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India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Vice-president poll: How Modi's playbook defies pundits, past precedence
On a humid August morning in New Delhi, the usually business-like National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parliamentary party meeting ended with a consequential decision. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president J.P. Nadda—who, as leader of the house in the Rajya Sabha, is central to the government's legislative strategy—were unanimously authorised to choose the alliance's nominee for the post of India's election, to be held on September 9, will be one of the rare instances wherein MPs from both houses of Parliament will vote together. Numbers matter in such contests, but in the current scenario, the NDA's advantage is so comfortable that the real exercise lies less in outmanoeuvring the Opposition and more in calibrating the BJP's political messaging—balancing region, caste, ideological roots and coalition arithmetic, and above all, shaping the upcoming election has been necessitated by the abrupt exit of Jagdeep Dhankhar as vice-president, citing health reasons. This mid-term vice-presidential poll will be only the second such instance in Indian NDA's combined strength in Parliament leaves little doubt about the outcome. In the Rajya Sabha, the BJP holds 102 seats, and along with allies—JD(U), AIADMK, TDP, NPF and others—commands around 132 of the 239 filled seats. Seven nominated members in the Rajya Sabha are also eligible to vote, further cementing the NDA's dominance. In the Lok Sabha, the BJP's 240 members and allies' 53-odd seats take the NDA tally to about 293 out of the current 542. When the two Houses vote together, the NDA crosses the simple majority threshold by a wide Opposition INDIA bloc, led by the Congress with 99 Lok Sabha MPs and supported by the likes of DMK, Trinamool Congress and the Left, would struggle to make a dent even with full numerical cushion allows Modi and Nadda to think beyond pure electoral calculus. The vice-president is the ex-officio chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, a role that demands both parliamentary authority and the ability to manage an often-fractious exit sparked speculation about whether he had been asked to leave for purportedly seeking to leverage his influence beyond the chair's remit. He has neither confirmed nor denied such Modi government is cautious about who now occupies this high chair, a position both constitutionally significant and politically sensitive. There is no precedent or rule mandating that the vice-president be chosen from among politicians, governors or cabinet ministers; past holders of the office have come from diverse craftIn the past decade, the BJP has used such appointments to expand its footprint into newer regions or communities. In 2017, when the party chose Ram Nath Kovind, a Dalit from Uttar Pradesh, as the president of India, it paired him with M. Venkaiah Naidu from Andhra Pradesh as vice-president, symbolically marrying the North and the 2022, the elevation of Odisha's tribal leader Droupadi Murmu to the presidency was matched by Jagdeep Dhankhar, a Jat leader from Rajasthan, as vice-president. This rotation logic, covering different geographies, castes and communities, has become an unwritten rule. But this time, the situation is more complex since the BJP is also preparing to choose a new national president and overhaul its organisational BJP's experience with Dhankhar—an outsider to the Sangh Parivar ranks—and earlier with the late Satya Pal Malik, a governor who turned sharply critical after his tenure, has strengthened the view within a section of the party that such constitutional posts should go to insiders with proven ideological loyalty. This lobby argues that the new vice-president should be a consensus-builder, but firmly rooted in the BJP-RSS reasoning weakens the case for Bihar governor Arif Mohammad Khan, whose supporters argue that his elevation could appeal to moderate Muslims. It also complicates the prospects of Harivansh Narayan Singh, the JD(U) MP from Bihar and current deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha. A seasoned journalist-turned-parliamentarian, Singh enjoys cordial relations across party lines and has shown skill in running the Upper 2022, when Nitish Kumar quit the NDA and pressured Harivansh Singh to follow suit, he refused. When Nitish rejoined the NDA in 2024, Singh played a pivotal role in smoothing the transition. His candidacy would please Nitish, but Bihar's placement in the East—already represented in recent years by Kovind and Murmu—weakens Singh's case. Besides, Singh lacks an RSS background and the BJP has had mixed experiences with other names under serious consideration carry long association with the Sangh Parivar. C.P. Radhakrishnan, the governor of Maharashtra, is a veteran from Tamil Nadu who has served as prant sanghchalak of the RSS from 1993 to 1998. He twice represented Coimbatore in the Lok Sabha, has been president of the BJP in Tamil Nadu, and belongs to the OBC Gounder elevation would strengthen the BJP's southern outreach—a region where it has been investing heavily—and provide symbolic representation to a backward caste group in the Dravidian politics-dominated Tamil Nadu. However, his long gubernatorial stint away from Parliament means he would need to reacquaint himself quickly with the procedural demands of chairing the Rajya Chand Gehlot, currently governor of Karnataka, is another RSS-bred leader with deep roots in the BJP organisation. A senior Dalit leader from Madhya Pradesh, Gehlot served multiple terms in the Lok Sabha before moving to the Rajya Sabha, where he was leader of the house, and has been a cabinet minister in the Modi government. Administrative experience, legislative acumen and community background make him an attractive candidate, particularly for consolidating Dalit support in the Hindi heartland. Gehlot's main drawback is his age—at 77, the leadership may consider whether a younger figure could better serve a full term and connect with emerging at your own riskPredicting the prime minister's choice is always a fraught exercise. Modi's playbook is marked by surprise, picking candidates who defy conventional arithmetic, overturning pundits' expectations and reframing the debate on his own terms. In the past, appointments that seemed obvious from a numbers or alliance perspective have been bypassed in favour of names that better serve a longer-term strategic unpredictability is part of Modi's political craft, ensuring both his allies and adversaries remain second-guessing. There had been conversation of bringing in women candidates from within the NDA, especially from the Union cabinet. However, with the country already having a woman president in Murmu, the idea fizzled is no set precedent as to who can be nominated to be elected to the vice-presidential office; it could be someone with experience as a governor, Union minister, a professional or academic of repute or even an ex-diplomat. This flexibility allows Modi to think and position the ideological pivot for the looming element of surprise also means reading too much into any probable shortlist could be misleading. What appears to be a choice between alliance management, ideological consolidation or geographic outreach could be masking an entirely different has repeatedly shown that he values signalling—not just to Parliament or party cadre but to the electorate at large—and that the symbolism of an appointment can be as important as its operational utility. The only difference this time could be that he would have to take the Sangh's aspirations into of narrativesIn weighing these options, the BJP faces a choice between alliance management and organisational consolidation, geographic outreach and ideological loyalty. Harivansh Singh would underscore coalition stability; Radhakrishnan would boost the party's southern push; Gehlot would reaffirm Dalit representation and seasoned parliamentary leadership. The decision will be read not just as a personal choice but as a reflection of Modi's broader political had been pushing for more representations for the marginal communities, women, farmers, OBCs, tribals and Dalits; his choices for the top offices often came with these combinations. Radhakrishan comes from the South Indian OBC community of Gounders. The party tried heavily to win over the community with K. Annamalai. The push halted after the BJP decided to go for an alliance with the Edappadi K. Palaniswami-led AIADMK in Tamil Nadu. Palaniswami incidentally belongs to the same Opposition will most certainly field a candidate, aiming to build on a narrative to corner the NDA's politics. The INDIA bloc is reportedly looking to announce its candidate after the NDA does. But given the NDA's numbers, the contest will be ceremonial. The BJP's pick will speak volumes about its strategy, future ambitions and the balance it seeks between ideology, outreach and control. The country will soon know who will wrestle for the second highest office in the country. And what Modi's choice to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
Daily Express
02-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
RM2.3 billion lost to respiratory diseases: Experts
Published on: Saturday, August 02, 2025 Published on: Sat, Aug 02, 2025 Text Size: According to the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey, 6 per cent of adults and up to 13 per cent of children in Malaysia have asthma, with an estimated one in three sufferers remaining undiagnosed. Kota Kinabalu: Respiratory diseases continue to pose a significant challenge to the Malaysian and Sabah health systems, with experts calling for more integrated strategies to manage asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and post-tuberculosis (TB) lung conditions. According to the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey, 6 per cent of adults and up to 13 per cent of children in Malaysia have asthma, with an estimated one in three sufferers remaining undiagnosed. Another study puts the national prevalence of COPD at 6.5 per cent among adults, a disease that often leads to breathlessness and poor quality of life. The cost of managing COPD is estimated at RM2.3 billion a year, with additional financial pressure caused by reduced productivity and increased social welfare costs. Although Sabah-specific statistics are limited, health officials believe the situation mirrors the national trend. More efforts are being made in the state to strengthen screening and diagnosis, particularly in rural areas. These issues took centre stage in here as more than 100 health experts and researchers from across Asia gathered for the Annual Scientific Meeting of the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Respiratory Health (Respire), Held from July 29 to Aug 1, marking the first time Sabah is hosting the annual meeting since the programme was launched in 2017. Themed 'Promoting and Prioritising an Integrated Lung Health Approach', the meeting brought together participants from Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and the United Kingdom, who presented research findings and discussed strategies to reduce the burden of lung disease in low- and middle-income countries. The discussions highlighted the need to improve early diagnosis, provide timely treatment and ensure long-term follow-up for chronic respiratory conditions, particularly for communities with limited access to healthcare. The event was officiated by Deputy Director-General of Health (Research) Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah. Dr Nor said the Ministry of Health (MOH) remains committed to addressing lung health issues through the Healthy Lungs Initiative 2025-2030, which aims to enhance screening and care services nationwide. Sabah, in particular, continues to record the highest TB burden in the country, with 161 cases per 100,000 population. In response, Respire researchers are working with the Sabah Health Department and MOH to co-develop a clinical tool for improving TB diagnosis in primary care settings, especially for patients with smear-negative results. Malaysia has also taken a lead role at the international level, tabling a resolution at the 78th World Health Assembly to address asthma, COPD, TB, lung cancer and pneumonia, along with environmental factors such as air pollution and access to affordable diagnostics and medicines. The Respire programme, led by the University of Edinburgh and Universiti Malaya, is supported by the United Kingdom's National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). It aims to deliver sustainable, cost-effective respiratory health solutions through collaboration with institutions across Asia.
Daily Express
22-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Single mum urges help to buy special back brace for daughter
Published on: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 22, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: Nazihah posing with some of her certificates (Photo Credit: Nor) Kota Kinabalu: A single mother is seeking public help to buy a special back brace for her 17-year-old daughter who has a curved spine and is getting ready for her SPM exams. Nor said her daughter Nazihah has had scoliosis, a condition where the spine curves sideways since 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Back then, it was hard to get proper medical help because of the movement restrictions. 'She always complains about back pain, especially when she wakes up. She cannot stand or sit for long, cannot do heavy work and cannot play sports,' Nor said. Even with her health problems, Nazihah is still a top student studying Science subjects. She has won many awards including a Gold Award at the STEM PBL Carnival 2024 and represented Sabah at the National Science Competition 2024. She also holds important positions in school, including President of the PPIM school body and Head of the Biology Subject Committee. Her spine problem has gotten worse over time. Doctors now say she needs a special back brace instead of surgery to stop her spine from curving more. 'Sometimes she even says it is hard to breathe because her lungs are being squeezed by her curved spine,' Nor said. The back brace costs about RM7,800. This does not include the money needed for weekly treatment and X-rays, making it even more expensive for the family. As a single mother, Nor had to stop her daughter's physiotherapy sessions because she could not afford them after losing her job. 'I can only take her for treatment when I have extra money. If not, she does simple exercises at home to help with the pain,' Nor said. With SPM exams coming up soon, an important test that will decide if she can go to university, there is no time to waste. Her health problems do not just cause pain but could also affect how well she does in her exams during this important time. 'Even if we could get just a few thousand Ringgit, I would be so grateful. I hope there are kind people willing to help my daughter, especially since she is preparing for her SPM exams,' Nor said. She said doctors cautioned that if treatment is delayed, her daughter's spine could curve even more, cause more pain and lead to problems including breathing difficulties. Nor is appealing to the public for donations to help buy the essential medical equipment for her daughter. 'I really hope there are kind and generous people who would help lighten our burden by donating money to buying a scoliosis brace for my daughter. This help would mean so much to us, especially for her health and future. 'I pray that everyone who helps us will be blessed with good health, plenty of food and God's protection,' Nor said. Those wishing to contribute can make donations directly to Nor's Maybank account (Account Number: 1600 185 848 51, Account Holder: Dayangku Nor Laila Bt Pg Ahmad Tajuddin). * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
04-07-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Kg Iboi floods: Three years later, the pain still lingers
BALING: Even though it has been three years since the devastating water surge and floods hit Kampung Iboi, villagers of this once tranquil village at the foot of Gunung Inas near here are still rebuilding their lives as scars of the past linger on. The tragedy on July 4, 2022, caused by intense rainfall and large volume of water flowing down from Gunung Inas claimed the lives of three villagers, including an expectant mother, and caused extensive damage to homes, infrastructure and livelihoods. Former Village Development and Security Committee secretary Mohamad Nor Che Husain, also known as Pak Teh, said the community's shared journey of recovery had fostered a deep sense of unity and resilience. "With the cooperation of residents and strong support from government agencies, things are progressing well. The harmony we now enjoy is genuine. "I hope this sense of unity remains strong. Let's not allow narrow political ideologies to tear apart the bonds of kinship we've built," he said during a visit to a chalet near the site of the flood. Kampung Iboi was "ground zero" of the tragedy, in which 12 homes were also destroyed and 50 others severely damaged. Despite the painful memories, recent improvements, including the nearly completed disaster mitigation infrastructure, better road connectivity and the absence of floods since early this year, had brought a sense of calm and cautious optimism for the villagers. Reflecting on the village's journey over the past three years, Nor said emotional wounds had slowly started to heal, though not entirely. "You can see the changes in the community but to say they've fully recovered, I think that will take more time." He said economic hardship remained a key challenge, especially for those reliant on agriculture and tourism in the once vibrant Lata Celak recreational park. Nor also suggested erecting a permanent memorial in the village. His proposal was supported by Village Development and Security Committee chairman Muzani Md Noh, who also urged the authorities to restore water supply and rehabilitate the farm soil damaged in the disaster. "Much progress has been made but water and soil issues need attention." Muzani said he hoped that Lata Celak could be redeveloped as a geo-disaster education and ecotourism site, which he believed could rejuvenate the local economy. Earlier, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had announced that the RM22.8 million Sabo Dam project in Sungai Kupang was progressing ahead of schedule, with a 62 per cent completion rate, compared with the projected 20 per cent at this stage. He also said 17 new homes for victims were 95 per cent complete, and set to be handed over by the end of the month. The RM3 million initiative is funded by the federal government, with the state providing land valued at RM600,000. To curb future flood risks, two phases of flood mitigation projects were underway. Phase 1 of the Baling Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB Baling) involves upgrading Sungai Kupang, construction of a crossing structure, embankment works, and other related infrastructure improvements. Putrajaya has also approved two flood mitigation projects for the Baling district — RTB Baling (Sungai Kupang) and RTB Baling Phase 2 — as part of efforts to address recurring floods in the area.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Yahoo
Neighbours thought they moved — but foul smell leads to discovery of woman and child's bodies in Penang flat
KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — The decomposed bodies of a woman and a child were discovered in a flat unit along Jalan Bukit Gambir in George Town yesterday. According to The Straits Times, the discovery was made after a neighbour reported a foul smell coming from the unit and alerted the authorities at around 4.41pm. A team from the Fire and Rescue Department and the police was dispatched to the scene. 'Preliminary checks found two bodies — a woman and a child — inside the unit. 'Their remains were already decomposing,' a source was quoted as saying. The woman and child are believed to have been dead for some time. According to an individual claiming to be her younger sister, who wished to be known as Nor, the 40-year-old woman had been living in the flat with her two-year-old child after divorcing her husband. She was said to be unemployed. 'The last time I saw my sister was at the end of May,' Nor reportedly told Harian Metro last night. Neighbours living on the same floor said they had not heard any noise from the unit for weeks and assumed the woman had moved out. 'She told us before that she planned to move, and I even saw her carrying things, like she was preparing to leave,' one neighbour said. 'She mentioned the flat was going to be auctioned off and that she intended to relocate to Seberang Perai. After that, we didn't see her again.' The identities of the deceased had not been officially confirmed at the time of writing. The bodies have been sent to Penang Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
