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How it all started and ‘Bulldozer Baba’ became BJP’s ticket to victory

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The bulldozer politics that originated in Uttar Pradesh nearly two years ago has now become a mascot of the Yogi Adityanath government. The bulldozer – usually seen as a tool of destruction and upheaval – has become a symbol of good governance. Most governments in the country, mainly BJP-led governments, are now betting on the bulldozer that is apparently bringing in more bouquets than brickbats.

The bulldozer first gained prominence in the Yogi Adityanath government in July 2020 when this mean machine was used to pull down the house of gangster Vikas Dubey in Bikru village in Kanpur. Dubey was the main accused in the massacre of eight police personnel and bulldozing his palatial house ensured speedy justice in the terror-stricken area.

Thereafter, the bulldozer was used to demolish the ill-gotten properties of mafia dons like Mukhtar Ansari and Atiq Ahmad, both of whom were behind bars.

The state government happily released photographs and videos of the houses, shopping complexes, hotels and buildings of the mafia crumbling under the power of the bulldozer.

The bulldozer gradually emerged as a symbol of justice against wrong-doers and Yogi supporters, mainly Hindus, cheered the initiative.

In the midst of the assembly election, a local daily named Yogi Adityanath as �Bulldozer Baba’ and this took the BJP campaign to the next level.

Leader after leader spoke about the might of the bulldozer in the elections and how Yogi Adityanath had brought criminals down to their knees with his bulldozer.

The results of the UP assembly elections where the BJP staged a return to power, put the seal of approval on bulldozer politics and the opposition that had tried to project the bulldozer as a symbol of tyranny, was put on the backfoot.

While the results made other states like Madhya Pradesh and Delhi adopt the bulldozer formula with open arms, it also gave Yogi Adityanath the opportunity to pursue this brand of politics even more aggressively in his second term.

The UP police are now targeting those linked to mafia dons on an almost daily basis and people are lapping it up.

Bulldozer Baba’s politics is getting increasingly popular and so is his image as a stern administrator who will spare no wrong doer.

Though there are allegations of the bulldozer politics being selective but the voices of approval are far louder.
The popularity of the bulldozer can be gauged from the fact that a whole range of bulldozer toys are now being sold on e-commerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart.

Yogi Adityanath is being felicitated with miniature bulldozers at various functions and the chief minister is not complaining.

The bulldozer politics, meanwhile, has hurt the Samajwadi Party the most.

The Samajwadi Party had used the bulldozer to hit back at the BJP in its election campaign and Akhilesh Yadav, in his every speech, projected the bulldozer as an example of dictatorship (tanashahi’) of the BJP leadership.

SP leaders drew a parallel between the bulldozer and the excesses of the Emergency but the ploy did not work. In fact, it boomeranged.

The results dampened the Samajwadi spirit because the voters, apparently, approved of the bulldozer politics.

Post-election, the Samajwadi leaders have almost stopped talking about the bulldozer and have reverted to the incidents of crime and the poor law and order situation to hit out at the Yogi Adityanath government.

National News

JD(U) demands one-phase polling in ECI meeting with 12 political parties in Patna

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Patna, Oct 4: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday held a crucial meeting with 12 recognised political parties in Patna ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar chaired the meeting and assured that all suggestions put forward by the parties would be considered before finalising the poll schedule. The ruling JD(U) sought Assembly polls to be held in a single phase.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, JD(U) working president Sanjay Jha, who represented the party, demanded that the Assembly polls be conducted in a single phase.

“We have thanked the Commission for successfully conducting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. We have requested that the Bihar elections be held in one phase. Law and order and Naxalism are no longer issues in Bihar. If elections can be held in one phase in Maharashtra, why not here? Paramilitary forces should be deployed at all polling stations so that the poor face no difficulties in voting,” Jha said.

Jha also suggested that election dates should be fixed, keeping in mind the Chhath festival, so that people returning home for the festival can also cast their votes.

On the other hand, the RJD’s Aurangabad MP Abhay Kushwaha and the party’s election convener Chitranjan Gagan, who represented the party at the meeting, demanded that polling be conducted in two phases.

“We have asked the CEC to release the data of the 3.64 lakh voters deleted during the SIR process. We have also sought complete security arrangements in Dalit, Mahadalit, extremely backward and backward caste villages, so that these communities can vote freely. In the past, they were often prevented from voting,” Kushwaha said.

Responding to the BJP’s demand that women in burqas be verified by female officers, Kushwaha said: “A new voter list with photographs has already been published after the SIR. Despite this, if the BJP is making such demands, it is nothing but politics.”

The ECI’s consultations mark a significant step in finalising preparations for the high-stakes Bihar polls.

Political observers believe the Commission may announce election dates shortly, with voting likely to take place in multiple phases across the state.

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National News

Mumbai: MSF Jawan Killed After Falling From Crowded Local Train Between Malad & Goregaon

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Mumbai: A Maharashtra Security Force (MSF) jawan lost his life after falling from a crowded local train on Friday. The incident, which took place between Malad and Goregaon, has once again raised serious concerns over commuter safety during peak hours.

The deceased has been identified as 31-year-old Ganesh Jagdale, who was attached to the Dahisar police station. According to reports, Jagdale had finished his night duty and boarded a Churchgate-bound local from Dahisar around 8:30 am. The train, packed with commuters during the morning rush hour, left him standing precariously close to the door.

Between Malad and Goregaon stations, Jagdale was reportedly caught in a wave of pushing and jostling inside the compartment. Unable to maintain his balance, he fell off the moving train and landed on the tracks. Gravely injured, he was rushed to Shatabdi Hospital in Kandivali, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The Borivali Government Railway Police (GRP) registered a case of accidental death. Jagdale had only recently been transferred from Vanrai police station in Goregaon East to Dahisar police station, where he had joined duty just a day earlier.

This accident adds to a growing list of fatalities caused by overcrowding in Mumbai’s suburban trains. Despite repeated incidents, safety measures remain a major concern, with thousands of daily commuters continuing to risk their lives by travelling on open footboards.

Amid rising criticism, the Indian Railways on Friday announced that a prototype of a closed-door local train has been developed and will soon undergo pilot trials. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier assured that all newly manufactured trains would be equipped with automatic door-closing systems. Efforts are also being made to retrofit the existing fleet to curb accidents caused by passengers falling from open doors.

The move follows the June 9 Mumbra tragedy, where eight commuters died after falling from a crowded train. Officials stress that automatic door closures will majorly enhance passenger safety and reduce such fatal mishaps.

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Maharashtra

Maharashtra: ‘Strengthening Anganwadis And Schemes Essential For Malnutrition Eradication,’ Says Minister Aditi Tatkare

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Mumbai, October 3: Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, has emphasized that the holistic development of women and children is essential for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India). She assured that the central government will extend full cooperation to all states for the effective implementation of welfare schemes in this direction.

Speaking during a virtual meeting chaired by her and attended by Women and Child Development Ministers from various states, Annapurna Devi highlighted the need for coordination between the Centre and states to ensure the success of flagship schemes like Mission Vatsalya and Mission Shakti.

Maharashtra’s Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare stressed that increasing the number of Anganwadi centres is crucial for achieving a malnutrition-free state. She also demanded that the Centre provide adequate support for the strengthening of Anganwadi services and related schemes.

During the discussion, issues such as human resource planning, infrastructure development, financial balance, fair wages, reliable NGO participation, and timely grants were taken up to make scheme implementation more effective.

Tatkare informed that Maharashtra is actively working to prevent child marriages, dowry practices, domestic violence, and sexual harassment. Under the New Education Policy, the state is implementing the “Padhaai Bhi, Poshan Bhi” initiative to integrate education with nutrition.

She added that for women’s safety and empowerment, the state is running One Stop Centres, Women Helpline 181, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Nari Adalats under Mission Shakti. To enhance their effectiveness, she called for independent vehicles for district protection units, proper rental facilities, and better resources for helplines.

Highlighting initiatives like the Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, Pink E-Rickshaw scheme, and Adishakti Abhiyan, Tatkare said Maharashtra has already taken concrete steps for women’s welfare. For the protection and rehabilitation of children under Mission Vatsalya, she stressed the need for vehicles for district protection units, consistency in wages, sufficient funds, and NGO participation.

“Maharashtra has strong policies and schemes in place for the protection of women and children. With adequate support and funding from the Centre, the state can set a model example for the rest of the country in effective implementation,” Tatkare affirmed.

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