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Mob assaults Raveena Tandon after Mohammed’s burqa-clad family falsely accuses actress of hitting them with her car

OpIndia Staff
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Mob assaults Raveena Tandon after Mohammed’s burqa-clad family falsely accuses actress of hitting them with her car

On Saturday (1st June) night, a frenzied mob attacked Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon and her driver after claiming that her car severely hit and injured a burqa-clad woman.

The incident took place outside the residence of the actress in the Bandra suburb of Mumbai. A dispute arose when the driver of Raveena Tandon was attempting to reverse her car and park it inside the residence of the actress.

At that time, another car approached the gate of the building and alleged that Raveena Tandon’s vehicle collided with it. A man identified as Mohammed claimed that his niece, mother and sister were injured in the collision.

In a video posted by one Mohsin Shaikh, it could be seen that a mob gheraoed actress Raveena Tandon and assaulted her even as she tried to calm the situation.

The actress could be seen pleading with the accused to not assault her. “Don’t push. Please don’t hit me,” she was heard saying. In the meantime, a man could be heard yelling, “Maaro isko (hit her).”

A burqa-clad woman, related to Mohammed, was seen claiming that Raveena Tandon assaulted her, leading to nose injury. “You will have to spend the night in jail. My nose is bleeding,” she alleged. 

Another family member of the man alleged that the actress was drunken state and caused serious head injuries to her mother. In a CCTV footage that has surfaced on social media, it could be seen that the car of Raveena Tandon did not hit anyone.

This was further confirmed by the Mumbai police. At the same time, sources told The Times of India that claims about the actress being drunk at the time of the confrontation are false.

According to the police, neither Raveena Tandon nor Mohammed’s family filed a formal complaint into the matter. DCP Raj Tilak Roshan also dismissed claims about anyone receiving head injuries.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal surrenders before authorities, heads back to Tihar Jail after his interim bail period runs out

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal surrenders before authorities, heads back to Tihar Jail after his interim bail period runs out

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has surrendered before the Tihar jail authorities and is returning to prison on the afternoon of 2nd June as his three-week conditional interim bail in the Delhi Liquor Policy scam case ended yesterday on 1st June.

Earlier in the day, Arvind Kejriwal conveyed that he would visit Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Rajghat and the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place before surrendering to Tihar Jail authorities. He added that he would also visit the AAP office at Delhi’s DDU Marg where he would meet party workers.

Out on conditional interim bail for campaigning period, Kejriwal said that he was grateful to the Supreme Court for granting him a 21-day interim bail for campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls. 

Taking to X, Kejriwal wrote, “First I will go to Rajghat and pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. From there I will go to Hanuman temple in Connaught Place to seek the blessings of Hanuman ji. And from there I will go to the party office and meet all the workers and party leaders. From there I will leave again for Tihar.” 

Before surrendering, AAP Supremo Kejriwal held a meeting of the AAP’s political affairs committee at his residence on Saturday, June 1. During the meeting at the Chief Minister’s residence, Kejriwal stressed the need to maintain unity among AAP leaders in his absence, PTI reported quoting sources. Later, he attended a meeting of the opposition I.N.D.I. Alliance at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi. 

Meanwhile, the development of the AAP leader surrendering before the Tihar jail authorities comes after the AAP Supremo suffered back-to-back setbacks from the Courts. 

In a major setback to the AAP leader, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court refused to grant him immediate relief in an interim bail plea. The court reserved the matter for 5th June after hearing the govt and the Delhi CM’s lawyers, forcing Arvind Kejriwal to surrender at Tihar Jail.

Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue court refused Arvind Kejriwal’s plea seeking immediate relief from returning to Tihar jail.

Representing Kejriwal, Senior Advocate N Hariharan said that by pronouncing the verdict on 5th June, it would be infructuous as the reply is required by 2nd June, but the court refused to concede.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had refused to extend Kejriwal’s conditional interim bail that directed him to surrender and return to Tihar jail by 2nd June.

Kejriwal, who was arrested on 21st March this year, received a big relief on 10th May from the Supreme Court after it granted him interim bail till 1st June in the excise policy scam case on the ground that the AAP leader needed to campaign for his party. The Court while granting him interim bail had imposed several conditions on him including the one that he would have to surrender and return to Tihar jail on 2nd June.

Share details by evening: Election Commission tells senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh after he claimed Amit Shah called 150 DMs to intimidate them

OpIndia Staff
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Share details by evening: Election Commission tells senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh after he claimed Amit Shah called 150 DMs to intimidate them

On Sunday (2nd June), the Election Commission of India (ECI) asked Congress leader Jairam Ramesh to share details regarding his allegation that Union Home Minister Amit Shah dialled 150 District Magistrates (DMs) just days before the counting date. The poll body has sought factual information and details from the Congress leader by 7 pm on Sunday evening. ECI noted that the statements by the Senior Congress leader tend to create doubt and deserve to be addressed in the larger interest of the public.

It is pertinent to note that during the election period, District magistrates (DMs) and collectors are the returning officers of their respective districts.

The Election Commission asserted that it has not received a report from any DM that they are experiencing any undue influence, to date. However, it asked the Congress leader to give details so that the issue could be addressed in the “larger public interest”, given the gravity of the allegations leveled by the senior Congress leader. 

The letter read, “The process of counting of votes is a sacred duty cast upon every RO (Returning Officer) and such public statements by a senior, responsible and experienced leader tend to put an element of doubt and thus, deserves to be addressed in the larger public interest.”

It added, “Although no DM has reported any undue influence, EC had sought details and information from Jairam Ramesh of 150 DMs to whom Amit Shah has influenced, as alleged by Ramesh, and which he believes to be true, and had thus made these allegations.” 

The development comes a day after, Jairam Ramesh, Congress party’s General Secretary in charge of communications, alleged on Saturday that Amit Shah has been calling up district magistrates and collectors and indulging in “blatant and brazen” intimidation. 

Taking to X, Jairam Ramesh alleged, “The outgoing home minister has been calling up DMs/Collectors. So far he has spoken to 150 of them. This is blatant and brazen intimidation, showing how desperate the BJP is. Let it be very clear: the will of the people shall prevail, and on June 4th, Mr. Modi, Mr. Shah, and the BJP will exit, and the INDIA Janbandhan will be victorious.” 

Failure to unsubstantiate allegations could land Congress leader in trouble for undermining the democratic process

After his unverified claims attempting to allege election fraud began circulating, the Congress leader has been asked to submit his response and supporting details regarding his accusation against Amit Shah by evening. Failure to substantiate his claims, and if it turns out that his allegations of ‘mass rigging’ in the electoral process could be part of the shoot-and-scoot strategy by the I.N.D.I. alliance leader, could land him in trouble for casting aspersions, making unsubstantiated accusations, and undermining India’s democratic process.

For those unversed, the shoot-and-scoot strategy is notorious, with several politicians making unsubstantiated allegations against their rivals, often relying on hearsay or attributing them to third parties to undermine the integrity of the opponent in the eyes of the public. They then retreat to avoid consequences for their defamatory remarks about the rival candidate.

Over the past several years, the grand old party and its I.N.D.I. Alliance partners have escalated their attempts to undermine the authority of the polling body. They have raised questions about every step, person, and instrument involved in the electoral process, virtually making a case for an overhaul of the Constitutional body and everything within the electoral process according to their whims and electoral outcomes of the Congress and their I.N.D.I. Alliance partners.   

Strikingly, from raising unfound allegations against EVMs, and the sanctity of electoral rolls – the key instrument in the electoral process, the I.N.D.I. Alliance leaders have ramped up their efforts and effectively launched a smear campaign against the ECI and the integrity of the Election Commissioners. 

The latest allegation revolves around questioning the integrity of the Returning Officers (District Magistrates/Collectors), who are a structural unit within the Election Commission. The opposition had largely spared them in their smear campaigns against the ECI, predominantly targeting the senior leadership of the polling body, alleging that only the pliable election commissioners have compromised the integrity of elections. However, the latest allegation alludes that the alliance leaders have begun to target every organ of the electoral process. 

During the initial phases of voting, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote a letter to I.N.D.I. Alliance leaders regarding the alleged discrepancies and delay in the voting data released by the ECI.

In its detailed 21-page rebuttal, ECI dismissed the allegations and termed his allegations around voter turnout data as “baseless”. It stressed that such attempts could create an “anarchic situation, besides doubts and disharmony” among the voters and common Indians.

Despite the fact that virtually every allegation levelled by the opposition to sow distrust among the public about the election process and results have turned out to be based on unsubstantiated claims, hearsay, and blatant lies – an apt illustration of shoot-and-scoot tactic – the opposition has brazenly continued its smear campaign, capitalising on the absence of accountability for their defamatory remarks.

Having said that, it’s crucial to note that unsubstantiated and defamatory remarks may lead to legal consequences, as seen in the case of Amit Shah’s doctored video to peddle blatant lies and fake news. After opposition’s social media units and leaders circulated a doctored video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, falsely alleging that the BJP would abolish reservations if they came to power, legal action followed. Besides debunking the fake news, those responsible for spreading it were booked and are now facing legal consequences for their actions.

Pakistan: Human rights body calls on UN to act against enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings in Balochistan

ANI
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Pakistan: Human rights body calls on UN to act against enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings in Balochistan

The Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC) has submitted a written statement to the UN Human Rights Council for its upcoming 56th Session, highlighting the enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of Baloch people in Balochistan by Pakistani state authorities.

The statement, which falls under Agenda Item 3, was submitted through the Centre for Gender Justice and Women Empowerment, a non-governmental organisation with special consultative status at the UN.

Citing data collected by various human rights organizations and verified by the BHRC, the statement reports that 65 individuals were subjected to enforced disappearances in the first quarter of 2024, and 11 individuals were extrajudicially killed by Pakistani security forces.

The statement asserts that these practices not only violate fundamental human rights but also perpetuate a climate of fear and oppression among the Baloch people. Families of the disappeared live in constant agony, uncertain of the fate of their loved ones, and are often denied justice and accountability.

Extrajudicial killings, where individuals are executed without due process, exacerbate the situation, undermining the rule of law and eroding trust in state institutions.

In its statement, the BHRC requested that the UN urge Pakistan to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED) and enact implementing legislation to integrate these treaties into domestic law.

The BHRC also urged Pakistan to reveal the fate and whereabouts of victims of enforced disappearances, engage with the families, and ensure appropriate compensation.

Additionally, the BHRC requested that the UN hold accountable all those involved in or facilitating enforced disappearances in Balochistan and other regions of Pakistan.

Fake YouTube journalists bring down the Modi govt every day on their channels, they are wasting the time of audiences while making millions

अर्पित त्रिपाठी
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Fake YouTube journalists bring down the Modi govt every day on their channels, they are wasting the time of audiences while making millions

The 2024 Lok Sabha election in the country has ended. The last phase of voting concluded on 1st June and the results are scheduled to be announced on 4th June. All exit polls have consistently indicated that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance is set to return for a historic third term. Many political analysts are likewise making similar assertions. However, a group is fostering a different atmosphere in opposition to the ground reality.

Popular election strategist Prashant Kishore has also addressed the same issue on X (previously Twitter). Kishore has been facing attacks from the opposition alliance for predicting that Modi will become PM for the third term.

He wrote, “The next time politics and elections are being discussed, save your precious time and stop wasting it on pointless debates and analyses by indolent pretend journalists, blustery politicians and self-described social media experts.” He made reference to those alleged election experts who, in the absence of understanding of the ground realities, are reluctant to recognize the public’s mandate.

Prashant Kishor had stated in previous interviews that the BJP-led NDA is again forming the government at the centre. Furthermore, he mentioned that BJP will win more seats than it did in the 2019 general election. He noted that the I.N.D.I. Alliance, headed by the Congress party, had participated in this election out of formality. The opposition failed to provide an alternative to the people.

He faced intense trolling by the opposition and its entire ecosystem due to these statements and a social media campaign was launched after his remarks. He was claimed to be close to the BJP. However, the exit polls are available now and according to most surveys, the NDA is anticipated to win more than 350 seats and a few are even showing it secure over 400 seats after which Prashant Kishore’s assertion is proving to be right but his comments have further implications.

YouTubers make money off of deception

Despite the obvious signs that the NDA is regaining power, certain former journalists and YouTubers are persistently disseminating the propaganda of opposition parties including Congress on the social media platform. Opposing the BJP and PM Modi is the foundation of their entire content. These channels, which have millions of subscribers, not only provide false information but also absurd analysis. Their entire focus is on portraying that, in contrast to the BJP, whose success poses a threat to democracy and is a result of electoral malpractice, the opposition’s victory in polls is an expression of its electoral acumen and popular will.

These channels put thumbnails like ‘BJP is trapped’, ‘something significant is happening’, ‘Congress turned the game around’ and ‘Kharge/Rahul said this’ on their videos throughout the day. The whole point is to show that the people are electing the Congress and that the BJP will lose the election. However, it is completely opposite to the truth, these YouTubers rely on it as their primary source of revenue.

They, in reality, are meeting the demands of a specific kind of client. They run shops which serve biased content in the name of journalism. This should be more appropriately referred to as “political porn.” Similar to porn, a consumer makes his decision and the market satisfies his desires. Likewise, a select few patrons are delivered the content of their choice by these stores.

They have a significant advantage in that one could be considered an impartial journalist in the country if he or she consistently disagrees with the administration, both rationally and irrationally. Many supporters of the opposition parties look at them in the hopes that perhaps their argument will hold water and Congress or any other party would come to power. Its primary benefit, aside from this, is financial.

Most of the people running YouTube channels on political reportage are former journalists. They used to work for reputable organizations but were forced to flee to YouTube after their propaganda failed there. These YouTubers are filling their pockets by making YouTube channels and providing bogus news and commentary of their choice.

Loss to the common man

Even though these YouTubers are making a lot of money by promoting a partial narrative, people who enjoy watching their videos are wasting their time. Viewers of these videos are only listening to propaganda and half-baked political knowledge. Their content serves as a source of frustration for their supporters while the Youtubers live lavishly and fly abroad with their massive earnings. They have to face reality when they apply their incomplete information in society.

Read the report in Hindi here.

As exit polls show BJP victory over TMC in West Bengal, read how it can be a precursor to Mamata’s ouster in 2026 Vidhan Sabha election

Dibakar Dutta
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As exit polls show BJP victory over TMC in West Bengal, read how it can be a precursor to Mamata’s ouster in 2026 Vidhan Sabha election

On Saturday (1st June), polling agencies revealed their seat-sharing predictions for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections held in 543 constituencies across the country. Most exit polls have suggested a comfortable victory for the BJP in Mamata Banerjee’s bastion of West Bengal.

‘Jan Ki Baat’ of psephologist Pradeep Bhandari has predicted 21-26 seats for the BJP and a mere 16-18 seats for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal. ‘Axis My India’ poll, conducted in association with India Today, has predicted 26-31 seats for the saffron party.

Prominent polling agencies such as Today’s Chanakya, D-Dynamics, C-Voter and Marize have given the BJP seats in the range of 21-27 out of 42 Parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal.

Exit polls conducted by various agencies for Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal

If the exit poll results for West Bengal stood true on 4th June 2024 (the vote counting day), then, it will be a referendum of sorts for the TMC govt.

It will also imply that the Narendra Modi-led-BJP had breached the stronghold of Mamata Banerjee and delivered its best-ever performance in the State.

Given that the voting pattern among the electorates in West Bengal is almost similar during Assembly elections and Parliamentary elections, it can pave the way for the ouster of Mamata Banerjee from the corridors of power in the 2026 Vidhan Sabha elections

Electoral history of BJP in West Bengal

For those unaware of the political development in West Bengal, the saffron party won only 1 seat (6.1% vote) in West Bengal during the 2009 Lok Sabha election.

The Modi wave of 2014 saw an increase in BJP’s vote share in the State to 17% but it could garner only 2 seats. The party came a distant fourth, behind TMC, CPIM and the Congress.

In the meantime, the BJP changed the leadership of its West Bengal unit, roped in a firebrand Dilip Ghosh, strengthened its party cadre and began positioning itself as a formidable Opposition in the State.

The meticulous planning at the organisational level and its outreach to the common masses proved to be a game-changer in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The saffron party garnered a whopping 40.7% votes and 18 seats for the first time in West Bengal.

BJP was able to outperform both the CPIM and the Congress, the two parties that ruled West Bengal for the maximum period in the State’s electoral history. The saffron party was placed second in the 2019 election, just short of Mamata Banerjee’s TMC.

With a new change in its leadership in 2021, the BJP unit in the State was further strengthened at the grassroots level.

This is the outcome of the spectacular performance of the saffron party in West Bengal in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, as predicted by seasoned psephologists and polling agencies.

The BJP seems all set to overtake the TMC in this election and create a roadmap for the ouster of Mamata Banerjee from the power corridors in 2026.

A striking voting pattern between Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal

Unlike most States that tend to vote differently during the Vidhan Sabha and the Lok Sabha elections, West Bengal tends to follow a similar voting pattern.

This pattern becomes evident when we compare the results of the 2009, 2014, and 2019 Lok Sabha elections with the 2011, 2016 and 2021 Vidhan Sabha elections in the State.

The Trinamool Congress emerged as the single largest party in West Bengal during the 2009 Lok Sabha election and two years later in 2011, it formed the government in the State (following the 2011 Vidhan Sabha election).

The case was similar to the 2014 Lok Sabha election and the 2016 Vidhan Sabha election. In 2019, the BJP gave a tough competition to the TMC and emerged second in the race.

The pattern followed in the 2021 Vidhan Sabha election, where TMC emerged victorious and BJP was placed second.

Based on the voting pattern of the State and the historical data, we can see a clear pathway for the BJP in the run-up to the 2026 Vidhan Sabha election if it manages to clinch more seats than the Trinamool Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

More worries for Mamata Banerjee ahead

The Mamata Banerjee-led-West Bengal government has been under the scanner over multiple scams, which took place under its regime since 2011.

TMC leaders have previously been involved in the Rose Valley scam, the teachers’ recruitment scam, the Sharda scam, the cow-smuggling scam and a coal scam.

Its politics of violence (as witnessed post-elections), atrocities against women (as seen in Sandeshkhali), exploitation of the poor (cut money syndicate) and Muslim appeasement have pushed voters to the corner.

The BJP must seize the opportunity and put forth a campaign against TMC’s misrule and seize power back from Mamata Banerjee.

Modi govt approves new IIM near Guwahati in Assam with IIM Ahmedabad as mentor, CM Sarma says this will be a game changer for the state

OpIndia Staff
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Modi govt approves new IIM near Guwahati in Assam with IIM Ahmedabad as mentor, CM Sarma says this will be a game changer for the state

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday announced that the Modi government has approved the setting up of an Indian Institute of Management in Guwahati. IIM Ahmedabad will be the mentor institution for IIM Guwahati.

The Assam CM shared a letter written by the Higher Education Ministry to the IIM Ahmedabad director, informing about the decision to establish the second IIM in the North East, after IIM Shillong. The letter was written on 10th April, but CM Sarma disclosed it today. This means that the new IIM was granted by the outgoing Modi govt, but it could not be announced at that time because the model code of conduct for the general elections was in force, polling for which ended yesterday.

The CM tweeted, “Following our request in 2023, Hon PM Shri Nnarendra Modi ji has given a special gift to the people of Assam by approving an Indian Institute of Management near Guwahati, making it among the few cities to house an IIT, AIIMS, National Law University & now IIM”.

The letter shows that the Assam govt had offered land at four different sites for the institution, and a site selection committee led by Prof. V K Paul pf School of Planning and Architecture selected a 76.8332 hectare plot at Marabhita on the outskirts of Guwahati. The place is situated around 25 km south west of Guwahati, near the Chhaygaon town.

The letter states that the Higher Education Department has agreed to all recommendations made by the site selection committee. Accordingly, the union ministry granted in-principle approval of the proposal for establishment of new IIM at Marabhita in Kamrup District near Guwahati in Assam. The ministry also approved  that the IIM Ahmedabad shall be the Mentor Institute for establishment of the proposed new IIM at Kamrup.

In the letter to the Director of IIM Ahmedabad, Ministry of Education directed to “take further initiatives for preparation of the Detailed Project report (DPR) for establishment of IIM at Kamrup in consultations with the Secretary, Higher Education Department, and Government of Assam and submit the DPR to this ministry for further necessary action on the proposal.”

Notably, after Guwahati University and Assam Engineering College, this will be the major academic institution located south of Brahmaputra. IIT Guwahat, AIIMS Guwahati and the National Law University are located in North Guwahati.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma shared several documents showing how the state government presented a strong case before the Modi government for setting up an IIM in the state. He wrote, “Over the last 18 months, we presented a strong case to the Hon’ble Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji and the Education Ministry. Assam offered premier land and logistical support for this endeavour. Now IIM Ahmedabad will mentor the upcoming IIM in Guwahati.”

He envisaged these premiere institutes to collaborate among themselves and industry to unleash the power of multidisciplinary education. The CM said that this will be game changer for Assam, making the State an education hub in Eastern India and also help fulfil the state’s economic aspirations.

Noting how the decision was taken swiftly after the state govt presented its case, CM Sarma said, “As evident from the letters, the swift transformation from idea to execution illustrates the power of a Double Engine government.”

“Three to four shots fired at me…”: BJP’s Ram Kripal Yadav, fightng against Lalu Yadav’s daughter Misa Bharti, attacked with gunfire

ANI
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“Three to four shots fired at me…”: BJP’s Ram Kripal Yadav, fightng against Lalu Yadav’s daughter Misa Bharti, attacked with gunfire

Recounting the attack on him on the day of the seventh phase of Lok Sabha polling in Bihar, BJP leader Ram Kripal Yadav said that three to four shots were fired at his convoy on the Patna-Jehanabad road.

Ram Kripal Yadav is contesting against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Misa Bharti, daughter of former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, from the Patliputra Lok Sabha constituency.

Narrating the attack on him, Yadav said, “Yesterday, while I was in my area, I heard about some issues with polling being disrupted at the Kineri booth. Some troublemakers were attempting to interfere with the voting process. I went there to find out more about what was going on. As soon as I left the Kineri village, some people were already there, and they fired three or four shots at me. I kept moving. Then my supporters began protesting.”

“Never in my life did I imagine that something like this could happen. They are trying to destroy democracy with a revolver, but they won’t succeed,” he said, directing an attack towards the RJD.

Yadav said that the RJD is disgruntled because they know that they are losing these elections.

“They were workers of the the Rashtriya Janata Party, my supporters could easily identify them. All of this is happening out of fear of losing. Prior to this incident, my son was campaigning. A Dalit person was beaten severely to the extent that he had to be hospitalized, simply because he expressed his intention to vote for the BJP,” he added.

The convoy of BJP candidate from the Patliputra Lok Sabha seat in Bihar, Ram Kripal Yadav, was attacked in Patna and a party worker was injured by unidentified assailants after voting concluded on Saturday, police said.

“We received information that on the Patna-Jehanabad road, the convoy of (BJP MP) Ram Kripal Yadav was attacked and a party worker was injured in the incident. A written complaint was filed and we are investigating the matter…,” Patna East Superintendent of Police Bharat Soni said on Saturday.

Notably, In 2014, after the split between the BJP and JD(U), Ram Kripal Yadav joined the BJP. Riding on the Modi wave, he emerged victorious over Misa Bharti in the last two elections.

The seventh and final phase of polling in the largest festival of democracy concluded on Saturday as voting started in the last 57 parliamentary constituencies at 7 am across seven states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Kerala govt denies DK Shivakumar’s allegations of tantriks performing black magic with animal sacrifice against Karnataka govt, Rajaraeswara Temple board also denies

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala govt denies DK Shivakumar’s allegations of tantriks performing black magic with animal sacrifice against Karnataka govt, Rajaraeswara Temple board also denies

On 1st June, the Kerala government restated that, contrary to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s claim, no animal sacrifice was performed in the vicinity of Rajaraeswara Temple which is located at Taliparamba in the Kannur district of the state’s northern region. The Congress leader had levelled serious allegations that animal sacrifice was carried out at the Kerala temple using tantriks against him, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress government in Karnataka. Now Kerala Devaswom Minister K Radhakrishnan has come out refuting the allegations, and the temple also has denied the charges.

K Radhakrishnan said, “We investigated the claim and also contacted the Malabar Devaswom Board. The preliminary report we got states that nothing like that has happened in or near the temple. The Devaswom Board also confirmed it.” He asserted that an investigation into the reasons behind DK Shivakumar’s charges is necessary. Furthermore, the minister mentioned that although initial reports did not indicate that such an occurrence had transpired in the state, the administration was looking into whether anything similar to DK Shivkumar’s accusation happened anywhere else in the state. He also argued that it was improbable that animal sacrifices happened in Kerala because they had been outlawed since 1968.

The State Police Chief has also received a report from the Special Branch refuting Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister’s contention.

Meanwhile, Rajaraeswara Temple on 31st May also dismissed his assertions and a trustee of the temple board named Madhavan voiced that a temple should not be dragged into politics. “There is no such puja that takes place in Rajaraeswara Temple. There are no nearby places where animals like goats and buffaloes are sacrificed, as he (DK Shivakumar) claims. We would know if there was any such activity, but still, we checked about it. No such puja can be done without the outer world knowing,” he reaffirmed.

He expressed his dismay with the allegations while underscoring that the temple only conducts traditional Brahmin pujas. “It’s such a disappointing statement. We express our dissent in dragging the temple into this. No such puja takes place here. It’s just Brahmin puja that takes place. That’s all we want to say.” DK Shivakumar’s statement was termed “madness” by MV Govindan, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretary and MLA of the Taliparamba assembly constituency, where the temple is located.

He also supported Madhavan and highlighted, “Taliparamba Rajarajeshwara Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in the country. There are no such sacrifices as part of ‘Shatrusamhara’ puja performed in Taliparamba like the old temple.” He added that the Congress leader’s statement was intended to foster a communal divide.

Notably, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on 1st June clarified that he had simply stated that black magic rituals took place outside of a Kerala temple and not inside of it, after drawing criticism. “My statement has been misconstrued. I never said that the black magic ritual ‘Shatru Bairavi Yagna’ against me and the Chief Minister was performed in the Rajaraeswara temple in Kerala. I had mentioned the rituals took place in a private land near the temple,” he claimed while talking to the media in Bengaluru.

He stated, “I don’t want to disclose. A priest who was part of that (ritual), has given me some information. I have visited Rajarajeshwara temple. I know earlier there were some practices in the temple, but now they are not practised in the temple. But some of them are trying to do it (outside). Let them (govt) inquire. I know a lot of things, but I don’t want to disclose things.”

The deputy minister added, “I have great respect for God’s own country, its temples and the people. My statement has been misunderstood. I did not mean to hurt the sentiments of anyone in Kerala or anywhere in the country. I had recently visited the Rajaraeswara temple and I am a devotee of the temple. I only referred to the temple to indicate the location of the black magic rituals. I would not like to talk about who is behind the black magic rituals, I only shared the details that I received. The Kerala minister has said that an inquiry would be ordered into the incident and I welcome that decision.”

On 30th May he claimed, “There is a plot in Kerala against me and our government. Some ‘pooja’ (ritual) is being carried out, out of spite against me. Someone wrote this down, the details of who is carrying out this ‘pooja’ and where it is being carried out. This is being done against me and the CM. A ‘Shatru Bhairavi Yagya’ (fire sacrifice) is being carried out near Kerala’s Rajaraeswara Temple to eliminate enemies. ‘Panchabali’ (five sacrificial items) is being offered. A nice red goat, 21 buffaloes, three black sheep and five pigs. As a result of the fire sacrifice, the enemy will approach ‘Aghoris’ (a sect of Hindu ascetics).”

“They are using tantriks to carry out ‘Raja Kantaka’ and ‘Marana Mohana Sthambana’ yajna. The people who were privy to the black magic rituals have given us all the information,” Shivakumar had said.

Congress-Left’s sham alliance

Left is a vital part of the I.N.D.I. Alliance, but not in southern India. When it comes to southern states, the two parties that are regularly spotted standing by one other at rallies, TV debates, and even fighting side by side against their own coalition partner, the Trinamool Congress, in crucial states like West Bengal are constantly at each other’s throats. Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja even slammed Rahul Gandhi for contesting from Wayanad and called it a “short-sighted” decision after the former’s wife and party candidate Annie Raja filed her nomination from the same constituency.

He charged, “Certain questions are being raised in public today as to why Congress decided to field Rahul Gandhi against Annie Raja from Wayanad. During his two yatras ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ and ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra,’ his fight was against the BJP and its ideology but when it came to electoral battles, he did not choose to fight the BJP straight away. He has decided to fight against the Left. What message does Congress want to send out?”

“Fielding Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad is a short-sighted decision of Congress. Congress party should think from the larger perspective of the country’s future. This is what I said last time. He could have chosen any other constituency in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, or Karnataka. Congress should take note of why people are raising questions,” he added.

Pinarayi Vijayan, the chief minister of Kerala, in April, lashed out at the Gandhi scion and emphasized that the Left parties do not require the Congress party’s approval to oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wrong policies. He was responding to the accusations made by Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders that he is soft on PM Modi to shield himself from the investigation of central agencies into multiple allegations made against his administration.

He declared, “It is ironic that Rahul Gandhi and VD Satheesan, from the same Congress party, question why the Chief Minister didn’t speak out against Modi. The Left doesn’t require validation from Congress for his opposition to PM Modi’s misguided policies and the RSS guiding them. Those who bowed before Golwalkar’s photo, lit lamps and solicited votes for the RSS should reflect on their own actions.” He further alleged that the Congress is “degenerating into BJP’s B team” and questioned the party’s secular credentials.

Rahul Gandhi had earlier suggested in his campaign speeches that there might have been a backroom agreement between PM Modi and Chief Minister Vijayan because the central agencies have gone after governments run by opposition parties in other states but not in Kerala. His remark was a restatement of the criticism of the Chief Minister made by the state Congress leaders.

MV Jayarajan, the CPM candidate for the Kannur Lok Sabha seat then announced that the Kerala Congress president is open to joining the saffron party and said that the Kerala Congress is pro-BJP. “The main enemy is BJP. We are attacking BJP but Congress leaders are joining BJP, which is the main issue here. 39 leaders in Kerala have already left Congress and joined BJP. The real situation here in Kerala is that the political line of the Congress is also pro-BJP. The chief minister is attacking the political attitude of Congress. The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president himself is ready to join the BJP, which is why the chief minister is attacking that policy of Congress.”

PM Modi to hold 7 meetings today, to conduct a brainstorming session to review the agenda for new government’s 100-day program

ANI
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PM Modi to hold 7 meetings today, to conduct a brainstorming session to review the agenda for new government’s 100-day program

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold seven meetings on a wide range of topics on Sunday, including a brainstorming session to review the agenda for the new government’s first 100 days, sources said.

According to government sources, the first meeting will be held to review the post-cyclone situation, especially in the northeastern states. Then, he will hold a meeting to review the heatwave situation in the country.

He will also hold a meeting to review the preparations to celebrate World Environment Day (June 5) on a large scale. Then he will hold a long brain-storming session to review the agenda for a 100-day program of the new government after the exit polls predicted a massive win for the BJP.

The exit poll outcomes were declared after the conclusion of polling for the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha polls on Saturday.

They have predicted that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is poised for a hat-trick win in Lok Sabha polls with a massive majority and indicated that the ruling party at the Centre would improve its performance in several states ruled by opposition parties.

A few exit polls even predicted that the BJP-led NDA could reach the goal of “400 paar” as claimed by BJP leaders in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls.

The exit polls predicted that the ruling BJP-led NDA is poised to improve its performance over its 2019 record when it won 352 seats. Two polls predicted the BJP also improving its numbers from the 303 seats it won in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

If the exit poll predictions come true on June 4 when votes are counted, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will become the only PM after Jawaharlal Nehru to win three successive terms in Lok Sabha polls. The exit polls predicted ‘Modi 3.0’ with PM Modi having led the BJP’s poll effort through rallies and roadshows in various parts of the country.

According to India Today-Axis My India exit polls, NDA is predicted to win 361-401 seats in the Lok Sabha polls. The INDIA bloc is expected to win 131-166 seats, it said and gave 8 to 20 seats to other parties.

The Republic PMarq exit poll gave 359 of 543 seats to NDA, 154 to INDIA bloc and 30 to others. Republic Matrize poll gave 353-368 seats to NDA, 118-113 to INDIA bloc and 43-48 to others. The NewsX Dynamics gave 371 seats to NDA, 125 to INDIA bloc and 47 to others.

Lok Sabha elections were held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi steering the BJP campaign.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

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