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Patel leader in Gujarat says was offered Rs 1 cr to join BJP, another quits party

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]BJP’s troubles in poll-bound Gujarat increase as Congress’ attempts to consolidate Patel-Dalit-Adivasi-Minority votes gain momentum

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his third visit to his home state of Gujarat within a month to shore up support for his distraught BJP, the saffron party’s troubles in the state which it has ruled for over two consecutive decades seem to be mounting even as its principal political rival, the Congress, appears to be consolidating voter-support.

On Monday, Nikhil Sawani – a prominent face of the state’s politically influential Patel/Patidar community who had joined the BJP just 15 days ago – quit the saffron party “in protest” against allegations made by another Patel Andolan leader – Narendra Patel – who had on Sunday night, in a dramatic turn of events, claimed that he had been offered Rs 1 crore in bribe to join the BJP.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Narendra Patel, a close aide of Hardik Patel who has emerged as the face of the two-year-old Patel agitation – had joined the BJP earlier on Sunday in what was touted as a big catch for the ruling party ahead of the state assembly polls scheduled for December. However, within hours, Narendra Patel convened a press conference, brandishing wads of currency notes totaling to Rs 10 lakh, and alleged that the money was an “advance bribe” given to him by the BJP to join the party.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]The humiliation from the BJP has come at a time when the party is already facing flak for allegedly pressurizing the Election Commission to delay an announcement on the poll schedule for the Gujarat Assembly elections. Earlier this month, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC_ AK Joti had, in a controversial move, broken with the poll panel’s convention of announcing simultaneous polls for assemblies whose terms end within six months of each other when he declared the poll schedule for Himachal Pradesh but deferred it for Gujarat. Joti is now facing allegations that he had done so as a “quid pro quo” to favour the BJP, whose government in Gujarat had purportedly extended a favour to the CEC by letting him retain an official bungalow in the state for a year after he moved to New Delhi to head the poll panel.

In what is significant about the developments that began rolling since Sunday is that they come close on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s frequent visits to his home state – three within this month alone – to drum up support for his party. Modi’s speeches at various public rallies in Gujarat have also drawn criticism for his reported attempt at continuing to blame the Congress for the political, administrative and social troubles which plague the state that he himself ruled for 12 years (of the 22 that the BJP has ruled the state). The Opposition as well as a section of political observers has noted that Modi seems to have suddenly gone on the defensive, dumping his characteristic style of perpetually being in attack-mode, while speaking to his Gujarati electorate.

The events also coincide with apparent political gains for the Congress, which only a few months ago – during the Rajya Sabha polls in the state – was fraught with internal troubles that began with cross-voting during the Presidential polls and continued with the resignation of party veteran Shankersinh Vaghela and over half a dozen legislators loyal to him just before Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel was to face his election for Parliament’s Upper House. While Ahmed Patel had managed to secure his RS seat after much drama within the Congress’ ranks, it was believed that the party was once again losing ground to the BJP and would be routed in the forthcoming assembly polls.

However, in stark contrast to the BJP’s growing troubles, the Congress seems to be on an upswing. On Sunday it managed to rope in prominent backward caste and adivasi activist-leader Alpesh Thakore within its ranks and is likely to field him as a party candidate in the upcoming polls too. The party’s efforts to get the big-catch of Hardik Patel have so far not yielded fruit while the state’s rising Dalit leader, Jignesh Mewani has been non-committal on the party’s offer to him for contesting polls as a Congress candidate.

Yet, there seems to be increasing support for the Congress in the state which is working to build a formidable rainbow coalition of Patidar-Dalit-Adivasi-Minority communities. Whether this would actually turn into incremental votes for the party and help propel it to the seat of power the state that has evaded it for over two decades is still unclear, but there seems to be a perception that the BJP’s popularity is waning. The Congress is also taking much joy from the indisputable fact that its vice president, the gaffe-prone Rahul Gandhi who has often been spurned by the electorate of Gujarat (and rest of the country), is attracting huge crowds during his public rallies – including the one organised in Gandhinagar on Monday – and that the electorate seems to be reacting approvingly of his attack against the BJP for its failure to provide jobs to youth and allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sending the Indian economy on a downward spiral.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Hardeep Singh Puri says Sunita Kejriwal is preparing to hold Delhi CM post like Rabri Devi

The Union Minister was speaking to the media during the inauguration of Delhi BJP’s election office along with leaders including Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva and Bansuri Swaraj.

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Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday compared Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi, hinting that she may be gearing up to take on her husband’s post. The Union Minister was speaking to the media during the inauguration of Delhi BJP’s election office.

The BJP leader further took a dig at Delhi Chief Minister for forming an alliance with the most corrupt party against whom they had started an anti-corruption movement with social activist Anna Hazare. The minister made the statement in response to a question regarding Sunita Kejriwal, who earlier today launched a whatsapp campaign advocating for support for her husband, who is in ED custody in connection with the Excise policy case.

In a video Sunita Kejriwal said her husband has challenged the most corrupt and dictatorial forces in the country and asked people to support her husband through their prayers and blessings. She issued 2 WhatsApp numbers 8297324624 and 9700297002 through which people can send their blessings, prayers or any other messages to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo and she will communicate those to him.

She said yesterday Kejriwal had presented his side in the court, and the entire country heard it. She requested the people to listen to it if they had not listened till now. She added whatever Kejriwal had said in front of the court required a lot of courage. She said her husband is a true patriot. She requested the people to participate in the Kejriwal ko Aashirwad campaign.

BJP leader Manoj Tiwari also took a dig at Aam Aami Party asking why only Kejriwal’s wife is coming out in his support, and not the people of Delhi. He said the Honorable Justice of High Court said they cannot stop Arvind Kejriwals’ arrest that they are surprised why he hasn’t been arrested yet?

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Lok Sabha elections: INDIA bloc in Bihar seals seat-sharing deal, Congress get 9 seats, RJD 26

Purnea and Katihar, currently held by the Janata Dal (United), had emerged as the sticking point in seat-sharing talks between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress for the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar.

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The Opposition INDIA bloc sealed the seat-sharing deal in Bihar for 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Mahagathbandhan’s largest constituent, RJD will field its candidates from 26 seats, including Purnea and Hajipur, while the Congress will contest on nine seats, including Kishanganj and Patna Sahib. Meanwhile, the Left will fight on five seats.

Purnea and Katihar, currently held by the Janata Dal (United), had emerged as the sticking point in seat-sharing talks between the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress for the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar.

Reportedly, the Congress has been made to give up the Purnea Lok Sabha seat, which recent entrant Pappu Yadav, husband of Rajya Sabha MP Ranjeet Ranjan, was hoping to contest, mentioning that he had received assurance of Congress ticket from Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.

The seat will be contested by RJD, which recently gave the party ticket to JD(U) turncoat Bima Bharti, but stopped short of announcing it formally. The INDIA bloc seat-sharing announcement comes a day after the filing of nomination papers for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls was over. The RJD has fielded its candidates in all four seats going to elections in the first phase.

Earlier, Tejashwi Yadav attended an INDIA bloc meeting regarding Bihar’s seat-sharing formula at Congress leader Mukul Wasnik’s residence and said that the RJD, the Congress and the Left will fight the Lok Sabha elections together in Bihar. He added that the INDIA bloc partners have agreed verbally on the seat-sharing arrangement and all the constituents are getting a respectable deal. Tejashwi Yadav’s remarks came amid reports of disquiet in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance in Bihar over seat sharing.

In the previous Lok Sabha elections, the National Democratic Alliance, including the BJP, JD(U) and LJP won 39 seats. The first phase of the Lok Sabha elections is scheduled for April 19.

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Tax terrorism has to stop, says Congress after Income Tax Department issues fresh Rs 1,700 crore notice

The Congress has accused the BJP of squeezing it financially and of using tax authorities against it ahead of Lok Sabha elections beginning April 19.

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Ahead of the Lok Sabha election, the Congress’ financial woes worsened once again with the Income Tax Department issuing a fresh Rs 1,700 crore notice. The tax department issued the notice due to discrepancies in tax returns. 

The fresh notice is for assessment years 2017-18 to 2020-21 and includes penalty and interest. This comes a day after the Delhi High Court dismissed the party’s petition challenging the tax notices. 

The opposition party is already facing a funds crunch after Income Tax authorities imposed a penalty of Rs 200 crore and froze its funds. Furthermore, the party has not received any relief from the High Court in the case and is likely to approach the Supreme Court. The Congress has accused the BJP of squeezing it financially and of using tax authorities against it ahead of Lok Sabha elections beginning April 19.

Addressing a press conference, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said that the notices are being sent to cripple the party financially. Calling the action as tax terrorism, Jairam Ramesh said that this attack on Congress has to stop.

Earlier in February, the Income Tax department had found fault in the party’s tax returns and demanded Rs 200 crore. Subsequently, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) had asked the party to pay the dues and froze their accounts. The Congress stated the tax tribunal’s order freezing its funds was an attack on democracy as the order came just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

AICC general secretary K C Venugopal stated that this is a deliberate attempt by the Narendra Modi-led to bankrupt the Congress ahead of elections. He mentioned that the timing of the penalty notice, following the Delhi High Court’s dismissal of Congress petitions challenging tax reassessment proceedings, reeks of political vendetta.

He underlined that while political parties are typically exempt from taxes, this penalty is allegedly due to delayed filing of returns. He asserted that it is a blatant move by the Modi government to cripple the Congress financially, especially during the elections. He further asserted that in response to the notice, the Congress plans to stage a nationwide protest, condemning BJP’s exploitation of central agencies to target opposition parties. 

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