Category: Politics

The Congress on Tuesday took down a controversial headless poster targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi from its official X handle, following an “internal row” within the party.

The move came shortly after the BJP slammed Congress for the post, accusing it of echoing Pakistan’s narrative in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 dead.

According to sources, Congress social media head Supriya Shrinate was asked to delete the post and was pulled up by the leadership for allowing content that deviated from the party line.

The top leadership of the Congress party expressed strong displeasure with the media department, with concerns that the post had put the party on the back foot and projected it in a negative light, sources said.

The Congress took a swipe at PM Modi with a headless poster highlighting his absence from the all-party meeting over the Pahalgam terror attack. The party posted an image with the word ‘gayab’ to question the Prime Minister’s absence.

While the post did not name PM Modi directly, the caption read, “Disappears at the time of responsibility,” in a clear reference to his non-attendance. Congress has repeatedly raised questions over the Prime Minister skipping the meeting convened to brief leaders on the attack.

Reacting strongly, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia, at a press conference on Tuesday, showed the Congress post and lashed out at the party. He said it wouldn’t be wrong to describe the Congress as “Lashkar-e-Pakistan Congress,” claiming the post was disgraceful and aligned with enemy narratives.

Bhatia alleged that the Congress had become a platform for “Mir Jafar’s supporters” and that such posts, in his view, were made at the behest of Rahul Gandhi, bringing shame to the nation. He further accused the Congress of trying to weaken the country during a sensitive time, adding that the party’s ideology resembled that of extremist groups.

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/headless-poster-for-pm-congress-deletes-pahalgam-meeting-supriya-shrinate-2717095-2025-04-29

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has alleged that there was misappropriation of assets of over ₹2,000 crore in an equity transaction.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday filed a prosecution complaint against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald money laundering case.

According to sources, Congress’ Sam Pitroda and several others have also been named in the complaint.

Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts considered the case today and said it will be heard next on April 25 for consideration on aspect of cognisance.

“A fresh prosecution complaint under sections 44 and 45 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002 for commission of offence of money laundering as defined under section 3 read with section 70 and punishable under section 4 of PMLA, 2002 filed by the ED, has been received by way of assignment. Let the complaint be checked and registered,” the Court said.

The National Herald case pertains to the assignment of a ₹90 crore loan advanced by the Congress party to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) – owner of the National Herald – to Young Indian for a consideration of ₹50 lakh.

It has been alleged that there was misappropriation of assets of over ₹2,000 crore in an equity transaction.

In his private complaint, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had accused Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes, Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda and Gandhi family-controlled Young Indian of cheating, criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of property.

The trial in the predicate criminal case is ongoing at the Rouse Avenue Court but before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/ed-chargesheets-rahul-gandhi-sonia-gandhi-national-herald-case

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said pollution levels in Delhi are so high that staying in the city for three days can lead to infections.Informing that Delhi and Mumbai are in the red zone due to pollution levels, Gadkari said a lot of work needs to be done in the coming period with regards to air and water pollution.

New Delhi: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said staying in Delhi for three days could lead to some infections. The minister added that the deteriorating air in the national capital is reducing the average life of a citizen by 10 years. The rising pollution in Delhi and Mumbai has put the two cities in the red zone, said the minister while asserting that a lot of work needs to be done.
“In Delhi, pollution is very high. If you stay in Delhi for three days, you will get some infection. As per a medical conclusion, Delhi pollution is reducing the average life of a citizen by 10 years,” said Gadkari at an event here in Mumbai.
The Minister of Road Transport and Highways said addressing environmental concerns is critical to national development alongside infrastructure growth. “Ethics, economy, ecology and environment are important for Indian society but we have not taken the environment issue seriously,” he said.

He added that road development is a key strategy to address pollution and reduce logistics costs. “We import nearly Rs 22 lakh crore worth of fossil fuel. Petrol and diesel are major contributors to pollution. Traffic jams need to be solved. There is a need for change in fuel used in vehicles. I am supporting alternative fuels like a crusader.”

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/delhi/nitin-gadkari-calls-out-delhi-pollution-reducing-life-by-10-years-says-staying-in-delhi-for-3-days-can-get-infection-article-151426727

The ‘Nyay Path’ resolution adopted at the AICC Session on Wednesday underwent some major changes at the last minute to include a mention of secularism, I.N.D.I.A bloc and judicial accountability as well as elaborating on party’s Palestine stand.

Ahmedabad: With some senior leaders raising concerns about omissions, the ‘Nyay Path’ resolution adopted at the AICC Session on Wednesday underwent some major changes at the last minute to include a mention of secularism, I.N.D.I.A bloc and judicial accountability as well as elaborating on party’s Palestine stand.

At the extended Congress Working Committee meeting on Tuesday, leaders like Shashi Tharoor and Anand Sharma raised concerns about the draft, which also did not elaborate specific aspects of its social justice agenda like dismantling of SC/ST Sub Plan, abolishing 50% quota cap and reservation for SC, ST and OBCs in private educational institutions.

Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal had said on Tuesday that the Drafting Committee would sit again to “incorporate” suggestions made at the extended CWC. Some leaders, sources said, were not happy with the draft as it did not reflect the party’s long-standing positions on issues or its demands.

As a section felt that the absence of a mention about I.N.D.I.A could create trouble, the final resolution recalled “constructive cooperation and collective efforts” not just with time-tested allies. It said Congress “created and sustained” the architecture of I.N.D.I.A on the commonality of people’s issues and the party stands committed to continuing this effort even in the future.

Absence of Congress’ commitment to secularism in the resolution also raised eyebrows and it prompted an addition. The party’s commitment to secularism is inspired by “age-old traditions of India, that is Bharat”, it said.

On the Palestine front, the drafting committee initially chose not to mention the party’s commitment for a “negotiated and peaceful resolution as also for the creation of a separate state of Palestine as per the UN resolution” but was added.

Amid a renewed debate on judicial accountability, the drafting committee inserted a paragraph later mentioning the recovery of cash from the residence of a High Court judge, calling it “alarming”. The resolution did not explicitly oppose the collegium system but said the judiciary must set safeguards and standards for accountability.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/congs-nyay-path-resolution-passed-after-incorporating-suggestions-at-aicc-meet-3487376

As PM Narendra Modi completes 25 years in governance, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke about their working relationship, chemistry and how they complement each other

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said there is no question of a difference in opinion between him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the two were working towards the same goals.

As Modi completes 25 years in governance, Shah was asked about their working relationship, chemistry and how they complement each other. “We do contribute to each other. He sets the target, I try to achieve it. He helps us improve,” he said on Day 2 of the Rising Bharat Summit 2025.

He said the two of them have worked together for a long time, and knew each other’s method of working, thought process and nature. “We have to work according to our ideology and we do that, so we don’t have disagreements. He also thinks of his ideology, the country and the Constitution, and I do the same, so there’s no question of difference of opinion,” he added.

Asked about his personal history and his childhood nickname of ‘Poonam’, the home minister said there is no mystery to it as he was born on Sharad Poonam (Sharad Purnima).

“My aunt had made a wish that I’ll be named when I turn five years old, so because I was born on the day of Sharad Poonam, I was known as ‘Poonam’. There’s no mystery behind this, and it’s how kids are named in villages,” he said.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/he-sets-target-i-try-to-achieve-it-amit-shah-on-chemistry-working-relationship-with-pm-modi-ws-l-9293273.html

In a post on X, Amit Shah stated that the Modi government is committed to creating a strong, secure, and prosperous Bharat by adopting a strict stance against Naxalism while focusing on comprehensive development. The goal is to completely eliminate Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah appreciate the significant progress made on the internal security front and said appreciable progress made in the front of Naxalism, and the number of most affected Left Wing Extremism districts and the number of LWE affected district has been reduced 12 to just 6.

In a post on X, Amit Shah stated that the Modi government is committed to creating a strong, secure, and prosperous Bharat by adopting a strict stance against Naxalism while focusing on comprehensive development. The goal is to completely eliminate Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

Among the 38 districts previously affected, the number of severely impacted areas has dropped to 6, while Districts of Concern have been reduced from 9 to 6. Additionally, the number of Other LWE-affected Districts has decreased from 17 to 6.

The most affected districts now include Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, and Sukma in Chhattisgarh, West Singhbhum in Jharkhand, and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. The Districts of Concern, requiring additional resources, now consist of Alluri Sitarama Raju in Andhra Pradesh, Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Malkangiri in Odisha, and Bhadradri-Kothagudem in Telangana.

Other LWE-affected districts have also seen a reduction, now comprising Dantewada, Gariaband, and Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki in Chhattisgarh, Latehar in Jharkhand, Nuapada in Odisha, and Mulugu in Telangana.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/chhattisgarh-lwe-affected-districts-reduced-from-12-to-6-says-hm-amit-shah-aims-for-naxal-free-india-by-2026

Close to a year after the INDIA bloc’s show of strength at Ramlila Maidan before the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP is looking at projecting the oath-taking ceremony of Delhi’s new Chief Minister and council of ministers — at the same venue — as a joint front of the BJP-led NDA. According to sources, apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief Ministers of NDA-ruled states, central cabinet ministers, and popular MPs are among the invitees and are likely to attend.

Among the special invitees for the event, where over 25,000 to 30,000 are expected to be in attendance, are community leaders from across the slum clusters in the Capital, said sources in the BJP. “Special invitees include community leaders from across Delhi’s slum clusters to honour the contribution of citizens from JJ colonies in bringing the party back to power in the Capital after almost three decades,” a party leader said.

Bollywood celebrities are also among those invited.

The swearing-in ceremony may be themed along the lines of the Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya last year and prominent members of the Hindu seer community will likely register their presence, said people privy to the details.

Starting early Wednesday, party insiders said, hectic developments linked to the event are expected to unfold.

The party’s national leadership is likely to announce the names of at least two senior members — including union ministers or chief ministers of BJP-ruled states or senior organisational leaders — as observers, sources said. This would be followed by a meeting of the legislature party, comprising its 48 MLAs, around 7 pm Wednesday where the names of the Chief Minister, six members of the council of ministers as well as those chosen for other significant roles such as that of the Speaker would be revealed.

“The observers are likely to be announced by late night today or by early tomorrow; while the final names will be revealed tomorrow, the allocation of portfolios among the members of the Cabinet is likely to take a few more days,” a senior BJP leader said on Tuesday.

Discussions in the party regarding the incoming government are said to have continued to veer around the possibility of a woman CM as well as the inclusion of “young” leaders from each of the capital’s significant communities. Incoming legislators from Assembly constituencies in the countryside as well as seats reserved for the SC community are also being considered frontrunners for cabinet berths. “The emphasis is likely to be on ensuring as much of a balance between youth and experience as it is likely to be on balancing the caste-community equation,” a party source said.

Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/bjp-set-announce-cm-pick-tomorrow-slum-cluster-community-leaders-9843293/

The announcement came just before the Delhi polls where BJP is locked in a fierce contest against Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party. Aimed to spur consumer sentiment in general, the tax sops offered were also being seen as an attempt to woo Delhi’s 40 lakh income tax-payers.

New Delhi: Hoping to cash in on a slew of tax sops announced in the Union Budget, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday made a strong pitch to the middle classes in his last election rally for Delhi polls, pitching the tax rebate offered under the new tax slabs as “Modi ki guarantee.”

“The budget that came yesterday is a guarantee to fulfil promises of Modi,” the prime minister said in a rally in South Delhi’s RK Puram, a hub of government residential quarters.

“Over the past years, we have provided many facilities for the poor, such as free food, free healthcare, and permanent housing,” Modi added, referring to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget proposal to exempt up to Rs 12 lakh in annual income from the tax net.

The announcement came just before the Delhi polls where BJP is locked in a fierce contest against Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party. Aimed to spur consumer sentiment in general, the tax sops offered were also being seen as an attempt to woo Delhi’s 40 lakh income tax-payers.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/delhi/union-budget-2025-nirmalas-tax-cut-call-becomes-modis-guarantee-in-delhi-poll-cry-3386011

Gadkari also accused the AAP government of failing to address the national capital’s water and pollution crises.

New Delhi: Delhi will be free of traffic congestion and air pollution within five years if the BJP wins the February 5 assembly polls, Union minister Nitin Gadkari asserted on Thursday.

Laying stress on the benefits of a “double-engine” government, Gadkari said, “If there is a Modi government at the Centre and a BJP government in Delhi, the city’s progress will be 10 times faster, like a bullet train.” Addressing a public meeting in Nangloi Jat, the senior BJP leader made a strong pitch for the saffron party while promising to tackle Delhi’s pressing issues of air pollution, traffic congestion, and waste management.

“I give you my word. If you install a BJP engine in the city government, we will free Delhi from traffic congestion and air pollution within five years. I am making this promise,” he said.

He also promised to remove landfill sites and replace them with gardens and academic institutions.

“Within five years, I will clear the landfill sites. Gardens will be built there, academic institutions established… and the people of Delhi will be able to breathe fresh air,” he said, emphasising the BJP’s commitment to ecological balance, economic growth, and environment preservation.

Gadkari also accused the AAP government of failing to address the national capital’s water and pollution crises.

“The people you trusted neither cared about drinking water nor talked about the Yamuna’s purification,” he said.

He reiterated his vision for a cleaner Yamuna, envisioning a future in which Delhi and Agra would be connected via the river.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/delhi/delhi-assembly-elections-2025-nitin-gadkari-promises-a-national-capital-free-of-traffic-congestion-pollution-if-bjp-wins-3381323

Yogi Adityanath at Mahakumbh 2025: Taking into account OP Rajbhar’s controversies, will his alliance continue with BJP in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections?

Om Prakash Rajbhar, the president of Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, often makes his allies uneasy with controversial statements. He has been with Mayawati’s BSP, Akhilesh Yadav’s SP and with the Bharatiya Janata Party, and during every tie-up, there have been tensions. This time, he’s a cabinet minister in the Yogi Adityanath government. But taking into account his controversies, will his alliance continue with BJP in the 2027 Uttar Pradesh elections?

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath responded to the query during an exclusive interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi at the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj.

Several ministers have been flocking to Prayagraj to take a holy dip in Triveni Sangam as a rare celestial alignment, which occurs once in 144 years, has made this year’s Maha Kumbh mela even more special. CM Yogi had also convened a special cabinet meeting in the city, following which the ministers boarded a boat to take part in the holy dip.

OP Rajbhar’s Latest Controversy

During this time, another controversy erupted related to Om Prakash Rajbhar. According to local reports, while returning from the site of holy dip, vehicles were arranged for ministers to travel back. However, Rajbhar reportedly did not get a place to sit in any of the designated vehicles. This infuriated him. He stopped the vehicle by standing in front of it. He alleged that “unimportant people” were sitting inside the cars.

Later, a police officer and some other ministers made him sit in another vehicle so that he could reach Triveni Sankul in Arail. The commotion was captured by some people, who shared it on social media.

Yogi Adityanath On Importance Of Allies

On Saturday, when Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief asked Yogi Adityanath how important are his allies for him, the CM said, “All are part of the state cabinet, and hence, all members of the cabinet take decisions together. All of them came here (Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj) as well. So when we were told that a picture of the cabinet at the Maha Kumbh mela will be clicked, we said that the leaders of all our alliance parties will also come forward.”

He further stressed, “Everyone is together. We will stay together in future as well.”

BJP’s allies in UP include Apna Dal (Sonelal), Rashtriya Lok Dal, Nishad Party and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party. Of which, SBSP chief is considered the most controversial one. He had once even said that he is the “second most powerful in the state after CM Yogi”.

For a brief while, Rajbhar had broken his ties with the NDA and allied with the SP. During this time, in 2022, he claimed that the CM had sent ‘goons in black coats’ while he was on his way to Varanasi along with his son.

“Yogi ji wants to get me killed, some were from BJP while some were sent as per the instructions of DM and Police officials. The BJP doesn’t like that we are fighting for the poor, health infrastructure, farmers, education and to save our constitution. I ask the Election Commission to provide security to me and Arvind Rajbhar. My fight will continue even after my death. I have spoken on the teacher recruitment scam and that is what is irking Yogi ji,” Rajbhar had said in 2022.

Why Is Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party Important in 2027 UP Polls

Despite being a long-tongued leader, what makes OP Rajbhar a prominent leader is the community that he represents. Though Rajbhar voters may account for less than two per cent in Uttar Pradesh, in some of the east UP districts, like Mau, Ballia, Varanasi, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Deoria, Ghazipur and Ambedkarnagar, they have a considerable role to play in elections.

And hence, the BJP is careful about its caste dynamics. Elaborating on UP elections 2027, CM Yogi told Network18, “Our objective is very clear. Heritage, development, welfare schemes for the poor and instilling a sense of security among people are among our top issues. Focusing on 2027 polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the NDA will move ahead to achieve all this with the spirit of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’ (together with all, development for all). And we will again form the government in UP with full majority.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/politics/cm-yogi-news-mahakumbh-mela-photo-op-rajbhar-controversy-up-elections-2027-exclusive-9202270.html

In a shocking move, a resident of Bihar’s Samastipur moved court against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleging that he lost milk worth Rs 250 over one of the remarks made by the leader.
The man, in his petition, alleged that a remark by the Leader of Opposition Lok Sabha caused him to drop a pail of milk resulting in loss of Rs 250, reported PTI.
Mukesh Chaudhary claimed that he received a shock upon hearing Gandhi’s “fight against the Indian state” remark last week, due to which a buket full of five litres of milk slipped from his band.

“I was in such a state of shock that my bucket full of five litres of milk, priced at Rs 50 per litre, slipped off my hand. Rahul Gandhi was threatening the sovereignty of the nation,” alleged Chaudhary.

MPs received a 15-day notice ahead of the commencement of the Budget Session. Usually, a 21-day notice has to be given to MPs but the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs had admitted earlier that due to various reasons, this was not adhered to on several occasions.

New Delhi: The Trinamool Congress on Sunday found fault with the Narendra Modi government for summoning Parliament for its Budget Session with just a notice of 15 days, saying it is one of the many ills that is turning Parliament into a “deep, dark chamber”.

President Droupadi Murmu had on January 17 summoned the Parliament to hold the Budget Session from January 31.

Usually, a 21-day notice has to be given to MPs but the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs had admitted earlier that due to various reasons, this was not adhered to on several occasions.

“The diminishing lead time between the issuance of summons and the commencement of sessions is only one of the many ills that is turning Parliament into a deep, dark chamber,” Trinamool Rajya Sabha floor leader Derek O’Brien said.

He said he had in 2019 moved a bill seeking 100 days of sittings of Parliament in a year and a calendar for sessions. “If schools and colleges can set up their calendars way in advance, why can’t Parliament?,” he asked.

He also said MPs are elected not just to legislate, but also to hold the government accountable, scrutinise its actions, and debate matters of national importance. “These responsibilities will be fulfilled far better with a structured and predictable Parliamentary calendar,” he added.

Other than the very first session of the new Lok Sabha, three sessions during 2014-19 were called with a notice less than 15 days while it was only one during 2009-14 and five during 2004-09.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/mps-not-getting-enough-time-parliament-becoming-dark-chamber-under-modi-govt-tmc-says-3363310

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Monday hit back at Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, saying the latter’s fight is about saving the Congress, not the country.

“Today Rahul Gandhi came to Delhi. He abused me a lot. But I will not comment on his statements. His fight is to save Congress, my fight is to save the country,” Kejriwal wrote on X in Hindi.

Earlier today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressed a public rally in Delhi’s Seelampur where he drew a parallel between Arvind Kejriwal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Rahul Gandhi attacks Arvind Kejriwal

Rahul Gandhi said Arvind Kejriwal campaigns in the same way as the BJP leader. He accused them of making false promises.

The Congress leader also claimed Arvind Kejriwal failed to make Delhi free of corruption.

“Do you remember Delhi when Sheila Dikshit was the chief minister of the national capital?… Arvind Kejriwal had said he would clean Delhi and make it corruption-free. There is so much pollution in Delhi… Did Arvind Kejriwal make Delhi corruption-free? Arvind Kejriwal campaigns in the same way as PM Modi does and makes false promises to the people,” he said.

Rahul Gandhi also claimed that Arvind Kejriwal and Narendra Modi don’t want to give backward communities, Dalits, tribals and minorities their rights.

“Prime Minister Modi and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal do not even speak about caste census. Both want backward communities, Dalits, tribals and minorities to not get their rights… You should ask Prime Minister Modi and Arvind Kejriwal whether they support caste census or not… After the Congress government is formed in Delhi, we will conduct a caste census in the national capital,” he added.

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/arvind-kejriwal-vs-rahul-gandhi-in-delhi-fight-to-save-congress-101736784138554.html

While addressing the ‘Jhuggi Basti Pradhan Sammelan’ at Delhi’s JLN stadium, the BJP leader slammed the AAP leader saying that the AAP supremo’s “manipulations” were understood by Delhi people.

The campaigning for the Delhi assembly polls intensified on Saturday after union Home Minister Amit Shah lashed out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal over his claim that the BJP has finalised its leader Ramesh Bidhuri as the chief ministerial face of the party for the polls.

While addressing the ‘Jhuggi Basti Pradhan Sammelan’ at Delhi’s JLN stadium, the BJP leader slammed the AAP leader saying that the AAP supremo’s “manipulations” were understood by Delhi people.

“Can Kejriwal decide the BJP’s chief ministerial face? Kejriwal ji, whole Delhi understands these tactics of manipulating people,” he said.

‘Ramesh Bidhuri Will Be BJP’s Delhi CM Face’: Kejriwal Backs Atishi’s Claims

Earlier today, Kejriwal reiterated the claim that the saffron camp has decided to project its leader Ramesh Bidhuri as the party’s chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming Delhi assembly polls.

Kejriwal further congratulated the BJP leader and asked him for his vision for the national capital. He also invited the saffron party’s CM candidate to have an open debate on the development issues once the BJP officially announces the decision.

“We are getting information that Ramesh Bidhuri’s name will be officially announced (as BJP CM face) in the coming one or two days. I congratulate Ramesh Bidhuri on becoming the CM face of BJP. Ramesh Bidhuri should tell what he did for the development of Delhi while being an MP. What is his vision for Delhi?” Kejriwal said while addressing the press conference.

A day earlier, Delhi CM Atishi had also claimed that her Kalkaji rival Ramesh Bidhuri will be the BJP’s CM pick. She said that this was Bidhuri’s “reward” for being the “most abusive” leader of his party.

Kejriwal An ‘AAP-da’ For Delhiites, Says Shah

Gearing up for the Delhi Assembly elections, Congress is likely to unveil its much famed ‘guarantees’ from Monday—which they call a package to fight inflation—promising monthly allowance to women, a health insurance scheme, and unique ration kits containing daily essentials for the poor.

Sources said the announcements of guarantees will be made in phases between Monday and Saturday by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The major guarantee would be a ‘Direct Cash Transfer’ scheme for women that promises a monthly allowance, which sources indicated would be higher than the Rs 2,100 promised by the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP.

A health insurance coverage of Rs 20-25 lakh each for all residents and free electricity of 400 units, which is double of what the AAP government provides now, and support for unemployed youth through cash incentives coupled with apprenticeship training programs to enhance their skills and employability are among the promises.

Sources said the “most unique” among the guarantees will be the ration kits for households containing daily essentials at a time when the poor are bearing the brunt of inflation.

“The idea is to provide poor households with all essentials they need. At present, the PDS shops provide only certain things. These kits will have more materials,” a senior leader said.

The leader said the Congress is taking a leaf out of its successful campaign in Karnataka and Telangana where they unveiled the guarantees at least more than a month ahead of Assembly elections.

The party has also learned the hard lessons from Haryana and Maharashtra where the party had announced the guarantees very late and was not able to ensure that the message reached the voter.

Sources said the announcement of the guarantees for Haryana and Maharashtra was done haphazardly and there was no organised narrative building. The strategy to announce the guarantees over days and that too by the top leadership will help maintain momentum, they said.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/delhi-assembly-elections-2025-congress-likely-to-unveil-guarantees-from-monday-3341953

Mamata Banerjee alleged during an administrative meeting that the BSF, which guards the Bangladesh border, was allowing infiltration into Bengal.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BSF of allowing infiltration from Bangladesh to destabilise the state, calling it the Centre’s “nefarious blueprint”. The CM alleged during an administrative meeting that the BSF, which guards the Bangladesh border, was allowing infiltration into Bengal. The remarks come after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said earlier that “infiltration from Bangladesh” was disrupting peace in Bengal.

Mamata Banerjee said, “The BSF is allowing infiltration from different areas into Bengal and torturing women. The TMC is not guarding the borders. The border is not in our hands, so if someone accuses the TMC of permitting infiltration, I will point out that it is the BSF’s responsibility.”

She added, “The police have all the information, and the Centre has it too. I have received information from Rajiv Kumar (DGP) and local sources. I will write a strong letter to the Centre regarding this.”

Asserting that it is important to maintain peace in West Bengal and have good relations with Bangladesh, Mamata Banerjee said, “We have no enmity, but goons are being allowed here. They commit crimes and return across the border. BSF is enabling this, and the Centre has a role in it.”

Responding to the claims made by the West Bengal Chief Minister, BJP leader Sukanta Majumdar said that she “has reached the ultimate level of delusion”.

The Union Minister and BJP West Bengal chief questioned Mamata Banerjee’s remarks and said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), “Despite not providing land to set up outposts for border surveillance, she used to blame the Border Security Force for illegal infiltration. But now, crossing all limits of accusations, she has started blaming her own administration’s officials! According to her, the incompetent District Magistrates (DMs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) under her administration are allowing foreign criminals to infiltrate the border to murder the elected representatives of her party.”

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/mamata-banerjee-claims-bsf-allowing-infiltration-from-bangladesh-bjp-hits-back-9175270.html 

Arvind Kejriwal has asked if the RSS supports the BJP’s “wrongdoings”

Amid the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) campaign for the Delhi Election, party convener Arvind Kejriwal has shot off a letter to Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of BJP’s ideological parent RSS, and asked several questions on the BJP’s politics.

Mr Kejriwal has asked if the RSS supports the BJP’s “wrongdoings”. “BJP leaders are openly distributing money, does RSS support buying votes? The names of Dalit and Purvanchali voters are being struck off (from voter lists) on a large scale. Does RSS think this is good for democracy? Doesn’t RSS feel that the BJP is weakening democracy?” Mr Kejriwal has asked.

The letter is clearly aimed at embarrassing the BJP amid a bitter campaign for the capital contest. While AAP has alleged that the BJP is getting voters’ names struck off the list in a desperate attempt to win the election, the BJP has accused the ruling party of getting fake voters’ names added to the list to bolster its support.

The BJP responded sharply to Mr Kejriwal’s letter with a letter. State BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said, “Today, I have written a letter to Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal…we hope that you will abandon your wrong habits of lying and deceit and bring meaningful change within yourself.”

In an interaction with the media on Sunday, Mr Kejriwal said the BJP has neither vision nor candidates for the Delhi election. “BJP wants to win this election somehow by using dishonest means. But the people of Delhi won’t let this happen. We won’t let them win by using the tactics they are said to have used in Maharashtra and Haryana,” he said, asking Delhiites to keep checking names on voter lists.

The AAP leader alleged that the BJP had launched “Operation Lotus” in the New Delhi constituency that he represents. “In 15 days, they have put in applications to delete names of 5,000 voters and also applied for the addition of 7,500 names to the voter list. The total votes in my constituency is 1 lakh 6 thousand. What is the point of holding an election then? A game is playing out in the name of election.”

The AAP leader said a summary revision was carried out earlier and the Election Commission released a revised voter list on October 29. “If there is a 12 per cent difference as the BJP claims, was the poll body’s summary revision wrong?”

Mr Kejriwal alleged that the BJP plans to get people from outside and register them as Delhi voters.

Refuting the charges, Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva said the number of voters in Delhi saw a huge jump between the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and the Assembly election next year. The same, he said, was observed after the 2019 general election. “Who got these new voters? There are no answers. They are trying to play the same game this time. BJP is saying those who don’t live in Delhi anymore, those who have died, why should their names be on the list?”

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/arvind-kejriwal-mohan-bhagwat-does-rss-support-buying-votes-arvind-kejriwal-writes-to-mohan-bhagwat-7375557