Category: Politics

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s health is getting worse because he has been on a hunger strike since November 26. He is protesting at the Khanauri border to push the government to meet farmers’ demands. These demands include a law to guarantee minimum support prices (MSP) for crops and cancelling farm loans.

On Saturday, the Supreme Court told the Punjab government to convince Dallewal to go to the hospital. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) said Dallewal’s condition is very serious and that his protest is important for farmers. They believe the government should talk to the farmers about their needs.

The CPI(M) Polit Bureau called on the central government to immediately begin discussions with farmers’ groups to address their demands, which they have been waiting to be heard for a long time. Many farmers across the country are worried and upset about the situation.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has spoken out against the Bihar government regarding protests by BPSC exam hopefuls. These students want a new test because of claims that the question paper was leaked. Yadav questioned Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s ability to lead and called for fairness, stating, “If the BPSC question paper was leaked, everyone should take the exam again.”

Speaking to the media, Yadav asked whether there is even a real government in Bihar anymore. He believes CM Nitish Kumar has lost his ability to make decisions and is just a figurehead at this point. Yadav criticized how the government is dealing with BPSC students, claiming it is full of corruption. He said, “When our party was in power, young people were happier. Now, under Nitish Kumar, it feels like there’s been a change for the worse.”

In response, Rajesh Kumar Singh, the Examination Controller, said that the accusations about the paper leak are not true and lack evidence. He announced that a new Prelims Test will happen on January 4, 2025, for students from one examination center. Singh noted that while many admit cards were issued, over 40,000 were not even downloaded. He emphasized that only a small number of centers reported issues, and they aim to provide results by the end of January to hold final exams in April.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) won big in West Bengal, grabbing 29 out of the 42 seats, a rise from just 22 in 2019. This victory came despite many issues involving the party, such as the Sandeshkhali incident, where party supporters allegedly attacked officials during a raid, and a serious case of violence at RG Kar Hospital that involved a tragic rape and murder of a young medic.

Even though the TMC faced criticisms and protests from citizens and doctors, they still managed to win in the Basirhat area, proving their support remained strong. Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister and head of TMC, is still leading the party, but she was tested by various challenges and internal conflicts among party members. She took action to strengthen her leadership by forming committees and increasing her nephew Abhishek Banerjee’s role.

The BJP, which used to be TMC’s main rival, saw its seat count fall from 18 to 12. They struggled with internal problems and failed to connect with voters on important issues, leading to a sense of desperation within the party. Meanwhile, the Congress party, led by Subhankar Sarkar, didn’t do well in the recent bypolls, failing to make a significant impact.

By the end of 2024, TMC had solidified its power in West Bengal’s assembly, while the BJP continued to face challenges. As Mamata Banerjee looks to the future, there are growing calls for her to take a leading role in opposing the national BJP alongside other parties in the INDIA alliance.

On Friday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that the Indian government will create a memorial to honor Dr. Manmohan Singh, the 13th Prime Minister of India. Home Minister Amit Shah informed Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge of this decision right after a Cabinet meeting.

The MHA shared that they received a request from the Congress Party to have space for a memorial for Dr. Singh, who sadly passed away on December 26, 2024. Amit Shah immediately communicated this news to Kharge and Singh’s family. In the meantime, the formalities for his cremation can take place because a trust needs to be formed for the memorial.

Congress wants the memorial to be at the same place as Dr. Singh’s funeral. Kharge wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, stating it’s important to honor Dr. Singh’s legacy at his funeral site, just like other leaders.

In his letter, Kharge praised Dr. Singh’s significant role in changing India’s economy. He recalled that Dr. Singh, as Finance Minister, was crucial in helping India through tough times, leading it towards economic success.

Dr. Singh, who passed away at age 92, was Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014. He is remembered for his calm leadership during crises and for modernizing India’s economy. Before being Prime Minister, he was the Finance Minister and also served as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.

Dr. Singh’s funeral will be held on December 28 at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi. The government announced that he will receive a State funeral. His remains will be available for public viewing at the Congress headquarters before the funeral.

The Congress Party criticized the government for taking too long to decide on the memorial location, with leader Jairam Ramesh calling it disrespectful to Dr. Singh, who was India’s first Sikh Prime Minister. In response, the BJP accused Congress of making this a political issue, reminding them how they treated other former leaders.

Dr. Singh’s life was remarkable, especially for his steady leadership during tough economic times and his efforts to improve India’s economy. The planned memorial aims to honor his important contributions and inspire future generations.

On Friday, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) held a meeting to honor former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who recently passed away at the age of 92. The group praised Singh for being a great leader who played a big role in changing India for the better. His work in politics and the economy earned him respect all over the world.

During the meeting at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, along with notable leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, shared their thoughts on Singh’s many contributions. Singh was known as the “architect” of India’s economic reforms in the early 1990s. He introduced important changes that helped India grow and open up to global markets, saving the country from a financial crisis at that time.

As the 13th Prime Minister of India, Singh faced challenges with calmness and wisdom. His leadership led to several key initiatives, including the Right to Education, the National Food Security Act, and the Right to Information Act, which all aimed to improve life for common people. He believed in helping everyone and made sure that India’s growth included everyone.

Beyond being a politician, Singh was also a respected scholar. His expertise in economics influenced many policies and inspired many students and future leaders to think seriously about India’s development. He was known for being kind and humble, making him a beloved figure to many.

The CWC members expressed their sadness over his passing, promising to remember his ideals of compassion and integrity. They pledged to continue working towards the inclusive and fair India that Singh envisioned. At the end of the meeting, they paid floral tributes in his memory.

India is heartbroken over the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi expressed her deep sadness in a statement, saying he was respected by leaders and experts worldwide. She explained that his death leaves a big gap in our country that cannot be replaced.

Dr. Manmohan Singh was known for his wisdom, kindness, and humility. He worked hard for India and changed many lives for the better. Sonia Gandhi described him as someone people admired for his honesty and caring nature. She shared that Singh’s advice was valued by politicians from all parties.

Sonia Gandhi remembered Singh as more than just a leader; he was a friend and a mentor. She praised his strong beliefs in fairness, democracy, and helping others. People who spent time with him felt inspired and learned a lot from him.

Manmohan Singh passed away at the age of 92 due to health issues on Thursday evening. He was born on September 26, 1932. Before becoming PM, he was the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and served as India’s Finance Minister. Singh played a vital role in transforming India’s economy in the 1990s.

He also helped create important laws like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the Right to Information Act (RTI), which helped make the government more transparent. Earlier this year, he retired from the Rajya Sabha after serving there for 33 years.

On Thursday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge spoke at a meeting in Belagavi, Karnataka, where he emphasized the need for new leadership and improving the party’s structure. He mentioned that just working hard isn’t enough; having a good plan and direction is very important for success.

Kharge shared that the party aims to fill open positions and train its members with the skills needed to win elections. On social media platform X, he wrote, “We need to let new leaders step up and give them a chance. Our goal for 2025 is to make our organization stronger. We will fill all empty roles and follow the Udaipur Declaration to equip our party from top to bottom, including local units. We need committed people who are ready to protect the Constitution and share our vision of India.”

This meeting was held to honor Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy. Kharge praised Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru and said the Congress would leave Belagavi with a fresh message and strong determination. He criticized the ruling BJP for spreading false information and encouraged Congress workers to push back against these lies.

Kharge quoted Gandhi, saying, “The truth endures even when it lacks support.” He reminded everyone that they have the truth and millions of supporters behind them.

Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge announced that the year 2025 will be focused on building a stronger party. He urged everyone to work hard to connect with people who have lost faith in the current government’s leadership. Speaking at a meeting in Belagavi, Kharge reminded party leaders of the need to tackle the disappointment from recent election results in Haryana and Maharashtra.

This meeting was significant as it marked 100 years since Mahatma Gandhi led a Congress session in Belagavi. Kharge promised to fill all empty positions in the party and to follow the plans created during a previous meeting to prepare for elections. He encouraged members to find young, committed individuals who will stand up for the Constitution and include them in the party.

Kharge stressed that success doesn’t just come from hard work; it requires a strong and clear plan. Local and new leaders should be given opportunities to shine. He highlighted the party’s rich legacy and expressed hope that they would leave Belagavi with renewed energy and purpose.

Kharge also reminded everyone of Gandhi’s important message about communal harmony. He criticized the ruling party for promoting anger and division among communities. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of supporting actions that go against the Constitution and expressed concern about people losing faith in the election process due to perceived unfairness.

Kharge expressed pride in speaking at the CWC meeting in his home state of Karnataka, reflecting on his long political journey and honoring the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi.

Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), has started a three-day check-up to see how well his party is doing in Mumbai. This is important because there are local elections coming up next year. After a split in the party in 2022, the recent elections were seen as a big test for Uddhav’s group, which is part of the opposition alliance called Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Sadly, the MVA did not do well, winning only 46 out of 288 seats in the assembly elections.

In Mumbai, there are 36 assembly seats, and Shiv Sena (UBT) contested in 21 but only won 10. Anil Parab, a leader from Shiv Sena (UBT), mentioned that Uddhav is looking into how ready they are for the upcoming elections in all 227 municipal wards in Mumbai. These local elections, including for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), could happen in March or April 2025, depending on a Supreme Court decision about OBC (Other Backward Class) reservations in January.

After a disappointing performance in the state elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) is eager to keep control of the BMC, which is one of the richest municipal bodies in Asia. The last budget for the corporation was about Rs 60,000 crore, which is more than what some states have. Most of the municipal corporations, including the BMC, had their terms end in 2022.

Back in December 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that OBC reservations in local bodies cannot happen unless the government meets certain conditions set in a 2010 order. These conditions, known as the “triple test,” require setting up a special commission to collect information on OBCs, deciding how many seats should be reserved based on that information, and making sure the total reservation does not exceed 50%.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray is starting a three-day review of his party’s position in Mumbai as civic elections are expected next year. This comes after a big split in the Shiv Sena party formed by his father, Bal Thackeray, in 2022. The recent assembly elections were a big test for Uddhav’s party, which is part of the opposition group called Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Sadly, the MVA did not do well, winning only 46 seats in the entire state, with Sena (UBT) winning just 20 of those.

In Mumbai, there are 36 assembly seats. Sena (UBT) took part in 21 of these and managed to win 10. Anil Parab, a leader of Sena (UBT), said that Uddhav is checking how ready the party is for elections in all 227 city wards. This review will take place over three days.

Elections for local bodies, like the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), might happen in March or April 2025, depending on a court decision about OBC (Other Backward Class) reservations that is expected in January. After not doing well in the state elections, Sena (UBT) wants to keep control of the BMC, one of the richest civic organizations in Asia. The last budget for the BMC was nearly Rs 60,000 crore, which is more than some smaller states.

Most municipal corporations, including the BMC, had their five-year terms end in 2022. Back in December 2021, the Supreme Court said that OBC reservations in local bodies should not happen unless the government meets certain conditions. These conditions include collecting data about OBC needs in every local body, specifying how many OBC seats there will be, and keeping the overall reservation from going above 50%.