Opposition’s stir against EC’s ‘vote theft’ reaches Rajghat

Hyderabad, Feb 7 (IANS) Telangana Backward Classes Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Friday claimed that there were no errors in the caste survey conducted in the state and asked caste groups to bring to the government’s notice if they find any errors.

He appealed to opposition parties not to politicise the issue and to cooperate with the Congress government in ensuring justice for the Backward Classes (BCs).

“There is not even one per cent error in the caste survey. If there is any, bring it to our notice,” he told media persons in Karimnagar.

Stating that Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders did not participate in the survey, he said they were only mocking it. “Those who did not participate in the survey have no right to talk about it,” he said and demanded that the BRS leaders should apologise to BCs.

Claiming that the entire country is praising the caste survey, he said few people were trying to do politics by raising doubts.

He pointed out that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been demanding that the caste census should be conducted across the country.

The minister stated that Congress is ready to give 42 per cent of seats to Backward Classes in local body elections.

“The demand to conduct caste census has been there since independence. Our government successfully conducted the process. People voluntarily shared information for the purpose,” he said.

The Congress leader slammed the BJP over the caste census issue. He said the BJP filed an affidavit in the court that it would not conduct caste census. He branded the BJP as a feudalistic party.

Ponnam Prabhakar said the caste survey in Telangana revealed that BCs constitute 56.33 per cent of the total population. He reiterated that this data would help the government in preparing and implementing welfare schemes.

“Based on this data, we can prepare sub-plan, implement reservation, provide jobs, and give BCs due representation in self-employment and other welfare schemes,” he added.

The state government on February 4 tabled in Assembly the findings of the caste survey. The Assembly passed a resolution demanding the Centre to conduct the caste survey across the country.

Main opposition BRS and BJP have raised doubts over the accuracy of the survey data. BRS has asked the government to explain how the population of BCs came down to 56.33 per cent from 61 per cent as per the integrated household survey conducted by its government in 2014.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Oct 8 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes 24 years as head of government and enters his 25th year, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) spokesperson Shriraj Nair on Wednesday said the country is now driven by development-oriented politics. He added that after the Modi government came to power, India truly embarked on a path of progress.

Speaking to IANS, Shriraj Nair said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi, having completed 25 years as Chief Minister of Gujarat and Prime Minister of India, has given the country a new direction. During the UPA regime, Hindus were weakened by appeasement politics and the false narrative of Hindu terrorism. However, since the Modi government came to power, India has moved decisively toward development. Historic steps like the construction of the Lord Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the abrogation of Article 370 have been taken. Today, the nation is powered by the politics of progress. The inauguration of the new airport and metro in Mumbai is a clear indicator of this development.”

He further commented on a six-member delegation from West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress that visited Agartala, Tripura, on Wednesday to assess the “political situation” in the state. The visit came a day after the party’s office was allegedly ransacked by BJP workers.

Nair said, “The Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal is practising appeasement politics, making life increasingly difficult for Hindus. Atrocities against Hindu women, as well as physical attacks on MPs and MLAs, are being recorded on camera and shared across the country and abroad. The West Bengal government is effectively giving Hindus second-class status by appeasing the Muslim community. The people of Bengal are suffering because of this, and the Mamata Banerjee government is certain to face consequences in the upcoming assembly elections.”

Meanwhile, at a press briefing in Kolkata’s Trinamool Bhavan, Bengal Minister Shashi Panja strongly criticised the Tripura government and police.

“There is an intolerant and violent BJP government in Tripura. Monday’s incident shows how those who claim to protect democracy are behaving otherwise. The video evidence is clear,” she said, alleging that the vandalism took place in the presence of police, who she described as “mute spectators.”

–IANS

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Baramati, Feb 4 (IANS) Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) President Sharad Pawar on Wednesday expressed concerns that the new trade agreement between India and the US could adversely affect Indian farmers and the agricultural sector in the near future.

While the detailed draft of the India-US trade deal is yet to be fully disclosed, Pawar stated during a press conference that the information currently available is a cause for concern for Indian farmers.

During the press conference, Pawar highlighted specific “worries” regarding the bilateral trade deal.

While the US has decided to reduce tariffs on goods exported from India, which is a positive step, Pawar said he was not sure of the reciprocal arrangements.

He further stated that current reports suggest the deal allows the US to export its agricultural products to India.

Pawar emphasised that the US is an economic superpower.

“If they begin large-scale exports of specific agricultural commodities to India, it could destabilise the domestic market and hurt local farmers. The US is a powerful nation; if they start exporting to our markets, it will inevitably impact our agriculture,” he said.

Pawar stated he would comment further once the full picture becomes clear in a few days.

Pawar also commented on the Union Budget. He mentioned that in his 58-year career (spanning the Maharashtra Assembly, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha), he has never missed the presentation of the Union Budget. However, due to Ajit Pawar’s accident, he could not travel to Delhi and missed hearing the Budget in person.

He expressed relief that no new taxes were imposed that would distress the common man. However, he noted that more concrete steps were expected to accelerate developmental growth.

Pawar also addressed the media regarding the current political situation. When asked about Sunetra Pawar’s decision to take the oath as Deputy Chief Minister shortly after the tragedy, a move that has sparked controversy and raised eyebrows, the senior Pawar remained tight-lipped.

“I do not wish to say anything regarding Sunetra Pawar’s swearing-in,” he stated, choosing instead to focus on national security concerns and the ongoing situation at the India-China border.

On the merger between two NCP factions, Pawar, who had mentioned that Ajit Pawar was expected to announce this on February 12, criticised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his comment in this regard.

CM Fadnavis earlier said, “We do not wish to engage in politics given the current circumstances; otherwise, I could reveal many things. I am aware of everything. I have been a witness to all these events. You all know that because of my relationship with Ajit Dada, he used to share everything with me. Therefore, I believe it is inappropriate to engage in low-level politics. If Ajit Pawar was discussing any such merger, would he do so without consulting the BJP?”

When Sharad Pawar was questioned about this today, he gave a sharp rebuttal.

Pawar stated that CM Fadnavis was not part of the discussions regarding the merger of the two NCP factions and, therefore, has no right to comment on it.

He reiterated that Jayant Patil and Ajit Pawar were the ones holding these discussions. With this, Sharad Pawar has once again underscored that the talks for the merger of the NCP factions were indeed taking place.

–IANS

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