This directive comes as the ECI takes a stringent stance on the failure of the local administration to contain the unrest following the elections…reports Asian Lite News
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday summoned the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) of Andhra Pradesh to New Delhi tomorrow to “personally explain” the recent surge in post-poll violence in the state, sources said.
This directive comes as the ECI takes a stringent stance on the failure of the local administration to contain the unrest following the elections.
According to the sources, the Commission has demanded a detailed explanation from the officials regarding the lapses in maintaining law and order and the preemptive measures being implemented to prevent further incidents. The ECI emphasised the continued enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct and the necessity for stringent actions to ensure peace.
The ECI has repeatedly emphasised that there is no place for violence in a democracy and since the announcement of Lok Sabha elections, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has been personally monitoring the election space to ensure peaceful and violence-free conduct of polls.
Post-poll violence was reported in parts of Andhra Pradesh on, Monday.
Earlier on the fourth phase of Lok Sabha election day, May 13, YSRCP MLA from Tenali, Annabattula Shivakumar, triggered controversy for allegedly hitting a voter standing in a queue at a polling booth in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district. He claimed that the man was drunk, made casteist remarks against him and was abusing him and his wife.
Meanwhile, YSRCP and TDP workers clashed near Narasaraopet Municipal High School polling station in Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh and police fired rubber bullets to control the situation here on Monday.
Polling for all 175 seats of the State Legislative Assembly of Andhra Pradesh was held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls on Monday.
The ruling YSRCP is contesting on all 175 seats, eyeing another term, while as part of a seat-sharing arrangement among NDA partners, TDP is contesting on 144 assembly seats, Jana Sena on 21 and BJP on 10.
During the 2019 elections, YSRCP registered a landslide victory in Andhra Pradesh, winning 151 of the 175 seats in the Assembly, dethroning the TDP government. (ANI)
The pro-Khalistani separatist and Waris Punjab De Chief Amritpal Singh is currently lodged in Dibrugarh jail, Assam….reports Asian Lite News
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has accepted the nomination of pro-Khalistani separatist and Waris Punjab De Chief Amritpal Singh to contest from Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency as an independent candidate.
As per the ECI data, the nomination was filed on May 10. Amritpal Singh is currently lodged in Dibrugarh jail, Assam.
Earlier in April this year, Singh’s mother claimed that the pro-Khalistani leader had “pressure” to contest the polls.
“Pressure was being put on Amritpal Singh to contest the elections and now he is going to start his political innings from Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency. This election will not be fought by him on the platform of any party. This election will be fought as an independent candidate,” Balwinder Kaur told media in April earlier this year.
The pro-Khalistani leader was arrested by Punjab police in April last year, weeks after evading police for over a month and the stringent National Security Act was invoked against him. He and nine of his associates are currently lodged in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail.
The Khadoor Sahib seat was won by the Congress’ Jasbir Singh Gill in 2019. The Congress has nominated Kuldeep Singh Zira for the seat while the BJP has nominated Manjit Singh Manna. Laljit Singh Bhullar will represent the AAP and the Akali Dal will be represented by Virsa Singh Valtoha.
Voting for 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab is scheduled to be held on June 1 in the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
Amritpal Singh identifies himself as a follower of the radical Sikh militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale who used to give open calls for arms and violence against the Indian state. Bhindranwale had attracted a lot of followers among the youth of Punjab, especially those coming from the lower rungs of society, the report noted.
By 1984, violence orchestrated by Bhindranwale supporters against the Hindus and government officers had become common in Punjab. Bhindranwale also moved into the Golden Temple of Amritsar and made his headquarters, IFFRAS wrote.
Realising that Bhindranwale now posed a grave threat to national security, the then Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi gave her assent to flush out militants from the Golden Temple and thus Operation Blue Star was launched in 1984 which was successful in its objectives of freeing the Golden Temple from the clutches of the Sikh separatists.
Bhindranwale was killed by the Indian army during Operation Bluestar. However, Indira Gandhi had to pay a heavy price for Operation Bluestar as she was assassinated by her own Sikh bodyguards in 1984.
The virulent and violent nature of the Khalistani ideology that still permeates today among some sections can be gauged from the recent statements made by Amritpal Singh.
In one of his statements, Amritpal Singh said that the Indian constitution was just a mode of perpetuating the slavery of the Sikhs. Further, in a viral video, Amritpal threatened that Union Home Minister Amit Shah would meet the same fate as former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi if he tried to stop the Khalistani movement, IFFRAS wrote.
“Indira tried to deal with us in her own way; what happened? Now if Home Minister wants to fulfil his desire, let him try this,” Amritpal said in the video.
Amritpal calls Bhindranwale his inspiration and regards him as a hero, The International Forum for Rights and Security noted. (ANI)
Barely hours after the SS(UBT) named Amol Kirtikar as MVA nominee, the ED popped a notice on him for his alleged role in BMC’s ‘khichdi scam’, a report by Quaid Najmi…reports Asian Lite News
The coveted Mumbai North West (MNW) Lok Sabha constituency is a fight between the two rival Senas – Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) – and the dreaded Enforcement Directorate (ED) lurking around the candidates of both parties.
Barely hours after the SS(UBT) named Amol Kirtikar as Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) nominee for the seat, the ED popped a notice on him for his alleged role in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)’s ‘khichdi scam’.
In fact, ruling Shiv Sena’s sitting MP Gajanan Kirtikar – father of Amol G. Kirtikar – even publicly expressed his strong displeasure on the purported ‘misuse’ of the ED, embarrassing the Mahayuti allies.
As Amol Kirtikar complied with the ED notice and went for a probe, a prominent SS(UBT) leader Ravindra D Waikar suddenly defected to the Shiv Sena – and was rewarded with a LS ticket.
Just a few days ago, Waikar let the cat out of the bag when quizzed on his abrupt party-hopping, as he morosely replied, “I had only two avenues – go to jail, or change sides… Besides, there was no support from my party…”
Leaving the Mahayuti stunned, Waikar said that he and his wife were falsely implicated in the alleged luxury hotel scam in Jogeshwari, in which he is accused of flouting BMC agreements as the plot was reserved for a public park.
Accordingly, he decided to join the Shiv Sena and was named a Mahayuti candidate for MNW LS seat, against Amol G. Kirtikar the son of his close associate Gajanan Kirtikar.
The INDIA-MVA leaders beat the Mahayuti-BJP-NDA allies with Waikar’s statement, saying this confirms the Opposition parties’ allegations on how the ED, CBI, IT, and other central investigation agencies are being used to target political opponents.
The MNW seat created upheaval even elsewhere with former Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam dumping the party to join Shiv Sena after he was denied a ticket, even as Shinde briefly toyed with the idea of fielding Bollywood actor Govinda.
For the present poll scenario, Shinde managed to mollify Nirupam and deployed Govinda – an ex-Congress MP – to attract crowds to the party’s rallies.
The MNW seat comprises six Assembly segments, of which three are held by the BJP, one by Shiv Sena and two by Shiv Sena (UBT).
They are: BJP’s Goregaon (MLA Vidya Thakur), Versova (MLA Bharati Lavekar) and Andheri West (MLA Ameet Satam); Shiv Sena’s (MLA Ravindra D. Waikar, now the LS candidate); and SS(UBT)’s Dindoshi (MLA Sunil Prabhu) and Andheri East (MLA Rutuja Latke).
Since it came into existence in 1967, the MNW has thrown up several stalwarts including four Union ministers – HR Gokhale, Ram Jethmalani, Sunil Dutt and Gurudas Kamat (all deceased) – at various points in different governments at the Centre.
With his secular image, Dutt nurtured MNW for five terms to make it a Congress bastion, and after his passing in 2005, his daughter Priya Dutt was elected for one term in a bypoll.
On just three occasions, MNW constituency repeated the same party/candidate – Janata Party’s Jethmalani (1977 and 1980), (undivided) Shiv Sena’s Madhukar Sarpotdar (1996 and 1998), Shiv Sena’s Gajanan Kirtikar (2014 and 2019), making it an unpredictable seat for most parties.
The cosmopolitan population in the region comprises Marathis, Gujaratis, North Indians, Rajasthanis, Dalits, Muslims, Christians, Parsis, besides the working classes from outside Maharashtra.
There is a generous dollop of glamour, corporate honchos, film and television stars sprinkled in Versova, Andheri, Goregaon, Dindoshi; the world-famous Film City nestles here, plus there is a good railway, road, metro-rail infrastructure and connectivity.
Congress slams BJP for ‘washing machine’ tactic
The Congress has accused the BJP of using its “washing machine” tactic to absorb leaders facing anti-corruption probes in Maharashtra. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted the cases of Ravindra Waikar, Yamini Jadhav, and Narayan Rane, who joined the ruling alliance despite facing investigations. Ramesh posed several questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his rallies in the state.
Ramesh criticized the BJP for diluting the rights of Adivasis in Maharashtra, referencing the Forest Rights Act of 2006, which the Congress introduced to grant legal rights to tribal communities. He claimed that the Forest Conservation Amendment Act introduced by PM Modi last year has undermined these rights, stripping local communities of their consent and statutory requirements for forest clearance. According to Ramesh, this move aims to benefit corporate interests.
He presented data showing the Mahayuti government’s failure to fully implement the Forest Rights Act, depriving millions of Adivasis of their benefits. Only 52% of the individual claims filed have been granted, and land titles distributed cover merely 23.5% of the eligible area for community rights. Ramesh questioned why the BJP and its allies have neglected Adivasis’ forest rights in Maharashtra.
Ramesh also highlighted the BJP’s alleged admission of using its “washing machine” to integrate leaders facing corruption allegations. Kirit Somaiya, a former BJP MP, had accused Waikar, Jadhav, and Rane of corruption. These leaders subsequently joined the Mahayuti alliance, and Somaiya commented on their switch by saying, “Everyone deserves a chance. If the shirt gets stained, then you wash it and wear it again.” Ramesh noted that Waikar himself mentioned having two options with Thackeray’s Shiv Sena: switch parties or face jail.
Ramesh further criticized the BJP for the increase in construction worker deaths in Maharashtra since 2021, citing a three-fold rise. He accused the BJP of neglecting safety regulations established by the Congress in 2007 under the Maharashtra Building and Other Construction Workers’ Rules. He pointed to the August 2023 incident where 13 laborers died on the Samruddhi Expressway in Thane, with families receiving delayed compensation after extensive paperwork.
The Congress leader also emphasized the party’s commitment to protecting unorganized workers’ rights, promising a national minimum wage of Rs 400 per day in their Nyay Patra. Ramesh urged the prime minister to address these critical issues, challenging him to outline his vision for the safety and security of construction workers.
Making the announcement, Anuraag Bhatnagar Chief Executive Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, said in a statement that the award “highlights our focus on connecting with India’s young demographic who are rooted in their culture and firmly confident in their outlook to embrace a dynamic future.”…reports Asian Lite News
Acclaimed polo player and head of the royal family of the erstwhile Jaipur State, Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh, has been declared the newest Icon of India by The Leela.
The great-grandson of Jaipur’s last ruler, Sawai Man Singh II, Padmanabh Singh is the son of Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister Divya Kumar and her husband, Narendra Singh. It was the luxury hotel chain, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, that conferred the honour upon him.
The 25-year-old Jaipur scion, who’s called Pacho by his family and friends, started playing competitive polo in 2015 when he was a student in England, and a member of the Guards Polo Club, which has had a long association with the British royal family.
Padmanabh Singh is the youngest winner of the Indian Open Polo Cup and the youngest captain ever of the Indian polo team. Previous to him, sarod virtuosos Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, Miss World 2017 and Bollywood actress Manushi Chhillar, and leading woman cricketer Smriti Mandhana have been honoured with the title.
Making the announcement, Anuraag Bhatnagar Chief Executive Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, said in a statement that the award “highlights our focus on connecting with India’s young demographic who are rooted in their culture and firmly confident in their outlook to embrace a dynamic future.”
Padmanabh Singh, speaking about his association with the luxury hotel chain, said it started in 2022 with “The Leela Maharaja Sawai Man Singh Polo Cup, where I have been leading The Leela team for the last two years.”
He added: “I look forward to co-creating meaningful avenues with The Leela for the world to experience the essence and richness of our country.”
More than 4.14 crore voters were eligible to cast their votes in the elections for 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in the single-phase polling…reports Asian Lite News
Andhra Pradesh recorded 81.86 per cent polling in simultaneous elections to the state Assembly and Lok Sabha conducted on Monday, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) M. K. Meena announced on Wednesday.
Announcing the final polling figures at a news conference, he said 80.66 per cent of voters cast their votes in polling stations while 1.2 per cent polled their votes through postal ballot.
The CEO said that compared to previous elections, the polling figure has gone up by 2.09 per cent. In 2019, the state had recorded a voter turnout of 79.77 per cent while in 2014, it was 78.41 per cent.
He revealed that polling in 3,500 polling stations continued even after 6 p.m. as those standing in queues were allowed to cast votes. The last polling station completed the process at 2 a.m.
Meena said polling in some places was delayed due to rains. He said observers analysed the polling process and all the reports and they have not taken any decision to conduct re-polling anywhere.
More than 4.14 crore voters were eligible to cast their votes in the elections for 175-member Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in the single-phase polling.
The Darsi Assembly segment received the highest polling at 90.91 per cent while the lowest, at 63.32 per cent, was recorded in Tirupati.
Among Lok Sabha constituencies, Ongole saw the highest turnout of 87.06 per cent while Visakhapatnam recorded the lowest, at 71.11 per cent.
The Election Commission had Tuesday put the overall polling figure at 78.36%. Enthusiasm among voters marked the polling in the southern state as an estimated six lakh people living in neighbouring states of Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and other parts of the country came to their native places to cast their votes.
Some even came from abroad to participate in the polling process. Election authorities had set up 46,389 polling centres across the state. The voters decided the political fortunes of 2,841 candidates.
Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief and former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Jana Sena leader and actor Pawan Kalyan were among 2,387 candidates for 175 Assembly seats.
For 25 Lok Sabha seats, 454 contestants are in the fray and the prominent among them were state BJP chief and former Union Minister D. Purandeswari (Rajahmundry), state Congress President Y. S. Sharmila Reddy (Kadapa), and former Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy (BJP, Rajampet).
The CEO said that the EVMs have been kept under tight security at 350 strong rooms across the state. Counting of votes will be taken up on June 4.
Cong, BRS, BJP confident of winning majority in Telangana
All three major parties in Telangana — Congress, BRS, and the BJP — on Tuesday claimed that they will win a majority of Lok Sabha seats in the state.
A day after polling for all 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the ruling Congress, opposition BRS, and the BJP claimed that they will bag most of the seats.
While the Congress and BJP exuded confidence of winning 12 seats, the BRS claimed that it would bag more seats than the two national parties.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is confident that the Congress would emerge victorious on 12-13 seats while BJP national vice-president D.K. Aruna claimed that his party will win 12 seats.
Aruna, who contested from Mahabubnagar constituency, was also confident of her victory. BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao said that his party will win more Lok Sabha seats than the Congress and BJP.
He claimed that the ruling Congress is facing unprecedented resentment from all sections of people as it failed to deliver on its promises made to farmers, women and other sections in the Assembly elections.
He also claimed that neither the BJP-led NDA nor the Congress-led INDIA bloc will get a clear majority at the Centre. Regional parties like the BRS, the YSR Congress Party and the Biju Janata Dal which are not part of the two alliances will play a decisive role in the formation of the next government, he told media persons at Sircilla.
KTR said despite some BRS leaders defecting to the Congress and BJP for their political gains, the BRS cadre worked hard with unwavering commitment to the victory of the party candidates.
Meanwhile, BJP MP K. Laxman claimed that the voting trend shows that people are determined to make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister for a third time. “It was a one-sided voting in favour of Modi Ji. The polling percentage is also favourable for the BJP,” he said.
Laxman stated that it was a pro-incumbency vote. “Usually after two terms of a government, there will be anti-incumbency but since Modi Ji implemented whatever he promised and promised only what can be delivered, people trusted him. He did not promise freebies like the Congress party to lure voters,” he said.
Laxman claimed that people feel only PM Modi can steer India on the path of development. He believes that in four phases of polls conducted so far, the BJP got a clear majority. He exuded confidence that the BJP will get 370 seats while NDA will cross the 400 mark. The BJP MP also claimed that the Congress will not get the status of the main opposition.
However, Mamata Banerjee sought to leave out the Bengal Congress and the CPI(M) in the possible plan, accusing them of siding with the BJP…reports Asian Lite News
In a surprise move during the Lok Sabha elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced that she would provide “outside support” to INDIA, the forum of the opposition parties, to help it form the next government at the Centre.
The Trinamool Congress supremo, who is a key figure in the anti-BJP forum but did not share seats with the Congress for the state polls, redefined her stand on INDIA while speaking at a TMC poll campaign rally in Chinsurah of Hooghly.
However, Banerjee put a condition in return for her new offer. She sought to leave out the Bengal Congress and the CPI(M) in the possible plan, accusing them of siding with the BJP against her in the state. The Congress and the CPI(M) hit back at her.
The CM said, “BJP declared out of ego: Is Baar Charso Paar. But people say: Nahi Hoga Doso Paar. Ebar Hobe Pogar Couple! So don’t count Bengal’s CPI(M) and Congress in INDIA because these two are here with the BJP and not with us. I am talking about Delhi.”
She added, “We will lead INDIA and provide outside support in all possible ways to form the government so that no problems arise for our mothers and sisters of Bengal and the 100-day job guarantee scheme.”
Taking a swipe at Banerjee, Congress spokesperson Soumya Aich Roy alleged: “Banerjee, on the pretext of offering ‘outside support’ to INDIA, has sent a message to the BJP that she is still with them and that nothing is wrong. about the.”
He noted: “Like a weathercock, she wants to fly in the direction of the wind. She’s always done it. This is its political tendency. She sides with INDIA when it suits her, but maintains a good relationship with BJP.”
Echoing him, CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty said: “The people of Bengal have discovered that Banerjee was helping the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi relied on her more than the BJP leaders because of the expanding his party’s and the BJP’s network here. .”
He also claimed, “It is common knowledge that the BJP will not be able to form a government this time. But Ms Banerjee has started playing a balancing act. She entered INDIA but kept her distance from Congress. This means that like BJP, it is also against Congress.”
Meanwhile, CPI(M) state secretary Mohammad Salim blamed the Indian Secular Front, which has MLA Noushad Siddiqui, for not forging an alliance with the Left and Congress over seat-sharing in the Lok Sabha polls in the state, even after the first conversations between the three. Siddiqui challenged Salim to justify his claims.
Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court’s recent cancellation of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching jobs was the result of a joint conspiracy hatched by the CPI-M, Congress, and the BJP, Mamata Banerjee has alleged.
“Whenever we are trying to arrange jobs, they approach the court and stall the appointment process. We have heard of man-eating tigers… But they are job-eaters,” the Chief Minister said while addressing an election rally at Kalyani under the Bangaon Lok Sabha constituency in support of party nominee Biswajit Das.
She also said that the lawyers of the Congress, CPI-M, and the BJP were disheartened after the Supreme Court put a stay on the Calcutta High Court order.
To recall, in a crucial ruling last month, the Calcutta High Court cancelled 25,753 appointments in teaching and non-teaching posts made by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) in 2016. The case is being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Later, the Supreme Court stayed the order of the Calcutta High Court, invalidating their appointment made by the WBSSC in the state-run and state-aided schools.
Addressing the gathering on Tuesday, the Chief Minister also launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latter’s recent pronouncement of five guarantees for West Bengal at an election rally in the state.
“Whenever someone gives a guarantee, he should honour that. Ten years back, he gave the guarantee to transfer Rs 15 lakh to each citizen’s account. But the money never came. Five years back, he promised two crore jobs. But instead of creating government jobs, the public sector units are being privatised. So, such guarantees mean nothing,” Banerjee said.
The Chief Minister also alleged that out of the fear of defeat (in the Lok Sabha elections), the BJP and the Union government are trying to manipulate the polling process by tampering the EVMs.
“An attempt was made at Krishnanagar on Monday, which was foiled after the Trinamool staged a protest,” the Chief Minister said. She also predicted that this time the BJP will end up winning 195-200 seats. “The anti-BJP forces together will grab 295-315 seats,” she claimed.
The report by the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), shed light on various calamities that led to displacement, including floods, storms, earthquakes, and other environmental crises…reports Asian Lite News
In 2023, India witnessed a significant decrease in internal displacements caused by natural disasters, totalling over half a million compared to the previous year’s 2.5 million, as highlighted in a global report released on Tuesday.
The report, issued by the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), shed light on various calamities that led to displacement, including floods, storms, earthquakes, and other environmental crises.
Deadly floods ravaged the Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, while a glacial lake outburst flood in Sikkim resulted in the collapse of a hydroelectric dam, claiming over 100 lives and affecting more than 88,000 individuals.
In Delhi, identified as a “flood displacement hotspot,” heavy rains caused the Yamuna River to overflow on July 9, 2023, prompting the evacuation of residents from their homes.
The city recorded 27,000 displacements due to this event, with rainfall reaching a record 153 mm in just 24 hours, the highest since 1982.
Overall, South Asia reported approximately 3.7 million internal displacements, with disasters causing 3.6 million, marking the lowest figure since 2018.
The decline in displacements was attributed in part to the El Niño event, resulting in below-average monsoon rainfall and a weaker cyclone season.
Despite this, floods and storms persisted, albeit with reduced impact in certain areas.
India’s flood displacement figure of 352,000 was the lowest since 2008, with notable events affecting regions like Assam and Gujarat.
Cyclone Biparjoy led to widespread flooding in Gujarat and Rajasthan, displacing 105,000 individuals, while Cyclone Mocha triggered 1.3 million displacements in Bangladesh, mainly in Cox’s Bazar district.
Pre-emptive evacuations, facilitated by forecasting and early warnings, played a crucial role in minimizing casualties and displacement.
The report emphasized that South Asia’s cyclone season experienced reduced intensity in 2023 due to El Niño, yet storms still accounted for 1.8 million displacements.
Government-led initiatives, including pre-emptive evacuations, were instrumental in mitigating the impact of disasters.
According to IDMC Director Alexandra Bilak, effective disaster management strategies, informed by data and proactive planning, significantly mitigate the adverse effects of displacement.
However, she cautioned that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change, as highlighted in a 2022 report by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar.
The report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the escalating risks posed by climate-induced disasters in India and beyond.
The Kerala government contends that the Centre’s imposition of a borrowing cap infringes upon its authority to regulate the state’s finances independently….reports Asian Lite News
The Kerala government’s lawsuit against the Centre regarding the ceiling on net borrowing has garnered attention from the Supreme Court, assuring consideration for listing before a five-judge Constitution bench.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the state government, emphasized the urgency of the matter and requested listing after the summer vacation. Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta acknowledged Sibal’s submissions, with Justice Khanna expressing intent to assess and decide on the listing.
Previously, a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan referred the lawsuit to a five-judge Constitution bench on April 1. Despite the Kerala government’s plea for an interim injunction, the apex court declined, noting the state’s substantial relief during the interim application’s pendency.
The Kerala government contends that the Centre’s imposition of a borrowing cap infringes upon its authority to regulate the state’s finances independently. Referring to Article 293 of the Constitution, which governs state borrowing, the apex court highlighted the lack of authoritative interpretation on this provision thus far.
The Supreme Court’s assurance of considering the lawsuit underscores the significance of the issue, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive examination by a larger bench to address the constitutional implications of borrowing limitations on states.
‘Advocates not liable under CP Act for deficiency of services’
The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that the complaint alleging “deficiency in service” against advocates would not be maintainable under the Consumer Protection Act (CP Act) as it noted that the legal profession is unique in nature and cannot be compared with any other profession.
A bench of justices, Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal ruled while setting aside the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission decision.
“Thus, a considerable amount of direct control is exercised by the Client over the manner in which an Advocate renders his services during the
course of his employment,” the court said.
“All of these attributes strengthen our opinion that the services hired or availed of by an advocate would be those of a contract ‘of personal service’ and would therefore stand excluded from the definition of “service” contained in Section 2(42) of the CP Act, 2019. As a necessary corollary, a complaint alleging deficiency in service against advocates practicing the legal profession would not be maintainable under the CP Act, 2019,” the court said,” the court said.
The court observed that the very purpose and objective of the Consumer Protection Act 1986, as re-enacted in 2019, was to provide protection to consumers from unfair trade practices and unethical business practices, and the Legislature never intended to include either the Professions or the services rendered by professionals within the purview of the said Act.
“The legal profession is sui generis i.e. unique in nature and cannot be compared with any other Profession,” the court said.
A service hired or availed of an Advocate is a service under “a contract of personal service,” and therefore would fall within the exclusionary part of the definition of “Service” contained in Section 2 (42) of the CP Act 2019, the court remarked.
The top court set aside the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
The top court was hearing a set of appeals emanating from the impugned order dated August 6, 2007 passed by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), Delhi in Revision Petition, in which the NCDRC has held, inter alia, that if there was any deficiency
in service rendered by the Advocates/Lawyers, a complaint under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, would be maintainable.
The court was dealing with a question of law pertaining to the legal profession as a whole that has fallen for consideration before this Court is – whether a complaint alleging “deficiency in service” against advocates practising Legal Profession, would be maintainable under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, as re-enacted in 2019? The court was dealing with issue whether a “Service” hired or availed of an Advocate would fall within the definition of “Service” contained in the CP Act, 1986-2019, so as to bring him within the purview of the said Act. (ANI)
Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, lambasted Modi’s track record in Varanasi, juxtaposing the lavish spending on the Ganga’s cleanup against the dismal results witnessed….reports Asian Lite News
In a scathing critique, the Congress has directed a barrage of questions at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, querying his abandonment of the Varanasi villages he once adopted and the escalating pollution levels in the Ganga despite substantial government expenditure. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, lambasted Modi’s track record in Varanasi, juxtaposing the lavish spending on the Ganga’s cleanup against the dismal results witnessed.
Ramesh highlighted the discrepancy between Modi’s promises and the ground reality, pointing out that the Ganga’s condition has deteriorated despite the implementation of the Namami Gange project, which has incurred a staggering cost of over Rs 20,000 crore. The Congress leader questioned the whereabouts of this substantial sum, alleging corruption and mismanagement in its utilization.
Moreover, Ramesh castigated Modi for neglecting the villages he pledged to uplift. Despite Modi’s grandiose assurances of development initiatives such as “smart schools” and improved health facilities, a recent ground report revealed a stark absence of progress in these villages over the past decade. Ramesh cited specific instances of dilapidated infrastructure in villages like Domri and Nagepur, emphasizing the glaring discrepancy between promises made and actions taken.
Accusing Modi of abandoning his adopted villages, Ramesh questioned the authenticity of Modi’s commitment to serving his constituents. Furthermore, he criticized Modi’s ideological stance, alleging a preference for Godse over Gandhi and citing the eviction of the Sarwa Sewa Sangh as evidence of Modi’s disdain for Gandhian principles.
Transitioning to Jharkhand, Ramesh interrogated Modi’s unfulfilled promises in the state, particularly regarding the establishment of engineering and medical colleges, as well as the delayed Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor project. Despite Modi’s pledges during the 2014 Jharkhand Assembly polls, Ramesh pointed out the failure to deliver on these commitments, questioning the sincerity of Modi’s assurances.
Ramesh reserved particular scrutiny for Modi’s promise of a medical college in Koderma, which remains unrealized despite several years passing since its foundation stone was laid. Similarly, the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor, touted as a key infrastructure project, remains incomplete despite promises of its timely completion by former rail minister Piyush Goyal.
Ultimately, Ramesh’s barrage of questions seeks to hold Modi accountable for his unfulfilled promises and perceived failures in delivering on key developmental initiatives across various constituencies, painting a picture of a leader whose actions have failed to match his rhetoric.
‘Modi is an outgoing PM’
Jairam Ramesh labelled Modi as an “outgoing PM” in the Lok Sabha elections.
“He will continue to do all these things, but it’s clear that he is an outgoing PM in the Lok Sabha elections. We will bid farewell on the 4th because they won’t be getting a mandate. Elections have been held for 379 seats in 4 phases, and it was evident after the second phase that the BJP is clear in South India and half in East and West India,” Ramesh said on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a grand roadshow in Patna along with CM Nitish Kumar and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday evening.
Asserting that the BJP and BJD represent two sides of the same coin, Ramesh accused the BJD of tacitly supporting the Modi government’s policies while maintaining a facade of opposition in Odisha.
“We (Congress) haven’t been in power (in Odisha) for 24 years now. The issues we’re focusing on in this election, such as those concerning farmers, backward classes, tribals, and youth unemployment and inflation, are the same issues we’re fighting for. There’s no real difference between the BJP and BJD; they are two sides of the same coin, Ramesh said.
“The real battle in this election in Odisha is between Congress and the BJP – BJD. Although there isn’t an official alliance between them, unofficially, there is a coalition because the BJD has supported every policy of the Modi government for the past 10 years. They support in Delhi and fight a friendly battle here. That’s what’s happening between the BJP and BJD,” he added.
Ramesh criticised the Pran Prathishta ceremony as a political spectacle aimed at bolstering the image of an political figure, distancing the Congress from the event while affirming their reverence for Lord Ram within Indian society.
“We are worshippers of Ram, not businessmen; Ram devotion is in our society. Ram resides in the hearts of every Indian, but the ceremony on January 22 was a political event, a political show for the ego of a political figure. So, we didn’t attend, but that doesn’t mean we’re not devotees of Ram,” Ramesh said.
The Ram Mandir was opened to the public after Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony on January 22, which was attended by top sportspeople and celebrities.
The BJP had a tough time in dropping sitting MP Poonam Mahajan, who is the daughter of party veteran late Pramod Mahajan, and find a suitable nominee to tighten its grip on the constituency….writes Sanjay Jog
Although the BJP and Congress are engaged in a fight for supremacy in Mumbai North Central, it is being portrayed as a contest between high-profile lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, and a professor-turned-politician Varsha Gaikwad.
While Ujjwal Nikam was the Public Prosecutor in the high-profile Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks case, Varsha Gaikwad is a former Cabinet minister and a four-term Legislator from Asia’s largest slum Dharavi.
The BJP had a tough time in dropping sitting MP Poonam Mahajan, who is the daughter of party veteran late Pramod Mahajan, and find a suitable nominee to tighten its grip on the constituency.
After Mumbai unit chief and Bandra West Legislator Ashish Shelar conveyed to the BJP leadership not to consider him for nomination, names like actress Madhuri Dixit and singer Anuradha Paudwal were doing the rounds.
Ultimately the party zeroed in on Nikam and pitted him against Gaikwad.
Though he started a bit late, Nikam is reaching out to the voters and projecting the Modi government’s achievements to curb terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and in border areas and also its track record in protecting India’s interests while dealing with neighbouring countries such as China, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
He also tells the voters that although politics is not his domain, the Constitution, law and nation are supreme for him.
Nikam refutes charges of being an outsider and anti-Muslim, saying that a person who resolves to work for national interests is never restricted by geographical boundaries.
He further clarifies that he never felt the need to look at the religion of those who tried to attack the Indian Constitution, law and nation and to challenge national security.
On the other hand, Gaikwad, who was initially unhappy over the Congress party’s decision to leave the Mumbai South Central seat to Shiv Sena (UBT), hopes to regain the Congress’ lost glory in the constituency.
This is because Gaikwad represents Dharavi seat which is a part of Mumbai South Central.
The Mumbai North Central was earlier represented by the Congress in 1984, 1991, 2004 (by her father Eknath Gaikwad defeating former Chief Minister Manohar Joshi) and in 2009.
However, the BJP won the seat in 2014 and 2019 elections riding on the ‘Modi wave’.
The Shiv Sena had represented the constituency in 1989 and 1999. Gaikwad is cashing in on the strong support from Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray in particular, who recently announced that he would vote for the first time for the Congress party’s ‘Hand’ symbol.
She is approaching the electorate seeking votes to save the Constitution and democracy and reservation for SCs, STs and Tribals.
Gaikwad and the Congress had a tough time in pacifying former minister Naseem Khan who quit as the party’s star campaigner after he did not get the nomination from Mumbai North Central.
However, Gaikwad heaved a sigh of relief after Khan withdrew his resignation following intervention from senior party leader Rahul Gandhi.
Khan’s involvement now in the campaign has been a major booster dose for Gaikwad.
The constituency has a mixed population of elite colonies and slums.
There are 17,44,128 voters comprising 9,41,288 males and 9,02,775 females. Of these voters, 38 per cent are Marathi speaking people, 22 per cent Muslims and 18-20 per cent are North Indians.
The BJP is quite optimistic about getting maximum support from the Marathi speaking voters and North and South Indians while Gaikwad hopes to get backing from Marathi speaking voters due to Shiv Sena (UBT)’s strong Shakha network and also from Muslims and other minorities.
Of the six Assembly constituencies, the BJP has two legislators in Vile Parle and Bandra East while Chandivali and Kurla are represented by Shiv Sena, Kalina by Shiv Sena (UBT) and Bandra East by the Congress.
Nikam hopes to consolidate his position considering the Mahayuti’s strength in the constituency while Gaikwad is hopeful of winning the seat riding on Uddhav Thackeray’s sympathy wave and the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s organisational strength.
Nikam and Gaikwad are promising a major makeover of the constituency, especially in the wake of mushrooming realty development.
However, the delayed redevelopment of slums adjacent to the Mumbai International Airport, rehabilitation of the displaced people and traffic jams on the LBS Marg are some of the critical issues prevalent in the constituency.
