Latest news with #O'Brien
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
EC Trying To Push NRC 'Through Backdoor'- TMC Blasts Poll Body, Alleges 'Nazi' Action
/ Jun 28, 2025, 02:06PM IST Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien has accused the Election Commission of launching a 'sinister' backdoor National Register of Citizens (NRC) under the guise of a special voter roll revision in Bihar. Comparing the required documentation to Nazi-era 'ancestor passes', O'Brien questioned the timing of the exercise just months before elections in Bihar—and warned that it may be extended to West Bengal. Citizens born after 2004, he claimed, would have to produce birth documents for themselves and both parents, or risk being struck off the voter list. Calling the move desperate and politically motivated, he alleged the EC is acting on BJP's behalf to influence results in states where they're losing ground. The INDIA bloc, he said, will raise this inside and outside Parliament. Is this a legitimate cleanup of electoral rolls—or a stealth NRC?#electioncommission #biharpolls #tmc #voterlist #tmcvsec #derekobrien #biharelections #nrcdebate #ecrevision #voterrollcontroversy #toi #toibharat #bharat #breakingnews #indianews
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Trying to bring NRC in from back door': Derek O'Brien targets Election Commission; cites ‘Nazi Ancestor Pass'
NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI) over its voter verification drive in Bihar and West Bengal, claiming it resembled a covert attempt to introduce the National Register of Citizens ( NRC ) through the back door. 'The EC is trying to bring the NRC in from the back door,' he said. Drawing a historical comparison, he added, 'In 1935 under the Nazis, you were supposed to be given an ancestor pass. Some proof of paper to show that you are an Indian citizen—is this the new version of that Nazi Ancestor Pass?' — PTI_News (@PTI_News) O'Brien detailed the ECI's new procedure which, according to him, mandates excessive documentary proof from voters depending on their birth year. 'Those born before July 1987 have to show proof of birth and birthplace. Those born between 1987 and 2004 must submit their own proof along with one parent's. Anyone born after December 2004 must produce documents for themselves and both parents,' he said, warning that failure to comply could result in removal from the electoral roll. 'Unless you submit this in the next one month, your name will be deleted from the list.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 새로 나온 '암보험' 최적가 가입인기! "암진단금+생활비+치료비 든든하게"... 굿리치 보험대리점 (등록번호:제2006038313호) 가격 받기 Undo He questioned the timing of the exercise, particularly in Bengal, claiming it coincided with internal BJP surveys predicting poor performance in the state. 'We have evidence that the latest BJP internal survey for Bengal shows they would win 46 to 49 seats. In desperation, they are resorting to desperate things,' he said, warning that the ECI 'should not turn into the branch office of the BJP.' All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi had earlier echoed O'Brien's concerns, calling the verification drive a secret NRC operation that could disenfranchise thousands of poor voters in Bihar. 'To be enrolled in the voter roll, every citizen will now have to show documents proving when and where they were born, and also when and where their parents were born,' he said in a post on X. 'To expect the poorest, especially in flood-prone Seemanchal, to possess their parents' documents is a cruel joke.' He also pointed to the 1995 Supreme Court judgement in the Lal Babu Hussein case, which ruled that a registered voter cannot be removed without proper notice and due process. 'Citizenship cannot be proven only through a limited set of documents. All types of relevant evidence must be considered,' he said, warning that the ECI's one-month door-to-door verification plan is unworkable in a state like Bihar, with its large, marginalised population.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Move to bring NRC through backdoor: TMC on EC's special intensive revision of electoral roll
"It is a sinister move to bring NRC ( National Register of Citizens ) through the backdoor," said Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien on Saturday about the special intensive revision of electoral roll announced by the Election Commission. Questioning the timing of the drive, the Trinamool Congress, at a press conference here, said the INDIA bloc parties will take up the issue both inside and outside Parliament. The Election Commission last Monday issued instructions to carry out a Special Intensive Revision in Bihar to weed out ineligible names and ensure all eligible citizens are included in the electoral roll, allowing them to exercise their franchise in the polls slated later this year. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Amid allegations of voter data being fudged to help the BJP, the exercise also introduces complete transparency in the process of addition or deletion of electors in the rolls. The last intensive revision for Bihar was conducted in 2003. "Why is this exercise being suddenly done right now?" O'Brien asked rhetorically at the press conference. Live Events "We have evidence as to why it is being done now. It is because the latest internal survey of the BJP for Bengal shows 46-49 seats for the BJP in the state's assembly polls (early next year). In their desperation to attempt to change things you do such things," he claimed. "It's a sinister move to bring NRC through the backdoor," alleged the TMC Rajya Sabha parliamentary party leader. He added that INDIA bloc parties will take up the issue both inside and outside Parliament. "We are all on the same page on this. We will not wait for Parliament to start. This cannot wait," O'Brien said. On Friday, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) wrote to the poll panel on the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and urged it to abandon the exercise. In a letter to Chief Election Commission Gyanesh Kumar, CPI(M) Politburo member Nilotpal Basu stated that while review of electoral rolls is a normal and routine process, the proposals appear to be putting a major part of the responsibility for inclusion or deletion from the electoral rolls is being imposed on the voters themselves. After Bihar, the Election Commission will carry out a similar review of electoral rolls by the end of this year in five states going to polls in 2026. The terms of the legislative assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are ending in May-June next year.
Wales Online
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Tonight's Swansea City news as rivals source O'Brien alternative and ex-Swans hero released
Tonight's Swansea City news as rivals source O'Brien alternative and ex-Swans hero released The latest news from the Stadium Lewis O'Brien (Image: Ashley Crowden/REX/Shutterstock ) Here's your round-up of all the latest Swansea City news for Friday, June 27. Hull source O'Brien alternative Hull City reportedly remain firmly in the race for former Swansea City loanee Lewis O'Brien this summer - but could yet look elsewhere should a deal become too problematic. O'Brien has been on the radar of a host of Championship clubs this summer, having enjoyed a hugely impressive six-month loan spell with the Swans last season. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here. Swansea would love to have the midfielder back for another stint next season, but their hopes of winning the race appear to be slim. The Tigers, in contrast, look to be among the leading contenders for his signature, having held talks over the last few weeks. But according to our colleagues at Hull Live, the financial package required to get a deal done could still prove a stumbling block. Article continues below Sources close to negotiations have told WalesOnline that an offer believed to be worth 'in and around' £5m is on the table from the Tigers, while one other Championship club is also believed to have launched a bid. That prospective price tag has been disputed by reports on Humberside, but it seems there's still some confidence a deal could get done. Nevertheless, Hull could yet look at other options, with a player based in Europe also believed to be on the radar. Indeed, the mystery player is believed to have already held talks with owner Acun Ilicali and head coach Sergej Jakirovic. Ogbeta joins Barnsley Former Swansea City defender Nathanael Ogbeta has signed for Plymouth Argyle on a season-long loan. The 24-year-old is getting married this weekend, but is set to miss his honeymoon to join up with his new team-mates this week. "Currently, I'm in London because I'm getting married at the weekend. But I'm excited to join the lads next week and get started," he told the club website. Reds boss Conor Hourihane, himself a former Swan, added: "He has good EFL experience for a player of his age, and he brings depth to the squad, which is essential." Ogbeta joined the Swans from Shrewsbury in 2022, but played just three games for the club before leaving on a free transfer last summer. Sign up to the Swansea City WhatsApp service to get breaking news and top stories sent to your phone. Borini released Former Swansea City cult hero Fabio Borini is a free agent this summer after leaving Italian side Sampdoria. The striker, who scored six goals in 12 games for the Swans during a loan spell in 2011, joined the fallen Italian giants on a free transfer back in 2023. Content cannot be displayed without consent He since netted 10 goals in 38 games, with Sampdoria narrowly preserving their Serie B status last season following a chaotic play-off with Salernitana. Article continues below The club haven't yet made an official announcement, but Nicolò Schira has claimed the 34-year-old is now set to depart.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Carmax, Carvana and other retailers implore Senate to preserve EV incentives
Carmax, Carvana and other auto retailers are urging the Senate to preserve electric vehicle incentives in the budget bill, arguing that abruptly axing the tax credits would threaten dealerships that have invested in EV sales and service. Automakers have required many dealerships to make large investments in EV infrastructure, including on-site chargers and service bay equipment. 'Dealerships like ours have invested billions of dollars as small businesses to serve our communities, to improve EV education, and offer exceptional service,' dealers said in the June 26 letter. 'We need a stable and consistent market for our dealerships to plan, invest, and grow.' The dealers said tax credits for new and used clean vehicles, the Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit meant to incentivize battery production, the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit and others 'must continue, even in a reduced form, for at least the next several years.' The retailers also oppose the annual $250 EV and $100 hybrid registration fee proposed by House Republicans. 'EV drivers would be paying disproportionately and discouragingly high taxes under such a proposal,' they said in the letter. The Senate committee proposal did not include the EV and hybrid registration fees. Nineteen dealerships, dealership groups and remarketing companies and five other EV stakeholders — including Recurrent, Plug In America and the Electric Vehicle Association — signed the letter as of the afternoon of June 26. Sign up for the weekly Automotive News Mobility Report newsletter for the latest developments at the intersection of transportation and technology. Dealers and their representatives at the National Automobile Dealers Association have generally criticized EV incentives established under the Biden administration. The letter marks a shift as Congress considers eliminating the federal government's support for EVs through the budget bill ahead of a self-imposed July 4 deadline. David O'Brien, used-car sales manager at Campbell Auto Group's Volkswagen and Nissan stores in Edmonds, Wash., said he signed the letter because the EV tax credits have reduced costs for consumers and generated new business. He said he supports keeping the credits or phasing them out gradually. The Senate text would eliminate the $7,500 EV tax credit 180 days after passage. The House version would stop the credit at the end of 2025. The credits have helped consumers save money and also enabled lower fuel and car payment expenses, O'Brien said. 'Probably 40 percent of our [sales] are electric cars,' O'Brien said. 'We are 15 miles north of Seattle, so we're in a really nice location for people to do short commutes and to use electric cars in a good way.' Without the credits, O'Brien said sales would fall 25 to 30 percent. Most automakers said the elimination of the tax credits would not change their sales strategy when asked by Automotive News. But some acknowledged the price impact. 'If tax credits are abolished, the price competitiveness of BEVs and PHEVs relative to internal combustion engine vehicles is generally expected to decline,' Mazda said in an email to Automotive News on June 18. Most EV buyers cited tax credits and incentives as a key reason for purchasing a new electric vehicle in 2024 and 2025, according to a J.D. Power survey. The used EV discounts have helped working- and middle-class car buyers purchase EVs, retailers said in the letter. 'Sudden elimination will disrupt the used car market, a backbone of the American economy,' the letter said. 'A multi-year transitional period would also provide the opportunity for Americans to continue adopting cleaner vehicles more affordably.' Alex Lawrence, owner of EV Auto in Bountiful, Utah, also said he supports a gradual phaseout rather than an abrupt end. He said a change in the credit rules helped broaden the market. 'When they changed the rule to allow customers to use [the tax credit] as a down payment rather than a deduction on their taxes, it opened up a whole new world of opportunity for middle-class and lower middle-class folks to qualify for loans that would allow them to buy transportation that was reliable,' Lawrence said. Because of this, he supports a phaseout over a few years. 'I sure wish they were willing to consider these other benefits that are created in the market for the middle class, upper middle class and car dealers, and reconsider just taking a hatchet to it,' Lawrence said. However, Lawrence believes EV Auto will succeed even without the credits. 'My business was successful and profitable before the tax credit, and it will be successful and profitable after that,' Lawrence said. Mark Hollmer contributed to this report. Have an opinion about this story? Tell us about it and we may publish it in print. Click here to submit a letter to the editor. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
