Tag: MP

Categories
India News

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.

ALSO READ-G7 countries condemn Iran’s air raid on Israel

Categories
-Top News Politics UK News

62nd Tory MP calls it quits

Four former Conservatives who now sit as independents are also leaving, meaning that just over a fifth of the Tory MPs elected in 2019 are quitting…reports Asian Lite News

The armed forces minister, James Heappey, is to step down imminently from the role and will leave the House of Commons at the next general election, in yet another headache for Rishi Sunak.

Heappey, a former soldier who has carried out various roles in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) since 2019, tweeted a letter he had sent to his constituency association saying he had taken “the painful decision” to not stand again as an MP.

It is understood that Heappey, who has been armed forces minister since July 2022, will also leave this role in the next week or two.

While Heappey has been a vocal advocate for more defence spending, his departure from the MoD is not believed to be directly connected to policy differences, but due to personal circumstances.

He becomes the 62nd Conservative MP to say they will not stand in the next election, with Theresa May and the former cabinet minister Brandon Lewis announcing this in the past week.

Four former Conservatives who now sit as independents are also leaving, meaning that just over a fifth of the Tory MPs elected in 2019 are quitting.

Heappey’s constituency of Wells, in Somerset, which he has represented since 2015, is to disappear under boundary changes at the election. He had been adopted for the new seat of Wells and Mendip Hills, but said in his letter to the chair of the local Conservative association that he would now not stand.

“After much reflection, I am afraid I have taken the painful decision not to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming general election,” he wrote.

“As you know, a great deal has changed in my life over the last few years and I have concluded that now is the time to step away from politics, prioritise my family and pursue a different career.

“In the meantime I will support Rishi Sunak as our party leader and prime minister in government until such time as he wishes me to step down, and then from the backbenches.”

Heappey had a majority of just under 10,000 in the 2019 election, and the Liberal Democrats, who came second then, are likely to heavily target the new seat.

Viewed as a competent and well-respected part of the MoD team, he has supported the wider push in the department and among other Conservative MPs and ministers for an increase in spending on defence given increased threats from the likes of Russia.

Earlier this month the Foreign Office minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan and the Home Office minister Tom Tugendhat publicly called for defence spending to reach at least 2.5% of GDP, and others have called for an eventual target of 3%.

Before becoming an MP, Heappey spent 10 years serving in the Rifles, including in Afghanistan, Iraq, Northern Ireland and Kenya, and reached the rank of major.

ALSO READ-Anderson suspended from Tory party over ‘Islamists’ comments

Categories
-Top News UK News

MP warns of ‘explosion’ in unreported Islamophobia

A recent poll conducted by Hope Not Hate revealed that 58 percent of Conservative Party members believe Islam to be a threat to the British way of life…reports Asian Lite News

A senior politician has warned of an “explosion” of unreported Islamophobia in the UK. Shadow Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “In my constituency, people report it to me but not the police. They kind of just put it down to the price you pay for being a Muslim in this country, (but) reporting is then what drives police policy, social policy and potential legislation. We all have a role to play.”

Mahmood was speaking at a panel discussion after a screening of the film “HIJABI” by award-winning documentary-maker Samir Mehanovic.

The film, released to coincide with International Women’s Day and International Day to Combat Islamophobia, documents the lives of five British women and their experiences with Islamophobia, including one forced to flee the UK after she was assaulted.

Mahmood said: “Islamophobia has passed the dinner party test — it’s seen as acceptable. This is not just a Muslim problem, it should be addressed by all of society.”

The UK has witnessed a 365 percent surge in anti-Muslim hate incidents since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

According to Tell Mama, an organization dedicated to fighting Islamophobia, 65 percent of all incidents target women, with those who wear a hijab or niqab especially vulnerable.

Afzal Khan, an MP with the main opposition Labour Party, told the panel: “With Islamophobic hate crime having trebled since October and senior members of the Conservative Party spouting Islamophobia through the media in recent weeks, there has never been a more pressing time to listen to the testimonies of visibly Muslim women in Britain.”

MP Lee Anderson, former deputy chair of the Conservatives, was suspended by the party last month for refusing to apologize for claiming that Islamists had “got control” of London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

A recent poll conducted by Hope Not Hate revealed that 58 percent of Conservative Party members believe Islam to be a threat to the British way of life.

A government spokesperson told The Independent: “British Muslim women make a huge contribution to the United Kingdom and in strengthening the ties that bind our country together.

“It is unacceptable for anyone to feel unsafe while practicing their religion and we take a zero-tolerance approach to anti-Muslim hatred.

“We expect the police to fully investigate all hate crimes and work with the Crown Prosecution Service to make sure the cowards who commit these abhorrent offences feel the full force of the law.”

Former Labour councillor Shaista Aziz, who resigned from the party over the leadership’s position on Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, told the panel: “When it comes to Islamophobia, there’s rightly lots of focus on the government and what they are doing and not doing. There’s no focus though on the man who wants to become the next leader of this country: Keir Starmer.

“Labour can talk about equalities until the cows come home. However, the proof is there: anti-Black racism, Islamophobia and a hierarchy of racism.” She added: “These things cannot be brushed under the carpet.”

A recent poll by the Labour Muslim Network reported that the party’s support within the UK’s Muslim community had dropped from 86 percent at the time of the last general election in 2019 to around 60 percent, with many citing Gaza as the reason.

ALSO READ-Scully’s comment adds to Islamophobia row

Categories
-Top News India News Politics

PM Modi unveils projects worth Rs 17,000 cr in MP

Modi also expressed condolences with the families of the people who died in the road accident in Dindori district…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday attended the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Madhya Pradesh’ programme via video conferencing and laid the foundation stone of several development projects worth around Rs 17,000 crore across the state.

Addressing the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Madhya Pradesh’ programme, Modi said, “Few days ago, the redevelopment work on more than 30 railway stations of Madhya Pradesh started. BJP’s double engine government is ensuring development with double speed. The schemes unveiled today will will bring ease in lives of people in Madhya Pradesh. More investment and employment opportunities will come in the state.”

The projects unveiled by Prime Minister cater to a number of important sectors including irrigation, power, road, rail, water supply, coal, industry, among others. Prime Minister also launched the Cyber Tehsil project in Madhya Pradesh.

Modi also expressed condolences with the families of the people who died in the road accident in Dindori district.

“I want to express my condolence in the Dindori road accident. My compassion is with those who lost their loved ones in the accident. The government is taking care of the medical treatment of those who are injured. I am with Madhya Pradesh in these difficult times,” he said.

Stating that under the BJP-led Centre, the “land brought under the irrigation doubled in comparision to the Congress-led UPA from 2004 to 2014, Modi said, “The Sinchayee Yojana is the biggest differentiator between BJP and Congress in 10 years. Before 2014, a total of 40 lakh hectare of land was brought under the Sukshma Sinchai (irrigation) whereas a total of 90 hectare of land was brought in the last 10 years. This shows the priorities of the BJP government.”

He further stated that BJP is fighting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections with a “resolve to make India the third largest economy of the world”.

“For us, these elections are not just to form our government for the third time. In our third tenure, we will make this country the third largest economy of the world, with this resolve we are contesting the upcoming elections. Formation of the government is not our final goal,” he said.

Prime Minister also mentioned that several states in the country has taken a resolve to become a developed state.

“In every Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh a lot of people have joined the Sankalp of Viksit Madhya Pradesh. Several other states have also taken this Sankalp of becoming Viksit. Nine days Vikramotsav is going to start in MP from tomorrow itself. It is a celebration of our glorious heritage and present development,” he said. (ANI)

Modi to hold three public meetings in Bengal

Modi will kickstart the BJP’s campaign for Lok Sabha Elections in West Bengal from March 1.   Notably, Modi’s visit to the state in the wake of the ongoing unrest in the Sandeshkhali enclave where women recently hit the streets and vented their fury by setting ablaze the properties belonging to TMC leaders who are accused of tormenting villagers.

He will address two big public meetings. This visit of the Prime Minister is being considered very important before the Lok Sabha elections.

He will also give mantra to the BJP workers to ensure victory in the upcoming elections. On March 1, Modi will address a public meeting in Arambag and on that day he will have a night stay in the state. Apart from this, on March 2, he will address a public meeting in Krishna Nagar.

“Lakhs of people will be present in the rally,” BJP’s Bengal chief Sukant Majumdar said. Sukant Majumdar also mentioned that the Prime Minister is coming to Bengal, it is a matter of happiness for all of us and he will address the people of West Bengal. There is a lot of enthusiasm among the workers too.

Modi will also be addressing the women of the entire country from Barashat, West Bengal on March 6. BJP Mahila Morcha chief Vanathi Srinivasan held a meeting in West Bengal on February 24 to take stock of the preparations in this regard.

BJP Bengal sources said that in 2024 polls, BJP will be winning more seats in West Bengal than before. This time the figure is likely to go up to 26, however at present it is estimated that 20 to 26 seats will be won by BJP.

Overall, the BJP is very confident and is continuously engaged in its work. All the leaders and workers of the BJP are working on the ground to make people aware on the Modi-led dispensation’s welfare and development schemes in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Pradhan Mantri Employment scheme, the Ayushman Bharat upto an insurance of Rs 5 lakh, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Oushadhi scheme, the Kisan Samman Nidhi and the Pradhana Mantri Jeevan Jyoti are some of these schemes. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Modi slams DMK for ad showing rocket with Chinese flag

Categories
-Top News Politics UK News

Armed forces not ready for high-intensity war, MPs warn

The MPs said they were “increasingly concerned” about a “crisis” in the recruitment and retention of both regular personnel and reservists, with operational demands making recovery and training harder to achieve…reports Asian Lite News

The UK’s armed forces will not be ready for a “high-intensity” war unless shortages in personnel and equipment are rapidly addressed, MPs have warned. The Commons defence committee said personnel were leaving faster than they could be recruited, and the “offer” to them had to be improved.

A “vicious cycle” needed to be broken to allow the UK to face “increasingly challenging” threats, it added. Increasing recruitment and improving retention was a priority, the MoD said.

Last month, General Sir Patrick Sanders, the head of the Army and outgoing Chief of the General Staff. called for the country to train a volunteer “citizen army” ready to fight a land war, warning that an increase in reservist numbers alone “would not be enough”.

He highlighted the threat from Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, and pointed to steps being taken by other European nations to put their populations on a “war footing”.

He also called for more to be done to equip and modernise the armed services. Sir Patrick has previously argued for the need for a larger Army, whose professional ranks now number around 73,000, compared with around 100,000 in 2010.

The cross-party defence committee’s report, “Ready for war?”, found that, while it was a “matter of national pride” that whenever the armed forces were asked to act, they found a way, “overstretch has negatively impacted high intensity warfighting readiness due to the sheer pace of operations and other commitments”.

The MPs said they were “increasingly concerned” about a “crisis” in the recruitment and retention of both regular personnel and reservists, with operational demands making recovery and training harder to achieve.

As a result, the committee said, “it is unsurprising that more people are leaving the Forces than joining them”.

While acknowledging the problem and planning to address it, the government was not yet moving at the necessary pace to do so, it added.

A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson said: “Increasing recruitment and improving retention across the services is a top priority. Our armed forces are always ready to protect and defend the UK, and we continue to meet all operational commitments.”

Another area of concern highlighted was that the £1.95bn allocated for boosting ammunition stockpiles in last year’s Budget might be used to meet existing shortfalls in resources, rather than to replenish and increase capabilities.

The MPs urged the MoD to reconsider and produce a breakdown of the allocation of money promised in the Autumn 2022 and Spring 2023 Budgets.

The committee also called for improvements in procurement processes to increase the UK’s industrial capacity and production of munitions, both in the context of the Ukraine conflict and any future war.  This should include retaining retired equipment “even halfway viable for regeneration”, it said.

ALSO READ-Role of AI Literacy in Student Success

Categories
-Top News UK News

‘Record British ethnic minority MPs to sit in Commons’

In case of the Labour winning 326 seats, the think tank claims that there will be 254 women MPs — 39 per cent of the total in the Commons…reports Asian Lite News

A record number of female and ethnic minority MPs in Britain are expected to sit in the House of Commons, following the much-anticipated general elections in the next half of this year, according to a report.

Whatever the actual outcome of the election, the number of ethnic minority MPs is most likely to rise from 65 to as many as 83, The Guardian reported, citing a study by think-tank British Future.

The number crossing 75 means a five-fold jump in a decade-and-a-half, with the 2005 to 2010 parliament having just 15 ethnic minority MPs out of 650.

“The next parliament will be the most diverse ever, reflecting a new norm across political parties. More ethnic minorities and more women are likely to sit in the Commons than ever before. Parliament is gradually catching up with the electorate that it represents,” said Sunder Katwala, director of British Future.

“But this needs to accelerate further if it is to keep pace with the growing diversity of our society and close the gender gap,” Katwala added.

The study estimates that in a first, there will be over 250 women in the Commons post the next general election — up from 220 in 2019 — with 153 of them in the Labour party and 72 in the Conservative.

In case of the Labour winning 326 seats, the think tank claims that there will be 254 women MPs — 39 per cent of the total in the Commons.

According to the news report, seven of the 14 constituencies in which Labour MPs have decided to stand down, have selected ethnic minority candidates.

For instance, Indian-origin Jas Athwal, who was selected in Ilford South in a contest with former shadow minister Sam Tarry, will defend a 24,101 majority in the London constituency.

Likewise, Baggy Shanker in Derby South, Satvir Kaur in Southampton Test and Harpreet Uppal in Huddersfield are in with a good chance of winning.

However, Katwal said that while having the strongest overall record on ethnic minority representation in the Commons, the Labour is selecting those candidates this time at a much lower rate of 12 per cent, compared to the 20 per cent proportion now in the parliamentary Labour party.

On a recent visit to Mansfield in central England, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that according to his ‘working assumption’, the UK will have a general election in the second half of this year.

According to some political experts, the Conservative party that has been in power since 2010, and has had five leaders and prime ministers in 14 years, is expected to lose the election to the main opposition.

The last general election, held in December 2019, was won by Boris Johnson on a pledge to get Brexit done.

ALSO READ-Sunak sees off revolt to win vote on Rwanda migrant plan

Categories
-Top News India News Politics

Almost two-thirds of oppn MPs suspended from LS

New Delhi, Dec 19 (ANI): Proceedings of the Lok Sabha are underway during the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Tuesday. (ANI Photo/Sansad TV)

On Tuesday, 49 opposition MPs were suspended for the remaining part of the session for disrupting proceedings, taking the total tally of suspended MPs in Lok Sabha to 95…reports Asian Lite News

After a string of suspensions in Lok Sabha, the INDIA bloc has lost more than two-thirds of its strength for the duration of the Winter Session and only nine MPs of the principal opposition Congress, including former party presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, are left in the House.

On Tuesday, 49 opposition MPs were suspended for the remaining part of the session for disrupting proceedings, taking the total tally of suspended MPs in Lok Sabha to 95.

The INDIA bloc parties had a strength of 138 in Lok Sabha, of which 43 MPs are now left in the House.

Congress’ floor leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Trinamool Congress’ floor leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay are among those suspended. So far, 13 of the 22 Trinammol Congress MPs have been suspended.

From the DMK, which has a strength of 24 members in the House, 16 MPs have been suspended. Aam Aadmi Party’s lone Lok Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Rinku was also suspended.

Among other INDIA bloc parties, three Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MPs belonging to the Sharad Pawar faction, including floor leader Supriya Sule, have been suspended out of the four who are supporting the opposition.

From the National Conference, two of the three MPs, including Farooq Abdullah, were suspended.

None of the six MPs of Shiv Sena (UBT) have been suspended INDIA bloc MPs have been protesting in the House to press for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on the security breach in Parliament on December 13.

All three MPs of the Indian Union Muslim League, lone MPs from VCK and RSP, two of the three Samajwadi Party MPs, including Dimple Yadav, two of three MPs of the CPI(M), and one of the two MPs of CPI have been suspended.

Danish Ali, who was recently suspended from the BSP, is also among the MPs suspended from the Lower House. The BSP is not a part of the opposition bloc. 

ALSO READ-India suspends close to 100 MPs from Parliament

Categories
-Top News UK News

Johnson allies accuse MPs of ‘witch hunt’

The probe is being led by a cross-party committee with a Conservative majority that chose veteran Labour MP Harriet Harman to lead it…reports Asian Lite News

Conservative allies of outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson have accused a committee of MPs investigating whether he misled Parliament of conducting a “vengeful and vindictive” “witch hunt”.

Although he is due to leave Downing Street in less than a month, the Commons Privileges Committee is going ahead with its inquiry into whether the Prime Minister committed a contempt of Parliament by misleading MPs with his Partygate denials.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, one of Johnson’s staunchest supporters, on Sunday tweeted: “If this witch hunt continues, it will be the most egregious abuse of power witnessed in Westminster.

“It will cast serious doubt not only on the reputation of individual MPs sitting on the committee, but on the processes of Parliament and democracy itself.”

Lord Goldsmith, who was given a life peerage and a ministerial job by Johnson in the wake of voters dumping him as the MP for Richmond Park in 2019, tweeted: “The Partygate probe is clearly rigged. It is a jury comprised of highly partisan, vengeful & vindictive MPs, nearly all of whom are already on the record viciously attacking the person they are judging. It is an obscene abuse of power.”

In response to Dorries’s comment, Labour MP Chris Bryant said: “Let’s talk about abuse of power such as illegally suspending parliament or doling out peerages to donors or tearing up the rules to protect Owen Paterson.

“The real abuse of power would be suspending an inquiry to protect your mate.”

Bryant refused himself from chairing the inquiry after publicly criticising Johnson.

The probe is being led by a cross-party committee with a Conservative majority that chose veteran Labour MP Harriet Harman to lead it.

Dorries and Lord Goldsmith shared a Mail on Sunday article that claimed the committee’s original investigation was to establish whether Johnson had intended to mislead MPs, but that it was broadened to find out whether he did so intentionally or unintentionally, after he said he had inadvertently done so.

However, a spokesman for the Privileges Committee said: “There has been no change to the rules or to terms of reference. The initial report published by the committee is about process.

“The background paper on contempt was prepared by a senior clerk of the House of Commons. All clerks are strictly politically impartial.

“The report also publishes the advice from distinguished former Court of Appeal judge Sir Ernest Ryder. The committee has published this material as part of its commitment to transparency.”

They added that the inquiry will set out to answer whether the House was misled; if so, whether that was a contempt; and if so, how serious that contempt was.

The issue of whether MPs were deliberately misled could arise under the latter two steps of the investigation.

The Covid law-breaking parties in Downing Street were among the scandals that forced Johnson’s resignation as the Conservative Party leader, and his successor will become the next Prime Minister in September.

But the committee’s investigation threatens to further tarnish his legacy and could impact his future as the MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

If he is found to have lied to Parliament, Johnson could face a suspension from the Commons for 10 or more sitting days and a recall petition, which, if signed by 10 per cent of his constituents, would trigger a by-election.

The MPs on the committee intend to call Johnson to give oral evidence in public in the autumn, under oath.

The Prime Minister has also been ordered to hand over a cache of documents to them.

ALSO READ-Truss ready to speed up tax cut plan

Categories
India News Politics

LS Speaker withdraws suspension of 4 MPs

The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Indian Antarctic Bill 2022 amid sloganeering by the opposition MPs which forced the adjournment of the House…reports Asian Lite News

The Lok Sabha Speaker withdrew the suspension of four Congress MPs on Monday after the Opposition assured that they will not bring placards into the House.

Speaker Om Birla gave the ruling and asked the members to respect the sanctity of the House. The proposal for the withdrawal of the suspensions was moved by parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi.

The four Congress MPs — Manickam Tagore, Ramya Haridas, Jothimani and T.N. Prathapan — were suspended last Monday for the entire Monsoon Session ending August 12 for holding protests with placards inside the House. Speaker Om Birla had earlier warned them to behave and not to wave the placards inside the House if they wanted to protest.

As the proceedings began in the Lok Sabha last Monday after the swearing-in ceremony of President Droupadi Murmu, the opposition members started sloganeering on the issue of price rise and hiked GST rates. Some MPs were seen holding placards and banners and some Opposition MPs reached the well of the House.

Antarctic Bill passed in RS before adjournment

The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Indian Antarctic Bill 2022 amid sloganeering by the opposition MPs which forced the adjournment of the House.

The Lok Sabha had given its approval to the bill on July 22.

The Indian Antarctic Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh. The bill was passed with a voice vote after a brief discussion amid protests by the opposition members.

The bill seeks to protect the environment of the Antarctic along with dependent and associated ecosystems and to give effect to the Antarctic Treaty. India has two active research stations in the Antarctic — Maitri and Bharti.

The bill proposes to prohibit Indian expedition to Antarctica without a permit or written authorisation of another party to the Antarctic Treaty. It also provides for inspection by an officer appointed by the government and for a penalty for contravention of certain provisions of the legislation.

The Upper House also listed the widely-demanded price rise issue for discussion on Tuesday. Both the Houses witnessed repeated adjournments on Monday amid protests by the opposition members.

Trinamool MP bites raw brinjal in Lok Sabha

Trinamool Congress member Lok Sabha Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, participating in a debate in the house on Monday. pulled out a raw brinjal and bit it to show the plight of common people due to hike in the prices of LPG (cooking gas) cylinders.

“Do they want us to eat raw vegetables,” she said, targetting the government in a debate on price rise initiated by Congress member Manish Tewari.

Dastidar said that the cost of LPG has risen from Rs 600 to Rs 1,100 per cylinder which has disturbed the budget of a household.

Beginning the debate, Tewari had said that during the past 14 months, the inflation rate has been in double digits, making it the highest in 30 years.

He also noted that GST has been increased on daily items like rice, curd, paneer and unfortunately, even the children have not been spared as stationary prices have also gone up. Speaking in Hindi, he concluded the debate with a Punjabi couplet saying that since demonetisation, the country’s economy is on a downward trajectory.

Defending the government, BJP’s Nishikant Dubey said in the neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bhutan, the inflation is rising and so is unemployment, but “despite such a bad situation in India, the poor are still getting two-time meal for free…”

ALSO READ-LS Speaker invites Pakistan Senate Chairman

Categories
India News Politics

57 Cong MPs detained, party leaders roughed up

Hooda said that the Congress was also informed that only office functionaries and staff would be permitted into the office after due authentication by AICC volunteers…reports Asian Lite News

A total of 259 Congress party workers, including 57 MPs including former chief Rahul Gandhi, were detained on Tuesday as they staged a protest here against the Centre’s “vendetta politics” and avoiding important issues like price rise in the Parliament.

Special Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, Dr. Sagar Preet Hooda said inputs from various sources indicated that senior Congress functionaries may hold gatherings and demonstrations at the party headquarters on Akbar Road to show their solidarity with party’s interim President Sonia Gandhi who was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for a second round of questioning.

“Owing to the law and order situation and sensitivity of the matter, a letter was again sent to the Organiser, AICC to inform that large gathering at around Akbar Road, New Delhi cannot be permitted as prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC are in force in New Delhi District,” he said.

Hooda said that the Congress was also informed that only office functionaries and staff would be permitted into the office after due authentication by AICC volunteers.

“At about 11 a.m., a large number of the AICC workers started gathering at various locations i.e. Akbar Road, Man Singh Road, Vijay Chowk, Janpath, etc. and started protesting,” he said.

Around the same time, Congress lawmakers carried out a protest march from the Parliament house to Rashtrapati Bhavan in the wake of the questioning of Sonia Gandhi by the Enforcement Directorate and no discussion of important issues like price rise in Parliament.

However, as the parliamentarians moved forward to give a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, the Delhi Police stopped them midway near Vijay Chowk. Subsequently, Congress parliamentarians, including Rahul Gandhi, sat in protest in front of the Vijay Chowk.

The protesting Congress leaders, holding placards, raised slogans against the ED and the Central government. There was a heavy security force deployment, including paramilitary, to prevent any untoward situation.

Initially, the police began detaining other leaders, including women MPs, and at last Deepender Singh Hooda and Rahul Gandhi were left at the spot. The woman Congress MPs could be seen being dragged by the police personnel and bundled in a bus.

“What is the problem? We want to go there to meet the President and handover the memorandum. Why are we not allowed?” Rahul Gandhi could be heard telling a Delhi Police official.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, who was among other protesting leaders, said that they wished to meet President Murmu and apprise her of many issues including the misuse of probe agencies especially to target the Opposition members. Congress leader K.C. Venugopal said the government is not allowing any discussion on price rise and the issue of vendetta politics of the Enforcement Directorate.

Special CP Hooda said that the protestors were appropriately warned about the prohibitory orders in force in the area and repeatedly requested to disperse from there but they continued the protest, thereby violating prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC. After detaining every protesting leader from near the Vijay Chowk, Rahul Gandhi was then detained and taken from there in a bus along with other MPs to new police lines, Kingsway Police camp.

All the party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, were released from detention around 7 p.m.

“The protestors were detained under section 65 of the Delhi Police Act in order to maintain law and order in the area. Some protestors were also detained from Akbar Road and other places. All in all 259 persons including 57 Hon’ble MPs were detained,” the senior Delhi Police official said.

Meanwhile, Indian Youth Congress President B.V. Srinivas was allegedly manhandled and roughed up by the police personnel while he was being detained from outside the party’s headquarters at the 24, Akbar Road.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, Amrutha Guguloth said they were trying to identify the police staff who allegedly manhandled Srinivas. “Disciplinary action would be initiated against the staff after identifying,” the DCP assured.

In a video of Srinivas which is going viral on social media, a police personnel could be seen snatching the Congress leader’s hair as a dozen policemen tried to bundle him inside their vehicle. In the same video, Srinivas too could be seen struggling to get out of their grip and talk to the media persons.

ALSO READ-Rahul Gandhi detained by Delhi Police