Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the Congress party for its alleged failure to uplift the Other Backward Class (OBC) community, while praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his dedication to their development.
Speaking at a national convention of the Modi community in Gujarat, Shah highlighted that despite ruling the country for 56 years, the Congress had not effectively improved the situation of the OBC community. He emphasized that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the party actively working towards the welfare of the OBCs.
Shah also commended the Prime Minister’s tireless efforts in enhancing India’s global standing, mentioning his recent visits to six countries. During his visit to Gujarat, Shah inaugurated several development projects and a state-of-the-art organic testing laboratory of Amul Dairy.
In a separate incident, a candidate appearing in an exam for the Central Ordnance Depot (COD) in Agra was arrested for carrying a Bluetooth device to remain in contact with his handler or coach. The candidate, Naveen, and his coach, Joginder Singh, both from Hisar district in Haryana, had planned to cheat during the exam.
Naveen was caught with a Bluetooth device in his collar and ear. Further investigation revealed that Joginder Singh was hired by Naveen to ensure his success in the exam. A case was registered against both individuals under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act.
In another incident, a gang involved in manufacturing a metal similar to gold and availing gold loans from finance companies and banks by pledging fake gold as security was busted by the Special Operation Group (SOG) in Agra.
Four members of the gang were arrested, while two others are still absconding. The gang members had been manufacturing a metal resembling gold with low purity and using it to avail loans, causing losses to the lenders. A case was registered against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Repair work on the new bridge over the Yamuna River in Prayagraj is set to begin on June 1. The repair work, which includes changing the bearings and replacing jointers, will be carried out by a French company.
To minimize traffic disruption, one side of the bridge will remain open for traffic while work is done on the other side. The flow of traffic will be alternated weekly between the two sides until July 15. The New Yamuna Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge, was constructed in 2004 to alleviate traffic on the old bridge. The repair work is necessary to prevent further damage to the structure.
In Pratapgarh district court, a man accused of raping a minor girl was attacked by the victim’s brother with a knife. The incident occurred as the accused, Atal Bihari Patel, was being escorted to a prison van after a court hearing.
The victim’s brother grabbed Patel from behind and assaulted him with a knife, causing minor injuries. Police apprehended the attacker and took both him and Patel to the hospital for treatment. The attacker stated that the attack was motivated by a desire for revenge. The police are investigating the matter further.
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Regarding the alliance between the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) in western Uttar Pradesh, leaders from both parties have refuted reports of a rift. They clarified that the parties are getting along well and that any speculation of a troubled alliance is merely a rumor spread by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to create confusion before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
While the RLD and SP contested against each other in the recent civic elections, they maintain that there is no divide between them and that the alliance remains strong.
The RLD leader, Dr Mairajuddin Ahmad, emphasized that the BJP is spreading these rumors to create confusion and division among opposition parties. He stated that the SP-RLD alliance remains strong and committed to working together to counter the BJP’s expansion in Uttar Pradesh.
Despite the differences that emerged during the civic elections, leaders from both parties maintained that the alliance was intact and their goal of defeating the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections remained unchanged.
They acknowledged that the civic polls had a different nature and required parties to satisfy the political ambitions of their local candidates, which resulted in contesting against each other in some seats.
The RLD functionary highlighted that the party’s success rate was relatively better than that of the SP in the civic elections. However, he expressed the belief that the alliance would have sent a stronger message to the electorate if the SP had reserved some seats for the RLD in western Uttar Pradesh. Despite these concerns, both parties reiterated their commitment to the alliance and their shared objective of forming a non-BJP government.
Sudhir Panwar accused the BJP of spreading rumors
Meanwhile, Professor Sudhir Panwar, a leader of the Samajwadi Party (SP), has accused the BJP of spreading rumors and targeting Muslim and Jat communities in western Uttar Pradesh. He defended Akhilesh Yadav’s politics of secularism and social justice, asserting that the SP chief has genuinely endeavored to form alliances to counter the BJP’s influence in the state.
Both the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and SP leaders have emphasized the alliance’s significance in the battle against the BJP and urged their supporters to remain united and focused on defeating the ruling party in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
In general, while there have been some differences and speculations of a rift between the SP and RLD during the civic elections, leaders from both parties have clarified that the alliance remains intact.
They attributed the rumors to the BJP’s efforts to create confusion and division among opposition parties. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the alliance and their shared objective of countering the BJP’s influence in Uttar Pradesh.
BJP’s Strategy: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, continues to maintain a strong position in Uttar Pradesh. The party has been focusing on consolidating its support base by highlighting its development agenda, welfare schemes, and the leadership of Yogi Adityanath. The BJP aims to secure a significant number of seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections to retain power.
As for the Congress, they have been striving to regain their influence in Uttar Pradesh. The party has been making efforts to rejuvenate its organizational structure and connect with the electorate at the grassroots level.
Congress leaders have been emphasizing their commitment to inclusive politics and the welfare of all sections of society. They see the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as an opportunity to make a comeback and challenge the BJP’s dominance in the state.
Other opposition parties and Congress in Uttar Pradesh
Opposition Unity: Along with the SP-RLD alliance, other opposition parties in Uttar Pradesh are also attempting to form a united front against the BJP. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) led by Mayawati and the Congress party are working to forge alliances and create a formidable opposition alliance in the state. The success of these efforts will be crucial in challenging the BJP’s dominance.
BSP’s Strategy: The BSP, under the leadership of Mayawati, has been focusing on consolidating its core Dalit vote base while also attempting to appeal to other marginalized communities. Mayawati has been critical of both the BJP and the SP-RLD alliance and is positioning the BSP as a strong alternative to both parties. The BSP aims to regain its position as a major player in Uttar Pradesh politics.
Congress’ Revival Efforts: The Congress party, led by its state unit chief Ajay Kumar Lallu, is making efforts to revive its presence in Uttar Pradesh. The party is focusing on grassroots-level organization and is attempting to reconnect with its traditional vote base. The Congress aims to position itself as a viable alternative to the BJP and other regional parties in the state.
Regional Dynamics: Uttar Pradesh has a complex political landscape with regional factors playing a significant role. Caste equations, particularly the support of the Dalit and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities, can greatly influence election outcomes. Regional parties and leaders hold sway in specific areas of the state and can impact the overall political scenario.
Voter Sentiments: As the Lok Sabha elections approach, the sentiment of the electorate will play a crucial role. Factors such as economic development, law and order, employment opportunities, and social welfare schemes will be significant determinants of voter preferences. Parties that effectively address these issues and connect with the aspirations of the people are likely to gain an advantage.
It’s important to note that the political landscape can be dynamic, and events and developments can influence the dynamics between parties. The upcoming Lok Sabha elections will be a significant event that will shape the future of politics of parties like Congress and BJP in Uttar Pradesh.