Tag: politics

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India News Karnataka

Karnataka’s polarising politics casts a shadow on Bengaluru

The loss of reputation of Bengaluru city at the global level is a matter of imagination, he underlined…reports M.K. Ashoka

Following a series of controversial incidents, fears are being expressed that the reputation of I-T hub Bengaluru city is getting hit at the global level. Karnataka, considered as the most favourable destination for investors, is seeing communal unrest.

Although Karnataka and especially its capital Bengaluru have witnessed violence, communal clashes and terrorist strikes in the past, never in its history has the state faced a similar situation. The growing demand for banning Muslim merchants from the temple premises, religious fairs, ‘halal’ meat, Muslim mango traders, artisans, transporters and drivers and banning the hijab by Hindutva forces has suddenly put the peaceful state under the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

The chain of events was triggered after Muslim organizations staged a protest opposing the verdict of the Karnataka High Court upholding the ban on the hijab in classrooms. The court had dismissed the petitions seeking permission to wear the hijab in the classrooms. The court had also observed that wearing of the hijab is not an essential practice.

Minister for IT-BT, Science & Technology, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood C.N. Ashwath Narayan stated that the IT and BT industry has not been affected by the developments in the state. “No company is going out of Bengaluru and there is no question that the supremacy of Bengaluru at the global level is harmed due to the recent communal polarization.”

The loss of reputation of Bengaluru city at the global level is a matter of imagination, he underlined.

Biocon Chief Kiran Majumdar-Shaw brought out the concerns of the IT-BT industry over the communal polarization in the state. “If IT-BT sector becomes communal, it would destroy our global leadership,” she had warned.

“Karnataka has always forged inclusive economic development and we must now allow such communal exclusion,” she stated on her social media. Shaw took to social media urging Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to resolve this growing religious divide.

Analysts and litterateurs fear that the issue has created a deep communal divide in the society and have written a letter to Bommai in this regard. Muslim leaders have met the powerful and influential Pejawar Mutt seer seeking his intervention.

State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar has stated in the backdrop of communal developments that no one is bothered about assuring investors who are hesitant to invest in Karnataka by ensuring peace.

“In our state, peace is disturbed. The Andhra Pradesh government is pursuing the industrialists who are hesitant to invest in Karnataka to their state. At this juncture, including Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, none from the ruling BJP government are bothered about clarifying to the industrialists that they will ensure peace. CM Bommai is not opening his mouth on assuring people that he wouldn’t let industrialists go to other states and create job opportunities here,” he said.

Shivakumar stated that let the government conduct a survey on how many industries have gone to other states because of the developments encouraged by the ruling party in the state.

Opposition leader Siddaramaiah maintained that Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is not only quiet but supporting all the developments taking place with a divisive agenda which will drive away global investors from the state.

The BJP government stated in the assembly that they can’t stop temple authorities from banning non-Hindu merchants from carrying out business inside the temple premises and religious fairs. Bommai said that investors are going nowhere and Karnataka is still on the top as far as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is concerned. “In the last three quarters highest FDI has come to Karnataka state. We have got 2.224 billion dollars in startups and theirs is 0.5. There is no comparison of the state with any other state of the country,” Bommai maintained.

Bengaluru is known as the centre of India’s high-tech industry. Karnataka continues its domination of being the number one state in the country in terms of software exports. The software export figures touched Rs 2 lakh crores for the first time in history.

Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State of Commerce and Industry, informed the Rajya Sabha that Karnataka’s software exports for the year 2020-21 touched Rs 2,04,648.96 crores. Maharashtra, which comes second registered software exports at Rs 99,732.48 crores. Though much is hyped about the competition of Bengaluru with Hyderabad, the exports from Telangana state stood at Rs 71,574.19 crores.

The software exports from Karnataka have seen a steady growth in the past years Rs 1,41,846 crore (2016-17), Rs 1,52,280.16 crore (2017-18), Rs 1,69,699 .08 crore (2018-19) and Rs 1,94,473.28 crore (2019-20).

Doddabasavaraju, Managing Director, Karnataka Udyog Mitra, Bengaluru, told that the statements issued on investments going out of the state are wrong. The state is getting investments in all sectors and preparations are in full swing for the Global Investors Meet. After the unveiling of the logo, road shows are being planned. Industries are coming to Karnataka despite Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh offering free land, he said.

“Every industrialist will make mandatory visits to three to four states in the country and ultimately they are coming back to Karnataka. Since huge investments are coming, the state government is purchasing 22,000 acres of land in and around Bengaluru,” he said.

ALSO READ-Muslim sculptors, mango traders new target in Karnataka

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Business PAKISTAN

Political turmoil wrecks Pak economy 

The political unrest has also led to freezing of petroleum product rates and increasing the subsidies in different forms…reports Asian Lite News

Pakistans political turmoil is having a major impact on the countrys economy, which is already in a feeble condition. The unrest has wreaked havoc in all economic fronts, further plunging the country’s financial status.

According to statistics, the country’s total debt and liabilities stand at 52,724.5 million PKR during the second quarter of the year 2022, showing an increase of at least 15.5 per cent from the previous quarter. Moreover, the government’s domestic debts are 26,746.9 million PKR, while public sector enterprises debt stood at 1,503.8 million PKR.

External debt is at 21,004 million PKR, of which the government debt was 14,810 million PKR, non-government external debt was 4,222.9 million PKR, country’s debt to the IMF stood at 11,885.4 million PKR, and the intercompany external debt from direct investors abroad was Rs782.27 million.

With the current financial situation of the country, generation of revenue to finance the expenses is not enough as it is not in line with the increase in expenses. Pakistan’s $30 billion yearly remittances are totally consumed to finance imports, having direct impact on the current account deficit, which continues to surge.

The political unrest has also led to freezing of petroleum product rates and increasing the subsidies in different forms.

Due to the depreciation of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar, the country is rapidly increasing its debt servicing, even when it is not taking any loans. The depreciation of rupee against the dollar has already increased Pakistan’s debt liability to local currency by 130 billion PKR.

In the last month alone, Pakistan has added at least 980 billion PKR to its debt profile as the country keeps looking for bailout worth similar amounts through different sources as a loan to run the government.

The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has expressed deep concern over the current economic and political uncertainty in the country.

“Pakistan’s trade relations with the United States and Europe should be viewed beyond politics. The US and Europe are important economic partners of Pakistan and both are major export markets for Pakistan”, stated President Nadeem Rauf and group leader and former President RCCI Sohail Altaf.

Pakistan’s business community has urged that political parties to show prudence and wisdom to resolve the crisis.

ADB forecasts gloomy picture

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday forecast Pakistan’s economic growth rate to slow down to 4 per cent this year from 5.6 pc in the Fiscal Year 2021.

The decline in the growth rate is owing to tighter fiscal and monetary policies and the Russia-Ukraine war. According to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2022, ADB’s annual flagship publication, the Manila-based lending agency said Pakistan’s revenue collection was still lower when compared with peers and needed a strong reform effort to achieve its tax-to-GDP potential of 22-25pc, reported Dawn.

Moreover, the ADB also projected growth in South Asia to slow to 7pc in 2022 (from 8.3pc in 2021), before picking up to 7.4pc in 2023.

“Pakistan’s growth is forecast moderating to 4pc in 2022 on weaker domestic demand from monetary tightening and fiscal consolidation before picking up to 4.5 in 2023”, the ADB said.

The ADB expected inflation to pick up in FY22, averaging 11pc, reflecting higher international energy prices, significant currency depreciation, and elevated global food prices from supply disruptions reported the newspaper.

Pakistan is a net importer of oil and natural gas, with both comprising almost 20pc of total imports, the country will continue experiencing strong inflationary pressure for the rest of the current fiscal year from the jump in global fuel prices related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

ALSO READ-Imran plans street protests

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-Top News India News Kerala

Pinarayi, Stalin call for ‘truly federal India’

The event was a seminar on Centre-State relations and the key speakers were Vijayan, Stalin and Thomas, reports Asian Lite News

For the CPI-M, its Party Congress is its ultimate event and on Saturday evening, its ongoing 23rd edition in Kerala hit a peak with the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and more so with that of “estranged” Congress leader and former Union Minister K.V.Thomas, seated to the right of none other than Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Chief Minister Stalin has called for a collective of states “to fight, to resist” the central government and “create a truly federal India”, media reported.

The event was a seminar on Centre-State relations and the key speakers were Vijayan, Stalin and Thomas.

Thomas, whose attendance could see him being booted out of the Congress as the top leadership and the state unit of the party had warned him against going, received a tumultuous welcome. The CPI-M saw his presence as a moral victory over the Congress, their principal opposition in the state, as Thomas arrived at the hometown of state Congress President K. Sudhakaran, who, on Friday only, remarked that he prays that Thomas won’t turn up.

Stalin, who had landed at the Kannur airport in the afternoon, was received by the top leadership of the CPI-M and when he arrived at the venue, it was to big applause and so was the case each time his name was called out.

Vijayan, in his inaugural address, said in today’s context. the topic of the seminar, Centre -State relations is very important and so is the presence of Stalin.

“But above that is the presence of K.V.Thomas. We invited him as a Congress leader and even now he is one. There were talks that his nose would be cut out if he attends. He is present here as a Congress leader. What will happen tomorrow is a different matter and I am sure nothing is going to happen. All I will say is ‘let us not speculate’,” he said.

Vijayan also took the opportunity to take a dig at the 18 Congress-led UDF MPs from Kerala, saying that “they are doing nothing in the Lok Sabha to put pressure on the Centre to fight for the genuine needs of our state”.

Stalin heaped praised on Vijayan and said he is a person with a difference when compared to other Chief Ministers and it was his responsibility to attend the seminar and decided to attend the moment Vijayan invited him.

KV Thomas, whose attendance could see him being booted out of the Congress as the top leadership and the state unit of the party had warned him against going, received a tumultuous welcome.

“It was a Communist government which was the first in the country to be ousted, while two times in Tamil Nadu, the DMK government was ousted,” he said.

Stalin has called for the formation of a collective of states “to face and overcome these active efforts of disruption”, onmanorama reported.

“We must form a collective of the chief ministers of South India, and then form a collective of chief ministers of all the states of India, separately.

“The Constitution of India needs to be amended to bestow more rights to the states. To make this happen, we must come together, united, looking beyond the boundaries of politics,” Stalin was quoted as saying.

The Tamil Nadu leader said that victory was possible only if “like-minded political parties came together”.

“That will ensure the sustenance of this country, the ideals of social justice, equality, and secularism.

“I hereby request every party to initiate action to ensure such a victory. Let us fight for state autonomy. Let us create a truly federal India. Red salute, comrades,” the news report quoted Stalin as saying.

When Thomas’s name was called out to speak, it was greeted with a huge cheer.

“I stand here with a lot of pride and with great happiness. When I see this huge audience, I feel I have made the right decision to come and I wish my colleagues in the Congress party also will understand. I am for development and there should be no opposition to it,” he said.

It remains to be seen how the Congress reacts.

ALSO READ: Stalin to host Global Investors Meet

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News PAKISTAN Politics

Islamabad braces for political showdown

Islamabad braces for political showdown

Workers and leaders of the JUI-F, under the banner of the opposition alliance PDM, have already come to take the stage on the Srinagar Highway…reports Asian Lite News

Nerves are on edge as Islamabad braces for a political showdown on Sunday as the ruling PTI is going all-out to make its public meeting successful amid mounting pressure from opposition parties, which are also marching on Islamabad before the vote on a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, Dawn reported.

Workers and leaders of the JUI-F, under the banner of the opposition alliance PDM, have already come to take the stage on the Srinagar Highway while PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz, along with Punjab opposition leader Hamza Shehbaz was leading her party caravan via GT Road to the capital, calling it the last nail in the coffin of the PTI government.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, speaking at a presser in Islamabad, warned the JUI-F that it would not be permitted to hold a sit-in in Islamabad, as they had been allowed to hold the public meeting on Saturday only and they would need to submit another request if they wanted to hold a rally on Sunday, too, the report said.

ALSO READ: Pakistan’s ‘grey’ dilemma

He also cautioned that no party would be allowed to enter Red Zone and action would be taken against those who attempted to take the law into their hands by blocking another party’s route or by holding a sit-in in violation of Supreme Court directions.

He said the interior ministry would cooperate with opposition parties in connection with their upcoming rallies and no-confidence vote and provide full security to “all their lawmakers”.

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India News

BJP to retain power in Goa

Independent candidates have started aligning with the party of their preference as Dr Chandrakant Shetye, an independent candidate from the Bicholim constituency has declared support to BJP, reports Asian Lite News

Bharatiya Janata Party is all set to retain power in Goa as it is emerging as the single largest party in the 40-member Goa Assembly.

Goa has a total of 40 assembly seats and a party needs 21 seats to form a government in the state.

Independent candidates have started aligning with the party of their preference as Dr Chandrakant Shetye, an independent candidate from the Bicholim constituency has declared support to Bharatiya Janata Party.

Independent MLAs Alexio Reginaldo Lourence (Curtorim) and Antonio Vaz (Cortalim) have extended support to BJP, party state president Sadanand Shet Tanavade said.

Aam Aadmi Party has also managed to open its account in the state as the party is leading on 2 seats.

Bharatiya Janata Party State President CT Ravi today said, “Congress makes false promises. BJP has done development… our party is a structural party, we will decide the Chief Ministerial face after the results are out and post our legislative party meeting. The parliamentary board will decide on further steps to be taken.”

Further, the Congress State observer P Chidambaram has called for a press conference to speak on the election verdict. Prior to this address, Congress leader Michael Lobo said to reporters, “We had thought that we will win but we have to accept the people’s mandate. We have got 12 seats, BJP has got 18 seats. We will work strongly as the Opposition. Congress will have to work hard to win the confidence of people.”

Congress party’s Sankalp Amonkar has won in Mormugao seat defeating BJP’s Milind Naik. Independent Antonio Vas has won in the Cortalim seat.

Exuding confidence, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant claimed that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to form a government in the state. Speaking to reporters today, Sawant said, “The credit for this win goes to the party workers…BJP will form the government in Goa.” Sawant also said that Independent MLA, Chandrakant Shetye, has extended support to BJP.

Chief Minister and BJP candidate Pramod Sawant has once again retained the Sanquelim constituency defeating Congress candidate Dharmesh Saglani by a margin of over 650 votes. Sawant said that he has sought Goa Governor’s appointment to stake a claim to form the next government. Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai has won from the Fatorda constituency by 1,300 votes.

Leaders of both the BJP and the Congress in Goa would be keeping a close watch on the verdict to assess their chances of forming government in the state.

Congress, which is also hopeful of forming the government, has asked its candidates to stay at a resort to prevent any attempt at “poaching”. The party’s leaders in Goa are learnt to be in touch with state leaders of Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) “to prevent the BJP from returning to power” in the state.

The BJP fought the elections on all 40 seats in the state while the Goa Forward Party (GFP) entered into a pre-poll alliance with Congress. The TMC allied with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party for the polls.

ALSO READ-GOA: BJP secures 20 seats, set to form govt

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India News Politics

KCR, Thackeray agree on forming national anti-BJP front

He said they want to move ahead with the same spirit and fight injustice and save democracy…reports Asian Lite News

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and his Telangana counterpart K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday met here and decided to work together for an anti-BJP front.

Thackeray assured support to Rao for his efforts to form a national alternative. After the meeting at Thackeray’s residence, both the leaders told reporters that they would hold talks with the leaders of other regional and national parties to strengthen the country.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief said there is a need for a big change in the country.

“A beginning has been made with our meeting. I believe a good message has gone out from here,” said KCR, as he hoped that the meeting would yield desired results.

Stating that the campaigns launched from Maharashtra had succeeded in the past, KCR said that Maratha warriors like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Balasaheb Thackeray inspired the country.

He said they want to move ahead with the same spirit and fight injustice and save democracy.

Alleging that the country’s federalism is being damaged, Thackeray said, “The atmosphere that should be there between states and the Centre is not seen today. This politics will not work. So, we have made a fresh start.”

“The situation prevailing in the country and the way low-grade politics is happening is not Hindutva,” said Thackeray, whose party Shiv Sena severed ties with the BJP in 2019 to form the government in Maharashtra in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress.

“Hindutva is not about violence or revenge. If things continue like this, what is the future of the country,” asked Thackeray.

He also voiced his unhappiness over the way the Central government ‘spread rumours’ about some states and some leaders.

KCR also invited Thackeray to Hyderabad for further talks.

“We are brothers because our states share a 1,000 km long border. We built the Kaleshwaram project with the cooperation of the Maharashtra government. We want to continue working together,” said the TRS leader.

KCR later left for a meeting with NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

ALSO READ-Lok Sabha members take oath in different languages

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Africa News News Politics

Sudanese leader keen on dialogue for resolving political crisis

Perthes urged for creating a suitable environment for the consultations among the Sudanese parties to allow for rebuilding confidence…reports Asian Lite News

Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan has reiterated his military government’s keenness on dialogue with all political forces to reach a unified vision to ensure a safe exit from the current political crisis.

Al-Burhan on Thursday met at the Republican Palace in Khartoum with Head of the UN Integrated Transitional Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) Volker Perthes, the Sovereign Council said in a statement.

“Al-Burhan stressed the government’s keenness and determination to complete the democratic transformation process, conduct free and fair elections and hand the power to an elected government,” Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying.

ALSO READ: ‘Sudanese military open to dialogue on democratic transition’

For his part, Perthes said the meeting reviewed the consultations being carried out by UNITAMS to settle the Sudanese current crisis, describing his meeting with Al-Burhan as “useful and fruitful”.

Perthes urged for creating a suitable environment for the consultations among the Sudanese parties to allow for rebuilding confidence.

Sudan has been suffering a political crisis after Al-Burhan declared a coup on October 25, 2021 and dissolved the Sovereign Council and the government.

Since then, opposition groups have been staging regular mass protests in the Sudanese capital Khartoum and other cities to demand civilian rule.

On January 10, the UNITAMS launched an intra-Sudanese political process to end the political crisis in Sudan, while on February 13, the mission announced conclusion of the first stage of the consultations.

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Arab News News World

Iran: Peaceful nuclear and defence capabilities irremovable options

A top Iranian security official said on Saturday that maintaining and expanding the country’s peaceful nuclear and defence capabilities are “options that are never removed from the table.”…reports Asian Lite News

Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), made the remarks in a tweet a day after millions of Iranians celebrated the 43rd anniversary of the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Xinhua news agency reported.

ALSO READ: Iran vows to continue enhancing missile power

The irremovable options included “glorious presence of Iranians in ceremonies in support of the Islamic establishment, maintaining and strengthening Iran’s peaceful nuclear capacities and defense capabilities, (as well as) regional security-making policies of Islamic Republic,” he tweeted.

The comments came at a time when envoys from Iran and other parties are engaged in negotiations in the Austrian capital of Vienna to restore a 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

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India News Politics

Rapper Moosewala tries to step foot in Punjab politics

Behind the scenes, a social media is sharing and creating a mass connect for Moosewala on his Facebook page, “Sidhu Moose Wala”, with a 1.1 million fan following…reports Vishal Gulati

He’s the youngest and crowd-puller candidate in the Punjab electoral arena as he understands the pulse and instantly strikes a “musical” chord with voters.

Leaving behind his celebrated tag of a top Punjabi rap singer with fans across the globe, singer-turned-actor-politician Sidhu Moosewala, who was booked for allegedly promoting gun culture and violence, takes pride in crediting his mother Charan Kaur, sarpanch of his native Moosa village, for making his electoral debut as a Congress candidate from Mansa for the February 20 Assembly polls.

During his campaigning, he does not hesitate to fold his hands and bow his head before the commoners to seek votes for the party.

Also the 27-year-old singer, who is often caught on the wrong side of the law but broke several records, does not mind in singing couplets of his songs and posing for countless selfies with the electorate, largely first-timers.

“I have not joined politics for fame. I want to serve my people by generating employment and developing infrastructure,” Shubhdeep Singh, now famous as Sidhu Moosewala, who have lent his voice in messages about how to stay safe amidst Covid-19, said.

He shares a personal bond with his fans. “My songs resonate with their deepest emotions, their loves and likes. They hang on my words and wait for my new releases and sing along when I sing on their request. In other words, they trust me,” an upbeat Moosewala, who calls Toronto his second home, added.

He believes his songs helps building an instant rapport with the voters, especially in rural areas which do no gave much access to modern culture.

“That’s the power,” says octogenarian Dilraj Singh of Joga village, while pointing towards a public meeting of Moosewala. “If he can harness that much energy for raking up local issues and concerns, I am sure Moosewala wins hearts.”

Behind the scenes, a social media is sharing and creating a mass connect for Moosewala on his Facebook page, “Sidhu Moose Wala”, with a 1.1 million fan following.

Pitted against Vijay Singla of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Prem Arora, the singer, donning blue jeans and a hoodie sweatshirt, is seen mingling freely with the crowds, comprising women and children.

With assets of Rs 7.87 crore as per his nomination affidavit, the singer-turned-politician, who loves to ride on an open jeep, is facing four criminal cases, including two for obscene scenes.

Controversies are not new to Moosewala. He created stir by allegedly misusing the name of 18th century Sikh warrior Mai Bhago in his track ‘Jatti Jeonay Morh Di Bandook Wargi’ with panthic bodies demanding his arrest for hurting Sikh sentiments. He later apologised.

Just days ahead of announcing his candidature, Mansa Youth Congress president Chuspinderbir Singh Chahal challenged Moosewala to undergo a dope test. At this, Moosewala replied he has no time for such malicious allegations.

Critics within the Congress were aghast over his candidature. They say on his Instagram account there are several posts where he is carrying guns.

Moosewala, who is facing charges of promoting violence and gun culture in his song “Sanju”, joined the Congress on December 3, 2021.

During the induction ceremony, state party president Navjot Singh Sidhu described Moosewala as a youth icon.

“Not only youngsters, people of all age groups like Moosewala. He has a unique style and is a youth icon,” Sidhu had said.

Describing Moosewala as a “big artiste”, Chief Minister Charanjit Channi said with his sheer hard work he has won the hearts of millions of people.

After joining the party, Moosewala met Rahul Gandhi in Delhi.

Moosewala, who created a niche for himself with his unique rapping style, is known for hit tracks like ‘Legend’, ‘Devil’, ‘Just listen’, ‘Jatt da Muqabala’ and ‘Hathyar’, among many others.

He plays the protagonist in Punjabi film ‘Moosa Jatt’. His another film ‘Yes I Am A Student’ is a story that sheds light on the hardship of international students but inspires them to never lose hope.

Many of his songs featured in the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 charts.

“I am not entering politics for status or to earn praise. I want to become a part of the system to transform it. I am joining the Congress to raise the voice of the people. I am joining the Congress as the party has leaders who have come from common families,” Moosewala, who went to Canada in 2016 as an international student, said on the day he joined the politics.

He said he is still living in the same house in his village. His father is an ex-serviceman and his mother is a sarpanch. “Residents of my area have expectations from me,” he added.

From the Mansa seat in 2017, AAP legislator Nazar Singh Manshahia won with over 20,000 votes. In April 2019, he rebelled and joined the Congress.

ALSO READ-BJP leaders slam Rahul Gandhi over remarks 

Categories
India News Politics

Poll battle between two fathers and two sons in Rampur

Azam Khan has won the Rampur Assembly seat nine times since 1980, pitching himself as a common man pitted against the royalty…reports Asian Lite News

This is one battle, rather two battles, that have every eye fixed on it. The hostility between the rivals is legendary and parties do not matter much in this war.

Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Mohammad Azam Khan is contesting his Rampur seat, more to regain his reputation and honour by winning the seat.

He has been in jail since February 2020 and is facing nearly 100 criminal cases piled on him, ranging from buffalo and goat heft to land grabbing and power theft.

Once a powerful state minister in the SP regime, the incumbent Yogi Adityanath government has made a concerted effort to demolish his clout and influence in his constituency.

Challenging Azam Khan is his old rival Kazim Ali Khan, also known as Naved Miyan. Kazim Ali Khan, who belongs to the royal family of Rampur, is contesting on a Congress ticket.

Azam Khan has won the Rampur Assembly seat nine times since 1980, pitching himself as a common man pitted against the royalty.

This time, Azam Khan, who is still in jail, plans to use the sympathy factor to win the polls.

An aide of the SP MP says: “People are aware how this government has victimized the entire family, destroyed the Jauhar University which was built to educate Muslims. The sympathy factor now overrides all other considerations and we hope to register a major win for Azam Khan even if he remains behind the bars.”

Mohd Ishhaq, a local journalist, explains that though people were initially upset with Azam Khan and his autocratic behaviour, the manner in which he has been targeted in the past two years, has turned it into sympathy.

“When it becomes an overkill, the situation changes,” he said.

Kazim Ali Khan, who has been hopping between Congress and BSP, is confident of defeating his old rival.

“Azam Khan stands exposed and people know how he has behaved.,” he says.

Also in the fray is Akash Saxena of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). He is known as an anti-graft crusader in Rampur and most of the cases against Azam Khan have been filed by him.

However, the focus of the battle is restricted between Azam Khan and Kazim Ali Khan.

In the neighbouring Suar Assembly constituency, Azam Khan’s son, Abdullah Azam, is facing a tough contest from Haider Ali Khan, who is Kazim Ali Khan’s son. Abdullah had defeated Kazim from Suar in the 2017 Assembly election.

However, he was disqualified from the membership of the state Assembly following a dispute in his age-related documents.

Haider Ali Khan has been fielded on a Apna Dal ticket and this could prove to be a major drawback since the party’s symbol is not so well known in the region.

Haider had been named as candidate by Congress but for some reason, he crossed over to BJP and is contesting on Apna Dal ticket.

As the battle lines between the fathers and sons sharpen, the remaining candidates in both constituencies take a back seat.

ALSO READ-No tax relief for middle-class, people disappointed