- Would Like To See Rahul Gandhi As Future PM: Kulkarni
BJP veteran L K Advani’s former aide Sudheendra Kulkarni today said India needs a leader who can solve “big problems” such as the Kashmir issue and therefore he would like to see Congress chief Rahul Gandhi as the future prime minister.
Listing disputes with Pakistan and China, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “failed” to solve the big problems. Speaking at a panel discussion in Mumbai, Kulkarni praised Gandhi, saying he is a “leader with a good heart”. Read more here.
- Delhi Cong Slams AAP, BJP For ‘Air Conditioned Dharna Politics’
The Delhi Congress today accused the AAP and BJP of being involved in “air-conditioned dharna politics” at a time when people in the national capital were facing “water crisis” and air pollution issues. In a meeting chaired by Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken, a resolution was passed that sought attention of the chief ministers who visited Delhi and extended support to their Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal. Read more here.
- Miffed With Yeddyurappa, Karnataka BJP Leader B J Puttaswamy Quits Party
A close aide of B S Yeddyurappa and Bharatiya Janata Party’s State Backward Classes Morcha president B J Puttaswamy resigned on Monday. In his resignation letter, he wrote that despite carrying out his duties earnestly, he was not considered by the party for an MLC post. He also mentioned that he was being sidelined by Yeddyurappa even after he has been loyal to him for years. Puttaswamy was MLC until June 17. He was hoping to be re-nominated to the Upper House. Read more here.
- Maharashtra: Distressed Farmers Knock Supreme Court’s Doors For Relief
A farmers’ group has taken its fight for higher remuneration and other issues to the Supreme Court, where it has filed a petition challenging an Article in the Constitution which it claims is against cultivators. The Kisaan Putra Andolan (KPA), a movement started in Maharashtra by farmers’ activist Amar Habib, filed the petition in the apex court on March 21 seeking abolition of the Constitution’s Article 31B and a Schedule under it, while dubbing them as “anti-farmer”. Read more here.
- VHP, Bajrang Dal Bid To Protest Outside US Consulate Foiled
VHP and Bajrang Dal activists were taken into preventive custody today when they tried to stage a protest in front of the US consulate office here against CIA branding them as ‘religious militant’ outfits, police said. A group of around 25 members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal raised slogans and tried to march towards the consulate office, but their plan was foiled, the police said. Read more here.
- Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan Says He Does Not Want To Talk About Delhi’s Air Pollution
Delhi’s air pollution levels have sky-rocketed this season. It is being termed as a “severe” situation. But, Union Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan is not ready to speak on the issue. “I don’t want to talk about this,” the minister said when India Today asked him about the air pollution level of the capital. Read more here.
- Flood Wreaks Havoc; 100 People Dead, 5 Lakh Displaced In Northeast India
Heavy rains and landslides have caused severe damage to life and property in different parts of Northeast India in the last two days. In the flood-affected areas of Manipur, Assam, Tripura and Mizoram at least 100 people have lost their lives. Over five lakh people are also reported to have been displaced from their houses in these four states, a Go News report said. Read more here.
- NDA Govt Caused ‘Hardships’ To People Through ‘Injurious’ Policies: Pondy CM V Narayanasamy
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy today said the NDA government at the Centre has ’caused hardships’ to people through ‘injurious economic and monetary policies.’ “Demonetisation, GST tax system and failure to provide loans to farmers and rescue them from debt trap had brought in widespread wrath and anger against the NDA government. Read more here.
- Don’t Maintain Record Of Number Of Passports Issued, MEA’s RTI Reply
The Ministry of External Affairs has stated by way of an RTI reply that it did not maintain a record of the number of passports issued by it or the revenue generated from them. The reply was in connection with a Right to Information plea filed by Shailesh Gandhi, who, incidentally, was Information Commissioner with the Central Information Commission earlier. Read more here.