JD(U) upset over big role for Modi

January 29, 2013

modiNew Delhi, Jan 29: The Janata Dal (U) is upset over the possibility of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) giving Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi a crucial role in national politics.

JD(U) leaders, however, have taken a cautious approach to developments in the BJP including Modi’s meeting with BJP chief Rajnath Singh and the statement of former finance minister Yashwant Sinha supporting Modi as the prime ministerial candidate.

Earlier in the day, Sinha pitched for Modi as the party’s prime ministerial candidate, claiming this will have a huge electoral benefit.

“A debate has been taking place for many days now. When I travel, there is a strong demand from common people and workers that Narendra Modi should be declared as the PM candidate as this will benefit the party.

After careful thought, I have concluded that if BJP declares Modi as its PM candidate, then BJP will benefit hugely in the elections. It will have a big impact on voters. I have no doubt on this,” he said.

“This is not an official reaction of the BJP. This man (Yashwant) himself wanted to be a BJP prime ministerial candidate till last year. Hence, we need not react to such individual comments... there is no need to reiterate our stand every now and then,” said Shivanand Tiwary, JD(U) Rajya Sabha member and party’s national spokesman.

On Sinha’s statement that those who want to leave the NDA can do so, Tiwary said Sinha is not their “adviser”.

“We have not appointed Yashwant as our adviser who will give us unnecessary suggestions about what to do and what not to do.”

But, it has become clear that the recent developments have sparked off a serious debate in the JD(U) for options, if it decides to leave the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Party sources claim that JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had anticipated that Modi would eventually be projected as the most important leader of BJP in 2014 elections. “That is why Nitish Kumar has, of late, abandoned condemning the Congress and the UPA government. After all, we do not have many choices,” a senior party leader told Deccan Herald.

Indications of Nitish going soft towards the Congress also came in during the last meeting of National Development Council when he chose not to attack the UPA government.

There are other indications too. Senior party leader Shivanand Tiwari recently attacked the RSS chief by equating him with Akbaruddin Owaisi.

Party sources said Congress is also reciprocating. They say that a liberal economic package from the Planning Commission for Bihar is in the offing.

“We know that he (Modi) will be at the helm of affairs during 2014 elections even if he is not declared a prime ministerial candidate.

Former finance minister Yashwant Sinha’s view on declaring Modi as the PM?candidate is not an isolated one. So, we will have to look for other options,” said another party functionary.

“BJP cadres across the country are in favour of projecting Modi. The leadership cannot ignore it,” said the JD(U) functionary.

According to party sources, JD(U) chief and NDA convener Sharad Yadav is also not ready to make any compromise on Modi despite the fact that Yadav wants the alliance to continue.

The most important task before JD(U), however, would be to save its coalition government in Bihar which stands on the support of BJP. So, it may, at least for now, avoid any confrontation.

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News Network
July 12,2020

New Delhi, Jul 12: With the highest single-day spike of 28,637 new cases and 551 deaths being reported in the last 24 hours, India's COVID-19 count reached 8,49,553 on Sunday.

According to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry, this includes 2,92,258 active cases, and 5,34,621 cured and discharged or migrated patients. The toll due to the disease has reached 22,674 in the country.

Maharashtra with 2,46,600 cases continues to be the worst affected state by COVID-19 in the country. The state has 99,499 active cases while 1,36,985 patients have been cured and discharged so far. The death toll due to the disease now stands at 10,116.

Tamil Nadu with 1,34,226 cases, including 46,413 active ones, is the next worst affected in the country. While the number of cured and discharged patients is at 85,915 in the state, the toll due to the disease is at 1,898.

The national capital has recorded 1,10,921 confirmed cases so far. However, the number of active cases in Delhi is at 19,895 and 87,692 patients have been cured and discharged so far. With 3,334 deaths being reported due to COVID-19 in the city. 

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News Network
January 18,2020

Shirdi, Jan 18: The administrative body of Sai Baba's Samadhi calls for the indefinite closure of the Shirdi temple after Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray reportedly said Pathri in Parbhani is Sai Baba's birthplace.

"We have announced to close Shirdi against rumours from January 19," said B Wakchaure of Saibaba Sansthan Trust.

"A meeting of villagers will be convened Saturday evening to discuss the issue. Devotees will not face any difficulty if they come to Shirdi," Mr Wakchaure added.

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News Network
March 11,2020

Mar 11: In a bid to keep its flock together, the crisis-hit Madhya Pradesh Congress has decided to shift its 92 MLAs either to Jaipur or some other place.

The move comes after 22 Congress MLAs loyal to former Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia resigned on Tuesday, pushing the 15-month-old Kamal Nath government to the brink of collapse.

"We are going to take our 92 MLAs and those supporting our Madhya Pradesh government to a hotel," a senior Congress leader said on Wednesday.

The legislators would be taken either to Jaipur or some other Congress-ruled state like Chhattisgarh, a party source said.

Apart from its own MLAs, the Congress is also keeping a close watch on four Independents who are supporting the party-led state government.

On Tuesday, 22 Congress MLAs from Madhya Pradesh resigned soon after Scindia quit the party.

The development reduced the Congress government in the state to minority.

The state Congress unit is now making all efforts to save the Kamal Nath-led government.

The BJP on Tuesday night shifted its MLAs to Manesar at Gurugram in Haryana, sources in the saffron party said.

The Congress, whose tally before the rebellion was 114, has a wafer-thin majority in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly whose current effective strength is 228.

It also has the support of four Independents, two BSP legislators and one SP MLA, but some of them are now likely to switch sides to the BJP.

The BJP has 107 seats in the state Assembly.

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