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EC recognises Nitish Kumar-led group as real JD(U), gives it the ‘Arrow’ symbol
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Election Commission on Nov 17 (Friday) ruled that the group led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is the real Janata Dal (United) and is entitled to use the ‘Arrow’ symbol of the party.
Dismissing the petition filed by JD(U) MLA from Gujarat and Sharad Yadav supporter Chhotubhai Amarsang Vasava, the EC said the group led by Nitish “has demonstrated overwhelming support in the legislature wing as well as the majority in the national council of the party, which is the apex level organisation body of the party”.
The JD(U) leaders Sharad Yadav and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar had fallen apart after Kumar decided to end alliance with Lalu Prasad’s RJD and the Congress to join hands with the BJP. Yadav accused him of indulging in anti-party activities by going against the decision of the national executive of the party which had resolved to oppose the BJP.
Yadav maintained that the real JD(U) remained with him. JD(U) working president Chhotubhai Amarsang Vasava, who is in his camp, moved the poll panel staking claim over the party and its election symbol. In their petition, the Sharad Yadav group urged EC to recognise their group as the real JD(U) under Paragraph 15 of the Elections Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) order, 1968.
The EC had received communications from both the JD(U) factions stating that they intended to contest the Gujarat election and sought commission’s approval for allotment of ‘arrow’ symbol for their candidates during the polls.
“Therefore there is an urgency for the Commission to pronounce the decision as to which of the two groups is JD(U),” said the EC while passing the order..
Vasava in his petition claimed he had been elected as acting president of JD(U) on September 17, 2017, in a meeting of the party national executive until the election of a new president in accordance of the constitution of the party.
He said the dispute within the party had arisen when Nitish Kumar decided to break JD(U)’s ‘mahagathbandhan’ with RJD-Congress and align with the BJP, “against the principles of the party and earlier decision taken by the party”.
Both Sharad Yadav group and Nitish-led group submitted their written submissions to EC, along with individual affidavits from members of the legislative wings of the party and members of the national council of the party constituted in 2013.
The petitioner, Vasava’s counsel said his client had submitted affidavits of 450 persons out of 1,098 members of the national council.
Vasava’s papers further claimed that his group commanded the support of two out of 10 Rajya Sabha MPs from Gujarat and one MLC of Maharashtra. Incidentally, the Maharashtra MLC – Kapil Harishchandra Patel – has also filed an affidavit of support to the other JD(U) faction as well.
The Nitish group contended that the present strength of the JD(U) national council was 195, with organisational elections held in October last. The information regarding the organisational elections was uploaded on EC’s website. Moreover, the group submitted affidavits from 138 of the 195 elected members, 2 Lok Sabha MPs and 7 of 10 Rajya Sabha MPs, 71 MLAs from Bihar and all 30 MLCs backing Nitish as the leader.
The Commission, after hearing the oral and written submissions of both factions, said the Supreme Court’s verdict on Sadiq Ali Vs ECI could be applied in the instant case and added that Nitish Kumar had demonstrated overwhelming majority support in the legislature wing as well as the majority in the national council of the party. “Accordingly, JD(U) is hereby recognised as the Janata Dal (United) in terms of Paragraph-‘l5 of the Symbols Order. Consequently, the group led by Nitish Kumar is entitled to use the reserved symbol ‘Arrow’ of the party as a recognised State Party in Bihar,” the order read.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Bihar caste census results: Greater population, greater rights is our pledge, says Rahul Gandhi
RJD president Lalu Yadav also issued a statement noting that the exercise will set the tone for nationwide caste census which will be undertaken when they form the next government at the Centre.
Nitish Kumar led Bihar government revealed caste survey results on Monday. The opposition including the Congress welcomed the results and urged the central government to conduct a similar exercise at the national level.
Speaking on the matter, Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is also a vocal supporter of nationwide caste census, stated that Bihar’s survey revealed that 84 percent of the people in the state are Other Backward Classes (OBC’s), Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribe (STs). He added that their rights should be provided based on their population.
Taking to Twitter, he wrote that out of 90 secretaries of the central government, only three are OBCs, who handle only 5 per cent of India’s budget. Therefore, it is important to know the caste statistics of India. He further mentioned that greater the population, the greater the rights and that it is their pledge.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that the caste census results revealed the economic situation of the people belonging to different groups. He added that the census will help the government to take action in order to ascertain social justice and upliftment of all sections.
The Janata Dal (United) leader also called for an all-party meeting on Tuesday to share the details of Bihar caste census report and deliberate what further steps needed to be taken. Reports stated that nine parties are expected to participate in the meeting.
RJD president Lalu Yadav, who is Kumar’s ally also issued a statement noting that the exercise will set the tone for nationwide caste census which will be undertaken when they form the next government at the Centre.
Meanwhile, Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh urged the centre to release the results of caste census. He added that holding caste-census has become essential for providing a firmer foundation for social empowerment programmes and for deepening social justice.
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Madhya Pradesh: PM Modi lays foundation stone for projects worth Rs 19,000 crore in Gwalior
PM Modi underscored that the double engine government brought Madhya Pradesh among the top 10 states in terms of development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stones for projects worth more than Rs 19,000 crore in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh on Monday. Addressing a gathering in Gwalior, PM Modi said that their target is to ensure Madhya Pradesh emerges as one of the top three states, adding that the vote of the people of the state will help them achieve this goal.
He claimed that people who had 60 years could not bring development and always played with the sentiments of the poor and divided the society on the basis of caste. Asserting that the opposition have hatred towards growth because of their politics, PM Modi underlined that Madhya Pradesh has faith in the double engine government which means double development of the state.
He further noted that the next five years would be crucial for Madhya Pradesh’s development and that the double engine government is necessary in the state. He mentioned that nearly 2.25 lakh families will enter into their new homes before Dussehra, Dhanteras and Diwali this year in Madhya Pradesh.
The Prime Minister stated that under the government of vikas-virodhi (apparently referring to opposition), law and order collapses. He noted that beheading took place openly in Rajasthan. He asserted that in states ruled by the opposition, crime and corruption have increased.
PM Modi underscored that the double engine government brought Madhya Pradesh among the top 10 states in terms of development. In addition, he hailed that Gwalior-Chambal has given bravehearts for the security of the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi further guaranteed that India will be one of the top three economies in the world in the next few years. The Legislative Assembly election is scheduled to be carried out in Madhya Pradesh in or before November 2023. Earlier in the day, PM Modi addressed a rally in poll bound Rajasthan.
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Congress left no stone unturned to loot Rajasthan: PM Modi in Chittorgarh rally
PM Modi asserted that the paper leak mafia will be held accountable and will be given harshest punishment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a scathing attack on Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over the infighting of Congress in the state. He slammed the state government over multiple issues, including crime against women. He claimed that the Congress government in the state has left no stone unturned to loot Rajasthan.
Addressing a public rally in Chittorgarh in poll-bound Rajasthan, PM Narendra Modi stated that the state has decided to save themselves by bringing back the BJP government. He asserted that the Congress formed the government by misleading people but could not run it, adding that CM Gehlot was busy saving his chair, whereas half of the Congress leaders were actively trying to unseat him.
The Prime Minister further claimed that CM Ashok Gehlot has accepted defeat and is requesting BJP to not stop schemes. He assured that on coming to power in Rajasthan, BJP will not stop any public scheme but will try to improve it. He also accused the Ashok Gehlot led Congress government of destroying the state in the last five years by not taking adequate steps to combat crime against women.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed that it pains him that the state tops in the crime list. He continued that he is pained when atrocities take place against daughters anywhere in the country but Congress has made this a tradition in Rajasthan. He added that the message of people of Rajasthan has reached Congress leaders and that the Chief Minister is also aware that the countdown of Congress government’s farewell has begun.
Speaking on the alleged paper leak issue, PM Modi asserted that the paper leak mafia will be held accountable and will be given harshest punishment. He noted that they will go to the bottom of the paper leak matter and actions will be taken against those who have committed corruption and looted money of the poor.
While addressing the gathering in the poll bound Rajasthan, PM Modi underlined that they are witnessing how leaders of Congress alliance are issuing derogatory remarks about women. He claimed that the alliance is very angry with the Women’s Reservation Act and that they don’t want women to get their rights.
He remarked that there is only one face in elections and that is (Kamal) lotus. The 2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election is scheduled to be held in or before November.
