India Political Highlights | Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar haven't given anything to farmers, says Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Maharashtra

Congress changes gears in J&K; Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge to visit Jammu, Srinagar.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will visit Jammu, and Srinagar on August 21 and 22 for “key meetings” ahead of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections with the party changing gears for the first electoral exercise in the troubled region since ten years.

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Nationwide protest against SC judgement on sub-classification of SCs in the quota system.

The National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately release caste data of employees in the union government to present the “correct figure” of representation, as it has the data of caste of SC, ST and OBC employees.

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Notification issued for first phase of polls in Jammu and Kashmir

The Election Commission on Tuesday issued notification for the first phase of the three-phased assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir in which 24 segments will go to polls on September 18.

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The saffron party has decided not to form any pre-poll alliance in J&K ahead of the elections.

According to Jammu and Kashmir, state party president Ravinder Raina, the BJP will not form any pre-poll alliance. He, however, said discussions are ongoing with 8 to 10 independents in the Kashmir valley for contesting the elections together. He said the party is fully geared up for Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and will announce the first list of candidates soon.

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I am extremely grateful to Hon’ble Prime Minister for the assignment given to me as the BJP’s Election Incharge for J&K: Ram Madhav

Bhim Sena members block a road during 'Bharat Bandh' in Sheikhpura.

The 'Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti' are observing a day-long Bharat Bandh today to protest the Supreme Court's recent judgment on reservations.

Scuffle breaks out between bandh supporters and Police in Jehanabad

Peaceful movement is democratic right: SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav

Apni Party releases their manifesto at party headquarters in Srinagar.

Madhya Pradesh BJP chief VD Sharma slammed the Congress party for Opposition's support to Bharat Bandh called by various OBC groups. Here's is what he said:

Private bus services remain suspended in Jharkhand.

Rapid Action Force deployed in Jaipur's Albert Hall.

Darbhanga-Delhi Bihar Sampark Express train has been stopped at the Darbhanga railway station by protesters

Bharat Bandh: Road, rail services partially affected in Odisha

The day-long Bharat bandh called by some Dalit and Adivasi groups to protest against the Supreme Court's recent verdict on the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) partially affected rail and road communications in Odisha on Wednesday.

Government offices, banks, business establishments and educational institutions are functioning normally, police said.

The Home department in a note on Tuesday, " .... advised officers and employees of various departments working in the state secretariat and heads of department building to reach office by 9.30 am."

Security has been beefed up in the state secretariat, heads of department building and other important places in the state.

(PTI)

Badlapur school sexual assault case: NCP (SP) holds protest in Pune

Demonstrations in Bihar

Bharat Bandh supporters block a road near DRM (Divisional Railway Manager) office in Danapur, Bihar.

BJP leader Kiran Choudhary files nomination papers for Rajya Sabha polls

Former Congress leader, who joined BJP earlier this year, has been fielded from Haryana for Rajya Sabha polls.

"BJP has given me a lot of respect. For this, I thank the PM, Home Ministers Amit Shah ji, Manohar Lal Khattar and all our MLAs," she said.

Watch | Bihar police lathi-charge crowd

Police lathi-charge people in Patna as they stage protest in support of a day-long Bharat Bandh against the Supreme Court's recent judgment on reservations.

Rahul Gandhi only know to mislead the people: BJP leader Madhavi Latha

 BJP leader Madhavi Latha slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over lateral entry scheme issue.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi needs to first understand that several welfare schemes, that are part of Modiji's guarantees, have been implemented in the 10 years. As far lateral entry (scheme) is concerned, Rahul Gandhi should understand first that those who have merit and experience are selected so that they can help the government. This is an honorary post for a short duration. He (Rahul Gandhi) doesn't know this. They only know to mislead the people," she told PTI.

Union Minister George Kurian files nomination paper from MP

Union Minister George Kurian files his nomination as BJP candidate from Madhya Pradesh for Rajya Sabha election

 "I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the central BJP leadership, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav, V.D. Sharma and the entire," he said after filing his nomination paper.

DH Opinion | BJP’s parliamentary majority is not a license to pursue majoritarian politics

Despite Modi 3.0 being in a coalition government, it mimics the worst practices of a majoritarian Modi 1.0 and Modi 2.0, prioritising political expediency over national progress and integrity, writes Manoj Kumar Jha.

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Here's what RLM president Upendra Kushwaha said after filing nomination paper for RS polls

"This is NDA's decision. I thank PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister and BJP president JP Nadda and CM Nitish Kumar. I also thank all the other allies of the NDA, including Chirag Paswan, Jitan Ram Manjhi for it. I have filed my nomination... NDA will gain strength in Bihar in the coming days. It will also help the NDA in the next Bihar assembly elections."

993 egg puffs consumed daily by Jagan Reddy's office? YSRCP slams 'baseless' rumours

YSRCP has slammed the rumours accusing Jagan Reddy-led Andhra Pradesh govt spending Rs 3.6 crore on egg puffs in 5 years.

MVA will call for Maharashtra Bandh over Badlapur incident on Aug 24: Sanjay Raut

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said that MVA will call for Maharashtra Bandh over Badlapur incident on August 24.

Speaking to presspersons, he said, "...We had come here to discuss seat sharing but then we thought that we would not discuss seat sharing and instead discuss the law and order in the state after the Badlapur incident. The people of Maharashtra are agitated and FIRs have been registered against those who protested. We have decided that on August 24, MVA will call for Maharashtra Bandh over the Badlapur incident."

Bharat Bandh: No adverse impact on vehicle movement in Bengaluru

The call for a Bharat Bandh on Wednesday by the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has not had a significant impact on operations in Bengaluru.

No bus disruptions were observed in Bengaluru. “All 5,700 of our buses that are running daily are operating today. There is no call for a bandh among bus operators, operations are as always,” said BMTC's Chief Traffic Manager (Operations) GT Prabhakar Reddi.

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Oppn wants to create confusion about judiciary system & PM Modi: Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Wednesday said that the Opposition wants to create confusion and rumours about the judiciary system and PM Modi.

"After the Cabinet meeting, the Centre clarified that there will be no creamy layer in SCs and STs. However, the Opposition wants to create confusion and rumours about the judiciary system and PM Modi," he said.

BRS to challenge Congress on loan waiver

BRS plans to challenge Congresson farm loan waiver by launching statewide protest tomorrow against the "cheating being done to farmers in the name of loan waiver".

"The words of the Chief Minister and those of the Ministers are contradicting each other. BRS is taking up a statewide protest tomorrow against this cheating being done to farmers in the name of loan waiver. BRS not only means Bharat Rashtra Samithi, it also means Bharat Rythu Samithi. BRS demands an unconditional loan waiver for farmers. The govt should also tell a final date when they will do this because they have already crossed two deadlines that they had promised. They promised to do it by December 9 and then later promised to do it by August 15. Both dates have passed," BRS working president KT Rama Rao said.

Rahul Gandhi leaves for Srinagar

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha & Congress MP Rahul Gandhi leaves for Srinagar. He will meet party leaders and workers in Srinagar tomorrow, August 22

Bharat Bandh: Demonstrations, marches held in UP, normal life remains largely unaffected

The Bharat Bandh had little impact on normal life in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, even as Dalit groups and political parties held demonstrations and marches in parts of the state.

Shops were open and it was business as usual in large parts of the state. Security was tightened in view of the day-long bandh called by some Dalit and Adivasi groups against a recent Supreme Court order on reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs).

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) extended their support to the bandh.

BJP leader Mamata Mohanta files nomination for Rajya Sabha by-elections

BJP leader Mamata Mohanta filed her nomination for Rajya Sabha by-elections in the presence of Odisha CM Mohan Charan Manjhi.

Ex-Jharkhand CM Champai Soren to float a new political party

Ex-Jharkhand CM Champai Soren on Wednesday announced that he will float a new political party.

"I had mentioned three options - retirement, organisation or friend. I will not retire; I will strengthen the party, a new party and if I meet a good friend on the way, then will move ahead with them...," he said while speaking to media persons.

He further said that he will also keeps doors open for alliance.

Rahul Gandhi arrives in Srinagar

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha LoP & Congress MP Rahul Gandhi arrive in Srinagar. They will meet party leaders and workers in Srinagar tomorrow, August 22.

Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar haven't given anything to farmers, says Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Maharashtra

Launching a blistering attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said they haven't given anything to farmers.

"...I assure all the farmers that we will not leave any stone unturned in doubling the income of the farmers...You all tell me has Congress ever given a single penny to the farmers...They didn't give anything...Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, only talk, but have given nothing to the farmers of the country....," he said.

"Congress people used to say that they would put money quickly but they never did, if anyone is doing the work of putting money quickly then it is Eknath Shinde and his team... I want to tell the people of Maharashtra that this is not just a scheme to empower sisters economically (Ladki Bahin Yojana)... This scheme has given a life of dignity to the sisters," he added.

Centre accords Z-plus armed VIP security cover to NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar