Related Posts

‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans reflected Bengal’s mood during polls: HM Amit Shah

Gandhinagar, May 17 (IANS) Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Sunday referred to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s electoral performance in West Bengal and said the party received a strong mandate after “an extensive campaign carried out under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi”.

Addressing a gathering in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar during a programme related to development works worth Rs 620 crore, Union Minister Shah spoke about election campaigns in different states and said he had recently travelled extensively for the recent Assembly elections in five states.

“I recently returned after intensive campaigning for three months in five-state elections,” the Union Minister said.

Referring specifically to West Bengal, Union Minister Shah added, “In Bengal, there was tremendous public response.”

He said that public meetings addressed by Prime Minister Modi in West Bengal during the poll campaign drew large crowds despite high temperatures.

“In 42-degree heat, if you had seen PM Modi’s rallies, it looked like a Kumbh Mela. Everywhere we went, chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ echoed,” he added.

He said that many people had questioned whether the BJP would secure a strong poll result in the state, but he had remained confident about the party’s prospects.

“The people gave us 207 seats and entrusted BJP with a huge responsibility,” Union Minister Shah added.

While discussing Bengal, Union Minister Shah also criticised the state’s earlier governance and compared development conditions there with those in Gujarat.

He said that development had not progressed adequately in Bengal over several decades and alleged that people faced political interference in routine economic activities.

“The BJP’s expansion in eastern India reflected growing public support for the party’s governance model. The party’s organisational strength depended heavily on grassroots workers,” he added.

The Union Minister was speaking after inaugurating and laying foundation stones for a range of development projects in Gandhinagar, including health centres, water supply infrastructure, community halls, roads, gardens, sports facilities and sewage treatment systems.

“The projects formed part of a broader effort to improve infrastructure and civic amenities in both newly developed and existing areas of the city,” he said.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that during the programme that “the Gujarat government was committed to developing cities with green infrastructure, modern civic amenities and sustainable planning”.

He added that Gandhinagar was being developed with a long-term vision focused on environmental sustainability and quality urban infrastructure.

“The Gandhinagar Parliamentary constituency was being planned as one of the greenest constituencies in the country, with a target of planting five lakh trees during the year,” he said.

The event was attended by several public representatives and senior officials, including State Urban Development Minister Darshana Vaghela, Mayor Miraben Patel and MLAs Alpesh Thakor and Rita Patel.

–IANS

mys/khz

Supporter begins hunger strike outside CM residence, urges Nitish Kumar to remain Bihar CM

Patna, March 6 (IANS) A supporter of the Bihar Chief Minister on Friday launched an indefinite hunger strike outside Nitish Kumar’s residence, urging him to continue leading the state instead of moving to the Rajya Sabha and relinquishing his post to join the Centre.

Speaking to IANS, Amarendra Das Triloki said, “Hearing that Nitish Kumar might go to the Centre saddened us greatly. Bihar before 2005 was marked by lawlessness and unrest. Since assuming office in 2005, Nitish Kumar has focussed on development in every sector. Good governance was established, justice delivered, and progress achieved in education, health, employment, clean drinking water, and women’s empowerment. Many schemes are actively running, making Bihar more prosperous and its people happier.”

Triloki added, “Today, poverty in Bihar is not as severe as in many other states. That is why I will not allow him to leave. As long as Nitish ji is healthy, he should continue to serve and adorn Bihar. The state now receives electricity for about 23 hours a day — such achievements do not happen by chance. We will ensure he stays.”

He further said, “Just as he considers all of Bihar his family, we consider him part of ours. We will not let him go to Delhi; he should remain in Bihar.”

The protest underscores the strong emotional connect many citizens have with Nitish Kumar, whose tenure since 2005 has been credited with stabilising Bihar, improving governance, and implementing wide-ranging development initiatives.

Nitish Kumar, a veteran leader of the Janata Dal (United), has been at the forefront of Bihar politics for over two decades. His leadership has transformed the state’s social and economic landscape, with notable progress in infrastructure, public services, and women’s empowerment.

Recently, he filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha, a move that could require him to vacate the Chief Minister’s post, prompting calls from supporters to continue his leadership in Bihar.

–IANS

sn/rad

Fake Assembly pass racket busted in Mumbai; five arrested

Mumbai, March 27 (IANS) A major security breach has come to light during the Maharashtra Assembly session, with the Mumbai Police on Friday registering a case against five individuals for allegedly creating and circulating fake entry passes.

The arrests were made by the Marine Drive Police following a detailed investigation into the matter.

According to preliminary information, the illegal manufacturing of counterfeit entry passes for access to the Assembly session was uncovered after the issue was raised by state Minister Uday Samant. The revelation prompted immediate action from law enforcement agencies.

Police officials stated that, during the course of the investigation, five individuals were taken into custody, some of whom are reportedly employed at the State Secretariat (Mantralaya). The accused have been identified as Keshav Gunjal, 53, Ganpat Bhau Jawale, 50, Nagesh Shivaji Patil, 42, Manoj Anand Morbale, 40, and Swapnil Ramesh Tayade, 40.

Sources within the police department confirmed that a manhunt has also been launched to trace several other suspects believed to be linked to the racket.

The incident has raised serious concerns regarding lapses in security protocols during a high-profile legislative session. Officials are currently examining how the fake passes were produced, who authorised their issuance, and whether insider involvement facilitated the operation.

The Maharashtra Assembly’s budget session commenced on February 23 and concluded on March 25.

During the session, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented the State Budget for 2026–27 on March 6, outlining an ambitious Rs 7.69 lakh crore financial plan. The budget included a crop loan waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh for farmers with outstanding dues till September 30, 2025. According to the Chief Minister, approximately 28–30 lakh farmers are expected to benefit from the scheme. Additionally, around 20 lakh farmers who have been regular in repaying their loans will receive Rs 50,000 under the ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjmafi Yojana’.

Several key legislations, including the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, and the Indian Judicial Code (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2026, were also passed during the session.

–IANS

jk/vd