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Opposition tears into BJP’s ‘corrupt’ electoral bonds

New Delhi, Feb 15 (ANI): A five-judge Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice DY Chandrachud, Justices Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra pronounce the judgement on the petitions challenging the Electoral Bonds Scheme, in New Delhi on Thursday. Supreme Court strikes down Electoral Bonds scheme. Supreme Court says Electoral Bonds scheme has to be struck down as unconstitutional. (ANI Photo)

SC’s decision to strike down the scheme as unconstitutional has given the beleaguered opposition the much-needed political talking point in the run-up to polls…reports Asian Lite News

The Supreme Court decision striking down the contentious electoral bond scheme of the government as unconstitutional has given the beleaguered opposition INDIA bloc an unexpected and much-needed political talking point, and an opportunity to aggressively add corruption to its armoury in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.

The Supreme Court order has asked the State Bank of India (SBI), the only one authorised to issue electoral bonds, to submit the details of bonds purchased since April 12, 2019, to the Election Commission within three weeks. The poll watchdog has to make public the information by March 13, which is when the campaign for the Lok Sabha elections would be gathering pace.

The timing, therefore, is crucial for the Opposition parties, which hope to frame the issue as one of corruption – on which they find themselves at the receiving end, even while struggling to pin their Adani-Ambani charge on the BJP.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has been leading the party charge against the BJP on corruption, said after the Supreme Court verdict that the electoral bond scheme was another proof of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “corrupt policies”. The BJP “had made electoral bonds a medium for taking bribes and commission”, he said.

“The bond is the biggest scandal since Independence. Rs 5,000 crore se adhik ke bond… Kinse kya saude kiye gaye, unke badle main kya bond liye gaye hai (What deals were made with whom, what were the benefits sought in return), what concessions were given to Indian and foreign companies… nobody knows… Such a big scam has happened, and 95% of the bonds have gone to the BJP, helping them across the country. They are fighting elections, spending, indulging in horse-trading, they are doing everything… setting up offices in every district. They blocked funding to other parties… how will democracy survive?” former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said.

The Congress held a press conference on the issue, with spokesperson Pawan Khera asking: “Now that the massive corrupt mechanism by the Modi government has been exposed by the Supreme Court itself, will the government send the ED to probe the electoral bond scam?”

Arguing that the electoral bonds scheme violated “every principle of equality, fairness, reasonableness and democracy”, former finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said: “The fact that the BJP cornered nearly 90% of the donations by corporates and high net worth individuals will be exposed now. Let the world know who gave money, when the money was given, and to which party it was given. The people will ask why the money was given to a political party.”

Other Opposition parties were as upbeat about the order, but focused more on transparency and restoration of a level-playing field. “The Supreme Court has rightly held that electoral bonds are unconstitutional. This will ensure a transparent electoral process and the integrity of the system. This judgment has restored democracy and the level playing field for all political parties. It has also ensured the common man’s faith in the system,” DMK chief and Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin said.

The Aam Aadmi Party said the decision was an important step in ensuring transparency in election funding.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav posted on X that the verdict “is a welcome decision for the revival of democracy”. “This is an expose of the illegitimate policies of BJP. This decision is also a revelation of the BJP-corruption bond.”

The TDP, which is in talks with the BJP for an alliance in Andhra Pradesh, also welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision as “historic”, using it to ask the ruling YSRCP in the state to reveal details of the funds received by it through the scheme. TDP spokesperson Deepak Reddy said party chief N Chandrababu Naidu has been a vocal advocate of transparency and accountability in politics.

The CPI(M), which was one of the petitioners in the case, said it had always argued that the scheme legalizes corruption. “By this verdict, this unscrupulous scheme designed to finance the ruling party via anonymous corporate donors has been completely scrapped… It is essential now that reforms for political and electoral funding are introduced, to ensure transparency, clean funding and a level playing field,” the party said.

ALSO READ-BJP renominates only 4 of 28 outgoing RS MPs

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Canadian Opposition backs Indian students facing deportation

Canada

A section of Indian students in Canada have been threatened with deportation for allegedly submitting fraudulent admission letters…reports Asian Lite News

Canadian Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has come out in support of Indian students facing deportation from Canada and put the blame on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for it.

Urging the government to stop the deportations, he urged the government to “prosecute fraudsters” and “let honest students stay and work and contribute to Canada.”

“The Trudeau government failed to protect international students from crooked scam artists. Now, Trudeau is punishing the victims by deporting the students–even those that acted in good faith & have been working & paying taxes here for years. Prosecute fraudsters. Stop the deportations. Let honest students stay, work & contribute to Canada,” Poilievre, the leader of the official Opposition in Canada wrote on Twitter.

Poilievre also posted pictures from his meeting with families of students facing deportation.

A section of Indian students in Canada have been threatened with deportation for allegedly submitting fraudulent admission letters and the actual number is much less than the 700 being reported in the media.

India has been raising the issue concerning Indian students facing deportation in Canada with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also taking up the matter with his Canadian counterpart, sources said and noted that Canadian authorities have been repeatedly urged to be fair since the students were not fault.

Jaishankar on June 8 while addressing a press conference in New Delhi had said that India will continue to press the case of Indian students stating that is unfair to punish a student who undertook their education in good faith and action should be taken against the culpable parties who misled them.

“For some time now, there is this case of students, who the Canadians say, did not study in the college in which they should have and when they applied for a work permit, they got into difficulties. From the very start, we have taken up this case and our point is, the students studied in good faith. If there were people who misled them, the culpable parties should be acted against. It is unfair to punish a student who undertook their education in good faith,” Jaishankar told reporters.

According to sources, some Indian students in Canada have been threatened with deportation for allegedly submitting fraudulent admission letters and while according to some media reports some 700 students are protesting their deportation, the actual number is much less than that being reported.

Most of these students had gone to Canada during 2017-2019. After completing their studies, some of them obtained work permits, while others continue to study in Canada.

Sources said it was also pointed out that there were gaps in the Canadian system and a lack of diligence, owing to which the students were granted visas and also allowed to enter Canada.

Since then, Canadian parliamentarians across political parties have spoken in support of the students, sources added.

Immigration Minister Sean Frasier has indicated that Canada is actively pursuing a solution for international students who are facing uncertainty. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the need for fair treatment of students.

Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal also on Friday wrote letters to the Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma and Canada High Commissioner to India Cameron Mackay to solve the issue of 700 students who are facing deportation from Canada.

Canadian parliamentarians from different political parties also spoke in support of the students, and immigration minister Sean Frasier indicated Canada is pursuing a solution for international students who are facing uncertainty. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau too acknowledged the need for fair treatment of the students.

Addressing a media briefing last week, Jaishankar said the matter involved students who the “Canadians say did not study in the college which they should have studied” and then faced difficulties when they applied for work permits.

“Our point is that, look, the students studied in good faith. If there were people who misled them, the people who misled them, the culpable parties should be acted against. It is unfair to punish a student who undertook their education in good faith,” he said.

“If a student has done no wrong, they accept the idea that they have to find some solution for it. So, we will continue to press [this issue], and I would very much hope that the Canadian system is fair in that regard.” (ANI)

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India News Politics

27 opposition leaders attend ceremony

The Congress said that 27 leaders from 17 opposition parties attended the swearing-in ceremony on Saturday. The event was also attended by Janata Dal-United leader Lalan Singh…reports Asian Lite News

At least 27 leaders from 17 opposition parties on Saturday attended new Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s swearing-in ceremony in Bengaluru, which included some top names like Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar among others.

On Saturday, besides Siddaramaiah, Karnataka Congress chief D.K. Shivakumar took oath as the only Deputy Chief Minister of the southern state along with eight cabinet ministers.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chief Rahul Gandhi along with his sister and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also attended the programme. Kharge had invited 19 like-minded opposition parties for the swearing-in ceremony in Bengaluru.

The Congress said that 27 leaders from 17 opposition parties attended the swearing-in ceremony on Saturday. The event was also attended by Janata Dal-United leader Lalan Singh.

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav was also in attendance at the oath ceremony. Besides Pawar, three leaders from the Nationalist Congress Party were also present.

The programme was also attended by Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) faction leaders Priyanka Chaturvedi and Anil Desai, while Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary also present.

From Jammu and Lashmir, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti along with National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah with two of his party leaders attended the programme in Bengaluru. Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren, who is also an alliance partner with the Congress in the mineral-rich state, was in attendance.

Veteran CPI leader. D Raja, CPI (ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya, and CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury also attended the programme. Southern superstar Kamal Hasan, who had earlier joined Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Delhi last year, attended the swearing-in ceremony here.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee sent her party leader Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar for the path ceremony. IUML’s Abdul Samad Samdani, RSP’s NK Premchandran, VCK’s Thol Thirumalavan also attended the programme.

ALSO READ-People of Karnataka defeated money, power of BJP: Rahul

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India set to turn the tables on Oppn over price rise, inflation

Despite all the difficulties and global problems, the rate of inflation in India is around 7 per cent which is very low as compared to the global situation…reports Asian Lite News

The opposition parties keep targeting the BJP government at the Centre for rising inflation in the country. Since July 18, when the Monsoon session of Parliament opened, the opposition has been incessantly creating a ruckus in both the houses of the Parliament demanding a discussion on the issue of GST on food items and inflation.

Leaving aside the proceedings of July 28 and 29 (when there was an uproar in both houses over the statement of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury), for eight consecutive days, there was a commotion in the Parliament over inflation and GST.

The opposition parties may feel that they can expose the government by discussing inflation and GST imposed on food items, but instead of being defensive about the matter, the government is batting it aggressively. While the leaders of opposition parties are preparing to grill the government with their list of questions, BJP and and its ministers have geared up for the duel.

A senior minister said that the opposition is extracting political mileage from the issues of inflation and GST. The opposition ministers of their respective state governments supported the proposal for GST in the GST Council meeting but outside, these political parties pretend to oppose. He said that if the issue is raised in the House, then the opposition will be exposed.

The BJP has a long list of questions ready for discussion in the Parliament. The government will put forth the questions to the parties that are creating an uproar – primarily Congress, TMC, TRS, DMK, AAP and Left – about what their state governments have done so far to bring relief to people in the face of inflation. Why did their state governments not reduce VAT on petrol and diesel as on the lines of NDA governments? Regarding the political ruckus over GST imposed on food items, the government is ready to question the opposition about how the ministers of the state governments of Congress, TMC, TRS, DMK, AAP and Left allowed the GST Council to pass this resolution unanimously.

“After all, what kind of politics is this that the same resolution which the ministers unanimously passed in the GST Council meeting are now opposing it vehemently and not allowing the proceedings of the house to continue,” the source said.

It is learnt that citing the rate of inflation during UPA regiem, the government will also stand by the fact that despite the global crisis, due to the efforts of the Modi government, the inflation rate in India has remained between 4-6 per cent on an average. In contrast, the rate of inflation has increased from one-and-a-half per cent to 11 per cent in America and European countries. Despite all the difficulties and global problems, the rate of inflation in India is around 7 per cent which is very low as compared to the global situation.

After two weeks of uproar in the Parliament, on Monday, the issue of inflation would be discussed in Lok Sabha under Rule-193. Notice has been given by Congress MP Manish Tewari and Shiv Sena MP Vinayak Raut to discuss the issue of inflation under Rule 193, which has been accepted.

The opposition parties may want to corner the government on the pretext of this discussion, but the source is confident that BJP, which specialises in surprising the opposition parties, is now working on a strategy to expose the opposition by raising counter-questions on the same issue.

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India News

Presidential poll unites most of opposition

Sinha, who has been critical of the Modi government, says that he will not be a mere rubber stamp President but will work to protect the Constitution…reports Asian Lite News

The candidature of Yashwant Sinha for the Presidential poll has more or less united the opposition but the balance is tilting towards NDA candidate Draupadi Murmu after the recent political developments in Maharashtra.

The strategy of the Sinha camp is to focus on personality rather than electoral arithmetic so he is invoking his long experience as an asset against the NDA nominee. Both have launched their campaign and are touring the states.

Sinha said, “This will be my last electoral battle. I fought many electoral battles in my life and this is my last battle and I am very happy that I am signing off my electoral career by competing for the topmost constitutional post in the country.”

Sinha was in Telangana on Saturday where the TRS has offered its support to him. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has invoked the personality factor and said, “We are lucky to have selected a good leader for the Presidential election. I appeal to all Parliamentarians to compare both the candidates and select Sinhaji as we need to bring in a change in Indian politics.”

Sinha, who has been critical of the Modi government, says that he will not be a mere rubber stamp President but will work to protect the Constitution.

But as of now the ruling party is comfortably placed with the Shiv Sena breakaway faction and support of the BJD and the YSRCP.

The NDA Presidential poll nominee Draupadi Murmu is on the campaign trail too and is reaching out to parties headed by OBC leaders or tribals other than the NDA.

All allies of the NDA, including JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar are unitedly supporting the BJP choice.

Besides, leaders of two other political parties, the Biju Janata Dal and the YSRCP, (the ruling parties in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh respectively) signed on the nomination papers of Draupadi Murmu, further cementing her chance to win.

BSP chief Mayawati has extended her support to Murmu, saying tribals form an integral part of the party’s movement.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, which is in power in Jharkhand in alliance with the Congress, is also under pressure to support the NDA presidential candidate as Murmu had been the governor of the state.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is said to be having second thoughts as she said that she could have considered supporting NDA’s Presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu had the BJP informed her about its choice in advance.

“Draupadi Murmu has a better chance of winning. Had the BJP informed me in advance that it will field a tribal woman as its Presidential candidate, I could have thought otherwise and made attempts accordingly. For the larger national interest, the opposition parties could have discussed the issue then.”

Murmu is likely to get more support from the opposition ranks keeping in view the changing political scenario and the upcoming assembly elections in the country. Some parties may be forced to support her due to political compulsions.

ALSO READ-India, EU conclude 1st round of negotiations for FTA

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India News Politics

PM tears into Opposition

The Prime Minister also drew attention towards “those people who bring religion, region and caste just when any action is taken against the corrupt, when the judiciary gives out a decision.”…reports Asian Lite News

Hours after the results for the Assembly elections announced on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged concerns over dynastic politics and also slammed those who raise questions on India’s abilities and those who bring in religion and caste in every issue.

The Prime Minister, while addressing the party cadre at the BJP headquarters here, came down heavily on people, who try to stop action against the corrupt.

“There has been a conspiracy to stop action against corruption. Some people have the uncanny tendency of filing up their own treasure/chests. People of India are expecting from us (BJP) that our honest government will punish the corrupt. Should we not rise up to this expectation of the common people,” Prime Minister Modi asked to a loud cheering party workers, who were assembled to celebrate the party’s victory in four out of five Assembly elections.

“If we take any actions against the corrupt, these people, their ecosystem raise doubts about the institutions that are investigating cases of corruption and find out ways and means to demean the institutions for investigations. They even raise questions on the judicial institutions,” he added.

The Prime Minister also drew attention towards “those people who bring religion, region and caste just when any action is taken against the corrupt, when the judiciary gives out a decision.”

“I want to appeal the honest people to think if such corrupt people, such mafia can be and should be outcasted from their society, their caste and thus, strengthen the society as a whole,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi asserted that “one of the reasons of BJP’s massive win in Uttar Pradesh was a result of the development politics that has ensured corruption free reign.”

Earlier, the Prime Minister said, at a time when the common man is engaged in constructive work, “there are some who are busy downgrading that positive work.”

Without naming anyone, he said, “These people raised questions on our vaccination programme, largest in the world. Similarly, when there were hundreds of citizens stuck in Ukraine with their families anxiously waiting for their return, these very people tried to pin down the ‘Operation Ganga’ by colouring it with regionalism.”

In an opaque reference to Congress’ leadership of Gandhi family, Prime Minister Modi reminded the party workers that he has often cautioned people about dynastic politics (parivarvaad). “I told the people how I am not against a particular family but it is the dynastic politics that have hindered the progress of our nation and people have reciprocated positively on the issue.”

“People of India will ensure the end of dynastic politics one day. And the results today are an indication towards the same,” he asserted.

‘Modi has altered culture of elections’

Addressing the boisterous party worker after landslide victory in four of the five Assembly elections, BJP National President J.P. Nadda on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has altered the culture of elections in India.

“PM Modi has changed the culture of politics. For decades, the politics was dominated by dynasts, by regionalism, sanskritikvaad (cultural dominance) etc., but today, it is the politics of development, of empowerment, empowerment of youth, women and farmers,” Nadda said while addressing the party workers.

Referring to the coalition of parties against the BJP, Nadda said, “I have always maintained that the voter knows how to safeguard his interest even if different leaders or parties join hands. Elections are not mathematics or arithmetic but it is chemistry.”

“And when I say chemistry, we should all remember that the poor people of India, those who have been exploited over the years, our mothers, our sisters, our youth, and our farmers. They all have a bond with Narendra Modi, just as a chemical bond. It is Modi’s chemistry that prompted him to empower the poor masses and benefit the masses with his chemistry of development.”

He went on to list the multiple schemes that the Centre is running for “empowering the common masses” that then have resulted in votes at the time of elections.

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India News

Oppn united in support to govt’s rescue ops

Delay in launch of evacuation, growing Russia-China camaraderie come up for discussion at Parliamentary panel meeting, reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday said that all members of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) gave a strong and unanimous support to the government for its efforts to bring back all Indians from Ukraine.

Soon after the completion of the meeting, he said, “Just completed an MEA consultative committee meeting on developments in Ukraine. A good discussion on the strategic and humanitarian aspects of the issue. The strong and unanimous message of support for efforts to bring back all Indians from Ukraine.”

According to sources, the members of the Parliamentary Committee was briefed by Jaishankar and the Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on all steps taken by the government to bring back the stranded Indians from war-torn Ukraine.

The Minister also informed the members that around 17,000 Indian nationals have left Ukraine since the initial advisories were issued. This includes some Indians who had not registered with the Embassy of India in Kiev previously and the flights under Operation Ganga have been increased.

He also informed that during the last 24 hours, six flights under ‘Operation Ganga’ have landed in India, taking the total number of flights to 15. Out of these, eight flights were from Bucharest, five from Budapest and two from Rzeszow in Poland.

Foreign Secretary Shringla briefed the members that the transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force have joined Operation Ganga, and till morning all four aircraft returned from Budapest, Rzeszow and Bucharest to Delhi, carrying around 800 Indian nationals mostly students. The IAF aircraft will ferry more Indians in the next 24 hours, he added.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and MP Shashi Tharoor also participated in the meeting. They supported the government’s efforts in evacuating Indians from the war-torn country.

Taking to Twitter, Tharoor said, “Nine MPs attended from six political parties. @INCIndia MPs present were @RahulGandhi, @AnandSharmaINC & myself. Frank discussions took place in an amicable atmosphere, a reminder that when it comes to national interests we are all Indians first and foremost.”

Since the meeting is confidential, he further said, “However we urged MEA to issue a more detailed statement than usual. The meeting took place in a constructive spirit & all parties are united in their desire to see our nationals return safely home.”

Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Charturvedi, after attending the meeting said, “Attended the Consultative Committee meeting chaired by Hon Minister, @DrSJaishankarji. FS @HarshShringla ji briefed us about the situation in Ukraine & the evacuation efforts made by GoI. Thank them for the briefing & all stand united in the efforts to bring our students back home.”

Congress MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, who attended the meeting said that the government did not take effective steps on time regarding students stranded in Ukraine and that India should have acted more quickly to evacuate the stranded people. ‘‘Initially, advisories were not clear but confusing, and students decided to stay back. Government should have used India’s goodwill to mediate between Russia and Ukraine so that the violence would have stopped,’’ sources said, quoting the MPs.

In a war, Rahul said, the country cannot adopt the partisan approach and should remain neutral to ensure safe passage. He also expressed concern over the growing China-Russia proximity and the geopolitical effect on the LAC.

Some of the MPs talked about the lower number of flights available in Ukraine at the beginning, which, they said, lead to an increase in fares.

ALSO READ-BSP faces threat from party rebels

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India News Politics

‘Opposition unity’ on menu at Thackeray’s Sunday lunch with KCR

Former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda has also expressed support to KCR on his anti-communal agenda and the duo are slated to have a meeting shortly…reports Asian Lite News

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray invited his Telangana counterpart K. Chandrashekar Rao for lunch on Sunday with a power menu comprising national affairs and opposition unity, officials said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Thackeray called up KCR, as Rao is popularly known, and lauded his efforts to rally the country’s regional and Opposition parties and forge a united challenge to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre.

Thackeray is understood to have conveyed to KCR the need to “save the country” from BJP’s divisive political agenda for which the Shiv Sena would extend full support.

KCR is expected to fly down from Hyderabad on Sunday morning and drop in at the CM’s official residence ‘Varsha’ at Malabar Hill for the ‘lunch pe charcha’, an official indicated.

However, ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) other constituents – the Nationalist Congress Party and Congress – told IANS that “as of now, no meetings are scheduled between their leaders and KCR”.

Key states like Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu or even Delhi – where the BJP has lost elections since the 2019 Lok Sabha polls – are considered critical in its ambitions to ensure maximum leverage for the 2024 Lok Sabha or even the future Rajya Sabha polls.

Since the past few weeks, the Telangana CM has been zipping around the country, meeting top leaders of various national and regional Opposition parties to rally them for a united front against the BJP before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Among the leaders he has already met are Tejaswi Yadav, his Tamil Nadu counterpart M.K. Stalin, and is likely to meet Thackeray and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee – who incidentally had come to meet Thackeray and Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar in December.

Former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda has also expressed support to KCR on his anti-communal agenda and the duo are slated to have a meeting shortly.

Most states ruled by Opposition or regional parties have been strongly protesting at the BJP’s continuing “destabilising” efforts or “toppling attempts”.

They have also been accusing the BJP of misusing power and government machinery by letting loose various Central investigating agencies against their top leaders and even family members to make them “bend” or “break”.

Among the parties that are considered the prime targets include Shiv Sena, the NCP, the Trinamool Congress, and certain other parties, too.

A MVA leader said that similar issues had come up during Banerjee’s confabulations with Thackeray and Sharad Pawar last December, and the upcoming discussions with KCR are likely to move these even further.

On Tuesday, Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut launched a scathing attack on the state BJP functionaries, Enforcement Directorate and other central agencies, on how they have been harassing people on flimsy reasons to target the top leaders.

He also charged the Central agencies of going all out against the Opposition leaders, but not displaying the same vigour when BJP leaders are accused of graft charges despite providing evidence repeatedly.

A senior state Congress leader said while the Opposition unity plans are necessary to dare the BJP’s communal and disruptive politics, “no such exercise can be complete or practical without Congress” – a sentiment voiced even by Pawar several times in the past.

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Africa News News World

AU Chief commends release of opposition political figures in Ethiopia

AU Chief commends release of opposition political figures in Ethiopia

Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat has commended the release of senior opposition political figures detained in Ethiopia…reports Asian Lite News

“The Chairperson welcomes this important gesture of appeasement of the political situation in Ethiopia,” an AU statement read.

The statement came a day after the Ethiopian government on Friday released high-level and senior opposition party members who were in prison over the past years, reports Xinhua news agency.

Among those released include Sibhat Nega, former senior leader of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a rebel group currently engaged in a deadly conflict with the Ethiopian government.

Nega was detained during the early days of the ongoing conflict that started in November 2020.

According to the chairperson of the pan African bloc, the move will trigger a political process, paving the way for the implementation of a genuinely inclusive national dialogue process for the peaceful and consensual solution to the political and institutional problems facing the federation.

Mahamat further encouraged all the actors to engage in it with courage and determination while assuring them, to this end, of the resolute support of the African Union.

ALSO READ: Ethiopian army told to keep stronghold without proceeding further

Among the released also include Jawar Mohamed, Eskinder Nega and Bekele Gerba — influential opposition political figures in Ethiopia.

Upon announcing the decision, the Ethiopian government said “the key to lasting unity is dialogue. Ethiopia will make any sacrifices to this end”.

It said Ethiopia’s problems need to be addressed in a comprehensive dialogical approach.

“The government took the initiative to pardon some prisoners for the betterment of the political situation,” the statement from the Ethiopian Government Communications Service read.

It said that a National Dialogue Commission has been set up to deal with contemporary political issues in the country and unresolved discourses in the East African country.

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As snoopgate snowballs, Govt faces Opposition fire

New data reveals that SC staffer who acusses former CJI Gogoi of sexual harassment and ex-EC Ashok Lavasa were in the snooping list, reports Asian Lite News

A political row erupted over the Pegasus spyware case with Amit Shah responding to Congress demands that he steps down as Union home minister by stating that reports of alleged surveillance were part of a choreographed attempt to defame India.

“People have often associated this phrase with me in a lighter vein but today I want to seriously say – the timing of the selective leaks, the disruptions… Understand the chronology. This is a report by the disrupters for the obstructers,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Pegasus Project, a special investigation coordinated by Forbidden Stories and 16 international media partners with the assistance of Amnesty International’s technical team revealed that three phone numbers belonging to the Supreme Court staffer, who had accused former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi of sexual harassment, were selected as potential targets for surveillance.

The leaked records show that eight other phone numbers belonging to her husband and two of his brothers were also marked as possible candidates for surveillance in the same week, when her allegations against the CJI were first reported.

All told, a total of 11 numbers associated with the complainant and her family were selected, making them among the largest cluster of associated phone numbers.

Another big name that has tumbled out is that of former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, who was snooped. Lavasa was the only member of the 3-person Election Commission to rule that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had violated the Model Code of Conduct while campaigning for the 2019 general election.

Election Commissioners are constitutional functionaries, whose independence from government is guaranteed by statute and is considered crucial for the free and fair conduct of elections in India.

The records show that Lavasa was selected for potential surveillance weeks after he had dissented not once but in five different matters of alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct by then BJP President Amit Shah and Prime Minister Modi. Of the five matters, four related to complaints of alleged violations by Modi.

Congress plans protests

After it emerged that former party President Rahul Gandhi, among others, was one of the potential targets of snooping, the Congress has planned nationwide agitation and has decided to raise the issue in Parliament.

At least two mobile phone accounts used by Rahul Gandhi were among the 300 verified Indian numbers listed as potential targets by an official Indian client of the Israeli surveillance technology vendor, NSO Group.

The Congress has asked its state units to march towards Raj Bhavan to lodge the protest and it will also hold press conference in each state capital.

In Parliament, the party has moved suspension notice in the Rajya Sabha by K.C. Venugopal and adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha.

The Congress said that it’s “shocking and sensational” that news reports disclosing illegal and unconstitutional hacking of cellphones of Constitutional functionaries, Union Cabinet ministers, present and former heads of security forces, senior leaders of the opposition, journalists, lawyers and activists reflect treasonous and inexcusable dismantling of national security by the BJP government.

Issue to dominate Monsoon session

As the issue of snooping is getting murkier, the proceedings in Parliament are likely to be disrupted. Aam Aadmi Party member Sanjay Singh has given a Zero Hour notice in the Rajya Sabha while the opposition is meeting for joint strategy on the issue.

The opposition will also decide whether to attend the meeting of floor leaders called by the government.

The Congress has moved suspension notice under rule 267.

The IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will make a statement regarding compromise of phone data of some persons as reported in the media.

In the legislative business, The Marine Aids to Navigation Bill, 2021 is there for consideration and passing. The bill provides for the development, maintenance and management of aids to navigation in India; for training and certification of operator of aids to navigation, development of its historical, educational and cultural value; to ensure compliance with the obligation under the maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, as passed by Lok Sabha, be taken into consideration, said the Rajya Sabha Bulletin.

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