Latest news with #BhartiyaJanataParty
Mint
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Define purpose, clarify it's not linked to citizenship: BJP ally TDP urges EC amid Bihar voter list revision row
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Bhartiya Janata Party's second-largest ally in the National Democratic Alliance, has sought clarity from the Election Commission on 'the scope" of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls underway in poll-bound Bihar, and likely to be replicated nationwide. The TDP has said that the Election Commission of India's exercise should ideally be conducted 'not within six months' of any major election and that it should be made clear that it is 'not related to citizenship verification.' In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on July 15, by TDP parliamentary party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu and signed by five other party leaders, the Andhra Pradesh's ruling party said that the 'scope of the SIR must be clearly defined and must be limited to electoral roll recorrection and inclusion.' In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on July 15, by TDP parliamentary party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu and signed by five other party leaders, the Andhra Pradesh's ruling party said that the 'scope of the SIR must be clearly defined and must be limited to electoral roll recorrection and inclusion.' 'It should be explicitly communicated that the exercise is not related to citizenship verification, and any field instructions must reflect this distinction,' reads the letter. The letter was submitted to the EC after TDP leaders met it, part of an ongoing exercise by the poll panel to consider suggestions from political parties to strengthen electoral processes. 'As Andhra Pradesh is not due for assembly elections until 2029, the Telugu Desam Party recognises that any future Special Intensive Revision (SIR) provides a valuable opportunity to ensure that the electoral rolls are updated in a fair, inclusive, and transparent manner,' the letter reads. In this regard, the letter said, the following considerations are respectfully submitted to guide such a process and request you to start the process in the state as early as possible, the letter reads Here are TDP's suggestions to the poll panel on SIR: 1. Adequate Time and Advance Notification: To ensure voter confidence and administrative preparedness, the SIR process should be conducted with sufficient lead time, ideally not within six months of any major election. 2. Documentation and Presumption of Inclusion : Voters who are already enrolled in the most recent certified electoral roll should not be required to re-establish their eligibility unless specific and verifiable reasons are recorded. In line with the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Lal Babu Hussein v Electoral Registration Officer, prior inclusion creates a presumption of validity, and any deletion must be preceded by a valid inquiry. The burden of proof lies with the ERO or objector, not the voter, especially when the name exists in the official roll. 3. Clarifying the Scope of SIR: The purpose of SIR must be clearly defined and limited to electoral roll correction and inclusion. It should be explicitly communicated that the exercise is not related to citizenship verification, and any field instructions must reflect this distinction. The scope of the SIR must be clearly defined and must be limited to electoral roll recorrection and inclusion. 4. Migration and Inclusion Frameworks: Andhra Pradesh experiences high levels of seasonal migration, particularly from rural and coastal regions. SIRs should deploy mobile BLO units and accept temporary address declarations to prevent the exclusion of migrant workers and displaced families. 5. Procedural Clarity on Deletion and Redressal: We urge the Commission to ensure voter deletions follow a reasoned order with due notice, and to allow stage-wise verification. TDP's letter comes amid opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, raising questions on the poll panel's ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. The Congress has dubbed it 'a rigging attempt' orchestrated by the Election Commission under instructions from the ruling regime. The Supreme Court on July 10 allowed the Election Commission of India to continue with its revision of electoral rolls IN poll-bound Bihar. The top court, however, asked the poll panel to consider using the Aadhaar card, the Election card, and the ration card as valid documents for voter identification. With 11 more days left for the last date of submission of the filled Enumeration Forms (EFs) in the ongoing Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR), after two rounds of door-to-door visits by the Booth Level Officers (BLOs), out of the 7,89,69,844 voters in Bihar, EFs of 6,60,67,208 og 83.66 per cent have been collected, Election Commission said on July 14,
Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
SS Rajamouli shoves fan trying to sneak in a selfie after Kota Srinivasa Rao's last rites
As SS Rajamouli was exiting the Maha Prasthanam in Hyderabad on the afternoon of Sunday, July 13, a hoard of fans rushed towards him in order to catch a glimpse, with one fan enthusiastically trying to sneak in a selfie. Rajamouli was there for the last rites of veteran Telugu actor and former Bhartiya Janata Party MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao, who breathed his last on Sunday morning. In a video doing the rounds on social media, Rajamouli's wife and costume designer Rama Rajamouli first exits the premises and enters their luxury car. Rajamouli follows suit, only to be interrupted by a persistent fan who keeps insisting on clicking a selfie with the Baahubali and RRR filmmaker. While there was police present at the venue, they can be seen controlling the rest of the crowd at the gate as the fan chases Rajamouli to his car. The filmmaker had to eventually shove the fan away and scold him for the imposition. The internet also condemned the fan's behaviour, claiming that a funeral is no place to click a selfie. Earlier in the day, Rajamouli paid a tribute to Rao on his X handle, writing, 'Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Kota Srinivasa Rao garu. A master of his craft, a legend who breathed life into every character he portrayed. His presence on screen was truly irreplaceable. My heartfelt condolences to his family. Om Shanti.' Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Kota Srinivasa Rao garu. A master of his craft, a legend who breathed life into every character he portrayed. His presence on screen was truly irreplaceable. My heartfelt condolences to his family. Om Shanti. — rajamouli ss (@ssrajamouli) July 13, 2025 Veteran Telugu actor and former BJP MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao, known for his highly acclaimed performances, passed away here due to age-related ailments on Sunday. He was 83. Rao, who had been unwell for several years now, breathed his last in the early hours of Sunday, July 13, at his residence in Hyderabad. Rao has acted in about 750 films in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi languages in a career spanning more than four decades. He debuted in the 1978 film Pranam Khareedu, which also marked the debut of superstar Chiranjeevi. Some of his most acclaimed works include Pratighatana, Satruvu, Ahana Pellanta, Hello Brother, Money. Ram Gopal Varma's Siva and Gaayam also brought immense fame to Rao. Notably, Rao also acted in Ram Gopal Varma's Hindi film Sarkar alongside mega star Amitabh Bachchan. A recipient of Padma Shri, Rao had served as a BJP MLA from Vijayawada East assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh from 1999 to 2004. Also Read — 10 years of Prabhas' Baahubali: How SS Rajamouli made the entire country, even PM Narendra Modi, fixate on a million-dollar question Meanwhile, Rajamouli is busy filming his next epic, starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra. The filmmaker is best known for helming the global juggernauts, the Baahubali franchise and RRR (2022), which put Indian cinema, particularly Telugu cinema, on the world map. Baahubali: The Beginning completed 10 years since its historic release last week.
Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Undeclared Emergency@11': Congress hits back with ‘five-fold assault' charge against BJP
In a counter-attack, the Congress, taking a jibe at the Modi-led government Wednesday, alleged that over the past 11 years (since 2014) — the Indian democracy has been under 'systematic and dangerous' five-fold assault over the past 11 years (since 2014) — a period it described as an 'Undeclared Emergency@11'. This comes after the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) went all-out on the grand old party (Congress) on the 50th anniversary of the imposition of the Emergency by the then Indira Gandhi-led government. 'No Indian will ever forget the manner in which the spirit of the Constitution was violated during the Emergency,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X. In a statement, Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that the Modi government is 'weakening Parliament' and has consistently shredded parliamentary norms. The MPs, who have raised mere issues of public concern, have been arbitrarily suspended. 'Key legislations are bulldozed through. Parliamentary committees have been by-passed,' he added. Congress leader further accused the government of spreading 'unbridled hate speech' and 'a crackdown on civil liberties'. Our statement on the five-fold assault on Indian Democracy that has led to the Undeclared Emergency@11 — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 25, 2025 During these 11 years, the ruling establishment protesting farmers were labelled 'Khalistanis', and advocates of caste census were dismissed as 'urban Naxals', the statement said. 'The killers of Mahatma Gandhi are glorified. Minorities live in fear of their lives and property. Dalits and other marginalised groups have been disproportionately targeted, and ministers making hate speeches have been rewarded with promotions,' he claimed. Ramesh's remarks came as the government observed 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' to mark the Emergency anniversary. He also accused the BJP of using money power to topple Opposition-led state governments. 'The office of the Governor has been misused to block bills in opposition-ruled states and to interfere in university appointments. The Centre has bypassed constitutional fiscal arrangements by overusing cesses to deprive states of their rightful revenue share,' he said. In another series of attacks, the Congress general secretary claimed the 'Election Commission of India's integrity has been compromised severely.' He said, 'Poll timings and phases are tailored to benefit the ruling party. The Commission has remained silent in the face of divisive rhetoric from the Prime Minister and senior BJP leaders,' he alleged.' Ramesh also accused the BJP-led government of 'damaging the judiciary' and said there has been a definite policy of quiet threats to the judiciary, primarily through delayed elevations, punitive transfers, post-retirement sinecures for pliant judges, and selective implementation of collegium recommendations. He added that investigative agencies — including the ED, CBI, and Income Tax Department — have been 'rampantly misused' to harass and defame Opposition leaders. 'Those who switch parties and join the BJP automatically become ED-mukt and CBI-mukt,' he alleged.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kerala mountaineer stranded on Mount Denali in North America, sends SOS
Sheikh Hasan Khan, a 38-year-old mountaineer from Kerala on a mission to scale the highest peaks of all seven continents, has sent an SOS message after being trapped in severe snowstorm on Mount Denali, the tallest peak in North America. Mr. Khan, who has embarked on the expedition with a fellow climber from Tamil Nadu, planned to hoist the national flag as a tribute to the Indian Army's Operation Sindoor. However, extreme weather conditions, including heavy winds, stalled their progress and left them stranded at Camp 5, nearly 17,000 ft above sea level. A message from Mr. Khan, shared widely on social media, reads: 'I am on an expedition to Mount Denali, the highest peak in North America. We are stuck in a severe storm at 17,000 ft with less food and water to survive. Only God can help us now. Please ask all to pray.' EAM's intervention sought Sharing the message on his X account, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, State president of the Bhartiya Janata Party, said he had alerted External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and his team, while also tagging the Indian Embassy in Washington DC and the Prime Minister's Office. Mr. Khan, employed at the Finance department of the Kerala government, is an accomplished mountaineer who has previously climbed Mount Everest and Mount Kilimanjaro. He had already conquered Mount Denali in June 2023. He has only Australia's Mount Kosciuszko left to complete the Seven Summits challenge. Mr. Khan is on a five-year leave from work to pursue his dream. Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony has written to the External Affairs Minister seeking immediate intervention. 'Mr. Shaikh Hasan Khan is reportedly trapped on Mount Denali due to a severe storm. He was on a mission to hoist a banner honouring the Indian Army when he became stranded. He has since sent urgent messages requesting rescue and assistance due to shortage of water and food,' the MP's letter stated. Kerala Deputy Speaker Chittayam Gopakumar has brought the issue to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's notice. Back home at Poozhikkad near Pandalam, Mr. Khan's parents, M.A. Ali Ahmed Khan and J. Shahida, wait anxiously for news. His last communication with the family was on June 10, when he informed them about the expedition. 'He called us on June 10 and told us about his mission. We haven't heard from him since. We are praying for his safety,' his mother told the media.
India Gazette
12-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
India has witnessed unprecedented digital revolution in past 11 years: JP Nadda
New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): Union Minister and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda on Thursday highlighted India's 'unprecedented' digital revolution in the last 11 years, adding that the transformation has bridged the digital divide and ensured that technology reaches every citizen. In a post on X, Nadda said that governance is more transparent and efficient under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'Over the past 11 years, India has witnessed an unprecedented digital revolution under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji. This transformation has not only connected millions but also bridged the digital divide, ensuring that technology reaches every citizen,' Nadda said. 'Today, governance is more transparent and efficient than ever before. Major government schemes are integrated with real-time digital dashboards, promoting transparency and delivering direct benefits to citizens,' he added. He mentioned that central schemes such as UPI, DigiLocker, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, U-WIN, CoWIN and e-Sanjeevani have empowered millions. 'Innovations like UPI, DigiLocker, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, U-WIN, CoWIN and e-Sanjeevani are not just digital platforms; they have empowered millions. 'Let's celebrate this Digital India journey as it paves the way towards a Viksit Bharat @2047,' he said on X. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed India's digital and technological progress, stating that the country is making remarkable progress in the innovation and application of technology. The Prime Minister highlighted that the digital progress is also strengthening the country's efforts towards becoming self-reliant in the technology sector. Taking to his X social media platform, PM Modi shared a post by MyGovIndia, which talks about how India could become the next technology powerhouse of the world and the steps taken by the Union Government in the past 11 years in the sector. 'Powered by the youth of India, we are making remarkable progress in the innovation and application of technology. 'It is also strengthening our efforts to become self-reliant and a global tech powerhouse,' PM Modi said. India has recorded a surge of 2500 times in the volume of UPI transactions, with data showing that UPI transactions, which were at 0.93 crore in April 2017 increased to 1867.70 crore by April 2025. India is also leading the digital payment revolution, wherein more than Rs 260 lakh crore transactions have been processed with Rs 18,600 crore transactions annually. UPI's acceptance in the world has also increased and it is live in seven countries, including the UAE, Singapore, Nepal, France, Mauritius, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. India also stands as the world's cheapest mobile data provider, with more than 94 crore broadband connections and more than 120 crore telephone subscribers. A total of 2.18 lakh gram panchayats have been connected through optical fibre networks under the Bharat Net scheme and 6.92 lakh km of fibre cable has been laid. The Union Government has also showcased interest in Artificial Intelligence with three AI Centres of Excellence to be set up in top educational institutions. India is also working on the development of AI models such as BharatGen, Sarvam-1, Chitralekha and Hanooman's Everest 1.0. On June 10, Prime Minister Modi shared an article on the government's commitment to advancing India's digital connectivity over the past 11 years. (ANI)
