Politics – Page 56 – SD NEWS agency

“Democracy Doesn’t Serve Those in Power”: Mamata Banerjee Leads Protest March Against ED Raids on I-PAC Offices

9Jan

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Politics, State, West Bengal

“Democracy Doesn’t Serve Those in Power”: Mamata Banerjee Leads Protest March Against ED Raids on I-PAC Offices

Kolkata/Delhi: The political climate in West Bengal intensified following Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on the offices of I-PAC and its director. Accusing the ED of attempting to seize Trinamool Congress (TMC) electoral data, the party launched a strong political counterattack. While TMC MPs staged a protest in Delhi, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally led a protest march in Kolkata on Friday. Mamata Leads from the FrontIn a show of defiance, Mamata Banerjee, accompanied by senior TMC leaders, ministers, MPs, MLAs, and a large contingent of party supporters, marched from 8B Bus Stand towards Hazra More, chanting slogans against the BJP-led central government. Banerjee accused the central agencies of being misused for political vendetta. The Chief Minister was present at I-PA...

JJM Scam: ED Granted Prosecution Approval Against Congress Leader Mahesh Joshi by Governor

9Jan

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Politics, Rajasthan, State

JJM Scam: ED Granted Prosecution Approval Against Congress Leader Mahesh Joshi by Governor

Jaipur, January 9, 2026: Legal troubles are mounting for former Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Mahesh Joshi in connection with the alleged Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam. Governor Haribhau Bagde has granted approval for prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002, clearing the way for further legal proceedings. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is investigating the case, had earlier arrested Joshi on allegations of money laundering linked to irregularities in the Jal Jeevan Mission. ED claims that during the period when the alleged irregularities occurred, Joshi was serving as the Minister for Water Resources and his role is under scrutiny. Joshi had been taken into custody by the ED on April 24 last year, in connection with financial transactions related to...

ED Raid on I-PAC Ignites Bengal Politics: Will Mamata Banerjee Benefit in Assembly Elections?

9Jan

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Politics, State, West Bengal

ED Raid on I-PAC Ignites Bengal Politics: Will Mamata Banerjee Benefit in Assembly Elections?

Kolkata, January 9, 2026: With West Bengal gearing up for elections to its 294-member Assembly in three months, political tensions have escalated following the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid on the office of I-PAC, a private consultancy involved in election strategy. The development has opened a new chapter in the state’s corruption narrative, with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeking to shape the public discourse to their advantage. Mamata vs ED: A Rare ConfrontationTMC chief Mamata Banerjee directly intervened during the raid, marking a rare instance of a sitting Chief Minister openly confronting the ED. Accompanied by a security detail, Banerjee first visited I-PAC director Pratik Jain’s residence, emerging with a laptop and a “green fil...

BJP Launches Aggressive Campaign to Expand NDA in Tamil Nadu, Targets Anti-DMK Voters

9Jan

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Politics, State, Tamil Nadu

BJP Launches Aggressive Campaign to Expand NDA in Tamil Nadu, Targets Anti-DMK Voters

Chennai, January 9, 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ramping up its efforts to expand the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu ahead of this year’s Assembly elections. The party aims to position the NDA as the natural choice for voters opposed to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The campaign comes at a time when Tamil Nadu’s traditional bipolar political landscape is witnessing a new entrant—actor Vijay’s political outfit, TVK. BJP’s strategy is to consolidate all anti-DMK forces under the NDA banner and present a united front to the electorate. Palaniappan Meets Amit ShahAIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniappan met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday to discuss expanding the NDA’s footprint in the state. The discussions reportedly covered coalitio...

Congress Accuses Government of U-Turn on China, Demands PM Modi Explain in Budget Session

9Jan

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Nation, Politics

Congress Accuses Government of U-Turn on China, Demands PM Modi Explain in Budget Session

New Delhi: The Congress party on Friday claimed that the Modi government is planning to lift five-year-old restrictions on Chinese companies, allowing them to bid for Indian government contracts. The opposition described the move as a “calculated surrender policy” in the face of Chinese aggression and demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarify the sudden policy reversal during the upcoming Budget Session of Parliament. Lifting Old RestrictionsCongress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh shared a news report on social media, alleging that India’s Finance Ministry is preparing to remove long-standing restrictions on Chinese firms participating in government tenders. No immediate response has been issued by the government regarding these claims. Ramesh highlighted the timing of the ...

“I Never Saw Him as Deputy CM”: Eknath Shinde Opens Up About His Relationship with Fadnavis

9Jan

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Maharashtra, Politics, State

“I Never Saw Him as Deputy CM”: Eknath Shinde Opens Up About His Relationship with Fadnavis

Mumbai: Amid the ongoing municipal election campaigns in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena leader and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has spoken candidly about his working relationship with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. His remarks, made during a media interview, have sparked widespread discussion. Shinde Clarifies MisconceptionsResponding to questions about his rapport with Fadnavis, Shinde said, “Even when I was the Chief Minister, I never regarded him as Deputy CM; I always considered him a Chief Minister in his own right.” He emphasized that their relationship is based on mutual respect and cooperation, dismissing any rumors of conflict or tension. Shinde also addressed circulating speculation about a so-called “cold war” between the two leaders, calling it “entirely a creation of t...

TMC vs BJP Escalates After ED Raid on I-PAC Office Ahead of Bengal Polls

9Jan

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Politics, State, West Bengal

TMC vs BJP Escalates After ED Raid on I-PAC Office Ahead of Bengal Polls

Kolkata:A major political confrontation has erupted in West Bengal ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections following an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid on the Kolkata office of political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and the residence of its co-founder Pratik Jain. The development has intensified the ongoing battle between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with both sides taking the fight from the streets to social media. TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of misusing central investigative agencies to target political opponents, alleging that the ruling party at the Centre is resorting to “institutional pressure” as it is unable to defeat TMC democratically in Bengal. Launching the party’...

Congress Launches 45-Day “Save MNREGA” Campaign Against ‘VBGJ’ Scheme in Rajasthan

9Jan

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Politics, Rajasthan, State

Congress Launches 45-Day “Save MNREGA” Campaign Against ‘VBGJ’ Scheme in Rajasthan

Jaipur, Rajasthan: The Rajasthan Congress has announced a statewide protest against changes to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which the party claims undermine the right to work for rural citizens. The party plans to launch the “MNREGA Bachao Sangram” campaign starting January 10, spanning 45 days, to mobilize public opinion against the government’s proposed ‘VBGJ’ scheme. Congress Criticizes Government’s Move Rajasthan Congress Committee President Govind Singh Dotasra said that MGNREGA traditionally guaranteed employment to rural and marginalized communities. “The changes introduced by the central government effectively erase the Right to Work, despite claims of providing 125 days of employment. In reality, over the past two years, rural workers...

BJP Leader Rajendra Singh Yadav’s Sons Named in ₹2,000 Crore Mid-Day Meal Scam

9Jan

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Politics, Rajasthan, State

BJP Leader Rajendra Singh Yadav’s Sons Named in ₹2,000 Crore Mid-Day Meal Scam

Jaipur, Rajasthan: A massive scam in Rajasthan’s government mid-day meal program, worth over ₹2,000 crore, has sent shockwaves across the state’s political landscape. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case against 21 individuals, including the two sons of BJP leader Rajendra Singh Yadav. Investigations into the scam are ongoing. The Allegations The case alleges that Madhur Yadav and Tribhuvan Yadav, sons of Rajendra Singh Yadav, colluded with officials of the Confed department to embezzle crores of rupees intended for the scheme, which provides meals to schoolchildren in Rajasthan’s government schools. About Rajendra Singh Yadav Rajendra Singh Yadav, 66, originally hails from Kichha village, Nainital, Uttarakhand. He completed his schooling and higher education ...

‘Lalu Yadav Family Operated Like a Criminal Syndicate’: Court’s Remark and What It Means

9Jan

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Bihar, Politics, State

‘Lalu Yadav Family Operated Like a Criminal Syndicate’: Court’s Remark and What It Means

Patna/New Delhi: In a significant development in Bihar’s high-profile Land-for-Jobs scam, the Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi has framed charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi, MPs Misa Bharti, Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, and 41 accused persons. While doing so, the court made a strong and telling observation, stating that Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family functioned like a “criminal syndicate” during the execution of the alleged scam. The remark has drawn sharp political and legal attention due to its serious implications. What Exactly Did the Court Say? While delivering its order on framing of charges in the CBI case, the court observed that there are clear prima facie indications of a well‑orchestrated criminal c...