Latest news with #BJP-backed
The Print
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
2025 investor summit shows PM Modi's commitment to Northeast
As PM Modi put it , 'For us, EAST is not just a direction—it is a vision: Empower, Act, Strengthen, and Transform. This is the guiding framework of our policy for Eastern India.' The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to correct this 'gap' between the Northeast and New Delhi. PM Modi has carried forward the vision of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who saw the necessity of integrating the region with the rest of India. Vajpayee set up the DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) ministry in 2001 – which became a full-fledged ministry in 2004 – to ensure equitable development and progress in these far-flung but strategically important states. The Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025 , held recently at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, highlighted the current government's determination to ensure that Guwahati, Agartala, Imphal, and Shillong become the Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad of the Northeast. India's Northeast has struggled with underdevelopment for decades – due to poor connectivity, cultural isolation, and other crucial factors. Moreover, its proximity to friendly – and not so friendly – neighbours such as China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan makes it a geopolitical hotbed. It takes a wise leader to understand the importance of integrating this sensitive region. Also read: India must look beyond Bangladesh. Kolkata-Sittwe-Aizawl corridor is key to Northeast Historical importance Home to over 200 tribes, Northeast India is a culturally, ethnically, and linguistically rich region. I have regularly travelled to Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur – both as a Minister of State and a BJP party worker – and have been deeply fascinated by the diversity and traditions I encountered on each visit. On a recent trip to Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh, I was welcomed warmly by the Adi and Galo tribes. The Galo people presented me with a beautiful handwoven wrap-around half-sari, showcasing the region's cultural heritage. The early years after Independence saw unrest and insurgency due to perceived neglect and alienation, leading to the formation of Nagaland in 1963, and Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya in 1972. Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram became full-fledged states in 1987. The unrest, however, continued. Armed separatist groups such as the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) created immense disturbance in the region with support from across the border. Under the present NDA government, many challenges related to insurgency have been handled firmly, and any attempt to create conflict will be handled resolutely and responsibly. Migration from Bangladesh, for instance, has continually reshaped Assam and Tripura's demographics. But BJP-backed initiatives such as the National Register of Citizens (NRC) have brought tentative stability. Also read: Northeast a success story not just for BJP but all of India. It's all about getting to end of bell curve Corridor to Southeast Asia Alliances such as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) have increased the strategic importance of the Northeastern Region, which, in line with the Look East /Act East Policy, serves as India's gateway to Southeast Asia. Regional connectivity, through various development corridors such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, is removing traditional barriers to regional trade. As revealed at the Northeast investors summit, the Modi government plans to boost economic integration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and increase trade from $125 billion to $200 billion in the next 10 years. Existing Initiatives such as the Mekong Ganga Cooperation support this vision, aiming to promote tourism, culture, and education between India, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar. Additionally, the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement, the protocol for which was recently finalised, seeks to provide a seamless way for vehicles to travel across borders, greatly benefiting regional supply chains. Also read: Modi's yoga mat to Nagaland honey, NECTAR is taking Northeast to Japan, Netherlands Boosting infrastructure Infrastructure development in the Northeast has increased by leaps and bounds in the last decade or so. At the 2025 investors summit, my former colleague Jyotiraditya Scindia, who also leads the DoNER ministry, praised PM Modi's commitment to the region. Under the PM's leadership, 'the ministry has created eight high-level task forces across key sectors such as agriculture, sports, investment promotion, tourism, economic corridors, infrastructure, textiles and handicrafts, and animal husbandry, allowing each state to chart its own roadmap,' Scindia said. National highways in the region have expanded to over 16,000 km, while airports have nearly doubled — from nine to 17 — between 2014 and 2024. Waterways, too, are being rapidly developed as an alternative form of transportation. Of special significance is Bogibeel, India's longest rail-road bridge, which was inaugurated with great fanfare by previous governments but kept missing completion deadlines. The work was finally expedited and finished under PM Modi in 2018. I recently travelled from Assam to Arunachal on this bridge, which is an engineering marvel – a magnificent 4.94 km rail and road bridge over the Brahmaputra River, designed to withstand earthquakes. This bridge has significantly reduced travel time and gives increased accessibility to the border areas of Tibet via Arunachal. Another engineering feat is the all-weather Sela Tunnel, which provides year-round connectivity between Guwahati in Assam and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. Rail projects worth Rs 88,000 crore will boost connectivity in the region; Assam even got its first Vande Bharat Train in 2023. A portion of the Agartala-Akhaura rail line was inaugurated in November that year. The Tata group, on the other hand, is in the process of setting up a semiconductor plant in Assam, with an investment of Rs 27,000 crore. Regular investor summits are being held all over the country to persuade national and international investors to set up their manufacturing plants in the region. My frequent trips to Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Meghalaya have deepened my respect for Northeastern people. It is clear that they want to be a part of Viksit Bharat 2047 and do not wish to be left behind. I recently interacted with inspirational youth leader Tana Jiri, whose speech on One Nation, One Election, motivated local youth to play an active role in initiating positive change. An advocate for youth rights, Jiri embodies the young generation that wants to participate in the development of India through initiatives such as Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat, and the Apun Bahen Scheme. These youngsters are motivated and open-minded, and are happy to adapt to the three-language policy. It is apparent that our forward-thinking PM Modi has a vision for the greatly neglected Northeast states, which he has referred to as India's 'Ashtalakshmi' – eight manifestations of Goddess Lakshmi. The region, rich in minerals, bamboo, and tea and home to sporting legends such as Mary Kom and Baichung Bhutia, is an emerging hub for aspirational India. Rather than neglecting this important corner of the country, PM Modi has fulfilled his promise of taking India, in its entirety, into the future. Meenakashi Lekhi is a BJP leader, lawyer and social activist. Her X handle is @M_Lekhi. Views are personal. (Edited by Zoya Bhatti)
Mint
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
BJP-backed Panchayat leader's husband arrested after obscene video on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway goes viral
Madhya Pradesh Police has arrested a man who has been accused of engaging in sexual activity on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway after a purported video of him with a woman went viral on social media, officials said on Sunday. The video, which sparked widespread outrage, was allegedly of a man who is linked to the BJP. However, the party has rejected the allegations. Mandasur SP Abhishek Anand confirmed the man's arrest. 'A video went viral on May 13, and an FIR was filed in Thana Bhanpura. Today, the accused was arrested and interrogated,' he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Anand further said that an investigation is underway and strict action will be taken against all involved persons. 'Further investigation is underway, and strict actions will be taken against all those found involved in this case.' The incident is said to have occurred approximately 200 kilometres from Indore near Mandsaur town. It was reportedly made on May 13. Earlier, Mandsaur DIG Manoj Kumar Singh provided details about the incident. 'In the investigation, the location is turned out to be public place at the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Bhanpura. Police have registered a case against Manohar Dhakad and another person under sections 296 (obscene act in the public places), 285 (obstructing public way) and 3(5) of BNS,' he said. While police have not named the accused on Sunday, earlier he was identified as Manoharlal Dhakad, the national secretary of the Dhakad Mahasabha registered in Ujjain. The Mahasabha has issued a statement saying it had sacked him from the post. Dhakad's wife is a BJP-backed district panchayat member and is currently representing Ward No. 8 of Mandsaur District Panchayat. 'Dhakad is from the village Bani, but he is not a primary member of the BJP. His wife Sohan Bai is a member of the district panchayat. It is not known if Manoharlal has become a member of the party through online,' Mandsaur BJP district president Rajesh Dixit was quoted as saying by PTI. The white car seen in the video, as per transport department records, is registered in the name of Manoharlal Dhakad.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi-Mumbai expressway viral video case: Accused arrested, police vow strict action
Madhya Pradesh Police said on Sunday that they have arrested the accused seen in a viral video allegedly showing a couple engaging in sexual activity on the Delhi-Mumbai expressway, which sparked widespread outrage. While police did not name the man arrested, the man seen in the video has been identified as Manoharlal Dhakad from Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district. The car seen in the footage, reportedly recorded on May 13 is registered in Dhakad's name, as per transport department records. Mandasur SP Abhishek Anand told PTI, 'A video went viral on May 13, and an FIR was filed in Thana Bhanpura. Today, the accused was arrested and interrogated. Further investigation is underway, and strict actions will be taken against all those found involved in this case.' Following the circulation of the video, Dhakad was removed from his position as the national secretary of the Dhakad Mahasabha, which is registered in Ujjain. The incident is said to have taken place near Mandsaur town, approximately 200 km from Indore. Providing details, Mandsaur DIG Manoj Kumar Singh had earlier said, 'In the investigation, the location is turned out to be public place at the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Bhanpura. Police have registered a case against Manohar Dhakad and another person under sections 296 (obscene act in the public places), 285 (obstructing public way) and 3(5) of BNS.' According to reports, Dhakad's mobile phone remained switched off since the video surfaced, and he has not been reachable for comment. Amid speculation over political affiliations, the BJP has dismissed claims linking Manoharlal Dhakad to the party. While his wife, Sohan Bai, is a BJP-backed member of the district panchayat from Ward No. 8 in Mandsaur, party leaders have clarified his own association, according to PTI. "Dhakad is from the village Bani, but he is not a primary member of the BJP. His wife Sohan Bai is a member of the district panchayat. It is not known if Manoharlal has become a member of the party through online," Mandsaur BJP district president Rajesh Dixit told PTI. Dixit also added, "I have heard that the obscene video is from the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway." Police registered a case against Dhakad and the woman seen in the video, which was reportedly recorded on May 13. Transport department records confirm the white car featured in the footage is registered in Dhakad's name.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Over 5k bodies give thumbs up to One Nation One Election
1 2 3 Lucknow: Groundswell for the BJP-backed One Nation One Election (ONOE) campaign may well be building up. Over 5,000 organisations, including local bodies, lent their support to the campaign, prompting the saffron outfit to step up its feedback-gaining exercise. UP BJP state general secretary and co-convener of the ONOE committee, Anup Gupta said that nearly 5,300 local bodies, including nagar panchayats, nagar palika parishads, nagar nigams, kshetra panchayats, gram panchayats and even cooperative societies, sent their letters of support to the President. "We also collected the copies of their support proposals. This clearly shows that the issue found significant resonance at the ground level," he told TOI on Thursday. Sources said that the BJP mobilised civil society, including NGOs and professionals, to give their feedback as part of an extensive outreach campaign aimed at building consensus for simultaneous elections across India. Early this year, the BJP launched a pan-India campaign to raise awareness about its ambitious plan for simultaneous elections and build broad public consensus around it. The advocacy, sources said, is essentially guided by a central BJP committee led by Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, with BJP general secretary Sunil Bansal as the national coordinator. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Panels have also been formed at the state level to take the message forward. The outreach focused on facilitating meetings on the need for ONOE with various sections of society, including academia, doctors, lawyers, traders, ex-servicemen, youth, women, farmers and sportspersons, as well as elected bodies like panchayats, nagar palikas and zila parishads. Deliverables of the campaign include pro-ONOE resolutions being passed by these bodies and organisations, all addressed to President Droupadi Murmu. A senior BJP functionary said that the campaign primarily aims to highlight its potential to reduce electoral expenditure and strengthen national unity. He stressed that the idea aligns with the Constitution's preamble, promoting a unified national identity. The BJP has been a vocal proponent of ONOE. Senior party functionaries have been arguing that frequent elections disrupt governance and development. Implementing ONOE could boost GDP by 1-1.5% by providing govts with more stable time for development work, the BJP stated. The opposition parties, including Congress, SP and BSP, however, have been vocal against the ONOE, believing that it would undermine the federal structure of the Indian Constitution and the states may lose autonomy. The BJP has been dismissing concerns that ONOE would harm regional parties, citing the historical precedent of simultaneous elections from 1951 to 1967.
India Today
24-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Caught on CCTV: Madhya Pradesh politician engages in obscene act on expressway
A politician from Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district has landed in trouble after being caught on CCTV engaging in an obscene act with a woman on a public highway. The explicit footage, now widely circulated on social media, has triggered public outrage and prompted swift police wife is a BJP-backed district politician and following the viral video, the BJP has distanced itself from incident took place on May 13 along the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway — an eight-lane, high-security corridor where surveillance cameras captured the entire act. In the video, the politician, identified as Manoharlal Dhakad, is seen behaving in a sexually explicit manner with a woman in the middle of the expressway, in full public view. According to Madhya Pradesh police, the vehicle involved — a white car seen in the video — is registered in Dhakad's the circulation of the footage, police filed an FIR against Dhakad and a co-accused under sections 296, 285, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).Dhakad has reportedly been untraceable since the incident surfaced online. Authorities have launched a search operation and a detailed investigation is controversy deepened after Dhakad's political links emerged. His wife, Sohan Bai, is the elected Sarpanch (village head) and a District Panchayat member from Ward No. 8 in Bani village, Mandsaur. However, the BJP has sought to distance itself from the Dhakad is a resident of Bani village but is not a primary member of the BJP. His wife holds a Panchayat post, but the party has no formal association with him," clarified Rajesh Dixit, Mandsaur BJP District Dhakad has been removed from his role as National Minister of the Dhakad Mahasabha Youth Union. The organisation's national president, Arjun Dhakad, confirmed the dismissal, stating it was necessary to protect the dignity and credibility of the to the video, Ratlam Range DIG Manoj Singh condemned the act, calling it "completely unacceptable and condemnable"."Such behaviour on a public road violates both legal and social norms. Public spaces are meant for safe and respectful use by all citizens," he said.
