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Shot in the arm for Congress in Gujarat as Hardik Patel declares support

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7 years ago

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Shot in the arm for Congress in Gujarat as Hardik Patel declares support

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Declaration of support from the Patel Anamat Andolan Samiti chief comes on a day when Congress was on the back-foot for its controversial meme against PM Modi

On a day when the Congress party had been forced to go on the back-foot against the BJP following a controversial meme put out by Youth Congress volunteers on Twitter mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Grand Old Party got a shot in the arm in its Gujarat poll campaign as it secured the support of Patidar leader Hardik Patel for its electoral pitch.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]JTNDYmxvY2txdW90ZSUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIydHdpdHRlci10d2VldCUyMiUyMGRhdGEtY29udmVyc2F0aW9uJTNEJTIybm9uZSUyMiUyMGRhdGEtbGFuZyUzRCUyMmVuJTIyJTNFJTNDcCUyMGxhbmclM0QlMjJlbiUyMiUyMGRpciUzRCUyMmx0ciUyMiUzRUNvbmdyZXNzJTIwaGFzJTIwYWdyZWVkJTIwdG8lMjBnaXZlJTIwUGF0aWRhcnMlMjByZXNlcnZhdGlvbnMlMjB1bmRlciUyMHNlY3Rpb24lMjAzMSUyMGFuZCUyMHByb3Zpc2lvbnMlMjBvZiUyMHNlY3Rpb24lMjA0NiUzQSUyMEhhcmRpayUyMFBhdGVsJTIwJTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnQuY28lMkZqY3ZsbEx0NFlNJTIyJTNFcGljLnR3aXR0ZXIuY29tJTJGamN2bGxMdDRZTSUzQyUyRmElM0UlM0MlMkZwJTNFJTI2bWRhc2glM0IlMjBBTkklMjAlMjglNDBBTkklMjklMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZBTkklMkZzdGF0dXMlMkY5MzMyMDc3NzAxMjMzMTMxNTIlM0ZyZWZfc3JjJTNEdHdzcmMlMjU1RXRmdyUyMiUzRU5vdmVtYmVyJTIwMjIlMkMlMjAyMDE3JTNDJTJGYSUzRSUzQyUyRmJsb2NrcXVvdGUlM0UlMEElM0NzY3JpcHQlMjBhc3luYyUyMHNyYyUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGcGxhdGZvcm0udHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZ3aWRnZXRzLmpzJTIyJTIwY2hhcnNldCUzRCUyMnV0Zi04JTIyJTNFJTNDJTJGc2NyaXB0JTNF[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hardik Patel, the popular leader of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) who had kept the Congress guessing for weeks over whether he would formally endorse the party’s electoral bid in the state or not, declared on Wednesday that he had “accepted the formula given by the Congress” on providing reservations for Patidar community in government jobs in Gujarat if it is voted to power.

Reservation for the politically influential Patidar community, which comprises around 15 per cent of the Gujarat electorate and holds the key for electoral victory in at least 60 of the state’s 182 assembly constituencies, was a key demand of the PAAS leaders. Hardik Patel, who has had several rounds of discussions – directly and through his representatives – with the Congress leadership in the past few weeks, had demanded that the Congress offer a formula for carving out the quota without disturbing the existing 49 per cent reservation already promised to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in the state.

On Wednesday, Hardik Patel said: “The Congress has accepted our demand for reservations with a formula that provides for benefits equivalent to OBCs constitutionally, without disturbing the present 49 per cent quota for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs…We are accepting the formula given to us by the Congress party.”

Hardik’s announcement, seen as his clear endorsement of the Congress in the poll-bound state where the party has been out of power for the past 22 years was immediately welcomed by senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, who had led his party’s discussions with the PAAS leader on the legal aspects of the quota-assurance.

Asserting that a “united fight” by the Congress and PAAS leaders would dethrone the BJP in Gujarat, Sibal told reporters: “We are very happy that a ‘sanjha morcha’ (united front) will now fight against the BJP… We thank him (Hardik) that they (PAAS) have joined us with an ideology to contest the election by coming together… Our target is to win the election and fulfill promises made to the people.”.

The Congress leader, however, refused to divulge details of the ‘formula’ that his party had offered to the Patidar leader on carving out a quota for the community, even as the BJP leadership continued to claim that “any formulation over Patidar reservation offered by the Congress would be legally and constitutionally untenable”.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On his part, Hardik claimed that he along with his PAAS colleagues will have the reservation formula scrutinized by senior lawyers and constitutional experts to confirm its tenability, though he expressed confidence on the probability of the formulation offered by the Congress being legally valid.

Hardik brushed aside allegations by the ruling BJP of him being a “Congress agent” and said: “The Congress has accepted our demands though it is in Opposition and has promised to even include it in its manifesto. In this situation, when the BJP tortured our youth and slapped false cases, including those of sedition, there is nothing wrong in supporting the Congress.”

The PAAS chief added: “Let the BJP call me a Congress agent. I am nobody’s agent, except of the people… The Congress has promised that a survey would be carried out within Patel or any other forward community as per provisions of the OBC Commission and on this basis parameters of economic, social, educational or employment would be used to extend reservation benefits to Patels and other communities that currently do not benefit from the quota system.”

Hardik declared that the Congress had said that if it won the Gujarat polls – due in two phases scheduled for December 9 and 14 with results to be decalred on December 18 – it would pass a proposal for reservations for Patidars under Articles 31-C and 46 of the Constitution.

With many political observers and the BJP leadership claiming that any reservation beyond the existing 49 per cent granted to SC, ST and OBC communities would be a violation of the Supreme Court-mandated cap on quotas, Hardik claimed this argument was not correct and that “there is nothing in the constitution that prohibits quota beyond 49 per cent.”

Hardik said that since 1994, many states, including Gujarat, had given quotas beyond 50 per cent and in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka such reservation had been in existence for the past 15 to 17 years.

With youth leaders like Hardik, Alpesh Thakore and Jignesh Mevani – politically influential faces of Patidar, OBC Thakore and Dalit communities respectively – directly or tacitly supporting the Congress’ bid for power in poll-bound Gujarat, the Grand Old Party can finally hope to make some incremental electoral gains in the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah.

However, whether the declaration of support from these leaders will actually lead a conversation of actual votes of people from their communities in favour of the Congress is something that will be known only on December 18 when the Election Commission declares results for the high-stakes Assembly polls.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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BJP claims Delhi CM Atishi’s personal assistant caught with Rs 5 lakh for voter distribution

Published

4 hours ago

on

February 5, 2025

By

ATISHI

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that a personal assistant (PA) to Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena was caught with Rs 5 lakh in Girikhand Nagar, purportedly meant to be distributed among voters in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. Amit Malviya, BJP’s In-charge of the National Information & Technology Department, took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight the incident, claiming that a larger conspiracy was underway to influence voters in the Kalkaji constituency.

According to Malviya, an FIR has been lodged, and the authorities are investigating the matter. The BJP has described the incident as a deliberate attempt to sway voter sentiment ahead of crucial elections set to take place the following day.

“Delhi CM Atishi Marlena’s PA caught with Rs 5 lakh in Girikhand Nagar. FIR lodged. A conspiracy is being hatched to buy voters in Kalkaji,” Malviya wrote on X.

This claim surfaced just hours before polling for the 70-member Delhi Assembly was set to begin, scheduled for February 5, 2025. Voting is expected to continue until 7 p.m., and results will be counted on February 8.

In another development, former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal faced additional controversy, as an FIR was filed against him in Kurukshetra, Haryana. The charges were linked to his remarks regarding the “poisoning” of the Yamuna river, a statement that sparked significant backlash.

Earlier, during an interview with IANS, Anna Hazare, a veteran social activist and former associate of Kejriwal, voiced strong criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader. Hazare, who once worked alongside Kejriwal in the anti-corruption movement, claimed that Kejriwal had strayed from his original ideals after gaining power. Hazare remarked, “Initially, Arvind was with me, but as soon as power and money clouded his thoughts, things changed.” Hazare explained that Kejriwal’s pivot toward business interests, including his involvement in the liquor trade, led to their falling out.

When asked about Kejriwal’s and his deputy Manish Sisodia’s legal troubles, Hazare firmly stated, “Those who commit bad deeds will have to go to jail. Our country operates according to the law.”

As Delhi prepares to vote for its 70-member legislative assembly, the ruling AAP faces a fierce challenge from the BJP, which is attempting to regain control of the national capital. The AAP, which has been in power for two consecutive terms, is seeking a third straight victory. Meanwhile, the Congress party, which failed to make a substantial impact in previous elections, is hoping to improve its standing in the upcoming race.

This election promises to be a tense and closely contested battle, with issues like governance, corruption, and electoral integrity taking center stage. The developments surrounding the alleged bribery attempt have added another layer of controversy just days before voters cast their ballots.

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India News

Row erupts as Hema Malini calls Kumbh stampede not very big

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21 hours ago

on

February 4, 2025

By

BJP MP Hema Malini

During a recent gathering at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, a tragic stampede occurred resulting in 30 deaths and over 60 injuries as attendees surged past barriers for a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Despite the calamity, BJP MP and actor Hema Malini downplayed the severity of the incident, describing it as “not a very big incident” and suggesting that media reports were exaggerating the tragedy.

Her comments were made shortly after she herself participated in the event, benefiting from VIP treatment and security that critics argue was at the expense of general safety measures for the public. This stance has led to a sharp rebuke from Tariq Anwar, a Congress MP, who criticized Malini for her lack of empathy and awareness of the chaos experienced by ordinary attendees.

Opposition parties, particularly the Samajwadi Party led by former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, have been vocal in their condemnation of the state government’s handling of the event and the subsequent response to the tragedy. They demand accountability and transparency regarding the incident details, which they claim are being obscured by the state authorities.

The controversy extends to accusations from SP MP Jaya Bachchan, who alleged that bodies of the deceased were disposed of in the Ganges, further polluting the river. This claim, while denied by the BJP, has added fuel to the political fire surrounding the event, with demands for a verified list of casualties and an impartial investigation into the disaster management at the Kumbh Mela.

As the debate rages on, the BJP defends its administration of the event, claiming extensive funds were allocated for water management and safety measures. However, the public outcry and political uproar continue to grow as the nation grapples with the repercussions of the tragedy and the insensitive remarks made by a prominent political figure.

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Latest Politics News

Yogi Adityanath hits back after Akhilesh Yadav says organising cabinet meeting at Kumbh is political

Adityanath juxtaposed the global acclaim for the Maha Kumbh with Yadav’s condemnation, portraying it as a symptom of the Samajwadi Party’s alleged long-standing opposition to significant religious symbols such as the Ram Mandir and Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

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2 weeks ago

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January 24, 2025

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The political atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh sizzled as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a blistering attack on Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, accusing him of disrespecting the Maha Kumbh and the religious sentiments of the Indian people. This sharp rebuke, delivered during a public rally in Milkipur ahead of crucial by-elections, followed Yadav’s criticism of the state government holding a cabinet meeting at the Kumbh Mela site.

Adityanath juxtaposed the global acclaim for the Maha Kumbh with Yadav’s condemnation, portraying it as a symptom of the Samajwadi Party’s alleged long-standing opposition to significant religious symbols such as the Ram Mandir and Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

He further escalated his attack, painting the Samajwadi Party as being mired in internal property disputes and insinuating connections to criminal elements, thereby attempting to discredit Yadav’s criticisms as coming from a morally compromised position.

Yadav’s initial criticism focused on the perceived impropriety of holding a cabinet meeting within the sacred space of the Kumbh Mela. He argued that the government was inappropriately using a religious event for political purposes, a charge that Adityanath vehemently rejected.

The Uttar Pradesh cabinet meeting itself was significant. All 54 ministers attended, approving numerous development schemes designed to boost Prayagraj and the surrounding region.

A key announcement involved extending the Ganga Expressway, a crucial infrastructure project designed to connect Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Kashi, Chandauli, and ultimately, the Purvanchal Expressway in Ghazipur. This ambitious project, Adityanath claimed, would significantly contribute to sustainable development in the region.

Logistical adjustments were made to minimize disruption to the Kumbh Mela pilgrims. The cabinet meeting’s venue was shifted from the Mela Authority Auditorium to the Triveni Sankul in Arail to avoid inconveniencing devotees and managing the security arrangements for the VIP attendees.

The day concluded with Adityanath and his entire cabinet participating in the Kumbh Mela’s sacred rituals, taking a ceremonial dip in the Triveni Sangam. This highly publicized event, mirroring a similar participation in 2019, served as a powerful visual counterpoint to Yadav’s earlier criticism. The event simultaneously showcased the government’s commitment to religious traditions while promoting its developmental agenda.

The clash between Adityanath and Yadav underscores the deep political divisions and the strategic use of religious symbolism in Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape. The Maha Kumbh, a significant religious event, became a battleground for political point-scoring, highlighting the complex interplay between religion and politics in the state.

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