A meeting of the India–Nepal Border District Coordination Committee (BDCC) was held in Nepal’s Kailali district to ensure peace, security and effective administrative coordination along the international border in view of the upcoming elections in the neighbouring country, officials said on Friday.

According to a press communique issued by the Lakhimpur Kheri district administration, District Magistrate Durga Shakti Nagpal led the Indian delegation at the meeting held on Thursday. She was accompanied by Additional District Magistrate Narendra Bahadur Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police Pawan Gautam, the Sub-Divisional Magistrates of Pallia and Nighasan tehsils, and senior officials of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

During the meeting, the Kheri District Magistrate assured the Chief District Officers (CDOs) of Nepal’s Kailali and Kanchanpur districts of full cooperation from the Indian side during the conduct of elections. She emphasised the need for close coordination between the civil administration, police and border guarding forces of both countries to maintain law and order and ensure smooth electoral processes.

Recalling the long-standing historical, cultural and familial ties between India and Nepal, Nagpal said all necessary assistance would be extended by the district administration, the SSB and the police to facilitate peaceful and orderly polls.

The BDCC meeting underlined the commitment of both sides to strengthening cross-border coordination and maintaining peace and stability along the India–Nepal border during the election period.

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), dubbing it the “Bhrast Janata Party” and accusing its double-engine governments of ruining people’s lives through corruption, abuse of power and arrogance.

Citing incidents such as the murder of Ankita Bhandari in Uttarakhand, the Unnao rape case in Uttar Pradesh, and deaths caused by contaminated drinking water in Indore, Gandhi alleged that the BJP had failed to protect citizens and ensure accountability.

“Across the country, the ‘Bhrasht’ Janata Party’s double-engine governments have ruined the lives of the people. Corruption, abuse of power, and the poison of arrogance have spread throughout the BJP’s politics, from top to bottom,” Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X.

The Congress leader has repeatedly targeted the ruling party over issues of governance and public safety, especially in states governed by the BJP, as political exchanges between the two parties continue to intensify.

The Supreme Court on Thursday deferred to January 13 the final hearing on a batch of petitions challenging the Election Commission’s decision to carry out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in several states, including Bihar.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, which had listed the matter for hearing during the day, said the proceedings would resume on Tuesday. Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing on behalf of the Election Commission, is expected to continue advancing his arguments.

Earlier, on January 6, the Election Commission told the bench that it has the constitutional power and competence to undertake a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The poll panel also asserted that it has a constitutional duty to ensure that no foreign nationals are enrolled as voters.

The petitions challenge the Election Commission’s decision to undertake the SIR exercise in multiple states, including Bihar, and raise important constitutional questions relating to the scope of the Commission’s powers, issues of citizenship, and the right to vote.

The court will hear further arguments in the matter on January 13.

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the Somnath Swabhiman Parv is an occasion to remember the countless sons and daughters of Bharat Mata who never compromised with their principles and cultural ethos, despite facing the most challenging times.

The year-long Somnath Swabhiman Parv commemorates the resilience of Indian civilisation, symbolised by the repeated rebuilding of the Somnath temple at Veraval in Gujarat after it was ravaged multiple times by foreign invaders.

“Jai Somnath! Somnath Swabhiman Parv begins today. A thousand years ago, in January 1026, Somnath faced its first-ever attack. The attack of 1026 and the subsequent attacks couldn’t diminish the eternal faith of millions, nor break the civilisational spirit that rebuilt Somnath time and again,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.

Mr Modi is scheduled to participate in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations at the historic temple on January 11. He also shared photographs from his previous visits to Somnath and encouraged people to post their pictures using the hashtag #SomnathSwabhimanParv.

“Somnath Swabhiman Parv is about remembering the countless children of Bharat Mata, who never compromised with their principles and ethos. However daunting the times were, their resolve remained unshaken and their commitment to our ethos unwavering,” he said.

The Prime Minister also shared glimpses from a programme held at Somnath on October 31, 2001, which marked 50 years since the rebuilt temple was inaugurated in 1951 in the presence of then President Rajendra Prasad.

Recalling the reconstruction of the temple, Mr Modi said the efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, K M Munshi and several others were noteworthy. He noted that the 2001 programme was attended by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Home Minister L K Advani and several other dignitaries.

“In 2026, we will mark 75 years since the grand ceremony of 1951,” the Prime Minister added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, beginning Thursday, is about remembering the countless children of Bharat Mata, who never compromised with their principles and ethos.

The year-long celebrations mark the resilience of the Indian civilisation, which rebuilt the Somnath temple at Veraval in Gujarat that was ravaged repeatedly by foreign invaders.

“Jai Somnath! Somnath Swabhiman Parv begins today. A thousand years ago, in January 1026, Somnath faced its first-ever attack. The attack of 1026 and the subsequent attacks couldn’t diminish the eternal faith of millions, nor break the civilisational spirit that rebuilt Somnath time and again,” Modi said in a post on X.

The prime minister is scheduled to take part in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv at the temple on January 11.

Modi also shared some pictures from his previous visits to Somnath and urged his followers to share their photos using the hashtag #SomnathSwabhimanParv.

“Somnath Swabhiman Parv is about remembering the countless children of Bharat Mata, who never compromised with their principles and ethos. However daunting the times were, their resolve remained unshaken and their commitment to our ethos unwavering,” Modi said.

The prime minister also shared some glimpses from a programme held at Somnath on October 31, 2001, to mark 50 years since the rebuilt temple opened its doors in the presence of then-president Rajendra Prasad in 1951.

“The efforts of Sardar Patel, K M Munshi and several others in the reconstruction of the Somnath temple were noteworthy. The programme of 2001 was attended by then Prime Minister Atal Ji, Home Minister Advani Ji and several other dignitaries,” Modi said.

“In 2026, we will mark 75 years since the grand ceremony of 1951,” the prime minister added. (Agencies)