Chandrababu re-elected TDP national president
When Lokesh presented the book to Chandrababu Naidu on Mahanadu dais on the second day on Wednesday, Naidu said the Yuvagalam padayatra played a key role in AP politics. He said the travails of people reflected in the book.
Speaking on the occasion, Lokesh explained his experiences during his Yuvagalam padayatra which started on January 27, 2023, from Sri Varadarajaswamy Temple in Kuppam and continued for 226 days, covering 97 Assembly constituencies.
The party's election committee issued a notification for the national president election on Tuesday and when all the leaders supported the nomination of Chandrababu Naidu unanimously, the election committee chairman announced the election of Naidu as party national president on Wednesday. Later Varla Ramaiah administered the oath of office to Chandrababu Naidu as party national president. The elections will be conducted every two years.
Ministers, party MPs, legislators and other leaders congratulated Naidu, who became the Chief Minister for a fourth term last year following the electoral victory of the TDP-led NDA. Naidu, who turned 75 last month, has been holding the post of party president for the last 30 years. Naidu had taken the reins of the party in 1995.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Haryana's fertiliser row sparks protests and political heat
With farmers staging protests over an alleged shortage of urea and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilisers, the political tension in Haryana has intensified. As the issue carries significant political sensitivity, the opposition has intensified its pressure on the BJP-led government in Haryana. Officials continue to insist that there is no real shortage. 'Farmers have been rushing to take the fertilisers out of a panic,' an official stated. Bhartiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Bains said, 'farmers staged protests at three places in Kurukshetra on July 17, in addition to similar protests in Hisar, Karnal, Mahendragarh, Sirsa and Bhiwani'. On July 17, the farmers allegedly held an agriculture official hostage in Pehowa and blocked the Hisar-Chandigarh highway. Farmer leader Prince Waraich added that senior officers were also gheraoed (surrounded) the following day. 'Currently, the farmers need urea for the paddy crop, but they want DAP for the next crop too. As of now, there is an acute shortage of both fertilisers in the state,' Bains claimed. Official sources say the panic has been triggered by the government's recent move requiring farmers to register on an official web portal to receive fertilisers. 'Some farmers believe they may not get fertilisers because of this condition,' an official said. 'But this requirement is meant to ensure fertilisers are given only to genuine farmers. There have been reports of farmers from neighbouring states acquiring Haryana's supplies while our first priority is the farmers of Haryana.' Government figures show that of the 10.07 lakh metric tonne (MT) urea allocated for the season, 5.8 lakh MT has already arrived in the state. Combined with the earlier stock of 2.7 lakh MT, total availability reaches 8.5 lakh MT, with 7.5 lakh MT already sold. 'Farmers only need 5.91 lakh MT of urea from April 1 to July 19,' an official explained. Regarding DAP, officials confirmed that 1.46 lakh MT had landed in Haryana out of 2.83 lakh MT allocated, with 1.10 lakh MT sold and 36,000 MT currently in stock. An additional 5,467 MT is in transit. Farmers needed only 1.37 lakh MT for the same April to July period, according to the officials. The panic is rooted in previous years' shortfalls. In 2021, then chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had to direct district and police officials to prevent illegal movement of fertiliser outside the state. Again in 2024, during the sowing of mustard and wheat, a nationwide DAP shortage led to chaos, requiring police intervention in distribution. 'DAP is essential during the root development stage,' an official noted. Former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda criticised the government for the current situation. 'Farmers have been waiting in long queues for days, only to return empty-handed. Fertilisers are being sold in black while farmers fear crop losses due to delays,' he said. 'Now the government wants farmers to use a portal. They must explain how fertiliser not available at a cooperative centre will magically appear online.' Congress MP Kumari Selja said the party will raise the issue both in the Assembly and Parliament. Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana said that there is no shortage of urea in Haryana. 'I regularly interact with farmers, and wherever fertiliser is needed, I instruct officers to ensure supply. At present, there is no shortage in the state,' he said, adding that DAP is being imported and delivered daily alongside urea via train. Sukhbir Siwach's extensive and in-depth coverage of farmer agitation against three farm laws during 2020-21 drew widespread attention. ... Read More
Indian Express
8 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Govt agrees to 16-hr discussion in House on Op Sindoor but next week, as PM away
The government has agreed to a 16-hour-long debate in Parliament on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, but next week, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from an overseas visit. The decision was taken after the first day of the Monsoon Session on Monday was washed out in both Houses, with the Congress-led Opposition disrupting the proceedings seeking a discussion on the terror attack and the conflict with Pakistan. The Opposition wants the two issues to be taken up before the House gets into any other business. However, sources said, the Treasury Benches pointed out at the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting that the Opposition wanted the PM and Defence Minister Rajnath Minister to be present during the debate. 'So the time is slotted for next week,' said a source. PM Modi is leaving for the UK and Maldives on Wednesday and is returning on July 26. The government wants to take up the Income Tax Bill, 2025, on priority, as per sources on the ruling side. However, the Opposition is yet to decide whether to allow any legislative business before a discussion on Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor. A meeting of INDIA bloc floor leaders has been scheduled for 10 am Tuesday at Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's chamber in the Parliament complex. On Monday, BJP MP Baijayant Panda-led Select Committee tabled its report on the Income Tax Bill. The BAC, which recommends allocation of time for discussions, has kept aside 12 hours for a debate on the Bill. The Select Committee has suggested over 285 amendments to offer relief to small taxpayers and for clarity on certain provisions, and the Bill is likely to be amended and get the clearance of the Cabinet before being brought to the House. The Union Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Tuesday. Congress general secretary K C Venugopal told reporters in the morning: 'Our demand is that there should be a discussion (on Pahalgam), this is an important issue. We are proud of our country. The Prime Minister should come and make a statement.' The Lok Sabha witnessed four abrupt adjournments Monday, with the Opposition ignoring the appeals of Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju when the House met at 12 noon to let the proceedings continue, saying the government was ready for a debate on every issue, and 'was ready to answer all questions'. Rijiju told the Opposition to place their demands during the BAC meeting, and let the Speaker take a call. 'But to raise slogans and not let the House function on the first day of the Monsoon Session is unacceptable.' Speaker Om Birla said he was ready to allow the members to raise all issues, including Operation Sindoor, but after Question Hour — the first hour of the day, set aside for MPs to raise questions related to different ministries and departments. 'The House will function according to rules and regulations. I cannot allow sloganeering and raising of placards,' he said, urging the members to give a notice if they wanted to speak. Rahul Gandhi claimed he was not allowed to speak in the House when he tried to on Monday. 'The Defence Minister is allowed to speak, but Opposition members, including me, who is the LoP, are not allowed to speak… This is a new approach… The convention states that if people from the government side can speak, then we should also be given space to speak,' Gandhi told reporters outside the House. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra added: 'If they are ready for a discussion, they should let the Leader of the Opposition speak. He stood up to speak, so he should be allowed to speak.' However, senior BJP leader Sanjay Jaiswal denied this, saying Gandhi was not even present when the House met at noon, after which papers on the agenda were tabled and the ministers spoke. 'Rahul Gandhi did not come to the House initially… He came late, but was seen talking to other Opposition leaders on the side. Not once did he ask the Chair to let him speak,' Jaiswal said. Before both the Houses met, PM Modi in his customary opening remarks said the government will be introducing Bills 'that will strengthen the country's development journey, strengthen the country's progress, and empower the citizens of the country'. 'The House will pass them after detailed discussions,' he said, urging the members to cooperate with the government. Modi met senior ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nirmala Sitharaman as well as Rijiju and Arjun Meghwal during the day. 'The PM was briefed about the decisions taken at the BAC and the Opposition's demand for his presence during the debate.' The Monsoon Session is scheduled till August 21, with a break from August 12 to August 18, and will have 21 sittings across 32 days.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
8 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Japan's PM Ishiba tries to buy time after historic election setback
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sought to buy time in office following a second election setback in less than a year. But whether he stays days, weeks or even months, Sunday's vote made clear that his Liberal Democratic Party needs an overhaul to stay relevant. Ishiba on Monday vowed to remain in his job even though his LDP-led coalition finished Sunday running a government without a majority in both chambers of parliament for the first time since the party's founding seven decades ago. While it has ruled Japan for most of that period, younger voters are increasingly turning toward populist smaller parties as rising prices fuel discontent. 'The LDP is a fatigued party and it has a brand problem,' said David Boling, director at the Eurasia Group covering Japan and Asia Trade, former negotiator at the USTR. 'To be blunt I think many Japanese and many Japanese voters see it as a party of old men who are out of touch.' Although the outcome on Sunday wasn't as bad as some of the early exit polls suggested, Ishiba still failed to clear the low bar he set of retaining a majority in the upper house. That leaves him at risk of becoming yet another footnote in the revolving door of Japanese prime ministers that only managed to last for a year or so. For now, Ishiba can lean into the fact that he needs to stay on to negotiate a trade deal with the US to help Japan avoid a steep increase in tariffs from Donald Trump's administration. He cited those talks and other pressing issues at his briefing on Monday. 'I plan to put all of my efforts into finding a solution to the urgent issues we face, including the US tariffs, inflation, natural disasters, and the most complex and severe security environment since the war,' Ishiba said. Still, it looks like his days are numbered — even if he has no obvious successor right now. 'We'll see in the next day or two if the dissenters are able to gather enough people to push him out, but this can't go on,' said Tobias Harris, founder of Japan Foresight, adding that none of the opposition parties want to join a coalition with him. 'It all looks like you've got a political crisis.' Harris cited four key points a replacement would need for success: bringing back right-wing voters, appealing to a younger demographic, matching Trump at the negotiation table and rebuilding a governing coalition that can win at the ballot box. Few of the familiar names in the LDP check all four boxes, he said. The timing of any move may depend on the success of the trade talks. Ishiba said he wanted to speak with Trump and obtain tangible results in the negotiations soon. His long-time right-hand man Ryosei Akazawa is already on his way to Washington for an eighth attempt to gain traction with his counterparts in the US. Among the key sticking points is the sectoral tariff on cars and auto parts that is sending profit hit shockwaves through Japan's auto sector. Within the LDP there is already unhappiness about Ishiba's relatively neutral response to Trump's abrupt letter stipulating higher across-the-board duties of 25% from the beginning of August. 'If Ishiba has no concrete results by then the voices calling for his resignation will likely get louder,' said Katsuyuki Yakushiji, professor emeritus at Toyo University and writer of multiple books on Japanese politics. He indicated that August would likely be the make-or-break month for the prime minister. The last three LDP prime ministers who lost an upper house majority stepped down within two months, including Shinzo Abe in 2007 during his first stint as premier. Abe's departure then, may provide a rough time frame for Ishiba now. Abe lost the majority in July, tried a cabinet reshuffle in August to regain momentum then stepped down in September. That month is a common post-summer timing for the LDP to appoint and try to rally around a new leader. At the time, Ishiba was one of the LDP's fiercest voices calling on Abe to resign unless he could justify a reason for staying on. Ishiba was reminded of this comment on Monday and said he clearly remembered asking Abe to explain himself to the public as well as the party. Fast forward 18 years and it's Ishiba taking the heat. The same names in the news, a generation later. The opposition gains in the election show voters are wanting something different. Ishiba is the leader the LDP chose, but he's not the choice of most members of the public. And they seek a sales tax cut to ease the pain of inflation they never asked for either. While the Constitutional Democratic Party came second as the biggest opposition party offering to address the tax issue, many younger voters opted for the Democratic Party for the People's and its pledge of more take-home pay for working age people. Harder conservatives drifted to Sanseito and its 'Japanese First' message, though support remained highly localized around areas with high concentrations of foreigners or as a kind of protest vote in the proportional representation segment of the election. Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is among the LDP members who might check a couple of the check boxes cited by Harris, while Sanae Takaichi, the policy hawk who lost out to Ishiba in last year's party shootout, might seem an obvious choice to win back right-wingers. But both would give the impression of looking at the rear-view mirror. Takaichi would likely more look like Abenomics II, than a move forward. Instead the party should look at younger guns such as conservative former Economic Security Minister Takayuki Kobayashi or Shinjiro Koizumi, the 'rice minister' whose quick action has helped cool prices of the nation's staple, according to Eurasia's Boling. In Koizumi's case, he also inherits some reformist cache from his father Junichiro, a party maverick who helped re-brand the party a quarter century ago, something the party needs to do again now. 'I think that brand needs to be a face of a younger LDP member. Is that Kobayashi? Is that Koizumi?' said Boling. 'I think it's probably more Koizumi than Kobayashi.'
