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Raid in MP Congress MLA’s residence; party alleges vendetta

Uikey, who was reportedly absent during the raid due to ongoing campaign activities, accused the BJP of resorting to desperate measures out of fear of electoral defeat…reports Asian Lite News

In a move steeped in controversy, police and excise personnel conducted a thorough search of the residence and other properties belonging to a tribal Congress MLA in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district. The operation, prompted by allegations of cash and liquor hoarding, yielded no incriminating evidence, sparking cries of political harassment from opposition leaders.

The opposition Congress, led by state unit chief Jitu Patwari and senior leader Kamal Nath, has vehemently condemned the raid, alleging it as an abuse of power by the ruling BJP government. The targeted MLA, Nilesh Uikey, representing the Pandhurna (ST) assembly seat, denounced the action as a thinly veiled attempt to intimidate him ahead of the impending Lok Sabha elections.

According to Superintendent of Police Manoj Khatri, the search operation was initiated following complaints of illicit stockpiling of cash and liquor in various locations within Rajola Raiyat village. Despite an exhaustive search effort, no evidence corroborating the allegations was found, leaving both officials and opposition leaders at odds over the true intent behind the raid.

Uikey, who was reportedly absent during the raid due to ongoing campaign activities, accused the BJP of resorting to desperate measures out of fear of electoral defeat. He emphasized that the timing of the raid, coupled with its lack of tangible results, only served to underscore the political vendetta at play.

In response, BJP spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi dismissed the opposition’s accusations, urging them to cooperate with investigative agencies operating within the confines of established protocols. Chaturvedi further insinuated that the Congress was deflecting attention from its own alleged misconduct, including purported instances of vote-buying.

Kamal Nath, in a scathing rebuke, accused the BJP of employing strong-arm tactics to suppress dissent within the opposition ranks. He rallied support for Uikey and called upon party members to stand steadfast against such flagrant attempts to undermine democratic principles.

As the political drama unfolds against the backdrop of the impending Lok Sabha elections, the fallout from this controversial raid threatens to cast a shadow over the electoral process. With tensions running high, both sides are expected to escalate their rhetoric, further polarizing the political landscape in Madhya Pradesh.

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First-Time MLA Bhajanlal Sharma is New Rajasthan CM

BJP has picked legislators Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa as Deputy Chief Ministers…reports Asian Lite News

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has designated Bhajan Lal Sharma, a first-time MLA from the Sanganer assembly constituency, as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, along with two Deputy Chief Ministers for the state.

The announcement was made following the BJP legislature party meeting in Jaipur on Tuesday afternoon in the presence of the central observers appointed by the party — Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, party national general Secretary Vinod Tawde and MP Saroj Pandey.

BJP in-charge of Rajasthan Pralhad Joshi was also present at the meeting.

The party picked legislators Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa as Deputy Chief Ministers. Former state minister Vasudev Devnani would be the Assembly Speaker, Rajnath Singh said after the meeting.

Prem Chand Bairwa, the sitting BJP MLA from the Dudu constituency in Rajasthan, secured victory in the 2023 Rajasthan Assembly Election, defeating Congress candidate Babulal Nagar with a margin of 35,743 votes.

Diya Kumari won from the Vidyadhar Nagar constituency, triumphing over Congress’ Sitaram Agarwal by a margin of 71,368 votes. She is the granddaughter of Man Singh II, the last ruling maharaja of the princely state of Jaipur. Her appeal for votes was made as a “daughter of Jaipur” and the “princess who walks on the streets”.

Expressing gratitude, CM designate Bhajanlal Sharma assured that all Rajasthan MLAs, under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, would strive for holistic development in the state.

“I would like to assure you that all the MLAs of Rajasthan will definitely meet the expectations that the people have with us, with the BJP. Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, we will ensure holistic development of Rajasthan in all areas,” CM designate said.

Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker-designate Narendra Singh Tomar praised Sharma’s dedication to the party and ideology, expressing confidence in his capable leadership.

“Bhajanlal Sharma has been elected as the new Chief Minister of Rajasthan. He is an experienced worker of the party…He is dedicated to the party, and its ideology and his election has sent a good message to the workers. I am very confident that his capable leadership will work in Rajasthan and meet the vision of PM Narendra Modi. I congratulate him and extend him my best wishes,” Tomar said.

Rajasthan CM designate Bhajanlal Sharma’s supporters celebrated outside his residence in Bharatpur.

Madhya Pradesh CM-designate Mohan Yadav congratulated Bhajanlal and said that he will pray to Baba Mahakal to set new records of development in Rajasthan.

“I congratulate my friend Bhajanlal who has been elected as the CM there. I wish for him to be the most successful CM of Rajasthan. I pray to Baba Mahakal to set new records of development in Rajasthan. Together, under the leadership of PM Modi, double-engine governments in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan will take the state ahead,” Yadav said.

Moreover, Rajasthan CM designate Sharma’s mother Gomti Devi said that it has happened by God’s will…I had never thought this would happen.

His father Krishna Lal Sharma in Bharatpur said, “It is a great thing…”

In Jaipur, Bhajanlal’s wife, Geet Sharma, extended her gratitude to the public and leaders, considering it a blessing from Prime Minister Modi. She remarked, “I thank the public and all the leaders. This is a blessing given by Modi ji.”

Celebrations unfolded with firecrackers being burst at the residence of BJP MLA Vasudev Devnani, who is set to become the Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha.

Union Minister and BJP MP Kailash Choudhary said that in the BJP, our party has taught that CM post is a responsibility, not a post.

“In BJP, we have been taught that this (CM post) is a responsibility, not a post. In the coming days, the government will give good governance and bring development to the state,” he added.

Rajasthan BJP MLA Rajyavardhan Rathore said that party makes decisions after careful consideration.

“Parties make decisions after careful consideration. The Rajasthan BJP has received strong leadership. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all our senior leaders,” he added.

“This is a fantastic decision. What can be a bigger thing than a ground-level worker being given the opportunity? A man who has seen poverty closely, has led the life of a common man and understands the pain of the common man has been given the opportunity. This is great. I would like to extend him my greetings. Under the leadership of Bhajanlal Sharma, Rajasthan will see all-round development,” Rathore said.

Furthermore, party MLA Balak Nath said that all the selected members will take state forward.

“CM Bhajanlal Sharma, Deputy CMs Diya ji and Bairwa Ji and Speaker Devnani ji together will take the state forward,” he added.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan BJP president CP Joshi said that it is a very joyful moment that Bhajanlal Sharma’s name has been announced for the CM post of Rajasthan.

“He has been serving the party delicately for a very long time… It is a very joyful moment that Bhajanlal Sharma’s name has been announced for the CM post of Rajasthan,” Joshi said.

He further said that Bhajanlal Sharma was proposed as the Chief Minister and leader of the legislative party.

“Today, Bhajanlal Sharma was proposed as the Chief Minister and leader of the legislative party. Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa will be the Deputy CMs. Senior leader Vasudev Devnani will be the Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha…I congratulate all of them once again on behalf of the entire Rajasthan. This is the victory of Modi’s guarantee,” he added.

He won the Sanganer assembly seat with an impressive margin, securing 145,162 votes against his Indian National Congress (INC) opponent, Pushpendra Bhardwaj, who polled 97,081 votes.

In Rajasthan, the vote count painted a starkly different picture from what some of the pollsters had predicted, with the BJP poised to form the government, winning 115 seats, and the Congress trailing at 69 seats.

Rajasthan went to the polls for 199 of the 200 assembly seats on November 25. The majority mark in the state is 100. (ANI)

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4,984 cases pending against MPs/MLAs

The apex court has been passing a slew of directions time-to-time on the petition filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay seeking expeditious trial of cases against MPs/MLAs, and speedy investigation by the CBI and other agencies…reports Asian Lite News

The Supreme Court was informed that despite a series of its directions and continuous monitoring, as many as 4,984 criminal cases are pending against MPs/MLAs, and direction was sought from it to permit courts dealing with cases against lawmakers to focus on these exclusively.

A report submitted by amicus curiae, senior advocate Vijay Hansaria, who is assisted by advocate Sneha Kalita, said: “It is submitted that despite a series of directions by this court and continuous monitoring, as many as 4,984 cases are pending out of which 1,899 cases are more than 5 years old. It may be noted that the total number of cases pending asofn December 2018wase 4,110; and as of October 2020 was 4,859. Even after disposal of 2,775 cases after December 4, 2018, the cases against MPs/MLAs have increased from 4,122 to 4,984.”

“This shows that more and more persons with criminal antecedents are occupying the seats in the Parliament and the State Legislative Assemblies. It is of utmost necessity that urgent and stringent steps are taken for expeditious disposal of pending criminal cases.”

The report pointed out that jurisdictional courts conduct the trial of the cases against MPs/MLAs along with discharging other rosters allocated to them, and in many of states, the same judge heads a special court under various statutes such as SC/ST Act, POCSO Act, etc.

The amicus submitted: “The courts dealing with cases against MPs/MLAs will exclusively try these cases. Other cases would be taken up only after trials of such cases are over. The trial would be conducted on a day-to-day basis in terms of section 309 CRPC. Necessary allocation of work would be made by the High Court and/or the Principal Sessions Judges of every district within two weeks.”

He said that no response has been filed by the Central government in terms of the order dated August 25, 2021, as regards expeditious investigation/trial of cases, providing of infrastructure facilities to the courts, and constitution of the monitoring committee to evaluate the reasons for the delay of investigation.

“It is necessary that all the courts trying cases against MPs/MLAs are equipped with necessary infrastructure for the conduct of court proceedings through internet facility,” added the report.

“Both the prosecution and defence shall cooperate with the trial of the case and no adjournment shall be granted. In case, the public prosecutor and/or the prosecution fail to co-operate in the expeditious trial, the matter shall be reported to the Chief Secretary of the state who will take necessary remedial measures. In case, the accused delays the trial, his bail shall be cancelled,” it sought.

The amicus suggested the trial court shall send a report on each of the cases where trial has been pending for more than five years before the respective high courts, citing reasons for the delay and suggesting remedial measures.

“A Monitoring Committee may be constituted, headed by a former Judge of the Supreme Court or Chief Justice of a High Court to monitor the investigation of cases pending before the Enforcement Directorate, Central Bureau of Investigation and National Investigation Agency in terms of submission recorded in the order dated August 25, 2021,” added the report.

The apex court has been passing a slew of directions time-to-time on the petition filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay seeking expeditious trial of cases against MPs/MLAs, and speedy investigation by the CBI and other agencies.

The report added that the Centre should provide funds for ensuring the smooth functioning of courts through virtual mode i.e. by facilitating the availability of video conference facilities. “The High Courts shall submit a proposal to the Law Secretary of the Government of India in this regard as to the funds required, which shall be made available by the Central government within two weeks of the proposal. The funds released by the Central government will be subject to final adjustment with the state government as per sharing pattern,” it added.

Citing the top court’s order in November 2018, the report added that details furnished in terms of the said order show that 4,122 cases were pending against MPs/MLAs, including former MPs/ MLAs, as on December 2018. “Some of these cases were pending for more than three decades. 2,324 cases were against sitting legislators, and 1,675 against former legislators. In 1,991 cases, even the charges were not framed. 264 cases were pending due to stay granted by the high courts,” it added.

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MLAs express willingness to give up seats for Dhami

Dhami got a total of 41,598 votes with a vote share of 44.8 per cent as against Kapri who got 48,177 with a huge vote share of 51.89 per cent…reports Asian Lite News

Some BJP MLAs including Kailash Gahtori and Suresh Gadiya have expressed their willingness to give up their respective seats for Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to contest as he suffered defeat in Khatima.

“Apart from Gahtori and Kapkot some other MLAs have also expressed their desire to leave their seats,” State media in-charge Manvir Singh Chauhan told.

He said that the party will take a decision on this soon.

Dhami was defeated in the Khatima Assembly seat in the state even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has achieved a comfortable majority in 70-member Uttarakhand Assembly. He was defeated by Congress candidate Bhuwan Chandra Kapri by a margin of 6,579 votes.

Dhami got a total of 41,598 votes with a vote share of 44.8 per cent as against Kapri who got 48,177 with a huge vote share of 51.89 per cent.

However, according to the Election Commission trends at 9:29 pm, the BJP has won 45 seats and is leading on 2 seats while Congress has won 17 seats and is leading on 2 seats.

Earlier today, Dhami expressed gratitude to the people for giving the party a ‘two-third’ majority and said that the BJP government would fulfil all the poll promises that the party made before the elections.

“We have promised Uniform Civil Code before the polls that our new government would implement it. We will form a high-level committee of the stakeholders after the swearing-in ceremony. The committee will prepare a draft which we will implement. Besides this, we will fulfil all other promises,” he said. (ANI)

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BJP MLA’s shocker on killed student

He was responding to questions on the uncertainty over when Naveen’s body would be brought back to Haveri, his hometown…reports Asian Lite News

As the family of Naveen Shekharappa Gyanagowda, the student killed in Ukraine, wait for his body to be flown back to Karnataka, a BJP MLA has stirred up a controversy with his comment that “a dead body takes up more space in a flight”.

Arvind Bellad, the BJP MLA representing the Hubli-Dharwad constituency in Karnataka, said instead of a coffin, nearly eight to 10 people can be accommodated on the plane.

He was responding to questions on the uncertainty over when Naveen’s body would be brought back to Haveri, his hometown.

“The government is putting in effort to bring back the mortal remains of Naveen. Ukraine is a war zone and everyone is aware of it. Efforts are being made and if possible, the body will be brought back,” Bellad told reporters.

“While it is very challenging to bring back those who are alive, it has become even more difficult to bring back the dead because a dead body will consume more space on the flight. Instead, eight to 10 persons can be accommodated in place of a dead body, which would consume more space,” said the BJP leader.

He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making all efforts to try and bring back Naveen’s body.

Naveen’s father Shekharappa Gyanagowda had told NDTV on Wednesday that he was assured by the government his body would be brought home “within two days”. He said he had requested both PM Modi and Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to help bring his son’s body home.

Naveen, 21, who was studying medicine at the Kharkiv National Medical University, was in a queue outside a grocery store when he was killed in Russian shelling on a government building.

He had been staying in a bunker with other students and had stepped out to stock up on food before catching a train to the border on Tuesday, according to his roommate.

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From backroom movers to aspiring MLAs

Neeraj is now aspiring for a ticket for himself from Lucknow while his elder brother Pankaj is already seeking re-election from his Noida seat…reports Asian Lite News

They are children of political leaders, who have served as quintessential backroom boys when their parents contested the elections.

Now these backroom boys are yearning to take to the centre stage of UP politics by contesting elections and their parents are lobbying for their tickets.

Neeraj Singh, the younger son of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, had managed the campaign of his father along with a dedicated team of workers in 2014 and 2019.

Neeraj is now aspiring for a ticket for himself from Lucknow while his elder brother Pankaj is already seeking re-election from his Noida seat.

Lobbying for Neeraj is being done very discreetly in Delhi.

BJP MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi has been very vocally lobbying for a ticket for her son Mayank Joshi, who had managed her campaign in the 2017 Assembly polls and then the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

He gave up his job in the UK to help his mother in her political career.

Rita Bahuguan Joshi is wanting the Lucknow Cantt seat that she won in 2017 for Mayank and has even offered to quit her Lok Sabha seat if the ‘one family, one ticket’ rule applies in the party.

Aditya Yadav, son of Shivpal Singh Yadav, is another son who is aspiring for an electoral debut in these elections.

Shivpal Singh Yadav is contesting his Jaswantnagar seat and Aditya is eyeing another seat.

The normally reticent Aditya Yadav is slowly taking the centre stage in politics. Apart from managing his father’s campaign, he is also meeting party workers from all over the state and addressing issues related to the party.

SP sources said that Akhilesh Yadav is averse to fielding family members in these elections in order to demolish the nepotism charge and Aditya may finally not get a ticket.

BJP MP Jagdambika Pal is also trying for a ticket for his son Abhishek Pal from Siddhartha Nagar district while BJP MP Kaushal Kishore is another father aspiring for a ticket for his sons, Vikas and Ayush, from rural constituencies of Lucknow.

At least two Governors, Kalraj Mishra of Rajasthan and Phagu Chauhan of Bihar, are also trying for tickets for their sons.

Kalraj Mishra wants his son Amit Mishra to contest from his home district Deoria and Phagu Chauhan wants a ticket for his son Ram Vilas Chauhan from Mau.

BJP MP Satyadev Pachauri is seeking a ticket for his son Anup Pachauri from Govind Nagar seat in Kanpur while Speaker Hriday Narain Dixit wants to field his son Dilip Dixit from Purwa seat in Unnao district.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya is also said to be keen on a ticket for his son who has been active in politics since the past two years.

A senior party leader said: “It is natural for parents to seek tickets for their children. Most of the leaders who are seeking tickets for their children, are past their prime and want their children to get established in politics. However, the party does not wish to become a dynastic destination like other parties and will think twice before giving tickets.”

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SC pulls up Centre for failing to give details of cases against MPs, MLAs

The CJI said that in September last year, the court had granted time to Centre to file a detailed status report, then in October again, time was sought, and today, the situation is the same…reports Asian Lite News.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday gave the “last opportunity” to Centre to submit detailed status report regarding details of pendency and stage of trial of cases involving sitting and former lawmakers registered with the central agencies, the CBI, and others.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices Vineet Saran and Surya Kant told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta: “We are reading these reports in newspapers. They (the government) don’t send us anything. We get everything in the evening… we don’t know anything”.

Ramana
N.V. Ramana

The CJI said that in September last year, the court had granted time to Centre to file a detailed status report, then in October again, time was sought, and today, the situation is the same.

Mehta replied: “I agree we are lacking. We had filed a report yesterday on behalf of ED.. I emphasised the need to the CBI Director to immediately place it before your lordships.”

As this, the Chief Justice said this does not work. “What else can we say to express our displeasure, we were told Centre is concerned about pending cases against MPs and MLAs,” he added.

Senior advocate Vijay Hansaria, appointed amicus curiae in the matter, submitted that it is disturbing as cases are pending for over 7 years.

The bench noted that it has taken up the matter after more than a year.

“Lot of time has passed. Special bench has to be constituted to monitor these cases. This way it does not work,” it added.

As Mehta asked for last opportunity to comply with the court’s direction, the CJI told him that: “We are giving you two weeks, this is the last opportunity.” He also sought reply in connection with the video conferencing facilities to be put in place.

The bench also ordered that no prosecution against MP/MLA is to be withdrawn without the approval from the high court concerned. This order clamps down on state’s power to withdraw cases due to political reasons.

The bench also ordered that special court judges hearing cases against accused MPs and MLAs shouldn’t be transferred until further orders. The top court posted the matter for further hearing on August 25.

Hansaria, who was assisted by advocate Sneha Kalita, said that various state governments withdrew cases against sitting and former lawmakers due to extraneous reasons.

The report cited orders issued under Section 321 of the Criminal Procedure Code by Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Maharashtra.

The court said: “It merits mentioning that the power under Section 321, CrPC is a responsibility which is to be utilised in public interest, and cannot be used for extraneous and political considerations. This power is required to be utilised with utmost good faith to serve the larger public interest.”

In August 2020, by an order of the Karnataka government, instructions were issued to withdraw 61 criminal cases, many of which were filed against sitting legislators.

Hansaria added that the UP government has sought to withdraw 76 cases against elected representatives, including the Muzaffarnagar riot cases against Sangeet Som, Kapil Dev, Suresh Rana and Sadhvi Prachi.

He also cited a report from Maharashtra, where the government decided in December last year to withdraw political cases against activists registered prior to December 31, 2019.

Hansaria made the recommendation in a 2016 petition filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay seeking direction to fast-tracking of criminal trials against sitting and former MPs/MLAs.

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