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Time of India
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
With its new UP president pick, BJP may counter SP's PDA pitch
Lucknow: The much-anticipated appointment of the new UP BJP chief may well be the saffron party's most vehement counter to the Samajwadi Party's Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak (PDA) poll narrative. This narrative is said to have dented the ruling party by pulling down its tally from 62 to 33 in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in UP. Sources said that the caste of the new UP BJP president is expected to define the roadmap of the BJP's strategic push, even if symbolic, in the run-up to the panchayat polls due next year and subsequently the 2027 state elections. A senior BJP leader mentioned that the party is weighing all options to counter the opposition's PDA with its 'P-D' (Pichhda/OBC-Dalit) card, a move expected to be reflected in the party's choice for the new UP BJP president. The most prominent names from the OBC community include Union minister BL Verma, Jal Shakti minister Swatantra Dev Singh, animal husbandry minister Dharampal Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Baburam Nishad, and MLC Ashok Kataria. Likewise, from the Scheduled Castes category, former MP Ram Shankar Katheria and MLC Vidyasagar Sonkar are in the race. Call it a coincidence, the UP BJP, in recent years, elected OBC state presidents just before state elections. It was Keshav Maurya before 2017 and Swatantra Dev Singh before 2022. The incumbent state president, Bhupendra Chaudhary, a Jat, was appointed by the party in 2022 after Swatantra Dev was inducted into the Yogi Adityanath cabinet. Chaudhary's tenure ended earlier this year. A senior BJP leader affirmed that the party sought to push a prominent OBC or Dalit leader who could steer the party's poll prospects and help in the consolidation of non-Yadav, non-Jatav vote banks. "The party leadership will take its time in appointing the most suitable candidate. Nevertheless, the organisation is being run at a smooth pace," said UP BJP spokesperson Hero Bajpai. Experts asserted that the appointment of the UP BJP president was not merely about filling a post. It was being positioned as a high-stakes move to reshape caste equations, reclaim the narrative, and reassert the BJP's relevance in a state where caste factors prominently in determining electoral destiny. The choice of a new state chief also represents a broader political recalibration in response to the party's 2024 Lok Sabha setbacks, particularly in the caste-sensitive terrain of UP. Analysts said that the Samajwadi Party's PDA formula successfully disrupted the BJP's dominance by forging a bottom-up caste coalition that resonated on the ground. "It is all about symbolism. The caste of the next BJP state president is expected to serve as a signal to key voter groups who are valued as key stakeholders in the BJP's power structure," an analyst said. He said that by installing a leader from the 'P-D' (Pichhda–Dalit) communities, the BJP may potentially seek to fracture the PDA axis around which the SP and allies seek to consolidate their position. A senior BJP leader said that the 2025 panchayat elections will serve as a testing ground for the BJP's new social engineering. The leadership pick will also influence the 2027 assembly election narrative, particularly if the BJP attempts a Pasmanda Muslim outreach alongside its P-D formula.
India Gazette
27-06-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
BL Verma attends 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' event on International Day against Drug Abuse in New Delhi
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): Union Minister BL Verma attended the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' programme organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in New Delhi on Thursday, as per a press release. While speaking at the event, he said, 'Repercussions of substance use are not confined to the individual and his family; they ripple outward, affecting communities and contributing to broad societal changes and social stigma.' According to the official statement, the Minister highlighted and appreciated the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) scheme of the Ministry and explained how the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) has helped reduce the demand for drugs. He hailed the efforts of our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in building a Viksit Bharat by 2047, in which the message - 'Say No to Drugs and Say Yes to Life' - would play a seminal role. The event took place at Bhim Auditorium, Dr Ambedkar International Centre, 15 Janpath, New Delhi, and began at 11:00 am. The programme aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of drug addiction and strengthen the government's ongoing fight against substance abuse. As per the release, the nukkad natak and pantomime performance during the event enlightened the audience on how substance use disorder is an issue that is adversely affecting the social fabric of the country. Dependence on any substance not only affects the individual's health but also disrupts their families and the whole society. Regular consumption of various psychoactive substances leads to dependence in the individual. Some substance compounds may lead to neuro-psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular diseases, as well as accidents, suicides and violence. Substance use and dependence need to be viewed as a psycho-social-medical problem, and the performances highlighted. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal Ministry for drug demand reduction in the country. It has initiated the ambitious Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), which is currently operational in all districts of the country with an aim to create awareness about ill effects of substance abuse among the youth, with special focus on higher education institutes, university campuses, schools and reaching out into the community and garnering community involvement and ownership of the Abhiyaan, as per the official statement. The programme witnessed the participation of approximately 700 stakeholders, including Ministry officials, representatives of central ministries, spiritual organisations, academic institutions, NGOs/Voluntary Organisations, corporate entities, and youth volunteers. As a run-up to the day, all states/UTs and NGOs/VOs supported by the Department under NAPDDR across the country were requested to organise and conduct awareness programmes/events under NMBA from June 1st to 26th, 2025. With this programme, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment ensures to reach out to the Abhiyaan in the whole Country as Jan Andolan, as per the release. Each year, 26th June is observed as the 'International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking'. This year, the event included cultural programmes on drug prevention, mass pledge to create awareness about the importance of prevention and treatment of drug abuse, distribution of prizes to the winners of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan competitions organised on MyGov, etc. (ANI)
Time of India
24-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Min launches disability aid camp in Bhagalpur
1 2 3 4 Bhagalpur: Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment, B L Verma , inaugurated the four-day 'Saamajik Adhikarita Shivir' at the Sandy's Compound Ground here on Tuesday. As part of the event, free tricycles, wheelchairs, hearing aids, crutches, walking frames and other prosthetic devices were distributed under the Centre's Assistance to Disabled Persons (ADIP) and Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) schemes. Speaking at the event, Verma said, "It is great to be at Bhagalpur to help out the differently-abled and senior citizens by handing over the disability aid to the registered beneficiaries. PM Narendra Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar have always thought of helping the downtrodden and needy." He added that the equipment would "improve the existence of beneficiaries who suffer from age-related disabilities or infirmities". A total of 1,720 beneficiaries from Bhagalpur district have registered under the ADIP and RVY schemes. Of these, 636 fall under ADIP and 1,084 under RVY, both implemented by the ministry of social justice and empowerment. You Can Also Check: Patna AQI | Weather in Patna | Bank Holidays in Patna | Public Holidays in Patna On Tuesday, recipients from Jagdishpur, Sabour, Nathnagar, Sultanganj, Sultanganj, Pirpainty, Goradih and other blocks under the Bhagalpur (sadar) subdivision received the equipment from the minister and other dignitaries, including JD(U) MP from Bhagalpur, Ajay Kumar Mandal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Distribution will continue on Thursday at Sharda Pathshala Ground in Kahalgaon for beneficiaries from Kahalgaon and Sanhoula blocks. On June 27 and June 28, a two-day camp will be held at Samrat Ashok Bhawan in Naugachia subdivision for beneficiaries from Bihpur, Gopalpur, Ismailpur, Kharik, Narayanpur, Naugachia and Rangrachowk blocks.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
1,720 set to receive free disability aids in B'pur
Bhagalpur: To promote mobility and independence among the differently-abled and elderly citizens, the ministry of social justice and empowerment will distribute free assistive devices under its ADIP and Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) schemes in Bhagalpur. A total of 1,720 registered beneficiaries from the district – 636 under ADIP and 1,084 under RVY – will receive the aids during a three-day distribution camp starting on June 24 at Sandy's Compound. Union minister of state B L Verma and Bhagalpur MP Ajay Kumar Mandal will distribute wheelchairs, tricycles, hearing aids, walking frames, crutches and other prosthetic devices at the event. MP Ajay Kumar Mandal, who played a key role in facilitating the camp, said, "This is a major initiative by the Centre. It will greatly assist the 1,720 registered beneficiaries in Bhagalpur district." He added that most beneficiaries are from Jagdishpur, Sabour, Nathnagar, Sultanganj, Sahkund, Pirpainty and Goradih blocks. The scheme targets physically challenged persons and senior citizens from below poverty line (BPL) families. "The goal is to provide scientific and modern devices to support their rehabilitation and improve their independence. This includes physical aids and assisted-living devices for the elderly suffering from age-related disabilities," the MP said. The initiative is part of the Centre's broader effort to empower marginalised sections through direct support and inclusion.
News18
20-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
UP BJP Chief: OBC, Dalit Leaders Emerge Frontrunners As Race Gathers Pace
Last Updated: Party insiders say that given the heightened political activity by the SP, and the caste census being announced by the central government, an OBC could be the preferred choice After a political lull post the April 22 Pahalgam attack and the consequent Operation Sindoor, the process to select the new state president of the Uttar Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has gathered momentum. The long overdue appointment was to be finalised towards the end of April. The choice is likely between an Other Backward Class (OBC) and a Dalit candidate, say party insiders. 'As the new president would also be at the helm during the state polls due in mid-2027, the caste angle has to be kept in mind. Especially because the opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) are trying to consolidate their traditional votes of OBCs and Dalits," said the BJP functionary. Much would also depend on who or leader of which caste is appointed as the national chief of the BJP. 'Both the national and the state president cannot be from the same caste, as we would like to present a rainbow of castes before the big UP polls," said the functionary. The organisational rejig in UP started in October, and a new BJP chief should have been in place by January. As per the BJP constitution, a state BJP chief is chosen only after 50 per cent of district presidents have been elected. Currently, 70 district chiefs have been newly elected and there is no technical roadblock in electing the new president. 'But a lot of considerations have to be kept in mind. The recent Lok Sabha polls saw the opposition building a false narrative among Dalits and OBCs that the Constitution would be changed. Although we have been able to expose them now, we also need to consolidate our hold on these two big caste groups." Party insiders say that given the heightened political activity by the SP, and the caste census being announced by the central government, an OBC could be the preferred choice. Names of OBC leaders such as union Ministers BL Verma and Pankaj Chaudhary, state animal husbandry minister Dharampal Singh are doing the rounds. The Dalit leaders seen as frontrunners are minister Baby Rani Maurya, Asim Arun and former union minister Ram Shankar Katheria and Vidya Sagar Sonkar. First Published: May 20, 2025, 18:58 IST
