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Campaigning Ends in Telangana; KCR Eyes History

If K Chandrashekar Rao, widely known as KCR, wins another term in office, it will be the first occasion when a Chief Minister from a Southern state will get a third straight term in office…reports Asian Lite News

Campaigning for the high-stakes battle in Telangana ended on Tuesday with Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao seeking a third term in office on the basis of the party’s performance and promises over the past 10 years, Congress talking of momentum in its favour to form its first government in the state and the BJP also promising to end “misrule and corruption” of the ruling Bharatiya Rasthra Samithi.

The aggressive campaigning saw the Congress and BJP repeatedly raising issues concerning people, with the BRS leaders expressing confidence about the delivery of their programmes.

The three parties have made big promises in their manifestos. Polling in the state will be held on November 30 with counting of votes to take place on December 3 along with four other states.

If K Chandrashekar Rao, widely known as KCR, wins another term in office, it will be the first occasion when a Chief Minister from a Southern state will get a third straight term in office.

The Congress campaign in Telangana apparently picked up momentum after Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra and the party’s victory in assembly polls in neighbouring Karnataka.

The Congress chief in the state Anumula Revanth Reddy, 54, is seen as a leader who has taken on KCR and the party is keen to gain from the anti-incumbency against the government.

Congress leaders have been reminding residents of India’s youngest state of the role played by former party chief Sonia Gandhi in its creation in 2014.

Political analysts feel that the fortunes of BJP, which was emerging as an alternative to BRS with its victories in two by-polls and strong performance in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation election, dipped a few months ago.

BJP leaders have been strongly attacking the KCR to fend off any perception of the party being soft towards the ruling party in Telangana. They have accused the Chief Minister of being “inaccessible” and ruling from a “farmhouse”. BJP leaders have also accused KCR of propagating dynastic politics and said that suggestions by KCR to join NDA were not accepted. BRS leaders have refuted the suggestions about their intention to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

One of the key BJP promises is to make a person from the Backward Class community a Chief Minister if the party gets support from the people of the state to form a government.

The party has also reached out to various communities and the BJP-led government last week set in motion the process of setting up a committee that will go into the issue of sub-categorisation of the Madiga community within the Scheduled Castes. It has been a long-pending demand of the community.

BJP has promised in its manifesto to implement the Uniform Civil Code and quash 4 per cent reservation for Muslims and instead increase the quota for OBCs, SCs and STs in the state.

The party said that a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge will investigate all “corruption cases” against the ruling BRS.

It has promised four free LPG cylinders per year to poor families, Rs 2 Lakh to every girl child from a poor family after she attains the age of 21, providing 2.5 Lakh government jobs in five years, procuring paddy at Rs 3100 per quintal, and reducing the price of petrol and diesel.

The party has said that free arrangements will be made for senior citizens keen to visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya for the pran prathistha ceremony on January 22.

The BJP has alleged several scams in the state including that related to the Kaleshwar Dam scam and liquor poultry apart from several cases of paper leak.

It said September 17 will be celebrated every year as Hyderabad Liberation Day to mark its freedom from Nizam’s rule and August 27 will be observed as Razakar Horrors Remembrance Day.

Congress has sought to outdo the BRS in its poll promises and has announced six guarantees.

Under the Mahalakshmi scheme for women, the Congress has promised Rs 2,500 monthly financial assistance, LPG cylinders at Rs 500; and free travel for women in state-run buses.

The party has promised that Rs 15,000 per acre will be paid to farmers and Rs 12,000 will be given to tenant farmers. The party has promised a bonus of Rs 500 per quintal for paddy.

It said that families not owning a house will be provided a site for one and Rs 5 lakh for construction. Families of those killed during the Telangana Movement will be provided 250-square-yard plots.

The party said that students with Vidya Bharosa cards will receive Rs 5 lakh and Telangana International School will be opened in every manda.

The party has promised up to 200 units of free electricity to households, Rs 4,000 monthly pension will be paid to vulnerable sections.

The party will have promised that Rajiv Aarogyasri will provide health insurance up to Rs 10 lakh.

The Congress announced that it would waive crop loans up to Rs 2 lakh and promised a caste survey within six months of forming the government.

The party promised a judicial inquiry into “irregularities and corruption” in the construction of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project

The Congress said it would name a district after former PM PV Narasimha Rao.

Among the BJP’s strong push to get the support of OBCs, the Congress has also made many promises including increasing reservations for the community

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders point out that the state’s per capita income has seen a significant rise in the last 10 years due to efforts of the government and various welfare and development schemes will continue.

The party has promised LPG cylinders at Rs 400 each, below-poverty-line (BPL) families would be enhanced health insurance coverage, social security pension would be increased to Rs 5,000 a month from Rs 2,106 and there will be an increase in disability pension.

The party said under ‘Rythu Bandhu’ scheme, under which farmers get Rs 10,000 per annum per acre, would be enhanced gradually to Rs 16,000 per annum in the next five years.

KCR is contesting from two seats – his original seat Gajwel and Kamareddy. While he is facing BJP leader Etela Rajender in Gajewal, Congress leader Revanth Reddy is taking him on in Kamareddy.

Both Etela and Revanth Reddy are also contesting from two seats.

In the 2014 assembly polls to a united Andhra Pradesh, the then-incumbent Congress got 25.20 per cent votes and BRS (then TRS) got 34 percent in the Telangana area.

Senior leaders of all parties including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda, Congress leaders Mallikurjan Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, TRS’ KCR, KT Rama Rao and K Kavitha and AIMIM Asaduddin Owaisi ran strong campaigns in the state.

Congress accused the BJP and BRS of having a “strategic alliance” with BJP leaders accusing Congress and BRS of dynastic politics.

In 2018, BRS (then Telangana Rashtra Samithi) won 88 of the 119 seats and had 47.4 per cent of the vote share. The Congress came a distant second with just 19 seats.

While the BJP has an ambitious goal of seeing its first government in Telangana, the Congress is hoping to come to power on the basis of the “momentum” of the past few months. But the party has a huge, almost 18 per cent gap to cover in terms of voting percentage of previous assembly election. (ANI)

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US Public Tuned In for Newsom-DeSantis Showdown

California Governor Gavin Newsom talks to the media near the scene of a shooting in San Jose, California, the United States, May 26, 2021. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua/IANS)

Democrats after all will still most likely prefer the California model and Republicans will still prefer Florida. …reports T.N. Ashok

Majority of the US population is looking forward to the debate of the year between Reformist Californian Governor Gavin Newsom and the restrictive Conservative Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Fox News at Thursday 9 p.m. They are not keyed in at all of the GOP presidential debate or the speeches of Trump theatrics and Bidenomics Biden for the potential 2024 match they don’t desire at all.

This is a debate every voter wants to watch, media reports said.

At the core of the debate is which model is suitable for the country, a model that would keep America stable over the years — the Californian model or the Florida model, reports added.

Democrats after all will still most likely prefer the California model and Republicans will still prefer Florida. But voters from both parties can look at the stage and see what could be the guiding factor for the future of the country.

There is still time. We are not yet trapped in the Biden vs Trump rematch nobody wants. Both parties can still choose better options. It is to be hoped that this Thursday will push them toward making that decision, the Washington Examiner said.

One man (California Governor Gavin Newsom) has made cutting carbon emissions his state’s top policy priority. The other (Florida Governor Ron DeSantis) has prioritised energy production (focusing on fossil fuels rather than green energy technologies). One made his state the most welcoming sanctuary jurisdiction for migrants from all over the world. The other signed one of the nation’s strictest anti-illegal immigration laws ever.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis.(photo:instagram)

One oversees a state higher education system that has abandoned standardised tests and embraced mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion loyalty oaths. The other is fighting the higher education cartel and returning academic standards to classrooms, the Examiner said.

The stark contrasts in policies between the California Governor Gavin Newsom and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis can be very diverse, but both being young in their 40’s, represent the future of America, they could be up for the presidency of the US at a later date, reports said.

Both politicians not only represent the future of their respective parties, but both also have track records guiding their states in new directions, the Examiner added.

Newsom versus DeSantis is a debate our country needs right now, the Examiner said, adding, “Do we keep mandating more expensive cars, homes and appliances while also prohibiting energy production from record amounts of public land? Or do we let people drive the cars they want, build the homes they want, and produce the energy they need to make a good life affordable for all?”

Do we keep our southern border open, releasing every migrant who claims asylum into the country — most of the claims are without merit — bankrupting cities from Denver to New York? Or do we return illegal immigrants to Mexico, eliminating the incentive that is causing a historic wave of mass migration across the hemisphere? These are issues that voters would be considering rather than aid Israel or Ukraine or be involved in a war overseas in which Americans have no stake or interest, the report said.

The Examiner said America is cruising towards a dismal presidential rematch. Biden, at 81, is too old and incapable to be president. Trump, at 77, is not far behind in age and is in a category of unsuitability (with his legal baggage and rhetoric bordering on racism). Both men are clearly slower than they were four years ago. Can either handle another four years in one of the most demanding jobs imaginable? Voters must be thinking about this all the time worrying about who should be the next President in 2024.

How have Hunter Biden or Donald Trump Junior or Jared Kushner exploited the families’ names to enjoy monetary benefits is a question on the top of the mind of young voters specially, the report said.

Important questions in their own right, people who have broken laws are accountable, but these are not questions that should determine who is the next Commander-in-Chief, the reports said.

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Gilgit-Baltistan Demands Basic Rights

In recent years, locals have voiced frustration with Islamabad’s government, using various organizations to express grievances amid a lack of regional development….reports Asian Lite News

Since Pakistan’s unlawful occupation of Gilgit-Baltistan, the residents of the region have encountered numerous challenges.

The inhabitants of Gilgit-Baltistan have been consistently denied their rightful rights, with successive governments in Islamabad perpetuating unfair treatment towards them.

However, in the past few years, the common people in the region have started to express their anger towards the government in Islamabad. In the absence of any growth and development, people are venting their grievances through different organisations.

Recently, on the call of the Awami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan, protest meetings were held in the Pak-occupied region demanding the proper share in taxes. “The federal government collects the tax on our mountains, tourist points and from the climbers who come here. We don’t get our proper share. The money that comes from the tourism sector also goes to the federal government. Apart from that, the government is getting crores of money from the new NHA toll plaza. We are just demanding our proper share and legal rights,” said Faizan Mir, leader of the Awami Action Committee.

There are widespread protests in Gilgit-Baltistan against the government over issues such as load shedding, poor education, and unemployment. The fact that Gilgit-Baltistan’s leadership has partnered with the Islamabad regime to plunder resources has left the populace disillusioned. The residents of Gilgit-Baltistan allege that both governments are robbing them of everything, including food.

A vehicle drives past campaign flags of different political parties ahead of the legislative assembly elections in the city of Gilgit, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan, November 9, 2020. Picture taken November 9, 2020. REUTERS/Umer Farooq – RC2A2K91T5S4

Wheat prices have been significantly increased in Gilgit-Baltistan, and protesters in the region want the wheat subsidy to be restored as quickly as possible. The Islamabad-controlled government in Gilgit-Baltistan is also facing backlash for supplying low-quality wheat.

Threatening the government with a shut-down strike, people have said that if their demands are not met soon, they will start blocking the roads.

While demanding basic necessities like employment, energy, wheat, and education, the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan are also bringing up the problem of land grabbing.

According to reports, the Pakistani Army and officials of security services are engaged in illegal land grabbing in the region.

In such troublesome circumstances, the opening of the Skardu-Kargil road has been demanded by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, who feel that it is the only way to lessen the darkness in their lives. (ANI)

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Gehlot’s Political Future on Focus in Rajasthan

Gehlot himself has been saying that his government will return, breaking the decades old tradition of power going to alternate hands after every election…writes Archana Sharma

With Rajasthan’s voters having exercised their franchise on Saturday, the streets are silent all over again. The corridors of politics and power, however, are abuzz with whispers regarding the fate of CM Ashok Gehlot.

Will be become CM for the fourth time if he wins? And if he loses, is it curtains for his political career?

Gehlot himself has been saying that his government will return, breaking the decades old tradition of power going to alternate hands after every election.

The Congress high command had announced to go faceless to the assembly polls this time which means there is no official CM candidate as of now. The party leadership will take this decision later if the party conquers the desert state again.

So what will be Gehlot’s future in the long run?

While some Congress leaders claim that Gehlot will become a fourth time CM if the party wins, there are other party leaders who say that Gehlot will not get a chance to become a four-time CM.

“Gehlot has been CM thrice. This time, tickets have been given to candidates who are sure to face defeat. In fact, it was earlier decided that such candidates will not get tickets but they have been given a chance because Gehlot wanted them to contest. Now, if they lose, he will have to take the responsibility. Hence, the high command has put the ball in his court so that he can take the responsibility of whatever is the result in the elections,” said a party worker.

Another worker said, “Gehlot chose Design Box as the marketing agency for his work. The agency, in a way, relaunched the Logo of the Congress. All its ads were put across in the form of banners, posters and ads with dark pink and yellow colours. However, the tricolour logo of the party was hardly seen in these ads. Also, the agency made the Hand symbol go missing the initial time. It was only Gehlot’s face which was in the ad. Pradesh Congress Committee chief Govind Singh Dotasara raised his voice against this campaign. Eventually, his picture started coming in the ad.”

The Design Box head allegedly badmouthed the Gandhi family but yet again the entire responsibility for the election campaign was given to that company. In this endeavour, the high command has silently given the charge to Gehlot to decide so that he takes the responsibility for the campaign. If he wins, he is the boss, but if he loses, he will be the loser in the long run, he added.

At the eleventh hour, this agency brought in the faces of Sachin Pilot, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia and Priyanka Gandhi in the campaigning when all surveys indicated that the party is not crossing the 70-mark in the number of seats, said another worker.

Political analyst Prakash Bhandari said that the chances are very low of Ashok Gehlot becoming the CM. If he doesn’t come to power, he will be left with one position, the Leader of the Opposition. However, the high command will give the position to either Sachin Pilot or CP Joshi.

Blunders have been made in this election. It’s either Gehlot or Pilot and there is no number three. Neither the Brahmin contribution was used in this election nor a Jat face or SC/ST. An election is the art of management. But the Congress failed to manage it in Rajasthan and hence these consequences, Bhandari said adding, “There is yet another issue and that is that a young leadership has not been groomed under Gehlot which has posed a challenge here.”

However, he said that Gehlot will contribute to the All India Congress Committee in a senior position and his experience will benefit the party nationally.

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Telangana: Rahul Promises 2 Lakh Govt Jobs in One Year

Recently, Rahul Gandhi interacted with youth at Ashok Nagar in Telangana’s Hyderabad on Saturday….reports Asian Lite News

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) government in Telangana led by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and guaranteed to give 2 lakh government jobs in 1 year if the Congress comes to power.

Recently, Rahul Gandhi interacted with youth at Ashok Nagar in Telangana’s Hyderabad on Saturday.

Taking to X on Monday, Rahul Gandhi said “Telangana’s youth are suffering immensely under ‘Dorala’ KCR sarkar, my recent visit to Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad made that crystal clear. Our ‘Job Calendar’ is the first step in easing their pain. We will ensure: 2 lakh Govt Jobs in 1 year, Revamp of TPSC on UPSC lines and ‘Yuva Vikasam– Rs5 lakh assistance.”

Further posing it as another guarantee, Rahul Gandhi said “The future of our youth is secure in the hands of Congress’ Prajala Sarkar – this is my Guarantee!”

Earlier on Saturday, Congress MP took to X after interacting with youths in Hyderabad and said “Today in Ashoknagar, Hyderabad, I met the youth who are preparing for various competitive exams. I was moved by the fact that they had hoped that they would get success if Telangana came, but even 10 years after the state’s arrival, their aspirations have not been fulfilled.”

“Telangana youth did not get justice during KCR’s ten-year rule. Due to a lack of notifications, court cases and paper leaks, 30 lakh unemployed youths have suffered badly. In Telangana, which they fought for, they are in an unfathomable plight,” added the Congress MP,” he added.

Earlier in September this year, the Telangana high court ordered the cancellation of preliminary examinations for recruitment for Group-1 services in the state government held by the Telangana State Public Services Commission (TSPSC) on June 11, following several petitions filed by students who alleged a violation of the guidelines in the conduct of exams.

This was the second time that the same exam had been cancelled. Earlier in March, the TSPSC had cancelled the exam, which was held in October last year, following an alleged paper leak scam.

Meanwhile, a young Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) aspirant allegedly died by suicide in the Ashok Nagar area, which is deemed a student hub, due to the “postponement” of the TSPSC exam notification, which created pandemonium in the state with several opposition leaders throwing brickbats at the ruling KCR government over the cancellation of exams.

The woman, identified as Pravalika and aged around 25 years, allegedly committed suicide in her room in a hostel in Ashok Nagar.

Meanwhile, the state is going to the polls on November 30 and the counting of votes will take place on December 3.

Telangana is set to witness a triangular contest among the ruling TRS, BJP and Congress. (ANI)

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VP Sparks Row Comparing Gandhi With Modi

VP Dhankar described Gandhi as the ‘Mahapurush’ of the last century and PM Modi as the ‘Yugpurush’ of this century….reports Asian Lite News

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar has received sharp criticism from Congress MP Manickam Tagore for allegedly comparing Mahatma Gandhi with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Dhankar described Gandhi as the ‘Mahapurush’ of the last century and PM Modi as the ‘Yugpurush’ of this century.

“I want to tell you one thing. The mahapurush (great man) of the last century was Mahatma Gandhi. Narendra Modi is the yugpurush (man of the era) of this century,” he said.

VP Dhankar was addressing an event organized on the birth anniversary celebrations of Jain mystic and philosopher, Shrimad Rajchandra at Opera House in Maharashtra’s Mumbai on Monday.

“Mahatma Gandhi freed us from the slavery of the British through Satyagraha and non-violence. India’s successful Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken us to a path where we always wanted to be,” Dhankhar added.

The official ‘X’ handle of the Vice President of India also shared a clip of Dhankar’s speech.

Further talking about similarities in both great personalities, Dhankhar said, “One thing is common between these two great personalities, Mahatma Gandhi and PM Narendra Modi. They have reflected with respect to Shrimad Rajchandraji.”

Reacting to the Vice President’s remarks, Congress MP and Lok Sabha whip Manickam Tagore took to the social media platform ‘X’, and said that, “he has crossed all limits of sycophancy.”

“If you compare (Modi) with Mahatma, it’s shameful, Sir. We all know there is a limit to sycophancy; now you have crossed that limit, and to be in your chair and position and to be a sycophant does not add value, Sir. With respect,” the Congress MP wrote while tagging a clip of VP Dhankhar’s speech.

Dhankhar on Monday said that if Mahatma Gandhi were alive today, he would have praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking forward the Swachhta Abhiyan.

“If Mahatma Gandhi were alive today, he would have praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking forward the Swachhta Abhiyan,” Vice President Dhankhar said.

Comparing PM Modi and Mahatma Gandhi, Vice President Dhankhar further said, “Mahatma Gandhi ji freed us from the slavery of the British through Satyagraha and non-violence. India’s popular Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji put the country on the path that we always wanted to see. In these two great experiences, the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi are similar”.

He said that Rajchandra would have praised him for passing the Women Reservation Bill, which reserves one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, were he alive today.

“Today, India is a country full of talent. It has a population of 140 crore. Today, I feel if Rajchandra ji was alive today, he would have praised him for passing the bill on 21st September(In Rajya Sabha) for providing 1/3rd of the seats to women in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha,” Dhankhar said. (ANI)

Dhankhar Critiques Colonial Laws’ Burden on Global South

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday said that the legacy of colonial laws has been highly burdensome to the vulnerable sections in the countries of the Global South.

Describing these laws as very harsh, oppressive, and exploitative for the local population, the Vice President asserted that the time has come when Global South nations should follow India’s example and consider reviewing old colonial laws that perpetuate prejudice against local populations.

Dhankhar made these remarks while addressing the first regional conference on “Ensuring Access to Quality Legal Aid for the Vulnerable: Challenges and Opportunities in the Global South”.

The conference has been organized by The National Legal Services Authority of India together with- the International Legal Foundation, the UNDP and the UNICEF.

In his address, the Vice President said, “As the Global South embarks on its journey towards a brighter future, it is imperative to shed the shackles of its colonial past and strive together to reverse the historical wrongs that have perpetuated injustice and inequality. This is a common threat.”

Noting that India is in the process of reviewing outdated legislations, Shri Dhankhar emphasized that it will bring about sea-change in our outlook and totally contain, curb and decimate those exploitative provisions. “The countries of the global south will do well to closely study the action that India has taken in these areas and apply them to their countries after suitably customizing,” he suggested.

Mentioning that just a few years ago, no one was even aware of the term ‘Global South’, Shri Dhankhar credited the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for bringing it to the central stage and positioning it in a forum like G20 primarily dominated by developed countries. The success achieved by the inclusion of the African Union in G20 alongside the European Union is remarkable and very equitable, he added.

Asserting that India’s ethos of VasudhaivaKutumbakam are now translated into a ground reality, VP stressed that “Rise of global south would constitute the greatest stabilizing force for the world and it’ll generate the growth trajectory of the world.”

Referring to the shared history of colonial oppression and sufferings, the Vice President underlined that we have a deep emotive connect as a nation with the nations of theGlobal South culturally and otherwise. “The negative aspects of colonial rule bind us together. We have suffered through the ages and we have to mitigate the suffering by learning from one another,” he added.

Noting that deprivation of access to justice system & denial of legal aid, present existential challenge to the vulnerable sections, VP stressed the need to neutralize these challenges by affirmative policies and initiatives to secure justice for all. “Let’s strive for a world where justice is a fundamental right, accessible to all, regardless of background, circumstances, or location,” asserted.

Praising the Chief Justice of India for a series of affirmative, innovative people-centric steps to ensure access to justice for vulnerable sections, VP called for reimagining legal aid, harnessing technology, empowering communities, and bridging the gap between legal services and those in need. “Undoubtedly access to legal aid and the justice system is quintessential to nurturing and blossoming of fundamental human values and fostering equitable societies,” he underlined.

Praising NALSA as a beacon of inclusive and affordable legal aid for India’s marginalized communities, the Vice President said that NALSA model of justice delivery is worth emulation by the nations of Global South. (ANI)

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Major Reshuffle Unfolds in Pakistan Army

The Chief of General Staff (CGS), second only to the army chief in influence, supervises operational and intelligence affairs, commanding the Directorates of Military Operations and Military Intelligence….reports Asian Lite News

Recently promoted to a three-star rank, Lt Gen Avais Dastgir has been appointed as the 38th Chief of General Staff for the Pakistan Army, as per local media reports.

The CGS, second in influence only to the army chief, oversees operational and intelligence matters, with the Directorates of Military Operations and Military Intelligence under his command.

Senior military promotions in Pakistan, especially at the three-star level, are closely watched as they are indicative of potential future leaders within the powerful Army, Dawn reported.

The first significant reshuffle under Gen Asim Munir, who took command last year, was not officially publicised last December. The latest promotions and reshuffles, including the appointment of the CGS position, were too made discreetly.

The promotion of Gen Dastgir, from the 58th Cavalry Armoured Corps and former director general of military operations, is viewed as a sign of the army chief’s continued confidence in him. His immediate appointment as CGS following promotion is a rarity in the military, a precedent set by Gen Bajwa with Lt Gen Bilal Akbar.

Gen Dastgir, who has also worked under COAS Gen Asim Munir during his days as commander Gujranwala Corps, is seen as a symbol of policy continuity. His shift from DGMO to CGS suggests an acceleration of existing policies, said a retired lieutenant general, Dawn reported.

Additionally, new commanders for the Gujranwala and Quetta corps were appointed.

Lt Gen Syed Imdad Hussain Shah is taking over the Gujranwala-based 30 Corps. Previously, he served as director general of H Secretariat at the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), focusing on external intelligence in the Asia-Pacific region. He has, as a brigadier, served as a peacekeeper with the UN forces in Congo.

In a widely discussed swap, Lt Gen Rahat Naseem, President of the National Defence University (NDU), was appointed as commander of the 12 Corps in Quetta. His predecessor, Lt Gen Asif Ghafoor, former director general of ISPR, now heads the NDU, Dawn reported.

Further appointments include Lt Gen Muhammad Aqeel of the 2nd Frontier Force Regiment as Inspector General Comm­u­nication and Information Techn­ology at GHQ, and Lt Gen Shakir Ullah Khan Khattak of the 13th Lancers Armoured Corps as Chairman of HIT Taxila. Lt Gen Tahir Hameed Shah of the Medium Regiment (Artillery) was named Chairman of the Pakistan Ordnance Factory, Wah.

ALSO READ: Supreme Court Petition Seeks Ouster of Pakistan President

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Supreme Court Petition Seeks Ouster of Pakistan President

Pakistan President says Gwadar, Jebel Ali ports complement international trade

The petition filed by Ghulam Murtaza Khan in person alleged that the Pakistan President has been evasive in performing his constitutional obligations…reports Asian Lite News

A petition was filed in the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Saturday seeking the removal of Pakistan President Arif Alvi for allegedly not acting in accordance with the responsibilities of the highest office and being biased, Pakistan-based Dawn reported.

The petition filed by Ghulam Murtaza Khan in person alleged that the Pakistan President has been evasive in performing his constitutional obligations, according to Dawn.

The petitioner said, “He has violated the Constitution and committed gross misconduct, therefore, he is not eligible to continue his duties as the president and needs to be declared that he should not continue as president of Pakistan.”

He alleged, “Being the head of the State, he is under constitutional obligation to work in accordance with law but he was misusing the powers and violating the Constitution continuously by his words and conducts.”

Khan stressed that the President represents the entire nation throughout the world. The petitioner alleged that he should fulfil this responsibility patriotically with loyalty and devotion. The petitioner stated that the petitioner should not have been representing any political party. He, however, alleged that the President is representing and portraying one party – the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

The petitioner also cited the example of the April 2022 dissolution of the National Assembly on the instructions given by former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, which as per the petitioner ruined the entire political scenario of Pakistan, Dawn reported.

He alleged that despite that the President dissolved the assembly, even though the Supreme Court set aside the same by overturning the ruling of the deputy speaker to dismiss the then no-trust resolution against Imran Khan and the subsequent dissolution of the assembly by the president.

The petitioner called it the responsibility of the President to ensure peace within the country and stressed that when the president is representing the entire country, he cannot act in a biased or subjective manner by favouring a particular political party.

He alleged that Arif Alvi misused his powers by using his office to allegedly support PTI. The petitioner said that the President’s office was allegedly being used for the meetings or activities of the party and added that this act of the president was also unconstitutional and biased towards the whole nation, according to Dawn report.

He stressed Pakistan’s President represents the whole nation as head of the state and his interests and actions should be very clear towards the welfare, prestige, betterment, development, peace and prosperity of the country, Dawn reported.

The petitioner also mentioned the President’s act of not assenting the Official Secrets Amendment Bill and the Pakistan Army Amendment Bill, which he thought was grave misconduct and demonstrated a partial stance, according to Dawn report.

The petitioner said that the President on various occasions contradicts his position by making controversial statements and added that these actions have made the character of the president very distrustful for the whole nation as he violated the provisions of Articles 5 and 12 of the Constitution. (ANI)

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CAA Final Draft By March-End: Minister

Ajay Mishra Teni also held a press conference and informed that work is ongoing for the CAA act as the committees of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are working on it….reports Asian Lite News

Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra Teni on Sunday said that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) will definitely be implemented in the upcoming months adding that legislative committee of Rajya Sabha has set the deadline to frame rules by March 30 in 2024.

Addressing a public meeting in North 24 Paraganas, Ajay Mishra Teni said,” There are many political parties which spread anarchy when CAA was passed. These parties have also gone to the Supreme Court and filed petitions. There are 220 petitions filed by opposition parties against us. We are definitely going to make a law on CAA. We will definitely fight our case in the Supreme Court to uphold this law. This is our promise. CAA will definitely be implemented.”

Earlier in the day, Ajay Mishra Teni also held a press conference and informed that work is ongoing for the CAA act as the committees of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are working on it.

“This bill was passed in Lok Sabha on Dec 9, 2019. In Rajya Sabha, it was passed on Dec 11, 2019. On December 12 it was made an Act. On January 10, 2020, the Act came into force. After becoming an Act, there are certain laws and regulations to be framed. The legislative committee of Lok Sabha has set the deadline for January 9 next year. The legislative committee of Rajya Sabha has set the deadline for March 30, 2024. Definitely, the CAA will be implemented.”

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 aims to facilitate the grant of citizenship to migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who entered India on or before 31.12.2014.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 was notified on December 12 and came into force on January 10 in 2020. (ANI)

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Almost Full Turnout in North Korea’s Local Elections

North Korea’s local elections are held every four years, and the number of seats is determined by the population of each area…reports Asian Lite News

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un cast his ballot in local elections held over the weekend to pick new deputies for local assemblies of provinces, cities and counties across the nation, with voter turnout recorded at almost 100 per cent, state media reported Monday.

Kim visited a polling station set up in South Hamgyong Province on Sunday and voted for candidates who ran in the elections in the region, according to the North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

North Korea’s local elections are held every four years, and the number of seats is determined by the population of each area.

But the elections are widely viewed as a formality, as the candidates are hand-picked by the North’s ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and rubber-stamped into office, reports Yonhap News Agency.

The KCNA said Kim met with the candidates and encouraged them to become “genuine representatives and true servants for the people who strive to defend and realize their rights, interests and requirements”.

He was accompanied by Premier Kim Tok-hun and key party officials, including his younger sister Kim Yo-jong and Hyon Song-wol, vice director of the propaganda and agitation department, it added.

According to the KCNA, the voter turnout for Sunday’s elections was 99.63 per cent. Those who are in foreign countries or working at sea did not take part in the elections.

North Korea has revised an election law in a way that allows two candidates to be recommended in some constituencies for local elections and holds a preliminary election to decide on a final candidate.

At polling stations, North Korea set up two separate ballot boxes of different colours — one for approval and the other for disapproval — a move that hampers the principle of secret voting as it is easy to see whether people vote for or against, Seoul’s Unification Ministry said.

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