Tag: Raj

Raj Thackeray urges to protect pre-historic Petroglyphs, opposes refinery plan

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Ratnagiri: Adopting a significant stance, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray on Saturday batted for tourism while opposing the proposed Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd (RRPCL) project coming up in this picturesque region where prehistoric Petroglyphs were discovered.
Addressing a public meeting here, Raj Thackeray said the Petroglyphs found here are still being studied and analysed and as per international norms, no development activities can be carried out in its vicinity.
The astounding Petroglyphs in and around Barsu were discovered in 2012 and have already made it to the Unesco’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites and locals now fear that if the RRPCL comes up here, this pre-historic site would be lost forever, he said as a caution to the Central and state governments.

Interestingly, former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray went around the Petroglyphs site along with the Barsu villagers who are opposing the refinery project.
“When the RRPCL project was announced for Barsu, I was very upset. Why can’t such big projects go to Goa or Kerala? The beautiful Konkan is intended only for tourism. Only Konkan tourism is sufficient to support the entire (economy) of Maharashtra,” Raj Thackeray said.
He warned the people of Konkan against selling off their valuable land at cheap rates “to politicians and businessmen who are aware of big projects coming up all around and then make huge profits from your land”.
The MNS chief strongly advised Konkanis that henceforth, if anybody wants to buy out their beautiful and fertile lands, “first ask them what’s the purpose” before parting with it, otherwise “you will have nothing but regrets”.
Raj’s unexpected stance — which could be music to the locals and the Shiv Sena (UBT) — may prove to be jarring for the ruling Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party which has been hoping for a partnership with the MNS.

Ironically, during the day, former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, visited Barsu where he threw his full lot with the people opposing the refinery project, even as the BJP launched a sharp attack on him.
Referring to the proposed sea-memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj off the Mumbai coast, the MNS chief — estranged cousin of Uddhav Thackeray — also questioned the need to spend over Rs 10,000 crore on the monument planned for the great Maratha warrior-king in the Arabian Sea.
“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj constructed several sea-forts dotting the Konkan coast. Why can’t the memorial funds be diverted for their upkeep and renovation? That’s our real legacy. Will you leave statues for the future generations to view?” Raj Thackeray demanded.
He also expressed his ire over the long delays for the upcoming Mumbai-Goa highway which has been pending proper completion since 2007 and is a road traveller’s nightmare.
“Why such a long delay? Have you ever questioned your elected representatives? What’s taking so many years for the project to come up? Today, someone told me that the contractors for one of the sections has abandoned it,” Raj Thackerary said in an incredulous tone.
The MNS leader also took potshots at his cousin Uddhav Thackeray, asking why there are differences in his party – Shiv Sena (UBT) – with some opposing and others supporting the refinery plans.
He also accused Uddhav Thackeray of allegedly ‘usurping’ the sprawling former Mayor Bungalow at Dadar west (Mumbai) in the name of the late Balasaheb Thackeray Memorial, and asked whom he had asked for it.
This was Raj Thackeray’s first foray into the Konkan region in several years and he conceded that he “was keen since long to come and discuss the problems of the people here”.
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#Raj #Thackeray #urges #protect #prehistoric #Petroglyphs #opposes #refinery #plan
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 6, 2023
EC to liberalise enrolment dates for 17-yr-olds: CEO Vikas Raj

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Hyderabad: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vikas Raj while apprising the parties of the Election Commission of India said that it is making efforts to liberalise enrolment dates for youngsters aged 17, to expand the voter base.
The CEO of the commission held a meeting with the representatives of various parties including BJP, TDP, Congress, CPI (M) and AIMIM, to make them aware of steps taken by EC to conduct free and fair elections.
“The EC had informed that there were currently 4 lakh pending forms, including Forms 6,7, and 8 and that there was a need to clear it,” he said.

Vikas Raj further sensitised the political parties about various activities undertaken by the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and the importance of Booth Level Agents (BLAs) in ensuring fair and transparent elections.
“Instructions have been issued to EROs on safeguards against deletions, including photo similar entries, and the need for vigilance against logical errors detected at the data entry level,” added Vikas.
Vikas also urged the party leaders to increase the number of BLAs as there were only 1785 BLAs as against 34,891 polling stations in Telangana.
“Also, the commission will promote voter participation among transgender individuals and other marginalised sections like tribals,” said the commission’s CEO.
However, political parties, especially from the opposition fumed over errors in the voters’ lists and polling booths, claiming that Electoral Photo ID Cards (EPIC) were issued on open plots in Serilingampally.

The party representatives then requested the CEO for transparency on the IT initiatives of EC.
They further asked for awareness workshops for voters on their roles and responsibilities keeping in view the upcoming general elections.
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#liberalise #enrolment #dates #17yrolds #CEO #Vikas #Raj
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 3, 2023
DCW chief writes to Raj CM over harassment of Korean vlogger in Jodhpur

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New Delhi: Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal on Tuesday wrote a letter to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, a day after a Korean vlogger was allegedly harassed in Jodhpur while she was strolling on the streets of the city.
The DCW sought Gehlot’s urgent intervention and prompt action in the matter to ensure justice for the girl, who is a foreign national.
“Through this letter, I wish to bring to your kind attention towards a distressing incident of sexual harassment with a Korean vlogger in Jodhpur. As the Chairperson of the DCW, I am deeply disturbed by this heinous crime and seek your urgent intervention in the matter,” Maliwal wrote in her letter.

“The Commission has learnt that a Korean vlogger was harassed by a man in a fort in Jodhpur. The girl was walking in the fort when a man allegedly followed her, exposed his private parts, and engaged in lewd behaviour. The girl ran, screamed, and appealed for help. The entire incident was captured on video and has been widely circulated on social media,” the letter further stated.
The DCW chief added that this incident is not only a grave violation of the girl’s rights but has also brought shame to the country, as it raises serious questions about the safety and security of women, both domestic and foreign nationals, in society.
“I strongly condemn such an act of sexual harassment and urge you to take immediate action against the perpetrator. I request you to ensure that a criminal complaint is filed against the man involved in this heinous act and that he is promptly arrested and brought to justice. I also urge you to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the survivor,” she said in her letter.
“I look forward to prompt action in the matter by your office in ensuring justice for the girl and taking effective measures to prevent such incidents in the future,” the letter further stated.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Police said that after taking cognizance of the incident, they have detained the accused.

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#DCW #chief #writes #Raj #harassment #Korean #vlogger #Jodhpur
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 18, 2023
Hyderabad: End Raja Singh’s ‘Anarchic Raj’ in Goshamahal, says BRS

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Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Hyderabad district incharge Dasoju Sravan on Sunday said the public should re-elect BRS in the upcoming Assembly elections and put an end to the ‘Anarchic Raj’ of suspended BJP leader T Raja Singh in the Goshamahal constituency.
Speaking at the party ‘Athmeeya Sammelan’ at Boggulakunta, he said that Raja Singh, MLA of Goshamahal, is more focused on spreading BJP’s hate politics in the state rather than development work in his constituency.
“People belonging to various cultures, regions and religions live in Goshamahal reflecting the unity in diversity of our nation. It is disheartening that Raja Singh, who is the face of BJP’s communal politics is representing this constituency in Telangana Assembly, a disgrace,” remarked Sravan.

He said that CM K Chandrashekar Rao is turning a drought-hit Telangana into a prosperous and progressive state by working round the clock and dedicating his entire life for the state. “PM Modi and his partymen are leaving no stone unturned to create communal tensions in Telangana and obstruct its development,” he added.
He said that the time has arrived to choose between KCR’s BRS which strives for the welfare of people belonging to all sections and religions and Modi’s BJP which is obstructing development and breaking the backs of people, riding on communal politics.
“While BRS MLAs are busy implementing the schemes introduced by KCR like Dalit Bandhu, Rythu Bandhu, Kalyana Lakshmi, Shaadi Mubarak, KCR kits, Basti Dawakhanas, Aasara pensions and others in their constituency, Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh does not even have time to attend Assembly,” said the BRS leader.
He said that Raja Singh neither takes up nor attends development works in his constituency. “I wonder why he has become an MLA,” said Sravan.
He said that the Centre has been looting the common man while riding on religious sentiments and that it is high time people put an end to BJP’s ‘crooked politics’.

“PM Modi said that he will create two crore jobs per year. That means he has created 18 crore jobs till now. But not even 18 thousand jobs have been created till now,” he said.
He said that the price of LPG has been hiked from Rs 400 to Rs 1100, petrol and diesel prices have more than doubled in PM Modi’s tenure while the prices of all the essential commodities have skyrocketed.
“People belonging to all sections have been betrayed by PM Modi. and the BJP is now eyeing Telangana. Politically aware people of Telangana should put an end to PM Modi’s Sarkar at Centre and teach BJP a lesson, by electing KCR as the CM for the third time,” Sravan said.
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#Hyderabad #Raja #Singhs #Anarchic #Raj #Goshamahal #BRS
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 16, 2023
Jungle raj, mafia raj: Oppn targets BJP over Atiq Ahmad’s killing

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New Delhi: “Jungle raj” and “mafia raj” were some of the words used to describe Uttar Pradesh and even India by opposition leaders on Sunday as they hit out at the BJP government over the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother in front of policemen and media in Prayagraj district.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said stringent action should be taken against those involved in the incident.
“Jungle Raj under BJP Yogi govt in UP. Its USP: Encounter killings, Bulldozer politics & patronising criminals. Enforce rule of law; apprehend perpetrators & punish them stringently,” he said in a tweet

TMC MP Mouha Moitra said the country has been turned into “mafia raj”.
“BJP has turned India into a mafia republic. I will say it here, I will say it abroad, I will say it everywhere because it is the truth. 2 men in custody shot dead in front of a zillion policemen & cameras – this is the death of the rule of law,” she said.
Moitra also said that she can even believe that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) got the shooting done simply to “deflect attention” from repercussions to the Satyapal Malik interview.
“Nothing, just nothing, is beyond this government,” she said.
The two brothers were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college here for a checkup.

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#Jungle #raj #mafia #raj #Oppn #targets #BJP #Atiq #Ahmads #killing
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 16, 2023
‘Last chance’: SC to Raj, Telangana, J&K on identification of minorities

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday gave the states of Rajasthan and Telangana and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir six weeks to submit their responses on the issue of identification of minorities at the state level, after the Centre pleaded for giving them a “last opportunity”.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) K M Nataraj, appearing for the Centre, told a bench of Justices S K Kaul and A Amanullah that responses were still awaited from Rajasthan and Telanagana. Part reply from Jammu and Kashmir was also awaited, he said.
He urged the bench to give them the last opportunity to furnish their responses.

The bench, while giving them six weeks to respond, said copy of its order be sent to the two states and the Union Territory informing them that the apex court will close the opportunity for accepting their responses if they fail to do so within the deadline.
The top court posted the matter for further hearing in July.
The apex court was hearing the pleas, including the one filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, which has sought directions for framing guidelines for identification of minorities at the state level, contending that Hindus are in minority in 10 states.
While hearing the matter on January 17, the apex court had expressed displeasure over six states and Union Territories (UTs), including Rajasthan and Telengana, not submitting their comments to the Centre on the issue of identification of minorities at the state level.
“We fail to appreciate why these states/Union Territories do not respond and thus give last opportunity to the central government to obtain the responses from them, failing which we will presume that they have nothing to say,” it had said.

On January 17, Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, had referred to the status report filed by the Ministry of Minority Affairs which said that 24 states and six UTs have so far furnished their comments on the issue.
The status report, filed in the apex court in January, had said that comments from six states and UTs — Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep, Rajasthan and Telangana — were still awaited.
On November 22 last year, the Centre had told the top court that it has held consultative meetings with all state governments, UTs and other stake holders on the issue of identification of minorities at the state level and 14 states had furnished their views so far.
During the earlier hearing, Upadhyay had told the bench that he has challenged the validity of section 2(f) of the National Commission for Minority Education Institution Act, 2004.
Terming section 2(f) of the Act, which empowers the Centre to identify and notify minority communities in India, as “manifestly arbitrary, irrational, and offending”, his plea has alleged that it gives unbridled power to the Centre.
“Can minority status be decided district-wise? How can that be done,” the bench had earlier observed during the hearing.
On May 10 last year, the apex court had expressed displeasure over the Centre’s shifting stand on the issue of identification of minorities, including Hindus, at the state level and directed it to hold consultations with the states within three months.
In supersession of its earlier stand, the Centre had told the apex court that power to notify minorities is vested with the Union government and any decision with regard to the issue will be taken after discussion with states and other stake holders.
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#chance #Raj #Telangana #identification #minorities
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 10, 2023
“Get ready to answer citizens’ questions”, Prakash Raj to Kichcha Sudeep

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Bengaluru: A day after Kannada superstar Kichcha Sudeep confirmed he would campaign for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), another south star Prakash Raj took a jibe at him for choosing a ‘political party’.
Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Prakash wrote, “Dear Sudeep.. as an artist loved by everyone.. I had expected you to be a voice of the people. But you have chosen to colour yourself with a political party .. WELL .. Get ready to answer ..every question a citizen will ask YOU and YOUR party…@KicchaSudeep#justasking.”
Kichcha Sudeep hogged the limelight throughout Wednesday amid speculations of his joining BJP.

Addressing a joint press conference with CM Basavraj Bommai, Kichcha Sudeep said, “I had no necessity to come here, and I have not come here for any platform or money. I have come here only for a person. I have high regard for CM Mama (Bommai). That’s why I am announcing that I am giving my full support to Bommai sir”.
On being asked if he agrees with the ideology of BJP, Sudeep said, “As a citizen, I totally respect certain decisions PM Modi has taken, but that’s my perspective. But that has got nothing to do with me sitting here today”.
Karnataka CM Bommai also said that Sudeep doesn’t belong to any political party.
Reacting to Sudeep’s words on Wednesday, Prakash Raj said, “I am shocked and hurt by Kichha Sudeep’s statement.”
The Assembly election in Karnataka is scheduled to be held on May 10 and the counting of votes will take place on May 13.

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#ready #answer #citizens #questions #Prakash #Raj #Kichcha #Sudeep
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 7, 2023
Now, both Congress, RSS show solidarity with BJP’s former Raj chief Poonia on his removal

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Jaipur: In a startling coincidence, both Congress as well as RSS veterans are expressed solidarity with BJP’s former Rajasthan President Satish Poonia on his removal from the post, terming it a poor decision taken by his party in the election year which will boomerang on it.
Congress leaders accused the BJP of being “two-faced”, saying that on one hand, they are accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of adopting an “anti-OBC stand”, and on the other hand, have removed OBC leader Poonia as state party President. They also claimed that Poonia was doing fair work and was a hard working leader as they questioned that why was he removed.
The BJP has appointed Poonia as the Deputy Leader of Opposition in Assembly, after replacing him with C.P. Joshi, but Congress say this is not enough for Poonia.

A video has surfaced in which Congress MLA Mahendra Chaudhary from Nawan assembly seat in Nagaur district is seen saying that Poonia worked so hard and suffered injuries on his hands and legs, yet the BJP removed him from the post of state President. Questioning the change, he claimed that the BJP has not only done wrong to Poonia, but meted injustice to the farmers living in 70 per cent of the villages.
Making him the Deputy Leader of the Opposition won’t help, he said, adding that this act of BJP was wrong.
Chaudhary said that when he became Chief Deputy Whip, there was a different arrangement. He said that the BJP has not given any message by making Poonia the Deputy Leader of Opposition, which “is just no post”. He said that there was no allegation against Poonia, yet he was removed, while Poonia did all the work of the party in a better way.
The video is going viral on social media.
Even state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra hit back at BJP leaders for attacking Gandhi for his alleged anti-OBC statements, while terming removal of Poonia as the “anti-OBC stand” of the saffron party.

Dotasra asked with what face does the BJP who removed OBC state President talk about OBCs. “The BJP is teaching us the lesson on OBCs, but has itself removed the OBC state President. There is always respect for OBCs in the Congress. Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and I myself belong to OBC category. BJP only works to divert the attention of the public from the real issues by bringing jumlas,” he quipped.
State minister Subhash Garg even claimed that the BJP will split after removing Poonia from his post.
Meanwhile, the RSS is also dissatisfied with party’s decision and veteran leaders reportedly have expressed their resentment against his removal.
On Friday, there were back to back meetings of RSS veterans including B.L. Santosh, Arun Kumar, among others who expressed their dissatisfaction over the way Poonia was removed.
They said that he should have been given some position before his removal and it could have been conveyed earlier that extension will not be given to him.
Meanwhile, after these meetings, it was decided to announce him as Deputy Leader of Opposition to calm down agitating Jats who form a significant voting bloc in Rajasthan.
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#Congress #RSS #show #solidarity #BJPs #Raj #chief #Poonia #removal
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 4, 2023
Howrah violence: TMC vs Guv on Raj Bhavan’s call to set up seperate monitoring cell

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Kolkata: Trinamool Congress on Saturday questioned the decision of West Bengal Governor C. V. Ananda Bose to set up special cell for real time monitoring the situation at Howrah’s Shibpur- Kazipara area in wake of the clashes over a Ram Navami procession that started on Thursday and continued till Friday afternoon.
On late Friday afternoon after the Governor took a detailed report from the state chief secretary H. K. Dwivedi and the state home secretary B. P. Gopalika about the situation in the tension-prone area, a strong-worded statement was issued by the Raj Bhavan from where the decision to set up this special monitoring cell was announced.
“Governor ordered real time monitoring of the situation and constituted a special cell for the same,” the statement of Raj Bhavan read.
The statement also mentioned about “a confidential discussion to review the situation” between the Governor and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
On Saturday, Trinamool Congress’ state general secretary and the party’s spokesman in West Bengal Kunal Ghosh said that it is not clear whether the decision to set up the special monitoring cell was just a verbal announcement or there had been formal notification in the matter.
Raising doubts over whether there are legal provisions on whether such a cell can be set up by the Raj Bhavan, Ghosh also expressed apprehension that in case the said cell procures information from independent or private sources, doubts will remain whether the information received was authentic or not.
However, BJP’s state spokesman Samik Bhattacharya has justified the setting up of the special monitoring cell by the Raj Bhavan.
“As the constitutional head of the state it is the duty of the Governor to protect the democratic rights of the citizens of the state. So, he is well within his limits to order the opening up of the cell just as he sought reports of the situation from the state chief secretary and state home secretary,” Bhattacharya said.

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#Howrah #violence #TMC #Guv #Raj #Bhavans #call #set #seperate #monitoring #cell
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 1, 2023
Delhi court reserves order on summons in defamation case by Shekhawat against Raj CM

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New Delhi: A Delhi court on Thursday reserved the order on the point of issuance of summons in a defamation case filed by Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat against Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over the latter’s “misleading statements” against him.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harpreet Singh Jaspal of the Rouse Avenue Court has listed the matter for order on the issuance of summons for Friday after the conclusion of submission and recording of pre-summoning of evidence in the case.
Shekhawat filed a defamation case against Gehlot earlier this month, claiming that the latter made defamatory statements against him in connection with the Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society scam.
He has said that an investigation was initiated in the case but his name was not mentioned anywhere and demanded prosecution against Gehlot for criminal defamation under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He has also demanded appropriate financial compensation for the loss of his reputation.
Earlier, the war of words between Gehlot and Shekhawat had intensified over the Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society scam with the Rajasthan Chief Minister openly declaring the Union Minister “a culprit like the others”.
“The Union Minister is trying to mislead the public in the case of the Sanjivani Cooperative Society Ltd scam. In the investigation of the Special Operation Group (SOG), the crime has been proved against him under the same sections as the other arrested accused.”
Shekhawat had said that Gehlot terming him as an ‘accused’ in the Sanjivani Credit Cooperative Society scam is akin to his “political assassination to settle scores”.
“The SOG presented three chargesheets but there is neither my nor my family’s name anywhere. Still, the Chief Minister called me an accused,” he said.

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#Delhi #court #reserves #order #summons #defamation #case #Shekhawat #Raj
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 23, 2023