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The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
PM holds great respect for Thiruvalluvar and MGR, says Annamalai
Former BJP State president K. Annamalai said in Erode on Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi held great respect for Thiruvalluvar and former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran. Six books authored by S.R. Subramaniyam, a BJP functionary, were released by Ramananda Kumaragurubara Swamigal, Head of Kaumara Mutt, Siravai Adheenam, Coimbatore, and were received by Mr. Annamalai at a function held in the city. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Annamalai said Mr. Modi had observed that the Thirukkural guides people in many aspects of life. Accordingly, during the 2024 General Election, he announced the establishment of Thiruvalluvar cultural centres across the world. 'As a first step, the Thiruvalluvar Chair for Tamil Studies was set up at the University of Houston in the United States,' he said. Mr. Annamalai also pointed out that Mr. Modi renamed the Chennai Central railway station as Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station, he added.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Race for the Aras – who are the candidates vying to replace Michael D Higgins as the next President of Ireland
THE COUNTRY is set to head to the polls later this year to vote in the next President of Ireland. It comes as Advertisement 2 Michael D. Higgins was first elected President in 2011 Credit: Sportsfile - Subscription The beloved figure was originally inaugurated as president in 2011, and then re-elected in 2018. And as the country gets ready to bid President Higgins a fond farewell, all sights have turned to who will take his place. A While there is a country-wide vote, there are certain criteria a candidate has to meet before making the ballot. Advertisement READ MORE IN NEWS They must be an Irish citizen and 35 years of age or older. You must be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas, or at least four local authorities. However, former or retiring presidents can nominate themselves. If there is just one candidate nominated they will be elected without a vote, however, that is unlikely to happen this time around. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun Exclusive Exclusive INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE Independent TD Catherine Connolly has confirmed she will put herself forward for the presidency. And it is believed she will easily surpass the nomination criteria, meaning we are almost guaranteed to see her name on the ballot this year. Ireland fans blown away by Fiji's 'class gesture' to President Michael D. Higgins moments before rugby clash Brian Stanley, Charles Ward, and Seamus Healy, also independent TDs, have confirmed they will back Catherine's bid. LEFT LEANING CANDIDATE Left-leaning parties could row in behind Deputy Connolly as a combined left-wing contender. Advertisement Labour, who Connolly resigned from in 2007, has explored the prospect of running its own candidate and has opened a two-week consultation period. The Green Party said no decision has been made yet on who could be backed by the party in the election. However, party leader The Galway native has already got the support of the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and several independents. Advertisement SINN FEIN Sinn Fein's But sources told The Irish Sun they do not believe that Mary Lou is seriously being considered for the party's nomination for the presidency as she still holds the desire to become Ireland's first female Taoiseach. However, deputy leader Pearse Doherty last week denied that floating her as a contender for the presidency was a media game to try to generate headlines. FIANNA FAIL Ex-Minister Mary Hanafin wants to become President of Ireland and last month threw her hat in the ring to become Fianna Fail's candidate. Advertisement She told However, the She could face competition from former And former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern openly flirted with the idea of running as president by not ruling out the prospect during several media interviews. Advertisement FINE GAEL Former EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness will be in the Aras race. She has been nominated to contest the 2025 Presidential Election this year for In a letter sent to Fine Gael members this week, McGuinness said she expects the election campaign to be "full on." Tanaiste and Fine Gael leader Advertisement 2 Michael D Higgins will say goodbye to Aras an Uachtarain on November 11, 2025 Credit: Alamy
Mint
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Bihar Voter List Row: Nepalese, Bangladeshis found during Election Commission's drive, say officials
Bihar Voter List Row: The Election Commission said on July 13 that poll officials found "a large number of people" from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar during house-to-house visits made to assess the voters' list in poll-bound Bihar. The officials said that the names of illegal migrants will not be included in the final electoral roll to be published on September 30 unless proper enquiry of such people is conducted after August 1. Citing ground reports, news agencies PTI and ANI quoted ECI sources as saying that during house-to-house visits, booth-level officers (blo) found "a large number" of people from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. The officials said that if a proper enquiry is conducted from 1 Aug to 30 Aug, and the information is found to be true, such names will not be included in the final list to be published on 30 September 2025. The reports come amid opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, raising questions on the poll panel's ongoing special intensive revision (of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. TheCongresshas dubbed it 'a rigging attempt' orchestrated by the Election Commission under instructions from the ruling regime. The Supreme Court on July 10 allowed the Election Commission of India to continue with its revision of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. The top court, however, asked the poll panel to consider using the Aadhaar card, the Election card, and the ration card as valid documents for voter identification. The Election Commission of India (ECI) said that as of Saturday evening, 80.11 per cent of electors in Bihar had submitted their forms. The commission is moving ahead to complete the collection of Enumeration Forms (EFs) before the stipulated time, July 25 The Election Commission will eventually carry out a special intensive revision of electoral rolls across India to weed out foreign illegal migrants by checking their place of birth. Bihar will go to the polls this year, while assembly polls in five other states—Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal—are scheduled for 2026. The move assumes significance in the wake of a crackdown in various states on illegal foreign migrants, including from Bangladesh and Myanmar. Key Takeaways The Election Commission's house-to-house visits revealed illegal migrants in Bihar's voter list. Names of undocumented individuals will be excluded from the final electoral roll after a thorough inquiry. The move to revise the electoral rolls is part of a broader crackdown on illegal migration in India.
Borneo Post
12-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Hajiji: GRS can propel Sabah to greater heights
Hajiji (fourth right) officiating the closing gimmick of the PBS-STAR 2025 Convention. PENAMPANG (July 12): Sabah has the potential to transform into a more developed, prosperous, peaceful and harmonious state if the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) continues to be given the mandate in the upcoming 17th State Election, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor. He stressed that in nearly five years of leading the State Government, various significant achievements have been realised — including the recovery of Sabah's economy and a notable increase in investments and state revenue. 'When we took over the state administration in September 2020, Sabah was facing the worst economic situation in its history. 'However, through careful planning and the implementation of the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan (SMJ 1.0), we not only managed to revive the economy but also elevated Sabah's performance to an impressive level,' said the GRS chairman when officiating the closing of the PBS-STAR Convention 2025 at Hongkod Koisaan, Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) here today. According to Hajiji, one of GRS's key achievements is the rise in Sabah's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which increased to RM84.3 billion in 2024 from RM83.2 billion in 2023. 'State revenue collection for three consecutive years — 2022, 2023 and 2024 — has reached almost RM7 billion, compared to only RM3.59 billion in 2020. The State Government's reserves now stand at RM8.6 billion. Domestic and foreign investments brought into Sabah since 2021 amount to RM35.38 billion. 'All these are indicators of a healthy economy and proof of the capability and excellence of the GRS-led State Government. No one can deny this — only the opposition chooses to close their eyes to these facts,' he said. Hajiji added that GRS is not only focused on driving economic growth but is also committed to completing basic infrastructure projects, eradicating hardcore poverty, and improving the wellbeing of the people. 'God willing, if GRS continues to be given the mandate, we will ensure that all the planned development programmes are fully implemented — from urban centres to the rural interior,' he said. He further emphasised that the SMJ Development Plan is not just a document but a comprehensive long-term strategy encompassing human capital, natural resource management, and administrative efficiency. 'With strong political will, coupled with an improving economic climate and the political stability we have fought for since 2020, I am confident Sabah will progress far ahead as a developed, peaceful and prosperous state,' he added. Hajiji also reminded all GRS leaders and members to remain steadfast in defending the coalition's mission, especially in the face of opposition slanders and attempts to weaken its political strength. He said the success of the GRS administration has made the opposition uneasy, prompting them to launch continuous attacks and spread falsehoods against the government and its leaders. 'They will not stop. They are jealous of what we have achieved. They want us to fail, weaken and fall. 'Therefore, I remind you — our house must be protected by us. GRS is our house, our shelter, and the foundation of our struggle. If we don't defend it, who will?' he said. Meanwhile, Hajiji described the PBS-STAR 2025 Convention as a historic moment that strengthens local political consensus and signals that GRS is ready to face the 17th State Election with a united and credible leadership team. He said the close cooperation between Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) represents political maturity and the prioritisation of Sabah's welfare over ideological differences. 'This convention demonstrates the unity among local parties with distinct histories and principles, and proves that GRS is capable of advancing as a political coalition that truly represents the aspirations of the people of Sabah,' he said.
NDTV
11-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
On One Nation, One Election, Ex Top Judges' Note Against "Unbridled Power": Sources
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India should not be given unbridled powers in implementing the One Nation, One Election system, former Chief Justices of India DY Chandrachud and JS Khehar told a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), as per sources. Both the former Chief Justices shared their observations and gave a presentation on the simultaneous elections at the meeting of the JPC, which is examining the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Joint Committee of Parliament, headed by BJP MP PP Chaudhary, has been speaking to jurists and legal experts as it prepares its recommendation on the bill that aims to conduct simultaneous elections to the legislative assemblies in the states and the Parliament. Both the former top judges suggested that the Election Commission (EC) should not be given unbridled powers proposed in the constitutional amendment law, the sources told NDTV. They also suggested a "system of checks and balances". Earlier, ex-Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi also questioned the "sweeping powers" granted to the poll body in the proposed constitutional amendment law. Sources said that DY Chandrachud and JS Khehar suggested to the Parliamentary Committee that there should be an "oversight mechanism" on the conduct of elections. One of the judges also said that a five-year term for an elected government is important for Good Governance, sources said, adding, "They said this (five-year term) should not be curtailed under any circumstances." DY Chandrachud had said in the past that the ability of the government to take on any meaningful project will be minimised if its tenure is only a year or less, as the Model Code of Conduct will come into force around six months before the next polls. "As far as the provision of the Election Commission is concerned, if we feel that the bill needs amendment, we will amend it," said Mr Chaudhary on the former Chief Justices' suggestions, adding, "we will send our report to the Parliament only after making amendments in the national interest". He also insisted that "One Nation, One Election system is necessary for nation-building. "It is important that the constitutionality of the bill remains intact so that this system continues for the next hundreds of years," Mr Chaudhary added. Two other former Chief Justices of India, UU Lalit and Ranjan Gogoi, have appeared before the committee in past. Today was the committee's eighth sitting. Several opposition leaders have criticised the proposed bill, saying the synchronisation of Lok Sabha and state assembly polls violates the Constitution's basic structure. However, the jurists who have appeared before the committee have dismissed this criticism, saying the Constitution never mandated holding national and state elections separately.
