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The recent central government order lifting the long-standing ban on government employees participating in RSS activities has ignited a political firestorm. Ahead of the Budget Session of the Lok Sabha, this move has been met with sharp criticism from opposition parties, while the RSS and BJP have staunchly defended it. Congress general secretary in-charge (communications) Jairam Ramesh. The Controversial Order Earlier this month, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pension issued an order lifting the ban on government employees engaging in RSS activities. This ban, initially imposed in 1966, was deemed “unconstitutional” by the RSS and BJP, who argue that it should never have been implemented. Silence from Allies Allies such as the Janata Dal (United) and Rashtriya Lok Dal have remained silent on the matter. JD(U) national spokesperson K C Tyagi refused to comment, while RLD national spokesperson Mohammad Islam indicated he would discuss the issue within the party before...

As Madhya Pradesh wraps up its polling process, the Congress, recovering from its previous electoral setback, focuses its efforts on select constituencies to counter the BJP’s dominance in the state. The BJP’s claim that it had inducted “over 5 lakh Congress leaders” has been denied by the Congress as a “ploy to demoralise its cadre”. The BJP, traditionally strong in the Hindi heartland, faces worries over reduced voter turnout in the initial phases of the election. Concerns arise particularly from the low participation of women voters, previously supportive due to welfare schemes like Ladli Behna, and subdued campaign efforts from party workers. Moreover, anti-incumbency sentiments challenge the prospects of some BJP candidates, such as Rodmal Nagar in Rajgarh. Despite relying on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity, they encounter resistance within their constituencies. On the other side, the Congress strategizes to capitalize on these vulnerabilities, concentrating its resource...

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman shares her optimism and unwavering commitment to India’s progress in an exclusive interview with Prasanta Sahu and Shobhana Subramanian. She asserts the government’s determination to continue reforms and uphold schemes benefiting the underprivileged. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Sitharaman expresses confidence in the BJP’s electoral prospects, emphasizing that the party will secure a robust majority. Dismissing negative campaign narratives, she affirms that the government remains steadfast in its mission, unaffected by opposition rhetoric. Addressing economic agendas, Sitharaman advocates for strategic privatization initiatives, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful decision-making to foster business growth. She discusses tax policies, acknowledging the need for careful evaluation and potential extensions in light of changing circumstances. Reflecting on India’s attractiveness for foreign investment, Sitharaman acknowledges global unc...

Reactions among political parties, with 15 parties opposing the idea, including four national parties, while 32 parties express their support. Here’s a breakdown of the diverse opinions presented to the panel led by Ram Nath Kovind: Ram Nath Kovind, the chairman of the high-level committee on One Nation, One Election, presents the report to President Droupadi Murmu, in New Delhi on Thursday. Supporting Parties: The BJP and its ally, the National People’s Party (NPP), constitute the only national parties backing simultaneous elections. Other supporting parties include the AIADMK, JD(U), Biju Janata Dal, Shiv Sena, Akali Dal, and several regional parties. Opposing Parties: The Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and CPI(M) are among the national parties opposing simultaneous elections. Additionally, parties like Trinamool Congress, AIMIM, CPI, DMK, and Samajwadi Party have expressed their opposition to the proposal. Key Points Raised: The Congress highlights conce...

  New Delhi, India –  In October 2020, in the lead-up to the assembly elections in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ran an  advertisement  on Facebook insinuating that rival Rashtriya Janata Dal’s chief ministerial hopeful Tejashwi Yadav was instrumental in getting a politician killed. Emotionally and politically charged content has helped the BJP get an advantage on Facebook The advertisement headline read: “Tejashwi Yadav threatened RJD worker Shakti Malik and said, ‘I am Lalu Prasad’s son and deputy chief minister, if you raise your voice I shall get you killed.’ The threat was real. Shakti Malik was killed.” To Know More:  https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/3/17/facebook-algorithm-favours-polarising-politics-helps-bjp