By Rahil Nora Chopra
The Karnataka Congress is seeing challenges amidst power struggle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. However, Siddaramaiah announced that there is no vacancy for the CM’s post. To support his claim, he said that DK Sivakumar who is an claimant for the top post also affirms this. Both the CM and the deputy CM have camped in Delhi after the Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala went to Bengaluru to hold consecutive meetings with party MLAs, MLCs, MPs. Senior leaders, such as G Parameshwara, have publicly acknowledged significant discontent within the party. While Siddaramaiah attempts to do some damage control, the Shivakumar camp is openly lobbying for a leadership change. But with approaching Bihar elections by the end of the year, the Congress leadership is keen to continue with OBC leader Siddaramaiah as the CM. The party leadership faces a dilemma in effectively tackling the recurring political crises but they will deal with it only after Bihar state polls.
UDDHAV SHIV SENA TO FIGHT BMC ELECTIONS THIS YEAR END INDEPENDENTLY
A significant change is emerging in Maharashtra’s political landscape. Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) has given clue at a potential breakaway from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut said I.N.D.I.A. was formed for Lok Sabha polls…MVA was formed for Vidhan Sabha polls…these are not required for local bodies elections, municipal election…as issues are completely different,” The statement comes days after the joint show of strength by Uddhav, the Shiv Sena (UBT) head, and Raj, the MNS President, who were reunited after a gap of 20 years over the issue of Marathi-pride and larger cause of Marathi manoos. On the other hand, Congress has downplayed the situation, asserting that contesting local polls independently doesn’t give an indication at the end of the alliance at the national level. Elections in Maharashtra civic bodies, including the cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will likely be held later this year. The Bal Thackeray-founded Shiv Sena, which split in 2022, had controlled the BMC for almost two decades.
NITISH KUMAR GOVT OFFERS 35 PERCENT RESERVATION IN STATE GOVT SERVICES FOR BIHAR WOMEN
As the high-stakes battle for Bihar is in full swing, the Bihar government has given another big sop for the state’s women. The Nitish Kumar government’s significantly decided to grant 35 per cent reservation for women who are permanent residents of Bihar in all direct recruitment across state government services. Though the quota had existed for women since 2016, the latest cabinet decision tweaks it to make it available only for those who are domicile, which translates into primarily the resident women voters. The JDU-BJP government’s swift move appeared to be aimed at checkmating the RJD, its principal challenger. On the other hand, Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, has promised a “100 per cent domicile policy” if his alliance comes to power. The cabinet, chaired by the chief minister Nitish Kumar also announced the formation of a youth commission focused on exploring more job opportunities for the state’s young population.
RAHUL GANDHI HOLDS TALKS WITH GUJARAT CONGRESS LEADERS ON SELECTING NEW STATE PRESIDENT
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday interacted with party leaders from Gujarat and discussed numerous ways to strengthen the organisation. The meeting comes days after Gujarat Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil had resigned from the post, taking the moral responsibility for the defeat of the party’s candidates in the bypolls to Kadi and Visavadar Assembly constituencies. Gohil, along with Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Amit Chavda, Jignesh Mevani, Amee Yajnik, and Bharatsinh Solanki, met Gandhi at 10 Janpath. The party is thinking to appoint a new state president. While several Patidar and Koli leaders of the Congress are aspiring that the next Gujarat unit president should be from their respective communities the names which are doing round is of lone Congress MP from Gujarat Geniben Thakor, Indravijaysinh Gohil, Lalji Desai and Amit Chavda.
RAHUL GANDHI IMPARTED BIG TEMPO TO INDIA BLOC CAMPAIGN AGAINST ELECTORAL ROLLS REVISION
The political activity in Bihar is soaring high as the Mahagathbandhan leaders Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday led a procession to Patna’s election commission office against the special intensive revision of the electoral roll in poll-bound Bihar amid a bandh call and state-wide protests. The revision has sparked disenfranchisement concerns. While addressing the gathering, Tejashwi issued a call for “kranti” (revolution) against BJP and Nitish Kumar’s “Godi Aayog.”. Holding a copy of the Constitution in hand while addressing protestors from atop of vehicle, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “SIR is not only an attempt to steal your vote but also of your future. But the youths of Bihar will not let it happen as the entire Opposition stands with you.” Leaders of the three Left parties and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani also joined the protest, standing beside Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav on the protest vehicle. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party upped its ante against INDIA bloc for calling “Bihar Bandh” and accused it of resorting to hooliganism under the guise of the “chakka jam.” (IPA Service)
