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RJD says INDIA bloc okay with Tejashwi Yadav as CM face

RJD says INDIA bloc okay with Tejashwi Yadav as CM face

PATNA: There is no disagreement whatsoever among the coalition partners on Tejashwi being projected as the chief ministerial candidate for the Bihar Assembly elections, RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav said on Saturday.
Yadav made the announcement after attending a meeting of the INDIA bloc held to discuss seat sharing for the elections as they aim to wrest power from the BJP-led NDA.
The fifth meeting of the INDIA bloc's coordination committee for Bihar polls was held at the official residence of RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav.
Following the meeting, Tejashwi told the media that the discussion on seat sharing had begun and that everything would be settled amicably.
He emphasised that there was a lack of law and order in Bihar. The RJD leader alleged that the state government did not have a clear vision as it was announcing initiatives he had already implemented.
'We'll make bigger announcements in the coming days. The alliance has a big vision for the state,' he claimed.
The INDIA bloc comprises RJD, Congress, CPI (ML), CPI, CPM, and VIP. While the induction of AIMIM into the INDIA bloc appears a remote possibility with RJD MP Manoj Jha advising Asaduddin Owaisi not to contest Bihar polls, former union minister Pashupati Kumar Paras-led Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party is also apparently waiting for a green signal for its entry into the alliance.
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Who is C Sadanandan? Who lost his legs in 1994 political violence; now nominated to Rajya Sabha
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  • Time of India

Who is C Sadanandan? Who lost his legs in 1994 political violence; now nominated to Rajya Sabha

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Jai Ram Thakur on Mandi floods: ‘Apple crop is gone… No cultivable land is left'
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Jai Ram Thakur on Mandi floods: ‘Apple crop is gone… No cultivable land is left'

In what seems to be a rerun of 2023, the rains have wreaked havoc in Mandi in Himachal Pradesh during the current monsoon, causing large-scale landslides and destruction. One of the worst-affected areas in the district is the Seraj Assembly constituency, which is represented by senior BJP leader and former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur. In an interview with The Indian Express, Thakur, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assembly, speaks about the devastation, relief operations and the road ahead for the affected areas, among other issues. Excerpts: *What is the damage that the recent tragedy has caused? Its epicentre is my constituency Seraj, which has 78 panchayats. Around 45 of them have been badly hit while 600 families have been rendered homeless. They are currently taking refuge in shelter homes, community halls and schools. Around 1,000 houses have been partially damaged. Apart from this, 80% of water lines have been damaged. This alone has led to a loss of approximately Rs 60 crore. Around 30,000 people are living without normal water supply. A 9-km water supply line has also been washed away in my native village of Tandi. With regard to the (damaged) road network, a 60-km road from Chail Chowk to Janjehli – seen as a lifeline – has caused a loss of Rs 300 crore. This is not even including link roads. If we include that, the losses would shoot up. A total of 18 bridges have also been washed away. In areas like Thunag, Bagsiad and Janjehli, there is no power supply and internet for the past 14 days. The total loss is anything between Rs 800 and Rs 1,000 crore. *You mentioned your native village. Did you suffer any personal loss? My ancestral house has borne the brunt of it. The structure has been partially damaged, a portion of the courtyard has been washed away, and toilets and cowsheds have been washed away. Two of my brothers' houses have been partially damaged. Apart from this, 200 apple trees were also destroyed. I had to walk as the link road had been washed away. *You spoke of apple plants… There was flourishing horticulture here. The apple crop was good this time with many people growing 200-300 trees on an average. Nothing is left now. Also, our estimates show 700 animals and 600 cowsheds have been washed away. Around 1,000 polyhouses with flowers of 15 varieties have been destroyed. In a nutshell, there is no cultivable land left under our feet now. *Why do you think Mandi faces floods repeatedly? It is something unfortunate and needs to be studied. In 2023, it was Mandi and Kullu in the middle of monsoon. But this time, it happened on June 30 in the midst of pre-monsoon showers. Soil has been eroded from as high as 12,000-13,000 feet. Every nullah has received 10 times more water than usual. *Has it caused any human casualties? A total of 42 lives have been lost in Mandi district, including 29 in Seraj, nine in Nachan and three in Karsog. *How are the relief operations going? Earlier, relief materials were sent to cut-off areas only through helicopters. Now, roads have been restored to some extent but many areas still exist where relief is being sent on mules. Ration kits and essential items are being sent from all other Assembly constituencies on the BJP's call. These are 10 times more than the state government's relief. *You seem to be out on the ground daily… I have travelled more than 125 km on foot since July 1. (Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh) Sukhu ji came only nine days after the tragedy struck. *The BJP's Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut also visited the affected areas. She visited and went back. She has promised to sanction new projects with her MPLADS funds and take up the issue at the central level. *The Congress has alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences for the flood in Texas, USA, but did not speak of the situation in Mandi. This is not true. I have spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and will speak to PM Modi in Delhi. He is very helpful. *You said you would accompany CM Sukhu to Delhi… I will do whatever is in the people's interest. I will go with the CM to Delhi to seek aid (from the Centre). Rehabilitation and restoration are going to be an uphill task (in Himachal Pradesh). As an MLA, I will do everything in my power. *What steps do you think need to be taken so that such a tragedy does not recur in Himachal Pradesh? I discussed this issue with (BJP national president) J P Nadda a few days ago. We need to conduct a study. Earlier, houses on river banks were at risk but now even those located far away are in danger. Forests have been washed away. It is a strange phenomenon.

Mango diplomacy after Eid letter: Is Yunus seeking to reset ties with Modi?
Mango diplomacy after Eid letter: Is Yunus seeking to reset ties with Modi?

First Post

timean hour ago

  • First Post

Mango diplomacy after Eid letter: Is Yunus seeking to reset ties with Modi?

Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has sent 1,000 kg of Haribhanga mangoes to PM Narendra Modi, days after exchanging Eid greetings through letters. Amid strained ties since Sheikh Hasina's exit, this sweet gesture follows a long tradition of mango diplomacy in Asia, signalling a possible shift in Dhaka's approach toward New Delhi read more Bangladesh's interim Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has initiated what many are referring to as 'mango diplomacy' with India. According to Dhaka Tribune, a consignment of 1,000 kilogrammes of Haribhanga mangoes, a highly prized variety cultivated in northern Bangladesh, was dispatched to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and key political leaders in New Delhi over the weekend. The gesture, coordinated by Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is being seen as part of a broader diplomatic effort by the current caretaker administration in Dhaka to re-engage New Delhi. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Alongside Modi, mango consignments are also being delivered to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha. According to officials at the Bangladesh High Commission in India, the gifts are intended for distribution among dignitaries in the Indian Prime Minister's Office and the diplomatic corps. This consignment is part of a longstanding tradition in the subcontinent, where seasonal fruits — especially mangoes — are used as tokens of goodwill. Bangladesh, in particular, has often engaged in such symbolic exchanges with Indian states and leaders. Does Yunus want to mend ties with Modi? The mangoes followed a diplomatic exchange earlier in June when Modi sent Eid-ul-Adha greetings to the people of Bangladesh and Yunus. In a return letter dated June 6, Yunus noted PM Modi's message that 'reflects the shared values' and the connect between the two nations. He continued, 'I am confident that the spirit of mutual respect and understanding will continue to guide our nations to work together for the wellbeing of our peoples.' Describing the religious festival as 'a time of reflection, which brings communities together in the spirit of festivity, sacrifice, generosity and unity,' Yunus used the opportunity to highlight the importance of working collaboratively across borders for the broader good. In his own letter dated June 4, Modi had described Eid-ul-Adha as 'an integral part of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India' and stated the values of 'sacrifice, compassion and brotherhood' as central to building inclusive and peaceful societies. Though diplomatic courtesies such as these are customary during religious festivals, this particular sequence signals a more deliberate attempt to re-engage at a time when formal diplomatic ties have been significantly stressed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Strained Bangladesh-India relations India's relationship with Bangladesh has undergone a considerable shift since the dramatic fall of Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024, following months of youth-led protests. The unrest, marked by widespread violence and a reported death toll exceeding 1,000, culminated in Hasina's abrupt departure from Dhaka. Since August 5 last year, the former prime minister has been living in India, where she remains in self-imposed exile. India's discomfort with the new dispensation has been evident. The administration under Yunus — appointed as head of the interim government — has drawn criticism from New Delhi over a range of issues, including its perceived mishandling of communal violence targeting minorities and a noticeable diplomatic tilt towards China and Pakistan. Bangladesh, on its part, has accused India of meddling in its domestic affairs and expressed strong resentment over what it called 'unwanted Indian interference.' Meanwhile, the domestic political environment in Bangladesh remains unsettled. Several opposition parties have been pressing for early national elections and a return to full-fledged democratic rule. While Yunus has indicated that elections could be held by the end of 2025, he has publicly stated that he does not intend to contest them himself. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The political vacuum and the broader strategic uncertainty have prompted Dhaka to recalibrate its foreign policy. In the last year, Bangladesh has notably deepened its engagement with China. With over $7 billion in investments and a debt burden exceeding $6 billion, China plays a significant role in Dhaka's economic and infrastructural development. Bangladesh is also part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chinese President Xi Jinping's flagship transcontinental infrastructure project. Why Bangladesh still needs India Despite its outreach to Beijing, Bangladesh remains deeply interlinked with India, both geographically and economically. Nearly 94 per cent of Bangladesh's 4,367-kilometre border is shared with India, and the country's geo-position makes its economy heavily reliant on Indian access points for trade and transportation. This proximity not only creates logistical dependency but also grants Dhaka considerable leverage as a vital corridor for India's northeastern states. From food staples like rice, wheat, onions, and sugar, to raw materials such as cotton and iron, Bangladesh imports a wide range of essentials from its western neighbour. India also supplies refined petroleum, electronic equipment and construction materials vital to Bangladesh's urbanisation and industrial growth. Any prolonged downturn in relations with India would significantly impair Bangladesh's economy. A reduction in cross-border trade or delays in supply chains could lead to inflation, job losses and a drop in GDP. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bangladesh's ready-made garments (RMG) industry — the backbone of its export economy — depends heavily on Indian textile inputs. Disruptions to this supply would directly affect foreign revenue and employment in the sector. These realities make it evident that Dhaka cannot afford to alienate New Delhi entirely, even as it cultivates strategic ties with other powers. India, for its part, sees Bangladesh as a crucial partner in regional connectivity, security cooperation and counterterrorism efforts. What is mango diplomacy? Using mangoes as a soft diplomatic tool is not new in South Asian politics. The gifting of mangoes, particularly high-quality regional varieties, has long been a symbol of hospitality and friendship in the region. In 2023, then-Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sent mangoes to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a friendly gesture during stalled negotiations over the Teesta water-sharing agreement. The practice has also been observed in other regional contexts. In 2008, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari gifted mangoes to then-Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, seeking to open the door for bilateral dialogue. Going further back, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi presented mangoes to Philippine President Corazon Aquino during a state visit in 1986. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD West Bengal and Tripura have often received seasonal mango gifts from Dhaka, reciprocated in kind by the Indian states. This year, Tripura received 300 kilogrammes of Haribhanga mangoes, packed in 60 cartons and delivered through the Akhaura land port. Tripura's signature offering in return has traditionally been the Queen variety of pineapples, renowned for their flavour. While these fruit exchanges are largely symbolic, they serve a purpose in maintaining a working relationship even during periods of political discord. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies

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