Tag: President

Maldivian Democratic Party

Abdullah Shahid Appointed Prez Of Maldivian Democratic Party

By LokMarg

The former Maldivian minister of foreign affairs, Abdullah Shahid was appointed as the president of the country’s largest opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party on Tuesday.

This comes after former party president Mohammed Nasheed left the party on June 21 last year, Adhadhu reported on Tuesday.

Adhadhu is a local Maldivian media outlet.

According to the report, the party presidential post was temporarily held by former President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih.

Shahid served as the speaker of the Maldivian Parliament and President of the 76th session of the General Assembly

After being announced as the party president, Abdullah Shahid posted on X, “Alhamdulillah! I take on the immense responsibilities of the President of the Maldivian Democratic Party, with the trust of all party members and determined to take this Party forward with renewed determination. By the will of the Almighty Allah SWT, MDP will fulfill the hopes of this nation and our beloved citizens.”

Earlier, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and The Democrats jointly issued a joint press statement, labelling the shift in foreign policy against India as ‘extremely detrimental’ to the country’s long-term development.

The statement served to reassert and affirm the opposition’s belief that “alienating any development partner, and especially the country’s most long-standing ally will be extremely detrimental to the long-term development of the country”.

The opposition further underscored that “stability and security in the Indian Ocean is vital to the stability and security of the Maldives.”

Both the MDP and The Democrats emphasized the critical need for consecutive governments to maintain the ability “to work with all development partners for the benefit of the people of the Maldives, as the Maldives has traditionally done”.

They expressed the view that a departure from the historical collaboration with India could potentially jeopardise the country’s stability and progress.

A recent Reuters report stated that a Chinese research vessel was heading to the Maldives, adding that the timing of the development was significant, coming close on the heels of Maldivian President Muizzu’s recent state visit to China, during which the two leaders aimed at strengthening ties.

Responding to the report, the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the island country has always been a welcoming destination for vessels of ‘friendly nations’ and continues to host both civilian and military vessels making port calls for peaceful purposes.

The development, however, has raised concerns in New Delhi, as India has previously viewed the presence of such vessels near its shores, including in Sri Lanka in 2022, as problematic, Reuters added in its report.

India and the Maldives on January 14 “agreed to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel” from the island nation, according to the Maldives’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The removal of Indian troops in the Maldives was the main campaign plank of Muizzu’s party during the Presidential elections. Currently, there are around 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, stationed On the second day of assuming office, Muizzu officially requested the Indian government to withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives.

Apart from the call for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel, a massive row erupted after a Maldivian deputy minister, along with other cabinet members and government officials, made disparaging and unsavoury references to Primer Minister Narendra Modi’s recent Lakshadweep visit and call to development the Indian archipelago as a global retreat for beach tourism.

The Maldives government, however, distanced itself from the remarks.

Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Moosa Zameer, said the remarks against foreign leaders are “unacceptable” and do not reflect the official position of the government. (ANI)

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Central Agencies Given Free Hand: PM

Modi To Reply On ‘Motion Of Thanks’ In RS Today

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

President Droupadi Murmu had addressed the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on January 31, the first day of the Budget Session.

PM Modi replied to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in Lok Sabha on Monday.

During his speech, he said that the third term of his government is not far and this time the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will win 400 seats and the Bharatiya Janata Party, individually will get 370 seats.

“A Ram Temple of Lord Ram was built which will continue to give new energy to the great tradition of India. Now the third term of our government is not far. Maximum 100 days left. The whole country is saying that ‘Abki baar 400 paar’. I don’t go into numbers but I can see the mood of the country. It will make the NDA cross 400 and BJP will get 370 seats,” PM Modi said.

“We all saw the abolition of 370. Article 370 was abolished before the eyes of these many MPs and with the power of their votes. Nari Shakti Adhiniyam became law in the second term. From Space to the Olympics, there is an echo of the power of women’s empowerment. People have seen the projects that were pending for years being completed,” he added.

A general discussion on the Union Interim Budget 2024-25, and the Interim Budget on Jammu and Kashmir 2024-25 is also to be started in the Upper House today after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address.

Apart from this, as per the List of Business in the House for the day, Rajya Sabha MPs Harnath Singh Yadav and Ram Nath Thakur will lay on the table, a copy of the statement showing action taken by the government on 62nd Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing on the action-taken by the government on the Observations/Recommendations contained in the Fifty-Third Report on ‘Demands for Grants (2023-24)’ of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Department of Fisheries).

MPs Satish Chandra Dubey, and Dr Ashok Bajpai will lay on the table, a copy of the following reports of the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (2023-24): Thirty Ninth Report of the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (2023-2024) on “Regulation of Weights and Measures with specific reference to Dispensing Machines at Fuel Stations” pertaining to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Department of Consumer Affairs); and Fortieth Report of the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (2023-2024) on “Transforming Fair Price Shops” pertaining to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Department of Food and Public Distribution).

Union MoS, Danve Raosaheb Dadarao will make a statement regarding status of implementation of recommendations contained in the 37th Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal, Mines and Steel on ‘Import of Coal – Trends and issue of self-reliance (2022-23)’ pertaining to Ministry of Coal.

The Budget Session, which began on January 31, will be spread over eight sittings spread over a period of 10 days and may conclude on February 9. (ANI)

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One Nation One ElectionRam Nath Kovind

Oppn Leaders Oppose ‘One Nation, One Election’ In Meet With Panel Head Kovind

By LokMarg

The chairman of the High-Level Committee (HLC) on One Nation One Election and former President, Ram Nath Kovind, on Tuesday met and interacted with representatives of Trinamool Congress leaders Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Kalyan Banerjee who put forth their opinions on the subject.

The panel chief also met Communist Party of India (Marxist) secretary general Sitaram Yechury and former Rajya Sabha MP Nilotpal Basu and others as part of consultations with political parties. The leaders presented their views on holding simultaneous elections in the country.

Meanwhile, from the Samajwadi Party, KK Srivastava and Dr Harish Chander Yadav attended the meeting, articulating the party’s position with regard to holding simultaneous Elections.

Representatives of these parties also handed over their suggestions in writing to the committee.

Speaking to media persons after calling on the committee’s chairman, TMC leader and MP Kalyan Banerjee said, “Today we appeared before the committee headed by our former President. We opposed the idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’. We are of the view that there is a hidden agenda to replace the time-honoured parliamentary democracy in India towards a dictatorship or a presidential form of government in future. Our constitutional provisions cannot and should not be interfered with.”

Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to the high-level committee on ‘One Nation, One Election’, saying that she did not agree with the idea of holding simultaneous elections as the Constitution does not provide for the same.

“Does the Indian Constitution follow the concept of ‘One Nation, One Government? I am afraid it does not. Our Constitution conceives of the Indian nation in a federal manner. Therefore, the Indian nation has been given a Union government and several State governments. If the framers of the Indian Constitution did not mention the concept of ‘One Nation, One Government, how have you arrived at the concept of ‘One Nation, One Election’?” the TMC Supremo stated in her letter to the panel.

After meeting with the High-Level Committee, Yechury told reporters on Tuesday, “We totally disagree with terms of reference of this committee because it is presumed that ‘One Nation, One election’ is possible and all that remains to be decided is how to implement it. In our opinion this presumption itself is wrong. ‘One Nation, One Election’ runs contrary to the spirit of our Constitution. It is anti-democratic and anti-federalism. When a govt loses its majority on the floor of the House, then its continuation is completely undemocratic.”

“India is a vast country with myriad diversities and only a federal set-up can sustain political democracy. Having elections in states at different times is one aspect of the federal system. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is totally opposed to any artificial attempt to bring about simultaneous elections which can only be done by trampling upon the existing Constitutional scheme of parliamentary democracy,” the CPI(M) stated recently.

Samajwadi Party representatives KK Srivastava and Dr Harish Chander Yadav also handed over the written submissions to the committee, stating that ‘One Country, One Election’ may lead to major gains for national parties while state-level parties are likely to suffer losses. They also voiced fears that it may further aggravate the differences between national and state parties.

According to the Samajwadi Party, there will be many constitutional, structural and political challenges in implementing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ law, as, to extend the tenure of any Legislative Assembly or Lok Sabha by even a day, the Constitution will have to be amended or President’s rule will have to be imposed. Also raising questions on constitutional safeguards or arrangements will be ensured in states where governments are dissolved mid-term, the SP leaders also questioned how a consensus will be reached to increase or decrease the tenure of the legislative assembly.

Earlier, on January 27, Ram Nath Kovind held consultations with Justice UU Lalit, former Chief Justice of India and Justice Sanjib Banerjee, former Chief Justice of Madras High Court and Manan Kumar Mishra, Chairman of the Bar Council of India, who gave their considered opinions on the subject.

Continuing his deliberations with political parties, Kovind also held interactions with Deepak ‘Pandurang’ Dhavalikar, president, of Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party, Goa. The party offered its strong support to the idea of ‘One Nation One Election’, inter alia, arguing that it will strengthen grassroots democracy.

Recently, the committee had also met a delegation of Lok Jan Shakti Party, comprising members including Pashupati Kumar Paras, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, President Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), Prince Raj (Member of Parliament, Samastipur, Lok Sabha), Sanjay Sarraf, Spokesperson, Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), and Ramji Singh, General Secretary, Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP).

The committee had also held consultations with eminent jurists Justice Dilip Bhosale, former Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court, and Justice Rajendra Menon, former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, who articulated their views on the subject.

Initiating discussions with financial and economic experts, Kovind also held interactions with Ajay Singh, president of ASSOCHAM, and chairman and managing director of Spicejet Airlines, who was also accompanied by the Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General of ASSOCHAM. Ajay Singh put forth his views in detail on the economic advantages of holding simultaneous elections for the nation.

The High-Level Committee, earlier, initiated a consultative process under the chairmanship of the former President.

The panel recently also sought public opinion on ‘One Nation, One Election’. A public notice in the matter read, “Notice for inviting suggestions from members of the general public for making appropriate changes in the existing legal administrative framework to enable simultaneous elections in the country.” (ANI)

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Geopolitical Realities Not Reflected In UNSC, Reforms Necessary: UNGA Prez

By LokMarg

President of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, said on Wednesday that reforming the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is “absolutely necessary,” adding that today’s “geopolitical realities” are not reflected in the council.

Francis emphasised that the current structure, dating back to the post-1945 era, does not align with the present geopolitical realities.

“Security Council of United Nations as it currently exists harks back to a period in world history which no longer exists. It was formed, in the immediate post-1945. Since then, the world has changed radically. The geopolitical realities of today are not reflected in the council,” he said.

Addressing claims of the urgent need for democratisation within the council, Francis pointed out that geopolitical dynamics have progressively impeded the council from making crucial decisions, often leading to the use of the veto by certain parties.

“And there are those who claim that the council is in urgent need of democratisation. The fact of the matter is that the council has in recent years been progressively unable to take the decisions necessary in order to system support, strengthening of international peace, and largely for geopolitical reason. The geopolitics, the global dynamics of the geopolitics gets imported into the council and that results invariably in the use of the veto by one or the other party,” he added.

He highlighted the resultant frustration not only in the General Assembly but also among the global population, emphasising the importance of reforms for the benefit of the 8 billion people watching.

“Often this causes immense frustration in the General Assembly, but also beyond, in a key, in a key area of concern for the UN as a whole. And that is the key constituency of the 8 billion people who are looking on. So reform of the council is absolutely necessary,” said the UNGA President.

Acknowledging that some nations may be hesitant to engage substantively in the reform process due to privilege, Francis underscored the woeful inadequacy of the existing formula.

“I don’t think that there is any member of the UN that would deny a need for reform of the council. Of course, there are those who are less anxious to engage substantively in the process of reform because if you are in a privileged position, you are not necessarily in a hurry to lose privilege,” he also said.

He asserted that reforms are inescapable for the multilateral system’s overall interest and the United Nations’ ability to fulfill its mandate. “But I think it is well appreciated that the old formula, the existing formula, is woefully inadequate and in the interest of the system as a whole, of the multilateral system, and of the ability of the United Nations to discharge its mandate, reform is inescapable.”

While expressing a lack of “exciting news” regarding the commencement of formal negotiations for reforms, Francis informed that ongoing discussions among members are focusing on potential elements of the reforms.

He pointed out the absence of consensus on when these formal negotiations should start, posing a challenge for UN member states to reach an agreement.

“Unhappily, I don’t have exciting news for you… for reforms of the council, the commencement of formal negotiations has not taken place. That is something on which members need to come to consensus and there is no consensus as of now as to when that process should begin,” added Francis.

The UNGA President concluded by noting that various models for the Security Council’s constitution, including “enlargement” or increased representation of non-permanent members, are under consideration.

Francis arrived in New Delhi on a five-day visit at the invitation of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar.

On Monday, the UNGA president paid a ‘solemn tribute’ to the ‘Father of the Nation’ at his final resting place, Rajghat, in the national capital. India’s permanent representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, was also present as the UNGA president laid floral tributes at the Mahatma’s memorial. (ANI)

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LK Advani Ayodhya

Advani To Attend Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha Ceremony On Jan 22

By LokMarg

International Working President, Vishva Hindu Parishad Alok Kumar on Wednesday said that BJP veteran LK Advani will attend the Ram Temple Pran Pratistha ceremony on January 22 in Ayodhya.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Krishna Gopal and Ram Lal along with Alok Kumar paid a visit to LK Advani and extended the invitation to the Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha ceremony on Wednesday.

Alok Kumar said that all the required medical facilities and other arrangements will be provided to LK Advani during his visit to the Pran Pratistha ceremony in Ayodhya.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla at the grand temple on January 22.

Invitations have also been extended to saints from all traditions for the Pran Pratistha ceremony on January 22.

Meanwhile, the Congress turned down the invitation for the ‘Pran Pratistha’ ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla.

Congress’ senior Congress leaders–Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury–‘ declined’ the invitation to the ‘Pran Pratistha’ ceremony of Lord Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22.

As per temple officials, the ceremony will be held for seven days starting from January 16. Preparations are underway in full swing for the Ram Temple ‘Pran Pratishtha’ on January 22, which will draw dignitaries and people from all walks of life.

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has decided to enthrone Ram Lalla at the sanctum-sanctorum of the Ram Temple at noon on January 22.

Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya will begin on January 16, a week before the main ceremony.

A priest from Varanasi, Lakshmi Kant Dixit, will perform the main rituals of the ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22. From January 14 to January 22, Ayodhya will mark the Amrit Mahotsav. Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, holds great spiritual, historical, and cultural significance for the people of India. (ANI)

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Mizoram CM Zoramthanga

Mizoram CM Zoramthanga Resigns As MNF Chief After Party’s Poll Debacle

By LokMarg

After debacle in recent Mizoram assembly polls, Zoramthanga, the outgoing Chief Minister of the state announced his resignation from the role of President of the Mizo National Front (MNF) on Tuesday.

Zoramthanga sent his resignation letter to the senior Vice President of MNF Tawnluia, after a 33-year-long stint as its chief.

A senior leader of MNF told ANI that the party will hold a meeting on Wednesday to decide whether the resignation letter is accepted or not.

“The MNF fails to win the state assembly polls. In this regard, I take moral responsibility as party chief. Considering that it is my obligation as the MNF president, I do hereby tender my resignation from the president post and kindly request you to accept the same,” he said in the letter.

In the recent Mizoram assembly elections, MNF secured 10 out of 40 seats, while the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) achieved a landslide victory by winning 27 seats.

In a big blow for the ruling Mizo National Front, a constituent of the BJP-helmed NDA, Chief Minister Zoramthanga lost Aizawl East-I seat to Lalthansanga of ZPM by 2,101 votes.

Mizoram’s political landscape has been dominated by the Congress and the Mizo National Front (MNF) since it attained full statehood in 1987.

The President of the MNF and Chief Minister, Zoramthanga has stood out as one of the most prominent figures in this election. He became Chief Minister after the 1998 Assembly polls, ending Congress’s 10-year rule. The MNF governed for a decade until Congress won in 2008 and 2013. (ANI)

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