Union Home Minister Amit Shah has officially stated that Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, will never be restored as it is now "history." During his visit to the valley, Shah also announced the release of a new BJP manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections, which includes promises of development and progress for the state. The removal of Article 370 in 2019 has sparked controversy and division among political parties in the region, with some promising to restore it if elected into power. However, Shah made it clear that the BJP will never allow it to be reinstated, stating that it only caused harm to the youth and stability of the state.
With the Assembly polls nearing, Home Minister Amit Shah lambasted the Congress-NC alliance during a rally in Jammu, accusing them of attempting to revive the "old system" in the region. He also promised that statehood would be restored at an "appropriate time" after the elections, and emphasized that the NDA government will continue to combat terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP's manifesto for the upcoming polls includes a unique scheme that will provide financial assistance to the eldest woman in every family and free gas cylinders under the Ujjwala scheme.
Following an interview with ANI, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, recalls the 1999 IC814 hijacking and its connections to an earlier kidnapping in 1989 when Rubaiya Sayed, daughter of Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, was abducted by Kashmiri separatists. Abdullah explains the precedent set during the negotiation for Rubaiya's release, and how it became a benchmark for similar situations, such as the IC814 hijacking. He also shares insights on Afzal Guru's execution and the state's role in the decision-making process.
The Congress party has slammed the BJP's manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, accusing it of being a "jumla patra" and using false promises to gain sympathy. The manifesto, released by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, promises 25 guarantees including the restoration of 100 "ruined temples" and the creation of five lakh jobs. However, the Congress points out that these proposals were not considered during the BJP's tenure in the state and the party dismisses them as empty promises. The Congress also highlights the difficulties faced by the public under the BJP's rule, including heavy taxes, unemployment, and inflation.
The recent spate of violence in Manipur continues as a rocket attack at the home of a late former chief minister resulted in the death of an elderly man and injured five others. The rocket, alleged to have been fired from a Kuki-majority area, hit the home and destroyed two structures. This attack comes after a series of drone bombings in the valley, leading to heightened tensions between the Kuki and Meitei communities. In response, Meitei associations have declared a public emergency, urging people to stay indoors.
In the wake of recent flooding in India, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference to discuss the progress of relief efforts with officials and ministers. The meeting focused on sanitation measures and updates on other essential services for affected areas. Additionally, CM Naidu announced plans to summon skilled technicians to assist with repairing damaged electronic items in vehicles and homes.
In response to the devastating Wayanad landslide disaster that claimed over 200 lives, the Kerala government has announced plans for a new 'community living' style township to rehabilitate the survivors. Minister K Rajan revealed that the government has identified two locations, Kottappadi and Kalpetta, for the township to provide not just homes but also jobs and education for those affected. The aim is to ensure a holistic life for the victims and help them rebuild and move forward.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has posed a tough set of questions for the Congress leadership regarding their alliance with the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir. Among the questions, the most pointed one is about the party's stance on reservation for marginalized communities, which has been a sensitive issue for the BJP. This crucial move by Shah shows the party's unease in the face of social justice gaining traction in national politics, and raises questions about its strategy going forward.
In a major political development, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Ranchi on Friday. The 67-year-old tribal leader was welcomed by union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Soren's decision to switch parties comes after meeting with union home minister Amit Shah and resigning from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) party. Chouhan welcomed Soren as the "Tiger of Jharkhand" and promised to form the government in Jharkhand with his support.
A 48-year-old Indian national, Vijayaletchumy fell into a sinkhole while walking on Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed his condolences and assured that the search and rescue operation will continue. The victim's family is scheduled to return home to India the next day after a two-month visit to Malaysia.