
'PM who travelled the most on taxpayers' money': Mahua Moitra targets Modi's five-nation tour; cites Munir-Trump meet
In a video shared by PTI, Moitra said, 'Honourable Prime Minister has left yet again on another very long foreign tour. Few questions for the Honourable Prime Minister for the globe-trotting Prime Minister.'
She questioned the effectiveness of PM Modi's diplomacy, saying, 'Mr. Prime Minister, you've probably been the one Prime Minister who's travelled the most on taxpayers' money apparently cementing India in the global world order and making sure that we are in prime position.'
Referring to recent international developments, Moitra pointedly asked, 'How is it that after all your diplomatic outreach and after all of India's efforts that today the leader of the free world is openly professing love for what is known as a terror hub, is having meals with its army chief and worst of all India and Pakistan have been hyphenated together — something that was unthinkable even 10 years ago. Today the Prime Minister of India and the Prime Minister of Pakistan are being spoken of in the same breath.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah?
IC Markets
Mendaftar
Undo
'
She further asked why India's foreign policy had failed to isolate Pakistan globally. 'How is it after all your efforts Mr. Prime Minister and after the efforts of our external affairs ministry, after all diplomatic efforts, we have been unable to diplomatically isolate Pakistan?'
Moitra also targeted the PM over US president Donald Trump's repeated claims of brokering the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. 'This Operation Sindoor that was carried out with much fanfare in which 140 crore Indians including all opposition parties backed you 100%, came to a ceasefire with the President of the United States announcing this was the operation of success — was the operation a failure? At what timing was it decided that a ceasefire would be called? And at whose decision was this?'
She further by pointed at the ongoing international financial support for Pakistan. 'Multilateral organisations like the World Bank, like the IMF, are bailing out Pakistan with billions of dollars. In the face of them doing what they have to India, we have either been completely unable to convince them or Pakistan's just done a better job than we have.'
Prime Minister Modi departed on July 2 for a five-nation tour to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
87% enumeration forms distributed in Bihar; 5% filled up & returned; documents can be added later
Special intensive roll revision (SIR) completed in Bihar NEW DELHI: Booth level officers (BLOs) on Friday completed door-to-door visits to the state's nearly 1.5 crore households as part of the ongoing special intensive roll revision (SIR), distributing enumeration forms to over 87 per cent or over 6.8 crore, of Bihar's 7.9 crore electorate. Already, 38 lakh or 5 per cent filled-up and signed enumeration forms, with or without the specified documents, have been received by the BLOs, with the figure expected to touch 15 per cent on Saturday. Sources in the election commission (EC) told TOI that even where enumeration forms are short on one or more required documents, there shall be a window for the elector concerned to submit them anytime before July 25, the last date for submission of the completed enumeration forms. 'All those who turn in their filled-up forms by July 25 will be included in the draft electoral roll to be published on August 1, 2025,' said an EC official adding that the BLOs are working with the motto 'inclusion first'. 'In order to get one's name in the draft electoral roll, the strict condition is to sign and submit the pre-printed enumeration form before July 25. This step will filter out non-existent voters, either dead or migrated ones who are no longer ordinary residents of that assembly constituency,' said an EC officer. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like O novo Chevrolet Tracker é simplesmente perfeito com esses preços! Smartfinancetips Saiba Mais Undo Though BLOs will give their recommendation while submitting/uploading the filled up enumeration form, the electoral registration officer (ERO) or assistant ERO (AERO) is expected to scrutinise the forms 'not recommended' by BLOs only after draft rolls are published on August 1. Claims and objections to the draft electoral roll can be filed from August 1 to September 1. 'Based on the documents attached or not attached, eligibility verification of each name in the draft roll will start vigorously from August 2 onwards, which is also the date from which political parties or any member of the public can file claims and objections,' said an officer. EROs and AEROs will scrutinise the forms against the eligibility criteria laid down in Article 326, which requires electors to Indian citizens, not less than 18 years of age and ordinarily resident in the constituency. Asked about the remaining 13 per cent enumeration forms still not distributed by BLOs, EC said these could be on account of locked houses, dead electors, migrants or those who may be travelling. BLO will be making two more house visits in such cases. Electors who miss the July 25 deadline can still apply for inclusion during the claims and objections period using Form 6. The over 1.5 lakh booth level agents (BLAs) appointed by political parties, including 52,689 by the BJP 47,504 by RJD, 34,660 by JD(U) and 16,500 by the Congress, can continue to submit up to 10 forms per day even after the draft roll is published. The final electoral roll will be published on September 30, 2025. Those still aggrieved can file first appeal with the district magistrate and final one with the chief electoral officer. Further additions to the electoral roll can be made even after the Bihar poll is announced, that is, till the last day of filing of nominations.


Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Gaza war: Hamas gives 'positive' response to latest ceasefire proposal; says 'fully prepared' for negotiations to end conflict
Israel-Hamas war Hamas said on Friday it has given a 'positive' response to the latest proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza but called for further talks to implement an agreement, if reached. "Hamas has submitted its positive response to the Egyptian and Qatari mediators. We are fully prepared to immediately enter into a round of negotiations regarding the mechanism for implementing this framework,' its statement read, according to The Associated Press. However, the statement did not elaborate on what needed to be worked out in implementation. Also, it was not clear if the statement meant it had accepted the proposal from US President Donald Trump for a 60-day ceasefire. Also Read: Israeli strike kills 20 in Gaza; Trump says expects Hamas reply to truce proposal soon 'We'll see what happens. We're going to know over the next 24 hours,' Trump told reporters on Air Force One late Thursday when asked if Hamas had agreed to the latest framework for a ceasefire. The Palestinian militant group, which controls Gaza, has been seeking guarantees that the initial truce would lead to a total end to the war, which began with its attacks inside Israel on October 7, 2023, and the latter's subsequent military retaliation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like '혈액순환,'' 잘되니 종아리 쥐가 없어요!" ''혈관 건강.' 관리는 이걸로 끝!! 면역력 Rg3의 비결 더 알아보기 Undo Trump has been pushing hard for a deal, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to visit the White House next week to discuss a deal. Also Read: Israel says releasing hostages 'opportunity' for Gaza; Hamas insists on full end to war According to an official close to the talks, the group has put forth certain demands — that Israeli troops in Gaza pull back to positions held on March 2, before it broke the previous ceasefire (agreed and implemented in January); that aid flow into Gaza in sufficient quantities through the United Nations and other international humanitarian agencies; and that negotiations continue beyond 60 days if needed to reach a deal for a permanent end to the war and the release of all remaining hostages. Out of the 251 hostages seized by Hamas during the October 2023 attack, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. Also Read: Izz al-Din al-Haddad is Hamas' new de facto chief in Gaza Previous rounds of negotiations have run aground over Hamas demands of guarantees that further negotiations would lead to the war's end, while Netanyahu has insisted Israel would resume fighting to ensure the destruction of the militant group.


Indian Express
43 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Delhi has to dream bigger… for the first time, Centre, State and MCD have a common goal'
You have said there was no phone call, no message, just an announcement when you became chief minister. When that happened, did you remember the girl who used to take the University Special to Daulat Ram College? I did. I wondered how far I have come in this journey, how I stand here today, with such a huge responsibility — being accountable for an entire city. I never imagined this. The BJP has returned to Delhi after 27 years and that burden is yours. Back in 2013, this city gave a chance to a new party. Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came out of a movement, they were outsiders to the political system. You were among those who flocked to Ramlila Maidan during the Anna movement. It was a moment when people felt that maybe a new dawn was coming. During the 15 years when the Congress was in power, corruption scandals kept surfacing. People were looking for honesty, something that would change the state and the direction of Delhi for good. And with that hope, thousands of young people went there. Every single person in Delhi felt they should join in. But what we didn't realise was that behind that movement, Delhi's future was being mis-shaped — one that the people of Delhi would have to live with. Like the mandate that brought Kejriwal to power, do you think the 2025 mandate was also focused on him? Back then, people chose him, now they rejected him. Will you have to work harder to make this mandate your own? People realised that Delhi won't grow until there's a double-engine government. And now, after four months, I think people are starting to feel that their choice was for Delhi's good. People say you're new but you are actually a seasoned politician. You started in student politics, served as a councillor three times, became an MLA and now you are CM. For a woman who doesn't come from a political family, this journey is a tough one. Where did you find the support and strength? When you start moving forward on your own, you don't owe anything to anyone. You keep playing your part. The good thing is, nowadays, there are political parties that give a chance to young people without any political background. No political connections, no father, no mother, no grandmother involved. I was probably the first girl from the Agarwal community to become DUSU (Delhi University Students Union) president. Within the party, I worked wherever I could — youth wing, women's front. And I believe in this strong system within the BJP. The idea is that women should move forward and that youth should be taken along. Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj thought in the same way. Today, Modiji has shaped this into a system where there's reservation in the party. Now, you're getting reservation in the legislatures too. What could be better than half the country's population getting a chance to participate in decision-making. This became possible under Modiji's leadership and I've benefited from it. You wrote a poem about Operation Sindoor. Do you write poetry, or was it just that one time? I don't get much time but I have enjoyed reading and reciting poetry since my university days. In society, everyone has a role. It is said: 'Saath chalne ka irada jab jawaan ho jaega, aadmi sang aadmi mil kaarwaan ho jaega, tu kisi ke paanv ke neeche toh rakh thodi zameen, tu bhi nazron mein sabhi ke aasmaan ho jaega.' Delhi has given me such an opportunity that whatever I do for this city, it won't be enough. But if I manage to ease even a little bit of its troubles, my time as the CM will be successful. People from all over the country come to Delhi, carrying dreams. Whom does Delhi belong to? Who is the true Delhiwala? I believe Delhi is a mini India. People come here from all over the country — from Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Gujarat to Assam and Manipur. Some came 30 years ago, some 50 years ago, some just 10 years ago. That's why, even though Delhi ranks fourth from the bottom in terms of area, among states, when it comes to population, it's higher than many larger states. I believe Delhi belongs to all of us. Delhi is for the large-hearted and whatever rights I have over Delhi, people who have come from different states to live and work here, have the same rights. The AAP created the Delhi model of governance which had some stated priorities: mohalla clinics, government schools, subsidised water and electricity, and free bus rides for women. What kind of a model do you have? The previous government split Delhi into two parts. First are taxpayers, who fund the state but no one pays attention to them. Today, there are no jobs, no work in Delhi. Everyone is rushing towards Gurgaon, Faridabad, Noida. The other part are the people you tempted by saying, 'I will give you 200 units of electricity free if you vote for me.' They used this formula in a way that there was no need to develop Delhi. You just lure people with something free and say, 'I gave this to you,' and wash your hands off your responsibility. But slowly, people started realising that to live and progress in a city, you need more than that. Even today, Delhi is getting 40 per cent of its water from taps and 60 per cent from tankers. There are no sewer lines in the 1,731 unauthorised colonies. Villages don't have sewer lines either. If the hospitals still have such poor infrastructure that for every 1,000 people we can provide only 0.42 beds, then this is hardly infrastructure. Is this the Delhi we dreamt of? It's been 11 years now. Before that, the Congress was in power. But the people of Delhi haven't got what they deserve. None of the facilities that the country's capital should have exist here. Delhi has become so poor (in thought) that the only complaint people have is that the pothole outside their house is getting bigger or the sewer is not backing up. Delhi has to dream bigger. On one hand, we compare Delhi to London or Paris and on the other, large numbers are hanging on precariously in slums. While covering the election, people expressed the fear that if the BJP came to power, there would be demolitions. What would you say to them? People have stopped calling things right or wrong. This city has reached a point where if you say anything about building a house on the railway tracks, it's wrong. If you ask people to follow court orders, then you are wrong. If there's a court order to clean the drain that caused a flood in Delhi and for that if the government clears the slums in the area, then it is wrong. Even if the government has already given those slum dwellers proper houses worth Rs 35 lakh, yet the slum dwellers don't leave their homes. There are 675 clusters in Delhi today and lakhs of houses. None of these houses were given to a single person by either the Congress or AAP. They always asked more people to settle down, even if that meant the infrastructure of the city crumbled. Even if there isn't a sewer line or the Yamuna gets dirtier or there are mountains of garbage, they weren't concerned about how the city would run. Today, the government is giving the poor houses with 200 units of electricity, 20,000 litres of water, pension, Ayushman Yojana benefits, and alongside that, building flyovers, making roads, setting up schools and hospitals. The BJP has been pushing for statehood for decades. But it has gone silent on this demand since 2014. Recently it brought in a Bill that puts all services under the L-G. This goes against the idea of full statehood. Previous governments only focused on fighting — with the L-G, the PM, the administration, the courts, the police. But they can actually work together. Central and state governments can team up and get things done. For the first time, there's a positive vibe where the Centre, State and municipal corporation are working together with a common goal. So, I don't think there's a question anymore about whether we need statehood. Just the day before yesterday, the police's role in licensing from Delhi has been removed. Who removed it? The Central government. Who benefited? The traders in Delhi. The double and triple windows they had to go through have been removed. In many previous schemes, the Centre has been providing benefits to Delhi government. But the previous governments would just complain. They were only experts at election politics. Statehood is important to tackle the multiplicity of agencies that causes confusion. And for clear accountability. If you've been elected, you should be held accountable, the issue shouldn't be passed up to the prime minister. Being a state does give you a lot of benefits. But it's also true that Delhi is the capital of India. If the Central government is supporting me and all the agencies are working with me, then right now, my only aim is Delhi's development. How is your relationship with the L-G? His public visibility has dropped sharply. Previous governments used to constantly bring up his name. Then they'd show how helpless they were. Today, there's no conflict, but the role of an L-G is being carried out. I have never seen an L-G like this one, who actually visits areas, listens to people, helps them and has done a lot for Delhi. The BJP scored a decisive victory in Delhi but the AAP also has a substantive vote share. How do you see the Opposition? Do you believe, like the Modi government, that India should be Opposition-mukt? It's not like I'm saying there should be no Opposition. In fact, I say that, today, the AAP has truly found its role. Actually, even when they were running the government, they were acting like the Opposition. They did the same thing — sitting on protests. The CM was also sitting on protest. But I have a lot of respect for them. They keep reminding me about what I need to do. Like if Atishiji says that madam didn't even tweet today, I tweet. The BJP's central leadership casts such a long shadow that it feels like the Delhi BJP can't really develop strong leadership. After Sahib Singh Verma and Madan Lal Khurana, no big names have emerged. Why is that? Delhi is lucky to have produced so many big names. Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Madan Lal Khurana, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, and many others. In politics, it's always a struggle — you're up sometimes, down at other times. But when you get the chance to do a lot of work and hold onto it, that's when things start moving forward. The BJP used to accuse Kejriwal of handing out freebies. But now BJP is expanding those same freebies. Right after taking charge, we launched the Ayushman scheme, which hadn't been given to Delhi residents for years. After that, for senior citizens over 60, we introduced the Vaya Vandana Yojana, Arogya Mandir. We are just four months old and yet we've fulfilled every promise we made. We can't do any work without checking how it will be implemented, who the beneficiaries will be and every identified beneficiary should actually get the benefit — not as a one-time thing, but continuously. For our promise of giving Rs 2,500 a month to women, we've allocated a budget of Rs 5,100 crore. In Delhi, no new ration cards have been issued in the last 12 to 14 years. And all the schemes end up benefiting only those who have ration cards. Our intention is to implement this scheme in a foolproof way, so that even those who don't have a ration card right now can be included. During the election, you talked about the Yamuna. Where does it stand in your priorities? The Yamuna is my top priority. Previous governments only talked. But how would the stretch of the Yamuna that flows through Delhi ever get cleaned? No one ever did any research. This stretch is so polluted because 200 drains flow into the Yamuna without any desilting or going through STPs (Sewage Treatment Plant). Factory wastewater and sewage are flowing directly into the river. All those drains need to be tapped and STPs have to be built there. Colonies need proper sewer lines which in turn must be connected to STPs. Decentralised treatment is needed. We need to fix the water's BOD level. The river's e-flow has to be increased. The first step has been taken. The day Delhi gets a clean Yamuna, the city will see a change. In slums and in many places in Delhi, water isn't safe to drink and even people who earn very little must buy bottled water. What are you doing about this? The first thing Delhi needs is clean drinking water, straight from the tap. The water we get now from the source should reach the people. The water we get today is from the Yamuna from Haryana but it leaks out because the canals aren't lined properly. About 30 per cent leaks, some gets stolen, some evaporates. Delhi needs a proper water pipeline network. We hired experts and created a plan based on priorities because you can't lay pipelines across the entire city in one year. You need a budget and infrastructure must be built phase-wise. Until every home in the city gets water, we won't be able to sleep peacefully. And air pollution? Sometimes I feel the homework I've done in the last four months, Kejriwal did not do even in 11 years. Two main components are causing air pollution, one of which is vehicular pollution. We decided to make the public transportation system electric. So far we've put 950 electric buses on Delhi's roads, and by the end of this year, we'll have about 2,000. To make all the buses in Delhi electric, we'll need another year and a half. The other issue is dust particles. For that, we will put water sprinklers on high-rise buildings, and spray water on the roads, not just during the two months of winter — like the previous governments — but through the year, except during the rainy season.