The World Opinion

Tag: Assembly Elections 2024

  • ‘Guarantee Of Development Has Overpowered Lies: PM Modi After Big Victory In Haryana |

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed party workers in Delhi on Tuesday following a third consecutive victory in Haryana. PM Modi slammed Congress and said that the guarantee of development has overpowered the knot of lies. He stressed that this is the first time a government has been formed in Haryana after completing two consecutive terms of five years.

    He said, “The victory in Haryana is the result of the hard work of the party workers, JP Nadda, CM Nayab Singh Saini. Today, the guarantee of development has overpowered the knot of lies. The people of Haryana have created history. Haryana was constituted in 1966. 13 elections have been held in Haryana so far, out of which in 10 elections, the people of Haryana have changed the government but this time what the people of Haryana have done never happened before. For the first time, a govt has been formed in Haryana after completing 2 terms of 5 years…”

    Reacting to the polls in Jammu and Kashmir after 10 years, he stated that based on the vote share percentage, the BJP has emerged as the largest party in the region.

    “Peaceful elections were held in Jammu and Kashmir, votes were counted and results were declared and this is the victory of the Indian Constitution and democracy. The people of Jammu and Kashmir gave the mandate to the NC alliance, I congratulate them too. If we look at the vote share percentage, BJP has emerged as the biggest party in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

    Earlier, PM Modi shared a post on X, assuring the people that the party would leave no stone unturned in fulfilling their aspirations. “I salute the people of Haryana for giving a clear majority to the Bharatiya Janata Party once again. This is the victory of the politics of development and good governance. I assure the people here that we will leave no stone unturned to fulfil their aspirations,” the post read. 

  • Karnal Haryana Assembly Election 2024 Live Updates: Jagmohan Anand vs Sumita Singh – Counting Begins |

    Karnal Assembly Election 2024: The Karnal Assembly constituency, a traditional BJP stronghold, is experiencing an intense contest in the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections. Voting took place on October 5, with approximately 46% voter turnout. Results will be announced on October 8, according to the Election Commission.

    This seat was previously held by former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who won in both 2014 and 2019. This year, the constituency features a new BJP candidate facing off against a seasoned two-time Congress ex-MLA, making the competition even more significant.

    With Khattar having secured two consecutive terms before being replaced by Nayab Singh Saini as Haryana’s Chief Minister earlier this year, the stakes are high in this key seat in the Karnal district.

    As we await the results, will the BJP maintain its grip on Karnal, or could the Congress make a comeback?

    8:03 AM: Counting of votes begin in Karnal

    Stay Tuned For Live Updates!

  • PM Modi Slams JMM-Cong-RJD Alliance In Jharkhand, Calls Them ‘Hindrance To Development’ |

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the ruling alliance of Jharkhand, including JMM, Congress, and RJD, and said that this alliance is the biggest hindrance in the development of the state. He further said that JMM and Congress are busy carrying out a marathon of scams in Jharkhand.

    “Now JMM has also been coloured by Congress and RJD. This is not the same old JMM. Today JMM has been taken over by the Congress ecosystem. Today JMM is haunted by the ghost of Congress—the language changed, the character changed, and now they are trying to change the soul of Jharkhand. JMM and Congress are busy conducting a marathon of scams in Jharkhand,” PM Modi said.

    The Prime Minister was addressing a Parivartan Mahasabha in Hazaribagh. Continuing his attack at the ruling alliance, he said that when the central government is working day and night for the development of Jharkhand, the state government (the Hemant Soren-led government) is trying to derail the development of the state.

    “The central government is working day and night for the development of Jharkhand, whereas, on the other hand, the state government (Hemant Soren-led government) is trying to derail the development of the state. Today everyone in the state knows that Congress JMM and RJD’s alliance is the biggest hindrance in the development of the state. Jharkhand will only grow and develop when the present government loses. Jharkhand will only grow when there is change in the state. Therefore, the Parivartan Yatra is underway in the state,” he said.

    “I have heard that now, when he is about to leave, he has increased both the speed and scale of corruption. Thousands of transfers have taken place in Jharkhand in the last two weeks. Transfer-posting industry… this is a very big industry. JMM has made crores of rupees on the pretext of this. But now this game is not going to last long… soon the government will change in Jharkhand and every penny of this loot will be accounted for,” he further stated.

    PM Modi lashed out at the grand old party and RJD and said that back before 2001, a party like RJD had made Jharkhand its place of loot and Congress was an equal shareholder with RJD. He further accused the Congress party of suppressing the demands of forming Jharkhand. He said that it was former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee who fulfilled the dreams and created Jharkhand state with peace and consensus.

    “BJP is the party that, along with all of you, saw the dream of Jharkhand state and also fulfilled it. As soon as Atal Ji came to power, he created Jharkhand state with peace and consensus. We wanted the development of Jharkhand; we wanted to fulfill the dreams of the tribal society here, but in fulfilling these, we had to fight with parties like RJD. A party like RJD had made Jharkhand its place of loot. Water, forest, and land were openly looted. They had made this area a safe house for criminals and mafias, and who was supporting RJD from Delhi?—Congress Party. Congress was an equal shareholder with RJD. They used to say that Jharkhand wouldn’t be made, and the Congress party had assured to suppress the demands of Jharkhand,” the Prime Minister said.

    Jharkhand is likely to go to polls for its 81-member legislative assembly by December 2024, as the current government’s tenure is set to end in January 2025. The Election Commission is yet to announce the election schedule. In the 2020 assembly election, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha won 30 seats, the Bharatiya Janta Party bagged 25 and the Congress won 16.

    (With ANI Inputs)

  • ‘I’ll Stay Alive Till PM Modi…:’ Congress Prez Kharge After He Falls Ill During J&K Rally |

    Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge experienced dizziness while addressing a public rally on Sunday in the Jasrota region of Kathua district. Party leaders confirmed that he is currently stable and receiving medical attention. Kharge was delivering a tribute to a head constable who lost his life during an ongoing operation against terrorists in the area. The operation has also left two police personnel injured, with one terrorist reported killed.

    “I would like to apologise as I suddenly felt dizzy…” said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge earlier today after he fell ill during his speech in Jammu and Kashmir’s Jasrota.

    Kharge later resumed his speech, assuring the audience that he was in good health. “I am 83 years old, I am not going to die so early,” he told me. The Congress chief also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, “I will remain alive until PM Modi is removed from power.”

     

    VIDEO | Jammu and Kashmir elections 2024: “…I am 83-year-old, but I am not going to die till PM Modi is removed (from power),” said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) at a public gathering in Jammu and Kashmir’s Jasrota.#JammuKashmirElections2024

    (Source: Third… pic.twitter.com/sGdox0xTbx


    — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 29, 2024

    “He was addressing a public rally in Jasrota when he felt uneasy and dizzy. His colleagues assisted him into a chair,” stated Congress General Secretary Gulam Ahmed Mir in comments to PTI. He reassured the public that Kharge is now stable.

    The Congress leader had traveled to Jasrota to rally support for his party candidates ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Following the incident, he is still scheduled to address another rally in Ramnagar, Udhampur district.

    Jammu and Kashmir Congress Vice President Ravindra Sharma provided further details, indicating that Kharge was taken to a nearby room where doctors were summoned for a check-up. “They will advise whether he can attend the second rally or not,” he said.

  • Jharkhand Polls: BJP Seat Sharing With AJSU, JD(U) Almost Final, Says Himanta |

    The BJP is gearing up for the Jharkhand assembly polls. While it was earlier expected that the BJP and the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) will contest the polls together, BJP leader and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Janta Dal (United) will also be a part of the alliance. Sarma, who is also the BJP’s Jharkhand election co-in-charge along with AJSU president Sudesh Mahto held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah this evening to finalize seat sharing.

    Speaking to the media earlier in the day, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “In the elections, there will be an alliance with Janta Dal (U) and AJSU Party. The seat sharing is almost final. Discussion for 1-2 seats is pending. We will announce the alliance after the Pitru Paksha ends.”

    Sarma stated that a formal announcement regarding this matter will be made after the conclusion of ‘Pitri Paksha,’ which ends on October 2. The elections for Jharkhand’s 81-member assembly are scheduled to take place later this year.

    जिस दिन JMM-Cong झारखंड में घुसपैठियों के खिलाफ कार्रवाई शुरू कर देगा, उस दिन मैं इस मुद्दे पर बात करना बंद कर दूँगा। pic.twitter.com/tQZx72WMEX
    — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 28, 2024

    Regarding Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s letter to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, requesting assistance for an in-depth investigation into the deaths of recruitment aspirants during physical tests for excise personnel, Sarma emphasized that the investigation should be conducted by the state government. 

    The incident reportedly claimed the lives of 15 aspirants who participated in the physical assessments. The BJP has criticized Soren’s administration, accusing it of mismanagement and holding the government responsible for the fatalities during the recruitment drive.

    “As the deaths took place in Jharkhand, the first responsibility of investigation lies with the state government. If the chief minister thinks an extensive investigation is required, he should write to the Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court for a judicial probe. We will welcome this,” Sarma said.

    Expressing concern over alleged infiltration into Jharkhand, Sarma said that ‘infiltrators have hijacked’ the state.

  • J&K Elections: Amit Shah To Address Back To Back Rallies Today Ahead Of Phase 3 Polls — Check Schedule |

    New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday will lead the BJP’s campaign for the third phase of Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir. 

    Amit Shah will address five rallies. He will begin the day with a rally in Chenani and proceed to address a meeting at Udhampur. He will then address rallies in Bani and Jasrota before ending the day with an address to a public gathering in Madh.

    The third phase of the polls in the Union Territory will be held on October 1.

    Asserting that there is no fear of cross-border firing in border areas of J&K, Amit Shah said on Sunday that if Pakistan fires a bullet, it will be responded by a mortar shell.

    Addressing a campaign rally in Nowshera of Rajouri district, he said: “Concrete bunkers have been made in border areas like Nowshera by us, but I assure you that these bunkers are not needed now.”

    The Union Minister said: “Agar Woh Goli Chalayenge, To Hum Gola Chalayenge” (There will be no cross-border firing from Pakistan, and if they fire a bullet, we will respond with a mortar shell).

    Slamming the Congress and National Conference, he said: “Congress and National Conference (NC) do not want reservations for Gujjars, Bakarwals, Paharis, OBCs, Valmiki Samaj etc, they say they will review these reservations if they form the government in J&K.”

    “Rahul Gandhi said in America recently that the reservations are not needed in India as those given reservations have progressed enough and are now part of the creamy layer in the country,” he said.

    Hitting out at NC leader Farooq Abdullah, the Union Home Minister had said: “Farooq Abdullah went to Poonch and Rajouri and told Gujjars and Bakarwals that if the Paharis got the reservation, they would cut into the Gujjar Bakarwal reservations.”

    He said: “The NC and Congress governments in J&K and Delhi did not give you reservations. I promise you that after these elections, we will give Paharis reservations in promotions also so that your children do not become only collectors and district SPs in the future, but chief secretaries and DGPs as well.”

    He challenged NC leader Omar Abdullah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that “even if they hang themselves upside down, they cannot snatch your reservations as long as Narendra Modi is the PM of the country.”

    Claiming that NC wants to get their flag in place of the Tricolour and that Farooq Abdullah has been telling people in the Pir Panjal region and those in Poonch and Rajouri that terrorism will spread to these places, he said: “The government headed by Narendra Modi will bury terrorism so deep under the earth that it can never emerge again in J&K.

    Attacking the NC and Congress for wanting the Modi government to talk to Pakistan, the Union Minister said that there can be no dialogue with Pakistan till terrorism ends completely.

    He assured the people that no terrorist or stone pelter would be released from jail.

    Home Minister Shah asserted that they (NC-Congress) want to change the name of Shankaracharya Hillock to ‘Takht-e-Suleman’ and that of Hari Parbat Hillock to ‘Koh-e-Maran’, but “since generations, it has been Shankaracharya hill and Hari Parbat Hill and it will continue to be the same for all the generations to come”.

    He appealed to the voters of Nowshera to elect BJP candidate Ravinder Raina, saying, “His forceful voice is heard and taken seriously in Delhi”.

    “Gandhis & Abdullahs sell terrorism from their so-called ‘Mohabat Ki Daukan’, let the elections be over in J&K and their ‘Mohabat Ki Daukan’ will be shut forever,” Home Minister Shah said.

    “Farooq Abdullah should not worry, after the elections, we will publish a white paper on terrorism which will expose those who ate ‘Biryani’ with the terrorists,” he said.

    Highlighting the changed security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir after BJP-led NDA came to power, he said there were times when even the Home Minister of the country could not dare go to the Lal Chowk in Srinagar.

    “I assure you today, go to Lal Chowk with your grandchildren in a private vehicle and nobody will dare touch you. A cinema hall was started in Srinagar after 30 years, Muharram procession was taken out after 35 years. Janmashtami procession was taken out there after 35 years,” he said.

    “You have areas in Jammu region where you have good snowfall, but there is no tourist destination like Pahalgam there. I promise you two Pahalgam-like tourist destinations in the mountainous areas of the Jammu region.

    He also promised to increase the limit of golden card for free health treatments from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and farmers’ assistance from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000.

    He said that PM Modi has decided that every village with a population of 50 people will now be connected through Pradhan Mantri Graming Sadak Yojana, benefitting the populace living in far-off mountainous areas.

    “We have given 40,000 government jobs in the last five years, we promise to give Rs 18,000 to every eldest lady of the family each year. We will restrict the cost of LPG cylinder to Rs 500.

    He promised two LPG cylinders free on Raksha Bandhan every year, a metro and international airport in Jammu, a water sports facility in Ranjit Sagar dam, reduced electric tariff by 50 per cent, Rs 3,000 to college students as travel allowance, laptops and tablets to children upto higher secondary level.

    The Union Minister said: “Udhampur will become a pharmaceutical hub, we will form a hill development board for speedy development of hilly areas in Jammu division.

  • Atishi’s Task Cut Out: To Expedite Pending Public Welfare Policies Before Delhi Assembly Polls |

    NEW DELHI: When Atishi takes oath as Delhi Chief Minister on September 21, she will enter history books as being only the third woman to accomplish the feat after BJP’s Sushma Swaraj and Congress’ Sheila Dikshit. Atishi’s elevation to the top post comes at a crucial juncture for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is looking to return to power in the Delhi Assembly polls early next year as well as for the government, which will have to fast-track pending policies and schemes for public welfare.

    The senior leader will have her task cut out after assuming office and will be running against time to ensure implementation of schemes like Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0 and doorstep delivery of services among others. However, Atishi is not new to rising to such situations. Her induction into the cabinet also happened when the government was going through testing times following the arrest of deputy chief minister and the then Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s trusted lieutenant, Manish Sisodia last year in excise policy case by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

    Atishi, along with Saurabh Bharadwaj, joined the Delhi government following the resignation of Sisodia and Satyendar Jain. Atishi, 43, took to governance, heading 13 major portfolios in the Kejriwal government, including those of finance, revenue, education and public works department.
    She was unanimously chosen as the chief minister-designate during the legislature party meeting here on Tuesday.

    Even though Atishi joined AAP in 2013, she stayed in the background working as an adviser to the government on education-related policies and made a foray into electoral politics only in 2019 when she unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha polls from East Delhi against BJP’s Gautam Gambhir. Before venturing into active politics, Atishi dropped her surname Marlena, a portmanteau of Marx and Lenin, since she wanted that her political affiliations should not be misconstrued.

    In 2020, Atishi again contested elections, this time the Delhi Assembly polls, and was elected as an MLA from Kalkaji. The fact that she enjoys the confidence of Kejriwal and Sisodia paved the way for her to succeed Kejriwal. Atishi’s parents Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi were Delhi University professors. She received her Bachelor’s degree in History from Delhi University’s St Stephen’s College and topped her batch.

    She also holds postgraduate degrees in Education and History from the University of Oxford.

  • ‘Not God’s Decision’: Omar Abdullah Says Restoring Article 370 ‘Not Impossible’ |

    National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, during his campaign in Budgam, where he is contesting elections, said that the restoration of Article 370 is not impossible as it was not a decision made by God. He noted that the Supreme Court, which gave the verdict against the article, could tomorrow rule in their favor. “The court has ruled in our favor three times before, and it can do so again. Nothing is impossible,” he stated.

    Omar further explained, “Three previous decisions made by the Supreme Court were changed by a five-judge bench, and in the future, a seven-judge bench could also reverse the decision.”

    He was responding to Home Minister Amit Shah, who recently said that Article 370 is now history and will never be part of India’s Constitution again.

    Targeting Shah, Abdullah added that the Home Minister should focus on the current situation and the rise of terrorism in Jammu, saying, “The Centre has been directly ruling Jammu & Kashmir for the last ten years. So, who is responsible for the situation in Jammu now?”

    Earlier, Farooq Abdullah stated, “We will fight for the restoration of Article 370 and will again approach the Supreme Court.” He added that the National Conference remains committed and will continue its fight for the restoration of Article 370.

  • J&K Polls Phase-I Roundup: 23 Lakh Voters To Decide Fate of 219 Candidates In First Phase |

    J&K Election 2024: In the first phase of polling, 23 lakh voters will decide the fate of 219 candidates. Foolproof security arrangements have been made across the Union Territory. Jammu and Kashmir is heading for its assembly elections after a decade. The first phase of the election will be held on September 18, with security remaining one of the major concerns for agencies. As PM Modi stated, this assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir will determine the fate of the Union Territory.

    A total of 219 candidates are contesting in the first phase of elections. Polling will take place in 24 Assembly Constituencies in this phase of the J&K Assembly Elections-2024 on September 18, 2024. In Anantnag district, 64 candidates remain in the final electoral fray, followed by 45 in Pulwama district, 27 in Doda district, 25 in Kulgam district, 22 in Kishtwar district, 21 in Shopian district, and 15 in Ramban district. In Kishtwar district, 9 candidates are contesting in 48-Inderwal AC, 7 in 49-Kishtwar AC, and 6 in 50-Padder-Nagseni AC.

    In Doda district, 10 candidates are in the fray for 51-Bhadarwah AC, 9 for 52-Doda AC, and 8 for 53-Doda West AC. In Ramban district, 8 candidates are contesting in 54-Ramban AC, while 7 will contest in 55-Banihal AC. Similarly, in Pulwama district, 14 candidates are competing in 32-Pampore AC, 9 in 33-Tral AC, 12 in 34-Pulwama AC, and 10 in 35-Rajpora AC.

    In Shopian district, 10 candidates are running in 36-Zainapora AC, and 11 in 37-Shopian AC. In Kulgam district, 6 candidates remain in the fray for 38-DH Pora AC, 10 for 39-Kulgam AC, and 9 for 40-Devsar AC. In Anantnag district, 10 candidates are contesting in 41-Dooru AC, 10 in 42-Kokernag (ST) AC, 9 in 43-Anantnag West AC, 13 in 44-Anantnag AC, 3 in 45-Srigufwara-Bijbehara AC, 13 in 46-Shangus-Anantnag East AC, and 6 in 47-Pahalgam AC.

    More than 23.27 lakh voters, including 5.66 lakh youths, are eligible to cast their votes in Phase-I. Among these, 11.76 lakh are male voters, 11.51 lakh are female voters, and there are 60 third-gender electors. A three-tier security system has been implemented across the Union Territory to secure every polling booth. Special polling booths with extra security have been established in areas near the Line of Control and the International Border.

    V.K. Birdi, IG Kashmir Police, stated, “With September 18th being the date for the first phase of elections, particularly in South Kashmir, we have made extensive arrangements. Paramilitary forces have been deployed at polling booths, and area domination is being carried out to ensure fair elections in a secure environment. We have also implemented multilayered security at strong rooms and distribution centers. These arrangements will continue for the second and third phases as well. Technology serves as a force multiplier and greatly enhances security.”

    Around 300 companies of paramilitary forces have been brought in from across India specifically for election security, in addition to the Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF already present in the Valley.

  • Who Is Captain Yogesh Bairagi, BJP Pick Against Vinesh Phogat From Julana? Modi’s Masterstroke Or Mistake In Haryana? |

    Haryana Vidhansabha Chunav 2024: The BJP has nominated Captain Yogesh Bairagi from Haryana’s Julana seat. Bairagi, a 35-year-old former army officer and commercial pilot, hails from Paanju Kalan village and resides in Safidon. Bairagi plays an active role in the BJP, serving in various capacities such as state vice president of the youth wing, state co-convener of the sports cell, and a member of the state executive committee for the youth wing in Haryana. He is married, has one son, holds a Bachelor’s degree, and is currently engaged in business.

    Bairagi served in the Indian Army as a Captain for nine years before transitioning into aviation and eventually politics. His father, Narendra Kumar, also pursued a political career and previously sought a BJP ticket.

    Bairagi gained attention for his involvement in relief and rescue operations during the Chennai floods and for participating in the Vande Bharat Mission during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Julana, a constituency with a majority Jat population, consists of about 81,000 Jat voters, along with significant Backward Class (33,608) and Scheduled Caste (29,661) communities. In a strategic decision, the BJP has chosen to field Bairagi, a non-Jat candidate from the backward class, aiming to expand its reach across various voter groups. Now, it will be interesting to see whether fielding a non-Jat candidate against former wrestler and Congress candidate Vinesh Phogat proves to be a masterstroke by Narendra Modi-led BJP or a mistake as Phogat enjoys a sympathy factor in this election following her unexpected exit from the Paris Olympics 2024.

    The Julana seat has been a distant dream for Congress. In the last election, the seat was won by JJP in 2019 and the Indian National Lok Dal in 2014 and 2009. The Congress last won the seat in 2005. The BJP has also not won the seat so far.