Politics
The ‘Pennsylvanias’ That Decided Maharashtra, Jharkhand Elections
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Whoever won Vidarbha and Marathwada, and Santhal Parganas, had the best chance to win Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections. In the end, the result in these regions proved to be decisive
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis prepares jalebi at the BJP office during celebrations after the party’s win in Assembly elections, in Mumbai, on November 23, 2024. (PTI)
These were the Pennsylvanias, or election deciders, of Maharashtra and Jharkhand – whoever won these regions of Vidarbha and Marathwada, and Santhal Parganas, had the best chance to win the state. In the end, the result in these regions proved to be decisive.
The Mahayuti won 48 out of the 62 seats in the Vidarbha region, and 40 out of the 46 seats in Marathwada – notching up 88 seats from the 108 seats in these eastern regions of the state at an 80% strike rate. This was significant as the Mahayuti had won just three out of the 19 Lok Sabha seats in these two regions just six months ago – and these regions have completely flipped for the Mahayuti now.
Similarly, in Santhal Parganas region in Jharkhand, which is adjoining West Bengal, 18 seats were up for grabs. This was the tribal-dominated region where the BJP’s ‘infiltration’ campaign was the strongest as the party drummed up how infiltrators were grabbing tribal land here. But this campaign fell flat as the BJP could win just one out of the 18 seats here, with the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance sweeping the region with 17 seats, and the state as well.
“The flip in Vidarbha and Marathwada has brought us to power in Maharashtra with both the Marathas and the farmers of Vidarbha returning to our fold. But we could not get the tribal voters of Santhal Parganas in our fold and that is where the election of Jharkhand has been lost,” a senior BJP leader in Delhi told News18.
In the Lok Sabha elections six months ago, JMM had won two out of three Lok Sabha constituencies in Santhal Parganas region. The BJP needed the region to flip in its favour in the assembly elections but the same did not happen.
The BJP lost five out of the six Assembly constituencies falling in the sole Lok Sabha seat that the party won in Santhal Parganas six months ago – Godda, which is held by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. He was also at the forefront of the ‘infiltration’ campaign of the party.
Possible Reasons
The popular woman scheme run by governments in both the states seems to have prevailed in the results. While women seem to have transcended caste barriers to vote for the Mahayuti in Vidarbha and Marathawada due to the ‘Ladki Behan Yojana’, the women voters in Santhal Parganas seem to have rewarded the JMM for the similar woman scheme launched by Hemant Soren a few months ago.
Also, Mahayuti’s moves to appease the cotton and soyabean farmers of Vidarbha with sops on MSP as well as a promise of a full loan waiver seems to have done the trick. The issue of ‘tribal pride’ also prevailed in Santhal Parganas, bringing the JMM alliance rich dividends.
- Location :
Maharashtra | Jharkhand, India
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Opposition’s motion of removal against Jagdeep Dhankhar: The notice, as per article 67(B) of the Constitution, will have to be put to vote first in the Rajya Sabha and, if needed, later in the Lok Sabha
Jagdeep Dhankhar has become the first Vice-President in the history of Independent India to face such a motion for removal. (PTI File)
A total of 60 MPs from opposition parties have submitted a notice to the Rajya Sabha Secretary General, demanding a motion for removal of Rajya Sabha chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar
The MPs from the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party (SP), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and other INDIA bloc allies have alleged that Dhankhar’s conduct is biased and therefore unbecoming of his position as the chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
Article 67(b) of the Constitution of India states that the Vice-President can be removed from office by a resolution of the council of states. The resolution must be passed by a majority of the council of states and agreed to by the House of the People. Before a resolution can be moved, at least 14 days’ notice must be given of the intention to move the resolution.
For the first time in the 72-year history of the Rajya Sabha, Opposition Parties have formally submitted a no-confidence motion against the Chairman.There have been three occasions, however, when a no-confidence motion has been moved against the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. pic.twitter.com/DHjo5vqL2K
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 10, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
The notice, as per article 67(B) of the Constitution, will have to be put to vote first in the Rajya Sabha and, if needed, later in the Lok Sabha.
Constitutional expert P D T Achari told News18 that the Rajya Sabha rule book makes no mention of any provision for removal of the chairperson. However, article 67 of the Constitution provides for the procedure for impeachment of the Vice-President of India. “The motion moved by the opposition will have to be put to vote in the Rajya Sabha. If a majority votes in favour, then it will be sent to the Lok Sabha. The Vice-President can be removed only if a majority of members in both the houses vote to impeach him,” Achary said.
#WATCH | On Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, ” In the last 72 years, it is the first time that Opposition parties have submitted a motion over Rajya Sabha Chairman. This shows how the situation has… pic.twitter.com/ySiO4r8D7u— ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2024
GOVERNMENT’S STAND
Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju condemned the move by the INDIA bloc, but said the government did not have a problem in accepting the notice and getting it voted upon. Rijiju, however, pointed out that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) enjoys a majority in Parliament and all NDA MPs have full faith in the chairperson. “This notice is a diversionary tactic because the Congress is scared and disturbed over the Soros revelation. Dhankhar is a Jat, son of a farmer. We condemn this move to target him,” Rijiju said.
14 DAYS REQUIREMENT
As per article 67, a 14-day notice must be given before any resolution to remove the Vice-President is voted upon. Achari clarified that although this is an unprecedented situation, a bare reading of the Constitution suggests that the resolution moved by the opposition can be taken up in the next session of Parliament as less than 10 working days remain in the winter session. “A special session of the two houses can be called or the notice can be voted upon in the next session,” he told News18.
UNPRECEDENTED MOVE
Dhankhar has become the first Vice-President in the history of Independent India to face such a motion for removal. The numbers in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha favour the ruling side, but the opposition insists on “putting on record the bias of the Chair”.
“As Chairperson, the manner in which Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar conducts parliamentary affairs of the Rajya Sabha is extremely partisan. It is a matter of record that Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar has repeatedly interrupted members of the Opposition while they are speaking, unfairly used privilege motions to silence leaders of the opposition, and openly delegitimized dissent with respect to the actions of the Government in the utmost disparaging manner,” the notice alleges.
It adds that his open praise for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and calling himself an “Ekalavya of the RSS” is proof of his bias. Rijiju dismissed the charge and said there was nothing wrong with praising an organisation like the RSS.
Politics
‘Diversionary Tactics’: Centre Condemns Opposition’s No-Confidence Motion Against RS Chairman
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This is the first time that a notice for bringing a motion to remove the Vice President has been moved in the Rajya Sabha.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. (ANI)
The BJP-led union government on Tuesday hit out at opposition for submitting notice of no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, saying that the notice is just a diversionary tactics of the opposition.
The opposition has moved the motion against Dhankhar accusing him of bias and ‘partisan functioning’. The opposition claimed that he favoured the ruling party during House proceedings and stifled their voice.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju slammed the Congress-led INDIA bloc for disrespecting the dignity of chair of both the houses during the ongoing winter session of the Parliament.
“I condemn the step of those 60 MPs who have signed the notice. The opposition disrespect the dignity of Chair, be it in Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha… Congress party and their alliance continuously behaved wrongly by not following the direction of the Chair,” he said.
#WATCH | Delhi | On a no-confidence motion moved by the opposition against the Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiu says, “The opposition disrespect the dignity of Chair, be it in Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha… Congress party and… pic.twitter.com/S5pkaqqrU4— ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2024
He praised the Vice President, saying, “Dhankhar Ji comes from a humble background. He always talks about farmers’ and people’s welfare inside and outside the parliament. He guides us. We respect him. The notice that has been served NDA has the majority and we all have faith in the chairman. We are happy with the way he guides the House…”
This is a developing story
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The BJP attacked the Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka over ‘lathi charge’ by the police on the Panchamasali Lingayat community members demanding reservation.
Karnataka protests (ANI Image)
The protests by the Panchamasali Lingayat community in Karnataka turned violent on Tuesday as the police resorted to lathi charge near the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, drawing a sharp reaction from the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.
The community protested seeking the inclusion of the Panchamasali Lingayat community in the 2A reservation category, which offers 15% reservation for government jobs and educational institutions.
The community only receives 5% reservation at present due to its current classification under the 3B category.
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