Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, India's first Olympic medalist in boxing, Vijender Singh, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the party headquarters in Delhi. Singh, who ran unsuccessfully in the 2019 Lok Sabha election as a Congress candidate, comes from the Jat community, which has political influence in Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. In response, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched the party's 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee' initiative in Delhi, aiming to reach out to eight crore households across the country and make them aware of the party's "guarantees".
Vijender Singh Joins BJP, Congress Launches 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee' Initiative
Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Indian boxer and Olympic medalist Vijender Singh has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The former Congress candidate announced his decision at the party headquarters in Delhi.
Background:
Vijender Singh, a Jat from Haryana, has a strong following in his home state and neighboring regions. He ran unsuccessfully in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as a Congress candidate. The Jat community is politically influential in areas such as Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
BJP Move:
Singh's decision to join the BJP is seen as a strategic move by the party to gain support from the Jat community. The party has been working hard to consolidate its position in Haryana, where it suffered losses in the 2022 assembly elections.
Congress Response:
In response to Singh's move, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched the party's 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee' initiative in Delhi. The aim of the initiative is to reach out to eight crore households across the country and make them aware of the party's "guarantees." These guarantees include farmers' welfare, employment opportunities, and inflation control.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
Q1: Why did Vijender Singh join the BJP?
A: Singh cited "nationalist principles" and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership as reasons for joining the BJP.
Q2: What is the significance of Singh's decision for the BJP?
A: Singh's加入 is expected to boost the BJP's support among the Jat community and strengthen its position in key electoral states.
Q3: What is the 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee' initiative?
A: The 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee' initiative is a Congress campaign to reach out to voters and inform them about the party's policy promises.
Q4: What are the Congress's "guarantees"?
A: The Congress's guarantees include farmer welfare schemes, employment creation, and measures to control inflation.
Q5: What is the current political landscape in India?
A: The BJP is the ruling party at the national and state levels. The Congress is the main opposition party. The upcoming Lok Sabha elections are expected to be fiercely contested.
Amidst the ongoing controversy over the assault of a shopkeeper by MNS workers, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde caused a stir with his concluding speech at an event in Pune, where he raised the slogans "Jai Gujarat" and "Jai Maharashtra". While the opposition accused Shinde of being "greedy for power", CM Devendra Fadnavis defended him, stating that it was a customary practice to hail the state where an event is being held. The incident adds fuel to the ongoing debate on Marathi language and pride, ahead of the civic elections in Maharashtra.
At a recent political event, Indian Union minister Amit Shah addressed the crowd in Gujarati language, highlighting the importance of connecting with regional languages in India. Maharashtra politician Eknath Shinde also addressed the gathering, exclaiming "Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra, Jai Gujarat." The event served as a platform for politicians to express their opinions and connect with their audiences in regional languages, showcasing the diverse cultural and linguistic landscape of the country.
In an effort to prevent the division of secular votes and counter communal forces, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has expressed its willingness to join the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar ahead of the 2025 assembly elections. The party's letter to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav highlights their intention and also mentions previous failed attempts. The party has also conveyed this to other senior leaders of RJD, including Tejashwi Yadav, with the hope to “contest the Bihar assembly elections together."
On the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of revered Jain spiritual leader Acharya Vidyanand Ji Maharaj, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the inaugural ceremony of the year-long centenary celebrations. In his speech, PM Modi highlighted the eternal nature of Indian civilization and praised Acharya Vidyanand Ji Maharaj as a symbol of this timeless philosophy. The event served as a reminder of the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of India.
The Indian Prime Minister, currently on a five-nation tour, took to social media to pay homage to Swami Vivekananda on the revered monk's death anniversary. PM Modi highlighted Swami Vivekananda's enduring influence on Indian society and his emphasis on serving others and embracing India's rich heritage. Even after a century since his passing, Swami Vivekananda's teachings continue to inspire generations, promoting unity and compassion in a divided world.
In the midst of a controversial video surfacing showing a shopkeeper being assaulted for not speaking Marathi, Maharashtra Minister Yogesh Kadam spoke out in defense of the state's official language and condemned acts of vigilantism. The incident has sparked a larger debate over linguistic identity and regional pride in Maharashtra. While emphasizing the importance of cultural and linguistic respect, Kadam also denounced the manner in which the situation escalated and called for individuals to not take the law into their own hands. A police investigation is currently ongoing.
Karnataka, known for its thriving tech industry, is proposing a bill that aims to address the spread of fake news and misinformation online. However, free speech activists are raising concerns about potential censorship and selective enforcement. The bill has not yet defined what constitutes as "fake news" or "anti-feminist" content, raising fears of potential misuse. The state government has stated that the bill will be open for public opinion before implementation.
Pope Leo XIV took time out of his busy schedule to visit children at the Vatican's summer camp and share some inspirational words. He emphasized themes of diversity, acceptance, and building bridges of friendship. The pontiff also encouraged the children to be advocates for peace and to see everyone as equals.
At the Saryu Jayanti Mahotsav in Ayodhya, CM Yogi Adityanath announced a plan to revive rivers by preventing sewage, drain discharge, and animal waste. He stressed the importance of rivers for the environment and agriculture and highlighted the economic benefits of clean rivers for tourism and local economies. The CM urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure the success of this initiative, emphasizing the link between river health and the well-being of communities.
The cyber crime division of Bengaluru South has registered a case against Ateeq Shariff and the administrator of 'Mangalore Muslims' for posting derogatory content against one of the judges of the Karnataka High Court hearing the hijab case. The judge in question is part of a three-judge bench formed after Muslim girls were denied entry to college for wearing hijab. This comes amidst tension and communal strife over the government order banning certain clothing on educational campuses.