As the BJP-led NDA alliance secured a landslide victory in the recent Maharashtra elections, the question on everyone's mind is - who will become the next Chief Minister of the state? With no clear decision in sight, the alliance will meet in New Delhi to discuss the matter on Thursday. Despite pressure from its MLAs and leaders, the BJP has yet to announce their candidate for the top post, with many suggesting current Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as a potential choice. In the meantime, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde has stated that he will accept whatever decision the BJP makes regarding the CM position. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing story.
Background:
The recent Maharashtra Assembly elections witnessed a resounding victory for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), securing a comfortable majority with 170 seats out of the total 288. This has sparked a race for the Chief Minister's (CM) post, with various leaders expressing interest or being considered for the role.
Current Situation:
As of now, the BJP has not announced its official candidate for the CM position. However, current Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has emerged as a strong contender. Several BJP MLAs and leaders have voiced their support for Fadnavis, who previously served as CM from 2014 to 2019.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, who played a crucial role in the NDA's victory by breaking away from the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, has stated that he will abide by any decision taken by the BJP regarding the CM position. Shinde, who currently serves as Urban Development Minister, is seen as a potential compromise candidate between the BJP and Shiv Sena.
Top 5 FAQs:
Eknath Shinde is currently considered the frontrunner, with the BJP and Shiv Sena likely to reach an agreement on his appointment.
Fadnavis remains a strong contender, but his chances may be affected by the BJP's desire to accommodate the Shiv Sena in the government.
The Shiv Sena, with 55 MLAs, holds significant power within the NDA alliance and will likely have a say in the CM selection.
The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance is scheduled to meet in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss the CM position, with an announcement likely to follow shortly after.
The appointment of the CM will shape the political landscape of Maharashtra and determine the priorities of the new government. The choice is likely to have a significant impact on infrastructure, economic development, and social welfare initiatives in the state.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, slammed the Karnataka government for the deteriorating state of Bengaluru's infrastructure, which has resulted in an IT company moving out of the city. He criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for their negligence and corruption. Kumaraswamy appealed to the industries not to leave Bengaluru and promised to rebuild the city. He also called out the government for their failure in utilizing taxpayers' money for development and demanded answers for the same.
In a press conference, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi unveiled evidence showing a widespread conspiracy to delete voters from electoral rolls in India. He presented examples and detailed data indicating that the alleged operations were carried out through automated systems and coordinated at a centralized level. Gandhi claimed that these tactics were used to manipulate elections in several states, and also accused the Election Commission of facilitating this voter deletion.
During a press conference, Rahul Gandhi accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of aiding the suppression of votes belonging to marginalized communities like Dalits and minorities. The Election Commission denied the allegations, stating that no vote can be deleted online without proper procedures and investigation. However, the poll body did acknowledge failed attempts to delete votes in Karnataka's Aland constituency in 2023 and an FIR has been filed to investigate. The Congress leader claimed that the Election Commission is purposely obstructing investigations to hide the truth about these deletions.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi once again stirred up controversy by accusing the BJP and Election Commission of systematic voter fraud through manipulation of electoral rolls. In response, BJP MP Anurag Thakur fired back, accusing Gandhi of spreading baseless allegations and undermining democracy. The Election Commission has dismissed all of Gandhi's claims, citing that no voter's name can be deleted through online means without proper procedure.
Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi is set to address a press conference on Thursday, where he is expected to present evidence of alleged vote theft in Indian elections. Gandhi has been vocal about the issue in previous speeches, accusing the government of using unfair means to form their power. He also claimed that the Election Commission is working in collaboration with the ruling party. The Congress promised to provide proof to back their claims and expose corruption in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment in Karnataka.
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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi revealed that the party has uncovered over 6,000 voter deletions in Aland constituency, Karnataka, ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections. According to their investigation, these deletions were not random or accidental but specifically targeted booths where the party was performing strongly. The deletions were carried out through fake applications and mobile numbers from outside Karnataka, raising concerns of an organized effort to manipulate the election process. Congress is calling for a thorough investigation to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of protecting those involved in "vote chori" (vote stealing) and undermining democracy. He cited recent instances of voter deletions in Karnataka's Aland and fraudulent additions in Maharashtra's Rajura as evidence of systematic targeting of Congress voters. Speaking at a press conference, Gandhi urged for a fair and transparent election process to uphold the principles of democracy.
Congress MP and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, held a news conference and claimed that the Chief Election Commissioner is protecting those who are destroying the Constitution and democracy in India. He also alleged that a group of people is systematically cutting the votes of minority groups who vote for the Congress party. In response, politicians from different parties have dismissed his accusations and stated that he is making these statements out of desperation and frustration.
United States President Donald Trump has expressed delight at the suspension of ABC's late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, following backlash against his comments on the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Trump criticized Kimmel's talent and ratings, calling him a "total loser" and "Fake News" host. The show will reportedly be replaced by other ABC programs and has been taken off air indefinitely. This comes after Kimmel addressed the killing of Kirk during a monologue and condemned attempts to politicize the case.