Month: March 2019

BJP List Shuts The Door On Shatrughan

By LokMarg Publishing

The BJP on Saturday released its list of candidates for Bihar Lok Sabha elections, notably dropping Shatrughan Sinha and fielding Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad from the Patna Saheb seat.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) released its second list of candidates on Saturday for all the 40 Lok Sabha seats.

It is believed that actor-turned-politician Sinha was dropped from the list as he has been critical of the political quarters’ top leadership on various occasions in the past.

Addressing media, BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav informed that Lok Janshakti Party’s Chandan Kumar will contest from Bihar’s Nawada and sitting Nawada MP Union Minister Giriraj Singh will contest from Begusarai parliamentary constituency.

Minister of State (MoS) Rajiv Pratap Rudy has been announced as NDA’s Lok Sabha election candidate from Saran constituency while Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh will fight from East Champaran.

Lok Janshakti Party’s Chirag Paswan, son of Ram Vilas Paswan, is set to contest from Jamui in April.

The list also included the names of Ramkirpal Yadav who will contest from Patliputra, RK Singh from Arrah and Ashwani Choubey from Buxar.

The BJP general secretary did not announce the name of the candidate who will contest from Khagaria Lok Sabha constituency citing that Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Jan Shakti Party has not finalised the candidate for the seat.

He also added that the candidates have been finalised by BJP president Amit Shah, JD(U) president Nitish Kumar and LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan.

Bihar is one among those states of the country which will go for polling during all the seven phases of Lok Sabha Elections.

In Bihar, the different constituencies will see elections on April 11, 18, 23, and 29 and May 6, 12 and 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. (ANI)

Pinkai Ghose Sworn In As First Lokpal

By LokMarg Publishing

Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose on Saturday took oath as the first Lokpal of India at the Rashtrapati Bhawan after President Ram Nath Kovind appointed him as the first Ombudsman.

The Rashtrapati Bhawan issued a press communique on Tuesday night stating that Justice Ghose has been appointed the chairperson of the Lokpal.

The four other judicial members in the Lokpal are Justice Dilip B Bhosale, Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty, Justice Abhilasha Kumari and Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi.

Members other than judicial members include Dinesh Kumar Jain, Archana Ramasundaram, Mahender Singh and Dr Indrajeet Prasad Gautam.

“These appointments will take effect from the dates they assume charge of their respective offices,” informed the Rashtrapati Bhawan statement further.

Earlier, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi turning down the offer to be a special invitee for the selection of the Lokpal.

The Centre had urged Kharge to be a part of the selection process after the apex court gave 10 days to choose the dates on which the Selection Committee would meet to appoint the Lokpal. (ANI)

It Mustn’t Remain Jumla

RealChowkidar – ‘It Mustn’t Remain Jumla’

By LokMarg Publishing

Meet Ranjit Rai, a 36-year-old security guard from a small town in Jharkhand. He is thankful to Narendra Modi’s #MainBhiChowkidar campaign for bringing chokidars into the limelight.

I am an ATM security guard. I have been in the ‘security line’ for about a decade. So, yes I belong to the ‘chowkidar’ community that is in vogue now, be it television channels or political campaigns. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s campaign may not have changed any ground situation for the ‘chowkidars’ but at least his slogan has put the spotlight on our thankless work.

Another positive thing is that now I find a little pride in saying that ‘main chowkidar hoon’; there is no longer any lowliness attached to my vocation. I find it surprisingly funny how it took a comment by the prime minister for people to finally spare a thought for the likes of us.

Hopefully, with so much debate about us these days, things will change for better when the new government is formed. I can only pray that ‘Chowkidar’ doesn’t remain a ‘chunaav ka jumla’ (political slogan).

Earlier, I used to work in a sweet shop. Those were hard times. As a security guard, my life improved a notch better. I work in an 8-hour-shift every day. I get my salary on time unlike many others. However, I continue to be a part of India’s vast unorganised sector. My salary is Rs 10,000 a month, which is just not enough to support a family of six (even in a small town like ours).

Both BJP and the Opposition have got a conversation started about the unorganized sector and I am thankful for that. However, I wouldn’t want my children to join this profession. Things move very slowly in the unorganised sector. I am trying to provide them with good education in the hope of a better future. However, sometimes it gets difficult to make ends meet. Our expenses are shooting through the roof and my salary is just not enough. Our work deserves respect. During demonetisation, it was us, the real chowkidars, who had to handle massive crowds of angry and impatient people. With the risk involved and the hectic schedule, our salaries should definitely be increased.

Whichever party forms the government, it needs to think about bringing us ‘chowkidars’ completely under the organised sector so that we get on-job facilities as well as post-retirement benefits. Besides this, functional CCTV cameras and air conditioners in ATMs, (especially in semi-urban and rural areas) would make our lives a tad easier.

Cong Targets Yeddy Over ₹1800-cr payoffs

By LokMarg Publishing

Citing a news magazine report, the Congress on Friday alleged that some top leaders of the BJP, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had received ₹ 1800 crore from former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who rubbished the charges as “atrocious and malicious” and threatened to file a defamation case.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala claimed that there was a diary which had mention about the payments allegedly made to the BJP’s Central Committee which, besides the Prime Minister, includes Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari.

The diary also purportedly contains Yeddyurappa’s handwriting and signatures, Surjewala alleged.

Soon after the press conference, Yeddyurappa told reporters that an inquiry had found the documents, cited by Surjewala, as “fake”.

“I.T. (Income Tax) department officials have already probed the issue and found that the documents and signature and handwritten notes are forged,” the former Karnataka Chief Minister said.

“The Congress leaders are apt in carrying out all these atrocious and malicious campaigns. They planted the story in the media to gain political mileage in the coming elections,” the BJP leader said.

He added that he is discussing with senior advocates to file a defamation case against the “concerned persons”.

Surjewala, basing his allegations and contentions on the media report, claimed that the diary is reportedly with the Income Tax department since August 2017 but no probe has been conducted so far.

“The diary is with the Income Tax department since August 2017. The officials of the department have even approached the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with it, seeking an inquiry by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and for the forensic examination but nothing happened,” said Surjewala.

“If it is true, then why PM Modi and all top leaders of BJP have not ordered an inquiry and get it investigated,” he said.

He added that since the Lokpal was now in place, it can be the first test case of the anti-corruption ombudsman. (ANI)

BJP Slams Pitroda For 'Favouring' Pak

By LokMarg Publishing

Senior BJP leader and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday lashed out at Congress’ Sam Pitroda for questioning the outcome of air strike conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Pakistan’s Balakot.

While speaking at the press conference in New Delhi, Jaitley said, “He believes what we did was wrong. No country in the world said this, not even the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) said this, only Pakistan was of this view. It’s unfortunate that such people are ideologues of a political party.”

Further slamming Pitroda, who is a Congress party’s overseas chief, the Union Minister said, “If the teacher is like that then his students will also be useless.”

“We will destroy the terror bases wherever it will perpetuate. Both Surgical strike and Air strike were meant to do that. We were supported by global leaders in our attempts,” he added.

This statement from Jaitley came hours after Pitroda questioned the death toll in the Balakot airstrike conducted by the IAF in Pakistan in retaliation to the Pulwama terror attack.

“If they (IAF) killed 300, its ok. All I am saying is can you give me more facts and prove it,” said Pitroda in a wide-ranging interview to ANI.

The Indian Overseas Congress chief said he didn’t know much about the Pulwama terror attack.”Don’t know much about attacks, it happens all the time. The attack happened in Mumbai also, we could have then reacted and just sent our planes but that is not the right approach. According to me, that’s not how you deal with the world,” Pitroda said.

The Congress leader argued that it was wrong to blame the entire nation (Pakistan) for the action of 10 terrorists who attacked Mumbai in November 2008.

“I don’t know much about (Pulwama) attack, it happens all the time, attack happen in Mumbai Taj hotel and Oberoi hotel. We could have reacted then and sent our planes but that is not the right approach according to me that’s not how you deal with the World. Eight people come (referring to Mumbai 26/11 attacks) and do something, you don’t jump on the entire nation,” said Sam Pitroda in an interview to ANI.

Later Pitroda clarified and told ANI, “I am talking as an individual. I am talking as a scientist. I believe in reason. I believe in logic. I believe in data. I don’t believe in emotions.”

Meanwhile, commenting on Pitroda’s remarks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi’s close aide has started Pakistan National Day celebrations by “demeaning India’s armed forces”.

“The most trusted advisor and guide of the Congress President has kick-started the Pakistan National Day celebrations on behalf of the Congress, ironically by demeaning India’s armed forces. Shame,” PM Modi wrote on his Twitter wall.

Modi To Seek Re-election From Varanasi

By LokMarg Publishing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek re-election from Varanasi in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, which he won with a huge margin of votes in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, while BJP president Amit Shah will try his luck from Gandhinagar, currently held by party veteran LK Advani.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will seek election from Nagpur, while Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Lucknow. Actor Hema Malini has been able to get re-fielded from Mathura Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh. Union Minister Smriti Irani will contest from Amethi, the seat currently held by Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

The BJP on Thursday evening released the list of 182 candidates for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, which start from April 11 in seven phases, concluding on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.

Talking to media persons after the meeting of Central Election Committee (CEC), Union Minister JP Nadda said: “Subhash Bhamre will contest from Dhule, Hansraj Ahir from Chandrapur, both ministers, and Poonam Mahajan from Mumbai North Central.”

Nadda said that Khalid Jehangir will contest from Srinagar, Jugal Kishore from Jammu, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh from Udhampur, and Sofi Yousuf from Anantnag, all seats in Jammu and Kashmir. Union Minister VK Singh will contest from Ghaziabad, and Sakshi Maharaj from Unnao in Uttar Pradesh.”

(ANI)

Pulwama Revenge – ‘Let’s Not Forget Vikas’

By LokMarg Publishing

Ajitrita Singh, a 35-year-old housewife from Varanasi, feels intelligence agencies need to pull up their socks so that another Pulwama does not happen. She whole-heartedly backs India’s response by attacking terror camps inside Pakistan territory.

On February 14, after a hard day’s work, as I turned on the television, I saw news about the Pulwama attack. The news channels were full of hatred. As I watched pieces of the jawans strewn across the site of the attack, the only thing that came to mind was:  “What if someday I die like this in a terrorist attack? Won’t even my body be found?”

Deep down somewhere I knew that the attack will not go unavenged. The surgical strike on the terror camps in Balakot, Pakistan was a step in the right direction. However, I don’t want the innocents to be caught in war, innocent Pakistanis should be kept out of all this. But the hate mongering lot in Pakistan definitely need to be taught a lesson.

At the same time, our intelligence agencies need to pull up their socks. The Pulwama attack was an intelligence failure of the highest order. Even in Varanasi, where there is a constant influx and outflux of tourists and pilgrims, the security is pretty tight. So I wonder how an attack of such magnitude could have happened in Kashmir, where probably each person entering the state is accounted for. Also, why were 2,500 paramilitary men travelling together in a sensitive zone?

When Wing Commander Abhinandan was caught, my heart sank for a moment but I had faith that he would come back. My brother-in-law is in the army and has the same gunslinger moustache, so Abhinandan felt more like a close family member and I was deeply invested in his return story.

I don’t feel important issues have been sidelined in the wake of the Pulwama attack. Unemployment is a serious issue that needs to be tackled. Narendra Modi must address it if he wants to come back to power. Personally I am happy with BJPs work. Earlier the water and electricity supply was really bad and the roads too were in a poor state but now we don’t have to worry about these basic facilities. Plus, the waste management has also got better.

Last time I had voted for BJP but this time I am giving a deeper thought. However, I will be a bit more cautious before casting my vote this year. Before voting for Narendra Modi, I want to make sure he has delivered on his promise of sabka saath, sabka vikaas or has he just created some islands of prosperity.

Bank Loan Default

Nirav Modi Arrested In London

By LokMarg Publishing

The Scotland Yard has said that Nirav Deepak Modi was arrested on behalf of Indian authorities on Tuesday afternoon (local time) in Holborn. He will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Sources said that Modi was arrested from Holborn metro station.

“Nirav Deepak Modi was arrested on behalf of the Indian authorities this afternoon (Tuesday, 19 March) in Holborn. He will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Wednesday, 20 March),” said the Scotland Yard in a statement.

The fugitive diamond merchant Modi is wanted for his alleged involvement in Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan scam. He would shortly be produced in the court, said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) here on Wednesday.

A non-bailable warrant (NBW) has also been issued against Ami Modi, wife of Nirav, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), said ED sources.

ED has also got the permission to sell 173 paintings the proceeds of which will be deposited with the investigating agency. His 11 cars will also be auctioned.

A London court on Monday had issued an arrest warrant against diamond merchant Modi. The arrest warrant was issued by the Westminster Court, sources said.

The arrest of Modi comes days after the fugitive businessman was tracked down to a 33-storey Centre Point Apartment complex in London’s Theatre district.

The tower was an office complex and was converted into luxury residences with prices ranging from PS2 million to PS55 million all with superb views over the city of London.

Modi was believed to be living in a property worth PS8 million apartments in the tower. The rent for a similar apartment in the tower comes to approximately PS17,000 a month, had stated Daily Telegraph.

One of the prime accused in the PNB scam in India, Modi is the subject of an extradition request by India, along with an Interpol Red Corner Notice being issued against him. Modi is the prime accused in Rs 13,000 crore PNB fraud, along with his uncle Mehul Choksi.

Choksi was granted citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda on January 15, 2018. Both Modi and Choksi left India in January last year before the PNB scam came out in the public. The duo has not returned to India despite repeated summons from probe agencies and courts.

(ANI)

Union Home Minister

Pramod Sawant wins floor test in Goa

By LokMarg Publishing

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday won the floor test in the state Assembly after 20 MLAs including 11 from BJP and 3 each from Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Independents voted in his favour.

Sawant had taken the oath as the Chief Minister in the wee hours of Tuesday following the death of Manohar Parrikar on Sunday evening after a prolonged battle against cancer.

Along with Sawant, 11 other members of Goa Assembly including Sudhin Dhavalikar of the MGP, Vijay Sardesai of the GFP and BJP MLA Vishwajit Rane, were also sworn-in as ministers in the new Cabinet.

After Parrikar’s death, opposition Congress, which is the single largest party in the 40-member Assembly, had written twice to Governor Mridula Sinha staking claim to form the government.

While four seats in the Assembly are vacant, by-polls in three of the constituencies will be held on April 23. The previous Assembly polls in Goa were held in February 2017. (ANI)

Mayawati

Mayawati Not To Contest LS Elections

By LokMarg Publishing

BSP chief Mayawati on Wednesday announced that she will not contest the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. She told ANI that it is more important for the SP-BSP-RLD alliance to win each and every seat it is contesting rather than her winning the polls.

She, however, laid stress that if needed, post elections, she can easily make her way to Lok Sabha by asking one of her MP’s to vacate a seat for her.

“If I will contest then my party workers, despite of my telling them not to do so, will spend all their energy in campaigning for me in the particular Lok Sabha constituency I choose to contest from. This will certainly not be in the interest of the party,” said Mayawati.

“It is more important for the (SP-BSP-RLD) alliance to win each and every seat it contests on rather than me winning the elections. If the opportunity arises after the election then I can easily make my way to Lok Sabha by asking someone to vacate his seat,” she added.

SP-BSP-RLD are contesting Lok Sabha polls in alliance in Uttar Pradesh. The RLD is contesting on three Lok Sabha seats, SP is contesting on 37 seats and BSP on 38 respectivily. The alliance has left two seats–Rae Bareli and Amethi–for the Congress.

Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be held from April 11 and will go on till May 19 in seven phases. The polls in Uttar Pradesh will be held in all seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. (ANI)