Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Atishi, running for re-election from the Kalkaji seat, launched a crowdfunding campaign on Sunday to support her upcoming Assembly election bid.

During the campaign launch, Atishi expressed her hope that the public would back her party’s focus on positive governance and contribute generously to help reach her fundraising goal of Rs 40 lakh for election expenses. She provided an online link for individuals to make donations in advance of the polls in Delhi.

“The people of Delhi have always supported AAP, contributing to our election campaigns. Even small donations have enabled us to contest and succeed in elections. We have received support from the most economically disadvantaged individuals in amounts as modest as Rs 10 to 100. AAP’s commitment to honest politics means we do not seek funding from corporations,” Atishi noted.

She highlighted the issue prevalent among political candidates and parties who often rely on funding from wealthy tycoons, which leads to them catering to those interests through contracts. “The Kejriwal government has consistently prioritized the needs of the common people, which has aided us in our electoral journey,” she added.

Atishi emphasized that despite being in power in Delhi for a decade, AAP has maintained a corruption-free record. “We will contest these elections with the support of the people of Delhi and across the country, just as we have done in previous elections,” she asserted.

In a subtle comment directed at the BJP, she remarked, “Perhaps they have gathered enough funds from their allies and through government contracts, so they don’t need to raise money for their election campaigns.”

As she seeks re-election from the Kalkaji assembly seat, Atishi is up against former MP and senior BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri, as well as Congress’s Alka Lamba. The 70-member Delhi Assembly is scheduled to hold elections on February 5, with results expected to be announced on February 8.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attended an exhibition featuring participants of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue. PM Modi announced that he would spend the entire day with over 3,000 “dynamic young leaders” selected from across the nation.

This dialogue is part of the Prime Minister’s initiative to engage 100,000 youth without political affiliations in the political arena. The event coincides with National Youth Day, which celebrates the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

On Saturday, Modi expressed his enthusiasm, stating that he would spend the day with “my young friends,” engaging in discussions and lunch focused on various topics aimed at fostering a ‘Viksit Bharat’.

The selected youths have demonstrated a strong interest in fields such as science, technology, innovation, and culture. The two-day Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue commenced on Saturday at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, organized by the Department of Youth Affairs.

The inaugural session was attended by notable figures, including Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Raksha Khadse, Anand Mahindra, Palki Sharma, S. Somnath, Pawan Goenka, Amitabh Kant, and Ronnie Screwvala. The ceremony featured the traditional lighting of the lamp and a floral tribute to Swami Vivekananda, whose enduring principles continue to inspire the youth of the nation.

The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue aims to move away from the conventional format of the National Youth Festival that has been in place for 25 years, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision expressed on Independence Day to engage one lakh youth in politics without any political ties, providing them with a national platform to turn their visions for a developed India into reality.

During the event, the Prime Minister is expected to launch a compilation of the best essays submitted by participants on ten diverse themes, including technology, sustainability, women empowerment, manufacturing, and agriculture. In a unique move, he will also join the young leaders for lunch, creating an opportunity for them to share their ideas, experiences, and aspirations directly with him.

Earlier today, BJP National President and Union Minister J.P. Nadda praised the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, highlighting its empowering nature for the youth, encouraging them to play a meaningful role in nation-building. In a post on X, Nadda noted, “I hosted young leaders from Himachal Pradesh under the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogues program in New Delhi. I shared my journey and experiences while listening attentively to their innovative ideas and fresh perspectives.

“Platforms like this instill a sense of empowerment and confidence among youngsters, inspiring them to contribute meaningfully to nation-building. I am uplifted by the energy and passion of these young minds and truly impressed by their commitment to the vision of Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi ji for ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’,” he added in his post.

Former Assam cricketer Devajit Saikia has been appointed as the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), succeeding Jay Shah, whose departure left the position unfilled for more than a month following his elevation to chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Saikia’s first official duty in his new position was to attend a meeting with BCCI president Roger Binny, where they discussed India’s recent performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Reports indicate that Indian team captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir were also in attendance.

According to reports, the meeting involved an in-depth analysis of the Indian team’s performance during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, addressing what went wrong and identifying necessary corrective actions. However, it was noted that there would not be any hasty decisions by the new BCCI leadership, especially with the Champions Trophy 2025 approaching in just a few weeks.

Hailing from Assam, Saikia brings a rich blend of experience in cricket, law, and administration to his new role. He played as a first-class cricketer from 1990 to 1991, participating in four matches as a wicketkeeper, scoring 53 runs, and making nine dismissals.

After his time in the field, Saikia pursued a legal career, beginning as a lawyer at the Gauhati High Court at the age of 28. Prior to his legal practice, he held positions in the Northern Frontier Railways and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under sports quota provisions.

Saikia ventured into cricket administration in 2016, becoming one of six vice presidents of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) during the presidency of Hemanta Biswa Sarma, who is now the Chief Minister of Assam. He later held the position of ACA secretary from 2019 before being elected as BCCI joint secretary in 2022.

At 55, Saikia reflects on his entry into cricket administration, asserting that he never intended to take on an administrative role but felt “compelled” to do so after witnessing corruption within Assam’s cricket administration. In a past interaction with broadcasters, he remarked, “It was never my intention to be a cricket or sports administrator. Even today, I don’t like being an administrator.”