In this episode of our daily news show, we delve into the political career of Devendra Fadnavis and discuss what sets him apart as he takes on his third term as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Our in-house expert, Shubhangi Khapre from The Indian Express sheds light on his key achievements from his first term. Additionally, we explore the RSS's silence on the recent events in Sambhal and Ajmer, despite their vocal stance on other religious landmarks in the past. Finally, we provide an update on the stampede at the premiere of Pushpa 2 and the tragic death of a woman.
Devendra Fadnavis: A Profile of Maharashtra's Chief Minister
Devendra Gangadharrao Fadnavis is an Indian politician and current Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has held various positions within the party, including President of the Maharashtra BJP.
Fadnavis was born on July 22, 1970, in Nagpur, Maharashtra. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University. He began his political career in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and later joined the BJP.
Fadnavis was first elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 1999. He served as Minister of State for Revenue from 2009 to 2012 and as Minister for Higher and Technical Education from 2012 to 2014.
In 2014, Fadnavis was appointed Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He became the youngest person to hold the position. During his first term, he oversaw a number of significant achievements, including the launch of the 'Make in Maharashtra' initiative to promote industrial development, the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and the construction of new roads and infrastructure.
In 2019, Fadnavis was re-elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and again appointed Chief Minister. His second term has been marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the state.
RSS's Silence on Recent Events
The RSS has been criticized for its silence on recent events in Sambhal and Ajmer, where religious landmarks were vandalized. In the past, the RSS has been vocal in its support for the protection of religious sites. However, it has not yet issued a statement on these recent incidents.
It is unclear why the RSS has remained silent on these events. Some analysts suggest that it may be due to the RSS's current focus on other issues, such as the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections. Others believe that the RSS may be trying to avoid fueling further communal tensions.
Regardless of the reason for its silence, the RSS's inaction has been seen by some as a sign of its declining influence in Indian politics.
Stampede at 'Pushpa 2' Premiere
A stampede broke out at the premiere of the Telugu film 'Pushpa 2' in Andhra Pradesh, killing one woman and injuring several others. The stampede occurred when a large crowd of fans rushed forward to get a glimpse of the film's star, Allu Arjun.
The stampede is a reminder of the risks associated with large gatherings. It is important to take precautions to ensure the safety of participants at such events.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What is Devendra Fadnavis's background? Devendra Fadnavis was born in Nagpur, Maharashtra in 1970. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree and began his political career in the RSS.
2. What are Fadnavis's key achievements as Chief Minister of Maharashtra? Fadnavis's key achievements include the launch of the 'Make in Maharashtra' initiative, the implementation of the GST, and the construction of new roads and infrastructure.
3. Why has the RSS remained silent on recent events in Sambhal and Ajmer? The reason for the RSS's silence is unclear. Some analysts suggest that it may be due to the RSS's focus on other issues or its desire to avoid fueling communal tensions.
4. What was the cause of the stampede at the 'Pushpa 2' premiere? The stampede occurred when a large crowd of fans rushed forward to get a glimpse of the film's star, Allu Arjun.
5. What precautions should be taken to ensure safety at large gatherings? Precautions that should be taken include crowd management planning, providing adequate security, and ensuring that there are clear exits and escape routes.
BR Patil, Congress MLA from Karnataka's Aland, has claimed that there was an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to steal votes leading up to the 2023 elections in the state. This allegation, backed by evidence of over 6,000 voter deletions, has been supported by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who has accused the BJP of systematically deleting the names of Congress voters. The BJP has denied these allegations, calling it a ploy by the Congress to discredit them and gain political mileage. However, Gandhi has hinted at more significant revelations to come.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, slammed the Karnataka government for the deteriorating state of Bengaluru's infrastructure, which has resulted in an IT company moving out of the city. He criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for their negligence and corruption. Kumaraswamy appealed to the industries not to leave Bengaluru and promised to rebuild the city. He also called out the government for their failure in utilizing taxpayers' money for development and demanded answers for the same.
In a press conference, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi unveiled evidence showing a widespread conspiracy to delete voters from electoral rolls in India. He presented examples and detailed data indicating that the alleged operations were carried out through automated systems and coordinated at a centralized level. Gandhi claimed that these tactics were used to manipulate elections in several states, and also accused the Election Commission of facilitating this voter deletion.
During a press conference, Rahul Gandhi accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of aiding the suppression of votes belonging to marginalized communities like Dalits and minorities. The Election Commission denied the allegations, stating that no vote can be deleted online without proper procedures and investigation. However, the poll body did acknowledge failed attempts to delete votes in Karnataka's Aland constituency in 2023 and an FIR has been filed to investigate. The Congress leader claimed that the Election Commission is purposely obstructing investigations to hide the truth about these deletions.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi once again stirred up controversy by accusing the BJP and Election Commission of systematic voter fraud through manipulation of electoral rolls. In response, BJP MP Anurag Thakur fired back, accusing Gandhi of spreading baseless allegations and undermining democracy. The Election Commission has dismissed all of Gandhi's claims, citing that no voter's name can be deleted through online means without proper procedure.
Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi is set to address a press conference on Thursday, where he is expected to present evidence of alleged vote theft in Indian elections. Gandhi has been vocal about the issue in previous speeches, accusing the government of using unfair means to form their power. He also claimed that the Election Commission is working in collaboration with the ruling party. The Congress promised to provide proof to back their claims and expose corruption in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment in Karnataka.
The centre has directed the removal of 138 YouTube videos and 83 Instagram posts related to Adani, citing a Delhi court order. The move comes amid ongoing disputes over the Adani Group's involvement in various projects. This action has been met with criticism, with some questioning the government's interference in online content.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi revealed that the party has uncovered over 6,000 voter deletions in Aland constituency, Karnataka, ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections. According to their investigation, these deletions were not random or accidental but specifically targeted booths where the party was performing strongly. The deletions were carried out through fake applications and mobile numbers from outside Karnataka, raising concerns of an organized effort to manipulate the election process. Congress is calling for a thorough investigation to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of protecting those involved in "vote chori" (vote stealing) and undermining democracy. He cited recent instances of voter deletions in Karnataka's Aland and fraudulent additions in Maharashtra's Rajura as evidence of systematic targeting of Congress voters. Speaking at a press conference, Gandhi urged for a fair and transparent election process to uphold the principles of democracy.
Congress MP and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, held a news conference and claimed that the Chief Election Commissioner is protecting those who are destroying the Constitution and democracy in India. He also alleged that a group of people is systematically cutting the votes of minority groups who vote for the Congress party. In response, politicians from different parties have dismissed his accusations and stated that he is making these statements out of desperation and frustration.