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Congress takes a jibe at Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma after he explains India’s stand on IMF bailout to Pakistan

“Russia voted against an IMF aid tranche for Ukraine on 12 September 2016, and India voted against Zimbabwe’s expulsion on 11 September 2005.”

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The Congress on Saturday took a swipe at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma following his defence of India’s position on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout to Pakistan.

Sarma, taking to X earlier in the day, accused Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera, of spreading misinformation about India’s stance.

In a post on X, Khera responded sharply, saying, “Mr Chief Minister, please review this and have your team verify how often an ‘against’ vote has been cast.”

He cited examples, noting, “Russia voted against an IMF aid tranche for Ukraine on 12 September 2016, and India voted against Zimbabwe’s expulsion on 11 September 2005.”

The exchange followed India’s decision on Friday to oppose the IMF’s proposal for a $2.3 billion loan to Pakistan, citing concerns that the funds could be diverted to support state-sponsored cross-border terrorism.

Sarma, in a detailed X post, accused Congress leaders of distorting facts, asserting, “There is no ‘NO’ vote at the IMF. The only way to express dissent is through abstention, which India appropriately chose.”

Explaining the IMF’s weighted voting system, Sarma clarified that it operates on a proportional quota based on each nation’s financial contribution, unlike the equal-vote format of the UN General Assembly.

“India’s abstention was a deliberate and strategic act, sending a clear message that we will not endorse financial aid to a country exporting terrorism across our borders,” he stated.

He described the move as a balanced diplomatic signal, demonstrating India’s refusal to support Pakistan’s actions without destabilising the global economic framework.

Sarma accused the Congress of engaging in “reckless politics,” claiming, “Leaders like Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera are undermining national interests with their narrative, portraying India as weak when it has acted with strength and responsibility.”

He highlighted India’s firm responses to terrorism under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referencing actions in Uri, Balakot, and ‘Operation Sindoor,’ and framed the IMF abstention as a reflection of strategic diplomacy.

Ramesh, in an earlier X post, had claimed that the Congress urged India to vote against the IMF loan to Pakistan during its Executive Board meeting on Friday, 9 May 2025, but lamented that India’s abstention diluted the message. “A firm ‘NO’ vote would have been a stronger signal,” he argued.

The IMF approved a $1 billion tranche for Pakistan under its $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and a $1.3 billion tranche under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) on Friday. India abstained, with the Union Ministry of Finance expressing concerns over Pakistan’s “poor track record” with IMF programmes and the potential misuse of funds for terrorism, reinforcing India’s cautious yet principled stand amid ongoing tensions.

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BJP to launch 5,000-km Parivartan Yatra across West Bengal ahead of Assembly elections

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will begin its large-scale ‘Parivartan Yatra’ in poll-bound West Bengal from Sunday, marking a major political outreach drive ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

The party said the campaign is designed to mobilise support across the state and counter what it alleges has been more than a decade of “corrupt, undemocratic, and anti-people governance” under the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Statewide mobilisation across nine divisions

According to party leaders, the Yatra will be conducted simultaneously in all nine organisational divisions of West Bengal. The outreach programme is expected to cover nearly 5,000 kilometres, passing through 38 organisational districts and more than 230 Assembly constituencies.

The BJP estimates the initiative will generate over one crore direct public touchpoints, focusing heavily on face-to-face interactions and grassroots engagement. As part of the campaign plan, the party has scheduled 63 large rallies and 281 welcome meetings at key entry points of Assembly constituencies.

With the slogan “Paltano Dorkar, Chai BJP Sorkar”, the party has framed the Yatra as both an electoral campaign and a broader political movement aimed at strengthening its organisational presence across the state.

Focus on governance, law and order, and corruption

The party’s messaging during the Yatra will centre on governance, accountability, and systemic reforms. BJP leaders plan to raise concerns related to women’s safety, alleged corruption in the education sector, including teacher recruitment issues, and what they describe as threats to national security.

Party sources indicated that demographic changes, illegal infiltration, and the presence of extremist elements in border districts will also be key themes during the campaign.

In rural areas, the outreach will emphasise agricultural infrastructure, implementation of centrally sponsored schemes, and removal of intermediaries. In urban regions, the narrative will focus on industrial development, youth employment, and improvements in urban transport systems.

Senior leaders to participate

More than 100 senior leaders from the central and state units are expected to be involved in the Yatra. The inaugural phase, scheduled for Sunday and Monday, will feature five launch events on the first day and four on the second.

Senior BJP leaders including Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Rajnath Singh, Dharmendra Pradhan, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Nitin Nabin are expected to attend various programmes during the campaign.

After a short break for Holi, the Yatra will resume from March 5 to March 10, with each unit operating for approximately nine hours daily. The campaign is set to culminate in a major public meeting at Kolkata’s Brigade Ground, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address supporters.

The BJP is positioning the Parivartan Yatra as a significant step in reshaping the political landscape of West Bengal as the state moves closer to the Assembly elections.

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BJP alliances in Assam likely to be sealed by March 10

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has indicated that the alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is expected to be finalised by March 10 ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

The AGP, a long-time ally of the BJP in Assam, is also a founding member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Discussions between the partners are progressing, with indications that the formal announcement could come within days.

Sources said there could be “friendly fights” between the BJP and AGP in a few constituencies. Such arrangements may be considered to accommodate local-level aspirations and party workers from both sides.

The BJP is also likely to conclude seat-sharing discussions with the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) by March 10. In the previous Assembly election, the BPF had aligned with the Indian National Congress (Congress), but it has now returned to the NDA fold.

However, seat-sharing talks between the BJP and its other Bodoland-region partner, the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), are reportedly facing hurdles. Earlier, Mr Sarma had stated that the UPPL would not join hands with the Congress.

On the opposition side, the Congress is dealing with its own alliance challenges. Negotiations with Akhil Gogoi-led Raijor Dal are underway, but sources suggested that discussions have not been progressing smoothly.

Congress sources said seat-sharing arrangements with the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and Left parties are almost finalised. An official announcement is awaited from the party’s high command.

As political negotiations intensify, both the ruling NDA and the opposition camp are working to conclude alliances and seat-sharing deals in the run-up to the state polls.

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Rohit Pawar alleges big personality link in Ajit Pawar plane crash case

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Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Thursday alleged that a “big personality” was connected to the company linked to the plane crash that killed his uncle, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and others in Baramati last month.

Addressing reporters after holding a protest, Rohit Pawar demanded the resignation of Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu. He alleged that the minister’s party had financial links to the company involved in the crash and said he should step down from his post.

“The owner of VSR company is close to very powerful leaders. Many people in Maharashtra are connected to this. There is a clear attempt to protect VSR because some ‘big personality’ is involved in this,” Rohit Pawar said.

Demand for wider probe

The fatal aircraft accident occurred in Baramati on January 28. Following the incident, the investigation into the accidental deaths of Ajit Pawar and others was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Pune Police, considering the gravity of the case.

Rohit Pawar questioned the progress of the probe and said the public must be informed about the steps taken so far. He pointed out that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) examines technical aspects of an aviation mishap, but not possible criminal angles.

Additional Director General of Police Sunil Ramanand said the CID investigation is exploring multiple aspects, including whether there was any foul play or sabotage behind the accident, whether criminal negligence played a role, and whether there was any larger conspiracy. He added that the AAIB report would be incorporated into the CID’s findings once received.

Family voices concerns

Referring to concerns raised by family members, Rohit Pawar said that Jay Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s son, had expressed doubts on social media regarding the aircraft’s black box. Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s wife, has sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Speaking emotionally about his relationship with his uncle, Rohit Pawar said Ajit Pawar had guided him politically and personally. He added that Ajit Pawar had wished to reunite with Sharad Pawar and had recently spoken to him.

The CID continues its investigation, while awaiting the technical report from the AAIB.

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