Delhi BJP chief calls upon parties to put off protests during Chhath festival

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra on Monday urged political parties not to hold any protests in Delhi during the three days of Chhath Mahaparv – from November 14 to 16 – so that the fasting women devotees do not face any inconvenience.

Malhotra sought cooperation from the political parties during a visit to Haathi Ghat, ITO, in Laxmi Nagar Assembly to take stock of the ongoing arrangements for the festival of faith.

The Union Minister of State was accompanied by Abhay Verma, Chief Spokesperson of the Delhi government and MLA, during the inspection of the preparations for Chhath.

Officials from the Delhi Government and Municipal Corporation, along with BJP Purvanchal Morcha President Santosh Ojha and former mayor B.B. Singh, were also present on the occasion.

Malhotra said that Chhath is a festival of faith and nature worship, in which cleanliness holds special significance.

He said the Delhi government has already expedited the preparations for the devotees.

During the inspection, Malhotra directed officials to ensure that all preparations at Chhath ghats across Delhi, especially in East Delhi, are completed by the evening of November 13.

He appreciated the faith-associated beautification painting done on the walls of the ghats.

The Delhi BJP President said that this time, along with the Purvanchal Morcha, workers from the Mahila Morcha and Yuva Morcha will serve as volunteers at all ghats to assist devotees during the Chhath festivities spread over three days.

On this occasion, MLA Abhay Verma said that Chief Minister Rekha Gupta herself is constantly monitoring the preparations for the Chhath Mahaparv celebrations and is ensuring that devotees are provided with all necessary facilities.

He added, “Our effort will be that all ghats in Laxmi Nagar Assembly emerge as model ghats this time.”

Earlier, Malhotra welcomed the Delhi High Court’s order directing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to remove the objectionable videos targeting Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

The Delhi BJP President said that it has always been evident that AAP leaders have little regard for women. By creating such a derogatory video targeting the Chief Minister, AAP has not only insulted the Chief Minister but also disrespected all the women of Delhi.

Malhotra demanded that the Aam Aadmi Party immediately remove the shameful and objectionable video from all social media platforms and issue an unconditional apology to the Chief Minister and the women of Delhi.

–IANS

rch/dan

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BJP to form govt in Bengal this time, 100 pc confirmed: Assam CM Sarma

Gourbazar, April 20 (IANS) With the West Bengal Assembly elections approaching, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday asserted that the BJP is set to form the government in the state this time. He expressed strong confidence in the party’s prospects, stating that the outcome is “100 per cent confirmed”.

Speaking to IANS in Gaur Gourbazar in West Bardhaman district, where he is campaigning for the BJP, CM Sarma said, “This time BJP is going to form a government, 100 per cent confirmed.”

West Bengal is set to vote in a streamlined two-phase Assembly election, covering all 294 constituencies — an unusual departure from the multi-phase polling seen in previous elections. Voting for the first phase will be held on April 23, followed by the second phase on April 29. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

In the first phase, polling will take place across 152 constituencies spread over 16 districts. The remaining 142 constituencies in seven districts will go to the polls in the second phase, completing the electoral process across the state.

This year’s election marks a significant shift in West Bengal’s electoral pattern. After a single-phase election in 2001, the state has largely witnessed multi-phase polling, including the extensive eight-phase election held in 2021. The move to conduct voting in just two phases is being attributed to improved administrative planning and enhanced security arrangements.

Reacting to the rejection of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, CM Sarma also made sharp political remarks. He said, “Women are very sad, and they will take revenge on Mamata Banerjee, the DMK, and the Congress.”

The proposed legislation, related to women’s reservation, failed to pass after the Centre could not secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. A total of 298 Members of Parliament voted in favour of the bill, while 230 opposed it.

Following the setback, two other bills, including one related to delimitation and increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats, were not put to a vote, as the government stated they were intrinsically linked to the women’s reservation legislation. The debate in the Lok Sabha saw the Centre strongly advocating for 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies.

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BJP criticises Siddaramaiah govt for petrol price hike ‘proposal’

Bengaluru, Nov 13 (IANS) The BJP has slammed the Congress government in Karnataka, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, for “preparing” to hike petrol prices by another Re 1 per litre.

Slamming the state government, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Thursday demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

He said: “Petrol price gets costlier again; another blow to the common man’s pocket by the Congress-led government. In June 2024, petrol price was hiked by Rs 3 per litre and diesel by Rs 3.5. In April 2025, again, diesel prices were hiked by Rs 2, and in November 2025, it is proposed to hike petrol prices by Re 1 per litre.

How long will people of Karnataka have to pay the price for the Congress government’s “misrule”, “inefficiency”, and “corruption”? Ashoka questioned.

He said the state government is “lost” in unnecessary “controversies” such as transfer of power, cabinet expansion, the proposed RSS ban, and the Dharmasthala case, and has completely “neglected” the farmers.

Ashoka said that the government has not even provided the compensation to farmers, as promised.

Notably, the state government has announced that it will provide compensation to farmers within 30 days of the announcement.

According to sources, the state government is contemplating imposing a cess of Re 1 on petrol, diesel and ethanol products towards the welfare of unorganised workers.

The Labour Department is hopeful that if the cess of Re 1 is imposed on every litre of petrol, the benefits could be extended to 1.30 crore workers and their 62 lakh families.

It is also assessed that by imposing a cess of Re 1 per litre on both petrol and diesel, the state could generate Rs 2,120 crore, and the Labour Department officials have opined that among this amount, Rs 1,772 crore could be spent on providing health facilities to the unorganised workers.

–IANS

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Grand legacy of Somnath Dham has been awakening consciousness of people for centuries: PM Modi

New Delhi, Jan 9 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday highlighted the spiritual, cultural, and civilisational significance of Somnath Dham, describing it as a timeless source of faith, courage, and self-respect for generations of Indians.

Ahead of his scheduled visit to the historic Somnath Temple on January 11, the Prime Minister shared a reflective message on the social media platform X, underscoring the enduring legacy of the sacred site.

In his post, PM Modi emphasised that Somnath Dham has played a vital role in awakening the collective consciousness of people for centuries, serving as a symbol of unwavering faith and inner strength.

“The grand legacy of the sacred and pure Somnath Dham has been awakening the consciousness of people for centuries. The divine energy emanating from here will continue to illuminate the lamp of faith, courage, and self-respect for ages to come,” the Prime Minister wrote.

PM Modi also shared a Sanskrit shloka reflecting the spiritual essence of Somnath and its association with Lord Shiva. The verse highlights Somnath as a sacred and supremely powerful region where spiritual perfection and liberation are attained.

“Lord Shiva, in his form as Adinath, for the welfare of all beings, manifested this sacred and supremely powerful region (Prabhas Khanda) through his eternal principle. Bathed in divine radiance, this holy place is where humans attain spiritual perfection, virtue, and liberation moksha,” the verse means (loosely translated from Sanskrit).

Earlier on Thursday, ahead of his scheduled visit to Somnath on January 11 to participate in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared memories from his earlier visits to the Somnath Temple, highlighting the resilience of faith despite repeated historical attacks on the shrine.

In a post on the social media platform ‘X’, the Prime Minister said that the assault on the Somnath Temple in January 1026, followed by several subsequent attacks, failed to weaken the spiritual resolve of the people. “The Somnath Swabhiman Parv is commencing auspiciously from today. A thousand years ago, in January 1026, the Somnath Temple endured the first attack in its history. The attack of the year 1026 and the numerous assaults that followed thereafter could not shake our eternal faith. On the contrary, these strengthened the sentiment of India’s cultural unity, and the Somnath Temple was repeatedly revived and rebuilt. I am sharing some pictures from my previous visits to Somnath. If you have also been to Somnath, please do share your pictures with #SomnathSwabhimanParv,” PM Modi wrote.

The Somnath Swabhiman Parv is being organised to mark 1,000 years since the first major attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026, and celebrates the enduring spirit of the sacred shrine and India’s cultural resilience, as the temple was rebuilt repeatedly after multiple destructions by invaders over the centuries.

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