Blog: Blog | Lok Sabha Elections: Hopes, Aspirations And Rivalries In Aligarh

While Banias remain firmly with the BJP, Brahmins are divided between the two candidates from their community.

GST emerge as major poll issues for lock industry traders

Aligarh: High GST rates, pandemic effect and Chinese locks the triple whammy undercutting the livelihoods of thousands of workers and traders in Uttar Pradesh's famed 'Tala Nagri' has emerged as a major concern this election and voters are looking for a candidate who will pull the lock industry out of the slump. The Rs 4,000 crore industry of Aligarh, where lock making is likened to an art dating back to the Mughals, is not so robust anymore with shifting global market dynamics taking their toll. With Lok Sabha elections just two days away, the clamour for decisive action that will save the livelihood of the estimated one lakh people dependent on the lock industry is growing. And at the centre of the problems, say industry insiders, are high GST rates, which in turn have led to a surge in Chinese lock imports. The steep GST rates have made it increasingly challenging for us to compete with Chinese locks flooding the market at significantly lower prices, said Omvir Singh, owner of a cottage lock factory. Traditionally a BJP supporter, Singh said he would however like to give another chance to the ruling government in the upcoming elections. I was hopeful that the incumbent MP would be replaced because he did nothing for us in the past 10 years despite relying on our votes as we are his core-voter base but for Modi and Hindutva, I will give this government a last chance, he said. Several smaller manufacturers indicated that they have been compelled to cease operations due to their inability to withstand the competition, coupled with the burden of high taxes and the adverse effects of pandemic-induced lockdowns on their businesses. What they need, said several stakeholders, is a candidate capable of addressing their grievances and rejuvenating the industry's prospects. Aligarh votes on April 26 in the second phase of the elections. In the fray are incumbent BJP MP Satish Kumar Gautam, Samajwadi Party's Birendra Singh and Bahujan Samaj Party candidate Bunty Upadhyay. Many in this western Uttar Pradesh town, once synonymous with the craft of lock making, were wary of being identified. The workforce, estimated a lock unit owner, has dwindled to nearly half. He highlighted the disparity in tax rates and production costs, which leads to a stark difference in prices that renders locally produced locks less competitive compared to the Chinese ones. He also stressed the necessity for policies that bolster 'Make in India' initiatives, reduce GST rates, and address import challenges from China. He pushed for a government that could lower GST rates and invest in automation technology to enhance competitiveness. We would want someone who could drive change in our dying industry and bring more innovations because the competition is fierce, he said. The transition to GST at 18 per cent, replacing the former 5 per cent VAT, has triggered a cascade of issues, affecting even the workers whose wages have been cut. Anita, a worker in 'Tala Nagri', said she and her colleagues work longer hours for less money. Machines remain idle, demand is low, and wages have not kept pace with rising living costs, she said. Anita earns Rs 200 a day for nine hours of work in a windowless, cramped room. Her daily wage has increased by just Rs 50 since 2019, while inflation continues to soar. With a family of seven to support, most of my salary goes towards purchasing food, but even affording vegetables is a challenge now, she said. Despite her hardships, Anita expressed her intent to vote for the 'kamal' (BJP's party symbol) due to a perceived lack of alternative options. Her story finds resonance across the lock industry. While some like Anita continue to throw their support behind the BJP, there are also those seeking change. Anita's colleague, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, is one of them. Bahut ho gaya ab (Enough is enough), she said, feeding steel sheets into a roller, preparing them for the intricate lock production process. She wants an alternative that prioritises wage increases. Against the backdrop of the elections, she reflected on the challenges confronting artisans like herself. The steadily rising costs of raw materials and overheads have impacted our trade, she said, emphasising the need for governmental support to safeguard traditional industries like lock manufacturing.

Uttar Pradesh: RLD onboard, BJP looks for dominance

LUCKNOW: Having acquired more political muscle through Jat support by taking Jayant Chaudhury-led RLD onboard, the BJP is aiming for a dominance on the eight seats Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh and Mathura set to vote on April 26, while the Opposition bloc is ready to put a stiff fight. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP, while facing the challenge from SP-BSP-RLD grand alliance, won seven of these seats. Only Amroha was won by the alliance. In 2024, the BJP has reworked its strategy by allying with the RLD and allotting the Baghpat seat to the party that has Jats as its core support base. To regain lost ground, the SP has tied up with the Congress. The BSP is going it alone. In this phase, both SP and Congress are contesting on four seats each as per their seat-sharing arrangement. While the SP has fielded candidates in Meerut, Baghpat, Gautam Buddha Nagar and Aligarh, Congress will contest in Ghaziabad, Mathura, Amroha and Bulandshahr. The fate of former Union minister Mahesh Sharma, who is seeking a third term on the BJP ticket from Gautam Budh Nagar, Ramayan fame actor Arun Govil in Meerut and actress Hema Malini, who is seeking a hat-trick from Mathura, will be decided in this phase. Former Mumbai Police commissioner Satya Pal Singh is not in the fray this time. He had defeated RLD chief Ajit Singh in Baghpat in 2014 and Jayant Chaudhary in 2019. BJP has allotted Baghpat to the RLD and Dr Rajkumar Sangwan has been fielded as NDA candidate. Amroha is set to witness a contest among Congresss Danish Ali, BJPs Kanwar Singh Tanwar, and BSPs Dr Mujahid Hussain. The BSP suspended Ali, who was its MP from Amroha, last year for anti-party activities and he joined the Congress. The BJP stronghold Meerut will witness a three-way fight among BJPs Arun Govil, SPs Sunita Verma and BSPs Devvrat Kumar Tyagi. In Meerut, the S P has fielded dalit candidate Sunita Verma replacing OBC aspirant Atul Pradhan. The BJP won the seat in 1996, losing it to Congress in 1999 and BSP in 2004. BJPs Rajendra Agrawal, who has been denied the ticket this time, won the Meerut seat in 2009, 2014 and 2019. The BJP has replaced Agarwal with Govil. Baghpat, an RLD bastion, is in for a three-cornered contest among RLDs Rajkumar Sangwan, SPs Amarpal Sharma and BSPs Praveen Baisala. Former PM Chaudhary Charan Singh had won the seat thrice in 1977, 1980 and 1984. His son Ajit Singh won it in 1989, 1991, 1996, 1999, 2004 and 2009. However, BJP candidate Sompal won the seat in 1998. A BJP bastion since it came into existence in 2008, the Ghaziabad seat is set for a fight between BJPs Atul Garg, Congresss Dolly Sharma and BSPs Nandkishor Pundhir. The BJP is banking on the popularity of Garg to retain the seat, while BSP plans to cash in on anger among Rajputs in rural areas over denial of ticket to two-time BJP MP and Union minister General (retd) VK Singh. The Congress is working on the Brahmin-Muslim formula. In Gautam Budhh Nagar, Mahesh Sharma, who was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2014 and 2019, is seeking a third term as the BJP candidate. He is facing the SPs Rahul Awana, a Gujjar leader, and BSPs Rajendra Singh Solanki, a Rajput. The Bulandshahr reserved seat is all set for a contest among BJPs Bhola Singh, who won the seat in 2014 and 2019, BSPs Girish Chandra, MP from Nagina, and Congresss Shiv Ram Valmiki. In Aligarh, BJPs Satish Gautam (Brahmin), who won the seat in 2014 and 2019, is in the fray for a third term. The BSP has fielded a Brahmin candidate, Hitendra Kumar aka Bunty Upadhyay, a former BJP leader. The SP has nominated Bijendra Singh. In Mathura, two-time BJP MP Hema Malini is seeking a third term. She is pitted against Mukesh Dhangar of Congress and Suresh Singh of BSP. The Congress was earlier planning to field boxer Vijendra Singh in Mathura but he joined BJP.

PM has no bias, he had only reacted to Congress manifesto, says Tamilisai Soundararajan

COIMBATORE: Former Governor and BJPs South Chennai candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not discriminate against minorities and he had only reacted to the Lok Sabha election manifesto of the Congress party. Interacting with the media at the Coimbatore International Airport, Tamilisai asserted that Modis mantra is development and growth for all and he never differentiated between the minority and majority communities. In a recent election speech the PM warned that the Congress wants to distribute the nations wealth among infiltrators and those who have more children if it comes to power. This is widely deemed to be a reference to the Muslim community. Actually the PM stated that our countrys resources are plundered and our property should not go into the hands of infiltrators as over one crore who intruded into West Bengal were issued ration cards by the state government, Tamilisai clarified. In her defence of the BJP stalwart, Tamilisai also said even Muslims benefited from the central governments popular schemes. Muslims too were among the 10 crore beneficiaries of free LPG connections and the National Health Protection Scheme. However, the opposition parties are creating an impression that only they can protect the minorities. By projecting the BJP and Prime Minister Modi as against them (minorities) they are trying to make it a major issue in the election campaign, she said. Tamilisai also charged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was not in the country to speak against it. We dont know where he is now. It is sad the Congress is accusing the PM when the party is having a leader like Rahul Gandhi who is unable to stand with the people during the election, said Tamilisai in an apparent reference to his recent absence from the poll campaign owing to ill-health. While referring to the BJP governments efforts to empower Muslim women, Tamilisai also took potshots at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. Despite CM Stalin speaking about womens rights, he did not take steps to help Muslim women go to the Hajj alone. However, the PM has given visa relaxation and appointed a woman as the V-C of Aligarh Muslim University, she remarked. Tamilisai also raked up her partys claim that the names of several eligible voters in the state were missing from electoral rolls. She urged the Election Commission to reconsider including the voters in the list as lakhs of voters were denied the right to franchise. Its sad that the Election Commission officials are saying that they can rectify the fault in the voters list only in the next election, she said. Tamilisai also questioned why CM Stalin, who is raising his voice even for small issues, remains silent over the alleged deletion of voters from the list. She also visited the temple near Perumanallur at her native place. ECI urged to ban Modis campaigns Madurai: Various human rights organisations like the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and the Peoples Watch, have requested the ECI to impose a ban on PM Narendra Modis election campaigns, after he allegedly violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and used pejorative language against minority communities during a recent canvassing trail. The bodies collectively submitted a petition to Collector-cum-Returning Officer MS Sangeetha, in which they said that PM had made a hate speech in Rajasthans Banswara. Modis speech, the statement added, was aimed at instigating hatred between Hindus and Muslims.

LS Polls: UP govt to provide medical kits for polling personnel in 2nd phase to combat hot conditions

LS Polls: UP govt to provide medical kits for polling personnel in 2nd phase to combat hot conditions In view of the soaring temperatures in Uttar Pradesh, medical kits to address health conditions such as heatstroke, will be provided to the polling personnel for the voting scheduled on April 26 across 8 constituencies in the second phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Directions have also been issued to ensure all necessary facilities for polling personnel and voters at polling stations. The polling parties will depart for polling stations on April 25 (Thursday) to ensure fair and peaceful elections in the state. The eight constituencies of UP that are going to polls in the second phase include Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, and Mathura. These 8 Lok Sabha seats fall under 9 districts of the state, namely, Amroha, Hapur, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, and Mathura. State Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa said that instructions have been given to all the District Election Officers to send polling parties on time for the second phase of voting in 8 Lok Sabha constituencies scheduled for April 26. He mentioned that directions have been issued to all the concerned District Election Officers to ensure necessary facilities for voters and polling personnel at polling centres and polling booths. Before the departure of polling parties, the polling personnel will be provided with medical kits to address health conditions such as heatstroke. Because of the heat, tents, sheds, drinking water arrangements and other necessary facilities will be installed as per the guidelines issued earlier. In compliance with the directives of the Election Commission of India, continuous operations are being carried out across Uttar Pradesh by the Police, Income Tax, Excise, Narcotics, and other departments. For thorough inspection, 480 interstate check posts and 1836 check posts within the state are operational. From March 16 to April 23, 2024, the Police department seized 495 licensed weapons from criminals whereas licenses for 4553 weapons were revoked and deposited. Notices have been issued under the CrPC to 2,532,068 individuals over concerns of peace disruption, of which 2,061,166 have already been restricted. Additionally, the Police department seized 7650 unlicensed weapons, 7753 cartridges, 2900.32 kilograms of explosives, and 411 bombs. Besides, raids were conducted on 3153 illegal weapon manufacturing centres, while 148 were busted. On April 23, licenses for 249 weapons owned by criminals were revoked and deposited by the Police department. Under the CrPC, 36,978 individuals were restricted as a preventive measure. Additionally, 105 unlicensed weapons and 171 cartridges were seized. Raids were conducted on 96 illegal weapon manufacturing centres by the police. (ANI)

BJP MP From Hathras Rajvir Diler, 65, Dies After Prolonged Illness

BJP MP from Hathras, Rajvir Diler, (65) passed away at a hospital in Aligarh following a prolonged illness on Wednesday, party leaders said.

Lock Industry In Aligarh Grapples With High GST Rates And Chinese Imports Ahead Of Polls

The Rs 4,000 crore industry of Aligarh, where lock making is likened to an art dating back to the Mughals, is not so robust anymore with shifting global market dynamics taking their toll.

Campaigning on eight LS seats for second phase in UP ends today

Lucknow: Campaigning for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections in eight seats of western will conclude on Wednesday evening. The eight seats where polls will be held in the second phase are Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh and Mathura. Polling for the second phase will be held on April 26. Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Aligarh Lok Sabha polls: Opposition highlights high GST rates, MSP as key issues, BJP bats on development of 10 yrs

In the lead-up to the upcoming elections in Aligarh, concerns about high GST rates, MSP for farmers, inflation, and unemployment have taken center stage. The opposition parties are highlighting these issues, while the BJP is banking on its developmental work over the past decade.

PM Modi doesn't do politics on religion basis: Rajnath Singh

Noida: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has never done politics on the basis of religion or by dividing the society and stressed that his predecessor Dr Manmohan Singh had in 2006 talked about extending reservation for the Muslims.The defence minister made the remarks at an election rally in Greater Noida in support of BJP's Gautam Buddh Nagar Lok Sabha candidate Mahesh Sharma. Prime Minister Modi on Sunday suggested that if the Congress comes to power, it would redistribute wealth of people to the Muslims and cited Dr Singh's remark that the minority community had the first claim on the country's resources. Addressing a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara, Modi also alleged the Congress plans to give people's hard-earned money and valuables to infiltrators and hose who have more children. Addressing a gathering at Bisahda village in Greater Noida, the defence minister attacked the opposition for creating a ruckus at this time and trying to put a question mark on Prime Minister Modi. Sisters and brothers, it's not that I know the prime minister from today. We have had very good relations for a long time. He has never done politics of Hindu, Muslim and Christian. Our prime minister never thought of doing politics by dividing the society, Singh said. He (Modi) said at one place that Congress has said in its manifesto that we will get the properties surveyed. If it is said in the manifesto then why should people have any objection to it. What do you want to do by getting the properties surveyed? Do you want to distribute the country's resources equally? What do you want to do? he asked. The veteran BJP leader also asked the Congress to clear its position on the matter. Dr Manmohan Singh ji was the prime minister of India. I respect Dr Manmohan Singh ji even today, I have respect for him, brothers and sisters. Dr Manmohan Singh himself in the meeting of the National Defence Council at the Vigyan Bhawan on December 9, 2006, had said that if anyone has the first right on the property of this country, it is the minority and especially he had said that it belongs to the Muslims, Singh said. Sisters and brothers, whatever property and whatever resources there are in this country, everyone should have equal rights, he had said this, we did not say this. Now when the prime minister said this, these people created an uproar over it, he added. Singh said the Congress-led government had in the past formed several commissions, which had recommended in their report that out of the 27 per cent reservation for the OBCs, 6 per cent should be for the Muslims and 2 per cent should be for the minorities. We did not make this commission, he added. Escalating his attack on the Congress, Singh said, It did not stop at this. If someone from the Scheduled Caste converts, he should be given reservation despite the change of religion. Not only this, they (Congress) also ended the reservation of SC-ST in Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University. These people have formed the government by dividing the country equally on the basis of Hindu and Muslim, he alleged. The senior BJP leader stressed that his party does not want to make the country by dividing it on the basis of caste, creed, religion, Hindu, Muslim or Christian, but wants to make India a great country of the world by keeping everyone together. Singh also slammed the opposition parties for their critical comments over the victory of a BJP Lok Sabha candidate in Surat, Gujarat, after he was elected unopposed. One of our candidates has won unopposed in Surat, Gujarat, the process of BJP's victory has started. But people of Congress and other political parties are saying that this is a threat to democracy. I want to ask this, I want to say to the friends of the Congress, I want to say to the people of the other party -- do not do politics by throwing dust in the eyes of the public, do politics by looking the public in the eye if you have the courage, Singh said. You also had your governments. Many times the MPs were elected unopposed. If your MP wins unopposed, democracy becomes stronger and if one of our MPs wins, democracy becomes weaker, he added. The BJP leader reminded that Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav had won unopposed in the by-election in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, in 2012. At that the time the Congress or the BSP did not see democracy in danger. Where do these people want to take the country? Singh asked. I say this often that don't do politics by misleading the public, instead look them in the eyes and do politics. They have made a 'tamasha' of everything. They want to seek public support by misleading them, he said. Also I urge the friends from the press, if I say something wrong, print it in newspapers and run it in on the television. I am someone who would acknowledge if I make a mistake. I am saying this because I have never engaged in politics by deceiving the public, he added.

Modi tarnished dignity of PMs post: Namrta

Mahila Cong resents PMs remarks Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 23: J&K Congress has not only termed the statement given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Aligarh on Monday, targeting the Congress, pointing towards the Mangalsutra of women, completely irresponsible but has also termed it as a cruel joke along with the dignity of the post of Prime Minister. Partys general secretary and woman leader Namrta Sharma flanked by senior leader Kanta Bhan, general secretary PCC Santosh Majotra, secretary Jyoti Vaid, [] The post Modi tarnished dignity of PMs post: Namrta appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

My mom sacrificed her mangalsutra for this nation: Priyanka Gandhi

The day following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement in Aligarh, reiterating that Congress would not hesitate to seize even the mangalsutras of our mothers and sisters, AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra highlighted instances of sacrifice within her family. She mentioned that her mother, Sonia Gandhi, had sacrificed her mangalsutra for the country, while her grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, had donated gold to support the nation during times of war.

LS polls: Riding on development, welfare; BJP eyes retaining Aligarh against challenge of anti-incumbency, INDIA bloc

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Congress wants to seize your hard earned money and property: PM Modi

Addressing an election rally in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Congress and the INDI Alliance had a dangerous intention.Today, I must warn the people of Aligarh and the nation about the dangerous intentions of the Congress and INDI Alliance. The Congress and its allies have...

Lot of work has to be done in next five years...: BJP candidate Hema Malini

Lot of work has to be done in next five years...: BJP candidate Hema Malini Bhartiya Janta Party Lok Sabha Candidate and two-term Member of Parliament from Mathura, Hema Malini, said on Tuesday that many developmental works have been completed and a lot of work has to be done in the next five years in Mathura with the support of the party. Hema Malini told ANI, I feel proud that I have done a lot of work and I have to do a lot of work in the next five years with the support of Prime Minister Modi Ji, Amit Shah Ji, Nadda ji and Yogi Ji. A lot of good development work has been done here, including the 84 Kos Parikrama, the purification of Yamuna, centres for girls education, and theatres as centres for cultural activities. Along with the darshan of the temple, you will get to see various cultural activities here. Responding to the question of how many seats the BJP will win this time, Hema Malini said that they will win 80 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. Our party is saying that we will win from Mathura by a margin of more than 5 lakh votes. We will win by more votes than before. I appeal to all the people to vote when voting takes place on April 26th. Everyone should participate in it. I also appeal to the people of India that everyone should go and vote; each of your votes is very important, she said. Further, speaking on the Srikrishna Janambhoomi dispute, the BJP candidate from Mathura said that the issue is in the court and the court will decide but we are planning to make corridor for Banke Bihari Ji very beautiful, which is very congested and very soon work will start. Challenge is a challenge. You should not take it lightly. So, we will work hard, we have the capability to win. We have our work to show. Who will vote for someone who has not done anything? What has the INDIA bloc done till date? We will definitely cross 400, she added. The seats which will go to polls in the second phase on April 26 included-- Amroha, Meerut, Mathura, Baghpat, Aligarh, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar and Bulandshahar. (ANI)

Who is Naima Khatoon, AMU's first female VC in a century?

Naima Khatoon, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), marks a historic milestone as the institution's first female VC in over a century. With a distinguished career spanning academia and administration, Khatoon brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role.

Meet Naima Khatoon, Aligarh University's First Woman Vice-Chancellor In 100 Years

Professor Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The Ministry of Education appointed Ms Khatoon after receiving approval from President Droupadi Murmu, who serves as the Visitor of the university.

Naima Khatoon becomes first woman Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University

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Beware of panja on your property

Modi criticized Congress for lying about their manifesto. He warned of asset confiscation if Congress wins. The speech in Aligarh emphasized asset redistribution, zero-tolerance on terrorism, and development initiatives.

Aligarh Muslim University gets 1st woman Vice-Chancellor in over 100 years

Aligarh Muslim University gets st woman ViceChancellor in over years

Naima Khatoon AMUs first woman VC in 100 years

NEW DELHI: Naima Khatoon has been appointed Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), making her the first woman to hold the top position in over 100 years. She was appointed after receiving approval from President Droupadi Murmu, who is the Visitor to the University. She has been appointed VC from the date on which she enters her office or the date on which she completes seventy years of age, whichever is earlier, a notification issued by AMU said. Permission from the Election Commission of India (ECI) was also sought given the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) being in place due to the Lok Sabha elections. The notification said that the ECI has stated that the commission has no objection from the MCC angle to the proposal related to the appointment of the AMU VC subject to the condition that no political mileage be derived from it. Khatoon, who completed her PhD in psychology from AMU, was appointed as a lecturer in the same department in 1988 before being elevated to professor in 2006. She continued there before being appointed the principal of the Womens College in 2014. Founded in 1875, Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College became AMU in 1920, following the Aligarh Muslim University Act. In September 2020, AMU completed 100 years as a university, becoming one of the oldest universities in India. In 1920, Begum Sultan Jahan was appointed as the AMU chancellor. She continues to be the only woman to have held the post.

PM Modi doubles down on 'asset redistribution' charge in Aligarh, skips Muslim reference

PM Modi warns against Congress's Communist-like asset redistribution plan, highlights concerns about property confiscation and redistribution. He criticizes SP for criminal activities and emphasizes his government's welfare initiatives, causing sleepless nights for the opposition post Ram temple event.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP's incumbent MP Mahesh Sharma to face SP, BSP candidates in Gautam Buddha Nagar in Phase 2

The Gautam Buddha Nagar constituency will go to polls in the second phase on April 26 along with Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Mathura and Bulandshahr seats in Uttar Pradesh.

Naima Ist woman VC of AMU in 100 years

NEW DELHI, Apr 22: Naima Khatoon has been appointed as Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), making her first woman to hold the top post in over 100 years, sources said on Monday. Khatoon was appointed after receiving approval from President Droupadi Murmu, who is Visitor to the University, they said. Permission from the Election Commission of India (ECI) was also sought in view of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) being in place, they said. Naima Khatoon, [] The post Naima Ist woman VC of AMU in 100 years appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

PM Modi doubles down on 'asset redistribution' charge in Aligarh

Continuing from his previous remarks in Banswara, Rajasthan, PM Modi criticized the Congress for advocating the Maoist plan aimed at wealth redistribution. However, he refrained from explicitly suggesting that Muslims might be the primary beneficiaries of such a scheme. The fresh attack coincided with Congresss claim that PM had lied about their manifesto. Modi, however, stuck to his guns referring to the manifesto and Rahuls speeches.

PM Modi renews 'snatch, redistribute wealth' attack on Congress; tries to woo Muslims in Aligarh speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi seemed to address the concerns of Muslims a day after accusing the Congress party of attempting to seize people's wealth and redistribute it to Muslims. Speaking at an election rally in Aligarh on Monday, Modi emphasized the initiation of discussions on the issues faced by Pasmanda Muslims, the enactment of laws to abolish instant triple talaq, and the increase in the Haj quota.

PM Modi's redistribution of wealth remarks: What does Congress manifesto actually say?

NEW DELHI: A huge political row has erupted over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech that the Congress manifesto promised that the party will redistribute wealth among infiltrators, if it comes to power. While the opposition parties are up in arms about the PM's speech and had approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking action, the controversy has turned the spotlight on the Congress election manifesto , which was released on April 5. I want to warn the countrymen. Congress and the INDI alliance have their eyes on your earnings and your property. The 'Shehzada' of Congress says that if their government comes to power, they will investigate who earns how much, who has how many properties...Our mothers and sisters have gold. It is 'stree dhan', it is considered sacred, and the law also protects it. Now these people's eyes are on the 'Mangalsutra' of women. Their intention is to steal the gold of mothers and sisters.If you have an old ancestor's home in your village and you also purchased a small flat in your city for the future of your children. Then they will take away one of the two, said Prime Minister Modi during an election rally in Aligarh. PM's remark against Muslims and Congress atrocious; silence of EC even more so: CPM On Sunday, Modi made similar claims during a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara. To buttress his claims, Modi also referred to former PM Manmohan Singh's remark that the minority community had the first claim on the country's assets. The Congress, which has contested the PMs claims that the party says so in its manifesto, has said it will approach the Election Commission demanding action against Modi. It has also said that its chiefMallikarjun Khargehassought an appointment with Modi to educate him on the Congress manifesto. This is not the first time that Modi is attacking Congress for its promises made in the manifesto. Just a day after the Congress released the manifesto, the PM attacked it saying that the manifesto completely bears the imprint of the Muslim League. Congress issued a bundle of lies in its manifesto every page reeks of attempts to tear India apart. It reflects the thoughts the Muslim League had before independence, the PM had said during a rally in Uttar Pradeshs Saharanpur. PM Modi has resorted to lies: Congress on his 'redistribution of wealth' remarks On Wealth distribution Recalibrating its strategies for the 2024 elections, the Congress manifesto hinges prominently on the themes of social justice and equity. In the manifesto, the party has promised to conduct a Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) to enumerate the castes and sub-castes and their socio-economic conditions. If the Opposition alliance comes to power, the party also pledged to pass a constitutional amendment to remove the Supreme Court-mandated 50 percent cap on reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC). The Congresss poll strategy in the recent assembly elections also revolved around the plank of caste census and social justice, though it did not resonate with the electorate. We will first conduct a nationwide caste census to determine how many people belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and minorities. After that, we will conduct a financial and institutional survey in a historic step to ascertain the distribution of wealth, Rahul Gandhi had said during the release of the manifesto in Telangana. Gandhis renewed call to expand caste quotas and surveys for wealth redistribution has sparked debate with many seeking clarity on his proposal. However, Praveen Chakravarty, a key member of the manifesto committee dismissed such arguments as ludicrous. Sharing a video message in X, Chakravarty said that Gandhi was referring to a more philosophical idea 'Jitni Abadi, Utna Haq' (rights proportional to population). The Congress has nowhere in the 48-page manifesto mentioned that we will take away someones wealth and give it to someone else. Its bizarre to even say that. We do not want to get into anyones house. It is the BJP who has been doing it, he said Rahul Gandhis question was shouldnt we aspire for a society that is representative in the rewards and the benefits as per identity?. Now we can have a legitimate debate on that. Is it utopian or not utopian or is it too idealistic or pragmatic. Mr Gandhi believes it can be aspired for. It does not mean barging into someones house and taking their wealth away, said Chakravarty. On BJPs Muslim League imprint claim While PM Modi and the BJP have been attacking the Congress over the Muslim League imprint in the manifesto, the Congress leaders challenge the BJP to find a single reference to Hindu or Muslim in the document. The manifesto is also silent on the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act ( CAA),a dominant political issue in the 2024 general elections. 2024 LS polls: PM Modi claims Congress manifesto 'bears imprint of Muslim League' BJP defends Modi's remarks on Congress redistributing money to Muslims On minorities, the manifesto said, We will encourage reform of personal laws. Such reform must be undertaken with the participation and consent of the communities concerned. The party also promises not to interfere with personal choices of food and dress, to love and marry, and to travel and reside in any part of India. It adds that all existing laws and rules which interfere unreasonably with personal freedoms will be repealed. On the upliftment of minorities, it said, the economic empowerment of minorities is a necessary step for India to realise its full potential and promises to ensure that banks will provide institutional credit to minorities without discrimination. we will ensure that the minorities receive their fair share of opportunities in education, healthcare, public employment, public works contracts, skill development, sports and cultural activities without discrimination. Responding to the Muslim League barbs, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had responded everyone knows how Syama Prasad Mookerjee formed his governments in Bengal, Sindh, and NWFP (North West Frontier Province) in the 1940s in coalition with the Muslim League.Modi-Shah's political and ideological ancestors supported the British and Muslim League against the Indians in the freedom struggle. Congress hits back at PM Modi's 'Muslim League' jibe, says BJP practicing 'politics of divisiveness'

In 100 Years, AMU Gets First Woman VC

SRINAGAR: Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), making her the first woman to hold the top post in over 100 years. Khatoons appointment was made by the Ministry of Education (MoE) after receiving approval from President Droupadi Murmu, who is Visitor to the University, officials said [] The post In 100 Years, AMU Gets First Woman VC appeared first on Kashmir Life .

Aligarh Muslim University Gets 1st Woman Vice-Chancellor

Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), making her the first woman to hold the top post in over 100 years, sources said on Monday.

First woman in 100 years, Naima Khatoon appointed as AMU V-C

New Delhi: Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), making her the first woman to hold the top post in over 100 years, sources said on Monday. Khatoon was appointed after receiving approval from President Droupadi Murmu, who is Visitor to the University, they said. Also ReadAligarh Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Naima Khatoon appointed as AMU's first female Vice Chancellor in over 100 years

Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), making her the first woman to hold this position in over a century. Her appointment follows approval from President Droupadi Murmu, with permission also sought from the Election Commission of India due to the Model Code of Conduct being in effect. Khatoon, a PhD holder in psychology from AMU, has a long-standing association with the university, having joined as a lecturer in 1988 and later serving as the principal of the Women's College.

Congress will snatch away people's wealth, says Modi

New Delhi/Aligarh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reiterated that the Congress would snatch away the property of Indians if it came to power at the centre. Asserting that the grand old party believed in the politics of appeasement, the Prime Minister claimed this was the mindset of Naxals and Communists. Addressing a rally in Uttar Pradeshs Aligarh, a Muslim-dominated constituency, the Prime Minister accused the Congress and its I.N.D.I.A. bloc ally Samajwadi Party of doing politics of appeasement. Parties like the Congress-SP always practiced appeasement politics and never did anything for the political-social-economic upliftment of Muslims, he said. On Sunday, while addressing a rally in Rajasthan, the Prime Minister had triggered a row by claiming that the Congress believed that Muslims have the first right to the wealth of the nation. In Aligarh, however, the Prime Minister changed tack and spoke of his governments contribution by coming to the aid of Muslims, be it triple talaq, increasing the Haj quota and making visa rules easier for Muslims to visit Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. Slamming the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, the Prime Minister said, the I.N.D.I.A. bloc members are hopeless, unwilling to look towards the future. They question why I speak of a developed India or making us the third-largest economic power. All they care about is their family and power greed. Warning the people of Aligarh against the Congress-SP, Modi said, they (Opposition) plan to confiscate property and money as they see fit, based on a survey they conduct. This is akin to Communist ideology, which has ruined many countries. Now, they want to implement this policy in India These family-oriented politicians have amassed vast fortunes by looting the people and have never shared their wealth with the poor, he said. The Prime Minister noted that Congress leaders have openly declared that if they come to power, they will investigate everyones earnings and property, even down to how much gold women possess, how many FDs employees have, and how much land farmers own. Hitting out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, he said: When I first came to Aligarh, I asked you to lock away the factories of nepotism, corruption and appeasement. You locked them so tight that even the two shehzaades cant find the key. Talking about several development initiatives aimed at the uplift of various sections of society, the Prime Minister noted that he had requested the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia to increase the Haj quota. Today, not only has Indias Haj quota increased but visa rules have also been made easier. The government has also allowed women to go for Haj without Mehram, he said. Asserting that under the BJP-rule peace reigns in Aligarh, Modi said, Curfews were a daily ordeal in Aligarh, but not anymore. Under the SP government, riots, murders, and gang wars plagued us. Today, under Yogijis governance, peace reigns, and our sisters and daughters walk freely, without fear, he said.

Congress will snatch mangalsutra of mothers and sisters: Modi

At an election rally in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, PM says he has done much for Pasmanda Muslims and women

Modi makes redistribution of wealth charge against Congress again, but no mention of Muslims this time

Aligarh (UP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday accused the Congress again of planning to redistribute peoples property if it is voted to power, but stopped short of saying that the wealth would go to Muslims. Addressing an election rally in western Uttar Pradeshs Aligarh, a constituency with a sizeable Muslim population, Modi accused the opposition []

PM Modi reiterates 'Congress will steal Indian women's Mangalsutra' jibe in Aligarh rally

Modi Rekindles 'Wealth Redistribution' Allegations Against Congress

Modi Rekindles 'Wealth Redistribution' Allegations Against Congress Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the Congress again of planning to redistribute peoples property if it is voted to power, but stopped short of saying that the wealth would go to Muslims. Addressing an election rally in western Uttar Pradeshs Aligarh, a constituency with a sizeable Muslim population, Modi accused the opposition Congress and the Samajwadi Party of following a policy of appeasement and yet doing nothing to uplift the socio-economic condition of the community. In contrast, he cited the enactment of a law against instant triple talaq and an increase in the Haj quota as moves during the BJP governments term to help the community. On Sunday, the prime minister had triggered a political row by claiming that the Congress manifesto promised redistribution of wealth after conducting a survey. Citing former prime minister Manmohan Singhs 2006 remark on Muslims having the first claim on the countrys resources, Modi said in Rajasthans Banswara that the Congress was set to hand over the wealth of others to infiltrators and those who have more children''. In Aligarh Monday, Modi repeated the point about redistribution of wealth, saying he wanted to alert people about the intentions of the Congress and the opposition INDIA bloc. ''The Congress shahzade (prince) says if his government comes, they will investigate who earns how much and how much property they have. Not only this, he further says the government will take over the property and redistribute it. This is what their election manifesto is saying,'' he claimed, referring to Rahul Gandhi. ''Just think, our mothers and daughters have gold. This is stridhan (womens property). It is considered sacred, even the law protects it. But now they are eyeing a change in law and snatching the property of our mothers and sisters, he said. These people have their eyes on their manglasutras, Modi added, accusing the opposition of trying to steal the gold women possessed. He claimed that the opposition planned to conduct a survey of the property owned by salaried people. If you own two homes, it will snatch one the Congress will go that far, he said. ''This is Maoist thinking... this is communist thinking. By doing this they have ruined so many countries. Now the Congress and the INDI Alliance want to implement the same policy in India, the prime minister said. But, unlike in the Rajasthan speech that triggered the opposition charge of hate speech, Modi stopped short of saying that the wealth will be distributed among Muslims. He also did not refer to Manmohan Singhs statement made nearly two decade back. He said the Congress and the SP followed a policy of appeasement without doing anything for the social and economic progress of Muslims, and also referred to the Pasmanda Muslims the backward sections among the community. The lives of a number of daughters were ruined due to triple talaq. We made a law against it and made the future of the daughters secure,'' he said. Attacking the opposition, he said the 'parivarwadi' people have created empires by looting people and not giving anything to the poor from their immense wealth. Now their eyes have fallen on the property of people of the country. The Congress considers it as their birthright to loot people's wealth,'' he charged. The PM said the people of Aligarh had put a lock on dynastic politics, corruption and the appeasement practised by the two shahzade. The reference was to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, who are fighting the Lok Sabha elections as allies. He referred to law and order in Uttar Pradesh and the security situation on the country's borders earlier when our brave sons were martyred every day. Today all this has stopped. Earlier, terrorists used to explode bombs, serial blasts took place. Even Ayodhya and Kashi were not spared. Bomb blasts used to happen every day in big cities, now there has been a full stop on serial bomb attacks,'' he said. ''What we did in 10 years is just a trailer, we have to do a lot of work, he said. The prime minister said he will work constantly for the country. Modi is born for 'mehnat' (hard work), not 'mauj' (enjoyment). Aligarh will vote on April 26 in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections. UP has 80 parliamentary constituencies, the highest number among all states.

PM Doubles Down Amid Row: Congress Will Take Away Your Homes, Jewels

New Delhi, Apr 22: Amid the massive row over his remarks at Rajasthan's Banswara, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today doubled down on his property redistribution charge at the Congress, alleging that the Opposition party is eyeing the property of citizens and wants to loot it. Addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh, he said members [] The post PM Doubles Down Amid Row: Congress Will Take Away Your Homes, Jewels appeared first on Northlines .

Pavna Industries Signs Agreement With OLA Electric To Provide Auto Components

As part of the pact, it will provide auto components like ignition switches and latches to OLA Electric across its manufacturing plants in India from its manufacturing unit at Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, Pavna Industries said in a statement.

Put Aligarh lock on fate of SP, BSP: CM Yogi Adityanath asks voters

Adityanath urges 'Aligarh lock' in polls, supports candidates. Criticizes neglect by opposition, manipulation of faith. PM Modi's contributions garner BJP support. Mention of Aligarh University, defence corridor, Surya Tilak ceremony, and UP ministers.

Pavna Industries Expands into EV Market with Strategic Partnership with OLA Electric

Pavna Industries Expands into EV Market with Strategic Partnership with OLA Electric Steel and automotive player Pavna Industries on Monday said it has signed an agreement with EV player OLA Electric to supply auto components, marking an entry into the domestic EV sector. As part of the pact, it will provide auto components like ignition switches and latches to OLA Electric across its manufacturing plants in India from its manufacturing unit at Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, Pavna Industries said in a statement. ''With this partnership, we are foraying into the two-wheeler electric vehicle segment,'' Pavna Industries Managing Director Swapnil Jain said. Shares of the UP-based Pavna Group closed at Rs 561.40 apiece, up 4.99 per cent from its previous close on the BSE.

At Aligarh rally, PM Modi again accuses Congress of planning to redistribute wealth

Echoing the remarks made a day earlier in Rajasthan, PM Modi said at a poll rally here that the Congress planned to conduct a survey peoples possessions and redistribute them

'You have put a lock to the factories of nepotism, corruption and appeasement of SP and Congress': PM Modi

PM Modi criticizes opposition, praises BJP initiatives, and condemns dynastic politics in Aligarh rally. Mentions strong lock legacy, financial survey criticism, and Triple talaq law support. Addresses Muslim appeasement issue and Yogi Adityanath's governance in UP.

`They Are Eyeing Your Property...`: PM Modi `Warns` Aligarh Against Congress

PM Modi alleged that the Congress party is embracing Maoist and communist ideologies, with intentions to seize the possessions and valuables of the common people.

UP : Put Aligarhi lock on the fate of Cong, SP, BSP: Yogi

Aligarh (UP): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Monday that Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Congress neglected the development of Aligarh, manipulated faith, tried to breach security and said that now is the chance to put Aligarh lock on their fate and entrust the countrys leadership to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for []

UP:Congress, SP have done nothing for economic upliftment of Muslims: PM Modi

Aligarh: Slamming Congress and Samajwadi Party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged that these political parties have always done politics of appeasement and have never done anything for the social and economic upliftment of Muslims. Addressing an election rally for the Lok Sabha Elections at Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh Prime Minister Modi said The people at the []

Congress, Oppn have eyes on peoples properties, planning to redistribute: PM Modi at Aligarh rally

When I discuss plight of Pasmanda Muslims: PM Modi slams Congress, SP in Aligarh

The News Mill

PM Modi Briefs Public Rally In Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh | Lok Sabha Elections 2024 | English News

PM Modi Briefs Public Rally In Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh | Lok Sabha Elections 2024 | English News Riots, murders, gang wars, extortion etc were the trademarks of the SP government, this was their identity and their politics was also run by this. But now in Yogi Ji's government: PM Modi briefs public meeting in

PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath in Aligarh

PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath in Aligarh

LS polls: PM Modi to campaign in UP today

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public meeting in Uttar Pradeshs Aligarh at 2 p.m. on Monday. Prime Minister Modi will campaign for the BJP candidate from Aligarh Lok Sabha seat, Satish Gautam. Also ReadNearly 66K Indians officially became American citizens in 2022: CRS report Home Minister Amit Shah will address a Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Samajwadi Party struggling to save its Mainpuri, Kannauj bastions: UP minister

Samajwadi Party struggling to save its Mainpuri, Kannauj bastions: UP minister The Samajwadi Party is struggling to save its bastions of Mainpuri and Kannauj in the Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh Minister Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary said on Sunday and claimed that there is no impact of its alliance with the Congress. The Congress virtually has no public support in the state. As a result, there is no impact of its alliance with the Samajwadi Party, he claimed. Chaudhary, the minister for sugarcane development, said, ''The Samajwadi Party is struggling to save its Mainpuri and Kannauj seats and it will be extremely difficult for the party to save those.'' In Mainpuri, the BJP has fielded UP Minister Jaiveer Singh against Dimple Yadav, the incumbent MP and the wife of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. Mainpuri goes to the polls in the third phase on May 7. In Kannauj, which goes to the polls in the fourth phase on May 13, the BJP has fielded sitting MP Subrat Pathak. The Samajwadi Party is yet to announce its candidate from the seat. Chaudhary further claimed that the BJP's alliance with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) will prevent the division of about 20 per cent Jat votes as more than 70 per cent people from the community have so far been voting for the saffron party. The minister also asserted that the BJP will sweep western Uttar Pradesh, like it did in previous elections. ''In Mathura, Hema Malini will set a record for victory margin in the state,'' he said. The BJP's Hema Malini is eyeing a third term in the Lok Sabha from Mathura. Owing to the welfare programmes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the administration of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the BJP will register convincing victories in all 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Chaudhary admitted that while the poll battle will not be a cakewalk for the party in a few areas due to the caste factor, the BJP will ultimately win the elections on the back of the government's welfare programmes. The minister also lashed out at Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, saying, ''Her latest trick to give tickets to Muslims is not going to work. I have visited three constituencies of western Uttar Pradesh but did not find any support for the BSP.'' Chaudhary claimed the BJP will also get votes from Muslims after the Centre introduced a law criminalising triple talaq and other welfare programmes. Mathura will vote in the second phase of polling on April 26, alongside Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Bulandshahr and Aligarh.

Aligarh Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Check key candidates, date of voting and other important details

Situated in Western Uttar Pradesh, the historic city holds significance as one of the 80 parliamentary constituencies in the state.

Aligarh Muslim voters deem LS polls crucial for protecting communitys rights

Aligarh: Campaigning in Aligarh is subdued with major parties focusing on their core support bases. In the Muslim community, views on this Lok Sabha election seem to vary, with some seeing it as crucial for Indias pluralism while others feel neglected by political parties. Muslims are a sizeable community in the Aligarh parliamentary constituency. According Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

This election crucial for protecting community's rights, pluralism, say Muslim voters in Aligarh

This election crucial for protecting community's rights, pluralism, say Muslim voters in Aligarh Campaigning in Aligarh is subdued with major parties focusing on their core support bases. In the Muslim community, views on this Lok Sabha election seem to vary, with some seeing it as crucial for India's pluralism while others feel neglected by political parties. Muslims are a sizeable community in the Aligarh parliamentary constituency. According to the 2011 Census, Islam is the second-most popular religion in Aligarh city, a lock-making hub in western Uttar Pradesh, with over 40 per cent of people following it. ''For me, this election is about safeguarding the Constitution, which grants me and everyone else in this country the right to equality,'' Shadab Khan, a 45-year-old driver at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), said. Many others in Aligarh's Muslim community echoed his sentiment. Syed Aamir, a worker at a local eatery in the city's Shamshad market, described this election as a matter of survival for pluralism in India. ''If we don't vote now, we may lose this chance forever,'' Aamir said. There is also a sense of disillusionment among some Muslim voters as well, such as Mohammad Shiraz from Aligarh's Civil Lines area who feels overlooked by political parties. ''The ruling party doesn't need our vote and the opposition assumes we have no choice but to vote for them. That is why even though the elections are just a few days away, no party worker has approached us, let alone candidates,'' Shiraz said, highlighting a perceived lack of engagement from political actors. Amid all this, election campaigning in Aligarh remains relatively subdued, with candidates from major parties like the BJP and the Samajwadi Party (SP) focusing heavily on specific demographic groups. The BJP's incumbent MP Satish Gautam is prioritising outreach to the trader community, a traditional support base for his party, while the SP is concentrating on mobilising support from Jat villages. ''Our alliance is fighting on Hindu-Muslim unity in Aligarh, that goes without saying, but just like in exams, you concentrate more on tough subjects. We are doing the same but we carry the welfare of the Muslim community in our hearts,'' a Samajwadi Party functionary told PTI. Mohammad Sajjad, a professor at AMU's history department, that in the current atmosphere of ''majoritarian consolidation'', minority voters often feel redundant. He felt that issues such as economic inequality and religious pluralism have been overshadowing. ''The way majoritarian consolidation has been observed for many years, the question is not about Muslim votes anymore. It is about whether Hindu voters should lean towards Hindutva or a pluralist and tolerant Hinduism. Whether they will vote based on economic issues such as poverty, unemployment, economic inequality or solely on matters of religious supremacism,'' he told PTI. ''This decision will ultimately be made by the majority community; the minority of 10-12 per cent does not retain such specific importance. This is something the Hindus have to decide,'' Sajjad added. AMU, one of India's largest residential universities, stands as a focal point in this narrative. According to academic experts like Dr Iftekhar Ahmad Ansari, the institution embodies India's secular and pluralistic ethos but also faces the challenge of adapting to evolving democratic and societal demands. ''Muslims have never voted as a conservative block as they have been labelled to. They have not voted en-masse... but they vote for those who can best conserve and foster their culture which they have been brought up into and that is the plural culture,'' Ansari said. ''Even at AMU, the perception of Muslims of having conservative mindset or that they have the herd mentality is not the fact here they have been very open-minded,'' the associate professor at the political science department told PTI. Professor Syed Ali Nadeem Rezavi also expressed similar views, saying there is not a single Muslim here who can be termed ''anti-national''. ''The Muslims here would talk about their rights and doing that does not make you anti-national,'' he said. Aligarh goes to poll in the second phase of elections on April 26. Khair, Baroli, Atroli, Kol and Aligarh city are assembly segments in the Aligarh parliamentary constituency.

In Aligarh, In the city of locks, Urdu as the key to a brighter future

The Supreme Court has reserved verdict on the legal challenge to the minority status of AMU, but non-Muslims make up at least 30% of its student strength and the university will remain the pre-eminent educational institution in the region for the foreseeable future

Historian Irfan Habib Says 'Marathas Gave Aligarh Its Name'- Maratha History Researcher Says 'Not True'

NHAI to monetise 33 highway stretches in FY25

New Delhi: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has identified 33 highway stretches including in Odisha, cumulatively spanning 2,741 km to monetise during the current financial year through toll operate transfer (TOT) and infrastructure investment trust (InvIT) modes. The identified stretches include Panikoili-Rimuli in Odisha, Lucknow-Aligarh, KanpurAyodhya-Gorakhpur and Bareilly-Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, Gurugram-Kotputli-Jaipur bypass and []

NHAI Identifies 33 Highway Stretches For Monetisation Through ToT/InvIT Modes

The identified stretches include Lucknow-Aligarh, Kanpur-Ayodhya-Gorakhpur, and Bareilly-Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, Gurugram-Kotputli-Jaipur bypass and Jaipur-Kishangarh in Rajasthan, Panikoili-Rimuli in Odisha, Chennai bypass in Tamil Nadu, and Muzaffarpur-Darbhanga-Purnia highway in Bihar.

NHAI identifies 33 highway stretches for monetisation in FY25

NHAI plans to monetise 33 highway stretches covering 2,741 kilometres in the current fiscal year through toll operate transfer (TOT) and infrastructure investment trust (InvIT) modes. Identified stretches include Lucknow-Aligarh, Kanpur-Ayodhya-Gorakhpur, and Bareilly-Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, among others.

BJP MP Hema Malini compares herself to Lord Krishna's devotee 'gopi' in Mathura

BJP MP Hema Malini compares herself to Lord Krishna's devotee 'gopi' in Mathura Actress-turned-politician Hema Malini, contesting the Lok Sabha election from Mathura as a BJP candidate for the third time, said Wednesday that she considers herself as a ''gopi'' of Lord Krishna. ''I joined politics neither for name nor for fame. I also did not join politics for any materialistic gain,'' the Mathura MP told reporters here. Calling herself ''Gopi of Krishna'', Hema Malini said since Lord Krishna loves the ''Brijwasis'', she thought that he will shower his blessings on her only if she serves them sincerely. ''And I am accordingly serving the Brijwasis,'' she said. She expressed her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda for giving her the opportunity to serve the Brijwasis for the third time from Mathura. She said the development of 'Braj 84 Kos Parikrama', lying in a miserable condition, will be her first priority. ''Efforts will be made to turn Braj 84 Kos Parikrama soothing, alluring and fascinating for the tourists,'' Hema Malini, two-term MP from Mathura, said. She said Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari was kind enough to consider her request and he sanctioned Rs 5,000 crore for the renovation of Braj 84 Kos Parikrama. ''As the DPR (detailed project report) for it has been prepared for Rs 11,000 crore, I will get the rest of the amount sanctioned for an ideal infrastructure so that it provides the needed facilities to the pilgrims and turns attractive and mesmerising for the international tourists,'' she said. Tourism will open the gates for employment to the locals, she said. Her second priority will be to work towards cleaning the Yamuna river, she said. Hema Malini claimed to have raised a question in Parliament about the pollution of the Ganga and the Yamuna rivers even before the Namami Gange project was launched. She said ever since Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath Yogi has taken interest in the Namami Gange project, the Ganga water has turned transparent and pollution-free at Prayagraj. But the Delhi government did not take interest in solving the pollution problem of the Yamuna river and the holy river remains polluted in Mathura, she alleged. According to the Mathura MP, without cleaning the Yamuna in Delhi and Haryana, the dream of a clean Yamuna in Mathura can not be translated into reality. At present, the Yamunotri water is used by Delhi and Haryana and drain water of both the states is discharged into the Yamuna, Hema Malini said, adding that she will make every effort for a clean Yamuna. Expressing her gratitude to Yogi, she said he formed the UP Braj Tirth Vikas Parishad at her behest when his attention was drawn towards the need for the development of Mathura. It included Sant Gram (a village for the saints) in Vrindavan, renovation of kunds, Raskhan Samadhi, Sur (Surdas') Sadhana Sthali at Parasauli and Govardhan Parikrama. Much work including renovation of Raskhan Samadhi, Sur Sadhana Sthali and Govardhan Parikrama has been accomplished. Though work on other projects is in progress, it is on a slow speed due to encroachments, she said. Hema Malini thanked Yogi also for the declaration of Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgaon, Govardhan, Gokul, Mathura and Baldeo as ''teerth sthals'' (pilgrimages) on her request. Her other priorities will be elevated broad gauge rail line between Mathura junction, connecting the holy city of Vrindavan with Aligarh, construction of a double line rail track between Mathura and Kasganj, replacing hard potable water with the Ganga river water and opening a central university that ultimately will pave the way for youths to succeed in the competitive examinations.

Aligarh constituency of Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha Election 2024: Date of voting, result, candidates list, main parties, schedule

Flight tickets are available for just Rs 99, your dream of air travel will come true; Details here

This sequence of air travel will take place in every flight from Aligarh to Lucknow throughout the month of April. Under this, five seats each have been reserved for such passengers which will be made available on first come first serve basis. Flight tickets Price: If you live in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh and [] The post Flight tickets are available for just Rs 99, your dream of air travel will come true; Details here first appeared on informalnewz .

Srinagar Girl Tops JK Judicial Exam

SRINAGAR: The central Kashmirs Srinagar girl Tasneem Kawoos emerged as the top scorer in the 2023 Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Judicial) Examination, garnering an impressive 628 marks out of a pool of 208 candidates. Reflecting on her achievement, Kawoos, a graduate of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) currently pursuing her LL M there, highlighted the [] The post Srinagar Girl Tops JK Judicial Exam appeared first on Kashmir Life .

UP: Free Palestine protest during Eid prayers; minor altercation with cops

Aligarh: A heated exchange took place on Thursday, April 11, between police and some people attending Eid prayers at an eidgah here who had put up a banner with the slogan Free Palestine, police said. Policemen posted there objected to the banner causing a minor altercation with the demonstrators but the matter was quickly defused, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Long and short of Raaj Anand's story: From Arvind Kejriwal's aide and admirer to critic

NEW DELHI: Raaj Kumar Anand, who shocked an already beleaguered AAP on Wednesday by quitting the party and the government, was associated with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal since his anti-corruption movement days. But as he quit the Cabinet, he said the Aam Aadmi Party which was born out of a crusade against corruption is embroiled in corruption now and it has ecome difficult for me to stay in this party. The Patel Nagar MLA's story is one of rags to riches though. According to his official bio on the Delhi government portal, his parents had to send him to his maternal grandparents in Aligarh due to poverty. His maternal grandfather was a ragman and whose financial condition was not that good so that he could educate his grandson, the portal said. The 57-year-old leader's profile also describes him as a person whose life was full of struggles. Anand had to work as a child labourer in a padlock factory in Aligarh, it read. But he later on succeeded as a businessman. From making pillows by using discarded foam from factories to becoming a successful businessman in Rexine Leather, Anand's journey may appear to be an easy and simple, but in reality it has gone through many difficulties and ups and downs, it said. In his Delhi Assembly poll affidavit in 2020, his assets were pegged at Rs 78.9 crore. Speaking to reporters as he resigned from the party, he said, I joined Arvind Kejriwal at a time when he said from the Ramlila Ground (the venue for the India Against Corruption movement) that country will change after its politics changes. Politics did not change but the politicians have now changed. The Aam Aadmi Party is embroiled in corruption. Given the situation, it has become difficult for me to stay in this party. That is why through your medium I want to convey that I am resigning from this party and my minister's post, he told the reporters. A masters of arts (political science) from Bundelkhand University, Anand actively participated in the 'India Against Corruption' in 2011 under influence of Kejriwal. He joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) founded by Kejriwal and other leaders of the anti-corruption movement in 2012. He was fielded by the party from Patel Nagar reserved constituency in 2020 Assembly polls that he won by defeating his nearest rival from the BJP. In November 2022, he joined the Delhi cabinet and was holding the portfolios of Social Welfare, SC and ST, Gurdwara Elections and Cooperative.

Raaj Anand: The Evolution of an Admirer to Critic of Arvind Kejriwal

Raaj Anand: The Evolution of an Admirer to Critic of Arvind Kejriwal Raaj Kumar Anand, who shocked an already beleaguered AAP on Wednesday by quitting the party and the government, was associated with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal since his anti-corruption movement days. But as he quit the Cabinet, he said the Aam Aadmi Party which was born out of a crusade against corruption is ''embroiled'' in corruption now and it has ''become difficult for me to stay in this party''. The Patel Nagar MLA's story is one of rags to riches though. According to his official bio on the Delhi government portal, his parents had to send him to his maternal grandparents in Aligarh ''due to poverty''. ''His maternal grandfather was a ragman and whose financial condition was not that good so that he could educate his grandson,'' the portal said. The 57-year-old leader's profile also describes him as a person whose life was ''full of struggles''. Anand had to work as a ''child labourer'' in a padlock factory in Aligarh, it read. But he later on succeeded as a businessman. ''From making pillows by using discarded foam from factories to becoming a successful businessman in Rexine Leather, Anand's journey may appear to be an easy and simple, but in reality it has gone through many difficulties and ups and downs,'' it said. In his Delhi Assembly poll affidavit in 2020, his assets were pegged at Rs 78.9 crore. Speaking to reporters as he resigned from the party, he said, ''I joined Arvind Kejriwal at a time when he said from the Ramlila Ground (the venue for the India Against Corruption movement) that country will change after its politics changes. Politics did not change but the politicians have now changed.'' ''The Aam Aadmi Party is embroiled in corruption. Given the situation, it has become difficult for me to stay in this party. That is why through your medium I want to convey that I am resigning from this party and my minister's post,'' he told the reporters. A masters of arts (political science) from Bundelkhand University, Anand actively participated in the 'India Against Corruption' in 2011 under ''influence'' of Kejriwal. He joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) founded by Kejriwal and other leaders of the anti-corruption movement in 2012. He was fielded by the party from Patel Nagar reserved constituency in 2020 Assembly polls that he won by defeating his nearest rival from the BJP. In November 2022, he joined the Delhi cabinet and was holding the portfolios of Social Welfare, SC and ST, Gurdwara Elections and Cooperative.

UP: Fire breaks out at restaurant in Aligarh, one injured

UP: Fire breaks out at restaurant in Aligarh, one injured A fire broke out at a restaurant opposite Aligarh railway station on Wednesday early morning. The incident left one person injured, said police. On getting the information, three fire tenders rushed to the spot and doused the fire. The incident happened around 4 AM and the reason behind the fire was a short circuit. Additional City Magistrate Sanjay Mishra said, There is Roshni restaurant in front of the railway station. The fire broke out due to a short circuit at around 4 am. On receiving information, three fire brigade and police administration teams reached the spot and brought the fire under control. One person has fainted in this incident, while the damage will be assessed after investigation, he added. Earlier, a fire broke out at a four-storey shop in Delhi's Gandhi Nagar market on Tuesday evening, according to officials. (ANI)

Independent candidate from Aligarh campaigns wearing garland of slippers, video viral

The Election Commission has allocated a range of symbols ice cream cone, refrigerator, TV and slippers among others to independent candidates

UP candidate dons garland of 7 slippers while campaigning; Here's why

The voting for the first two phases is set for April 19 and April 26, followed by subsequent phases on May 7, May 13, May 20, May 23, and June 1. Aligarh, specifically, will cast its votes during the second phase on April 26, with the counting of votes slated for June 4.

Garland of slippers: Lok Sabha candidate from Aligarh on quirky poll campaign

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Minor girl raped in UPs Aligarh, accused on run

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Looking for more extraordinary stories people have not witnessed

With three national awards and many critically-acclaimed films to his credit, Manoj Bajpayee says he is still looking for stories and roles that are extraordinary and explore an untapped side of the actor in him. Bajpayee, who has created a niche with many memorable projects across medium such as Satya, Shool, Raajneeti, Aligarh, Gangs of Wasseypur movies and The Family Man series, said his search for unique roles is always on. Ive been lucky to get really good offers. I [] The post Looking for more extraordinary stories people have not witnessed appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

The trick UP Mayawati's electoral sleeve

A summer of survival it is for the irrepressible Mayawati and her Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). A little over a year ago, the BSP had won just one Assembly seat and seen its vote share shrink to 12.88%, down from the 19.48% the party secured in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. That Lok Sabha election five years ago was one in which the BSP won ten seats while being in an alliance with the Samajwadi Party. This election should prove way toughter as they are going it alone. Mayawati probably has a reason to do so. She has going by the names of the candidates announced so far resorted to some deft social engineering and that gamble may not have been possible if the BSP was part of any alliance. These bold experiments seem to be stemming from a lot of quiet and serious analysis. Since the party has a trustworthy vote bank among the Dalits, its intention clearly is to woo the Muslims and upper castes wherever possible in the hope of springing surprises. This strategy may hurt both NDA and INDIA blocs, but is to the BSP's advantage. The list till now and the message from it Till date, the party has declared 36 candidates for the 80 seats in the state, and despite the murmurs of there being a focus on Muslims in the first list, the composition as of now shows a clever pattern of strategic choices. Regardless of the common belief that BSP will favour a Dalit-Muslim combination, it appears that Brahmins have been given top priority as far as numbers are concerned. There are 11 Brahmins and other general castes, 10 Dalits, nine Muslims and six OBCs in the list so far. It is clear that rather than going in for a predictable strategy of naming any caste-community bloc, the party has taken care to pick a suitable candidate keeping in mind the constituencys demographics. A few things stand out from the BSP names announced so far: The party does not want to portray themselves as being a Dalit-only outfit. It is not shying away from hosting Muslims in key places, unlike the Samajwadi Party. Sensing the mood of upper castes, Brahmins are once again in the BSPs favoured list, unlike in the BJP, which is now being increasingly perceived as an OBC-dominated group. The BSP aims to dent the prospects of both the BJP and the SP-Congress alliance. Will he, wont he? Amethi awaits their Rahul answer even as Smriti Irani gets going Key names including the one fighting original Dream Girl Some key names give an idea of what the party could have in mind. The BSP has fielded Sarwar Malik, an old loyalist, from Lucknow, where Union Minister Rajnath Singh and SP MLA Ravidas Mehrotra are the other candidates. Regardless of whether he wins or not, Malik may appeal to Muslim voters who have been traditionally voting for BJP in the state capital. Malik being named by the BSP also elicited a prompt decision by the SP which named Fakhir Siddiqi as the Lucknow party president. In western UP, the BSP has posed a challenge to the Rashtriya Lok Dal (now a partner of BJP) in Bijnore by putting up a Jat candidate Chaudhary Vijendra Singh against RLD's Chandan Singh Chauhan, a Gujar. This may divide Jat votes considered loyal to RLD. Jat politics also sees a play in Mathura where BJPs Hema Malini, the original Dream Girl, is seeking a third term. BSP has named Suresh Singh, a Jat and former central services officer who had a long association with the BJP and joined the BSP in 2019. Surjewalas Hema Malini remarks vile, sexist: BJP The BSP's moves in Aligarh, Ghaziabad and Lakhimpur Kheri are indicative of a clever strategy of appealing to particular caste groups. Making last-minute changes, Hitendra Kumar alias Bunty Upadhyay (till recently with BJP) was named from Aligarh, whereas the previous BSP nominee was Gufran Noor, formerly with AIMIM. In Ghaziabad, a last-minute change saw Nandkishore Pundir, a Thakur candidate disgruntled with the BJP being name as BSP nominee, whereas the earlier candidate Anshay Kalra, a Punjabi real estate businessman from Kaushambi, was shifted to Kheri, which has a strong Punjabi and Sikh population. In Kannauj, for long a Samajwadi Party stronghold, the party has fielded a Muslim Imran Jafar. Brahmins have also been put up in Unnao and Mirzapur. When the BSP had allies The BSP had allied with the SP twice -- once in 1993, and then in 2017. Its alliance with BJP saw Mayawati become Chief Minister thrice. Since 2007, the party has failed to get good results in any election in UP, despite having run through all combinations. For example, in the 2023 Urban Local Bodies election, it had put up 11 Muslims for 17 Mayoral posts, but all of them lost. In the 2022 Assembly election, it had put up 89 Muslims, ensuring the defeat of the SP in many places. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, it had allied with the SP and the combo won 15 seats - 10 for BSP and 5 for SP. The 2017 Assembly election saw SP and Congress contesting as an alliance, but winning only 54 seats, while BSP had to be content with 19. In the 2014 Lok Sabha electio, BSP failed to win any seat. It was in the 2007 Assembly election that the BSP had come to power in the state with a full majority, winning 206 seats. The new bet Despite the 2019 Lok Sabha election showing, allying with the SP has not been particularly advantageous for the BSP, and there have been no long-term benefits from such an alliance. In the last few months, there had been many overtures from the SP for a possible tie-up but Mayawati remained adamant and did not respond to them. It now appears that the BSP is instead betting on the new social engineering formula to get favourable results. It also noteworthy that Mayawati has announced her nephew Akash Anand as her political successor. It will only be natural on her part to want to hand over the party to him with a healthy vote share and a few seats. Hence, the extra effort in candidate selection. The announcement of names for rest of the seats in UP will indicate more facets of this strategy. 2024 LS Polls: SP Caught in bind yet again, this time in Badaun over Shivpal's candidature

Yogi shares stage with Jayant in Baghpat

LUCKNOW : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath shared the dais with Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhury in Baghpat on Friday and struck a chord with people in the Jat-dominated constituency by paying rich tributes to former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh. Addressing the Vijay Shankhnaad Rally in Baghpat, Adityanath expressed his fortune in visiting the sacred land of Bharat Matas great son and former PM Chaudhary Charan Singh. Claiming that the conferment of Bharat Ratna on Singh is a fitting tribute to the farming community of the country, Adityanath extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he claimed had paid attention to the values and ideals of Singh and made the issues of farmers part of the political agenda, implementing welfare schemes for their benefit. The CM sought votes for Rajkumaar Sangwan, the RLD member contesting from Baghpat, the pocket borough of Singh, as the NDA candidate. Addressing the rally, RLD chief Jayant Chaudhury recalled his father and former Union Minister Chaudhary Ajit Singh, claiming that having learned to make significant decisions from his father, he decided to be a part of the NDA and contribute to the growth story of the country. We are fighting with the BJP. This is a shared fight and a shared stage. The senior BJP leaders and party workers are putting in a lot of hard work. At this stage, we have come together to fight for our nation. We have the chance to advance PM Modis slogans and work. He (Modi) is seeking a historic third-time mandate from the people; every day he goes to some corner of the country, appeals to people, works hard. The outcome of hard work is always sweet, said the RLD chief. Later, the CM addressed a public rally in Barauli in Aligarh, organised to seek votes for BJP candidate and sitting MP Satish Gautam. At the rally, he emphasised that living life with the ethos of Lord Ram is paramount and that every task is accomplished by invoking his name. Adityanath also launched a blistering attack on the Opposition bloc over farmers issues and the law and order situation. The CM asserted that the BJP-led government had not only consecrated Lord Ram in his abode but also ensured the final journey (Ram Naam Satya hain) of all those who posed a threat to the safety and security of women and traders in the state. He also highlighted the accomplishments of Modis decade-long tenure.

BJP has ensured 'Ram naam satya' for those who are threat to society: UP CM Adityanath

BJP has ensured 'Ram naam satya' for those who are threat to society: UP CM Adityanath The BJP has not only brought Lord Ram to Ayodhya but also ensured 'Ram naam satya', or the end, for those who are a threat to society in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said. ''Once no one in the state thought that woman and traders could go out of the house fearlessly at night, but today it is possible. We have not only brought Ram but also ensured 'Ram naam satya' for those who are a threat to the safety of daughters and traders,'' Adityanath said. ''We live life by the name of Lord Ram but 'Ram naam satya' is a certainty for the one who will become a threat to society,'' he added addressing a rally in Aligarh in support of BJP's Lok Sabha candidate Satish Kumar Gautam. Polling in Aligarh is slated for the second phase on April 26. The chief minister, who also addressed a rally in Baghpat, termed the place as the land from where the foundation of Mahabharata was laid. ''This is the same land from where the foundation of Mahabharata was laid against injustice and oppression. Baghpat was one of the five villages that Lord Krishna had asked for the Pandavas when he visited the court of Hastinapur 5,000 years ago,'' Adityanath said. ''But Duryodhan could not give (those villages), could not take the blessings of the society...Hence Mahabharata had to happen,'' he added addressing the 'Vijay Shankhnaad' rally in Baghpat in support of Rajkumar Sangwan --- the joint candidate of the BJP and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). Adityanath said that he has the privilege of visiting the pious land ('paavan dharaa') of the great son of Mother India and former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh. He said that Chaudhary Charan Singh received India's highest civilian honour the Bharat Ratna as the messiah of the farmers. The chief minister said this is not only the honour of crores of 'annadatas' but also the pride of the people of Uttar Pradesh. ''Thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who kept in mind the values and ideals of Chaudhary Sahab and made the issues of farmers a part of the political agenda and implemented welfare schemes in the interest of farmers,'' he added. Adityanath said that elections are to be held in Baghpat on April 26, adding the BJP and RLD together have given a worthy candidate for the seat. Referring to the current Lok Sabha MP from Baghpat Satyapal Singh, Adityanath said that he spent his entire life in different cities of Maharashtra, but he started working whole-heartedly for the development of this place as soon as he became the MP. He speedily got the development plans for Baghpat passed from Delhi and Lucknow, he added. RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary, MP Dr Satyapal Singh, joint candidate of BJP and RLD Rajkumar Sangwan, BJP district president Tejpal Upadhyay, Uttar Pradesh Minister Kapildev Aggarwal and other leaders were present on the occasion.

BJP delivered 200% more in 10 years than what Congress did in 60 years: Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has urged the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency to vote for the BJP under Narendra Modi. Sonowal praised the BJP-led NDA government for delivering 200% in a decade, surpassing the Congress government's performance in Assam and the Northeast. The government invested Rs 45,000 crores in the petroleum sector, rejuvenating Bongaigaon and Numaligarh refineries.

NIA Team Arrives in Dehradun with ISIS Suspect Haris Farooqui

Dehradun: T he NIA team arrived in Dehradun on Monday along with Haris Farooqui, the alleged head of ISIS in India, who was recently arrested in Assam. Farooqui's family resides in Singhal Mandi, Dehradun. Upon the NIA's arrival, Uttarakhand intelligence agencies heightened their vigilance. Intelligence agencies continuously provided updates to the Intelligence Headquarters regarding Farooqui's presence in Dehradun. According to police sources, Farooqui purportedly joined ISIS while studying at Aligarh Muslim University, where he was radicalized by the organization. Farooqui reportedly came into contact with ISIS shortly after enrolling at Aligarh. Last year, two individuals associated with this terrorist group were apprehended in West Bengal for vehicle theft. Subsequent investigation revealed connections to a terrorist module in Pune, in which Farooqui, also known as Haris Ajmal, was implicated. Following this development, NIA, Delhi Crime Branch, and UP ATF launched active operations. Despite multiple raids, Farooqui remained elusive. NIA shared intelligence on Farooqui with Uttarakhand Intelligence and STF. The NIA team subsequently arrived in Dehradun, where Farooqui's father, Ajmal Farooqui, was questioned by the STF in the presence of NIA officials. However, Farooqui's whereabouts were not ascertained. Ajmal Farooqui runs a Unani dispensary in the Municipal Corporation Complex on Faltu Line. Sources indicate that authorities are now searching for Farooqui's local contacts in Dehradun following his arrest. On Monday, the NIA brought Farooqui from Assam to Dehradun, where they conducted inquiries with his family and close associates. The NIA team remained in Dehradun until late night, although local authorities did not provide official confirmation of their activities. Potential Political Shake-Up: Eknath Khadse's Rumored Return to BJP Meeting with Sunita Kejriwal: AAP MLA Display of Unity and Support Congress Party Releases List of 17 Candidates for Lok Sabha Elections

Thousands of Muslims attend PM Modi rally in UP's Meerut: BJP

Thousands of Muslims attend PM Modi rally in UP's Meerut: BJP Thousands of people from the Muslim community, some of them part of a motorcycle rally, on Sunday attended the election meeting addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here, BJP's minority wing office-bearers said. ''A little over 10,000 Muslims attended the election rally. Most of them came from Meerut district,'' said Javed Malik, president of Minority Morcha of UP BJP's western unit. ''There is a craze among people regarding Modi ji. People who got benefits of the Centre's various schemes came here to listen to him. Those who have seen the works of Modi ji and Yogi (Adityanath) ji, and those who wanted to see Modi ji came here,'' Malik told PTI here. Sameer Khan, in-charge of Minority Morcha of UP BJP for Meerut Lok Sabha seat, who also attended the rally, said that a motorcycle march was taken out from Gandhibagh to the rally venue with active participation of 100 bikers. ''The level of enthusiasm among the participants of the motorcycle rally was high,'' Khan said, adding that people now feel much more safe in the Meerut city. People who participated in the PM's rally poll said they were excited about the event. ''The reason for the excitement is that for the past 10 years, the Samajwadi Party, the BSP and the Congress were never seen enquiring the wellbeing of the citizens,'' Anjum Nizami, who runs a battery repairing unit here, said. Yunus Saifi, a resident of Meerut South assembly segment, claimed that the BJP will win a majority of the Lok Sabha seats in the state. Dilshad Ahmad, a veterinary doctor who came from Bijnor to attend the rally, said that along with him, around 300 people came to listen to Prime Minister Modi. ''There has been a significant change of mindset among people about the BJP. A large number of beneficiaries of various schemes of the government including Ayushman Yojana and Awas Yojana are Muslims. This election rally will definitely send a strong message to the public,'' he said. BJP's Malik also said that ''the turnout of so many Muslims in the election rally definitely suggest a significant shift of the community towards the BJP''. He added that the Meerut Lok Sabha constituency has a significant number of Muslim voters. Malik said that in the 2019 elections, the alliance of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), SP and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) had achieved success in the Muslim-dominated region of western UP. However, the political equations have completely changed this time, he claimed. The Lok Sabha constituencies in western UP with a sizeable Muslim population are Rampur (42 per cent), Amroha (32 per cent), Saharanpur (30 per cent), Bijnor, Nagina and Moradabad (28 per cent each), Muzaffarnagar (27 per cent), Kairana and Meerut (23 per cent each) and Sambhal (22 per cent). Apart from this, the Muslim voters constitute 19 per cent of the electoral population each in Bulandshahr, Baghpat and Aligarh. Around 15.34 crore people are eligible to vote in Uttar Pradesh -- a politically crucial state with 80 Lok Sabha seats where the elections will be held in seven phases beginning April 19. According to the election schedule, eight parliamentary constituencies will vote in the first phase on April 19. These are Saharanpur, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Nagina (SC), Moradabad, Rampur and Pilibhit. In the 2019 general elections, the BJP won 62 seats and its ally Apna Dal (S) two seats, brushing aside the challenge of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance. The BSP was the biggest gainer in the alliance with 10 seats. Akhilesh Yadav's SP won five seats while the RLD couldn't open its account in the polls. The Congress won the lone Raebareli seat from where Sonia Gandhi had contested.

AMUEEE 2024 Exam Date Declared on amucontrollerexams.com; Find Detailed Information Here

Aligarh Muslim University has officially announced the exam date for the AMUEEE 2024 online at amucontrollerexams.com. The AMUEEE 2024 exam is scheduled to take place on June 10, 2024, and will be conducted as a pen-and-paper-based test. The duration of the AMUEEE 2024 exam is 3 hours, starting at 10 AM. It is imperative for all candidates to qualify AMUEEE 2024 with the required scores to participate in the admission process.

AMU Entrance Exam 2024 dates out for BSc, BA, BCom, MBA, BTech, BA LLB and more, check complete schedule here

The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has announced the schedule for its Admission Entrance Test 2024, which will determine admissions into various undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The exams are set to take place on June 8, 9, and 10. Candidates interested in programs such as BSc (Hons), BCom (Hons), BA (Hons), MBA, and others can check the timetable on the official website. Admission to MBA programs will be based on CAT scores. The exams will be conducted in multiple shifts, with different programs scheduled on different dates and times.

Security Tightened In UP's Aligarh After Gangster Mukhtar Ansari's Death

Security arrangements have been beefed up in UP's Aligarh after the death of Mukhtar Ansari, who suffered cardiac arrest on Thursday night.

Uttar Pradesh: Security tightened in Aligarh following death of Mukhtar Ansari

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CM Yogi to conduct 'Prabuddh Sammelan' in 15 districts of Western UP from March 27

CM Yogi to conduct 'Prabuddh Sammelan' in 15 districts of Western UP from March 27 In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will conduct 'Prabuddh Sammelan' in 15 districts of Western UP from March 27 to 31. Ahead of the election rallies, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will interact with intellectuals across various districts in the state through 'Prabuddh Sammelan' (meeting of intellectuals), presenting a comprehensive account of the government's work. The Chief Minister's Prabuddh Sammelans are set to begin from Western Uttar Pradesh, where elections will also be held in the first few phases. Through these proposed meetings until March 31, CM Yogi will engage in dialogue with the people, laying the groundwork for the 'Phir ek bar, Modi sarkar' resolution ahead of the elections. As per the schedule announced by the Bharatiya Janata Party, Uttar Pradesh, CM Yogi will visit 15 districts over five days from March 27 to 31. His series of Prabuddh Sammelan will commence from Mathura, Meerut, and Ghaziabad on Wednesday, March 27, where he will engage with dignitaries and the general public. On Thursday, March 28, CM Yogi's schedule includes programs in Bijnor, Moradabad, and Amroha, where he will interact with prominent individuals. Moving forward, on March 29, CM Yogi is scheduled to participate in the Prabuddh Sammelan in Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, and Saharanpur. Continuing this momentum, on March 30, he will attend Prabuddh Sammelan in Baghpat (Modinagar), Bulandshahr, and Gautam Buddha Nagar. Lastly, on March 31, he will be present at Prabuddh Sammelans in Bareilly, Rampur, and Pilibhit. Through these 'Prabuddha Sammelans, ' CM Yogi aims to provide detailed information about the achievements of both the state and the central governments. He will also discuss the schemes benefiting the common people under the double-engine government. CM Yogi had previously organized a similar Prabuddha Sammelan before the 2023 civic elections, significantly benefiting the BJP and leading to a clean sweep in all municipal corporations. Once again, CM Yogi is gearing up with the mission of a clean sweep in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections through these 'Prabuddha Sammelans'. These 'Prabuddha Sammelans' of CM Yogi are starting from Western Uttar Pradesh, where elections will be held in the initial phases. In the first phase i.e. on April 19, 2024, elections are to be held in Saharanpur, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Nagina, Moradabad, Rampur and Pilibhit, while in the second phase i.e. on April 26, elections are to be held in Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh and Mathura. Similarly, in the third phase, elections have been announced in districts like Sambhal, Hathras, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etah, Badaun and Bareilly. Keeping this schedule in mind, CM Yogi's 'Prabuddha Sammelans' is beginning from the districts of Western Uttar Pradesh so that the impact of his dialogue can reach the common people as much as possible. (ANI)

Extremist Elements Attack Hindu Students in AMU during Holi Celebration

Aligarh: On the eve of Holi, a festival cherished by Hindus, a disturbing incident unfolded at Aligarh Muslim University. Hindu students, seeking to observe the festive occasion peacefully, were met with hostility and violence from extremist elements within the campus community. Despite obtaining permission from the administration to celebrate Holi on campus, Hindu students faced opposition from individuals espousing extremist ideologies. Late into the night, these elements resorted to intimidation tactics, warning students against participating in the festivities and raising baseless objections to the celebration of Holi within the campus premises. ???? #AMU #Holi ? ! #Hindu pic.twitter.com/LtHYRizSY7 ???????????????????? ???????????????????? (@Rahulk123d) March 24, 2024 Tensions reached a boiling point on the morning of March 21 when a planned assault targeted Hindu students gathered at the designated Athletic ground. A mob of around 400 individuals, including both students and outsiders, launched a brutal attack armed with illegal weapons such as automatic pistols, desi-guns (tamancha), and sticks. The assailants subjected Hindu students to merciless beatings and verbal abuse, with reports of sexual assault and harassment against female students emerging amid the chaos. Eyewitnesses have pointed out the passive stance taken by the administration, including the Proctor, who remained silent bystanders during the ordeal. This has raised concerns regarding their complicity or negligence in preventing the violence. Several students sustained severe injuries, necessitating hospitalization due to the intensity of the attack. A female student, recounting the terrifying experience, expressed shock at being subjected to such brutality during what was supposed to be a joyous celebration. She highlighted the systemic discrimination faced by minority Hindu students, echoing the sentiments of others who feel marginalized and treated as second-class citizens on campus. This incident sheds light on a troubling trend of religious intolerance and discrimination, where minority communities become targets of violence based on their beliefs. Tragic Incident Unfolds in Bhopal as Woman Hangs Herself with Three Daughters Crackdown on Drug Trafficking: Punjab Police Apprehend 12 in Cross-Border Smuggling Ring PM Modi to Kick Off Election Campaign in Meerut Alongside RLD National President Jayant Chaudhary

Mosques Covered With Tarpaulin In 2 UP Districts Ahead Of Holi

At least nine mosques in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh and Sambhal districts have been covered with tarpaulin sheets ahead of Holi to prevent them from being smeared with colours, police said on Sunday.

UP: BJP drops Varun Gandhi, VK Singh; Maneka, Jitin Prasada get ticket

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UP: Mosques covered with tarpaulin in Aligarh, Sambhal ahead of Holi

UP: Mosques covered with tarpaulin in Aligarh, Sambhal ahead of Holi At least nine mosques in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh and Sambhal districts have been covered with tarpaulin sheets ahead of Holi to prevent them from being smeared with colours, police said on Sunday. The step was taken after talks with religious leaders to maintain law and order situation, police officials said. In Aligarh, at least two mosques have been covered. One of them is Halwaaiyan mosque in the Sabzi Mandi area, and the other is located at Delhi Gate, Circle Officer (City) Abhay Pandey told reporters. Pandey said that a flag march was conducted in the sensitive areas with a message of peace and police pickets have been set up in the old city areas. In Sambhal, the district administration, in agreement with the Muslim community, has covered some mosques with tarpaulin sheets to avoid dispute. Additional Superintendent of Police (North) Shrish Chandra told PTI that like last year, six-seven mosques in Sambhal have also been covered with tarpaulin with mutual consent, because splashing of colours often lead to disputes. Circle Officer (Sambhal) Anuj Kumar Chaudhary told PTI that the district administration has covered the mosques on the routes where Holi is played. Patron of Muslim Traders Organization, Ehtesham Ahmed, said that last year also several mosques in Sambhal including Bazaar Mosque, Nakhasha Mosque and the one located on Arya Samaj Road were covered to maintain peace in the city. Covering the mosques by the administration is a good step for maintaining peace, he added.

Mosques in sensitive areas of Aligarh covered with tarpaulin ahead of Holi

Four mosques in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh have been covered with tarpaulin to ensure they are not smeared with colours during Holi celebrations.

UP: Four Aligarh mosques covered with tarpaulin ahead of Holi celebrations

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Mosques in UP covered with tarpaulin sheets ahead of Holi

LUCKNOW: For the last 6-7 years, it has become new normal for the mosques in UP to be covered with tarpaulin sheets ahead of Holi festival. This, according to authorities, helps to maintain law and order situation and avert any attempt by miscreants to incite communal tension by throwing colours on the places of Islamic faith. Since the Yogi Adithyanath government came to power, this practise has been in place. Like previous years, this year also, the mosques on the Ram Baraat route in Bareilly and the Laat Saheb procession path in Shahjahanpur have been covered with tarpaulin and plastic sheets to prevent any untoward incident, said the authorities. According to Bareilly Senior Superintendent of Police Ghule Sushil Chandrabhan, he led a police flag march along the proposed route of the Ram Baraat from Narsingh Temple on Sunday. The administrations in districts are on high alert as the holy month of Ramzaan is also underway. The district administration is taking extra precautions on the Ram Baraat Yatra taken out by Brahmpuri Ramlila Committee in Bareilly every year amid heavy police cover. As a result, all mosques on the route have been covered with tarpaulin. The Bareilly SSP said that every effort was being made to maintain communal harmony during the festival of colours. The police administration is in constant touch with the religious leaders of both the communities. The clerics were contacted in the district on Friday and they have been told that the mosques will be properly covered in order to avoid any mischief to disturb communal harmony. The clerics expressed satisfaction over the arrangements, said the SSP adding that a police contingent would accompany the yatra which, after passing through many areas in the city, will return to the Narsingh Temple. In Aligarh, Abdul Karim Masjid will be covered to save it from the Holi colours. Other mosques in communally sensitive areas of the district are also covered ahead of Holi. As per Haji Iqbal, the chief cleric of the Abdul Karim mosque, the religious site is being covered following the instructions of the district administration. In all, four mosques in sensitive areas of Aligarh have been covered with tarpaulin sheets by the Masjid Intezamia Committee on Saturday. Similarly, in Shahjahanpur, a Laat Saheb ki Baraat is an annual affair and is taken out on Holi from the Phoolmati Devi Temple since the 18th century. During the Baraat, revellers throw footwear at the procession moving with a buffalo cart and a hapless man. Earlier, the procession was called the Nawab Saab ki Baraat and the person sitting on the cart was depicted as a Nawab, but since Independence, it is known as Laat Saheb ki Baraat in which the person on the cart is portrayed as a Britisher. Mosques located along the procession route remain covered with plastic sheets and the law and order machinery in Shahjahanpur is on high alert to avert any untoward incident.