INDIA alliance driven by ego, arrogance: Union minister Anurag Thakur
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the opposition INDIA alliance questioning its cohesion, leadership, and policy. His remarks come in the backdrop of the alliance's efforts to present a united front against the ruling BJP. "What kind of alliance is this? It is driven by ego and arrogance where leaders refuse to even communicate with each other," Thakur said here on Saturday. He pointed out inconsistencies within the alliance, highlighting the differing opinions of key leaders such as Adhir Chaudhary, Mamata Banerjee and others. "There is no coordination. They do not agree on anything. This arrogant coalition cannot go anywhere," he remarked. Thakur questioned the alliance's lack of a clear leader or policy. "They have no neeti (policy), no neta (leader), and flaws are evident from day one," he said.
India lodges strong protest with UK over visit of envoy to PoK
India has registered a strong protest with the UK over the visit to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) by its High Commissioner to Islamabad along with another British official. The Ministry of external affairs said such "infringement" of India's sovereignty and territorial integrity is "unacceptable". "India has taken a serious note of the highly objectionable visit of the British High Commissioner in Islamabad, along with a UK Foreign Office official, to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on January 10," it said. "Foreign Secretary has lodged a strong protest with the British High Commissioner in India on this infringement," the MEA said.
Tripura Congress forms manifesto committee for LS polls
Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) on Saturday announced an eight-member manifesto committee headed by senior party leader Manik Deb, a leader said. We have constituted a manifesto committee to hold discussions with senior party leaders and come up with at least 10 important programmes before the polls, said TPCC president Asish Kumar Saha. He said the committee will have to submit its report to the TPCC by January-end for taking up the matter with the AICC. Saha said the district-level committees have been asked to launch a membership drive across the state.
Army’s 16 Corps GoC briefs LG about security situation in Jammu
The General Officer Commanding of 16 Corps Lt General Navin Sachdeva on Saturday briefed Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha about the security situation in Jammu region. "Lt Gen Navin Sachdeva, GOC White Knight Corps called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhavan today,” the White Knight Corps said in a post on X. The GoC briefed LG Sinha about the present security scenario, it said Lt General Sachdeva also presented the LG his book on China.
No proposal to lift export curbs on wheat, rice, sugar: Piyush Goyal
Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said there is no proposal before the government as of now to lift export curbs on wheat, rice and sugar. He also said the country will not import wheat and sugar. "There is no proposal as of now to remove export restrictions on wheat, rice and sugar. And India will not import wheat and sugar," Goyal told reporters. India had banned wheat exports in May 2022, non-basmati rice exports from July 2023 and extended curbs on sugar exports beyond October 2023, as part of measures to control rising domestic prices.
Ram temple consecration: Liquor shops, bars to remain closed in U’khand on Jan 22
Liquor shops and bars will remain closed in Uttarakhand on January 22 on the occasion of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. An order to this effect was issued by Excise Commissioner Hari Chandra Semwal on Friday. Liquor license holders in the state will not be entitled to any compensation or claims on account of this closure, the order said. Liquor shops and bars will remain closed in Uttarakhand on January 22 on the occasion of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. An order to this effect was issued by Excise Commissioner Hari Chandra Semwal on Friday. Liquor license holders in the state will not be entitled to any compensation or claims on account of this closure, the order said.
BJP trying to stop Kejriwal from campaigning for Lok Sabha polls: AAP on Delhi CM’s ED summons
The BJP is "misusing" the ED to stop Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal from campaigning for Lok Sabha polls, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said after the probe agency sent its fourth summons to the AAP chief on Saturday. Addressing a press conference, Rai questioned the timing of the Enforcement Directorate's summons to Kejriwal, saying it came ahead of his Goa tour from January 18. "The ED should refrain from becoming a political weapon of the BJP," Delhi's environment minister said. The Enforcement Directorate has issued summons to Kejriwal for the fourth time for questioning in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case.
Delhi Minister Gopal Rai Accuses ED of Political Motives, Claims Summons to CM Kejriwal Aimed at Hindering 2024 Lok Sabha Campaign
On the fourth ED summon to CM Arvind Kejriwal, party leader and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai says, "...Yesterday we announced the schedule of CM Arvind Kejriwal that he will visit Goa from January 18 to 20 in view of the Lok Sabha elections and today summon has been issued. This is not a coincidence. This is to prevent Arvind Kejriwal from campaigning for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. ED should avoid becoming a frontal organization of BJP and should stop sending these illegal notices to Arvind Kejriwal..."
BJP President JP Nadda Highlights Youth Power as Key to ‘Viksit Bharat’ at ‘NaMo Navmatdata’ Abhiyan Launch
Addressing the launch program of 'NaMo Navmatdata' Abhiyan at BJP HQ in Delhi, BJP national president JP Nadda says, "...Approximately 61% of the Indian population is below 35. This is our strength, energy and our asset. This will play a crucial role in making 'Viksit Bharat'..."
Kejriwal to be on two-day Goa visit from Jan 19
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal will be in Goa for a two-day visit from January 19, a party leader said on Saturday. Talking to PTI, the AAP's Goa unit chief Amit Palekar said Kejriwal will interact with party leaders and volunteers during his visit to the state ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. "Kejriwal will be in the coastal state on January 19 and 20 to review the progress of the party organisation in the state," he said. The AAP has two MLAs in the 40-member Goa assembly. The party had drawn a blank in the 2017 Goa assembly polls but won two seats in the 2022 elections.
