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Yogi visits Ram Janmbhoomi in Ayodhya, hits out at Opposition

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Uttar Pradesh chief minister’s grand Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya, visit to disputed site suggest BJP reviving Hindutva agenda, development taking a back seat

A day after he kick-started the state-sponsored grand Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath visited the disputed Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid site, on Thursday, and also warned his political detractors to not interfere in his faith.

The chief minister’s visit to the disputed site, which had been mired in a title suit that the Supreme Court is expected to begin proceedings on in December, comes at a time when the Adityanath government has been drawing flak from the Opposition for reviving the BJP’s ‘Hindutva agenda’.[/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]Adityanath had, on Wednesday, insisted that the Opposition should not see any political designs behind the elaborate Diwali celebrations that his government had organised on the banks of Saryu river in Ayodhya. However, the chief minister went on the offensive on Thursday, asserting that the temple town had “remained neglected, faced attacks continuously” but that he was now going to develop Ayodhya with his government-proposed schemes for the district that collectively envisage works amounting to a massive Rs 133 crore.

“Shri Ram Janmabhoomi mein shraddhalu desh aur duniya se aate hain, unki suraksha aur suvidha, saaf safai dekhne ke liye bhi main wahan gaya (Devotees visit Shri Ram Janmabhoomi from all over the country and the world, I was there to check the preparations in terms of their security, convenience, and cleanliness as well),” Adityanath was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.[/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]“It’s about my personal faith as well. How can the opposition interfere in that?” he added.

The chief minister’s assertions come at a time when the BJP is drawing criticism from all quarters over the controversial remarks made by its elected leaders (like Sardhana MLA, Sandeep Som and MPs Vinay Katiyar and Subramanian Swamy) over the historic Taj Mahal. Adityanath had himself intervened in the issue on Tuesday, insisting that there should not be any politics over the Taj Mahal. His comments were seen as a direct censure of the likes of Sangeet Som who called the 17th Century Mughal-era marble mausoleum as a “blot on Indian culture”.

However, Adityanath’s stern remarks over the Taj Mahal controversy didn’t put an end to the brouhaha. BJP’s Kanpur MP Vinay Katiyar claimed on Wednesday that the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Agra was actually a Hindu temple which was “destroyed by the Mughals” and Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy too jumped into the controversy, claiming that he had documents to prove that land for the mausoleum was “stolen” by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan from the Jaipur royal family![/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]While Adityanath may insist that his grand Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya, visit to the Ram Janmbhoomi site, the Sugriva temple and Hanumangarhi Temple were all part of his plan to promote the temple town as a religious tourism destination, the Opposition isn’t willing to buy the argument.

Several Opposition leaders, including those from the Congress, SP, BSP and Left parties, have called out Adityanath’s visit to Ayodhya along with the Taj Mahal row, as the BJP’s “planned effort” towards communal polarisation and that the party which came to power at the Centre on promises of ushering in development was now returning to its original plank of ‘Hindutva’.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Mamata Banerjee warns BJP, EC over Bengal polls, says they will be accountable

Mamata Banerjee holds BJP and Election Commission responsible for any incidents during Bengal polls, raising concerns over officer transfers.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has held the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India responsible for any untoward incidents in the state during the upcoming assembly elections, following the transfer of key officials.

Addressing concerns over administrative reshuffles, Banerjee said that changes involving senior bureaucrats, including the chief secretary and home secretary, could affect governance and law and order in the state during a crucial period.

The Trinamool Congress chief also announced candidates for 291 constituencies for the elections scheduled to be held in two phases on April 23 and 29.

Criticising the Election Commission, Banerjee alleged that the transfers were being carried out in a manner that benefits the BJP. She questioned the timing of the decisions and said such actions weaken the state administration at a sensitive time.

She further raised concerns about disaster management and essential services, stating that experienced officials familiar with the state’s situation have been replaced. According to her, this could impact administrative efficiency if any emergency arises before the new government is formed.

Protecting Bengal’s identity

Banerjee emphasised that the election is not merely about forming a government but about safeguarding Bengal’s identity and existence. She accused the BJP of misusing central agencies and attempting to influence the electoral process.

She urged that elections should be conducted peacefully, without external interference, and in line with democratic principles. The chief minister also expressed confidence that her party would return to power with a stronger mandate.

Appealing to voters, she called for support for the Trinamool Congress, asserting that the people of Bengal will ultimately decide the outcome and protect their democratic rights.

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Mamata Banerjee writes to poll chief over officers’ reshuffle, calls move arbitrary

Mamata Banerjee has written to the Chief Election Commissioner, calling the reshuffle of senior Bengal officials arbitrary and raising concerns over constitutional norms.

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mamta banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, raising strong objections to the recent reshuffle of senior bureaucrats in the state ahead of the assembly elections.

In her letter, Banerjee described the move by the Election Commission of India as “arbitrary” and expressed “deep concern” over what she termed a unilateral decision. She urged the Commission to refrain from adopting such measures in the future.

The Chief Minister pointed out that while the Election Commission does have the authority to make administrative changes during elections, past practice has involved consultation with the state government. According to her, the Commission would typically seek a panel of officers from the state and make its selections from that list, maintaining what she called constitutional propriety and administrative convention.

Banerjee warned that bypassing this process could undermine the institutional credibility and long-standing legacy of the poll body, and may also affect the foundational principles of the constitutional framework.

The controversy stems from the Commission’s decision, taken soon after announcing election dates, to remove several top officials from election-related duties. These include the state’s Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Kolkata Police Commissioner, and Home Secretary.

The Commission has maintained that the reshuffle was aimed at ensuring a peaceful and violence-free electoral process.

Reacting sharply, Banerjee alleged bias in the decision-making, claiming that the removal of the Chief Secretary indicated an anti-women stance. She also accused the Commission of selectively targeting officers, suggesting that the move favoured individuals aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress escalated its protest, staging a day-long walkout from the Rajya Sabha earlier in the day.

Responding to the criticism, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Election Commission is a constitutional authority, adding that questioning its decisions in Parliament is inappropriate and unproductive.

The Commission has appointed a new Chief Secretary in place of the outgoing official as part of the reshuffle.

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BJP releases first list of 47 candidates for Kerala assembly polls

The BJP has released its first list of 47 candidates for the Kerala Assembly elections scheduled for April 9, including three former Union ministers.

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BJP releases list of candidates

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released its first list of 47 candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections scheduled for April 9.

Voting will take place for all 140 seats in the state assembly, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. A party or coalition needs at least 70 seats to secure a majority in the House.

Among the candidates announced in the first list are three former Union ministers — Rajeev Chandrasekhar, V. Muraleedharan and George Kurian.

Key candidates announced

Kerala BJP chief and former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has been fielded from the Nemom assembly constituency. In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Chandrasekhar lost the Thiruvananthapuram seat to three-time MP Shashi Tharoor, but he led in the Nemom assembly segment during that contest. The party believes this performance strengthens its prospects in the constituency.

Nemom has held political significance for the BJP since 2016, when senior leader O. Rajagopal won the seat and became the party’s first-ever MLA in the 140-member Kerala Legislative Assembly. The victory marked the BJP’s initial breakthrough in the state assembly.

However, the seat returned to the Left camp in the 2021 Assembly election when V. Sivankutty defeated BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan.

Former Union minister V. Muraleedharan will contest from the Kazhakoottam constituency, while George Kurian has been nominated from Kanjirappally.

Other candidates in the list

According to the list released by the party, several other candidates have also been announced for key constituencies. P. C. George will contest from Poonjar, R. Sreelekha from Vattiyoorkavu and Padmaja Venugopal from Thrissur.

The BJP has also nominated Sobha Surendran from Palakkad, Navya Haridas from Kozhikode North and Kavitha K. S. from Sulthanbathery, a reserved constituency.

Raji Prasad will contest from the Kunnathur seat reserved for Scheduled Castes, while R. Rashmi has been fielded from Kottarakkara.

Political backdrop in Kerala

Kerala’s electoral politics has traditionally alternated between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). However, the BJP has been attempting to expand its presence in the state.

The alternating trend was interrupted in the 2021 Assembly election when the electorate returned the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government to power for a second consecutive term.

The BJP believes recent electoral performances and local body successes have strengthened its position as it prepares to contest the upcoming assembly polls.

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