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Winning elections at all costs without ethics is new normal in politics: EC

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OP Rawat

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The comments by Election Commissioner OP Rawat come in the backdrop of the recent Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat where the Congress and other opposition parties had alleged that BJP indulged in horse-trading, intimidation of Congress MLAs

In a sharp and strident indictment of the existing political and electoral system in India, Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat has said that winning elections “at all cost, without ethics, is the new normal in politics”. Rawat called for “exemplary action” by political parties, media, civil society organisations, constitutional authorities and all those having faith in democratic polity against this disturbing norm.

The Election Commissioner’s comments come close on the heels of the dramatic Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat where the Congress party faced sudden defections and cross-voting that almost cost its senior leader, Ahmed Patel, a fifth term in the Upper House. The Congress had alleged that the BJP was indulging in horse-trading and had been constantly intimidating its MLAs to ensure that Patel loses out to BJP nominee Balwantsinh Rajput – who had quit the Congress and joined the saffron party days before the Rajya Sabha polls.

Addressing the media at the Regional Consultation on Electoral and Political Reforms – Northern Region organised by the Association for Democratic Reforms,on Thursday, Rawat said: “Democracy thrives when elections are free, fair and transparent. However, it appears to a cynical common man… We have been scripting a narrative that places maximum premium on winning at all costs to the exclusion of ethical considerations. Winning the elections at all cost, without ethics, is the new normal in politics.”

In comments that seemed like a reference to the BJP, which has in recent months inducted a slew of leaders from various Opposition parties – more particularly the Congress – Rawat said: “The winner can commit no sin; a defector crossing over to the ruling camp stands cleansed of all the guilt as also possible criminality, etc. It is this creeping ‘new normal’ of political morality that should be the target for exemplary action by all political parties, politicians, media, civil society organisations, constitutional authorities and all those having faith in democratic polity for a better election, a better tomorrow”.

“In this narrative, the poaching of legislators is extolled as smart political management (through) strategic introduction of money for allurement, tough-minded use of state machinery for intimidation – all commended as resourcefulness,” Rawat added.

The ADR, which had organised the conference where Rawat made his pertinent observations, also released a report which reveals how between financial year 2012-2013 and 2015-2016 corporate houses had donated a total of Rs. 956.77 crore to five national parties – BJP, Congress, NCP, CPI and CPM – which accounted for 89 per cent of the total contribution of over Rs 1000 crore from known sources. The BJP has the biggest beneficiary – earning over Rs 700 crore – of these donations.

The Congress party, on Friday, endorsed Rawat’s comments and said that the Election Commission must initiate reforms regarding electoral management and funding.

“The kind of laws which this (BJP) government is enacting- making corporate donations anonymous through the process of bonds, removing the cap on the amount of their net profit, which a company can donate to a political party – are all retrogressive steps in their entirety (sic),” said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Caught on cam: Class 10 girl falls from school terrace in Ayodhya, family accuses school authority of rape and murder

The parents of the deceased girl said their daughter was called to school despite ongoing summer vacations.

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Caught on cam: Class 10 girl falls from school terrace in Ayodhya, family accuses school authority of rape and murder

A class 10 girl students died after falling off the terrace of her school building in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. While school said the girl fell from the swing, family accuses school officials of assault on their daughter.

The incident took place at 8:45 AM in the Sunbeam School, Ayodhya, of which the girl was a student.

The parents of the deceased girl said their daughter was called to school despite ongoing summer vacations.

At around 10:00 am on Friday, the parents received a call from the school administration informing them about their to have fallen from a swing and was severely injured.

The family then immediately rushed to the hospital but were informed by the doctors that their daughter had died during treatment.

The family doubted and informed the police about the incident.

The entire incident on the floor was caught on camera, the police during the investigation retrieved a CCTV footage that showed the girl falling on the floor.

Ayodhya SP Police on the matter said as the girl’s mother was out somewhere, once she comes back and once CCTV footages and other surveillance evidences are retrieved his team will conduct the investigation.

Deceased girl’s grandfather while speaking to media said at around 8:48 am, her daughter left for the school and at around 9:50 am, they received a call from the school authority.

The victim’s grandfather further informed that first they were told by the school management that the girl had fallen from the swing but later in the evening after watching the CCTV footage they got know to that she was thrown from from the terrace.

He further alleged that Brijesh Yadav, Abhishek Kanojia and another person killed her grand daughter. He again putting stress on Abhishek Kanojia’s name said he is responsible for the death.

School principal has distanced from giving any comments on the incident.

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Bihar: Snake found in mid-day meal in Araria school, 100 students hospitalised

Reports said the incident occurred on Saturday at Amouna middle school Ward No. 21, under Jogbani Nagar Parishad.

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Mid-day meal Bihar

A ruckus broke out at a government school in the Araria district of Bihar after a snake was found in the Khichdi served to students under the mid-day meal scheme.

Reports said the incident occurred on Saturday at Amouna middle school Ward No. 21, under Jogbani Nagar Parishad and landed as many as 100 students in the hospital. Officials said the affected students are undergoing treatment and are out of danger.

The pictures of the dead snake floating in the Khichdi are doing rounds on the internet.

Have a look at the pictures:

Reports further said students were served khichdi prepared by an NGO during the mid-day meal and the students who already ate the food ended up barfing following which they were rushed to the Forbesganj hospital.

Araria district education office Rajkumar said all the students who ate the food are safe and an investigation has been launched into the matter.

DEO Rajkumar also said the NGO, which was assigned for the mid-day meals in the school, will face the cancellation of their license.

The school authorities noticed the dead snake after a student pointed it out and informed everyone. However, about 100 students had eaten the meal till then.

Reports said school teachers complained several times to the NGO about the bad quality of mid-day meals they have been serving to the students, however, their complaint was neglected.

This is not the first mid-day meal mishap reported in Bihar. In November 2022, as many as 200 students were hospitalised after eating mid-day meals at a middle school in Naugachhia in Bhagalpur.

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PM Modi convenes Niti Aayog meeting, 6 Chief Ministers skip event

Delhi CM Kejriwal in a written letter to PM Modi stated he is boycotting the meeting to protest against the May 19 ordinance moved by the Centre nullifying the Supreme Court judgement. Kejriwal in his letter termed the ordinance as undemocratic and unconstitutional.

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PM Modi to convene Niti Aayog meeting today, 6 Chief Ministers not to attend

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the eight governing council meeting of Niti Aayog today. At least Chief Ministers of six states skipped the meeting, a day ahead of the inauguration of the new Parliament building.

The list of CMs who boycotted the meeting are West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann.

The meeting was held at the new Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan, Delhi.

The theme of the meeting was Viksit Bharat at 2047: Role of Team India. Niti Aayog in an official statement stated today’s meeting will be participated by Chief Ministers, Lt Governors of all states and union territories, Union Ministers as ex-officio members, vice chairman and the members of the Niti Aayog.

The leaders of the states had announced their decision to skip the meeting due to various reasons.

Delhi CM Kejriwal in a written letter to PM Modi stated he is boycotting the meeting to protest against the May 19 ordinance moved by the Centre nullifying the Supreme Court judgement. Kejriwal in his letter termed the ordinance as undemocratic and unconstitutional.

Bihar CM Kumar while speaking to the media in Patna raised questions on the need of the new Parliament which is et to be inaugurated by PM Modi on May 28.

Kumar attacking the BJP said, the Central government in rule will change the history of the country and further added he sees no sense in attending the Niti Aayog meeting today at the new Parliament inauguration tomorrow.

Tamil Nadu CM Stalin will not be able to attend the meeting as he is on a three-day tour to Singapore and Japan, said state officials.

Punjab CM Mann stated the reason behind the boycott to be the Central government’s ignorance on farmer issues.

Telangana CM Rao is expected to attend a prearranged meeting with Kejriwal in Hyderabad on Saturday, the reason he is not attending the meeting.

While West Bengal CM Banerjee reason behind not attending the meeting was not stated, CM Banerjee is scheduled to visit Khadikul village in West Bengal to meet the family members of the victim of the blast in an illegal firecracker factory.

This comes after at least 20 opposition parties decided to boycott the inaugural event of the newly built Parliament building today.

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