March 2024 - Lokmarg - News Views Blogs

Tamannaah Stuns Fans In Gorgeous Saree

By LokMarg 31st March 2024

Bollywood actress Tamannaah Bhatia recently shared a series of pictures showing her impeccable style, leaving netizens amazed.

The actress took to her Instagram on Saturday to share a couple of pictures in an emerald green saree, which she paired with a beautifully embroidered blouse featuring golden designs. Adding to her charm, Tamannaah accessorised with stunning gold earrings and minimal makeup, exuding a captivating aura.

She captioned the post, “Green flag energy #aranmanai4.”

As soon as the actress posted the pictures, fans chimed in the comment section.

One user wrote, “Queen in Green.”

Another user wrote, “Omg you goddess.”

“Beautiful,” wrote a third user.

Meanwhile, Tamannaah Bhatia is busy these days with several projects in her kitty, including her supernatural thriller ‘Odela-2’ and the horror comedy ‘Aranmanai 4’.

‘Aranmanai 4’ is written and directed by Sundar C and produced by Khushbu Sundar under the banner Avni Cinemax.

It features Sundar himself along with Tamannaah Bhatia, Raashii Khanna, Santhosh Prathap, Ramachandra Raju, Kovai Sarala, Yogi Babu, K. S. Ravikumar, Jayaprakash, VTV Ganesh, Delhi Ganesh, Rajendran and Singampuli.

It is the fourth installment in ‘Aranmanai’ film series and the sequel to ‘Aranmanai 3’, which was released in 2021.

On the other hand, Odela, a sequel to the superhit OTT film Odela Railway Station, was announced and went on floors recently in Kashi. Created by Sampath Nandi and directed by Ashok Teja, the movie is being produced by D Madhu under the banners of Madhu Creations and Sampath Nandi Teamworks.

‘Odela 2’ is centred around the village, its rich culture, heritage, and traditions, and how its true saviour, Odela Mallanna Swamy, always protects his village from evil forces, as per a statement from the film’s PR team.

The film also stars Hebah Patel, Vasishta N Simha, Yuva, Naga Mahesh, Vamshi, Gagan Vihari, Surender Reddy, Bhupal, and Pooja Reddy in pivotal roles.

Apart from ‘Aranmanai 4’ and ‘Odela-2’, she will also be seen sharing screen space with John Abraham in ‘Vedaa’. (ANI)

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Had Kejriwal Bowed, He Would Have Been Fighting On BJP: CPI (M)’s Brinda

By LokMarg 31st March 2024

After the INDIA bloc’s ‘Maharally’ in protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat said if Arvind Kejriwal had succumbed to pressure, he might have ended up contesting elections on the Bharatiya Janata Party’s ticket.

“We can say today that if Arvind Kejriwal had bowed, then today he would have been fighting on the ticket of BJP. Those people who are on the stage of opposition are not meant to be bowed, to be sold; they are to fight for people,” she said.

She underscored the need to safeguard the Constitution of India and ensure its vitality, rather than allowing it to languish in the ICU.

“The purpose is to take out the Constitution of India from ICU and keep it alive,” she added.

Meanwhile, when Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien was giving assurances on his party’s behalf to the INDIA bloc members in Delhi’s historical Ramlila Maidan, at the same time West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee’s struck a different tone in Nadia, stating that her party is fighting against the Congress and accused the grand old party as well as CPI(M) of indirectly supporting the BJP.

Despite O’Brien’s affirmation that “TMC is very much was, is and will be part of the INDIA alliance,” Banerjee, back at home, emphasized that “Voting for Congress means voting for BJP,” implying a strategic divergence from Congress.

She further claimed that the TMC is contesting against the alliance of CPM-BJP-Congress, denouncing any formal coalition formation.

“Congress is contesting the elections in alliance with the Left here. Voting for them means voting for BJP,” West Bengal Chief Minister said.

INDIA alliance leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, J-K NC leader Farooq Abdullah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, Jharkhand CM Champai Soren and other leaders were present at the INDIA bloc rally in Ramlila Maidan, Delhi.

Opposition leaders came together in a show of strength at the capital’s Ramlila Maidan on Sunday to protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi liquor policy case. (ANI)

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Envoy Recalls Biden’s Order On Visa Wait Time

By LokMarg 31st March 2024

Shedding light on visa appointments and the waiting time concerning them, the US envoy to India, Eric Garcetti, said that President Joe Biden told him to bring down the visa times in India, adding that it was the first instance that an ambassador was told to look into something like this in any country.

Garcetti underscored that a part of the green card backlog issue is a legislative problem and said that it is what Congress will have to address.

However, he highlighted that the number of visas that have been adjudicated has brought down the waiting time by 75 per cent.

While speaking to ANI, Garcetti said, “Now, part of this is a legislative problem that Congress will have to address on the whether it’s the number of legal immigrants, the number of green cards, or the number of people who can become citizens. There’s just limits on that. Like any country, I’m sure there’s limits here, too. And that is frustrating for Indians, I think, because there’s so many Indians who want to come to America. And that’s a great part of our news, by the way. Second only to Mexicans, where Indian visas last year, the biggest number of students double the second biggest.”

“Last year, over 245,000 student visas came from India. Number one in adoptions, number one in all these categories that show 1.4 billion people, a lot of them would love to come to America. And so it’s a good problem to have. But a couple of things were changing…,” he said, on being asked about the green card backlog issue, and why there are mostly Indians who are on the backlog.

“We’ve here in not just Delhi, but across India, increased 60 per cent in a single year with the same number of people, the number of visas that we adjudicated, and brought down wait times by 75 per cent. So again, that would be more of a question for Congress to resolve.

Garcetti was asked that despite a 75 percent reduction in the time limit for visas, there is a waiting period of 250 days. Responding to which, Garcetti said, “Where the 250 is still a long way. It is, and too high for me. The president said, Eric, I want you to bring down visa wait times in India. I think it’s probably the first time a President ever said that to an ambassador in any country.”

“I don’t think presidents even focus on visa wait times, but we all have so many Indian friends who are saying, Why is this taking so long? That it even went up to the president. So the reality of that 250 is an average. And I think the typical person is actually under 200 days already. It’s difficult with the existing resources,” he noted.

Saying that India is doing quite well in its system, the US envoy went on to say, “…We actually are very responsive. It’s a huge priority for me, for the president. But the rest of the countries are like, wait a second, that isn’t even proportionate to the large population of Indians when they have a quarter of the student visas, when they have the largest group of H1Bs by far. So India is doing quite well in our system. And our system, I think, is looking at how it can continue to improve and maybe even expand the numbers. But that will require Democrats, Republicans, and independents to come together. To come together.”

For the third year in a row, a record number of Indian students travelled to the United States to pursue higher education, the US Embassy in India revealed in a release in November last year.

According to the Open Doors Report (ODR), the number of international students from India to the United States increased by 35 per cent and resulted in an all-time high of 2,68,923 students in the academic year 2022-23.

Indian students constitute more than 25 per cent of the over one million foreign students studying in the United States. The release of the Open Doors Report marks the beginning of International Education Week (IEW), which celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide, according to the embassy release.

Garcetti, as he went on to say, also revealed that the opening of two new consulates is in talks. One in Bangalore, whereas the other one in Ahmedabad.

He said, “We’ve talked about opening two new consulates in the near future, one in Bangalore, another one that will be in Ahmedabad. Two, we’re working with the Ministry of External Affairs to put more bodies in India, and they’ve been very responsive and helpful. For instance, we opened up in Hyderabad, the newest, most expensive, and most beautiful consulate anywhere in the world for the US. But it was only the counters were only one third filled because we didn’t have enough people at approved by the Indian government to come work here. And then we have to, of course, hire them.

“And last year, as part of the state visit, there was an agreement on that. MEA did a wonderful job, allowed us to hire more. And so you’ll see a couple dozen more people come on board this year,” he added. (ANI)

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DMK, AIADMK Ruled State For 57Yrs: PMK Chief Ramadoss

By LokMarg 31st March 2024

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President Anbumani Ramadoss on Sunday said that DMK and AIADMK have ruled the state for the last 57 years and have ruined everything.

Ramadoss told ANI that drugs are the biggest problem, and the government has not done anything about it.

“DMK-AIDMK have been ruling for the last 57 years in Tamil Nadu, and they have ruined the state. Today, the drug menace is one of the worst in the country, and the government has not done anything about it. School students are taking drugs in Tamil Nadu. It is very depressing for Chennai people. Every year, they suffer from floods. You can’t prevent a flood, but you can prevent the damages caused by the flood if you plan properly. People are very annoyed, angry, and upset (with DMK), and they’re going to give us a very big victory,” he said.

Earlier today, addressing people, Ramadoss emphasized that this time flower and fruit have joined together. (BJP symbol and PMK symbol)

“I request the people of central Chennai to vote for the most educated and very good human being, Vinoj P Selvam. He is the right candidate for the Central Chennai constituency. This time, flower and fruit have joined together. (BJP symbol Lotus and PMK symbol Mango) and victory is assured. In the last election, the Tamil Nadu people made a big mistake in electing DMK. We should not do this time. People of Chennai fear if December comes, the floods will arrive,” he added.

He further said that if DMK and AIADMK exist, surely they will spoil our state.

“DMK is not doing any administration; it’s completely doing business. What you have done to Chennai? They are always engaged in fighting with the Central government. We have joined the NDA alliance because DMK and AIADMK are spoiling our state; we have to come and stop this,” Ramadoss said.

The PMK chief also urged people to vote for a change in the Lok Sabha elections.

“Voters, you all have to make changes in this parliament election, it’s mandatory. They (DMK) are thinking about the next election we are thinking about our generation. Did we have given our party to you (AIADMK), EPS saying we have betrayed them, we have supported you in all times when we are in alliance with AIADMK,” he added. (ANI)

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US, India Looking For Solutions Together Amid Changing Nature Of Warfare: Garcetti

By LokMarg 31st March 2024

Praising the defence partnership between the two nations, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has said that both the US and India are looking for solutions together amid the ongoing shift in nature of warfare.

He also affirmed that both the deals between India and the US regarding jet engine and predator drones are very much on track.

While speaking to ANI, Garcetti said, “You actually prefer a defence partner, which is very high-level, very unique, and something that happened a couple years ago between the US and India. And I hope it’s the beginning of many things.”

“We’re looking at armoured cars and howitzers together,” he added.

Highlighting the changing scenario in the Red Sea, Garcetti said it is now a need to develop weapons that can confront the new nature of war.

“We need to develop also weapons that can confront the new nature of war. We’re seeing this in the Red Sea right now, that cheap drones and other cheaply-made missiles can only be brought down today by a million-dollar missile and defence. The nature of warfare is changing, and I think that the US and India are looking for solutions together,” he said.

Tensions in the Red Sea region have been escalating following repeated attacks by Houthi rebels on ships, putting immense pressure on trade, globally.

The Houthis initially said that they would target Israel-linked ships in a show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, but later expanded their targets to include vessels linked to the United Kingdom and the US.

The US and the UK have responded by hitting Houthi targets in Yemen multiple times, characterising the Houthi attacks as indiscriminate and a threat to global trade.

According to US Central Command, the goal of this multi-national effort is to defend their own countries, their partners, and allies in the region and restore freedom of navigation by destroying Houthi capabilities used to threaten US and partner forces in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways.

Meanwhile, when Garcetti, was asked about the negotiations on the deal on predator drones and jet engines between the US and India, he clarified by saying that it is not stuck at all.

“So the predator drones moved forward. Now we’re awaiting India’s last signature, essentially, but it went through the congressional notification. It was accelerated. It went ahead of some other things. It jumped the queue, showing the priority and how important we saw this deal. And even in the quote unquote, some people were predicting rockier times because of what we talked about earlier. It actually went through and shows the strength of this relationship. So those are in a great place,” Garcetti told ANI.

Regarding the jet engines, the US envoy said, “And then the engines also, you know, that will take years for engines to be made because they’re very complicated, most exquisite technology we’ve ever shared with anybody, including some of our closest allies that we have not shared this kind of technology with.”

He said that both the deals are 100 per cent on track, while adding that it is his job to help GE (General Electric) and HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), to try to get their ecosystems accelerated regarding the same.

“Both are 100 per cent on track. We’re satisfied. Indians are satisfied. My job, and I think My Indian counterparts would say the same, is to help GE and HAL, which is the local manufacturer here, domestic manufacturer, try to get their ecosystems accelerated so that we can see those in the Indian plains sooner than later,” Garcetti affirmed.

The Biden Administration notified the US Congress in February this year, of its intent to sell nearly 4 billion dollars worth of arms, comprising mainly of the MQ 9 B Drones armed with Hellfire missiles.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency, which is an agency within the US Department of Defence, said in a press release that the sale helps strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship.

It added that New Delhi continues to be an “important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region.”

“The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale to the Government of India of MQ-9B remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 3.99 billion. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today,” the Defence Security Cooperation Agency said.

According to the statement, the Indian government has requested to buy 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardian aircraft; 161 Embedded Global Positioning and Inertial Navigation Systems (EGIs); 35 L3 Rio Grande Communications Intelligence Sensor Suites; 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles; 16 M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); 310 GBU-39B/B Laser Small Diameter Bombs (LSDB); and eight GBU-39B/B LSDB Guided Test Vehicles (GTVs) with live fuzes.

The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a ‘major defence partner’ that continues to be an “important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region,” the release stated.

Earlier in 2023, US General Electric (US GE) announced that it had inked an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the government’s aerospace and defence manufacturing firm, to jointly manufacture engines in India to power fighter jets for the Indian Air Force.

The agreement includes the potential joint production of GE Aerospace’s F414 engines in India. (ANI)

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Will Kejriwal’s Arrest Make AAP More Powerful?

By Sanjoy Narayan 31st March 2024

Approximately one year from now, when the state of Delhi holds its next assembly elections, how many of the 70 seats do you think the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will get? Here are some facts to help you with your estimate: Last time the Delhi elections took place, in 2020, AAP won 62 of them, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 8; and in the previous elections, in 2015, AAP won 67, while the BJP won 3. So how many seats do you think AAP will win in 2025?

It might seem a bit silly that I’m talking about an election that will probably not happen till February 2025, at a time when everything should really be focused on the big fat Indian elections that begin next month when nearly a billion of us will vote to elect 543 Members of Parliament. Then again, there will likely be few surprises when that long 44-day polling is over and the votes are counted. Unless something totally unforeseen happens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are expected to sweep those elections and the only question is about whether they can get more than the 353 seats they won in 2019 and, if so, how many more.

Delhi’s next assembly election, though, is a more interesting subject to speculate about. As I write this, AAP’s national convenor and Delhi’s chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, is in a Delhi prison after he was arrested on 21 March by the government’s Enforcement Department, which investigates economic crimes such as money laundering offences. The charges against Kejriwal, 55, and some of his senior party colleagues who are also incarcerated pending trial, involve alleged aberrations in the granting of liquor licences to private vendors in the state of Delhi. Even as AAP refutes those allegations and the ED continues its investigations, his arrest coming just before the parliamentary elections start has raised many questions.

Kejriwal’s AAP, a young party formed in 2012 out of a larger mass civil movement against corruption, has already blazed a remarkable political path. In Delhi, it has decisively won elections to the state assembly and Kejriwal has been chief minister since 2015 (also earlier for a year in 2013-14). In Punjab, in 2022, as a newcomer, the party won the state election with 92 of the 117 seats and has been running the state’s government there. It has just one seat in Lok Sabha and has not really fared too well in other states where it has contested elections but Kejriwal’s popularity as a politician and leader has been on the rise and AAP does have ambitions of emerging as a national party.

In recent months, arrests and investigations against opposition leaders by agencies of the government of India have caught the attention of those who follow Indian politics because of their timing and also because of the people that have been targeted. In an interview to Al-Jazeera news channel, the opposition leader and Trinamool Congress MP from West Bengal, Derek O’Brien alleged that 96% of the anti-corruption cases against politicians are against those from non-BJP opposition parties. He also alleged that most of these are “trumped-up charges” that miraculously go away when some of those charged defect to the BJP.

It is for the investigators and the judiciary to decide whether the charges against various politicians stick or not but the timing of some arrests may be more than mere coincidence. Kejriwal’s rise and the growing prominence of his party has clearly been a challenge for the BJP as well as the Congress. A first-generation politician from a middle-class family, Kejriwal, who has an engineering degree from one of India’s top technology institutes, quit a government job to join politics. Like Modi he doesn’t come from a political dynasty as many Indian political leaders, notably Rahul Gandhi of the Congress party, do.

His Aam Aadmi Party has the avowed mission of being dedicated to the cause of the common man and despite several constraints that his government faces because of Delhi’s special status as a state, its achievements are notable. Here are some of them: In education, the AAP government has focused on improving the quality of education in Delhi. Initiatives like mohalla schools and happiness classes have been implemented to enhance learning outcomes. In healthcare, the Delhi Arogya Kosh scheme provides free treatment to over five lakh citizens. In public transport, the addition of 1,650 electric buses to the public transport fleet aims to reduce pollution and improve mobility.

It’s not easy for the Delhi government to operate within constraints imposed by the special status of the National Capital Territory (NCT), where certain subjects such as policing, law and order, and land matters, fall under the jurisdiction of the central government. In addition, the NCT’s 33.8 million population (with a staggering 22,800 people per sq km) poses challenges related to infrastructure, traffic, and pollution management that are not easy to tackle.

Although AAP is part of an alliance of around 26 opposition parties, the badly-named Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.), it is one of the few parties within that fold that can be expected to challenge the BJP’s formidable force in coming years. AAP may still be a small and young party but its leader, Kejriwal, has the charisma and voter-pulling power that few others among India’s opposition parties do. Many such as Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal have a sway over their own states but have been able to make no headway outside their fiefdoms. Kejriwal, who has led AAP to victory in Punjab, stands out among the others.

In Delhi, because of the state’s special status, Kejriwal and his AAP government have constantly sparred with the Lieutenant Governor of the state, who is, in effect, appointed by the Centre, and has discretionary powers over the subjects outside the state government’s jurisdiction. As a consequence, AAP and Kejriwal have become, from the point of view of the BJP, a thorn in its side.

One of the professed objectives of the Modi regime since it came to power in 2014 was to create an India or Bharat that is “free of the Congress party”. It is an objective that electorally it has achieved. In Parliament, the once powerful Congress party has just 50 of the 543 seats; and of the 28 Indian states, it is in power in only three.

With the Congress out of the way, could the BJP now be training its sights on other rising opposition parties such as AAP? Or could its recent crackdown on Kejriwal and other AAP leaders actually backfire and boost support for them? That brings us back to my earlier question: How many seats in the next Delhi elections do you think AAP will win? Any guesses?

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INDIA Bloc Leaders Huddle At Ramlila Maidan Against Kejriwal’s Arrest

By LokMarg 31st March 2024

Opposition leaders kept pouring in at the INDIA bloc rally held at the capital’s Ramlila Maidan on Sunday to protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi liquor policy case.

Speaking at the Maha Rally, Aam Aadmi Party Minister Gopal Rai said that it is difficult to understand the need to arrest a sitting Chief Minister.

“Protests have erupted in the whole country after March 21. No one is able to understand why a sitting Chief Minister has been arrested. But it is not just Arvind Kejriwal. Before arresting the Delhi Chief Minister, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was arrested as well. With the misuse of the ED and CBI, democracy is under attack…,” Gopal Rai said at the rally on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters about the INDIA bloc’s rally at Ramlila Maidan, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said, “Democracy is being attacked. The whole country is standing in the favour of democracy. And we have come here to give the same message.”

DMK MP Tiruchi N Siva said that Chief Minister MK Stalin could not make it to the rally owing to the elections in the state which is going to polls in the first phase on April 19.

“…The INDIA bloc is holding a big rally today. As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned it is facing the parliament elections in the first phase, which is on April 19. So our leader and Chief Minister MK Stalin who was about to participate in this rally is not in a position to attend it. So he has delegated me to attend the rally…,” he said.

Congress MP Deepender Hooda who was also at the Maha Rally said, “This battle is to safeguard the nation, democracy, constitution, future of the nation, youth, farmers and women. This battle is for justice and truth. We believe the whole country will support the INDIA bloc in this battle. Everyone will unite to fight this battle.”

Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other INDIA bloc leaders were present at the rally in Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.

The grand rally was also graced by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s wife Kalpana Soren.

“…We are doing this to save the democracy of our country. The INDIA Alliance parties are gathering here and through this, we want to tell the people of the nation and those who have gathered here today that you have to come forward to fight for your democracy…,” Kalpana Soren said speaking to reporters.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren arrived in Delhi to attend the Maha Rally.

“This Maha Rally of the grand alliance is for saving the democracy and letting people know how the central government is promoting dictatorship,” he said.

Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Akhilesh Yadav said, “The BJP is being criticised all over the world after Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest… The Opposition and the ones who speak the truth are being attacked, the BJP is being criticised…”

Congress General Secretary KC Vengopal accused the central government of refusing to provide a level playing field to opposition political parties ahead of the elections.

“Now the Government of India under the leadership of PM Modi is completely refusing to provide a level playing field to political parties, especially the opposition parties. How can you ensure free and fair elections in this environment? They want to hijack the entire election process, which is why they are targeting only opposition parties and leaders. This is the biggest rally that we are organising against BJP…,” Venugopal said.

In reaction to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s, “Can’t trust Congress” remark, the senior Congress leader said, “The issue now is that there is no level playing field for political parties in India, especially opposition parties. The government is misusing the agencies. ED is now working like BJP goons, we are opposing it…”

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said that the opposition and the people have come together at the Ramlila Maidan.

“The Opposition and the people have come together here. Now, it is BJP versus India. There should be a change and the dictator government should go now…,” Tiwari said.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21. He is in custody till April 1. (ANI)

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Tejashwi Yadav launched the 'Parivartan Patra' manifesto

ED, CBI, IT Are Cells Of BJP: Tejashwi

By LokMarg 31st March 2024

Former Bihar Deputy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who was at the INDIA bloc rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, criticised the BJP-led central government’s use of central agencies against the opposition and said that the Enforcement Directorate, Central Bureau of Investigation and Income Tax are the cells of the BJP.

“The ED, CBI and IT are the cells of the BJP. Lalu Ji has been harassed a lot of times. There have been cases against me. My mother, my sisters, my brother-in-law, all the relatives of my father, there were cases against everyone. Many of our leaders are being raided currently. ED, IT raids are underway. But we are not going to be scared. We will struggle. Only lions are caged. All of us are lions. We are fighting for you,” the RJD leader said at the Maha Rally.

Hitting out at the central government, TMC MP Derek O’Brien said that this fight is “BJP versus democracy.”

“All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) is very much, was and will be a part of the INDIA allaince. This is the fight of BJP versus democracy. This fight is for Modi ki guarantee which has zero warranty. Zero warranty when it comes to price rise, jobs and protecting your institutions,” the TMC leader said.

National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other INDIA bloc leaders were present at the rally in Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21. He is in custody till April 1. (ANI)

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Army GCM Acquits Retired JCO In Sensitive Info Leak Case

By LokMarg 31st March 2024

An Army General Court Martial has recommended the acquittal of a retired Subedar facing trial in a case where it was alleged that the Junior Commissioned Officer had failed to protect sensitive information under his charge.

The JCO was charged under the provisions of the Official Secrets Act, where it was alleged that while performing the duties of Head Clerk, he failed to take reasonable care of the documents with sensitive information.

The entire episode happened in 2020-21, when the JCO was still in service and the information was leaked allegedly by soldiers posted in an Army formation.

The JCO was also charged under Section 63 of the Army Act and blamed for not carrying out proper supervision of information and documents, which led to their leakage.

The Subedar had retired already in October 2021 from the Army but was recalled since Army Act Section 123 was invoked against him for completion of disciplinary action pending against him.

The GCM assembled on January 4, 2024, wherein, in total, 8 prosecution witnesses were examined.

The lawyer of the JCO Advocate Akshit Anand, told ANI that there was no evidence on record that the JCO had any access or authority over the documents that were alleged to have been leaked and the court also did not find any evidence that the JCO had omitted to exercise proper supervision over the leaked documents.

“This was a case where the JCO, after retirement, had been charged under Section 5 of the Official Secrets Act as well as Army Act Section 63. There was no evidence to prove the charges against JCO and the GCM has rightly acquitted the JCO and justice has prevailed,” Anand said.

More trials are likely to be carried out in the case in related matters.The recommendation of the Army GCM headed by a Colonel is subject to confirmation by the higher authorities in the force, Anand said. (ANI)

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It Would Be Party’s Decision: Omar Abdullah on Contest Elections This Time

By LokMarg 30th March 2024

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said on Saturday that it would be the party’s decision whether he would contest the elections this time or not.

“There are a lot of rumours during the election time. Whether or not will I fight the elections or from where I will fight the elections, it would be the party’s decision, not mine. I cannot say anything about it,” he said.

Ahead of the INDIA bloc’s ‘Maharally’ at Ram Leela Maidan tomorrow, Omar said that from his party, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah will participate.

“The INDIA Bloc is going to organise a program at the Ram Lila Maidan in Delhi tomorrow. From the National Conference, leader Farooq Abdullah will participate in it,” he said.

Notably, two Members of Parliament (MPs) of the Trinamool Congress, including Derek O’Brien and Sagarika Ghose, will join the INDIA alliance rally on March 31 at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, said TMC leader Shashi Panja.

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai on Friday announced that several prominent leaders from the INDIA alliance will participate in a rally at Ramlila Maidan on March 31 in support of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal following his recent arrest.

Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Akhilesh Yadav, Farooq Abdullah, Bhagwant Mann, Champai Soren, Tejashwi Yadav, and Sitaram Yechury and many more leaders have been confirmed to join the rally, Rai said.

On being asked about when his party will release the candidate list for the Lok Sabha polls, Omar Abdullah said that they will announce it as per their wish and nobody except Sajjad Lone has declared candidates in the Union Territory.

“Who else has announced the candidates except for Sajjad Lone? I have not heard the name of any candidate for the three seats of Kashmir. Everyone is asking about the candidates for the National Conference as if everyone is waiting for us only. We will announce (the candidates) when we wish. It is possible that the announcement would be made after the notification or at the last date of nomination. It is our wish,” the National Conference leader said.

The Lok Sabha polls in the Union Territory will be held in the first five phases on April 19 (Udhampur), April 26 (Jammu), May 7 (Anantnag-Rajouri), May 13 (Srinagar) and May 20 (Baramulla).

The counting of votes will be taken up on June 4. (ANI)

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