Elections should be followed by restoration of full Statehood to Jammu & Kashmir, demands National Democratic Party Indian (NDPI)head Jammu & Kashmir UT president Rajesh Gupta on Saturday said the BJP was aiming to rule the Union Territory directly from New Delhi and was shying away from early elections in J&K. “The BJP has adopted misleading and deceitful politics aiming to rule J&K directly from the Centre. It was shying away from the elections, which is bound to further expose its anti-people and wrong policies towards J&K,” Gupta, who addressed a workers meeting in Jammu, said.
The NDPI Chief said he never trust BJP’s recently stament that Assembly elections to be held in J&K in March April 2023 the Centre was adopting dilly-dallying tactics with regard to holding Assembly elections in J&K. “How
long will J&K be kept at the mercy of bureaucracy? How long will people be denied their democratic rights? Such measures are fraught with serious consequences,” Gupta said. The last Assembly elections were held in 2014 in J&K, which has remained under Central rule since the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-BJP ruling alliance fell apart in 2018. Demanding early Assembly elections in J&K, Gupta said, “The elections should be followed by restoration of full Statehood to J&K.” He said the NDPI will continue to fight for constitutional guarantees, protection of land, and jobs. “NDPI will not compromise on the rights of people rather fight vigorously to ensure justice to them [the people], besides exposing the political exploitation on the part of BJP,” he added.
“How long will J&K be kept at the mercy of bureaucracy? Rajesh Gupta
Role of regional parties to be important for 2024 LS polls Amartya Sen
Kolkata Jan 14 (PTI) Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen asserted that it “would be a mistake” to think that the 2024 Lok Sabha election would be a one-horse race in favour of the BJP, and felt that the role of a number of regional parties would be “clearly important” for the upcoming general election.
The 90-year-old economist also said that though Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee has the ability to be India’s next Prime Minister, it is yet to be established whether the West Bengal Chief Minister could be able to pull the forces of public dismay against the BJP.
“I think a number of regional parties are clearly important. I think the DMK is an important party, the TMC is certainly important and the Samajwadi Party has some standing but whether that could be extended I do not know.
“I think it would be a mistake to take the dismissive view that there is no other party that can take the place of BJP since it has established itself as a party with a vision that is inclined in the direction of Hindus over the rest of the country,” he told PTI in an exclusive interview here.
Leaders of several parties including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Janata Dal (United) have called for a new alliance including the Congress for the Lok Sabha polls in 2024. They have emphasised that a bipolar contest will ensure the BJP’s defeat.
“The BJP has substantially reduced the vision of India. It has narrowed the understanding of India as just Hindu India and as a Hindi-speaking India in such a strong way that it would be sad if there is no alternative to the BJP in India today.
“If the BJP looks strong and powerful, it has a good deal of weakness too. So, I think other political parties will be able to come to a debate if they really try. I do not know enough to be able to dismiss the anti-BJP parties together,” he said.
On whether Banerjee could be the country’s next PM, Sen said she has the ability.
“It’s not that she does not have the ability to do it. She clearly has the ability. On the other hand, it’s yet not established that Mamata can pull the forces of public dismay against the BJP in an integrated way to make it possible for her to have the leadership to put an end to the fractionalisation in India,” the economist said.
Regional parties led by Banerjee’s TMC, K Chandrashekar Rao’s Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAM) had formed the Federal Front (FF) in the run-up to the 2019 general election.
In January of that year, talks were held among the leaders gathered in Kolkata at a grand meeting organised by the TMC supremo.
Among those present were JD(S) leader and then Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda,
Arvind Kejriwal (AAP), former UP Chief Ministers Akhilesh Yadav (SP), MK Stalin (DMK) of Tamil Nadu, Sharad Pawar of Maharashtra, Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah of Jammu and Kashmir, and Gegong Apang of Arunachal Pradesh.
Sen expressed doubts about the Congress’ ability to win the 2024 elections, which he believes has “weakened”. He, however, said that it is the only party to provide an all-India vision.
“The Congress seems to have weakened a lot and I do not know how much somebody can rely on Congress. On the other hand, Congress certainly provides an all-India vision which no other party can take over. Then again, there are divisions within the Congress,” he said.
Jammu & Kashmir weather: Srinagar airport resumes flight operations as runways cleared of snow, visibility improves
SRINAGAR: The authorities at Srinagar Airport Saturday said that flights will be resumed as snow has been cleared from the runway and apron.
“Snow is cleared now from runway and apron Visibility is also good We are starting flights now”, Srinagar Airport informed in a tweet.
Yesterday, following a heavy snowfall, all flights were cancelled. “All flights for today at our airport have been cancelled due to continuous bad weather The passengers of the cancelled flights shall be accommodated by the respective Airlines in the next available flight at no extra cost”, officials at the Srinagar Airport had said yesterday.
Country observes 7th Armed Forces Veterans Day
The country is observing 7th Armed Forces Veterans Day today. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan, three service chiefs paid tributes at National War Memorial in New Delhi. The Armed Forces Veterans Day is being celebrated at nine locations across the country including Juhunjhunu, Jalandhar, Panagarh, New Delhi, Dehradun, Chennai, Chandigarh, Bhubaneshwar and Mumbai.
David Warner hints at retirement, 2023 likely to be his last year in international cricket
Melbourne , January 14 : Veteran Australian opener David Warner hinted at retirement, saying that 2023 could be his final year in international cricket, though he would like the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup to be hosted in West Indies and USA to be the ending point of what has been a glorious 13-year career so far.
“[This will] most likely be my last year of my international career,” Warner was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. “I have got my sights set on the 2024 [T20] World Cup as well, so finishing in the Americas, that would be nice to top it off with a win over there, pending selection,” added the opener.
Warner has been an exceptional servant to Australian cricket across all formats since 2009.
In 101 Test matches so far, Warner has scored 8,132 runs at an average of 46.20. He has 25 centuries and 34 fifties in the format, with the best individual score of 335*.
Warner has also featured in 141 ODIs for Aussies, in which he has scored 6,007 runs at an average of 45.16. He has 19 centuries and 27 fifties in the format, with the best individual score of 179.
Warner has also had a decorated T20I career as a batter. In 99 matches, he has scored 2,894 runs at an average of 32.88. He has one century and 24 half-centuries in this format, with the best score of 100.
He is also part of the Australian team that captured the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup.
He will be seen in action during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, which will start from February 9 onwards.
Australia has named an 18-member squad for the Border-Gavaskar series in India, including 22-year-old Todd Murphy, while awaiting updates on whether Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green would be fit for the series.
Off-spinner Murphy joins Ashton Agar and Mitchell Swepson as prospective spin partners for Nathan Lyon after a promising start to his First Class career. Murphy and the rest of the spin group were preferred over Adam Zampa.
Uncapped quick Lance Morris, who was part of Australia’s red-ball squad in the home series, retains his spot and has a chance to make his debut in the first Test at Nagpur, as Mitchell Starc, who is currently nursing tendon damage on his left middle finger, won’t join the squad until after the first Test.
Batters Peter Handscomb and Matt Renshaw will support the top six in the touring squad, with Marcus Harris, a member of Australia’s selection for the home summer, missing out.
All-rounder Cameron Green is also racing against time to be fit but could make the opening Test in spite of sustaining a fracture on the right index finger during the Boxing Day Test against South Africa.
The Australia tour of India will kickstart in Nagpur on February 9. There will be a total of 7 matches on the tour — 4 Tests and 3 ODIs. The tour will start with the four-match Test series with the first game starting on February 9 at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. Delhi (Arun Jaitley Stadium), Dharamsala (HPCA Stadium) and Ahmedabad (Narendra Modi Stadium) will host the remaining three Tests of the four-match series.
The home series will conclude with a three-match ODI series, with Mumbai, Vizag and Chennai playing hosts. Mumbai will host the first match of the series on March 17 while the second and third will be held on January 19 and 22 in Vizag and Chennai, respectively.
Australia Test squad for the tour of India: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson and David Warner. (ANI)
Pakistan: 3 police officials killed in Peshawar in exchange of fire with terrorists
Peshawar , January 14 : At least three police officials have been killed, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) in exchange of fire with terrorists in Peshawar on Saturday, ARY News reported.
The assailants attacked the police station in Peshawar’s Sarband area with long-range rifles and hand grenades in the early hours, ARY News reported. The deceased were identified as DSP Badaber Sardar Hussain, Irshad and Jehanzeb, according to ARY News.
The attack on the Sarband police station was confirmed by senior superintendent of police operations Kashif Aftab Abbasi.
He stated that “terrorists attacked the police station from two sides with hand grenades and sniper rifles equipped with night vision goggles,” as per the local media.
14 police officers were present at the police station at the time of the attack, according to SSP operations, and at least six to eight terrorists were part of the attack. The attackers, however, fled the scene later.
At least six police officers were killed in a similar attack on November 16 in the Lakki Marwat District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Wanda Shahab Khel neighbourhood, ARY News reported.
With the rise of TTP in Pakistan, attacks on security personnel and explosions across the country have become a regular affair.
Indian women’s hockey team looks to start season on high with tour of South Africa
Bengaluru, Jan 14 (PTI) The Indian women’s hockey team would look to start the year on a positive note when it tours South Africa for a seven-match series, starting against the hosts on January 16.
India are scheduled to play four matches against South Africa in Cape Town before facing world no.1 Netherlands in three games, starting January 23.
“We are grateful to Hockey India for planning good amount of exposure matches for us in the annual calendar, particularly in a year where we are focused on preparing well for the Asian Games and earning direct qualification for the Paris Olympics,” India captain Savita said.
Savita feels the tour will help the side identify its grey areas and work upon those ahead of this year’s Asian Games.
“These matches against South Africa and the world no.1 side Netherlands will help us raise the level of our game and also at the same time identify the areas we are lacking in. We are well-prepared for this tour following a good two-week camp in Bangalore.
“The players are high on confidence after a good year of hockey in 2022 and we are looking forward to start the season on a good note,” said Savita, who led the team to a historic bronze medal feat at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Congress MP Dies Of Heart Attack During Bharat Jodo Yatra
Ludhiana: Congress MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary died of a heart attack during Bharat Jodo Yatra in Punjab this morning. He was 76.
Santokh Singh Chaudhary, the party’s MP from Jalandhar, collapsed during the foot march in Punjab’s Phillaur. He was taken to a hospital in Phagwara in an ambulance, where he died later.
Rahul Gandhi, who was leading the yatra, left the march midway and rushed to the hospital where the veteran Congress leader had been taken, a party leader said. He is likely to meet Mr Chaudhary’s family at his home in Jalandhar later today. The yatra has been suspended for now.
The Punjab leg of the Congress’ mega foot march began on Wednesday from Fatehgarh Sahib. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said Mr Chaudhary’s death is a “great blow to the party and organisation”.
“Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the untimely passing away of our MP, Shri Santokh Singh Chaudhary. His loss is a great blow to the party and organisation. In this hour of grief, my heart goes out to his family, friends and followers. May his soul rest in peace,” he tweeted.
DEEPLY SHOCKED AND SADDENED TO LEARN ABOUT THE UNTIMELY PASSING AWAY OF OUR MP, SHRI SANTOKH SINGH CHAUDHARY.HIS LOSS IS A GREAT BLOW TO THE PARTY AND ORGANISATION.IN THIS HOUR OF GRIEF, MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FOLLOWERS.MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.
Makar Sankranti: Devotees take holy dip in Ganga in Varanasi
On the occasion of Makar Sankranti on Saturday, thousands of devotees took the holy dip in river Ganga in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
As devotees flocked to the river for the holy dip on the occasion of the harvest festival, a huge crowd was seen on the Varanasi ghats queuing up to offer prayers to the sun god.
To ensure that the tourists take the holy dip safely, bath kunds have been developed on floating jetties. Handicraft, ODOP, GI.
Product stalls have been integrated with the tent city which will act as a sustainable economic platform for the local population.
Makar Sankranti is a festival in the Hindu calendar, in which devotees make offerings to the deity Surya. The day marks the first day of the sun’s transit into the Makara, marking the end of the month with the winter solstice and the start of longer days.
Makar Sankranti, which is one of the most auspicious times in the year that marks the transition of the Sun from Dakshinayan to Uttarayan.
Observed on January 14 every year, the festival is known by various names in different parts of the country such as Pongal, Bihu and Maghi. Devotees in several parts of the country performed rituals at different ghats.
Several Hindu devotees and Naga Sadhus from different parts of the country gathered at Kolkata’s Babu Ghat to take a holy dip during Gangasagar Mela on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.
Jammu-Srinagar highway remains blocked for 2nd day
Jammu, Jan 14: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained blocked for a second day on Saturday due to snow accumulation in Banihal and shooting stones and mudslides at Ramban and Panthiyal, officials said.
Many vehicles, mostly trucks, have been stranded on the highway after it was closed on Friday due to rain and snow.
The highway is the lifeline of Kashmir and the main road link connecting the landlocked valley with the rest of the country.
Kashmir-bound trucks carrying essential supplies and other vehicles pass through the highway, while fruit-carrying trucks from the valley head to the rest of the country through this road.