Bjp

India needs steady hand at the wheel but has 'compromised PM': Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the West Asia conflict has reached India's backyard but he has not spoken, and while the country needed a steady hand at the wheel, it has a "compromised PM who has surrendered our strategic autonomy". Gandhi said the world has entered a volatile phase and "stormy seas lie ahead" "India's oil supplies are under threat, with more than 40% of our imports transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The situation is even worse for LPG and LNG," he said on X. "The conflict has reached our backyard, with an Iranian warship sunk in the Indian Ocean. Yet the Prime Minister has said nothing," Gandhi said. At a moment like this, India needs a steady hand at the wheel, he said. "Instead, India has a compromised PM who has surrendered our strategic autonomy," Gandhi alleged. His remarks came a day after a US submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian warship in international waters off Sri Lanka's coast when it was retu

BJP leader dismisses rumours of Nitish Kumar moving to RS as Holi prank

Bihar was abuzz with speculation on Wednesday over rumours that JD(U) president and the state's longest-serving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may move to the Rajya Sabha, paving the way for the BJP to take the top post while accommodating his son Nishant as deputy CM. However, senior BJP leader and Union minister Giriraj Singh dismissed the rumour as a "Holi prank", asserting "Nitish Kumar ji is the chief minister". The filing of nomination papers for five Rajya Sabha seats in the state will close on Thursday. While the BJP has named its two candidates, including national general secretary Nitin Nabin, and confirmed a second consecutive term for junior NDA ally Upendra Kushwaha, the JD(U) is yet to officially announce its nominees. The rumours of Kumar, who turned 75 earlier this month, being one of the candidates of JD(U), surfaced a day after the party had announced that his son Nishant would be making a belated entry into politics. Earlier, there were speculations that the reclus

Tawde, Athawale among 4 BJP nominees for Rajya Sabha polls from Maharashtra

The BJP on Wednesday announced four candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Maharashtra, nominating Union minister Ramdas Athawale and former state minister Vinod Tawde, among others, for the Upper House. Besides Athawale and Tawde, the party has also fielded Maya Chintaman Ivnate and Ramrao Wadkute for the biennial elections. Seven Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra are set to fall vacant in April. With over 230 MLAs in the 288-member assembly, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is in a position to ensure the election of all its four nominees. The Rajya Sabha members from Maharashtra retiring this year include NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, Athawale, who heads RPI (A), Fauzia Khan of NCP (SP), Rajni Patil (Congress), Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena (UBT), and BJP leaders Dhananjay Patil and Bhagwat Karad. Polling will be held on March 16 between 9 am and 4 pm, with counting scheduled to commence at 5 pm the same day. The Election Commission of India has announced electio

Amit Shah vows to 'throw out infiltrators' if BJP wins in Bengal polls

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday sharpened the BJP's pitch on infiltration, declaring that while "only names of infiltrators are being deleted now" from voter rolls, they would be "pushed out of the state" once the party comes to power with a full majority in West Bengal. Addressing the BJP's Poriborton Yatra here in South 24 Parganas district, his first visit to the state since the publication of the revised electoral rolls on Saturday, Shah said the Trinamool Congress (TMC) had turned Bengal into a "swarg (heaven) for infiltrators" and alleged that the border state's security was compromised because the ruling dispensation allowed illegal immigration. "Bengal is a bordering state. The TMC cannot ensure security because they allow infiltration. Only the BJP can provide security to a bordering state like Bengal," he said. His remarks come against the backdrop of the post-Special Intensive Revision (SIR) electoral rolls published on Saturday, which recorded 63.66 lakh deletion

Congress and its AAP problem resurfaces after Kejriwal verdict timing row

Since its electoral debut in 2013, AAP has mostly contested in states that have seen BJP-Congress fights

Countdown for BJP's exit has begun, says Kejriwal at Jantar Mantar rally

Forty-eight hours after being discharged by a Delhi court in the liquor policy case, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, claiming that the countdown of the BJP's removal from power has begun. Addressing the party's rally at Jantar Mantar here, Kejriwal accused the prime minister and Shah of conspiring to frame him in the excise policy case and said that the court in a recent "historic" judgement proved that he was "Kattar Imandar" (hardcore honest person). A trial court on Friday granted the relief to Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and 21 others in the case and criticised the CBI, saying the charge sheet "suffers from internal contradictions, striking at the root of conspiracy theory." Addressing the gathering of party leaders and workers from several states, Kejriwal alleged that the prime minister feared everyone and asserted that when a "tyrant" is scared, it signals the end of his ...

BJP to launch 'Paribartan Yatra' across poll-bound Bengal from today

The BJP will launch 'Paribartan Yatra' across West Bengal on Sunday in a bid to sharpen anti-incumbency against the TMC and test its grassroots machinery ahead of the assembly polls this year. The programme will kick off a day after the publication of the revised electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state. During the SIR process, around 63.66 lakh names, nearly 8.3 per cent of the electorate, have been deleted from the state voter list since the exercise began in November last year, reducing the elector base to over 7.04 crore. The 5,000-km outreach initiative is designed as both a mass-contact exercise and an organisational stress test aimed at converting booth-level groundwork into visible street mobilisation, a party leader said. Nine yatras will originate from Cooch Behar, Krishnanagar, Kulti, Garbeta, Raidighi, Islampur, Hasan, Sandeshkhali and Amta, traversing every assembly constituency before culminating in a Brigade Parade Ground rally

BJP will win Bengal polls, drive out every single infiltrator: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday exuded confidence that the BJP will win the upcoming assembly polls in West Bengal, and "drive out every single infiltrator" from the state, which was among the ones "worst affected by demographic change". Shah made the remark in Araria district of Bihar, where he launched projects worth Rs 175 crore of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and dedicated to the nation a couple of new border outposts. "It is the top priority of the BJP government to drive out every single infiltrator from the country, who are not just a threat to national security, but also feed on welfare benefits meant for people, thereby diluting the impact schemes run by the government could make," he said. "Infiltration on a large scale also results in encroachments in bordering areas. We are committed to demolishing these. Infiltration also poses the threat of demographic change, which can wreak havoc with the culture, and even geography, of a region," Shah said. The Narendra

US pressure on PM over trade deal, farmers being 'sacrificed': Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that US President Donald Trump had used the Epstein files to threaten Prime Minister Narendra Modi into signing a trade deal that would "sacrifice" Indian farmers. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha was speaking at a farmers' convention in Peravoor, Kannur district. He said the simple fact that farmers are the foundation of India is not understood by the government. He said lengthy lectures were delivered about IT and other sectors, but nothing could be built without strengthening the foundation. "If you do not respect the foundation, nothing can be built. The person who builds the foundation does not have respect or protection. We eat food every day but do not remember who puts it on our table," he said. Gandhi alleged that the Prime Minister had signed a deal with the US President that was "like digging the foundation". "Indian farmers are small farmers with low levels of mechanisation. American farmers have massive fa

Under BJP mayor, BMC presents ₹80,952 cr Budget, focus on infra projects

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation proposed a budget outlay of Rs 80,952.56 crore for the financial year 2026-27 on Wednesday, marking an 8.77 per cent increase over the 2025-26 budget estimate and prioritising infrastructure expansion and urban mobility. BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani tabled the budget in the country's richest civic body, with the capital expenditure pegged at Rs 48,164.28 crore, reflecting a rise of about 11.59 per cent over the revised estimate of Rs 39,159.51 crore for 2025-26. The capital outlay in 2025-26 was originally estimated at Rs 43,162.23 crore, but was subsequently revised downward. A major portion of the capital outlay for the next fiscal has been earmarked for core infrastructure. Capital expenditure under the A, B, E, G and T.A. heads, including improvement schemes, education fund, water supply, sewerage and tree authority, is pegged at Rs 30,069.89 crore. Of this, Rs 13,990 crore has been allocated for the Coastal Road, Goregaon-Mulund Link

TVK rules out alliance with BJP, alleges Centre pressure, CBI action

On alliances, Raj said the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) had announced that talks would begin on the February 22, but the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMK) joined earlier than expected

Worked to bring positive change: Delhi CM on govt's first anniversary

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday presented a report card of her government saying it has worked in all sectors in the last one year with an aim to bring positive change and for the welfare of the poor. Gupta and her Council of Ministers took oath on February 20, 2025 following the BJP's massive victory in the Delhi Assembly elections held last year. Addressing mediapersons at the Delhi Secretariat, the chief minister said the report card of her government was a fact sheet of hard work and change brought about in the last one year under the BJP rule, following the philosophy of Antyodaya, or upliftment of the last person. In its first Cabinet meeting after taking charge, the government decided to implement Ayushman Bharat health scheme in which 7 lakh people have registered and over 30,000 have benefitted so far, she said. The government was also committed to the welfare of the poor and slum-dwellers, Gupta asserted, citing Rs 700 crore set aside in the budget for the ...

Ex-Assam Congress president Bhupen Borah will join BJP on Feb 22: Himanta

In a major jolt to the opposition Congress in Assam ahead of the assembly polls, its former state president Bhupen Borah will join the BJP on February 22, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday after meeting him. Sarma visited Borah's residence in the Ghoramara area of Guwahati, a day after the senior leader resigned from the Congress. The CM was welcomed by Borah's wife and son with 'aarti'. After the over one and a half hours long meeting, Sarma announced that Borah will join the BJP along with his supporters, and state BJP president Dilip Saikia will finalise the modalities. "Borah, along with some of his supporters, will join the BJP in Guwahati, but there will be another joining programme at Lakhimpur from where he hails, as many Congress members have expressed their desire to follow his steps," Sarma said, with the veteran leader by his side. The CM claimed that Borah's joining the BJP would show that Congress is not a place for Hindus. "He is the last recognise

BJP's Nishikant Dubey moves substantive motion to expel Rahul Gandhi

Dubey argues the motion aims to 'expose the intentions of the Tukde Tukde gang to divide the country into pieces' and asserts that Parliament has previously expelled members through similar motions

Nearly one in four BMC winners face criminal cases, ADR analysis shows

Nearly one in four winning candidates in the 2026 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls have declared criminal cases against themselves, while close to four-fifths are crorepatis, according to an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). The ADR, which studied affidavits of all 227 winning candidates, said 54 winners, or 24 per cent, have declared criminal cases, while 29 candidates, or 13 per cent, face serious criminal charges. The data was compiled along with Maharashtra Election Watch from candidates' self-sworn affidavits filed during the civic polls. Party-wise analysis showed that 33 per cent of the winners from the BJP have declared criminal cases, followed by 24 per cent from Shiv Sena and 15 per cent from Shiv Sena (UBT), the report said. The financial profile of candidates also indicated a strong presence of wealthy contestants. Up to 180 of the 227 winners, about 79 per cent, declared assets worth more than Rs 1 crore, with the average assets of

Shivaji-Tipu remarks: FIRs against BJP, Cong workers for violence in Pune

BJP workers confronted Congress activists in Pune while protesting against Congress leader Harshwardhan Sapkal's remarks 'equating' Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with Tipu Sultan, with the Opposition party alleging stone pelting during the agitation on Sunday.Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma told reporters that three Congress workers, two BJP workers, two police personnel, and two journalists sustained minor injuries in the melee. "A protest was held near the Congress Bhavan, which saw sloganeering from workers of BJP and Congress. Workers of both parties climbed onto walls and there was stone pelting from both sides," Sharma informed. A case was registered against workers of the BJP and Congress at Shivajinagar police station later in the evening, an official said. Pune city Congress chief Arvind Shinde said the party has submitted a written complaint to the police against BJP functionaries. A case should be registered against Mayor Manjusha Nagpure, BJP City presiden

Witnessing betrayal of farmers in name of US trade deal: Rahul Gandhi

Upping the ante against the government over the India-US interim trade deal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday posed a string of questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and alleged that "we are witnessing a betrayal" of Indian farmers. Gandhi, who has been attacking the government and accusing it of a sell-out through the deal, said this issue concerns the future and asked whether India is allowing another country to gain a long-term hold over India's agriculture industry. "In the name of a US trade deal, we are witnessing a betrayal of Indian farmers," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said in his post in Hindi on X. Posing questions to the prime minister, Gandhi asked what it means to import Dried Distillers' Grains (DDG). "Does it mean that Indian cattle will be fed distillers' grains made from GM American corn? Won't this effectively make our milk products dependent on the US agricultural industry?" he questioned. Gandhi further inquired that if India allows the

Delhi air quality improves to 'moderate' as mercury rises; AQI at 184

The capital recorded a gradual improvement in air quality, but 16 stations remained in the poor category despite the overall AQI slipping to 'moderate' levels

Piyush Goyal slams Rahul Gandhi over US deal, says farmers fully protected

Commerce minister Piyush Goyal accused Rahul Gandhi of spreading lies on the India-US interim trade deal, asserting that farmers' interests were fully safeguarded and exports would rise

If you want to hang us, we are ready: Cong's Venugopal on Rahul LS notice

"We are not bothered about any motions and if you want to hang us, we are ready for that also," said Congress general secretary K C Venugopal on Thursday after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey gave a notice to initiate a 'substantive motion' against Rahul Gandhi. Venugopal lashed out at the government over Gandhi's certain remarks in the House being expunged from the records on Wednesday, saying questions were asked as to why "we took an extreme position" to submit a notice for the removal of the Lok Sabha speaker. The answer to that is "we have not been getting justice from the chair", he said. His remarks came after Dubey said he has given a notice to initiate a 'substantive motion' against Gandhi, and demanded that the former Congress chief's Lok Sabha membership be cancelled and he be debarred from contesting elections for life. Speaking to PTI videos in Parliament House complex, Dubey said that in his notice, he has stated how the Leader of the opposition visits foreign countries, joini