Former Union Minister Srikant Jena returns to Congress, Nikki Haley drops out of Republican Presidential race, ECI advises Rahul Gandhi to be cautious, and farmers’ protest to resume today marked major political news developments this week. The ECI has advised Rahul Gandhi to be cautious with his public remarks, Nikki Haley has dropped out of the Republican Presidential race, former Union Minister Srikant Jena has returned to the Congress party, and the farmers' protest will resume today. In international news, the Super Tuesday results in the US will show who the presidential candidates for the Democratic and Republican parties will be in the upcoming elections. Stay tuned for more updates.
Former Governor Nikki Haley Drops Out of Republican Presidential Race
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has announced her withdrawal from the 2024 Republican presidential race. In a video message, Haley stated that she had "given it my all" but that it was "time to put America first."
Haley's decision comes after a disappointing performance in the early primary contests. She received only 2.8% of the vote in the Iowa caucuses and 4.2% in the New Hampshire primary.
Haley's departure leaves a crowded field of Republican candidates, including former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and former Vice President Mike Pence.
Srikant Jena Returns to Congress After Leaving BJP
Former Union Minister Srikant Jena has rejoined the Congress party after quitting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2018. Jena had served as a Union minister for steel and mines under the UPA government.
Jena's return to Congress is seen as a boost for the party in Odisha, where it is trying to regain power from the BJP.
ECI Advises Rahul Gandhi to Be Cautious With Public Remarks
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has advised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to be cautious with his public remarks during the ongoing Assembly elections in Meghalaya and Nagaland.
The ECI's advisory comes after Gandhi's comments about the role of the BJP and the RSS in the Northeast. Gandhi had alleged that the BJP was trying to "destroy" the culture of the Northeast.
The ECI has warned Gandhi that his comments could violate the Model Code of Conduct, which prohibits candidates from making statements that incite communal or religious hatred.
Farmers' Protest to Resume Today
Farmers in India are preparing to resume their protest against the government's agricultural reforms today. The protest had been suspended for the past two months after the government agreed to form a committee to address the farmers' concerns.
However, the farmers have accused the government of failing to make any progress on the committee. They are now demanding the complete withdrawal of the agricultural laws.
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As Haryana prepares for Assembly elections, all eyes are on the potential candidates for the Chief Minister position. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, a two-time CM, has emerged as the leader of the opposition and the frontrunner for the position. With his experience and success in previous elections, many are looking to Hooda as the potential savior for Congress in Haryana.
As India gears up for the 2024 elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stands out for addressing the most political rallies after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meanwhile, with the focus on Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0, the government has ramped up efforts for better solid waste management and behavior change campaigns. The 'Swachhata Hi seva Abhiyan 2024' serves as a reminder for the importance of cleanliness in urban areas, with local residents urged to visit the swachhatahiseva.com website for a list of designated spots. The state's efforts for regular campaigns and public participation highlight the commitment towards sustainable cleanliness.
BJP MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal expressed confidence in the party's victory in the Haryana Assembly elections, citing the support for PM Modi. However, Congress candidate Vinesh Phogat remains optimistic and believes that the "atmosphere is positive" for the party. As of 5 pm, the voter turnout stands at 61%, with the highest in Mewat and the lowest in Faridabad.
Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik caused a stir at an event in Pakistan when he abruptly exited the stage, sparking accusations of disrespect towards the country. The event, organized by the Pakistan Sweet Home Foundation, was meant to honor young orphaned girls, but Naik left when they were called on stage for felicitation. The incident sparked outrage and has reignited debates around Naik and his beliefs, with many questioning his actions and implications for Pakistan's relationship with other countries.
Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, currently serving a life sentence for rape and murder, has been granted parole for the fifth time before an election. With his followers claiming to have received instructions to vote en bloc, the dera chief's influence on voters in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan cannot be ignored. This move comes after the dera dissolved its political wing last year and the Election Commission has banned the dera chief from indulging in any political activity. However, allegations of his influence on voters have been raised in the past as well, making this parole decision a contentious one.
In an inaugural address at the Hindu Spiritual and Seva Mela in Jaipur, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar spoke out against the dangerous rise of religious conversions in India. He criticized a "sugar-coated philosophy" used to target vulnerable sections of society, and pointed to a larger conspiracy behind the organized conversions. Without naming anyone, Dhankhar expressed concern over certain individuals aligning with forces detrimental to the nation's interests. He urged for vigilance and swift action against those attempting to fragment India.
Former Haryana Chief Minister and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar expresses confidence in the BJP's prospects in the Haryana Assembly elections, citing the significant voter turnout as a strong indicator of public support. He urges voters to exercise their right to vote and dismisses claims of opposition parties, emphasizing the importance of trusting the democratic process. Khattar also clarifies that Nayab Singh Saini would take over as Chief Minister if the BJP wins, continuing the party's leadership transition.
A traditional garba event in Indore, organized for the past 35 years, has been cancelled due to objections from right-wing groups who accused the organizer of promoting "love jihad". The controversy arose when a poster of one of the organizers, Firoz Khan, was put up in the city ahead of Navratri celebrations. The organizer has offered to leave the city for 10 days, while requesting permission for the Devi Pujan ceremonies to continue for nine days. This incident highlights the growing tensions and issues surrounding the concept of "love jihad" in India.
Royce White, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota, is facing backlash after a resurfaced 2022 post on social media in which he referred to the Allied forces as "bad guys" in World War II. He has been criticized for his remarks and is currently trailing behind Democratic incumbent Sen. Amy Klobuchar in polls. White defended his statement, claiming that he was referring to post-war reconstruction and globalist interests benefiting from the democratic order established after the war.
The highly anticipated assembly elections in Haryana are underway, with voters heading to the polls to determine the fate of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and other key candidates including Vinesh Phogat. The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is seeking a third consecutive term, while the Congress is hoping to make a comeback after a decade. The state is also seeing intense competition from other parties such as AAP, INLD, BSP, JJP and Azad Samaj Party. Stay tuned to NDTV for live updates on the election results and follow the latest news from India and across the world.