Category: POLITICS

Thiruvananthapuram, December 19:
The draft electoral roll for Kerala will be published on December 23, the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said on Thursday. The announcement comes as part of preparations to ensure a transparent and error-free electoral process.

The CEO stated that voters will be given an opportunity to verify details and submit claims or objections within the stipulated period. Officials urged eligible citizens to check their names in the draft roll and report any discrepancies to ensure accurate voter records ahead of upcoming elections.

New Delhi, December 19:
The Lok Sabha is set to introduce several key legislative bills on the final day of the Parliament’s Winter Session, as the government moves to complete its legislative agenda. The bills are expected to cover important policy and governance-related matters.

According to parliamentary sources, discussions and tabling of proposed legislations will take place amid opposition scrutiny and debate. The Winter Session has witnessed intense exchanges between the treasury benches and opposition members over a range of national issues.

Bengaluru, December 18:
Political tensions have escalated in Karnataka as the BJP and Congress clashed over pending dues exceeding ₹4,000 crore under the state’s free travel scheme for senior citizens, students, and certain other categories. BJP leaders accused the Congress government of financial mismanagement, while Congress countered by blaming previous administrations for policy flaws and delayed reimbursements.

The debate has highlighted issues around scheme sustainability, transparency, and fiscal accountability. Analysts noted that the political wrangling could impact public perception ahead of upcoming elections, with both parties seeking to position themselves as champions of citizen welfare while holding the other accountable for the massive pending dues.

Shillong, December 18:
Meghalaya Chief Minister launched the ‘My City’ initiative, aimed at urban beautification and infrastructure development in towns and cities across the state. Under the program, grants of up to Rs 1 crore will be provided to local authorities for projects such as landscaping, street lighting, public art installations, and cleanliness drives.

The CM emphasised that the initiative seeks to encourage citizen participation in improving urban spaces and enhancing the quality of life. Officials stated that the drive will focus on sustainable development, promoting eco-friendly designs, and integrating smart urban planning measures, ensuring that cities in Meghalaya become more attractive, safe, and livable.

Hyderabad, December 18:
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of double standards and disrespecting the Anti-Defection Law enacted by his late father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The strong criticism came after the Telangana Assembly Speaker dismissed disqualification petitions against five MLAs accused of defecting from BRS to the ruling Congress, a decision that has triggered political controversy in the state.

KTR alleged that the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, has undermined the very constitutional and democratic principles it claims to uphold by protecting defected legislators and delaying action against them. He described the Speaker’s ruling as a “mockery of democracy” and said the reluctance to disqualify MLAs reflects political maneuvering to avoid by-elections rather than respect for the law. The BRS has announced plans to challenge the verdict in the Telangana High Court, asserting that the action violates legislative integrity and weakens the spirit of the anti-defection provisions.

Kolkata, Dec 17: Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday alleged the presence of “fake and proxy voters” in the state’s electoral rolls and extended support to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Adhikari claimed that irregularities in voter lists have impacted the fairness of elections and said a thorough verification exercise was necessary to uphold democratic principles. He asserted that genuine voters’ rights must be protected and elections conducted in a transparent manner.

Backing the SIR initiative, the BJP leader said the exercise would help remove duplicate and ineligible names from the rolls, ensuring free and fair polls. He accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of benefitting from flawed voter lists and demanded strict monitoring by the Election Commission. The West Bengal government and the TMC, however, have rejected the allegations, maintaining that the electoral process is robust and conducted as per established norms.

New Delhi, Dec 17: The Lok Sabha is scheduled to take up discussion on key legislations, including the Nuclear Energy Bill, 2025 and the VB-G RAM-G (rural employment–related) Bill, during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. The Nuclear Energy Bill, to be introduced by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, aims to strengthen India’s nuclear energy framework, focusing on safety, regulation and expansion of clean energy capacity. Meanwhile, the rural employment bill seeks to rationalise and streamline existing schemes to improve efficiency and delivery at the grassroots level.

The day’s agenda also includes consideration of multiple other legislative and procedural matters, making it a packed session in the Lower House. Opposition parties are expected to raise concerns and demand detailed scrutiny of the bills through parliamentary committees, citing issues of transparency and public interest. The government, however, has maintained that the proposed legislations are reform-oriented and crucial for long-term energy security and rural development, urging smooth conduct of proceedings to ensure timely passage.

New Delhi, Dec 17: BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, alleging that the Gandhi family is the most corrupt family in Indian politics. Addressing a press briefing, Bhatia accused the Congress leadership of repeatedly misleading the public and shielding corruption, particularly in connection with the National Herald case. He said the matter was before the courts and asserted that the law was taking its own course, dismissing opposition claims of political vendetta.

Bhatia further said the Congress was attempting to distract the nation by staging protests instead of answering serious questions related to alleged financial irregularities. He maintained that investigative agencies were functioning independently and that accountability must apply equally to all, regardless of political stature. The BJP spokesperson added that public trust demands transparency and legal scrutiny, reiterating that corruption allegations involving senior political figures cannot be ignored under the pretext of political targeting.

New Delhi, Dec 17: Opposition MPs on Tuesday staged a protest in the Parliament premises against the central government over the National Herald case, alleging political vendetta and misuse of central investigative agencies. Leaders from the Congress and other opposition parties gathered holding placards and raising slogans, accusing the government of targeting opposition figures to silence dissent and divert attention from pressing public issues.

The protesting MPs said the legal action in the National Herald case was being pursued with political motives, and asserted that democratic institutions were being undermined. They demanded an end to what they described as selective targeting of opposition leaders and called for respect for due process and constitutional values. Meanwhile, the ruling party has rejected the allegations, maintaining that the case is being handled strictly according to law and that no one is above legal scrutiny.

New Delhi/Kolkata, Dec 17: BJP MP Shashank Mani on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the West Bengal government following a stampede incident that claimed lives and left several others injured. Raising concerns over crowd management and administrative preparedness, Mani alleged that the incident exposed serious lapses in governance and a lack of adequate safety arrangements at public gatherings. He said such tragedies could be prevented with proper planning, coordination and timely intervention by the authorities.

The BJP MP further demanded accountability and a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the stampede, calling for strict action against those responsible for negligence. He accused the state government of failing to prioritise public safety and urged it to put in place robust crowd-control mechanisms to avoid similar incidents in the future. The West Bengal government, meanwhile, has announced relief measures for the victims and said steps are being taken to review safety protocols at large public events.