Nitish Kumar resigns as Chief Minister of Bihar, breaks alliance with BJP

By

-

August 9, 2022

download 16 — Nitish Kumar resigns as Chief Minister of Bihar, breaks alliance with BJP 2

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resigned on Tuesday breaking his alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Kumar, earlier in the day, held a meeting with the JD(U) leaders to discuss his next future political moves. He then sought time from Governor Phagu Chauhan.

Around 4 pm, Kumar arrived at Raj Bhavan and met Governor Phagu Chauhan and apprised him of his decision to quit as the state chief minister.

Earlier, in the JD(U) meeting today, all MLAs and MPs of the party supported chief minister Kumar’s decision and said that they were with him. They also asserted that they will continue to support Kumar in his decision.

Police personnel were seen deployed in force outside the chief minister’s residence.

According to sources, many JD(U) legislators told chief minister Kumar in today’s meeting that the alliance with the BJP had weakened them since 2020.

Without naming Chirag Paswan, the legislators are reported to have recalled the actions of former Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief during the 2020 state assembly polls while warning the CM that if they were not alert, it would not be good for the party.

Paswan had fielded rebel BJP candidates in all seats fought by the JD(U) in the 2020 polls, in what some have alleged was part of a plot of the BJP to wedge its way into the ruling coalition in the state.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan opposition alliance was also held here today at former chief minister Rabri Devi’s residence with the participation of leaders of the CPI-ML and the Congress – part of the Opposition ‘Mahagathbandhan’ alliance in the state.

According to sources, after the meeting Rashtriya Janata Dal MLAs, MLCs and Rajya Sabha MP authorised party leader Tejashwi Yadav to take a decision and asserted their support to him. According to sources, Congress and Left parties MLAs have also expressed their supported to Yadav.

Sources said that RJD party supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav is closely watching the developments but everything was being done by Tejashwi Yadav.

Meanwhile, Lalu Prasad Yadav’s daughter Rohini Acharya took to Twitter to post about an impending political change in the state.”Get ready for the coronation, lantern holder”, she tweeted in Hindi and added a ‘victory’ emoticon to it.

The RJD-led Opposition in the state has said that it will welcome any re-alignment in Bihar’s ruling coalition without the BJP.

Ahead of the RJD convened meeting today, Congress Bihar legislature party leader Ajit Sharma said: “If Nitish Kumar comes, we’ll welcome him. If he comes we will support him.A meeting of Mahagathbandhan is being held. We should take a decision to support (him) by considering Nitish Kumar as the CM but we’ll be able to tell you only after the meeting.”

Bihar BJP leaders also met at deputy chief minister Tarkishore Prasad’s residence in Patna on Tuesday.

Bilaspur MP Arun Sao appointed as Chhattisgarh BJP chief

By

ANI

-

August 9, 2022

Ahead of the Chhattisgarh Assembly polls next year, Bharatiya Janata on Tuesday appointed Bilaspur MP Arun Sao as the president of its Chhattisgarh unit.

Sao was elected to the Lok Sabha from Bilaspur in the 2019 general elections on a BJP ticket.

“National President of Bharatiya Janata Party, Hon’ble Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda Ji has appointed Shri Arun Sao, MP, Bilaspur Lok Sabha as the State President of Chhattisgarh Bharatiya Janata Party,” the party said in a statement.

dc25c473 9d9b 4db4 8a03 9650f4d3c7d8 — Bilaspur MP Arun Sao appointed as Chhattisgarh BJP chief 5

Earlier, a former Lok Sabha member Vishnudev Sai was the president of the BJP in Chhattisgarh.

Chhattisgarh Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in 2023. BJP led by former chief minister Raman Singh ruled Chhattisgarh for 15 years from 2003 to 2018. Currently, the state is ruled by Congress with Bhupesh Baghel as the chief minister.

The 2018 Chhattisgarh Assembly elections were held in two phases on November 12, 2018, and the second on November 20, 2018. In 2018, Congress in Chhattisgarh Assembly polls won 68 of the total 90 seats.

The BJP was reduced to only 15 seats while the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh Jogi-Bahujan Samaj Party (JCCJ-BSP) combine won seven seats

Sunil Chhetri, Manisha Kalyan named AIFF Footballers of the year 2021-22

By

ANI

-

August 9, 2022

Manisha Kalyan and Sunil Chhetri were named the AIFF Women’s and Men’s Footballer of the year respectively.

The two stalwarts were nominated as winners by their respective National Team coaches Thomas Dennerby, and Igor Stimac.

While Manisha had won the Women’s Emerging Footballer of the Year for last season, while this is the seventh time that Sunil won the Award, having last won it in 2018-19.

“Manisha has come up with some outstanding performances for the National Team, and also her club. She has scored goals, and also n assisted on a regular basis. Blessed with excellent speed and being a good dribbler, she has the potential to play in bigger leagues in the future. She is young, and still developing but has been our best player,” Women’s national team head coach Thomas Dennerby averred.

Manisha recently signed a multi-year contract for Cypriot champions Apollon Ladies. The club, who were the winners of the 2020-21 Cypriot top division, have earned a place in the qualifying rounds of the 2022-23 UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Speaking about Sunil, Men’s national team head coach Igor Stimac explained, “Sunil was our highest goal-scorer, scoring 5 goals, and also the Player of the Tournament in the SAFF Cup. Furthermore, he led from the front scoring 4 goals in 3 games in the 3rd round of AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in Kolkata. His commitment, leadership, discipline and hard work were impressive throughout bad, and good times.”

In addition, Martina Thokchom was named as the 2021-22 Women’s Emerging Footballer of the Year, and Vikram Partap Singh was named as the 2021-22 Men’s Emerging Footballer of the Year by the two National team coaches.

“Martina is just 17 years old. She is a very strategic midfielder with an exceptional vision of the game,” Dennerby stated.

“She has already earned her first India cap for the senior team, and has been quite regular since then. She also put up a stellar performance for the Indian Arrows in the IWL,” added the coach.

Speaking about Vikram, Stimac mentioned that “He contributed to his club success last season with 22 appearances and 3 goals in the ISL, and also the AFC Champions League. He also played a crucial role in our India’s campaign in the AFC U23 qualifiers for the Asian Cup scoring 1 goal.”

Meanwhile, Crystal John has been adjudged the 2021-22 AIFF Best Referee of the Year, while Ujjal Halder was named the 2021-22 AIFF Best Assistant Referee of the Year.

Assam Rifles personnel fired upon in Nagaland’s Noklak

By

ANI

-

August 9, 2022

ASSAM Refiles — Assam Rifles personnel fired upon in Nagaland's Noklak 8

Suspected militants fired upon Assam Rifles jawans in Nagaland’s Noklak district early Tuesday, according to a senior official.

A firing incident between suspected militants and Assam Rifles personnel took place at Dan Pangsha area which is located along the Indo-Myanmar border, Deputy Commissioner of Noklak district Hiazu Meru told ANI.

No casualty has been reported in the incident so far.

“So far there is no report of any casualty in the incident. The area is a very remote area and mobile network connectivity problems are also there,” Meru said.

Earlier today, a similar firing incident on Assam Rifles personnel took place in the Gen area of Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap Changlang.

According to an official spokesperson, the incident took place while the troops were undertaking enhanced patrolling activities in view of heightened vigil for the forthcoming Independence Day.

A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) sustained a minor injury on his hand. No other injury or damage has been reported so far

BJP wants Nitish Kumar to continue as CM: Union Minister Kaushal Kishor

By

ANI

-

August 9, 2022

Amidst speculations over the fate of Bihar’s NDA coalition government with the reported rift between Nitish Kumar-led Janta Dal-United (JD-U) and Bharatiya Janata Party, Union Minister Kaushal Kishor said that the BJP wants Kumar to continue as chief minister of the state.

Rumours of a growing rift between the BJP-JDU in the NDA alliance in Bihar intensified after Kumar skipped a key meeting of the NITI Aayog, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday and JD(U) leader RCP Singh tendered his resignation from the party. Singh, once considered a close aide of Nitish Kumar had announced his exit from the party after being served a notice seeking an explanation on allegations of corruption.

BJP leaders however have dismissed any estrangement with the JD(U).

“Certainly the government under the leadership of Nitish Kumar will run firmly with the BJP alliance. As far as I’m concerned and if there was such a thing, it would depend on the time and circumstances,” Union Minister Kishor said.

“I do not want to wish to comment over the political situations in Bihar, but there is no such attempt from the BJP which would have raised any dispute or confusion. JDU will take its call as per its ongoing meeting, but it is to underscore that the BJP definitely wants Nitish Kumar to continue as the Chief Minister of the state,” he said further.

Talking further, he said that the coalition government– comprising BJP, JDU, and all others– in the state will work more strongly for the welfare of Bihar and the countrypersons.

Today Nitish Kumar chaired a meeting of all JD(U) MPs and MLAs at his official residence here after which he sought an appointment with Governor Phagu Chauhan in what is speculated as an attempt to sever ties with ally BJP.

Meanwhile, Congress and Left leaders in the state attended a meeting convened by the Rashtriya Janata Dal.

“Let us see what happens in operation ” reverse #lotus” in #Bihar– not by any external force, but thru the lotus’ own internal contradictions and burdens!!” Congress national spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi tweeted.

To Singhvi’s remarks, Kishor said that it is the role of the Opposition to oppose and speak against the party in power. Under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, the alliance by BJP will move forward strongly.

The JD(U) had contested and won the 2015 assembly elections in alliance with the RJD and Congress. Nitish Kumar in July 2017 snapped ties with the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ to ally with the BJP and continue as chief minister.

In the 2020 assembly polls in Bihar the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 125 seats- BJP won 74, the JD(U) bagged 43, the Vikassheel Insaan Party got 4 and Hindustan Awaam Party (Secular) bagged 4 seats.

Sonia Gandhi alleges ” RSS supported British amid brutal repression” on “Quit India Movement” day

By

ANI

-

August 9, 2022

On the Quit India movement anniversary, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday exhorted countrymen to defend the country’s freedom with ”all our might”, while the opposition party also hit out at the RSS, alleging that it supported the British amid brutal repression at that time.

In her message on the occasion, Gandhi said that on this historic day, Aruna Asif Ali held aloft the National flag when lakhs and lakhs of Congress workers were beaten and jailed. Her act of courage became the symbol of our quest for freedom, Sonia Gandhi said.

”As we commemorate the Quit India movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, let us not forget the price that millions of our countrymen and women paid for India’s freedom. Let us renew our resolve to defend it and protect it with all our might,” she said.

”When the country under the Congress leadership was engaged in a decisive struggle against the British, the RSS not only boycotted the movement but also actively supported the British,” the Congress said in Hindi on its official Twitter handle.

Attacking the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh asked what the organization was doing 80 years ago on this historic day when Mahatma launched Quit India.

”It was on the sidelines dissociating itself from the mass movement. Shyama Prasad Mookherjee took no part while Gandhi,Nehru, Patel, Azad, Prasad, Pant and many others were jailed,” he said in a tweet.

In a message in Hindi on the 80th anniversary of the Quit India Movement, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also slammed the RSS, saying when the whole country was fighting unitedly, the RSS appealed to Indians to give up on the movement and supported the British during the period of brutal repression.

During the Quit India movement, people of every class, caste, religion, region and age unitedly raised a battle cry which said, ”Britishers Quit India”, she noted in her message. ”Gandhi ji, Nehru ji, Sardar Patel ji and Maulana Azad were arrested as soon as the movement was announced. Then, Aruna Asaf Ali ji hoisted the tricolor at the Azad Kranti Maidan (Gowalia Tank Maidan) to keep the flame of the movement burning,” Priyanka Gandhi said. ”Repression increased.

The offices of the Indian National Congress were demolished. People were arrested all over the country. But, the slogan of the Quit India Movement was adopted by the people.

The battle cry of the august revolution drove the Britishers out of India and on August 15, 1947, we got freedom,” she said.

Paying homage to the fighters and martyrs of the movement, Priyanka Gandhi urged people to take a pledge that they will give their all to keep alive the ideals of the freedom movement. In a tweet, she said that on this day, with the slogan of Quit India, Indians unitedly started a ‘do or die’ struggle against the brutal British rule.

Unity is our greatest strength, she added. ”Let us take a pledge to ‘Unite India (Bharat Jodo)’ and add new dimensions of development in India, raising the flag of unity in diversity,” Priyanka Gandhi said.

The people of India had launched the decisive final phase of the struggle for independence with the Quit India movement 80 years ago.

Muharram: Mourning for Muslims

By

Jubel D'Cruz

-

August 9, 2022

Muharram Agencies report — Image: Agencies

Muharram is one of the most significant and sacred festivals for Muslims all over the world, as it marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year. The tenth day of Muharram, called the Day of Ashura, is of most significance for different Muslim factions for various reasons.

On the day of Muharram, Muslims all over the world set up langars where water and fruit juices are served free to all, no matter what caste or community the people belong to. The month of Muharram is observed with extreme grief and mourning due to the battle of Karbala that took place during this month. During the Battle of Karbala, the Last Prophet’s (PBUH) grandson, Imam Hussain, was martyred mercilessly and this is the reason that Muharram is related to grief, mourning, sadness and is critical to Muslims all over the world.

The month of Muharram also has a great importance among the followers of Islam. The month comes with deep grief, despair, and melancholy in Muslims who cry and wail on the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the son of Hazrat Ali in the Battle of Karbala. During the battle, Imam Hussain was mercilessly beheaded by the forces of Umayyad Caliph Yazid I. The event took place in the 690 CE and has been since then observed among Muslims every year as ‘Muharram,’ meaning prohibition.

During this entire month, Muslims abstain themselves from any kind of joyous events and celebrations, as a way to pay tribute and honour to the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. During the first 10 days of Muharram, Muslims belonging to the Shia community wear black outfits and go for street processions as a way to mourn the death of their beloved Imam Hussain and the pain inflicted on his family members.

Muslims belonging to different communities observe Ashura in different ways, some keep fast, some observe abstinence and some participate in religious gatherings. In India, a glimpse of the Muharram procession can be seen on roads. The Shia devotees even cut their bodies and walk barefoot on fire. This act of self-harming is very rigorous. Muslims consider it as an act of mourning.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

10 economic growth centers will be developed on private land in Maharashtra

By

Web Team

-

August 9, 2022

Eknath Shinde, MMR — Image: Agencies/ Representative

The state government has shortlisted 10 economic growth centers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), which will be developed on private land.

The idea is to give push to the extended area of MMR by proposing various industrial and economic activities in order to decentralise the economic activities from the core of MMR to its peripheries, officials said. Boisar, Palghar, Manor, Mahapoli, Padgha, Titwala, Badlapur, Vangani, Khalapur & Karjat, Pen, Khar and Alibaug are identified for 10 economic growth centers.

Large portions of private land – spread over more than 200 hectares – in these areas will be developed as growth centers on a public-private-partnership model.

Half of the said land will be allotted to private entities to set up businesses while the remaining half will be with the private developer to be used by them for commercial or residential use.

The state government will create the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the growth of these centres.

According to the presentation made in front of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, there will be no use-restriction on such plots.

The private land holder will get full Floor Space Index (FSI) for remaining 50 per cent land where commercial development can take place.

The revenue thus generated can be utilised by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to bear the investment cost for infrastructure projects, which will make these proposals financially feasible.

With a total area of 2,013 square kilometers, Palghar and Alibaug have been identified as development potential areas of extended MMR as inbound and outbound traffic of the region would first get in contact with these settlements.

For this, the government has also proposed the preparation of a detailed Development Plan (DP) for these towns.Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi highway, Coastal highway (Alibaug to Panjim) and Konkan Expressway would increase the inbound and outbound traffic flow significantly.

Rising from humble beginnings, Chandrakant Patil becomes Maha minister for 2nd time

By

PTI

-

August 9, 2022

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil, who comes from a humble background and rose through the BJP ranks, has now become the state minister for the second time.

Patil (63), had served as the revenue and PWD minister during 2014-19.

The two-term MLC and first-term MLA from western Maharashtra was on Tuesday inducted as a minister in the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government.

Patil was Born to a tea seller in Mumbai, Patil struggled till his college days before he found a place in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student’s wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

He also led the ABVP’s ‘Chalo Kashmir’ campaign in 1990 to hoist a flag in Srinagar.

Patil joined the BJP in 2005 and was made secretary of the party’s Maharashtra unit.

He won the MLC elections from the Pune graduate constituency in 2008 and 2014.

After the BJP came to power in Maharashtra in 2014, Patil was made the cabinet minister and he held various portfolios like revenue, textile, public works department, and cooperation and marketing.

In 2019, he decided to contest the Assembly election and the BJP fielded him from Pune city, instead of sitting BJP MLA Medha Kulkarni.

Patil hails from Kolhapur district, but he never contested an election there.

During his work with the ABVP, he got in touch with senior BJP leader Amit Shah, who is currently the Union home minister.

In June this year, Eknath Shinde and 39 other Shiv Sena legislators rebelled against their party leadership, leading to the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

The BJP, which is the largest single party in the Maharashtra Assembly, sprang a surprise later when it announced that Shinde should become the CM.

On June 30, Shinde was sworn in as the chief minister and BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis took oath as deputy CM.

Chandrakant Patil had last month said the party decided with a ”heavy heart” that Shinde should become the state’s chief minister instead of Fadnavis.

The decision was taken to send the right message, he had said at the state BJP’s executive committee. However, state BJP leader Ashish Shelar later said it was not the BJP’s or Patil’s own stand, but he was only articulating the feelings of ordinary workers.

BJP leaders meet at Dy CM Tarkishore Prasad’s residence due to Bihar political crisis

By

ANI

-

August 9, 2022

Bihar BJP leaders on Tuesday met at deputy chief minister Tarkishore Prasad’s residence in Patna amid reports of uncertainty over the party’s coalition with chief minister Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal (United) alliance.

Kumar had earlier today sought an appointment with Governor Phagu Chauhan. The move came after the Bihar CM held a meeting of all JD(U) MPs and MLAs at his official residence here today, amid reports of a rift with ally BJP.

The BJP, meanwhile, seems to be waiting to see Nitish Kumar to make the first move. A Bihar BJP minister who did not want to be named told to the agencies: “Why should I resign?” We are waiting for Nitish Kumar to make the first move, then we will take a step.”

At the meeting at Deputy chief minister Tarkishore Prasad’s residence, Deputy CM Renu Devi, State Gen Secy (Org) Bhikhubhai Dalsaniya, state BJP chief Sanjay Jaiswal and health minister Mangal Pandey, were among those who attended.

A meeting of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) was also held today at the residence of Rabri Devi in Patna The meeting saw the participation of leaders of the CPI-ML and the Congress – part of the Opposition ‘Mahagathbandhan’ alliance in the state.

Rumours of a growing rift between the BJP-JDU) ie the NDA alliance in Bihar intensified after Kumar skipped a key meeting of the NITI Aayog, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday and JD(U) leader RCP Singh tendered his resignation from the party.

Singh, once considered a close aide of Nitish Kumar had announced his exit from the party after being served a notice seeking an explanation on allegations of corruption.

The RJD-led Opposition in the state has said that it will welcome any re-alignment in Bihar’s ruling coalition without the BJP.

Ahead of the RJD convened meeting today, Congress Bihar legislature party leader Ajit Sharma said: “If Nitish Kumar comes, we’ll welcome him. If he comes we will support him.A meeting of Mahagathbandhan is being held. We should take a decision to support (him) by considering Nitish Kumar as the CM but we’ll be able to tell you only after the meeting.”

The JD(U) had contested and won the 2015 assembly elections in alliance with the RJD and Congress. Nitish Kumar had in July 2017 snapped ties with the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ to ally with the BJP and continue as chief minister.

In the 2020 assembly polls in Bihar the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 125 seats- BJP won 74 , the JD(U) bagged 43, the Vikassheel Insaan Party got 4 and Hindustan Awaam Party (Secular) bagged 4 seats.