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Vishwas eyes Rajya Sabha as AAP seeks to check-mate plan with Ajmer by-poll ticket

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Will Kumar Vishwas get Z security after accusing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of supporting Khalistan?

A section of Aam Aadmi Party workers are demanding that the party project its Rajasthan in-charge Vishwas as candidate for Ajmer by-poll

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) may have been formed with the promise of offering the electorate a political platform devoid of internal cunning and intrigue, yet some five years after its birth the outfit seems to be fraught with the same troubles that it blamed the Congress and BJP for.

While it had successfully left in the past the bitterness and dissatisfaction that had been caused within its ranks when founding members Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav were shown the door, AAP is now struck by a new internal turmoil – one triggered by Kumar Vishwas – with weeks to go before the biennial Rajya Sabha polls for three seats from the national capital.

Amid reports that the Arvind Kejriwal-led party wants to nominate ‘outsiders’ – distinguished individuals from various walks of life – for Delhi’s three Rajya Sabha seats instead of its own leaders, Vishwas has publicly been pushing for his candidature for one of these berths that fall vacant this month. With supporters of Vishwas openly staging protests against the AAP troika of Kejriwal, his confidante and Delhi’s deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and party leader Sanjay Singh and demanding that the poet-politician be named as the party candidate, an interesting plot seems to be in the works to check-mate Vishwas’ bid.

Sources in the Aam Aadmi Party told APN Live that a section of party workers, known to be loyalists of Kejriwal and Sisodia, have begun a campaign seeking candidature of Vishwas from Rajasthan’s Ajmer parliamentary constituency which will witness a by-poll on January 29. Vishwas has been the in-charge of party affairs in Rajasthan and claims to have widespread support in the state.

Besides Ajmer, the Alwar parliamentary constituency and Mandalgarh assembly seat in Rajasthan will also witness a by-election on January 29, the results for all three seats are scheduled to be announced on February 1.

The manufactured undercurrent for Kumar Vishwas’ candidature for the Ajmer by-poll is sources say, a way of the Kejriwal-led AAP leadership to claim publicly – and before its supporters – that it has faith in the disgruntled leader’s ability to enter Parliament by winning the people’s mandate and so wouldn’t field him for a back-door entry – the Rajya Sabha nomination. Privately though, the tactic would stall Vishwas’ bid for a Rajya Sabha berth and in all probability scuttle his chance of an electoral victory as he is unlikely to win the Ajmer by-poll.

The Ajmer constituency is set to witness an intense by-poll campaign between the two key political players of Rajasthan – the Congress and BJP. The seat was won by BJP’s Sanwar Lal Jat in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls who had defeated the then sitting MP – Congress leader Sachin Pilot. Jat’s demise in August last year has necessitated the by-poll. Though neither the Congress, nor the BJP have yet declared their candidates from the seat, political observers are certain that the constituency will witness a bipolar contest between the two traditional rivals. Further, there is a buzz that the Congress might field Sachin Pilot, its state unit chief and former Ajmer MP, as the candidate from this seat. The intense fight in the Congress and BJP camps for Ajmer is expected to leave no political space for a novice like Vishwas or his party which hardly has any grassroots presence across Rajasthan.

If Vishwas is declared the AAP candidate from Ajmer, sources say a crushing defeat is in store for him. Such an eventuality will help Kejriwal further blunt any political ambitions of his confidante-turned-rival.

Meanwhile, with most ‘outsiders’ turning down Kejriwal’s offer of being the party’s Rajya Sabha candidate, sources said AAP is likely to name its senior leader Sanjay Singh as candidate for one of the berths that will fall vacant later this month. For the other two seats, the party is likely to field social activist and businessman Sushil Gupta and prominent chartered accountant ND Gupta. The name of senior AAP leader and former journalist Ashutosh is also not ruled out.

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Man attempting to cross India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan shot dead by BSF personnel

“We are investigating the case under these acts,” he added.

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Border Security Force (BSF) personnel shot and killed an individual attempting to cross the India-Pakistan border in the Ganganagar district of Rajasthan late on Tuesday, according to police.

Jitendra Kumar, the station house officer at Kesrisinghpur police station, stated that the man was trying to breach the barbed wire fence when he was spotted by BSF personnel. “They advised him to leave the area, but when he continued to advance, the BSF personnel shot him,” said the SHO.

Sriganganagar Superintendent of Police Gaurav Yadav confirmed that the suspect was allegedly trying to enter Indian territory around midnight on December 24, 2024. Despite warnings from the BSF soldiers, he did not heed their calls, which resulted in the shooting.

The incident occurred near a village in the Kesarisinghpur area. Items recovered from the intruder included Pakistani currency notes, a cigarette packet, an identity card, and other belongings. Authorities are currently gathering more information about him.

Ongoing discussions are taking place between the armed forces and police officers regarding the incident. An FIR has been filed that includes charges of trespassing and violations of the Passports Act and the Foreigners Act, according to Kumar. “We are investigating the case under these acts,” he added.

This incident is one of several similar occurrences along the border. In August, the BSF apprehended an intruder named Jagsi Kohli, who had entered about 15 kilometers into Indian territory in Barmer after locals alerted authorities that he was asking for directions to Tharparkar, a district in Pakistan’s Sindh province.

In March of this year, another person attempting to cross the border in Ganganagar was shot by BSF personnel. There have been additional incidents reported in October 2022 and twice in March 2021, all resulting in fatalities among the intruders.

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Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Chandrababu Naidu among leaders at NDA meet in Delhi amid Ambedkar row

The alliance had decided to convene on the birthday of the late BJP leader, noted for successfully leading the first coalition government to complete its term.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP chief J.P. Nadda and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu among leaders of the NDA met in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss different issues including Shah’s comment on BR Ambedkar days ago in Rajya Sabha.

In attendance, apart from Shah, Nadda and Naidu, JD-U leader and Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Apna Dal (S) president and Union minister Anupriya Patel, as well as JD (S) leader and Union minister H.D. Kumaraswamy were present.

Also present were Jitan Ram Manjhi, leader of Bihar’s Hindustani Awam Morcha (S) and a minister in the Modi government, Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) president Upendra Kushwaha, a Rajya Sabha MP, and Thushar Vellappally, president of Bharath Dharma Jana Sena.

While the specific agenda of the meeting was not officially disclosed, sources indicated that discussions revolved around good governance and various political issues—principles that were central to Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister. The alliance had decided to convene on the birthday of the late BJP leader, noted for successfully leading the first coalition government to complete its term.

Following the meeting, Nadda shared on X, “Attended the NDA leaders’ meeting in New Delhi today. Under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India is achieving unprecedented milestones and has positioned itself as a global superpower. The NDA government remains committed to realizing the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for all.”

Sanjay Nishad, chief of the NISHAD Party in Uttar Pradesh, described the meeting as “informal” and focused on Vajpayee’s legacy. He emphasised the importance of unity among all alliance members heading into future elections, mentioning that they congratulated the BJP leaders for their electoral victories in Haryana and Maharashtra.

Nishad further outlined that the meeting addressed coalition strategies to ensure that Prime Minister Modi’s initiatives effectively reach the populace and that electoral promises are fulfilled. He raised the topic of providing reservations for the fishing community, stating, “I presented evidence on this issue, as it was a poll promise. They will follow up with us next week to discuss it.”

Responding to inquiries about whether Amit Shah’s controversial remarks on Ambedkar were discussed, Nishad said, “We are here for the welfare of the people. Our energy should focus on achieving success in that area, rather than engaging with negativity from opposition parties.”

The NDA meeting underscores the alliance’s commitment to the proposed simultaneous elections, with all members backing the initiative. A Joint Committee of Parliament, established to review two bills related to simultaneous polls, is set to convene on January 8.

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Manipur CM Biren Singh says state needs immediate peace, understanding between two communities

He claimed that the administration is responding quickly to the displaced people’s needs in areas such as education and agriculture.

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Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday emphasised the urgent need for peace in the state, which has faced ethnic violence since May of last year, and called on two communities to reach a mutual understanding.

Speaking at the Good Governance Day event held at the state BJP headquarters, Singh expressed confidence that the BJP could restore stability to the northeastern state, highlighting the party’s commitment to coexisting harmoniously.

“What is happening in Manipur today has multiple causes. Those who seek to divide the state are now questioning the government’s actions… they are driven by a desire for power,” Singh remarked.

He mentioned several initiatives, such as ‘Meeyamgi Numit’ (People’s Day), designed to foster closer relationships between officials and the public. “We do not oppose any specific community. The BJP’s position is clear: we advocate for the idea of living together and have initiated efforts to strengthen ties between the police and the community,” he stated.

Singh added that the state government is diligently addressing the needs of internally displaced persons by establishing committees throughout the administrative framework. He claimed that the administration is responding quickly to the displaced people’s needs in areas such as education and agriculture.

“We have not made any mistakes. Our goal is to ensure the well-being of future generations. It is essential for both communities to remain calm. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should concentrate on the upcoming NRC process, capturing biometrics, and using 1961 as the foundation year for the Inner Line Permit,” Singh said.

He also highlighted the government’s commitment to acting within a democratic and constitutional framework, noting that achieving these goals will take time. “What we require now is immediate peace and a resolution of misunderstandings between the two communities,” he concluded.

The ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of over 250 individuals and left thousands homeless due to clashes between the Meitei community and Kuki-Zo groups since last May.

“Only the BJP can save Manipur. BJP leaders possess strong values of nationalism and social justice, practicing reality-based politics in the nation’s interest. If I am not nominated for a ticket by the BJP, I will remain loyal to the party,” Mr. Singh added.

He also highlighted several unity-focused projects initiated by the BJP government, mentioning that a Unity Mall featuring stalls from all ethnic groups in the state will be constructed with an investment exceeding ₹140 crores.

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