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The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI dismisses KC(M) as party with no significant power
Amid growing mistrust over their roles within the Left Democratic Front (LDF), the Kottayam district conference of the Communist Party of India (CPI) at Vaikom on Saturday dismissed the Kerala Congress (M) as a party with no real influence to speak of. The party also disagreed with the CPI (M)'s claim that the LDF greatly benefited from the inclusion of KC(M). A working report presented at the conference noted that if KC(M) truly possessed real strength, it would not have suffered a humiliating defeat in the Kottayam parliamentary seat. Even in assembly segments like Pala and Kaduthuruthy, traditionally considered strongholds of the regional party, the candidates fielded by the LDF lagged far behind. 'During the last parliamentary election, the Left could secure a majority only in the Vaikom constituency out of the nine constituencies in Kottayam district and that is a matter of pride for the CPI,' the report stated. While the report acknowledged some differences between the CPI and the Kerala Congress, it emphasised that the dispute is not about dominance within the LDF. Although some Kerala Congress leaders have joined the LDF, the party's cadres still maintain an affinity for the UDF, the report added. The CPI appears clearly wary of KC(M)'s persistent push to expand its influence within the LDF in Central Travancore, seemingly with the backing of the CPI(M). The CPI(M), views KC(M)led by Jose K Mani, as its bridge to Catholic votes across the region, which for long had worked in favour of the Congress-led United Democratic Front. Earlier last month, the CPI district conference in Idukki too dismissed KC(M) as a party with presence in only a few pockets and expressed concerns about a deliberate attempt by the regional party to overrun its position within the ruling coalition. This is not the first time the CPI has publicly contested KC(M)'s growing ambitions. In its working report presented at the 2022 Kottayam district conference, the CPI had voiced similar criticism of the KC(M), led by Jose K. Mani. Tensions between the two parties were also apparent after the 2021 Assembly elections when the KC(M) high-power committee criticised the CPI for its election analysis. The CPI report had blamed KC(M) for the LDF's losses in the Pala and Kaduthuruthy constituencies. In response, the KC(M) leadership accused the CPI of harbouring unfounded fears about losing its status within the LDF. The roots of this skirmish can be traced back to the previous Assembly elections when the CPI was compelled to relinquish the Kanjirappally seat in Kottayam to the KC(M).
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Eight cases of cybercrime reported every hour in MP
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh is witnessing an alarming surge in cyber crime, with 34,021 cases reported in the first six months of this year -- an average of 189 incidents everyday and 8 every hour. Data tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday shows that cybercrime in the state has jumped manifold since 2021, when 13,768 cases were reported. It rose to 26,053 in 2022, further went up to 52,846 in 2023 and 68,578 in 2024, while in the first six months of this year, 34,021 cybercrime incidents have been reported in the state. Nationally, the state stands on 12th position in reporting cybercrimes. The states above MP in cybercrime are Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar and Telangana. Going by the reported cases so far, the state may register more cases this year in comparison to previous years. In the question on cybercrime, Jose K Mani of KC(M) asked whether govt is cognisant of the 900 per cent jump in cyber frauds in the last four years (2021-25), according to the data compiled by the National Cyber Reporting Platform. If so, the details of reported cybercrimes during 2021-25, year-wise, state-wise/UT-wise, and the steps taken by the govt to address rising cyber fraud incidents. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Transforming Spaces, Inspiring Lives: Another Designs. another Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola Minister of state in the home ministry, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, replied "police and public order" were state subjects as per the seventh Schedule of the Constitution. "The states/UTs are primarily responsible for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of crimes including cyber crime through their law enforcement agencies (LEAs). The central govt supplements the initiatives of the states/UTs through advisories and financial assistance under various schemes for capacity building of their LEAs," he said. The ministry of home affairs has set up the 'Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre' (I4C) as an attached office to deal with all types of cybercrimes in the country, in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. A toll-free helpline number '1930' has been operationalised to get assistance in lodging online cyber complaints. So far, more than 9.42 lakhs SIM cards and 2,63,348 IMEIs as reported by police have been blocked by the central govt, the minister stated in the reply.
New Indian Express
30-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
LDF, UDF delegations in Chhattisgarh protest over arrest of Malayali nuns
KOCHI: Amid rising political tension over the arrest of two Catholic nuns hailing from Kerala, delegations of LDF and UDF arrived at Durg in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. While the UDF delegation could meet Sr Vandana and Sr Peethy Mary, the LDF team was asked to return on Wednesday. Angamaly MLA Roji M John, Kollam MP N K Premachandran, Chalakudy MP Benny Behanan, Kottayam MP Francis George and Saji Joseph comprised the UDF delegation. The LDF delegation, led by Brinda Karat and including Rajya Sabha MPs Jose K Mani, A A Rahim, P P Suneer and John Brittas and Alathur MP K Radhakrishnan, is scheduled to meet the nuns between 9am and 10am. Francis told TNIE that they were not allowed to meet the nuns initially. This led the UDF delegation to stage an impromptu dharna in front of the police station. 'The police prevented us from entering the station and told us to come the next day. However, we came to know BJP leaders Anoop Antony and Shone George had been allowed to meet the nuns earlier. They are the reason why we were turned away,' alleged Francis. Following this, the UDF leaders contacted former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel 'He ensured that we meet the nuns. The nuns are doing okay under the current circumstances. We talked to them. Though emotionally traumatised, they have not been harmed physically. But that can't be said about the man who had accompanied the three girls. He suffered physical harm,' said the UDF MP. Meanwhile, the LDF delegation arrived at Durg only in the evening. 'We arrived late and were told that the visiting time was over. We have been asked to come between 9am and 10am on Wednesday. We will be talking to the nuns and also their family members, who have arrived here, to coordinate the next legal steps that need to be taken. A bail application will be moved on Wednesday,' Jose K Mani told TNIE.
New Indian Express
28-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Amid confusion, KC(M) resolves to stand firm with Left front
Speaking to reporters earlier, Jose asserted KC(M) is extremely satisfied with the LDF. 'There have been no talks (with the UDF) so far. There is no situation prevailing that necessitates a shift in our alliance. Even the UDF does not view the Nilambur results as indicative of a broader trend in the state. That is why it emphasises coalition expansion,' Jose K Mani said. Raising various concerns such as wildlife attacks and the Munambam land dispute, a section in the KC (M) has been demanding the leadership to leave the LDF for quite a while. They argue that continuing with the Left will be a setback for the party as their core vote base - settler farmers and Christians - has increasingly turned against the LDF, owing to various issues including forest department's failure to end wildlife attacks on forest fringes. The implications of the Nilambur bypoll result further exacerbated the situation. 'The party should interpret the Nilambur outcome as a critical indicator. Along with the consolidation of minority votes, anti-incumbency sentiments played a pivotal role in the defeat,' said a leader.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
KC(M) to seek more seats in upcoming Kerala civic body polls
Kottayam: Kerala Congress (Mani) will be seeking more seats in the upcoming civic body polls, said party chairman Jose K Mani. He ruled out reviewing the party's political alliance and played down LDF candidate's loss in Nilambur byelection stating that it wasn't a mandate against govt. KC(M)'s state secretariat meeting to assess the situation post-Nilambur bypolls was held at the party headquarters here on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Mani said his party was politically entitled to contest more seats in civic body polls. KC(M) assigned respective district presidents to discuss the matter with the LDF leadership in each district, he said. The party is taking the civic body polls with utmost seriousness and will be assigning state-district leaders to strengthen the work right from panchayat wards, he added. Mani dismissed reports of talks being held with UDF. He said the statements about widening UDF surfaced due to its lack of confidence. "Nilambur election results cannot be seen as a political mandate for UDF. The result from a constituency where UDF has deep roots won't affect the possibilities of LDF govt's continuation after the next elections," he said. LDF accepts Nilambur results and will improve its activities, he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo "KC(M) will be appointing an expert committee to conduct a comprehensive study on the needs of farmers and people living on hillsides. A manifesto that is prepared will be submitted to LDF," he said. The meeting found fault with Congress for wild animal attacks. "The obstacle to finding a permanent solution to wildlife attacks is the Forest and Wildlife Protection Act, which was enacted in 1972 when Congress was in power at Centre. State govt's move to enact a legislation to protect the lives and property of people from wildlife attacks should be expedited. Popular issues such as land title in hilly areas and issues of farmers who cannot cut trees from their own land should be resolved in a timely manner by coordinating various govt departments. Immediate steps should be taken to increase welfare pensions for the weaker sections. Steps should be taken to increase the support price of rubber to Rs 250 per kg," said Mani. The meeting, chaired by Mani, was attended by minister Roshy Augustine, vice-chairmen N Jayaraj, MLA, Thomas Chazhikadan, general secretary Stephen George, MLAs Pramod Narayan, Sebastian Kulathungal and former MLA Johnny Nelloor.
