Latest news with #INDIA
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Cong mulling Bihar poll boycott with RJD, oppn doing a political ‘rudali': JD(U)
Patna: The issue of "poll boycott" is slowly and steadily catching the fancy of the opposition in Bihar. The Congress on Thursday came out in strong support of boycotting the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar over the controversy surrounding the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a day after leader of opposition in the assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav hinted at the possibility. Interacting with reporters at the state assembly, state Congress president Rajesh Kumar said the Constitution gives every citizen the right to vote but the Election Commission looks hell-bent on snatching this right. "If the EC went ahead with its agenda, we would have no option other than launching a massive battle which could be in the form of poll boycott, fighting on the streets or even more," state Congress chief told the media on Thursday, adding: "The INDIA bloc could go to any extent over the issue." Saying they don't have any faith left in the current Election Commission, Kumar said had the EC been led by T N Seshan or K J Rao, they could have been at ease. "But we can't trust the current poll body which has already said that 'Hamlog badal chuke hain…Pahalewale nahin hain (We have changed. We are not the same as before)," Kumar said, declaring the INDIA bloc would together launch an intensive agitation. The Congress state chief said they would study the final voter's list before declaring their plans. "But several electors have already complained they can't find their names in the electoral rolls at their booths, or they can't see their EPIC number. That means the INDIA bloc must be ready for any kind of agitation," Kumar added. The month-long SIR drive will conclude on Friday. Although the main objective of the drive was an intensified revision aimed at "ensuring that the names of all eligible citizens are included in the electoral roll (ER) so as to enable them to exercise their franchise, no ineligible voter is included in the electoral rolls and also to introduce complete transparency in the process of addition or deletion of electors in the electoral rolls," this triggered massive political protests, from Patna to Delhi. However, this not only united the opposition, but also gave an important issue ahead of the upcoming assembly elections scheduled to be held in Oct/Nov this year. Mocking the opposition threat, JD(U) said it has become a political "rudali" nowadays. "There is a tradition of rudali in Rajasthan, where women are called to cry when someone dies. The opposition is playing a similar role," JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said.
New Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
'INDIA bloc considering option of boycotting Bihar assembly elections': Congress
PATNA: A day after RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav hinted at a possible boycott of the upcoming assembly election over the process being adopted for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar, his ally, the Congress, said that the INDIA bloc was considering the 'unprecedented' option of boycotting the polls. The Congress asserted that it would not accept the electoral rolls being prepared through the Election Commission's ongoing SIR in the state. AICC in-charge for Bihar, Krishna Allavaru, told the media that the INDIA bloc's allies were holding discussions on the issue. 'We challenge Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to pick 1,000 random people in every constituency in Bihar and scrutinise whether the laid-down processes are being followed. If even 25 percent turn out to be genuine, then we will accept the procedure. The truth is, this voter list belongs to the BJP and Gyanesh Kumar. We don't accept it,' Allavaru said. When asked whether his party aligned with Tejashwi's suggestion of possibly boycotting the assembly polls, Allavaru said, 'The INDIA bloc has maintained from day one that the SIR is designed to steal the elections. So, talks are underway on all options. One thing is clear, the votes of the people of Bihar are being stolen. All routes are open. All options are being considered.'
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Business Standard
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
INDIA bloc may field joint VP candidate despite NDA majority: Report
The INDIA bloc is likely to contest the vice presidential poll after a collective decision on a common candidate as it feels that the numbers are not overwhelmingly stacked against the opposition despite the BJP-led NDA having a majority, sources in the grouping said on Thursday. They said that there is a feeling that the opposition parties should not shy away from a contest to send a strong political message irrespective of the outcome. In a sudden move, Jagdeep Dhankhar quit as vice president on Monday evening citing medical reasons, though there have been consistent murmurs about other reasons behind his resignation. The effective strength of both the Houses together is 782 and the winning candidate will require to win 392 votes in the election for the vice president, considering all eligible voters exercise their franchise. All members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including the nominated ones, vote in the vice presidential poll. In Lok Sabha, while the BJP-led NDA enjoys the support of 293 members in the 542-member House, the INDIA bloc has 234 members. The ruling alliance has the support of about 130 members in Rajya Sabha that has an effective strength of 240, assuming that the nominated members vote in support of the NDA nominee. The INDIA bloc has the support of 79 members in the Upper House. Effectively, the NDA has 423 members and the INDIA bloc has 313 members in Parliament, remaining being non-alligned. The Election Commission has already begun the process of holding the vice presidential election and will soon notify the dates. According to Clause 2 of Article 68 of the Constitution, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of the vice president occurring due to his death, resignation or removal, or otherwise, will be held "as soon as possible" after it goes vacant. The person elected to fill the vacancy will be entitled to hold office "for the full term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office". Dhankhar, 74, assumed office in August 2022 and his tenure was till August 2027. He was also the chairman of Rajya Sabha by virtue of being vice president and his resignation came on the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament. Dhankhar had recently undergone angioplasty at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. He had several run-ins with the opposition, which had also moved a motion to impeach him. It was the first ever move in independent India to remove a vice president, but was later rejected by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
INDIA bloc likely to put up joint candidate for VP poll: Sources
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The INDIA bloc is likely to contest the vice presidential poll after a collective decision on a common candidate as it feels that the numbers are not overwhelmingly stacked against the opposition despite the BJP-led NDA having a majority, sources in the grouping said on said that there is a feeling that the opposition parties should not shy away from a contest to send a strong political message irrespective of the a sudden move, Jagdeep Dhankhar quit as vice president on Monday evening citing medical reasons, though there have been consistent murmurs about other reasons behind his effective strength of both the Houses together is 782 and the winning candidate will require to win 392 votes in the election for the vice president, considering all eligible voters exercise their franchise. All members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including the nominated ones, vote in the vice presidential Lok Sabha, while the BJP-led NDA enjoys the support of 293 members in the 542-member House, the INDIA bloc has 234 ruling alliance has the support of about 130 members in Rajya Sabha that has an effective strength of 240, assuming that the nominated members vote in support of the NDA nominee. The INDIA bloc has the support of 79 members in the Upper the NDA has 423 members and the INDIA bloc has 313 members in Parliament, remaining being Election Commission has already begun the process of holding the vice presidential election and will soon notify the to Clause 2 of Article 68 of the Constitution, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of the vice president occurring due to his death, resignation or removal, or otherwise, will be held "as soon as possible" after it goes person elected to fill the vacancy will be entitled to hold office "for the full term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office".Dhankhar, 74, assumed office in August 2022 and his tenure was till August was also the chairman of Rajya Sabha by virtue of being vice president and his resignation came on the first day of the Monsoon session of had recently undergone angioplasty at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in had several run-ins with the opposition, which had also moved a motion to impeach him. It was the first ever move in independent India to remove a vice president, but was later rejected by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bihar polls: JDU issues show-cause notice to MP Giridhari Yadav over remarks on EC's SIR; 'embarrassment to party in election year'
NEW DELHI: The Janta Dal United on Thursday issued a show-cause notice to party MP Giridhari Yadav over his remarks on EC's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar. The BJP ally said that such statements caused "embarrassment to the party" especially in "an election year. " In a statement, the Nitish Kumar-led party categorically expressed its support for the Election Commission of India and the use of EVMs, "both during our time in the INDIA bloc and now as part of the NDA alliance." "Our party, the Janata Dal (United), has consistently supported the Hon'ble ECI and the use of EVMs, both during our time in the INDIA bloc and now as part of the NDA alliance. In this context, your public comments on such a sensitive matter, especially in an election year, not only cause embarrassment to the party but also inadvertently lend credibility to the baseless and politically motivated allegations made by the opposition," the statement said. "You are also aware that certain opposition parties, frustrated by their electoral outcomes, have been running a sustained campaign to discredit the Hon'ble ECI, particularly on the issue of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), with the sole objective of creating public doubt over the functioning of a constitutional body," it added. Girdhari Yadav had, on Wednesday, slammed the Election Commission for scheduling the Special Intensive Revision in the middle of the monsoon, saying the poll body lacked practical understanding of Bihar's history, geography, and ground realities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Gardens II, 4BHK Duplex at ₹3.60 Cr* 4BHK,The Gardens II Learn More Undo He said the timing clashes with peak agricultural activity, making public participation difficult. Yadav said it took him 10 days to gather the necessary documents and questioned how his son, currently in the US, would be able to retain his voting rights under the current timeline. He argued that the process should allow at least six months for completion. However, he clarified that this was his personal view and that he was unconcerned about the party's official stance on the matter.
