Leh: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi interacts with people during his vist to Ladakh, on Monday, August 21, 2023. (Photo: IANS/Twitter/@INCIndia)
The Congress leader said, “As I continued on my ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, I thought to myself, what better way to visit Ladakh than on a motorcycle! And so began this epic journey.”…reports Asian Lite News
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday shared his recent visit to Ladakh through his ‘Motorcycle Diaries’, saying that it broke his heart to see a sense of betrayal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he lied about China not occupying the country’s land in Ladakh.
He said that Ladakh is one of India’s crown jewels and world’s most important strategic locations.
He added that he will do everything he can to amplify the democratic voice of Ladakh.
Sharing the video of his journey titled ‘Motorcycle Diaries: Listening to Ladakh’, on YouTube, Rahul Gandhi said: “My father once told me that Pangong Tso Lake is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. I’ve always yearned to go to Ladakh, to witness the majestic views, listen to the people, understand their problems, and share their happiness.”
The Congress leader said, “As I continued on my ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, I thought to myself, what better way to visit Ladakh than on a motorcycle! And so began this epic journey.”
“Flanked by my fellow bike riders, I experienced one of the most exhilarating journey of my life on my KTM390. The 1000+ km we rode were filled with pure adrenaline and camaraderie. I saw great potential in these youngsters, to think outside the box and not be afraid to push the boundaries.”
He recalled the experience of his visit to Ladakh and said, “Every village and town we passed by, from Leh to Kargil, we were embraced by the incredible Ladakhi people.”
“They are humble, empathetic, and resilient. Their wisdom about Ladakh is unmatched, and any plan for the future development of the region must be based on their inputs. Without hesitation I can say, the most beautiful part about Ladakh is its people.”
He also recalled his meeting with people and said: “It was inspiring to revel in the spirit of patriotism with our ex-servicemen, on-duty Army and police personnel, the BRO officers and workers whom I met during this journey. They are the brave sons of our Bharat Mata.”
“Ladakh is one of India’s crown jewels, and one of the world’s most important strategic locations. It broke my heart to see a sense of betrayal in the eyes of the people of Ladakh. They felt betrayed by the Prime Minister when he lied about China not occupying our land. They felt betrayed by the BJP government when it failed to fulfil any of the promises it made to them. A government must empower all its people, and Ladakh needs good governance.”
“I will do everything I can to amplify the democratic voice of Ladakh. Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” he added.
Rahul Gandhi visited Ladakh for more than eight days from August 17-25 and visited Leh, Pangong Tso Lake area, Kargil and many other parts of Ladakh.
Sharing the video, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh in a tweet said, “On January 24, during the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, Rahul Gandhi had met a delegation from Ladakh in Kotli Jhajjar and it included people, who wanted him to come to Ladakh. He fulfilled his promise last month. Taking forward the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, he went to Ladakh.”
In the video, Rahul Gandhi can be seen with a group of biking enthusiasts, who travelled with him to Pangong Tso Lake and other areas of Ladakh on motorcycles, passing through rough and rocky terrain. He is also seen interacting with various groups around Ladakh and getting to know their demands.
My father had once told me that Pangong Tso Lake was one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Since then, I have always yearned to go to Ladakh, and as I continued on my Bharat Jodo Yatra, I thought, what better way to visit Ladakh than on a motorcycle!
“I spoke with the people, mothers, sisters and youth, and tried to understand what is in your heart. One thing is clear the ideology of Gandhi and the Congress is in the blood and DNA of Ladakh. I would like to tell you that in the next Parliament session, I will raise your main issues,” he is heard saying to the people of Ladakh in the video.
Earlier, the Congress leader had surprised the people with his visits as on Augist 1, he visited Azadpur Mandi in Delhi, one of Asia’s biggest wholesale vegetable and fruit market.
In July, he had visited the farm fields in Haryana’s Sonipat and sowed the paddy saplings and even invited the women farmers at his residence over lunch.
He had taken a truck ride from Haryana’s Murthal to Ambala in May to understand the problems faced by the truck drivers. He had met the gig workers in Karnataka’s Bengaluru and also drove on scooty with a delivery partner.
He had visited the Delhi University’s PG Men’s hostel for lunch with students, also visited Mukherjee Nagar area of Delhi to interact with UPSC aspirants and also travelled to Jama Masjid and Bengali Market area in April this year.
N. Bhaskara Rao, a researcher specializing in public policy analysis, ₹ 10 lakh crore is the estimate for holding Lok Sabha, assembly and local body polls (panchayats, zila parishad, municipalities) together, news agency PTI reported…reports Asian Lite News
In the midst of a discussion about conducting elections simultaneously, a recent study published on Tuesday has estimated that the overall cost of elections, from Lok Sabha to local bodies, amounts to ₹10 lakh crore. This substantial expenditure could potentially be reduced by ₹3-5 lakh crore if the voting period were shortened to just one week and political parties rigorously adhered to the model code of conduct.
The study projects that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will incur an expenditure of approximately ₹1.20 lakh crore, with the Election Commission expected to cover only a meager “20 percent” of this sum. Notably, this estimation excludes expenses related to new electronic voting machines.
N. Bhaskara Rao, a researcher specializing in public policy analysis, ₹ 10 lakh crore is the estimate for holding Lok Sabha, assembly and local body polls (panchayats, zila parishad, municipalities) together, news agency PTI reported.
It’s essential to highlight that the entire election budget is not solely funded by the central and state governments; political parties also contribute significantly through candidate expenses and campaign costs. In fact, campaigning often commences well before the official election schedule is announced. However, parties are only legally obligated to disclose their election expenses to the Election Commission from the date of poll announcement until the completion of the election process.
While there are spending limits imposed on individual candidates during their campaigns, no such restrictions exist for political parties. For instance, during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, political parties collectively amassed ₹6,400 crore in funds but expended only ₹2,600 crore.
According to Rao’s calculations, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections could reach ₹1.20 lakh crore, and if all assembly elections were held simultaneously, the expenditure could rise to ₹3 lakh crore, taking into account nearly 4,500 assembly seats nationwide. Additionally, he estimated that conducting all municipal elections concurrently would cost around ₹1 lakh crore, involving nearly 500 municipal seats across the country. Similarly, for zila parishads (650 seats), mandals (7,000 seats), and village (gram) panchayats (250,000 seats), the estimated cost of elections stands at ₹4.30 lakh crore.
Rao emphasizes that simply holding simultaneous elections will not substantially reduce election expenses; instead, cost reduction hinges on the campaign practices of political parties, the efficiency of the Election Commission, and the strict adherence of parties to the model code of conduct. He believes that implementing a “one-week poll” and rationalizing the election schedule without multiple phases could be instrumental in reducing costs. This approach would primarily cut down expenses related to travel, printing, media campaigns, and booth-level logistics.
Nevertheless, Rao underscores that without addressing issues like “vote buying” or voter inducement, election expenditure is unlikely to see significant reductions. As a veteran in the field, Rao, who previously headed the Centre for Media Studies (CMS), has authored several books on elections and election spending.
This resounding victory serves as a morale boost for the Congress in Kerala. It also positions them favorably for upcoming elections, including the state assembly polls, where they aspire to regain power, a report by Aravind Rajeev
In a remarkable electoral triumph, Chandy Oommen, son of the late Congress leader and two-time Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, clinched victory in the recent by-election held in Kerala’s Puthuppally constituency. Surging ahead by an impressive margin of over 37,000 votes, he not only secured his own political standing but also set a new record, surpassing his father’s 2011 achievement.
In a keenly contested battle, Chandy Oommen faced formidable opponents, including CPI(M)’s Jaick C. Thomas in his third attempt at the constituency, as well as BJP’s Lijin Lal, among others. The by-election became necessary following the unfortunate passing of the Mr Chandy, who had represented the constituency for an astonishing 53 years, starting in 1970.
Chandy Oommen with KPCC President K. Sudhakaran and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, MP.
The victory not only upholds the Congress’s stronghold in Puthuppally, a traditional bastion for the party, but also underscores its enduring influence in the region, cementing its support base. For supporters of the Congress and the broader political landscape, Chandy Oommen’s win is seen as a continuation of his father’s legacy and holds great symbolic significance.
This resounding victory serves as a morale boost for the Congress in Kerala, rejuvenating the party and its cadre following a series of electoral setbacks. It positions them favorably for upcoming elections, including the state assembly polls, where they aspire to regain power.
However, this victory presents a challenge to the LDF in the days to come, as they were unable to garner the anticipated support in the constituency, despite an extensive campaign featuring top LDF leaders, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
File photo of former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy who passed away in July. (ANI Photo)
Looking ahead, with three more years until the next state elections, the impact of this victory on Kerala politics will be influenced by the evolving dynamics and developments within the state during this period.
Chandy Oommen’s Political Ascent
Chandy Oommen’s victory marks the beginning of his own promising political career, establishing him as a significant figure within the Congress. His performance and leadership in Puthuppally are poised to shape his role in state politics.
While Oommen Chandy’s legacy significantly contributed to the Congress’s triumph, his son is no newcomer to politics. With a legal background, Chandy Oommen has been actively involved with the party since his father’s tenure as the state’s chief minister from 2011 to 2016. He has diligently campaigned at the grassroots level in recent elections, including in Assembly and local polls.
Acknowledging the weight of filling his late father’s shoes, Chandy Oommen expressed, “I fully agree that it’s going to be a huge challenge against the backdrop of how my father nurtured it for the past 53 years. I assure you all that I will strive my best for the constituency.” He emphasized that his victory was a testament to the people’s rejection of baseless accusations against his father by political opponents during the election.
In the past year, Chandy Oommen demonstrated his commitment by joining Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. He walked barefoot for most of the journey, with only a brief absence when he accompanied his father for medical treatment in Germany.
Additionally, he has fostered strong ties with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key ally of the party in Kerala.
Majority of Americans are not none too happy with the fact that Trump has set an unhealthy unprecedented trend of having the high office of a president being mug shot and they are now taking the cases against him very seriously, with the DOJ ones topping the list of concerns, reports T.N. Ashok
Former US President Donald Trump is virtually painting the country red releasing his angry mug shot of surrender at Atlanta, in an effort to unleash a ‘Red Tsunami’ to build up his profile as a ‘martyr’.
According to analysts, Trump is unaware that his heroic theatrics is boomeranging on him as latest polls calls for “Lock Him UP” cries from the public.
Trump, as indefatigable and indomitable in spirits as he may be despite four indictments and 100 counts of felony by juries of various courts on cases ranging from tax fraud, to hush money to election meddling, has nevertheless earned the ignominy of being the first president in the US history to be fingerprinted and mugshot like any ordinary accused criminal.
The mug shot that has gone viral on the social media after Trump deliberately released has invoked a backlash as an new Politico/IPSO poll turns in bad news as the upcoming hurricane of indictments are going to take a heavy toll on his general election prospects, though he is still the frontrunner in the party for nomination in 2024.
Majority of Americans are not none too happy with the fact that he has set an unhealthy unprecedented trend of having the high office of a president being mug shot and they are now taking the cases against him very seriously, with the DOJ ones topping the list of concerns, media reports said.
Most people in the US are rather very skeptical of Trump’s claim to be the victim of a legally baseless witch hunt or an elaborate, multi-jurisdictional effort to “weaponize” law enforcement authorities against him.
Shockingly for Trump, public sentiment in certain areas of the country is moving at hyper speed on how quickly Trump should be brought to trial and if he should be incarcerated when convicted.
This is in sharp contrast to a previous poll by Politico magazine and IPSO polls in June conducted from August 18-21, roughly two-and-a-half weeks after Trump’s 2nd federal indictment and several days after he was criminally charged in Fulton County in Atlanta under the notorious RICO act. The numbers were much less then at that time.
After his 4th indictment, Trump proudly said at a dinner meeting with friends “I will never surrender”.
The poll covered 1,032 adults, age 18 or older, interviewed online; it has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points for all respondents.
Some of the findings will be shocking to Trump who is “delusional in the belief that posting his mug shot would garner sympathy and boost his poll prospects”, reports said.
Most Americans believe Trump should stand trial before the 2024 election
Coming Monday, Trump’s lawyers will face off against federal prosecutors before US District Judge Tanya Chutkan over when to schedule his trial in the Justice Department’s 2020 election case.
Described as a high-stakes dispute that could have dramatic implications for the 2024 election, Politico said, Federal prosecutors have proposed that the trial begin on January 2, 2024, even as Trump’s lawyers have countered that the trial should take place in April 2026.
About half of the country believes Trump is guilty in the pending prosecutions
Trump’s claims of a “witch hunt” also seem to be having little impact on the views of Americans across the vast spectrum of population. Because, half of the country — including a large percentage of Democrats and roughly half of independents –believe that Trump is guilty of the series of charges. Independents form the swing vote in American elections.
A conviction in DOJ’s 2020 election case would hurt Trump in the general election
Former U.S. President Donald Trump (C) raises his fist as he leaves Trump Tower for his arraignment at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, the United States.
The Politico IPSO poll clearly says that it would be unhelpful for Trump’s presidential bid if he is federally convicted of a criminal scheme to steal the 2020 election at the same time he asks America to re-elect him and put him in charge of the White House to clear up the so called mess created he claims that President Joe Biden has done messing up the economy.
Half of America believes Trump should go to prison if convicted in DOJ’s January 6 case
Overall, more people believe Trump is guilty of weaponing the legal system than Biden.
Fifty-three per cent of respondents — including 56 per cent of independents — said that the Trump administration actively used the Justice Department to investigate political enemies with little or no evidence of actual wrongdoing.
The comparable number for the Biden administration was 45 per cent across all respondents, including 43 per cent of independents, the poll indicated.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also extended his wishes on the 77th Independence Day to the people of the country and called Bharat Mata the voice of every Indian…reports Asian Lite News
India marks its 77th Independence Day on August 15, with political leaders from various parties extending their wishes to the nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his Independence Day greetings, paying homage to freedom fighters and reiterating his commitment to their vision.
“Best wishes on Independence Day. We pay homage to our great freedom fighters and reaffirm our commitment to fulfilling their vision. Jai Hind!” tweeted the prime minister on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Had heartwarming interaction with youngsters at the Red Fort. Their boundless enthusiasm is a reminder of the bright future that awaits India. pic.twitter.com/Amf4oFoPoR
Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended warm Independence Day wishes to the country while honouring India’s freedom struggle heroes.
Using his official handle on social media platform X, previously Twitter, the Union Minister posted in Hindi, “I wish a very happy Independence Day to all my fellow countrymen. I bow to all the freedom fighters who got us independence.”
He also urged people from all communities to contribute to the nation’s unity and prosperity during the ‘Amit Kaal’ (golden era).
“This day also reminds us of our duties towards building the golden India that our freedom fighters dreamed of. Let’s take a solemn pledge to give our best to contribute to the country’s unity and prosperity in this golden era (Amrit Kaal),” added the Union Home Minister in his tweet.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also extended his wishes on the 77th Independence Day to the people of the country and called Bharat Mata the voice of every Indian.
Sharing on social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, the Congress leader said, “Bharat Mata is the voice of every Indian! Happy Independence Day to all the countrymen.”
Rahul Gandhi also recounted his experience of the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra,’ stating he embarked on a 145-day walk from the sea’s edge to the soft snow of Kashmir.
“Last year I spent 145 days walking across the land I call home. I started at the edge of the sea and walked through heat, dust, and rain. Through forests, towns, and hills, until I reached the soft snow of my beloved Kashmir,” he expressed.
Extending 77th Independence Day wishes to all citizens, Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee tweeted, “The chapters of our history are written in courage and resilience. As we hoist the tricolour, let’s remember the sacrifices of our freedom fighters and pledge to uphold the values they fought for.”
“Let their sacrifices inspire us to forge ahead with purpose and dedication. Let us rise beyond divisions, casting aside our differences, and stand united in our journey towards a brighter, better India.”
In an interview with Abhish K. Bose, eminent journalist BRP Bhaskar speaks about a number of issues including the national media reporting of the troubles in Manipur; the lack of proactive action from the government side.
Ninety one year old BRP Bhaskar is perhaps the senior most functioning Journalist living in the country. Mr Bhaskar who worked in senior editorial positions at The Hindu, The Patriot, Deccan Herald, The Statesman, United News of India, was also a columnist with the Gulf Today Newspaper published from Sharjah. A voice of sanity and clarity, Mr Bhaskar is an active presence in the socio cultural scene of Kerala and an activist who comes down against human rights violations. He was also an editorial advisor to The Asianet News, and handled Media Watch programme for the channel. An eminent scholar on the socio political scenario of India Mr Bhaskar is the recipient of the Swadheshabhimani – Kesari media award given by the Kerala government for comprehensive contributions to Journalism.
In an interview with Abhish K. Bose, he discusses a number of issues including the national media reporting of the troubles in Manipur; the lack of proactive action from the government side; the Kerala government registering case against a TV channel reporter; and against online media groups; a comparison with the intolerance against media and political dissent by the Modi government and the LDF government of Kerala.
Excerpts from the interview
Abhish K. Bose: The new coalition of the twenty six opposition parties named INDIA has recently formed in Bangalore in a bid to challenge the BJP led NDA in the general elections 2024. What do you think will be the prospects of this alliance? Can the alliance break the strangle hold of BJP in the frays?
BRP Bhaskar : I think It is too early to come to any conclusion regarding the prospects of the new formation. Because we have to see how it functions over a fairly long period. The election is still some time away. How this grouping functions can only be assessed realistically after we have seen its workings over a fairly long period to the extent of cohesion in the alliance and the extent of leadership in the alliance. Regardless of what ever they may say in their documents the impression the public is gathering regarding their stand on the political, economic and social issues should have to be taken into account before we can reach any informed conclusion on its prospects.
Abhish K. Bose: Though Prime minister Narendra Modi has broken his silence over the atrocities against the minority tribal communities in Manipur can we take the PMs condemnation of the incidents in Manipur in good sense with little assurance from the government comes in the form of proactive actions to mitigate the crisis. Do you think that under the BJP rule in centre the religious and ethnic minorities of the country will be safe?
BRP Bhaskar : The BJP must realistically accept that there are doubts in people’s mind about its position with regard to religious or any other minorities. This is because they have a majoritarian kind of philosophy on which this party has been built. In the course of their first few decades of working, people have formed certain opinion about the political positions of this party. All this has to be taken into consideration to come to a conclusion on this matter.
Abhish K. Bose: Do you think that the BJP government at the centre has effectively intervened to mitigate the crisis ongoing in Manipur?
BRP Bhaskar : The government actually faces the criticism for being silent on Manipur. The Prime Minister was keeping silence on Manipur. There were reports circulated that the ruling party was also involved in some of the troubles taking place there. This is a very sensitive area, one is a border area, the other is a tribal area where different types of tribes are living and this area has a history of disquiet. Judging by the reports I have seen, I was not able to come to a firm conclusion about the involvement of various political forces in the scene. The reporting of the media is very weak. There are certain regulations with regard to the coverage of sensitive issues of this kind. The media has to be watchful, and should make sure that the situation there should not be worse. By and large the kind of coverage I saw in the media I prefer I will not reach any conclusion. Because of that I do not make any firm categorical statement.
Abhish K. Bose: You said about the functioning of the media is weak in the reporting of the events ….
BRP Bhaskar : I was not speaking about the Manipur media. Manipur has been going through a crisis for weeks now. What is the kind of information we are getting in the national media? I was pointing to the weakness of the national media coverage. I have no access to Manipur media. I don’t know what the Manipur media is doing. I depend on the national media for getting the information. Let me be honest on this, there are problems. The media has to be careful and there are standing guidelines which prohibits the media from identifying groups which are involved in the conflicts. At this moment I am more interested in knowing how authorities are handling things more than how the media is covering things. The Union Home Minister visited the place. But despite his visit the trouble went on. His intervention seemed ineffective. In many parts of our country there are situations of different kinds. There are tensions which can broke out into conflicts. So the first duty of the authorities is to handle the system. They have the intelligence machinery. So when the trouble is brewing they have the means of knowing it and they should nip it in the bud. If they are not able to do it things eventually break out into a confrontation. Then of course the authorities have to act speedily. I also suspect whether the governments interventions was effective because the trouble in Manipur went on for several weeks. The governments intervention is with an announcement especially when it is a law and order situation. I can’t reach any conclusion that they are not acting or the security agencies are not acting. But it is clear that they have not succeeded. So it was primary for them to oversee what steps they have took and why it was not effective so far, and take necessary steps to bring peace to that area.
Abhish K. Bose: The reigning political dispensation spends a lot of money by way of supporting pro-BJP publications, promoting the dissemination of stories profitable to the BJP. Is there any way the practice of journalism can be made once again free and fair as conducive to the health of Indian democracy?
BRP Bhaskar : Various people who have been monitoring the state of the Indian media have published a recent annual report that the situation is getting progressively worse. There are some global agencies which monitor the state of the media all over the world and there recent report shows that the condition has been deteriorating from year to year. So this is a matter of concern to us. This is a matter which should actually be a concern to the government also. Because international agencies are monitoring and publishing reports and their reports of the deteriorating situation brings a bad name to the government. So I think the government should also be watchful to the development and take steps that are in their power to bring back the media freedom. This will improve their own image.
Abhish K. Bose: Many among the political leaders of the country are exuding the hope that Kerala the sole state which is ruled by the left should carry forward the mantle of leadership in the fight against BJP and it’s fascism. However, the Kerala government led by the left is also displaying intolerance against political dissent. In what all ways this government is different from the previous governments of the state?
BRP Bhaskar : There is a kind of contradiction in the way the question is framed. You start with the thing that Kerala is the only left state and then you say that they have to play a proactive role. See one must be very practical about this thing. The party which is in power in only one state can effectively make a difference at the national level? The one state party has a very limited role to play at the national level.
Abhish K. Bose: I was referring about the ideology of the left which is a global ideology rather than its ruling presence in a particular state?
BRP Bhaskar : As a global ideology it has collapsed all over the world and where it survived like in China where they practice is not Marxism. The second part of your question is very broad and is not very easy to answer. The governments have their own logic and their own dynamics. It can be very different from what they profess. What they profess need not be what they practice. Today if you look at the totality of the Indian situation, you have a large number of parties in power in different states. There are several national parties, several regional parties and then you know the so called national parties their hold is very limited. So no party today is in a position to say that we have reach across the nation. At the time of independence Congress is the only party which has a national reach. But that is not the situation today. Many of the parties are regional parties and some of them are confined to their state. In the last couple of decades regional parties are also a presence at the national level. But they come to play only at the election time. After the election time they play a very small role in the coalition. There are so many parties in the NDA led by the BJP. To what extend they have an impact over the BJP government. The situation is extremely amorphous and now everybody is preparing for an election and as far as I can see the chances of the next elections bringing material difference is too dismal. Regarding the criticism of the government intolerance I would like to make it clear that when we compare two governments one is the UDF government led by the Congress party and the second the present government led by the LDF.
If we examine the political parties which leads these two alliances there is a big difference in the approach of the two political parties leading the two fronts. There is an expressed different in the approaches of the UDF government led by the Congress and the LDF government led by CPM. In these two parties the differences of the two major parties in their approach to the democratic system is apparent. The Left is led by the fundamental belief that what is happening in the name of democracy is not proper. However, they are not openly saying it now. The Left front is able to capture power now through elections. However, they reiterate on several occasions regarding their belief on democracy that what is ongoing now is not democracy. That fundamental differences will be reflected in their approaches also. They believe that the right kind of democracy happens as a result of revolution.What they perceive as democracy in India and outside are some games inside capitalism. However, they are not elucidating it now since they are able to win elections through the present mode. In the initial period they said that they did not believe in this kind of democracy, however, they wanted to give political lessons to the public thereby participating in this democracy. However, there occurred a change in their approach once they came to know that they were able to win elections through this mode. Every government’s which is in power are supposed to function on the guidelines of the constitution. The Left parties are also participating in the democratic processes by taking into account that limitations.
Abhish K. Bose: There are criticism from a section that the present government is perpetuating such a larger than life halo thereby dismissing all manner of dissent and resistance from the Kerala society. The pandemonium for the K Rail project is one such instance cited by them?
BRP Bhaskar : I don’t think one should draw any wild conclusion from the K Rail project. When the K Rail project came there were people who favoured it, people who opposed it. It is not possible to go forward with any major railway projects by any state governments unless the central government is with you. Because the Railways are the central subject. The criticism you refered here is binding for all governments. The difference between professing one thing and practicing. There is a near unanimity among all parties functioning in democracy regarding their speech and what they practice once they come to power. The difference when what they say while in opposition and when they come to power is apparent. In a place such as Kerala there are no political party which have the belief that they can come to power on their own. The parties bypassed this limitation through the coalition politics. When Communist party comes to power in the state initially in the state, there were only individuals in coalition formed by them and no parties in the coalition. Later on they formed coalition. No party in the state has the confidence to capture power by their strength. Two parties leading the two coalition are big parties that is Congress and CPM. This will be explicit if we evaluate the election results of the state closely.
Abhish K. Bose: It also needs a unanimous support from the people of the state for the projects implementation…
BRP Bhaskar : I agree. In Kerala, we don’t know where these projects are coming from. There should be a way from which the projects should emerge. A project should emerge through the proper way. We have a long terms of grievances about the railway. The Railways should do a systematic study of the states traffic needs. The state government should set up a body to study Kerala’s traffic needs and evolve an integrated policy regarding what should be the role of the Railways in the state. I think you should probably think of the development of the waterways aimed at the development of Kerala tourism.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan addressing the Loka Kerala Sabha regional summit in London
Abhish K. Bose: The peculiarity that no party can single handedly win elections may strengthen democracy to the extent that there are less chances for authoritarianism ideally. But is that the ground situation?
BRP Bhaskar. : The tendency to behave with authoritarianism is included in the approach of the concerned parties the circumstances may compel them to do so. But ideally in democracies we consider those parties who respects democratic values to be fit to function in the democracies. But it is a fact that those who participate in democracy need not believe in democracy. When such people comes to power there surfaces a contradiction. Democracy is a belief system that should be assimilated. When the first participated elections in Kerala, the Communist party said that they are not believing in democracy but they are making use of it. Theoretically they have deviated from the stand they have adopted initially.
Abhish K. Bose: The media institutions of the state are facing immense pressure in discharging their functions as the watch dog of the society and to be the perpetual critic of the government and the system. It seems they are imbued by intimidation in the wake of the police registering cases against journalists often reminiscing days of emergency. The case against a TV Channel reporter while reporting an allegation while on live is a testimony. As a journalist you worked at the time of the emergency. How far the current scenario is qualitatively different from that of the period of emergency? Or is it an exaggeration to equate it with the emergency period?
BRP Bhaskar : Emergency has become a kind of benchmark whenever we discusses the interference with the media. We must make a difference. Because the emergency was a measure which is provided for in our constitution. The constitution specifies on what grounds the emergency can be declared. So the 1975 was an unjustified emergency, because it was not intended to meet any of those purposes mentioned in the constitution. Now the situation is different. Emergency cannot be used for those purposes. But, attempts to interfere with the media is what is going on. Emergency and all happened at a particular situation. Now, various methods are used to suppress critical media and some highhanded actions were taken in Kerala against some online media. It is totally illegal.
Abhish K. Bose: You are referring to the actions taken against Marunadan Malayali ?
BRP Bhaskar : Marunadan Malayali, various other things are happening like that. If there are any objections against Marunadan Malayali they should be prosecuted. But what did they do? The police raided the residences of the employees of Marunadan Malayali from one end of India to the other harassing their family. What is the purpose? So the intention was not to deal with the illegal actions of Marunadan Malayali but to intimidate the online publication. Is that how things happen in a democratic society. So these are very dangerous tendencies which are raising their ugly hood in Kerala.
Abhish K. Bose: What are your views on the silence personified by the Kerala civil society over such breaches of the government and the administration. Are they too scared by the menacing posture of the state?
BRP Bhaskar : What we have to realise is that civil society in Kerala is very weak. Most of the organizations or movements which should be part of the civil society are actually under the control of some political party or some caste organisations or religious organizations. So they are not really part of the civil society, they have come under the control of some parties or non political organisations. When we realise this we can understand that a real civil society is not easy to find in Kerala. Civil society organisations should work for certain principles, but that is not happening here. We have parties or groups which are representing sectarian interests. But we must also realise that in the past twenty five or thirty years you will find several programs of the successive governments were opposed by the people and the governments were forced not to go ahead with it. So many projects have to be abandoned due to the opposition from the public. On the other hand the public has the ability to mobilise and defeat several government schemes which they consider not for the good of the state, despite the weaknesses of the civil society. But they don’t have the ability to pressurise the government to take up schemes which they think will benefit the society.
Abhish K. Bose: Is it due to the reason that the intelligentsia of the state, a section of the writers, journalists, and other opinion makers got groomed by the leftist intellectual circles help, which hinders them to defy the government?
BRP Bhaskar : There was a time when left was having tremendous influence over the sections you were talking about the so called intellectuals or whatever it is. But I don’t think it is so today. That scenario has been overcome by the Congress by organizing it’s own groups, they also have their bodies and their own intellectuals. So we don’t have that kind of a situation now. But there is one problem in Kerala that the bulk of our society is under the influence of a political or a caste or a religious organization. That is one of our problems. A society remains divided on certain lines then there is no room for any discussion or anything.
Abhish K. Bose: Though the state government and the LDF are strident critics of the high handedness of the BJP led government at the centre, vis a vis media and other opponents, the state government is executing the same when it comes to the expression of intolerance. What do you think are differences of intolerance of the LDF government compared to the BJP government at the centre?
BRP Bhaskar : There is absolutely no point in comparing these two governments in this manner. The problem is between the party in power or the government in power in one place and the media which report news which the people in power did not like. The whole issue can be seen in terms of one single statement. When there is a conflict between power and truth this kind of situation develops. Because power tries to suppress truth.
Abhish K. Bose: Regardless of ideology you mean?
BRP Bhaskar : When it is inconvenient to them power will act against truth. That is the situation.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has told his party colleague and Left Democratic Front Convenor E.P. Jayarajan that he should be more active in party politics, sources said.
Sources in the CPI-M told IANS that Jayarajan met the Chief Minister at the latter’s official residence on Saturday night and Vijayan had told him to be active.
Jayarajan was purportedly been sulking ever since the much junior M.V. Govindan was elevated as the CPI-M state Secretary and nominated to the party’s highest-decision making body, the Politburo.
The CPI-M had conducted the first All India seminar against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) at Kozhikode on Saturday which was given a skip by the LDF Convenor.
Instead Jayarajan was at in state capital to attend a public programme of party’s youth wing, the DYFI of which he was the first national President.
Jayarajan, however, while speaking to media persons said: “I am always active in party work. There was no need for everyone to attend the seminar as the party had earlier decided who all will participate in this seminar and there is no need of any controversy on the same.”
Sources told IANS that other constituents of the LDF, including the CPI, were also unhappy at the performance of the LDF Convenor. Some CPI leaders in private said that the LDF has not met for the past three months and there has not been any open discussion even on major policy decisions.
New Delhi, June 26 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah virtually extends his greetings on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, on Monday. (ANI Photo)
The effect of our comprehensive and coordinated fight against drugs is that where drugs worth Rs 768 crore only were seized in 2006-13, it has increased almost 30 times to Rs 768 crore in 2014-22…reports Asian Lite News
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday applauded the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and other organisations for their relentless efforts in the fight against drugs on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Shah said that in the last few years, the MHA has revamped the entire strategy to realise the PM’s vision of a ‘Drug-Free India’, and that the registration of cases against drug peddlers in the country rose by 181 per cent during the nine years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the policy of zero tolerance against narcotics adopted by the Ministry of Home Affairs is showing successful results today. One of the main pillars of this policy is the “Whole of Government Approach” of the Modi government, in which the coordination of different departments makes the policy more effective, he said.
#WATCH | Union Home Minister Amit Shah extends his greetings on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
"In the last few years, the MHA has revamped the entire strategy to realise PM's vision of a ‘Drug-Free India’…, I applaud NCB and other… pic.twitter.com/ADcZxSSH1l
In a video message, Amit Shah said, “On the occasion of the ‘International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’, I congratulate all the organisations and people fighting against drugs. It is a matter of great pleasure that the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is organizing ‘Nasha Mukt Pakhwada’ at the all-India level this time.”
The Union Home Minister further said, “It is our resolve that we will not allow the narcotics trade in India, nor will we allow drugs to be routed to the world through India. In this campaign against drugs, all the major agencies of the country, especially the ‘NCB,’ are continuously fighting their war.”
To strengthen this campaign, the Ministry of Home Affairs established NCORD in 2019, and the Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) was formed in the police departments of every state; the first national conference of ANTF was held in April 2023 in Delhi, he said.
Amit Shah said that the campaign against drug misuse and side effects is being carried out on a war footing at the national level through appropriate forums.
The effect of our comprehensive and coordinated fight against drugs is that where drugs worth Rs 768 crore only were seized in 2006-13, it has increased almost 30 times to Rs 768 crore in 2014-22.
“181 per cent more cases have been registered against drug peddlers in comparison to the earlier period. This shows the commitment of the Modi government towards a drug-free India,” said Shah, while adding that they also launched a destruction campaign to prevent the re-use of seized drugs in June 2022; under this campaign, around 6 lakh kg of seized narcotics have been destroyed nationwide.
The Union Home Minister also said that whether it is about destroying drug cultivation or spreading public awareness, the Ministry of Home Affairs, in coordination with all institutions and states, is making every possible effort for a “drug-free India”, but this battle cannot be won without people’s participation.
“On this occasion, I appeal to all my countrymen to keep themselves and their families away from drugs. Drugs not only make the young generation and society hollow but the money earned from their smuggling is used against the security of the country. I appeal to the people to take an active part in this war against its misuse and inform the security agencies about the drug-trade taking place around them,” he said.
Amit Shah also said that I am sure that with collective efforts, we all will be able to root out the problem of drugs and achieve our goal of a ‘drugs-free India’. I congratulate the NCB again and other institutions for their contribution in working towards the resolution of the Modi government, and I hope that we will not rest unless we win this fight against drugs. (ANI)
Nawaz Sharif has been in self-imposed exile in London since November 2019 owing to health reasons.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif to come back and lead the election campaign in the country as well as also become the PM for the fourth time, Geo News reported.
While addressing the central general council meeting of the party, PML-N, Sharif said that he was waiting for his elder brother to return to Pakistan and then hold the party meeting so he could hand over the PML-N’s president back to him. It is pertinent to mention that Nawaz Sharif has been in self-imposed exile in London since November 2019 owing to health reasons.
“The election commission’s sword was hanging which is why this meeting was held,” the prime minister added.
Premier Shehbaz was given the PML-N’s presidency after his predecessor — Nawaz, the three-time prime minister — was disqualified by the Supreme Court and barred from holding any party office, according to Geo News.
He also said that the PML-N needed young leadership, and commended Maryam for her hard work.
“You will see that the map of politics will change when Nawaz Sharif returns to Pakistan,” PM Shehbaz said.
Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz Sharif (Photo Courtesy Twitter@MaryamNSharif)
This statement came a few weeks after Pakistan President Arif Alvi signed the Supreme Court Review of Judgements and Orders Act 2023, clearing the first step for Nawaz Sharif to exercise the right of appeal against their lifetime disqualifications within 60 days.
Under this new law, now an appeal can be filed against the court decisions in cases under Article 184(3). The law now applies to past verdicts as well, Samaa News.
Pakistan Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif in the Panama Papers case on July 28, 2017.
The apex court banned him from holding any public office for life for hiding unpaid salary from his son in the Panama case. A year later, the court while announcing the verdict on petitions challenging the Elections Act 2017 said that a person disqualified under Articles 62 and 63 cannot serve as the head of a political party, Pakistani news channel Geo News reported. (ANI)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a press conference in London, Britain, May 25, 2022.(Xinhua/IANS)
In his resignation statement issued on Friday, Johnson described the committee as a “kangaroo court” whose purpose “from the beginning has been to find me guilty, regardless of the facts”, reports Asian Lite News
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has stepped down as a Tory MP after claiming that he was “forced out of Parliament” over Partygate.
The former Prime Minister saw in advance a report by the Commons Privileges Committee investigating if he misled the Commons over Downing Street lockdown parties, the BBC reported.
Johnson said that he was “bewildered and appalled” after receiving a letter from the from a House of Commons committee, CNN reported.
His resignation now triggers a by-election in his marginal seat.
The Privileges Committee said that Johnson had called into question the integrity of the House of Commons, the British news broadcaster reported.
Boris Johnson has served our country and his constituency with distinction. He led world in supporting Ukraine, got Brexit done, and was our most electorally successful Prime Minister since Margaret Thatcher. Boris is a political titan whose legacy will stand the test of time. pic.twitter.com/88OQcy8K0t
The MP-led committee – which has a majority of Conservative MPs – said it would conclude its inquiry on Monday and “publish its report promptly”.
In his resignation statement issued on Friday, Johnson described the committee as a “kangaroo court” whose purpose “from the beginning has been to find me guilty, regardless of the facts”.
Johnson previously admitted misleading Parliament when he gave evidence to the committee in a combative hearing in March – but denied doing it on purpose.
He said that social distancing had not been “perfect” at gatherings in Downing Street during Covid lockdowns but insisted the guidelines, as he understood them, were followed at all times.
