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Scully quits following Muslim ‘no-go’ area claims

Shortly after the interview, Scully publicly apologized for the comments and said he “put his hands up” for using language he “regrets.”…reports Asian Lite News

Conservative MP Paul Scully has said he will step down before the next general election. Scully’s decision follows comments he made about Muslim “no-go” areas in London and Birmingham.

There was a widespread backlash over his remarks, which he made in the context of an escalating row over Islamophobia in the ruling Conservative Party.

In an interview with BBC London last week, he described areas of Tower Hamlets in London and Sparkhill in Birmingham as “no-go” areas for non-Muslims because of local Muslim residents “abusing” their religion.

Shortly after the interview, Scully publicly apologized for the comments and said he “put his hands up” for using language he “regrets.”

But on Monday, the MP announced his resignation ahead of UK general elections expected later this year.

He said on X: “I have told my local association that I won’t be contesting the next general election. Over the last nine years it’s been a privilege to represent in parliament, the area which I called home for 35 years.”

He added: “Fuelled by division, the party has lost its way and needs to get a clear focus … It needs a vision beyond crisis management which can appeal to a wider section of the electorate including younger people.”

Scully’s comments concerning “no-go” areas were condemned by both Conservative figures and politicians from the main opposition Labour Party.

Andy Street, Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, said it was “time for those in Westminster to stop the nonsense slurs and experience the real world. I for one am proud to lead the most diverse place in Britain.”

Chair of the Labour Muslim Network, Ali Milani, told BBC London that Scully was promoting an “Islamophobic myth that has been continuously perpetuated.”

ALSO READ-Scully’s comment adds to Islamophobia row

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India News Politics

Assam govt tells EC to hold polls before Bihu

For the Lok Sabha polls and four state Legislative assemblies, all phases and geographical areas of the elections shall be the basis for determining “repeat” offences…reports Asian Lite News

An Election Commission (EC) team reached Assam on a two-day visit on Tuesday. The team consisting of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and other top officials will hold Lok Sabha poll-related meetings with the concerned state government officials during the course of its visit.

The EC team will meet the Chief Secretary of the state and other government officials to discuss the preparedness of the state for holding the upcoming general elections. The team will also interact with the District Commissioners and Superintendent of Police of each district during its two-day visit.

Meanwhile, the Assam government has insisted on holding the polls in the state before the Bihu festival, which is scheduled to take place in mid-April.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said earlier, “The state government has already urged the EC to conclude the elections in the state before the Bihu festival. During the Bihu celebrations in Assam, people get into a festive mood. The talks of BJP-Congress cannot match that atmosphere.

“The Chief Secretary will again convey our request to the EC team. If there is no such difficulty, we will appreciate finishing the elections before the Bihu festival.”

However, according to an official, it is unlikely that the Lok Sabha polls in Assam will be over before mid-April.

“In 2019, elections in Assam were held in three phases — April 11, April 18, and April 23. The chances are high that the EC might go with a similar schedule this time too,” the official said.

Meanwhile, taking note of the various trends and cases of plummeting levels of political campaign discourse in recently held elections, ECI has issued further advisory to all political parties to maintain decorum and utmost restraint in public campaigning and raise the level of election campaigning to “issue”-based debate.

The poll body has also put the ‘Star Campaigners’ and candidates on a ‘notice’ in case of violations that followed the previously known methodologies during elections to avoid breaching the Model Code of Conduct.

For the Lok Sabha polls and four state Legislative assemblies, all phases and geographical areas of the elections shall be the basis for determining “repeat” offences.

It may be recalled that Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar recently emphasised that political parties should foster ethical and respectful political discourse that inspires rather than divides and promotes ideas instead of personal attacks.

The Commission has urged all the political parties, their leaders, and the contesting candidates to remain within the confines of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and the legal framework.

It has been emphasised that any genre of surrogate or indirect violation of MCC and surrogate means to plumage level of the election campaign will be dealt with stern action by the Commission.

ALSO READ-Assam’s ‘Elephant Girl’ Gets Padma Shri

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India News Politics

Central agencies monitor LS polls, says CEC

The CEC said that the full-Bench of the ECI, which was on a visit to West Bengal, had meetings with all the political parties…reports Asian Lite News

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will involve central agencies in monitoring the polling process across the country during the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Chief Election Commissioner of India (CEC), Rajiv Kumar, told media persons in Kolkata on Tuesday.

The CEC added that a separate portal would be opened involving all central agencies for the purpose of vigilance.

He added that a mobile application named ‘C-Vigil: Citizens be Vigilant’ would be introduced to enable users to report any election-related irregularities or violence promptly.

The CEC said that the full-Bench of the ECI, which was on a visit to West Bengal, had meetings with all the political parties.

CEC Kumar said apart from complaints about the use of money and muscle power in the polls, the Bench had also received complaints that bureaucrats were not operating in a transparent and unbiased manner.

“Barring one political party, all other parties have requested for deployment of additional forces. One political party has also insisted on a single-phase election in West Bengal,” he said.

He added that during the meeting with the functionaries of the state’s administrative and police setup, clear instructions were given about ensuring an absolutely peaceful election.

“Voting should be conducted in a festive mood. The higher administrative and police functionaries have been directed to convey the message to their subordinates down the line, so that all necessary steps are taken to ensure violence-free polls. If the state administration and police fail to do that, we will make them do it,” CEC Kumar said during the interaction with media persons.

He also said that this time separate polling stations for women and Divyangs would be set up.

Meanwhile, sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) West Bengal said that the ECI will be taking special measures to prevent the use of black money in the elections. In order to ensure that, the Income Tax Department and the ED sleuths will also be activated, they said.

ALSO READ-Mayawati Rules Out Alliance Rumours, to Contest Alone

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Community India News Politics

‘Ram Mandir was already there’

On PM Modi’s poll promise of providing jobs to youths, the TMC MP from Asansol said, “They had said that when they come to power, the youth in the country will be empowered. They had said that they would give two crore jobs every year. Where is the guarantee?”…reports Asian Lite News

Days after Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh withdrew his candidacy from the Asansol Lok Sabha constituency, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Shatrughan Sinha asserted that the Ram Mandir already existed in Ayodhya, adding that BJP did Pran Pratishtha in an incomplete temple.

“They (BJP) have spent so much money for darshan in the temple. The temple was already there. Was Pran Pratishtha not done earlier? The temple was small. You (PM Modi) have only magnified it and that too, you also did Pran Pratishtha in an incomplete temple,” Sinha said speaking at a public meeting at Asansol on Tuesday.

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s electoral assurances, the actor-turned-politician at a public gathering in Asansol said, “PM Modi keeps talikng on giving guarantees. First, fulfil whatever guarantees you have given. You used to speak about inflation earlier. Today, inflation has risen to such an extent that it is at a 60-year high. Whether it is price of oil, fruits, vegetables or other edible items.”

On PM Modi’s poll promise of providing jobs to youths, the TMC MP from Asansol said, “They had said that when they come to power, the youth in the country will be empowered. They had said that they would give two crore jobs every year. Where is the guarantee?”

“The young generation is more than 60 per cent of the total demography today and among them, 60 per cent are unemployed. Imagine the frustration among them. Youth are committing suicide. And they are diverting people’s attention from real issues and sticking to temples and mosques,” Sinha said.

Sinha also hit out at the Prime Minister for promising to double farmers income by 2022.

ALSO READ-Karnataka Assembly roiled by Ayodhya Ram Mandir issues

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India News Politics

Smriti Irani challenges Rahul for debate

Smriti said in her address that the BJP has fulfilled the three major promises made to the public in the party manifesto in the last 10 years…reports Asian Lite News

Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani has dared Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to have a debate on the “difference” between the 10 years of UPA rule and the Narendra Modi government.

“If my voice is reaching Rahul Gandhi, then he should listen with open ears. Let there be a discussion on what is the difference between your (UPA) 10 years and Modi’s 10 years,” she said on Monday while speaking at the ‘Namo Yuva Maha Sammelan’ organised by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha in Nagpur.

She said that if she asked to discuss it with Rahul Gandhi, he would not come. He would not be able to stand even in front of an ordinary worker of the BJP.

“I guarantee that even if an ordinary worker of Yuva Morcha starts speaking in front of Rahul Gandhi, he will lose the strength to speak,” she said.

Smriti said in her address that the BJP has fulfilled the three major promises made to the public in the party manifesto in the last 10 years.

She said that the abrogation of Article 370 that ended the special status of the then state of Jammu and Kashmir, women’s reservation in the legislature and the construction of Ram Mandir were these promises and they were fulfilled. (ANI)

ALSO READ-‘Modi wants youth to chant Jai Shri Ram, starve to death’

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India News Politics

‘Modi wants youth to chant Jai Shri Ram, starve to death’

Earlier in the day the BJP launched an all-out attack against the Congress’ ally DMK for a speech made by former Minister A Raja in Madurai…reports Asian Lite News

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused his government of misleading the youth, saying that the PM wants the young generation to only chant ‘Jai Shri Ram and starve to death’.

Addressing a gathering in Madhya Pradesh’s Shajapur during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, the Congress MP also advocated for the caste-based census and said that conducting the survey will ensure social justice for the people.

“Our policy is very clear– that is a revolutionary step towards social justice that is only caste-based census…the Congress has done only revolutionary work. It fought for the country’s independence when they (BJP) went lost, where they were at that time. Be it, the green revolution, white or digital, all the revolutionary works have been done by Congress…but the PM wants our youths to be glued to their phones for the whole day, chant Jai Shri Ram and starve to death (bhukhe raho aur mar jao),” he said.

Earlier in the day the BJP launched an all-out attack against the Congress’ ally DMK for a speech made by former Minister A Raja in Madurai.

Amit Malviya, the head of Bharatiya Janata Party’s IT cell, criticised A Raja, accusing him of advocating for the Balkanisation of India and making derogatory comments about Lord Ram, Manipuris, and the idea of India as a nation.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra resumed from Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district on Tuesday morning. Gandhi started the yatra from Sarangpur in the presence of a large number of party workers.

He was in an open Jeep, greeting the party workers who were carrying the party flag. Notably, the Congress MP is also slated to visit the Mahakaleshwar temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain, one of the Jyotirlinga temples, during his yatra.

This marks Gandhi’s second visit to the temple during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, with the last one taking place on November 29, 2022.

Notably, the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered the state on March 2 and will stay in the state till March 6. The Congress’s ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’, after the party’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, aims to cover 6,700 km through 15 states, with Lok Sabha polls around the corner.

The Lok Sabha polls are expected to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)

ALSO READ-PM Modi Wishes Success to Shehbaz, Pakistan’s New PM

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India News Politics

Cong finalises seat-sharing pact

Congress General Secretary says party has finalised its seat sharing with all other parties of the INDIA bloc except in West Bengal and Jammu & Kashmir…reports Asian Lite News

Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh has said that the Congress party has finalised its seat sharing with all other parties of the INDIA bloc except in West Bengal and Jammu & Kashmir.

The Congress leader made the remark while addressing a press conference in Madhya Pradesh’s Shajapur district on Tuesday, when he arrived here with the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

On being asked about where the INDIA alliance stands as Lok Sabha elections are draws closer, the Congress leader said, “INDIA alliance started in Patna on June 23, last year. After that, the second meeting was held in Bengaluru on July 17 and 18. The third meeting of the alliance was held in Mumbai on August 31 and September 1 and the fourth meeting was held in Delhi on December 19 last year. There were a total of 28 parties in the alliance. After the formation of the INDIA alliance, suddenly the Prime Minister tried to revive the dead NDA alliance. We would be aware that when the India alliance was announced, the talk of NDA had started. Where does NDA come from? Take out two ‘I’ from INDIA, Imandari (honesty) and Insaniyat (humanity) and it becomes NDA.”

He also took a dig at Bihar CM Nitish Kumar who recently switched sides to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which is a part of INDIA bloc saying he (Nitish Kumar) is a master of ‘Palti’ (switching sides).

“There were a total of 28 parties in the INDIA Alliance but of these a party leader (Bihar CM Nitish Kumar) switched sides. His history is of ‘Palti’ (switching sides). He is a master of Palti. Out of 28 parties, 27 were left and later one more party left INDIA bloc and joined NDA. So we became 26. But I want to say that 26 parties are strong parties,” he added.

The Congress leader further said, “Now out of 28 parties, 26 parties are with us and one or two more parties may join us in Maharashtra. We are strong and our seat-sharing formula in Jammu and Kashmir is being finalised. There has been some delay (referring to seat sharing issue) in West Bengal but the Congress Party has finalised the seat sharing with all the other parties. Only two states left are West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir.”

When asked whether Congress is in touch with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Jairam Ramesh said that they were hopeful that some middle path would be worked out and were trying their best.

“Mamata Banerjee is part of the INDIA Group. The Left parties are also the Part of India group. Mamata Banerjee attended Patna, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi meetings of the INDIA Group. She has said that her priority is to defeat the BJP and strengthen India. That is also the priorities of the Congress party. We are hopeful that some middle path will be worked out. Let us see we are trying our best,” the Congress leader said.

Panel prepares draft manifesto 

The Congress panel tasked with preparing the party’s manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls has prepared the draft which will now be discussed by the Congress Working Committee.

Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who heads the manifesto committee, said the draft report will be presented to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

“We have prepared the draft manifesto. Now it will go to the Congress Working Committee. They will finalize the manifesto then it will become the Congress party document. Tomorrow we will hand over this draft to the Congress President,” he said.

Congress is all set to launch its campaign for the Lok Sabha polls next week, aiming to cater to different age groups, said party sources on Friday.

According to the sources, the party has hired two large companies for publicity materials and hoardings.

For the first time, the party will do new experiments in its media strategy. In response to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) centralised media campaigns, the Congress will launch localised campaigns at micro levels, said the sources.

Sources said Congress will also put up hoardings promising legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers. Earlier, during the farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ March, the party had said it would provide legal guarantee of MSP for farmers if voted to power.

The Congress has promised to conduct a nationwide caste census if voted to power.

To provide momentum to the election campaign, the Congress has appointed one lakh Booth Level Agents (BLA). The Lok Sabha polls are likely to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Gujarat Congress Ex-Chief Modhwadia Resigns

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-Top News Asia News Politics

PM Modi Wishes Success to Shehbaz, Pakistan’s New PM

Nawaz-Shehbaz

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and other PML-N workers….reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Shehbaz Sharif after he was sworn in as the 24th Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Sharif, 72, was administered the oath of office on Monday in a ceremony held at the Aiwan-i-Sadr, the presidential residence.

Taking to his X, PM Modi wrote: “Congratulations to @CMShehbaz on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Pakistan”.

Sharif, the younger brother of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, served as the PM from April 11, 2022, to August 14, 2023, after the Imran Khan government lost a no-confidence motion.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and other PML-N workers.

Shehbaz Sharif emerged as the consensus candidate of the PML-N and the PPP after they agreed on a power-sharing deal to form a coalition government.

“PM Shehbaz Sharif worked day and night for the development of Pakistan. He has done it before, he will deliver again. Even his detractors say that he worked hard and delivered. He will prove to be an outclass PM!” the X handle of PML-N posted just after Sharif’s swearing-in ceremony.

ALSO READ: Shehbaz Sharif Rewrites History in Pakistan

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-Top News Asia News Politics

Pakistan Issues 112 Visas to Indian Hindu Pilgrims

Charge d’ Affaires, Saad Ahmad Warraich, wished the pilgrims a safe journey….reports Asian Lite News

The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi issued 112 visas to Indian Hindu pilgrims to visit Shree Katas Raj Temples, also known as Qila Katas, in Chakwal district of Punjab, according to an official statement.

The Indian Hindu pilgrims will visit Pakistan from Match 6 to 12.

Charge d’ Affaires, Saad Ahmad Warraich, wished the pilgrims a safe journey.

“Expressing his views on the occasion, Charge d’ Affaires, Mr. Saad Ahmad Warraich, wished the pilgrims a spiritually rewarding yatra and safe journey,” the statement said.

The Pakistan High Commission in India on social media X, stated, “Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi has issued 112 visas to a group of Indian Hindu Pilgrims for their visit to Shree Katas Raj Temples, also known as Qila Katas, in Chakwal district of Punjab from 06-12 March 2024. “

According to the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, each year thousands of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to attend various religious festivals and occasions, the statement said.

The issuance of pilgrimage visas to them is in line with the Pakistan government’s efforts for facilitating visits to religious shrines and promoting interfaith harmony.

Earlier in December last year, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi issued 62 visas to Indian pilgrims to visit Shree Katas Raj Temples from December 19-25. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Shehbaz Sharif Rewrites History in Pakistan

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Gujarat India News Politics

Gujarat Congress Ex-Chief Modhwadia Resigns

Modhwadia, a former Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat assembly, wrote a letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stating that he is resigning from all party positions…reports Asian Lite News

In a setback for Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, party leader and its former Gujarat unit chief Arjun Modhwadia resigned from the party and said that the leadership’s decision to decline the invitation for Pran Prathistha ceremony at Ayodhya had hurt the sentiments of people.

Modhwadia, a former Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat assembly, wrote a letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stating that he is resigning from all party positions.

In a hard-hitting attack, Modhwadia said the party had lost connection with the people. In his letter, Modhwadia hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and accused the party of “insulting Lord Ram by boycotting the Mahotsav in Ayodhya”.

He said that he had voiced his dissent when the Congress leadership declined the invitation to the Pran Pratishta event at the grand Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya in January.

“Prabhu Ram is not just pujaniya to Hindus, but he is the Aastha of Bharat. By declining the invitation to witness Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav have hurt the sentiments of the people of India, Congress as a party failed to assess the sentiments of the people,” he said.

“Since my dissent, I have met scores of people who were offended by the manner in which the Congress Party insulted Lord Ram by boycotting the Mahotsav in Ayodhya. To further distract and humiliate this pious occasion, Rahul Gandhi attempted to create a ruckus in Assam which further angered our party cadres and citizens of Bharat. Over and above, since the last few years, I found myself helpless to contribute to the people of my district Porbandar and the state of Gujarat,” he said.

Modhwadia said that he is leaving the party with a “heavy heart” after being associated with it for over 40 years and “given my entire life for”.

Modhwadia later told the media that he had tried to convey his message to the party but was not successful.

“When a party loses its connection with the people, it cannot survive for long. The people of the country wanted the Ram Temple to be constructed. The Congress had also decided that after a constitutional verdict from the Supreme Court, we would support it. Even then the invitation to the Pran Pratishtha was declined. I raised my voice then too, that this would hurt the public sentiment and we should not make such political decisions and that decision showed a lack of connection with the people. I tried to convey my message in several other matters, but I was not successful. Finally, I decided to resign today,” he said.

While BJP has declared some of its candidates from Gujarat for Lok Sabha polls, Congress is yet to decide its candidates. (ANI)

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