Modi Govt rebukes British Parl debate on India's agri reforms, calls it 'gross interference'

British MPs urged to refrain from "practicing vote bank politics"

New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla on Tuesday, March 9 summoned British High Commissioner Alexander Ellis and conveyed India's "strong opposition to the unwarranted and tendentious discussion" on agricultural reforms in India in the British Parliament. 

"Foreign Secretary made clear that this represented a gross interference in the politics of another democratic country," an MEA statement said.

He advised that British MPs should refrain from "practicing vote bank politics" by misrepresenting events, especially in relation to another fellow democracy.

It may be mentioned that the 'debate' in British Parliament on farmers' stir in Delhi took place despite External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar holding tele talks with British Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab on March 3. 

"Nice talking to UK Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab. Reviewed the progress in our bilateral cooperation. Also discussed regional and UN issues," Dr Jaishankar had tweeted.

Though nothing in details were shared on what transpired between two Ministers, importantly, the interaction came days before the British House of Commons was slated to take up for debate the issue of press freedom and safety of protesters in India on March 8.

Interestingly, envoy Alexander Ellis had himself sometime back said that the farm laws and issues related in India were 'internal matters' of India.

However, the British High Commissioner had said the issue was slated for debate due to a parliamentary process and the British government had no option other than to participate in the debate and give a response.

"We deeply regret that rather than a balanced debate, false assertions – without substantiation or facts – were made, casting aspersions on the largest functioning democracy in the world and its institutions,” a statement issued by the Indian High Commission has said in London.

Contrary to what the farmers leaders and opposition parties have been stating, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government have repeatedly insisted the laws will improve farmers' incomes. 

During the debate in UK Parliament, SNP MP Martin Day has said, "Water cannons and tear gas and repeated clashes between police and farmers and interruption in internet connectivity have been matters of concern". 

MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava had said earlier that any protests (against three farm reform laws) must be seen in the context of India’s democratic ethos and polity, and the ongoing efforts of the Government and the concerned farmer groups to resolve the impasse.

ends 

A day after Modi's Briagde rally, Trinamool hit with major exodus: Five MLAs switch sides

Malda Zilla Parishad also defected to the BJP camp.

Kolkata: As immediate aftermath of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mega rally at Brigade Ground here, the recurring impact on the health of Trinamool Congress was well reflected a day after when as many as five sitting MLAs, one candidate of Mamata Banerjee and Malda Zilla Parishad defected to the BJP camp.

Among others, 80-year-old Rabindranath Bhattacharya, a prominent face of the Singur movement, joined the saffron party.

Mukul Roy, onetime Mamata lieutenant, welcomed the veteran leader stating Bhattacharya's move finally makes it clear how the Mamata Banerjee government has failed those who voted overwhelmingly in 2011 and also 2016.

"What can be worse than their (Trinamool) own members and dedicated leaders feeling humiliated and eventually leaving the party? Now Trinamool is getting celebrities to fill in the position," said BJP state president Dilip Ghosh. 
Among those Trinamool Congress lost on Monday include four-time MLAs Sonali Guha and also former football player Dipendu Biswas.

Jatu Lahiri (from Shivpur) and Sital Kumar Sardar and Mamata's candidate from Habibpur, Sarala Murmu, also joined the Lotus party in the presence of West Bengal state president Dilip Ghosh, Suvendu Adhikari and Mukul Roy.

The Trinamool leadership replaced Murmu with Pradeep Baskey.

The saffron party was delighted as the party took control of the 38-member Malda Zilla Parishad after its 22 members shifted allegiance. Notably, actress Tanusree Chakraborty also joined the BJP.

Continuing to be rattled, Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee made an impatient plea to the voters not to be swayed by defection from her rank and file and said the people should not see the candidates in individual constituencies and assume that she (Mamata herself) is contesting from all the constituencies.

Meanwhile, a television channel-sponsored survey showed that over 33 percent of those surveyed had rejected the idea that Trinamool would be benefited by Mamata's campaign that she herself is contesting across the state in all 294 assembly segments.

"U are 'khala (Aunt)' of Rohingyas: Suvendu on Mamata :: "Trinamool ka Khela shesh" : Modi gives a call for 'ashol poriborton'

"People of Bengal had made you their Didi, but why did you turn yourself into Pishi (aunt) of your own Bhatija....You have not able to come out of Congress politics of serving family interests".

Kolkata: The BJP on Sunday made its mega push to wrest power in West Bengal with the Prime Minister calling for genuine transition in a state where the Lotus party has made considerable ground in recent times.

"TMC ka khela shesh, khela khatam....Trinamool game is all over," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the historic rally at Kolkata's famous and spacious Brigade ground.

Speaking minutes before the Prime Minister, BJP's candidate from Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari said,"People of Bengal do not consider Mamata their 'meye (daughter), instead you are 'khala' (aunt) of Rohingyas".  Modi gave a clarion call for 'ashol (genuine) Poriborton' -- taking a leaf from Mamata Banerjee-led party's slogan for 2011 when Trinamool had sought to bring about the socio-political transition and take out West Bengal from the stranglehold of communists' role. 

The Prime Minister said people of Bengal want "unnati and shanti" - development and peace. He also pointed out that a decade back, the people of Bengal had shown faith in Didi, "but Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress have betrayed people".

"The people now want Sonar Bangla; people have come here (for the rally) to bring real change in Bengal,” the Prime Minister said. Exuding confidence that the large turnout - billed in terms of about 10 lakhs if not more - had come to spell political death-knell for Trinamool Congress, Modi said, "many could mistake today with May 2 (the day when votes wouldbe finally counted for eight-round of mega polls)".

Modi said that he never saw such a huge turnout in a political rally ever in life. He said that his visit was targeted to reassure the people of Bengal that the BJP would work towards a better tomorrow for the state and its people. “The coming five years are going to be crucial for West Bengal to prepare the development blueprint for the next 25 years. Bengal should have its uniqueness by 2047. We all need to work hard towards that direction," Modi said adding, Bengal needs a double-engine government to capitalise on the  growth momentum.

“Let me assure you that we will leave no stone unturned to develop Bengal. We want a Bengal where there is enough opportunities for education and employment so that people do not have to migrate outside. Ashol Poriborton - real change means 21st century infrastructure, more investment, comprehensive growth and more economic power to poor people,” he said.

"When India celebrates 100 years of its independence in 2047, Bengal should get back its earlier rhythm and position and lead the country forward," he said. The Prime Minister said that there would be no appeasement politics in the state once BJP comes to power. The party will not entertain illegal immigrants, he said. The rally on Sunday had a political significance of its own as noted film star Mithun Chakraborty joined the BJP on stage minutes before Modi came for the rally.

"My campaign will start from March 12...," Mithun said later though speculation still remained on whether hewould contest the polls himself. Earlier speaking at the rally, BJP's candidate for prestigious Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari accusedTrinamool leadership trying to hatch a conspiracy with Left, Congress and the Indian Secular Front (ISF). Suvendu said, Mamata Banerjee-led party is trying to give a middleman  - power broker space and importance to ISFand was planning to make Abbas Siddiqui of ISF the deputy Chief Minister. "If by any chance, Trinamool returns to power, West Bengal may turn into Kashmir (due to Mamata's appeasement politics)and all of us would become like Kashmiri pandits and rendered homeless," Suvendu cautioned voters. ends 

Highlights:

TMC ka khela shesh, khela khatam: PM Modi

PM Modi gives clarion call for 'ashol (genuine) Poriborton'

#Modi

#BrigadeRally #BrigadeCholoBengal

Bangla chae unnati, Bangla chae shanti - PM Modi

"people of bengal had shown faith in Didi, but they hav betrayed people" -

@narendramodi

#Trinamool trying to make #AbbasSiddiqui of ISF a 'power broker' and 'deputy CM' in #Bengal: #BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya on 'Bhaijan polity'

If #Trinamool returns to power, West Bengal may turn into Kashmir and all of us would become like Kashmiri pandits: #SuvenduAdhikari

People do not consider u daughter, U r 'khala' of Rohingyas: Suvendu on Mamata

Film Actor #mithun chakraborty also called MahaGuru  joins Bharatiya Janata Party #BJP at #PMModi's rally at #BrigadeCholo Parade Ground, Kolkata

Kailash Vijayvargiya, BJP National General Secretary & Central Observer for West Bengal met Mithun Chakraborty at the latter's residence in Belgachia, Kolkata.

 # Doosra May ...May 2 result day...magic hobey: #LocketChatterjee

# Vigyapaney koti koti....Didir page hawai Choti- -- 

@BJP4India

 MP #LocketChatterjee

If Narendra #Modi  is an outsider, what about your daughter in law, says #BJP MP #ArjunSingh

#DineshTrivedi embraces onetime rival Arjun Singh, Barrackpore MP at Brigade Rally

Trinamool trying to make Abbas Siddiqui of ISF as power broker, 'deputy CM': BJP 

It was Mamata who stalled Durga idol immersion, Suvendu reminds voters as he is pitted against Didi

Kolkata: On a day, the BJP finally decided to field him against Mamata Banerjee, her onetime lieutenant Suvendu Adhikari sought to remind the voters of Nandigram and other constituencies that it was the Chief Minister who had denied Durga puja and Saraswati Puja celebrations to Hindu devouts.

He also asserted, "I am Bhumi-putra (son of the soil) of Nandigram....and manoniya (respected leader Mamata) is a guest".

"Do not you all remember that it was she who had prevented Goddess Durja immersion ? It was she who stopped Saraswati Puja in Uluberia....Mone achhey toh (Don't you all remember)?," said Adhikari, a renowned mass-level leader from Nandigram region.

"Please remember, April first (one) we should settle all scores," he said amid rousing thunderous applause from the gathering.

Nandigram goes to the polls on the second phase of polling on April 1. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announcedher name for the high profile seat on Friday and a day later, the BJP in its first list of candidates said that their candidatein the constituency would be Suvendu Adhikari.

Fourteen people were killed in 2007 in clashes between protesters against an SEZ project in Nandigram, cleared by the erstwhile Left Front government.

Once Nandigram and Singur controversies made headlines embarrassing the Left Front, Mamata had crafted a well planned "Ma, Maati, Manush (Mother, Motherland and people)" campaign based on the title of a theatre and could oust the CPI-M led communists coalition in 2011.

Suvendu's lawmaker father, Sisir Adhikari, known from his influence in Nandigram and other pockets in East Midnapore District, has backed his son's candidature from the constituency.
"If Mamata Banerjee contests from Nandigram and Suvendu is fielded (by BJP), Parinam Bhalo hobeh na - Poll outcome would not be favourable for Mamata", said senior Adhikari.

Directing his ire against Mamata, Suvendu Adhikari further said, "Mamata is an outsider to Nandigram. She remembersthis place every five years only before elections. Before arriving here, she has ensured security of three people".

These people include - Syed Abdul Samat and Abu Thahir. "She thinks if such people are safe and well protectedin Nandigram, then everyone will be safe," he said mockingly.

Suvendu also mocked Mamata for deserting Bhowanipore assembly segment in Kolkata and said previouspolls have proved that she has lost ground there.

In fact, other BJP leaders have also taken this line and accused her of deserting the previous constituency.

Reacting to Mamata Banerjee's announcement of contesting from Nandigram, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya tweeted: "Mamata Banerjee, by relinquishing her traditional seat of Bhowanipore, has already conceded defeat, even before the first vote has been cast. Bring it on. Bengal is ready for change!

Mamata is likely to station herself in Nandigram and is likely to file her nomination on March 10.

Trinamool MP Sukhendu Shekhar Roy and Mamata's trusted aide Dola Sen have been asked to camp there while several state ministers would also be campaigning for their leader.

Political observers say by pitching herself from Nandigram, a known forte of Sisir Adhikari and his son Suvendu, Mamata Banerjee has rather committed a major political blunder.

Mamata had announced on January 18 that she would contest from Nandigram. "It is like walking into a political trap set by BJP leaders and Suvendu Adhikari. Perhaps, she should have avoided a direct confrontation with Adhikaris when the bigger battle is to fight the BJP at the state level," a key Trinamool leader told this journalist on the condition of anonymity.

Suvendu Adhikari also said once polling would be over on April 1, he would be free to campaign for the BJP in other parts of the state.

West Bengal goes to its high profile battle of ballots or EVMs in eight phases beginning March 27.

ends    

Blogger

PM Modi's Bangladesh visit could be linked to wooing Matua voters in Bengal

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is certainly attaching great importance to his Bangladesh visit, his maiden overseas trip since Covid19.

But more than the diplomatic importance, observers say there is also a political significance as the visit on March 26-27 could also get linked to wooing Matuas, a sizable Hindu population in West Bengal.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, who met his counterpart on Thursday, March 4, in Dhaka, says: "We know that this is a very special year for you, when both countries mark the Mujib Barsho, 50 years of Bangladesh’s Liberation and 50 years of our bilateral relationship."

"Our relations actually transcend even our strategic partnership, and I believe that our bonding is central to the realization of a dream of a peaceful, prosperous and progressive South Asia. It is in pursuit of this vision that both sides have made remarkable progress in our relationship, especially since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assumption of office in May 2014," he said.

The first phase of polls in West Bengal is March 27, the day Prime Minister Modi may be heading for Mujib's village for an unusual shrine in Bangladesh — Orakandi .

Sources in Bangladesh say security and related aspects are being examined. Modi will reach Bangladesh on March 26, the day observed in Bangladesh as the Independence Day. 

PM Modi is likely to visit Tungipara, where the ‘Bangabandhu’ Mujib lies buried.  
Sources said Modi wants a visit to Orakandi to pay respects to Harichand Thakur, the founder of the Matua sect.
Orakandi is not far from Tungipara.

Members of the Matua community have migrated to West Bengal from Bangladesh since 1947 and over the years and are now keen for legal citizenship in India.

Essentially, the Matuas are Hindu refugees and if the CAA is implemented, they can influence results in favor of the BJP in at least 15-20 seats.

The Matuas are a socially deprived community, numbering 25-30 million. 

External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar further said, "The significance of our (Indo-Bangladesh) ties with Bangladesh lies in your centrality, Excellency, for our ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy and your growing relevance for our ‘Act East’ Policy. We see Bangladesh as a key neighbour and a valued partner not only in South Asia but also in the broader Indo-Pacific region". 

He said, "It is no secret that we cite it to others as an example (friendship with Bangladesh) for emulation".

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Priyanka's Tea Gardeners politics fail in Assam ?? Can BJP replace Sonowal by Himanta ?

Priyanka wooing Tea planters

Best of campaigners did not help Congress - as of yet! Sincere efforts to make inroads among tea tribes before the Assam polls hit a roadblock after Rupesh Gowala, the general secretary of the influential Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha, joined the ruling BJP.

The BJP is now likely to field Gowala from Doomdooma constituency in Upper Assam. The seat is at present held by Congress member Durga Bhumij.

"I was impressed by BJP's development agenda," says Gowala. It may be mentioned that Congress has been desperately working hard to win over tea-tribes. Rahul Gandhi announced Rs 365 as daily minimum wage for a garden worker and Congress general secretary and his sister Priyanka said the party would work for the community if the party is voted to power.

She visited Biswanath district to understand the problems faced by the garden workers and also guaranteed a sum of Rs 2000 a month to all housewives.

BJP Minister Sum Ronghang returns to Congress 

Denied ticket from Karbianglong hub Diphu, Assam Hills Area Development Minister, Sum Ronghang, has quit the BJP and joined Congress. If fielded by grand old party, he would now take on BJP's 

Bidya Sing Engleng. 

Some of the newly inducted candidates that replaced the sitting MLA's (BJP) are - In Sonari, sitting MLA Nabanita Handique was replaced by Dharmeswar Konwar, in Bihpuria, MLA Debananda Hazarika was replaced by Amiyo Kumar Bhuyan in Bihpuria, MLA Rituparna Barua was replaced by Binod Hazarika in Lahowal. 

Jayanta Malla Baruah replaced sitting BJP legislator Ashok Sharma in Nalbari.

"Jaundiced View": Blogger 

Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) first list of candidates 

Bokakhat ---- Atul Bora 

Koliabor  ---- Keshav Mahanta 

Teok      .....   Renupama Rajkhowa 

Dergaon ------  Bhabendra Nath Bharali 

Amguri  ---- Pradeep Hazarika 

Chabua  ---- Ponakon Baruah 

Naoboisa --- Jayanta Khaund 

Tezpur  --- Prithiviraj Rabha

Himanta-Sonowal battle comes to fore in BJP ticket distribution in Assam

Is BJP planning to replace Sonowal by Amit Shah's man for all seasons in northeast politics, Himanta Biswa Sarma ?

Perhaps this has been indicated in quite crystal clear terms by BJP central leadership's decision to drop as many as 11 sitting MLAs - and most of them being loyalists and admirers of the incumbent Chief Minister Sonowal. 

The BJP's official line in Assam has been the crucial ticket distribution has been guided by the philosophy of 'Change amid Continuity'. However, sources said while one makes threadbare analysis, it is bound to become clear that "blessed by a powerful central leader Himanta Biswa Sarma's machinations have eclipsed Chief Minister Sonowal's image".

The list released by the saffron party has deprived tickets to 11 sitting MLAs. The legislators are from Silchar, Howraghat, Katigora, Diphu, Baithalangso, Lahowal, Bihpuria, Sonari, Nalbari, Halflong, and Barkhola.

In 2016, displaying good strike rate, the BJP had won 60 seats of the 84 seats it had contested.

Five years back, it was a significant and maiden victory for power in Assam after years of struggle and works at the grassroots levels.

But the ticket distribution this year has left 'genuine and original BJP loyalists and foot soldiers' anguished.

"The ticket distribution and the manner the Himanta faction has been given preference shows, even if we come to power in Assam yet again, it will be a BJP-led regime by name as most turncoats and former Congress leaders would be accommodated," said a party leader in Silchar in Bengali-dominated Cachar valley.

In Silchar, the sitting legislator Dilip Kumar Paul has been shown the door and instead the Lotus party has reposed faith in Dipayan Chakraborty.

"Paul was a preferred man for Silchar. He had won a tough by-election in 2014 during Tarun Gogoi's rule. Today, he has been denied ticket. Along with him, all of us are feeling frustrated. All our hard work during Covid19 and last seven years has been forgotten.....Where from the high command got this wisdom," said Premtosh Das, a local BJP leader from 1990s.

Indications are on that Paul's supporters held a meeting on Friday late night and decided to pressurise him to contest as Independent candidate. Paul is yet to take a final call.

There would be another dissidence angle as former Union Minister Kabindra Purkayastha's son, Kanad too has been denied party ticket. 

Similarly, there are reports of dissensions among the rank and file in Lakhipur constituency also where the saffron outfit has fielded Kaushik Rai and denied ticket to former Congress legislator Rajdeep Gowala, who was elected to the Assembly in the 2016 elections, and had joined BJP.

The fact that ant-incumbency mood is quite strong against BJP could be gauged from the fact that the party has decided to field BJP state president Ranjeet Kumar Dass from Patacharkuchi, which falls under Barpeta Lok Sabha constituency.

In 2016, this assembly segment was won Pobindra Deka of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). In two previous occasions 2011 and 2016, Dass represented Sarbhog assembly segment that falls under  Kokrajhar Lok Sabha constituency.

The shift for a senior leader like Dass, a former Assembly Speaker and  deputy leader of the BJP in the Assam Legislative Assembly between 2011 and 2016, has been necessitated as Dass faces the prospects of losing from Sarbhog.

Dass had moved as BJP Assam President on January 30, 2017 and is now known for allegedly associating himself with the Himanta camp.

Similarly, in Haflong reserve seat, Nandita Gar Losa will be the BJP nominee instead of Bir Bhadra Hagjer.

The Halflong has been traditionally a Congress-stronghold seat with Gobinda Chndra Langthasa winning the seat for grand old party in six elections since 1985.

Himanta Biswa Sarma will contest from Jalukbari. He has been winning from the segment for four times. 

He had won the seat for BJP in 2016, while on three previous occasions, he won it as Congress nominee in 2001, 2006 and 2011.

A key feature of ticket distribution and seat allocation among the allies this year is the fact that a former doyen of regional politics Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has been apparently dumped by AGP for the former Chief Minister's open and strong opposition to the CAA.

Mahanta is one of the founding leaders of the party and former party president and ex-Chief Minister. Now BJP candidate Jitu Goswami would contest from Prafulla Mahanta's seat in Barhampur.

Of the 126 assembly segments, Asam Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People's Party (Liberal) will contest from 26 constituencies and eight constituencies respectively.

One seat will be contested by Rabha Joutho Mancha also but they will be contesting under BJP's party symbol.

The 126-member Assam Assembly will go to the polls in three phases on March 27 (47 seats), April 1 (39 seats) and April 6 (40 seats). The results will be declared on May 2.

However, if Sonai seat is given to AIUDF as part of alliance arrangements with Congress, Laskar would face an uphill task.

In 2016, Laskar had won the seat in the triangular contest.

In fact, the BJP nominee Laskar had polled 44,236 votes as against 36,683 of Congress and AIUDF Karimuddin Barbhuiya's 32,109 votes.

In fact, the alliance between AIUDF of Badruddin Ajmal and the Congress has thrown huge challenge to the BJP in as many as 17 assembly segments.

The combined votes of Congress and AIUDF candidates in 17 segments was more than BJP's.

"We should not be overconfident of so called Modi wave etc.....In 2015 in Bihar, we had paid the price of underestimating the combined strength of opposition. Similar situation prevails in Assam today," said a key BJP leader on the condition of anonymity.

ends 

BJP drops 11 sitting MLAs

New Delhi/Guwahati: Continuity with change seemed to have guided the BJP leadership on their decision to elect candidates for 126-member Assam elections.

The list released by the saffron party on Friday has deprived tickets to 11 sitting MLAs.

The legislators are from Silchar, Howraghat, Katigora, Diphu, Baithalangso, Lahowal, Bihpuria, Sonari, Nalbari, Halflong, and Barkhola.

In a major development, the AGP has this year has dropped one of the founding leaders of the party and former party president and ex-Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. BJP candidate Jitu Goswami would now contest from Prafulla Mahanta's seat in Barhampur.

From Silchar, the Lotus party has decided to field Dipayan Chakraborty instead of Dilip Kumar Paul. 

Similarly, in Haflong reserve seat, Nandita Gar Losa will be the BJP nominee instead of Bir Bhadra Hagjer. 

The Halflong has been traditionally a Congress-stronghold seat with Gobinda Chndra Langthasa winning the seat for grand old party in six elections since 1985.

Among the top three, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will contest from the Majuli constituency while key Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will be party nominee from his traditional assembly segment of Jalukbari. Assam BJP chief Ranjeet Kumar Dass will be BJP candidate from Pathacharkuchi constituency.

In 2016, Chief Minister Sonowal had won Majuli - Scheduled Tribe - seat by a huge margin of over 19,000 votes. 

Himanta Biswa Sarma has been winning from Jalukbari seat for four times. He had won the seat for BJP in 2016, while on three previous occasions, he won it as Congress nominee in 2001, 2006 and 2011.

BJP president Dass has been shifted to Patacharkuchi, which falls as part of the Barpeta Lok Sabha constituency.

In 2016, this assembly segment was won Pobindra Deka of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). The decision to change the party and candidate suggests the ruling alliance is trying to break the anti-incumbency factor.

In two previous occasions 2011 and 2016, Dass represented Sarbhog assembly segment that falls under Kokrajhar Lok Sabha constituency.

Dass was the deputy leader of the BJP in the Assam Legislative Assembly between 2011 and 2016. He was elected as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in June 2016 but later moved as BJP Assam President on January 30, 2017.

Of the 126 assembly segments, Asam Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People's Party (Liberal) will contest from 26 constituencies and eight constituencies respectively. 

One seat will be contested by Rabha Joutho Mancha also but they will be contesting under BJP's party symbol.

The 126-member Assam Assembly will go to the polls in three phases on March 27 (47 seats), April 1 (39 seats) and April 6 (40 seats). The results will be declared on May 2.

BJP national General Secretary Arun Singh told reporters in Delhi that of the 126 seats, the saffron party would contest from 92 seats.

In 2016, displaying good strike rate, the BJP had won 60 seats of the 84 seats it had contested. 

Five years back, it was a significant and maiden victory for power in Assam after years of struggle and works at the grassroots levels.

The electoral success in 2016 in Assam not only had resulted in the ouster of Tarun Gogoi-led Congress, it had also given a fresh lease of life to the saffron party as the march to power in the northeastern state had come after party's defeat in 2015 in Bihar polls.

In Lakhipur in Barak Valley, BJP has fielded Kaushik Rai and denied ticket to former Congress legislator Rajdeep Gowala, who was elected to the Assembly in the 2016 elections, and had joined BJP.

Deputy Speaker Aminul Haq Laskar, who was elected to the Assembly from Sonai in 2016, is the lone Muslim candidate in the list of 70 nominees.

ends 

 

Mizoram bearing the brunt of military coup in Myanmar :::::: 'Naga talks have revived'

Aizawl/New Delhi:

Inflow of refugees from neighbouring Myanmar – mainly Chins and those belonging to Mizo ethnic group of northeastern Indian state of Mizoram – has started gradually.

About 20-25 people have reportedly sneaked into Zokhawthar village along the international border and where the Indo-Myanmar border trade centre is situated.

More people including three supposed to be Myanmar's 'security personnel (cops)' have also fled the country and moved to Serchip district's Lungkawh village -- 9 km from Mizoram-Myanmar border alongside river Tiau.

Sources said while Champhai district administration as per the requisite protocols have made it mandatory for getting all the names of those seeking asylum ‘registered’, the fear of some of their family members back in Myanmar getting persecuted by military junta has so far prevented them to get themselves registered.

A large number of Chins and other Myanmar citizens after backlash from military rulers had come to Mizoram in 1980s. Mizoram government officials say once the democratically elected government headed by Aung San Suu Kyi was took charge, most of the refugees had gone back.

However, the possible ‘onslaught’ of refugees from India’s eastern neighbour has revived again after the recent military coup.

Myanmar’s military junta carried out the coup ousting Suu Kyi regime alleging there was electoral fraud during the elections held in November 2020 amid Covid19 pandemic.

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, whose party Mizo National Front (MNF) said the people of the state would welcome ‘any ethnic Mizo’ or other Myanmar citizens facing persecution for participating in the pro-democratic protest in Myanmar.

Officials and federal agencies have alerted administration in Champhai, Hnahthial, Siaha and Lawngtai about the possible inflow of refugees from Myanmar.

Reportedly, the three 'security personnel' who fled Myanmar, claimed that they decided to shift to Mizoram as they 'disobeyed' the orders of their superiors by refusing to shoot at their own people in Chin-stronghold areas.

China sending feelers to pro-talks Naga groups !! 'Stalled Talks have revived', says NSCN (IM)

 New Delhi:

China's meddling of affairs in north east of India is nothing new. Beijing has long liked itself to be like an 'elder brother' to northeast -based insurgents. 

By June 2020 when Chinese and Indian forces clashed and both sides suffered casualties at Galwan valley, reportedly Beijing and some of its agencies have been mounting pressure on the aging Naga militant leader Thuingaleng Muivah to delay the 'peace process'.

Apparently the National Socialist Council of Nagaland -Isak-Muivah faction (NSCN-IM) around that time raised the twin issues of a separate Flag and Naga Constitution and in the process, the entire peace mechanism was stalled. In the meantime, several rounds of diplomatic and military level talks between India and China have taken place and some of it signaled towards withdrawal of forces.

Lately, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar held telephonic talks with his counterpart Wang Yi. A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi said, "Noting the completion of disengagement in Pangong Lake area, Dr Jaishankar emphasized that both sides should now quickly resolve the remaining issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh. He said that once disengagement is completed at all friction points, then the two sides could also look at broader de-escalation of troops in the area and work towards restoration of peace and tranquility". 

There were similar talks of reconciliation from the Chinese side as well. However, it goes without stating that skirmishes on the border along China, which stretches for 3,480 kilometers, are not new as much of it has been disputed and un-demarcated ever since India attained liberation from British India in 1947.

In the meantime, there are indications possibly China will be buying peace in Ladakh region in north of India and could enhance its activities along the far-eastern sector. Therefore, the military coup in Myanmar is seen with a jaundiced view in Delhi.

Now, sources say Chinese agencies have intensified activities in Arunachal Pradesh and also with Naga militant groups. 

Some of those who matter in India-China conflict in Delhi were alarmed by the fact that the potent that Beijing 'continues to keep its channel of communication' with other Naga groups including militant outfits 'operating' within the state of Nagaland. Unlike these groups, the NSCN(IM) of Muivah has substantial operational presence in the state of Manipur.

Meanwhile, the NSCN (IM) has said that the peace talks have revived.

"The Indo-Naga political talk teams are back on the table and the talk is progressing. The historic Framework Agreement (FA) signed on the 3rd August, 2015 is being brought back to live in order to remove any misinterpretation and thereby hasten the signing of Naga solution agreement," the militant group said in a statement on March 3.

Now if grapevine or some nuggets of information from Indian agencies are to be believed, China has offered to 'renew' its logistic help to N. Kitovi Zhimomi, the militant leader who is heading an umbrella organisation Naga National Political Groups (NNPG). Notably, the NNPG is ready for signing a peace deal with the Government of India which would ensure enhanced developmental package for the state of Nagaland.

Of course, what suits the possible machinations of Chinese agencies via-a-vis winning over NNPG is the fact that the earlier announced signing ceremony to ink a peace pact has been delayed for quite sometime now.

"The delay in the Naga peace process is like sending the files back. The peace is stalled and there may be violence yet again," admitted a source close to NNPG.

"We want peace but why should the powerful Government of India be afraid of some Naga elements who want to delay it," the source said in oblique reference to the NSCN (IM), whose twin issues of Flag and Constitution have delayed the final peace accord.

Reportedly China is interested to win over these pro-peace talks Naga groups. Some of these groups have been urged to revive their insurgency-related activities with the assurance that they would be provided with 'security and logistic support' in western Myanmar. 

Top of it, China has started making noises here and there on Arunachal Pradesh yet again. Beijing does not recognise the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as integral part of India.

In 2017, when Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama had visited Arunachal Pradesh, Beijing had registered its protest saying, "It (Dalai Lama's visit) goes against the momentum of the sound growth of bilateral relations and will not benefit India in anyway." 

The Indian government had rejected the objections and stood by its ground and had asserted that as a secular country India could not stop a spiritual leader's visit to any part including Arunachal Pradesh.

The India-China standoff threatens to kill peace in the region and it has certainly alarmed global powerslike the United States. Prime Minister Modi has been aware of the significance of this conflict. At the first virtual stage sharing between Modi and Xi Jinping since the Galwan crisis in June, the Indian Prime Minister took a dig at China and said all member nations of the Shanghai CooperationOrganisation (SCO) should respect each others' territorial integrity.

China's problems are also complex. The border issues with India came at a time when China was actually running out of money over the US monopoly on trade and politics. The Taiwan issue was at its peak and Hong Kong was another pain in the neck case. Of course, one could say the India-China border problems in circa 2020 has a wider geopolitical ramifications mainly linked with the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. China has also faced criticism over its handling of the coronavirus. Detractors did not mind calling it Wuhanvirus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) meetings and subsequent US snub have shown China could be left isolated, licking its wounds.Then came in another factor. The Modi government has grown close to the United States. Some experts feel that with the Covid-19 crisis affecting geopolitics and the global economy, it may not be erroneous for China to presume that India will attract investments from global corporations at the expense of China. New Delhi also persisted in spreading its message clearly at various international gatherings. 

In September, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh categorically told his Chinese counterpart Gen Wei Fenghe during their meeting in Moscow that none should "doubt" about India's determination to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Chinese Defence Minister also agreed on the importance of peace and harmony and suggested that

both sides should maintain communication at all levels.

The contemporary history of Nagas has come a long way since then.

Old timers among the security agency sleuths say in 1966-67, China not only had backed

the Naxalites upsiring in parts of West Bengal, in the same year Muivah and his other colleagues 

went to Yunnan province. The Naga group was even initially called 'Naga National Volunteers'.

NSCN (IM) statement:

NSCN (IM), under no circumstances will fail the Naga people and will never sign any agreement that is short of the mutual standard as agreed upon.

 The status of the Indo-Naga political talks that came up in the last Parliamentary Session was confirmed by the Union Government that it is in advance stage.