May 2023 - Page 42 of 51 - Lokmarg

BJP’s JAM Initiative Stopped Cong’s Corruption: Modi

By LokMarg 6th May 2023

Lashing out at the Congress party over corruption, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that since Bharatiya Janata Party’s double-engine government has put a stop to Congress party’s corruption, they have resorted to abusing him.

He said that BJP has ended corruption by bringing Jan Dhan Aadhar Mobile (JAM) and sending money directly to people’s accounts.
Addressing a public meeting in Badami, PM Modi said, “BJP has come with a road map to make Karnataka, the Number-1 state in the country. But, Congress has decided that it will not brush off its old habits, and will make appeasement, foul language and ‘taalabandi’ as their election agenda”.

“They are doing vote bank politics, promising to stop BJP’s welfare schemes and are abusing OBC and Lingayat community and even me,” he added.

Hitting out at former CM Siddaramaiah, the Prime Minister said that the basic facilities had not reached out to the poor in the Bagalkote region.

“Siddaramaiah has stopped campaigning in this constituency because he has understood the wave. But, people should ask him, why the poor people in the Bagalkote region were deprived of all the basic facilities. More than 3 lakh people received tap water from our government. Houses were sanctioned for more than 25000 people. More than 6 lakh people received health cover under Ayushman Bharat. 7 lakh people received benefits of Mudra Yojana,” he said.

He further took a jibe at the Congress party using the “1 Rupee, 85 paise” reference for former PM Rajiv Gandhi.

“All this shows that only a double-engine government can work for the people. Congress party which has an 85 per cent record in taking commission can never work for the people. Former PM Rajiv Gandhi himself accepted that if the centre sanctions Rs 1 for the poor, only 15 paise reach them. It clearly means that the remaining 85 paise was taken off by some people. It was because of this corruption only, that country remained backward for so long.

PM Modi added, “Today, BJP has brought a ‘Trishul’ with Jan Dhan, Aadhar, Mobile. This has destroyed all the old habits of the Congress party. In the last nine years, Rs 29 lakh crore has been transferred in the accounts of medium to small accounts in the country without any corruption. If this would have happened under Congress, as per Rajiv Gandhi’s calculations, Rs 24 lakh crore would have gone in the hands of Congress leaders only. Today, people get impatient incurring a loss of Rs 24,000. Here I have given Congress a loss of Rs 24 lakh crore. So, isn’t it obvious that they would abuse me?”

The Prime Minister further said that the party has been receiving a great response in the state and affirmed confidence in BJp securing the mandate in the upcoming state elections.

“BJP has been receiving a tremendous response from the people of Karnataka. They are turning out in large numbers. Bestowing so much affection is a speciality of the state. It seems people are themselves fighting the election for BJP in the state. This clearly shows that a double-engine government will be formed in the state,” he added.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi also held a mega roadshow in Bengaluru during the last leg of the campaigning for the Karnataka Assembly polls. He is scheduled to hold two mega road shows and four public meetings this weekend, as per the party sources.

Karnataka will go to polls on May 10 and the votes will be counted on May 13. (ANI)

PM Fulfilled Dreams Of Lord Ram Devotees: Shah

By LokMarg 6th May 2023

Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday hit out at Congress while highlighting the achievements of the Bharatiya Janata Party and said that the double-engine government in Karnataka has worked for the benefit of the people.

The final leg of campaigning for the May 10 Assembly elections have intensified in the State.
Addressing an election rally in Belagavi, Amit Shah said PM Modi fulfilled the dreams of Lord Ram devotees by constructing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

“BJP has worked for the farmers here. We have given several benefits to the farmers. Congress insulted Savarkar. But BJP developed the Marathas and respected them…PM Modi fulfilled the dreams of Lord Ram devotees by constructing the Ram temple in Ayodhya”.

Shah said that the Congress party insulted Lord Bajrang Bali.

Congress faced a major backlash from Hindu organisations after it announced a ban on Bajrang Dal in its manifesto for the Karnataka assembly elections.

“We believe that law and Constitution are sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and Organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities,” read the Congress manifesto.

Shah said that no one has trust in Rahul Gandhi’s guarantees, adding they (Congress) were defeated in states like Tripura, Assam, and Nagaland.

“It’s BJP who banned Popular Front of India,” Shah said. Previously this April, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said each vote to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will protect the State from the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI).

Notably, the PFI and its many affiliates were declared ‘unlawful association’ by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in September last year after its involvement in violent activities came to light during investigations carried out by various state police units and national agencies.

“The BJP gave ration to the public, gave water facilities and health facilities. The double-engine government has worked for the benefit of the people,” Shah said.

Karnataka will go to Assembly polls on May 10 and the counting of votes will take place on May 13. (ANI)

Army Grounds ALH Dhruv Chopper Fleet After J-K Crash

By LokMarg 6th May 2023

Amid ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the Jammu and Kashmir sector, the Indian Army has grounded its fleet of ALH Dhruv choppers in view of the May 4 crash in Kishtwar where one soldier was killed.

This is the second time in the last two months that the chopper fleet has been grounded for checks.
The first crash took place in Mumbai in March when a Navy chopper had ditched after performing VVIP duties.

Another accident happened in Kochi in April when a Coast Guard helicopter during trials made a crash landing.

“In view of the crash in which one Army jawan lost his life on May 4, operations of the ALH Dhruv choppers have been halted as a precautionary measure by the force,” Defence officials told ANI.

The grounding of choppers impacted the operations as military movements had to rely on the Cheetah/ Chetak fleet even as high-intensity operations are going on in Rajouri and Baramulla against terrorist groups.

The ALH Dhruv is the mainstay of the Indian Army which flies them extensively in high altitude and other operational areas.

The Army Aviation Corps uses different variants of these choppers including the Rudra Weapon System Integrated version. (ANI)

Manipur Students Clash In DU

By LokMarg 6th May 2023

Even with tension reportedly deescalating in Manipur, violence reached Delhi with a group of Kuki students residing in Delhi University North Campus area alleging that they were attacked by a group of Meiteis on Thursday night.

The following day, on Friday, the students claimed they tried to register an FIR at the Maurice Nagar Police Station and when the police refused to file the complaint, the students staged a protest outside the police station. Police said that the situation is now under control and action has been initiated and a few students have been detained in this connection.
The incident follows the violence that gripped the State in the immediate aftermath of inter-community clashes which erupted in a few districts of the northeastern State amid protests against the inclusion of the majority Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category.

Manipur Government had requisitioned Army and Assam Rifles on May 3 and 4.

State’s Director General of Police P Doungel has said that the situation the State has improved after the intervention of security forces.

Forces including RAF, BSF, CRPF have been deployed in Manipur, he said and that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) chief Kuldiep Singh, has been appointed as the security advisor.

The State government has also appointed Additional Director-General of Police (Intelligence), Ashutosh Sinha as the overall operational commander to control the situation in Manipur, the State DGP said.

“As a result of the proactive and timely response, Churachandpur, KPI, Moreh and Kakching are now under firm control with no major violence since last night”, the Indian Army had said in a statement on May 5 evening.

The Army said that situation in Manipur has been brought under control through coordinated actions by all stakeholders. “The situation has been brought under control through coordinated actions by all stakeholders. IAF undertook continuous sorties from two airfields in Assam employing C17 Globemaster and AN 32 aircraft,” Indian Army had stated.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday reviewed the situation in Manipur through a video conference meeting with state Chief Minister N Biren Singh and top officials in the state as well as the Centre.

A total of 10 more companies (nearly 1,000 personnel) of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were also dispatched to the violence-hit state earlier in the day on Friday following orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). (ANI)

‘Yogi Govt’s Real Test Lies in Not Allowing New Mafia Dons to Breed’

By LokMarg 6th May 2023

Madhup Kumar Pandey, a social worker in Prayagraj, says that though the end of Mafia duo Atiq and Ashraf was destined, the killing reflects the failure of city police. His views:

Organised criminals and gangs keep cropping up like water bubbles in Prayagraj; as also in various districts of Uttar Pradesh. However, after a certain period of lording over extortion rackets, such mafia dons meet a similar fate: either they get eliminated in police encounter or killed by their rivals. This is a cycle which I have witnessed throughout my life in this state.

But, the way Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were killed, live on camera and in full presence of police and media channels, is unprecedented in the history of Uttar Pradesh. Clearly, the killings must have been planned well in advance and the perpetrators were used as pawns. Their profile shows that they were mere puppets; the mastermind of this brazen act is still at large. This apparently shows the city police in poor light and raises questions about the real motive.

The murder mystery has also led to many conspiracy theories in the district. Some call it state handiwork in collusion with the police while many others are describing it as targeting of Muslim leaders by Yogi Adityanath government. Both such claims are laughable and politically motivated. It is well known that ever since coming to power, the Yogi administration has been aggressively handling with the mafia elements in the state; caste or religion have never been its concern. Vikas Dube and Ani Dujana are two glaring examples.

ALSO READ: ‘There Is Something Fishy About Atiq’s Killing’

As a Prayagraj citizen, I can safely tell you that local people are not unhappy about the killing. Mafia dons rule by spreading an atmosphere of fear in people; hence their elimination always brings a sigh of relief. What the media should question is how such criminals are allowed to prosper and thrive. Obviously, they cannot survive if the government of the day deals with them firmly.

Yogi administration has created an image where they are dealing firmly with mafia in the state. However, the real test of the Government will be that organized crime is not allowed to breed in the first place. That will reaffirm peoples’ faith in law and order.

There have been talks that after confiscating ₹11,000 crore worth of properties and assets of these mafias, the government is planning to return them back to the victims and persons from whom these assets were forcefully taken away. Apparently, this will be a tall order to fulfil but even if in some cases, such an example is set, it will only boost the image of Yogi Adityanath as an able and just administrator.

Eliminating criminals is the easy part. Re-establishing the rule of law, not allowing petty criminals to become organised mafia and bringing justice to the victims of organised crime are the touchstones where Yogi regime will need to prove its mettle.

As told to Rajat Rai

Karnataka Polls: Modi Holds Mega Road Show In Bengaluru

By LokMarg 6th May 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding a mega roadshow in Bengaluru on Saturday during the last leg of the campaigning for the Karnataka Assembly polls.

Karnataka will go to polls on May 10 and the votes will be counted on May 13.
During the roadshow panning nearly 26 km and covering nearly 13 constituencies, the people are queued up on both sides of the road where the Prime Minister’s cavalcade is passing.

While riding on the top of a truck, PM Modi waved his hands and acknowledged the crowd cheering for him. People also showered flower petals on him.

PM Modi is scheduled to hold two mega road shows and four public meetings this weekend, as per the party sources.

The first roadshow will cover about 8 km while the other will cover a distance of 30 km, they said.

Similarly, on May 7, PM Modi will also address four public meetings in different parts of the state.

Prior to this, PM Modi took out a roadshow of 5 kilometres in Bengaluru, and a roadshow in Mysore on April 30, in which a large number of people participated.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Prime Minister held a mega roadshow in Kalaburagi.

The BJP is eyeing a second term in the state and has exuded confidence in retaining power with a full majority. (ANI)

Neeraj Secures Victory With 88.67 M Throw At Diamond League 2023

By LokMarg 6th May 2023

Olympic gold medal winner Neeraj Chopra didn’t waste time to leave his mark after his recovery from injury as he claimed the Doha Diamond League 2023.

Neeraj missed the action due to an injury but, from his very first attempt it seemed as if he picked up his form right where he left off.
Chopra’s first throw was 88.67 which was a great way to start the new season. His first throw was enough to seal the victory for him but he still tried to push ahead.

After his throw, it was clearly evident that Chopra was not satisfied despite making a decent start. He was leading the chart after the first attempt.

Chopra’s second throw resulted in an 86.04m distance, maintaining his lead in the charts over Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch, who was able to reach 88.63m, and world champion Anderson Peters, whose best attempt is 85.88m.

Chora had the lead by only four centimetres. In his third attempt, Neeraj threw the spear at a distance of 85.47m. He still held on to the lead despite the decrease in distance from his first attempt.

The Czech Republic thrower moved up to second place, overtaking Anderson Peters. Neeraj made a foul on his fourth attempt.

In his second last attempt, he touched a distance of 84.37m. On the other hand, Vadlejch still could not surpass Chopra’s distance (88.47m) in his fifth attempt. Anderson Peters fell behind in his fifth attempt as he registered a distance of 82.22m.

In the end, Neeraj claimed victory with the distance he covered in his first attempt. However, the Olympic gold medalist fell short of breaching the 90-meter mark.

On the other hand, India’s Eldhose Paul, a Commonwealth Games triple jump champion, finished 10th in the 11-men field with a best jump of 15.84m on his first attempt.

Making his Diamond League debut, the 26-year-old Eldhose Paul hit 13.65m and 14.70m on his next two attempts and failed to progress further to the medal round. Eldhose Paul’s personal best is 16.99m which he achieved at India’s Federation Cup last year. (ANI)

‘Kill Kharge Plot’ Launched By BJP Leaders, Claims Surjewala

By LokMarg 6th May 2023

Congress on Saturday alleged that a “sinister and “ugly plot” is being “hatched” by the Bharatiya Janata Party to “kill” its party President Mallikarjun Kharge and his family.

At a press conference in Bengaluru today the Congress played an audio clip, claiming that the BJP candidate from Chittapur Manikanth Rathod used derogatory language for Kharge and could be heard talking about eliminating him and his family.
“BJP leaders are now hatching a plot to murder Mallikarjun Kharge and his family members. This is now clear from the recording of BJP’s candidate from Chittapur who also happens to be the blue-eyed boy of PM Modi and chief minister Bommai,” Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said.

“I know the prime minister will remain mute, and so will Karnataka police and the Election Commission of India. But people of Karnataka will not remain mute and will give a befitting reply” he said.

Pawan Khera was also present at the Congress briefing here today.

As per a Congress statement, “the brazen hatred of the BJP towards Kannadigas is manifesting itself into a ‘Murder Plot’ to kill Karnataka’s Son of the Soil, Kharge”.

It added: “The Prime Minister and the BJP leadership remain “mute” as “assassination plot” brews”.

Manikanth Rathod Rathod was arrested on November 13, 2022 for allegedly threatening Priyank Kharge, who is the Congress candidate in Chittapur, with murder and later, released on bail.

In a media conference then, he had openly expressed his readiness to shoot down Priyank Kharge.

“Intimidated by the all-round blessing of Kannadigas being showered on the Congress Party and facing a complete rout in the ensuing assembly elections, BJP and its leadership are now resorting to hatching a “murder plot” to kill AICC President, Mallikarjun Kharge, his wife and the entire family. This is clear from the audio recording of BJP Candidate from Chittapur, Manikanta Rathod, who also happens to be the ‘blue eyed boy’ of PM Narendra Modi and PM Basavaraj Bommai,” read the Congress statement.

“On May 2, BJP MLA and General Secretary, Madan Dilawar wished “death” for Mallikarjun Kharge and said “Congress President is 80 years old; God can take him away any time”. Now BJP leaders are openly plotting the assassination of Mallikarjun Kharge, his wife and the entire family,” the Congress Party alleged in the statement.

As per the Congress statement, the frustration and desperation of the BJP and its leadership has now reached dangerous proportions.

“Instead of presenting a vision of development for Karnataka, the pathetic state of the BJP is that they coin one ugly polarising issue a day to somehow save their skins from answering for the 40 per cent Corruption. Even these abusive and divisive tactics of the BJP are sinking without a trace. Now, they are using assassination plots as their last weapon in their armoury,” alleged the Congress.

As per the Congress statement, “Of course, PM Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Karnataka Police and the Election Commission will play “mute” on this sinister conspiracy to kill AICC President and his family”.

“The only befitting reply by 6.5 crore Kannadigas to this nefarious and sinister murder plot is to decimate this murderous thought process of the BJP in the ensuing state elections,” read the Congress statement. (ANI)

No Question Of Banning Bajrang Dal: Shettar Differs With Manifesto

By LokMarg 5th May 2023

Amid political uproar over the Congress manifesto for Karnataka elections declaring a ban on Bajrang Dal, former chief minister and Congress leader Jagadish Shettar said there is no question of banning the right-wing outfit.

Shettar joined the Congress a day after quitting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after being denied a ticket for the May 10 assembly polls in the state.

The Congress manifesto said the party is committed to taking firm and decisive action against individuals and organisations spreading hatred among communities on grounds of caste and religion.

“We believe that law and Constitution are sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on any such organisations,” the manifesto said.

Speaking to ANI, Jagadish Shettar said, “Many points are there in the election manifesto, why should we restrict to this issue? Banning any organization is the power of the central government, not the state government. Veerappa Moily already clarified that there is no question of banning Bajrang Dal.”

Asked about his opinion of banning Bajrang Dal, the former Karnataka CM said, “As far as a ban on Bajrang Dal is concerned, I will discuss it with the leaders in the party forum. I will talk with leaders and exchange my views. My contention is that banning any organisation is within the power of the union government only not the state government. It is my clear stand, he said.

On Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar’s statement that if Congress comes to power in Karnataka it will build more temples, Shettar said, “Temple is open to all the parties. Congress also gave assurance. What is wrong with it.”

Shettar became the second big leader from the Lingayat community to leave the ruling BJP and join Congress last month. Earlier, former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi joined the Congress.

Earlier on April 22, Shettar said that the BJP had damaged his self-respect and that people of the state are intelligent enough not to support such a party.

The BJP has made Congress move to name Bajrang Dal along with PFI a big election issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that Congress has decided “to lock up” Bajrang Bali devotees and urging voters to chant ‘Jai Bajrangbali’ to punish those who “abuse culture”.

Attacking Congress ahead of the Karnataka assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the former has become a slave of appeasement and vote-bank politics.

Addressing an election rally in Tumakuru, Prime Minister Modi said, “Congress has now started objecting to saying Jai Bajrangbali. Congress has become a slave to appeasement and vote-bank politics. Congress can never work for the welfare of Karnataka. It can never develop Karnataka. The people of Karnataka have understood the game of the Congress and the JDS. A vote to JDS will give Karnataka a weak and unstable government and a weak government can never build a strong Karnataka.”

Prime Minister Modi began his address by chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Bajrang Bali ki Jai” (chants to the glory of Lord Hanuman).

PM Modi’s remarks come in the backdrop of the Congress’s Karnataka election manifesto, including banning right-wing outfits like Bajrang Dal.

The 224-seat Assembly polls are slated to take place in a single phase on May 10 and results will be declared on May 13. (ANI)

Wake Up, Smell Some Coffee: Jaishankar To Pakistan on Art 370

By LokMarg 5th May 2023

Hitting back Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto after commented on the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir on the sidelines of the Shanghai Corporation Organization (SCO), External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar advised the former to “Wake up and smell the coffee, as Article 370 is history.”

Bhutto’s statement marked a “violation of international commitment”.

Also coming down hard on the neighbouring country over its falling global standing, the External Affairs Minister said, “Pakistan’s credibility is depleting faster than its forex reserves.”

Rebutting Bhutto’s comment on the upcoming G20 conference in Srinagar, Jaishankar further said, “Pakistan has nothing to do with G20 and also not with Srinagar.”

Meanwhile, the spectre of terrorism surfaced again in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, with the Army engaged in a fierce standoff with Pakistan-backed terrorists in the Rajouri district. The gunbattle broke out on a day Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was in Goa to take part in the SCO meet.

Five soldiers lost their lives in the anti-terror operation in the Kandi area of Rajouri on Thursday.

“Victims of terrorism do not sit together with perpetrators of terrorism to discuss terrorism. Victims of terrorism defend themselves, counter acts of terrorism, they call it out, they legitimise it and that is exactly what is happening. To come here and preach these hypocritical words as though we are on the same boat,” Jaishankar said, hitting out at Pakistan.

Jaishankar said ‘victims of terrorism’ fight terrorism.

Responding to a question from a Pakistani journalist on whether a visit by the foreign minister of the neighbouring country after a long time will help normalise relations with India, the EAM said “India and Pakistan are not on the same boat”. (ANI)