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Tripura CM not taking INDIA bloc lightly

Saha, a former Tripura state BJP president, said that the party fought an election with all seriousness and never considered the opponent parties as weak….reports Sujit Chakraborty

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said that it is more than 100 per cent confirmed that Narendra Modi would become Prime Minister for a third term. Also, the BJP would easily win the two Lok Sabha seats in the state but we are not taking the INDIA bloc lightly, he added.

Saha, a former Tripura state BJP president, said that the party fought an election with all seriousness and never considered the opponent parties as weak.

“We are not complacent about the poll outcome in Tripura and other parts of the country. Our challenge is to increase our victory margin compared to the previous elections,” the Chief Minister said in an interview.

Admitting that there are still certain bases of the Left parties in Tripura, he said that the BJP has been trying to get better results in those assembly segments where the party comparatively does not perform satisfactorily or lost the seats to the opposition parties in last year’s February 16 assembly polls.

Tripura has two Lok Sabha seats and 60 assembly constituencies with 30 assembly segments falling in each parliamentary constituency.

In last year’s assembly polls, the ruling BJP won 32 seats while its ally, the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura secured one.

The tribal-based Tipra Motha Party (TMP) secured 13 seats while the CPI-M managed 11 seats and the Congress three. The CPI-M and the Congress contested the assembly polls in a seat-sharing arrangement.

The Chief Minister said that for the all round development of the northeast and the welfare of the people and to establish peace in the region, the Narendra Modi government has signed 12 agreements with various organisations and communities in the region including one with the TMP on March 2.

“The tripartite accord with the TMP would further develop the 12 lakh Janajati (tribals) and would boost their socio economic condition and make them happy besides facilitating smooth development in the tribal areas.”

After the March 2 agreement, the erstwhile opposition party TMP joined the BJP government on March 7 and two of the party’s MLAs became ministers in the BJP led government.

“Despite agreement with the TMP, our Janjati Moracha (tribal wing of the BJP) would further step up its activities in the tribal areas. There would be no problem. We would go with our own policies, strategies and mission,” the septuagenarian dental surgeon-turned-politician said.

Saha, who was also a Rajya Sabha member for a brief period before becoming the Chief Minister in May 2022 after former chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb resigned from the top post, said that as the people have gladly accepted the BJP government’s policies and governance, our responsibilities have increased further.

Noting that the Lok Sabha elections are being held on national issues, the Chief Minister said that due to PM Modi, the credibility of the BJP has increased not only in the country but all over the world.

“Whenever the Modi government and our party promised anything, these were always fulfilled. Be it the issue of Article 370, Ram Mandir, CAA or Triple Talaq, we fulfilled all the promises,” he said adding that with the Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, PM Modi has realised the 500 year old hopes and aspirations of Indians and crores of people living abroad.

Slamming the CPI-M and the Congress for their slogan to protect democracy and the Constitution, Saha said that the two parties have no moral right to speak about democracy.

“We have all records that during the regimes of both the Congress and the Left parties many innocent people and leaders belonging to the opposition parties were killed.

“The CPI-M government could not protect its own former Health Minister Bmal Sinha (who was killed by militants in March 1998). Several MLAs were also murdered during the Left governance,” he pointed out.

Saha said that people have experienced the CPI-M’s governance in Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura and their experience has been very horrific.

“Who is the face of the INDIA bloc? The alliance is in disarray. With no credibility, they are fooling the people,” remarked Saha, who in last year’s assembly polls was re-elected from the Town Bordowali seat for the second time after defeating state Congress president Asish Kumar Saha.

Polling for the Tripura West Parliamentary seat will be held on April 19 in the first of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, while the Tripura East (ST) constituency will go to the polls in the second phase on April 26.

The by-election to the Ramnagar Assembly seat will also be held on April 19. The seat fell vacant after the demise of sitting BJP MLA Surajit Datta on December 28 last year.

In all 18 candidates, including two women, are contesting the two Lok Sabha seats while two candidates, one each from the BJP and the CPI-M, are trying their electoral fortunes in the Ramnagar Assembly by-poll.

In the Lok Sabha poll for the two seats, the main contest is expected to be between the BJP and the INDIA bloc, comprising the Congress, CPI-M and six other parties.

ALSO READ: ‘BJP in quest for dominance of Hindi, Hindutva, Hindustan’

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No flags to be used in Rahul’s Kerala campaign

Hassan, who is also the UDF convener, said that a decision has been taken not to use any flags of the Congress or its allies…reports Asian Lite News

No flags will be used for Rahul Gandhi’s election campaign in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, KPCC acting chief M M Hassan said here on Saturday.

Hassan, who is also the UDF convener, said that a decision has been taken not to use any flags of the Congress or its allies during the poll campaign of Gandhi next week in the hill constituency.

However, he refused to give any reason for taking the decision.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference here, the UDF convener said that there is no need to communicate to the media the reasons behind the party’s decision.

“Suffice to say that no flags will be used during his campaign in Wayanad. Only party symbols will be used,” Hassan said in response to repeated queries by reporters regarding the reason for such a decision.

Gandhi will participate in various party programmes in Wayanad on April 15 and 16 according to a statement issued by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).

In the coming week, he will also be taking part in public meetings and rallies in various Lok Sabha constituencies including Kannur, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram, the statement said.

The Congress party’s decision not use its or ally IUML’s flags during Rahul Gandhi’s roadshow in Wayanad earlier this month gave space for the BJP and CPI(M) to take political potshots at the grand old party.

While the CPI(M) had alleged that the flags were not used as the Congress was scared of the BJP, the saffron party had claimed it was because Gandhi was ashamed of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and asked him to reject its support.

The Congress had hit back by saying that the CPI(M) and the BJP have become close friends and had asserted that it does not need any classes from anyone on how to carry out a poll campaign.

Gandhi’s roadshow in Wayanad on April 3 was visibly different from that in 2019 in the constituency when green flags of ally IUML outnumbered the Congress’ in the crowd. This time, both the flags were conspicuous by their absence.

‘We will remove poverty and unemployment’

Noting that unemployment and rising prices were the real issues in the Lok Sabha polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that the polls were also for saving the constitution and democracy in the country “which were under continuous attack from the BJP and the RSS”.

He said if INDIA alliance government comes to power, they will remove poverty from India with a single stroke by providing Rs one lakh every year to every poor family across the country.

Addressing a rally here, Rahul Gandhi said “berozgari, menghai aur bhagidaari” were the main issues facing the country, which were not being highlighted in the media.

The former Congress president alleged that Prime Minister Modi was working only for a few billionaires and “was handing over everything to them”. He said there was so much discrimination in the wealth distribution in the country that 22 people owned as much of wealth as 70 crore Indians.

Gandhi accused the BJP of attacking the religion and the culture of the tribals and giving away their land, forests and water.

He talked about ‘Panch Nyay’ with 25 guarantees that the Congress has promised in its manifesto.

Noting that unemployment was the most important issue, he said thirty lakh vacancies pending in various government departments will be filled immediately.

Like the Congress had brought MGNREGA, it will now bring the Right to Apprenticeship Act. This, he said, will guarantee a one-year job for all the graduates and diploma holders in the first year after completing their degrees/diplomas.

He said apprenticeships will be provided in the public sector, private sector and the government departments. The youth will get Rs one lakh in the first year. This means every educated youth in India, who has completed his degree or diploma will immediately get a guaranteed job in the first year, he said.

The Congress leader said a woman in every poor family across the country will get Rs one lakh every year. Besides women will get 50 percent reservation in government jobs and the monthly remuneration of the Asha and Anganwadi workers will be doubled, he added.

For farmers, he announced that there will be a legal guarantee for the MSP of crops. He also said the Congress government will waive off their loans.

Gandhi alleged that 90 percent of the country’s population, consisting of backwards, Dalits, adivasis, minorities and the poor from general castes, had just 6.1 percent decision making powers. He said Congress and INDIA alliance will conduct a caste census if voted to power.

Bastar will go the polls in the first phase of Lok Sabha election on April 19. (ANI)

ALSO READ: ‘BJP in quest for dominance of Hindi, Hindutva, Hindustan’

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LS polls: Omar to contest from Srinagar

NC has already announced its candidate, senior Gujjar/Bakarwal leader, Mian Altaf Ahmad from the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency…reports Asian Lite News

Former J&K Chief Minister and vice president of National Conference (NC), Omar Abdullah will fight the Lok Sabha election from the Srinagar constituency.

Sources within the NC said that Omar Abdullah will contest the Srinagar constituency while former minister and senior party leader, Chowdhary Mohd Ramzan will fight from the north Kashmir Baramulla seat.

NC has already announced its candidate, senior Gujjar/Bakarwal leader, Mian Altaf Ahmad from the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency.

Another former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also announced her decision to fight from the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency.

PDP has fielded its youth wing president, Waheed Parra for Srinagar and former Rajya Sabha member, Fayaz Ahmad Mir from the Baramulla seat.

BJP has not so far announced its candidates for three Lok Sabha seats from Kashmir. The party has fielded Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (PMO) from Kathua-Udhampur and Jugal Kishore Sharma for the Jammu-Reasi seat.

NC and Congress have entered an alliance agreement for the elections with the NC supporting Congress candidates for Jammu-Reasi and Kathua-Udhampur seats while the Congress will not field its candidates against the NC in the three seats in Kashmir.

Sajad Gani Lone of the Peoples Conference (PC) is fighting Lok Sabha elections from the Baramulla constituency.

Kathua-Udhampur constituency goes to vote on April 19, Jammu-Reasi on April 26, Anantnag-Rajouri on May 7, Srinagar on May 13 and Baramulla on May 20.

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BJD declares fresh list of candidates for LS & Assembly seats

The party has nominated ex-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lekhashri Samantsinghar from Balasore Parliamentary constituency….reports Asian Lite News

 The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday announced the fresh list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and Assembly elections.

BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in a video message declared the names of nominees for one Lok Sabha and nine Assembly constituencies.

The party has nominated ex-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lekhashri Samantsinghar from Balasore Parliamentary constituency.

The former firebrand women leader had joined the ruling BJD on April 7, hours after resigning from the primary membership of BJP.

With the announcement of Samantsinghar’s candidature for the Balasore constituency on Thursday, the party has announced candidates for all the 21 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

She will fight her maiden electoral battle against former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Pratap Chandra Sarangi as the principal opponent in the Balasore Parliamentary constituency.

The BJD also declared its candidates for nine state Assembly constituencies in the state.

The party has renominated five sitting MLAs while it fielded new faces in the four Assembly seats.

The party has renominated Braja Kishore Pradhan from Talcher Assembly segment in Dhenkanal Lok Sabha constituency, Ananta Narayan Jena for Bhubaneswar central Assembly seat, Rohit Pujari on Rairkhol Vidhan Sabha seat in Sambalpur district, Prabhu Jani from Laxmipur Assembly segment in Koraput Lok Sabha constituency and Chakramani Kanhar on Baliguda Assembly seat in Kandhamal district.

Meanwhile, veteran leader Prasanna Acharya has been nominated for Sambalpur Assembly seat, while the party fielded Giitanjali Routray in Paradeep assembly seat, this time replacing her husband and the sitting Paradeep MLA Sambit Routray.

The BJD has named Manorama Mohanty in Narla constituency in Kalahandi district, replacing Bhupinder Singh.

Similarly, Madhab Sardar has been fielded as the candidate for Telkoi Assembly segment in Keonjhar Lok Sabha constituency in place of defector Premananda Nayak who recently joined BJP after quitting BJD.

Nayak, the sitting Telkoi MLA along with BJP leader Arabinda Dhali have been disqualified by the Speaker Pramila Mallik from the state assembly on the ground of defection on April 10.

The BJD is yet to declare candidates for 30 more constituencies out of the 147 Assembly seats in the state.

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Why are country’s borders shrinking, asks Akhilesh 

Yadav highlighted concerns about law and order, unemployment, press freedom, healthcare, and poverty levels…reports Asian Lite News

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, in a thinly veiled critique of the BJP-led central government, questioned the state of affairs in the country, particularly focusing on the shrinking borders and the state of press freedom.

Speaking at Aishbagh Eidgah on Eid-ul-Fitr, Yadav highlighted concerns about law and order, unemployment, press freedom, healthcare, and poverty levels.

While refraining from naming any specific party or individual, Yadav emphasized that voters are cognizant of these issues and are poised to bring about change through the upcoming elections.

Meanwhile, the Congress took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response to China’s border transgressions, labeling it as “ineffective and feeble.”

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized Modi’s remarks in an interview with Newsweek magazine, describing them as “cowardly.” In the interview, Modi stressed the importance of stable relations between India and China and expressed hope for peaceful resolution through diplomatic and military engagement.

However, the Congress demanded an apology from Modi for his previous statement in June 2020, where he denied any Chinese intrusion into Indian territory.

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BSP returns to its roots with new motto

This shift underscores the party’s renewed focus on its core constituency, marking a departure from its previous inclusive stance…reports Asian Lite News

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has recently signaled a strategic reorientation by altering its motto from ‘sarvjan hitai, sarvjan sukhai’ to ‘bahujan hitai, bahujan sukhai’ ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, indicating a return to its foundational principles. This shift underscores the party’s renewed focus on its core constituency, marking a departure from its previous inclusive stance.

Initially propelled to power in Uttar Pradesh through Mayawati’s ‘social engineering’ approach, which amalgamated upper castes with Dalits in the 2007 assembly elections, the BSP now appears intent on reclaiming its traditional base. The revised slogan, ‘bahujan hitai, bahujan sukhai,’ encapsulates the interests of the ‘bahujans,’ encompassing scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, other backward classes (OBCs), and religious minorities.

The BSP’s adoption of the new motto was evident in its press note announcing Mayawati’s election meetings in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Formerly, the party’s posters prominently featured the motto ‘sarvjan hitai, sarvajan sukhai.’ This shift underscores a strategic recalibration aimed at realigning the party with its core values and constituency.

The party’s press release emphasized its commitment to contesting the general elections independently, without any external alliances, to champion the welfare of the ‘bahujans.’ This decision reflects a strategic imperative to assert the BSP’s autonomy and consolidate its electoral base without relying on external support.

Following its peak performance in the 2007 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, where it secured an absolute majority with 206 seats, the BSP has witnessed a steady decline in its electoral fortunes. Subsequent electoral setbacks, notably in the 2012 and 2017 assembly polls, underscored the need for the party to reconnect with its core support base to remain politically relevant.

Critically, there is a growing acknowledgment within the party of the need to address grievances among its traditional supporters, particularly Dalits, who have felt marginalized amid perceived shifts in the party’s priorities and leadership. The BSP’s historical stance against ‘brahminvaad and manuvaad’ underscores its commitment to championing the interests of marginalized communities.

Central to the BSP’s electoral strategy is the preservation of its core vote bank, which has historically remained loyal to the party. This core constituency serves as the bedrock of the BSP’s electoral support, facilitating alliances with other caste groups. Therefore, maintaining the cohesion of this support base is essential to the party’s electoral prospects.

By prioritizing the interests of the ‘bahujan samaj’ and emphasizing its commitment to social justice, the BSP aims to reassert its relevance and appeal among marginalized communities. This strategic realignment underscores the party’s determination to reclaim lost ground and advance the interests of the deprived sections of society.

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Fund issues strain Congress in supporting its candidates

Ramesh raised concerns about the freezing of the party’s bank accounts by the Income Tax department…reports Asian Lite News

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh recently addressed the media, shedding light on the challenges the party faces in supporting its candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. He attributed these difficulties primarily to a financial crunch exacerbated by what he described as actions taken by the central government. Despite these obstacles, Ramesh expressed confidence in the party’s electoral prospects, asserting that the opposition alliance would secure a resounding victory.

Ramesh raised concerns about the freezing of the party’s bank accounts by the Income Tax department and alleged that a substantial amount of money received through public funding had been misappropriated by the Prime Minister. He also highlighted instances of what he termed as daily humiliations faced by Congress leaders, attributing these attacks to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Acknowledging the challenges posed by governmental actions, Ramesh emphasized the party’s resilience and determination to persevere. He underscored the importance of supporting candidates who represent diverse sections of society, including youth, women, and farmers, and dismissed attempts by the BJP to intimidate the Congress.

Ramesh projected confidence in the prospects of the opposition INDIA bloc, predicting a clear majority of over 272 seats in the Lok Sabha. He anticipated that regional parties from the Northeast would align with the anti-BJP coalition following the election results.

Switching focus to China’s territorial claims and renaming of Indian places, Ramesh reaffirmed India’s sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh and criticized the BJP government’s response to Chinese incursions. He accused the Prime Minister of weakening India’s negotiating position by denying Chinese occupation, emphasizing the need to safeguard India’s territorial integrity.

Characterizing the current election as a battle to safeguard democracy, the Constitution, and the country’s diversity, Ramesh criticized the BJP for perpetuating injustices against various segments of society. He outlined the Congress manifesto’s focus on addressing unemployment, price rise, and social inequalities, presenting it as a solution to rectify past injustices.

Addressing the exodus of leaders from the Congress, Ramesh dismissed concerns, portraying it as an opportunity for dedicated young individuals to step up within the party. He derided those who left as opportunists seeking refuge in the BJP, likening the party to a “washing machine” and Prime Minister Modi to a purifying agent.

Refuting Prime Minister Modi’s comparison of the Congress manifesto to that of the Muslim League, Ramesh condemned the analogy as shameful and highlighted historical alliances between the BJP’s ideological predecessors and the Muslim League. He affirmed the Congress’s commitment to its manifesto and expressed confidence in the electorate’s support for the party in the upcoming election.

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‘BJP in quest for dominance of Hindi, Hindutva, Hindustan’

Tharoor emphasized that despite the BJP’s aggressive campaigns focusing on ‘vikas’ (development)…reports Asian Lite News

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor recently offered a comprehensive critique of the BJP’s claims regarding its performance in South India during the Lok Sabha polls. In a detailed analysis, Tharoor dismantled the notion propagated by the BJP’s “propaganda mill” that it has made significant inroads in the southern region. He pointed out that the narratives and agendas pushed by the BJP, such as communalism, religious division, and nativist social cleavages, which resonate in the northern parts of the country, find little traction in the south.

Tharoor emphasized that despite the BJP’s aggressive campaigns focusing on ‘vikas’ (development), the actual region experiencing substantial development remains largely unswayed by the ruling party’s agenda. He highlighted the disconnect between the BJP’s rhetoric and the ground realities in South India, suggesting that the BJP’s claims of exemplary performance in the region are unfounded.

Furthermore, Tharoor cautioned against the BJP’s overarching quest for dominance through the promotion of “Hindi, Hindutva, Hindustan,” identifying it as a grave threat to India’s pluralistic ethos. He stressed the enduring nature of Indian secularism, deeply embedded in the country’s cultural fabric, which he believes will withstand attempts to erode it.

In addressing the BJP’s politicization of religion, particularly concerning the Ram temple issue, Tharoor questioned the party’s appropriation of Lord Ram, a figure deeply revered across India. He criticized the BJP’s exploitation of religious sentiments for political gains and downplayed the notion of a “Ram temple wave,” suggesting that voters prioritize substantive issues such as unemployment, inflation, and communal harmony over religious symbolism.

Tharoor also raised concerns about the BJP’s divisive tactics and its impact on national unity. He warned against the BJP’s attempts to exacerbate regional divides, particularly between the North and the South, accusing the party of exacerbating communal, linguistic, and regional tensions for its political advantage.

Additionally, Tharoor highlighted the BJP’s track record in Kerala, criticizing the party for failing to deliver on its promises to the state. He pointed out instances where the BJP made commitments but failed to follow through, eroding trust among Keralites. Tharoor questioned why any citizen of Kerala would trust the BJP given its history of unfulfilled promises and lackluster performance in the state.

Looking ahead, Tharoor underscored the significance of the ongoing battle for India’s soul, emphasizing the choice between an inclusive vision for the future and one marred by communalism and division. He urged voters to prioritize national unity and reject divisive politics, warning against the potential repercussions of a BJP-led government on the country’s pluralistic ethos.

In conclusion, Tharoor’s analysis provides a comprehensive rebuttal to the BJP’s claims of success in South India, highlighting the party’s divisive tactics and failure to address substantive issues. His insights underscore the importance of safeguarding India’s secular and pluralistic values against threats posed by communalism and political polarization.

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Eshwarappa: The firebrand BJP face to a rebel leader

The senior BJP leader vowed to defeat the candidate of his own party from the Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, reports M.K. Ashoka

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader K.S. Eshwarappa is one of the frontline members of the party in Karnataka and has played a key role along with former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa in making the BJP a force to reckon with in the state.

The 76-year-old leader is the face of OBCs and the Kuruba community. The man who is regarded as one of the key leaders who built the BJP from scratch in Karnataka is today at ‘crossroads’, having vowed to defeat the candidate of his own party from the Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, in a strange turn of events.

Eshwarappa has announced that he will file his nomination on Friday as an Independent candidate. He also asserted he would win the seat and “dedicate his victory on the feet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi”.

This decision has surprised everyone.

Initially, everyone assumed that Eshwarappa would mellow down after the party high command spoke to him. However, his resolve to contest against the BJP candidate has become a major concern. The senior BJP leader would be contesting from Shivamogga as an Independent candidate against BJP candidate B.Y. Raghavendra — the son of Yediyurappa.

Eshwarappa wanted a BJP ticket from the Haveri Lok Sabha constituency for his son, K.E. Kanthesh. However, the party fielded former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai from the Haveri seat — a development that made Eshwarappa upset, with the ex-Deputy CM eventually deciding to contest against Yediyurappa’s son in the Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency.

Eshwarappa expressed his outrage against Yediyurappa for not ensuring a ticket for his son Kanthesh for the Haveri LS seat.

Following the incidents of the brutal murder of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha in Shivamogga and the suicide of a contractor Santhosh Patil, Eshwarappa was denied the ticket to contest Assembly election from Shivamogga seat, which he represented for five terms.

When former CM Jagadish Shettar and ex-Deputy CM Laxman Savadi quit the BJP and joined the Congress last year ahead of the Karnataka Assembly polls following the denial of tickets to them, Eshwarappa remained calm and stated that he would abide by the party’s decision.

The “love-hate equation” between former Karnataka CM B.S. Yediyurappa and Eshwarappa is well known in Karnataka political circles.

Sources within the party submitted that Eshwarappa is in a “hyper-sensitive” phase of his political career. And a defeat in the upcoming election could push him to a corner in the state’s political arena.

Karnataka unit BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra has already stated that “if Eshwarappa is willing to end his political career in this manner then no one can help him”.

Eshwarappa, a seasoned campaigner, has also seen a series of setbacks in his political career. He was asked to announce his resignation from the Cabinet in connection with the case of the suicide of a contractor in April 2022. Eshwarappa was denied ticket to contest from Shivamogga Assembly seat which he represented traditionally. And much to his chagrin, the party allotted ticket to his close aide Channabasappa, and he got elected.

Eshwarappa, who did not speak a word then and kept toeing the party line has rebelled this time. He has vowed to challenge the supremacy of his ‘friend-turned-foe’, B.S. Yediyurappa, in the party.

“I can’t simply sit and watch one of his sons becoming Union Minister, another becoming BJP state unit president and getting ready for the CM post. The BJP is in the clutches of the Yediyurappa family and I will get the party out of his clutches,” Eshwarappa said.

Eshwarappa’s parents were daily wage earners. Motivated by his mother’s wish to see him ‘doing good in life’, he went on to become one of the prominent politicians of Karnataka.

Eshwarappa was born in Bellary district. His father Sharanappa and mother Basamma moved to Shivamogga in the early 1950s. His parents worked as daily wage earners. As a boy, Eshwarappa wanted to join his parents in the work. However, his mother did not allow him, and asked him to focus on education and “earn a good name in the society”.

His mother’s words motivated him to continue his studies, and more so, focus on social work. Later, he was introduced to RSS through Narasimha Murthy Iyengar, a VHP leader from Shivamogga.

Since then, Eshwarappa never turned back in his life.

From a student leader in ABVP, he became city unit president of the BJP in Shivamogga and went on to establish himself as a mass leader by defeating a heavyweight leader, then minister K.H. Srinivas, in the 1989 Karnataka Assembly elections.

To date, he lost only once in elections from Shivamogga Assembly segment. Eshwarappa became Deputy Chief Minister in the erstwhile Jagadish Shettar-led Cabinet in 2012. He served as the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister in the previous Basavaraj Bommai-led Cabinet.

He was also appointed state unit party president twice.

However, he was also known for controversial remarks throughout his political career.

Seen as a Hindutva leader, his remarks at times drew national attention.

BJP President J.P. Nadda had once advised him to “slow down” for his “hoisting saffron flag on the Red Fort” remark.

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Delhi CM’s private secretary sacked  

The AAP hit back at the Lieutenant Governor over this latest setback and accused the BJP of trying to finish the party led by Kejriwal…reports Asian Lite News

In a fresh setback for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, his private secretary has been sacked over alleged violation of rules during his appointment.

Bibhav Kumar’s services have been terminated with immediate effect, said the Directorate of Vigilance in its order, stating that he was appointed in violation of the Central Civil Service Rules, related to temporary appointments.

The AAP hit back at the Lieutenant Governor over this latest setback and accused the BJP of trying to finish the party led by Kejriwal.

Kumar faced a police case in 2007 in Noida for allegedly assaulting a public servant, the vigilance department pointed out in its order, adding that this information was not revealed during his appointment as the private secretary.

“This is not only irregular but also creates administrative difficulties. Due to sensitivity of work handled by the ministers, it is not appropriate to allow appointments in the personal staff of ministers without prior verification of character and antecedents,” the order said.

The department said the charges against Kumar are grave in nature and the trial is at the stage of evidence, due to which “Bibhav Kumar is not clear from vigilance angle”.

The AAP slammed the sacking of Kumar with party leader Jasmine Shah alleging that democracy is being dismantled in the national capital.

“First the Delhi CM is arrested in the fake Delhi liquor case. Now, the LG has started sacking his entire staff including his Pvt Secretary. There is no doubt left that BJP’s sole aim is to finish AAP. Democracy is being dismantled in the national capital,” said Shah. Kumar was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate earlier this week in the liquor policy case, in which Kejriwal is in jail. He also met the Chief Minister at Tihar on Tuesday.

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