Category: Politics

In recent news, the Andhra Pradesh police have issued a Lookout Circular (LOC) against YSRCP MP Vijaisai Reddy. This decision follows an investigation into the Kakinada Seaport and SEZ share transfer case, where he, along with others, has been accused of wrongdoing. Vijaisai Reddy believes that this move is motivated by political intentions aimed at damaging his reputation.

The LOC also targets Y Vikranth Reddy, son of another party member Y V Subba Reddy, and Sarath Chandra Reddy, a director of Aurobindo Pharma. These individuals were previously booked by the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly using forceful tactics to acquire shares in Kakinada Seaport and SEZ.

According to a complaint from Karnati Venkateswara Rao, the chairman of KSPL, his family’s shares, worth over ₹3600 crores, were taken for just ₹500 crores by Aurobindo Realty (now called Auro Infra) in 2020-21, under the influence of former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Responding to the LOC, Vijaisai Reddy questioned why it was issued when he already needs CBI court permission to travel abroad due to other cases against him. He criticized Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu, saying that he was trying to tarnish his image without understanding the situation. Meanwhile, Vikranth Reddy has applied for anticipatory bail in the Andhra Pradesh High Court regarding this case.

On Friday, the Congress party showed strong support for farmers and their ongoing protests. The farmers are marching from their protest site at Shambhu border, between Punjab and Haryana, to Delhi. This comes after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar spoke out about farmers’ issues at a ceremony in Mumbai. He asked why promises made to farmers were not kept and what should be done to fulfill these promises.

Jairam Ramesh, the Congress leader, stated that the Vice President’s remarks have given a big boost to the farmers’ movement. He said farmers are demanding several things, including:

1. A legal promise for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops.
2. Setting MSP at 1.5 times the calculation of growing costs, based on recommendations from the MS Swaminathan Commission.
3. One-time debt relief for farmers, similar to how banks have written off huge amounts owed by private companies.
4. Decisions on importing and exporting farm goods must involve farmers’ opinions, through an independent agency.
5. A restructuring of the PM Fasal Bima Yojana to truly support farmers.

Ramesh also reminded people that the Congress party has promised similar support before the elections. Farmers want a legal guarantee for MSP, especially as they march towards Parliament.

To prepare for the protesters, security forces have been heavily deployed at the Haryana border. The Ambala district has restricted gatherings of five or more people to maintain order. The farmers are organized under groups like Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. They have been at the Shambhu and Khanauri border areas since February 13, after police stopped their march to Delhi last year.

In addition to the MSP demand, farmers want debt waivers, pensions for themselves and farm workers, no increase in electricity rates, the dropping of police charges against them, and justice for victims of violence in 2021. They also want changes to the Land Acquisition Act of 2013 and compensation for families of farmers who died in past protests

A recent interview by BBC Hindi with Avadh Ojha, a new member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and a well-known educator, was unexpectedly stopped at the party’s office in Delhi. Ojha, who has taught in classrooms and now coaches students on YouTube, joined AAP after rumors of him joining BJP or Congress, and after both parties did not give him Lok Sabha tickets.

The interview got tense when BBC reporter Anshul Singh asked Ojha if he would keep praising BJP leader Yogi Adityanath and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, since they are rivals of AAP. Ojha, who often admires different leaders in his videos, said it’s good to recognize others’ successes, just like famous cricketer Sachin Tendulkar praised Brian Lara.

However, an AAP member interrupted, saying, “I had told you not to ask any strange questions. Stop this.” Singh insisted he was just asking a normal question. When Singh asked Ojha if he found the question inappropriate, Ojha answered, “Look, the party will decide what to say. This is what they will decide.” He then took off his microphone, ending the interview.

In a description of the video shared on YouTube, BBC News Hindi claimed that AAP officials stopped the recording and did not let the conversation finish.

BJP MLA Kalidas Kolambkar is set to become the pro-tem Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. He will take his oath on Friday at 1 PM at the Raj Bhavan, with Governor C P Radhakrishnan leading the ceremony. Kolambkar has been an MLA nine times and currently represents the Wadala area in Mumbai.

As the pro-tem Speaker, he has important jobs ahead. He will help 288 newly-elected MLAs take their oaths and will organize the election for the Assembly Speaker during a special three-day session that starts on December 7. The Speaker election will happen on December 9, which will also be followed by a trust vote for the government led by Devendra Fadnavis.

Fadnavis was sworn in as the Chief Minister on Thursday evening, while Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar took their oaths as Deputy Chief Ministers. The ruling coalition, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, won 230 of the 288 assembly seats in the elections held on November 20. The winter session of the Legislative Assembly will take place in Nagpur from December 16 to 21.

Mumbai: Remembering Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on Mahaparinirvan Diwas
On December 6, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar came together at Shivaji Park to honor Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a key figure in Indian history. This day, known as Mahaparinirvan Diwas, marks the anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar’s passing.

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, born on April 14, 1891, was a great lawyer, economic thinker, politician, and social reformer. He fought hard for the rights of Dalits (the lower castes) and worked for equality, women’s rights, and workers’ rights. He dedicated his life to ending caste discrimination and believed in fairness for everyone.

The term “Mahaparinirvan” means “nirvana after death,” and this day is very important for Buddhists, as it symbolizes liberation from the continuous cycle of life and death. Dr. Ambedkar played a significant role in drafting the Indian Constitution and was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest honor, in 1990.

Dr. Ambedkar left us on December 6, 1956, in Delhi, but his incredible legacy continues to inspire many today.

Devendra Fadnavis Sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister, Promises Stability and Development

On Thursday, Devendra Fadnavis took the oath of office as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He promised to work together with his allies for a strong and stable government. Fadnavis acknowledged Eknath Shinde from the Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar from the NCP, who are now his two deputy chief ministers.

“We are all here to work for the people,” he said. He noted the importance of the ‘Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’, which aims to support women in the state. Fadnavis emphasized that the new government will keep the momentum of progress from the past two and a half years going strong.

Fadnavis announced that a special assembly session will be conducted from December 7 to 9, where they will elect a Speaker. He also mentioned that the cabinet will be expanded before the winter session.

In the recent elections, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance won a significant victory, securing 230 out of 288 assembly seats. After taking the oath, Fadnavis and his deputies went to the state secretariat to hold their first cabinet meeting.

Fadnavis revealed that the choice of departments for ministers is almost final, with only a few minor changes from the previous government.

One of his first actions in office was to approve Rs 5 lakh in aid for a patient needing a bone marrow transplant. This assistance came after the patient’s wife requested help.

Fadnavis highlighted that his government will work openly for the people’s benefit and will avoid any form of political revenge. He also called for a fresh start in political communication, inviting leaders from other parties, although they did not attend the swearing-in event.

A judge in Delhi sent Naresh Balyan, an MLA from AAP representing Uttam Nagar, to jail for a day in a case about organized crime. Judge Kaveri Baweja decided to keep him in jail because the police wanted to question him for 10 more days, but the discussion about this is still ongoing and will continue on December 6.

The police believe Balyan holds important information about a larger plan related to the case. Earlier, another judge stopped the police from taking him into custody and told them to bring Balyan to the right court that deals with cases involving lawmakers. When the police tried to justify their actions, the judge pointed out that they were wasting time.

Balyan was arrested on December 4 and had recently been granted bail in a different case related to extortion.

Devendra Fadnavis Sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister for the Third Time

On Thursday, Devendra Fadnavis took the oath of office as Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the third time. He was joined by Ajit Pawar from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Eknath Shinde from the Shiv Sena as Deputy Chief Ministers.

The recent state elections held in November saw the Mahayuti alliance, consisting of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, win a huge victory, securing 230 out of 288 seats. Although the BJP won the most seats (132), it fell short of the 145 needed to have a majority. Eknath Shinde’s faction won 57 seats, while Ajit Pawar’s NCP won 41 seats.

The swearing-in ceremony, attended by over 40,000 people, including Prime Minister Modi and many state leaders, was a grand event. Prominent business figures and celebrities were also present. Fadnavis had previously served as Chief Minister from 2014 to 2019 and had a brief term in November 2019.

The BJP wanted Fadnavis back in the Chief Minister role, causing some tension with Shinde’s faction, which wanted to keep their leader in charge. While discussions were happening between the parties, the BJP did offer deputy positions to Shinde and Pawar. They are still figuring out ministers and resources.

Fadnavis mentioned that he asked Eknath Shinde to join the new government. Fadnavis is hopeful about Shinde’s positive response after their recent conversation. Shinde congratulated Fadnavis but said he would update reporters later about his involvement in the swearing-in.

Devendra Fadnavis’s story in Indian politics is all about hard work and smart thinking. He was born into a family that was already involved in politics—his dad, Gangadharrao Fadnavis, was a member of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party). But Devendra had to find his own way by starting from the ground up, getting involved in local activities, and joining student groups.

When he was a student, he showed he understood how to communicate well. One important moment in his life was when he left Indira Convent School during the Emergency period initiated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He switched to Saraswati Vidyalaya to finish his studies, showing his courage.

As a disciplined student and a natural leader, many of Fadnavis’s classmates remember him fondly. Nikhil Mundle, a friend from childhood, described him as someone who “never broke rules” and who could connect with all kinds of people. An entrepreneur friend, Ravleen Khurana, shared how Fadnavis helped him during a college debate. She won the competition using points he suggested!

Fadnavis studied law, but instead of becoming a lawyer, he focused on activism and worked with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), making many important connections along the way.

At just 22 years old, Fadnavis became a corporator in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. He learned how to listen to the public and solve problems. By the age of 27, he became the youngest mayor of Nagpur, taking on more responsibilities.

In 1999, he moved to state politics and won his first assembly election. As a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), he was known for doing careful research and having fact-based discussions. He was often recognized for looking at state budgets closely and pointing out what didn’t work well, always using data to support his arguments.

During this time, a friend suggested he try modeling. Although he was shy at first, he kept at it. After taking over 100 photos in different outfits, he ended up with eight huge ads in Nagpur. His friends say that former Prime Minister Vajpayee even called him the “model MLA.”

Fadnavis’s ability to analyze important information and give powerful speeches helped him catch the eye of senior BJP leaders like Gopinath Munde. Today, his journey from local activism to becoming a well-known politician is defined by his dedication, hard work, and great communication skills