Regional

Mumbai, June 7 (IANS) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday criticised Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his write-up in a daily in which he alleged that Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2024 were a blueprint for rigging democracy.

CM Fadnavis in his reaction said: “Rahul Gandhi has accepted his defeat in Bihar! As long as Rahul Gandhi keeps giving himself false assurances, his party can never win. By making such baseless remarks, Rahul Gandhi has insulted the voters of Maharashtra, and for this, I strongly condemn him.”

On the other hand, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora also targeted Rahul Gandhi. He said: “Blaming the Election Commission or EVMs months after losing reeks of sour grapes. Instead of peddling conspiracy theories, the Opposition should take a long, hard look in the mirror. After all, a bad carpenter always blames his tools.”

Earlier, Congress in-charge (Maharashtra) Ramesh Chennithala claimed that the state's democracy was not defeated but it was butchered.

Strongly defending Rahul Gandhi’s observations in his write-up, he said that with irrefutable facts and unflinching clarity the leader of opposition has exposed a chilling truth. “The mandate of the people in Maharashtra was hijacked — not by the will of the voters, but through manipulation, deceit, and a systematic assault on democratic institutions,” he alleged.

“Rahul Gandhi’s powerful expose is not merely an article — it is a wake-up call. It exposes how Maharashtra, once a proud torchbearer of democratic values, has become a cautionary tale of how institutions can be compromised, how power can be snatched instead of earned, and how silence can become complicity. This is no longer about one state or one election. It is about the soul of our democracy,” said Chennithala.

“We urge the Election Commission to break its silence. The people of Maharashtra — and of India — deserve answers.We call upon every citizen to stay vigilant, stay informed, and stay united. For if we allow such subversion to go unchecked, we may soon lose not just elections — but the very freedoms that define us,” he added.

Further, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshwardhan Sapkal said that Rahul Gandhi’s article sparked a political earthquake and asked why there is no probe into Maharashtra Assembly election fixing.

“Why are BJP leaders Amit Shah and Devendra Fadnavis answering questions meant for the Election Commission? Why is the Commission silent? The ‘Maharashtra Pattern’ of vote tampering is a conspiracy to be used in Bihar, Mumbai civic polls, and upcoming local body elections,” he alleged.

He announced that the Congress would hold torchlight protests across Maharashtra on June 12.

--IANS

sj/pgh

Bhopal, June 7 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday said that all public beneficiary schemes introduced by his predecessor and former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan will continue.

Chief Minister Yadav reiterated this while addressing a programme organised by the state government in Sehore district, in the presence of Union Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

"The opposition (Congress) always questions our intention. In the presence of ex-CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, let me make it clear that no scheme introduced during his tenure will be stopped. We together will make efforts to arrange adequate funds for all the schemes," CM Yadav said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also indicated that his government is considering for increasing monthly installment of 'Ladli Behna Yojana', the much-talked about women-centric scheme which was introduced by Shivraj Chouhan ahead of the state Assembly elections in 2023.

"Rakshabandhan festival is coming and let me take this opportunity to announce that Madhya Pradesh government is going to increase cash benefit to women under Ladli Behna Yojana up to Rs 3,000 against Rs 1,250 at present," Yadav said.

Sehore district, which is located near the state capital Bhopal, is home district of Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and it falls under Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency being represented by him.

During the programme, Mohan Yadav and Shivraj Chouhan jointly laid the foundation of several projects worth more than Rs 130 crore.

While addressing the programme, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reiterated complete support and cooperation to CM Yadav, saying he believes that his successor would do a better job than him for the growth of the state.

"I am not the one who would say I have done this and that. I will be happier if Mohan Yadav do better than me for the people of Madhya Pradesh," Shivraj Singh Chouhan said while addressing a public rally in Sehore.

Meanwhile, he also mentioned that his padyatra carried out in his hometown Budhni was presented in a 'wrong way'. He said that some mediapersons had made assessments on their own.

"But, let me make it clear that the party's instructions are important. Mohan Yadav is Chief Minister, and I am Union Agriculture Minister," he said. Speaking further, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that being a public representative, he must come to visit the people of his constituency, and it should not be interpreted otherwise.

"But some mediapersons tried to speculate that in another way which was totally wrong," the Union Minister said.

He was referring to a two-day 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Padyatra' in the Vidisha constituency which was organised in May to highlight the welfare schemes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.

Along with many of his supporters, his family members including son and daughter-in-law had also participated on the second day of padyatra.

--IANS

pd/

Ludhiana, June 7 (IANS) BJP national General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Saturday demanded that the Election Commission of India immediately ban election campaigning by AAP leaders who are facing criminal charges in Punjab’s bypoll.

Taking strong exception to the campaigning being conducted by Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, the BJP demanded that they be prohibited from entering the Ludhiana (East) Assembly constituency. Chugh said Kejriwal has been plotting a backdoor entry into the Rajya Sabha from Punjab, and his “dubious political games are a grave insult to the people of Punjab”.

Demanding intervention by the ECI, Chugh reiterated that AAP leaders facing serious criminal allegations should be barred from campaigning in the constituency. Chugh also campaigned across various wards of the constituency, appealing to voters to strengthen Prime Minister Modi's vision for Punjab, particularly for the welfare of farmers.

He further urged the Ludhiana administration not to succumb to the pressure exerted by individuals like Kejriwal, who are under trial for corruption-related charges in Delhi.

The BJP has fielded Jiwan Gupta for the four-cornered by-election on June 19. The state’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in February announced Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora as its candidate for the seat that fell vacant following the demise of sitting party MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi. The 58-year-old legislator died after sustaining a gunshot wound to his head at his house in January.

For the by-election, the main Opposition Congress has fielded former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, who is being accused in a multi-crore foodgrain transportation and labour cartage tender scam.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has nominated Parupkar Singh Ghuman for the bypoll.

In the 2022 Assembly election, the AAP won the Ludhiana West seat with 34.36 per cent vote share. Gogi had secured 40,443 votes as compared to his nearest rival from the Congress, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, who got 32,931 votes with 28.06 per cent vote share.

--IANS

vg/uk

Patna, June 7 (IANS) Amid growing speculation about his return to Bihar politics, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan on Saturday dropped hints of contesting the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, saying the final decision rests with the party’s Parliamentary Board.

Chirag Paswan, who arrived in Patna to a warm reception by party workers, stated that contesting Bihar Assembly elections would be a strategic move aimed at strengthening his party’s position and boosting the strike rate of the NDA.

“Discussions are ongoing about whether or not I will contest the Assembly elections. The final decision will be taken by the Parliamentary Board,” Chirag Paswan said without providing a direct answer but clearly signalling openness to the idea.

Chirag Paswan had previously expressed his desire to return to active Bihar politics, and senior party leaders — including Jamui MP and his brother-in-law Arun Bharti — have endorsed him as the "hope of Bihar’s people" and the potential CM face of the party.

However, Chirag Paswan has firmly denied any ambition to replace Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, emphasising that his priority is to strengthen the NDA.

“Some people within the alliance are trying to spread confusion by suggesting I have my eyes on the CM's chair. I want to clarify -- if I contest, it will be to energise the party workers and increase our alliance’s strike rate, not for personal ambition,” he said.

Paswan also drew parallels with the BJP, pointing out that senior leaders and even Union Ministers often contest state elections to rally support on the ground.

Speaking on the rising crime in Bihar, the Union Minister acknowledged the public concern and assured that he has conveyed his apprehensions to the state administration.

“Yes, there have been worrying incidents in Bihar. I am not in the state government and don’t have MLAs, but I’m part of the broader policy-making ecosystem. I’ve shared my concerns with the government. I would be visiting Muzaffarpur to meet the family affected by the recent gruesome incident of rape.”

Meanwhile, Chirag Paswan also lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has been vocal against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He dismissed Gandhi’s repeated allegations of EVM tampering and match-fixing in elections.

“When the Congress loses, they blame EVMs. Rahul Gandhi should introspect why, despite ruling for nearly 55 years, the public continues to reject the Congress,” Paswan said.

He also criticised the Opposition’s attacks on Prime Minister Modi, saying: “The opposition has no concrete issues to raise. Simply speaking against the Prime Minister without substance does no good.”

Chirag Paswan reiterated his unwavering support for Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, saying the goal is to form a stronger government than before under his leadership.

“This is not about individuals; it’s about the alliance. I fully support CM Nitish Kumar. The NDA will return to power with a stronger mandate,” he said.

--IANS

ajk/pgh

Gaya (Bihar), June 7 (IANS) The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, continues to be a lifeline for countless Indians. Offering free medical treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary hospital care, the scheme has emerged as a game-changer in India's healthcare landscape—especially for the poor and lower-middle-class population.

In Bihar’s Gaya district, the impact of this flagship scheme is evident in the story of Lalan Chaudhary, a farmer originally from Nalanda district. Currently undergoing treatment at Magadh Medical College in Gaya, Lalan is receiving all his medical services—surgery, medicines, accommodation, and food—completely free of cost through his Ayushman Bharat card.

Speaking to IANS, Lalan Chaudhary, a beneficiary, said, “The hips of both my legs were damaged. I’ve been under treatment for the last one and a half months, and it’s all being done free of cost through the Ayushman card. Where would poor people like us get Rs 5 lakh for treatment? We are grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Medicines, food—everything is taken care of. This is a very good scheme.”

Chaudhary learned about the scheme when a government outreach team visited his village.

“They helped us make the Ayushman card at home itself. Now, many people in our village are benefiting from it,” he added.

Such personal accounts reflect the broader transformation in India’s healthcare ecosystem over the last decade. Through a combination of digitisation, public sector engagement, and targeted welfare initiatives, the Government has brought quality healthcare within reach for millions who previously struggled with high costs and red tape.

Crucially, Ayushman Bharat addresses the needs of the "missing middle"—families who neither qualify for traditional subsidies nor can afford costly private insurance. By enabling access to timely hospitalisation and treatment without pushing families into debt, it has shifted the narrative around medical affordability.

As of May 30, 2025, more than 41 crore Ayushman cards have been issued across 33 States and Union Territories. These have enabled over 8.5 crore hospital admissions, translating into Rs 1.19 lakh crore worth of treatment covered. A robust network of nearly 32,000 empanelled hospitals, including both public and private facilities, ensures that beneficiaries like Lalan Chaudhary receive uninterrupted medical care.

The scheme’s reach was further expanded in October 2024, when the Government extended coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income status. This has particularly benefited elderly citizens in the middle-income group, offering peace of mind to families burdened by rising medical expenses.

In tandem with Ayushman Bharat, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is revolutionising access to affordable medicines. What began with just 80 outlets in 2014 has now grown into a network of 16,469 Jan Aushadhi Kendras. These stores provide high-quality generic medicines at 50-80 per cent lower prices than their branded counterparts, all certified by WHO-GMP standards.

Together, these schemes are ushering in a silent but powerful healthcare revolution in India—bridging the gap between policy and people, and turning the right to health into a lived reality.

--IANS

jk/uk

New Delhi, June 7 (IANS) The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) achieved a breakthrough of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) at the Tughlakabad Railway Colony Underground Metro Station site, an official said on Saturday.

This milestone was achieved as part of work on the Golden Line (Tughlakabad–Aerocity corridor) under Phase-IV of the Delhi Metro network.

The breakthrough was achieved in the presence of Delhi Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh who lauded the engineering precision.

He said that such breakthroughs reaffirm the Central government’s commitment to modern, sustainable urban infrastructure that enhances ease of living, reduces road congestion, and contributes to environmental sustainability.

“Ever since our government came to power in Delhi, we have worked to restore the public’s trust — and this is now clearly visible in the progress of long-delayed metro phases,” he said.

“What was once stalled is now moving at full speed. Today’s breakthrough is not just a technical achievement, but a symbol of renewed momentum. In many ways, this event serves both as an inspection and a celebration,” said Singh.

“Going forward, we will further accelerate metro expansion and ensure that Delhi’s citizens receive the quality infrastructure and services they truly deserve,” said the Minister.

Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, DMRC, along with other senior officials and engineers were also present on the occasion.

The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) completed the excavation of a 0.792-kilometre-long tunnel, breaking through at the Tughlakabad Railway Colony station using a 96-metre-long tunnel boring machine.

This is one of the two parallel circular tunnels being constructed for the up and down movement of metro trains. The second parallel tunnel is expected to see a breakthrough by July 2025.

The tunnel has been built at an average depth of 18 metres, with an inner diameter of 5.8 metres, and comprises approximately 566 precast concrete rings produced at a fully mechanised casting yard in Mundka.

As of now, under Phase-IV, about 40.109 kilometres of underground lines are being constructed, with the Aerocity–Tughlakabad corridor alone contributing 19.343 km of underground sections, said a statement.

--IANS

rch/pgh

Patna, June 7 (IANS) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has once again accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of electoral malpractice, claiming that the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections "could be fixed, just like the Maharashtra polls last year".

The Congress MP's statement has triggered a flurry of sharp reactions from leaders across the NDA, including the BJP and JD-U in Bihar.

Reacting strongly to the allegation, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said that Rahul Gandhi’s comments reflect his pre-emptive acceptance of defeat.

“It is natural for a person who has consistently lost to make such statements. If someone does not trust the democratic system, he should resign and leave it,” Choudhary said, underscoring that elections in India are conducted under a robust and impartial framework.

“He holds a good record of continuous defeat. His statement reflects deep frustration at not being able to digest the country’s progress,” Choudhary said.

Adding to the criticism, Union Minister Lalan Singh (JD-U) questioned Rahul Gandhi’s 'political consistency', stating: “When his party wins in Telangana or Karnataka, then the election is fair. But when Congress loses, it becomes match-fixing. This clearly shows his double standards.”

Earlier, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi also expressed a similar view and said Rahul Gandhi has accepted defeat.

Notably, Rahul Gandhi's latest allegations came just months ahead of the high-stakes Bihar Assembly elections.

His reference to the post-poll developments in Maharashtra -- where the government formation process faced accusations of manipulation and political engineering -- has reignited the debate over electoral fairness.

However, NDA leaders argue that such statements are part of a narrative built to delegitimise institutions and distract from the Congress party’s repeated electoral setbacks.

Political analysts believe that with campaigning intensifying, these war of words between the Opposition and ruling alliance signals a fiercely contested election season in Bihar.

--IANS

ajk/pgh

Chamoli (Uttarakhand), June 7 (IANS) Farmers in Uttarakhand’s district of Chamoli are witnessing tangible economic improvements, thanks to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, a flagship initiative of the Central Government that provides direct financial support to small and marginal farmers.

Under this ambitious scheme, eligible farmers receive Rs 6,000 annually in three equal installments of Rs 2,000, directly credited to their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). To date, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released 19 installments under the scheme, and Chamoli has not remained untouched by its impact. According to official data, 48,664 farmers in the district are actively benefiting from PM-KISAN.

The scheme has not only eased the financial burden of farmers but has also contributed significantly to agricultural productivity and self-reliance.

IANS visited Chamoli and spoke with several beneficiaries to understand how this initiative has impacted their lives.

Hori Lal, a beneficiary, expressed gratitude for the assistance: “I am getting money under this scheme. I want to thank the central government. It has really helped us.”

Harish Lal, another farmer, said, “This money helps us buy seeds and pesticides. I want to thank PM Modi for bringing such a scheme to life.”

Pradeep Kumar echoed similar sentiments, saying, “I am receiving the money in regular instalments. It’s a big help for farmers like us. Thank you to the Prime Minister.”

PM-KISAN, launched in 2019, is designed to supplement farmers’ incomes. It aims to ensure dignified livelihoods, reduce dependence on informal credit, and boost agricultural efficiency. The transparency and reliability of DBT ensure that the funds reach the intended beneficiaries on time, without middlemen or delays.

The latest, 19th instalment was released in February 2025 and benefited more than 9.8 crore farmers across the country, including 2.4 crore women. Earlier, instalments were disbursed in October 2024 and June 2024.

With the 20th instalment expected in June 2025, anticipation is building among farmers as the scheme continues to support their efforts on the ground. Though the official release date and location are yet to be announced, it is expected that Prime Minister Modi will again preside over the disbursement ceremony.

--IANS

jk/uk

Chennai, June 7 (IANS) Union Minister of State L. Murugan on Saturday accused Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of raising the issue of delimitation only to divert public attention from the state government’s failures.

Addressing reporters in Coimbatore, Murugan said the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister have already assured that the delimitation exercise, when undertaken, would not harm any state or its population balance. “No one from the Centre has brought up the issue recently, yet Stalin continues to speak about it repeatedly. It is nothing more than a political distraction,” Murugan alleged.

He criticised the DMK government’s performance over the past four years, claiming that the common people of Tamil Nadu are suffering due to rising property taxes, increased electricity tariffs, and corruption within the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC). “The DMK government has failed to address core issues affecting the people. Instead of focusing on governance, Stalin tries to pin the blame on the central government for everything,” the Union Minister added.

Murugan also questioned the state government’s stance on conducting a caste census. Citing the examples of Bihar and Telangana, where caste-based surveys have already been completed, he alleged that Stalin lacks the political will to carry out such an exercise in Tamil Nadu.

“If the governments in Bihar and Telangana can successfully conduct caste surveys, what is stopping the DMK? It’s clear that they are only interested in rhetoric, not action,” he said.

Murugan’s remarks come at a time when the BJP is making renewed efforts to expand its footprint in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

The Centre’s position on sensitive issues like delimitation and caste census has gained prominence in recent debates, with opposition leaders voicing apprehensions about potential impacts on southern states. However, the Union government has maintained that any future delimitation exercise will be handled with due consideration and consensus, without adversely affecting any state.

--IANS

aal/uk