National
Gadkari's victory will consolidate his image as 'Vikas Purush'; win for Vikas Thakre to boost efforts for Cong revival
Nagpur, April 2 (IANS) In Nagpur, which is the second capital of Maharashtra popularly known as ‘Orange City’, and also the RSS headquarters, traditional political rivals BJP and Congress have been yet again pitted against each other for the Lok Sabha elections.
The BJP has nominated a high-profile Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who is seeking a third term, against Congress party candidate and the party legislator Vikas Thakre. Even though BSP has fielded Yogesh Lanjewar, the real fight is expected to be between Gadkari and Thakre.
BJP is approaching the voters on the Viksit Bharat plank apart from the slew of development works including highways, expressways and sea links to mention a few, undertaken by the Gadkari-led ministry and also a number of growth initiatives implemented successfully by the BJP-led government at the Centre.
On the other hand, Congress has countered BJP’s campaign with an argument that mere concrete roads and bridges do not mean progress especially when there has been a rise in inflation, unemployment, farmers’ distress and rampant corruption.
Nagpur comprises six assembly segments — Nagpur South West, Nagpur South, Nagpur East and Nagpur Central — represented by BJP — while Nagpur West and North are held by the Congress party.
Nagpur had seen Congress vs others fight but the picture changed drastically after Gadkari won the 2014 elections defeating the Congress stalwart and former Union minister Vilas Muttemwar. Gadkari polled 587767 votes with 54.17 per cent vote share against Muttemwar who got 302,919 votes with 27.92 per cent vote share.
Riding on the Modi wave and his performance, Gadkari retained the Nagpur seat again in the 2019 polls defeating the Congress leader Nana Patole. He got 660,221 votes with an increased vote share of 55.67 per cent against Patole who polled 444,212 with a 37.45 per cent vote share.
Since 2014 it has become the BJP vs rest in Nagpur as the saffron party has systematically made inroads and increased its presence, though it suffered a few setbacks in the local body elections and also in the state council polls after the Congress’ victories. However, the BJP with a strong team of workers up to the grassroots accompanied by the RSS activists has activated the booth-level poll machinery which the party believes is its big asset to continue the victory march.
Ironically, the Congress continues to be a divided house with leaders from various factions engaged in one-man ship. Though they want to corner BJP and Gadkari on the development plank, they have yet to strengthen the poll machinery.
Despite the Congress’ party’s presence in villages and emerging towns, the party is unable to project itself as a formidable force to take on BJP and Gadkari in particular. Furthermore, the weak organisational presence of Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and NCP Sharadchandra Pawar is another matter of concern for the Congress as that makes its battle against the mighty BJP more difficult.
Gadkari has already launched his campaign by taking out rallies in the constituency. His team is working 24×7 to increase rapport with the voters across all sections and classes. For Gadkari, the election is an opportunity for further tightening the party’s grip in the Nagpur constituency and in Vidarbha in general. He has been projecting a roadmap for the next two to three decades for the transformation of Nagpur with a focus on infrastructure development, a boost to the services sector and agriculture and agribusiness.
Gadkari has been projecting himself as a man of action also engaged actively in the implementation of the Centre’s net zero programme by promoting pollution-free automobiles especially electric vehicles and those operating on hydrogen.
Gadkari is also at the forefront of taking up with the voters the development of Metro and its expansion in Nagpur and also of the Multi-Model International Passenger and Cargo Hub Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) resulting in creation of jobs and promoting growth in the adjoining areas. Gadkari attributes his real strength to his strong and dedicated force of party cadres and expresses confidence over the victory in the third successive row.
However, Congress party and its nominee Vikas Thakre are struggling to snatch the seat from Gadkari and regain its past glory in Nagpur. Thakre has become proactive in targeting Gadkari and BJP saying that in the last 10 years it has focused on infrastructure development neglecting issues faced by the common man such as rising prices, increasing cost of power and water, unemployment, potholes and flooding in Nagpur.
Further, Thakre is accusing the BJP of a failure in the implementation of the drinking water scheme in Nagpur amid rising population and urbanisation.
Buoyed by the response to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Nagpur and the rest of Vidarbha, Thakre is prominently taking up the party’s five ‘Nyay’ with 25 guarantees including Hissedari Nyay, Kisaan Nyay, Sharmaji Nyay, Yuva Nyay and Nari Nyay.
Thakre argues that the Congress is resolved to transform the lives of countrymen and women by improving their standard of living with the implementation of 5 nyay. Undeterred by Gadkari’s stature, Thakre hopes to steal the show based on his work as the legislator in Nagpur West and also by encashing the anti-incumbency against the BJP government.
Gadkari’s victory will help him to further consolidate his image as the ‘Vikas Purush’.
In the case of Thakre, his victory will give a much-needed boost for the Congress party’s revival while his defeat will give a further opportunity for a 138-year-old party to put its house in shape ready for a new fight.
–IANS
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Seraikela (Jharkhand), July 6 (IANS) Days after resigning as the Jharkhand chief minister, JMM leader Champai Soren said on Saturday that he would have done more for the development of the state if he had got some more time.
While talking to the media, Champai Soren, who reached his assembly constituency Seraikela for the first time after resigning from the CM’s post, said, “All the wishes of a person who wants to work are never fulfilled. I tried to do good work as CM. We brought many schemes for people of all castes and communities. I am satisfied with the work I was able to do in a short period of time.”
The JMM leader named several public welfare schemes that he started during his nearly five-month tenure as Jharkhand CM.
He said that after Jharkhand became a separate state, the development did not happen the way should it have happened.
“Whatever decision is taken in the party and organisation, it has to be accepted. Whatever decision has been taken about me, I will work according to it. Whether I remain in office or not, I will continue to serve the public,” the former CM added.
Champai Soren reluctantly resigned on July 3 after being taken aback by the party’s decision. He reportedly had concerns about being replaced as the CM months before the upcoming Assembly elections in Jharkhand.
Champai Soren was opposed to the hasty decision with which the change was made.
–IANS
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New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Newly-elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership on key global challenges as both leaders spoke over the phone following Friday’s results of the UK general elections which handed the Labour Party a landslide victory.
“The Prime Minister said he looked forward to further deepening the strong and respectful relationship between both countries, and welcomed Prime Minister Modi’s leadership on key global challenges, such as climate change and economic growth,” the British PM’s office said in a statement after the call.
It also mentioned that the two leaders discussed the importance of the living bridge between the UK and India, the 2030 roadmap, and agreed that there was a wide range of areas across defence and security, critical and emerging technology, and climate change for the two countries to deepen cooperation on.
“Discussing the Free Trade Agreement, the Prime Minister said he stood ready to conclude a deal that worked for both sides,” Starmer’s office stated.
As both leaders agreed to work towards the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), PM Modi also extended an invitation to Keir Starmer for an early visit to India.
PM Modi congratulated Starmer on his and the Labour Party’s “remarkable victory” in the general elections.
“Pleased to speak with Keir Starmer. Congratulated him on being elected as the Prime Minister of the UK. We remain committed to deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and robust India-UK economic ties for the progress and prosperity of our peoples and global good,” PM Modi posted on X after the call.
Both leaders recalled the historic relations between the two countries and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK.
“Appreciating the positive contributions of the Indian community in the social, economic, and political development of the UK. The two sides agreed to continue to promote close people-to-people ties. Both leaders agreed to remain in touch,” the Indian Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.
–IANS
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Pune, July 6 (IANS) NCP (SP) Working President Supriya Sule on Saturday said that the Maharashtra government should release a white paper on corruption in the state.
“Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis must release a white paper on whether the 50 to 100 MLAs and MPs who have joined the MahaYuti are corrupt. He is the only person who can answer this question because he is the Home Minister of Maharashtra and he was the first person to raise these allegations,” Sule said while speaking to reporters after newly elected MP Ravindra Waikar was given a clean chit in a corruption case.
She criticised the ruling BJP for its alleged hypocrisy and corruption and demanded from the Deputy Chief Minister.
Sule also accused the BJP of a duplicitous approach where it first raises corruption allegations against political opponents, then welcomes them into its fold, and eventually elevates them to ministerial or legislative positions.
“This is like a washing machine. This means only two things: that corruption is acceptable to the BJP and that they are making corruption legal in India,” she said.
Sule also accused the BJP of using the ICE model – Income Tax, CBI and ED – to gain political influence in Maharashtra. She referenced the use of these agencies in various cases, including those involving Ashok Chavan, NCP (SP) leaders, and most recently, Ravindra Waikar.
In a sharp critique of the MahaYuti government in Maharashtra, Sule described it as an “MBBS government” – Mahagai (inflation), Berozgari (unemployment), and Bhrashtachari (corrupt) Sarkar.
She questioned the coalition’s stability and unity, asking, “How many engines does the MahaYuti government have? I thought they were a triple-engine government, but now they call themselves a double-engine government.”
Sule predicted a change in the state’s leadership, stating, “The government in Maharashtra will change in October.”
–IANS
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Mumbai, July 6 (IANS) Amid increase in the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across several fields, the Maharashtra Police have integrated AI to expeditiously solve various crimes, including burgeoning cyber and financial crimes, with the establishment of the Maharashtra Research and Vigilance for Enhanced Law Enforcement (MARVEL).
The company’s mandate is to strengthen intelligence capabilities and improve the state police’s ability to predict and prevent crimes using AI.
According to the state government, Maharashtra is the first state in the country to create such an independent entity for law enforcement.
The government will provide 100 per cent share capital to MARVEL for the first five years, amounting to Rs 4.2 crore annually.
The first installment of this share capital has recently been distributed, marking a significant step towards modernising law enforcement in the state.
On March 22, 2024, a tripartite agreement was signed between the Maharashtra government, the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur, and Pinaka Technologies Private Limited to establish ‘MARVEL’.
The company is registered under the Companies Act 2013, aiming to enhance law enforcement capabilities in Maharashtra through advanced AI technologies.
The integration of AI into the police force is expected to benefit crime-solving and prevention efforts by teaching machines to analyse information and mimic human thought processes.
Additionally, analysing available data can help predict potential crime hotspots and areas prone to law and order disruptions.
A Home Department officer said that Pinaka Technologies Private Limited, a Chennai-based company with experience in providing AI solutions to entities such as the Indian Navy, the Intelligence Department of Andhra Pradesh, the Income Tax Department, and SEBI, is collaborating on this venture.
The ‘MARVEL’ office is situated within the premises of the Indian Institute of Management in Nagpur, leveraging the institute’s expertise.
While Pinaka will deliver AI solutions tailored to the police force’s needs, the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur will collaborate on research and training initiatives.
The Superintendent of Police, Nagpur (Rural), and the Director of Indian Institute of Management Nagpur, will serve as ex-officio directors of the company.
Additionally, the Director of Pinaka Technologies Private Limited will also come on board.
The Superintendent of Police, Nagpur (Rural), will hold the ex-officio position of Chief Executive Officer.
(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)
–IANS
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Jammu, July 6 (IANS) The special court on Saturday sent senior Kashmiri advocate Mian Qayoom to 14-day judicial custody.
Mian Qayoom was arrested by the State Investigation Agency (SIA) on June 25 in Srinagar during the investigation of the murder of Advocate Babar Qadri who was killed by terrorists in his home in the Hawal area of Srinagar city in September 2020.
Babar Qadri had accused Mian Qayoom of planning a conspiracy to get him killed.
Police had said that a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Saqib Manzoor was involved in Qadri’s killing. Manzoor and another militant commander were killed in a gunfight with police in Srinagar in 2022.
On Saturday, Mian Qayoom was produced before the court of special judge, Jatinder Singh Jamwal on the expiry of his second remand.
“The court has sent him to judicial custody till July 20,” officials said.
Courts designated to hear cases of NIA also take up cases of the SIA, a wing of J&K Police which enforces counter-terrorism laws in J&K.
–IANS
sq/dan
Champai Soren rues short stint as Jharkhand CM, says 'wanted to do more'- Britain's Starmer lauds PM Modi's leadership on key global challenges (Ld)
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- Maharashtra to receive AI support through 'MARVEL' to expeditiously solve crimes
- Senior Kashmiri advocate Mian Qayoom sent to 14-day judicial custody
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