Nasheman News : The death of former Deputy Chief Minister and incumbent BJP MLA Francis D’Souza and the continuing ill-health of two BJP MLAs, including Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, queered the legislative arithmetic for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and rekindled the debate on the assembly’s dissolution.


These factors, combined with fears of a backlash in the upcoming bypolls in two assembly constituencies, Shiroda and Mandrem, rendered vacant last year following the resignations of sitting Congress MLAs — who later joined the BJP — have added to the anxieties in the BJP camp. 

The party seems to be grappling to comprehend an era beyond Parrikar, who is fighting advanced pancreatic cancer. 

With the death of D’Souza — who was also suffering from cancer — on February 14, the legislative strength of the BJP is now at 13 MLAs, one short of the single largest party Congress. 

This would become significant if any of the nine alliance MLAs (three each from Goa Forward and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and three independents), make good their repeated threats, both subtle and direct, of swapping ranks and attempt to topple the government.

For now, the ruling coalition members appear to be putting together a collective face, saying dissolution of the state assembly was only a media fantasy and that it was an unreal scenario as none of the legislators were keen on a mid-term poll, considering the political fluidity and the perceived backlash from the electorate.

“Dissolution? Somehow you are the media which is writing on this. I read an edit. It was creating a deja vu on dissolution. Look at the political reality at the moment. How many people can afford dissolution,” Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai asked while speaking to IANS.

Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho said that at a cabinet meeting chaired by Parrikar on Monday (Feb 19), dissolution of the assembly was not even discussed.

The Congress, the main opposition party in Goa, however sees the political scenario differently.

“This government never had the mandate to rule. This is an illegitimate government. The Governor has to dissolve the assembly and go for mid-term polls,” state Congress president Girish Chodankar said.

BJP sources said the party continues to be divided on the issue of dissolution. The choice for the party is to try to either ride the “positive wave” triggered by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led highly persuasive election machinery or sit pretty with the current legislative dispensation. 

“The party cadre is facing a severe crisis in terms of morale in view of Parrikar’s illness as well as the constant infighting between allies, whose demands are unending The inability to resolve the mining crisis also means that we may face a setback in the mining belt,” a senior BJP leader said on condition of anonymity.

Mining was banned by the Supreme Court last February and repeated assurances by the BJP’s central and state leadership that efforts would be made to resolve the crisis have failed to fructify.

Another BJP leader said that riding piggyback on the Modi wave could be the best way out of the crisis, especially if Parrikar’s health further deteriorates.??”Currently, there is an air of uncertainty about what is going to happen. But if Parrikar is unable to guide us in the near future, there will be chaos. The best way out of the situation is to hold mid-term polls along with the Lok Sabha elections,” the BJP leader said.

The BJP has already initiated damage control, by bringing in its key troubleshooter, Satish Dhond, as an organising secretary, a key post in any BJP organisation, entrusted with the responsibility of acting as a bridge between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the BJP, as well as to bring order to the party rank and file.

But even this move has been unable to tide over tenuous matters like the rebellion of former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, who has vowed to defeat Dayanand Sopte, who joined the BJP last year after quitting as a Congress MLA and is likely to contest the bypoll in Mandrem, which Parsekar has traditionally represented.

Attacks on the BJP leadership by the party’s own MLAs, like Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo and Power Minister Nilesh Cabral over poor governance have also worsened matters in recent times.

Nasheman News :President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday greeted the people of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram on their Statehood Day.

“Greetings to the people of Arunachal Pradesh on Statehood Day. Arunachal Pradesh is a jewel of the northeast and is blessed with spectacular natural beauty and a rich culture that we are all proud of. My best wishes to this state for a bright future,” the President tweeted. 

Greeting the people of Mizoram, Kovind said: “Fondly remember the warmth of the people of the state and the loving reception that I received during my visit. My best wishes to this beautiful state in its development journey.”

Modi also took to Twitter, where he said thatthe culture of Arunachal Pradesh was special.

“Greetings to the people of Arunachal Pradesh on their Statehood Day. The culture of Arunachal Pradesh is special and its people are known for their wonderful nature as well as patriotic zeal. May the state continue to prosper in the years to come.”

“Best wishes on Mizoram Statehood Day. The people of Mizoram are known for their valour and rich value systems. The entire nation is proud of the Mizo culture and the contribution of the state towards India’s progress. Praying for Mizoram’s growth in the coming years,” he said.

The Congress chief also congratulated the two states in a series of tweets. 

“I extend my warm greetings to the wonderful people of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram on their Statehood Day.”

In 1972, the North East Frontier Agency was named Arunachal Pradesh and granted Union Territory status. It took 15 more years before Arunachal Pradesh attained its statehood. 

Mizoram attained statehood on February 20, 1987.

Jammu, Feb 20 (IANS) Curfew was relaxed in Jammu district for three hours on Wednesday, District Magistrate Ramesh Kumar said.

All educational institutes though would continue to remain shut and examinations scheduled for the day were postpones. New dates would be announced later, the authorities said.

The curfew that has been in force since February 15, a day after the Pulwama attack on a CRPF convoy that claimed the lives of 40 troopers in one go, was relaxed in all parts of the district from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Inspector General of Police of Jammu zone, M.K. Sinha said.

The situation would be reviewed after the relaxation period was over, he added. On February 15, miscreants had torched and damaged several vehicles carrying number plates of the Kashmir Valley in protest against the February 14 attack leading authorities to issue curfew orders.

“Things are returning to normal. Miscreants trying to disturb harmony among different sections of the society are being booked and will be dealt with accordingly,” the police officer said.

Earlier reports had said the curfew was relaxed for four hours, but the authorities clarified.

Mobile Internet services would also remain suspended for the sixth consecutive day.

On Tuesday too, the curfew was relaxed in few parts of the Jammu city in three phases. No untoward incident was reported from anywhere during that period.

Tension had mounted in the city as hundreds of Kashmiris living here felt unsafe after their selective targeting.

Nasheman News :  The 12th edition of the biennial Aero India 2019 air show took off on Wednesday with a dazzling flying display of aircraft at the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Yelahanka base here.

After Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman flagged off the five-day aerospace and defence expo, about 5,000 guests and invitees were treated to a two-hour spectacular flying display of fighter jets, helicopters and civilian aircraft.

The multi-role medium combat aircraft Rafale of the French Dassault Aviation was a clear winner with its daring aerial feats stealing the show at the aerial display visitors’ area.

The pilot of the French Air Force paid tribute from the aircraft while flying to IAF pilot Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi, who died here on Tuesday after two Surya Kiran Hawk aircraft collided and crashed while rehearsing for the air show.

The IAF’s Sarang team in Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) performed breathtaking formations under a clear sunny sky as a visual treat to the viewers.

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Jaguar and Sukhoi-30 aircraft flew in a ‘Missing Man’ formation as a tribute to Gandhi.

The display included the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL’s) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).

Chennai, Feb 19 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will contest five of the 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu in alliance with the ruling AIADMK, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam announced on Tuesday.

Nasheman News :  A number of journalists’ bodies on Tuesday wrote to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh complaining about trolling of some journalists on the social media in the wake of the Pulwama incident and sought action against the trolls.

“We would like to bring to your kind notice the vicious attacks on the social media directed against several mediapersons who have commented on the harassment faced by Kashmiri students and others following the dastardly killings of CRPF personnel in Pulwama,” read the letter written jointly by Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC), Press Club of India (PCI) and Press Association. 

It said that not only were the personal details of some of these mediapersons made public, several of them have been “bombarded by phone calls threatening violence, including sexual violence and other forms of repeated intimidation”. 

“While the government agencies rightfully rein in those who are spreading fake news and putting out potentially inflammatory messages, we urge the Union Home Ministry under your leadership to act with equal alacrity in identifying and booking those who have been targeting mediapersons and other individuals with hate messages,” the letter said.

“Such messages have the potential of inciting hatred and invariably leading to hate crime. Kindly look into this with the urgency it demands,” it added.

The journalists’ bodies also pointed out that the growing tendency to “demonise, hate and abuse people having different viewpoints” was a “deeply worrying trend” which goes against the basic tenets of democracy. 

Nasheman News : Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi will address her maiden public rally in Gujarat along with brother and party President Rahul Gandhi on February 28, signalling the intent to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah in their home state.

The mega rally to be held at Trimandir Ground, Adalaj, will follow the meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party’s highest decision-making body, in Ahmedabad on February 28. The 51st CWC meeting, to be held just before the schedule of general elections is announced, will focus on strategising and preparing for the Lok Sabha polls.

The CWC meeting is being hosted in Gujarat after 60 years and the entire top Congress leadership – Rahul Gandhi, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress Parliamentary Party leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and Priyanka Gandhi among others will brainstorm over the issues and roadmap for the Lok Sabha polls.

Besides Priyanka and Rahul, the rally will also be addressed by Sonia Gandhi, who last made a public speech in November last year in Telangana during the Assembly polls.

The Adalaj rally follows Rahul Gandhi’s February 14 address in tribal Lal Dungri village in Valsad district. This is the same village where his grandmother Indira Gandhi in 1980, his father Rajiv Gandhi in 1984 and his mother Sonia Gandhi in 2004 started and romped home to power.

Gujarat Congress MLA and party spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said the Adalaj rally will be the biggest in Gujarat in recent times.

“The preparations are in full swing for the rally which will be the biggest in Gujarat’s history. On the one hand, the resentment against Modi and the BJP is palpable in Gujarat and on the other, the enthusiasm among the people and party cadres is on an all-time high.

“This will be the first time that the people of Gujarat will witness Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi address from the same podium,” Gohil told IANS.

After being appointed as the General Secretary in charge of east Uttar Pradesh, Priyanka along with brother Rahul and fellow General Secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia held a road-show in Lucknow on February 11 and also interacted with party cadres.

Priyanka cancelled her maiden press meet as the Congress General Secretary in Lucknow on February 14 following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers were killed. 

Gujarat Congress chief Amit Chavda said the motive behind having the CWC meet and the rally in Gujarat was to send a strong signal to the BJP in Modi’s home state where the Congress in the 2017 Assembly polls gave a tough fight.

“Through the Adalaj rally, the entire Congress leadership will give voice to the people of Gujarat and the country whose aspirations have been crushed by the Modi government,” said Chavda.

“Buoyed by the good showing in the Assembly elections, the morale of the party will be further boosted by the presence of the entire top Congress leadership. This rally will signal the demise of the Modi government,” said Chavda exuding confidence of the Congress doing well in Gujarat. 

Blown away by the “Modi wave”, the Congress failed to win even a single seat in 2014 in Gujarat which sends members to the Lok Sabha.

A little over 15 km from Ahmedabad, Adalaj is famous for Rudabai Stepwell that was built in 1498 in the memory of Rana Veer Singh of the Vaghela dynasty. It is also famous for the expansive non-sectarian Trimandir temple.

The Trimandir is home to the idols of gods of Jainism, Shaivism, and Vaishnavism along with gods and goddesses from other religions.

Nasheman News :  An IAF pilot died on Tuesday after two Surya Kiran aircraft collided in the air and crashed while rehearsing near the Yelahanka airbase in Bengaluru where the ‘Aero India 2019’ air show begins on Wednesday.

The crash occurred on the outskirts of the airbase in the northern part of the city in an open field close to a residential area.

According to witnesses, the two aircraft that were rehearsing for the aerobatic display collided into each other in the air, thereby spiralling and crashing onto the ground below and exploding into fire, billowing thick black smoke in the sky.

Two pilots were seen ejecting out of the crashing aircraft using parachutes and got injured when they landed on the ground, said residents of a nearby residential locality.

“Two Hawk aircraft of Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team of IAF crashed at 11.50 a.m. while practicing for the air show. While two pilots ejected and were taken to a military hospital, a third pilot sustained fatal injuries,” an IAF statement said.

Karnataka Director General of Police and chief of Fire and Emergency Services M.N. Reddi said there were no injuries to any civilian on the ground. 

“No major damage to any houses in ISRO colony. Fire force has completely suppressed the fire,” he tweeted.

“A court of inquiry will investigate the cause of the accident,” IAF said. “One IAF pilot has unfortunately lost his life. Two others injured shifted to hospital but are said to be out of danger.” 

With the much-awaited five-day air show set to take place from February 20, the aircraft to take part in the flypast have been rehearsing at the airbase since February 14.

Tuesday’s collision is probably the first after the elite Surya Kiran unit was re-grouped in 2015 after a gap of four years but the show-stopping high-risk display flying arm of IAF has had its share of serious accidents. 

Surya Kiran, used as a mascot for the IAF to inspire youngsters to take up military aviation, is in its second avatar flying sub-sonic advanced jet trainers Hawk 132 that made an appearance in new livery four years ago after replacing jaded Kiran Mk II intermediate jet trainers. 

The Surya Kiran team with Kiran Mk II aircraft was wound up in 2011 but not before a series of accidents. 

In January 2009, Wing Commander R.S. Dhaliwal died in a crash near Surya Kiran’s home base Bidar in Karnataka. Another aircraft crashed in December 2007. In March 2006, yet another crash took place in Bidar killing two pilots. 

The British-origin Hawks are made in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). These are used to train pilots in advanced fighter flying skills. 

Surya Kiran returned to Aero India air show in Bengaluru in 2017 after a gap of nearly four years.