Latest news with #non-BJP
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Rahul Gandhi hails Karnataka's gig workers' welfare ordinance
Bengaluru/New Delhi: Congress MP and opposition leader in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Thursday lauded the state govt's decision to promulgate an ordinance establishing a social security board for platform-based gig workers, calling it a "historic step" that reflects the party's vision for workers' rights across the country. Referring to slogans he heard during his nationwide march, Rahul, in a post on X, said: "'Rating nahi, haq chaahiye'. 'Insaan hai hum, ghulaam nahi'. These powerful words from gig workers stayed with me during the Bharat Jodo Yatra." He went on to say: "Our Congress govt in Karnataka has taken a historic step by issuing an ordinance that guarantees rights, dignity, and protection to gig workers... These workers bring us food, deliver essentials, and drive us safely — in the heat, cold, and rain." Pointing to exploitative conditions gig workers face, he said: "Yet, they are too often blocked from their apps without explanation, denied sick leave, and paid according to opaque algorithms. We are changing that." Rahul said the new ordinance ensures social security, fair contracts, transparency in algorithmic pay, and an end to arbitrary blocking. "This is how technology should serve people — driving innovation and justice. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Rajasthan showed the way. Karnataka has acted. Telangana is next." In Bengaluru, Karnataka labour minister Santosh Lad expressed gratitude to governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot for swiftly approving the ordinance, and credited Rahul for bringing the issue to the forefront. After leading a delegation of gig workers to felicitate the governor, Lad said: "Today, the vision of our leader Rahul Gandhi has been realised. We thank the governor for passing the ordinance within a day of it being sent to Raj Bhavan. " He said platforms which use services of gig workers to "further their profits" must consider the welfare of these employees "who inhale carbon dioxide day in and day out". "I am not going to blame anyone, but it is important to consider the social security of these workers," he said. However, while praising Gehlot for his prompt action, Lad also criticised Raj Bhavan over delays in approving other bills. "It is only in non-BJP governed states that Raj Bhavans withhold assent for bills," Lad said. "In BJP-governed states such actions are unheard of. Our youngsters need to understand the consequences of such actions, why there is a debate on Article 142 in the country and why courts are intervening in such matters. " The ordinance paves the way for the establishment of a Gig Workers Welfare Board, expected to be a first-of-its-kind step towards regulating platform-based work and providing structured protection to lakhs of delivery partners, drivers, and other on-demand workers in the state.
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
How PM Modi's Idea Of An All-Party Squad After Op Sindoor Works On Five Levels
Last Updated: It is one of India's strongest shows of bipartisan unity between the government and the Opposition in many decades Uddhav Sena called it a 'baraat' or wedding party. The Congress was upset that its own leader, Shashi Tharoor, was acting like the BJP's 'super spokesman". Even a section of the BJP's own support base was unpleasantly surprised that the Narendra Modi government was using its own bitter opponents in an overseas mission. Some said it betrayed the BJP's weakness in setting the global narrative. But beyond what is immediately visible lies a masterclass in Modi's political manoeuvre. And it works at levels and over a length of time far beyond the obvious. Here are five ways in which the roping in of politicians from the most diverse ideologies helps the nation, the government, and the party. The 59-member team visiting 32 countries and the European Union headquarters in Brussels includes Opposition leaders ranging from Shashi Tharoor of the Congress to Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM, Kanimozhi of the DMK to Supriya Sule of the NCP, Priyanka Chaturvedi of Uddhav Sena to John Brittas of the CPM. First, it is one of India's strongest shows of bipartisan unity between the government and the Opposition in many decades. There have been other occasions, for instance during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 or after the Pokhran nuclear tests, when various Opposition parties supported the government's war efforts. But this is the first time the Centre has so boldly adopted a Team India approach to diplomacy. Second, the whole initiative serves to break down the walls around communication between the Central government and the Opposition. It also makes floor management easier in Parliament. Third, raising a unified voice against terrorism and India's enemies like Pakistan gives the non-BJP leaders—who are sometimes accused of taking unpatriotic stands on internal and external security—a new goodwill among citizens. It incentivises nationalism for the Opposition. Love and service for the nation, in their unconditional form, are their own reward. But in politics, they incidentally also fetch votes. Fourth, PM Modi's initiative has created a talent pool of national spokespersons from across party lines speaking beyond party lines, exclusively for Bharat. It has added brilliant orators like Shashi Tharoor and Asaduddin Owaisi to the exceptional tradition of oratory which the BJP-RSS family brings. It deepens India's bench strength in setting the diplomatic and political narrative worldwide. And fifth, in one stroke, PM Modi and his government have managed to marginalise grumpy and rabidly anti-Modi legacy leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Uddhav Thackeray, as well as the loony Left and Islamists. Even within their respective parties and voter bases, the united outreach shows these leaders as petty, narcissistic, and even inimical to India's interests. RaGa's rants and false accusations on Operation Sindoor are being discredited by Congress and Opposition representatives themselves in several world capitals. The entire exercise brings a paradigm shift. It moves the middle ground of Indian politics quite a few feet towards the nationalist Right and away from the globalist Left. All these are happening quietly and simultaneously, leaving social media busy and confused about whom to side with, because the sides have blurred. Abhijit Majumder is a senior journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
This Day In 1996: AB Vajpayee Ends 13-Day Rule With " Satta Ka Khel" Speech
New Delhi: " Satta ka khel toh chalta rahega, sarkarein aayengi, jayengi, partian banengi, bigrengi, magar yeh desh rehna chahiye, yeh desh ka loktantra rehna chahiye (Power play will continue, governments will come and go, parties will be formed and broken, but this country must live on, its democracy must live on)." Exactly 29 years ago, on May 28, 1996, BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee resigned as Prime Minister after just 13 days in power when his government lost the majority in the Lok Sabha. This is the shortest stint for a Prime Minister, matched by two 13-day stints of Gulzarilal Nanda, who served as Acting Prime Minister after the deaths of former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Mr Vajpayee's powerful speech, during which he said that while governments and parties may change, India's democracy must live on, is rated among the most articulate speeches in our parliamentary history. As fate would have it, Mr Vajpayee would return as Prime Minister again, twice. 1996 Election: The Ascent The 1996 Lok Sabha election was fought after landmark events in Indian political history. The PV Narasimha Rao government had ushered in massive economic reforms through liberalisation in 1991, but the episode that would decide the fate of the government -- and the country -- would take place the next year. On December 6, 1992, the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished as right-wing outfits stressed that the mosque was built at the birthplace of Lord Ram. The demolition polarised the country and the BJP benefited from this. In the 1996 election, the saffron party won 161 seats in Lok Sabha, becoming the single largest party. The Congress won 140 seats, followed by the HD Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (46) and CPM (32). Mr Vajpayee staked a claim to form the government and took the oath on May 15. The Resignation On May 28, Mr Vajpayee conceded that he did not have the majority to continue in power. "We have been given the chance as the single largest party because people wanted a change," the BJP legend said in Lok Sabha. Mr Vajpayee also made it clear that he would never break the BJP to cling on to power. "During the course of this debate, a remark has been made repeatedly that personally Vajpayee is a good leader but his party is not good... If I am offered power with a new alliance at the cost of a split in my party, I would be the last person even to remotely entertain such an idea." He also said there should be no polarisation in the country on communal or caste lines. "Governments will come and go but the nation will always remain there. The democracy of this country will live forever. Has it not become a difficult task in the present atmosphere?" he asked, targeting his rivals. The Aftermath Following Mr Vajpayee's resignation, the Congress too declined to form the government, but extended support to the United Front -- a coalition of non-Congress and non-BJP parties -- to keep the BJP out of power. This started a search for the next Prime Minister. Former Prime Minister VP Singh was approached, but he refused. Another choice was Left veteran Jyoti Basu, but the CPM decided that with a coalition of so many parties, Mr Basu wouldn't get a free hand. Jyoti Basu later called the Left party's decision to pass over the Prime Minister's seat a "historic blunder". Eventually, Janata Dal leader HD Deve Gowda was chosen as the Prime Minister candidate. The Karnataka leader had to quit the post less than a year later, as the Congress withdrew its support. IK Gujral became the next Prime Minister, but he too had to resign in less than a year. The Return - And Another Test In the 1998 general election, the BJP emerged as the single largest party again. Mr Vajpayee led a rainbow coalition into power. The following months saw landmark events. India conducted the Pokhran nuclear test and also defeated Pakistan in the Kargil conflict. Months after the conflict, however, another phase of uncertainty began. The J Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK had been unsuccessfully pushing the Vajpayee government to dismiss the DMK government in Tamil Nadu, led by her arch-rival M Karunanidhi. When Mr Vajpayee refused, AIADMK withdrew its support and the government lost the majority in the House. In the 1999 election, the BJP again scored the top rank and Mr Vajpayee returned to power at the head of another coalition government. This time, he would complete his term, becoming the first non-Congress Prime Minister to do so.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Keezhadi report scientifically valid, says Thirumavalavan
The Keezhadi excavation report is grounded in scientific evidence and not a fabrication, and those demanding revisions without substantiating their claims are either ignorant or harbour hostility towards Tamil heritage, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters at the Tiruchi airport Mr. Thirumavalavan defended the Keezhadi report calling it a milestone in understanding Tamil civilization and its deep-rooted antiquity. 'Keezhadi is not a fictional tale or a doctored narrative. If someone finds contradictions, let them point them out clearly. Asking for revisions without basis only reveals either ignorance or a deliberate attempt to suppress Tamil identity,' he said. He asserted that Keezhadi, far from being controversial, presents clear archaeological data showing the sophistication of ancient Tamil society. Mr. Thirumavalavan also alleged that those influenced by North Indian mythologies find it hard to accept Keezhadi's implications because it challenges long-standing prejudiced narratives. 'Keezhadi suggests a Tamil society of rational, caste-free people. Those with blind faith in mythological dominance find this uncomfortable,' he charged. Answering a question on Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's absence from earlier NITI Aayog meetings, Mr. Thirumavalavan said the decision [to stay away] was a legitimate symbolic protest against the Union government's step-motherly treatment of non-BJP ruled states. 'It was never intended as a permanent boycott, but a strong political statement. That approach need not continue in the same manner,' he said.
News18
24-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Central Funds, Metro & Infra Projects: Demands Non-BJP CMs Raised At NITI Meet With PM Modi
Last Updated: PM Modi also held one-on-one meetings with some of these opposition leaders, where the INDIA Bloc CMs presented key demands and proposals Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met with several Chief Ministers from opposition-ruled states during the 10th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, held in Delhi. The meeting, themed 'Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat @2047', brought together leaders from across the country to discuss development priorities and collaborative growth. Notable attendees from the non-BJP ruled states included, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren. During the event, PM Modi also held one-on-one meetings with some of these opposition leaders, where the INDIA Bloc CMs presented key demands and proposals concerning their respective states. Stalin Submits Development Wishlist Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin shared on X that he submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister, detailing key proposals for Tamil Nadu's development and the cause of social justice. The demands included approval for Metro Rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai, transfer of Chennai MRTS to Chennai Metro Rail Ltd, expansion of National Highway 32, and the establishment of an AIIMS in Coimbatore, among others. 'Approval for Coimbatore & Madurai #Metro Transfer of Chennai #MRTS to @cmrlofficial Upgrade NH32 (Chengalpattu–Tindivanam) to 6/8 lanes Expansion of Coimbatore & Madurai Airports Establishment of an #AIIMS in Coimbatore Release of funds under #SSA Change in nomenclature of certain communities in SC/ST List ('N'/'A' to 'R') Inclusion of SC-converted Christians in SC list Safeguarding fishermen's rights & expediting release of detainees," Stalin wrote. Tamil Nadu CM also urged the PM Modi to consider these with urgency. 'We hope the Hon'ble Prime Minister will consider these proposals with due urgency, in the true spirit of cooperative federalism," he added. Revanth Reddy Pushes For Several Projects Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy also took to X after his meeting with the Prime Minister, highlighting his states development priorities. He urged for the completion of Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase 2, speedy execution of the Regional Ring Road, and strengthening of the semiconductor and pharma sectors, among other key projects. 'In addition sought support to further strengthening Telangana's position in the Semiconductor Ecosystem, including the ISM project. We also demanded liberal Central support for our defence &aerospace ecosystem. Looking forward to a positive response to all our requests from the hon'ble Prime Minister," Reddy wrote in his post. While several southern CMs were present, Karnataka's Siddaramaiah and Kerala's Pinarayi Vijayan did not attend. Siddaramaiah cited prior engagements and had his speech read out at the meeting, while Vijayan deputed Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal to represent Kerala. Puducherry CM N. Rangasamy, whose party is part of the NDA, also skipped the meeting without an official explanation. This meeting was particularly significant as it marked the first major gathering of the Prime Minister with state CMs and lieutenant governors following Operation Sindoor. (With inputs from agencies) First Published:
