Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has reportedly demanded the Chief Minister's post during his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the formation of a new government. He has also put forth three key demands, including the support from women voters, Marathas, and OBC communities, for the success of the Mahayuti alliance in the state assembly election. In case the BJP doesn't agree to Shinde's demands, Shiv Sena with its 57 MLAs is ready to offer outside support to a BJP-NCP government.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the PAN 2.0 project, worth Rs 1,435 crore, to enhance the taxpayer experience. The new version aims to streamline businesses and citizen-centric operations by using technology-driven transformation and a QR code feature. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explains that there will be no need for individuals to modify their current PAN and the new card will be introduced as an upgrade. With over 78 crore PAN cards issued to date, this development is expected to benefit the majority of individuals and small businesses.
On November 26, 2024, India commemorated the 16th anniversary of the tragic 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, one of the deadliest in the nation's history. Leaders from across the country paid their respects to the lives lost and reaffirmed their commitment to fighting against terrorism. President Droupadi Murmu, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah all offered heartfelt tributes and condemned terrorism as a heinous blot on humanity.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced plans for PAN 2.0, an upgrade to India's existing PAN system. The upgraded system is expected to be a seamless, paperless and technology-driven experience, aligning with the Digital India initiative. The new PAN card will have a QR code for quick scans and will be implemented free of cost, without changing the existing PAN number. This move aims to improve transparency, user experience, and data security in the country's financial ecosystem.
The Union Cabinet has approved several key projects covering various sectors like agriculture, energy, railway, and infrastructure among others. Details of the approved projects were shared with the media by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw after the Cabinet meeting. These decisions will have a significant impact on the country's development and progress in the coming years.
As India celebrates the 75th anniversary of the adoption of its Constitution on November 26, top leaders including President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will address the nation at a special event. The Prime Minister will not be addressing the event, instead a commemorative coin and stamp will be released. However, the Opposition has raised objections over their leader Rahul Gandhi not being invited to speak at the event. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has dismissed these claims, stating that arrangements have been made for the Leader of Opposition in both houses of parliament to be present on the dias.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to centralize government control over Waqf properties, has sparked debate and opposition from minority communities, civil society, and opposition leaders. As the Winter Session of Parliament approaches and the Joint Parliamentary Committee prepares to submit its report, all eyes are on whether TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu and JDU leader Nitish Kumar will support the government or the opposition. Amidst calls for more time for review, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has promised to pass the controversial bill, prompting further controversy and debate.
According to the latest figures from the Election Commission, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is leading in 217 seats out of 288, almost halfway through the counting process. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi appears to be struggling, with only 50 seats in their favor. BJP leader Kalidas Kolambkar from Wadala has already been declared as the winner in the first result announced. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived at BJP headquarters to celebrate the party's victory, with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari expressing confidence in their ability to form a government. BJP leader Pankaja Munde stated that the public's rejection of fake narratives and acceptance of the politics of development has led to a significant victory for the Mahayuti alliance.
As the eagerly anticipated election results in Maharashtra and Jharkhand are just around the corner, political leaders from various parties have started expressing their optimism for victory. BJP leader and Union Minister Giriraj Singh confidently asserts that his party will win in both states, pointing to the "naked dance of communalism" by the INDI alliance in Maharashtra as a reason for BJP's potential victory. All eyes are on the results as the nation awaits the outcome of these crucial assembly polls.
The Congress party has demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation in light of the escalating violence in Manipur and has also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the state before the Winter Session of Parliament begins. According to Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, the double engine government in Manipur has completely failed and PM Modi should first hold a meeting with an all-party delegation from Manipur before calling an all-party meeting at the national level. The Congress also accused PM Modi of outsourcing Manipur to the Home Minister and highlighted the PM's lack of meetings and communication with the state's leadership. Additionally, both the BJP and Congress have requested a 7-day extension from the Election Commission to address poll code violations.