With Tejashwi Yadav becoming the deputy CM of Bihar, media persons reminded him of his pledge of providing 10 lakh jobs. Seeing the political situation and Nitish Kumar’s prime ministerial aspirations, he played a masterstroke and announced that his government would create up to 20 lakh jobs within and outside the government as he addressed people on India’s 76th Independence Day. “About the jobs,” CM Kumar, looking at Tejashwi who was present on the stage, said, “We are now together… our concept is that we should at least make it (jobs) to 10 lakh… but I would say this…we will work for jobs as well as employment of the youth.” His announcement comes at a time when the opposition BJP was trying to corner Kumar’s deputy Tejashwi Yadav.
GHULAM NABI AZAD MIFFED, DECLINES LATEST CONGRESS POST OFFERING
To placate a rather upset Ghulam Nabi Azad was appointed chairman of the Congress’s campaign committee and a member of political affairs committee in the party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit. But the G-23 leader, miffed with the party, declined both the posts, leaving the party red-faced. The buzz is that Azad saw the appointment as a demotion as he is already a member of the party’s all-India political affairs committee. The resignation of Azad came shortly after his close aide, Ghulam Ahmed Mir, was dropped from the post of the chief of the party’s Jammu and Kashmir unit. Mir had stepped down last month. The party had appointed Vikar Rasool Wani in place of Mir.
SHIVPAL YADAV LIKELY TO JOIN HANDS WITH CONGRESS IN UP
Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party president, Shivpal Singh Yadav, is involved in negotiations with the Congress with the aid of Congress leader Pramod Krishnam regarding a possible merger with the party. However, he is demanding he presidentship of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee. According to sources, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is keen on getting Shivpal Yadav on board and talks are on. Shivpal Yadav is essentially seen as a leader popular among Yadavs, Muslims and Thakurs. Presently, Shivpal Yadav is PSP’s sole MLA in the state Assembly. He won from the Yadav family pocket of Jaswantnagar in alliance with the SP. On the other hand, Samajwadi Party is likely to join hands with Mahan Dal and Janwadi Party (Socialist) in Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, Apna Dal (Kamerawadi) chief Krishna Patel, had held a meeting with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow and discussed 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Her daughter Pallavi Patel, who is an SP MLA as she won the Sirathu (Prayagraj) seat on SP ticket, has been defending Akhilesh since Rajbhar began attacking him.
AHMAD PATEL’S DEMISE MAKES AMBIKA SONI IMPORTANT AGAIN
After the death of Congress treasurer Ahmed Patel due to COVID-19, Congress Working Committee member Ambika Soni was once again made more important in the scheme of the party affairs. Soni would still be the third most powerful woman in the Congress, even if she does not hold any position. In the absence of Sonia Gandhi ailing from Covid, Ambika Soni hoisted the national flag at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters on the 75th Independence Day. There was even talk that Ambika could become political secretary to the Congress president.
KEJRIWAL PROMISES FREE EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE IN GUJARAT, HIMACHAL
AAP is now putting emphasis on two poll bound states, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. The AAP has been drawing large crowds in both the states. Kejriwal has made promises of providing free education and healthcare, which he has claimed are not ‘freebies’. Kejriwal has said if people are given access to them, India can become the top country in the world. However, Kejriwal has become the cause of worry and annoyance to the BJP because according to them, AAP tries to depict itself as more pro-Hindu and nationalist than the saffron party. The BJP strategists find it difficult to criticise Kejriwal as anti-national or urban naxal. Now, Kejriwal poses a real challenge to the BJP.
CONGRESS MARKS AZADI GAURAV YATRA, SAYS WILL OPPOSE BJP LIES
As India marked its 76th Independence Day, the Congress undertook a Azadi Gaurav Yatra in Delhi. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, MP Anand Sharma and senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad participated in the march. The party leaders gathered at Gandhi Smriti and paid their tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, as part of Azadi Gaurav Yatra. The leaders also took a pledge there to serve the country as members of the party and work towards the unity and dignity of the nation. Meanwhile, Congress President Sonia Gandhi alleged that a self-obsessed government is hell-bent on minimizing the sacrifices of freedom fighters and the party will strongly oppose such attempts made for political gains. “Indian National Congress will oppose the wrong statements made on historical facts for political benefits and every attempt to question great national leaders like Gandhi-Nehru-Patel-Azad on the basis of lies,” Sonia Gandhi said. (IPA Service)