Tag: Rajasthan

COVID-19

Rajasthan Reports Two Fresh COVID-19 Cases

By LokMarg

In what appears to be a resurgence of deadly COVID-19, Rajasthan on Wednesday reported two fresh cases of COVID-19, according to an official statement by the Chief Medical Health Officer (CMHO) Jaisalmer.

According to the statement, the two cases were reported from Jaisalmer’s Babar Magra and Mazdoor Pada areas.

The health department has home-quarantined both patients and has sent their samples to find out the exact variant of COVID they were infected with, the statement added.

Earlier in the day, NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul asked fellow citizens not to panic about the new COVID-19 variant JN.1 and assured them that the Centre was taking the necessary precautions to combat the new variant.

Speaking to the media, Dr VK Paul claimed that the new variant does not cause serious illness and the 16 deaths that have been reported in the last week were people with serious comorbidities.

“We must remember that COVID-19 has not gone till now, and the people need to be a little vigilant. The government needs to be prepared for everything and hence, the government is continuously focusing on the sequencing and surveillance work,” he added.

“Centre has requested all states to increase the tests and make the citizens aware of the protocols. There is no need to panic because we all have been vaccinated,” Paul said.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the state health ministry has had a conversation with the Union Health Ministry over the rising number of cases and the state has been advised to maintain essential health services.

“This variant has been here for around four months now and there is no need to panic. Karnataka is the highest right now in the whole country in the number of tests,” Gundu Rao said.

He further stated that there would be no restrictions in the state.

Earlier on Wednesday, amid rising COVID-19 cases in five states–Kerala, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat and Karnataka–Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a high-level meeting with top officials and chief health secretaries.

“There should be no laxity in our preparedness. There is no room for politics when it comes to public health. The Union Health Ministry is available for every support,” he said.

Mandaviya assured full central support to the states affected by the recent upsurge in COVID cases, saying they were working with a ‘whole of government’ approach. He suggested that healthcare officials in the affected states conduct mock drills in hospitals every three months to ensure preparedness to tackle the upsurge in COVID cases.

“We need to be on alert but there is no need to panic. It is important to hold mock drills to ensure the preparedness of hospitals, increased surveillance and effective communication with people. We should hold mock drills in all hospitals once every three months. I assure the support of the Centre to all the states,” he added.

The Union Health Minister also urged states to ensure that preventive measures are taken amid the prevailing cold ahead of the year-end festivities.

The total number of COVID cases reported nationwide till 8 am on Wednesday was 341, of which Kerala alone accounted for 292, Delhi and Gujarat reported 3 each, Karnataka logged 9 cases, Telangana and Puducherry 4 each, Tamil Nadu 13 and Maharashtra 11, according to data by the Union Health Ministry.

The total number of active COVID cases in the country is currently at 2,311, with the total number of fatalities reported since the arrival of the pandemic in India at 5,33,321, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Sameer Rizwi Shubham

IPL: Rizwi Goes To CSK For Rs 8.4 Cr, Shubham Goes To DC

By LokMarg

Uncapped Indian batter Sameer Rizwi was sold to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Rs 8.4 crore while another uncapped batter Shubham Dubey was sold to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in Dubai on Tuesday.

For Dubey, there was a bidding war between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals and he was bought by one-time champions eventually.

“What a start to the uncapped category Shubham Dubey is SOLD to Rajasthan Royals for INR 5.8 Crore #IPLAuction | #IPL,” tweeted IPL’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year for Vidarbha, Dubey scored 221 runs in seven innings at an average of 73.66 with a strike rate of over 187, with one half-century.

Rizwi was bought by five-time champions CSK following an intense bidding war with Gujarat Titans. His base prize was Rs 20 lakh but was brought for Rs 8.4 crores.

“Base Price: INR 20 Lakh Winning Bid: INR 8.4 Crore Sameer Rizvi will feature for the Chennai Super Kings! #IPLAuction | #IPL,” tweeted IPL.

Rizw in UPT20 league this year, scored 455 runs in 10 matches at an average of over 50, with two tons and a fifty. His runs came at a strike rate of over 188. In 11 T20s for UP, he has scored 295 runs at an average of 49.16 and an SR of over 134, with two fifties.

Young Mumbai batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi was picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for Rs 20 lakh.

“Angkrish Raghuvanshi is SOLD to @KKRiders for INR 20 Lakh. #IPLAuction | #IPL,” tweeted IPL.

Uncapped batters Rohan Kunnummal, Saurav Chauhan, Priyansh Arya and Manan Vohra were unsold. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Bhajan Lal Sharma Rajasthan

Bhajanlal Sharma Selected As New Rajasthan CM

By LokMarg

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) picked Bhajan Lal Sharma, a first-time MLA from the Sanganer assembly constituency, as the chief minister of Rajasthan.

Earlier today, Rajnath Singh and other party observers Vinod Tawde and Saroj Pandey held a meeting in which Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister and Rajasthan BJP Election in-charge Pralhad Joshi was also present.

Rajnath Singh, Vinod Tavde and Saroj Pandey have been appointed as party observers for Rajasthan.

The election results in four states, especially the losses in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, came as a huge blow to the Congress’s hopes for 2024 as it is now out of power across a vast swathe of the Hindi heartland.

Rajasthan polls were conducted on 199 seats out of 200 assembly seats on November 25, as elections in the Karanpur constituency were adjourned due to the passing of the Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Koonar.

In the recent Rajasthan assembly polls, the BJP secured 115 seats out of 199, leading to the ousting of the incumbent Ashok Gehlot government, while the Congress won 69 seats.

In 2018, the Congress won 99 seats, while the BJP won 73. Gehlot assumed the CM position with the support of BSP MLAs and independents. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Rajasthan CM Announcement

Gehlot Slams BJP For Delay In Rajasthan CM Announcement

By LokMarg

Ahead of the crucial meeting to evaluate the party’s performance in the recent Rajasthan assembly polls, Congress leader and Rajasthan caretaker CM Ashok Gehlot on Saturday criticized the BJP’s delay in announcing CM faces for three Hindi heartland states — Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, saying that “there is no discipline in this party.”

“There is no discipline in this party. If we had done the same, I don’t know what allegations they would have levelled against us and misled people. They polarized the polls… We will cooperate with the new government,” he said while speaking to ANI.

Gehlot, who is in Delhi to take part in a meeting to review the party’s performance in recently held assembly polls in Rajasthan, also commented on the delay in announcing the Rajasthan BJP CM face, saying, “If Congress had not selected a CM for this long, then they (BJP) would have shouted a lot.”

“In the Gogamedi case, I had to sign a document stating ‘no objection’ to an NIA probe. This should have been done by the new CM. For seven days now, they (BJP) have not been able to select a CM; I want them to take a decision quickly,” he said while speaking to reporters.

Gehlot further accused the BJP of winning the assembly election in the state by raising religious issues and polarizing people.

“They polarized the polls; they brought issues like triple talaq, the abrogation of Article 370, the Kanhaiya Lal murder, and propagated lies that Muslims were given 50 lakhs and Hindus only 5 lakhs. They won the election by spreading lies,” said Gehlot. However, he added that they would cooperate with the new government.

Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party MP Rahul Gandhi have arrived at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi for the key meeting to assess the party’s performance in the recent Rajasthan assembly polls.

Rajasthan Congress leader Govind Singh Dotasra has also arrived in Delhi to take part in the meeting. He expressed the party’s focus on analyzing shortcomings and making corrections for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. “We will deliberate on the reasons behind why we could return to power in the state. We will analyze our shortcomings and make corrections for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections,” he said.

Congress brass on Friday held separate meetings to review the party’s losses in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and sought a detailed report from state unit chiefs on its dismal performance in the recent round of assembly elections, party leaders said. The meeting was convened by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at the AICC headquarters in Delhi, where former party chief Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders were also present.

The election results in four states, especially the losses in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, came as a huge blow to the Congress’s hopes for 2024, as it is now out of power across a vast swathe of the Hindi heartland. In Rajasthan, the vote count painted a starkly different picture to what some of the pollsters had predicted, with the BJP poised to form the government, winning 115 seats, and the Congress trailing at 69 seats. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Gaumutra States

BJP Only Wins Elections In ‘Gaumutra States’: DMK MP Senthilkumar

By LokMarg

Taking a jibe at Bharatiya Janata Party after its resounding victories in the Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, DMK MP DNV Senthilkumar on Tuesday said that people in the country should realise that BJP can only register wins in the Hindi heartland states and referred to them as ‘Gomutra states’.

The Lok Sabha was debating on the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Speaking at the debate, Lok Sabha MP DNV Senthilkumar said, “Union Territories always look toward becoming States. But this is the first case where a state has become a Union Territory. BJP has just won many of the state elections. When they are not able to win a state they make it a Union Territory where they can have control over the governor and can run governance through them. If they were confident of a win there they would have not made it.”

“So people of this country should think that the power of the BJP is winning elections mainly in the heartland states of Hindi and what we generally call as the ‘Gomutra states’,” he added.

He further said that the BJP has no chance of winning elections in the Southern part of India.

“You (BJP) cannot come to South India. See all the results that happened in Kerala, Tamil Nadu Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, we are very strong there,” he said.

Reacting to the remarks made by DMK MP, Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai said that the level of discourse of the ruling party in Tamil Nadu has touched the floor.

“Chennai is sinking due to the misgovernance of DMK and so is their level of discourse on the floor of the Parliament. After calling our North Indian friends Pani Puri sellers, toilet constructors, etc., I.N.D.I. Alliance DMK MP, makes Gaumutra Jibes,” K Annamalai posted on X.

Condemning the remarks made by Senthilkumar, Annamalai further said, “He has possibly forgotten that the NDA Alliance is in power in Puducherry and was in power in Karnataka until recently. The arrogance of DMK will be the prime reason for their downfall!”

Buoyed by his party’s recent wins in the state assembly elections in the Hindi heartland states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at the opposition asking them to be at peace with their “arrogance, lies, pessimism and ignorance” while asking people to be aware of their “divisive agenda”.

“May they be happy with their arrogance, lies, pessimism and ignorance. But.. Beware of their divisive agenda. An old habit of 70 years can’t go away so easily,” Modi said in a post on ‘X’ on Tuesday while commenting on a video snippet from a television news analysis.

The Prime Minister also snapped at the opposition saying that they need to be prepared for several such “meltdowns” in the future as well.” Also, such is the wisdom of the people that they have to be prepared for many more meltdowns ahead,” he said.

Union Minister of State (MoS) for Education Annapurna Devi said that the remarks made by DMK reflect his shallow mindset.

“The people of the state have voted for BJP and they have trust in PM Modi. The people who give such statements have a shallow mindset and are jealous of PM Modi’s popularity across the world,” she said.

The election results in the four states led to the Congress losing its governments in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh to the BJP and also failed to dislodge the BJP government from Madhya Pradesh. However, it was able to register victory in Telangana. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Omar Abdullah

If Situation Is Like This In future, We Cannot Win: Omar Abdullah

By LokMarg

Amid the results of four state assembly elections in which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading n Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that judging the results of the INDIA bloc, if the situation continues to be like this in future, the opposition alliance will not be able to win.

“Judging the results of INDIA alliance in the state elections, if the situation is like this in the future, we cannot win,” Omar Abdullah said, speaking to reporters on Sunday.

Abdullah said that the Congress’ claims in the state elections proved otherwise since the party was able to win only in Telangana.

“BJP should be congratulated because we were not expecting this result. We were hearing from our allies that in Chhattisgarh, the Congress would come to power easily, they would win in Madhya Pradesh as well, they were confident in Telangana and they were even saying that in the end they will come out victorious in Rajasthan as well. When the results came out, only their claim in Telangana stood true. Neither could they save Chhattisgarh, nor win back Madhya Pradesh nor could they win in Rajasthan again,” he said.

Speaking about the BJP’s foothold in Madhya Pradesh, Abdullah said, “If you see Madhya Pradesh, Kamal Nath was the Chief Minister for a short time, but leaving that aside, for around 20 years BJP was in power. This is BJP’s fifth term. This is huge.”

On the future of the INDIA bloc, the National Conference Vice President said, “On December 6, the Congress chief has invited some INDIA alliance leaders for lunch. They recalled the INDIA alliance after three months. Let’s see.”

Speaking on the performance of the Congress in Madhya Pradesh, Abdullah said that the Congress should have given some seats to its INDIA bloc partner, Samajwadi Party to contest.

“Either the Congress has not been able to understand the ground situation in Madhya Pradesh. What harm could have happened if they had given 5-7 seats to Akhilesh Yadav. What storm could have blown? What have they won now? The results are in front of everyone now,” he said.

On whether his party will be contesting with the INDIA bloc for the state assembly elections, Abdullah said, “The NC will be standing on its own.”

Going by trends, the Congress has been able to consolidate Telangana. In Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, the BJP seems to be winning. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Rajasthan

Rajasthan Registers 24.74% Voter Till 11.30 Am: EC

By LokMarg

Rajasthan on Saturday recorded 24.74 per cent polling for 199 assembly constituencies till 11.30 am, the Election Commission informed.

Voting began at 7 am on Saturday after days of hectic campaigning by major political parties, including the ruling Congress and BJP.

However, polling for the Karanpur assembly constituency was adjourned following the death of Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Koonar.

Voters, who lined up outside their booths as the polling process got underway on Saturday, can cast their votes until 6 pm.

Adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful and fair elections, the polling officials informed earlier.

A total of 1,02,290 security personnel have been deployed to ensure peaceful voting, an official said. As many as 69,114 police personnel, 32,876 Rajasthan Home Guard, Forest Guard, and RAC personnel, and 700 companies of CAPF have also been deployed to ensure free and fair polling, he added.

The ruling Congress is eyeing another term while the BJP is seeking to replace the Ashok Gehlot government, banking on the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prominent candidates in the fray include Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former CM Vasundhara Raje, former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot, Congress national spokesperson Gourav Vallabh, Union Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, Vishwaraj Singh Mewar, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi, and Rajasthan LoP Rajendra Rathore.

Many rebel candidates of the BJP and Congress withdrew their names after being persuaded to do so. But still, about 45 rebel candidates from both parties are in the fray. These also include MLAs, former MLAs, and party officials.

The counting of votes has been scheduled for December 3.

In 2018, the Congress won 99 seats while the BJP finished a close second at 73.

Gehlot took oath as CM with the support of BSP MLAs and Independents.

Meanwhile, police personnel were deployed after a scuffle broke out at a polling booth in Churu, hours after polling began in the state. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Sachin Pilot

Cong Campaign Was Positive, BJP Poll Effort Didn’t Catch Public Eye: Sachin Pilot

By LokMarg

Expressing confidence of Congress winning the assembly polls in Rajasthan, party leader Sachin Pilot on Friday said that people have made up their minds and the party will return to power in the polling to be held on Saturday.

“Leaders must speak on development issues in rallies, what is the planning for the future, what is the report card now. If the public issues are given priority, then a good narrative will be created in the elections. Congress’ campaign was very positive. Though BJP tried to personalize it, to stir up emotional issues, I think their campaign did not catch the public eye,” Pilot told ANI.

“People have made up their mind and voting tomorrow will be in favour of Congress,” he added.

Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark about alleged victimisation with him in the Congress, Pilot said when BJP feels that they are losing, they start saying such things to divert from issues.

“Eight crore people live in Rajasthan. When government is formed, there is support of everyone – be it the farmers, youth, forward or the backward. Efforts should be made to bring everyone together. I think caste politics or religious politics is not a healthy sign for a democracy. We should set an example for the next generation…But whenever BJP feels that they are stumbling and they are not going to get majority and they will lose, they say things like this to create distractions. But people understand everything…I am satisfied that we will get good results on December 3,” he said.

PM Modi, in his election rallies in the state earlier this week, alleged that Sachin Pilot was being victimised because his father Rajesh Pilot had challenged the Gandhi family once in the 1990s.

He also accused the Congress “royal family” of depriving “Gurjar son” Pilot of the chief minister’s post.

Pilot said “caste politics and religious politics” can be a threat to democracy.

He also called upon people to exercise their franchise on the voting day in large numbers.

“The most important thing is that the vote percentage should be good. Leader, policy and leadership–one should vote considering these in mind,” he said.

Voting will be held on November 25 in 199 of 200 assembly constituencies in the state. Over 5.2 crore people are eligible to vote in the polls. Election to Karanpur constituency has been adjourned due to death of Congress candidate.

In 2018, the Congress won 99 seats, and BJP got 73. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Ashok Gehlot

High Command Will Decide My Role After Election: Gehlot

By LokMarg

Ahead of the Rajasthan Assembly poll on November 25, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday left the decision about his political future in the hands of the Congress High Command.

Speaking about his role after the election result, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, “My role has always been whatever the high command wants. I do not decide my own role. The role that high command will give me, I will stick to that”

The Rajasthan Chief Minister also expressed confidence about bucking anti-incombency in getting a majority mandate in Rajasthan.

“People have made up their mood to repeat the government in the state this time. I believe we are moving towards 156 seats. The tradition (of changing the govt in every 5 years) is going to break this time. People in the state are happy with the kind of work we have done. In Rajasthan, it is definite that the govt will be repeated,” CM Gehlot said

“If the 76-year record of Kerala can be broken during COVID times in Kerala as earlier the people of Kerala used to choose government alternatively. We have done more work after COVID, people of Rajasthan are no less intelligent than the people of Kerala; so we will repeat the government in Rajasthan. The Bhilwara model went to WHO and we were praised all over the world. There was no hunger during COVID. We worked with religious gurus, activists and NGOs. ” Ashok Gehlot said.

Ashok Gehlot also alleged that the government at the centre was using agencies like the ED to topple non-BJP governments in the states.

“These agencies (ED, IT) are important, their actual work is for the economic offender. Their attention should be directed there so that the country’s economy remains strong and economic offences don’t take place. Their work (in that direction) has ceased for nine years, just making the government topple and rise and for that, they threaten MLAs to make them change their party. They are trying to make the government topple in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra.with ED’s pressure and IT raid. People are not liking this”

Gehlot’s confidence stems from the various social schemes that he claims his government had brought for the people.

“We have passed a law for gig workers and provided social security to them. There are demands that a law should be made for gig workers in India. Platform service providers have emerged- like Uber, Ola, Zomato and many other platforms where people are doing jobs without any security. For this law suggestions were received in Bharat Jodo Yatra” Ashok Gehlot said.

“We are giving health insurance to the entire public. We have guaranteed treatment worth Rs 50 lakh per family,” Gehlot added.

Gehlot also criticised PM Narendra Modi claiming that the Prime Minister had use inappropriate language on the campaign trail.

“Prime Minister is a very big post and his statement is not in respect of the dignity of the post because his speech lacks decency. Whatever they say to voters “Press the button as you are hanging Congress government’ is not going to work. The use of violence in language must not happen in campaigning. If they talk to people with love and affection, then you have to talk with maintaining decorum. If they want to be sarcastic and make allegations, then there are many words in the language, they must use polite words” Gehlot said.

Rajasthan is set for assembly polls on November 25, with votes to be counted on December 3.

Of the 200 assembly seats, 199 will be contested on November 25, as elections in the Karanpur constituency were adjourned due to the passing of the Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Koonar.

In 2018, Congress won 99 seats, while the BJP won 73. Gehlot assumed the CM position with the support of BSP MLAs and Independents. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Hardeep Singh Puri Rajasthan

Petrol To Be Cheaper: Puri Makes Big Poll Claim In Rajasthan

By LokMarg

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday said petrol will be cheaper by at least Rs 11.80 per litre in Rajasthan if the BJP is elected in the November 25 Assembly elections.

Addressing a poll event in the state capital, Jaipur, on Saturday, the Union Petroleum Minister said, “I am being asked what will change in the state if the BJP comes to power in Rajasthan. Firstly, I am confident that the BJP is on course to form the government here. And, once we come to power, we will work to bring the price of petrol in Rajasthan at par with the rest of the country (barring Opposition-ruled states). Petrol, in Rajasthan, will be cheaper by at least Rs 11.80 per litre if we are elected.”

Puri alleged that the price of petrol in Rajasthan was the highest in the country because of the additional cess imposed by the Congress government in the state.

He added that the Congress government in Rajasthan collected Rs 35,975 crore from additional levies on petrol and diesel over the last couple of years.

“In the last two years, the Rajasthan government collected taxes worth Rs 35,975 crore from additional cess on petrol and diesel till November 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. Rajasthan alone collected Rs 2000 crore more than 18 other states and Union Territories taken together,” Puri said.

The Union Minister added when compared to 18 states and Union Territories, the tax collection from additional cess on fuel is significantly high.

“The tax collection of these 18 states and union territories, including Delhi, Uttarakhand, Nagaland, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Ladakh, Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, is Rs 32,597 crore,” Puri was quoted as saying in a release from the Jaipur event.

“Today, the average rate of petrol across the country is Rs 96.72 per litre, but in Ganganagar, Rajasthan, the going rate for petrol is Rs 113.34 per litre,” Puri said in poll-bound Rajasthan.

Hitting back at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over his statement that the central government was imposing more taxes on petrol and diesel, Puri said the former should look into affairs in his own state first.

The counting of votes for the Rajasthan Assembly will be held on December 3.

In the 2018 assembly elections, the Congress won 99 seats, while the BJP finished at 73 seats in the 200-member House.

Gehlot eventually took the oath as CM with the support of BSP MLAs and Independent legislators. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/