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New Delhi: Days after Aam Aadmi Party ousts its deputy leader from Rajya Sabha Raghav ChadhaAccusing him of shying away from speaking out against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and engaging in "soft PR", the onlooker MP on Saturday hit back again, quoting a popular dialogue from the film Durandhar 2 and said: "ghayal hoon isiliye ghatak hoon".One of the nation's youngest members of Congress, once considered a close confidant of the president Arvind Kejriwal Raghav Chadha, the key strategist behind AAP's victory in Punjab 2022, has seen his journey in the party take a dramatic turn. Over the past year, however, cracks have begun to show. Following the action against him, Chadha broke his silence and upped the ante against his party, denying the allegations leveled against him by his own party colleagues. In a strongly worded video message on X, he dismissed the accusations as "baseless and part of a larger, coordinated attempt to discredit him.""All these lies will be exposed. Kunki mai ghayal hoon isiliye ghatak hoon," he said, quoting a popular movie dialogue that conveys hurt and intent.Chadha made it clear that he initially chose to refrain but felt the need to respond because repeated accusations could be seen as truth. He also released multiple videos titled "Three accusations, zero truth" directly refuting the party leader's claims. In another pointed message on X earlier on Friday, Chadha described the incident as an attempt to silence his own voice rather than resolve differences. "Meri Khamoshi Ko Meri Haar Mat Samajh Lena, Main wo Dariya Hun Jo Waqt Aane Par Sailab banta hai," he said, warning that his silence should not be mistaken as a failure.He also revealed that the party had informed the Federal Chamber Secretariat not to allocate him speaking time, a move he believed was aimed at marginalizing him in parliament. "Have I committed any crime? The AAP has informed the Assembly that I should not be given an opportunity to speak," he said. A day earlier, the party leadership had accused Chadha of downplaying his political stance in Parliament. Senior leaders alleged that Chadha was not actively targeting the Center and Prime Minister Modi but was engaging in what they termed "soft PR".Earlier on Friday, senior party leaders alleged that Chadha was unwilling to raise issues in line with the party's stance. They pointed out that he refused to sign the notice seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and failed to join the opposition's strike on key issues in the House. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Rajya Sabha leader Sanjay Singh, Delhi leader Atishi and state unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj were among those who accused him of deviating from the party line.When asked if Chadha had "compromised," Mann responded in the affirmative. He criticized the MP for raising issues such as the price of samosas at the airport rather than what the party considers to be its core political concerns. "If the party clearly raises specific issues like deletion of valid votes (West Bengal), 160 AAP leaders and volunteers booked in Gujarat, or issues in Punjab like attempts to polarize communities, MSPs, withholding of GST funds or rural development funds by the Center, but someone raises the issue of samosas or pizza delivery timings at the airport, doesn't it make one suspect that he is speaking on a different radio station?" Mann said.Criticisms escalated, with party leaders also lashing out at Chadha with the words "Jo Dar Gaya Samjho Mar Gaya", while the controversy over Chadha's removal as deputy leader of the House of Representatives intensified. Bharadwaj alleged that Chadha failed to adhere to the party line on several occasions in the Assembly and did not participate in opposition strikes. He also accused him of not adequately raising issues regarding Punjab, which he represents, and of being absent at crucial moments, including the arrest of AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal."All party leaders are Kejriwal's soldiers," Balavaj said, stressing the need for discipline and unity. He further claimed that raising relatively minor issues in Parliament amounts to misplaced priorities at a time when critics of the government face repression including FIRs and restrictions on social media. "Whenever the opposition went on strike in Parliament, you did not participate. You did not raise issues regarding Punjab... and when Arvind Kejriwal was arrested, you were hiding in a foreign country," he added.Sanjay Singh also questioned Chadha's silence on several key issues, including LPG prices, alleged vote-rigging in West Bengal, and what he said was an attack on the rights of Punjab and AAP workers in Gujarat. Referring to Kejriwal's arrest in March 2024, Atishi said that while party leaders took to the streets in protest, Chadha's absence raised serious issues. "We defended you then... but today, even I want to ask, when Kejriwal was arrested, were you afraid of the BJP and therefore fled to London out of fear?" she said.AAP leader Anurag Dhanda said: "In Gujarat, hundreds of our workers have been arrested... In West Bengal, voting rights have been taken away... In the past few years, you have been scared, Raghav. You were hesitant to speak out against Modi. You were hesitant to talk about the real problems of the country." In a video released, Chadha categorically denied the accusations, calling them "white lies" and demanding the party provide evidence. "The first accusation they leveled against me was that I did not walk out with the opposition. That was a white lie and I ask you to give me an example, an incident, where the opposition walked out and I did not support them," he said, adding, "There are CCTV cameras everywhere in Parliament. Show me the footage and everything will become clear."On the issue of the motion against the Chief Election Commissioner, Chadha maintained that no party leader had formally or informally asked him to sign the motion. He questioned why he was singled out when several other MPs also failed to sign the motion, noting that the opposition had enough members to meet the required number of signatures.Perhaps the sharpest ideological divide emerged in Chadha's articulation of his role as a parliamentarian. He rejected the idea that parliamentary effectiveness was measured by disruption. "I don't go to Parliament to cause a ruckus, scream, break the microphone or be abusive. I go there to ask people's questions," he said.He stressed that he has been focusing on substantive public issues including water crisis in Punjab, air pollution in Delhi, condition of government schools, railway passenger issues, GST and income tax burden, public healthcare, education, menstrual health, unemployment and inflation. Emphasizing accountability, he added, "I go to Parliament to create impact, not to cause disturbance," noting that Parliament runs on taxpayers' money and must meet their concerns. The controversy also prompted reactions from political opponents. The Bharatiya Janata Party came out in support of Chadha and used the incident to criticize the internal workings of the AAP. Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party chief Virendra Sachdeva said the fact that a senior lawmaker was forced to use social media to express concerns was a sign of a breakdown in intra-party dialogue.He said: "When a senior MP is forced to use social media to express his views within his own party, it reflects a deeply troubling internal state of affairs." The clashes came on Thursday after Raghav Chadha was sacked as deputy leader of the Aam Aadmi Party in the Upper House. Internal rifts that had been brewing for nearly a year finally came out into the open, with the party effectively demoting Chadha and replacing him with Ashok Mittal.The bigger blow, however, came not just from his removal but from the party's reported message to the House of Commons secretariat that Chadha should no longer be allocated speaking time in the official quota - a move widely seen as an attempt to further sideline him.Soon after, Chadha posted a cryptic response onThe move comes in the backdrop of Chadha's long silence on party affairs and absence from several important public events led by Arvind Kejriwal. Party insiders say the rift has been growing for nearly two years rather than appearing suddenly.A major source of disquiet within the party has been Chadha's absence at crucial moments. While leaders like Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia face legal trouble and jail terms, Chadha's absence from key press conferences and protest venues has drawn scrutiny.When Kejriwal was arrested in the excise policy case in March 2024, he was out of the country for health reasons and remained abroad during his nearly six-month incarceration until he was met days after his release on September 13, 2024. Recently, even after Kejriwal, Sisodia and other UP leaders were released by a Delhi court in the same case, Chadha remained silent and also skipped Kejriwal's press conferences and rallies at Jantar Mantar.The AAP currently has 10 members in the Lok Sabha, seven from Punjab and three from Delhi, making internal divisions even more important to the party's parliamentary strategy.Chadha now becomes the second Rajya Sabha MP after Swati Maliwal to fall out with the party leadership, indicative of wider internal tensions.
IMPHAL, Nov 17: The NPP on Sunday withdrew support from the BJP-led Government in Manipur, even as violence continued to rock the state as offices of the Congress and the saffron party were ransacked in the hill district of Jiribam where an unidentified body was found earlier in the day, officials said. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp A BJP MLA's ancestral house was vandalised in Imphal Valley while a building owned by Ashab Uddin, the Independent legislator of Jiribam, was ransacked, officials said. The incidents occurred a day after irate mobs set fire to the residences of ...Read More >
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], November 19 (ANI): With the Maharashtra elections approaching, wrestler and Congress MLA from Haryana's Julana, Vinesh Phogat, held a roadshow in Pune to support Congress candidate Datta Bahirat from the Shivajinagar Assembly constituency. She urged voters to ensure a victory for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), criticising the Mahayuti government for "injustice" by toppling the government elected by the people. "Everything is going well... If people shower their blessings on us on the 20th, we will win with a bigger margin this time. I appeal to voters to respond to ...Read More >
Story so far: India celebrated its 75th year of adoption of its Constitution on Tuesday (November 26, 2024) with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint session of parliament. While the Constitution of India hits its diamond jubilee this year, event commemorating is as 'Constitution Day' was started only in 2015. Prior to this, it was called 'National Law Day' -- first initiated by former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Laxmi Mall Singhvi in 1979. "The Indian Constitution is a live, progressive document," said Ms. Murmu adding, "I urge all citizens to imbibe the constitutio ...Read More >
In a closed courtroom session, the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi recorded the key witness's testimony in the sexual harassment case involving former BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The session, held on Tuesday, lasted over two hours, with further proceedings scheduled for December 10. On Tuesday, the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi heard pivotal testimony behind closed doors from the primary witness in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. Central to the charges is former BJP MP and erstwhile Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Presiding over the ...Read More >
Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan has called for the replacement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with ballot papers, citing concerns over the legitimacy of election results. Ranjan raised doubts about the EVM's accuracy, suggesting that the results may be influenced and advocating for a ballot paper system like many other countries. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also echoed similar sentiments, accusing EVMs of wasting votes from marginalized communities. This comes after the Congress' defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly election. The Supreme Court, however, dismissed a petition seeking th ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: BJP leader Amit Malviya on Tuesday accused Rahul Gandhi of being "so arrogant that he did not even greet the President" during the 75th Constitution Day event held in Parliament. This comes as the grand old party has often voiced its criticism against the saffron party for not inviting President Droupadi Murmu at the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building last year and Ram Temple consecration this year. "Rahul Gandhi is so arrogant that he did not even greet the President. Just because she comes from the tribal community, is a woman and Rahul Gandhi is the prince of ...Read More >
ess than 24 hours after he asserted in Nigeria's Abuja that stepping out of the comfort zone, innovating and creating new paths has now become the very essence of today's India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told the gathering of world's most influential leaders converged in Rio de Janeiro for the G20 Summit that the main reason for India's success lies in his government's 'back to basics' and 'march to the future' approach. Addressing the G20 session on 'Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty' at the bayside museum of modern art during the two-day 19th G20 Summit, ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 18 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party leader and in-charge of the party's National IT Department, Amit Malviya, on Monday, criticised the Congress party's 'hypocrisy' over their stance on the Adani Group, pointing to past investments and agreements made with the corporate conglomerate by Congress-ruled states. Taking to social media platform X, Malviya referenced Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's recent "public admission of accepting money" from the Adani Group on November 10, 2024, pointing out that this acknowledgment contradicted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's ...Read More >
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India] November 18 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party MP K Laxman slammed Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, accusing the Congress party of 'misleading' people. He further said that the people of Maharashtra know "how to teach a lesson" to Congress. "Revanth Reddy as a CM of Telangana and as a Congress leader is misleading the public. Maharashtra people are clever enough they know how to teach a lesson to these Congress people and Revanth Reddy you will come to know what has happened in Haryana that is going to be repeated in Maharashtra, and Jharkhand also," K Laxman ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 26: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to introduce ballot paper in place of EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines). A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P.B. Varale rejected the prayer to return to the ballot system due to the alleged manipulability of EVMs. "When you lose, EVMs are tampered with; when you win, EVMs are fine," remarked the apex court, when the petitioner referred to the statements made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his predecessor Jagan Mohan ...Read More >
Proceedings in both houses of the Parliament came to halt on Wednesday amid protests by Oppostion members over the Adani Bribery controversy, recent violence in Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh and other issues. Lok Sabha proceedings were initially adjourned until 12 noon and later until Thursday, as Opposition members, including those from Congress, protested and sought to raise various issues at the start of the session. Some members from the Congress and Samajwadi Party were in the Well while other Opposition members stood in the aisle and shouted slogans. The Opposition members wanted to discus ...Read More >
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition is now gearing up for a national protest after losing Maharashtra state elections. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, which suffered a crushing defeat in last week's Maharashtra state elections, is now gearing up for a national protest against the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which it blames for its loss. The MVA, led by the Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (led by Sharad Pawar), is planning to challenge the use of EVMs in court and demand a return to ballot paper voting. Fo ...Read More >
In a heart-wrenching incident, a 30-year-old Dalit youth, who was brutally thrashed, succumbed to his injuries during treatment at a hospital in the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, and four people have been arrested in this connection. The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of Subhashpura police station on Tuesday, however, the matter came to light after a video surfaced on social media showing four persons beating the youth with sticks and pipes mercilessly. In the video, the victim, identified as Vishnu Jatav, was seen being thrashed by a group of men in a field in Indergarh vil ...Read More >
Guwahati: A group of intellectuals and prominent citizens met the officials of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala and demanded the immediate release of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in Bangladesh. Various other organisations also organised protest rallies and demonstrations against the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. The intellectuals under the banner of 'Forum for Protection of Minorities in Bangladesh' urged the Bangladesh caretaker government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to make all efforts to protect the minorities in Bangla ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: An Enforcement Directorate team undertaking searches in a cyber fraud linked money laundering case was allegedly attacked here on Thursday, officials said. The agency has registered a police FIR about the incident that took place at a farmhouse that was raided by ED officials in the Bijwasan area of southwest Delhi that falls under the Kapashera police station. An Enforcement Officer (EO) suffered minor injuries during the attack. He is continuing with the searches after he was given first aid, officials said. The probe pertains to a case against the PYYPL app. The alleged accus ...Read More >
The family of a 25-year-old Air India pilot, who died by suicide at her Mumbai home, alleged that her boyfriend used to humiliate her and extort money from her. Aditya Pandit, 27, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of abetment to suicide. Srishti Tuli was found dead at her rented accommodation in Mumbai's Marol after an argument with her boyfriend over the phone. She allegedly used a data cable to hang herself. ALSO READ: 'Can't Be Divided Or Silenced': Hemant Soren's Dig At BJP Before Taking Oath As Jharkhand CM Pandit told police that he rushed to Tuli's flat, which was locked from the ...Read More >
In turn, Acura Capital executed a fictitious deal to attract other investors. Where $8 million were attracted. It is worth noting that at the moment the token price has fallen by half from the pre-sale price. As a reminder, Bohdan Prylepa was previously named the main suspect in a large-scale crypto fraud. The "businessman" embezzled a billion hryvnias that were intended for purchasing drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine Furthermore, Prylepa's accomplices are under investigation: Saranenko, Shydlovskiy, Ivanov, Podpletko, Mazolyuk, and Vorobyov. These individuals allegedly helped block us ...Read More >
New Delhi: The annual all-India conference of directors general of police and inspectors general of police will begin in Bhubaneswar on Friday where issues related to internal security, Jammu and Kashmir, and pro-Khalistan elements, among others are likely to be discussed, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, among others will attend the three-day conference where cyber crimes, challenges posed by AI tools and threats emanating from drones are also expected to be discussed. About 250 officers of DGP and IGP ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 28 (ANI): India has expressed its concern over the escalating incidents of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and desecration, and damage to their places of worship, and has also called on the interim government there to ensure the safety of minorities. In a response to question asked by RJD MP AD Singh, Minister of State for Ministry of External Affairs, Kirit Vardhan Singh in a written reply to Rajya Sabha, stated that the "primary responsibility" for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, "rests with ...Read More >
Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, has accused two top AAP leaders of backing separate candidates for the Barnala assembly bypoll on November 20. Bajwa claimed that while one leader is supporting the official AAP candidate, the other is backing a rebel candidate. He urged the public to reject both and vote for the Congress candidate. Bajwa also took a jibe at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, suggesting he could become Punjab's "Eknath Shinde" after reportedly being in contact with the Union Home Ministry through a Punjab-based Union minister. ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 26 (UNI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday greeted the people on the occasion of 75th Constitution Day. On social media handle X, Kharge said, "The Constitution of India, painstakingly and carefully drafted by our foremothers and forefathers, is the lifeblood of our nation. It guarantees us social, economic and political rights. It constitutes India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC". He said, "Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity are not ...Read More >
BJP leaders, including Amit Malviya, CR Kesavan, and Pradeep Bhandari, accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of arrogance after he allegedly failed to greet President Droupadi Murmu, a tribal woman, during her speech on Constitution Day. Malviya claimed that Gandhi's refusal to acknowledge the President stemmed from her tribal background, while Kesavan and Bhandari pointed to Gandhi's "dynastic entitlement" and anti-tribal sentiments. The President, addressing Parliament, highlighted the significance of India's Constitution and lauded the government's efforts in social justice and inclusive dev ...Read More >
Shinde accepts BJP's decision, likely to receive key ministries Shinde has agreed to BJP's decision to make a Chief Minister from its ranks. He is expected to be given important portfolios like Urban Development, Public Works Department, and Water Resources. Sources also say that two Deputy Chief Ministers will be appointed, one each from Shiv Sena and NCP. Pawar has told his party leaders that the swearing-in ceremony could take place this weekend. Despite initial resistance, Shinde announced his party's support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah's decision on the ...Read More >
Campaigning for the November 20 assembly bypolls to four seats in Punjab ended on Monday evening with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Opposition Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party making last-ditch efforts to mobilise support for their respective candidates. Hours before the campaign ended at 6 pm, major political outfits intensified their efforts to woo the voters. Bypolls to four assembly segments -- Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC) and Barnala -- will be held on November 20 from 7 am to 6 pm, and the results will be out on November 23. The bypolls were necessitated afte ...Read More >
Defying pollsters, exit polls, and predictions, the BJP scored a hat trick in Haryana, albeit with a narrow lead in the recent Assembly election. It formed a government on its own sans any ally, and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini assumed office for a second consecutive term with relative ease. But the euphoria did not last long. In the first Assembly session convened after the new government took over, the opposition, led by the Congress and the electorally diminished Indian National Lok Dal, attacked the government on the issue of fertilizer shortages in the sowing season. The government d ...Read More >
The Palakkad bypoll has turned into a fierce triangular contest with key defections adding to the excitement. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan campaigned for former Congress leader P Sarin, now contesting as an Independent for the LDF, while BJP’s C Krishnakumar faces a tough challenge. Sarin, a former Congress digital strategist, switched parties after being snubbed for the Congress ticket. Meanwhile, BJP leader Sandeep Varier defected to Congress, further intensifying the race. With the election crucial for UDF, NDA, and LDF's momentum heading into the 2026 Kerala assembly elections, all eyes are ...Read More >
The BJP employed a targeted campaign strategy in the Maharashtra elections, focusing on key opposition figures. This micro-planning, previously used in other states, led to victories against Congress leaders Prithviraj Chavan and Balasaheb Thorat. Detailed booth analysis and voter studies informed the campaign, contributing to the BJP's success in these traditionally Congress strongholds. ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 28 (UNI) Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took oath as a Lok Sabha member on Thursday following her thumping victory from Kerala's Wayanad in a by-poll. Priyanka won the bypolls in Wayanad earlier this month by defeating her nearest CPI rival Sathyan Mokeri by over 4.10 lakh votes. While taking the oath, the 52-year-old Priyanka held a copy of the Constitution. The Wayanad Lok Sabha seat was vacated by Priyanka Gandhi's brother, Rahul Gandhi, who had won from there in the Lok Sabha elections this year. However, he opted to remain an MP from the Gandhi family b ...Read More >
In a sharp rebuke aimed at Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve on Thursday pointed to the party's perceived arrogance following the Lok Sabha elections as a key factor in the poor performance of the Maha Vikas Aghadi in the Maharashtra assembly elections. Danve's remarks came during a press briefing in Mumbai, where he criticized Congress for appearing overconfident in various regional elections, including those in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, and Maharashtra. Danve argued that Congress had become complacent after the national elections, suggesting that senior leaders, like Rahul Ga ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 29 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party MPs on Friay staged a protest in the premises of the Parliament, alleging deteriorating law and order situation in the national capital. The protest was held by AAP leaders Sanjay Singh, Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak and other party leaders. On Thursday, an explosion was reported in Delhi's Prashant Vihar on Thursday. Fire tenders were at rushed to the site and teams of National Security Guard (NSG) commandos Delhi Police Crime Branch, Special Cell and Bomb Disposal Squad also reached. A high alert was sounded in the national capital afte ...Read More >