AAP high on confidence, BJP has no agenda or leadership: Manish Sisodia

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) The Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) confidence is soaring high, while it’s the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which has been floundering and tottering in the run-up to the Delhi Assembly elections, said former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday.

Senior party leader Sisodia, speaking to IANS said that the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP is marching ahead with full confidence and is ready to pin down its rivals in the upcoming polls because people are happy with its good governance in the past ten years and ready to give it another chance.

“We have an excellent team of leaders, led by grassroots leader Arvind Kejriwal. In the past ten years, we have improved the city’s parameters in education, health and many other sectors.

“However, the BJP has neither any leadership nor any issues and agenda for the city. It’s only agenda is to keep complaining against our government and hence the rudderless BJP will offer no challenge to us,” Sisodia stated.

Notably, Delhi Assembly elections are likely to be held in February next year.

Political parties have already stepped up their campaign, with the AAP announcing fresh poll pledges of free electricity, water and more, while the BJP is firing volleys accusing the CM Atishi government of befooling and misleading Delhiites with ‘fake’ promises.

The AAP has already announced its candidates for all 70 seats, though it changed the constituency of Manish Sisodia from Patparganj to Jangpura.

This prompted the BJP to claim that the ‘flustered’ AAP was picking a safe seat for its tainted ex-Deputy CM.

The Kejriwal-led AAP, probably facing its biggest electoral challenge this time, is seeking re-election for the fourth time.

The row over alleged liquorgate, slapgate, sheesh mahal and more, is believed to have done much harm to the party’s promise of honest politics and the party has made a renewed push to win the mandate, to prove that these are nothing but ‘witch-hunts’ employed by the BJP-led Centre to remove it from power and stop the good work done over the past decade.

–IANS

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Surge in construction of illegal farmhouses in Aravallis, Sohna Council issues notice

Gurugram, Dec 11 (IANS) After the illegal farmhouse construction issue was raised at the Municipal Council Sohna, it started a campaign to re-identify such structures in Aravalli Hills adjacent to Raisina village.

Officials said in the last week, show cause notices have been put up outside nine farmhouses regarding illegal construction. The farmhouse owner will have to reply to the notice within seven days.

After that rampant illegal construction, the council’s team is now surveying the Aravalli area to stop the construction of illegal farmhouses.

According to information, about 450 farmhouses have been sold in Aravalli by private builders who developed one or two acres of area.

During the survey conducted by the council before 1992, only four to five constructions came under the ambit of legality. The constructions done after 1992 have been considered illegal.

“The council’s survey team has started a campaign of issuing notices regarding illegal constructions to the concerned owner. Show cause notices have been pasted outside nine farmhouses during the survey,” said Digambar Singh, JE, Sohna Council.

Apart from this, 13 high-end cafes and restaurants in Aravalli’s Leopard Trail will soon be demolished.

The cafes and restaurants have been illegally built on agricultural land in the one-kilometre stretch of Gairatpur Bas village, Gurugram.

This stretch in Gairatpur Bas village is known as the leopard trail because of the frequent leopard presence in the area and adjacent to the Aravallis.

These establishments managed to escape action, owing to elections this year.

“Around 12 cafes are illegal and operating without having a change of land use (CLU ) permission. Swimming pools have been made operational without any consent from the competent authority. We have already issued notices to the owners of these establishments, but they failed to give any reply. We will soon conduct necessary action,” said RS Bhath, Nodal Officer Enforcement, Gurugram.

–IANS

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Arrest of Annamalai in Coimbatore a murder of democracy, says TN BJP

Chennai, Dec 21 (IANS) Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson and senior leader ANS Prasad has said that the arrest of state BJP president K. Annamalai and party workers during a peaceful “Black Day” march in Coimbatore on Friday (December 20) was a “murder of democracy” by the DMK government.

Speaking to the media, Prasad said the BJP organised the protest to highlight the anti-people and divisive policies of the DMK government under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

He accused the DMK administration of sheltering terrorists and violent and rowdy elements. The protest was held to condemn the DMK government for allowing a grand funeral procession for Al-Umma founder Basha, a convict in the 1998 Coimbatore bomb blast case, who was serving a life sentence. The blasts had claimed 60 people.

Prasad stated that the police deliberately denied permission for the peaceful rally, which was attended by Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai, BJP National Women’s Wing president Vanathi Srinivasan, Hindu Munnani leader Kadeswara Subramaniam, and other senior leaders.

The BJP leader lashed out against the DMK government for arresting these leaders and cadres, calling it a blatant attack on democracy.

“The DMK police allowed a grand funeral procession for Basha, the founder of the banned terrorist organization Al-Umma. This man, convicted in the Coimbatore bomb blasts, was glorified as a hero and martyr. This sets a dangerous precedent and disrupts law and order,” Prasad said.

He further argued that treating convicted terrorists as heroes is a greater crime than the act of terrorism itself.

“Portraying murderers and those involved in terrorist activities as heroes is highly condemnable,” he said, urging the Tamil Nadu government and police to reconsider their actions.

Prasad described the “Black Day” march as a patriotic and nationally motivated effort to expose the wrongdoings of the state government and raise awareness among students, youth, and future generations.

He claimed that the arrests were an abuse of power by the DMK government and called upon the administration to ensure such actions are not repeated in the future.

“The unlawful arrest of Annamalai and party workers, who led the march with good intentions, will not be forgiven by the people of Tamil Nadu,” Prasad said. He vowed that the BJP would continue to expose the alleged anti-people and dangerous actions of the DMK government with public support.

–IANS

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EAM Jaishankar assures TN CM to release Indian fishermen from Pakistan’s custody

Chennai, Dec 12 (IANS) Union External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has assured Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday that his Ministry would continue to make all necessary efforts to secure the early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen detained by Pakistan.

The assurance came in response to a letter from the Chief Minister, dated November 20, 2024, regarding the release of 14 Indian fishermen detained by Pakistani authorities on January 3, 2024.

Fourteen fishermen, including seven from Tamil Nadu, were taken into custody by the Pakistan Navy.

In his letter to Chief Minister Stalin, EAM Jaishankar noted that the Indian High Commission in Islamabad has been actively seeking early consular access for the fishermen.

He also urged Pakistan to ensure their safety, security, and well-being until their repatriation.

“The High Commission will continue to follow up on the matter and make all necessary efforts for their early release and repatriation,” the Minister said in his letter.

He added that the Central government was aware of the detention of the fishermen and their boats — Shri Vraj Bhumi and Mandeep — by Pakistani authorities on January 3, 2024.

The matter has been taken up with the Pakistani government, and consular access has been requested but is yet to be provided.

The detained fishermen had reportedly ventured out from Porbandar, Gujarat, for fishing when they were apprehended by the Pakistan Navy along with their two mechanised fishing boats.

Stalin highlighted the humanitarian concerns and the prolonged detention of the fishermen.

“Given the prolonged detention and the humanitarian concerns involved, I request you to take up this matter in a tangible and meaningful manner through diplomatic channels to secure the immediate release of all the fishermen,” Stalin wrote.

Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu are often arrested and remanded in judicial custody by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Since June 16, 2024, the Sri Lankan Navy has reportedly arrested 425 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized 58 boats.

This has led to widespread protests across Tamil Nadu’s coastal districts, demanding immediate intervention by the Indian government.

During a recent visit to Sri Lanka, EAM Jaishankar discussed the ongoing arrests with the Sri Lankan government, urging measures to prevent further detentions and boat seizures.

However, despite these diplomatic discussions, the arrests have continued, intensifying fears within the fishing community.

–IANS

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