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United News of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
India increasingly experiencing BJP's development model: PM Modi
Bhubaneswar, June 20 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the country has increasingly 'experienced the BJP's development model", pointing to the recent trajectories of Assam, Tripura and, most recently, Odisha. Addressing a rally marking the first anniversary of Odisha's BJP government, the Prime Minister contrasted the 'previous regime's model of governance—marked by delay, obstruction, derailment and corruption' with what he called a decade of 'good governance that makes people's lives easier". Highlighting the Eastern India as a case study, Modi said a decade ago Assam was mired in instability, separatism and violence. "Today the guns have fallen silent and Assam is out‑pacing many other states on several parameters,' he said. In Tripura ,the Prime Minister said after decades of Left rule, Tripura 'lagged on every development indicator,' from crumbling infrastructure to unresponsive administration. Now, Modi argued, it has become 'a symbol of peace and progress.' Coming to Odisha , he said, it had long wrestled with widespread corruption, red‑tapism and poor infrastructure, leaving many regions behind. 'Over the past year we have worked with full resolve to change that reality,' he declared. Modi credited the union‑and‑state 'double engine' approach for a spate of projects worth 'thousands of crores' inaugurated on Friday. This model, he said, is delivering twin benefits: He said lakhs of poor families in Odisha previously excluded from Ayushman Bharat now receive coverage under both the Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana and Odisha's Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana. Nearly three crore Odias are eligible for cash‑free treatment—inside and outside the state—and more than two lakh patients have already availed themselves of the scheme in hospitals across a dozen states. Under Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana, over 23 lakh senior citizens (70+) in Odisha can claim up to Rs.5 lakh in free medical care, significantly easing household health costs. Modi said the farmers in Odisha now receive combined assistance under PM‑KISAN and the state's complementary schemes. The higher paddy procurement prices, promised last year, have already benefited lakhs of cultivators, Modi said. The Prime Minister lamented that tribal communities had been kept 'in poverty and deprivation for decades' and 'used for political gain' by earlier governments, which in turn fueled Naxalism. 'Our model brings development to these regions instead of driving them toward violence and oppression,' he asserted. UNI DP RN
Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Lesson on Governor's powers to be added to school textbooks, says Kerala minister
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Friday announced that school textbooks will soon include content explaining the constitutional powers and duties of state Governors, saying schools are the ideal place to learn the values of democracy. The announcement comes a day after Sivankutty made headlines for walking out of an official event at the Raj Bhavan, the Governor's residence, in protest against the display of a Bharat Mata image widely used in RSS events during the programme. In a statement on Friday, the minister said the curriculum reforms are aimed at promoting constitutional principles, and schools play a vital role in helping children learn how democracy works. "In recent times, there has been a rise in efforts to destabilise elected governments by misusing Governors," Sivankutty said, adding that even the Supreme Court has made clear what a Governor's powers are under the Constitution. "Since schools are the ideal place to learn the values of democracy, the revised textbooks will specifically include content on the constitutional powers of Governors to educate students on this matter," he said. The minister said the topic will appear in the second volume of the Social Science textbook this year and will also be part of upcoming changes to higher secondary school books. On Thursday, Raj Bhavan had strongly criticised Sivankutty for walking out of the programme, organised to distribute 'Scout and Guide Certificates' for school students, while Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was present on the dais, calling it a "serious breach of protocol and a grave insult to the constitutional office of the Governor." Under attack from Raj Bhavan, the minister had hit back at the Governor, alleging that Arlekar had violated the Constitution by turning an official function at his residence into a political event. Amid mounting criticism from the Left government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, over the use of a saffron-clad image at official functions, the Governor has firmly stated: "There is no question of doing away with Bharat Mata, as we draw our idea of patriotism and nationhood from Bharat Mata."
The Print
a day ago
- Politics
- The Print
Tharoor admits to ‘difference of opinion' with Congress, says not asked to campaign in Nilambur
The Lok Sabha MP added that he prefers to discuss the disagreements directly within the party, as he believes that it is not the time for such discussions, given that the voting for the Nilambur bypoll is underway. 'You know that I have had some differences of opinion with the current Congress leadership. Many of these things are public,' the Thiruvananthapuram MP told reporters Thursday. Thiruvananthapuram: Breaking his silence on the growing rift, Congress Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor went public with his 'differences of opinion with the current party leadership', stating that he was kept away from campaigning during the Nilambur bypoll in Kerala. Tharoor said he had been working with party workers for the past 15-16 years, adding there should be no doubts regarding the love and camaraderie he feels for the Congress party and its workers. The bypoll was necessitated after Left Democratic Front-backed Independent MLA P.V. Anvar resigned from his post following disagreements with the LDF leadership. More importantly, it comes just months before Kerala heads to the assembly elections. A victory in the bypoll and the assembly polls is necessary for the Congress, which has been in opposition since 2016. A seat where the Congress and its key ally the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) have held sway, Nilambur has seen the entire state Congress leadership actively campaigning. Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi was also seen in the campaign for party candidate Aryadan Shoukath. Polling is being held in Nilambur on Thursday, while results will be out 23 June. Tharoor told the media that he wasn't invited by the party to campaign in Nilambur. 'During a busy time, usually they call and ask when we'll be coming. Usually, there will be a schedule. For example, when we had elections in Wayanad with Priyanka Gandhi, an invitation came, and then we planned. We also looked for convenience. But once we reach there, there should be a programme,' he said, adding that the campaign programmes are typically prepared by the local leadership and communicated to leaders, something that did not happen in Nilambur. 'I will go where I am invited,' the four-time MP said, adding that wished the Congress candidate's victory. Regarding his recent meeting with the Prime Minister and the speculation that he may be getting closer to the BJP, Tharoor clarified that the meeting pertained only to an all-party delegation's visit to nations and discussions after Operation Sindoor. It was not an occasion to discuss domestic politics, he added. Tharoor's relationship with the Congress party has deteriorated in recent weeks due to his public divergence from the party's official positions. He has repeatedly praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, most recently endorsing Operation Sindoor. However, Congress leadership including Jairam Ramesh quickly clarified that Tharoor's statements 'did not reflect the party's stance.' Ramesh also accused the Centre of indulging in 'cheap political games' by selecting Tharoor to lead an all-party delegation to explain India's position on the conflict with Pakistan, especially when the Congress had submitted four other MP names for consideration, none of whom were chosen. Similarly, a senior Congress leader close to the high command had accused Tharoor of crossing Lakshman Rekha in variance with the party line. On Thursday, Tharoor explained his stand regarding his role in the all-party delegation. 'I'm telling you now—when Operation Sindoor was happening, what I said was my own opinion. No one from the government called and asked me to say anything. I simply expressed what I felt. Those were the opinions of an Indian. That's how I spoke. That's how I served. I had also told you before leaving that if the government asks, when the country needs my service, I'm always ready for it,' he said, adding that it was the government, not the party, that had asked him to lead the delegation. The Lok Sabha MP recalled that when he first became chairman of the External Affairs Committee in 2014, he had stated that there is no such thing as a Congress foreign policy or a BJP foreign policy, and emphasised that his views on this have not changed. He also noted that nobody in the party has asked him for any clarifications. 'If they have any questions about what I said, they can ask me directly. So far, no such questions have come. I also saw that there were some misunderstandings. It's unfortunate that sometimes things escalate so quickly.' Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan and Kerala state party president Sunny Joseph were unavailable for comment. Meanwhile, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary said it was inappropriate for state leaders to respond, as Tharoor is a member of the Congress Working Committee. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: Shashi Tharoor is hot property for everyone but Rahul Gandhi
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
From abortion to assisted dying, why does the Left seem so keen on killing people? STEPHEN GLOVER
Here is a contention that may rattle a few tea cups. It is that on the whole the Left is keener on killing people than the Right. Of course I don't mean the Far Left and the Far Right. Stalin and Mao were just as addicted to mass murder as Hitler. They were all equally blind to Christian teaching about the sanctity of human life.
Local France
3 days ago
- Politics
- Local France
OPINION: After a 7-year battle, France might be about to compromise on pension age
Something strange is happening in the malevolently paralysed world of French politics. A sensible compromise might emerge on pensions. After seven years of denial, hyperbole and anger, President Emmanuel Macron's efforts to reform the state pension system could finally be removed from the national conversation. Or rather from the national argument. The employer-union 'conclave' on pensions invented by the Prime Minister, François Bayrou in February, was due to end on Tuesday. The talks have been extended until Monday. There is a possibility – not yet a certainty – that they will reach a conclusion. The conclave was asked to look again at the increase in the official retirement age from 62 to 64 imposed by President Macron two years ago. Two of the more radical trades union federations walked out almost immediately. They insisted on a return to an official pension age of 62 (even though other EU countries are moving towards 66 or 67). Advertisement Three more moderate (ie sensible) union federations remained. They have agreed reluctantly to accept the official age of 64 in return for concessions by employers on early retirement for workers in tough jobs and better pensions for women with careers interrupted by motherhood. The details are still causing a problem. There is also an unresolved argument about how to keep the state pension system solvent. The unions want employers to pay more; the employers want pensions to be frozen for a year. All the same, this is a significant moment. For three years, Left and Far Right and all trades unions have declared any increase in the retirement age to be an act of supreme wickedness. Over 70 percent of the French population agreed with them. There were huge demonstrations. Innocent bus-shelters were smashed. Advertisement The pensions row was one of the principal reasons why Macron failed to win an overall parliamentary majority in 2022. It was one of the main reasons why his reckless decision to call a snap election a year ago further reduced his strength in parliament and left France with minority, unstable governments to confront deepening state budget deficits and an increasingly threatening world. Now the largest trade union federation, the Confédération Française Démocratique de Travail (CFDT) and two smaller ones the CFTC and CGC, have agreed in principle that 64 should be France's official retirement age. This opens up the possibility – not the certainty – that the pensions row can fade away until the demographic logic of an ageing population raises the need to move to 66 or 67 in a few years' time. All could still blow up in the government's face. The pensions conclave was invented by Prime Minister Bayrou as a way of buying the abstention of the Socialists in a censure vote on his 2025 budget in February. It was one of the concessions he made to escape the fate which befell Michel Barnier two months earlier. The Socialists hoped, or pretended that they hoped, that the conclave would propose a return to 62 – or at least 63 – as the official retirement age. They won a promise from Bayrou that any changes proposed by the union-bosses talks, or even changes not quite agreed, would be presented to parliament in a draft law. There is an obvious danger that a bill of this kind will be amended by the anti-government Left and Far Right majority in the National Assembly to impose a return to an official pension age of 62 (and damn the fiscal consequences). Left and Far Right could argue that they were merely repairing the alleged crime against democracy of Macron's decision to use emergency, constitutional powers to impose the pension reform in March 2023. If Bayrou tries to slide out of his promise, he could face a censure motion and the collapse of his minority Centre and Centre-right government late this month or in the first few days of July. Anyone for ANOTHER parliamentary election? Advertisement More likely, Bayrou will delay pensions legislation until the Autumn when his government faces censure on his 2026 deficit-cutting budget in any case. Both the Socialists and the Far Right will then face a dilemma. Will they join the harder Left in bringing down another government? If so, will it be on pensions or the budget? I suspect the Far Right WILL censure the government this Autumn. So will the hard Left. The Socialists remain split between their would-be radical and would-be constructive camps despite the re-election last week of the non-constructive Olivier Faure as first secretary. A significant chunk of the 66 Socialists might be enough to deliver the 289 out of 577 votes required to bring down a government. In any case, I expect that the Autumn censure crunch will come on the budget, not pensions. It will be difficult for Marine Le Pen and the Socialists to justify wrecking a pensions deal approved by the employers and moderate unions. Bayrou's pensions conclave was mocked by many including me. If a deal is reached on Monday (still a biggish IF), it will have achieved something significant. It will have taken the absurdly exaggerated poison of pensions reform out of French politics until… the next time the retirement age needs to be increased, probably circa 2030.
