Speaking out against his ally's stance on Electronic Voting Machines, newly elected Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah criticized the Congress for changing its tune on EVMs after their loss in recent elections. He called for consistency in opinions about the voting mechanism and emphasized that parties should not blame machines for their defeat. Abdullah also expressed his support for the controversial Central Vista project in Delhi, which has further strained relations between the NC and Congress.
Omar Abdullah, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has recently expressed his opinions on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the Central Vista project in Delhi. His stance has sparked controversy and highlighted the growing rift between his National Conference (NC) party and its ally, the Congress.
Abdullah criticized the Congress for changing its tune on EVMs after their loss in recent elections. He pointed out that the Congress had previously endorsed EVMs but is now questioning their credibility. Abdullah called for consistency in opinions about the voting mechanism and emphasized that parties should not blame machines for their defeat.
In contrast, Abdullah expressed his support for the controversial Central Vista project in Delhi. The project involves redeveloping the area around the India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan, including the construction of a new Parliament building. The project has faced opposition from environmentalists and heritage activists, but Abdullah believes it is necessary for the country's future.
In 1999, the Election Commission of India (ECI) introduced EVMs for the first time in some constituencies. Since then, EVMs have been used in all elections in the country. However, there have been concerns about the security and reliability of EVMs.
The Central Vista project was announced in 2019 by the Narendra Modi government. The project is estimated to cost over Rs 20,000 crore and has faced criticism for its high cost and environmental impact.
1. What is Omar Abdullah's stance on EVMs?
Abdullah has criticized the Congress for changing its tune on EVMs after their loss in recent elections. He believes that parties should not blame machines for their defeat.
2. What is Omar Abdullah's stance on the Central Vista project?
Abdullah supports the Central Vista project. He believes it is necessary for the country's future.
3. Why has Omar Abdullah's stance on these issues caused controversy?
Abdullah's stance has highlighted the growing rift between the NC and the Congress. The Congress has been a strong critic of the Central Vista project, while the NC has supported it.
4. What are the concerns about EVMs?
There have been concerns about the security and reliability of EVMs. Some critics believe that EVMs can be tampered with or manipulated.
5. What is the purpose of the Central Vista project?
The Central Vista project is a redevelopment project that involves the construction of a new Parliament building and other infrastructure in the area around the India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Over 50 students from Jammu and Kashmir pursuing B.Sc Nursing at Mewar University in Rajasthan are facing academic and physical challenges due to the university's failure to obtain necessary approvals for the course. The convenor of Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has sought the intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, alleging that the university has been misleading students with false promises and infringing on their right to seek justice. The students have been protesting for months and their future remains uncertain as the university has failed to provide a resolution. The association has also accused the university of pressurizing the students to abandon their protests and threatening suspension and fee reimbursements under the Jammu and Kashmir Student Scholarship Scheme.
In a virtual launch event for Arvind Panagariya's book on the Nehru Development Model, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed his concerns about the model's repercussions on both domestic and foreign affairs in India. He argued that the beliefs propagated by this model still hold weight in influential sectors of the country, despite efforts towards reform. He also quoted an American policymaker's infamous misinterpretation of India's interim Hindu government in 1947, and suggested that it may not have been entirely wrong.
The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) President has accused elected representatives of BJP in Goa of being involved in a cash-for-jobs scam. The party has demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for failing to protect Goa's image from being tarnished by various scams. NSUI also highlighted the high unemployment figures in Goa and criticized the state government for misplaced priorities such as implementing mandatory uniforms in colleges while corruption continues to prevail.
With the Delhi Assembly polls only a couple of months away, the AAP has released its fourth list of 38 candidates, including incumbent CM Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi from Kalkaji. In a post on X, Kejriwal took a dig at the BJP's lack of vision and only aim of removing him from power. Meanwhile, the BJP is yet to announce its list of candidates for the Delhi polls.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah's appeal to Naxals during the Bastar Olympics marks a significant move towards ending a long-standing insurgency. His call for militants to reintegrate into society with government-backed support highlights the government's commitment to conflict resolution and regional development. This ambitious aim aims to eliminate the Maoist presence by March 2026 and foster a more harmonious national environment.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the government's determination to eradicate Left-wing extremism in Chhattisgarh by March 31, 2026. Speaking at an event to commemorate the Chhattisgarh Police receiving the President's Colour Award, Shah praised the state police for their efforts in battling Maoist insurgency. He also urged Maoists to surrender and take advantage of the state government's surrender policy, while highlighting the significant decrease in fatalities among security forces and citizens due to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The father of Atul Subhash, who died by suicide, is concerned about the whereabouts of his 4-year-old grandson after his estranged wife and in-laws were arrested for allegedly abetting his suicide. He thanks the police for their actions and appeals to top government officials to help him get custody of his grandson. Atul's brother also expresses concern for the child and thanks the police for their arrests. In his suicide note, Atul accused his wife and in-laws of harassment and extortion and criticized the justice system for being biased towards women.
On the 72nd death anniversary of Potti Sriramulu, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu honored the legendary leader's sacrifices and struggle for a separate state for Telugus from the united Madras State. Naidu urged people to take inspiration and guidance from Potti Sriramulu's values and called for collective progress. He also paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's role in unifying the nation and emphasized the need for unity in diversity. Naidu's commemoration serves as a reminder of these leaders' enduring legacy and the importance of unity for societal progress.