&w=3840&q=100)
Oppn protests over Bihar voter rolls as Parliament passes eight Bills
Police had put up barricades outside the Press Trust of India (PTI) building on the route to prevent the MPs, who were protesting against the voter roll revision in Bihar and alleged poll rigging, from marching further. As the MPs were stopped, many sat on the road and raised slogans, while some women MPs climbed the barricades and shouted slogans against the Election Commission. They were later whisked away in police buses to the Parliament Street Police Station. All the MPs were released later.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had earlier written to the Election Commission seeking a meeting to discuss the Summary Intensive Revision (SIR) and other issues. On the Opposition's march to the Commission, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the poll authority had invited a 30-member delegation, comprising two members from each party, to discuss the issue of electoral roll revision in Bihar. 'If they cannot decide on their leaders or representatives, why seek an appointment from the Election Commission? Now, Kharge says the entire Opposition is VIP. Will all the 150 members of the Opposition go to the Chief Election Commissioner's room for a meeting?' Rijiju asked.
Parliament on Monday passed eight Bills as Rijiju criticised the Opposition parties for repeated disruptions in both Houses and announced that the government would proceed with its legislative agenda without their participation. Addressing a press conference, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister also did not rule out an early end to the monsoon session, contending that the Congress and other Opposition parties were not interested in allowing Parliament to function.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
10 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Sacking of Rajanna exposes Congress' ‘anti-Dalit' face, says BJP
The BJP has maintained that the sacking of Scheduled Tribes leader K.N. Rajanna from the Cabinet over his views on 'voter theft' had revealed the 'true anti-Dalit face' of the Congress, besides exposing the hollowness of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's claims of championing the cause of Ahinda (Kannada acronym for minorities, OBCs, and Dalits). In a social media post, BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra said: 'This is the true face of Congress — anti-Dalit, anti-democratic and anti-truth. It also exposes the hollowness of Mr. Siddaramaiah's claims of championing the Ahinda cause. When leaders from these communities are targeted, he does not defend them. Instead, he bows to the diktats of the Delhi high command to safeguard his own position as Chief Minister.' He said that Mr. Rajanna, a senior Dalit leader, was removed from the State Cabinet 'for merely speaking the truth.' 'Clear pattern' Mr. Vijayendra further claimed: 'The pattern is clear. In the case of erstwhile ST Welfare Minister Nagendra, funds earmarked for the development of the community were siphoned off to finance Congress's election expenses. Instead of holding the CM and Deputy CM accountable, the blame was placed entirely on Mr. Nagendra, and the matter was quietly closed.' Meanwhile in the Legislative Assembly, the BJP members led by Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok raised the issue as soon as speculations about Mr. Rajanna either quitting or being sacked started doing the rounds. Mr. Ashok urged the government and Mr. Rajanna to clarify on the issue. He even argued that Mr. Rajanna should not be sitting in the place earmarked for Ministers if he is no longer a part of the ministry. While Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would respond to them later, Mr. Rajanna said he was told by the Law Minister not to speak. 'Whether I have resigned or not will be told by the Chief Minister,' he said. But the Chief Minister stayed away from the session, while Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who was in the session, chose not to comment on the floor of the House. Taking exception to Mr. Rajanna and the government remaining mum, Mr. Ashok sought to remind them that it was during the protest over the honey-trap allegations made by Mr. Rajanna that 18 of the BJP MLAs had been suspended. Meanwhile, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad maintained that the sacking of Mr. Rajanna, a close aide of Mr. Siddaramaiah, was 'a big blow' delivered to the Chief Minister by his deputy.
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Mayawati for serious talk in Assembly, Parl
1 2 Lucknow: On the first day of the monsoon session of the UP legislative assembly on Monday, BSP president Mayawati, said, "It should not be just a formality despite being brief, but it is important to make it useful for the state and the public, for which both the govt and the opposition will have to move forward by abandoning their political interests, hatred and bitterness. " She further stated that the monsoon session of Parliament, which is ongoing, is also not functioning in a completely peaceful manner, due to which it is not operating properly and as per the expectations of the people. "Concern among the people is natural because of this, as the burning issues of the public and the country are not being discussed with full seriousness," said Mayawati. The discussion on the possibility of a negative effect on the country's economy and development due to the heavy US tariff on Indian trade is being widely debated everywhere, she said, adding that it needs to be properly discussed, especially in Parliament, because it is related to the national interest and the country's 'good days'. "It cannot be taken lightly, and the country's future cannot be put at stake. Both the govt and the opposition should pay proper and appropriate attention to this," she added. Additionally, whatever doubts are being raised in the country regarding voters, voter lists and their revision, EVMs, etc, which are related to the country, public interest and democracy, should be resolved as soon as possible, she said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
War of words erupts over river linking project
Surat: Ahead of a rally on Thursday announced by the Congress party in Dharampur, to protest the Par Tapi Narmada river linking project, a war of words has begun between political leaders. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Congress's Vansda MLA Anant Patel called for the rally and urged tribals to join in large numbers to protest the project, while BJP leaders claimed that the scrapping of the project has already been announced. Patel said the govt prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and this is why the protest campaign has restarted. BJP leaders, including C R Paatil, countered by accusing Patel of misleading the public, asserting that the project has been scrapped, as was previously announced by the govt. Union water resources minister Paatil accused the Congress of spreading false information about the Par Tapi Narmada river linking project. The BJP leader urged people not to be swayed by misinformation. "The Congress has recently been raising the issue to gain political mileage among tribal people. The BJP govt is committed to safeguarding the interests of tribal communities and would never implement any plan that harms them," Paatil said. Reacting to Paatil's comments, MLA Anant Patel demanded a clarification from the govt in writing. "Over 1 lakh people are going to be affected by the project and we will continue our campaign until the govt announces it officially in writing. They should declare in a white paper in Parliament that this project is not going to take place," said Anant Patel. Valsad BJP MP Dhaval Patel weighed in, labelling the Congress MLA's allegations "misinformation". Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The BJP's assertion is that the Congress is attempting to instigate unrest among the local population by reviving a defunct project. "The scrapping of the project was announced by the govt in 2022 and no work is being done. Congress is losing elections in the region; hence, in search of support, they are misguiding tribals. This rally is being organized to save Congress's existence in this region," the Valsad MP said. The river linking project, which has been a contentious issue in the region, is seen by some as a potential boon for development, while others fear it could lead to environmental degradation and social disruption.
