NCP's Dhananjay Munde
Credit: X/@dhananjay_munde
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A recap of political developments
It is March 4, Monday. Let's bring you up to speed
TMC trying to remove Hindu refugees, linguistic minority from Bengal's voter list, alleges BJP
Shinde seeks treason case against SP MLA Azmi for eulogising Aurangzeb; FIR filed in Thane
NCP (SP) wants Assembly LoP post to be rotational with Congress, Sena (UBT)
Bihar Budget inflated, written with ink dipped in lies: Tejashwi
Karnataka BJP to hold Cong govt accountable on key issues during legislature session
The Karnataka BJP on Monday held its legislature party meeting to prepare strategies to effectively target the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, and hold it accountable for several key issues concerning the state.
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'Opposition will be shown door when I sit on chair': Delhi Dy Speaker as BJP, AAP clash in Assembly
"Does this House have any dignity?" said Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht as heated exchanges took place in the Delhi Assembly during the discussion on the CAG report on public health infrastructure in the city with Speaker Vijender Gupta marshalling out three opposition MLAs.
India Politics LIVE | Independent candidate Sripal Reddy Pingili wins Warangal-Khammam-Nalgonda Teachers’ MLC Elections in Telangana
India Politics LIVE | Abu Azmi's remarks about Aurangzeb hurt sentiments of the majority Hindus, says BJP leader
BJP leader N Ramchander Rao said, "Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi who glorified Aurangzeb and said that the country has developed during his time and that he has built many temples. It is nothing but distortion of history. Everyone knows that in history, how Aurangzeb harassed the Hindu rulers, how he killed them, and how conversions were made and many temples were destroyed. However, now the question is whether Aurangzeb has to be glorified at this point of time...but his statement is definitely misleading and moreover, it is hurting the sentiments of the majority Hindus...action needs to be taken against him..."
India Politics LIVE | Maharashtra Opposition demands Minister Dhananjay Munde's resignation
In the backdrop of state minister Dhananjay Munde's close aide Walmik Karad being named as an accused in sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case, Maharashtra opposition leaders are seeking Munde's resignation.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked state minister Dhananjay Munde to resign.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar met Fadnavis on Monday night to discuss the fallout of the CID's chargesheet filed in the Deshmukh murder case and two related cases in which Karad been named accused number one.
Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed, was abducted, tortured and murdered on December 9 last year allegedly for attempting to stop an extortion bid targeting an energy company in the district.
Watch | Mahayuti leaders burn MLA Abu Azmi's poster over Aurangzeb remarks
India Politics LIVE | Dhananjay Munde resigns after close aide named as accused in Beed sarpanch murder case
Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde tendered his resignation today.
"Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde has tendered his resignation today. I have accepted the resignation and sent it to the Governor for further course of action," CM Fadnavis said while speaking to media on Tuesday.
This comes after Dhananjay Munde's close aide, Valmik Karad was sent to to judicial custody in January. Karad is wanted in a Rs 2 crore extortion case linked to the murder of a sarpanch in Beed district.
India Politics LIVE | Congress stages protest outside ED office in Raipur
Chhattisgarh Congress leaders have staged a protest outside the Enforcement Directorate's office in Raipur over its alleged vindictive action against a state party unit office-bearer.
During the protest held on Monday, the Congress members gheraoed the ED office.
India Politics LIVE | Aaditya Thackeray slams Maharashtra govt, says Munde’s resignation ‘not enough’
Shiv Sena (UBT) Aaditya Thackeray said, “Resignation of minister is not enough. The real need is to dismiss the government. The state of law and order has deteriorated. Nobody is able to monitor it.
India Politics LIVE | RJD MLAs protest outside the Vidhan Sabha against the state budget
India Politics LIVE | Maharashtra govt protects the guilty: Nana Patole
Congress MLA Nana Patole said, "It took so long for the Government to do this. It means that the Government protects the guilty. Crime has increased in Maharashtra...There are several such Ministers in Maharashtra's Council of Ministers. The question is, when will action be taken against such ministers?"
India Politics LIVE | UP assembly Speaker cautions MLAs for spitting pan masala in House
Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana has raised the issue of some MLA spitting in the House after consuming pan masala.
He said that he got the stains cleaned, urged other MLA to stop others from indulging in such acts and also appealed to the MLA to step forward and come to him confessing to the act.
India Politics LIVE | Maharashtra Budget Assembly session adjourned
Chaos erupted in the legislative assembly on the second day of the budget session as the ruling Mahayuti alliance demanded the suspension of Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi for his remarks praising Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
India Politics LIVE | Who are the accused in Beed sarpanch murder case?
Walmik Karad (54)
Vishnu Chate (47)
Gnyaneshwar alias Sudharshan Ghule (26)
Prateek Ghule (24)
Sudhir Sangale (22)
Mahesh Kedar (21
)Jairam Chate (21)
Siddharth Sonawane (32)
Krishna Andhale (30)
India Politics LIVE | Rohit Sharma is completely fit, says Congress MP and BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla
Congress MP and BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla on Tuesday said that Congress leader Shama Mohamed's comments on Team India skipper Rohit Sharma are personal and Congress doesn't make such comments on sportspersons.
India Politics LIVE | Kerala govt showing negative attitude to Asha workers' protest, says VD Satheesan
LoP VD Satheesan on Tuesday said that Kerala govt trying to abuse the Asha workers who are striking.
" We brought up the matter of Asha workers', who are striking in front of the secretariat for the last 22 days. Their demand is an increase in the honorarium. They have been getting only Rs 7,000 from state honorarium. LDF had offered Rs 21,000 as Asha workers' honorarium in their election manifesto. Unfortunately, govt is showing negative attitude to this strike. They are trying to abuse the women who are striking...we support Asha workers as their workload is very high...," he said.
India Politics LIVE | 'My words have been twisted,' says Abu Azmi amid Aurangzeb remarks row
Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi clarified the uproar that erupted after his stand on Aurangzeb.
"My words have been twisted. I have said what historians and writers have said about Aurangzeb Rahmatullah Ali. I have not made any derogatory comment about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj or any other great men - but still if anyone has been hurt by my statement, then I take back my words, my statement. This issue is being made a political issue, and I think that closing the budget session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly because of this is causing harm to the people of Maharashtra," he said.
India Politics LIVE | 'Legislators are also normal human beings,' says Karnataka Minister Eshwara Khandre on recliners being brought to assembly
Karnataka Minister Eshwara Khandre spoke about the row caused by recliners being brought to Karnataka state assembly's lounge.
" Legislators are also normal human beings and have been working day and night under tremendous pressure...80% legislators have crossed the age of 60, they are senior citizens...I don't know why, opposition is trying to criticise every action of the govt..." he said.
India Politics LIVE | 'Pending bills are there always... needs to be paid,' says BJP leader CT Ravi on Karnataka Congress' statement that contractors' bills are from BJP's tenure
Speaking on Karnataka Congress' statement that Contractors' bills are from BJP's tenure, BJP leader CT Ravi said, " Pending bills are there always, once a govt is gone out of power, still the bill remains and it needs to be paid (by the current govt). Govt gives the commitment, sanction is done by the govt...once the work is done, it is the govt's job to pay the pending bill...govt gets the revenue collection..."
India Politics LIVE | Shiv Sena demands sedition case be filed against SP leader Abu Azmi
Shiv Sena plans to stage a statewide protest against statements disrespecting Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The party has also demanded that a sedition case be filed against Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi and that he be suspended from the Assembly for glorifying Aurangzeb.
India Politics LIVE | 'Now, our demand is to include Dhananjay Munde in the FIR and do a transparent investigation,' says NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar
After the resignation of Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde from Maharashtra cabinet, days after his close aide Walmik Karad was named as the mastermind in the Beed sarpanch murder case, NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar said that Munde's name should also figure in the case's FIR.
"The people of Maharashtra have taken this in their hand. All people have come together and what they are saying this that the Deshmukh family should get justice. The government has not been taking any constructive steps in this matter, so, people only taken this very seriously. Yesterday the photos that came out... the kind of photos they are... the kind of murder it was... the people have become very angry. After that, the government took a step that let's accept Dhananjay Munde's resignation. Now, our demand is to include Dhananjay Munde in the FIR and do a transparent investigation in this matter," he said.
India Politics LIVE | 'No imposition of Hindi is acceptable to us,' says CPI leader P Sandosh Kumar
Clarifying his views on controversy surrounding tri-language formula in NEP, CPI leader P Sandosh Kumar said, "Our position is always very clear, no imposition of Hindi is acceptable to us. In fact, we don't have any regional language, all languages are our own languages, nationally recognised language, and some languages are less spoken, but that does not mean that the language is secondary. So, imposition of Hindi is impossible, we can't accept it. We understand that Hindi is largest speaking language, but all languages should be protected. We are all united, be it Tamil Nadu or Kerala. There is nothing new in it, we are trying continuously to raise it. We will continue our fight in the session."
India Politics LIVE | 'Congress has clarified that it has nothing to do with that remark,' says Congress MP Rajeev Shukla on party spokesperson Shama Mohamed's comment on Rohit Sharma's fitness
"It is very clear that Rohit Sharma is completely fit. He is leading the team well; we won the world cup under his leadership. No comment should be made on him; Congress has clarified that it has nothing to do with that remark. Congress respects the game and the players," says Congress MP Rajeev Shukla on party spokesperson Shama Mohamed's remarks on Indian skipper Rohit Sharma's fitness.
India Politics LIVE | Dilip Jaiswal elected BJP's party president in Bihar
Speaking on Jaiswal being named the state's party president, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhar said, "Today was the organization's election, our organization festival ended today. In our state, Dr. Dilip Jaiswal became the party president, and the organization will move forward under his leadership."
Union Minister Nityanand Rai also spoke glowingly about Jaiswal, saying, "The BJP is celebrating the Bihar Pradesh Sangathan Parv under its new president who has been elected unanimously. Today, Bihar has got a president who is experienced, simple-natured and hardworking. We have got Dr Dilip Jaiswal as the state president... In 2025, the NDA government will be formed with a huge majority."
India Politics LIVE | 'Bhagwant Mann's body language and attitude yesterday was very unbecoming,' says Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia after farmer leaders meeting with Punjab CM
After Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann met with farmer leaders, Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia said, "The CM's body language and attitude yesterday was very unbecoming of a CM. In the last three years, this govt has not fulfilled any promises made to the farmers. They are backing out from every promise have made, including promising MSP to farmers. They make promises and make u-turns on them. The CM's behaviour in the public domain is not right. All is not well. I am repeating that he needs medical help and support. Even the Speaker had asked him if he had drunk and come to the Assembly. Even when he was MP, his fellow MPs had complained about him...Today, when the farmers are asking the CM to fulfil the promises he made, the CM is taking action on them...Yesterday's incident was immature and shameful. I condemn the police action being taken today. Bahgwant Mann and AAP should apologise to the farmers and release them."
India Politics LIVE | 'Abu Azmi has lost his mental balance,' says Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Narayan Rane
Speaking on the Aurangzeb row in Maharashtra Assembly, Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Narayan Rane said, "Abu Azmi has lost his mental balance. He does not know Maharashtra's history, and he is disrespecting our Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. He should apologise, but just an apology is not enough... He should either be asked to resign or suspended and only then will he learn his lesson. He keeps speaking nonsense to stay in the headlines, but now we will not tolerate it..."
India Politics LIVE | 'International media also praised Prayagraj Mahakumbh,' says Yogi Adityanath during UP Assembly speech
Speaking in Assembly on Prayagraj Mahakumbh, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said, "In 45 days of Mahakumbh, more than 66 crore people from the country and the world visited the Mela. Out of the 66 crore people who visited Mahakumbh, half of them must have been women pilgrims, but there was not even one incident of harassment, loot, abduction or killing...More than the expected number of people visited Mahakumbh, and those who came and took a holy dip returned with a sense of overwhelm. The international media also praised Prayagraj Mahakumbh..."
He then added, "Mahakumbh has been able to showcase the state's ability to hold such a large event to the country and the country's ability to the world. The misinformation that you tried to spread could not affect the faith of the people of the country. No one in the country trusted your words. And soon, the public will stop listening to you. What we are doing in Sambhal is also due to faith..."
India Politics LIVE | 'BJP is spreading false information that the money of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is being misused,' says Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge
"BJP is spreading false information that the money of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is being misused and the money is being diverted to other projects. They are not telling where and how it is being misused; they are not giving any clarification about it. They should answer about what they did when they were in power..." said Kharge.
India Politics LIVE | 'It was me who made your father what he became,' Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to Tejashwi Yadav during Bihar assembly session
During a verbal exchange with RJD MLA Tejashwi Yadav in the House, Bihar CM NItish Kumar said, "Do you remember what was the situation in the past? No one used to go out in the evening, You were a child, what would you know? Go and ask people. You (Tejashwi) are a child, when were you born?"
The chief minister then went on to say "I made your father (Lalu Prasad) what he is today. You don't know anything. People from your community also asked me why I was doing this, yet I did it."
India Politics LIVE | 'Abu Azmi's statement will cost him... He will be suspended,' Eknath Shinde on Aurangzeb row
Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde said Samajwadi party MLA Abu Azmi will be suspended from the house for 'praising' Aurangzeb. He told reporters, "...We have condemned his statement. His statement will cost him, and the people of Maharashtra will not forgive him... He will be suspended we have put forth our demand to suspend him (from the House)."
India Politics LIVE | 'There is simple vote bank politics as it is election year...People of Tamil Nadu are fed up of DMK,' says Tamil Nadu BJP Leader Sudhakar Reddy on delimitation row
BJP Tamil Nadu National Co in-charge, Sudhakar Reddy, speaking on the delimitation row, said, "...There is simple vote bank politics as it is election year...People of Tamil Nadu are fed up of DMK. They have failed to maintain law and order. DMK is raking up emotional issues to divert from the main issues....In Coimbatore, the Union Home Minister clearly said that no southern state will face any loss. They (DMK) are not understanding, only provoking people. They want to divert attention from real issues...."
WATCH | Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai arrives at BJP office to attend the party's core committee meeting for the upcoming state assembly elections
India Politics LIVE | Uddhav Thackeray recommends name of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav for the Leader of Opposition post in Maharashtra Assembly
Shiv Sena (UBT) has recommended the name of Bhaskar Jadhav for the post of Leader of the Opposition in Assembly. "We have staked the claim for the post of Leader of the Opposition, as have recommended the name of Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Bhaskar Jadhav for the post, as Maha Vikas Aghadi we are working on the formalities with partners NCP (SP) and Congress," said Uddhav Thackeray.
India Politics LIVE | Delhi Assembly speaker Vijender Gupta meets Lok Sabha speaker, Om Birla
Credit: X/Vijender Gupta
India Politics LIVE | Governor Radhakrishnan accepts the resignation of Dhananjay Munde
Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan has accepted the resignation of Minister of Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Dhananjay Munde as per the recommendation of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
India Politics LIVE | Uddhav Thackeray wonders whether Dhananjay Munde's resignation was for 'health' or 'on moral grounds'
After Dhanajay Munde's resignation as Maharashtra Minister, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray said, "What is the reason? Dhananjay Munde cites health reasons, but Ajit Pawar says his resignation was on moral grounds..." He further took a jibe at Eknath Shinde's claim that Shiv Sena UBT MLAs are in touch with him, saying, "The way their condition is bad in the current government, he should save his MLAs."
Watch | Delhi CM Rekha Gupta conducts surprise inspection at the GTB Hospital
After her surprise inspection, CM Gupta told reporters, "I can see that the godown is full of 400 oxygen concentrators, 146 ventilators, 36,000 PPE kits and many other unused equipment. Material worth crores of rupees is being wasted here."
India Politics LIVE | '2025 is a historic year for us ... 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ... 100 years since Gandhi became Congress president in 1924 Belgaum session': Congress leader KC Venugopal
Speaking of the upcoming 'milestones' in Congress history,
said, "As far as Congress and country is concerned, 2025 is a historic year for us. There is 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. We are going to celebrate in a bigger way. Mahatma Gandhi became Congress president only once in history, in 1924 in Belgaum session, 100 years are completing. Both the events are important in history of Congress and country. We are coming Gujarat for AICC session to highlight their legacy and the current political situation in the country. Gandhi ji fought for justice, equality, freedom, which are totally under threat nowadays. Constitution is also under threat. There is communal hatred. We need to have a solemn thinking for the mankind which was spread by Mahatma Gandhi ji."
WATCH | NCP-SCP leader Supriya Sule with other party leaders holds silent protest over Beed sarpanch murder
India Politics LIVE | 'Aurangzeb was an autocrat and a devout ruler... decline of the Mughal Empire began due to his religious fanaticism,' says Congress leader Harish Rawat on Aurangzeb row
In a veiled jibe at Samajwadi party MLA Abu Azmi's statement on Aurangzeb, Congress leader Harish Rawat said, "It is a historical fact that Aurangzeb was an autocratic ruler and, to some extent, considered religious. It is also a fact that the decline of the Mughal Empire began due to his religious fanaticism. In this country, leaders have assumed the right to grant certificates to others... I don't want to comment on who is certifying whom. However, the common belief about Aurangzeb is that he was an autocrat and a devout ruler. It is also a fact that after his reign, the Mughal Empire collapsed. Earlier, rulers sought to include everyone in governance, but Aurangzeb's policies led to division..."
India Politics LIVE | 'Munde should have resigned on the first day. He took 80 days to submit his resignation. We are not doing politics; we are demanding justice,' says NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule
After Dhananjay Munde's resignation, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule said, "On I condemn this. He should have resigned on the first day. He took 80 days to submit his resignation. We are not doing politics; we are demanding justice. We will continue to fight...Someone is hiding Krishna Andhale (absconding suspect in the case)."
Watch | BJD workers protest over Odisha govt delinking Biju Patnaik's birth anniversary from Panchayati Raj Day and cancellation of holiday on March 5
India Politics LIVE | 'Wear a 'topi' if you have a problem with applying tika': Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha to Tejashwi Yadav in Bihar Assembly debate
During a heated argument between Vijay Kumar Sinha and Tejashwi Yadav, in the assembly, Yadav said, "..... You apply 'tika', you're a sanatani and still you lie." In response, Sinha said, "....if you have so much problems with 'tika' then wear a 'topi'."
Watch | AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal arrives at the Guest house before Vipassana retreat
Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday reached Punjab's Hoshiarpur for a 10-day Vipassana session which will start from Wednesday. Along with his wife Sunita Kejriwal, the former Delhi chief minister arrived at the Forest Rest House in Chohal, about 14 kilometers from Hoshiarpur. He is joining a 10-day Vipassana meditation course at the Dhamma Dhaja Vipassana Centre (DDVC), located in village Anandgarh, around 11 km from Hoshiarpur.