Road project plaque vandalised in Bokaro, sparks controversy
Bokaro: A road construction project, the foundation of which was laid under the Chief Minister Gram Sadak Yojana in Dantu village, has stirred a political controversy after its stone plaque was found vandalised 24 hours after Giridih MP of opposition Ajsu-P, Chandraprakash Chaudhary, performed 'Bhoomi Pujan' at the project site.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
According to villagers, the road project, connecting Ravidas Tola to Jara Haluma, was initially inaugurated online by chief minister Hemant Soren on September 13, 2024. However, a 'Bhoomi Pujan' was organised on June 5, led by Chaudhary in the presence of departmental junior engineer Sameer Kumar Das, local mukhiya Chandrashekhar Nayak and several villagers. Drinking water minister Yogendra Prasad's name was also inscribed on the plaque though he did not attend the event.
By Friday morning, the plaque was discovered shattered by unknown miscreants. This triggered sharp reactions from Ajsu-P supporters and local residents, who expressed outrage and called it an act of political sabotage.
Chaudhary condemned the act, calling it a "clear violation of the law" and branding the perpetrators as "anti-development elements". He urged the district administration to identify and take strict action against those responsible for the vandalism.
JMM's Kasmar block president Dilip Hembram denied the party's involvement in the vandalism and claimed that Chaudhary overstepped his authority by performing the Bhoomi Pujan for a state govt scheme.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
NIA to probe ex-Bajrang Dal leader's murder in Karnataka
The Centre has handed over the probe into the murder of former Bajrang Dal member Suhas Shetty in Karnataka last month to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), officials aware of the matter said on Sunday. The ministry of home affairs (MHA), in its notification dated June 7, ordered the central agency to investigate the case, citing implications on national security and the need to uncover a larger conspiracy. 'The Central Government is of the opinion that a Scheduled Offence under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, has been committed... and it is required to be investigated by the National Investigation Agency in accordance with the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008,' the notification said. According to police, Suhas was travelling with five of his associates near Kinnikambla in Bajpe area of Mangaluru on the night of May 1 when their vehicle was intercepted by five-six assailants, who then dragged the 30-year-old out of the vehicle and hacked him to death. The incident triggered communal tensions in the region, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). So far, twelve people have been arrested in connection with Shetty's murder. The Centre's decision comes a month after the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka demanded an NIA inquiry into the incident, with the party accusing the Congress-led state government of 'going soft' on the issue. 'Why is the Congress government unwilling to hand over the case to the NIA? What are they afraid of?' BJP lawmaker Captain Brijesh Chowta said on May 5, after the Congress dismissed the murder as a case of personal rivalry. When asked about NIA taking over the probe, chief minister Siddaramaiah, on Sunday, said, 'I have asked DG and IGP MA Saleem to seek legal advice from the advocate general.' In its notification, the MHA said that the murder appeared to be a targeted killing carried out in public to create fear, allegedly by members of the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI). 'In this case, sections 10 r/w 41, 13, 15, 17, 18 & 20 of UA(P) Act, 1967 are attracted, as it is related to targeted killing of an individual in public view with the intention to create terror in the minds of people and the accused persons involved in the case are allegedly members of Popular Front of India (PFI), an unlawful association,' the order read.
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
2034 earliest for simultaneous polls under existing Bills: One Nation, One Election panel chief
P P Chaudhary, BJP MP and chairman of the Joint Committee of Parliament on Bills relating to 'One Nation, One Election', has told The Indian Express that the earliest that simultaneous elections can be held under the existing Bills is 2034, and the committee may go beyond the draft law to suggest ways to keep polls aligned, including recommending a provision for a constructive or positive vote of no-confidence. In an interview with The Indian Express, Chaudhary, responding to a question on how long it would take the committee to finalise its recommendations, said members had unanimously decided to visit all states and Union Territories – a process that would take about two to two-and-a-half years. So far, the committee has visited two states: Uttarakhand and Maharashtra. The Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha in December last year and were almost immediately referred to the Chaudhary-led committee which has been holding consultations with stakeholders for feedback. Although the draft legislation provides for a one-time measure to bring Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in sync, Chaudhary felt that the committee could make additional recommendations to address how synchronisation should be maintained. One such suggestion could be a constructive vote of no-confidence which, as is the case in Germany, requires members of a legislature who bring a no-confidence motion against a government to have the numbers to form the government instead. Asked when the first simultaneous elections would be held, he said: 'The committee will deliberate; Parliament will decide. We can't say when, but the Bill says the first session of Parliament, if it happens with the appointed date, then it would be from 2034.' The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment Bill), 2024 provide for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and Assemblies. If passed, the Bills provide for the President notifying the appointed date on the first sitting of a newly-elected Lok Sabha and every state or UT Assembly elected after that appointed date would have its term curtailed to align with the Lok Sabha. This would provide for simultaneous elections to be held when the five-year term of the Lok Sabha ends. The Bills also provide for elections to be held for the remainder term in case a government falls before the five-year term. Asked what would happen if a Lok Sabha or Assembly election returns a hung verdict or if a Union or state government falls, Chaudhary said: 'The Constitution does not mention no-confidence motion even now; it is governed by Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. We can bring in some provisions for stability. We can recommend new provisions in the Constitution.' He said the committee could deliberate on the issue and it was for Parliament to decide. 'If some impediments are there in the Constitution, those impediments may be redressed after discussion with all the members. Constructive no-confidence motion, like the German model, can be discussed. Once you bring a no-confidence motion, then at the same time, you should bring a confidence motion. In the rarest of rare situations, the Leader of the House can be elected on the floor of the House like the Speaker is. But, this situation will not arise. We have seen that the electorate does not support those who bring a no-confidence motion,' he said. 'All members will discuss and if there is a requirement to incorporate something or make additions to the Bill in the national interest, I believe the committee will recommend. If our end goal is to achieve 'One Nation, One Election', then definitely we will recommend amendments to enable that,' he said. The Bills had been introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on December 17, 2024 and were based on the recommendations of the High-Level Committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind. Responding to criticism from some in the Opposition that the move would be anti-democratic and against federalism, Chaudhary, who is BJP MP from Pali in Rajasthan, said simultaneous elections would further the cause of democracy. 'In our experience, the states where elections are held simultaneously, the voter turnout is 10-20% more. Is that in the interest of or against democracy? If there is only 40% polling and the PM or CM is elected with 21% of the votes, is that democracy? I believe polling will cross 80% if we have simultaneous elections. The expression of the will of the people will be more robust and it will strengthen democracy. Not holding simultaneous elections is anti-democratic,' he said. He maintained that the Bills only 'fixed the time schedule' of elections and did not affect the basic structure of the Constitution, federalism and free and fair elections. He said Article 327 of the Constitution gives Parliament the power to make provision with respect to elections to legislatures. When it comes to federalism, he said the Supreme Court, in the SR Bommai case in 1994, had reinforced that federalism is a basic feature and that the Bills before the committee do not infringe upon this as the powers of the Union and states remain the same. 'The first three elections were held simultaneously until 1967. Were those elections against federalism? Some Assembly elections are still held with Lok Sabha, is that against federalism? Has any regional party in those states demanded separate elections? Look at the example of TDP in Andhra Pradesh or BJD in Odisha. This argument is untenable. We welcome anyone who wants to come before the committee with such an argument, with foundations. We will deal with it. If there is no basis, we cannot deal with such an argument properly,' he said. The Bills, he said, did not alter the accountability of the government to Parliament and that holding frequent elections did not mean that the government would be more accountable. 'We have a parliamentary form of democracy. The executive is accountable 24×7 to Parliament,' he said. Asked about the concerns of regional parties that holding simultaneous elections would lead to regional issues being sidelined, he said voters were capable of electing different parties at the Centre and state. 'The voters today are very intelligent and politically educated. We can't underestimate the Indian voters. Underestimating them will tantamount to undermining them. The voters, particularly in rural areas like where I come from, know who to vote for in national elections based on national issues, and in local elections, based on local issues,' he said. Chaudhary said the cost of frequent elections was borne by the education system, particularly government schools where teachers are sent on election duty for months, and the economy. On how much it would cost to hold simultaneous elections, he said it would be 'maximum Rs15,000 crore'. But this, he said, would be a small amount when compared to the benefit to the economy in terms of fewer disruptions to governance, policy-making and investments. On the other hand, he said the practice of announcing freebies and caste-based politics around elections would also be reduced if all elections were held once in five years. As a part of the committee's hearings, he said all states and UTs had been asked to prepare reports on the impact of frequent elections to their economy and society. Stakeholders like the Indian Bank Association were also asked to study the impact of simultaneous elections. The Committee has so far met former Chief Justice of India U U Lalit and several former Supreme Court and High Court judges as a part of its consultations. He said the committee plans on meeting more legal luminaries, apart from political leaders and other stakeholders in states. Asked how the BJP would be able to have the Constitutional amendment passed as it required two-thirds majority, which the NDA does not have, he said he believed the parties who think of the national interest would support the Bills. 'It is not in the party's interest, it is in the national interest. It will not take time to be passed if they think in national interest. I have full faith that the parties that think of national interest will support. If Congress or any other party thinks of national interest first, then not just 2/3, but we will get 3/4 majority,' he said. The committee, comprising 39 members and two co-opted members, had been given an extension until the Monsoon session during the last session.
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
'World now knows the truth': Shashi Tharoor-led delegation on Operation Sindoor wraps up US visit
The all-party delegation on Operation Sindoor, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, wrapped up the last leg of its multi-nation tour in the United States after meeting Vice President JD Vance and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. The delegation arrived in the US on June 3 for a three-day visit. It held meetings on Capitol Hill and in Washington and briefed American officials and leaders about India's Operation Sindoor and the nation's stance on cross-border terrorism. Before the US, the Tharoor-led delegation visited Panama, Guyana, Colombia, and Brazil. The group includes Sarfaraz Ahmad (JMM), Tejasvi Surya (BJP), Gants Harish Madhur Balayogi (TDP), Shashank Mani Tripathi (BJP), Bhubaneswar Kalita (BJP), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), and India's former Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Sandhu. In a post on X late on Sunday, Shashi Tharoor wrote in Hindi, "If you are born a hundred times, you will do it a hundred times; I will love my country with all my heart; Whatever we could do, we did it "A Watan"; The whole world now knows the truth." "On behalf of all the member, I express gratitude to the motherland and the lovers of India in the country and abroad who listened with open ears and accepted with open heart that we are lovers of non-violence but only until Hind!" he added. The Tharoor-led group met Vice President Vance, Landau, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) leadership, India Caucus leadership and Senate Foreign Relations Committee leaders. The meeting with Vance, which was held at the White House for about 25 minutes on Thursday, was described as an excellent meeting" by Shashi Tharoor. He said that Vance was "warm and welcoming and receptive". 'Vance expressed complete understanding, first of all, outrage of what happened in Pahalgam and support and respect for India's restrained response in Operation Sindoor,' Tharoor told news agency PTI after the meeting. Following the delegation's meeting with Landau on Friday, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement that the Deputy Secretary of State "reaffirmed the United States' strong support of India in the fight against terrorism and the strategic partnership between the two countries". 'We discussed the US-India strategic relationship, including expanding trade and commercial ties to foster growth and prosperity for both countries,' Landau said. The Indian Embassy said in a statement that during the meeting with Landau, the Tharoor-led delegation explained to him India's stance against terrorism, with Operation Sindoor being launched in response to the brutal April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. On its last day of the scheduled meetings, the delegation also paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at this statue outside the Indian Embassy in Washington. Afterwards, Tharoor posted on X, "It is striking how many world capitals are adorned with statues or busts of the Mahatma, the 20th century's greatest apostle of peace, nonviolence, and human freedom." The Indian government launched the initiative of sending seven delegations, with members cutting across party lines, to travel to 32 countries and the EU headquarters in Brussels. The goal of this global outreach program is to put forth India's resolve to tackle terrorism against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor. The Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 and carried out targeted strikes at nine terror infrastructures linked to outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, etc., in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation was launched in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Baisaran near Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. During Operation Sindoor, more than 100 terrorists were killed. Following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan attempted to launch a retaliatory military action, with cross-border shelling, unarmed aerial vehicles, and drones across J&K, and border regions. However, most of these attacks were thwarted by the Indian armed forces and the nation's air defence system. After four days of intense cross-border fighting, India and Pakistan reached a ceasefire understanding on May 10.
