With the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024, the contest for the Kota Bundi seat in Rajasthan is heating up as Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Premchand Bairwa and Cabinet Minister Kirori Lal Meena are making efforts to woo different communities. Dr. Bairwa addressed the Scheduled Caste Conference and public meetings, targeting Congress for using Dalits as a mere vote bank and for their alleged corruption and atrocities against women. He also praised Prime Minister Modi for his efforts in uplifting women and including marginalized communities in the mainstream.
Kota-Bundi: Political Battleground Heats Up Ahead of 2024 Elections
With the countdown to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections approaching, the political atmosphere in the Kota-Bundi constituency of Rajasthan is electrifying. Two heavyweight leaders, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Premchand Bairwa, and Cabinet Minister Kirori Lal Meena, are vying for the support of various communities in a bid to secure the seat.
Background
The Kota-Bundi constituency is a politically diverse region with a population of over 20 lakh. It has been a BJP stronghold for the past two decades, with former BJP MP Harish Chandra Meena representing the seat from 2003 to 2019. In the last election, BJP's Om Birla defeated Congress's Ramnarayan Dudi to retain the seat for the party.
Current Scenario
As the 2024 elections draw near, both Dr. Bairwa and Kirori Lal Meena are pulling out all the stops to win over voters. Dr. Bairwa, a senior Congress leader, has been addressing Scheduled Caste conferences and public meetings, accusing the BJP of using Dalits as a mere vote bank and highlighting the alleged corruption and atrocities against women under their rule. He has also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts to uplift women and include marginalized communities in the mainstream.
On the other hand, Kirori Lal Meena, a prominent Gujjar leader, has been focusing on mobilizing his traditional support base and reaching out to other communities. He has been criticizing the Congress government in the state for failing to address the aspirations of Gujjars and other marginalized groups.
Top 5 FAQs
Who are the key candidates for the Kota-Bundi seat in 2024?
What is the current political situation in the constituency?
What is Dr. Bairwa's main campaign message?
What is Kirori Lal Meena's main campaign strategy?
Who is the likely winner of the seat in 2024?
The Supreme Court closed the cases against spiritual leader Sadhguru's Isha Foundation, where two women had alleged illegal confinement. The court stated that the proceedings should not be used to malign people or institutions. The case was filed by a professor who claimed his daughters were "brainwashed" to stay at the Isha Yoga Centre run by the foundation. The court had previously paused the Madras High Court's order to probe the allegations.
In a major win for spiritual leader Sadhguru, the Supreme Court has dismissed a habeas corpus petition against his ashram, Isha Yoga Centre, made by a retired professor claiming that his two daughters were being held captive and brainwashed there. The court deemed the allegations "completely inappropriate" and cited the women's statements that they were living in the ashram voluntarily. The apex court criticized the malafide intent behind the petition, calling for more responsible use of the court's time. The court also stated that closure of the case would not affect any regulatory compliances, such as the requirement for an internal complaint committee in institutions with women and minors.
A police report submitted to the Supreme Court in response to a habeas corpus petition alleging illegal confinement at Sadhguru's Isha Foundation found no evidence to support the claims. However, the report highlights concerns over the functioning of internal mechanisms at the foundation and documents cases of disappearances and suicides over the past 15 years. The report also details a case of alleged sexual assault at the foundation, raising questions about its safety and oversight policies.
In an interview with ANI, Congress MP Kumari Selja addressed speculation of discontent with the party's decisions in the Haryana elections. She reiterated her loyalty to the party and expressed concerns about ticket distribution processes. Selja also reflected on her long career with Congress and asserted the importance of respect within the party.
In response to a recent surge in hoax calls about bombs on Indian flights, the Centre is contemplating amending The Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982. This would enable stricter measures to be taken against disruptors, whether they make the calls from inside the flight or on the ground. This move comes after more than 30 hoax calls were received by airlines in the past five days, leading to disruptions in services and concerns for passenger safety.
The Israeli Defense Forces have released drone footage allegedly showing the final moments of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was reportedly killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. The video shows a man sitting inside a damaged apartment, believed to be Sinwar, and throwing a stick at an approaching drone before the building collapsed. Israeli leaders are celebrating his death as a victory and a turning point in the fight against Hamas in Gaza.
A fast-track court in Uttar Pradesh sentenced a Muslim youth to life imprisonment for illegally converting a Hindu woman to Islam through marriage and fraudulent means, a phenomenon known as "love jihad". The court's 42-page order stated that the main objective of love jihad is to establish dominance over India through demographic war and international conspiracy. This case sheds light on the ongoing debate about the prevalence of love jihad and the potential consequences if it is not addressed by the Indian government.
Hoax bomb threats continue to plague domestic airlines in India, with multiple flights receiving threats for the fourth consecutive day. Authorities have suspended or blocked about 10 social media handles for issuing these threats, while Air India and other airlines have taken necessary precautions to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu is looking into amending regulations for strict action against those responsible, as investigations have revealed the involvement of individuals, minors, and pranksters in these threats. The Royal Air Force was forced to escort one of the flights to its destination, and common phrases and words used in these fake threats have been identified by security agencies.
After communal violence erupted in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district during a Durga Puja immersion procession, local authorities have been taking steps to restore peace and normalcy. Internet services have been restored and police are urging residents to prioritize communal harmony and ignore false information spread through social media. A recent wolf pack sighting has also caused panic among locals in the area.
The National Conference (NC) leader, Omar Abdullah, took oath as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Along with five other ministers, the NC government made efforts to ensure equal representation from both Jammu and Kashmir provinces. In his first address, Omar made it clear that his government will work towards bridging the gap between people and the administration, and prioritizing balanced political representation. Despite facing criticism for not including the Congress in the government, senior Congress leaders and other political leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi guaranteed his support and cooperation for the progress of Jammu and Kashmir under Omar's leadership.