PM Modi, allies felicitate NDA V-P candidate Radhakrishnan at parliamentary party meeting
Radhakrishnan is likely to file his nomination on Wednesday.
With the BJP-led NDA enjoying a comfortable majority in the electoral college comprising MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Radhakrishnan's win is a certainty amid indications from the opposition INDIA bloc that it will field its own candidate and force a contest.
Radhakrishnan (67), a seasoned BJP leader, is currently the Maharashtra governor and hails from Tamil Nadu.
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Hindustan Times
10 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Himachal assembly monsoon session: Pandemonium in House over job data during question hour
Employment concerns dominated the question hour of the Day 3 of Himachal Pradesh monsoon assembly session with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raising slogans and verbal duels between the ruling party and the Opposition. Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during the monsoon session in Shimla on Wednesday. (Deepak Sansta/HT) Dissatisfied with the reply given by the chief minister (CM), the BJP legislators left the house accusing the CM of not providing correct information on the number of jobs given by his government. Meanwhile, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called the BJP 'confused' and engaging in 'political drama'. The protest was triggered after what the BJP alleged, was the state government's failure, to give clear answers on job creation and appointments. BJP MLAs Vipin Singh Parmar and Satpal Satti had raised a question regarding the number of posts created and jobs provided in the state. Even as BJP accused the state government of failing to fulfil the promise of jobs to the youth, CM said that so far 23,191 youth have been given jobs in the government sector. He said that in the last two years, 5,960 new government posts have been created, while 1,783 unnecessary posts have been abolished. After the proceedings of the House, Sukhu, while talking to the media, said, 'Instead of asking questions, the BJP MLAs were engaged in creating ruckus. When the leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur stands up to speak the rest of the MLAs also start raising their hands. The BJP is divided into five factions and is not ready to listen to each other.' He said, 'During the previous BJP government, jobs were sold and papers were leaked. As soon as the Congress came to power, it dissolved the Coordinate Selection Board and formed a new board. Now appointments are being made in a transparent manner.' Lashing out at BJP, Sukhu said that the BJP is only trying to mislead the youth by spreading lies and confusion, while our government is engaged in providing real employment. 'The leadership of the former CM is in danger, which is why the BJP is repeatedly taking the path of walkout. Only scams happened during his tenure, while Congress is working to provide employment to the youth,' Sukhu said. Meanwhile, speaking to reporters outside the assembly, Jai Ram said, 'Today, during question hour, our members asked a very important question regarding employment but the CM did not give any clear answer and he was lying in the house, so we walked out.' Thakur alleged that the Congress government had failed to deliver on its pre-poll promises. 'They had guaranteed 5 lakh jobs in five years with 1 lakh jobs in the first year in permanent government positions with pensions. But instead of giving figures, the CM was arguing. The reality is that on July 31, 2024, the assembly was told that 34,980 jobs had been provided. On August 15, 2025, the CM said 23,195 jobs. There is a difference of around 11,000 jobs,' he said. 'Nearly three years have passed under the Congress government, but not a single unemployed youth got a job. They are even counting Himachalis who have gone abroad at their own expense and found employment there as jobs created in the state,' he alleged. Job trainee is just a change in name: Chief minister In response to BJP MLA Satpal Singh Satti's supplementary question regarding replacing the contract recruitment scheme with job trainee recruitment scheme, the CM clarified that contract jobs have been renamed as job trainee, which has been done under the orders of the court. 'The recruitment will be done through the selection commission. The change in nomenclature was done in wake of high court orders', he said. Jai Ram criticised the government's move to appoint recruits on a job-training basis for two years without regularisation, subject to a qualifying test later. 'This is a crude joke with the youth. Nurses are being hired through outsourcing agencies, and these agencies are linked to Congress leaders and their relatives. Money is being taken first, and then jobs are given,' Jai Ram alleged. Box: Sexual exploitation, forceful marriage of orphan girl from Pangi rocks house, CM assures action Sexual exploitation and forceful marriage of an orphan girl from Chamba's Pangi Chamba rocked the House, after which CM Sukhu informed that a suspect has been arrested and FIR has been registered. Responding to the issue raised by Bharmour MLA Janak Raj, under Rule 62, the CM assured that strict action would be taken in the matter. Janak Raj pointed out that a minor orphan girl was sexually exploited, after which she got pregnant. 'After the girl gave birth, she was sent to Jammu, where she was married to someone,' said Janak Raj. He also slammed the authorities for inaction saying that officials concerned did not take the required action in the matter. 'I urge the CM to take strict action against the officials who tried to cover up the matter,' he said. CM Sukhu said, 'Based on her statement, an FIR was registered on August 18 under Sections 65(1) of the BNS, Sections 4 and 17 of the POCSO Act, and Sections 9 and 11 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. The minor delivered a child earlier this year, leading to the arrest of the main accused. The newborn's DNA profiling has been initiated for paternity confirmation.' Meanwhile, CM also said that the matter related to the sexual assault with a minor is very sensitive and assured action against officials found negligent. Inoperative bank account of the govt to be made operational: Sukhu Cash strapped Himachal to make inoperative bank account operative once again. While replying to the question raised by Congress MLA from Shahpur in Kangra, Kewal Singh Pathania over the FDR of the government in different banks, CM Sukhu told the House that the inoperative bank account would be made operational. Leader of Opposition Jai Ram said that it is a matter of grave concern that government accounts are inoperative that too when the state's finances are not in pink of health. He asked the government to fix responsibility. India should not play with Pakistan in Asia Cup Congress MLA from Indora, Malender Rajan, said that India should not play with Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Raising the concern during the Zero Hour, Rajan said that India playing Pakistan was not appropriate in view of the strained relations with the country and would be an insult to our soldiers. He strongly condemned the move and urged that a proposal should be sent to the Centre and the Board of Control for Cricket in India through the Assembly Secretariat to withdraw the permission given to the team to play against Pakistan. The Asia Cup is being held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from September 9 to 28. India is scheduled to play Pakistan on September 14. Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathnia assured the concern will be forwarded. CM assures action in death of Hamirpur student in WB BJP MLA from Barsar, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, raised the issue of the death of a Hamirpur youth in an engineering college in West Bengal under Rule 62 and sought the government's response on the death of 22-year-old Kapil Kumar of village Bhaged in Hamirpur. Kapil was pursuing a course at Seacom Marine College, Howrah, since April this year and died under mysterious circumstances on August 9. An FIR was registered at Sankrail police station, Howrah City, on the complaint of his uncle. Lakhanpal said the West Bengal police had registered it as a drowning case, but the family of the deceased suspect murder. CM Sukhu said, 'The victim's uncle also moved an application with Himachal Police. I instructed DGP Ashok Tewari to take appropriate action. The application for a fair and transparent probe has been forwarded to the police commissioner, Howrah, and correspondence has been made by the Himachal DGP with his West Bengal counterpart on August 19.' HP assembly council chamber marks 100 years The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly's Council Chamber on Wednesday completed 100 years since its establishment. Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania described it as a 'living witness to the history of democracy', where decisions taken have given 'a new direction' to India's politics and society. Construction of the building began in 1920 and was completed on August 20,1925. At the time, the Government of India Act, 1919, had come into effect, under which the British Indian Government comprised 145 members – 104 elected and the rest nominated. The summer sessions of the legislative assembly were held in Shimla during that period. It was in this chamber that Vitthalbhai Patel was elected the first Indian President (then referred to as the 'President' of the Council) and where the proposal to grant women the right to vote was passed. Speaking on the occasion, Pathania said the chamber has been a silent spectator to many historic events from the British era to the present day. 'This building is not merely a structure of stone, but an integral part of India's democratic journey. Democratic values were established here which gave a new direction to society,' he said. 'From here, democratic values were established, giving society a new direction,' he remarked. Bhabi ji ko pension to laga di: BJP while reminds govt of poll promise Taking a jibe at the CM Sukhu, BJP MLA from Una, Satpal Singh Satti, while reminding Congress of its poll promise of giving ₹1,500 per month to women in the age group of 18-59 years, said, 'You have given pension to Bhabhi Ji (Referring to CM's wife and Dehra MLA Kamlesh Thakur) while other sisters are waiting.' In a quirky reply, CM said that 'pension nahin salary lagi hai wo bi aap logo ki wajah se (she is getting salary not pension, that too because of you (BJP).' In 2024 bye-elections Kamlesh Thakur, wife of CM Sukhu, won from Dehra assembly seat. Your claims are like Dream 11: BJP BJP took dig at Sukhu-led Himachal government for failing to provide employment despite promising the same in election manifesto. 'Your claims on employment are like illusion to the youth just like Dream 11'. The Dream 11 is an Indian fantasy sports platform that allows users to play daily fantasy sports contests, primarily in cricket.
Hindustan Times
10 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Delhi CM attack: ‘Photo' of attacker, AAP MLA sparks row
New Delhi Police at the CM's residence. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo) The attack on Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta during a 'Jan Sunwai (public hearing)' programme sparked a war of words between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), with the former alleging a 'conspiracy' behind the attack and the opposition party an attempt by the BJP to defame the AAP. The row started over an image posted by BJP MLA Harish Khurana, in which the attacker was seen with Gopal Italia, an AAP Gujarat leader. The AAP refuted the allegation, calling it an AI-generated image. BJP parliamentarian Ramvir Singh Bidhuri demanded a screening of the attacker's phone logs. 'The conspiracy behind the attack must be exposed to find out who is upset with the significant development made by Rekha Gupta's government within just six months and who wants to harm her. The CCTV footage clearly shows that the attacker first conducted a recce of the CM's residence. It should be investigated who the attacker spoke to on the phone during the recce. To whom was the attacker providing all the information?' Bidhuri said. Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa also alleged a 'political conspiracy' behind the attack. 'I condemn the attack on the chief minister during today's Jan Sunwai. Our CM worries for Delhi day and night, and anyone can come and meet the CM at her residence. This is a conspiracy by rivals. They can't tolerate that a CM remains amid the public for hours, that she meets people at her residence. So, there seems to be a political conspiracy behind this. Delhi Police is investigating this. All facts will come out,' Manjinder Singh Sirsa said in a video statement. In a statement, the AAP said that a picture of a person named Rajesh Sakaria was edited and AI was used to create a manipulated image alongside the photo of AAP MLA Gopal Bhai Italia by Delhi BJP MLA Harish Khurana. In a video statement, Gopal Italia said, 'The cheap move by the Delhi BJP leader is absolutely wrong. An old video has been edited and a fake photo of someone has been used to do this cheap act. I appeal to all BJP leaders to avoid fake news…I will have to move the court and police against the spreading of fake news.' AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal condemned the attack, saying violence had no place in a democracy. 'The attack on Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is highly condemnable. In a democratic system, differences of opinion and opposition are acceptable, but there can be no place for violence. I am confident that the Delhi Police will take appropriate action. I hope the Chief Minister is completely safe and healthy,' Kejriwal said in a post on X. In a video statement, AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj said, 'Today, news is coming in that Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked, someone tried to slap her. This is absolutely condemnable. Any form of violence has no place in our society, and Mahatma Gandhi taught us this hundred years ago. The question is—which parties and which ideologies are promoting violence in the country and in society? Who is patronising violence, encouraging it, legitimising it?' Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav said the security lapse indicated the 'deteriorating law and order situation in the Capital with crimes against women witnessing a sharp spike.' 'When the Chief Minister of Delhi is not safe, how will the security of the common people of Delhi and women working outside their homes be ensured? The blatant attack on CM Rekha Gupta by a man against whom there are many police complaints pending, is a huge security lapse. It raises a big question about the poor law and order as those in power seems to be in deep slumber with crimes proliferating everywhere, including the business of drug in every nook and corner of the city,' Yadav said.
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
After 'vote chori', it's 'satta chori', claims opposition, says bill aimed at keeping Naidu, Nitish in check
Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi NEW DELHI: Even as it anchored the protest against the bill on unseating jailed ministers and CMs in the constitutional provisions, Congress claimed BJP brass was conjuring up the provision to keep a check on its two allies - CMs Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar - a political spin that struck a chord with the rest of the opposition as the issue flared up Wednesday. Rahul Gandhi said the bill takes the country back to "medieval times" when a king could just remove anybody at will, just for not liking somebody's face. In the thick of opposition protest on "vote chori", Modi govt's move on a constitutional amendment to provide for automatic dismissal of any minister who has been jailed for 30 days, initially surprised anti-BJP camp. But INDIA bloc soon concluded it was a BJP bid to "distract" people from "vote chori" that has triggered a national campaign under a united rival camp. Congress MP K C Venugopal said, "When allies like Naidu and Nitish need to be threatened... the home minister brings this dangerous bill that strikes at the heart of the constitutional principles." The spin is not only in step with opposition's jibes post-2024 that Modi 3.0 is governing on crutches, but adds an intrigue to it. INDIA has been relishing the fact that TDP chose to write to EC on SIR in line with opposition's concerns and in defiance of BJP. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cable TV Cable TV Search Now It also inserts a mischief ahead of Bihar polls where BJP is aligned with JD(U). But the generic attack line, that further cements the unity among regional parties, is that BJP is looking to destabilise opposition states. Congress MP Manickam Tagore sarcastically said, "Amid 'vote chori', this is law for 'satta chori'." RSP MP N K Premachandran said it is Article 356, by which the Centre can dismiss a state govt, by another name. "It is, in fact, an easier 356. Under the proposed law, you don't need a governor's report or evidence. Just file a case and arrest a CM for a month, and the govt is vulnerable." Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee said, "When EC could not be twisted to their tune, they unleashed ED, with an ulterior motive to jail opposition leaders, topple elected govts, and steal people's mandate. This is a super emergency."
