Latest news with #OmPrakashRajbhar
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Akhilesh fuelling caste tensions, SP's PDA formula ‘fake': Rajbhar
State panchayati raj minister Om Prakash Rajbhar on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav by calling his PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) formula 'fake' and challenging him to declare a Muslim as his party's chief ministerial candidate if it was genuine. Panchayati Raj minister OP Rajbhar (File) Rajbhar also accused the SP of fueling caste tensions, citing the Brahmin-Yadav conflict in Etawah and questioning Yadav's outreach to Brahmins in Azamgarh. 'Akhilesh talks about videos, but why did he organise religious rituals for Brahmins? His words and actions don't match,' he said, adding that the SP was lagging far behind in the 2027 political race. 'The Yogi government will return to power,' he asserted. On the sensitive issue of panchayat poll reservations, Rajbhar said the existing policy must be implemented in full. 'Some villages saw changes due to election-related adjustments, but the issues will be corrected. Panchayat delimitation will be carried out afresh, and reservations will be enforced as per the established rules,' he said. A day earlier, Rajbhar met chief minister Yogi Adityanath and renewed his long-standing demand for sub-categorisation within the OBC and Scheduled Caste reservation quotas ahead of the upcoming three-tier panchayat elections in the state. Gram Chaupals soon Earlier, Rajbhar chaired a departmental review meeting wherein he said Gram Chaupals would soon be held across villages to address local grievances on the spot. He stressed that sanitation workers would be mandatorily present in villages, and Aadhaar-based attendance would be enforced for both sanitation workers and panchayat assistants. 'Negligence will not be tolerated. Action will be taken against anyone found lax in their duties,' he said. The minister directed officials to ensure gram panchayat buildings remain open and functional, promote cleanliness, maintain transparency, and enforce financial discipline. He stressed uniform upkeep of panchayat premises, regular monitoring and payment for community toilet operations, timely digital financial reporting via the SPARSH portal, and stronger public engagement. Emphasising environmental sustainability, he called for intensified plantation drives, awareness on plastic waste management, and promotion of Gobardhan and Kanha Gaushala schemes for biogas and compost production, with income transparently used for village development.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
We have put up ‘no entry' board for Akhilesh: Rajbhar
Jaunpur: Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief and Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar on Monday said that Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav is desperate to return to power, but he and other regional parties have already put up a 'No Entry' board for him. 'Akhilesh is eager to come to power, but I, Sanjay Nishad (of Nishad Party), Anupriya Patel (Apna Dal-S), and Jayant Chaudhary (Rashtria Lok Dal) have hung a 'No Entry' sign for him,' Rajbhar said while addressing SBSP workers at three different meetings in Jaunpur district. During the meetings, Rajbhar held discussions on strengthening the SBSP at the grassroots level and urged party workers to consolidate its presence at the booth level so that it can play a decisive role in elections. Criticising the previous Samajwadi Party (SP) government, Rajbhar said, 'There were 800 riots across Uttar Pradesh during the SP regime, while under the BJP rule in the last eight years, not a single riot has taken place. People need to understand this difference.' He also expressed concern over recent incidents in Etawah and Prayagraj, saying no one has the right to take the law into their own hands and strict action should be taken against the guilty. 'All is well in BJP,' he quipped when asked by reporters about Union Home Minister Amit Shah referring to Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya as a 'friend'. Rajbhar's comments come at a time when Uttar Pradesh's political landscape is a buzz about new alliances and shifting equations. His 'No Entry' remark is seen as a pointed message to the SP, which has made PDA (picchda, dalit alpsankhyak) its main plank, suggesting that OBC-centric regional parties are now aiming for a more decisive and independent role in state politics.
Hindustan Times
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
UP plans direct polls for zila panchayat chairman, block pramukh posts
The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing to overhaul the state's rural electoral system by introducing direct elections for zila panchayat chairman and block pramukhs from 2026, replacing the current indirect voting method. A formal proposal for the constitutional amendment required is set to be sent to the Centre soon. Panchayati Raj minister Om Prakash Rajbhar, who is also the chief of Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP), an ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), said the move is being planned for the upcoming three-tier panchayat elections expected in May 2026. 'The proposal for direct elections will soon be submitted to the central government. It has been discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and chief minister Yogi Adityanath, and all have given their approval,' Rajbhar said. Currently, zila panchayat chairman and block pramukhs are elected indirectly. Voters elect zila panchayat and block development committee (BDC) members, who in turn elect the chairman and pramukhs. The state has 75 zila panchayats and 825 blocks, according to Rajbhar. The present system has repeatedly drawn criticism for being vulnerable to manipulation. 'There have been instances where candidates kidnapped members to secure votes or used pressure to block rival nominations,' he claimed. Notably, the 2021 panchayat elections were marred by allegations of forceful prevention of nominations and violence. Out of the 75 zila panchayat chairmen elected, 22 won unopposed. BJP secured 21 seats, while the Samajwadi Party won just one. Rajbhar said that indirect elections create opportunities for defection and weaken grassroots governance. 'Those elected are often loyal to whoever is in power, not to their party's ideology or the people. This hampers development,' he said. When asked why the NDA is pushing for direct elections despite having firm control over the existing three-tier panchayati raj system in Uttar Pradesh, gram panchayats at the village level, kshetra panchayats at the block level, and zila panchayats at the district level, Rajbhar said the indirect system has been a hurdle in grassroots development. 'Majority of the candidates win with the backing of money and muscle power. They shift loyalties with changing governments. This weakens both governance and political commitment,' he said, adding that direct elections would enhance public accountability. For the changes to be implemented, a constitutional amendment will be required. Rajbhar noted that panchayat elections fall under Article 243 of the Constitution, which was introduced through the 73rd Amendment and gives a constitutional framework to rural governance. 'The amendment is necessary to allow for direct public elections to these posts. The Panchayati Raj department is finalising the draft proposal,' he said. Citing urban elections as a precedent, Rajbhar said that Mayors in cities are directly elected by the people, and a similar system is needed in rural governance. 'There is no reason why zila panchayat chairman and block pramukhs should not be directly accountable to the voters,' he said. Political observers and opposition leaders have raised concerns over the move. Chaturanan Ojha, a political analyst, said the proposal may lead to an imbalance of power in rural areas. 'If these posts are directly elected, the chairman and pramukhs could become more powerful than MLAs and MPs in their jurisdiction. The current system offers a mechanism for checks and balances through no-confidence motions,' he said. He also cautioned that the constitutional amendment process would require the approval of at least half the states, making it a complex legislative task. Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leader Rajendra Chaudhary alleged that the BJP government is attempting to control local bodies through administrative means. 'This is not about reforms but about capturing zila panchayats. The government should focus on strengthening panchayats rather than creating confusion,' he said.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
UP Madrasa Board 2025 - Of 68,423 students 59,983 successful: pass percentage 87.66
The results of the UP Madrasa Board 2025 examinations for Munshi / Maulvi (Secondary) and Alim (Senior Secondary) conducted by Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Council were released on the Board's official website by UP Minority Welfare minister, Om Prakash Rajbhar, in Lucknow, on Friday. This year, 88,082 students were registered, out of which 68,423 candidates took the examination. Out of 66,780 registered in Munshi / Maulvi (Secondary) category, 49,882 students appeared in the examination, out of which 42,439 students were declared successful. The pass percentage of this category was 85.07%. In Alim (Senior Secondary), 18,541 students out of 21,302 appeared, out of which 17,544 candidates passed. The overall result of the Alim category was 94.62%. The pass percentage of this year's exam was 87.66%. Out of 68,423, 59,983 students were successful, while 8,440 were declared unsuccessful. Among the candidates who appeared in the 2025 examination, there were 33,869 boys and 34,554 girls. Those who topped the UP-Madrasa Board exams for Munshi/Maulvi (Secondary) included Mohammad Aqib from Madrasa Ghazi Masoodul Uloom in Amethi with 89.83%. He was followed by Farhan Raza of Madrasa Mohammadia Faizur Rasool in Kushinagar with 88.33% marks and Shazia Shami of Madrasa Islamia Maktab, Halatpur in Kushinagar with 88.17% marks. In Alim (Senior Secondary) category, the toppers included Furqan Ali of Madrasa Islamia Arabia Taleemul Quran in Moradabad who scored 95% marks, followed by Sidrun Nisha from Madrasa Kaneez Sugar Girls High School in Kushinagar who bagged 94.80% marks and Noman Khan from Al Sagar Fatima Arabic College in Jhansi who bagged 93.80% marks. UP minority welfare minister, Om Prakash Rajbhar said, 'I congratulate all the students who passed and wish them a bright future. The vision of our PM Narendra Modi for madrasa students of having the Holy Quran in one hand computer in another hand, is being realised by providing quality education to Madrasa students. This is in line with the government's policy 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas', modern and scientific education is being promoted along with traditional education in madrasas. 'The state government has ensured transparency through the madrasa portal and all the proceedings of the examination were done online. Under the guidance of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, the government is constantly working towards the empowerment of the minority community. The MoS minority welfare, Muslim waqf and haj, Danish Azad Ansari congratulated all the students and said, 'The education system in Madrasas has improved. Under the government led by chief minister Yogi Adityanath, modern education in Madrasas is being continuously improved and this is the reason that Madrasa students are now coming to the forefront and getting employment opportunities. Whatever changes will be made in the curriculum, a presentation has been given to chief minister Yogi Adityanath and soon the Madrasa curriculum will be changed. The UP-Madrasa Board Registrar RP Singh informed that the exam was conducted at 439 centres in 71 districts across the state. 150 exam centres were monitored live through webcasting from Lucknow. The exam was completely transparent and free of cheating. After the results are declared, students can take admission in the university as per their convenience.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
UP Madrasa Board 2025 results declared, 87.66% students passed
UP Madrasa Board 2025 results: The results for UP Madrasa Board 2025 examinations for Munshi / Maulvi (Secondary) and Alim (Senior Secondary) conducted by Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Council were released on the board's official website on Friday afternoon by UP Minority Welfare minister Om Prakash Rajbhar in Lucknow. This year a total of 88082 students were registered, out of which 68423 candidates appeared in the examination. Out of 66780 registered in Munshi / Maulvi (Secondary) category, 49882 students appeared in the examination, out of which 42439 students were declared successful. The pass percentage of this category was 85.07%. In Alim (Senior Secondary), 18541 students out of 21302 appeared, out of which 17544 candidates passed. The total result of Alim category was 94.62%. Overall, the overall result of this year's exam was 87.66%. Out of 68423, 59983 students were successful, while 8440 were declared unsuccessful. Among the candidates who appeared in the 2025 board examination, there were 33869 boys and 34554 girls. Those who topped the UP-Madrasa Board exams for Munshi/Maulvi (Secondary) included Mohammad Aqib from Madrasa Ghazi Masoodul Uloom in Amethi with 89.83%. He was followed by Farhan Raza of Madrasa Mohammadia Faizur Rasool in Kushinagar with 88.33% marks and Shazia Shami of Madrasa Islamia Maktab, Halatpur in Kushinagar with 88.17% marks. In Alim (Senior Secondary) category the toppers included Furqan Ali of Madrasa Islamia Arabia Taleemul Quran in Moradabad who scored 95% marks, followed by Sidrun Nisha from Madrasa Kaneez Sugar Girls High School in Kushinagar who bagged 94.80% marks and Noman Khan from Al Sagar Fatima Arabic College in Jhansi who bagged 93.80% marks. On the occasion of the announcement of the result, UP Minority Welfare Minister, Om Prakash Rajbhar said, "I congratulate all the students who passed and wish them a bright future. The vision of our PM Narendra Modi for Madrasa students of having Holy Quran in one hand computer in another hand, is being realised by providing quality education to Madrasa students. This is in line with the government's policy 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas', modern and scientific education is being promoted along with traditional education in madrasas." "The state government has ensured transparency through the madrasa portal and all the proceedings of the examination were done online. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the government is constantly working towards the empowerment of the minority community. The MoS Minority Welfare, Muslim Waqf and Hajj, Danish Azad Ansari congratulated all the students and said, "The education system in Madrasa has improved. Under the government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, modern education in Madrasas is being continuously improved and this is the reason that Madrasa students are now coming to the forefront and getting employment opportunities. Whatever changes will be made in the curriculum, a presentation has been given to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and soon the Madrasa curriculum will be changed. The UP-Madrasa Board Registrar RP Singh informed that the exam was conducted at 439 centres in 71 districts across the state. 150 exam centres were monitored live through web casting from Lucknow. The exam was completely transparent and free of cheating. After the results are declared, students can take admission in the university as per their convenience.
