National
Shivraj Chouhan to contest Lok Sabha polls after two decades
Bhopal, March 2 (IANS) Ever since the BJP registered a resounding victory in the Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh last year, there have been talks about the political future of one of the most popular politicians of the state — former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Putting an end on all those speculation, the BJP on Saturday fielded Chouhan from Vidisha, a stronghold of the ruling party, for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The political journey of Shivraj Chouhan (64) is deeply rooted in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP’s student wing during his college days in Bhopal. Joining the RSS at a tender age of 13, Chouhan’s proximity to the organisation’s top brass is well-established.
His parliamentary career began in 1991 when he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Vidisha. He maintained his dominance in the seat by winning it again in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004.
Chouhan, who was the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for more than 17 years, will now contest the Lok Sabha elections after a gap of 20 years.
In 2005, Chouhan was made the state BJP President, and the same year, he was made the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, replacing his predecessor and party stalwart late Babulal Gaur.
Since then, Chauhan through his back-to-back public welfare schemes established himself as the strongest BJP leader in Madhya Pradesh.
The BJP won two consecutive Assembly elections – 2008 and 2013 – under his leadership, before losing in 2018 against the Kamal Nath-led Congress.
However, the Kamal Nath-led Congress government collapsed following a political crisis within the party after Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia along with 22 MLAs shifted to the BJP in March 2020, paving the way for Chouhan to become the Chief Minister for the fourth term.
The BJP retained power in Madhya Pradesh by securing 163 out of 230 seats in the November 2023 elections. However, Chouhan wasn’t given a chance for a fifth term as CM and was replaced by his Cabinet minister Mohan Yadav.
–IANS
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National
Three killed as two cars collide in Karnataka
Shivamogga, July 6 (IANS) At least three persons were killed and two others injured as two cars collided head-on in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district on Saturday.
The deceased were identified as Chandru, Siddanna and Imam Saab, all residents of Belagere village near Challakere town in Chitradurga district.
The injured were shifted to the Meggan Hospital in Shivamogga.
According to police, the incident occurred due to overspeeding.
One of the cars was en route to Sagara town from Shivamogga and the other car was coming towards Shivamogga from Sagara town.
Kumasi Police have rushed to the spot and taken up the investigation.
Both vehicles were severely mangled in the crash.
Details are awaited.
–IANS
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National
On Syama Prasad Mookerjee's birth anniversary, an account of how PM Modi championed his ideals
New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tributes to Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, on his birth anniversary.
“Respectful tributes to Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his birth anniversary, who made India proud with his strong nationalist views. His dedication and sacrifice for the motherland will always inspire the citizens of the country,” said the Prime Minister in a post on X.
As the nation observes his birth anniversary, here is an account of how PM Modi not only championed his ideals but also realised his dream of ‘One Nation’.
Modi Archive, a popular X handle, on Saturday, shared information on PM Modi steadfastly upholding Mookerjee’s beliefs and ardently pursuing his efforts to unify the country. It accentuates the special tribute paid by PM Modi to the Bharatiya Jan Sangh founder in 2013.
It informs that after becoming BJP’s campaign committee chairman for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi led his first rally at the spot where Mookerjee was arrested in 1953. This event also marked Mookerjee’s ‘Balidan Diwas.’
The public rally was held in Punjab’s Pathankot, the very location where the Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder was arrested in 1953 and kept in custody for 45 days. His sudden death in prison stunned the nation, leading to the abolition of the Permit System in J&K, shortly thereafter.
Mookerjee, a strong proponent of United India, passed away while fighting for the integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the nation.
In 2019, the Modi government actualised Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s vision by revoking Article 370, thereby paving the way for the revocation of its special status. A few months later, on January 1, 2020, the government took another historic step by abolishing the last traces of Jammu and Kashmir’s enforced autonomy, thereby locking Mookerjee’s dream of a fully integrated India.
Also, the government ceased operations at the Lakhanpur Toll Plaza in Pathankot, the very site where Mookerjee was arrested, a location signifying the artificial legal barrier between J&K and the rest of India.
–IANS
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National
Love jihad helpline: Pralhad Joshi seeks probe into bomb threat to Sri Rama Sena
Hubballi, (Karnataka) July 6 (IANS) Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, on Saturday demanded a probe into bomb threats allegedly issued to the Sri Rama Sena for opening helplines for victims of ‘love jihad’.
Speaking to reporters in Hubballi on Saturday, Joshi said, “The closure of Facebook accounts of Sri Rama Sena is wrong. It is also wrong to issue bomb threats. Violence isn’t right always. The state government should investigate the matter.”
Earlier, addressing the media, Gangadhar Kulkarni, a senior Sri Rama Sena leader stated that after they began a campaign against ‘love jihad’ by opening a helpline on May 29, bomb threats and life threats were given.
The Sena has got more than 170 such calls already and the threat calls are made through internet, he alleged.
The Facebook accounts of all Sri Rama Sena members and the main page have been closed for the last two days, Kulkarni alleged.
“We don’t know whether this was done by jihadis or the government. This has been done to prevent the awareness campaign on love jihad by us,” Kulkarni slammed.
“All Facebook accounts should be allowed to operate, failing which, statewide protests would be launched,” Kulkarni warned.
–IANS
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National
J&K: Army soldier dead in Kulgam encounter (Ld)
Srinagar, July 6 (IANS) An Army soldier has died in an encounter between the security forces and the terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday.
Officials said that an Army soldier, injured during the encounter between the security forces and the hiding terrorists in a village of Kulgam district, succumbed to critical injuries in the hospital.
Security forces started a cordon and search operation in Modergam village of Kulgam early on Saturday, following reports about the presence of terrorists in the village.
“As the security forces came close to the hiding terrorists, they fired at the security forces triggering an encounter,” officials said.
The exchange of fire between the security forces and terrorists is continuing in the area.
–IANS
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National
Heavy rain disrupts life in Rajasthan; schools in Tonk shut
Jaipur, July 6 (IANS) Heavy rain disrupted normal life in Rajasthan on Saturday causing waterlogging, traffic jams, and the Tonk district administration announcing the closure of schools.
Incessant rain in Kota for the past two days increased Parvati River’s water levels, leading to the closure of the road connecting Sheopur and Gwalior in MP.
The Meteorological Department said that the Baran district recorded the highest rainfall (195 mm) while Parbatsar and Nagaur, registered 71 mm.
In the past 24 hours, Deoli in Tonk 155 mm rain, Malpura (144 mm), Peeplu (144 mm), Tonk tehsil (137 mm), Aligarh (130 mm), 126 mm in Todaraisingh and Nagarfort (115 mm).
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department officials have warned of heavy to very heavy rain in the state till July 8.
Further on July 9 and 10, heavy rainfall has been forecast for eastern Rajasthan.
–IANS
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