Archives for May 2024

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a Tamil Nadu-based farmer leader’s plea for an extension of deadline for filing nomination papers to contest from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the fray, decrying the petition as “publicity interest litigation”.

The prime minister filed his nomination papers from Varanasi parliamentary constituency on May 14, the last day for filing the papers, as a BJP candidate. The polling will take place on June 1.

“You want to withdraw, we can allow you to withdraw. If you want us to dismiss, we can dismiss it. These are all Publicity Interest Litigation,” a bench comprising justices Vikram Nath and Satish Chandra Sharma said.

Lawyer S Mahendran, appearing for P Ayyakannu, a native of Trichy in Tamil Nadu and President of the National South Indian River Interlinking Agriculturist Association, claimed that Ayyakannu was de-boarded from the Varanasi-bound train on May 10 by the railway security personnel when he was on his way to file nomination from the seat.

He said that even the prime minister filed his nomination papers on the last day and urged the court to ask the poll panel to extend the time for the same.

During the brief hearing, the bench asked as to why Ayyakannu wanted to contest from Varanasi and said the whole purpose of the petition seemed to get publicity.

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said her party will extend support to the opposition INDIA bloc from outside to form the government at the Centre and vowed to repeal the CAA, NRC and UCC once the BJP government is voted out of power.

Expressing skepticism about the BJP’s ambitious target of achieving 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, she said people will reject them totally.

“BJP is claiming that it will win 400 seats, but people are saying it will not happen. The entire country has understood that the BJP is a party full of thieves. We (TMC) will support the INDIA bloc from outside to form a government at the Centre. We will extend our support so that in (West) Bengal, our mothers and sisters never face a problem… and those who work in the 100 days’ job scheme, also do not face problems,” Banerjee said.

The TMC supremo, who was addressing an election rally at Chinsurah, Hooghly district, however, clarified that in West Bengal, her party will not support the Congress and CPI(M). Banerjee alleged that both the parties, who are part of the INDIA alliance, have joined hands and helping the BJP in the state.

“Do not count on the CPI(M) and the Congress in Bengal. They are not with us, they are with the BJP here. I am talking about that (INDIA bloc) in Delhi,” she clarified.

The Chief Minister also referred to Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s defeat in the 2004 elections, despite the BJP’s ‘India Shining’ slogan.

“They (BJP) are desperate to win. But the country’s voice is also united in calling for their defeat. Nobody was able to predict Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s defeat in 2004. He gave the slogan ‘India Shining’ but the winds changed and the people didn’t vote for him,” she added.

Addressing the rally, Banerjee criticised the EC for scheduling the polls over a period of two months, alleging that this decision favoured the saffron party while disregarding the hardships faced by the common people due to excessive heat.

“The Election Commission is a puppet and operates according to Modi’s directions. Poll is being held for two-and-half months, have you (poll officials) ever realised the struggle of the common people,” Banerjee said.

Accompanying the party’s Hooghly nominee actress Rachana Banerjee, the CM accused Modi of violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by allegedly announcing plans to expand the Ayushman Bharat Yojana to cover senior citizens over 70 years of age during the ongoing elections.

“Why are you saying this now when the elections are on? You should have announced this earlier… Modi babu, you are violating the MCC,” she said.

Banerjee declared her party’s unwavering stance against the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC), and Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Bengal.

Later, Banerjee participated in a roadshow from Ichapur Water Tank to Pilkhana More in Howrah in support of the party’s Howrah Lok Sabha candidate Prasun Banerjee.

Bengaluru: With Karnataka reporting an increasing number of confirmed cases of dengue, the State Health Department on Wednesday said preventive measures have been taken to control the disease from spreading further.

As of May 13, the state has reported 2,877 confirmed cases of dengue since January 1 this year, a notable increase compared to last year’s figure of 1,725 during the same period. This rise is attributed to heightened screening, reporting, and testing efforts, they said.

According to officials, the mosquito-borne disease is transmitted to people through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes that are predominantly day biters. Given the impending monsoon season and prevalent rainfall across districts, intensified dengue control measures are imperative, they noted.

”Symptoms typically manifest in four to ten days after a mosquito bite, presenting as high grade fever, headache, body aches and pain behind the eyeballs. In view of absence of specific treatment or vaccine, prompt symptomatic management is crucial,” an official said.

Elaborating on the measures taken, the Health Department said a meeting under the Chairmanship of Mission Director – National Health Mission, with District Health Officers and District Vector Borne Disease Control Officers was convened to review preparedness for dengue control. Weekly meetings from the State Programme Division with District Programme Officers are also being done to oversee implementation of control measures, it was stated.

Rigorous efforts are being taken to eliminate Aedes mosquito breeding sites.

Daily house-to-house visits by health staff and ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers are also being carried out to promote ”Health Education and Behaviour Change Communication.” Monitoring the confirmed dengue cases admitted to district hospitals and follow-up visits are also being conducted.

In water-scarce areas, awareness is created to ensure that the water collection containers are properly covered. Necessary drugs for the treatment and management of dengue cases, larvicide, and fogging chemicals for vector control are available at all levels and disseminating information on dengue control measures through various media channels are among other measures taken to combat the disease.

Observance of National Dengue Day is scheduled on May 16 with the theme ”Connect with the Community, Control Dengue,” and accordingly, a guideline circular has been issued to conduct activities in collaboration with the community and government departments.

A meeting will be held with the heads of Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), owners of construction areas, and owners of commercial complexes to raise awareness and persuade them about their role in dengue control, the officials said.

Advocacy workshops for Panchayat Development Officers and High School Science Teachers will also be organised to enhance cooperation in dengue control efforts, they said.

Bengaluru: The Vijayanagar Police have reportedly arrested two individuals on charges of fraud by promising people government jobs.

Anita BS and Ramachandra Bhatt, who were working as section superintendents in Bengaluru’s CID unit, have been arrested in this connection, informed the police.

The case came to light when Sunil, a resident of Kalyananagar in Chikkamagaluru, filed a complaint at the Vijayanagar police station.

According to Sunil’s account, he was introduced to Ramachandra Bhat in 2021 through a friend. Bhat purportedly claimed to have connections with the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) and influential figures within the government, offering assurances of securing government jobs for interested individuals.

Anita, who held the position of section superintendent at the CID unit in Bengaluru, allegedly collaborated with Bhat in this fraudulent scheme. Sunil was led to believe that he would be appointed as an Assistant Engineer in the Public Works Department (PWD) through KPSC. In return for this promise, Anita demanded a hefty sum of Rs. 40 lakh from Sunil, which he paid in installments in December 2021 and February 2022.

However, despite Sunil’s payments, he did not receive the promised government job. When he demanded the return of his money, he was met with abuse and threats from the accused. This prompted Sunil to lodge a complaint with the Vijayanagar police, leading to the arrests of Anita BS and Ramachandra Bhatt.

Based on the victim’s complaint, a case was registered and the accused were arrested.

Meanwhile, the police have informed that the investigation has revealed that both the accused had deceived two more individuals in the same pattern and supposedly siphoned more than 1 crore from victims.

Varanasi (UP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi possesses assets amounting to a little over Rs 3 crore, most of it in bank fixed deposits, according to his election affidavit.

As required, Modi submitted the affidavit while filing his nomination papers Tuesday as an election candidate from the Varanasi parliamentary constituency, a seat he has held twice earlier.

According to the affidavit displayed on the Election Commission website, his movable assets are worth Rs 3,02,06,889. Most of this amount is in the form of fixed deposits with the State Bank of India that total over 2.85 crore.

Other assets include four gold rings weighing 45 grams valued at Rs 2.67 lakh, cash in hand totalling Rs 52,920, National Savings Certificates worth Rs 9.12 lakh and income tax deduction of Rs 3.33 lakh for the past financial year.

Under “immovable assets”, the affidavit says “Nil”. Typically, land and houses fall under this category.

Jashodaben is mentioned as Modi’s spouse. On assets held by her, the document says “Not known”. The two live apart.

No criminal case is pending against Modi, nor has he been convicted of any crime, according to the document. There are no liabilities due to the government.

The prime minister is described as a resident of Ahmedabad, and his profession as public life and political activity.

He did his SSC in 1967, got a BA degree from Delhi University in 1978 and an MA from Gujarat University in 1983.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Modi had declared assets worth Rs 2.5 crore including a residential plot in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar, fixed deposits of Rs 1.27 crore and Rs 38,750 cash in hand.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he disclosed total assets of Rs 1.65 crore.

The PM has a website and is on Facebook, microblogging site X, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp, according to the affidavit.

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s offer to “cook food” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi elicited mixed responses from different political parties, with the BJP terming it a “political agenda” and the CPI(M) dubbing it as an “understanding” between the TMC and the saffron party.

Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his recent allegation that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav last month had fish during a period when some Hindus abstain from having non-vegetarian food, Banerjee on Monday said she was ready to “cook something for him (Modi)” if he wanted though she was not sure whether he would eat what she cooked.

Banerjee, at an election rally here, had made the remarks while taking a dig at the BJP for allegedly interfering with the food habits of the people and had said she would be happy to cook food for Modi but is not sure “whether the PM will be ready to savour my cooked meal.”

“I have been cooking since my childhood days. People have praised my cooking. But will Modi ji accept my food? Will he trust me? I will cook whatever he loves,” she had said.

The TMC supremo had said, “I love both vegetarian foods like Dhokla and non-veg foods like macher jhol (fish curry). Different communities, and different sects among Hindus have their own unique rituals and eating habits. Who is BJP to impose a diktat on an individual’s dietary habits? It shows the BJP leadership has little idea and concern about the diversity and inclusivity of India and its people.”

Banerjee’s offer to cook for the prime minister, who is a vegetarian, drew sharp reactions from the saffron camp.

“Mamata Banerjee wants to feed Modi ji with fish and rice cooked by her. Good proposal. But before that, why doesn’t she first offer pork chop to her lieutenant Firhad Hakim? It will serve three purposes, secularism will be asserted, it will show charity begins at home and the fritters will also be praised,” former BJP state president and ex-Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy posted on X.

BJP leader Sankudeb Panda claimed Banerjee had deliberately invited Modi knowing well that he is a strict vegetarian.

“This is nothing but her ploy to trap the PM. She knows on the one hand the PM will never eat fish or any non-veg item. If she believes everyone should be allowed to eat what he/she loves to eat, then why is she twisting Modiji’s comments about one’s dietary habits? She is insulting devout Sanatani Hindus” he added.

Reacting to Banerjee’s comments, CPI(M) leader Bikash Bhattacharya said, “Being Dada-Bon (brother and sister), Mamata didi can certainly offer to cook meals for the prime minister, do not know if it is to placate him.”

Bhattacharya was referring to the jibe – “Didibhai-Modibhai” that the Left and the Bengal Congress unit use to refer to the alleged tacit understanding between the BJP and the TMC.

He said such comments in the backdrop of her public posturing against “Modi’s politics and divisive speeches show an apparent contradiction” in what she publicly says and preaches in private.

“Both Mamata Banerjee and Narendra Modi are responsible for bringing the country to such a state. Both are mixing politics with religion,” he added.

The TMC, however, supported the party supremo’s remark and said she spoke about the unique religious, and cultural diversity of India and the theme of “unity in diversity”.

“She spoke rightly and her comment regarding Modi stems from the fact that as Modi has the right to eat what he likes, every other Indian too has the same right,” TMC MP Dola Sen told PTI.

She also criticised the BJP for trying to impose the “Sangh Parivar’s narrative” about their agenda to impose a diktat on diets and other customs on people of this country.

Patna: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday claimed that he was getting “full support” from “uncle” Nitish Kumar, the JD(U) president who is a BJP ally, in his fight against the saffron party.

Yadav made the remark, in an obvious bid to drive a wedge between the newly realigned NDA partners, at a rally in Bihar’s Madhubani district.

The RJD leader, who lost his job as Bihar Deputy CM as a result of Kumar’s abrupt exit from INDIA bloc, said “chacha (uncle) may have been hijacked by the BJP. But he taught me the importance of driving out of power those whose ascent came in 2014. Deep down, he retains the sentiment”.

“I know his blessings are with me because I am carrying forward his fight. Just take note, he has taken ill on the very day Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to file his nomination papers. It is clear I am getting his full support”, remarked Yadav.

Interestingly, the comments of the young, but deft, politician came on a day the Chief Minister’s office came out with an unusually short statement declaring that Kumar’s “all programmes for the day have been cancelled because of illness”.

Sources close to the leader claimed the septuagenarian had flu-like symptoms and he has also been pensive since Monday night when he received the news of the death of his close friend Sushil Kumar Modi, a senior BJP leader who had served as his deputy for more than a decade.

However, the absence of Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister in Varanasi, where the PM was accompanied by most allies, including coalition partners from the state like Pashupati Kumar Paras, Chirag Paswan, Upendra Kushwaha and Jitan Ram Manjhi, has triggered speculations in a section of the media here.

Many news outlets claim that Kumar felt slighted over the treatment he got at Modi’s roadshow in Patna on Sunday when the JD(U) president was made to stand quietly beside the PM as he waved at the crowds and obliged a couple of channels with interviews.

Kumar was also conspicuous by his absence at the Vidhan Sabha premises where mortal remains of Sushil Kumar Modi were brought, though senior JD(U) leaders like Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Devesh Chandra Thakur were present to pay tributes to the late leader who passed away at a Delhi hospital, battling cancer.