Army on Saturday claimed that they killed 4 militants in Tangdhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir who were trying to infiltrate. Tangdhar sector is located in Kupwara district of North Kashmir.
The Army claimed, they foiled an infiltration bid by militants and managed to kill them along the Line of Control (LoC).
“Infiltration bid foiled in Tangdhar Sector. Four militants killed while attempting to infiltrate early morning today,” Defence PRO Col Rajesh Kalia in a WhatsApp text claimed. He added that operation against the “infiltrators” was going on.
Hindusthan Samachar/Saleem/Shri Ram Shaw\
Kumaraswamy’s advice to seer to keep away from politics draws flak
Chief Minister (CM) H D Kumaraswamy who had indirectly launched an attack on Sanehalli Taralabalu Math pontiff Panditaradhya Shivacharya Swami, advising him to stop indulging in politics, says he is ready to apologize if his remark has hurt any seer.
The seer had allegedly shown displeasure regarding the coalition government and Kumaraswamy at his maiden press meet as chief minister on Wednesday, lashed out at the seer without taking seer’s name.
In retaliation, the seer wrote a letter to the CM rebuking him for his ‘loose talks’. Kumaraswamy was also criticized by the BJP for his comment against the seer.
Kumaraswamy has agreed to apologize to the seer if he has done anything wrong. However, he still stuck to his stand saying, “I only appealed to few seers not to indulge in politics. I respect all seers and if my comments have hurt anyone, I am ready to apologize. However, I will not take anyone lightly and expect no one to take my government lightly,” he said.
He also added that so far he has not received any letter from any pontiff.
MLA U T Khader Demanded for EC to Look for EVM machine Issue
MLA U T Khader informed on Saturday, May 26 that the construction of permanent and temporary sea walls in Kaiko, Subhasnagar and other places has begun under ADB project. He also demanded the Election Commission (EC) to look into Electronic Voter Machine (EVM) issue.
Addressing media Khader said, “Places like Kodi, Kotepura, Someshwar, Kaiko, Subhas Nagar, and Hilary Nagar are heavily affected due to sea erosion. Several houses have collapsed. Issues faced due to sea erosion at Kodi and Kotepura have been sorted out. The construction of permanent mini breakwater has been undertaken in places like Kaiko, Subhas Nagar, and Hilary Nagar under ADB project worth Rs 14 crore,”
“The construction of temporary sea wall of 900 meters worth Rs 4.75 crore at Someshwara has also been undertaken. We had a discussion with the deputy commissioner, if residents whose houses are damaged by sea erosion, can apply for compensation via taluk panchayat.”
Speaking on the successful floor test on May 25, he said, “We successfully won the floor test which is the victory of democracy. We will form the government along with JD(S) and continue to do all development works,”
Asked about portfolios being assigned to him or JD (S) leader B M Farooq, Khader said, “Our political parties might be different, but we share a close bond. It is left to the high command to assign portfolios. There is nothing fight between myself and B M Farooq.”
When asked about leaders’ suspicions about EVM, Khader said, “This is a serious issue. There was a lot of suspicion over EVM in the entire state. The Election Commission should look into this issue,”
Reacting to opposition leader Yeddyurappa’s call for bandh if the state government fails to waive farmers’ loans, Khader said, “Everything is viewed from a political angle. Before the floor test itself, Yeddyurappa announced a bandh if we fail to waive farmers’ loans. The cabinet has to be formed, portfolios need to be assigned and the discussions need to be held. This call for bandh is politically influenced,”
District Congress president Harish Kumar, Sadashiva Ullal, Mamatha Gatty and others were present.
‘I said it…’ Fadnavis admits to controversial audio-clip
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday admitted to his voice and content in an audio-clip in which he exhorted his activists “to win Palghar elections” at any cost, which kicked up a massive political row in the poll-bound Maharashtra district.
However, he hit back by alleging that the original audio-clip was “selectively edited and doctored” to remove the context of his statement on “saam daam, dand and bhed” to party activists.
To prove his point, he played the entire 14-minute audio-clip before the media and accused the Shiv Sena of “resorting to such low-level tactics as defeat stares at it in Palghar”.
“I said it… and that is my voice. But the following sentence has been deliberately knocked off to twist it completely out of context. I am sending it to the Election Commission with a request that if I am found guilty, they can take action against me,” Fadnavis declared.
In the same breath, he demanded that if the Shiv Sena were found guilty of “editing and doctoring” the audio-tape, then they should also face action for playing it in public to misguide the voters on the eve of the Palghar Lok Sabha by-election.
The audio clip controversy erupted on a day when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes four years, and just two days before the high-stakes Palghar Lok Sabha by-election of May 28.
In the tape played by the Shiv Sena – which went viral on social media and television networks – Fadnavis is heard directing Bharatiya Janata Party activists to use “saam, daam, dand and bhed” and win Palghar at any cost.
“We have a huge challenge before us… Some people are challenging our very existence. They are behaving like friends but backstabbing us and we must hit back. If anybody is bullying us, we must attack them. They must know that I am a bigger bully. I am firmly standing behind you,” Fadnavis said in Marathi, in the purported tape aired by the Shiv Sena.
On May 8, Fadnavis had thrown the gauntlet at the Shiv Sena, the Congress, the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi and the CPI-M by saying: “Come what may, we shall win Palghar seat. This was a BJP seat. What the Shiv Sena has done is wrong. Winning it would be a fitting tribute to the late Chintaman Vanga.”
Ruling ally and Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray raised the hackles of the partner BJP by playing the audio tape in his public rally on Friday evening.
Thackeray, along with state Congress President Ashok Chavan, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi President Hitendra Thakur and other political leaders demanded that the Election Commission should take note of the “threatening” content in the audio-clip and initiate suitable action against Fadnavis.
Pouncing on Fadnavis, Palghar Shiv Sena leaders said that the Election Commission should conduct a forensic probe into the audio-tape on Saturday and if the Chief Minister was guilty “he should resign by this evening”.
This was the second jolt for the BJP in two days as the curtains fall on Palghar by-election campaigning on Saturday.
A couple of days ago, Shiv Sena activists caught some alleged BJP workers with a large amount of cash which was reportedly intended for distribution among the voters.
The Palghar seat has become a matter of prestige for the two warring allies after the BJP accused the Shiv Sena of “hijacking” its prospective candidate, Shriniwas Vanga, son of the late BJP MP Chintaman Vanga this month.
Stunned by the Sena move, the BJP was compelled to nominate Rajendra Gavit, a Congress leader who walked into the party at the last minute before filing nominations.
The Congress fielded its veteran Damodar Shingada, besides the BVA’s Baliram Jadhav and CPI-M’s Kiran Gahala in the five-cornered main contest, with the BJP leaving no stone unturned to retain the seat.
Death Threats For journalist Rana Ayyub from hate campaign
The office of the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner has called on Indian authorities to protect journalist Rana Ayyub who has received death threats following an online hate campaign.
The UN body said Ayyub faced online backlash after a parody account on Twitter with a handle nearly identical to that of news channel Republic TV published a tweet with a quote falsely attributed to Ayyub on April 22 this year.
“Minor child rapists are also human, do they have no human rights,” the tweet had said. “This Hindutva Government is bringing an ordinance for death to child rapists just to hang Muslims in larger numbers. Muslims aren’t safe in India anymore.”
The tweet was shared widely, forcing Ayyub to issue a clarification
Following this, Ayyub received several hate messages and calls threatening gang-rape and murder.
In a column about online harassment that Ayyub wrote in The New York Times, she said another tweet saying “I hate India and Indians” was falsely attributed to her.
“The online mob asked me to pack my bags and leave for Pakistan, some threatened to tear my clothes and drag me out of the country while invoking the genocidal violence between Hindus and Muslims during the partition of India in 1947,” she said in The New York Times article.
Ayyub also mentioned that a pornographic video was circulated with her face morphed on the body of another woman.
“We are highly concerned that the life of Rana Ayyub is at serious risk following these graphic and disturbing threats,” said the UN experts, who are in contact with Indian authorities on the situation.
Although the police have begun an investigation into the threats Ayyub has received, she has reportedly not yet received any police protection, the UN statement has noted.
“The government of India has an obligation to provide effective protection to those who receive death threats and to protect individuals from foreseeable threats to life or bodily integrity,” the statement says.
Rana Ayyub is a journalist and author of Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover Up, a book that investigates the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah in the 2002 Gujarat riots, which left more than 2,000 people dead.
Threatening messeages via Whatsapp to Muslim women
A threatening message aimed at Muslim women via Whatsapp was being circulated until the Mangaluru city police nabbed the culprits. The threat was issued to Hijab-clad women if they are found in malls, film theaters, hotels and other recreation centers during the holy month of Ramadan.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mohammed Sadik(23), resident of Kuppepadavu and Abdul Sathar (35), resident of Kadeshivalaya of Bantwal Taluk. The duo have been accused of circulating threatening messages aimed at Muslim women via Whats App. They were produced before court which has remanded them to judicial custody. The police arrested the accused on Friday, May 25th.
The whatsapp messages reads: “It is warning to Mangaluru Muslim Women. The holy month of Ramadan month has started and if you are found in malls, film theaters and parks or consuming food while wearing Hijab you will be trashed on the spot itself. Our eyes are watching you always. Let us see who will protect you- MDF Mangaluru”.
Floor test over but cabinet formation puzzle begins
HD Kumaraswamy may have won the crucial vote of confidence in the state Assembly Yesterday smoothly with the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party preferring to abstain from the house by staging a walkout when the voting was scheduled to take place. But the immediate second test in the form of cabinet formation is yet to begin.
As per the indications available now the Janata Dal-Secular and Indian National Congress parties are set to have agreed upon an understanding for the formation of the cabinet.The JDS including the Chief Minister’s position will be entitled for 12 berths while the Congress including the Deputy CM’s position will be handed over 22 berths.
In the dozen cabinet positions, the JDS is also supposed to accommodate the lone BSP member from Kollegal reserve constituency in Chamarajnagar district and two Independents.It may be recalled here that the JDS had contested the polls on an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party and the latter’s nominee emerged victorious in one seat.
Thanks to last-minute developments in the form of rejection of nomination papers of the official candidate in the Mulabagal constituency of Kolar district, the Congress party was compelled to support an Independent who also managed to win.
While R Shankar of the KPJP regional outfit floated by Upendra, film actor trounced KB Koliwad, Speaker of the previous Assembly in Ranebennur constituency of Haveri district. KH Koliwad didn’t hide his anger on the counting day and squarely blamed Siddaramaiah for his defeat.
In fact R Shankar had earlier tried for a Congress ticket in vain.KB Koliwad had termed Siddaramaiah as ‘Bachha’ in comparison with his long stint in the Congress party. However according to him, Siddaramaiah ensured his defeat as R Shankar belonged to his Kuruba community.
R Shankar’s behavior on the next day of counting was also found peculiar. In the morning he accompanied KS Eshwarappa,then leader of the opposition in the legislative council who got elected from Shivamogga constituency to BS Yeddyurappa’s house.
Then the party sources also claimed that R Shankar had extended his support to the BJP. But by the end of the day he had switched sides and joined the Congress camp citing ‘development of his constituency’.In fact this first time legislator happens to be KS Eshwarappa’s relative and the previous day KSE’s son had brought him to the city from Ranebennur.
Even if both the Independent MLAs’ had supported the BJP also the strength of the saffron party would still be 106 and remained short of seven members to reach the magic number.Well all these factors are now things of the past and history.
The pertinent question which will continue to haunt the new alliance government for now is the expansion of the two members cabinet.As mentioned earlier there may not be another round of debate on the 12-22 understanding between the parties.But who will represent whom is bound to become a new headache if the matter can be perceived in that way.
HD Devegowda’s preferences on choices from the Congress are no public secret either.He’s said to have expressed his resentment on taking in DK Shivakumar,Congress party’s Man Friday and MB Patil,former Major Irrigation Minister to the cabinet.
HDD feels DK Shivakumar although a Vokkaliga is a sworn enemy having friendly relations with BS Yeddyurappa. Perhaps the senior Gowda looks to be scared that DK Shivakumar may repeat what his own son had done for the Congress led JDS supported government in 2006!
But DK Shivakumar is no simpleton.He’s already registered his dissatisfaction to the party high command and according to his own public utterances:I am no saint to keep quiet…
His grouse is that the party made use of his services when it was struggling to keep the entire flock together.Over the years he’s in fact become a veteran of such capabilities.But after the task was over he has been let down by not inducting into the cabinet as another Deputy Chief Minister.
He had kept all the 46 Gujarat Congress MLAs’ together in the same Eagleton resort during the Rajya Sabha elections which returned Ahmed Patel to the upper house.His similar experience of holding captive Maharashtra Congress MLAs during adverse political conditions to the late Vilasrao Deshmukh government is also something the party can ill afford to forget.
But the Congress party has its own problems. HD Kumaraswamy is a Vokkaliga holding the CM’s position and the 16 member strong Lingayat lobby is also pressurizing the party to be given one more Deputy CM’s post.In a way the top brass of the party is in a fix of not being in a position to oblige either DK Shivakumar nor the Lingayat lobby.
Dr G Parameshwar,the first Dalit Deputy Chief Minister is averse to the idea of another DCM from his own party as he feels the importance attached to the position now may lose its shine sooner or later.
DK Shivakumar is also said to be toying with the idea of holding the KPCC President’s post as well along with a cabinet berth.
Janata Dal Secular looks to be in a advantageous position with only 37 MLAs’.Apart from the cabinet berths all those who couldn’t make it to the cabinet can be rehabilitated by rewarding with positions of chairmen to boards and corporations.But the same argument cannot hold good to the 78 members Congress.
Hindusthan Samachar/Manohar Yadavatti
Govt is laying foundations of a New India: Modi
In a series of Tweets PM says, we’ve taken futuristic and people-friendly decisions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that BJP-led NDA government at the Centre is laying the foundations of a New India.
In a series of tweets on the fourth anniversary of NDA government at the Centre, Modi said that we took futuristic and people-friendly decisions with the best intent and complete integrity.
Over the last four years, development has become a vibrant mass movement, with every citizen feeling involved in India’s growth trajectory, he added.
Expressing gratitude to the citizens for their unwavering faith in the NDA Government, Modi said that 125 crore Indians are taking India to great heights.
He said, this support and affection are the biggest source of motivation and strength for the entire Government.
PM said that the government will continue to serve the people of India with the same vigour and dedication as for them it is always India First.
Hindusthan Samachar/Shri Ram Shaw
BJP-led NDA govt at Centre: Char Saal…Bemisaal
‘Saaf Niyat, Sahi Vikas’: Modi Govt completes four years in office today
The BJP-led NDA government at the Centre completes four years in office on Saturday (May 26).
It was on this day in 2014 when Narendra Modi was sworn-in as the Prime Minister following BJP’s massive victory in the Lok Sabha elections.
A number of functions have been organized to mark the day. The Prime Minister is visiting Odisha. He will address a public meeting at Bali Jatra Ground on the bank of river Mahanadi in Cuttack in the afternoon.
BJP President Amit Shah will also address a press conference in New Delhi today to highlight the achievements and welfare measures taken by the NDA regime.
Addressing media on Friday, Shah said, the welfare schemes of Modi government in the last four years have benefitted 22 crore poor families and set an example of how a pro-people dispensation is run. He said, the current dispensation has taken the country’s self-pride to the highest level.
The BJP President also inaugurated an exhibition on various schemes and infrastructure projects launched under the Modi government
The party also unveiled a new slogan ‘Saaf Niyat, Sahi Vikas’ (clean intentions, right development) as it launches a nationwide fortnight-long programme to mark the fourth anniversary of the NDA government.
Shah will lead an exercise to reach out to one lakh personalities from different walks of life to highlight its achievements.
In the programme all ministers- both from the Centre and BJP-ruled states, MPs, MLAs and other office-bearers of the party will reach out to experts or influential people across the country.
As part of the programme, each BJP leader will interact with at least 25 renowned people from various fields such as retired judges of the Supreme Court and high courts, retired bureaucrats, retired army personnel, sports personalities, writers among others.
The BJP leaders will inform them about the achievements of the Modi government in last four years.
Hindusthan Samachar/Shri Ram Shaw
Archery: Indian Eves to play for Bronze medal today
In Archery, the Recurve Women’s team of Deepika Kumari, Promila Daimary and Ankita Bhagat will play for Bronze medal on Saturday (May 26) against the archers of Chinese Taipei.
On Friday, India opened its account at the second stage of the World Cup Stage II at Antalya in Turkey with a Silver and a Bronze medal in the Compound section.
The Women’s team of Jyothi Vennam, Muskan Kirar and Divya Dhayal settled for a Silver after losing to their Chinese Taipei opponents by three points.
Later, the third-seeded Mixed pair of Jyothi and Abhishek Verma won the Bronze medal play-off to bag the second medal for India.
Hindusthan Samachar/Shri Ram Shaw