Politics – Page 3 – SD NEWS agency

JJM Scam: Senior IAS Subodh Agrawal Among 170 Officers Under Probe as ACB SIT Intensifies Action

19Dec

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Politics, Rajasthan, State

JJM Scam: Senior IAS Subodh Agrawal Among 170 Officers Under Probe as ACB SIT Intensifies Action

Jaipur, Rajasthan: A major crackdown is underway in Rajasthan over the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam that took place during the previous Congress government’s tenure. Senior IAS officer Subodh Agrawal, along with around 170 other officers and employees, is now under investigation, as the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has put its Special Investigation Team (SIT) into action. Action IntensifiesRecently, the state government granted permission to file corruption cases against several officials, including Subodh Agrawal, who is set to retire this month. Remarkably, the approval came just 21 days before his retirement. The ACB had sought permission to proceed against eight officers, of which six were cleared by the state government, including the senior IAS officer. This move has escalated pr...

Rahul Gandhi Warns of Nationwide Agitation Over ‘VB–G RAM G’ Bill, Calls Modi Government’s Move a Blow to Rural India

19Dec

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Nation, Politics

Rahul Gandhi Warns of Nationwide Agitation Over ‘VB–G RAM G’ Bill, Calls Modi Government’s Move a Blow to Rural India

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized the government’s new law, ‘VB–G RAM G’, which replaces the MNREGA scheme, calling it a major conspiracy against rural India. He warned of a nationwide movement to oppose the law, describing it as a “bulldozer” that destroyed **20 years of MNREGA in a single day.” Rights-Based Scheme Turned Ration-Controlled Program Gandhi claimed that the new legislation is not a reform but an attack on the rights of rural workers. MNREGA, he said, was a rights-based, demand-driven program empowering rural laborers, improving wages, working conditions, and rural infrastructure, while reducing distress migration. Under VB–G RAM G, these rights are being curtailed, and the program is being centralized from Delhi, transforming it into a rat...

Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah Slams Nitish Kumar Over Hijab Controversy

19Dec

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jammu and kashmir, Politics, State

Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah Slams Nitish Kumar Over Hijab Controversy

Srinagar: The hijab controversy involving Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has sparked nationwide debate. Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has demanded an apology from Kumar, calling the incident “unacceptable”. Abdullah argued that if the same action had been taken against a Hindu woman, the outrage across the country would have been even greater. The remarks came after a video from Patna surfaced showing Chief Minister Kumar allegedly attempting to remove the hijab of a woman during a government function. Abdullah criticized this action, saying: "Forget that she is a Muslim woman wearing a hijab. How can anyone touch a woman’s clothing or forcibly remove it? I have never done such a thing, so why did they feel the need to interfere with someone’s attire?" Abdull...

‘Every Mafia Linked to SP’: CM Yogi Attacks Opposition Over Codeine Cough Syrup Case

19Dec

By sd newsNo Comments

Politics, State, Uttar Pradesh

‘Every Mafia Linked to SP’: CM Yogi Attacks Opposition Over Codeine Cough Syrup Case

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has openly spoken about the ongoing Codeine cough syrup smuggling case, delivering a sharp attack on the opposition. For the first time, CM Yogi linked the criminal networks involved in the illicit trade to the Samajwadi Party (SP), offering a new angle in the controversy that has dominated political discourse. Addressing the media ahead of the winter session of the UP Assembly, CM Yogi, accompanied by Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, emphasized that the state government has taken stringent action under the NDPS Act. “Police have carried out large-scale arrests. It is no secret that every active mafia in the state has connections with the Samajwadi Party,” CM Yogi said. SP Links and Investigation UpdatesThe Chie...

PMC Election 2026: 2,000 BJP Aspirants for 165 Seats, Party Faces Rebellion Risk

19Dec

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Maharashtra, Politics, State

PMC Election 2026: 2,000 BJP Aspirants for 165 Seats, Party Faces Rebellion Risk

Pune: The BJP is facing a major challenge ahead of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections. While the party needs to allocate seats to its alliance partner, Shiv Sena, it is simultaneously confronted with an overwhelming number of internal aspirants—nearly 2,000 BJP workers have applied for just 165 seats. There are concerns that dissatisfied applicants could rebel if ticket allocations do not meet their expectations. BJP Dominance in PuneVoting for the PMC will take place on 15 January 2026, with results declared on 16 January. The BJP has historically been strong in Pune, giving it a perceived advantage in the municipal elections. In 2017, the party won 98 seats in the PMC for the first time. Last year, it secured all six assembly constituencies in Pune and also controls the Pu...

Bangladesh-Pakistan Nexus vs India: ISI Active in Dhaka, India on High Alert

19Dec

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Nation, Politics

Bangladesh-Pakistan Nexus vs India: ISI Active in Dhaka, India on High Alert

New Delhi: Since the political upheaval in Bangladesh that led to Sheikh Hasina stepping down, Pakistan and its intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), have been steadily increasing their influence in the country. India is closely monitoring these developments amid rising concerns over strategic and security threats. ISI Presence in Dhaka Reports indicate that Pakistan’s ISI has established an active network in Dhaka, following the recent visit of General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. During this visit, Dhaka reportedly approved the posting of intelligence officials in the Pakistani High Commission, signaling a deepening ISI footprint in the Bangladeshi capital. Emerging Security Collaboration Strategic expert Brah...

Parliament Passes ‘Viksit Bharat – Ji Ram Ji Bill’, Opposition Protests Late into the Night

19Dec

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Nation, Politics

Parliament Passes ‘Viksit Bharat – Ji Ram Ji Bill’, Opposition Protests Late into the Night

New Delhi: Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have passed the Viksit Bharat – Ji Ram Ji Bill, 2025, granting it formal parliamentary approval, though opposition members staged protests inside and outside the Parliament. Rajya Sabha Approves the BillThe Rajya Sabha passed the bill late Thursday night after over six hours of discussion. Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan responded to the opposition’s concerns, and the House rejected several amendment proposals moved by opposition members. The Lok Sabha had approved the bill earlier in the day. Addressing the House, Chouhan said the bill aims to carry forward Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals and realize the vision of a developed India by creating developed villages as its foundation. He rejected allegations that the bill seeks ...

Air Pollution in Delhi-NCR: SP MP Blames Cremations and Holika Dahan, Giriraj Singh Fires Back

19Dec

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Nation, Politics

Air Pollution in Delhi-NCR: SP MP Blames Cremations and Holika Dahan, Giriraj Singh Fires Back

New Delhi: Samajwadi Party MP R.K. Chaudhary has attributed the hazardous air quality in Delhi-NCR to cremations and Holika Dahan celebrations, sparking a sharp response from BJP leader and Union Minister Giriraj Singh. MP Chaudhary Raises Environmental ConcernsSpeaking on Thursday, MP Chaudhary from Mohanlalganj, Uttar Pradesh, said that burning corpses releases carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, which deplete oxygen in the atmosphere. He added that fires during Holika Dahan also emit significant amounts of these gases. “Our country is not serious about tackling air pollution,” Chaudhary remarked. Addressing ANI, the SP leader, who has previously served as Environment Minister, said, “The way environmental work is being carried out is flawed. Most NGOs and government departments fo...

Historic Step for India’s Nuclear Sector: Parliament Passes SHANTI Bill Allowing Private Participation

19Dec

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Nation, Politics

Historic Step for India’s Nuclear Sector: Parliament Passes SHANTI Bill Allowing Private Participation

New Delhi: On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the passage of the SHANTI Bill by both houses of Parliament as a “historic and transformative step” for India’s technological landscape. He expressed gratitude to all Members of Parliament who voted in favor of the legislation, which allows private sector participation in the country’s nuclear energy sector. The Prime Minister shared his remarks on social media platform X following the bill’s approval. PM Modi Highlights the Bill’s ImpactPrime Minister Modi stated that the new law will promote Artificial Intelligence (AI) safely, strengthen green manufacturing, and provide a significant push toward a clean energy-based future for India and the world. He added that the SHANTI Bill will open new avenues for private players and yo...

A Strategic Challenge Bigger Than 1971: Shashi Tharoor-Led Panel Raises Alert Over Bangladesh

19Dec

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Nation, Politics

A Strategic Challenge Bigger Than 1971: Shashi Tharoor-Led Panel Raises Alert Over Bangladesh

New Delhi: The current situation in Bangladesh is increasingly becoming a source of concern for India. A parliamentary standing committee on foreign affairs, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, has issued a significant warning regarding the developments in the neighboring country. According to the panel, the evolving political and security landscape in Bangladesh presents India with its most serious strategic challenge since the 1971 war. The report highlights the resurgence of Islamic forces, the weakening of domestic political structures, and the growing influence of China and Pakistan in Dhaka. Key Findings of the ReportThe committee presented its 9th report to the Lok Sabha on Thursday, titled “The Future of India-Bangladesh Relations.” While the panel clarified that the situat...