National
PM Modi takes opposition to cleaners on EVMs, once again
New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) Calling it a “historic day”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lauded the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss a batch of petitions seeking mandatory cross-verification of the votes cast in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips.
The SC decision came just as PM Modi was addressing a series of election rallies in Bihar and West Bengal.
Urging the opposition INDIA bloc leaders to offer an apology for doubting the integrity of the country’s electoral process, PM Modi said they committed the sin of “creating distrust” against EVMs.
“Today, the Supreme Court has delivered a massive blow to those who plan to loot the ballot boxes… Their dreams have been shattered. The Supreme Court has made it clear today that the era of ballot paper will not return now,” said PM Modi.
“Today, when the entire world praises India’s democracy, its electoral process, and the use of technology in the poll process, these people, for their personal interests, raise questions about the EVMs with malice. They have constantly tried to undermine democracy. But, the Supreme Court has delivered a tight slap to them today. Every leader of the INDI alliance should apologise to the people of the country,” he added.
This is not the first time that PM Modi has slammed the opposition parties for questioning the EVMs.
Soon after winning the public mandate for the second consecutive time in 2019, PM Modi highlighted the role of EVMs, saying that everyone now talks about the percentage increase in voting instead of discussing incidents of booth capturing and looting that were normal in the past.
“I want to tell the nation that for the first time in 1977, the discussion on EVMs had started. At that time, we were nowhere in politics. It was first used in 1982. We were not there even in 1988. The dignitaries at that time from this very House had approved it lawfully.
“They had framed the law. Moreover, under the leadership of the Congress in 1992, all the rules related to the EVMs were made. Like they keep saying – ‘we did this, we did that’; this too was done by you. Now you have lost. That’s why you are crying,” Prime Minister Modi said in his reply to the motion of thanks on the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha on June 26, 2019.
PM Modi also mentioned that the opposition parties have time and again tried to derail the election process and create disbelief in the minds of the voters.
“In 2017, there was a huge uproar regarding EVMs. Then, the Election Commission stepped forward and challenged the protesters to come forward and prove the EVMs wrong. But not a single party crying over the EVMs went to the Election Commission. The NCP and the CPI went to the Election Commission but they didn’t question the EVMs. They just tried to know how the EVMs were operated. At least the NCP and the CPI went to the Election Commission. Others who doubted didn’t go to the Election Commission even after its invitation,” he said.
While the opposition continues to make a hue and cry about the EVMs, especially after not tasting success in elections time and again, PM Modi has gone ahead and proudly told everyone about the significant role the EVMs play during elections in the world’s largest democracy.
“With time, Bharat has also integrated the election process with modern technology. Bharat has been using Electronic Voting Machines for about 25 years. With the use of EVM, both transparency in elections and efficiency in the electoral process have increased,” PM Modi said while addressing the G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit last October.
–IANS
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New Delhi, July 27 (IANS) The presidential residence will provide a free bus service to tourists to the President’s summer retreat in Shimla.
The Shimla to Mashobra service was started to celebrate President Draupadi Murmu’s two years in office on July 25.
The Rashtrapati Niwas at Mashobra in Himachal’s Shimla District opened its doors to the public in April 2023.
The complimentary bus service of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation operates from the lift parking at Mall Road, Shimla on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Ajay Bhardwaj, a guide at the presidential residence said that visitors can explore the 174-year-old Rashtrapati Niwas, nature trails and other parts of the building including its lawns and parks.
Shimla is a city that is rich in historic buildings from the British colonial era.
Constructed in 1850 by the King of Koti in European architectural style, the Rashtrapati Niwas, previously known as the Retreat Building, is one of four existing presidential residences in India.
The other three are, Rashtrapati Ashiana a Presidential retreat in Dehradun, Rashtrapati Nilayam in Telangana and Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President, in New Delhi.
–IANS
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Srinagar, July 27 (IANS) One Pakistani terrorist and an Indian army soldier were killed on Saturday in the exchange of fire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
The Defence Ministry said in a statement: “Taking advantage of bad weather and poor visibility along the LoC in Machhal Sector, a group of two to three armed personnel crossed the LoC and fired on a forward Army post from close proximity.”
“Alert troops responded vigorously and in the ensuing exchange of fire. One Pakistani intruder was killed,” as per the statement, adding that weapons, ammunition and war-like supplies were also recovered.
“Identification and affiliation of this Pakistani national is being ascertained. During this intense fire exchange, two of our brave soldiers also suffered some grave injuries and were immediately evacuated to Base Hospital at Srinagar,” according to the Ministry’s statement.
“Unfortunately, one of these bravehearts has succumbed to his injuries. The other brave is responding well to treatment and care and is presently stable,” it added.
Similar attempts have been made by infiltrators in the past, actively aided and abetted by Pakistan Army.
“Indian Army is firm in its resolve and commitment to maintain the sanctity of the Line of Control and defeat the nefarious and inimical designs of Pakistan,” the statement said.
–IANS
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Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Maharashtra), July 27 (IANS) In a pre-election jolt to the ruling ally Nationalist Congress Party’s Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, a senior leader from Parbhani, Abdullah Babajani Khan Durrani, MLC, crossed over to the Nationalist Congress Party (SP), led by Sharad Pawar, here on Saturday.
Babajani, as he is commonly known, functioned as the NCP’s Parbhani district president and was welcomed to the NCP (SP) fold by Sharad Pawar and other senior leaders.
Political circles were agog with speculation over Babajani’s moves amid backdoor talks with the NCP (SP) and finally, he cleared the air on Saturday on his decision.
Sharad Pawar said that many people who joined (Ajit Pawar) felt they had gone astray and were in touch with the NCP (SP), but reiterated that “the final decision on taking them will be decided by the party leadership”.
NCP (SP) circles hinted that Babajani, an ex-MLA and two-time MLC who was always keen to contest the assembly elections, may be considered for a party ticket from Parbhani for the state polls to be held in October.
However, Babajani, who was overlooked for an MLC ticket, denied that he had made any demands from the NCP (SP) or was given any assurance by the party, and claimed that his move was purely on grounds of political ideology.
“The Muslim minority community is under stress… They are disenchanted with the parties in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Under such circumstances, it is awkward to continue with such a party (NCP) any longer, hence I am joining the NCP (SP),” declared Babajani.
Senior NCP (SP) leaders like state President Jayant Patil, national general secretary Jitendra Awhad, Rohit R. Pawar and others have stated in the recent past that around 18-20 legislators from the ruling MahaYuti ally NCP will join NCP (SP), but the NCP leaders have scoffed such suggestions.
–IANS
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Bengaluru, July 27 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday said that the Cauvery Aarti will be done on the lines of Ganga Aarti at Brindavan Garden in the premises of the famous KRS Reservoir.
“We are trying to conduct Cauvery Aarti on the lines of Ganga Aarti. It is purely to promote tourism,” the Deputy Chief Minister told media persons while talking about upgrading the KRS Brindavan Garden.
He said that the cabinet has approved the plan to give a new look to the KRS Brindavan Garden.
On opposition remarks that the government is wasting money, the Deputy Chief Minister said: “Their allegations are bogus. This project was proposed during Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s previous government. When Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy was the Chief Minister and I was the Irrigation Minister, this project was announced in the budget.”
He said that the project will be undertaken with private and public partnerships.
“The government is not making any investment. This will significantly boost tourism. Just like the Ganga Aarti, we will have a Kaveri Aarti program, which is aimed at promoting tourism,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister had said that a Cauvery Aarti programme will be held at the KRS reservoir, similar to the famous Ganga Aarti in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi.
When asked about the pending Greater Bangalore bill, he said that all MLAs have stated that there should be a detailed discussion on this matter.
“Due to the 73rd and 74th amendments of the Constitution, we need to provide effective governance to Bengaluru. A meeting of MLAs from all parties has been called and a committee will be formed soon. We will accept the suggestions and opinions of the opposition parties,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
–IANS
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Bengaluru, July 27 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister said on Saturday that it is not in the fate of Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, Kumaraswamy, to rename Bengaluru South District and added that its headquarter would be Ramanagara city.
He said this in response to HD Kumaraswamy’s recent statement that he would rename Bengaluru South District as Ramanagara again in 2028.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday in Bengaluru, Dy CM Shivakumar stated, “It is not in his fate to change the name of Bengaluru South to Ramanagara again. In 2028, the Congress party will be in power in the state. I am giving my word, you keep the record of my statement.”
Shivakumar explained, “We are not touching the name of Ramanagara. The headquarters of Bengaluru South district would be Ramanagara city. This is our district. The people of Ramanagara, Channapatna, Kanakapura and Magadi are our people.”
“I was a Zilla Panchayat member of Bengaluru. Mr Kumaraswamy and Mr HD Deve Gowda came here from Hassan District. When Bengaluru was divided it got a different name. It is a divisional headquarters, but it is in Bengaluru District, why should we lose the name?” Shivakumar asked.
“It is the region which produced five to six Chief Ministers for Karnataka. To pursue their political career, Kumaraswamy and Deve Gowda have come here, that’s all. They came and went on to become CM and PM.
“All people, irrespective of the political party they belong to, are happy with the renaming of the district to Bengaluru South district,” Shivakumar stated.
“The whole world is looking at Bengaluru. You look at what former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee stated about Bengaluru. I don’t want to lose that. Bengaluru is a global city and why should we not make use of the brand?
“The name, Bengaluru, was chosen by our ancestors and why should we let it go? The headquarters of the Bengaluru South district would be Ramanagara city. It is being done in the interest of the people. We are thinking about the future generations,” Shivakumar stated.
–IANS
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