The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its fifth list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, featuring 111 names from 17 states. The list includes actress Kangana Ranaut, Ramayan's Ram Arun Govil, and former Union Ministers Maneka Gandhi and Naveen Jindal. Former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who recently joined the party, will also be contesting in West Bengal. Prominent leaders like Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Rajiv Pratap Rudy have also been selected as candidates.
Naveen Jindal: Political Journey and BJP Candidacy
Background:
Naveen Jindal is an Indian industrialist and former politician who was associated with the Indian National Congress (INC) for nearly two decades. The son of billionaire industrialist O.P. Jindal, Naveen joined the party in 1992 and quickly rose through the ranks.
In 2004, Jindal was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Kurukshetra constituency in Haryana. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for three consecutive terms, representing the INC. During his tenure, he held various ministerial positions, including Minister of Steel, Mines, and Coal (2011-2012).
Shift to BJP:
In 2014, Jindal parted ways with the INC and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The move was seen as a major setback for the Congress and a boost for the BJP. Jindal cited several reasons for his departure, including dissatisfaction with the party leadership and its handling of economic issues.
BJP Candidacy:
In March 2024, the BJP announced that Jindal would be contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Kurukshetra constituency once again. This marked his return to electoral politics after a decade. The BJP's decision to field Jindal in a key constituency is seen as a sign of the party's confidence in his abilities and his potential to win over voters.
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A controversial Indian guru known as Rampal and 14 of his followers have been given a life sentence for the murder of four women and a young child at his ashram in 2014. The victims died from suffocation after being locked in a room during a stand off between the guru's supporters and police. This sentencing comes after years of legal battles and controversies surrounding the guru and his followers.
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Isherpreet Singh Sidhu, the National Students' Union of India Punjab President, strongly denounces the arrest of Karanveer Singh for peacefully protesting at the Panjab University Bachao Morcha and the alleged manhandling by SHO Narinder. Sidhu considers this a violation of democratic principles and a tactic used to suppress the voices of Punjab's youth. He demands immediate and strict action against the police officer and urges higher authorities to intervene and ensure justice for the students. The NSUI Punjab stands in solidarity with the students, emphasizing the need to respect their voices and empower them.
In a fiery speech, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy addressed the criticism from opposition leaders regarding the Rythu Bharosa scheme. He assured citizens that the government is committed to fulfilling all promises made and provided updates on the scheme's implementation. Reddy also highlighted the inclusivity of the process and denounced the previous government for misusing funds meant for farmers.
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