New Delhi : President Droupadi Murmu in her address to the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on Friday highlighted the government’s various schemes and goals. She said the government was committed to fulfilling the welfare of the poor and the dreams of the middle class and also was aiming to make India a global innovation powerhouse.
President Murmu said, “Our aim is to make India a global innovation powerhouse…In the area of artificial intelligence, India’s AI Mission has been started.”
Addressing the joint session, President Murmu said, “Today our youth is bringing glory to the country in every field from startups to sports to space…India is showing the way to the world in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and the adoption of technology.”
She said it is a matter of great pride for the Parliament that today women in large numbers are flying fighter aircraft, joining police and also leading corporates in the country. “Our daughters are making the country proud by winning Olympic medals…My government believes in women-led development in the country…The government aims to have three crore Lakhpati didis….”
The President said that the government is committed to fulfilling the dream of the middle class of having their own house.
She offered condolences over the stampede incident at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj that killed at least 30 people on Wednesday.
“The historic Maha Kumbh is going on. It is a festival of our cultural traditions and social awakening. Crores of devotees from India and the world have taken a holy dip in Prayagraj. I express my condolences on the accident that occurred on Mauni Amavasya and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
The President also paid tribute to the former prime minister, Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26 last year.
Addressing the joint sitting of Parliament, President Murmu also extended greetings on the occasion of the country celebrating 75 years of adopting the Constitution.
Srinagar: Security forces killed two heavily armed terrorists who attempted to infiltrate across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, officials said on Friday.
The infiltration attempt was detected on Thursday night in the Khari Karmara area, prompting a swift response from alert troops.
“Terrorist movement was detected last night at the Line of Control in Poonch sector. Alert troops swiftly engaged the infiltrating terrorists, triggering an intense and heavy firefight,” the Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps said in a post on X.
The army confirmed that the operation continued overnight, leading to the “neutralization of two terrorists.” A search operation is underway, and security forces have recovered “a number of weapons and war-like stores,” officials added.
Indian National Congress candidate Sandeep Dikshit has challenged former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on his various claims and invited him for a debate at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, tomorrow.
“Ever since I have been declared a candidate of the Indian National Congress for the New Delhi seat, I have constantly challenged you on various claims that you are making regarding your work as chief minister of Delhi and MLA from New Delhi,” he wrote in a letter to Kejriwal.
He also advised him to bring in information and data on any claim he makes, and Dikshit will use government documents to show whether he is right or wrong.
“The only rule in this debate shall be that every point made and every counterpoint made has to be based on factual reliable data, and not on your chime,” the letter read.
Dikshit said that now that we are moving towards the last leg of this election, and once again you have started your old rhetoric of total lies, and ventured into charging everyone else of being corrupt, it’s time to call you out for what you are — a coward and a cheat.
“I am inviting you to a spelt public debate between 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Jantar Mantar on 31. January, 2025. I will wait for you to come there and debate out on all that you have been highlighting as achievements,” he stated in the letter.
The 70-member Legislative Assembly in Delhi is scheduled to go for polls on February 5, 2025. Besides the ruling AAP, the BJP and the Congress are the main contenders. Over the years, AAP has seen a decline in winning seats in 2020 as compared to 2015. The party won 67 seats in Delhi for the year 2015 and 62 in 2020.
New Delhi : Delhi Police have filed a case after a vehicle labelled “Punjab government” was intercepted with cash, liquor and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) pamphlets, an official said. The Punjab government, however, said the car had a fake registration plate and was different from the registered model.
The car was found on Wednesday and a large amount of cash and liquor was seized, police said.
The car had a “Punjab government” sticker, said the officials, adding that AAP pamphlets were also found in the car.
Delhi Police said the vehicle was found parked outside Punjab Bhawan on Copernicus Marg in the national capital. When searched, the cops said they found cash amounting to Rs 8 lakh, liquor bottles with Punjab stamps, and AAP pamphlets inside the car.
As per the model code of conduct in force in Delhi ahead of the Assembly elections, people are barred from carrying more than Rs 50, 000 in cash. A case has been registered at the Tilak Marg police station.
The Punjab government soon issued a denial after the news came out. The government said in a statement that as per the official record, the car was registered in the name of Major Anubhav Shivpuri, who was posted at the Army Dental College, Pathankot, three years ago. He is a permanent resident of Khadki in Maharashtra, it said.
“It has come to the knowledge of the Department of Transport (Govt of Punjab), that a vehicle carrying registration number PB35AE1342 has been apprehended in Delhi carrying illegal liquor and some unaccounted cash. It has been alleged in the media reports that the vehicle has a sticker of Punjab Govt on it, ” the statement read.
The Punjab government said the registered vehicle model on the registration number PB35AE1342 was the Ford Eco Sport of make year 2018 but the actual vehicle apprehended by the police belongs to the Hyundai Creta series. “This confirms that the vehicle’s number plate is forged and fake. High-Security Registration Plate(HSRP) is mandatory for all vehicles and the registration plate visible in the video is an ordinary one, without the features of HSRP, hence easy to forge. Also, we have searched our records and found that no such vehicle is owned or hired by Govt of Punjab. The apprehended vehicle does not belong to Govt of Punjab at all.” The AAP also released a statement, saying the car seizure was a “planted stunt and utterly bogus”.
The Bharatiya Janata Party may be putting up a brave fight against Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party, however, a lack of effective local leadership may hurt the saffron party’s electoral prospects in the forthcoming Delhi Legislative Assembly polls.
The BJP has been using its national leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh extensively for campaigning in the polls. While also roping in Chief Ministers like Devendra Fadnavis from Maharashtra, Nayab Singh Saini from Haryana and others to reach out to the expat populations residing in the national capital.
The extensive engagement of these senior leaders exposes the fact that the local unit of the BJP is devoid of any tall leaders that can take on Arvind Kejriwal directly.
The same political strategy was implemented by the BJP in 2020 Assembly polls as well, however, it not bear the positive outcome that the party was hoping for and Kejriwal stormed back to power with a massive majority.
Photo : Naveen Bansal
Going to polls on local issues, but roping in Central leaders to bat for the party isn’t likely to help the BJP as these issues can only explained to voters by leaders from grassroots. An active and effective local leadership is therefore extremely necessary for any party to secure power in an Assembly poll. The national leaders can only give a direction to the state leaders, the real political battle needs to be fought by its local unit, sources pointed out.
In Haryana, where the party secured unprecedented third term last year, the BJP had strategically kept Central leadership away from too much campaigning, sources said. This showed positive results for the party as it came back to power and its state leaders were able to explain issues, and reach out to aspirations of local voters effectively.
The BJP has been out of power from the Delhi Assembly since December 1998, when the then BJP Chief Minister Sushma Swaraj lost to the Congress, which installed Sheila Dikshit at the helm for three consecutive terms.
The BJP leadership hopes that continued targeting of senior AAP leaders like Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain and others over alleged corruption cases is likely to help the saffron front in the forthcoming polls.
The 70-member Delhi Assembly is scheduled to go for polls on February 5 and the results will be announced on February 8.
As the Delhi Assembly elections approach in 2025, one thing is clear, the use of artificial intelligence is playing an unprecedented role in shaping the political landscape. For the first time, voters who are often tech-savvy and highly connected, find themselves at the centre of a digital revolution in politics. In a city as diverse and dynamic as Delhi, political parties are increasingly turning to use AI on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to influence the electorate—and the younger generation is at the heart of this transformation.
Political parties in Delhi are now investing heavily in AI strategies to connect with voters, particularly the younger demographic. With over 60 per cent of Delhi’s population under the age of 35, the youth vote has become a key battleground for political parties. From videos and memes the digital space has become a crucial tool for shaping public opinion.
Some of the parties who have traditionally positioned itself as a party of the people, has lead the charge in using AI to engage with voters. Over the years, it has built a robust online presence.
As the digital influence grows, political campaigns are evolving with the use of artificial intelligence. Political teams utilize sophisticated algorithms to optimize digital ad placements, making sure that the right message reaches the right person at the right time.
However, with the increased use of the AI come the challenges of misinformation and polarization. False narratives, unverified claims, and biased content spread rapidly through social networks, potentially influencing voters in harmful ways.
Speaking to Tehelka.com, Sidhharrth S Kumaar, poll strategist and founder of NumroVani said that AI has helped and empowered the campaigns to be data-driven voter profiling, microtargeting, predictive analytics, and automated digital interaction.
“AI is being used for sentiment monitoring, real-time strategy changes, chatbots driven AI, and tailored messages. However, with Indian voters wherein it is hard to differentiate deepfake films, propaganda, and voter manipulation poses ethical questions, and the current regulations of ECI is not strict enough on implementation enough to proactively manage influence on voters,” he said.
Meanwhile, Co-founder, Spydra Technologies, Manish Tewari said that as AI continues to evolve, its role in social media poll campaigns will only expand. From automating content creation to enhancing audience engagement, AI-driven polls are revolutionizing the digital marketing landscape, making campaigns more efficient, data-driven, and impactful.
In the rush to win over young voters, political parties are sometimes accused of pushing divisive or exaggerated messages.
Manish Mohta, Managing Director, Learning Spiral said, “Tools with AI capabilities improve outreach, streamline communications, and maximize the impact of marketing strategies, but as proponents of digital literacy, we stress the importance of fact-based information exchange, data privacy protection, and ethical AI use. In an increasingly digitized environment, artificial intelligence (AI) may increase democratic participation, promote civic engagement, and arm voters with knowledge when used properly.”
In the rush to win over young voters, political parties are sometimes accused of pushing divisive or exaggerated messages.
Raising concern over same, Hariom Seth, founder, Tagglabs said, “AI is truly transforming poll campaigns on social media. AI generated humorous video gave changes the entire landscape of digital campaigns. While the current trend of lighthearted slander is highly engaging and effective, one has to be wary of the misuse of deepfake videos.”
As the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections near, one thing is evident: social media is not just a tool for campaigning—it’s a space where young voters are shaping the future of Delhi’s politics. Digital platforms allow voters to engage in real-time conversations, discuss political ideologies, and even challenge traditional party lines.
The shift toward digital campaigning also highlights a larger trend in global politics: the growing importance of the youth vote. With more than half of Delhi’s electorate under the age of 35, their engagement on social media could make or break a candidate’s chances. In a city where traditional methods of campaigning still hold sway, the rise of digital strategies represents a profound shift in how elections are fought and won.
New Delhi : Following the tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj in the wee hours of Wednesday, which left several people critically injured and caused distress among devotees, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed sorrow over the tragedy and blamed the arrangements, calling them “half-baked.”
Congress chief Kharge expressed his sorrow over the tragedy in a post on X, writing, “During the Maha Kumbh, the news of the stampede on the banks of Tirthraj Sangam in which several people lost their lives and many others got injured is extremely heart-rending. Our deepest condolences to the families of the devotees and we wish for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Kharge also criticised the arrangements, adding, “Half-baked arrangements, VIP movement, paying more attention to self-promotion than management and mismanagement are responsible for this. Despite spending thousands of crores of rupees, such arrangements are condemnable.”
Kharge urged both the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh governments to improve the arrangements, stating, “There are still many important royal baths left, so the Central and state governments should wake up now and improve the arrangements so that such unpleasant incidents do not happen in future.”
He further called for expanded provisions for accommodation, food, first aid, and for curbing VIP movement, emphasising, “This is what our saints and sages also want.” He also instructed Congress workers to provide help to the victims and their families.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi took to social media X and wrote: “The stampede incident in Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. I pray to God to give peace to the departed souls and give strength to their families to bear this sorrow. All devotees should maintain patience and follow the safety rules and instructions so that this event remains safe.”
AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal also expressed his condolences, writing, “The stampede incident in Maha Kumbh is extremely sad. I pray for the peace of the souls of the devotees who lost their lives in this accident. May God give strength to their families to bear this immense sorrow.”
He appealed to devotees to maintain patience and follow the administration’s instructions for safety.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav shared his grief on social media platform X, stating, “The extremely sad news of the stampede on the day of Mauni Amavasya bath at the Sangam bank in Prayagraj Maha Kumbh and the injury and death of devotees is heart-rending. May God give peace to the departed souls in his lotus feet and grant speedy recovery to the devotees injured in the accident. May God keep everyone safe.”
A stampede broke out at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj in the early hours of Wednesday ahead of the ‘Amrit Snan’ on ‘Mauni Amavasya’.
According to officials, a large number of pilgrims turned up for a holy bath on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya, which led to a stampede and injured many.
New Delhi: Amid the controversy over Yamuna water quality, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said on Tuesday that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has suggested checking the water quality at the point of entry into Delhi and point of release in Haryana.
After meeting EC representatives along with Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, CM Atishi said that the poll panel is reported to have assured a decision in the interest of people soon.
“The EC is awaiting a response from Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini after which it assured us that a decision would be taken, ” CM Atishi said after the meeting with EC officials.
She expressed hope that the poll panel will ensure that an artificial water shortage is not allowed to be created in election-bound Delhi, in the interest of fair play.
Earlier, CM Atishi accused the BJP-led Haryana government of “deliberate and indiscriminate” release of untreated water into the Yamuna.
She said that the intent was to derail Delhi’s water treatment and supply.
Punjab CM Mann said, “Stopping water supply ahead of elections would deny a level playing field to the ruling AAP in the election.”
He said they requested the EC to intervene on humanitarian grounds and prevent any disruption of water supply in election-bound Delhi.
CM Atishi said that Haryana CM Saini has been making contradictory statements on the issue of high level of ammonia in Yamuna water supply from the Wazirabad barrage.
She claimed the high level of ammonia had brought three water treatment plants of Delhi “near closure” and threatened to disrupt the water supply to 30 per cent of city residents.
As the allegations of the ‘Yamuna poisoning’ by the Delhi CM created a political furore, Haryana CM Saini responded with a defamation threat for baseless charges.
Several Haryana ministers and MPs have dismissed AAP’s charge of Haryana unleashing ‘water terrorism’ on Delhi as a political gimmick ahead of Delhi Assembly elections.
Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij accused the Delhi government of stoking needless controversy with baseless claims.
New Delhi :The Congress’ New Delhi Assembly candidate Sandeep Dikshit on Wednesday lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor, Arvind Kejriwal over his claim that the Yamuna River was being “poisoned”, calling it a “blatant lie” and demanding a criminal investigation into the statement.
Dikshit accused Kejriwal of misleading the public with false claims and said the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) had already denied the allegations.
“This is a very serious statement from his side, and I feel that he has told a white lie. The DJB has denied it. We have filed a complaint with the Election Commission, but more importantly, I have written to the Lieutenant Governor to launch an enquiry and register an FIR over this, ” he told IANS.
The controversy erupted after Kejriwal alleged that the BJP-led Haryana government was “poisoning” the Yamuna River, affecting Delhi’s water supply.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had approached the Election Commission, stating that the water supplied from Haryana to Delhi contained high levels of ammonia.
Dikshit, however, dismissed Kejriwal’s allegations and said, “Arvind Kejriwal has a long history of making false claims. It’s nothing new. He believes that the more lies he tells, the more votes he will get. But the truth is, none of his claims have ever been proven. It is unfortunate that someone like him can stand in the political arena and seek votes from the people.”
Backing Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s “Sheesh Mahal” attack on Kejriwal, Dikshit said the AAP had failed in governance and did not deserve to be in power.
When asked whether the BJP or the AAP was the tougher competition for the party in the Assembly elections, Dikshit said, “The BJP and AAP are different. We will target the Chief Minister who has been running the government. The Delhi government is not run by the BJP; it is run by the AAP.
“When we raised questions about the BJP’s governance, the people of Delhi removed them from the MCD. Now, the people will do the same to AAP because they have failed to run the Delhi government.”
Finally, for the first time during ongoing electoral campaign for Delhi Assembly polls, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a scathing and direct attack against his INDI bloc partner Arvind Kejriwal.
The much awaited attack came at Rahul Gandhi’s second rally in the national capital today while he was campaigning for former Delhi Congress president Anil Chaudhary.
Rahul Gandhi’s speech made it clear that the grand old party’s political fight in the ongoing political battle is with the Aam Aadmi Party. For the first time, Rahul Gandhi accused Aam Aadmi Convenor Kejriwal and hos former deputy Manish Sisodia of the liquor scam.
While addressing a public rally at West Vinod Nagar, Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi said, ” Kejriwal says anything that comes to his mind, when he came, he had a small car and had said that he will do a new kind of politics…he had said he will change Delhi but when poor people were in need, he wasn’t there, when riots happened he wasn’t there…he said he will do clean politics, but in Delhi, the biggest scam of liquor happened and you must have seen the photo of his house…Kejriwal stays in a palace, ‘Sheesh Mahal’. So this is the truth.”
Photo : Naveen Bansal
Over the past few weeks, there has been muted criticism of the party high command after its less than enthusiastic participation in the ongoing electoral campaign and its apparent shying away from attacking top leadership of its ally AAP.
However, with today’s statement, the senior Congress leader has sent a clear message to party cadre that the grand old party wants to reclaim its piece of political legacy in the national capital, which it had ruled through stalwart leader Sheila Dikshit for 15 years. The aggressive campaign mode shows the seriousness of the grand old party to reclaim power in the national capital and take back its vote share from the AAP, which had displaced it from power. Earlier this week, Tehelka.com had reported that Rahul Gandhi was set to hold extensive rallies and public contact programs over this week.
The 70-member Delhi Assembly is scheduled to go for polls on February 5 and the results will be announced on February 8.
