
Slapgate shakes Rajasthan, Gehlot adds fuel
Shah's seating strategy hints at BJP next move?
This week in Jaipur, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah gave a master class in balance as strategy. In a crafty move, Shah seated CM Bhajanlal Sharma on one side of him and former CM Vasundhara Raje on the other—two leaders whose political equations are under quiet scrutiny. Raje, known to be miffed with the high command since the last Assembly polls, was all smiles. Was it just courtesy, or a coded message from the top brass? Whispers suggest the party could be prepping for a national shuffle, with the next BJP national president possibly from Rajasthan. Names doing the rounds? Bhupender Yadav, and yes, Vasundhara Raje herself.
Sachin Pilot's chances in Tonk under the scanner
A fresh storm is brewing in Rajasthan politics. From the pages of a book. Ex-minister and five-time MLA Surendra Vyas is taking aim at Congress leader Sachin Pilot, questioning his intent and electoral future in Tonk. In his newly released book 'Ek Vifal Rajnitik Yatra', Vyas claims that if Pilot contests the 2028 assembly election from Tonk, even as the CM face, his defeat is inevitable. Vyas writes Pilot wants to block any strong Muslim candidate in Tonk to protect his Gurjar vote bank. 'The common Muslim in Tonk feels ashamed that they're forced to support a non-Muslim candidate against their community's interest just to stop the BJP.'
Rajesh Asnani
Our correspondent in Jaipur
rajesh.asnani@newindianexpress.com

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Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Cong, BJP allege conspiracy, security lapse
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United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
Telangana led way in caste census, BJP trying to derail BC empowerment: Ponnam Prabhakar
New Delhi/Hyderabad, July 25 (UNI) Telangana Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Friday said the Congress government in Telangana has taken decisive steps to implement a caste census despite not being in power at the Centre, and condemned BJP leaders for attempting to undermine the process. Speaking to the media at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi after a meeting with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi, Prabhakar said Rahul Gandhi had emphasised the need for a caste census during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and promised to implement it if voted to power. Telangana, he said, took the lead by initiating the caste census on February 4, 2024. Despite delays due to the Lok Sabha elections, the state government successfully completed the enumeration with 3.5 crore people voluntarily participating. The collected data, comprising over 80 crore documents, was digitised, reviewed by a subcommittee, and approved by the state cabinet. The resulting legislation to implement 42 per cent reservation for BCs in education and local bodies was passed and sent to the Governor, and later to the President for approval on April 30, 2025. Prabhakar slammed Union Minister G Kishan Reddy and BJP leaders for opposing the bill and accused them of betraying the Backward Classes. 'What has BJP done more than us for BCs? Instead of supporting this historic move, they are trying to spread misinformation and dilute our efforts,' he said, citing BJP's past opposition to the Mandal Commission and social justice policies. He also questioned why BJP, while claiming to support BCs, failed to appoint a BC as the Leader of the Opposition in Telangana or maintain BC leadership in their own party. 'Our Congress party stands as the brand ambassador of social justice. We are not blaming any party, but facts must be examined,' he said. He urged BJP leaders to stop creating divisions and instead support the caste census and reservations for BCs. 'This is not just about Telangana, but a nationwide movement to ensure social justice,' he said, reiterating the Congress' commitment to fight for the rights of weaker sections. Ministers Konda Surekha and Vakiti Srihari were also present during the interaction. UNI VV ARN


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
No funds from muzrai temples diverted: DGR
Mangaluru: Minister for health and family welfare, Dinesh Gundu Rao, expressed concern over the spread of false information accusing the govt of diverting revenue from endowment temples for other purposes. Stating that the govt utilises the revenue from muzrai temples exclusively for the development of religious shrines under the department, the minister said that a few organisations have been spreading malicious campaigns against the govt with a political agenda. Rao was speaking at a consultation meeting with the management committee members of temples under the Hindu religious institutions and charitable endowments department on Friday. The Congress govt under chief minister Siddaramaiah increased 'tasdik' (remuneration for archaks) from Rs 24,000 to Rs 36,000 per year, and later to Rs 48,000 during his previous term. "The govt has further increased the tasdik to Rs 72,000. There is a political conspiracy to portray the Congress govt as anti-Hindu," Rao alleged. The state govt passed the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill to make provisions to utilise a portion of revenue from rich temples for the development of Hindu shrines with lower income. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "While the BJP opposed the bill, the governor has referred it to the President of India for approval," he said, and called upon endowment temple management committees to submit a memorandum to the governor and the President, seeking approval for the bill. MLC Manjunath Bhandary said that to prevent this malicious campaign, all endowment temples should put up notice boards clarifying that 'no funds from Hindu temples are diverted for other purposes.' He demanded that members of all B and C Grade endowment temples should be given ID cards from the department. Shwetha Palli, executive officer of Bappanadu Durgaparameshwari Temple, noted that 493 temples in Dakshina Kannada come under the muzrai department, of which 10 generate the highest income. MLC Ivan D'Souza, deputy commissioner Darshan HV and zilla panchayat CEO Narwade Vinayak Karbhari were present.