Politics

BJP leader Amit Shah responded to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's demand for his resignation, stating that it would not change the Congress's electoral fate. Shah dismissed the demand, saying, "My resignation will not change his problems because he will have to sit in the opposition for the next 15 years." This comes after Shah’s controversial remarks about Dalit icon Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha, which led to Kharge demanding his resignation. Shah defended his position, accusing Congress of distorting his words and claiming the party was against Ambedkar's ideals and the Constitution. He also criticized Congress for not awarding Ambedkar the Bharat Ratna until 1990, pointing to the BJP's role in honoring him.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a strong rebuttal in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks on Veer Savarkar. Shah defended Savarkar's legacy, stating that the title "Veer" was given to him by the Indian people, not any political party. He condemned the Congress for attempting to undermine Savarkar’s contributions, particularly his sacrifices during the freedom struggle, highlighting that no one else in India’s history endured two life sentences like Savarkar. Shah also referenced former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s praise for Savarkar’s courage and resistance to British rule, urging the Congress to reconsider its stance.

"Congress has treated the Constitution as the private fiefdom of one family. For 55 years, they amended the Constitution 77 times, often to suit their political agenda. The BJP, in contrast, governed for 16 years and made 22 amendments, always with the nation's welfare in mind. Congress never worked for the backward classes or for the benefit of Muslim women; instead, they focused on vote bank politics. The Kaka Kalelkar Commission's recommendations on OBC reservations were ignored for decades. The Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi was a dark chapter in our democracy, with lakhs of people jailed and the media censored. Today, India is the fifth-largest economy, a testament to the resilience of our democracy and Constitution."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to issue notices to over 20 MPs who were absent during the voting on the 'One Nation, One Election' bill in the Lok Sabha. Despite a three-line whip from the party, these MPs did not attend the session on December 17, when the bill was introduced. The bill was passed with 269 votes in favor, while the opposition parties, including Congress and Trinamool Congress, voted against it. The voting took place in two rounds, with the second round held via paper slips after opposition protests. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal defended the bill, assuring that it would not undermine the powers of the states.

Bangladesh's interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, has announced that general elections are likely to be held by late 2025 or early 2026. Yunus, who heads the caretaker government installed after the August revolution that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, emphasized that the election date will depend on the completion of necessary reforms. While Yunus suggested that elections could be held sooner if political parties agree to minimal reforms, he noted that a more comprehensive overhaul of the electoral system could delay the polls by several months. His administration is focused on restoring democratic institutions amid ongoing political challenges

Arvind Kejriwal, national convener of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accused the BJP-led central government of failing to ensure women’s safety and maintain law and order in Delhi. Speaking at the "Mahila Adalat" event, Kejriwal criticized the BJP for not prioritizing women's security despite controlling Delhi's police. He also highlighted AAP’s efforts, including the installation of CCTV cameras and the appointment of bus marshals, to enhance public safety. The event, marking the 12th anniversary of the 2012 Delhi gang rape, saw survivors of sexual assault sharing their painful experiences. In response, BJP criticized Kejriwal, focusing on a complaint by Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal about harassment by Kejriwal's aide, and questioned the presence of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, recalling his father’s controversial remarks on crimes against women.

Personally, I was of the view that Pranab Mukherjee should have been given the reins of the government and Dr. Manmohan Singh elevated to President of India when the office of Rashtrapati became available in 2012. This was principally because we needed a very active Prime Minister in good health and with the energy to lead the government (Pranab Da) and a person of high distinction who had served his country exceptionally well (Dr. Singh) to preside over the nation. Pranab’s memoirs indicate that this was in fact contemplated.""Had this decision been made, we would not have gone into a paralysis of governance, which ultimately paved the way for the worst excesses of Hindutva in the 2014 elections."

The Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has expanded its cabinet with 39 ministers, including 18 first-time MLAs from Shiv Sena and NCP. The cabinet, now comprising 42 members, took shape ten days after Fadnavis assumed office. The swearing-in ceremony, held in Nagpur, was attended by Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, who administered the oath to the new ministers. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde congratulated the newly appointed Shiv Sena ministers, while Ajit Pawar assured that those left out would also be given ministerial opportunities in the near future.

Congress leaders on Saturday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in the Lok Sabha, calling his 11 resolutions "hollow" and criticizing the BJP for not addressing the Adani issue despite claiming zero tolerance for corruption. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra likened the Prime Minister’s 110-minute speech to a "double period of mathematics," saying it "bored us." Congress leaders also questioned the absence of top BJP figures during the debate on the Indian Constitution, with K C Venugopal accusing Modi of using stale narratives instead of addressing pressing issues like social inequality and the Adani scandal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in the Lok Sabha on Saturday, highlighted several 'One Nation' initiatives aimed at strengthening India's unity. These included One Nation, One Tax (GST), One Nation, One Ration Card, One Nation, One Health Card, and One Nation, One Grid. PM Modi emphasized that these initiatives were designed to promote economic and social integration across the country, ensuring benefits and services are accessible to all citizens, regardless of their location. He also addressed the One Nation, One Election Bill, which was recently approved by the Union Cabinet and will be introduced in the Lok Sabha.

"I want to start my speech by quoting what the Supreme Leader, not of the BJP but of the modern interpretation of the ideas of the RSS has to say about the Constitution of India... 'The worst thing about the Constitution of India is that there is nothing Indian about it. Manusmriti is that scripture which is most worshippable after Vedas for our Hindu nation.' These are the words of Savarkar. He has clearly stated that the book India is run by should be superseded by this book. This is what the fight is about.""Do you stand by your leader’s words? Do you support these views? When you speak about protecting the Constitution, you are ridiculing Savarkar, you are abusing Savarkar, you are defaming Savarkar."

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday defended India’s record of protecting minorities, stating that the country provides both legal protection and affirmative action to safeguard their interests. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during a debate on the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution, Rijiju criticized claims by the opposition that minorities have no rights in India. He highlighted global instances of discrimination against minorities, particularly in Europe, and pointed out that minorities facing persecution in neighboring countries find refuge in India. Rijiju emphasized the importance of preserving India’s image on the world stage, urging against actions and rhetoric that could harm the country’s reputation.