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India Today
5 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
BJP legislators meet to push for elected government in Manipur ahead of Delhi talks
Ahead of a high-level meeting between Manipur's civil society organisations and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi on the ongoing crisis in the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party has convened a meeting of its legislators to push for the restoration of an elected government in the state. 'The BJP legislators have already signalled to the Centre that they are ready to form a popular government,' said former Chief Minister Biren Singh while speaking to reporters after the meeting. advertisementThe meeting comes as part of the BJP's broader roadmap for restoring peace and governance in Manipur, which has been under President's Rule since February 13, following months of ethnic unrest. Biren Singh resigned as Chief Minister on February 9 amid mounting pressure and internal dissent within the BJP. Singh welcomed the scheduled talks between major civil society organisations — Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), and Federation of Civil Society Organisation (FOCS) — and the MHA, calling it a constructive step towards reconciliation and peace. Monday's meeting in Delhi will mark the third round of dialogue between the civil society groups and central officials regarding the state's has been without a functioning elected government since the imposition of President's Rule, following the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023. advertisementOf the 60 seats in the Manipur Legislative Assembly, one is currently vacant due to the death of NPP MLA N. Kayisii (Tadubi constituency). Among the 59 remaining members, 22 BJP MLAs attended Sunday's BJP MLAs were absent, reportedly due to health issues or prior commitments. The BJP holds 32 seats in the House, supported by five former JD(U) MLAs who later joined the party, bringing its effective strength to 43 parties in the assembly include the National People's Party (6), JD(U) (6), Naga People's Front (5), Kuki People's Alliance (2), Indian National Congress (5), and three independents. Despite some alliance partners and an independent MLA withdrawing support, the BJP continues to maintain a a significant political divide remains. Ten Kuki-Zo MLAs — including seven from the BJP — continue to demand a separate administration for their community, advocating for Union Territory status in response to the ethnic BJP president A Sharda Devi, reiterated the party's commitment to public sentiment.'To form a popular government, public support is essential. During the recent meeting with central leaders, they acknowledged the sentiments of the people of Manipur who are longing for the restoration of a popular government,' she developments come amid growing calls from both civil society and political actors for the re-establishment of democratic governance in the conflict-affected state.- EndsMust Watch
India Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Is he attacking me because I'm a Dalit, a woman?": Shambhavi Choudhary slams Prashant Kishor for his "feudal mindset"
Patna (Bihar) [India], June 28 (ANI): 'Targeting a Dalit woman who is progressing shows a feudal mindset,' said Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Choudhary slamming Jan Suraaj Party chief Prashant Kishor for alleging that her father, Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary, 'paid' for her Lok Sabha ticket. Last month, during a press conference in Bihar's Jamui, Kishor had alleged that JD(U) leader Ashok Choudhary had paid the LJP (Ram Vilas) to obtain the Samastipur Lok Sabha ticket for his daughter Shambhavi, who, at 25, won the seat in the 2024 general elections and became one of the youngest MPs. Later, Bihar minister and senior JD(U) leader Ashok Choudhary filed a defamation case against Kishor over his allegation. In an interview with ANI, Shambhavi hit out at Kishor for his 'feudal mindset.' She described Kishor's comments as a personal attack, questioning why she was singled out when there are many other MPs in her party. The Lok Sabha MP said the Jan Suraaj Party chief's allegation showed his 'arrogance and ego.' As a third-generation politician, Shambhavi stressed that politics should be about ideologies, not 'personal attacks.' 'First of all, I don't think Prashant Kishor is worth the time ... should spend on. Yes, I do feel it was a personal attack. I come from a political family, and I'm a third-generation politician. One thing I've learned over the years is that politics is a fight between ideologies and not between individuals. Personal attacks should always be avoided. Politics is not a fight between individuals; we fight for the people and for our ideology. Prashant Kishor deliberately raised this issue in a press conference; it wasn't something he mentioned in private. He targeted me over my political background, and I don't understand why,' Shambhavi Choudhary told ANI. Shambhavi emphasised that Kishor's remarks demonstrate his 'feudal mindset.' 'Is he attacking me because I'm a Dalit? Because I'm a woman? Or because he thinks I'm a scapegoat? If he wanted to criticise the Lok Janshakti Party, there are many MPs he could have chosen. Why only me? Targeting a Dalit woman who is progressing shows a feudal mindset. This kind of attack only reflects his arrogance and ego,' Choudhary said. Shambhavi Choudhary had defeated the Congress party's candidate, Sunny Hazari, by 1,87,251 votes in 2024 Lok Sabha polls. She is a third-generation politician. Her grandfather, late Mahavir Choudhary, represented four assembly constituencies - Rajauli, Jehanabad (SC), Makhdumpur and Barbigha - for eight terms in an illustrious career spanning four decades and also served as minister in Congress governments in Bihar. Shambhavi's father, Ashok Choudhary, is one of the most influential ministers in Nitish Kumar's cabinet. He had switched to JD(U) from Congress. Bihar elections are expected to be held later this year in October or November; however, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not yet announced the dates. While the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is seeking to retain power, the INDIA bloc, which includes the RJD and Congress, is seeking to oust it. Jan Suraaj, led by Prashant Kishor, is also seeking the mandate of the people. (ANI)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Min slams Tejashwi, defends Nitish govt's 20-year record
Patna: Senior JD(U) functionary and rural works department minister Ashok Choudhary on Friday took aim at Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, questioning his criticism of the Nitish Kumar-led govt. "Instead of asking what happened in the last 20 years of the Nitish govt, Tejashwi should first tell what did not happen during this period," Choudhary said while addressing reporters at the JD(U) state headquarters after a public grievance hearing. Choudhary, who has been selected for an assistant professorship at the age of 56, also said that those whose political ideology stemmed from the "Charwaha Vidyalaya" are now pretending to distribute pens. Referring to the educational landscape under previous RJD administrations, he asked, "How many engineering and medical colleges were opened in Bihar during the rule of his parents, Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi?" Choudhary added, "Have you ever heard in the last 70 years of independence that any government opened a 'Charwaha Vidyalaya'? RJD's thinking was to make our children shepherds. But CM Nitish Kumar 's vision is to make them engineers and doctors." Highlighting the transformation since 2005, he said Nitish prioritised educational infrastructure, opening new schools, polytechnics and medical and engineering colleges. "And Tejashwi is asking us what the Nitish govt has done in the last 20 years," he said. The minister's comments came a day after Tejashwi distributed pens to youth at a 'Chhatra Yuva Samvad' event, where he pledged that if his alliance forms the govt following this year's assembly elections, he would achieve in 20 months what the Nitish govt could not do in two decades. In response, Choudhary said, "The people of Bihar have recognised such double standards very well and will never again trust the RJD."
India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Bihar panchayat members to get arms licences as Cabinet okays key proposals
The Nitish Kumar-led Bihar Cabinet has decided to grant arms licences to elected representatives of the three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions following a string of attacks on local leaders ahead of assembly polls. It was among a host of decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting on government has instructed all district magistrates (DMs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) across Bihar to begin the process of issuing licences to the panchayat the government said that applications for arms licences must be verified promptly and disposed of as per the law. The move comes amid a string of political murders in Bihar. Last week, a panchayat head and his aide were shot dead in Bihar's February, a JD(U) leader, Mahesh Mishra, was shot dead by armed assailants near his residence in Bihar's Gaya district. Mishra was the block secretary of JD(U) and deputy 'mukhiya' of the Chiraila year, too, the head of a panchayat in Bihar's Samastipur district was shot to NCRB data, Bihar ranks only second behind Uttar Pradesh in deaths due to bullet injuries. Ahead of the elections, likely in November, Bihar police have sprung into action, scanning arms licences, and cracking down on illegal arms manufacturing CABINET DECISIONSAmong other key decisions taken by the Cabinet include the launch of the 'Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Mandap Yojana'. The scheme entails the construction of marriage halls in every panchayat across the Cabinet has sanctioned Rs 4,026.50 crore for the scheme, which will be implemented and operated through 'Jeevika Didis' - women's self-help groups."Our government will construct marriage halls in all panchayats to facilitate the weddings of daughters of poor families in rural areas. Economically weak families will benefit greatly from this initiative," Nitish Kumar the government's community kitchen initiative, 'Didi Ki Rasoi', has also been revised, with the cost of subsidised meals reduced to Rs 20 from Rs 40 per government also said that the subsidised meals would now also be provided beyond hospitals and colleges to block, and zonal offices as well.- EndsTune InMust Watch
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Nishant's political entry not RJD's business: Samrat
Patna: Speculation over the political debut of Nishant Kumar, son of CM Nitish Kumar, took a sharp political turn on Sunday when RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav alleged that a "BJP-aligned faction" within JD(U) was preventing his entry. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He claimed that the BJP was not keen on Nishant joining politics, as it could disrupt the party's long-term strategy to replace Nitish as CM after the 2025 elections. When asked about Tejashwi's comments, deputy CM Samrat Choudhary said, "The entry of Nishant into politics will not be decided by the Lalu family. It will be decided by CM Nitish Kumar and his family." Avoiding any direct reference to Tejashwi, Samrat launched a scathing attack on RJD chief Lalu Prasad and challenged the RJD to present its 15-year track record in contrast to Nitish's 20-year tenure.
