Sammya Mukhopadhyay

New Delhi, Delhi, India

With the presidential elections over and Droupadi Murmu set to take charge as the President of India on July 25, the political buzz has now shifted to the vice president elections. Venkaiah Naidu’s term is on the verge of ending and India is set to elect its next vice president. There are two candidates in the fray: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and Mamata Banerjee’s frequent critic, the West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar and the opposition’s candidate Margaret Alva. ,Banerjee’s party, Trinamool Congress, has decided to abstain from voting in the vice president polls. This is because, according to Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien, it was impossible for West Bengal’s ruling party to lend support to the BJP-supported candidate for the vice president polls. On the other hand, the Trinamool is unwilling to vote for the opposition candidate because, according to the party, they only got to know of Margaret Alva’s candidature right before it was announced. Also Read | TMC's decision to abstain from VP poll disappointing, it's not time for ego: Opposition candidate Margaret Alva,Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress has been at the forefront of stringing together an opposition alliance ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In such an attempt, the party sought to take a leading role in finding a presidential candidate based on consensus. ,At first, the Trinamool approached Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar. When Pawar refused to stand for presidential elections, the Trinamool approached National Conference leader Farooq Abdulla. Abdulla too rejected the proposal and the Trinamool next went to Gopalkrishna Gandhi. When Gandhi decided against contesting the polls, Trinamool took its own partyman, Yashwant Sinha to stand for elections. ,Sinha lost to Droupadi Murmu, who will take oath to become India’s first tribal president. ,After deciding to abstain from the vice president elections, Derek O’Brien said, “Treat us as equal partners and we will smoothly work together to expose BJP on matters where they have failed this country. The BJP has botched up [on many fronts, leading to issues] like unemployment, price-rise, federal structure, media freedom, credibility of institutions and more,” The Indian Express reported. ,Margaret Alva, the opposition’s candidate in the vice-presidential elections, has served as the governor of Rajasthan. She was also the first woman governor of Uttarakhand.

{\"time\":1658551493232,\"strCount\":2920,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"With the presidential\\nelections over and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/droupadi-murmu-elected-as-indias-first-tribal-president-beats-yashwant-sinha-706547/\\\">Droupadi Murmu set to take charge as the President of India</a>\\non July 25, the political buzz has now shifted to the vice president elections.\\nVenkaiah Naidu’s term is on the verge of ending and India is set to elect its\\nnext vice president. There are two candidates in the fray: Bharatiya Janata\\nParty (BJP) candidate and Mamata Banerjee’s frequent critic, the West Bengal\\nGovernor <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/who-is-jagdeep-dhankhar-703046/\\\">Jagdeep Dhankar</a> and the opposition’s candidate <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/who-is-margaret-alva-703456/\\\">Margaret Alva</a>. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Banerjee’s party,\\nTrinamool Congress, has decided to abstain from voting in the vice president\\npolls. This is because, according to Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien,\\nit was impossible for West Bengal’s ruling party to lend support to the\\nBJP-supported candidate for the vice president polls. On the other hand, the\\nTrinamool is unwilling to vote for the opposition candidate because, according\\nto the party, they only got to know of Margaret Alva’s candidature right before\\nit was announced.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Also Read |&nbsp;</b><a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/tmcs-decision-to-abstain-from-vp-poll-disappointing-its-not-time-for-ego-opposition-candidate-margaret-alva\\\">TMC's decision to abstain from VP poll disappointing, it's not time for ego: Opposition candidate Margaret Alva</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Mamata Banerjee’s\\nTrinamool Congress has been at the forefront of stringing together an opposition\\nalliance ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In such an attempt, the party\\nsought to take a leading role in finding a presidential candidate based on\\nconsensus. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"At first, the\\nTrinamool approached Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar. When\\nPawar refused to stand for presidential elections, the Trinamool approached\\nNational Conference leader Farooq Abdulla. Abdulla too rejected the proposal\\nand the Trinamool next went to Gopalkrishna Gandhi. When Gandhi decided against\\ncontesting the polls, Trinamool took its own partyman, Yashwant Sinha to stand\\nfor elections. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sinha lost to\\nDroupadi Murmu, who will take oath to become India’s first tribal president. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"After deciding to\\nabstain from the vice president elections, Derek O’Brien said, “Treat us as\\nequal partners and we will smoothly work together to expose BJP on matters\\nwhere they have failed this country. The BJP has botched up [on many fronts,\\nleading to issues] like unemployment, price-rise, federal structure, media freedom,\\ncredibility of institutions and more,” The Indian Express reported. &nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Margaret Alva, the\\nopposition’s candidate in the vice-presidential elections, has served as the\\ngovernor of Rajasthan. She was also the first woman governor of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/uttarakhand/\\\">Uttarakhand</a>. &nbsp;\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Trinamool will not vote in the vice-presidential polls</li>
  <li>The BJP-supported candidate is Jadgeep Dhankhar</li>
  <li>Opposition’s vice-presidential candidate is Margaret Alva</li>
</ul>

Opoyi Central

Why Mamata’s Trinamool will abstain from Vice President elections

MamataBanerjee

MargaretAlva

JagdeepDhankar

TrinamoolCongress

WestBengal

mamata

LokSabha

SharadPawar

NationalConference

YashwantSinha

DroupadiMurmu

Uttarakhand

India

World

Yashwant Sinha, former Union minister and the Opposition’s pick for the presidential elections, made a fervent video appeal on Twitter Monday morning, before the monsoon session convened to elect the 15th President of India. Sinha, 84, was a career bureaucrat before he joined politics and eventually became the Minister of External Affairs in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s cabinet. In the 2022 presidential elections, Sinha is up against BJP’s nominee, an Adivasi woman, Droupadi Murmu. Also Read | India elects its President: Its Droupadi Murmu vs Yashwant Sinha,“These presidential elections are happening in extraordinary times. India is confronted with several troubles in various aspects of society. But the biggest challenge before us is protecting the Constitution. Our Constitution and constitutional values are at risk today. And, these presidential polls will decide that the path in which the country will go,” Yashwant Sinha said in his Twitter address in Hindi. Sinha’s appeal is beyond partisan confines. In the video, Sinha says every member of Parliament and legislative assembly will be able to vote their conscience in the presidential elections. Contrary to usual norms, there are no party whips issued for presidential polls. As a result, electors are allowed to vote for anyone they wish to. The vote is also held in secret ballot. Also Read | Droupadi Murmu’s presidential bid a powerful symbol beyond politics,The presidential polls are underway on July 18. Votes will be counted on July 21 and the new president will take oath on July 25 after President Ram Nath Kovind remits office on July 24. ,Yashwant Sinha’s rival Droupadi Murmu has the numbers stacked in her favour. Beyond BJP, she has also received support from several regional parties, including the Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD), both factions of the Shiv Sena, Andhra Pradesh’s YSRC and Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal. ,Yashwant Sinha was nominated as the Opposition’s presidential candidate after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and Gopalkrishna Gandhi turned down the offer.

{\"time\":1658128815887,\"strCount\":2674,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/who-is-yashwant-sinha-oppositions-pick-for-indias-next-president-485729/\\\">Yashwant Sinha</a>, former Union minister and the Opposition’s\\npick for the presidential elections, made a fervent video appeal on Twitter\\nMonday morning, before the monsoon session convened to elect the 15th President\\nof India. Sinha, 84, was a career bureaucrat before he joined politics and\\neventually became the Minister of External Affairs in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s\\ncabinet. In the 2022 presidential elections, Sinha is up against BJP’s nominee,\\nan Adivasi woman, <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/who-is-draupadi-murmu-683978/\\\">Droupadi Murmu</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Also Read |&nbsp;</b><a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/india-elects-its-president-its-droupadi-murmu-vs-yashwant-sinha-703788/\\\">India elects its President: Its Droupadi Murmu vs Yashwant Sinha</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“These presidential elections are happening in extraordinary\\ntimes. India is confronted with several troubles in various aspects of society.\\nBut the biggest challenge before us is protecting the Constitution. Our\\nConstitution and constitutional values are at risk today. And, these\\npresidential polls will decide that the path in which the country will go,”\\nYashwant Sinha said in his Twitter address in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/hindi/\\\">Hindi</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"others\",\"source\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\"><p lang=\\\"hi\\\" dir=\\\"ltr\\\">इस साल राष्ट्रपति चुनाव दो व्यक्तियों के बीच नहीं, बल्कि दो विचारधाराओं के बीच का चुनाव है। केवल एक पक्ष हमारे संविधान में निहित प्रावधानों और मूल्यों की रक्षा करना चाहता है। मैं सभी सांसदों और विधायकों से इस बार संविधान और उनकी अंतरात्मा की आवाज़ पर वोट करने की अपील करता हूं। <a href=\\\"https://t.co/0Zs1F5qJic\\\">pic.twitter.com/0Zs1F5qJic</a></p>&mdash; Yashwant Sinha (@YashwantSinha) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/YashwantSinha/status/1548264898064371713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">July 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"embed\":\"<div class=\\\"others-embed\\\"><blockquote class=\\\"twitter-tweet\\\"><p lang=\\\"hi\\\" dir=\\\"ltr\\\">इस साल राष्ट्रपति चुनाव दो व्यक्तियों के बीच नहीं, बल्कि दो विचारधाराओं के बीच का चुनाव है। केवल एक पक्ष हमारे संविधान में निहित प्रावधानों और मूल्यों की रक्षा करना चाहता है। मैं सभी सांसदों और विधायकों से इस बार संविधान और उनकी अंतरात्मा की आवाज़ पर वोट करने की अपील करता हूं। <a href=\\\"https://t.co/0Zs1F5qJic\\\">pic.twitter.com/0Zs1F5qJic</a></p>&mdash; Yashwant Sinha (@YashwantSinha) <a href=\\\"https://twitter.com/YashwantSinha/status/1548264898064371713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\\\">July 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=\\\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\\\" charset=\\\"utf-8\\\"></script></div>\",\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":null}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sinha’s appeal is beyond partisan confines. In the video,\\nSinha says every member of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/parliament/\\\">Parliament</a> and legislative assembly will be able to\\nvote their conscience in the presidential elections. Contrary to usual norms,\\nthere are no party whips issued for presidential polls. As a result, electors\\nare allowed to vote for anyone they wish to. The vote is also held in secret\\nballot.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Also Read |&nbsp;</b><a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/droupadi-murmus-presidential-bid-a-powerful-symbol-beyond-politics-703847/\\\">Droupadi Murmu’s presidential bid a powerful symbol beyond politics</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The presidential polls are underway on July 18. Votes will\\nbe counted on July 21 and the new president will take oath on July 25 after\\nPresident Ram Nath Kovind remits office on July 24. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Yashwant Sinha’s rival Droupadi Murmu has the numbers\\nstacked in her favour. Beyond <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/bjp/\\\">BJP</a>, she has also received support from several\\nregional parties, including the Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD), both\\nfactions of the Shiv Sena, Andhra Pradesh’s YSRC and Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal.\\n\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Yashwant Sinha was nominated as the Opposition’s\\npresidential candidate after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad\\nPawar and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and Gopalkrishna Gandhi\\nturned down the offer. &nbsp;\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Yashwant Sinha tweeted a video message seeking votes Monday</li>
  <li>India is in the process of electing the country’s 15th president</li>
  <li>Yashwant Sinha was a union minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s cabinet</li>
</ul>

Yashwant Sinha says presidential polls in extraordinary times, appeals for support

Hindi

Parliament

RamNathKovind

NitishKumar

FarooqAbdullah

Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in power in Delhi and Punjab, has decided to support Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha in the upcoming presidential polls. The announcement was made by Sanjay Singh, the party’s Rajya Sabha MP. ,Sanjay Singh said, “We have respect for (NDA candidate) Droupadi Murmu but we will support Yashwant Sinhaji.” The announcement was made following an AAP political advisory committee meeting. Currently, the Aam Aadmi Party is the only political party in the country to have governments in two states with the exception of the Congress and the BJP. AAP has 10 Rajya Sabha MPs from the two states, including three from Delhi. ,In terms of people in legislative assemblies, AAP has 92 MLAs in Punjab, 62 in Delhi and two in Goa, making a total of 156 MLAs. ,Yashwant Sinha, a former bureaucrat-turned-politician who was with the BJP for a long time before breaking ranks and joining Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) is the opposition’s consensus candidate. Also Read | Who is Yashwant Sinha, Opposition's pick for India's next President,Sinha’s nomination as the opposition’s presidential candidate came after the nomination was rejected by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah. Also Read | In Droupadi Murmu, BJP finds tribal face to follow Dalit president,India’s presidential election contest will be between Yashwant Sinha and BJP’s candidate Droupadi Murmu. Murmu, a tribal leader from Odisha, rose through the ranks from being a councillor to the only governor of Jharkhand to be able to successfully complete a full term. As the numbers stack up, Murmu seems to be headed for a win. If that happens, India is going to have its first Adivasi president of India. ,The presidential polls will be conducted on Monday, July 18 and votes will be counted on July 21. Murmu, already bolstered by the BJP behemoth, has the support of several regional parties, including Odisha’s Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Andhra Pradesh’s YSR Congress, Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Punjab’s Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Shiv Sena.

{\"time\":1657962982623,\"strCount\":3095,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/in-punjab-dawn-of-arvind-kejriwal-as-a-national-leader-300242/\\\">Arvind\\nKejriwal</a>-led <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/wires/presstrustofindia/presidential-polls-aap-throws-its-lot-with-yashwant-sinha-702679/\\\">Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)</a>, in power in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/delhi/\\\">Delhi</a> and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/punjab/\\\">Punjab</a>, has decided\\nto support Opposition candidate <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/who-is-yashwant-sinha-oppositions-pick-for-indias-next-president-485729/\\\">Yashwant Sinha</a> in the upcoming presidential\\npolls. The announcement was made by Sanjay Singh, the party’s Rajya Sabha MP. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sanjay Singh said,\\n“We have respect for (NDA candidate) <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/who-is-draupadi-murmu-683978/\\\">Droupadi Murmu</a> but we will support\\nYashwant Sinhaji.” The announcement was made following an <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/aap/\\\">AAP</a> political advisory\\ncommittee meeting. Currently, the Aam Aadmi Party is the only political party\\nin the country <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/who-is-bhagwant-mann-288445/\\\">to have governments in two states</a> with the exception of the\\n<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/congress/\\\">Congress</a> and the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/bjp/\\\">BJP</a>. AAP has 10 Rajya Sabha MPs from the two states, including\\nthree from Delhi. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In terms of people\\nin legislative assemblies, AAP has 92 MLAs in Punjab, 62 in Delhi and two in\\nGoa, making a total of 156 MLAs. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Yashwant Sinha, a\\nformer bureaucrat-turned-politician who was with the BJP for a long time before\\nbreaking ranks and joining Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) is the opposition’s\\nconsensus candidate.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Also Read |&nbsp;</b><a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/who-is-yashwant-sinha-oppositions-pick-for-indias-next-president-485729/\\\">Who is Yashwant Sinha, Opposition's pick for India's next President</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sinha’s nomination\\nas the opposition’s presidential candidate came after the nomination was\\nrejected by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, former West\\nBengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi and National Conference leader Farooq\\nAbdullah.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Also Read |&nbsp;</b><a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/in-draupadi-murmu-bjp-finds-tribal-face-to-follow-dalit-president-684019/\\\">In Droupadi Murmu, BJP finds tribal face to follow Dalit president</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"India’s\\npresidential election contest will be between Yashwant Sinha and BJP’s\\ncandidate Droupadi Murmu. Murmu, a tribal leader from <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/odisha/\\\">Odisha</a>, rose through the\\nranks from being a councillor to the only governor of Jharkhand to be able to\\nsuccessfully complete a full term. As the numbers stack up, Murmu seems to be\\nheaded for a win. If that happens, India is going to have its first Adivasi\\npresident of India. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The presidential\\npolls will be conducted on Monday, July 18 and votes will be counted on July\\n21. Murmu, already bolstered by the BJP behemoth, has the support of several regional\\nparties, including Odisha’s Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Andhra Pradesh’s YSR\\nCongress, Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Punjab’s Shiromani Akali Dal\\n(SAD) and the Shiv Sena. \"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>AAP said it will support the Opposition’s consensus candidate</li>
  <li>The party said it respects Droupadi Murmu but will support Sinha</li>
  <li>India’s 2022 presidential polls will be between Droupadi Murmu and Yashwant Sinha</li>
</ul>

AAP announces support for Yashwant Sinha in presidential polls

PresidentElections

Delhi

Punjab

Odisha

ArvindKejriwal

AamAadmiParty

Congress

Sucharita Ganguly

Yashwant Sinha, a former Union Minister in the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was declared the opposition candidate for President on Tuesday. Also read: Will never cheat: Eknath Shinde after being sacked as Shiv Sena chief,In the forthcoming Presidential elections, we have decided to elect a common candidate and stop the Modi government from doing further damage. At a subsequent meeting held today we have chosen Yashwant Sinha as a common candidate. We appeal to all political parties to vote for Yashwant Sinha, Jairam Ramesh, Congress's communications chief, stated. Also read: In Pics| Political leaders perform yoga on International Yoga Day,The declaration came just hours after Sinha announced his departure from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the party he decided to join last year, for a larger national cause. Also read: In Pics| ITBP jawans perform yoga at high-altitude terrains on International Yoga Day,I am grateful to (TMC president) Mamata Banerjee for the honour and prestige she bestowed on me in the TMC. Now the time has come when, for a larger national cause, I must step aside from the party to work for greater opposition unity. I am sure she approves of the step, Sinha, the former TMC vice-president, had tweeted. Also read: Rahul Gandhi to appear before ED for 5th round of questioning,The news comes after NCP head Sharad Pawar, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, and former West Bengal governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi rejected to run as Opposition candidates for the top job. Also read: Presidential polls: With Yashwant Sinha in the race, who will be BJP, Opposition's pick,The deadline for submitting presidential nominations is June 29. The election will be held on July 18, and the results will be announced on July 21. President Ram Nath Kovind's tenure expires on July 24, and the next president must be elected before then.

{\"time\":1655808664815,\"strCount\":3122,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/who-is-yashwant-sinha-former-bjp-leader-who-joined-trinamool-congress\\\">Yashwant Sinha</a>, a former Union Minister in the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/nda/\\\">NDA</a> government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was declared the opposition candidate for President on Tuesday.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/will-never-cheat-eknath-shinde-after-being-sacked-as-shiv-sena-chief-amid-maharashtra-political-crisis-683606/\\\">Will never cheat: Eknath Shinde after being sacked as Shiv Sena chief</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"In the forthcoming Presidential elections, we have decided to elect a common candidate and stop the Modi government from doing further damage. At a subsequent meeting held today we have chosen Yashwant Sinha as a common candidate. We appeal to all political parties to vote for Yashwant Sinha,\\\" Jairam Ramesh, Congress's communications chief, stated.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/in-pics-political-leaders-perform-yoga-on-international-yoga-day-683466/\\\">In Pics| Political leaders perform yoga on International Yoga Day</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The declaration came just hours after Sinha announced his departure from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the party he decided to join last year, \\\"for a larger national cause.\\\"\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/in-pics-itbp-jawans-perform-yoga-at-high-altitude-terrains-on-international-yoga-day-683517/\\\">In Pics| ITBP jawans perform yoga at high-altitude terrains on International Yoga Day</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"I am grateful to (TMC president) <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/opposition-assemble-leaders-chuck-differences-for-the-sake-of-our-nation-332137/\\\">Mamata Banerjee</a> for the honour and prestige she bestowed on me in the TMC. Now the time has come when, for a larger national cause, I must step aside from the party to work for greater opposition unity. I am sure she approves of the step,\\\" Sinha, the former TMC vice-president, had tweeted.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/national-herald-case-rahul-gandhi-to-appear-before-ed-for-5th-round-of-questioning-683430/\\\">Rahul Gandhi to appear before ED for 5th round of questioning</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The news comes after <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/ncp/\\\">NCP</a> head <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/health/sharad-pawar-80-diagnosed-with-issue-in-gall-bladder-to-undergo-surgery-maharashtra-minister-215604/\\\">Sharad Pawar</a>, National Conference leader <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/were-enemies-of-bjp-pagd-chief-farooq-abdullah-631124/\\\">Farooq Abdullah</a>, and former West Bengal governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi rejected to run as Opposition candidates for the top job.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/presidential-polls-with-yashwant-sinha-in-the-race-who-will-be-bjp-oppositions-pick-683501/\\\">Presidential polls: With Yashwant Sinha in the race, who will be BJP, Opposition's pick</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The deadline for submitting presidential nominations is June 29. The election will be held on July 18, and the results will be announced on July 21. President <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/president-ram-nath-kovind-completes-3-years-in-office-654674/\\\">Ram Nath Kovind</a>'s tenure expires on July 24, and the next president must be elected before then.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Yashwant Sinha, former Union Minister, is opposition candidate for President</li>
  <li>He was a former Union Minister in the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee</li>
  <li>The declaration came just hours after Sinha announced his departure from TMC</li>
</ul>

Former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha is opposition candidate for President

IndiaNews

AtalBihariVajpayee

Yash Bajaj

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Wednesday sentenced Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik to lifetime imprisonment in a terror funding case. ,The NIA had sought the death penalty before a Delhi court for Malik. The 56-year-old Kashmiri separatist leader had earlier pleaded guilty to charges including those under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), in a terror funding case, court sources said, as per PTI. ,Also read: IOA President Narinder Batra resigns, says will 'not run for further term',The agency told Special Judge Praveen Singh in an in-chamber proceedings that Malik was responsible for the Kashmiri exodus. Yasin Malik, had said that he would not “beg” for mercy, and that court could decide at its discretion. I have already given my words in the court and now it is the court's discretion, he said. ,Also read: Explained: Why Kapil Sibal quit Congress,The court had convicted the 56-year-old for offences punishable under sections 120B IPC, 121 IPC, 121A IPC, 13 UAPA r/w 120B IPC, 15 UAPA r/w 120B IPC, 17 UAPA, 18 UAPA, 20 UAPA, 38 UAPA and 39 UAPA. Who is Yasin Malik?,A former militant, Yasin Malik is an advocate for the separation of Kashmir from both India and Pakistan. He currently leads the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front. ,After attempting to disrupt an India vs West Indies cricket match in 1983, disturbing National Conference gatherings in Srinagar and protesting Kashmiri separatist leader Maqbool Bhat's execution, Malik renounced violence in 1994. ,In 1987, Malik's Islamic Students League joined the Muslim United Front (MUF). The party did not contest for a seat in the Legislative Assembly elections. However, he campaigned for the MUF candidate Mohammad Yusuf Shah who stood for the 1987 elections from Amirakadal, Srinagar. ,Also read: The numbers game: In first half of 2022, 27 school shootings taken place so far,He and Yusuf Shah were arrested by the police and imprisoned until the end of 1987 without a formal charge after an allegedly rigged election. Scholars suggest that the polls triggered the Kashmir insurgency. ,Let me clear it, rigging in 1987 elections didn’t result in armed militancy. We were there even before 1987, Malik had said then.

{\"time\":1653488865978,\"strCount\":3031,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The&nbsp;National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Wednesday sentenced Kashmiri separatist leader <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/nia-court-sentences-yasin-malik-kashmiri-separatist-leader-to-life-imprisonment-643872/\\\">Yasin Malik</a> to lifetime imprisonment&nbsp;in a terror funding case.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/nia/\\\">NIA</a> had sought the death penalty before a Delhi court for Malik. The 56-year-old Kashmiri separatist leader had earlier pleaded guilty to charges including those under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), in a terror funding case, court sources said, as per PTI.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/sports/ioa-president-narinder-batra-resigns-says-will-not-run-for-further-term-177353/\\\">IOA President Narinder Batra resigns, says will 'not run for further term'</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The agency told Special Judge Praveen Singh in an in-chamber proceedings that Malik was responsible for the Kashmiri exodus.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Yasin Malik, had said that&nbsp;he would not “beg” for mercy, and that court could decide at its discretion.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"&nbsp;\\\"I have already given my words in the court and now it is the court's discretion,\\\" he said.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/explained-why-kapil-sibal-quit-congress-341243/\\\">Explained: Why Kapil Sibal quit Congress</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The court had convicted the 56-year-old for offences punishable under sections 120B IPC, 121 IPC, 121A IPC, 13 UAPA r/w 120B IPC, 15 UAPA r/w 120B IPC, 17 UAPA, 18 UAPA, 20 UAPA, 38 UAPA and 39 UAPA.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Who is Yasin Malik?</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"A former militant, Yasin Malik is an advocate for the&nbsp;separation of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/kashmir/\\\">Kashmir</a> from both <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/\\\">India</a> and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/pakistan/\\\">Pakistan</a>. He currently leads the&nbsp;Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"After attempting to disrupt an India vs West Indies cricket match in 1983,&nbsp;disturbing National Conference gatherings in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/srinagar/\\\">Srinagar</a> and&nbsp;protesting Kashmiri separatist leader Maqbool Bhat's execution, Malik&nbsp;renounced violence in 1994.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In 1987, Malik's&nbsp;Islamic Students League joined the&nbsp;Muslim United Front (MUF). The party did not contest for a seat in the&nbsp;Legislative Assembly elections. However, he campaigned&nbsp;for the MUF candidate Mohammad Yusuf Shah who stood for the 1987 elections from Amirakadal, Srinagar.&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/usa/the-numbers-game-in-first-half-of-2022-27-school-shootings-taken-place-so-far-229148/\\\">The numbers game: In first half of 2022, 27 school shootings taken place so far</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He and Yusuf Shah were arrested by the police and imprisoned until the end of 1987 without a formal charge after an allegedly rigged election. Scholars suggest that the polls triggered the&nbsp;Kashmir insurgency.&nbsp;&nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"Let me clear it, rigging in 1987 elections didn’t result in armed militancy. We were there even before 1987,\\\" Malik had said then.&nbsp;\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Yasin Malik was sentenced for life by the NIA court in Delhi</li>
  <li>The agency had sought death penalty for the Kashmiri separatist leader&nbsp;</li>
  <li>"I have already given my words in the court and now it is the court's discretion," Malik had said</li>
</ul>

Who is Yasin Malik?

YasinMalik

Kashmir

Pakistan

Srinagar

Ajay Joseph

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday said the Constitution allows her to eat meat whenever she likes, the same way the constitution allows a shopkeeper the freedom to run his trade. This comment, by the TMC MP, comes amid the meat ban row triggered by South Delhi Municipal Corporation mayor Mukesh Suryan's letter demanding the closure of meat shops in the municipal area during Navratri. However, officials said they have not come across any official directive in this regard. Also read: Sri Lanka revokes emergency with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa facing calls to quit,After the south mayor, the East Delhi mayor too asked meat shops to close as most people do not consume non-vegetarian food. Reports said meat shops in several markets in south Delhi remained shut on Tuesday. The ban on meat has triggered political controversy with National Conference leader Omar Abdullah saying that going by the same logic of the 'majority', everybody in Jammu and Kashmir should be banned from eating in public during Ramzan. Also read: Joe Biden administration to extend student loan freeze through August: Report,During Ramzan, we don’t eat between sunrise and sunset. I suppose it’s OK if we ban every non-Muslim resident or tourist from eating in public, especially in the Muslim dominated areas. If majoritarianism is right for South Delhi, it has to be right for J&K (Jammu and Kashmir), he tweeted. Delhi BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Verma said such a ban should not only be restricted to Delhi but be extended to the rest of India. Also read: India 'unequivocally condemns Bucha killings', calls for investigation,Navratri festival is there with people holding fasts and worshipping the goddess. Whether it's the Muslim community or others, they should respect it which is what our culture says. In fact, this should be implemented all over the country, the MP said. Meanwhile, Congress leader Salman Nizami said the BJP's move of banning meat in South Delhi is nothing but hypocrisy as they promise quality beef in Northeast and Goa.

{\"time\":1649219498981,\"strCount\":2727,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Trinamool <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/congress/\\\">Congress</a> MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday said the Constitution allows her to eat meat whenever she likes, the same way the constitution allows a shopkeeper the freedom to run his trade. This comment, by the TMC MP, comes amid the meat ban row triggered by South <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/delhi/\\\">Delhi</a> Municipal Corporation mayor Mukesh Suryan's letter demanding the closure of meat shops in the municipal area during Navratri.\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/MahuaMoitra/status/1511532385137213450\",\"embed\":\"MahuaMoitra/status/1511532385137213450\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"However, officials said they have not come across any official directive in this regard.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/world/sri-lanka-revokes-emergency-with-president-gotabaya-rajapaksa-facing-calls-to-quit-671617/\\\">Sri Lanka revokes emergency with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa facing calls to quit</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"After the south mayor, the East Delhi mayor too asked meat shops to close as \\\"most people do not consume non-vegetarian food\\\". Reports said meat shops in several markets in south Delhi remained shut on Tuesday.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The ban on meat has triggered political controversy with National Conference leader Omar Abdullah saying that going by the same logic of the 'majority', everybody in <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/jammu/\\\">Jammu</a> and <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/kashmir/\\\">Kashmir</a> should be banned from eating in public during <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/ramzan/\\\">Ramzan</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/status/1511331365475655680\",\"embed\":\"OmarAbdullah/status/1511331365475655680\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/education/joe-biden-administration-to-extend-student-loan-freeze-through-august-report-392766/\\\">Joe Biden administration to extend student loan freeze through August: Report</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"During Ramzan, we don’t eat between sunrise and sunset. I suppose it’s OK if we ban every non-Muslim resident or tourist from eating in public, especially in the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topics/muslim/\\\">Muslim</a> dominated areas. If majoritarianism is right for South Delhi, it has to be right for J&amp;K (Jammu and Kashmir),\\\" he tweeted.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Delhi BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Verma said such a ban should not only be restricted to Delhi but be extended to the rest of <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/\\\">India</a>.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/india/india-unequivocally-condemns-bucha-killings-calls-for-investigation-515993/\\\">India 'unequivocally condemns Bucha killings', calls for investigation</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"Navratri festival is there with people holding fasts and worshipping the goddess. Whether it's the Muslim community or others, they should respect it which is what our culture says. In fact, this should be implemented all over the country,\\\" the MP said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Meanwhile, Congress leader Salman Nizami said the BJP's move of banning meat in South Delhi is nothing but hypocrisy as they promise quality beef in Northeast and Goa.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Reports said meat shops in several markets in south Delhi remained shut on Tuesday</li>
  <li>The ban on meat has triggered political controversy in the country</li>
  <li>Delhi BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Verma said such a ban should not only be restricted to Delhi but be extended to the rest of India</li>
</ul>

'Meat ban': TMC MP Mahua Moitra says 'Constitution allows me to eat when I like'

jammu

OmarAbdullah

JoeBiden

Ramzan

SriLanka

Muslim

MahuaMoitra

Asia

In the first election after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), an amalgamation of Kashmir's regional parties, looks set for big gains in the District Development Council (DDC) polls with lead in nearly 70 of 218 seats. &nbsp;But, what is making bigger news is the BJP opening its account in the Valley with wins/leads in three seats.,Aijaz Hussain of the BJP, who won from Balhama, Srinagar, said his victory was a "win for all the sacrifices. I congratulate people of Jammu and Kashmir and the security forces," reports ANI. BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain, who is camping in the Valley, &nbsp;said, "BJP has opened its account in Kashmir valley, with the victory of Aijaz Hussain. We are leading on several other seats in the Valley. It shows people of Kashmir valley want development," adds ANI.,<b>Clear divide</b>,As expected, the BJP is ahead in Jammu division while the PAGD, which includes regional heavyweights National Conference and People's Democratic Party, is ahead in the Valley.,At 7 pm, trends were available for 218 seats and the tally stood at:,BJP: 28,Independent: 24,J&amp;K NC: 23,J&amp;K PDP: 14,Congress: 10,JKAP: 7,CPI (M): 5,JKNPP: 3,JKPC: 2,JKPM:1,The PAGD comprises the National Conference (NC), the People's Democratic Party (PDP), People's Conference (PC), the CPI, CPI (M) and a couple of smaller parties. &nbsp;,<b>Late night detentions</b>,A day ahead of the counting, authorities detained several PDP and second rung NC leaders, including Naeem Akhtar, Sartaj Madni, Peer Mansoor and Hilal Ahmad Lone. No reason was given for the detentions, reports PTI.,The eight-phase DDC polling process was spread over 25 days and culminated with the counting of votes for 280 seats– with 14 seats located in each of the 20 districts of the union territory.,The polling began on November 28, with all phases ending on December 19. Of the 57 lakh voters, 51% exercised their democratic rights.,The DDC polls were being seen as the crucial first step towards the restoration of the democratically-elected government in the Union Territory, which is at the moment being governed by Governor Manoj Sinha.

{\"time\":1608645916667,\"strCount\":2189,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In the first election after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), an amalgamation of Kashmir's regional parties, looks set for big gains in the District Development Council (DDC) polls with lead in nearly 70 of 218 seats. &nbsp;But, what is making bigger news is the BJP opening its account in the Valley with wins/leads in three seats.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Aijaz Hussain of the BJP, who won from Balhama, Srinagar, said his victory was a \\\"win for all the sacrifices. I congratulate people of Jammu and Kashmir and the security forces,\\\" reports ANI. BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain, who is camping in the Valley, &nbsp;said, \\\"BJP has opened its account in Kashmir valley, with the victory of Aijaz Hussain. We are leading on several other seats in the Valley. It shows people of Kashmir valley want development,\\\" adds ANI.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Clear divide</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"As expected, the BJP is ahead in Jammu division while the PAGD, which includes regional heavyweights National Conference and People's Democratic Party, is ahead in the Valley.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"At 7 pm, trends were available for 218 seats and the tally stood at:\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"BJP: 28\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Independent: 24\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"J&amp;K NC: 23\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"J&amp;K PDP: 14\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Congress: 10\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"JKAP: 7\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"CPI (M): 5\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"JKNPP: 3\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"JKPC: 2\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"JKPM:1\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The PAGD comprises the National Conference (NC), the People's Democratic Party (PDP), People's Conference (PC), the CPI, CPI (M) and a couple of smaller parties. &nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Late night detentions</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"A day ahead of the counting, authorities detained several PDP and second rung NC leaders, including Naeem Akhtar, Sartaj Madni, Peer Mansoor and Hilal Ahmad Lone. No reason was given for the detentions, reports PTI.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The eight-phase DDC polling process was spread over 25 days and culminated with the counting of votes for 280 seats– with 14 seats located in each of the 20 districts of the union territory.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The polling began on November 28, with all phases ending on December 19. Of the 57 lakh voters, 51% exercised their democratic rights.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The DDC polls were being seen as the crucial first step towards the restoration of the democratically-elected government in the Union Territory, which is at the moment being governed by Governor Manoj Sinha.\"}}]}

Ratul Maitra

<ul>
  <li>The most-talked about winner was Aijaz Hussain, who opened the BJP account in the Valley</li>
  <li>The eight-phased polling began on November 28 and ended on December 19</li>
  <li>A total of 2,178 candidates participated in the first elections held after the abrogation of Article 370</li>
</ul>

Jammu and Kashmir DDC polls: PAGD ahead, BJP opens account in Valley

Election

JammuandKashmir

Akash Majumder

Jammu

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday, rejected allegations of being against the country and alleged that the BJP wants to divide Indians on the basis of religion, reported ANI.,Abdullah said, “We're not nation's enemies. We're enemies of BJP. They want to isolate Hindus, Muslim, Sikhs &amp; Christians from each other. We believe in India of Mahatma Gandhi - where everyone is equal.”,Talking about the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, he said, “We're not a gang but alliance of parties. Those who call us a gang are the biggest dacoits, so they see everyone as a gang…”,He added, “We'll fight election together but we can't get one single election symbol so we'll contest on our respective symbols with joint candidates.”,Earlier, Abdullah had asserted that Congress is part of the Gupkar Alliance. PTI quoted him saying, “Where have they separated? There should be no misconception. The Congress is part of the alliance and we are fighting the (DDC) elections together.”,Talking about  exit polls predicting a big win for RJD led Mahagathbandhan in Bihar assembly elections, he said, “There is a difference between real polls and exit polls. When the real polls get over, we will talk.”,He told PTI, “We want more pilgrims to come to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and it is possible that our problems, as well as the problems of the pilgrims, will get resolved.”

{\"time\":1604932528964,\"strCount\":1388,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday, rejected allegations of being against the country and alleged that the BJP wants to divide Indians on the basis of religion, reported ANI.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Abdullah said, “We're not nation's enemies. We're enemies of BJP. They want to isolate Hindus, Muslim, Sikhs &amp; Christians from each other. We believe in India of Mahatma Gandhi - where everyone is equal.”\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Talking about the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, he said, “We're not a gang but alliance of parties. Those who call us a gang are the biggest dacoits, so they see everyone as a gang…”\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He added, “We'll fight election together but we can't get one single election symbol so we'll contest on our respective symbols with joint candidates.”\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Earlier, Abdullah had asserted that Congress is part of the Gupkar Alliance. PTI quoted him saying, “Where have they separated? There should be no misconception. The Congress is part of the alliance and we are fighting the (DDC) elections together.”\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Talking about  exit polls predicting a big win for RJD led Mahagathbandhan in Bihar assembly elections, he said, “There is a difference between real polls and exit polls. When the real polls get over, we will talk.”\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He told PTI, “We want more pilgrims to come to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and it is possible that our problems, as well as the problems of the pilgrims, will get resolved.”\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Farooq Abdullah rejected allegations of being against India</li>
  <li>He said that the BJP is trying to divide Indians on the basis of religion</li>
  <li>He said that the PAGD is yet to decide on a symbol</li>
</ul>

'We're enemies of BJP': PAGD chief Farooq Abdullah

People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) has alleged that National Conference president Farooq Abdullah was not allowed to leave his house to visit Hazratbal shrine and said that it is a "new low in curtailment of fundamental rights" of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They also condemned the recent killing of BJP workers in the Kulgam district of South Kashmir.,In a statement, PAGD spokesperson Sajad Lone condemned the state administration for putting a blockade outside the residence of Abdullah and demanded that it be removed.,No official from the administration was available for comment on the issue.,Abdullah is also the president of the recently floated PAGD – an alliance of seven mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir seeking restoration of the erstwhile state's special status as it existed on 4 August last year.,Earlier in the day, the National Conference (NC) claimed in a tweet that the administration had blocked Abdullah's residence and stopped him from offering prayers at Dargah Hazratbal on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi.,Lone said, "Abdullah was slated to go to Hazratbal in order to participate in the religious congregation on account of Eid-Milad-Un-Nabi, however (he) was barred from leaving his house." ,"We strongly condemn the actions of the state administration that are tantamount to interference in the religious rights of Dr Farooq Abdullah. This marks a new low in the curtailment of fundamental rights of the people of J-K. We demand that the blockade be removed so that Dr Farooq Sahib is able to perform his religious duties," he said.,The PAGD also "unequivocally and unambiguously" condemned the killings of three BJP workers by militants in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Thursday.,"Political differences cannot justify use of violence. Violence has always and will crowd out sanity. We will always fight aggression in all its forms irrespective of the source of aggression," Lone said.,The three BJP workers, Fida Hussain, Umer Hajam and Umer Rashid Beigh ,were shot dead by militants in Kulgam's Y K Pora area.,The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be a shadow group of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the killings.

{\"time\":1604104198569,\"strCount\":2206,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) has alleged that National Conference president Farooq Abdullah was not allowed to leave his house to visit Hazratbal shrine and said that it is a \\\"new low in curtailment of fundamental rights\\\" of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They also condemned the recent killing of BJP workers in the Kulgam district of South Kashmir.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In a statement, PAGD spokesperson Sajad Lone condemned the state administration for putting a blockade outside the residence of Abdullah and demanded that it be removed.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"No official from the administration was available for comment on the issue.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Abdullah is also the president of the recently floated PAGD – an alliance of seven mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir seeking restoration of the erstwhile state's special status as it existed on 4 August last year.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Earlier in the day, the National Conference (NC) claimed in a tweet that the administration had blocked Abdullah's residence and stopped him from offering prayers at Dargah Hazratbal on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Lone said, \\\"Abdullah was slated to go to Hazratbal in order to participate in the religious congregation on account of Eid-Milad-Un-Nabi, however (he) was barred from leaving his house.\\\" \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"We strongly condemn the actions of the state administration that are tantamount to interference in the religious rights of Dr Farooq Abdullah. This marks a new low in the curtailment of fundamental rights of the people of J-K. We demand that the blockade be removed so that Dr Farooq Sahib is able to perform his religious duties,\\\" he said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The PAGD also \\\"unequivocally and unambiguously\\\" condemned the killings of three BJP workers by militants in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Thursday.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"Political differences cannot justify use of violence. Violence has always and will crowd out sanity. We will always fight aggression in all its forms irrespective of the source of aggression,\\\" Lone said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The three BJP workers, Fida Hussain, Umer Hajam and Umer Rashid Beigh ,were shot dead by militants in Kulgam's Y K Pora area.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be a shadow group of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the killings.\"}}]}

Shivam Pratap Singh

<ul>
  <li>Farooq Abdullah was allegedly not allowed to leave his house&nbsp;</li>
  <li>No official from the administration confirmed it</li>
  <li>PAGD condemned the killings of three BJP workers by militants in Kulgam</li>
</ul>

Gupkar Alliance condemns killing of BJP workers, Farooq Abdullah's 'house arrest'

Jammu and Kashmir

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday questioned former
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah in connection with alleged
misappropriation of Rs 43 crore when he was the chairman of J&amp; K Cricket
Association, a move his son and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah
decried as "political vendetta." &nbsp;,50-year-old Omar slammed the move as a "political
vendetta" for the formation of the People's Alliance for Gupkar
Declaration.,He tweeted, "The party will be responding to this ED
summons shortly. This is nothing less than political vendetta coming days after
the formation of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration. To set the
record straight no raids are being conducted at Dr Sahib’s residence.",He added that the party "will be responding to
this&nbsp;Enforcement Directorate summons shortly." ,The case
Farooq Abdullah is being questioned for is based on an FIR filed by the CBI, as
per PTI report. The FIR named former Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association
office-bearers Mohammed Saleem Khan and Ahsan Ahmad Khan.,The Central
Bureau of Investigation further filed a charge
sheet naming Farooq Abdullah, Mir Mazoor Gazanffer, Bashir Ahmad Misgar and Gulzar
Ahmad Beigh over 'misappropriation of funds" amounting to Rs 43.69 crore.
,The money was siphoned from grants given by Board of Control for Cricket in
India to promote the game in the state between 2002-11, reported PTI.,The ED further said that their probe revealed that JKCA had received Rs 94.06 crore from BCCI in three
different bank accounts during financial years 2005–2006 to 2011–2012.

{\"time\":1603094282257,\"strCount\":1585,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Enforcement Directorate on Monday questioned former\\nJammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah in connection with alleged\\nmisappropriation of Rs 43 crore when he was the chairman of J&amp; K Cricket\\nAssociation, a move his son and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah\\ndecried as \\\"political vendetta.\\\" &nbsp;\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"50-year-old Omar slammed the move as a \\\"political\\nvendetta\\\" for the formation of the People's Alliance for Gupkar\\nDeclaration.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He tweeted, \\\"The party will be responding to this ED\\nsummons shortly. This is nothing less than political vendetta coming days after\\nthe formation of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration. To set the\\nrecord straight no raids are being conducted at Dr Sahib’s residence.\\\"\"}},{\"type\":\"embed\",\"data\":{\"service\":\"twitter\",\"source\":\"https://twitter.com/OmarAbdullah/status/1318085061539897344\",\"embed\":\"OmarAbdullah/status/1318085061539897344\",\"width\":520,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"\",\"aspectRatio\":173.33333333333334}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"He added that the party \\\"will be responding to\\nthis&nbsp;Enforcement Directorate summons shortly.\\\" \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The case\\nFarooq Abdullah is being questioned for is based on an FIR filed by the CBI, as\\nper PTI report. The FIR named former Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association\\noffice-bearers Mohammed Saleem Khan and Ahsan Ahmad Khan.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The Central\\nBureau of Investigation further filed a charge\\nsheet naming Farooq Abdullah, Mir Mazoor Gazanffer, Bashir Ahmad Misgar and Gulzar\\nAhmad Beigh over 'misappropriation of funds\\\" amounting to Rs 43.69 crore.\\n\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The money was siphoned from grants given by Board of Control for Cricket in\\nIndia to promote the game in the state between 2002-11, reported PTI.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The ED further said that their probe revealed that JKCA had received Rs 94.06 crore from BCCI in three\\ndifferent bank accounts during financial years 2005–2006 to 2011–2012.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Enforcement Directorate quizzed former J&amp;K CM Farooq Abdullah on Monday</li>
  <li>Son Omar Abdullah called the move a 'political vendetta'</li>
  <li>Farooq is being questioned in connection with alleged misappropriation of funds</li>
</ul>

As ED quizzes Farooq Abdullah in cricket association case, son Omar alleges 'vendetta'

EnforcementDirectorate

Omar Abdullah has been one of the most articulate and passionate voices emanating from the Valley in favour of the restoration of the erstwhile status of Jammu and Kashmir. He and his father Farooq Abdullah have always held the tricolour aloft even in the most trying of times. Jailed for 8 months under the Public Safety Act, Omar Abdullah sounds hurt, bitter and let down, as he passionately argues for the restoration of the status in his wide ranging interview to Javed M Ansari for Opoyi. Q1. The alliance has come together to fight for the restoration of the special status, which is a matter that is in the Supreme Court, so how else are you going to fight for this restoration?. Omar: We will fight it primarily in the Supreme Court, we believe we have a very strong case and when the issue comes up before the apex court we are more than confident that we will carry the day. Secondary, we will also keep it alive in the public domain and explain all aspects of it to the people of the state, specially to the people in Jammu, Leh and Kargil. We will continue to raise this issue in Parliament, talk to like-minded parties and disabuse some of them of the misgivings that they may have on the issue. Q2. How do you react to the act that some of your allies like the Congress actually voted in favour of the abrogation in Parliament?. Omar: That is the surprising part and that is something for the Congress party to explain to its conscience. What was snatched away from us is the legacy of India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. What we are fighting for is what was given to us and created for us by Jawaharlal Nehru. The Congress strangely is disowning that legacy. Even yesterday the state Congress unit stayed away from the meeting though they were signatories to it initially. However, there are many people in the Congress leaders like Mr Chidambaram, who have been very vocal and strong in their support for us, as have the DMK Chief MK Stalin and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Q3. The National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party have announced an alliance to seek the restoration of J&K’s special status. In the end, isn’t this just political posturing because who are you asking? The same Modi government that changed the special status in the first place?. Omar: We have no expectation of changing the BJP’s thought process. That’s not our intention at all. However, we do believe and history is a testimony to the fact that no government or party remains in power forever. We are in it for the long haul, and there is absolutely no question of ever giving up what was ours or accepting what was snatched away from us on 5th August 2019. Also Read| Bitter rivals for decades, the Muftis and the Abdullahs join hands for a 'united' cause. Q4. Farooq Abdullah has sought China’s help for restoring Article 370. Do you agree with him? . Omar: That was not his formulation, these linkages were drawn up by others. He just sought to reflect what the people on the ground have been saying. Nobody here is advocating a role for China. Q5. Both you and your father have been the loudest pro Indian voices in the state, yet you were held under the draconian Public Security Act (PSA). Did you ever think you would be seen as the ‘enemy of the state’?. Omar: Never did I ever imagine that I would be considered an enemy of my people, my state and my country. Just look at the grounds that were cited for booking me under PSA. My ability to get people out and participate in the electoral process was cited as grounds for my detention. How on earth can you expect anybody in the future to persuade people to participate in elections. They just didn’t think this through, the idea was to make us feel humiliated. It hurt, not just for what happened to us but for what was done to the state to its people and leaders like Mehbooba Mufti Sahiba. It hurts that my country has gone back on the sovereign commitment, it hurts that the entire state was put in a lockdown and denied basic human rights. Q6. Do you now feel more Kashmiri and less Indian?. Omar: Have never seen the two as mutually exclusive. The fact is that I am a Kashmiri and an Indian. Q7. The new alliance with Mehbooba Mufti has also sought a political dialogue with all stakeholders. Who are these stakeholders and do they include Pakistan?. Omar: The primary stakeholders are the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Let's begin with them first. As far as the part of the question is concerned it's in the domain of the government of India. Q8. What are the political demands that the dialogue should address?. Omar: We are very clear that it has to be the restoration of our status. Q9. Isn’t it a plain fact that the change of status has left you with virtually no political space? Honestly, aren’t you finding it difficult to find issues that will resonate with the people who think that the mainstream parties are responsible for what has been done to Jammu and Kashmir?. Omar: Nothing resonates with the people more than the restoration of what was taken away from them. This is by far the biggest issue before them. The people in Ladakh are agitating about the restoration of their rights, in Jammu, people want protection of their Dogra identity, there is no shortage of issues. Q10. The mood on the street is a difficult one to navigate. When will you start reaching out to the people? So far, you have only had closed door meetings. Omar: We have never stopped moving out. We have been holding meetings and have deliberately kept the gathering small because of security concerns and on account of the pandemic. It would be highly irresponsible on our part to put people at risk by asking them to gather in large numbers. Q11. You and your father met PM Modi just before August 5 last year when the state’s fate was changed. Will you ever trust the PM again?. Omar: What transpired at the meeting is a conversation for another day. I have never said that I do not trust him, what transpired is for a conversation in the future. It's not about a trust deficit. I know it is a political issue, that is why I am not trying to change the BJP, I know I cannot. Q12. You were once a minister in the BJP-led NDA under (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee. Mehbooba too shared power with the BJP. Will you ever join hands with the BJP again?. Omar: I never give a categorical answer to a hypothetical question. However, I would be very surprised if the NC is ever a part of an NDA alliance. Q13. You have in earlier interviews said that you are hurt and have become less trusting. How deep is your personal wound?. Omar: Deep enough to say that it hurts even to talk about it. Sure it wasn’t pleasant, watching Mehbooba ji in jail for 14 months, watching so many of the political leaders and workers in jail, watching our people suffer. The hurt was not about me or my father but about all of us, it was about the entire state. Q14. Will this alliance at some stage turn into an electoral alliance as well?. Omar: There are no elections on the anvil. Hence, it is not even on the agenda. This is a political alliance for the restoration of our status and our rights. #OmarAbdullah #Article370 #JammuandKashmir #People's Alliance #NationalConference #MehboobaMufti #FarooqAbdullah .

Javed M Ansari

<ul><li>Jailed for 8 months under the PSA, Omar Abdullah sounds hurt, bitter and let down</li><li>What we are fighting for is what was given to us and created for us by Jawaharlal Nehru, said Omar Abdullah</li><li>I know it is a political issue, that is why I am not trying to change the BJP: Omar</li></ul>