhi’s increased visibility and engagement. He suggested that the groundwork for this shift was laid during these Yatras, which began about a year and a half before the elections.

Tharoor also pointed out that, unlike in previous terms, the BJP does not hold an outright majority in the current parliament. With the opposition’s increased numbers, Tharoor predicts it will be more challenging for the BJP to pass legislation without opposition consultation. He emphasized that the opposition’s larger presence makes it more difficult for the BJP to push through bills unchallenged, contrasting this with their previous approach of bypassing opposition dissent.

Bigwigs from other parties joining BJP adding to the woes of party leaders

July 23, 2024, 1:18 am

With the assembly polls drawing near, all the political factions have geared up for the election due in the month of October in Haryana and are continuously on their toes to ensure their victory . To fulfill their political ambitions, the bigwigs from Congress and many other parties joined BJP before the last Lok Sabha elections and added to the woes of BJP leaders. Due to the joining of the Congress leaders, not only the claim of BJP leaders for assembly election ticket has been affected in the party but now they may be forced to fight for their existence in their assembly constituency in the party itself as well.

In continuation to aforesaid, it is noteworthy that Naveen Jindal, who was in political exile for about 10 years, made a stunning comeback in the state politics in the last Lok Sabha elections marking an impressive victory in a neck to neck to fight from Kurukshetra Lok Sabha constituency. Naveen Jindal is now continuously visiting the senior leaders of the party and the high command. Recently, a statement given by Naveen Jindal that ”if the party field one of his family member from Hisar in the electoral battle to serve the people, his family will undoubtedly leave no stone unturned to fulfill the same ” has left the other party leaders from Hisar region restless, adding to their woes. Naveen Jindal’s family has been active in the Hisar assembly constituency for a long time. His late father OP Jindal and mother Savitry Jindal require no recognition in political spheres as they have been MLAs from and held the portfolio of ministers while being in Congress.

In this row, Naveen Jindal’s family is seen to be continuously active after staying away from politics for 10 years. Due to the possibility of Naveen Jindal’s family members contesting elections from Hisar difficulties have arisen for the party’s MLAs and other ticket claimants. At present, BJP stalwart Dr. Kamal Gupta is the BJP MLA from Hisar and a cabinet minister, but after Naveen Jindal’s statement, his difficulties seem to be increasing.

Similarly, former Congress leader Kiran Chaudhary, who quit the main opposition Congress party alleging neglect, has joined the BJP before the Lok Sabha elections. She is seeking Rajya Sabha ticket and assembly ticket for herself and her daughter Shruty who was denied a parliamentary ticket by Congress recently, respectively. However, it is up to the BJP high command to decide what to do. But her joining the party seems to be increasing the troubles of the BJP’s veteran leaders who have influence in Bhiwani Mahendragarh and surrounding areas. While she is a contender for the Rajya Sabha ticket, about half a dozen BJP leaders are already stalking claim on Rajya Sabha ticket, but after losing 5 seats in the Lok Sabha elections to Congress , the BJP is facing an uphill task to win assembly elections and the party should take advantage of it in about half a dozen seats where Kiran Chaudhary has influence. In such a situation, the BJP may have to negotiate with Kiran Chaudhary, due to which apart from the area of Bhiwani and Mahendragarh, local leaders may also have to face trouble. Apart from this, Kuldeep Bishnoi, a former Congress heavyweight who joined the BJP in the year 2022, will also be discouraged by Kiran Chaudhary’s BJP joining to some extent as both are claiming Rajya Sabha seat.

Likewise, Dr. Ashok Tanwar, who joined BJP quitting Aam Aadmi Party (Earlier Congress) was fielded by the BJP from Sirsa Lok Sabha seat denying ticket to the sitting MP then and the BJP leader Sunita Duggal but he could not survive the parliamentary polls. Despite that he is counted among the strong claimants for the assembly ticket and in order to strengthen his claim, he is in constant touch with the BJP high command, the supreme authority to take final call pertaining to any matter. Due to the same, BJP leader and former MP Sunita Duggal’s problems also seem to be increasing. Since Dr. Ashok Tanwar and Sunita Duggal hail from reserved category, both will be contenders for the ticket from reserved seat only. It is worth mentioning that a total of 17 assembly seats in Haryana are reserved for Scheduled Castes. Out of these, the main opposition party Congress has won 11 seats in the Lok Sabha elections this time. Whereas BJP has won only 4 seats. Apart from this, the results were somewhat pleasing for the party when the AAP, which contested the elections in INDI alliance with Congress, took the lead in two assembly constituencies.

It is noteworthy that In the last assembly elections held in 2019,out of the 17 seats reserved for SC community, Congress has won Kharkhoda, Kalanaur, Jhajjar, Bawanikheda, Uklana, Kalanwali, Mullana, Sadhaura, Ratia, Narwana and Hodal seats. BJP has won Nilokheri, Israna, Pataudi and Bawal seats, while AAP took the lead in Shahabad and Guhla Cheeka seats coming under Kurukshetra Lok Sabha. Regional parties INLD and JJP did not win in any reserved assembly seat. The main opposition party Congress has won the maximum number of 7 of these seats. The ruling BJP and the JJP have won the 5 and 4 assembly seats while an Independent candidate Dharampal Gondar succeeded in winning from the Nilokheri seat.

BJP raises alarm over Education standards in Govt Schools

July 18, 2024, 10:11 pm

The Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed that the quality of education in Delhi government schools has significantly deteriorated, with over 17,000 students failing class 9 for the second time. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva stated that this high number of failures exposes the false claims made by Education Minister Atishi Singh regarding providing world-class education.

The BJP has consistently argued that education standards in Arvind Kejriwal’s government schools are declining. They claim that the government deliberately fails a large number of weaker students in classes 9 and 11 to reduce the number of students taking the class 10 exam, thereby artificially improving pass rates for classes 10 and 12. However, the recent class 9 results clearly indicate that the Kejriwal government’s decision to reassign thousands of teachers from teaching duties to administrative and other tasks has significantly degraded school standards.

Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva emphasized that the high number of failures exposes the false claims of providing world-class education by Education Minister Atishi Singh. He added that it is shameful that the Delhi government is pushing students towards open school instead of encouraging regular attendance and success within the school system. Education Minister Atishi Singh should explain how students who struggle in regular school are expected to succeed in open school without tuition, especially since their families cannot afford private tutoring.

Chief Ministers vs Governors

July 18, 2024, 2:19 am

Owing to several tussles between the chief ministers of the states and their respective governors, several Commissions have outlined since Indian Independence about what an ideal relationship between the two should be, the slugfest has continued unabated.

The framers of the Constitution of India had several key intentions when they created the post of governor as the titular head representing the President in each state. One of the primary objectives was to foster harmony between the Centre (the federal government) and the states. This was particularly important in a federal system like India’s, where power is divided between the central government and the state governments.

After the Independence of the country, the spat between the Governors and Chief Ministers has been a common occurrence. The only exception was in the first decade of India’s Independence when there were just nine Governors — jurists Fazal Ali, Muhammad Saleh Akbar Hydari, KN Katju, freedom fighters Jairamdas Daulatram, Sri Prakasa, Sarojini Naidu and administrators Girija Shankar Bajpai, CM Trivedi and VP Menon.

Even though several Commissions have outlined what an ideal relationship between the two should be, the slugfest has continued unabated. Especially when the chief minister is not from the same party that governs the Centre.
Conflicts between chief ministers (CMs) and governors in India have occurred sporadically throughout history. Some notable instances include:

West Bengal Governor Dharma Vira dismissed the Ajoy Mukherjee government in 1967 and installed the Congress-backed PC Ghosh government. Andhra Pradesh Governor Ram Lal’s dismissal of the NT Rama Rao’s government in 1984 was a classic case of how the Governor’s impartiality had been thoroughly compromised.
The interesting point to note is that without exception, political parties have held different views when in opposition and when they are in power. The BJP disliked the Centre’s interference with the state legislative process so much that in its submission to the 1988 Sarkaria Commission, the party suggested that states should be consulted before passing a bill on an item in the Concurrent List.

In the late 1980s, in a rare political collaboration of the Left and the Right — both the CPI(M) and the BJP suggested that governors should be appointed by a panel chosen by the state legislature and the Inter-state Council should be making the appointments. The proposition was summarily dismissed by then ruling dispensation.
The bill mandates employers to have 50% local candidates in management roles & 75% in non-management roles. Industry players say ‘don’t understand’ how you can execute something like this.

Tamil Nadu is no exception to tussles between its Governors and Chief Ministers. The spell of confrontation involving Governor M. Channa Reddy and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the mid-1990s stands out in the history of clashes between two constitutional authorities of the State.
When M. Channa Reddy came to Chennai in May 1993 to assume the charge of 17th Governor of the State, the expectation in political circles was that it was a matter of time differences between the Governor and the Chief Minister came to the fore. It was not just because of the fact that the two were headstrong personalities but also due to the political context in which the appointment of Reddy took place.

In the mid-1980s, there was a significant standoff between Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and President Giani Zail Singh. During his first term as CM of Madhya Pradesh, Digvijaya Singh had a contentious relationship with Governor Bhai Mahavir. Similarly, in 2015-16, the political crisis in Arunachal Pradesh saw a confrontation between the Governor J.P. Rajkhowa and Chief Minister Nabam Tuki which wen to the Supreme Court.
In 2016, Governor K.K. Paul’s recommendation for President’s Rule was challenged by Chief Minister Harish Rawat.

The matter went to the High Court and later the Supreme Court, which eventually reinstated Rawat as Chief Minister. In Kerala, Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan have had several public disagreements. Similarly, in Tamil Nadu, the faceoff between CM MK Stalin and Governor R.N. Ravi has created headlines in newspapers almost daily.

In Tamil Nadu, ever since the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, successive governors Vidyasagar Rao, Banwarilal Purohit and R N Ravi have been accused of exceeding their constitutional brief. While Vidyasagar Rao left Tamil Nadu within a year without much controversy except for a few questionable decisions, Purohit and Ravi have been openly adversarial. Interestingly, the term of K Rosaiah as TN governor till August 30, 2016, went off peacefully perhaps because he was a seasoned politician and a former Congress chief minister from Andhra Pradesh.

These instances demonstrate the recurring nature of conflicts between Chief Ministers and Governors in India’s states. Such conflicts often arise due to differing interpretations of constitutional provisions, political considerations, and the exercise of discretionary powers by the governors. Resolving these conflicts through constitutional means and dialogue is crucial for maintaining the integrity of democratic governance at the state level.
Also, these incidents reflect the complex dynamics between state governments and governors in India’s federal structure. While the Constitution defines their respective roles and powers, conflicts often arise due to differing political affiliations, interpretations of constitutional provisions, and perceptions of interference. Resolving such conflicts is crucial for maintaining stability and effective governance at the state level.

Governors are appointed by the President on the advice of the Central government. Most of those appointed as governors are politicians rewarded for their services to the ruling party or bureaucrats or retired judges who are in sync with the party’s ideology. They apparently see themselves as missionaries and force multipliers to make the ground fertile for the party’s worldview. The skill sets of some of them include using Constitutional loopholes to stymie state governments.

Constitutional framework
As per Article 153 of the Constitution, each state must have a governor appointed by the President. While the governor is the constitutional head of the state, they are expected to act on the advice of the council of ministers. However, governors can exercise independent authority in certain situations, such as matters related to the dissolution of the state assembly or the imposition of the President’s rule.

Amit Shah to inaugurate monitoring centre during visit to Chandigarh next month

July 17, 2024, 11:32 pm

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Chandigarh on August 4. He will inaugurate the centre built by Chandigarh Police for the implementation of the three laws- Indian Judicial Code, Indian Civil Defence Code and Indian Evidence Code. Apart from this, the administration is also scheduling many of his other programs. It has started with the preparations for the same. The venue for his program is being decided by the administration. He will also inaugurate many projects on his arrival, next month.

All the three laws passed by the central government have been implemented in the entire country, including Chandigarh from July 1. The Indian Justice Code 2023, Indian Civil Defense Code 2023 and Indian Evidence Act 2023 were passed by the central government. Now, cases are registered under these laws. The police has set up a centre to monitor the cases registered under these laws 24 hours a day, which Shah is supposed to inaugurate.

Chandigarh Police launched an app to implement the three laws. All of the information related to the three new laws is available on the app. It can be downloaded from Play Store. Police is trying to provide complete information to the people. On this app, people can know about the provisions of both, the new and old laws and the difference between them.

There will be many changes after the implementation of the three new laws. Union Home Minister Shah visited Chandigarh on December 22, 2023. He had instructed the senior police officials to implement the new laws as soon as possible. In this regard, the police has also provided training on the three new laws to 550 front line officers.

Saweety Boora Eyes BJP Ticket for Haryana Polls

July 16, 2024, 5:38 pm

World Boxing Champion Saweety Boora has announced her intention to contest in the upcoming Haryana assembly elections as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the Barwala assembly seat in Hisar.

Announcement and Event

Boora made this announcement during an event on Sunday in her maternal village, Sarsaud, which is part of the Barwala assembly seat. Her native village, Ghirai, falls in the Hansi assembly seat of Hisar. The event was organized by the people of Sarsaud and neighboring villages to honor Boora’s achievements.

Boora stated, “I am a farmer’s daughter, and the farmers will surely bless their daughter. I am a regular worker of the BJP, and I will fulfill any responsibility given to me by the party. Even if I don’t get a ticket, I will continue to work for the party.”

Confidence in Winning

Confident of her victory if given a ticket, Boora said, “Just as I made the country proud in sports and worked with the country’s interest in mind, I will also work with the country’s interest in mind in politics. I am ready to be the voice of women and daughters.”

She emphasized that more than her desire, the people of the Barwala assembly seat want her to contest the election. “In the event organized by Sarsaud and neighboring villages Bichpadi, Jevra, and Juglan, members of 36 communities living in Haryana were present, as were panchs and sarpanchs from 22 villages of the Barwala assembly seat. They all wanted me to contest the upcoming assembly elections from Barwala,” she added.

Political Background

The BJP has never won the Barwala assembly seat, which went to Jannayak Janta Party’s (JJP) Jogi Ram Sihag in the 2019 assembly polls. However, Sihag had a falling out with JJP leader Dushyant Chautala after the latter’s exit from the Haryana government and lent his support to the BJP’s Hisar candidate in the 2024 Parliamentary elections. Despite Congress candidate Jai Parkash leading over his BJP rival Ranjit Singh in six out of nine assembly segments of Hisar, Singh polled 11,657 votes more than Parkash, making Sihag’s claim to a BJP ticket stronger.

Boora’s Life and Achievements

Saweety Boora was born on January 10, 1993, in a family of farmers in Hisar. She grew up in Sarsaud and attended a government school between Sarsaud and Bichpadi villages. Initially excelling in Kabaddi and becoming a state-level player, she switched to boxing in 2009 at her father’s suggestion and has since achieved significant success in the sport.

Boora’s accolades include a silver medal in the 2014 World Boxing Championship in Korea, a silver in the 2022 Asian Championship in Jordan, a silver in the 2015 Asian Championship in China, and a bronze in Dubai in 2021. She won gold in the 2023 Women’s Boxing Championship by defeating Wang Lina of China in the light heavyweight category. A documentary about her journey, titled “Chhori Mukkebaaz,” was released on the OTT platform Stage.

Boora is married to Deepak Hooda, a Kabaddi player from Chamaria village in Rohtak, who has been part of the Indian team that won gold at the 2016 South Asian Games and has participated in all seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League.

Shift to BJP

Before joining the BJP, Boora was critical of the party. Last year, she supported the women wrestlers’ protest against the former Wrestling Federation of India chief over sexual harassment allegations and joined Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Haryana in January.

In January 2024, Boora, influenced by PM Modi, joined the BJP along with her husband in Rohtak. She stated that she was impressed by the BJP’s policies, including the abrogation of Article 370, the construction of the Ram Temple, awarding Bharat Ratna to Chaudhary Charan Singh, and the increased facilities and budget for sports.

Boora’s entry into politics marks a significant move as she aims to leverage her achievements in sports and her new political alignment to make a difference in Haryana’s political landscape.

Tamil Nadu Vs Karnataka: Cauvery Water Dispute

July 16, 2024, 5:22 pm

Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are having a dispute about sharing water from the Cauvery River. The leader of Tamil Nadu criticized the Congress-led Karnataka government for not releasing enough water. Tamil Nadu is planning a meeting to decide their next step in the inter-state river dispute on Tuesday.

Cauvery Water Dispute History

Historically, Tamil Nadu utilized an Excessive portion of the Cauvery’s water, leaving Karnataka with less resources. Records show Tamil Nadu using around 602 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water. While Karnataka only had access to about 138 TMCs before the 20th century.

In 1924, a water-sharing agreement was established to address this Disproportionate water dispute. This agreement allowed both states to expand their irrigation capabilities. Tamil Nadu was permitted to increase its cultivated land by 1.1 million acres (from 1.6 million to 2.7 million). While Karnataka’s irrigation area could grow from 0.3 million acres to 1 million acres in 1974, an agreement between two neighbouring states in India expired. Karnataka, one of the states, felt like the agreement held them back from growing more crops near the Cauvery River. To jump up, they began building reservoirs to store water. This disagreement between the two states turned into a cold fight. To settle things fairly, a court called the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal stepped in 2007. But both states were unhappy with the court’s decision and took the matter to the Supreme Court, hoping for a different ruling underlining that “drinking water requirement” has to be placed “on a higher pedestal” The Supreme Court stepped in 2018 They ordered that Karnataka could get a little more water, about 14.75 thousand million cubic feet more. This brought their total share to 284.75 thousand million cubic feet, up from 270 thousand million cubic feet.

Recent Update

Karnataka has more water (75 TMC ft) than Tamil Nadu (13 TMC ft) but refuses to share according to CWRC rules. Stalin said in a statement, adding that “Karnataka declining to release water according to the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s (CWRC) directive is a betrayal of Tamil Nadu’s farmers. Now Tamil Nadu is planning a meeting to resolve the dispute on Tuesday.

on Sunday, Karnataka CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah stated that they were ready to release 8,000 cusecs of water from the Cauvery River each day to Tamil Nadu instead of the one TMC ft as mentioned by the CWR. Congress and the DMK are in the Opposition INDIA alliance at the national level.