Latest news with #Vaishya
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Talibani punishment': With shoe on his head, bizman's son forced to apologise in Madhya Pradesh; Congress fumes
A young man was forced to publicly apologize with a shoe on his head following a dispute involving the son of an exiled criminal BHOPAL: A youth was forced to apologise by placing a shoe on his head outside Bairad police station in Shivpuri district. The incident occurred on Saturday during a meeting to resolve a dispute between two local youths. The victim, son of a local businessman, was allegedly humiliated on the instructions of a panchayat allegedly attended by several BJP leaders. Congress has termed the act a "Talibani punishment" and accused BJP leaders of protecting criminals. According to police, the dispute began when the victim and his friends threw pebbles near the house of Kuldeep Rawat, son of an exiled criminal. A fight broke out, leading to tensions. On Saturday, a panchayat decided he must apologize by placing shoes belonging to Kuldeep and his aide Chhotu on his head. Congress demanded strict action. The Vaishya community also staged a protest and submitted a memorandum, warning of nationwide demonstrations if action is not taken. Meanwhile, BJP leaders have denied involvement, claiming the video was edited. The victim has also refused to comment to local media, saying only that he is relieved the dispute has ended.
New Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Delhi belongs to all, not just one community or caste
Whom does Delhi belong to? It's a very difficult question to answer given the cultural, caste and community mosaic of the city ever since it was founded by the Tomar King Anang Pal almost 1500 years ago. He built the first city of Lal Kot, which was captured by the Chauhans in the mid-12th century and renamed it Qila Rai Pithora. However the oldest archaeological relic found in the national Capital is of Mauryan period that is 1200 years further back in history. After the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan at Battle of Tarain in 1192, came the Sultanate, then the Mughals, the British and finally independence. All through this period, irrespective of which community did the ruler belong to, Delhi's cultural life continued to be a mosaic described earlier. Thus it is very surprising that Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta could recommend renaming of Delhi Junction, popularly known as Old Delhi Railway station, after a Vaishya caste icon Maharaja Agrasen. According to newspaper reports she has written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw saying, 'I am writing to respectfully request your kind consideration for renaming the Old Delhi Railway Station in honour of Maharaja Agrasen, a revered historical figure whose legacy has had a profound impact on the socio-economic development of India, particularly in Delhi.' In the chronology of kings and dynasties which ruled Delhi, Maharaja Agrasen doesn't figure. He is part of the legend and believed to belong to the lineage of Lord Ram of Ayodhya, his 34th generation descendent. He is said to have adopted the Vanika dharma (trading duties) and the Vaishya community draws its lineage from him.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Hemant Khandelwal is new MP BJP chief; state presidents named in 9 units
Madhya Pradesh BJP on Wednesday appointed Baitul MLA Hemant Khandelwal as its new state president, ending a vacancy of over five years. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who oversaw the state unit's organisational elections, announced Khandelwal's appointment after he emerged as the sole nominee on Tuesday. Khandelwal, who belongs to the Vaishya community, is seen as a consensus choice amid internal discussions over caste representation. With the state already having an OBC chief minister, a Brahmin and a Dalit as deputy CMs, the selection of Khandelwal helps the BJP further balance its caste equations. The son of four-time MP Vijay Khandelwal, Hemant was elected MP from Baitul in a 2008 bypoll after his father's death. Following the constituency's reservation in 2009, he transitioned to organisational roles, serving as state party treasurer for four years and leading BJP's office-building efforts across districts. He reportedly impressed the central leadership during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls with his coordination skills. BJP national vice-president Saudan Singh is said to have first proposed Khandelwal's name, which later gained wider support. Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan credited him with suggesting the CM RISE school initiative during the announcement. Khandelwal's appointment is part of a broader organisational reshuffle under the BJP's second phase of Sangathan Parv (Organisational Drive). New state chiefs have been appointed in a total of nine states and union territories: Live Events Madhya Pradesh - Hemant Khandelwal Maharashtra - Ravindra Chavan Telangana - N. Ramchander Rao Andhra Pradesh - PVN Madhav Uttarakhand - Mahendra Bhatt Himachal Pradesh - Rajeev Bindal Puducherry - VP Ramalingam Mizoram - Beichhua Andaman & Nicobar Islands - Anil Tiwari With these additions, the BJP has now completed internal elections in 28 states and UTs, well above the 19 required to initiate the national presidential poll. Party insiders say appointments for West Bengal and Odisha are expected soon, while elections in key states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Delhi, and Haryana will determine the timeline for the national president's election.
NDTV
02-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Hemant Khandelwal To Ravindra Chavan: A Look At 9 New BJP State Chiefs
New Delhi: The BJP on Wednesday announced Hemant Kumar Khandelwal as its new chief of the Madhya Pradesh unit, moving closer to picking the replacement of the party's national president, JP Nadda. The ruling party has recently announced nine new state heads and has so far conducted elections for 28 states and union territories - nine more than the required number of 19 for the election of the national president - since its internal polls started last year. The BJP sources, however, said the election of the national president will be conducted only after the successful completion of elections of key states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Delhi and Haryana, among others. Here's a look at new BJP state chiefs: Hemant Khandelwal - Madhya Pradesh Hemant Khandelwal is currently an MLA from Betul. He has also been an MP from Betul, which was won by his father, late Vijay Khandelwal, four times (1996-2008). Khandelwal, a two-time MLA, has strong roots in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and is considered to be close to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Two-time MLA from Betul, currently serving his second term after regaining the seat in 2023. The 60-year-old has also served as the BJP's district president of Betul and state party treasurer. He has also headed the Kushabhau Thakre Trust, a key ideological and training wing of the party. By appointing Mr Khandelwal, the BJP has signalled its outreach to the strong Vaishya community in Madhya Pradesh and has balanced delicate caste balance with an Other Backward Class (OBC) chief minister and an upper caste state president. Ravindra Chavan - Maharashtra Ravindra Chavan is a four-term MLA from Dombivali and has replaced Chandrashekhar Bawankule. Mr Chavan has held several key portfolios, including Public Works, Food and Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection, in the Maharashtra government. He also served as Guardian Minister for Palghar and Sindhudurg districts. Mr Chavan, who was appointed Working President of the BJP Maharashtra unit in January, is also seen as a close aide of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and has strong backing from the RSS. The 54-year-old also played a crucial role in the formation of the BJP-led coalition government in Maharashtra. His appointment as the state BJP chief is seen as a strategic move ahead of key local body elections in Mumbai. Mahendra Bhatt - Uttarakhand Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt has been reelected as the Uttarakhand BJP president. The 53-year-old, who first took over as Uttarakhand BJP chief in 2022, is the only party chief in the state to get a successive term in 25 years. Mr Bhatt, a two-time MLA, began his political career with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in the early 1990s. He became the BJP Yuva Morcha's state president in 2000 and served till 2002. He won his first assembly election in 2002 from Nandprayag and represented the constituency till 2007. In 2017, he won the Badrinath assembly seat. With his re-election, the BJP has balanced caste equations in the state, with Pushkar Singh Dhami, a Thakur, as chief minister, and Mr Bhatt, a Brahmin, as state president. Rajeev Bindal - Himachal Pradesh Rajeev Bindal now has a rare distinction to be re-elected for a third straight term as the president of the BJP's Himachal Pradesh unit. He is a five-time MLA - three terms from Solan and two from Nahan. Mr Bindal, 70, has served as the health minister in the Prem Kumar Dhumal-led BJP government (2007-2012). He also held the post of speaker of the Himachal Pradesh assembly from 2018 to 2020. A doctor by profession, Mr Bindal served in Jharkhand under RSS's Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad. He is a close aide of Mr Nadda and the RSS. PVN Madhav - Andhra Pradesh PVN Madhav is the BJP's new Andhra Pradesh president and has been tasked with strengthening the party's presence in alliance with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan's Janasena party in the ruling NDA coalition. His father, PV Chalapati Rao, was the first BJP state president of undivided Andhra Pradesh. He is a former Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), representing the North Andhra Graduates' constituency. The 51-year-old has held key roles in Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and RSS-affiliated organisations. He previously served as the general secretary of the Andhra Pradesh BJP. Mr Madhav represents the Backwards Classes and will help the BJP broaden its social base in Andhra's caste-driven politics. N Ramchander Rao - Telangana N Ramchander Rao, a former MLC and senior Supreme Court advocate, will lead the BJP's Telangana unit. He has also served as the chief spokesperson and General Secretary of the BJP in undivided Andhra Pradesh. Mr Rao, 66, has been chosen over high-profile contenders like Etala Rajender and Arvind Dharmapuri. He, however, faced a revolt from senior leader Raja Singh, who quit the party to lodge a strong protest against his appointment. Backed by the RSS and senior BJP leaders for his loyalty and non-factional image, he is known for bridging old and new factions within the party. He has also been credited with strengthening the BJP's legal and ideological framework in Telangana. K Beichhua - Mizoram K Beichhua, a three-time MLA from Siaha, will lead the BJP's Mizoram faction. The 59-year-old, who has served as a medical officer for 16 years, was elected to the assembly from Siaha on a Mizo National Front (MNF) ticket for two consecutive terms in 2013 and 2018. He joined the BJP in 2023 after his expulsion from the MNF in January that year and won the seat. He is one of the two BJP MLAs in the current 40-member Mizoram assembly. Mr Beichhua was a minister holding various portfolios, including Excise and Narcotics, in the previous MNF dispensation headed by Zoramthanga. VP Ramalingam - Puducherry VP Ramalingam, brother of former Congress leader VP Sivakolundhu, is the new BJP's Puducherry unit president. The 63-year-old industrialist-turned-politician joined the BJP in 2021. He was then nominated as an MLA following the formation of the AINRC-BJP coalition government. Anil Tiwari - Andaman and Nicobar Anil Tiwari has been appointed as the BJP's new president of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands unit. He joined the BJP in 1990 and has a strong background with the RSS. Mr Tiwari previously served as State Secretary and is credited with strengthening booth-level management across the islands/
Mint
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Who are the BJP's 9 new state chiefs? Ravindra Chavan to PVN Madhav
The Bharatiya Janata Party is on a spree of electing presidents of its state units—a process that will lead to the election of the saffron party's new national president, replacing JP Nadda. Since its internal polls started last year, the party has elected as many as nine new state heads and held elections for 28 states and union territories. However, the election of the national president will be conducted only after the successful completion of elections in key states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Delhi, and Haryana, among others. Here are nine new state presidents of the BJP: A four-term MLA from Dombivali, Ravindra Chavan replaced Chandrashekhar Bawankule as Maharashtra BJP president. Chavan has been a minister in the state too and has held several key portfolios, including Public Works, Food and Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection, in the Maharashtra government. Chavan, 54, who was appointed Working President of the BJP Maharashtra unit in January, is also seen as a close aide of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and has strong backing from the RSS. Chavan's appointment as the state BJP chief in Maharashtra is seen as a strategic move ahead of key local body elections in Mumbai. Former MLC N Ramchander Rao has been elected as the new President of Bharatiya Janata Party's Telangana unit. Rao, 66, replaces Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, who was elected as the BJP's state unit president in July 2023, replacing Bandi Sanjay Kumar. A senior lawyer in the Supreme Court, Rao has also served as the chief spokesperson and General Secretary of the BJP in undivided Andhra Pradesh. From 2015 to 2021, Rao was a Member of the Telangana Legislative Council(MLC) for Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, and Mahabubnagar Graduates' Constituency. He was also in charge of the Bharatiya Janata Party's membership drive in Telangana. Hemant Khandelwal, the newly elected President of Madhya Pradesh, is an MLA from Betul. Khandelwal has also been an MP from Betul, which was won by his father, late Vijay Khandelwal, four times (1996-2008). Khandelwal, 60, is said to have strong roots in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP's ideological mentor. He is also known to be close to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Khandelwal's election to the top post signals the BJP's outreach to the strong Vaishya community in Madhya Pradesh and its balancing act as the state now has Other Backward Class (OBC) chief minister and an upper-caste state president. Rajeev Bindal has been re-elected for a third straight term as the president of the BJP's Himachal Pradesh unit. Bindal, 70, is a veteran BJP face and a five-time MLA from the hill state. He also served as the health minister in the Prem Kumar Dhumal-led BJP government from 2007 to 2012. Bindal has also been speaker of the Himachal Pradesh assembly from 2018 to 2020. A doctor by profession, Bindal served in Jharkhand under RSS's Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad. Bindal is said to be a close aide of JP Nadda, who also comes from Himachal Pradesh. BJP's new Andhra Pradesh chief, PVN Madhav, will focus on strengthening the party's presence in the ruling NDA coalition in the state, which is allied with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and the Janasena party led by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. Madhav is stepping into his father's shoes. PV Chalapati Rao, Madhav's father, was the first BJP state president of undivided Andhra Pradesh. Madhav, 51, is a former Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) and had roles in Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and RSS-affiliated organisations. He has also been the general secretary of the Andhra Pradesh BJP. Mahendra Bhatt, 53, the Uttarakhand chief of the BJP, is a Rajya Sabha MP who has been re-elected for the top post. He first took over as Uttarakhand BJP chief in 2022. Bhatt is the only party chief in the hill state to get a successive term in 25 years. Bhatt is a two-time MLA who began his political career with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in the early 1990s. He has also been the BJP Yuva Morcha's state president. With Pushkar Singh Dhami, a Thakur, as chief minister, the BJP has balanced the caste equation by appointing Bhatt, a Brahmin as the party's state president. The saffron party has elected Anil Tiwari as the new president of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands unit. Tiwari, who joined the BJP in 1990, is known for his strong roots in the RSS. In the past, Tiwari has served as the state secretary of the BJP in the Island. In Puducherry UT, the BJP has picked VP Ramalingam, brother of former Congress leader VP Sivakolundhu, as its new president. Ramalingam, 63, is a businessman who joined the BJP in 2021 when he was then nominated as an MLA following the formation of the AINRC-BJP coalition government. The BJP picked K Beichhua, a three-time MLA from Siaha, to lead its party unitin Mizoram in the northeast, Beichhua, 59, has served as a doctor for 16 years and was elected to the assembly from Siaha on a Mizo National Front (MNF) ticket for two consecutive terms in 2013 and 2018. Dr Beichhua joined the BJP in 2023 after his January 2023 expulsion from the MNF. He won the seat. Dr Beichhua is one of the two BJP MLAs in the current 40-member Mizoram assembly. Dr Beichhua has been a minister holding various portfolios, including Excise and Narcotics, in the previous MNF government headed by Zoramthanga.
