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How to solve a problem – say it doesn’t exist: Khattar govt’s way out to facilitate Amit Shah bike rally

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Amit Shah

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A simple proclamation removed the hurdles in the way of BJP president Amit Shah’s ‘Yuva Hunkar Rally’ of one lakh bikes in Haryana’s Jind on Thursday, Feb  15, to launch the party’s campaign for 2019 when both Lok Sabha and state assembly elections are due.

One hurdle was the notice from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to Manoharlal Khattar-led BJP government in Haryana seeking response to a plea expressing concern over the problems of pollution, aggravated by traffic jams, that one-lakh two-wheelers would create in the area falling under National Capital Region (NCR) with its serious air-pollution problem. The NGT had sought responses from the Centre and Haryana government in connection with a plea seeking a reduction in the number of bikes at Shah’s rally in Jind, on pollution grounds.

The NGT was informed by the state council that as the rally had already begun, any pleas against it do not stand ground. The state government assured the NGT that only motorcycles with valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates will be allowed in the rally. The NGT had said that it will keep a close watch on the rally. That was it.

The second hurdle was the threat from Akhil Bhartiya Jat Andolan Sangharsh Samiti (ABJASS) to disrupt the BJP rally unless the state government conceded their demand for withdrawal of rioting and arson cases against Jat youths, reservation for Jats in central government jobs, and compensation as well as a government job for the family of “Jat youths, who were shot and killed by the Haryana Police during the protests”.

The Khattar government removed both hurdles by simply saying that BJP president Amit Shah‘s one-lakh bike rally isn’t going to cause pollution and there would be no cases, including those of murder, rape or arson that occurred during Feb 2016 Jat agitation.

Problems removed, the bike rally started. Khattar flagged off a convoy of bikers from his constituency of Karnal and  reached the venue riding a bike himself. The bike rally resulted in traffic jams across Karnal, reported The Hindustan Times. Long queues of bikers could be seen at fuel pumps to get the promised free fuel worth Rs 200 per bike. Besides food packets, bikers were also given a saffron helmet and jackets, said the HT report.

Meanwhile, police held state Congress chief Ashok Tanwar. He was going to show black flags to Shah.

Amit Shah arrived in Jind for bike rally, riding pillion to venue amid full security. The rally was on.[/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]Some media reports suggested there was some doubt whether Khattar was able to solve the problems or only put them off till after his boss’s rally.

On the issue of pollution, the NGT was informed by the state council that as the rally had already begun, any pleas against it do not stand ground. The state government assured the NGT that only motorcycles with valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates will be allowed in the rally. The NGT had said that it will keep a close watch on the rally. That was it.

As for the trouble from Jats, ABJASS decided to call off its proposed blockade of the bike rally after meeting Manoharlal Khattar and senior BJP Jat leader, Chaudhary Birender Singh, on Monday. Jat activists claim they will launch a fresh agitation ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls if the state government decided to renege on its promises, reported News18.

ABJASS president Yashpal Malik said, “We had a three-point demand from the state government. The first one was that the state government withdraw all cases of rioting and arson in which Jat youths have been falsely implicated. After we announced the protest against Amit Shah’s rally, the state government hurriedly withdrew 70 cases against Jat youths. However, there are more than 300 cases that still stand. These must all be taken back.”

Malik further added, “The second demand, is something we’ve long been asking for – reservations for Jats in central government jobs. Our protest for this demand has been going on for the last two years. Third, family members of all Jat youths, who were shot and killed by Haryana Police during the protests, should be given compensation and a government job.”

“In return, the state government asked us for only one thing – that we withdraw our protest against the Amit Shah rally on Thursday,” said Malik.

According to Malik, the state government hasn’t been specific about an exact timeline within which all their demands will be met. Malik said, “They haven’t given us an exact timeline but we expect all these demands to be met within a month or so. If this does not happen, we will resume the movement. The BJP should not forget that the 2019 Lok Sabha elections are fast approaching. If they do not keep their promise, we will make sure that not even Narendra Modi himself can hold a rally in Haryana.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Rahul Gandhi attacks Centre ahead of Vladimir Putin’s India visit

Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government discourages visiting foreign dignitaries from meeting Opposition leaders, calling it a sign of “insecurity,” hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Delhi.

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Rahul Gandhi

As Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Delhi today for the India-Russia Annual Summit, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has renewed his charge that the Centre discourages visiting foreign leaders from meeting Opposition representatives. He called it a sign of “insecurity” within the government.

Rahul Gandhi alleges break in long-followed tradition

Speaking outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi said that it has traditionally been the norm for visiting foreign leaders to meet the Leader of the Opposition, a practice he claims continued during the tenures of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh.

He alleged that the present government advises foreign dignitaries against such meetings. “When foreign leaders come, the government suggests they should not meet the Leader of the Opposition. This is their policy,” Gandhi said. He added that a meeting with the Opposition offers visiting leaders a broader perspective, as “we too represent India.”

Gandhi further stated that this approach reflects the government’s reluctance to allow engagement between the Opposition and foreign guests.

Former Foreign Secretary counters Gandhi’s remarks

Responding to Gandhi’s allegations, former Foreign Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla said visiting leaders operate on very tight schedules and there is no protocol mandating a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition. He stressed that such interactions depend entirely on the guest’s time and preference, noting that the required meetings are those with the President and the Prime Minister.

Putin’s schedule packed with bilateral engagements

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to land in Delhi this evening on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation. His itinerary includes:

  • A private dinner with PM Modi
  • Visit to Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Raj Ghat
  • Engagements at Bharat Mandapam and Hyderabad House
  • A banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu

The visit forms part of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

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TMC MLA Humayun Kabir suspended after Babri Mosque replica proposal sparks row

TMC suspended MLA Humayun Kabir after he proposed building a Babri mosque replica in Murshidabad, a move that drew criticism from the party and sparked political tension.

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Trinamool Congress on Thursday suspended MLA Humayun Kabir after he publicly announced plans to construct a replica of the Babri Masjid in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district. Party leaders said Kabir had earlier been cautioned for making such statements but continued to push ahead with the controversial proposal.

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim said the MLA’s remarks were unacceptable, stressing that the party stood firmly by its secular stance. “We noticed that one of our MLAs suddenly declared he would build the Babri masjid. We had warned him before. As per the party’s decision, we are suspending him,” he said.

Kabir vows to continue project, may form new party

Kabir had planned to lay the foundation stone for the mosque replica in Beldanga on December 6. Sources indicated he is likely to resign from Trinamool on Friday and float a new party while continuing with the project.

The choice of date and nature of the project drew sharp criticism from the Trinamool leadership. Hakim alleged the move reflected a “divisional politics” strategy aligned with the BJP. “Why December 6? He could build a school or college. This is divisional politics,” he said.

Sources also said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was “hugely annoyed” by Kabir’s remarks and informed him that the party would not support or associate with such activities.

Governor raises concerns, administration on alert

West Bengal Governor Ananda Bose questioned why action was not being taken if the MLA’s statements risked creating a law-and-order issue. He said intelligence inputs suggested attempts to turn Murshidabad into a “hub of scandal,” adding that authorities would not remain silent if communal tensions were provoked.

Officials confirmed that while Kabir has permission to hold the December 6 event, the administration is maintaining a high-level alert in Murshidabad.

Minutes after his suspension, Kabir withdrew from Mamata Banerjee’s rally in the India–Bangladesh border district, where she was protesting against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.

BJP attacks Kabir over remarks

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo condemned Kabir’s comments, claiming they were intended to “create communal tensions.” He said any attempt to raise structures linked to historical rulers would trigger disputes similar to the Babri Masjid conflict.

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Karnataka Power Shift: What Siddaramaiah–DK Shivakumar compromise formula means

A closer look at the emerging ‘compromise formula’ between Karnataka’s top leaders Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, and how it may shape the state’s political future.

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A possible settlement between Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has emerged, signalling a calmer phase in the leadership tussle within the state Congress. While the final decision rests with the party leadership in Delhi, details of the so-called “compromise formula” are gradually becoming clearer.

Breakfast diplomacy calms tensions

After weeks of speculation over friction between the two top leaders, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar met over breakfast today. The meeting, aimed at projecting unity, served as a symbolic reset after their strained ties over the chief ministership question.

Analysts believe the optics were crucial — the Congress successfully avoided a public showdown by diffusing tensions before they escalated further.

A transition of power likely, say analysts

According to political observers, the compromise indicates a strong possibility of Shivakumar taking over as Chief Minister in a smooth transition, potentially as early as March–April 2026.
For now, sources say the arrangement requires Shivakumar to continue as Deputy Chief Minister without pushing for immediate change.

In return, the formula reportedly includes more cabinet positions for leaders loyal to Shivakumar and continuation of his role as the state Congress chief. Siddaramaiah is also expected to back Shivakumar as the party’s face for the 2028 Assembly election.

Why the Congress prefers this route

Replacing Siddaramaiah abruptly would not only upset internal balance but could also weaken the party, given his stature and mass appeal. Shivakumar, despite his influence, does not have the numbers within the legislature to force a takeover, making compromise the most viable path.

Siddaramaiah has already stated that this will be his final term as Chief Minister. With his legacy secure and his position as one of Karnataka’s tallest leaders intact, he appears willing to enable a dignified transition when the time comes.

Variables that could shape the final outcome

The success of the formula depends on three key factors:

1. Trust between the two leaders

Whether Shivakumar believes Siddaramaiah will keep his word remains uncertain. Karnataka’s political history is full of last-minute shifts, giving rise to the phrase “natak in Karnataka”.

2. Decision-making by the Congress high command

Delhi’s leadership must ensure the transition happens on time and without internal resistance, especially in the run-up to the 2028 Assembly polls.

3. Caste equations and political alignment

Siddaramaiah is the strongest face of the AHINDA bloc, while Shivakumar represents the OBC Vokkaliga community. The Congress cannot afford to alienate either group, making the timing and execution of any transition extremely delicate.

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