Deputy CM Dr G Parameshwara keen to emerge as Dalit face of the government
The meeting is likely to discuss 19 demands concerning land, housing, reservation in employment, special component scheme and implementation of single window policy for the grant of industrial lands. BENGALURU: Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara might have missed out on the CM post but is keen to emerge as the Dalit face of the Congress government. With Dalit leader and former minister Dr HC Mahadevappa taking part in a Dalit protest rally held at Freedom Park, the DCM on Friday promised Dalit activists to convene a meeting at Vidhana Soudha next week to discuss their demands, including filling backlog vacancies in government. Attending the ‘Dalit Janagraha Samavesha’ organised by Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (Ambedkarism), the DCM said he would invite Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to the meeting apart from officials and legislators. The meeting is likely to discuss 19 demands concerning land, housing, reservation in employment, special component scheme and implementation of single window policy for the grant of industrial lands. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Minister Shobha Karandlaje demands ECI probe into SIR ‘scam’
Karandlaje alleged that the ruling Congress is diluting SIR by conducting camp-based verification instead of visits to houses to include ineligible voters. BENGALURU: Union Minister and Bengaluru North MP Shobha Karandlaje has urged the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to investigate the alleged irregularities in the conduct of SIR in the state. In a letter to the Election Commission of India (ECI), she demanded that the ECI enforce strict adherence to the prescribed SIR exercise and deploy independent observers to oversee it in the state. She said instead of the mandatory door-to-door verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), the exercise is being conducted by gathering people at community halls and other places, defeating the very purpose of SIR. A day after Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy released videos of the alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise in Ramanagara, BJP leaders, including Karandlaje and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka, released photographs and videos of the exercise done at Yeshwantpur, Chamarajpet, Malleswaram, Govindarajanagar and other assembly constituencies in Bengaluru. According to them, such irregularities are happening across the state. Karandlaje alleged that the ruling Congress is diluting SIR by conducting camp-based verification instead of visits to houses to include ineligible voters. Stating that the ECI is the sole constitutional authority to revise electoral rolls, she alleged that the Karnataka State Election Commission’s (KSEC) separate exercise will create confusion, duplication and inconsistencies in the voters’ list. Citing a recent Supreme Court judgment upholding the ECI’s authority over SIR, she sought immediate directions to halt the parallel exercise in the state and ensure that only the ECI finalised electoral rolls are used for local body elections. She also urged the ECI to immediately halt the parallel SIR being conducted by the KSEC in 27 wards of GBA. When a statewide SIR exercise is on, a parallel revision by the KSEC will create confusion among voters. The ruling Congress is conducting the exercise just to please party leader Rahul Gandhi, she alleged. Karandlaje claimed that the Congress government is attempting to enrol Bangladeshi immigrants and other ineligible people in the voters’ list. Birth and residence certificates are being issued illegally to help to include ineligible people in the voters’ list. HDK demands fresh SIR Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has urged the ECI to conduct a fresh SIR in the state in view of the alleged irregularities in the exercise. “I will meet the ECI officials in New Delhi soon and urge them to take action against officials, including Ramanagara (Bengaluru South) deputy commissioner,’’ he said. Forms being filled in mosques: Pralhad Joshi Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has alleged that enumeration forms are being filled in mosques at Shiggaon, Savanur, Hubli and Dharwad. In a press release issued on Friday, he said this is a matter of serious concern and sought a thorough probe into the alleged irregularities in the exercise. He alleged that such irregularities are happening with the support of the ruling Congress. Referring to the exercise at booth No 16 in Ward 63 of Hubballi-Dharwad East Assembly constituency, Joshi claimed that the local BLO, Mary Ramachandra Harapanahalli, filled enumeration forms sitting in one place instead of visiting houses. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Toe party line on Adani: High command to Kerala CM
Party leaders reportedly told V D Satheesan to align the state’s stand with the Congress’ national position on the Adani Group and protect Kerala’s interests. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a setback for Chief Minister V D Satheesan, the Congress high command has taken a dim view of the controversy over the proposed transfer of a stake in Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited (AVPPL) to the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) without the state government’s approval. According to Congress sources, a high command representative conveyed the party’s displeasure to the chief minister two days ago and reminded him that the state’s handling of the issue must be in line with the Congress’ national stand on the Adani Group. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly accused the Adani Group of monopolising key sectors of the economy through the political patronage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. The high command is learnt to have told the chief minister that the concession agreement signed during the Oommen Chandy government’s tenure was designed to safeguard the state’s interests. Any dilution of those safeguards would be unacceptable, it reportedly said, urging the government not to yield to pressure from the Adani Group. The leadership also recalled allegations that corporate funding had been used to engineer defections of opposition legislators to the BJP, sources said. It was the high command’s intervention that prompted Satheesan to harden his stand on the proposed share transfer on Thursday evening, Congress leaders said. “His response to questions and a submission in the assembly a day earlier lacked bite. He described MSC as the world’s largest container shipping company and even remarked that the issue had not generated much public interest,” a Congress MLA said. However, leaders close to the chief minister dismissed the claim as a “witch hunt” aimed at undermining his credibility. Honeymoon Destination Manali Tourism Himachal Pradesh Travel GuideиTravel Nfx They pointed out that Satheesan had assured the assembly that the government would not compromise the state’s interests. Sources said the high command was also suprised by Satheesan’s claim that the government learnt of the proposed stake transfer only through recent newspaper reports, pointing out that details of the Adani Group-MSC deal had long been in the public domain. “A leading financial daily carried a detailed report on the proposed stake transfer on June 1,” a Congress leader said. The government’s claim of being unaware of the developments failed to convince the party leadership, which is learnt to have advised it to tread cautiously. AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal’s remarks on the controversy are being seen within the party as an indirect signal of the high command’s disapproval of the state government’s handling of the issue. Speaking to reporters, Venugopal asked whether Adani had become a “super government” and whether Kerala was being run by the BJP. “Things do not happen here simply because Adani wants them to,” he said. The controversy has also revived discussions within the Congress over Satheesan’s chartered flight to Mangaluru on the eve of the assembly election results, when the race for the chief minister’s post was at its peak. Satheesan has since declined to answer questions about his alleged meeting with an Adani Group official and NDA MLAs. Though several Congress leaders had flagged the controversial trip to the high command, it chose not to pursue the matter then as the party had just returned to power in the state after a decade in the opposition. Meanwhile, Satheesan said on Friday that the state government would seek legal opinion and an expert review of the Adani Group’s proposal to transfer shares in the port’s operating company. He said the government would not rush a decision on approving the deal. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Electoral democracy faces gravest threats from Modi-Shah regime: Congress
KC Venugopal raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the “partisan role” of the Election Commission of India (ECI), and other poll-related issues. The Congress on Friday alleged that electoral democracy in India is facing the “gravest of threats” under the present government and called on the Supreme Court to take urgent steps to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. In a post on X, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal shared a letter sent by 23 opposition parties and an Independent MP to the Chief Justice of India (CJI), raising concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the “partisan role” of the Election Commission of India (ECI), and other poll-related issues. “Electoral democracy in our country faces the gravest of threats from the Modi-Shah regime,” Venugopal said in his post while releasing a copy of the letter. Electoral democracy in our country faces the gravest of threats from the Modi-Shah regime. On 28th June, 23 Opposition Parties along with an Independent MP wrote to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India on the flawed SIR process, the partisan role of the Election Commission of… pic.twitter.com/GGP4tW9Yxg He said the letter, submitted on June 28, flagged issues relating to the “flawed SIR process”, the “partisan role” of the Election Commission of India and other election-related concerns. “It is the role of our judiciary to guard our democracy from the excesses of the executive – especially one which is hell-bent on destroying the Constitutional framework that gives us our democracy. “In our democracy, the Supreme Court is entrusted with the onerous responsibility of ensuring injustice doesn’t prevail. Therefore, it has a vital role to play in protecting the free and fair nature of elections, and also to make sure that they seen to be free and fair. Without this, injustice against 1.4 billion voters persists every single day,” he said in his post. “We are releasing this letter, in the interest of transparency, and in the hope that the Hon’ble Supreme Court will take the firm steps urgently required to restore the integrity and accoutability of and faith in the election process of crores of our people,” Venugopal said. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Quarry owners told to pay compensation: CM Shivakumar
Strict legal action, including filing of FIRs, will be initiated if rules and regulations are violated by those operating the quarry, the CM, who visited the injured in the hospital later in the day. BENGALURU: Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said that the state government will initiate action in the quarry boulder collapse case in which seven workers died, after receiving a report from its officials. Compensation will be given to the families of the victims based on the report, he told reporters here. Shivakumar said that an investigation is on to know if the quarry was being run legally and following safety norms. Police and officials from the Department of Mines and Geology have visited the quarry. Preliminary investigations revealed that the boulder collapse was not caused by a blast, he said. Shivakumar said the quarry operators have been directed to pay compensation to the families of the victims. Responding to Yeshwanthpur MLA ST Somashekar’s allegation that a leopard died in a blast in the quarry sometime ago and it was hushed up without a proper investigation, Shivakumar said the MLA had brought the matter to the government’s attention. “I will comment only after I receive the report,’’ he said, adding that steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in future. Strict legal action, including filing of FIRs, will be initiated if rules and regulations are violated by those operating the quarry, the CM, who visited the injured in the hospital later in the day, said. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
UP Elections: Where did Chirag Paswan get the energy to contest the UP elections? Understand the mathematics of Dalit politics.
UP Elections: The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has decided to contest the upcoming UP Assembly elections. Party national president Chirag Paswan himself has stated that he is preparing to field candidates in the UP elections. Meanwhile, party MP and UP in-charge Arun Kumar Bharti has been tasked with recharging the organization in UP and making all preparations for the elections. Let’s try to understand why Chirag Paswan wants to enter Uttar Pradesh politics. Lucknow/Patna: Following the JDU, the LJP (R) has also decided to contest the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) national president and Union Minister Chirag Paswan said that he is preparing to field candidates for his party in the 2027 UP elections. He explained that MP Arun Bharti is overseeing all the responsibilities, including ensuring the party performs well in UP and recharging the organization. Speaking to reporters at Patna airport recently, Chirag Paswan said, “Our MPs, MLAs, and leaders are working on expanding the organization in Uttar Pradesh. A decision on the election strategy will be taken at the right time.” Jamui MP Arun Bharti said that the number of seats the LJP (RV) will contest will be decided at the time of the elections. He added, “But our preparations are underway for all 403 seats. The ‘green scarf’ (RJD) of Bihar is the red cap (SP) of Uttar Pradesh, where the Dalit population understands well how they have been sold the dream of the sun on a bicycle (election symbol). They are now joining forces with Chirag Paswan. We are uniting the Dalit community in Uttar Pradesh.” Chirag Paswan’s party is primarily considered a party of the Paswan caste. Even in Bihar, he practices caste-based politics, claiming a 5 to 6 percent vote share. As far as Uttar Pradesh is concerned, the Paswan caste’s vote share is very low. Whatever it does have is scattered across various districts. Political parties themselves claim that the Paswan (Dusadh) community has a population of only around 2.3 lakh in Uttar Pradesh. In terms of caste strength, this represents less than 0.1% of Uttar Pradesh’s total population. People of the Paswan caste are settled in the Purvanchal districts of Uttar Pradesh, such as Varanasi, Chandauli, Ghazipur, Ballia, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Gorakhpur, and Mau. Here, they also have Scheduled Caste status, just like in Bihar. Why does Chirag want to bring his party to Uttar Pradesh? Since 2014, Mayawati, the most prominent Dalit leader in Uttar Pradesh politics, has weakened. Her party, the Bahujan Samaj Party, is fighting for its survival. Consequently, the space for a strong and universally accepted Dalit leader appears vacant not only in Uttar Pradesh but also at the national level. In such a situation, Chirag Paswan is trying to establish himself as an alternative for that position. This is why Chirag’s party has been fielding candidates in Jharkhand, Punjab, and the Northeast states. It’s worth noting that between 1995 and 2000, Chirag Paswan’s father, Ram Vilas Paswan, became a prominent Dalit leader at the national level. In the Lok Sabha, Ram Vilas Paswan spoke for Dalits not only in Bihar but across the country. It is believed that Chirag Paswan also believes that now that he has become a Union Minister, he should move beyond acceptance within the Paswan community to acceptance as a leader of the entire Dalit community. Written by: Abhishek Kumar Courtesy: Hindi News
Karnataka CM Shivakumar tells ministers to tour all districts, review drought
The CM said the cabinet has decided to hold a 15-day monsoon session of joint legislature in August, though it is usually convened in July, after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. BENGALURU: The State cabinet on Thursday discussed the impending drought situation in the state due to scanty rain. After the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he has instructed his 13 ministers to visit all 31 districts and conduct review meetings. “I, too, will tour all four administrative divisions and review the situation on the ground,” he said, briefing the media.” The PM has already issued a strong warning. There is a possibility of a severe shortage of both water and electricity across the country due to the prevailing weather conditions. At present, reservoirs such as Tungabhadra, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Almatti, Narayanpur and Vanivilas Sagar are recording zero inflow,” he remarked. “Even in the Cauvery basin, inflow has reduced drastically. Last year, Hemavathi had 88tmcft of water, but today it has come down to 40tmcft. KRS had 100tmcft last year, whereas today it is at 22tmcft; Kabini had 79tmcft but it is now at 26tmcft. Overall, reservoir inflows have fallen to just 20 per cent,” he elaborated. 15-day monsoon session in August after SIR “This is a matter of serious concern. I appeal to farmers not to sow crops relying solely on reservoir water. If there is no water, we will not be able to release water for irrigation,” Shivakumar warned. He suggested that farmers should decide on raising water-intensive crops based on the progress of the monsoon and until reservoirs are adequately filled. Terming it a major concern across the country, he hoped for good rainfall during the rest of the season so that water can be released for agriculture. The Centre has warned about the possibility of a severe drought in the country, Shivakumar said, adding that he has already directed departments to stock adequate coal and other essential resources to ensure there is no shortage. A gas-based power facility in Bengaluru will also be kept ready for use if required,” he said. The CM said the cabinet has decided to hold a 15-day monsoon session of joint legislature in August, though it is usually convened in July, after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The process will conclude with the announcement of the draft roll on August 5, and until then, MLAs and officials will be engaged in ensuring that eligible voters remain on the electoral rolls in their respective constituencies, he reasoned. “Leaders from all political parties are also occupied with this exercise, and we don’t want to disturb them. I will fix a date for the Assembly session, either in the first or second week of August,” he said. Shivakumar stressed BLOs are required to deliver the forms at doorsteps, and no MLA or political party worker is authorised to distribute them. BLOs must visit each household and make three attempts if the voter is unavailable, and political parties may assist through their Booth Level Agents, but actual distribution of forms must be done only by BLOs, he said. ‘Prajaseva’ to address woes The CM said ‘Prajaseva’, a new department set up to address public grievances, will have a designated minister. He instructed all ministers to hold grievance meetings twice a month in every assembly constituency on the first and third Saturdays along with the MLAs concerned. The department will serve as a platform for people to present their problems, including those raised through protests, and will resolve public issues and ensure the concerns are communicated to the appropriate departments and officials. “Wherever protests take place, ministers and officers will receive applications, and wherever legally permissible, process them and provide assistance. The grievances will then be forwarded to the department,” he elaborated. Harsh Gupta, Chairman, Karnataka Appellate Tribunal, Bengaluru, was posted as principal secretary, Prajaseva department. He will also hold concurrent charge of the post of KAT Chairman. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BJP vs Rahul on SIR: BJP Says DK Is Backing SIR, Questions Rahul’s ‘Vote Chori’ Charge
The Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision in Karnataka has sparked a fierce political war, exposing a sharp contradiction within the Congress party. Nationally, Rahul Gandhi aggressively opposes the drive, framing it as an unconstitutional tool for “voter theft” aimed at deleting minority and marginalized voters. However, the Congress-led Karnataka government, driven by CM D.K. Shivakumar, is actively executing the enumeration on the ground. The BJP has seized on this divergence, accusing Congress of blatant hypocrisy. BJP leaders argue that Shivakumar’s mobilization of 59,000 Booth Level Officers completely invalidates Gandhi’s national conspiracy narrative. Tension has intensified over Shivakumar’s heavy-handed execution, where he warned citizens that failing to verify their names could cost them vital state welfare rations. Ultimately, this friction highlights the widening gap between national opposition rhetoric and the practical realities of state governance. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘We will fulfil resolve for social justice’: Rahul greets Akhilesh on 53rd birthday
AICC president Kharge also greeted Yadav and vowed to jointly continue advancing the cause of social justice, inclusive development, and the strengthening of democracy and the Constitution. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday greeted Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on his 53rd birthday, and said together they will fulfil the resolve for social justice. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also greeted Yadav on his birthday, and vowed to jointly continue advancing the cause of social justice, inclusive development, and the strengthening of democracy and the Constitution. In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said, “Many happy returns of the day, @yadavakhilesh ji. Together, we will fulfil the resolve for social justice through the participation of the PDA (Pichra, Dalit, Alpasankhyak).” “Best wishes for good health and a happy life,” he said. Yadav, who was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh from 2012 to 2017, turned 53 on Wednesday. In a post on X in Hindi, Kharge said, “Heartfelt birthday wishes to the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and national president of the Samajwadi Party, Shri Akhilesh Yadav. I wish you a bright future, excellent health, and a long life.” “Together, we will continue to advance the cause of social justice, inclusive development, and the strengthening of democracy and the Constitution,” Kharge said. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Arun Yadav urges Rahul Gandhi to step in as Digvijaya Singh-Jitu Patwari row exposes MP Congress rift
Yadav’s post came a day after reports of infighting surfaced during the Madhya Pradesh Congress Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting at the party headquarters in Bhopal. BHOPAL: Former Madhya Pradesh Congress president and ex-Union minister Arun Yadav has urged Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and the party’s central leadership to intervene to strengthen organisational unity in the state unit. “Honorable Shri Rahul Gandhi, the BJP and its government are grappling with internal conflicts, failures, and other problems in Madhya Pradesh. Even in this period, the truly loyal workers of the Congress party organization (in MP) are struggling ideologically. During such times, certain individuals are making futile attempts to break the morale of those workers under a contrived conspiracy; there is no doubt in this. “It is only by combining the enthusiasm of the youth and the wisdom of the party’s experienced leaders that we can confront the fascist ideology. In such a situation, if responsible people try to exploit their personal grievances and animosity at the expense of the party’s workers, it will not be timely. Kindly intervene through the central leadership to prevent the morale of the struggling workers from breaking and graciously strengthen the organizational unity,” Yadav posted on X on Wednesday. Yadav’s post came a day after reports of infighting surfaced during the Madhya Pradesh Congress Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting at the party headquarters in Bhopal. Former minister Sajjan Singh Verma, MLA Arif Masood and former MLA Pravin Pathak reportedly criticised senior Congress leader and former chief minister Digvijaya Singh for contradicting state Congress president Jitu Patwari’s stand on allegations relating to the allotment of land worth Rs 500 crore to a trust in Ujjain by the Mohan Yadav government. In a related development, Madhya Pradesh Congress general secretary Nidhi Chaturvedi, daughter of former MP Satyavrat Chaturvedi, launched a sharp attack on Digvijaya Singh in a social media post. “When will Congress be freed from ‘Naagpash’ of Digvijaya Singh. His (Singh’s) restlessness, anger, and indecorous conduct are nothing but a highly inappropriate, distressing, and condemnable step taken out of ‘attachment to his son.’ In his ambition to seat his son, Jaivardhan Singh, in the position of state party president, he has forgotten what party discipline means,” she wrote. The controversy stems from a June 24 press conference in New Delhi, where Patwari and Congress media department chairman Pawan Khera cited a national daily’s investigation into land purchases by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, his relatives and associated real estate firms in Ujjain. Patwari had also alleged that government land worth Rs 500 crore in Ujjain had been allotted to the Veer Bharat Nyas for a token amount of Re 1. “Its trustee is Shriram Tiwari, who is the Chief Minister’s cultural advisor. On what basis was such expensive land given to this trust?” he had asked. Days later, Digvijaya Singh publicly disputed the allegation while speaking to reporters in Ujjain and later in Barwani. “It is being alleged that land worth Rs 500 crore has been rendered to a private trust for Rs 1 only. But I’ve all relevant papers with me, which establish that the concerned land hasn’t been given to any private trust, instead the concerned trust is a government trust. I don’t speak on any issue without proper research… There isn’t a dearth of dalals (brokers), who make false accusations and then earn money,” Singh had said. His remarks, seen as contradicting the state unit’s allegations, were repeatedly highlighted by the BJP to target Patwari while praising Singh’s stand. The reported differences triggered resentment among several Congress leaders during Tuesday’s PAC meeting, prompting Digvijaya Singh and Patwari to jointly address the media later in the day. “Entire Congress party in MP is united in the fight against corruption of Dr Mohan Yadav government. All complaints related to land deals by the state’s CM and his family are being probed at our level. We all will unitedly fight a definite battle on the issue,” the two leaders said. Seeking to end speculation over differences, Digvijaya Singh added: “Confusion is being spread about differences between me and state party chief Jitu Patwari. He (Patwari) is like my son. I’ve spent more than half a century in the Congress party. I can never use the word Dalal for any leader of the party, including the state party chief. I used the word Dalal for a journalist, whose name is Bhupendra Dalal.” With the reports of infighting dominating television coverage, the Madhya Pradesh Congress on Wednesday questioned why electronic media channels had not given similar prominence to the allegations over the chief minister’s land deals. “Instead of covering issues of burning public importance, efforts are being made to divert the public attention to other issues,” the party said. The state Congress has also announced a three-day Maun Satyagraha (silent protest). In an official statement, state Congress general secretary (organisation) Dr Sanjay Kamle said that, barring authorised press conferences and briefings, no Congress leader in the state would participate in television debates or give soundbites to TV channels during the next three days. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights