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Hyderabad, Sep 1 (IANS) The protest by BRS over the Telangana government’s decision to hand over the Kaleshwaram project probe to the CBI rocked the State Legislative Council on Monday.

Members of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) stalled the proceedings as soon as the House met for the day. They tore the copies of the PC Ghose Commission report and flung the pieces towards Chairman G. Sukhender Reddy and raised slogans of ‘Jai Telangana’.

Amid the pandemonium, the Chairman continued the proceedings. The House passed three Bills without any debate. He later adjourned the House sine die.

Earlier, as soon as the Council met for the day, the BRS members were on their feet to protest the government’s decision to hand over the probe into alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy made the announcement in the Assembly in the early hours of the day after a marathon debate on the report of the PC Ghose Commission, which probed the alleged irregularities in the project constructed during the BRS rule.

Amid the protest by BRS members, the Council took up the Telangana Municipalities (Third Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Telangana Panchayat Raj (Third Amendment) Bill, 2025, which were passed by the State Assembly on Sunday to lift the 50 per cent upper ceiling on the reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes in local bodies. This will pave the way for the implementation of the 42 per cent reservation for Backward Classes in the local body polls.

Minister for Backward Classes Welfare Ponnam Prabhakar alleged that the BRS was stalling the Bills as it was against 42 per cent reservation for BCs.

The Council also passed the Telangana Allopathic Establishment Act (2002) Repeal Bill by a voice vote without any debate. This Bill was passed by the Assembly on Sunday.

After the House was adjourned sine die, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president and MLC Mahesh Kumar Goud slammed the BRS for stalling the proceedings.

–IANS

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Patna, Nov 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the RJD and Congress, saying the bumper voting in the first phase of the Bihar Assembly polls had delivered a 65-volt shock to them.

Addressing a rally in Sitamarhi, the Prime Minister said there was widespread discussion that Bihar’s youth and women had voted decisively for development and for the NDA.

“In the first phase of polling, the proponents of jungle raj have received a 65-volt shock. The youth of Bihar have chosen development; they have chosen the NDA. The sisters and daughters of Bihar have also ensured a record victory for the NDA,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi alleged that RJD’s campaign messages revealed their mindset.

“Just listen to the songs and slogans of these proponents of jungle raj. On RJD platforms, innocent children are being made to say that they want to become gangsters. Should a child from Bihar become a gangster or a doctor?” PM Modi asked.

He said the NDA was offering books, computers, sports equipment and opportunities in education and start-ups — not guns.

“Jungle raj means guns, cruelty, bitterness, bad manners and corruption,” PM Modi said, adding that leaders such as Karpoori Thakur and Bhola Paswan Shastri had envisioned social justice and development, but that era was derailed during the RJD’s tenure.

“On the one hand, the NDA government is developing our pilgrimage sites. On the other hand, people from the Congress and the RJD are insulting our faith. You must have heard what the Congress leader said about Chhathi Maiya.

“Chhath Mahaparv is a glorious festival representing the devotion and penance of the mothers and sisters of Bihar. And the Congress leader says that this Chhath Mahaparv is just drama, a farce. This is an insult to our mothers and sisters, to Chhath Maiya, to our traditions, heritage, and culture.

“Those who commit such insults must be punished. The best way to punish these people is through your vote. Cast the vote in favour of the NDA candidates and defeat them,” PM Modi said.

He accused the RJD-Congress combine of destroying the industrial ecosystem.

“They don’t even know the ABC of industries. Not a single big factory was set up in 15 years. Even sugar mills in the Mithilaanchal region shut down. No major hospital or medical college came up,” he said.

PM Modi said the NDA era had reversed that trend — claiming better roads, improved rail and air connectivity, new power projects and revived manufacturing.

He cited the reopening of the Riga sugar mill and said more such industries would come up with greater strength in the coming years.

He said the Centre was promoting ethanol production to support sugarcane farmers.

“Keeping in mind the interests of sugarcane farmers, our government is also promoting the production of ethanol from sugarcane. The BJP and NDA deliver on what they promise. And Modi’s guarantee means a guarantee that the promise will be fulfilled. As soon as the NDA government is formed again in Bihar, we will further strengthen this pace of development,” he said.

PM Modi linked development with heritage, invoking Sita and Ayodhya.

“Today, I have come to this sacred land of Mother Sita seeking your blessings. Only with the blessings of Mother Sita will Bihar become a developed state. This election will decide what the future of the children of Bihar will be,” he said.

He said he had prayed on this soil and referred to the Supreme Court judgment on Ayodhya.

“When a prayer is offered from the land of Mother Sita, does it ever go unanswered? That is exactly what happened — the Supreme Court gave the verdict in favour of Ramlala,” he said.

PM Modi also highlighted connectivity initiatives under the Ramayana Circuit.

“A direct rail service from Sitamarhi to Ayodhya is part of this plan. Your son-in-law is none other than Lord Rama himself. A magnificent temple of the son-in-law of Sitamarhi has been built in Ayodhya. Now it’s the turn of Mother Sita’s maternal home. The grandeur of Punoura Dham will now be seen by the whole world.”

–IANS

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New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended their warm wishes to the citizens on the occasion of Holi.

President Murmu, on the eve of Holi, conveyed her heartfelt greetings, emphasising the festival’s spirit of unity and brotherhood.

In her message, she said: “This festival nurtures the spirit of unity and brotherhood in our lives. The diverse colours of Holi reflect the values of unity in diversity. This festival also symbolises the triumph of good over evil. It teaches us to spread love and positivity around us.”

She also extended her warm greetings and best wishes to all Indians, both in India and abroad, adding, “May this festival of colours fill your lives with joy and prosperity.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to social media platform X to send his greetings. He wrote, “Many wishes to all of you on Holi. May this festival infuse new enthusiasm and energy in everyone’s life and also deepen the colour of unity among the countrymen.”

Holi, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm both in India and abroad, will be observed on Friday. The festival is preceded by the ritual of lighting bonfires, known as Holika Dahan, symbolising the burning of the demoness Holika.

On a separate note, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited the Asha Kiran shelter home in Rohini on Thursday to celebrate Holi with the children. She emphasised that since these children do not have parents, the government, as their guardian, would ensure they receive proper care and facilities. Accompanied by Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Singh Indraj, CM Gupta distributed sweets and chocolates to the children.

–IANS

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