NEW DELHI:  With an eye on the Assembly elections in nine states scheduled for this year, the OBC Morcha of BJP adopted political resolutions at its two-day national executive which concluded on Monday. The meeting, held at Gurugram in Haryana, was held after wide deliberations on various issues and activities of Morcha.

OBC Morcha national general secretary Dr Nikhil Anand said the Morcha will launch  a special campaign in all the nine poll-bound states – Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland , Karnataka, Mizoram, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh – to expose the parties doing “politics of casteism” in the name of social justice and politics of religious appeasement in the name of secularism .

He further said that the BJP OBC Morcha will soon launch the ‘Ghar Ghar Chalo, Gaon Gaon Chalo’ campaign. “Under which, the organisation will reach out to the common people sitting at the last line. The BJP OBC Morcha is determined to leave no stone unturned to ensure that  Modi ji is again the PM of India in 2024 with a big majority”, he said.

Morcha’s national president and Rajya Sabha MP Dr K Laxman said, “After the independence, for the first time the OBC society of India has become a participant in policy-making, development planning and its implementation ensuring its 100 per cent success at the ground level.”

‘Only govt to show genuine interest’
Giving constitutional status to the NCBC, reservation to the OBC in NEET and including 27 ministers from the OBC in the Cabinet, the Modi government has shown genuine interest for the betterment of OBCs in the country, Morcha’s national president and Rajya Sabha MP Dr K Laxman said.

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Assembly secretary Mahavir Prasad Sharma has informed the high court that the resignations of 81 pro-Ashok Gehlot MLAs, who put in their papers on September 25 last year, were not voluntary. He also said that it was he who recommended withdrawal of resignations to Speaker CP Joshi and  that is why they were not accepted.

Sharma has presented the complete details of 81 MLAs before the Rajasthan High Court, which is hearing a plea filed by deputy leader of Opposition and BJP leader Rajendra Rathore. “The MLAs, while requesting to withdraw individually, had clearly stated thant there was no voluntary resignation.

All the MLAs had done so under Rule 173 (4) of the Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. This is not a matter of 10th Schedule, but of resignations of Ministers and MLAs. Therefore, the Supreme Court’s order to decide in four weeks does not apply,” the Legislative Assembly Secretariat said.

It has been stated that MLAs had not given separate resignations.  Six MLAs submitted resignations of all 81 MLAs.   On September 25, amid the possibility of Gehlot becoming the Congress President, MLAs had resigned. After this, Rathore filed a petition and raised certain questions.

NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday remarked that the biggest change that has happened today is that the confidence of every Indian is on top, adding that the world’s view towards India has changed. 

The President in her first address to the joint sitting of Parliament as the Budget session began urged people to put in their best to build in the next 25 years a developed India connected to its past glory and containing every golden chapter of modernity.

She said ‘Amrit Kaal’, described by the government as the 25-year period culminating in the centenary of India’s independence, is the time to build an India which is ‘aatmanirbhar’ (self reliant) and also fulfils its humanitarian obligations.

“From the surgical strikes to the tough crackdown on terrorism, from the LoC to the LAC, from the abrogation of Article 370 to the triple talaq, my government has been recognised as a decisive government,” President Murmu said.

Under the nearly nine years of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, the country has seen many positive changes, she said, adding that the biggest change is that the self-confidence of every Indian is at its peak and the world has changed the way it looks at India.

While India used to depend on others to solve its problems, it is now working to solve global problems, Murmu, India’s first tribal president, said.

She cited the expansion of digital network and the crackdown on corruption during the Modi government’s tenure. “India now has a government which is stable, fearless and decisive and which works to fulfil big dreams. It has a government which respects honesty and works to solve the poor’s problems and empower them permanently,” she said.

Hailing the government’s various schemes for women, President Murmu said, “We are seeing the success of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign; for the first time in India, the number of women is more than men: Prez Murmu.”

Murmu further went on to highlight the ease that technology has provided in governance. “Earlier there was a long wait for a tax refund. Today, the refund is received within a few days of filing the ITR. Today, along with transparency, the dignity of the taxpayers is also being ensured through GST,” she said citing the e-marketplace and income tax refunds, and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme as examples.

“Over the years, in the form of DBT, in the form of Digital India, the country has prepared a permanent and transparent system,” she added.

India’s budget will be ray of hope for world: PM Modi

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the media ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament, said that recognised voices in the world of economy were bringing positive messages from all sides.

The prime minister said the Budget, to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday, will strive to fulfil people’s hopes, aspirations, and also boost the hopes with which the world is looking at India.

“In today’s global circumstances, not only India but the entire world is looking at India’s Budget. Amid the unstable global economic situation, India’s Budget will attempt to meet the hopes and aspirations of the common citizens, the ray of hope being seen by the world glows brighter – for this, I firmly believe that Nirmala Sitharaman will make all efforts to meet those aspirations,” the PM said.

He also noted that President Droupadi Murmu was delivering her maiden address to the joint sitting of Parliament at the start of the Budget Session.

The President’s speech is the pride of the Constitution of India, the pride of India’s parliamentary system, and also an opportunity to respect women and the great tribal traditions of the country, Modi said.

The Budget Session of the Parliament will take place in 27 sittings till April 6 with a month-long recess to examine the budget papers. The first part of the session will conclude on February 13. Parliament will reconvene on March 12 for the second part of the Budget Session and will conclude on April 6.

PUDUCHERRY: Section 144 of CrPC has been promulgated in Puducherry from January 29 to 31 in view of the G-20 summit to be held on January 30 and 31, said collector E Vallavan. It prohibits the gathering of four or more people, agitations, rallies or any form of protest. There will be no restrictions on the movement of people. He dispelled rumours about the closure of educational institutions and shops, liquor shops and bars and said that one person who spread the rumour has been arrested.

Around 70 delegates from G-20 nations and 20 other nations will participate in the conference that will be held at Suganya Convention Centre. They will hold discussions on global partnerships for disruptive science for innovation and sustainable development. The discussions will be initiated by three chairpersons from three countries – Brazil, Indonesia and India – in three sessions. The three sessions will feature discussions on – universal holistic health: cure and prevention of diseases, clean energy for a greener future and connecting science to society and culture.       

The delegates will arrive on January 29 and will be put up at Radisson Blu, Hotel Accord and Residency Towers.  Puducherry government will host a welcome dinner at Hotel Accord and a gala dinner at Radisson Blu. Puducherry’s culture will be showcased by artists from Puducherry and Karaikal at the dinners, said Vallavan.

Fadnavis reveals 2019 plan to poach mins 
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the party had various plans when Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) in 2019 refused to form government with the BJP and chose Congress and NCP  to form Maha Vikas Aghadi at the time. They executed plan A by poaching Ajit Pawar, however the  government had lasted for only 80 hours and collapsed on November 26, 2019. Then BJP executed plan B and poached Shinde and made vertical split in Shiv Sena. He also said they have plan C for the future. The political circle in Maharashtra is abuzz that BJP’s third plan may poach Congress leader Ashok Chavan with 10 to 12 MLC ahead of state and Lok Sabha polls in 2024.

Woman commission chairman to join BJP   
State woman commission chairman Rupali Chakankar, who was also the president of NCP state wing, is likely to switch side and join the BJP. As per a source, Chakankar had two meetings with a BJP leader earlier and the final meeting will soon take place with top leadership of the BJP. NCP leaders are curious that if Chakankar leaves, she will be the second (after Chitra Wagh ) NCP state woman wing president to say good bye to NCP and join BJP. After completing her tenure as state woman commission chairman, Chakankar has been demanding berth in state legislative council as to elevate her political career.

Shinde’s sleep schedule creates a buzz
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde’s sleep schedule has become the talk of the town. Earlier, his minister Deepak Kesarkar said that Shinde did not sleep in Davos to clinch the investment deal in Maharashtra. Shinde himself revealed that he hardly sleeps. He says he works till 6.00 am in morning. He even claimed that during his revolt against Uddhav Thackeray in Surat and Guwahati, he did not get a wink of sleep.  NCP Ajit Pawar pointed out that if the CM works till 6.00 am then what time he goes to sleep and that what lesson people should take from their leaders.

MANGALURU: VHP leader Sharan Pumpwell on Sunday openly claimed that their Hindutva activists murdered Mohammed Fazil to avenge Praveen Nettaru’s murder in Sullia.

Addressing the Shourya Yatra of the VHP at Ullal, he said, “Hindus showed their power in Gujarat and it is not a massacre. Bajrang Dal is ready to fight if needed. When Praveen Nettaru was murdered, the entire Hindu community wept.

We wept for the sacrifice of a good karyakartha. But our karyakartas did not keep quiet. We killed Fazil in public view in Surathkal. You must have seen the video, of how brutally he was murdered. That is our power,” Sharan said.

He said there is a need for a Hindu MLA at Ullal. “There may be many terrorists in Ullal. If NIA conducts searches, they need to be traced. Though PFI is banned, their workers are plotting to murder our activists,” he said.

BHUBANESHWAR: Odisha’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das died of bullet injuries on Sunday, Apollo Hospital officials said.

Earlier in the day, Das was shot and grievously injured when he got out of his car, allegedly by a police officer who was captured.

Naba Kishore Das was shot at by an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of police near Gandhi Chowk in Jharsuguda district’s Brajrajnagar at about 12:15 pm on Sunday.

He was stepping out of his vehicle when bullets hit the left side of the minister’s chest. He immediately collapsed into the seat of his vehicle. A police inspector and a youth who were standing near the minister sustained minor injuries.

Sources said the accused ASI Gopal Das who was posted at Gandhi Chowk police outpost fired at least four rounds at Naba Das when he stepped out of his car to attend a party function in Brajarajnagar.

Naba Das was immediately rushed to District Headquarters Hospital in Jharsuguda and was later airlifted to Bhubaneswar for further treatment. 

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the attack and ordered a Crime Branch inquiry.

A Crime Branch team is expected to reach the crime scene soon.

Unconfirmed reports said that ASI Gopal Das had been posted as the personal security officer of the health minister earlier but was later transferred to Jharsuguda district.

Naba Das was reportedly supposed to attend a party programme scheduled near Gandhi Chowk. 

Brajrajnagar SDPO, Gupteswar Das confirmed that the accused ASI had shot the minister with his issued weapon. “However, the motive behind the shooting is not clear yet. An investigation has been launched into the incident,” he added.

The minister, a strongman in the mining hub of Jharsuguda, had switched over to the BJD from the Congress ahead of the 2019 elections. He is known to have business interests in coal mining, transportation and hospitality sectors.

SRI NAGAR: Life in Kashmir was disrupted on the final day of the ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’, the harshest winter period in the region, on Monday as fresh snowfall snapped the Valley’s connections with the rest of the country, affecting surface and air traffic, officials said.

Moderate to heavy snowfall was recorded in the plains of Kashmir, while the higher reaches experienced heavy to very heavy falls, they said.

The officials said Srinagar received about seven inches of fresh snowfall, Gulmarg more than a feet, Pahalgam nine inches, Gurez 1.5 feet and the plains of Kupwara district around four inches. In the upper reaches, it was around one-two feet.

They said the snowfall started late Sunday night in most places and continued till the last reports came in. The snowfall brought normal life to a halt and snapped the Valley’s connection with the rest of the country, the officials said.

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was closed for traffic due to snow and landslides at many places along the arterial road. Train services on the Baramulla-Banihal route were suspended due to accumulation of snow on the tracks, they added.

The officials said the bad weather affected air traffic to and from the valley as flight operations at the Srinagar airport were suspended. Visibility is very poor and there is snow accumulation on the runway, they said.

The meteorological department predicted heavy snowfall, and rains with thunderstorm in the plains of Jammu, over the next 12 hours. Expect gradual decrease in the precipitation from Monday night, it said.

Meanwhile, the minimum temperature improved across the Valley but stayed below the freezing point.

‘Chillai-Kalan’ — the 40-day harshest winter period when the chances of snowfall are maximum and most frequent — began on December 21 last year.

While it ends on January 30, the cold wave continues even after with a 20-day-long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chillai Bachha’ following it.