Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled President-elect Donald Trump late on Wednesday evening and congratulated him for his victory in the US Elections 2024. Had a great conversation with my friend, President @realDonaldTrump, congratulating him on his spectacular victory. Looking forward to working closely together once again to further strengthen India-US relations across technology, defence, energy, space and several other sectors. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 6, 2024 In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi wrote, "Had a great conversation with my friend, President @realDonaldTrump, congratulating him on his spectacular victory. Looking forward to working closely together once again to further strengthen India-US relations across technology, defence, energy, space and several other sectors." News agency PTI, quoting official sources, said Modi also congratulated Trump on the performance of his Republican Party in the Congressional elections, as both leaders affirmed to working together for world peace. During the conversation, Trump reportedly said the "whole world loves Modi". The President-elect also described India as a "magnificent country" and the prime minister as a "magnificent man", added the sources quoted by PTI. Trump also said that he considered Modi and India as a "true friend", noting that the Indian PM was one of the first world leaders he spoke to after his victory, the sources added. Trump was declared the winner on Wednesday afternoon after he defeated Democratic candidate and current Vice-President Kamala Harris. Earlier in the day, as Trump cruised to winning the US Elections 2024, PM Modi congratulated him on X for his "historic" presidential poll victory, and said he "looks forward to renewing their collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership". "Together, let's work for the betterment of our people and to promote global peace, stability and prosperity," PM Modi said. Other world leaders also congratulated Trump, who is set to become the 47th president of the United States. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the recently held US Elections. He recalled their meeting earlier where they discussed the Ukraine-US strategic partnership to end Russian aggression. Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Store also congratulated Trump on his projected victory as the President of the United States of America (USA). (With PTI inputs)
06 November,2024 11:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Telangana government's comprehensive socio-economic, employment, political and caste survey, an election promise of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, began on Wednesday. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy described the survey as a 'yajna' to achieve social justice for the oppressed classes and equality of opportunities. The massive exercise that began on Telangana soil is an "adventure" that will change the country's social outlook under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, he said on 'X'. Reddy also met Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and briefed him about the survey. The CM urged the Governor to take the survey to the notice of the Centre so that it can be taken into consideration during the national census to be held in 2025. Reddy, who was accompanied by Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and other leaders, explained the details regarding the survey and its process to the Governor, an official release said. The CM and leaders told the Governor that Telangana will stand as a role model for the country with regard to the survey in the state, it said. Official sources said house listing would be carried out in the first phase of the survey from November 6 to 8 in every enumeration block followed by household survey from November 9 in the second phase. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said as many as 94,750 enumerators and 9,478 supervisors have been selected across the state. Each enumerator would cover 150 households. Training has been given to both the enumerators and supervisors, he said. Observing that the survey aims at realising the goals of equality of opportunities and social justice as mentioned in the Constitution, he appealed to the citizens to furnish information to the enumerators for the "noble cause". "This caste survey is to understand the various sections of society, what is their political, economical, social status, and whether they are able to receive the resources, opportunities other things equally or not," he told reporters. "Once the entire survey is done, we would be able to understand if the wealth of the state, power of the state and other revenues are equally accessible to the people or not," he said. The survey collects information on households with 56 main questions and 19 supplementary questions. The queries in the survey relate to religion, caste, marital status, educational qualifications, work, annual income etc. of the members of the household. One of the questions is whether the members of the family are able to visit the local temples/mosques/churches/other places of worship freely without any discrimination and threat. Assuring that the data received as part of the survey would be kept confidential, Vikramarka said the citizens need not have any doubts in sharing information. "Once the entire survey is completed, we will announce the present status of society, of all the communities, of all the people of society," he said. Rahul Gandhi, who attended a meeting organised by Telangana Congress on the caste survey on November 5, said he is fully committed to ensuring caste census in Telangana and in making the state a model for caste census in the country. State Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, who kicked off the survey at the Greater Hyderabad Municipal (GHMC) office, urged the citizens to furnish information to the enumerators without any apprehensions. Describing the survey as a "historic" decision, Prabhakar said the exercise would show the path to the country in the days to come. The data would be used to run the government to ensure that people get a due share in the fruits of development as per Rahul Gandhi's slogan of determination of share proportional to population, he said. State IT Minister D Sridhar Babu, who attended the event at Shankarpally near here, said the survey would help the government chalk out plans for the welfare and development of various sections of society. Congress activists performed a milk 'abhishekam' to a portrait of Rahul Gandhi at Gandhi Bhavan here, the party headquarters in Telangana, on the occasion of caste survey getting underway. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 November,2024 10:43 PM IST | Hyderabad | PTIThe Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Ajit Pawar on Wednesday expelled Vijay Dakle, a local party functionary, for anti-party activities. Dakle, head of NCP's social cell, is contesting as an independent candidate from Kothrud Assembly constituency in Pune against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Chandrakant Patil, the ruling Mahayuti coalition's official candidate and sitting Member of Legislative Assembly. He is also a member of the state NCP's executive committee. A letter issued by NCP city unit president Deepak Mankar said he was being expelled as despite repeated instructions to withdraw from the fray, he chose to contest against the alliance's candidate. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
06 November,2024 10:36 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentJharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday termed the BJP a "showroom of lies and hatred". He alleged that crores of rupees were being spent by the saffron party to spread hatred, social animosity and lies against him. Sharing a report on X referring to "shadow political advertisement", Soren said, "I am not wrong when I say that the BJP is a showroom of lies and hatred." "They are spending crores of rupees to spread hatred, violence, social animosity and lies against me," he wrote on X. Reacting to the CM's post, Jharkhand BJP said that he was just playing the victim card to build a narrative of a series of excuses, seeing his impending defeat. "If he has any grievance, he should go to the Election Commission. Instead of that, he is taking to social media only to play the victim card. He wants to build a narrative of a series of excuses seeing impending defeat in the upcoming election," Jharkhand BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 November,2024 10:33 PM IST | Ranchi | PTITwo FIRs have been lodged against actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty for allegedly making provocative statements during a BJP event in Salt Lake area near Kolkata last month, police said on Wednesday. The complaints pertain to Chakraborty's speech on October 27 at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) in Salt Lake, during a BJP programme attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was in Kolkata to launch the party's West Bengal membership drive. The first FIR was filed at the Bidhannagar South police station based on a complaint by an individual, while the second was lodged at Bowbazar police station. "We have started an investigation into the case," a senior officer of Bidhannagar police said. Shah was also present at the programme, which was organised to kick off the West Bengal leg of the BJP's membership drive. Shah had also felicitated Chakraborty for being honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award this year. Although Chakraborty was unavailable for comment, BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar described the FIRs a result of "vendetta politics.". Majumdar alleged that the TMC government "has once again used the police to unfairly target well-known actor and senior BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty". He accused the chief minister of employing such tactics "to serve political interests" and claimed that the state government's actions were part of an ongoing attempt to discredit political opponents. "There is nothing provocative in his speech. These are nothing but attempts to intimidate him by using police as a political tool," he said. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh dubbed the BJP's allegations as baseless. "The allegations of political vendetta are baseless. He shouldn't have made such provocative remarks. The law will take its own course," he said. Chakraborty, who received India's highest film honour, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, earlier this year, had asserted on October 27 that the 'masnad' (throne) of West Bengal would belong to the BJP after the 2026 assembly elections, promising to do whatever it takes to achieve the goal. While speaking at the programme, Chakraborty, a BJP leader, said, "In 2026, the 'masnad' will be ours, and we will do everything to achieve the goal." In an apparent reference to TMC MLA Humayun Kabir's communal remarks aimed at BJP workers during the Lok Sabha elections, Chakraborty had allegedly made provocative remarks. Chakraborty cautioned that no one should attempt to intimidate saffron party voters into abstaining from voting in the next assembly elections. He called upon the booth-level workers of his party to resist any such attempts. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
06 November,2024 10:26 PM IST | Kolkata | PTIThe Congress is in a steady state of decline because of its disconnect with the public and vision of India, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Wednesday, predicting a big win for the BJP in the Maharashtra Assembly election 2024, the PTI reported. "I believe that the Congress Party is in a very steady state of decline. I think that is because of three things. I think the Congress Party has lost its connect in terms of leadership, and public, and I believe that the Congress Party has also lost its connect with regard to a vision of India. When you lose all those three attributes, then you have lost the trust of the people," he said, according to the PTI. Jyotiraditya Scindia, who hits the campaign trail in Maharashtra this week, in a video and text interview with PTI, said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is going to win the hearts of people again in the state. Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, expressed confidence in the BJP returning to power in the state where elections are due later this month. "As far as Maharashtra is concerned, it's a state which I'm extremely emotionally attached to because I originally come from that state. I spent a lot of time in that state, and I am very, very, very confident that the BJP, under the leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will certainly win its place among the hearts of the people once again in this election," he said, as per the PTI. The Scindia family is descended from Maratha general Ranojirao Scindia, who along with Peshwa Bajirao, led the Maratha campaign to Delhi to fight against the Mughal and also fought against the Portuguese on the western coast of India. On October 26, BJP had released a list of its star campaigners and named 40 leaders that includes the top leadership of the party including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in it. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has also been named on the list, followed by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Assam Chief Minister Hemant Biswa Sarma, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, Smriti Irani, Piyush Goyal, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Pramod Sawant, among others. (with PTI inputs)
06 November,2024 06:36 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was cobbling together an alliance which is dangerous for the state and country. According to news agency PTI, Devendra Fadnavis was speaking at an election campaign rally for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Gopichand Padalkar in Jat Assembly Constituency of Sangli district. Padalkar is pitted against Congress' sitting Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Vikram Sawant in Jat constituency. During his address, the Deputy CM dubbed the Bharat Jodo campaign led by Rahul Gandhi as "Bharat Todo" campaign, and alleged that "anarchist and ultra-left organisations" were associated with it. He also questioned what message Rahul Gandhi wanted to give by showing a red-cover copy of the Constitution of India, PTI stated. "Today Rahul Gandhi has come to Maharashtra [to campaign for the November 20 assembly elections]....the way he is forging an alliance, it is dangerous for the state and the country," Fadnavis said. "An initiative called 'Bharat Jodo' was started. Looking at the name, we thought it is a good initiative, but it has come out that of the 150 to 200 organisations associated with Bharat Jodo, 100 outfits are instrumental in creating anarchy in the country. These outfits are ultra-leftist, anarchist, and if their track record is checked, (it is seen that) they are working to create a malaise in society," the BJP leader claimed. According to PTI, Devendra Fadnavis claimed that these organisations were making attempts to lower the society's faith in the Constitution and judiciary. "It is not a Bharat Jodo but Bharat Todo movement, and I would like to ask Gandhi why he is showing a red-coloured Constitution of India and what sort of message he wants to give," he said. The Congress led by Rahul Gandhi was destroying the fabric of Indian society, Fadnavis further alleged. "They are engaged in an experiment to create anarchy in Maharashtra. But if the blessings of people are with us, the state would get development instead of anarchy and the life of the last man in society will be transformed," the former CM said. (With PTI inputs)
06 November,2024 06:13 PM IST | Sangli | mid-day online correspondentTen people, including six women and three children, were killed while four others were injured on Wednesday after a truck hit an auto-rickshaw in the Bilgram area in Uttar Pradesh, the police said, reported the PTI. The accident took place when the truck crashed into the auto in a bid to avoid hitting a motorcycle, a senior police officer said. At around 12.30 pm, the local police were informed about the accident on the Bilgram-Madhavganj road near Roshanpur village. "Ten persons -- six women, three children and a man -- died in the mishap while four others were left injured. I have spoken to the doctors. Though out of danger, the injured persons have been referred to the district hospital for better treatment," Superintendent of Police Neeraj Jadaun told reporters. There were 15 passengers in the auto, which was badly damaged in the crash, police said. The deceased have been identified as Madhuri (25), Sunita (28), Satyam Kushwaha (12), Aashi (16), Radha (21), Gaukaran (11), Neelam (30) and Vimlesh (20), while two others are yet to be identified, police said, according to the PTI. The injured include Ramesh, Sanjay, Vimlesh Anand and Kishore, they added. "The families of those killed have been contacted. The police have impounded the DCM (truck) involved in the accident," Jadaun said.While the exact cause of the crash is yet to be ascertained, the SP said, "Locals told me that the DCM crashed into the auto in an attempt to avoid collision with a motorcycle. We are investigating the matter," as per the PTI. On the auto carrying a large number of passengers, the officer said the police are on the lookout for its driver who is absconding ever since the accident. "The auto is in our custody but its driver is yet to be identified. Appropriate legal action will be taken against the auto driver after the probe," he added. CM Yogi Adityanath expresses grief Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief over the fatal crash and directed the district officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also condoled the loss of lives, describing the incident as "extremely sad and painful". Brajesh Pathak, who also holds the health portfolio, said the government has directed the concerned officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured. Extending condolences to the bereaved families, the Congress' Uttar Pradesh unit said in a post on X, "The government is requested to arrange for immediate free treatment for the injured and adequate compensation for the deceased." (with PTI inputs)
06 November,2024 06:06 PM IST | Hardoi | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Ajit Pawar-led faction to publish a disclaimer in newspapers, including Marathi ones with 36 hours, that the issue of allocation of "clock" symbol was pending in court, reported the PTI. The disclaimer was directed to be published in the dailies within 36 hours of the court order in clock symbol case. A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta and Ujjal Bhuyan was hearing the Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) factions over the purported use and misuse of the "clock" symbol when it suggested both the groups to focus on voters instead, as per the PTI. "Don't waste your energy in courts. You both should go and be with the voters to woo them," the bench told the counsel representing the factions. It asked senior advocate Balbir Singh, appearing for the Ajit Pawar faction, to make a prominent disclaimer in the newspapers including Marathi ones within 36 hours. Singh claimed the candidates had filed their nominations and the stage of withdrawal of names was over but the Sharad Pawar faction was attempting to disrupt the entire election process. On the contrary, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Sharad Pawar faction, contended that the "clock" symbol had been associated with the veteran leader for the last 30 years and the opposing side was trying to misuse it. Singhvi, therefore, sought a direction to the Ajit Pawar-led group to seek a new symbol. Earlier, the Supreme Court had on October 24, directed Ajit Pawar-led NCP to use the clock symbol in its publicity material in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly election 2024 with a disclaimer stating that the matter over the symbol was sub-judice before the Supreme Court, reported the PTI. The top court on March 19 and April 4 had directed NCP to issue a public notice in the newspapers in English, Hindi and Marathi editions notifying that the allocation of the clock symbol was sub-judice, according to the PTI. The apex court had further said the party was permitted to use the symbol subject to the case's final outcome. (with PTI inputs)
06 November,2024 05:55 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentCongress leader Rahul Gandhi, while addressing Samvidhan Samman Sammelan in Maharashtra's Nagpur on Wednesday, said that the caste census will happen in the country, reported the PTI. Rahul Gandhi asserted that the exercise will show the injustice meted out to Dalits, OBCs and Adivasis. "Caste census will make everything clear. Everyone will come to know how much power they wield and what our role is," Rahul Gandhi said, addressing the Samvidhan Samman Sammelan. Caste census is a paradigm of development, Rahul Gandhi said. "We will also break the 50 per cent (reservation cap) wall," he added, according to the PTI. "We have to tell the country that we are fighting to secure justice for over 90 per cent marginalised people in the country," he said. The Constitution drafted by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar is not just a book but a way of life, Rahul Gandhi said. When people from the RSS and BJP attack the Constitution, they are attacking the voice of the country, he added. "You won't find a single Dalit, OBC and Adivasi in Adani company management," Rahul Gandhi said. "You waive off Rs 16 lakh crore debts of just 25 people, but when I speak of farmers' loan waiver, I am attacked for changing habits of these people," he added. Rahul Gandhi urges PM Modi to support caste census Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to publicly endorse a caste census and address representation issues faced by marginalised communities in India. He added that he is "committed" to dismantling the 50 per cent reservation cap to ensure social justice, the ANI reported on Tuesday. Speaking at a meeting on the caste census in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi questioned the Prime Minister's silence on the need for data regarding Dalits and OBCs (Other Backward Classes) in sectors such as business and the judiciary. "I still wonder why the Prime Minister of the country has not publicly declared his intent to challenge discrimination in Indian society. Why hasn't he asked how many Dalits are present in India's boardrooms? How many OBCs are there in the judicial system? Why is he reluctant to pose these questions?" Rahul Gandhi remarked. Rahul Gandhi reiterated the Congress party's commitment to conducting a national caste census, describing it as essential for addressing representation gaps in public and private institutions. (with PTI and ANI inputs)
06 November,2024 05:30 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Ajit Pawar on Wednesday said the Mahayuti allies faced the "consequences of the fake narrative" surrounding the Constitution "created by the Opposition" during the Lok Sabha polls. According to news agency PTI, Ajit Pawar said that the situation has changed and the atmosphere is now "conducive" for the Mahayuti to continue in power in Maharashtra thanks to the government's "people-centric" schemes. He also said that the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is making promises that it cannot execute. The deputy CM was speaking in his home turf Baramati after unveiling his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)'s manifesto for the November 20 state elections for 288 assembly seats, PTI reported. NCP is contesting on 52 seats as part of the Mahayuti alliance with the Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The party unveiled constituency-specific manifestos for all the seats it is contesting on. Ajit Pawar, who is seeking his re-election from Baramati, also expressed confidence that he would retain the assembly seat. The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) has pitted the Deputy CM's nephew Yugendra against him. "During the Lok Sabha polls, a fake narrative was spread by the Opposition that the Constitution will be changed, which is not possible and will never be. The Opposition managed to create a fake narrative about the Constitution, and we [Mahayuti] had to pay for it in the Lok Sabha polls," Ajit Pawar said in a press conference in Baramati. He also mentioned that the blindfold around the eyes of the Lady of Justice at the Supreme Court was removed and the sword was replaced by the Constitution. This shows the respect the government has towards the Constitution, the deputy CM said. Oppn presented schemes which can create additional financial burden on state: Ajit Pawar According to PTI, when he was asked if the promises made by the Mahayuti are sustainable, Ajit Pawar said that the majority of them can be implemented. "We will have to increase the revenue and resources of the state. When we present the budget, we strive to see where we can save without affecting the poor and marginalised class. If we save money, the schemes will get funds," he said. "I heard the speeches made by the opposition parties, in which they cast doubts on the promises made by the Mahayuti stating that the state will face a financial crisis. But at the same time, they are giving more promises than the Mahayuti," the state finance minister said. According to Ajit Pawar, the opposition presented some schemes which can create additional financial burden on the state. "If they are voted to power, they won't be able to execute these schemes. The other thing is that since the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), which rules the Centre, does not share their ideology, they won't be able to get support. Contrary to that, we will get massive support. Andhra Pradesh and Bihar are two examples of that and we will be able to run the schemes smoothly," he said. According to PTI, he was also asked if the elderly voters in Baramati are drifting towards his uncle and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, the deputy CM said that the trend showed so during the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year. "But for the state assembly polls, the trend of Baramatikars has changed and everyone will see it on November 23 (on poll results day)," he said. 'Baramati is my family' Responding to a question about a challenge he has been facing within his family, Ajit Pawar stated that the entire region of Baramati is his family, and this strong connection would lead him to victory. "I am confident of victory as I have reached out to more than 50 villages and established a dialogue with people," he said. When asked about the development of Baramati, often attributed to the entire Pawar family rather than just himself, he said, "I am not refuting that, but I also had a small share compared to the bigger share from others." On the question of why party leader Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar from Phaltan in Satara was not actively participating in the election campaign for NCP, Ajit Pawar said he would issue a notice to him, seeking an explanation for his absence. He then highlighted the manifesto for Baramati, which includes several key promises, such as the establishment of a sports academy, a logistics park, and a food processing unit. "As a Baramati candidate, I am proud to announce the manifesto for the constituency. Today, all the [NCP] candidates are releasing the manifesto for their respective constituencies. I am very happy to see the transformation of Baramati in the past 30 to 35 years," Pawar said, further emphasising his commitment to making Baramati the most developed tehsil in the country. He outlined plans to establish an international-standard sports academy, modelled after those in Punjab and Haryana, to provide state-of-the-art facilities for athletes. "For farmers, we have decided to set up a food processing unit which will create job opportunities in the region, and a logistics park will also be set up in Baramati," he added. Pawar also shared plans for Baramati to become the first solar energy town in the country. "As the menace of cancer is increasing, we are planning to set up a cancer hospital in Baramati, so that patients from rural areas need not go to Pune or Mumbai for treatment," he said. (With PTI inputs)
06 November,2024 05:01 PM IST | Baramati | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
