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Prashant Kishor flags biggest worry: Senior Congress decision makers are all nominated, barely fight polls

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 In his presentation to the Congress top brass, electoral strategist Prashant Kishor flagged that the biggest worry is that members of decision-making bodies in the party are all nominated, not necessarily connected at the grassroots and barely fight elections.

For the 2024 general elections, Kishor has suggested a “a pan-India avant-garde campaign to reach, connect and mobilise all of India for a mega movement leading to reincarnation of Congress and election of a transformational government”.

To win, 45 per cent of votes are required which means a target of 30 crore, Kishor has said.

Within the country’s digital consciousness, the BJP and its leaders currently score vastly above the Congress, he pointed out.

With a theme of “India Deserves Better”, Kishor has suggested to the Congress to build a unified platform to provide strategic support and resources to non-political influencers and mount a sustained campaign against the ruling dispensation.

In his presentation, Kishor said his “Reincarnation of Congress” is about “preserving the soul, creating a new body”.

The inspiration of the campaign is the symbols of Nataraja namely Creation, Protection, Liberation, Destruction, Concealment and Connect.

The resolves include the creation of a new Congress which will be a political platform of choice for the masses.

Destroy a sense of entitlement, lack of accountability and sycophancy, Kishor said in the presentation.

It notes that perhaps for the first time, Congress leadership does not appear fully aligned in terms of goals, strategy, method, approach, tactics and the way forward; leading to a complete lack of cohesion, at times confusion and stalemate.

There is a need for a non-Gandhi Working President/Vice President who can effectively work on the ground as per direction of Congress leadership, it suggests.

It advocates a Congress Plus alliance structure with a national character but having 5-6 partners.

The Congress should contest 75-80 per cent of the Lok Sabha seats with a few regional alliances like NCP, DMK, JMM, YSR Congress and TMC.

On beefing up the organisational structure, Kishor has called to Identify and meaningfully engage 15,000 grassroots leaders and activate 1 crore foot soldiers across India.

“India Deserves Better” is the theme to build a unified platform to provide strategic support and resources to non-political influencers and mount a sustained campaign against the ruling dispensation.

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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Crime

‘I Love Muhammad’ row: Tension continues in Karnataka’s Belagavi, 11 detained

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Belagavi, Oct 4: Tension continued to simmer in Karnataka’s Belagavi city on Saturday following a stone-pelting incident linked to the raising of ‘I Love Muhammad’ slogans.

Police have detained 11 persons and made tight security arrangements across Belagavi city.

The Police Department is on high alert as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to visit the city on Saturday.

According to police, the stone-pelting incident occurred on Friday evening during the ‘Urs’ procession. While the procession was underway, “I Love Muhammad” slogans were raised. When objections were raised, the mob resorted to stone pelting near the Khadak Galli area.

The police also stated that they have obtained video evidence showing youths chanting ‘I Love Muhammad’ slogans and engaging in violence.

The Police further said that the group changed the procession route without permission.

Khade Bazar Police have detained 11 people in connection with the incident and are questioning them. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.

Security has been tightened since Friday night, with police patrolling throughout the night, the police said.

A platoon of the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) has been deployed in the Khade Bazar area. Police have indicated that more persons will be taken into custody in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, Hindutva activists have put up ‘Har Har Mahadev’ banners in Belagavi city. Taking the situation seriously, police are maintaining a strict vigil.

In another development, an ‘I Love Muhammad’ banner installed at Aland in Kalaburagi district was removed by jurisdictional police on Saturday.

The banner had been put up as part of the Laadle Mashak Dargah urs programme. After receiving information, police rushed to the spot and cleared the banner.

An investigation is ongoing.

Earlier, two groups clashed over an ‘I Love Muhammad’ poster in Davanagere city, further fueling tensions.

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