Reporter Raquel Camila

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to spearhead the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections, beginning with a key meeting in Haryana’s Panchkula on Saturday. The party is gearing up for elections in Haryana, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra, slated for the end of the year. Amit Shah is set to chair an organisational meeting in Haryana’s Panchkula to discuss the Assembly polls and the party’s strategy. In Haryana, Shah will preside over an organizational meeting to strategize for the Assembly polls. The BJP is determined to secure a third term in the state despite a challenging landscape. In 2019, after a sweeping victory in the Lok Sabha elections, the party fell short of a majority in the Haryana Assembly and had to partner with the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) to form a government. Recently, the BJP-JJP alliance dissolved, and Nayab Singh Saini replaced Manohar Lal Khattar as Chief Minister, reflecting the BJP’s focus on caste dynamics. Following the...

Arjun Munda, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Khunti, Jharkhand, shares insights on governance, development, and tribal welfare in an exclusive interview with The Indian Express. From farmers’ welfare to combating corruption, Munda addresses a wide range of issues impacting the region and its people. Arjun Munda at his residence in Ranchi during an interview with The Indian Express, before heading out for his campaign in Khunti. In the interview, Munda discusses the importance of policies over personal politics, emphasizing the need for a constructive agenda for the country. He reflects on his tenure as Chief Minister and outlines his vision for the development of Khunti, focusing on eco-villages and sustainable growth initiatives. Touching upon sensitive topics such as tribal sentiments and the Pathalgadi movement, Munda highlights the significance of unity and contribution towards the nation’s progress. He addresses concerns about infrastructure and implementation challenges, st...

 Before his unexpected demotion, Akash Anand of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) took aim at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during his Lok Sabha campaign in Uttar Pradesh. While his aunt, Mayawati, typically directs her criticisms towards the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP), Akash’s speeches were marked by sharp rebukes against the ruling party. The same day as the Unnao speech, Akash called the BJP government “atankwadiyon ki sarkar (a government of terrorists)”. The tipping point leading to his demotion came after a speech on April 28, where he referred to the BJP as “atankwadiyon ki sarkar” (a government of terrorists). Akash’s speeches last month showcased his unwavering focus on the BJP: April 6, Nagina: He criticized the BJP’s pride in being called the “bulldozer ki sarkar” (government of bulldozers), labeling them as fools for it. April 24, Gorakhpur: Akash termed Uttar Pradesh as the “kidnapping capital” and rebranded Yogi Adityanath’s government as “gaddaron ki sarkar” (a...

With the release of its first list of Lok Sabha candidates, the BJP has kickstarted its election campaign, focusing on continuity and strategic changes. Out of 195 candidates announced across 18 states, over half are existing MPs, showcasing the party’s confidence in its incumbents. However, significant reshuffles are observed, particularly in seats won during the 2019 elections. BJP supporters during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meeting ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, at Nandanam YMCA Ground in Chennai The BJP’s strategy involves re-fielding 108 sitting MPs and reintroducing 8 leaders who lost in the last elections. Notably, only 3 of the new faces are recent additions who were sitting MPs from other parties. The decision to retain incumbents reflects the party’s trust in proven performers, while simultaneously introducing fresh faces to invigorate its ranks. States where the BJP holds a strong presence witness minimal changes, such as Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. However...

  Hyderabad police said Friday night they had arrested two of five juveniles allegedly involved in the gangrape of a 17-year-old in an upscale area of the city a week ago. The assault happened on the evening of May 28, with a complaint being lodged on May 31. However, it took police another three days to take action. The BJP alleged that two of the accused are being sheltered by their political families. On Friday night, DCP Joel Davis said two of the five suspects had been taken into custody and were being questioned. To know more: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/hyderabad/in-hyderabad-2-of-5-juvenile-accused-in-teens-rape-arrested-bjp-alleges-vip-links-7951795/