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Oppn unity shown for Presidential polls must persist: D. Raja (IANS Interview)

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 CPI General Secretary D. Raja said that there is no dearth of leadership in opposition parties and every party has many capable leaders.

Talking to IANS, Raja said that he wants to continue the opposition unity even after the Presidential polls.

“We want it to continue. Now, we are together on the Presidential election and after the election every party will decide what should be the future course of action on the continuation of unity in the Opposition,” he said.

On the BJP’s ‘Mission South’, he said that the party has tried many times but has always failed in southern states.

Excerpt:

Q: Will the opposition unity, which is being exhibited in the Presidential election, now continue further in future?

Raja: We want it to continue. Now, we are together for the Presidential election and after the election every party will decide what should be the future course of action on the continuation of unity in the Opposition.

We have fielded Yashwant Sinha as the combined opposition candidate for the Presidential elections, which are being fought between two ideologies — one driven by the BJP-RSS combined communal forces and other by democratic and secular forces like us to safeguard the democracy and the Constitution.

Q: The BJP says Opposition lacks face to lead in the national politics. How do you take this?

Raja: What is the meaning of leadership for the BJP? If they don’t recognise our leadership, it’s their fault. It is for our party to recognise ours leadership. We don’t want a certificate from Mr (Narendra) Modi and Amit Shah about my leadership or leadership in Congress and other parties. We are with our own ideologies and we are far better than those in terms of having good leadership.

There is no dearth of leadership in opposition parties, every party has many capable leaders and they are leading their parties.

Q: You said that this year’s Presidential election is a fight between two ideologies, not of two identities and numbers. And the Electoral College are against the Opposition, in such a situation, how your ideology win will?

Raja: It is not a fight between two identities. It is a fight between two ideologies -one is of the BJP-RSS’s fascist, sectarian and divisive ideologies and other is the Opposition parties as secular and democratic parties, who want together to safeguard the Constitution and the democracy.

No doubt, the numbers matter in elections but we are in a fight of ideologies not in a fight of identities and ideology will win all the way. Here, numbers are not the problem, ideologies are the problem.

We will go to the people and explain to them why we are fighting the Presidential election. The Left party, like the CPI, has also decided to be the part of broader opposition unity and support Sinha in order to save the nation, safeguard the Constitution and the democracy.

We have made an appeal to all political parties to come together and hope that more parties will support us to save the Constitution and democracy.

Q: Do you think that a change will take place in the next Parliament elections in 2024?

Raja: Changes have started taking place and making its way in the country against the fascist party, which has put democracy and the Constitution now in peril. The political situation in the country is fully exploited and vitiated by the BJP. The country is in the grip of a ‘kakistocracy’ (a government run by the least capable).

We are trying to put all secular and democratic parties together and partially we have succeeded in bringing all the major parties together in this Presidential election. Let’s see what happens in the future.

Q: To expand its footprint the BJP is now focusing on the Southern state under its well-thought-out ‘Mission South’. What you have to say?

Raja: The BJP has been trying to expand its footholds in South India since long times but it always proved thespeian efforts in Southern states. What is Mission South? What are their (BJP) ideologies?

This will make no impact in the politics of South India for this fascist party. The communal authoritarian ideology of the BJP-RSS is threatening the secular democratic foundation and the people are getting ready to give befitting reply to such fascist political parties.

In democracy, parties can go anywhere and explain their ideologies to the people. Even the people in Northern states have started realising that the BJP is a party which believes illiberal and monolithic ideologies and how misled them through false political rhetoric and narratives.

So, wait and see that the fascist party like the BJP will not succeed further in Southern India also.

Crime

Maha: ED files charge sheet in Sai Group case

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Mumbai, Aug 13: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Mumbai Zonal Office, has filed a charge sheet under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, against Jayesh Vinod Tanna, Deep Vinod Tanna, Vivek Jayesh Tanna and seven entities of the Sai Group.

According to a press release, the charge sheet was submitted before the Special Court (PMLA), Mumbai, after extensive investigations into alleged financial irregularities tied to redevelopment projects across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The case traces back to 2024, when Mumbai Police registered multiple FIRs under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act (MOFA), 1963.

The ED’s probe revealed that the promoters of Sai Group diverted funds collected from flat and shop buyers in several redevelopment projects. Instead of channelling the money into construction, the funds were allegedly siphoned off, leaving buyers and investors in distress, the agency said.

According to the findings, the diversion of funds amounted to Rs 43.73 crore, affecting projects in DN Nagar, Andheri, Kandivali and Goregaon. The promoters are accused of misleading buyers, failing to deliver promised housing units and breaching financial trust.

To secure the proceeds of crime, the ED has attached assets worth Rs 43.73 crore under Section 5 of the PMLA. These include properties in Mumbai and Ahmednagar, as well as overseas holdings in the United Kingdom, it said.

The filing of the charge sheet highlights the ED’s intensified scrutiny of real estate‑linked money laundering cases, which have become increasingly common due to misuse of redevelopment funds. The agency emphasised that such fraudulent practices not only undermine the housing sector but also erode public confidence in redevelopment projects.

With the charge sheet now before the Special Court, the matter will proceed to trial, where evidence presented by the ED will be examined to determine the culpability of the accused individuals and entities.

This marks a significant step in the broader crackdown on financial crimes in the real estate sector, reinforcing the government’s stand to protect homebuyers and investors from exploitation.

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Border tensions escalate as stone-pelting erupts along Assam-Arunachal Highway

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Guwahati, Aug 13: Tensions along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border remained high on Thursday as an ongoing economic blockade over a recent firing incident escalated into stone-pelting, leaving police and CRPF personnel caught in clashes involving protesters from both sides.

The situation continued to remain sensitive in parts of Assam’s Dhemaji district and Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Siang, amid heightened tensions between members of the Mising and Galo communities following the August 10 firing incident.

The incident took place at Mingmang Basti along the inter-state border under the Gogamukh revenue circle of Gerukamukh police station in Dhemaji.

At least 12 people were injured in the firing, which reportedly followed a dispute over alleged encroachment of Assam land by people from Arunachal Pradesh.

Following the incident, the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) launched an indefinite economic blockade from August 12, disrupting movement between the two neighbouring states at multiple points.

The blockade has particularly affected the Silapathar-Likabali highway, where tensions intensified on Thursday after protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting.

Security personnel, including police and CRPF personnel deployed to maintain law and order, were also targeted.

Vehicles carrying Arunachal Pradesh registration numbers have reportedly been stopped at several entry points as part of the agitation.

The TMPK, along with the Mising Mimag Kebang (MMK) and Takam Mising Mahila Kebang (TMMK), has demanded the arrest of those allegedly involved in the firing and their handover to Assam Police.

The organisations have also sought an early settlement of the long-pending Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary dispute and action against alleged encroachment on Assam territory.

The administration has appealed to residents and protesters to maintain peace and refrain from actions that could further aggravate the situation.

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-km boundary, with several areas remaining disputed. The two states have been pursuing a negotiated settlement through regional mechanisms and the Namsai Declaration framework.

With tensions still simmering, security forces and civil authorities are maintaining close vigil in the affected areas to prevent further escalation.

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‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign strengthening sentiment of patriotism, pride in heart of every Indian: HM Shah

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New Delhi, Aug 13: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday hoisted the Tricolour as part of the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign at his residence in the national capital and said that this strengthens the sentiment of patriotism and pride in the heart of every Indian.

Amit Shah took to social media platform ‘X’ and said, “Today, at my residence in New Delhi, I hoisted the Tricolour under the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign. This campaign, launched under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi ji, is today further strengthening the sentiment of patriotism and pride in the heart of every Indian. Today, crores of countrymen are connecting with the Tricolour and empowering the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.”

The ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign was launched under the aegis of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to encourage citizens to bring the national flag into their homes and hoist the Tiranga as part of the celebrations marking India’s Independence.

The campaign was based on the idea that people’s relationship with the national flag had traditionally remained more formal and institutional, rather than becoming a personal expression of national pride.

By encouraging citizens to bring the national flag home, the initiative sought to transform the Tiranga into a symbol of a personal connection with the nation while also representing a collective commitment towards nation-building and national unity.

This year, ‘Har Ghar Tiranga 2026’ is being dedicated to the spirit of 150 Years of Vande Mataram, celebrating patriotism, pride in the Tiranga and the deep love for the motherland reflected in India’s National Song.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday appealed to the countrymen to actively participate in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign to mark Independence Day on August 15 and pay tributes to the freedom fighters.

Sharing a reel on Instagram, PM Modi said, “Celebrate August 15 with pride, pay tribute to freedom fighters, take a pledge for Viksit Bharat. Har Ghar Tiranga, Ghar Ghar Tiranga, Har Man Tiranga.”

“Come, let’s make Har Ghar Tiranga a celebration in every home,” the Prime Minister captioned the post on X as the nation prepares to celebrate the 80th Independence Day.

Earlier this week, PM Modi, calling upon the citizens to participate in the campaign, termed the Tricolour as “pride” and “source of motivation”.

Taking to his official X account, PM Modi had said, “Our Tricolour is our pride and a constant source of inspiration to always give our best for the nation.”

“Let us participate enthusiastically in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ movement and renew our collective resolve to contribute towards building a ‘Viksit Bharat’,” he said while underlining this year’s theme as that of the national song ‘Vande Mataram.’

The Prime Minister mentioned: “Glad that this year’s efforts are dedicated to Vande Mataram and that, too, at a time when we are marking its 150th anniversary.”

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