Tag: Narendra Modi

Exclusive | Congress has turned Bengaluru from ‘tech hub to tanker hub’: PM Modi

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Water shortage in Bengaluru, Karnataka’s capital city known to be the country’s technology hub, has turned into a sour issue during the election season.

In an exclusive interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi and News18 Kannada Editor Hariprasada A,  Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the state government in Karnataka (which is under a Congress government since May 2023), saying they converted the technology hub into a ‘tanker hub’.

60% of the water supply for the city’s 15 million people comes from the Cauvery river and the rest from the ground through borewells. People have resorted buying water from tanker operators.

The Prime Minister also opened up about another issue concerning Karnataka, which sends 28 elected representatives to the Parliament. Here’s the edited transcript of the exclusive interview with Prime Minister Modi.

Rahul Joshi: Two states are important in this election – one is Karnataka and the other Maharashtra. In Karnataka, you recently lost the assembly elections, and Maharashtra because there is a strange mess there due to a split in two parties. Two of my colleagues are with me, let’s start with Karnataka first. Hariprasada ji, who is our editor there, wants to ask you some questions.

PM Modi: Hariprasada ji, you are welcome.

Hariprasada A: Let’s talk about the Neha Hiremath murder case, which is being widely discussed. She was killed on a college campus by Fayaz; even, JP Nadda [BJP national president] rushed to her house. Do you think that the focus of the elections in Karnataka is shifting to such issues?

PM Modi: Nadda ji was attending a programme in Karnataka, when this incident took place. Who belongs to which party, or he belongs to the Congress; his daughter was murdered. These are not my values or mindset.

It is a matter of human sentiment, and I believe that even in the midst of the election rush, what he did was the human thing to do. I don’t remember which election it was. Rahul Ji [Rahul Gandhi] faced some issues with his helicopter. I called him immediately to ask if he was in distress.

I was the chief minister of Gujarat when, in Daman, a helicopter carrying Sonia ji [Sonia Gandhi], Ahmed Patel Sahab crashed. I told them that I was sending an air ambulance, but Ahmed Patel Sahab told me that they were all fine and not in any kind of emergency.

Once Sonia ji went to Kashi for an election campaign and she fell ill, so I immediately sent people over to see what the matter was and, if required, sent an aircraft to carry her. So, these are my principles and this is beyond politics. So, for me, whenever any problem arises in any family, this should be resolved by rising above politics.

Hariprasada A: The Congress in Karnataka promised five guarantees and, after they came to power, they delivered on that. Whereas the BJP lost the last election there. Now again, there is too much focus on the leadership of BS Yediyurappa and his son due to which some within the party are also upset. How many seats do you think the BJP can win in Karnataka?

PM Modi: Number one, the people of Karnataka are regretting that they have committed such a big mistake by electing them (Congress). Our public support has not gone down; in fact, it has increased. But, in such a short time, they still have unresolved issues like the post of CM.

While the CM has taken the oath, it has not been settled who it really is. If you look at the law-and-order situation, there are riots and murders taking place; the economic condition is in a state of complete bankruptcy. They have made big promises, if this happens, you will get this, if that happens, you will get this. This means you are cheating the public.

When we said we would give Ayushman Bharat cards to these people, we would fulfil that, there would be no dishonesty. They cancelled the scheme for farmers, and there is no reason for it. Look at Bengaluru, which has a big role in increasing the country’s education.

Now, it has been turned into a tanker hub [Water crisis] in no time. And there is a mafia involved there too. People are yearning for water… The deputy CM is asking for votes for his brother so that he can become CM; so everyone is playing games. Games are being played to remove someone from the seat. As far as the BJP is concerned, we are working with team spirit even if my team was defeated.

Hariprasada A: For us in Karnataka, it’s the second phase of the election for 14 seats, which are in the northern part of Karnataka that has drought-hit places. Now, about this drought, the Congress is claiming that it went to the Supreme Court. Now, the central government is forced to give a rightful compensation. What’s your opinion on that?

PM Modi: As far as the state disaster relief fund is concerned, our inter-ministerial team has laid down the rules and practices in the effective areas. The team that went to these places has done a survey, and it is like that every time.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Modi Interview | Here’s what the Prime Minister said on inheritance tax

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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During the ongoing campaigns for the Lok Sabha election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have sparked a debate on whether India should have inhertiance tax,  a levy on the transfer of wealth from one generation to another in the same family.

In an exclusive interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, Modi said it is his responsibility to tell the people what the Opposition intends to do.

The PM and BJP leaders The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have based their charge — that there will be an inheritance tax if Congress and its allies win the election — on the promises in the Congress manifesto, which included a ₹1 lakh income guarantee each year for the women in poor households among other welfare measures.

While the congress denied any plan to introduce inheritance tax, the question it faced was where would the Indian government find the money for such generous welfare measures.

That’s when Sam Pitroda, the chairman of Indian Overseas Congress, remarked that if a member of the family dies, then some percentage of that money should be given to his heirs and the rest of the money should be deposited with the government to enable the transfer of wealth from the super rich to the poor in the country. 

Here is an excerpt from the interview

Q: At a rally in Rajasthan, you said that they have a scheme to distribute wealth. They want to find out who has how much money and gold and want to distribute it among Muslims and infiltrators. How real is this threat?

PM Modi: …One of their leaders gave an interview in America. He spoke about 55% tax on property. I am talking about viraasat and they are about looting it and wealth redistribution. That is their history. What else will they do? It is my responsibility to tell people that this is what they plan to do.

Q: Sam Pitroda ji spoke about inheritance tax on the wealth we save for our family when we give it to our next generation. This tax could be very high. Will you say that if BJP comes to power, it will never implement this tax?

PM Modi: What the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to do is written in our manifesto. How does the thought that we will carry forward their plan even come to your mind? The ideology of the Bharatiya Janata Party is clear. We go before the country with our manifesto and works. Please don’t impose their great thoughts on us.

Q: Rahul Gandhi has spoken about an X-ray or socio-economic survey, along with a caste census. The institutional survey will look at which sections are behind and they will redistribute the wealth accordingly…

PM Modi: People who consider themselves political experts should ask such people that if the conditions you describe are real, then you have been in power for 50-60 years. You gave birth to this. Why did you let it come to this? Secondly, X-ray means raiding every household, if any woman has hidden gold in utensils, even finding that and then redistributing it. This Maoist ideology has never helped the world. This is an entirely ‘Urban Naxal’ thought. This is why the Jamaat, which usually keeps writing, kept quiet about the manifesto even after 10 days because it will help them. They kept quiet to protect them. It then becomes my responsibility to awaken the country to the fact that they are planning to loot you. The next part is Dr Manmohan Singh has said clearly who has the first right to the country’s resources. They have clearly stated their intentions.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

PM Modi dials Georgia Meloni to fortify India-Italy strategic partnership, extends greetings for 79th Liberation Day

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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In a significant diplomatic exchange, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Georgia Meloni of Italy. The discussion, which took place on Thursday, April 25, highlighted the deepening ties between the two nations and set the stage for collaborative efforts on the global stage.

Prime Minister Modi commenced the conversation by extending his warm greetings to Prime Minister Meloni and the people of Italy on the auspicious occasion of the 79th anniversary of Liberation Day.

During the dialogue, Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude for the invitation extended by Prime Minister Meloni to the G7 Summit Outreach Sessions scheduled to be held in June 2024 in Puglia, Italy.

A key focus of the conversation was the commitment to build upon the significant outcomes achieved during India’s G20 Presidency, particularly in supporting the Global South.

Both leaders emphasised the importance of leveraging the upcoming G7 Summit, under Italy’s Presidency, to further advance these shared objectives.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Meloni reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership between India and Italy.

In addition to discussing bilateral matters, the two leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

EC probes allegations of MCC violation by Modi, Rahul; seeks response by April 29

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Election Commission took cognizance of alleged model code of conduct (MCC) violations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections. Both Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress had raised allegations of causing hatred and divide based on religion, caste, community, or language.

The EC has invoked section 77 of Representation of the People Act (RPA) and held party presidents responsible, as the first step, to reign in star campaigners. The MCC allegations against Modi and Gandhi were exchanged with BJP President JP Nadda and Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge as a first step.

The ECI has sought a response by 11 AM on April 29.

This is the first time that there have been MCC violation allegations against a prime minister. The EC asked the BJP to respond to complaints filed by opposition parties wherein they have accused Modi of delivering a divisive and defamatory speech in Rajasthan’s Banswara. At the same time, the poll panel also asked Congress to respond to complaints filed by the BJP against Kharge and Gandhi regarding their respective remarks.

The ECI said the political parties will have to take primary and increasing responsibility for the conduct of their candidates, star campaigners in particular. Campaign speeches by those holding high positions have more serious consequences, it added.

In its letter addressed to Nadda, the EC asked him to respond by Monday to complaints filed by the Congress, CPI and CPI (ML) regarding the remarks made by Modi on April 21 in Banswara. It also asked Nadda to bring to the notice of the party’s star campaigners to “set high standards of political discourse and observe provisions of model code of conduct in letter and spirit”.

In its complaint to the EC, the Congress said that Modi in his speech had alleged that Congress wanted to redistribute the wealth of the people to Muslims and that the opposition party won’t even spare the ‘mangalsutra’ of women.

The BJP, on the other hand, had written to EC that Gandhi levelled malafide and utterly sinister allegations against Modi during a speech in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. It also accused Kharge of violating the model code by claiming that he was not invited to the Ram temple consecration ceremony due to discrimination against SCs and STs.

The Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases. The voting for the first phase was held on April 19 and the second phase will vote on April 26.

With inputs from PTI

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

JPMorgan’s JP Dimon says US needs someone like Modi

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. chief executive Jamie Dimon praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for doing “an unbelievable job in India”, adding that the “liberal press in the US beats the hell out him, when he has taken 400 million people out of poverty”.

“Modi has done an unbelievable job in India…He has taken 400 million people out of poverty. We go and lecture Modi when they want to trade with us… he has 400 million people without toilets. We are lecturing them how to do things.”

During an event organised by the Economic Club of New York, the largest US bank’s CEO also said the Modi government has undertaken several reform initiatives and that India has an “unbelievable infrastructure and educational system”.

He also complimented the PM for being ‘tough’ and untangling the country’s bureaucratic system, adding that “a little bit more of that” is needed in the US.

“They (India) have got an unbelievable education system. Unbelievable infrastructure. They are lifting their whole country because this one man (PM Modi) is tough.”

“They have 29 states or something like that… and the tax system is complicated.. it’s like Europe. It leads to enormous corruption. He is breaking it down.. And so yeah there are these people who have turned things around.. And we need a little bit of that here as well”

The banker also said 700 million people have opened bank accounts in the country and the transferred payments are going through.

“Every citizen by hand or eyeball or by finger is recognised. They’ve bank account for 700 million people. Their transferred payments are going through,” Dimon said.

Meanwhile, the CEO expressed confidence in the performance of the US economy over strong employment and healthy consumer finances. During the event, he said the US economic boom is ‘unbelievable’ and even if the country goes into recession, “the consumer’s still in good shape”.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Explained: PM Modi’s ‘wealth distribution’ remarks–Part of Congress Manifesto? Or an election manifestation

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent comments alleging that the Congress Party, if voted to power, would conduct surveys to seize the wealth of people, has triggered a controversy in the midst of polling season. The Prime Minister, while speaking at a rally in Rajasthan’s Banswara on Sunday, said in Hindi:

“Pehle jab inki sarkar thi, inhone kaha tha ki desh ki sampatti pe pehla adhikaar Musalmaanon ka hain. Iska matlab, yeh sampatti ekatthi karke kisko baatengey? Jinke zyaada bacchein unko baatengey. Gusphetiyon ko baatengey”

Translated into English, it reads: When they (Congress) ran the government previously, they said that Muslims had the first right to the nation’s assets. This means they would consolidate those assets. Who would they distribute them to? To those who have more children. They would distribute it to infiltrators.

In the same speech, Prime Minister Modi warned: “Yeh Congress ka Manifesto keh raha hain, ki mataao aur behano ka soney ka hisab karengey, uski jabti karengey, aur phir us sampaati ko baat denge”

As per the Prime Minister, “The Congress manifesto says that it would seize jewellery from women and redistribute them.” He reiterated the same charges while speaking at an election rally in UP’s Aligarh on Monday.

Does the Congress Manifesto promise wealth redistribution?

1. Point 1 under the Social Justice sub-header of the manifesto on page 6 reads:

“Congress will conduct a nationwide Socio-Economic and Caste Census to enumerate the castes and sub-castes and their socio-economic conditions. Based on the data, we will strengthen the agenda for affirmative action.”

The Congress manifesto does not mention seizing private wealth. It discusses conducting a caste census to gather data on caste demographics, which may serve as the basis of any affirmative action policy. The Congress party has been promising a caste census if they form the government. Party MP Rahul Gandhi has referred to it as an X-ray of India.

2. Point 6 on page 6 reads:

“We will enhance institutional credit to SC and ST for homebuilding, starting businesses and purchasing assets.”

The word ‘redistribution’ does not appear in the entire manifesto. However, on page 28, it reads, “We will address the growing inequality of wealth and income through suitable changes in policies.”

Does the word Muslim find any mention in the manifesto?

The word Muslim does not appear in the manifesto. The Congress manifesto reads, “We will respect and uphold the fundamental right to practice one’s faith and the rights guaranteed to religious minorities under Articles 15, 16, 25, 26, 28, 29 and 30 of the Constitution.”

However, it does not explicitly mention any particular religious minority group. There is no mention of redistributing any kind of wealth to Muslims or for that matter, any religious minority group.

Affirmative action agenda: What it stands for?

Affirmative action typically refers to policies aimed at increasing workplace and educational opportunities for people who are underrepresented in society. Affirmative action, or what we refer to as reservation, is not new to India. Reservations in government jobs and educational institutions fall under the purview of affirmative action.

Congress’ stance

The Congress highlighted the PM’s speech in its list of complaints to ECI, urging them to take action. ECI sources have told CNBC-TV18 that they have received the complaint and the matter is under consideration.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Lok Sabha election 2024: BJP vote share will increase in South, says PM Modi

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed that investigative agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) must be allowed to carry out their duties without interference.

The PM’s response came during an interview with Malayalam news channel Asianet on Saturday in response to a question that the opposition alleges the’misuse’ of these agencies by the government and for targeting of opposition leaders.

PM Modi dismissed these accusations that the ruling party was leveraging these agencies to stifle dissenting voices within the opposition ranks.

PM Modi also took potshots at the Congress for delaying the announcement of its candidate for the Amerthi seat. He added that the grand-old party may field senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from another seat after polling in Wayanad on April 26 as they are not confident of retaining the constituency in Kerala.

The Congress party is yet to name its official candidates for the Amethi and Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seats. Union Minister Smriti Irani defeated Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The PM also took a veiled swipe at former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, saying that senior leaders of the party are no longer keen to contest the Lok Sabha elections and are instead taking the Rajya Sabha route.

On the expectation of the BJP’s performance in the southern states of India, the PM expressed confidence that the party would increase its vote share.

In Kerala, the PM said that Christians in the state are fed up with the lies of both the Congress-led United Democratic Front and the CPM-led Left Democratic Front. Kerala currently has an LDF government, and the Congress is the chief opposition party. The two alliances are also part of the INDIA bloc in the 2024 general elections.

The BJP has been trying to woo the Christian community in Kerala, which has a substantive number of voters in many constituencies of the state.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

PM Modi in Bengaluru today: Here is a complete list of routes to avoid

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bengaluru on Saturday afternoon, the city police have issued a traffic advisory to avoid congestion, enhance security during the VVIP movement and ensure a smooth flow of traffic for commuters.

The traffic restrictions in Karnataka‘s capital city will remain in place between 1 pm and 7 pm.

“Because of VVIP visiting Bengaluru City on 20.04.2024, from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm parking of all types of vehicles on the following roads, is prohibited. During the said period commuters are advised to avoid following roads and use alternative routes,” read the police advisory.

Here’s a complete list of roads to avoid during the day:

Palace Road.
M V Jayaram Road.
Vasanthanagar Road.
Jayamahal Road.
C Raman Road.
Bellary Road.
Ramanamaharshi Road.
Nandidurga Road.
Tharalabalu Road.
Mount Carmel College Road.
From Mekhri Circle towards Yeshwanthpura.

The city police also imposed restrictions on heavy goods vehicles between 12 pm to 9 pm. “Traffic movement heavy goods vehicles are strictly prohibited from 12 pm to 9 pm to enter the city,” the advisory stated.

These are the traffic diversion points for heavy goods vehicles — CMTI Junction, Mysuru Bank Junction, Hebbal Junction, New BEL Junction, BHEL Under Pass, Basaveshwara Circle, Old Udaya TV Junction and Haj Camp, and Nandidurga Road.

Prime Minister Modi is visiting Bengaluru city and neighbouring Chikkaballapura district today to campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The North, South and Central constituencies of Bengaluru have been a stronghold of the BJP, and the Bengaluru Rural seat is represented by Congress’ DK Suresh, brother of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

Fourteen  Lok Sabha segments in the southern part of the state will be voting for in the second phase of the elections on April 26. Voting for the remaining 14 seats in the northern districts will be held on May 7. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

EXCLUSIVE | Tesla CEO Elon Musk postpones India visit

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that he has postponed his visit to India due to heavy obligations at Tesla and looks forward to visiting later this year. Musk was supposed to visit India for two days, April 21 and 22, to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and announce plans to enter the Indian market.

CNBC-TV18 was the first to report on Saturday morning that Musk is likely to postpone his visit to India.

Unfortunately, very heavy Tesla obligations require that the visit to India be delayed, but I do very much look forward to visiting later this year.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 20, 2024

Musk had tweeted on April 10 that he was looking forward to meeting PM Narendra Modi. The timing of the visit is interesting, since just a few weeks ago, the Indian government had notified a new electric vehicle manufacturing policy which allows the government to give duty concessions to electric car companies committing to make in India.

PM Narendra Modi has said Musk is a supporter of India and is welcome to invest, but added that he must create employment opportunities for India’s youth.

Also read: Elon Musk’s 2-Day India Trip: Engaging with space startups, addressing business leaders, and exploring Agra

The earlier plannned visit coincided with Musk’s having to attend a crucial conference call on April 23 in the United States to answer questions about Tesla’s first quarter performance.

Wedbush Securities has described this call as a ‘moment of truth’ for Tesla, and added that Musk must outline a roadmap for growth and pricing strategies amid slowing growth in China. Investors are also looking for answers about the launch of the low cost Model 2, which they believe is critical for the company’s future growth.

Musk has been battling a stock that has taken a beating recently, and a global slowdown in auto sales. This makes the entry of the world’s largest EV maker into what is globally the third-largest auto market a significant step.

Falling global sales of EVs and a tough pricing environment have also forced Tesla to lay-off around 10% of its global workforce.

As per the earlier proposed plan Musk was supposed to be in India for 48 hours, during which he would meet the PM, space startups and business leaders.

New dates for Musk’s visit have not been announced so far.

Also read: Tesla’s India move long overdue, but it will face stiff competition: Amitabh Kant

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

‘Party apparatchik’, Congress slams India’s envoy to Ireland for critical remarks

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Congress on Tuesday, April 16, took strong objection to the criticism directed at it by the Indian envoy to Ireland while responding to an Irish daily’s editorial, saying that attacking opposition parties openly in a manner like a “party apparatchik” was “disgraceful behaviour” and the ambassador should be sacked.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh hit out at Indian Ambassador Akhilesh Mishra over his remarks in his “rejoinder” to The Irish Times over what the embassy said was a “highly biased and prejudiced editorial, casting aspersion on Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, Indian democracy, law enforcement institutions and ‘Hindu-majority’ people of India”.

In the rejoinder, Mishra said, “Further to ‘The Irish Times’ view on the Indian election: Modi tightens his grip” (April 11th), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi enjoys unprecedented popularity and profile not only in India but globally because of his impeccable personal character and integrity and thought-leadership on innovative, inclusive governance and sustainable development.” “…The fight against the deeply entrenched ecosystem of corruption (created by the 55-year rule, including the first 30 years, by a single dynastic party in India) is a major factor behind Mr Modi’s ever-growing popularity,” the ambassador wrote.

Hitting out at the envoy’s remarks, Congress general secretary in-charge communications, Ramesh said, “Defending the Government of India is one thing and is to be expected. But to attack Opposition parties openly in this manner like a party apparatchik is not expected from an Ambassador even if he is a political appointment.”

He later said in another post, “I stand corrected. This Ambassador is actually a career diplomat which makes his comments even more shameful, disgraceful and completely unacceptable. He has actually breached service rules and should be sacked right away”.

“This is unprofessional and disgraceful behaviour on his part but is par for the Modi course I guess,” the Congress leader said.

Sharing the envoy’s rejoinder, the embassy said on X, “Ambassador Akhilesh’s rejoinder to Irish Times is highly biased and prejudiced editorial (Modi tightens his grip’ April 11, 2024), casting aspersion on Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, Indian democracy, law enforcement institutions and ‘Hindu-majority’ people of India.”

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow