Latest news with #SankalpPatra
NDTV
3 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Spotlight On Manikrao Kokate: Crop Insurance Chaos To Rummy Video
Mumbai: Maharashtra's Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate finds himself at the centre of a controversy as a video surfaced that shows him apparently playing rummy on his phone while seated in the state assembly. The clip, posted by NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, is being widely circulated and has sparked outrage. Mr Kokate has denied the allegation, claiming he was only skipping a YouTube advertisement. But the explanation has found few takers, given his political track record and reputation. A History of Blunders and Controversies The senior leader from Nashik's Sinnar, who took charge of the Agriculture Ministry in December, has faced consistent criticism from the Opposition over his remarks and handling of the department. One such flashpoint was Mr Kokate's comment during a public event in Amravati. The event included discussion on the now-defunct Re 1 Crop Insurance Scheme. Launched under then Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the scheme aimed to ease farmers' burden by asking them to pay just Re 1 as premium, with the state bearing the rest of the cost. The scheme drew massive participation, but there were thousands of fake applicants as well. Government records show over 5.82 lakh bogus claims were registered in 2024-25 alone. The scheme was eventually scrapped, but Mr Kokate's remark stirred further debate. "Even a beggar doesn't take Re 1 as alms, but here we are giving crop insurance for Re 1. Even then there are people who misuse it. People from other states are applying too," he said at the event. The Unkept Promise of Loan Waivers The BJP, in its election manifesto titled Sankalp Patra -- released in Mumbai in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah -- had promised loan waivers for distressed farmers. The move was widely seen as a key factor behind the BJP-led alliance's electoral success. However, the promise was conspicuously missing from the first budget presented by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. "Did I give the assurance of loan waiver ahead of the elections?" Ajit Pawar asked when questioned about the matter. The statement triggered widespread criticism and revealed deep cracks in the Mahayuti alliance. Making matters worse, Mr Kokate made a controversial remark while addressing rain-hit farmers in his constituency. "You take loans and then wait for waivers. What about those who repay loans? What do you do with the waiver money? You spend it on lavish weddings and engagements of your children," he said. A Pattern Among Ministers Mr Kokate is not the only minister in the Devendra Fadnavis cabinet facing criticism. Several of his colleagues in the new cabinet have faced public outrage and opposition heat in the eight months since the government took charge. Senior NCP leader Dhananjay Munde was forced to resign following uproar over the Santosh Deshmukh murder case, in which one of Munde's close aides was allegedly involved. Sanjay Shirsath, a Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) minister, is under scrutiny in connection with the VITS Hotel corruption case. Earlier this month, a video allegedly showing him with a bag full of cash went viral after being released by Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut. Allegations have also surfaced against Yogesh Kadam, another Mahayuti minister, involving alleged links with a dance bar and illegal mining in Mumbai and Ratnagiri respectively.
News18
09-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
BJP To Reveal Bengal Manifesto For 2026 Polls After Durga Puja This Year; Here's What To Expect
News18 has learnt that Sukanta Majumdar, whose tenure as Bengal BJP chief has ended, has been entrusted with making suggestions for the assembly poll manifesto The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to announce its Sankalp Patra (manifesto) for the assembly polls to be held in summer 2026 after Durga Puja this year, much ahead of the Election Commission's poll schedule announcement, sources told News18. 'The festivities in Bengal end with Kali Puja, closely followed by Bhai Phonta (Bhai Dooj). Soon after that, you can expect the manifesto to come out. The work for it has begun this week," said a state BJP functionary on condition of anonymity. News18 has learnt that Sukanta Majumdar, the union minister of state for education, whose tenure as Bengal BJP chief has ended, has been entrusted with making suggestions for the assembly poll manifesto. Simultaneously, many committees are being formed to campaign and implement programmes for the upcoming assembly elections. While sources in the Bengal BJP say it is premature to predict what the main highlights of the manifesto will be, they told News18 that the approach will be positive rather than negative. 'The manifesto won't talk about Trinamool Congress's corruption or appeasement. It will focus on what the BJP promises to deliver if it comes to power," a source added. In the 2021 manifesto called Sonar Banglar Sonkolpo Potro, the BJP promised the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the first cabinet meeting, assured to provide arrears of Rs 18,000 to 75 lakh farmers under PM-Kisan, promised to implement the seventh pay commission for state government employees, and 33 per cent reservation for women in state government jobs, among a slew of other promises. In the coming months, the BJP is expected to seek mass feedback from the public, asking for suggestions both online and offline (through feedback boxes) for its Sankalp Patra. These suggestions will be screened, and a selected few are likely to make it to the printed copy, sources said. Recently, Samik Bhattacharya became the party unit president, taking over from Sukanta Majumdar. The handover ceremony saw a significant shift with the BJP flaunting a huge photo of Goddess Kali without slogans of 'Jai Shri Ram". Party co-in-charge Amit Malviya's post on X stressing that the Bengal BJP will reclaim 'Bengal's true identity, rooted in Maa Kali, Maa Durga, Devi Chandi, Mahaprabhu Chaitanya, and the fearless spirit of Banga Shakti" raises questions about whether the cover of the BJP manifesto will feature any of these deities. view comments First Published: July 09, 2025, 08:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Gehlot makes U-turn and softens stand on Raj govt, bats for Sharma
JAIPUR: Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot blew hot and cold against the Bhajanlal Sharma-led BJP government on Tuesday, describing him as 'suitable', while launching a stinging critique against him. 'It has been one and a half years now. Complete your full five-year term. Who is stopping you? Pandit Bhajanlal suits us. We want you to govern well,' Gehlot said. He added that he had met Sharma twice. 'He came to meet me and said he has been travelling across Rajasthan for 20 years and is committed to doing good work,' Gehlot said. However, the former CM soon pivoted to sharp criticism, saying, 'He should launch a discreet campaign through the IB and assess the issues the opposition raises. If he lacks the courage to act on them, that's a different matter. If he has the guts, let him fix the problems.' Later, Gehlot posted on social media, saying, 'The Bhajanlal government has completely failed. His tactics, character, and true face have all been exposed.' He referred to an incident where a sitting MLA claimed his house had been robbed thrice. 'If theft is happening repeatedly at an MLA's residence, imagine the plight of the common people,' he said. In his counter, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma expressed, 'When I compare our one-and-a-half years of governance with five years of Congress rule, Congress leaders get a stomach ache. That's why they keep raising unnecessary issues. We can account for every promise made in our Sankalp Patra.'
Deccan Herald
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Haryana: Kids of martyred soldiers, paramilitary staff to get govt scholarship
The ruling BJP in its 'Sankalp Patra' (poll manifesto) had promised to provide scholarship to the children of martyrs of the armed forces.
NDTV
21-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Madhya Pradesh To Hike Ladli Behna Payout, Opposition Flags Towering Debt
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has announced that the monthly financial assistance for women under the Ladli Behna scheme will be increased to Rs 1,500 from Diwali, which is in October. Currently, around 1.27 crore women beneficiaries receive Rs 1,250 per month. The move is being seen as a continuation of the BJP's flagship welfare initiative launched ahead of the 2023 state elections. Speaking to the media, Dr Yadav said, "The announcement in our Sankalp Patra is of Rs 3,000. We made it with full confidence and will fulfill it. The scheme began with Rs 1,000, then we increased it to Rs 1,250. From Diwali, it will be Rs 1,500." The hike will place an additional burden of Rs 310 crore on the state exchequer every month, pushing the annual cost of the scheme beyond Rs 22,000 crore. When the scheme was launched in 2023, 1.29 crore women were enrolled. The number rose slightly to 1.31 crore in October 2023 but has now come down to 1.27 crore. The government has admitted in the state Assembly that while new names are currently not being added, existing names are being removed based on age and other eligibility criteria. BJP MLA Bhagwan Das Sabnani defended the move, saying, "The Chief Minister is committed to empowering women. The Congress earlier mocked the scheme, but now they are afraid because the government is consistently fulfilling its promises." Congress leader Shailendra Patel criticised the financial viability of the scheme, stating, "The economic condition of Madhya Pradesh is deteriorating. No one knows how much more they will borrow. The state is practically being run on God's mercy." Rising Debt Poses Fiscal Challenges The state budget for 2025-26 stands at Rs 4.21 lakh crore. However, the government has already borrowed Rs 9,500 crore this financial year, taking the total outstanding debt to approximately Rs 4.31 lakh crore. This marks a 115 per cent increase in the state's debt over the last five years. In 2019, the total debt stood around Rs 2 lakh crore.
