National News
In Himachal too ‘rivaj badlega’, says optimist Thakur
With Himachal Pradesh heading to the Assembly polls on November 12, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur is leading his campaign with the slogan ‘rivaj badlega’ (electoral traditions will change) as BJP governments have repeated in the recent Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana polls.
This small hill state has not seen any incumbent party returning to power since 1985. Since then both archrivals — the Congress and the BJP — ruled the state alternatively in eight terms.
This time, the saffron party, with anti-incumbency weighing heavy on its governance, seems to be banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s charisma, instead of flashing its own achievement card.
The Prime Minister held three back-to-back public meetings ahead of the poll announcement.
At every rally, Thakur, the 57-year-old five-time legislator who rose through the ranks, missed no opportunity to remind the public about Modi’s special bond and love for the people of the state where he spent a few years as in-charge of the state’s affairs in the late 1990s.
“Is baar sarkaar nahin, rivaj badlega (This time not the government, but the tradition will change),” a confidant Thakur, the first-time Chief Minister who has been toeing the Modi government’s ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ mantra, told IANS on Saturday before heading to attend Union Minister Amit Shah’s rally in Sirmaur district, the first by the Central leadership after the poll announcement.
Firmly believing that the Prime Minister has always bestowed his blessings on Himachal by offering so many developmental projects in the past five years, Thakur asked the Opposition: What is wrong in seeking votes on the name of the ‘pradhan sevak’ who devoted his life to the welfare of the people and good governance.
“The Prime Minister has always shown his benevolence and affection to the state as he visited every nook and corner of the state as party in-charge of Himachal Pradesh. Secondly, Modi-ji as Prime Minister has visited nine times in the past five years. Even during the coronavirus pandemic he visited the state and dedicated the Atal Tunnel Rohtang.”
Taking a dig at the Congress, Thakur said on one hand it has launched ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, and on the other, its senior leaders are following Congress ‘Chhodo Yatra’.
“Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the present government would again come into power and continue serving the people.”
Listing out achievements of the double-engine government that has given the hill state new infrastructure in every step, Thakur, who is leading the party poll campaign, said the Prime Minister’s vision and commitment to strengthen health services across the country is being showcased again in the state through the inauguration of AIIMS Bilaspur.
“This (Central) government believes in laying the foundation stone of a project and inaugurating itself.”
He thanked the Prime Minister for sanctioning the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Bulk Drug Park that will strengthen the state’s health sector and the pharmaceutical hub.
He expressed gratitude of the Prime Minister for inaugurating the IIIT (Indian Institute of Information Technology) Una, flagging off the inaugural run of the Vande Bharat Express from Amb Andaura to New Delhi and for launching the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY) scheme.
“More than 39,500-km road network is catering the needs of the people, especially in rural and remote areas, in the state. Out of this road length, about 50 per cent has come up under the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. The sanction of Rs 3,200 crore for PMGSY-III will transform the prevailing road infrastructure and will further boost rural economic activities,” the Chief Minister explained.
Going to the polls with the firm belief that the Centre-state unison helps strengthening the spirit of cooperative and competitive federalism, Thakur, who through his stint believes development and no witch hunting, said this is only the BJP government in the Centre that realised the agony and hardships of the people of the state.
“We succeeded to excel in road, health, medical education, education and other developmental sectors, besides the welfare of the poor, downtrodden and the women.
“The previous government spent Rs 400 crore on social security pensions, whereas we are spending Rs 1,300 crore. Nearly 7.50 lakh eligible beneficiaries are presently getting pensions whereas only 4 lakh pensioners during the previous government tenure,” Thakur said, while replying to a question on the Congress promise to restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to benefit 225,000 government employees, a crucial vote bank.
Thakur was elevated to the post after the party’s chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal suffered an abject defeat in the 2017 Assembly polls.
In the run-up to the Assembly polls, Prime Minister Modi launched Rs 6,000 crore development works across various sectors and inaugurated AIIMS Bilaspur, the foundation stone of which was laid by him on October 3, 2017.
As far as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is concerned that is now setting its eyes on conquering hills after demolishing the citadels of all major political parties in Punjab, Thakur said the situation in Punjab was different.
“The people of Himachal earlier also rejected the third front. The leaders of AAP are over enthusiastic after their victory in Punjab, but they should also remember that their candidates have not only lost on all seats in the Assembly polls in Uttarakhand but their security deposits were also forfeited.”
For the Congress, corruption, unemployment and poor performance of the government are among the major poll issues.
Political observers told IANS that the BJP under the leadership of Thakur is facing anti-incumbency. This reflected in its humiliating defeat in the October 2021 by-polls in three Assembly seats and one parliamentary seat of Mandi having 17 Assembly seats in Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba districts.
But Thakur believes it is simply a “Virbhadra wave” that did the trick for the Congress in the by-polls.
He said the Congress won because of the sympathy with the late Virbhadra Singh, which would not happen in the Assembly elections.
But to overcome the anti-incumbency, the BJP central leadership is focusing to induct seasoned politicians with organisational and ministerial experience from the Congress to give the state leadership a new look to win a consecutive term.
“For the Congress, the exodus of leaders means dampening the morale of the grassroots in the run-up to the polls,” a political observer told IANS.
He says the induction of three-time legislator Harsh Mahajan, who for over a decade played a crucial role in strengthening the party organization at the grassroots under Virbhadra Singh, in the BJP is the party’s ‘self-goal’.
Before Mahajan, two sitting Congress legislators — Lakhwinder Rana and Pawan Kajal — had also switched loyalties to the saffron party.
A total of 55.74 lakh voters would cast their votes in the elections. They comprise 27,80,203 men, 27,27,016 women, 67,532 service voters and 44,173 first-time voters. In the 2017 Assembly polls, there were 50,25,941 voters.
The counting of ballots will be held on December 8.
The BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections had won all four seats that saw 72.25 per cent polling, 7.80 per cent higher than 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
In 2017, the BJP wrested power in Himachal from the Congress, winning close to a two thirds majority with 44 seats in the 68-member Assembly.
The Congress won 21 seats, independents two and the Communist Party of India-Marxist one.
National News
Maharashtra Doctors’ Strike: 1.8 Lakh Allopathic Practitioners To Shut OPDs And Clinics On Sept 18 Over Govt Nod To Homoeopaths

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government’s decision to permit homoeopathic doctors to practise allopathy after completing a one-year pharmacology course has drawn sharp opposition from the state’s allopathic medical fraternity. Around 1.8 lakh allopathic doctors will observe a one-day statewide strike on September 18.
From September 17, the government will start separate registration of homoeopaths with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), allowing those who have completed the CCMP course to practise modern (allopathic) medicine within a restricted scope.
In protest, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a one-day strike on September 18, with about 1.8 lakh allopathic doctors pledging support. All private hospitals and nursing homes will close their out-patient departments (OPDs) for new patients from 8 a.m. Thursday to 8 a.m. Friday, and private clinics will also remain shut. In-patient services and surgeries are expected to be affected.
Dr Santosh Kadam, president of IMA Maharashtra, said allowing homoeopathic doctors to practise allopathy after a short certification course “is playing with patients’ health.” Wrong medicines or misdiagnosis in emergencies could endanger lives, he warned. The resident doctors’ organisations of government and BMC medical colleges — Central MARD and BMC MARD — have also opposed the move.
The Federation of All India Medical Associations president Dr Akshay Dongardive warned that if the government does not roll back its decision, doctors will launch a nationwide agitation, even taking to the streets to alert the public about the risks.
The strike has also gained support from the Bombay Nursing Home Association, Maharashtra Senior Resident Doctors’ Association (MSRDA), the organisation of Medical Officers in Government Hospitals, Maharashtra Ophthalmological Society, and the Maharashtra unit of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics, among several other medical bodies.
National News
IND vs PAK, Asia Cup 2025: How Team India & Pakistan Can Again Meet On September 21? Scenario Explained

The much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium on September 14, Sunday was a one-sided fixture as the Men in Blue sealed a comfortable seven-wicket victory. However, fans have the prospect of watching the two teams lock horns again on September 21 if Pakistan qualify for the Super 4.
Pakistan face a boom or bust defeat after a humiliating defeat to the Men in Blue on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium. While the Men in Green still boasts of a positive net run-rate, they must beat UAE in their final group game on Wednesday. Should Pakistan qualify from Group A, they will play India on September 21 in Dubai.
If Pakistan lose their match to UAE and UAE beat Oman, UAE will have four points under their belt, enabling them to progress.
UAE are currently at the bottom of the points table in Group A with a net run-rate of -10.483. But two wins will take the net run-rate out of equation. UAE can still qualify if they beat Pakistan and their game against Oman is washed out due to rain as their points tally will be higher. For Oman to qualify, they must beat an in-form Indian side and UAE. Additionally, they must also hope for Pakistan to face a loss or no result against UAE.
Meanwhile, tensions boiled over after the match as the Indian team refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterpart following the win. As a result, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha did not do the post-game presentation duties.
Hence, fans can expect heightened tensions should the two teams meet again in the multi-nation tournament.
Mumbai Press Exclusive News
Waqf Bill Order! Know which things the Supreme Court has banned.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday delivered a significant verdict on the *Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The court refused to suspend the entire Act but imposed an *interim stay on several controversial provisions. The ruling has triggered widespread debate as the Waqf law has long been a politically and socially sensitive issue.
Which Provisions Have Been Suspended?
- Five-Year Practicing Muslim Condition
The Act required that a person establishing a Waqf must have been a “practicing Muslim” for at least five years. The Supreme Court stayed this provision, observing that the term lacks a clear definition and cannot be enforced without proper guidelines. - Collector’s Authority Over Waqf Property
The amendment empowered District Collectors to decide whether a property qualifies as Waqf property. The court suspended this clause, stating that it could undermine citizens’ rights and interfere with judicial processes. - Cap on Non-Muslim Members in Waqf Boards and Council
The Act limited the inclusion of non-Muslims to three in State Waqf Boards and four in the Central Waqf Council. The Supreme Court has stayed this restriction as well. - CEO Must Be from Muslim Community
Another provision directed that, as far as possible, the CEO of a Waqf Board should belong to the Muslim community. This clause has also been put on hold.
The bench clarified that suspending the entire law would not be appropriate, but certain disputed provisions must remain on hold until the matter is fully heard. All stakeholders will be allowed to present detailed arguments in the upcoming hearings.
Opposition parties have welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, calling it a safeguard of constitutional values, while the government has defended the amendment, saying it aimed to bring more transparency and accountability in Waqf property management.
For now, the stay is interim and will remain effective until the court delivers its final verdict. The upcoming hearings will determine whether these provisions will be struck down permanently or modified for compliance with constitutional principles.
This ruling is expected to have a major impact on Waqf property administration across India and will likely fuel further nationwide debate in the coming months.
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