Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be participating in three post-Budget webinars today. These sessions will focus on MSMEs, manufacturing, exports, and ease of doing business. The government, industry leaders, and trade experts will come together to discuss policies, investment opportunities, and technology adoption to implement the Budget’s key measures smoothly.
TMC vs Election Commission
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has intensified its attack on the Election Commission (EC) over the issue of duplicate voter IDs. The party alleges that voter fraud is happening in West Bengal, with non-residents casting votes using identical EPIC numbers. The EC admitted that some electors have the same voter ID numbers but clarified that other details, such as constituency and polling booths, are different.
TMC leader Derek O’Brien has given the EC a 24-hour deadline to accept the issue openly. If not, the party has threatened to release a document with more details. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also blamed the EC for alleged voter list manipulations in Maharashtra and Delhi, which she claims helped the BJP win elections there.
Meanwhile, the EC is holding a two-day conference starting today, where officials will discuss modernizing election management.
Maharashtra Congress Protests
The Congress party in Maharashtra is holding state-wide protests against the BJP-led government. Newly appointed state Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal says the protests aim to highlight the struggles of farmers and other civic issues. He accused the government of failing to deliver on promises like farm loan waivers.
Another major issue is the delay in local body elections, pending for three years. Congress alleges the BJP is postponing elections to maintain its control. The Supreme Court is set to hear cases related to these delays today.
Yediyurappa Faction’s Rally in Karnataka
In Karnataka, the BJP is facing internal conflicts. The faction led by former CM B.S.Yediyurappa and his son B.Y. Vijayendra is holding a rally in Bengaluru today to strengthen their support within the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community.
Yediyurappa, a key leader in this community, has played a major role in BJP’s rise in Karnataka. However, another BJP faction, led by MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, is reportedly trying to reduce his influence. In response, the Yediyurappa camp is actively meeting with Lingayat leaders and religious figures to maintain their stronghold.
