Tag: Prime Minister

Bhutan PM

Bhutan PM Arrives In India For Maiden Overseas Visit After Assuming Office

By LokMarg

Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Dasho Tshering Tobgay, arrived in the national capital on a five-day official visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This is the first overseas visit of the Bhutanese PM who assumed office in January 2024.

He was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Ashwini Choubey.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal who welcomed the Bhutan PM said that his visit is a testament to the ties of friendship between the two countries.

“Warm welcome to India! PM @tsheringtobgay of Bhutan arrives in New Delhi on his first overseas visit after assuming office in Jan 2024. Received by MoS @AshwiniKChoubeyat the airport. The visit of @PMBhutan is in keeping with the exemplary ties of friendship between India and Bhutan,” Jaiswal said in a post on X.

The Bhutan PM is accompanied by the Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister, Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Industry, Commerce and Employment Minister, and senior officials from the Royal Government of Bhutan.

During his visit to India, Tobgay will call on President Droupadi Murmu and is expected to hold bilateral talks with PM Narendra Modi.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other Indian dignitaries will also call on the Prime Minister of Bhutan.

Tobgay is also scheduled to visit Mumbai.

The visit of the Prime Minister of Bhutan will provide an opportunity for the two sides to review the progress in their unique partnership and to discuss ways and means to expand the enduring ties of friendship and cooperation between both nations.

In January, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra paid an official three-day visit to Bhutan during which he called on the Bhutan Prime Minister.

India and Bhutan enjoy exemplary ties of friendship and cooperation, based on trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels.

The tradition of regular political and official exchanges is an important hallmark of the special ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bhutan on his first overseas visit after winning the election in 2014. PM Modi undertook a State visit to Bhutan in August 2019, after assuming office for the second term.

The King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck visited India from 14 – 16 September 2022 and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

In April 2023, the King of Bhutan visited Delhi and met the President of India, PM and EAM. A Joint Statement titled “A Framework for Expanded India-Bhutan Partnership” was issued, which reaffirmed the strength of the unique ties while outlining concrete areas to advance the India-Bhutan partnership.

In November 2023, the King again visited India to hold discussions with PM, EAM and FS. The King of Bhutan also made his first official visit to the states of Assam and Maharashtra to expand ties of friendship and cooperation. (ANI)

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Pakistan

Shehbaz’s PTI Rival For PM Calls Polling In Parliament Illegal

By LokMarg

After Shehbaz Sharif was picked as the country’s next Prime Minister by the majority members during polling in the National Assembly, winning PTI-backed Independent candidate and a rival for the top post, Omar Ayub Khan, came down heavily on the ruling coalition on Sunday, calling the former’s selection as the country’s top leader as ‘illegal’, The Express Tribune reported.

According to the report, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader called the ruling coalition as a “fascist regime focused solely on looting Pakistan’s resources without any ideology”.

Earlier, on Sunday, the National Assembly elected Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader as the country’s 24th PM.

Addressing the Assembly, the PTI leader raised grievances over what he descibed as ‘unfair electoral practices’.

“We did not get the seats that we should’ve gotten, so the election of the speaker, deputy speaker, and prime minister has become illegal”, he was quoted as saying by the Pakistan daily.

Also hitting out at a section of the media over its coverage of the elections and the sequence of events thereafter, Khan said, “When PM-elect Shehbaz Sharif was speaking, the camera was on him, adding that his speech should also be covered live.”

“I want to tell the people of Pakistan that the people of the PML-N and other parties sitting here appear to be defeated; their faces indicate that they have been given a stolen mandate. When a thief is fleeing after stealing, there is fear on his face,” the PTI leader added.

On the protests by the PTI, alleging foul play in the February 8 elections, he claimed ‘cases’were filed against 80 members of his party in Lahore, The Express Tribune reported.

Also contesting the claim of the ruling coalition with reference to the elections, he added, “You (ruling coalition) have snatched our electoral symbol from us, you have snatched the result of Form 45, but we stood, we are standing, and we will stand until Imran Khan takes the oath of prime minister.”

Invoking the May 9 violence following the arrest of party founder and former PM Imran Khan, the PTI leader demanded accountability for the riots and called for a judicial inquiry into the incidents while urging that the ‘video footage’ of events be released to ‘uncover the truth’.

Shehbaz is set to take oath on Monday as Pakistan’s 24th Prime Minister, ARY News reported, citing sources.

President Arif Alvi will administer the oath to the PM-designate in a ceremony at the President’s House at 3 pm on Monday, the report stated quoting sources. (ANI)

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Never Acknowledged By Gandhi-Nehru Family: Sharmistha

By LokMarg

Calling the announcement of Bharat Ratna to be conferred upon former PM PV Narasimha Rao “fantastic”, author and daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, Sharmistha Mukherjee on Friday said that former Prime Minister who ushered economic reforms in India was “never acknowledged by Gandhi-Nehru family.”

“This is fantastic news… The way PV Narasimha Rao was ignored and sidelined by his own party… He was the person who ushered economic reforms in India but this Gandhi-Nehru family never acknowledged it and didn’t even allow his mortal remains to enter the AICC after his death,” Mukherjee told ANI on Friday.

She further said that the announcement taken by Narendra Modi’s government is “absolute magnanimity and graciousness”.

“I think it’s the absolute magnanimity and graciousness of Narendra Modi’s government to confer and recognize the greatness and contribution of the Prime minister who belongs to Congress,” she added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that former PMs Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao will be conferred the Bharat Ratna. Along with them, MS Swaminathan also known as the father of the green revolution will also be awarded the country’s highest civilian award.

In a line-up post on X, PM Modi said that as a distinguished scholar and statesman, Narasimha Rao served India extensively in various capacities.

“Delighted to share that our former Prime Minister, PV Narasimha Rao Garu, will be honoured with the Bharat Ratna. As a distinguished scholar and statesman, Narasimha Rao Garu served India extensively in various capacities. He is equally remembered for the work he did as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Union Minister, and as a Member of Parliament and Legislative Assembly for many years. His visionary leadership was instrumental in making India economically advanced, laying a solid foundation for the country’s prosperity and growth,” the PM said.

“Narasimha Rao Garu’s tenure as Prime Minister was marked by significant measures that opened India to global markets, fostering a new era of economic development. Furthermore, his contributions to India’s foreign policy, language and education sectors underscore his multifaceted legacy as a leader who not only steered India through critical transformations but also enriched its cultural and intellectual heritage,” he added.

Born on June 28, 1921, in Karimnagar, Telangana, being an agriculturist and an advocate, Narasimha Rao joined politics and held some important portfolios. He was the Minister of Law and Information, 1962-64; Law and Endowments, 1964-67; Health and Medicine, 1967 and Education, 1968-71, Government of Andhra Pradesh. He was the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from 1971-73 and General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee from 1975-76. (ANI)

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Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav

Akhilesh Responds To Rumours Of RLD Chief Merging With NDA

By LokMarg

Responding to the speculations doing rounds that Jayant Chaudhary-led Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) might join forces with the National Democratic Alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said that the grandson of former Prime Minister –Chaudhary Charan Singh– is an educated person and he will not let the fight for farmers weaken.

“Jayant Chaudhary is an educated person and he understands politics really well. I am hopeful that he will not let the fight for farmers weaken,” Akhilesh Yadav said.

There are reports that Jayant Chaudhary in in advanced talks with the BJP for a seat-sharing formula for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The reports came nearly three weeks after Yadav announced the Samajwadi Party’s alliance with the RLD for the April-May polls.

“Congratulations to everyone on the Rashtriya Lok Dal-SP alliance. Let us all unite for victory!” Akhilesh Yadav posted on X on January 19. He also posted a picture of him shaking hands with Jayant Chaudhary.

According to the party sources, RLD agreed to fight in alliance on 7 to 8 seats out of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh, with most of the seats in Western UP. The Samajwadi Party is also striking an alliance with the Congress for the Lok Sabha polls with the Congress expected to contest 11 seats.

Meanwhile, Akhilesh’s wife and Samajwadi Party MP, Dimple Yadav exuded confidence that Chaudhary won’t take such a decision.

“The way Bharatiya Janata Party has been working against the farmers and the way our wrestlers have been insulted by BJP, I don’t think RLD national president Jayant Chaudhary will take any step that will damage our farmers directly,” she said while speaking to reporters in Parliament in the national capital.

Apart from this, Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav also said that RLD will remain in the INDIA bloc fold.

“I know Jayant (Singh) very well. They are secular people. BJP is only misleading using the media. They (RLD) will remain in the INDIA alliance and defeat the BJP,” Akhilesh Yadav’s uncle told reporters here.

SP and RLD had contested the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections 2022 together. (ANI)

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Imran Khan

Pakistan: EC Rejects Imran’s Nomination

By LokMarg

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) confirmed on Saturday that it has rejected the nomination papers for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khanb, dealing a major blow to the former Prime Minister ahead of the upcoming elections slated for February 8, 2024, The News International reported on Saturday.

Despite being disqualified from contesting the upcoming general elections in Pakistan, jailed ex-PM, Imran Khan submitted his nomination papers from his home constituency in Mianwali on Friday, as reported by Geo News.

Khan had his nomination papers submitted for the National Assembly’s NA-89 constituency. PTI leader Umar Bodla appeared on the former prime minister’s behalf.

The PTI founder, a 70-year-old former international cricket star, has been at the centre of a political crisis since he was ousted in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022.

The cricketer-turned-politician was sent to jail for three years on August 5 after being found guilty of selling state gifts during his 2018-22 tenure as prime minister–the charges he denies, Geo News reported.

Khan is seeking to overturn that conviction, which has barred him from contesting elections for five years. He filed a plea in the Islamabad High Court, but it was rejected, after which the party moved to the Supreme Court.

In a separate victory for his legal team, they managed to get him bail from the apex court earlier in the day; however, the incarcerated former PM still won’t be able to come out of jail anytime soon as he was arrested in two more cases during his incarceration, according to Geo News.

Khan’s legal team says that the district court, which sent Khan to jail and had him disqualified, gave a “baseless” judgement.

Pakistan’s general elections will take place on February 8, 2024, with political parties turning up the heat by staging rallies or wooing politicians with a substantial voter base into their ranks.

The top two issues that the incoming government will have to deal with are economic stabilisation and political uncertainty, both of which have been persistent since PTI’s ouster.

According to Geo News, several politicians have hinted that a coalition would rule the country as no single leader or party is in a position to form the majority.

Despite his disqualification and fallout with the establishment, Khan remains a crucial reason for PTI’s vote bank, as was evident when his party released an AI-generated audio of Khan to boost the supporters’ morale, Geo News reported.

An uphill task remains for the PTI as it goes into the polls after Khan stepped down as the PTI chairman and handed over the reins to Barrister Gohar Khan, the man who has been in the party for around a year. (ANI)

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Pakistan

Pak: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s Death Sentence Hearing Adjourned Till Jan 2024

By LokMarg

The Supreme Court of Pakistan adjourned the hearing of a longstanding presidential reference on Tuesday, which seeks to re-examine the controversial 1979 death sentence handed down to former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, ARY News reported.

A nine-member larger bench of the apex court, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and including Justices Sardar Tariq Masood, Mansoor Ali Shah, Yahya Afridi, Aminud Din Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Musarrat Hilali, presided over the case.

Former Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had previously conducted five hearings on the presidential reference, with the last session taking place on November 11, 2012.

On April 2, 2011, the PPP government filed a reference in the apex court to reopen the case of former prime minister and founder of the party Zulfikar Bhutto, who was hanged on April 4, 1979, in Rawalpindi.

In 2011, former President Asif Ali Zardari approached the Supreme Court with presidential reference under Article 186 of the Constitution, seeking a review of the trial of PPP founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, ARY News reported.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto received a death sentence during the regime of former military ruler General (retired) Ziaul Haq. The first elected prime minister of the country was accused of the murder of his political rival, Nawab Mohammed Ahmed Qasuri, leading to a trial.

Despite petitions and appeals for clemency from various heads of state, Bhutto was executed on April 4, 1979. The hearing has now been adjourned until the second week of January.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Supreme Court also allowed the live telecast of presidential reference on revisiting the death sentence awarded to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) founder and former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

According to a communique issued by the top court today, the hearing of the Bhutto reference will be broadcast live on state-run PTV.

The plea was submitted by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, emphasising that the legacy of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto endures despite the death sentence handed down in 1979. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has urged the apex court to allow live telecasts of the hearing, as reported by ARY News.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto served as the fourth president of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973 and then as the ninth prime minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977.

Bhutto signed the Simla Agreement with Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India. The treaty was signed in Simla (Shimla). (ANI)

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When PM Visited Indian Team At An Hour Of Loss

‘When Your PM Stands With You At An Hour Of Loss, It Lifts You Up’

By LokMarg

Former Indian Cricketer Gyanendra Pandey says Prime Minister’s visit to the men in blue after their defeat in World Cup final was an emotional moment for cricket fraternity. His views:

At the recently concluded ODI World Cup Final, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Indian cricket team dressing room after the shocking defeat. This was a moving gesture. Being a leader, he decided to share emotions at a loss that broke hearts of crores of fans and Indians.

It was an unexpected result for the formidable men in blue and what many did not notice was that the PM, and the home minister Amit Shah reached the stadium at a time when a definite defeat was on the cards and even a miracle could not have altered the result. Even a good number of spectators started leaving the stadium and I personally saw many bigwigs and celebrities silently leaving the stadium before the completion of the match.

As PM’s programme was declared much before the match and everyone, including the players, were aware of his presence, many thought that looking into the proceedings (the end result), the visit would be cancelled. But to everyone’s surprise and the players, Modiji not only stood there but also went ahead to meet the players in the dressing room much to their surprise.

Though UP CM Yogi Adityanath had already announced the construction of a cricket stadium in the home town (Amroha, UP) of Mohammad Shami, it was a pleasant surprise for him that the PM not only counted his achievement but also gave him a soothing hug.

ALSO READ: ‘Men In Blue Should Take A Knee For Md Shami’

When the country’s leader stands with you at the time of loss, it lifts the team up. It is a special moment. I could personally feel what the players would have felt like as I was also a part of the team. It was an outstanding gesture simply because I know what a dressing room feels like. It is a gut-wrenching feeling and when you are down then you seem that you are out but when you get someone special coming and visiting you, it is something massive as it lifts the spirits of the players for future accomplishments.

It would surely prove to be an energy booster for the future. In a moment of empathy, Modi not only told the players to smile as the nation watched them, but also emphasized that, despite the defeat, the team’s exceptional performance throughout the tournament had made the entire nation proud.

The visit went beyond symbolism as it also served as a genuine show of support and motivation as he moved from player to player and shared words of solace and encouragement at a time of dismay. Modi not only reassured the team that setbacks are inherent in the game but made them feel that their hard work had not gone unnoticed and unappreciated.

There were also some harsh and unethical criticism of the entire episode and some went beyond all ethics to utter disrespectable and unwanted words for the PM, but such acts should be avoided not only after such an event but also at times when the country stands united for some cause.

As told to Rajat Rai

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Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

Nehru-Ji Is Not Just His Name: Rahul Amid Renaming Row

By LokMarg

Amid the raging controversy around the renaming of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) in the national capital to Prime Ministers’ Memorial Museum and Library (PMML), Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said his great grandfather was known more for the work he did in his time and not just for his name.

Speaking to ANI at the Delhi airport before departing for a two-day visit to Leh, Rahul said, “Nehru-ji ki pehchaan unke karam hai, unka naam nahi (Nehru-ji is known for his work and not his name).”

Earlier, a war of words broke out between the BJP and the Opposition parties over the renaming of the Nehru Memorial Museum to Prime Minister’s Museum and Library.

Hitting out at the Centre over the official renaming of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) in the national capital, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi can never take away the gigantic contributions of Jawaharlal Nehru in the country’s freedom struggle.

Taking to his official handle on X, formerly Twitter, Ramesh posted on Wednesday, “From today, an iconic institution gets a new name. The world-renowned Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) becomes PMML—Prime Ministers’ Memorial Museum and Library. Mr Modi possesses a huge bundle of fears, complexes and insecurities, especially when it comes to our first and longest-serving Prime Minister. He has had a single-point agenda of denying, distorting, defaming and destroying Nehru and the Nehruvian legacy.”

The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) was officially renamed the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML) by the Centre on Monday.

Meanwhile Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML) Vice Chairman of Executive Council, A Surya Prakash on Wednesday said the new museum showcases the achievements and the contributions of Jawaharlal Nehru to the nation, adding that those dubious about the same should visit it. 

“Anyone visiting the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) can see how we have showcased Nehru, his temples of modern India, the Hirakud Dam, Nagarajuna Sagar Dam, his idea of setting up institutes of technology, and Planning Commission in his 17-year tenure as PM at the Teen Murti Bhavan,” he said. 

Reacting to the remarks made by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh over the renaming of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) that PM Modi can never take away contributions made by Nehru during the freedom struggle, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday said that for the Congress only Jawaharlal Nehru and his family matters.

“There is a basic difference between the thinking of the Congress party and Jairam Ramesh and PM Narendra Modi. They (Congress) think that only Nehru ji and the family matters. Narendra Modi gave a respectful position to all the PMs of the country at the museum,” he said. 

Earlier in mid-June, during a special meeting of the NMML Society, it was resolved to change its name to PMML Society.

The Culture Ministry said that it had decided to change the name of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library Society to Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library Society.

The decision was taken at a special meeting of the Memorial Museum and Library Society which was presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is the Vice-President of the Society. (ANI)

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The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML)

Centre Renames Nehru Memorial As Prime Ministers’ Museum And Library

By LokMarg

The Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) has officially been renamed as the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML) Society with effect from Monday by the Centre.

PMML vice-chairman A Surya Prakash while taking to X, earlier known as Twitter confirmed the same.

“Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) is now Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) Society w.e.f August 14, 2023 – in tune with the democratisation and diversification of the remit of the society. Happy Independence Day! @narendramodi, @rajnathsingh @MinOfCultureGoI,” Prakash said.

In mid-June, during a special meeting of the NMML Society, it was resolved to change its name to PMML Society.

The Culture Ministry had then said that it had decided to change the name of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library Society to Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library Society.

The decision was taken at a special meeting of the Memorial Museum and Library Society which was presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is the Vice-President of the Society.

This project was approved by Executive Council, NMML in its 162nd meeting held in November 2016. The Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya was opened to the public on April 21 last year.

During the inauguration, despite having received an invitation from the government, no member of the Nehru-Gandhi family was present for the function.

Three members of the Nehru-Gandhi family including Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi have served as Prime Ministers of the country.

The Culture Ministry release said that the Museum is a seamless blend that begins at the renovated and refurbished Nehru Museum building, “now completely updated with technologically advanced displays on the life and contribution of Jawaharlal Nehru”.

“Housed in a new building the museum then goes on to tell the story of how our Prime Ministers navigated the nation through various challenges and ensured the all-round progress of the country. It recognizes all the Prime Ministers, thereby democratizing the institutional memory,” the release had said. (ANI)

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BJP Modi Congress

Oppo Silent On Rajasthan, Bengal, C’garh Incidents: BJP MP Locket

By LokMarg

Reacting to the opposition’s no-confidence motion against the PM Modi government and their demand that the Prime Minister should speak on the Manipur issue, BJP MP Locket Chatterjee said that the same opposition is silent on the Rajasthan, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh incidents but is talking about Manipur.

BJP MP Locket Chatterjee says, “The people who committed atrocities against women after the West Bengal Panchayat polls talk about democracy. 59 party workers died in this year’s Panchayat polls. Since West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has been in power there have been atrocities against women in the state. To create their image, they are asking why is PM Modi silent on the Manipur issue. The opposition is silent on the Rajasthan, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh incidents and are talking about Manipur.”

BJP MP further said, “The Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee sent five member team to Manipur. In Malda two tribal womens were stripped and beaten in front of the police and the video went viral but forget team even a Panchayat member was not sent to Malda. Those who are talking about Manipur are not getting the the GPS location of Manipur.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the Lok Sabha on Thursday in response to the Opposition’s no-confidence motion against the NDA government.

“At around 4 PM this evening, PM @narendramodi will be taking part in the discussion on the Motion of No-Confidence,” the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted. (ANI)

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