Chandigarh : Farmers on Wednesday squatted on railway tracks at the Shambhu railway station in Punjab, hampering the movement of at least 35 trains.
The farmers have kept the national highway at the interstate border blocked near Shambhu to mark protest over the demands, including a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) by the Centre, since February 13.
As the protesters were moving ahead to block the railway tracks, the police tried to stop them, which led to a scuffle between them. After breaking barricades, they sat on the track.
The farmers have also been demanding the release of three arrested farmers.
A day earlier, the arrested Navdeep Jalbera’s father Jai Singh called on people to reach in maximum numbers to block the railway tracks to pressurise the government to release “unlawfully detained innocent farmer youths”. Shambhu is the gateway to Punjab from the national capital via Haryana.
New Delhi : A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking direction to the Centre and the Bar Council of India (BCI) to form an expert committee to ascertain the feasibility of starting a 3-year Bachelor of Law Course after Class 12.
The present duration of 5 years i.e. 10 semesters for the Bachelor of Law Course is unreasonable and the inordinate duration is arbitrary and irrational and hence, violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, said the PIL, adding that the students can easily study 15-20 subjects in 3 years.
“The undue 5 years’ time is arbitrary and irrational for many reasons. Firstly, the length of time is not necessary to give a Bachelor’s degree, secondly, the prolonged period of 5 years is not suitable for students, thirdly, the 5 precious years are not proportional to study law and fourthly, this puts excessive financial burden on the students to complete such a lengthy degree, ” stated the plea filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay.
Had there been a lesser time of 3 years to finish the bachelor’s degree, the student could have gotten 2 undisturbed years to obtain practical knowledge in a court or law firm or to pursue a Master’s degree or to prepare for a judicial exam, it added.
The plea, filed through advocate Ashwani Kumar Dubey, claimed that the unreasonable 5 years length of the law course has been set under the pressure of college management so as to make the most amount of money they could from the course. The course fee of private law colleges and even the National Law Universities is exorbitant and lower as well as middle-class students find it very difficult to pursue a Bachelor of Law with such an exorbitant fee structure and that too for 5 years (10 semesters), ” it said.
Further, the petitioner stated that the Bachelor of Law (LLB) course can be compared with the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) but not with the Bachelor of Engineering or Technology (B. Tech). Even if it is compared then even, the Indian Institute of Technology gives a B.Tech degree in 4 years, it noted.
Ghaziabad : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said that winds of change had already started blowing across the country.
Addressing a joint press conference on the last day of the campaigning for the first phase of elections, Gandhi and Yadav claimed that the BJP had been completely exposed.
They said, all the INDIA partners had broadly agreed on different issues facing the country, particularly saving the democracy and constitution besides addressing the issues of unemployment, price rise and social justice.
Holding Prime Minister Modi in dock on corruption, Gandhi said, he (Modi) was claiming the electoral bond scheme to be transparent. He asked, if it was so, why was it rejected by the Supreme Court. He said, the fact was that the Electoral Bonds had exposed the corruption of the BJP. “Whole country knows that Prime Minister Modi is the champion of corruption”, he remarked
He claimed that there was strong undercurrent in support of the Congress/INDIA and the BJP will not be able to cross even 150 mark.
Replying to a question about the possibility of his contesting from Amethi, Gandhi said, it depends on the party and whatever the party’s decision will be, he will abide by that.
On the issue of “common manifesto” of the INDIA parties, he said, Congress party was open to all suggestions from the alliance partners. He said the manifesto had the ideology of the alliance partners. He said, even now if the alliance partners had any suggestions these will be taken on board.
Drawing a comparison between the BJP and the Congress manifestos, he said, while the Congress manifesto talks about the pressing issues like unemployment, social justice, justice for farmers and other things, the BJP manifesto, he remarked tauntingly, just talks about bringing Olympic games to India in another 10-15 years and sending someone on moon. He pointed out how far removed the BJP was from the harsh realities prevailing in the country.
Gandhi pointed out, the Congress manifesto has focused on providing employment to youth. This, he added, includes the right to apprenticeship that will guarantee a first job to youth immediately after graduation or diploma with an assured income of Rs one lakh in the first year. Besides, he added, 30 lakh vacancies lying in government departments will be immediately filled.
For farmers, he said, the Congress has already promised legal guarantee for the MSP and waiving off their debt.
One woman in every poor family, he said, will get Rs one lakh every year in her bank account.
Akhilesh Yadav said that the BJP will be swept off by the INDIA bloc from Ghaziabad to Ghazipur and the winds of change which have started blowing in UP will spread across the country.
He pointed out, the BJP had failed in all its promises and commitments it had made like providing jobs or doubling the income of the farmers.
He alleged that the Electoral Bonds had taken off the veil of the morality claims of the BJP as it stood completely exposed. “Not only does the BJP induct the corrupt into its fold, it also takes the share from their corruption”, he added.
In a taunting tone about the claims of the ‘double engine’ government, Yadav said, there was only one person’s picture seen everywhere as everyone else had already vanished. He said, even that picture, in an oblique reference to Prime Minister Modi without taking his name, will vanish after the elections.
He alleged that the BJP government had been reduced to loot and lies only. “Yeh loot aur jhoot ki sarkar reh gayi hai”, he remarked.
Despite the ECI’s stern warning to political parties, Tehelka SIT reveals how agents are willing to provide minor children for poll campaigns in exchange for cash
“To conceal minor children from the watchful eyes of the Election Commission, we will avoid bringing them to the forefront of a political rally until the main political figure, who would address the gathering, arrives. Until then, we would accommodate the children in a nearby hotel and bring them out only after the central political figure arrives to raise various political slogans. If we introduce the minor children at the political rally before the arrival of the star campaigner, they will attract the attention of the police and the poll officers, and will also be caught by the camera, thus increasing the likelihood of our detection,” said Murad Ahmed, an agent skilled in providing crowds for political rallies. This time, he promised to supply minor children for the 2024 Lok Sabha poll campaigns for a fee, along with an idea of how to utilize them in the political campaigns without being detected by Election Commission officials, who have imposed a ban on the use of minor children in poll-related activities for the 2024 general elections.
In February of this year, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued directives to all political parties to refrain from using children in election campaigns, and warned them of the commission’s “zero tolerance” approach to the issue. Political parties were instructed to abstain from involving children in any aspect of election campaigns, including rallies, sloganeering, distribution of posters or pamphlets, or any other election-related activities. Political leaders were prohibited from holding the arms of children or carrying them in vehicles or during rallies. According to the EC, political parties and candidates should ensure strict compliance with the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act 1986, as amended by the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016.
As the Lok Sabha polls draw near, political parties are not leaving any stone unturned to reach out to the voters. Leading up to the elections, there have been reports of children being used in electioneering despite the Election Commission of India imposing a ban on such activities. The Congress recently filed a complaint with the Election Commission against Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee accused the BJP of disregarding regulations regarding the involvement of children in election-related activities and called for immediate and decisive action against them. The Congress complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) stated that the BJP and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had roped in school children for election campaign purposes. It cited an incident in Nagpur where students were used for a campaign rally on April 1, attaching videos and photographs of the event to underscore its complaint. In another incident in Dharwad, Karnataka, the district administration directed political parties to refrain from involving children in campaigns after observing their use in rural areas. Similar reports had surfaced during the 2018 assembly elections in Rajasthan.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar while announcing the dates for the 2024 General elections recently at a press conference flagged some of the issues which were worrying the Election Commission. “Muscle, money, misinformation and violation of model code of conduct are the four Ms which are posing a daunting challenge to the commission in conducting free and fair elections ,” the Chief Election Commissioner had said.
After Tehelka had carried out its investigation on first “M” i.e. the muscle power in its last edition, we are now going to expose one more “M”: the violation of Model Code of Conduct, in this edition. The report reveals how some agents are helping political parties and candidates in procuring minor children for their poll campaigns.
Murad Ahmed
In order to get to the bottom of the issue, we met Murad Ahmed, the main protagonist in this report, in a five star hotel in Delhi. Murad came to meet us with his relative and partner, Mohammed Wajahat Siddiqui. Posing as a fictitious client, we asked Murad to help us in getting minor children for the election rallies to be held by our supposed candidate in Delhi and outside Delhi in the run-up to the 2024 general elections. Murad told us that our work will be done and in order to reassure us on the issue, he boasted that he had organised many such political rallies in Delhi on various occasions in the past.
Reporter- Nahi aisana ho kuchgadbad ho jayebaccheypahuche hi nahi..aapkarchukepehleaisa rally walakaam ?
Murad- Haan..lekin kara hai Lal Qila wale area mein hi…Ramlila ground keanderwahiaaspass..
[Murad’s reassurance to us, when we sought his help in arranging children for a political rally, goes to show how fearlessly the unscrupulous elements—those who rope in children for political rallies—operate while cocking a snook at the EC directive.]
Upon informing Murad that we would pay Rs 500 per child attending our political rally, he remarked that it was significantly less compared to what he arranged for other political rallies. According to Murad, children provided for other political rallies received Rs 1000 per head, along with food packets. Therefore, Murad demanded Rs 2000 per head for the minor children he would send to our political rally.
Wajahat Siddiqui
Reporter- 500 rupees ek bacchey..
Wajahat- Acha ye batao Delhi meinhamekahanjanahoga? Kitne time k liyejanahoga ye to batao..?
Reporter- Ek-ek karkebaatkarlein, pehlebatao paise, 500 rupees ek baccha…?
Wajahat- Badon ke..?
Reporter- Badon k hazar…
Murad- Jaise rally aa rahihai Lal kiley, political rally…to unke jo bade hoteyhain, wo humse contact meinrehteyhain…chahe wo kisibhi party k hon…rally aaney se ek ghanta pehle, yaaadhaghanteypehle, anderaaye..humseunka contact rehtatha, ki jab hum kahen, to 20-25 log hamare ko, 1000-1000 rupees to wo de jayakartey they, khana , pani, nashtaalagsirf road par aakartaalibajaney k liye… XXXXX ko to jaanteyhogey…?
Reporter- Ji .
Murad- XXXXXXX-
Reporter- Haan
Murad- Unki bahut rally hui hain, XXXXX ki hui hain, XXXXX ki hui hain…sirf road par chakkerlaganey k, 1000 rupees aur chai, khananashtaalagtha…
Reporter- Acha mere Rs 500 kam lag rahehainaapko…?
Murad- ji
Reporter- To aapbataophirkitna…maine rate bata diyeaap bata do apne..kyon ki wajahatkehrahe they pehleaap bata do apne, mainey bata diye ab aapbatao…
Murad- Choteybachon k unke maa baapbhihai, kam se kam 2000 rupees to honey hi chahiye.
Reporter-Rs 2000 ek baccha…zyadanahihain..?
Murad- Zyada nahihain, dekhiye jab paisa miltahainabacchon ko, to ho saktahai wo Delhi ke bahar bhichalejaaye, 50 kardein 100 bacchey ho jaaye..
Reporter- 100 bacchey?
Murad- Nahi mein ye kehrahahoon, ki aageybhi chances hainkyunkidekhiye…aapne agar Rs 1000 diye, meingayatha, mujhe 1000 rupees diye koi problem nahi, to mere saath aur bhibaccheyaayenge..jinbacchon ko milega paisa, jo aye they .. wo maan lo unkekhalakebaccheybhihain aur bhihain, inheinbhi le jao… yahicheezkheechtihaiapnitaraf…baateinnahikheechti,paisakheechtahai, wo kahengeyhaan le jaoyaar hum aur bhi de dengey.
As our discussion progressed, Murad proposed that if we paid Rs 2,000 per child for the rally, they would not only attend rallies in Delhi but also extend their participation to rallies beyond Delhi. He argued that the Rs 500 amount we offered per child for the rally was insufficient to attract anyone, as children nowadays typically use such amounts for snacks or mobile recharges. Murad explained that the primary role of children in political rallies was to raise slogans as directed by the political parties.
Reporter- To aap ye kehrahe ho, Rs 2000 ek bachey ka de dein..to wo bahar bhichalejayengey rally keliye..
Murad- Jaa sakteyhain, aur doosricheez…hum unkokehsakteyhaindhaus k saath ki paisa bhi to de rahehain…500 rupees 200 rupees to bacha aajkalcheez kha letahai..Aapnedekhanahikitnimehngaihai…mobile ka recharge hi kara leteyhain…itneitne se bacho k pass to mobile hainaajkal, nabaligbaccho k pass..
Reporter- Lekin aap ye bhi to dekho jo 500 rupees hamne bola usmeinkhanapeenabhi to de rahehainhum..
Murad- Dekhiyekhanapeena to dena hi padtahai..hum waisebhikahinjaatehain, khanapeena to dena hi padtahai..
Reporter- Apne jaisebatayana XXXXXX ki rally mein wo 500 rupiyabaantjatehain to khanathodideteyhonge..
Murad- Paiso k saathnashta, khanabhidiyajatahai, ab jaiseboldiyalalqila par aa jao, snack ke packet bane hoteyhain wo diyejaateyhain, wo lekarbhi aa rahehain, aur kha bhirahehain..ji packet bane hue hoteyhain..
Reporter- Inko karnakyapadtahai..?
Murad- Naarebazi…haihai..kisi k haihaikelaganeyhoteyhainkisike zindabad ke..yahikamhotahai politics mein..
Reporter- Aur batata kaunhainaare..?
Murad- Party batatihai, bhai netajiaayenge to aapko ye kehnahai… agar wo jaye to aapko ye kehnahai, uchalkoodkarnihaiwahi log batatehain.… haihai aur zindabad bas yahi do cheezeinhotihain…
When we mentioned the need for children for rallies both in Delhi and outside Delhi, Murad suggested that it would be beneficial to organize a rally in Delhi first to assess attendance. Based on that, he would determine the number for outstation rallies.
Reporter- Pehle Delhi meinhogi..
Murad- Pehle Dilli meinhogina, to hamebhi response pehlemilega, Delhi keander payment jab milegi, dekhnapadegakyahamekarnahai.. bhai wo bhi to jodengeynaapnesaath..
Reporter- Nahi agar meinpehle bahar ka karwa doon aapsephir..?
Murad- Pehle Delhi ka karwaiye, usseyhameaccha response milega…
Reporter- Nahi Delhi ka election late hai..usseypehle aur bhihai bahar… aur bahar koi bahut door nahihaijaise Delhi se Muradabad..Delhi se Sambhal, Delhi se Amroha..Aligarh.
Wajahat- Time kitnalagega ?
Reporter- Ek raat..Aligarh ho gaya, Meerut ho gaya, Agra ho gaya…aas pass keilakeyhainaisanahihai ki aapko Karnataka jana, Bangalore janahoga..
[We informed Murad about the need for children in both Delhi and beyond. He wanted us to hold the rally in Delhi first. Based on the children’s attendance there, we’ll determine the count for outstation rallies, he said.]
Despite the Election Commission of India’s prohibition on using children in election campaigns, we questioned how they would conceal their involvement. In response, Wajahat assured us that nobody would verify their age through Aadhar cards. Murad suggested using the children only after the main political figure arrived to address the rally, thus avoiding detection by authorities.
Reporter- Ek baat ka dhayanrakhnaChunavaayog ne saaf bola haikebacchon ka istemaalna ho chunav rally mein..
Murad- Chote bacchey ?
Reporter- Haan nabaligbacchey..uskakaisebachavkaroge ki nigahmeinna aa jayekisi ki…
Murad- Policewalehonge, camera lagehongey to nigahmein to aayenge..hum kaisechupadenge…
Reporter- Haan ye baatbhisahihai.. Koi tareeka to bataoaap to master ho in sab cheezonketareekabatao…
Murad- Tareeka yahihai bhai, un bacchon ko rokkarrakhajaye jab koi badanetaaaye…tab jab naarelagane ho, jhandedikhne ho tab aaye aur phiruskebaadforanhatadiyajayeunko…
Reporter- Ye bhisahihaitareeka..
Murad- Bhai jaise koi hotel hai, wahan par taiyarrahengebacche, jaise hi netajiaayengebacche aa jayenge, pehle se to focus meinrahengebacche…pooch saktahai koi aa saktahaikoi..jis time par netajiaaye, usi time par baccheaaye, aur naarelagayehai- haiya zindabad…lekin wo sab aapkizimedarihogiwahan se hatana aur lana…hum thodikarpayenge.
[Election Commission has read a riot act that children shall not partake in election campaigns. Yet, how will they be concealed during political rallies? Wajahat dismisses age verification, while Murad suggests deploying them only after the main political figure addresses the crowd—keeping them hidden until then, evading watchful eyes. ]
Murad and Wajahat outlined their payment terms, stating that they would require full payment before the rally. They planned to pay 50 percent of the amount to the children beforehand and the remainder after completing the work.
Wajahat- Accha pay jo aapkaroge wo jis din kaamhoga us din karogeyna..?
Reporter- Waiseytareekakyahai..
Wajahat- Nahi paise pehlehamare pass aa jaye, aur kaam khatam hotey hi hum unko paise de dein…
Murad- Hamneunkoaadhe paise de diye aur aadhe hum dengekaamkarnekebaad..to unkobharosabhi ho gaya, khushbhi ho gaye ,paise aa gayeaaj..to kaam wo khushi se karengey..aur bandh bhijayengey.. to tareekayahihotahai..
[According to Murad and Wajahat, they will take the full payment from us before the rally. They will pay 50 percent of the amount to the children before the rally and remaining after the work is done.]
When asked about the tasks the minor children would undertake at the rally, Murad emphasized that it depended on our requirements. Children would engage in activities such as raising slogans, holding banners, placards, etc., as instructed by us, for which they were charging a fee.
Reporter- Bacchon se kyabulwanahai..?
Murad- Wo aapki party bolegi…
Reporter- Zindabad kelagwane
Murad- Zindabad ke ,hai- haike…lagwaneyhain..kaalejhandedikhanahai, banner dikhanahai..jo aapki party boley..paise kisbaatke le rahehain..
[What will the young ones engage in during the rally? In reply, Murad asserted that the outcome hinges upon our choices. The children will chant slogans both in opposition and support. They’ll wield banners, placards, and posters. Ultimately, their actions reflect our desires, and it is for these very actions that they receive compensation.]
Initially, we offered Rs 20,000 each to Murad and Wajahat for one rally as their fee for providing minor children. However, the final settlement escalated to Rs 25,000 per rally.
Reporter- To 20-20 karleteyhaindonoke.?.
Wajahat- Ye to aapkeapnebhaiyonke pass aa rahepaisey..dekh lo
Reporter- To bhai mere pass kahin aur se aa rahehain..
Murad- Wo to haiusmein 20-25 hazarbadhjayengey to unkakyajayega…
Reporter- Chalo 25-25 hazardonoke..theekhai.
[Murad and Wajahat, enticed by the prospect of financial gain, were willing to broker a deal. This transaction, though fictitious, reveals a disturbing underbelly of our society—one where the vulnerability of children is exploited for political ends.]
When inquired about the source of minor children, Murad mentioned that he would bring them from the Jama Masjid area of Delhi, where mostly Muslim children accompany their parents engaged in labour or street vending.
Murad- Ramzan mein to nahihogana, Eid kebaad..?
Reporter- Haan Eid kebaad..Eid se pehlenahi ho sakta..
Murad- Eid kebaad..kyunki Ramzan mein bade bacchey sab apnegharmeinrehnachahteyhain….
Reporter- To saare Muslim hain..?
Murad- Haan zyadatar Muslim hain..
Reporter- Aapkerishtedarhain.?.
Murad- Nahi -nahi…hamarerishtedarmein to jaiyengeybhinahi…
Reporter- Phirkahan se laogeyaap..
Murad- Wo hain sab apnejaanpehchanke..
Reporter- Nahi level kyahogaunka, kuchkaamkarteyhain…
Murad- Kaam karne wale nahi, padhrahehain, chotey schools mein..
Reporter- Unke maa baapkyakarteyhonge ?
Murad- Unke maa baapwahimazdoori…koi kuchlagarahahai koi kuch, dekhiyebhala ho jaye un bacchoka..kuchreripatri wale hain, kuchnaukrikarne wale hain..
Reporter- Aur hain sab wahi Jama Masjid ke ?
Murad- Haan ..Delhi kehain sab.. peeche se chalejahanke ho…magar ab Delhi meinrehteyhain..chahepeeche se Bareilly k ho, kaamwaamkarneaaye ho..
Reporter- Matlab Delhi mein Jama Masjid kehai..
Murad- Haan Jama Masjid, Turakmaan Gate…isi circle meinrehteyhainsaare…
[Murad revealed that the children he was going to recruit for our fictitious rally belonged to the poor sections of society. The parents of these children were laborers, street vendors, and others. Clearly, poverty was compelling some people to involve their children in this illegal work]
As the elections draw near, the sorry state of affairs becomes increasingly evident. The exposé by Tehelka has shed light on a disturbing reality: despite the Election Commission of India’s stern directive for political parties to refrain from using children in election campaigns, there are unscrupulous agents who willingly provide minor children for poll campaigns in exchange for cash. This blatant violation of the model code of conduct not only undermines the integrity of the electoral process but also jeopardizes the well-being of these vulnerable children.
The urgency for action cannot be overstated. The Election Commission and law enforcement agencies must step up their efforts to curb such malpractices. The exploitation of children for political gain is reprehensible. These innocent lives are manipulated, and exposed to risks beyond their comprehension. Also, the model code of conduct serves as the moral compass for political parties during elections. Violations not only erode public trust but also weaken the democratic fabric. It is imperative that the Election Commission takes swift and decisive action against those who flout these guidelines. The revelation by Tehelka underscores the need for accountability. The agents involved must face legal consequences, and political parties must be held responsible for their actions. Only then can we restore faith in the electoral process.
In our series to highlight how Election Commission directives are going for a toss ahead of General Elections 2024, Tehelka Special Investigation Team has exposed the persisting unethical and illegal practices through the cover stories – ‘Crowd on Rent’ and ‘Booth Capturing for Cash’. The third exposé, ‘Minors for Poll Campaigns’ recorded on hidden cameras shows that despite popular belief, the problem of illegal hiring of children during elections has not been remedied as yet and the practice persists. It may be recalled that the ECI had flagged four Ms that were worrying the Election Commission- Muscle, money, misinformation, and model code of conduct which are posing a daunting challenge in conducting free and fair elections. Tehelka’s investigation by SIT to get to the bottom of the issue has revolved around these ‘Ms’. The latest expose’ points out how children are being used to be part of election rallies, and campaign-related activities such as pasting posters, hanging banners, shouting slogans, and carrying placards. This is happening with impunity though Election Commission of India has issued strict directives warning of zero tolerance towards the use of children in any election-related activities such as political campaigns and rallies in any manner.
The Election Commission has even emphasized to political leaders and candidates that they should not use children for campaign activities in any manner including holding a child in their arms, carrying a child in a vehicle, or in rallies to create the semblance of a political campaign in any manner including use through poem, songs, spoken words, display of insignia of political party or candidate, exhibiting ideology of political party, promoting achievements of a political party or criticizing the opponent political parties and candidates. Directing legal compliance, political parties and candidates have been told to ensure strict compliance with the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, as amended by the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016. The Commission directives also highlighted the Bombay High Court order in a Public Interest Litigation (Chetan Ramlal Bhutada vs State of Maharashtra and others) which had stressed the need to ensure that political parties do not allow participation of minor children in any election-related activities. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has also made it clear that no candidate or party should use children below 18 years of age for campaigning because child labour is regulated under the Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act (CLPRA).
Tehelka’s cover story in this issue reveals how agents are willing to provide minor children for poll campaigns in exchange for cash. Agents hide minor children from the watchful eyes of the Election Commission by not bringing them to the forefront of a political rally until the main political figure, who would address the gathering, arrives. It is time for regulatory authorities to check such blatant violations to strengthen public trust in the world’s largest democracy.
Chandigarh: The BJP on Tuesday announced candidates for three more Lok Sabha seats for Punjab.
Manjeet Singh Manna Miawind has been fielded from the Khadoor Sahib seat. Anita Som Prakash from the Hoshiarpur (reserved) seat while former bureaucrat Parampal Kaur Sindhu has been fielded from the Bathinda parliamentary seat. Punjab will go to the polls in a single phase on June 1.
New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday released the names of 40-star campaigners in Gujarat for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls which included three incarcerated party leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain.
For the first time, signalling an entry into politics, the list also names Sunita Kejriwal, Arvind Kejriwal’s wife as star campaigner for the polls.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his former deputy Manish Sisodia are in judicial custody in connection with the PMLA case linked to an alleged excise policy scam while Jain, who was arrested in May last year, is also lodged in Tihar prison.
Besides, the AAP has also announced Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Gopal Rai, Atishi, Sandeep Pathak among others as star campaigners in Gujarat.
Though mystery surrounds whether Arvind Kejriwal will get bail in the liquor-gate case or not, the AAP, as per party insider, is now banking on a mix of cadre and sympathy votes, leveraging the narrative that his arrest was orchestrated to stifle his electioneering.
Moreover, the party alleges a conspiracy between the ED and the BJP to impede the AAP convener’s campaign during the election season.
Meanwhile, Singh’s release injected a semblance of morale into the party, with plans to bolster the campaign with the involvement of Sunita Kejriwal, and Singh himself.
According to sources, there is a shift in focus towards the campaign, with Sunita Kejriwal expected to take a more active role in conveying messages to voters.
As Singh had been granted bail, he is likely to take charge of the campaign in Delhi and other states where the party has put forth candidates.
Since March 21, Arvind Kejriwal has remained in custody, initially under the ED’s jurisdiction and subsequently in Tihar Jail.
His arrest has upended political equations, both locally and nationally, particularly impacting the AAP’s campaign efforts for the impending Lok Sabha elections.
Sonamarg, situated in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, experienced a fresh layer of snowfall on Monday evening, transforming the landscape into a winter wonderland. The unexpected snowfall provided a delightful surprise for residents and visitors alike.
Simultaneously, Kishtwar district and its surrounding regions in Jammu division witnessed rainfall. The rainfall brought a refreshing change to the area, offering relief from the dry weather conditions prevalent in certain parts.
The Srinagar Meteorological Centre had earlier issued forecasts indicating the possibility of “light to moderate rain, with light snowfall expected over higher reaches,” along with thunder across most areas in the Kashmir Division for Monday evening.
The snowfall has raised hopes for agricultural activities and water resources in the region.
New Delhi : Congress General Secretary incharge of the communications department, Jairam Ramesh today said that there was a strong undercurrent in support of the Congress party across the country.
Intensifying its campaign for the Lok Sabha elections the Congress on Monday released the song ‘Haath Badlega Haalat’ for the Lok Sabha election campaign.
Through this song, Ramesh said, the party will convey the message of 25 guarantees given under ‘Paanch Nyay’ in the party’s manifesto to the public across the country.
Addressing a press conference along with the party spokesperson and Chairperson of Social Media Supriya Shrinate, while releasing the campaign song of the party, ‘Haath Badlega Haalat’, Ramesh said he had visited the north-eastern parts of the country and had felt overwhelming support for the Congress party.
He observed that the people in the north-east, like the rest of the country, believe that Congress only can save and safeguard the diversity of India. He pointed out, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had completely ignored Manipur and had not bothered to go there even for campaigning.
Referring to the atmosphere being created in favour of Congress in the Lok Sabha elections, Ramesh said that he has just visited the north-eastern states, where the undercurrent of Congress is visible.
The biggest issue of the north-eastern states, he disclosed, is who can protect the diversity of the people there. The diversity in the north-eastern states on the basis of religion, caste, language and province is under threat today, he observed, while claiming that the people there have understood that the only option to remove BJP is Congress.
About the campaign song, the Congress general secretary said that the first phase of the Congress campaign was ‘Mere Vikas Ka Do Hisaab’. After this, he added, the Congress has started the ‘Haath Badlega Haalat’ campaign.
Besides, the Congress has already released its ‘Nyaya Patra’ (manifesto), in which Congress has announced ‘Paanch Nyay’ with 25 guarantees.
Jairam Ramesh pointed out, on April 3, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge started door-to-door distribution of guarantee cards from Delhi.
These guarantee cards will be delivered to eight crore families across the country, he said, adding, the Congress workers have already started distributing these guarantee cards door-to-door.
Supriya Shrinate said that Congress’ campaign is based on the five pillars of justice that Congress has promised. She said, these promises have been made after talking to the people, keeping in mind their dreams and expectations. Congress is talking about every issue on which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cheated the people, she remarked.
Jailed Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal found himself in deeper trouble with the Apex Court not giving immediate relief on his petition challenging his arrest by the agency, and his cabinet colleague Raaj Kumar Anand quitting the party, citing rampant corruption in the government, writes Pawan Kumar Bansal
It seems that the ghost of much-publicised excise-policy of the Delhi Government is haunting not only Arvind Kejriwal but also his government and his party too. After the Delhi High Court had dismissed his petition challenging his arrest by ED, now the Supreme Court has also refused immediate relief on his petition challenging his arrest by the agency even as the Apex Court asked the ED to reply to the notice by 24th April.
Kejriwal’s dream of running the government from Tihar Jail where he is lodged in connection with liquor-gate scam has been shattered by Delhi government’s vigilance directorate by terminating his PA, Bibhav Kumar on the grounds that the prescribed procedure was not followed in his appointment and he was facing charges of preventing a public servant from discharging his duty and assault on him.
Kejriwal’s cabinet colleague, Manish Sisodia is already in jail and Sanjay Singh has been just released on bail in this scam. To add to his worries, the Enforcement Directorate has sought non- bailable warrants against party MLA Amanatullah Khan.
The resignation by Minister Raaj Kumar Anand alleging corruption in Delhi government has put Arvind Kejriwal in an awkward position, who has been playing a victim-card alleging that Prime Minister Narender Modi was planning to get his democratically-elected government dismissed as he was in the forefront of forming an anti-NDA alliance. Anand, who is facing a money-laundering case and the ED had conducted raids at his residence and other locations, came out with an indicting statement: “AAP was formed to fight corruption, but it is now embroiled in it and it has become difficult for me to work as a minister.” He did not stop at that as he further alleged that the Dalits didn’t get respect in the party.
Meanwhile, Delhi BJP Secretary Bansuri Swaraj sharpened her attack by saying that Anand’s resignation testifies that both the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal had lost their credibility in Delhi while on the other hand, the Minister Saurabh Singh and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh tried to downplay the issue alleging that BJP was using ED and CBI for “breaking our ministers and MLAs”.
Ironically, Arvind Kejriwal who rose from an RTI activist to become the CM of Delhi by raising the issue of corruption in the Congress government is now being accused of indulging in corruption not only by his political opponents but by his cabinet colleague. Kejriwal’s arrest is expected to adversely affect the party’s campaign in Delhi and Punjab where it has a significant presence. According to political analysts watching the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party since its inception, Arvind Kejriwal is himself responsible for the present state of affairs. Due to his arrogance and dictatorial style of functioning, the Aam Aadmi Party lost important leaders, namely Prashant Bhushan, Kumar Vishvas and Yogender Yadav.
He even attracted the annoyance of the courts by frequently defying the summons of the Enforcement Directorate calling the move politically motivated. The courts have rightly pointed out that Kejriwal cannot question the provision of making someone an approver as during the hearing in court, he had tried to argue that those who have given statements against him to the Enforcement Directorate had been pressurized by the government by registering cases against them. It is felt that even if Kejriwal gets bail at a later stage, he will not be in a position to campaign against NDA nation-wide aggressively.
It is believed that the resignation of Minister Raaj Kumar Anand is only the tip of the iceberg and in future, the party may face more desertions under strategic moves of NDA. Some political observers feel that Kejriwal’s insistence on running the government from the jail has proved counter-productive. From jail, he tried to project his wife Sunita Kejriwal as his undeclared successor causing heart-burn within the rank and file of the party.
Ideally, Kejriwal should have tendered his resignation and left it to the party legislators to elect a new leader, feel the observers as they blame the Delhi CM for depending too heavily on the coterie comprising Raghav Chadda, Swati Maliwal and a few others. He also unnecessarily embroiled himself in a controversy by spending crores of rupees in the renovation of his official-residence contrary to his professed image of the common man. Akalis accused him of running the Punjab government headed by Bhagwant Maan through remote control. Now that Kejriwal is in jail and Raghav Chadha reportedly has gone abroad, Sanjay Singh and Bhagwant Maan have emerged as powerful leaders in the party.
