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Beating the model code of conduct: Candidates can’t give cash but governments can

There has been a flood of offers and sops from both parties, ironically started by the BJP which has been at the forefront of a campaign to eliminate freebies

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Shivraj Singh Chouhan

By Neeraj Mishra

Diwali has slowed down the race in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh while people celebrate and reflect on the booty on offer in the two states. There has been a flood of offers and sops from both parties, ironically started by the BJP, which has been at the forefront of a campaign to eliminate what it calls “freebies” and their impact on the economy. A lawyer associated with the party has even filed a PIL in the Supreme Court calling for an end to freebies offered by parties ahead of elections.

Sops should first be cleared by a board consisting of Income Tax payers. But in the current elections, it is not the free promises but the misuse of state apparatus that is making waves. After 17 years in the saddle, Shivraj Singh Chouhan suddenly woke up to the power of the word “free” and made it state policy. Just before the election dates were announced, he offered Rs 3,000 per month to all “pyari behenas”.

Two instalments have been delivered, one on Rakhi and the other on Karva Chauth. Similarly in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has offered Rs 2,500 per month to all unemployed youth below the age of 35. Three instalments have been delivered. If this is not enticement, what is? But it is not covered under the Model Code of Conduct as defined by the Election Commission of India.

Candidates can’t give cash but governments can. There is more, Chouhan has offered Rs 500 subsidy on gas to every “vivahit mahila”. So have Baghel and his Rajasthan counterpart Ashok Gehlot. Chouhan has another Seekho Kamao Scheme 2023 where all unemployed youth are being given Rs 10,000 so that they can learn some skill and start their own business.

This, of course, includes learning how to make tea and pakoras. All state governments going to elections have launched their own Mukhmantri Awas Yojana on the lines of the PM Awas Yojana. The above are instances of direct cash transfer by the state and the ruling party which gives it an obvious edge. So where is the level playing field for all candidates?

To level the field, opposition parties in both states have adopted the more the merrier promises. If the Congress in Chhattisgarh wanted to give Rs 2,800 per quintal of rice, the BJP immediately promised Rs 3,100 forcing the Congress to revise its offer to Rs 3,200. So the BJP decided to offer Rs 12,000 to every woman in the state per year. For this, it has started a fill-the-form campaign. All women who filled a BJP form declaring that they want the Rs 12,000 will be given Rs 12,000 if the party comes to power. So again this is a model contravention of the model code of conduct.

There is no cash given now but it will be given definitely. Modi ki Guarantee hai. Congress got smart and upped it to Rs 15,000 per year. So now just calculate the cash dole out. Every married woman will get Rs 3000 per month in MP. So if a family has only two women, the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law, then the household gets Rs 72,000 per year. Add to it LPG cylinder for Rs 500 and Rs 1 per kg rice, so where is the need to work? Of course, the government will also give Rs 10 lakh health insurance cover and a PM or CM Awas.

There are other free ideas to avail of, from school dress to cycle and sewing machine to pakora stalls. In Chhattisgarh, each farmer will get Rs 1,000 above the MSP per quintal. It’s far above what the rest of the country gets. If there are two unemployed sons because farming is not employment, then each gets Rs 24,000 per year. The wife and daughter get Rs 12,000 or Rs 15,000 per year. Of course, the same gas, housing and health schemes apply here apart from free rice, dal and chana. Are we trying to bring up a generation which does not need to work? Is it only moot to ask this or wait for the Supreme Court to deliver its verdict?

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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