In preparation for the upcoming Rajya Sabha bypolls, the BJP has released its list of nine candidates out of the 12 seats that will be contested. The remaining three seats will be given to NCP's Ajit Pawar faction, alliance partner Upendra Kushwaha, and Brahmin face Manan Kumar Mishra. The party is using this opportunity to strengthen its presence in states like Maharashtra and Haryana, as seen through the strategic nominations of Kiran Chaudhary and Nitin Patil.
During a two-day meeting in Guwahati, the BJP announced its plans to contest and win both vacant Rajya Sabha seats in Assam. State BJP President Bhabesh Kalita expressed confidence in the party's chances and the support from other NDA partners. A crucial meeting is scheduled for tomorrow with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, where strategies for the upcoming panchayat and Rajya Sabha polls will be discussed. Additionally, Kalita raised concerns about the safety of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and criticized the Congress for its silence on the issue.
Indian IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has revealed that WhatsApp and its parent company Meta did not inform the government about their plans to exit their services in India. This was brought to light when he answered a question raised in the Rajya Sabha. The minister also shared that earlier this year, WhatsApp had warned about shutting down its services in India if asked to break encryption, citing user privacy concerns. This news highlights the ongoing battle between WhatsApp and the Indian government regarding data privacy and encryption laws.
In a significant move, senior Indian leader K Keshava Rao has returned to the Congress party, describing it as a "worthy homecoming". This comes after Rao had previously left Congress to join the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), now known as the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), in 2013. The announcement was made by Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who welcomed Rao back into the fold and expressed confidence in his leadership and experience.
In Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a fierce criticism against the Opposition for their silence on the recent public flogging of a woman in West Bengal. He accused them of having a "selective approach" towards crime against women and cited the incident as a prime example. The video had sparked widespread outrage against the Mamata Banerjee-led government in Bengal. The Opposition, led by the Congress, staged a walkout in protest after their leader was not allowed to intervene during PM Modi's speech. The Prime Minister continued his address amid the slogan-shouting.
In a tragic incident in Chennai, the daughter of a Rajya Sabha MP from the YSR Congress Party allegedly ran over a man while he was sleeping on a pavement. The victim, a 21-year-old painter, succumbed to his injuries. The suspect was arrested and released on station bail. This incident, reminiscent of a similar case in Pune, has sparked outrage and demands for justice from the victim's family and community.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar refuted reports of dissent within his party regarding his wife Sunetra Pawar's nomination for the Rajya Sabha seat. He claimed that false news was being deliberately planted by his opponents and associates. Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal also supported Pawar's statement and stressed that the party's parliamentary board had made the decision to nominate Sunetra Pawar. Ajit Pawar also addressed the blame of the electoral defeat of NCP and Mahayuti, mentioning discontent among onion growers as a contributing factor.
The Election Commission of India has declared the dates for Rajya Sabha polls in Kerala and Maharashtra, with elections taking place on June 25. This comes as the term of office for three Kerala members of Rajya Sabha is set to expire in July 2024. A bypoll for the Council of States from Maharashtra will also be held on the same date, following the resignation of former Union Minister, Praful Patel. The important dates for the upcoming elections have also been listed, with polling set to take place from 9 am to 4 pm on June 25. Stay updated with the latest election news on Manorama Online App.
Sushil Kumar Modi, a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and former deputy chief minister of Bihar, passed away on Monday night at the age of 72. The news was met with grief and condolences from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders. Sushil Modi had previously served as the deputy CM of Bihar and was also a former Rajya Sabha MP. He breathed his last at AIIMS in Delhi and will be cremated in Patna on Tuesday.
At a press conference, Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of hatching a conspiracy to harm Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and questioned the Enforcement Directorate over a fake diet chart released to the media. Singh also criticized BJP leaders for mocking Kejriwal's ailment and spreading misleading news about him. However, he reaffirmed that Kejriwal will not be broken or bowed down by their actions.