In a major development for the Congress party, veteran BJP leader Birender Singh and his family have officially joined the party, returning to their "ideological home". Along with his wife and former legislator Prem Lata, Singh was welcomed into the party by top leaders including former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and AICC general secretaries Randeep Singh Surjewala and Kumari Selja. Speaking on the occasion, Singh emphasized the importance of saving the Republic, the Constitution, and Parliamentary democracy in India, calling for like-minded people to come together for this cause.
Congress Party Welcomes Birender Singh and His Family
In a significant move, veteran BJP leader Birender Singh, along with his wife and former legislator Prem Lata, have rejoined the Congress party. The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi.
Background
Birender Singh, a three-time BJP MP, served as the Union Minister for Steel and Mines from 2014 to 2019. He rose through the ranks of the BJP, holding various positions within the party and government. However, in recent months, there had been speculations about his growing dissatisfaction with the BJP leadership.
Political Significance
Singh's return to the Congress is seen as a major boost for the party in Haryana, where the BJP has been making inroads in recent years. Singh is a prominent Jat leader with a strong political following in the state. His decision to join the Congress is expected to strengthen the party's base in Haryana ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
Statements from Key Figures
After joining the Congress, Birender Singh emphasized the need to protect the republic, the constitution, and parliamentary democracy in India. He called for like-minded people to come together to fight against the forces that are trying to undermine these fundamental principles.
Congress leaders welcomed Singh and his family into the party, expressing their confidence that his experience and commitment will be invaluable. Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that Singh's return to the Congress was a "shot in the arm" for the party.
FAQs
According to Singh, he decided to rejoin the Congress due to his growing dissatisfaction with the BJP leadership and his concern over the state of parliamentary democracy in India.
Singh's return is seen as a major boost for the Congress in Haryana, where the party is facing stiff competition from the BJP. His political clout and experience are expected to strengthen the party's base in the state.
Singh's departure from the BJP is a setback for the party, particularly in Haryana. The BJP may have to work harder to retain its support base in the state ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.
Singh is expected to play a key role in the Congress's campaign for the upcoming Haryana assembly elections. The party will be hoping to capitalize on his political experience and connections to regain power in the state.
Analysts believe that Singh's return is a positive move for the Congress, but it remains to be seen how much impact he will have on the party's electoral fortunes. Some analysts suggest that his return could help the Congress regain support among Jat voters, while others caution that the BJP may still be the dominant force in Haryana.
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.
In a bold move, Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal and three legislators, belonging to the Ajit Pawar faction of NCP, jumped off the third floor of the state secretariat building in Mumbai to oppose the demand for the Dhangar community's inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes category. Fortunately, they landed safely on a net installed in the building to prevent suicide attempts. Officials confirmed that none of them sustained any injuries. The incident was a part of a larger protest by tribal MLAs in the Mantralaya complex during a cabinet meeting, where Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis were present.
Amidst ongoing protests against the ST reservation demanded by the Dhangar community, Maharashtra Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal reportedly attempted to jump from the third floor of the state secretariat building. The NCP MLA landed safely on a safety net, along with two other tribal legislators who also jumped in protest. The Ajit Pawar faction leader and other tribal MLAs were demanding that Dhangars not be given ST reservation and instead be given services under the PESA Act. The situation remains tense as discussions on the issue continue.
A division bench of the Telangana High Court has formed a committee to review disqualification petitions filed against three Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders who defected to the Congress. The High Court has also declined to stay a single-judge order warning the State assembly speaker of further court proceedings if he does not decide on the petitions. The case raises the question of whether the High Court can order a speaker to decide on disqualification petitions within a fixed time frame.
With the Haryana state legislative assembly elections around the corner, the Chief Electoral Officer urges voters to ensure their names are included in the voter list. While a voter ID card is the most commonly used identity document, the ECI has prescribed 12 alternative options, including Aadhaar card and Indian passport, for those without one. The voter list is available online and through a helpline number, with registration being mandatory in order to cast a vote. The upcoming elections will see a competition between the BJP, who secured 40 seats in the 2019 elections, and Congress, who won 30 seats.