Page 88 - Bjp

Exits of Azad, Sibal leave Congress' G-23 change seekers in disarray

Ghulam Nabi Azad's resignation from the Congress on Friday marked the most high-profile exit of one of the "Group of 23" (G-23) leaders, who had written to party chief Sonia Gandhi two years ago for a "collective and inclusive leadership" in the organisation, exposing the faultlines in the grand old party. The G-23, the members of which were lampooned by the party loyalists after their letter became public on August 24, 2020, has virtually disintegrated over the last two years with the resignations of Azad and Kapil Sibal, seen as the prime movers of the initiative, and others such as Shashi Tharoor, M Veerappa Moily and Mukul Wasnik making peace with the high-command. Leaders such as Jitin Prasada and Yogananda Shastri have also quit the Congress to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) respectively. Prasada is a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government now, while Shastri heads the Delhi unit of the NCP. Former Union minister Anand Sharma, w

Education in AAP govt's words, liquor in work: BJP's Anurag Thakur

Education may feature prominently in the words of the Aam Aadmi Party but it is "liquor" which drives their work, Union minister Anurag Thakur said on Friday as the BJP kept its attack on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia over the alleged excise scam. He said the AAP government in Delhi did not make "pathshala" (schools) but opened many "madhushala" (liquor vends) and questioned the "silence" of Kejriwal and Sisodia to the queries raised by him over the "scam", now being probed by the CBI. "The liquor scam has unmasked the AAP and showed how it is neck-deep in corruption. Why are its leaders not answering the questions raised by us over its excise policy," Thakur said. The AAP government should answer as to why Rs 144 crore was returned to liquor dealers besides Rs 30 crore earnest money, he asked. "If the excise policy was correct, then why was it withdrawn? The truth is serious corruption has occurred. Their health minister is in jail on corruptio

CBI FIR fake, Centre acting like 'killer' to eliminate state govts: Sisodia

The BJP-led Centre is acting like a serial killer to eliminate state governments, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia claimed on Friday, as he termed the CBI FIR against him "completely fake" and based on "mere sources". Speaking in the Delhi Assembly, Sisodia said the CBI does not have proof of any corruption in the city government's excise policy. He also alleged that the CBI conducted raids on his residence because the Delhi government's good work was being praised across the globe. The deputy chief minister, who is an accused in the CBI case related to the Delhi government's excise policy, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi "feels insecure" seeing good work done by others. "Prime Minister Modi feels insecure seeing good work by others. I have not seen a more insecure person than him. Had Arvind Kejriwal been the prime minister and I the education minister of a state, he would not have done something like this," Sisodia said, participating in a discussion on a government .

Karnataka CM Bommai, a 'puppet' of RSS: Congress leader Siddaramaiah

Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Friday called Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai as an "incapable" person and also a 'puppet' in the hands of the RSS. The former Chief Minister even termed the BJP government in the State as "illegal" as it was not legitimately elected by the people of the State; the saffron party came to power through "Operation Kamala." "We have an incapable Chief Minister, he has become a puppet in the hands of RSS. There is no government and there is no governance, as stated by Minister Madhuswamy himself," Siddaramaiah said. Recently, Madhuswamy's purported remarks during a telephonic conversation that the "government is not functioning, we are somehow managing" were leaked and gone viral, causing embarrassment to the government. During an interaction with mediapersons here, the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly in reference to the 40 per cent commission charge against the government by the State contractors' association, said when

Content of Ghulam Nabi Azad's letter not factual, timing awful: Congress

The Congress on Friday said the contents of Ghulam Nabi Azad's resignation letter were "not factual" and its timing was "awful", while asserting that it was most unfortunate that it came at a time when the entire party organisation was engaged in combating the BJP on key issues like price rise and polarisation. Congress sources said Azad's observations in the letter were more of a "personal vilification" targeting Rahul Gandhi. Addressing a press conference on Azad's resignation, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "It is most unfortunate, most regrettable that this has happened, when the Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and the entire Congress Party organization, across the country is engaged in confronting, combating, fighting the BJP on issues of 'mehangai (price rise)', unemployment and polarization." The entire Congress organisation in the last couple of weeks has been involved in preparing for the 'Mehangai Par Halla Bol rally'

Sonali Phogat was drugged at a party by accused before death: Goa Police

BJP leader Sonali Phogat was drugged at a party by her two associates who have been now named as accused in the case related to her 'murder', Goa Police said on Friday. Both the accused were seen mixing some obnoxious chemical substance in the liquid which was fed to her at the party at a restaurant in Anjuna, said Inspector General of Police Omvir Singh Bishnoi. Sudhir Sagwan and Sukhwinder Singh, the two accused who have been detained, had travelled to Goa along with Phogat on August 22. The incident of drugging happened at Curlies Restaurant at Anjuna in North Goa as per the accused's confession, the IGP said. Both would be arrested soon, he added. Phogat was brought dead to a hospital on August 23. As per an autopsy report, her body had "multiple blunt force injuries.

BS Yediyurappa to meet PM Narendra Modi and top BJP leadership in New Delhi

Karnataka BJP strongman B S Yediyurappa left for New Delhi on Friday, and will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party's central leadership during the visit. This is the first visit of the former Chief Minister after his recent induction into the BJP's Parliamentary Board and Central Election Committee. He is also likely to meet the top RSS leadership during the visit. "I'm going to Delhi, I will be there today and tomorrow. Today evening I will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I will meet Amit Shah (Union Home Minister) and J P Nadda (BJP national President), Rajnath Singh (Union Defence Minister) and other leaders today and tomorrow, and will return tomorrow evening," Yediyurappa said. Speaking to reporters here before leaving for New Delhi, he said, "It is my duty to seek their suggestions and guidance on how to function in the new responsibility given to me, so I'm going. If I get an opportunity I will also meet Dattatreya Hosabale, the Sarkaryawah (General .

Attempt to topple AAP govt shows how dangerous 'Operation Lotus' is: Sena

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena on Friday accused the BJP of trying to topple the AAP government in Delhi by using the Enforcement Directorate, and said it shows how dangerous 'Operation Lotus' is for the democracy in the country. The editorial in the Sena mouthpiece Saamana said the BJP was worried about 2024 Lok Sabha elections and scared of rival leaders like Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee and Nitish Kumar. Delhi chief minister Kejriwal on Thursday accused the BJP of trying to topple his government by offering Rs 800 crore to 40 MLAs of the Aam Aadmi Party for switching sides. The BJP denied the allegation. This shows how dangerous Operation Lotus is for democracy, Saamana editorial said, adding that raids by investigation agencies and politics of revenge were the biggest weapons of the BJP. The BJP's opponents often use the term 'Operation Lotus' while accusing it of making efforts to topple the state governments run by opposition parties.

CBI FIR fake, Centre trying to eliminate state govts, says Manish Sisodia

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday said the CBI FIR against him is "completely fake", and alleged that the BJP-ruled Centre is acting like a serial killer to eliminate state governments. He was speaking during the special session of the Delhi Assembly. Sisodia also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he "gets insecure" seeing good work done by others. "Prime Minister Modi gets insecure seeing good work by others. I have not seen a more insecure person than him. Had Arvind Kejriwal been the prime minister, he would not have done something like this had I been an education minister in some other government," Sisodia said in the Assembly. He said Arvind Kejriwal supported the prime minister in all the Centre's good initiatives but the prime minister did the opposite. Sisodia said CBI officers searched his clothes and even his children's clothes during the 14-hour raid at his house but found nothing. "The FIR against me is completely fake. I have committed

Sonali Phogat was taken to Goa on pretext of film shoot, claims her brother

Family members of Haryana BJP leader and TikTok star Sonali Phogat has alleged that she was brought to Goa on the pretext of film shoot by accused persons

UP cleric seeks stricter laws for blasphemy following BJP MLA's remarks

A top cleric from the Lucknow-based Majlis-e-Ulema-e-Hind has condemned the remarks made by suspended BJP MLA Raja Singh against Prophet Mohammad and urged the Centre to make the laws more stringent

Deputy CM Tejashwi is 'fake' Yadav, Nityanand Rai is real, says Bihar BJP

The BJP in Bihar on Thursday alleged that Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav was a "fake", who belonged to a family of "shepherds" but claimed to be a descendant of Lord Krishna's clan. State BJP spokesman and OBC Morcha national general secretary Nikhil Anand came out with a stinging statement against the young RJD leader in response to a press conference held by the latter. In the press meet, Yadav had fulminated against "a Union minister, who was dreaming of becoming the CM and planning a game (khela') in Bihar". Though Yadav had not named anybody, Anand took the bait, saying "Nityanand Rai (MoS for Home) is a real Yadav as he belongs to a family of cowherds and is, therefore, a descendant of Lord Krishna. Tejashwi is farji' (fake) as he belongs to a community of shepherds". It has been widely speculated that were the BJP to win power in Bihar, it might back Rai as the chief minister in a bid to win over the Yadavs, the most populous and politically assertive caste grou

BJP attacks Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's 'political DNA', Tejashwi hits back

Leader of Opposition in Bihar Legislative Council Samrat Chaudhary, in controversial remarks in the upper house on Thursday, said that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's "political DNA is bad"

Kejriwal slams BJP, says fake FIR registered against Manish Sisodia

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday attacked the BJP claiming that a fake FIR was registered against Deputy CM Manish Sisodia

Hemant Soren will remain Jharkhand CM for full term till 2024: JMM

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Thursday asserted that Hemant Soren will remain the chief minister for full term till 2024, and demanded legal action against BJP leaders for disclosing a reported official decision despite no confirmation from either ECI or Raj Bhavan. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is believed to have told Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais that Soren should be disqualified as an MLA for violating electoral norms by extending a mining lease to himself, Raj Bhavan sources said. However, Raj Bhavan has officially not confirmed the development. Wondering why the ECI was silent over the violation of the Official Secrets Act, the JMM urged the commission to take suo moto cognisance against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and other saffron party leaders for allegedly disrespecting the Constitution. Exuding confidence that Soren will remain the chief minister till 2024, JMM general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said Soren will complete his full term and fulfi

Sonali Phogat's autopsy report indicates multiple injuries: Goa Police

Goa Police on Thursday pressed a charge of murder against two associates of BJP leader Sonali Phogat soon after autopsy was conducted on her body. Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code has been added to the case related to the death of the 42-year-old leader, a senior police official told PTI here. Sudhir Sagwan and Sukhwinder Wasi were named as accused in the case, he added. Sagwan and Wasi had accompanied Phogat to Goa when she arrived in the coastal state on August 22. Her brother Rinku Dhaka had filed a complaint against the two men at Anjuna Police Station on Wednesday. Autopsy was conducted on Phogat's body at the Goa Medical College and Hospital earlier in the day.

Will Rahul Gandhi, Congress apologise on Pegasus issue: BJP on SC verdict

The BJP claimed on Thursday that the opposition's attack on the government over the Pegasus issue was all part of a "motivated campaign" aimed at weakening Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad wondered if Rahul Gandhi and the Congress will apologise after the Supreme Court-appointed panels probing the unauthorised use of Pegasus found some kind of malware in five mobile phones out of the 29 examined but could not conclude if it was due to the Israeli spyware. Opposition parties, so called intellectuals, some NGOs and a section of media ran a sustained campaign against the government, Prasad told a press conference. He also alleged that the Congress has so much animus against Modi and his government that it resorts to falsehood to expand the party but ends up shrinking further after its lies are exposed. He cited the Congress campaign against the government over the issue of Rafale aircraft purchase and the Central Vista project and

'One Nation, One Man, One Fertilizer': Congress takes dig at govt's order

The Congress on Thursday slammed the government's reported order directing all fertilizer companies to sell their products under a single brand, describing it as "one nation, one man, one fertilizer". In a bid to bring about uniformity in fertiliser brands across the country, the government issued an order directing all companies to sell their products under a single brand name of 'Bharat', media reports said. "Nothing that the Sarvavyapi does for self-promotion should surprise us anymore. Latest is the decision to sell all fertilizers under one brand and that too as part of PM-BJP (Bharatiya Janurvarak Pariyojana)," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said. "One Nation, One Man, One Fertilizer!" he tweeted.

53 of 62 AAP MLAs attend meeting to discuss BJP's 'poaching' attempts

A total of 53 AAP MLAs out of 62 attended a meeting convened by party supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday to discuss alleged poaching attempts by the BJP, sources said. The meeting that was scheduled to begin at 11 am was concluded within a few minutes, they said, adding that all the 62 legislators of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi were contacted ahead of the meeting at Kejriwal's residence. The sources said at least a dozen AAP MLAs had gone incommunicado ahead of the meeting. "We were not able to contact some of our MLAs as they were probably stuck in traffic, but we want to assure the people of Delhi that the AAP government will not fall. I want to assure you that all the legislators would be present at the meeting," senior party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj had told reporters outside the chief minister's residence. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have dismissed the AAP's "poaching" claim, terming it a "public stunt" by the Kejriwal-led party. BJP M

Nitish Kumar exhorts alliance partners to unitedly fight BJP in LS polls

After winning the trust vote in Bihar Assembly, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is exhorting his Mahagathbandhan alliance partners to unitedly work towards wiping out BJP from the Centre