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News18
8 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Uttar Pradesh Set For Major Political Overhaul As BJP Eyes Course Correction Before 2027 Polls
Last Updated: After identifying lapses in regional and caste representation, the BJP leadership is initiating a reset to recover ground lost in the 2024 polls Uttar Pradesh is poised for a significant political reshuffle, both within the BJP's organisational framework and the state government structure, top sources have confirmed to CNN-News18. In the wake of its underwhelming performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP is preparing a comprehensive reset ahead of the crucial 2027 Assembly polls. The first step in this direction is expected to be the announcement of a new Uttar Pradesh BJP president — a decision currently awaited. After a brief lull following the Pakistan-backed terror attack in Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor, the BJP has resumed focus on pending organisational changes. Uttar Pradesh is at the centre of this activity, with the appointment of a new state president seen as the immediate priority. The decision is expected to set the tone not only for the 2027 state elections but also for the party's larger leadership transition. Following the appointment, a cabinet expansion in the Yogi Adityanath-led government is on the cards. The move aims to ensure balanced regional and caste representation, especially from areas and communities that have either been underrepresented or shifted their allegiance in the recent parliamentary polls. Sources indicate that additional representation may be extended to regions such as Awadh, Braj, Kashi, Ambedkar Nagar, and the Pratapgarh–Prayagraj belt. Among the communities likely to receive fresh or enhanced representation are the Pasi and Kurmi groups from Awadh; Saini, Maurya, and Shakya from the central-eastern belt; Shakya from Braj; and Bind and Kurmi from the Kashi region. An internal review conducted by the party suggests that many of these communities, including segments of the BJP's traditional voter base, drifted away in 2024 — leading to a substantial fall in vote share. In several constituencies, the drop was as high as 6–7 per cent, even in areas previously considered secure by the party's own estimates. This feedback, shared with the central leadership, has prompted urgent discussions on course correction, with the twin goals of addressing gaps in representation and regaining electoral ground. The party is also preparing to elect a new national president. JP Nadda, who was appointed in January 2020, has already completed his full term and was given extensions to steer the BJP through critical phases, including the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. As per party norms, a majority of state unit elections must be completed before the new national chief is named — making the Uttar Pradesh appointment a key step in that direction. In contrast, the Samajwadi Party's candidate selection — rooted in nuanced social engineering — paid off handsomely in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, bolstering Akhilesh Yadav's political stock. The BJP, meanwhile, is working on a counter-strategy to outpace the SP in the run-up to 2027. Having come to power in 2017 with a landslide and repeated that performance with an even stronger mandate in 2022, the Yogi Adityanath government will now seek a third consecutive term. For the BJP, retaining Uttar Pradesh is not just about a state election, it is about mirroring the larger national narrative of continuity, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in a rare third term at the Centre. First Published: June 28, 2025, 09:44 IST
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
NGT seeks replies over palm tree felling in state
Patna: The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB), the state's disaster management department, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and others in connection with the widespread felling of palm trees in Bihar, which, it is believed, is contributing to a rise in lightning-related deaths. The NGT's principal bench in New Delhi took suo motu cognisance of a news report titled "Are missing palm trees causing more lightning deaths in Bihar", published in TOI on May 29, 2025. "The news item relates to the large-scale felling of toddy-yielding palm trees, which is stated to have contributed to a rise in lightning-related deaths with over 2,000 lives lost since 2016 in Bihar. According to the article, the widespread cutting of palm trees is directly linked to a sharp increase in lightning-related fatalities. It highlights that dozens of towering palm trees are being felled, leading to more frequent lightning strikes that result in deaths. The article notes that after the ban on toddy tapping due to Bihar's prohibition policy, palm trees lost their economic value and have since been widely cut down. This ecological loss appears to have made rural areas more vulnerable to lightning strikes with the state recording over 2,000 lightning-related deaths since 2016," the principal bench, comprising judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi and expert member A Senthil Vel, stated in its order on June 5. The bench further observed, "The news item mentions that according to the Bihar Economic Survey and the disaster management department, lightning strikes claimed 2,446 lives between 2016 and April 2025 with rural population being the worst affected. The article states that the number of lightning deaths began to rise following the rampant felling of palm trees. The Annual Lightning Report 2023-2024 states that lightning strikes claimed as many as 2,937 lives in Bihar between 2014 and 2024. " According to the tribunal's order, the most severely affected districts include Aurangabad, Patna, Nalanda, Kaimur, Rohtas, Bhojpur and Buxar. The highest incidence of lightning-related deaths occurs between 12.30pm and 4.30pm, when many people are outdoors for work. The article also mentioned that the south-central region of Bihar is more prone to lightning strikes than other parts of the state. The order added, "In addition, the Bihar Rashtriya Pasi Sena, a platform representing the Pasi community, which has traditionally been involved in toddy tapping, has found that the area under palm tree cultivation in Bihar has decreased by 40%. The article further notes that the planting of palm trees has almost stopped." Citing the seriousness of the issue, the NGT bench noted, "The matter seems to attract the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Hence, we implead the BSPCB, the CPCB, the additional chief secretary of the state's disaster management department and the regional office of the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change, as respondents in the matter." The bench directed that, "Replies/responses may be filed by the respondents before the eastern zone bench of this tribunal at Kolkata at least one week before the date of next hearing on Aug 7."
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
No. of anganwadi beneficiaries up after smartphone integration
1 2 Ranchi: The state reported a rise in the number of beneficiaries availing services through anganwadi centres (AWCs) after the integration of smartphones into grassroots service delivery. Ready-to-eat takehome rations (THR) are being distributed among around 1,74,036 pregnant women, 1,28,795 lactating mothers, and 12,05,382 kids, aged between 6 months and 3 years. Also, 14,50,505 children in the age group of three to six years are receiving fresh cooked meals at the AWCs. The state has ensured the provision of eggs to every child to improve the nutritional value of these meals. The director of women and child development department, Kiran Pasi, said, "The move has enabled anganwadi sevikas to connect with beneficiaries better, digitise records, and streamline the distribution of essential services. The digital shift has improved the delivery of nutrition and early childhood care." Officials said Aadhaar verification and face authentication have been made mandatory to ensure that the services reach the intended beneficiaries. With mobile technology, the Aadhaar verification rate reported a steep rise from 48.03% in March 2023 to 97.22% in March 2025. The state has 30,11,829 Aadhaar-verified beneficiaries across 38,523 AWCs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The govt has identified over 1,200 tribal-dominant villages to establish new anganwadi centres. "Sevikas now use smartphones to access govt portals for real-time updates, track immunisation schedules, share health and nutrition content, and hold video consultations. The tools have improved service delivery, especially in remote rural areas, while fostering stronger engagement between sevikas and local communities," Pasi stated. A lactating mother from Barharwa block under Sahibganj district, Punam Devi, said, "I received THR through Aadhaar verification and face recognition. This made the process smooth and transparent, ensuring that I received the nutrition support meant for me and my child."
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Child marriage rate in Jharkhand registers dip, betters nat'l average: Govt
Ranchi: There has been a visible improvement in the fight against child marriage, with the state registering a 5.7% decline in child marriages, outpacing the national reduction of 3.5%, as per the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), the Jharkhand IPRD department stated. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the women and child development department, the progress is attributed to the effective implementation of welfare schemes like the Savitribai Phule Kishori Samridhi Yojana (SPKSY) and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), which continue to drive social change by focusing on education, awareness, and the empowerment of adolescent girls. The rate of marriage below the age of 18 years dropped from 37.9% in NFHS-4 (2015 to 2016) to 32.2% in NFHS-5 (2019 to 2021). Under the SPKSY, the state govt provided financial assistance of over Rs 424 crore to more than 7.36 lakh girls in the financial year 2024–25. Director of women and child welfare department, Kiran Kumari Pasi, said, "The drop in child marriage rates is a strong indicator that our awareness campaigns and education-focused initiatives are making a real difference on the ground. Through schemes, the govt is empowering our daughters to pursue education, delay marriage, and build brighter futures." That apart, the state also progressed in maternal health. According to the May 2025 bulletin of the Sample Registration System (SRS), the maternal mortality rate in the state dropped from 56% to 51%. The govt also met its target of a 2% annual increase in the sex ratio over the last two years for gender equity. The department also provided 10,800 gift kits to new mothers, reinforcing the message of valuing girl children. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, operational in all districts since 2023, further strengthened these outcomes. Over 50,000 awareness activities were conducted by the social welfare department, reaching more than 10 lakh children and parents. Pasi said, "These efforts focused on crucial issues such as prevention of female foeticide, promotion of institutional deliveries, pregnancy registration, school enrolment and re-enrolment of girls, menstrual hygiene, and skill development. "
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
JD(U) neta urges CM to lift ban on toddy
Patna: CM Nitish Kumar was confronted with a bold demand to lift the ban on toddy during his visit to the JD(U) office on Monday with one party leader warning of electoral consequences if the matter is ignored. Munna Chaudhary, who identifies as vice-president of JD(U)'s scheduled caste cell, told reporters that the CM directed party's state president Umesh Singh Kushwaha to look into the issue and submit a detailed report. Munna urged Nitish to exclude toddy from the state's liquor prohibition law, arguing that it contains no liquor. "Toddy is not liquor. The Pasi community, which depends on toddy for livelihood, has suffered greatly since the blanket ban in 2016," he said. He added that over 500 Pasis have died from falls while tapping toddy, yet victim families have not received any compensation. "Toddy is an integral part of our community's life and livelihood. The govt must pay attention to our plight," he said. Nitish's impromptu visit to the party office surprised many and Munna seized the opportunity to hand over a letter outlining his demands. The issue has gained political traction with RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav promising to lift the toddy ban if elected to power. NDA ally and HAM(S) patron Jitan Ram Manjhi has also repeatedly called for relaxation of prohibition laws.
