A sweeping showcase of colour, handwork and heritage brought Dubai Fashion Week to a close on Friday as designer Manish Malhotra presented a collection framed as a tribute to India’s artistic traditions, placing couture craft at the centre of the region’s fast-growing luxury calendar.

Staged as the final show of the season, the presentation unfolded as a polished runway narrative that blended formal silhouettes with ornate surface detailing. Models walked in lehengas, sarees and tailored ensembles layered with intricate embroidery, metallic threadwork and crystal embellishment, underscoring Malhotra’s long-standing emphasis on craftsmanship rooted in the subcontinent’s atelier culture. The show drew buyers, editors and regional fashion executives, reinforcing Dubai Fashion Week’s ambition to bridge South Asian design with Middle Eastern luxury markets.

The designer described the collection as a personal homage, built around memories of textiles, ceremonial wear and cinematic glamour that have shaped his three-decade career. The garments leaned into rich jewel tones, ivory neutrals and antique golds, with fabrics ranging from silk and velvet to sheer chiffons engineered for movement under runway lighting. Several looks were styled with statement jewellery and fluid draping, signalling an effort to balance traditional techniques with contemporary wearability.

Dubai Fashion Week, jointly organised by Dubai Design District and the Arab Fashion Council, has been positioning itself as a platform where global designers can access Gulf retailers and high-net-worth consumers. Closing the event with a designer of Malhotra’s profile was widely seen within the industry as a strategic move, reflecting the strong commercial and cultural links between South Asia and the Gulf’s luxury sector. Retailers in attendance noted sustained demand in the region for couture and occasion wear that carries heritage value while remaining adaptable to modern styling.

Malhotra’s presence also highlighted the growing influence of South Asian designers on international runways beyond Paris and Milan. Over the past few seasons, designers from the region have increasingly shown collections in global fashion capitals and destination fashion weeks, responding to diaspora markets and a renewed interest in artisanal production. Industry analysts say this shift aligns with a broader luxury trend that prizes narrative, provenance and hand-crafted detail over rapid trend cycles.

The show’s choreography and music were deliberately restrained, allowing the garments’ textures and finishes to command attention. Several ensembles featured labour-intensive embroidery techniques associated with specialist workshops, drawing attention to the skilled artisans behind the pieces. Fashion executives attending the event said such visibility is becoming a differentiator for luxury brands seeking to demonstrate depth beyond branding and celebrity endorsements.

Dubai’s role as host added another layer of symbolism. The city has emerged as a neutral meeting point for designers, buyers and media from Europe, Asia and the Middle East, supported by logistics infrastructure and a consumer base receptive to high-end fashion. Organisers have been steadily expanding the event’s international roster, while also courting established names capable of delivering global headlines and commercial traction.

The article Manish Malhotra brings Indian craft to Dubai finale appeared first on Arabian Post.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has once again established itself as a significant player in the Iraqi political landscape. In the recently concluded Iraqi legislative elections, it became the sole Kurdish party to increase its seats and secure seats in nine provinces of Iraq. PUK has historically been a proponent of cordial relations between Kurdistan and Baghdad. However, the PUK chose to remain cautious before endorsing any political coalition in the Iraqi parliament, given the uncertainty surrounding Baghdad’s political landscape. In an interview, Saadi Ahmed Pira, a member of the Political Bureau of PUK, discusses the future political roadmap of Iraq and Kurdistan, along with election campaign strategies.

Q: The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has reemerged as a substantial force in Iraqi politics. PUK is the sole Kurdish party that has secured seats in nine provinces of Iraq and has also increased its seat count. In your opinion, what are the factors that have contributed to the success of PUK?

 Pira:  The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has consistently been a significant force in Kurdistan. PUK led the opposition forces during the Kurdistan Revolution. It was a significant factor in the establishment of the Kurdistan Regional Government following the uprising. We have consistently served as the important facilitator for resolving the issues in Iraq; therefore, today’s triumph is not novel. Iraqis now widely recognize the PUK as a genuine and patriotic Iraqi party, dedicated to the country’s well-being. Again, it is important to remember that the PUK’s vote share also increased in the Kurdistan parliamentary elections that were held last year, and it continued to be the second-largest force.

Q:  In its election campaign, the PUK emphasized that it is the sole Kurdish force capable of defending the rights of citizens in Baghdad. What were the reasons for designating this as a critical point of the PUK’s campaign?

A: Certainly, the Kurdish populace has been grappling with a financial crisis for more than a decade, and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has been deprived of its allocated annual budget. I am unable to comment whether the KRG or Federal government was responsible for the situation; however, I can confirm that the financial crisis and dearth of salaries are not solely the responsibility of the Kurdistan Regional Government. PUK contributed in creating a favourable environment for the Kurdistan Regional Government and Baghdad to agree on a solution to the problems, especially the problem of oil exports and the solution of the financial crisis in the region. The PUK remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the rights of Kurdistan citizens.

Q: The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has consistently advocated for the development of cordial relations between Kurdistan and Baghdad. What is the plan of the PUK to resolve the long-standing disputes with the Iraqi federal government, which include disputed territories, hydrocarbon revenue distribution, and budget allocation?

 A: The federal budget and the salaries of our employees are constitutional rights for all Iraqi citizens. Therefore, Baghdad does not provide us with a charitable donation. There are significant issues between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region that have been causing disruptions in our relations for an extended period of time. However, we must resolve these issues to create a tranquil and stable environment. A preliminary agreement has been reached to return the oil revenues to Baghdad by the end of the year, which was a component of the solution to the salary crisis.

The Kurdish leadership has failed to exert pressure on Baghdad to resolve the long-standing crisis of the disputed areas, which has persisted without a permanent solution since the 1960s and 1970s as a result of the legacy of dictatorial administrations. This time, the Kurdish leadership must exert greater pressure to resolve this matter. It is imperative that we, the Kurdish leadership, ensure that our people in these regions have credible protection. The residents of these areas are our offspring and people. It is imperative that we provide them with assistance.

Q: The new government in Kurdistan has been in a state of impasse since last year. Are you of the opinion that the results of the Iraqi legislative elections will facilitate the construction of a government in Kurdistan?

A: The Iraqi elections are not associated with the establishment of the new government in Kurdistan. These are two different things. We have engaged in extensive negotiations with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) to resolve the obstacles and announce the new cabinet. However, as is the case like any other matter, we and the KDP hold divergent perspectives, which is entirely reasonable given that we are two different political organisations. We are two distinct entities, each with its own perspective and objectives. The Iraqi elections’ magnitude is not a factor in the delay in announcing the cabinet. The Kurdistan parliamentary elections results have determined the first and second parties. We have differing opinions on certain matters.

Q: Which political faction will the PUK support in Baghdad?

A: The PUK has conserved a harmonious relationship with the Iraqi political forces since the time of Mam Jalal (Jalal Talabani, the founder of the PUK). The PUK, which is under the leadership of Mr. Bafel Talabani adheres to the same course as Mam Jalal. This is the reason the PUK has its weight and color in Baghdad. The leadership of the PUK has consistently been a positive influence in Iraq, following the footsteps of Mam Jalal, and it will continue to do so in future.

Q: The PUK has maintained a significant presence in numerous regions of federal Iraq and has maintained a firm hold on its strongholds in Kurdistan. This is to be attributed to whom?

A: This is the result of the political honesty and integrity of the PUK leadership in their pursuit of the Kurdish people’s prosperity and the stability and peace of Iraq. Unity in our political endeavours is always a desirable quality. We have repeatedly asserted that Iraq is the strategic depth of Kurdistan, and that the Iraqi constitution will resolve all of our issues. Consequently, we are committed to coexisting with Iraqis. There are numerous objectives that unite us, and we are eager to contribute to the political process in Iraq through our efforts to assist the Kurdish people.

Q: In 2022, the PUK supported the nomination of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani for the position of Prime Minister, a support that has been epic in the past. Is it reasonable to assume that PM Al-Sudani will continue to receive support from PUK?

A: It is premature to discuss the matter. We are uncertain about the political equation that may emerge and the Shiite forces’ potential consensus. It is accurate that Mr. Sudani received a favourable outcome in this election; however, not all Shiite voters supported him. The framework of Shiite coordination persists, even though dozens of other Shiite forces have secured seats in parliament. The Shiites are the ones who are entitled to the position of prime minister in the new Iraq, as per the political customs. However, I anticipate that it will be a significant amount of time before they reach a consensus on a candidate, potentially several months. Nothing is clearly visible as of now, and the scene is bleak. We should await the outcome of their negotiations. We will then be a part of the majority required to assume this position.

The article PUK to wait and watch until Baghdad picture becomes clear appeared first on Arabian Post.

In his maiden speech in the United Nations General Assembly, Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, called for lifting of international sanctions on Syria, becoming the first head of state from Syria to address the gathering in nearly 60 years. This signifies the first appearance of a Syrian president since Nureddin al-Atassi took office in 1967. Syrian President Sharra engaged in a series of bilateral discussions with global leaders during the General Assembly sessions, framing it as Syria’s revitalized diplomatic drive.

Since assuming office in December last year, Ahmad Al-Shaara has been conducting a diplomatic campaign. He successfully garnered substantial diplomatic backing from almost all principal stakeholders in the region. In July of this year, the United States removed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the organization commanded by Al-Shaara, from its designation as a “foreign terrorist organization.” In May, he journeyed to Paris to confer with French President Emmanuel Macron and engage in discussions with senior Saudi Arabian officials. The Arab League warmly welcomes the current Syrian regime. These initiatives illustrate the Al-Sharaa regime’s revitalized foreign efforts to reintegrate Syria into the global diplomatic framework. Nonetheless, the description is inaccurate; the aim of this diplomatic initiative is to validate Al-Sharaa as the exclusive leader of the nation. The regime’s objective is to solidify its dominance over a divided Syria by obtaining external recognition and legitimacy.

The regime seeks to persuade all ethnic and religious factions in Syria of its permanence and that it is advantageous for them to accept Al-Sharaa’s supremacy by securing the approval of foreign authorities. International recognition empowers the prevailing regime to monopolize and centralize power. Recent significant decisions clearly demonstrate this. Al-Sharaa recently announced parliamentary “elections,” in which committees he designated will elect two-thirds of the parliament members. The current administration has dismantled the former police force. Instead, it has expanded Idlib’s General Security apparatus, with recruitment proceeding at breakneck speed.

Priority is being given to young men from the three northern provinces (Idlib, Hama, Aleppo) where HTS sustains its support base. Anas Khatab, the former administrative director of Jabhat al-Nusra, the antecedent of HTS, has been designated as the new head of Syria’s General Intelligence Directorate (GID). Syrian citizenship is being conferred upon foreign militants affiliated with HTS, who constitute around 20 to 30% of its forces. They have been integrated into the military and are currently holding positions within the administration.

The termination of countless judges, especially women, has not resulted from professional wrongdoing but rather from their affiliation with minority ethnic groups. The appointment of ministers is now executed via a non-transparent process. Ahmed al-Sharaa’s brother, Maher, has been designated as the Minister of Health. Key positions in defense, foreign affairs, and interior have been conferred upon close colleagues of Ahmed al-Sharaa, like Murhaf Abu Kasra, Asaad al-Shaibani, and Alem Kiddie. The hyper-centralization of Syria’s governance confines decision-making to a small group of five or six individuals around Al-Sharaa.

Moreover, Damasus is utilizing sectarianism as a tool to create a “homogeneous popular support base” within the Arab Sunni community, rallying portions of the populace around sectarian dynamics. The “Mazlumiya Sunniya” (Sunni victimhood) narrative has been extensively utilized to consolidate a substantial segment of the Arab Sunni community in support of Al Sharaa’s government, notwithstanding the myriad political, social, and regional divides present among their ranks. The new ruling authorities have swiftly acknowledged that sectarianism serves as an effective political tool for consolidating their grip over territories with ongoing resistance to their authority.

The escalation of sectarian rhetoric and violence by the current regime and its supporting armed forces has initially targeted the Alawite population and subsequently extended to encompass the Druze communities within the country. The military forces, ostensibly under government command, consistently display insubordinate and militia-like conduct, especially towards minorities. When intimidation fails, as seen with the Kurds, the Al-Shaara dictatorship resorts to blatant blackmail.

Al-Sharaa consistently condemns Israeli military actions in southern Syria as infringements on the nation’s sovereignty. Such denunciations typically seem authentic and valid. However, Al-Sharaa’s denunciations are insincere because his actions and statements contradict each other. The Syrian leader indicated that a Turkish military operation against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces may be contemplated if they fail to completely assimilate into the Syrian military by December, as outlined in a March agreement between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces, during an interview with Turkey’s Milliyet newspaper on September 19, 2025.

Al-Sharaa intimidates the Syrian Kurds with the prospect of a Turkish military incursion, instead of denouncing Turkish involvement in what is evidently an internal Syrian issue. A de facto president who advocates for foreign intervention against his own citizens forfeits the moral authority to address the territorial sovereignty of a nation. The Syrian government characterizes it as a matter of national security for Ankara when Turkey is the actor. Violations of sovereignty are only recognized when Israel is implicated. This double standard is both hypocritical and futile. The Bashar al-Assad dictatorship utilized the same strategy for years, ultimately leading to Assad’s exile in Moscow.

The marginalization of ethnic and religious minority groups, including Christians, Druze, and Kurds, would ultimately lead to long-term instability and a lack of legitimacy for the new regime. An inclusive governance approach that incorporates a wider range of political perspectives is vital to maintaining national unity. This administration is currently implementing a singular plan to consolidate its authority, leading to the neglect and subversion of the democratic aspirations and interests of the public. The international community should refrain from endorsing the regime of Ahmad Al-Sharra, which is indistinguishable from the prior regime of Basha Al-Assad, unless it implements a comprehensive course correction.

The article Al-Shaara’s recent diplomatic wins emboldened him to monopolize power appeared first on Arabian Post.

Recently, we saw large-scale violence targeting the Syrian Druze community in Sweida province in southern Syria. Druze are a small religious minority group in Syria and are around 3.20% of the total Syrian population. As per the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s forces and allied militias have carried out massacres in Sweida, and approximately 600 members of the Druze community have been killed, including 140 women and children. This eruption of violence was an eerie reminder of a series of violent attacks that have been launched against the Syrian religious and ethnic minorities since the current regime came to power. The Syrian National Army (SNA), which is also part of a coalition led by President Ahmad Al-Shaara’s group Hayat Taheer Al-Sham (HTS) attacked Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in North-East Syria in December 2024. In particular, fierce fighting along the Tishreen Dam became the focal point. In March, indiscriminate killings of Alawites were carried out in the Syrian coastal areas, especially in the city of Banias. While exact figures remain difficult to verify, more than 1,300 individuals, most of them Alawites, lost their lives. In some cases, entire families were summarily executed. These atrocities were solely directed against the Alawite minority and instigated by militias affiliated with the new regime, ostensibly as part of a response to attacks in Latakia and Tartous from armed groups affiliated with the deposed Assad regime. In the name of fighting former President Bashar Al-Assad, loyalist collective punishment was inflicted on the Alawite community.

In June this year church in the Syrian capital of Damascus was rocked by a suicide explosion; in this deadly attack, 25 people were killed. The Syrian authorities blamed the attack on the Islamic State (IS) group. However, a lesser-known Sunni extremist group, Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah, claimed responsibility for this attack. Many analysts believe this little-known group has deep links with HTS, as their relations with HTS stretch back to before the Bashar Al-Assad regime’s fall. Then, it was allegedly part of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s broader coalition and helped HTS recruit cells to operate inside Assad-held territory. If we look at the pattern of all these past attacks, it clearly indicates that they were carried out on the instructions or at least with tacit approval of the current Syrian regime. The objective of these attacks was to subdue the minorities through terror, so they wouldn’t demand their political rights. The current Syrian regime got emboldened by the recent lifting of Western sanctions and the informal recognition it got from Arab states and the United States. In May 2025, the US president met Ahmad Al-Shaara in the Saudi capital Riyadh and expressed admiration for him. He went further and mentioned Al-Shaara as a strongman, the brute, the resilient survivor, and declared him a “Tough guy with a very strong past.” The US president should have done research and dug more into the past of Al-Shaara, as his past is one marked by links to al-Qaeda, nothing else.

HTS subscribes to the Salafist school of thought, which is the same as Al-Qaeda’s. The group imposed strict Islamic rule in areas it controlled in the past, and civilians in those areas say the group’s practices are like those of the Islamic State. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham used to host a significant number of foreign fighters, including Arabs, Turks, Chechens, Uzbeks, and Muslims from China’s Xinjiang province. The group’s attitude toward heterodox minorities like the Druze and Alawites never changed. There is, for example, a small community of Druze in northern Idlib whose inhabitants were forced to convert to Islam by HTS predecessor, Al-Nusra Front, in 2015. We should always be mindful of the fact that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is no different from Al-Qaeda; it’s just the old wine in a new bottle. In January 2017, HTS was born out of the merger of Salafi jihadists from mainly Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zinki, Liwa al-Haq, Jaysh al-Sunna, and Jabhat Ansar al-Din with Al-Nusra Front. HTS tried to showcase through various mergers with other groups that it has ended its affiliation with Al-Qaeda, but definitely, these mergers did not indicate an ideological split with Al-Qaeda but were part of a strategy to increase the group’s appeal within Syria.

Ahmad Al-Shaara should come to his senses and understand the fact that just by taking off his military attire and wearing a business suit, he can’t fool the world. Syria is a multiethnic society consisting of Sunni Arabs, Kurds, Assyrians, Armenians, Turkomans, Alawites, Druze, and Yazidis. To keep the country united and stable, the future Syrian state should be a nation that accommodates and grants rights to all the ethnic and religious groups, so that everyone feels their participation in running the state. Unless the current regime doesn’t follow this approach honestly, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) must be isolated and marginalized by the international community. As with the current jihadist ideology and criminal actions, the current regime of Al-Shaara remains a ticking time bomb that arguably poses a greater long-term threat to the region and Syria’s stability.

The article Al-Shaara Proved He is Still a Jihadist Commander appeared first on Arabian Post.

The question of regime change in Iran has recently resurfaced after the killing of Iran’s top military commanders following the Israeli airstrikes. However, Israel’s short-term goal was to damage Iran’s nuclear facilities to severely diminish its weapons program. But the Israeli Prime Minister mentioned during his speeches that the war with Iran “could certainly” lead to regime change in the Islamic Republic.

It is not the first time that foreign powers have imagined Iran as a crumbling house, one that only needs a gentle push, or a series of airstrikes, before it falls into new hands. This was the fantasy in 1953, when the CIA and the British intelligence overthrew Mohammad Mossadegh, Iran’s prime minister, who had nationalized the country’s oil, and pushed Iran into Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s autocratic rule. And this was also the dream in the 1980s, when Saddam Hussein invaded Iran with military and economic support from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Israel, who believed the newly revolutionary Iran would collapse in months. Founded in 1979 after the Iranian Revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran has democratic, theocratic, and authoritarian elements in its governance system, which makes it a hybrid. The founding figure of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, envisioned a state run by Islamic clerics and jurists who ensured all policies adhered to Islamic law.

As Iran was a constitutional monarchy before the revolution, theocratic elements were effectively grafted on top of the existing republican ones, such as the parliament, executive, and judiciary. Iran has a unicameral legislature (one house of parliament), called the Majles, and a president. There are regular elections for both. But, while there are democratic elements within this system, in practice, it is a “closed loop” that keeps the clerical elite in power and prevents challenges to the supreme leader. There is a clear hierarchy, with the supreme leader at the top. This complex system of governance makes the Iranian regime a unique one in the Middle East. Iran is not Syria, Libya, or Iraq, where, in the recent past, regime change has been achieved. United States policy makers often underestimate the strength of the Iranian state, which is structured for survival. The following features and dynamics make the Iranian regime hard to replace.

The Iranian military has a dual architecture designed to resist coups and invasions: Artesh, the regular armed forces of around 420,000 men across ground, naval, air, and air-defence troops, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an elite, ideologically driven military with roughly 190,000 personnel across ground, naval, and air branches. Beyond them is the Basij, a vast paramilitary network with hundreds of thousands of members embedded in every corner of Iranian society—in the streets, in neighbourhoods, in schools, and mosques. They aren’t just loyalists of the Ayatollah but woven into a deeper idea of the state and committed to the core ideology of the Islamic Republic. Despite Israel’s extensive and quite successful campaign of assassinations targeting senior IRGC commanders, the core of this group has not been hollowed out but hardened. A younger generation of more ideologically rigid commanders has emerged. This new generation of Iranian military commanders has also been battle-hardened in close-quarter conflict in Syria and understands how wars of state collapse can unfold. Bombing and Air campaigns could significantly destroy military and civilian infrastructure in Iran, but to replace the Iranian regime, President Trump must be prepared to fight not just a standing army but a system with decades of experience in asymmetric warfare.

Iran is not governed by a single man or clique that can be decapitated. The Iranian state is a competitive authoritarian system with institutions that have evolved over a century. Even amid a crisis, the system generates new leaders, factions, and power centres. Even the deaths of some influential figures would not bring the system down; it would renew it. Iran is not merely a conventional state; it is built upon a revolutionary, theocratic ideology. The current structure is more than a government; it is part of an ideological movement rooted in the principles of revolution and resistance. It is naive to think that any external military attack or intervention could destroy this structure. Historically, when Iran faces external threats, its citizens unite under nationalist sentiment, thereby strengthening the ruling regime.

More than 46 years after the Iranian Revolution, there is still talk among Iranians, both those living in the country and among the diaspora, that the end of the regime is nearing. Unless and until large factions of the regime’s military, police, and intelligence forces begin defecting, it will be hard for the people of Iran to overthrow the regime. And unfortunately, in every protest movement in Iran since the 1979 revolution, that hasn’t happened. The protesters haven’t convinced significant individuals within the regime to step away and join them. Yes, there is discontent among the Iranian people, especially regarding women’s rights, economic crises, and political freedoms. However, this dissatisfaction has not yet transformed into a well-organized movement. A significant number of Iranian citizens are voicing their dissatisfaction with the Iranian regime over issues of human rights abuses, the absolute authority of the Supreme Leader, the declining economy of the country, and the lack of freedoms of speech, assembly, and thought. From the 2009 Green Movement to the 2017-2019 economic protests and the 2022 “Women, Life, Freedom” uprising, Iranians have demonstrated extraordinary courage in confronting state violence. But these uprisings have not translated into regime collapse.

Iranian opposition groups may be getting western media attention, but the hard reality is that they have no ground presence inside Iran. The monarchists and the former Mojahedin (Presently NCRI) are positively despised by much of the Iranian diaspora, but unfortunately have no grassroots support.  On top of this, there is no unity among Iranian opposition groups. Even there is no consensus on the basic norms of democratic governance. The opposition remains paralysed and ill-prepared to step in if the regime collapses and poses no major threat to the current regime.

The article Iran is not Syria, not even Saudi Arabia appeared first on Arabian Post.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 February 2025 – IT News Africa is proud to announce the IT Leaders Forum 2025, a premier gathering of top technology and information industry experts. The event is set to take place on March 12, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel in Sandton.

As organizations grapple with technology skills gaps, economic uncertainty, and ESG compliance mandates, IT leaders are increasingly turning to technology-driven solutions to enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and drive profitability. The IT Leaders Forum 2025 is designed to equip CIOs and IT executives with the insights, strategies, and tools needed to navigate these challenges and seize new opportunities.

According to Abe Wakama, CEO of IT News Africa, “The IT Leaders Forum 2025 comes at a crucial time when businesses are navigating unprecedented technological advancements, economic shifts, and cybersecurity challenges. This event will provide a platform for IT executives to gain valuable insights, connect with industry leaders, and explore innovative solutions that will drive their organizations forward. Our goal is to empower attendees with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions and stay ahead in this fast-evolving digital era.”

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For more information, visit IT News Africa and join the conversation on shaping Africa’s digital future.Hashtag: #ITNewsAfrica

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

The article IT Leaders Forum 2025: Shaping the Future of Business and Technology in Africa appeared first on Arabian Post.

By P. Sudhir

The BJP has won the Delhi assembly election with a tally of 48 seats, polling 45.6 per cent of the vote. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won 22 seats getting 43.6 per cent of the vote. The difference between the two was only 2 per cent but it translated into 40 seats more over only 8 seats received by the BJP in 2020 assembly polls.

The Delhi assembly election results are being viewed and analysed from varying standpoints. There is no doubt that the BJP winning Delhi after 27 long years has given a boost to the party and to the Modi government. At the same time, the defeat of the AAP after ten years in office is being interpreted in a particular way. The predominant view put out by the corporate media and the pro-establishment commentators is that the AAP has been punished by the electorate for its sins of commission and omission.

It is said that the AAP, which had its origin in the ‘India against Corruption’ movement, has now been tarnished with corruption charges and the image of its leader, Arvind Kejriwal, has been tainted. The other popular refrain is that the AAP had, in its first full term in office, delivered on various promises for the welfare of the poorer sections – free electricity upto 200 units per household; free water supply and setting up of mohalla clinics and upgrading of government schools. But in the second term, the AAP government failed to perform, except for introducing free bus rides for women. The tussle between the Lt. Governor and the AAP government is also attributed to be one of the causes but the tendency is to put the blame on both the parties.

So it is concluded that the mounting anti-incumbency has resulted in the electoral setback for the AAP and the BJP with the assurance of the Modi guarantees and a double-engine government has earned the people’s mandate.

It is true that in the second term of the AAP government (2020-25), it has not been able to fulfil some of its key pledges. There is discontent, particularly among the middle classes, about deteriorating infrastructure – roads, sewerage, garbage disposal and water supply. The AAP has become a casualty of its non-ideological approach, which was made into its signature style. The aggressive Hindutva politics of the BJP and RSS was sought to be nullified by a consistent appeal to Hindu religious symbolism and sentiments. The AAP leadership studiously refrained from taking a consistent stand in support of the Muslim minorities, who had come under attack. The AAP government became increasingly inaccessible and grievances of different sections of the people including workers, teachers and students went unheard.

Finally, the image of the AAP as a clean and non-corrupt party got dented, not so much, by the Modi government’s fabrication of false cases, but by the costly renovation of the chief minister’s residence. The `Sheesh Mahal’ campaign of the BJP had some resonance with a section of the voters.

Having acknowledged all these, still the main factor in the electoral outcome – the Modi government and the BJP’s single-minded assault on the AAP government and its leadership – is being underplayed or ignored. What has happened in the National Capital Territory of Delhi is unprecedented in the annuls of independent India.

There was a veritable capture of the state government by the centre by resorting to unconstitutional means. The Delhi government, as per the Act passed in 1991, had its powers limited with police, law and order and land brought under the purview of the central government, through the Lt. Governor. But unable to defeat the AAP in the 2020 elections, the Modi government embarked upon a diabolical plan to take away control of the administrative services from the Delhi government and ministry.

The Lt. Governor started exercising the powers of appointment and transfer of officials. The bureaucracy stopped listening to ministers and instead awaited the directives of the Lt. Governor. The Delhi government went to the Supreme Court against this order. In May 2023, the Supreme Court in a judgement overrode the Lt. Governor’s powers and held that the Delhi government had control over the administrative services except in the portfolios of public order, police and land. The union home minister could not accept this verdict and immediately an ordinance was brought vesting the services under the jurisdiction of the Lt. Governor. This was subsequently incorporated as an amendment to the Government of NCT of Delhi Act.

During this entire period, a spectacle unfolded wherein the bureaucrats not only would not listen to the ministers, but often worked against the direction given by the ministers. The Lt. Governor and the senior bureaucrats connived in framing charges against the ministers. On top of this were the arrests of a senior minister, the deputy chief minister and finally the chief minister, who were all sent to jail. Many essential supplies like water became a casualty of the centre’s usurpation of powers. For instance, the Delhi Assembly had passed Rs 3,000 crores for the Delhi Jal Board in the budget allocation in February 2024. This was a budgeted provision passed as legislation by the Assembly. Yet the finance secretary stopped these funds from going to the Jal Board. The Delhi government had to go to the Supreme Court for relief in the matter.

So the paralysis of government and sabotage by the senior civil servants became the AAP government’s liability. It is this very crime committed by the Modi government, which has now been encashed by it, while the AAP has paid the price for non-performance.

One would have thought that this electoral battle in Delhi would have been a rallying call for all secular opposition parties to come together to defeat the BJP for its nefarious onslaught on democracy and federalism. This did not happen, neither could AAP carry this campaign powerfully among the people.

The stance of the Congress in these elections is being rightly criticised by other parties of the INDIA bloc. The Congress election campaign was focussed more on defeating AAP and branding its leader, Kejriwal, as a corrupt person. Rahul Gandhi himself set the tone for this campaign. Further the Congress party, which had garnered only 4.26 per cent in the last assembly elections should not have fought all 70 seats in the assembly, when there could not be any understanding with the AAP. While the main reason for AAP’s defeat is the big swing away from it, it is also a fact that in 13 seats where the AAP lost, the Congress polled more votes than the margin of defeat. AAP leaders – Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Saurabh Bharadwaj – all lost with a margin of votes less than what the Congress polled.

Though the results are a disappointment for the secular-democratic opposition, the fact remains that nearly 44 per cent of the electorate voted for AAP, the bulk of them being poorer sections and women. (IPA Service)

The article Centre Dominated Administration Played A Big Role In Defeating AAP In Delhi Polls appeared first on Arabian Post.

By K Raveendran

The latest decision by the Modi government to grant sanction for prosecution of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia marks yet another chapter in the ongoing narrative of central agencies being leveraged for political ends. At its core, the move highlights a pattern that has become increasingly familiar, where the deployment of institutions ostensibly meant to uphold justice is perceived as a tool for advancing the agenda of the ruling party. The context and timing of this development further underscore the strategic motivations behind such actions, raising serious concerns about the independence of these institutions and their role in safeguarding democratic principles. ‘Caged parrot’ has become part of the contemporary political idiom.

The home ministry sanction for prosecution comes three months after the Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling in November, emphasizing that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) must seek prior sanction, akin to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to prosecute public servants. This judgment was hailed as a safeguard against potential misuse of investigative powers, reinforcing the principle that prosecution should not proceed without adequate oversight. But the Centre reserved the sanction for use ahead of the Delhi assembly election.

This development must also be viewed against the backdrop of increasing scrutiny of the ED by the judiciary. In recent times, the agency has faced severe criticism from various courts for its handling of money laundering cases. Several arrests made by the ED have been labelled as “illegal,” with courts ordering the immediate release of individuals who were detained without sufficient evidence or due process. Such instances have raised serious questions about the ED’s impartiality and its adherence to legal norms, casting a shadow over its credibility as an investigative body.

The selective nature of ED’s actions has only deepened suspicions about its motivations. The agency’s zeal in pursuing opposition leaders contrasts starkly with its apparent reluctance to investigate similar allegations against those aligned with the ruling party. This disparity fuels perceptions of bias and undermines public confidence in the fairness of the legal process. It also raises concerns about the erosion of institutional autonomy, with agencies that were designed to act as checks on power increasingly being perceived as instruments of state control.

As elections loom on the horizon, the ruling party seems intent on neutralizing influential opposition leaders who have the potential to galvanize resistance against it. Kejriwal, in particular, represents a significant political challenge, given his success in establishing AAP as a formidable force in Delhi and expanding its footprint to other states. By targeting him and his close associates, the government appears to be attempting to weaken AAP’s credibility and diminish its electoral prospects.

The government’s reliance on central agencies to achieve political objectives reveals a troubling disregard for the principles of democracy and the rule of law. Democratic governance requires that institutions function independently and without interference, ensuring that justice is administered fairly and impartially. When these principles are compromised, it undermines the legitimacy of the state and erodes trust in its institutions. The repeated invocation of central agencies in cases involving opposition leaders creates the impression of a government more concerned with consolidating power than upholding democratic values.

The broader implications of this trend are deeply concerning. In a healthy democracy, institutions like the ED and CBI serve as vital checks on corruption and abuse of power. Their credibility depends on their ability to operate without fear or favour, applying the law uniformly regardless of political affiliations. When these agencies are perceived as tools of the ruling party, their effectiveness is compromised, and their actions are viewed with suspicion. This not only weakens the institutions themselves but also diminishes public faith in the justice system as a whole.

The judiciary’s recent interventions in cases involving the ED provide a glimmer of hope, highlighting the role of an independent judiciary in safeguarding democratic norms. By calling out instances of illegal detention and emphasizing the need for due process, the courts have reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the rule of law. However, the judiciary alone cannot counterbalance the systemic issues plaguing investigative agencies. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort to strengthen institutional autonomy and ensure that agencies are insulated from political pressures.

By targeting opposition leaders and using central agencies as instruments of political vendetta, the ruling party risks deepening polarization and fostering an environment of mistrust. Such tactics may yield short-term gains, but they come at the cost of eroding the foundations of democratic governance. In the long run, the health of a democracy depends on the willingness of all political actors to respect institutional boundaries and uphold the principles of fairness and justice. (IPA Service)

The article Mandate Against AAP Leaders Shows Centre Only Weighs Political Dividends Of Corruption appeared first on Arabian Post.

Since Assad’s regime fell in early December, clashes have intensified in northern Syria between the US-backed Kurdish fighters and the Turkish proxy force Syrian National Army (SNA). Following the regime change in Syria, Turkey has become the most important regional actor in the country. By providing support for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian National Army Ankara has been consolidating its power over Syria. Turks think that this is the right time to get rid of the small statelet of Syrian Kurds often referred to as Rojava sitting next to its borders. The Kurdish people, often referred to as the largest stateless ethnic group in the world, have faced centuries of marginalization and persecution. Scattered across Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran, the Kurds share a cultural, linguistic, and historical bond but remain divided by political borders imposed after World War I. In Syria, their plight has been particularly stark with decades of oppression and neglect under the Arab nationalist Baath regime. Kurds in Syria have long been treated as second-class citizens. Stripped of citizenship rights in the 1960s, many were rendered stateless and denied access to education, property ownership, and other fundamental rights. Syrian Kurds, who make up about 10-15% of the population, had been more suppressed and less visible than Kurds in Turkey, Iraq, and Iran.

From the beginning of the Syrian war, the main Kurdish political party in Syria, the Democratic Union Party (PYD) chose to side with neither Assad nor the anti-regime opposition groups and instead sought to secure its position in the north. In 2012 it unilaterally declared the establishment of an autonomous region called Rojava (Western Kurdistan), formed of three territorially separate cantons: Afrin, Kobane, and Manbij. Turkey’s regular military interventions endangered the PYD’s position in North and North-East Syria, but the latter continued to maintain an efficient and well-organized administration even under dire situations, with a commitment to bottom-up democracy, gender equality, and minority rights. This is exceptional in the Middle East, where hopes for democracy have been largely crushed since the Arab Spring.  Currently, this Kurdish project in Syria is fighting for its survival as they face Turkish mercenary groups like SNA and direct Turkish attacks in the form of artillery shelling and airstrikes. Turkey’s key objective in Syria is simple: liquidating multiethnic, Kurdish-led governance along its border, and pushing the Kurdish population back into the Syrian desert by establishing a twenty-mile-deep “safe zone.” There, it will also resettle Syrian refugees in formerly Kurdish settlements as a way of both satisfying domestic anti-refugee sentiment and entrenching ethnic change along its border.

Turkey has been continuously attacking not only Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) bases but generally every kind of Kurdish structure in its vicinity. Syrian Kurds have been regularly targeted by Turkey and its allied militias. Through regular shelling of Kurdish positions and military campaigns like Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch. Syrian Kurds are on top of the Turkish hit list as they are the major obstacle in Ankara’s expansionist policies in Syria. Turkey justifies its fierce hostility towards Kurdish forces in Syria by arguing that Kurdish-controlled regions in northern Syria are terrorist dens and shelters for the outlawed PKK which has launched a guerrilla campaign against Turks since 1984. But Turks failed to provide any evidence that Kurds have launched any terror attacks against Turkey from Syria. The real motive behind these kinds of onslaughts launched by Turkey is to drive out the Kurds from these areas and get the pro-Turkish population settled there. It is evident from the fact that in its previous operation in Afrin, Turkey engaged not in counter-terror, but in ethnic cleansing. In its multiple reports, Amnesty International has reported that Turkish military forces and their allied armed groups. Have displayed a shameful disregard for civilian life, carrying out serious violations and war crimes, including summary killings and unlawful attacks that have killed and injured civilians, during the offensive into northeast Syria.

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the main fighting force of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Rojava) since the beginning has been an important ally of the West in the fight against ISIS. They have done the bulk of the fighting on the ground against ISIS. It should be remembered that Syrian Kurds are still holding thousands of ISIS operatives in the prisons controlled and guarded by them. The new regime in Damascus led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham offers to take over guard duty at Al-Hol prison camp, where thousands of Islamic State fighters and their families remain under guard, is ridiculous, it’s equivalent of a hunter offering to guard its prey. The situation would be worse, however, as the thousands of Islamic State fighters would spread out not only across Syria and the Middle East but also into Europe with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan happily extorting concessions from weak European and NATO leaders in exchange for promises not to turn on the wave of illegal immigration.

Ankara’s neo-Ottoman approach in the region has been clearly visible through its engagement in the Syrian conflict after 2011. All of Turkey’s strategic targets and demands since the start of the Syrian conflict like the ousting of the Assad regime, preventing a Kurdish autonomous region, declaration of a no-fly zone, creating a buffer zone along the eastern part of Euphrates River, and protecting radical Islamist groups in Idlib, have been a part of this approach. But Syrian Kurds who are a beacon of liberalism and democracy in the troublesome Middle East should not be allowed to fall prey to the expansionist policies of Turks if this valuable ally of the United States is not provided with the required assistance in time. The West will lose its credibility as a reliable ally.

The article Syrian Kurds Should Not be Left at the Mercy of Turks appeared first on Arabian Post.

While on my recent visit to Iraqi Kurdistan, I visited several frontline positions of the Peshmerga forces, where they are facing the Iraqi Army and active ISIS cells. Firstly, I visited Brigade 14 headquarters near Dibak, approximately 60 km from the Kurdistan capital, Erbil. There, I met with Brigadier General Almi Mzuri; he is a seasoned soldier who worked in the Iraqi Army for a long time in different senior positions but, in 2014, joined Peshmerga forces to save Kurdistan from ISIS onslaught. General Mzuri fought on other fronts like Baghdad, Fallujah, and Mosul. He advised that his brigade is responsible for the Makhmour sector, including the Qarachoq mountains, and his units are very vigilant as there is constant movement of ISIS cells. From the Brigade HQ, I continued visiting the Peshmerga border posts in the Qarachoq mountains. I was amazed to see that in addition to 24-hour manual observation by the soldiers, advanced electronic surveillance, such as HD CCTV cameras with night vision capabilities, was also done. On all the border outposts I visited, one thing I found in common was that Peshmerga soldiers, despite lacking heavy weapons, are highly motivated and determined to finish off ISIS remnants.

The Peshmerga, meaning “those who face death”, are the armed forces of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The Peshmerga has a long history of fighting and resistance. First, it was against the British colonial administration and then against the Iraqi central government. It continued years of guerrilla warfare with the advantages offered by northern Iraq’s mountainous terrain and weather conditions. Its members developed a reputation as fearsome fighters in decades-long battles against Saddam Hussein’s armies, especially his elite force, the “Republican Guards.” The Peshmerga is a highly effective and well-trained military force that defends Kurdistan and North Iraq. We know that when the Iraqi military melted away after putting up only minimal resistance to ISIS in 2014, it was the Peshmerga alone that stopped the expansion of the Islamic State and even rolled it back. The Peshmerga is a proven humanitarian force that provides security to all ethnicities and is also an integral partner in the fight against terrorism. During the US-led invasion of Iraq, the Peshmerga helped the United States in their mission to capture Saddam Hussein. They also captured Al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden’s messenger Hassan Ghul in 2004. For the decade since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, the US poured billions of dollars into training the Iraqi Army, while the Peshmerga was not provided with the sophisticated weaponry for fears it would accelerate Kurdish moves towards secession. But now it is Peshmerga only, which delivers results on the ground. But looking back to years when Peshmerga forces did not enjoy the training or funds given to the Iraqi Army, things could have been quite different if they had been paid attention.

The Iraqi Federal government invests way more resources in Popular Mobilization Forces, AKA Ḥashd ash-Shaʿbī than in Peshmerga. Even though the Peshmerga play a proactive role in securing Iraq, the PMF has often tried to get Iraq involved in an external conflict. PMF units, which were formed to combat ISIS in 2014, are loyal primarily to Iran. They have also built up a much vaster arsenal than the Peshmerga has ever had, including drones, cruise missiles, and even short-range ballistic missiles. They have fired several of the former at Israel during the present Israel-Hamas war. Such attacks run the risk of dragging Iraq into ongoing wider regional conflict, which most Iraqis do not want. Meanwhile, the Peshmerga is continuing anti-ISIS cooperation with the Iraqi Army in the disputed territories. They are currently working together to plug the security gaps that have existed between them since 2017, which ISIS remnants have repeatedly exploited. The constructive cooperation is another example of how the Peshmerga is a factor in Iraq’s stability and contributes to its security.

Ideally, Peshmerga troops operating in joint brigades with the Iraqi Army against ISIS in the disputed territories should have access to some of the more advanced equipment operated by the Iraqi Army, such as tanks and artillery. But instead of assisting, Baghdad is trying to block any arms transfer to Erbil by the United States-led international coalition. At the very least, Baghdad should not oppose or hinder the US from supplying drones, artillery, or anything else that would enhance the Kurdish force’s capabilities against ISIS and bolster Iraqi Kurdistan’s security against other threats like drones and rockets. Short-range air defences are essential for protecting critical infrastructure in Iraqi Kurdistan, such as the Khor Mor gas field, from aerial attacks. It is not that Peshmerga doesn’t have any internal problems. While I was conducting an interview with Mr Shoresh Ismail, Minister of Peshmerga Affairs in Kurdistan’s capital Erbil I was advised that they are taking all the required steps to address them. The Peshmerga forces have undergone comprehensive modernization and unification since 2019. The reforms aim to transform traditionally party-affiliated units into a unified professional military force under the direct command of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs. The Kurds realized that in the long term, the Peshmerga would get greater international assistance and more advanced weapons only if all the units of Peshmerga are united under the ministry. No one will ever call the Peshmerga a militia again if they are fully under the command of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs.

Kurdistan is the most convenient and safe base for the anti-ISIS coalition anywhere in the region. That is why, previously, over half the senators in the US Congress voted to arm the Kurds directly. In the past, Kurds were considered a destabilizing element in the Middle East, challenging the status quo. Seemingly forgotten by the international community until 2014, these heroic forces have made the world realize their essential contribution to stabilizing the region and fighting radical Islamists. It is high time that the Peshmerga, who are all-weather friends of the US-led international coalition, should be supported and strengthened.

The article Peshmerga Making Solid Contributions to Stabilize Volatile Region appeared first on Arabian Post.

Shoresh Ismail Abdulla is the Minister of Peshmerga affairs in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The Peshmerga are the military forces of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and one of the most capable forces in the region, which pushed back ISIS from its strongholds. Currently, Peshmerga is also playing a vital role in counter-terror operations against ISIS. In an interview, Abdulla speaks about the reemergence of ISIS in the context of developments in Syria, planned reforms of Peshmerga, and expectations from the incoming United States administration of President-Elect Donald Trump.

Question: What role are Peshmerga forces playing in countering ISIS? Is the threat of ISIS still imminent?

Abdulla: To understand the role played by the Peshmerga in countering terrorism, we have to dig into the past of this force. Historically, Peshmerga, to save the people and the region, fought with the brutal Baathist regime of Saddam Hussein and other terror groups. So, when ISIS emerged as a significant threat in 2014, we already had the expertise to deal with this kind of force. We confronted ISIS with all our strength, and while doing that, we also made a lot of sacrifices. For example, we had more than 10,000 injured and 2,000 martyrs in the fight against ISIS. But combined with our experience and determination, we were able to defeat ISIS and stop this terror group’s expansion.

Yes, the threat posed by ISIS is far from over, and this extremist group remains the most prominent threat to the stability and peace of the region.

Q: Do you think they still can capture large territories?

A: Their fighting tactics have changed. Islamic State is still carrying out its operations through its cells very frequently, and even after losing the large territory it once controlled, we are observing very high military activities from ISIS. As the ideology of ISIS is still very much present, it has the potential to re-emerge as a significant threat. The recent developments in Syria will provide favorable conditions for ISIS to strengthen themselves.

Q: Still, many units (Unit 70 forces are affiliated with the PUK, and the KDP controls Unit 80 forces) of Peshmerga are affiliated with the political parties of Kurdistan. Will all the units be unified under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs anytime soon? What is the biggest hindrance to unification?

A: There is no hindrance as such. The process of unifying all the Peshmerga units is underway. We are receiving support for this effort from the coalition forces led by the United States. There is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two biggest parties of Kurdistan, KDP and PUK, to unify the Peshmerga forces by the end of 2026.

Q: How is the Peshmerga modernization progressing? It is often stated that Peshmerga forces lack heavy weaponry and air power. Is there any plan in place to address these issues?

A: We have taken these reforms very seriously. A separate Directorate was established under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, which oversees 35 points of planned reforms. Some critical areas, such as establishing a transparent chain of command, training, and logistics, are prioritized in the modernization process. We are receiving continuous support from the US and other coalition forces. The Federal government in Baghdad is preventing us from procuring heavy and advanced weapons. Baghdad is not even providing ammunition for the armaments we already possess. This behavior of the Federal government of Iraq is strange as Peshmerga forces have also fought against any threat Iraq faces. Our forces have defended the Kurdistan region and Iraq, and we expect more cooperation from Iraqi authorities.

Q: Recently, Peshmerga forces received some artillery pieces (105mm M119 howitzers) from the United States. However, Baghdad has opposed this kind of weapons transfer by the US, arguing that the Iraqi national Army should only possess heavy weapons.

A: We already possess some heavy weapons, and in the past, the Iraqi government didn’t oppose it. Recently, some people have objected to weapons being transferred to Peshmerga forces by the United States. Prejudices and narrow thought processes drive these objections. There is a misinformation campaign being run that possession of heavy weapons by Peshmerga forces can be a threat to the Iraqi Army. But the matter is that Peshmerga has never been a threat to anyone. Also, it should be remembered that when the Iraqi National Army was not able to fight ISIS and fled, we were the only force that defended Iraqi territory and saved the innocents from ISIS. Hence, I would say that strong Peshmerga forces are also in Iraq’s interest.

Q: What assistance should the international community provide you in the fight against terrorism?

A: We expect that each country that is part of the international coalition against terrorism should enter into bilateral agreements with the Iraqi federal government, and we should also be included in such agreements. We are playing an essential role in the fight against terrorism in this region. I am not saying that we should be included as a third party in these bilateral engagements. However, it should be considered that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), as per the Iraqi constitution, is an autonomous region of Iraq. Hence, we should be part of every agreement about counter-terror efforts.

Q: Do you think the policies of US President-elect Donald Trump’s administration will affect the region differently, especially Kurdistan?

A: We can’t say with certainty whether the policies of the new US administration will change or not. But the officials chosen to serve in the new administration—almost all of them—have had positive views about the Kurdistan region and the Peshmerga in the past. We believe that policies in the United States are decided at an institutional level after considering the ground realities.

The article Syria developments might see ISIS bounce back appeared first on Arabian Post.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 September 2024 – Prepare to be enthralled by a mesmerizing symphony of flavours as JFOODO (Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center) proudly unveils the eagerly anticipated 5th edition of its renowned “Seafood Loves Sake. 2024” campaign, in collaboration with 20 of Singapore’s most esteemed and celebrated culinary havens. This enchanting culinary journey promises to captivate the senses with an extraordinary collection of 40 exquisite pairings, masterfully crafted to elevate the remarkable affinity between the sea’s bounty and the celestial essence of Japanese sake. Unlike previous iterations, this year’s campaign will commence on October 1st and run until October 21st, 2024, inviting discerning food enthusiasts to indulge in a transformative palatal adventure.

Amongst the 20 esteemed establishments participating in this year’s campaign are the Michelin-starred WHITEGRASS, the pioneering Eclipse by BDC, the acclaimed Morsels, and the celebrated Rhubarb. Each of these epicurean locales has meticulously curated unique sake-infused creations poised to transport diners on a sensory adventure like no other. Seafood Loves Sake. 2024 aims to bring together a diverse array of culinary styles, from Michelin-honoured establishments to beloved neighbourhood haunts, all united in their quest to showcase the remarkable versatility of Japanese sake. Whether you’re a seasoned sake connoisseur or a curious foodie, this event promises to ignite a newfound appreciation for the heavenly union of seafood and sake.

Headline-Worthy Hospitality: A Glimpse into the Four Iconic Dining Destinations

• WHITEGRASS is nestled within the historic Chijmes landmark, a remarkable dining hotspot that seamlessly blends the classic elegance of French cuisine with a distinct Japanese influence, creating an extraordinary gourmand experience. This exceptional restaurant is led by Chef Takuya Yamashita, hailing from the nature-rich Nara Prefecture. It showcases a deep appreciation for the environment and a gripping storytelling approach through thoughtfully crafted dishes. Their menu focuses on using the freshest seasonal produce to create dishes that are thoughtful and respectful of nature while remaining gastronomically refined.

WHITEGRASS’s exquisite pairings of sake and meticulously prepared dishes exemplify this amicable fusion. The Suigei Junmai Ginjo Koiku No.54, with its umami-rich taste and faint ginjo aroma, complements the natural sweetness and richness of the Kuro Maguro sashimi from Nagasaki, served sashimi-style with a Sauce Basquaise and a smoked pomme purée. The Ohmine 3 Grain Hiire Yamadanishiki sake, with its delicate muscat aroma and crisp finish, finds its perfect match in the roasted Japanese market fish, served with savoury chicken bouillon, a luxurious lobster sauce, Canadian lobster, and seasonal mushrooms.

• Eclipse by BDC sits in the heart of Singapore’s vibrant Chinatown district, a sophisticated Asian-European culinary gem that combines innovative culinary techniques with the finest locally sourced ingredients. Helmed by the talented and award-winning Chef Samuel Quan, this flagship restaurant of the Bespoke Dining Club embodies a culinary philosophy rooted in the pursuit of exceptional dining experiences. Atop the historic 70 Eu Tong Sen Street, Eclipse also commands a stunning rooftop setting. The venue’s design and atmosphere create an elegant and refined ambience, perfectly echoing the restaurant’s culinary excellence.

The pairing of the Chiyomusubi Junmai Daiginjo Gouriki 40 sake and the Hay Smoked Oyster Pumpkin Bread is a testament to Eclipse’s culinary artistry. The sake, brewed from the Gouriki rice varietal, exhibits a rich umami character with notes of chocolate-covered cherries and caramel, which beautifully highlights the smoky, savory flavors of the oyster pumpkin bread, topped with succulent Obsiblue prawn tartare, Avruga caviar, Ohba leaf, and bright yuzu aioli. Similarly, the Coral Trout dish, pan-seared to perfection and served with an anchovy emulsion, a luxurious beurre blanc sauce, and soft, pillowy gnocchi, is stressed by pairing with the Dassai 39. This sake’s luscious, nectar-like sweetness with aromas of cotton candy, banana, and Japanese pears creates a blissful balance with the delicate flavours of the coral trout.

• Morsels, under the guidance of the award-winning chef-owner Petrina Loh, is an alluring dining hub that celebrates the aligned Asian fusion of innovative and comforting cuisine. Located in Singapore’s lush Dempsey Hill enclave, this modern restaurant has evolved from humble beginnings as a casual wine bar to a refined gourmet oasis, offering guests a culinary journey that perfectly mixes Asian influences with a touch of global flair. Chef Petrina Loh’s impressive culinary journey has shaped the distinctive identity of Morsels. The finest local and sustainable ingredients and her passion for creating unique homemade fermented sauces are the cornerstones of the restaurant’s innovative and progressively Asian-inspired menu.

The Kojimaya Untitled #01 sake exhibits a velvety texture and an intriguing balance of sweet nectarine, melon, and cherry flavours, improved by the refreshing notes of yuzu peel, finding its pleasing pairing in the Hamachi Kombujime, where the delicately cured yellowtail is elevated by a vibrant nectarine blood orange sauce and the topped luxurious addition of 8 Gems Caviar. Moreover, the Grilled River Prawn dish, served with house-made mushroom miso and paired with the Tengumai Junmai Daiginjo Yamahai sake, showcases the depth of flavours that Morsels is renowned for. The sake, with its rich rice flavors, buttery mouthfeel, and hints of walnut bread and honey, creates a harmonious balance with the succulent river prawn and the umami-forward mushroom miso, as well as the Akitakomachi risotto and maitake mushrooms that accompany the dish.

• Rhubarb, located in the charming Duxton Hill enclave of Singapore, is a captivating contemporary French restaurant that has earned its place amongst the city’s finest dining establishments. Founded in 2014 by the talented trio of Chef Paul Longworth, Jerome Desfonds, and Alice Low-Ang, Rhubarb has consistently maintained its prestigious Michelin star since 2016, affirming its excellence in French gastronomy. The intimate dining space, with just eight tables and an open kitchen, allows guests to immerse themselves in the culinary experience while being cared for with special attention. Rhubarb focuses on sourcing the finest ingredients and curating a thoughtful wine list featuring regional French labels and fine digestifs.

The synchronized pairing of the Kikkawa Afuri “Akatsuki” Mizumoto Wine Barrel sake and the Cold King Crab & Sago dish is set to tease your taste buds. The sake, aged for 120 days in Bordeaux wine barrels, exhibits a refreshing and modern expression with bright acidity and a hint of tannin, complementing the delicate flavors of the Japanese king crab salad, which features sago pearls, a buttermilk base, cucumber, lemon verbena jelly, and creamed avocado. The Foie Gras, Cured Kampachi, Radish And Bergamot dish, paired with the Yukawa 16th Kuroemon Yamahai Miyamanishiki 13 sake, showcases the depth of flavors Rhubarb is proud of. The sake, with its fresh fruitiness, underlying umami, refreshing acidity, and subtle herbaceous notes, creates a light and balanced profile that harmonizes with the seared duck liver, cured kampachi, bergamot puree, and fermented radish slaw.

“We are thrilled to once again bring the bewitching dance of seafood and sake to the discerning palates of Singapore,” remarked Mr. Tetsuya Ito, Senior Director of JFOODO. “This captivating campaign stands as a steadfast endorsement of our unyielding dedication to cultivating a profound reverence for the extraordinary versatility of Japan’s artisanal sake, proudly demonstrating its remarkable synergy not only with time-honored Japanese culinary traditions but also with a vibrant tapestry of global gastronomic delights.”

Appendix 1 – List of participating restaurants (*Alphabetical Order)

Restaurant Name	Address
Cask and Shells	36 Kim Keat Road, Singapore 328812
Cibo Italiano	428 River Valley Road, #01-01/2, Singapore 248327
Eclipse by BDC	70 Eu Tong Sen Street, #06-01, Yue Hwa Building, Singapore 059805
Hua Ting Restaurant	Orchard Hotel Singapore, Level 2, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879
Joo Chiat Oyster House	328 Joo Chiat Road, #01-05, Singapore 427585
La D’Oro	333A Orchard Road, #01-16/17 Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897
Lerouy	7 Mohamed Sultan Road, Singapore 238957
Min Jiang	22 Scotts Road, Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore 228221
Morsels	25 Dempsey Road, #01-04, Singapore 249670
NOU	45 Craig Road, Singapore 089683
Nouri	72 Amoy Street, Singapore 069891
Path Restaurant	12 Marina Boulevard, #01-05/06, Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3, Singapore 018982
Qi Lai Feng	198 Geylang Road, Singapore 389263
Restaurant Khiri	15 Hamilton Road, Singapore 209185
Rhubarb	3 Duxton Hill, Singapore 089589
Tan Xiang Chai Chee	510 Chai Chee Lane, Singapore 469027
Tapasu Oyster Gastronomiya	29 Stanley Street #01-01, Singapore 068738
The Feather Blade	225A East Coast Road, Singapore 428922
WHITEGRASS	30 Victoria Street #01-26/27, Chijmes, Singapore 187996
Xiao Ya Tou	6 Duxton Hill #01-01, Singapore 089592

Hashtag: #Japanesefood #Sake #FoodCampaign #Seafood

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

JFOODO

JFOODO, which stands for The Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center, was established in 2017 by the Japanese government as part of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). JFOODO collaborates with industry partners to showcase the quality, diversity, and authenticity of Japanese food and beverages through various campaigns and events. The mission is to enhance the export of Japanese agricultural, forestry, fishery, and food products and to brand and promote these products globally.

In Japanese, culture can be expressed as 「風土」(pronounced as “fudo”), which coincidentally rhymes with “JFOODO.” The name also reflects their aspiration to increase worldwide recognition and appreciation for Japanese food, akin to how other aspects of Japanese culture have gained international acclaim. In Japanese, the kanji character「道」(read as “dō”) symbolises “the way” or “the code.” JFOODO strives to embrace and promote “the way of food” alongside Japanese culture to captivate global audiences and cultivate a deep appreciation for Japanese food and its rich heritage.

Check the official website for more information:
https://www.jetro.go.jp/en/jfoodo/

The article JFOODO Unveils the 5th Edition of “Seafood Loves Sake.2024” in Singapore The Enthralling Japanese Sake and Culinary Journey Kicks off Its Eagerly Awaited Return appeared first on Arabian Post.

By Sushil Kutty

It is Atishi and it will be Atishi who will be the next Delhi Chief Minister, to succeed Arvind Kejriwal. The ‘Marlena’ surname she dropped in 2019 when contesting the Lok Sabha election from East Delhi. Point to note, however, is Atishi will be Chief Minister only till the next assembly elections, till Arvind Kejriwal returns with another resounding mandate to rule Delhi. Till then, Atishi will be Ramayana’s ‘Bharat’ to Kejriwal’s ‘Ram’. And if ‘Modi bhakts’ shout ‘Jai Shri Ram’, they would be glorifying ‘Hanuman-bhakt’ Arvind Kejriwal.

Atishi spoke after her name for Chief Minister was announced by AAP minister Gopal Rai, and Atishi thanked “my guru Arvind Kejriwal for the huge responsibility” given to her, adding that she will be Chief Minister for the duration it will take for Arvind Kejriwal to return as Chief Minister. Atishi spoke of happiness, in the same breath as she expressed her sadness at Arvind Kejriwal quitting the post.

The spotlight would remain on Arvind Kejriwal. Atishi made this clear as she affirmed that Arvind Kejriwal would be “forever Chief Minister of Delhi.” Atishi is the only Chief Minister-elect to allude that she would be puppet Chief Minister, temporary Chief Minister and dummy Chief Minister. Her honesty and transparency shone through. Atishi will be the second woman who will be Delhi Chief Minister, after Sheila Dikshit, who ruled Delhi for 15 years.

Atishi will be Chief Minister at the most till February 2025 when the Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled to be held. The AAP wants the elections advanced to October-November this year. The AAP wants Arvind Kejriwal to return as Chief Minister of Delhi the quickest he can. AAP does not want to miss out on sympathy votes for Arvind Kejriwal, which will have an expiry date.

Atishi spoke of Arvind Kejriwal making a “big sacrifice”, and she took her status of “Caretaker CM” seriously. The tone and tenor of Atishi post-being named Chief Minister-elect was cautious. Atishi did not want to step on any landmine before she took the oath of office. Atishi called the BJP all the names she could get away with even as she painted Arvind Kejriwal as a victim of the machinations of a sly Prime Minister.

Atishi has been given the task of keeping Arvind Kejriwal’s chair warm till Arvind Kejriwal regains the Delhi aam aadmi’s trust and becomes Chief Minister again. She will also vouch for Arvind Kejriwal’s integrity and there won’t be a day gone when she will not project Arvind Kejriwal as an epitome of sacrifice, when she will not allude to the countdown for Kejriwal’s return.

“I am telling the people of Delhi not to congratulate me, don’t garland me,” Atishi said. “It is Arvind Kejriwal who made me, the daughter of an ordinary family and a first-time politician, Chief Minister!” Atishi appeared like she had her speech by rote the previous evening itself. Arvind Kejriwal is not the sort of man who waits for the legislative party to meet and come to a conclusion on who will take his place.

But the AAP legislature party met at Kejriwal’s residence to build a consensus on Atishi’s name even if nothing moves in AAP unless Kejriwal gives it a push. AAP MLAs walked out of the legislative party meeting and they weren’t doing somersaults! There was a sombre air about them, all of them praising Arvind Kejriwal and Arvind Kejriwal alone.

Whether the rest of top AAP leaders liked it or not, Atishi was Arvind Kejriwal’s choice. Atishi will be the face of the Delhi Chief Minister, but Arvind will be the soul. Atishi has her plus points, though. One, she is a hardcore Arvind Kejriwal loyalist. Two, Atishi’s gender is important to get women voters on AAP’s side. Three, Atishi has loads of ministerial experience with the multiple portfolios she managed after Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was jailed.

People talk of how Manish Sisodia “practically groomed” Atishi. Also, unlike Rabri Devi, Atishi is highly educated, and Oxford degree and a Rhodes Scholar. Her allegiance to Arvind Kejriwal is her biggest asset. Her mandate is to hold the Chief Minister’s chair till Arvind Kejriwal leads AAP to yet another poll victory. The AAP can’t wait for Arvind Kejriwal to make a comeback.

“Jab tak chunav nahi hota, Atishiji Chief Minister rehenge,” was on every AAP MLA’s lips. So Atishi will be watched and weighed day in and day out on the scales of “unka vyavhar”. Will that make Atishi a remote-controlled Chief Minister? Will it make her an easy target for BJP’s attacks? BJP leaders are already talking of the “communist who became Delhi CM.” How long before the media starts calling her “Puppet CM”? The stop-gap status of whoever took Arvind Kejriwal’s place was never in doubt.

In fact, Atishi herself spoke of how nobody could replace Arvind Kejriwal as the “people’s mandate was for Arvind Kejriwal, for Arvind Kejriwal alone.” Top AAP leaders were consoling themselves for not being considered for the top post with the fervent wish to see Arvind Kejriwal returning to his ‘Sheeshmahal’. The day before, Arvind Kejriwal had held one-on-one meetings with the top AAP leaders about who will take his place? AAP’s Political Affairs Committee also discussed the issue. Atishi won their confidence partly because she was the face of the AAP government, carrying out the AAP’s mandate and public duties, when Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal chose to “rule Delhi from Tihar.”

In hindsight, Kejriwal couldn’t have chosen his wife Sunitha Kejriwal, because Kejriwal wants the Delhi assembly elections done and dusted with ASAP to facilitate his return and put a full-stop to the BJP’s obnoxious crosstalk, which was a daily affair. After Kejriwal’s arrest-cum-jail by the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI, there was nothing left except to go to the people. There were other candidates for Kejriwal’s replacement, like Kailash Gahlot, but it was Atishi who made the cut.

Atishi is 1981-born daughter of Delhi University professors Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi. She graduated in History from St Stephen’s College and attended Oxford University in the United Kingdom. For a while she taught History and English at the Rishi Valley School in Andhra Pradesh before joining politics.

‘Chief Minister’ Atishi’s fight will be with Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena, who had rejected Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s decision that Atishi should hoist the tricolour on I-Day.

In 2019, Atishi fought the Lok Sabha election, which she lost to BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir by a margin of 4.77 lakh votes. Atishi has been with the AAP right from its foundation. (IPA Service)

The article Atishi Will Be Stop-Gap Delhi Chief Minister Till Arvind Kejriwal’s Return After Polls appeared first on Arabian Post.

Recent bold attacks carried out by Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) rocked Pakistan. A large number of people and security personnel were killed in the province of Balochistan when separatist insurgents attacked police stations, railway lines and highways, and security forces camps. The assaults were the most widespread and ferocious in years by ethnic militants fighting a decades-long insurgency to win secession of the resource-rich southwestern province, home to major China-led projects such as a port and a gold and copper mine.

These attacks were carried out on the anniversary of the death of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, who was killed by Pakistan’s security forces in 2006. Bugti, a former governor and chief minister of Balochistan, joined the separatist movement in 2005 and was killed in a military operation in August 2006 near his hometown of Dera Bugti. Since then, every year on his death anniversary Baloch insurgents intensify their attacks especially on Pakistani security forces.

But this year the scale and intensity of the attacks was mammoth. In addition to attacks on security forces, migrants from Punjab Pakistan’s biggest, most prosperous and politically dominant province were targeted as well. Most probably the separatist movement wants to send the message that outsiders are not safe in Balochistan.

The Pakistan military establishment which in fact takes all important policy decisions for the country has vowed to launch military operations in Balochistan in response to the recent attacks. But practically launching an operation in Balochistan is going to be a nightmare for the mighty Pakistani Army for the following reasons.

Balochistan is a large area with a scattered population, which is a major disadvantage for the government. The government cannot provide foolproof security, while nationalist armed groups can easily launch guerilla attacks and hide in the vast geography of the province. Tracking down a band of guerrilla fighters in the biggest province of Pakistan in terms of area will be next to impossible.

Balochistan’s borders with Iran and Afghanistan is a porous one and poorly guarded. This makes it convenient for Baloch insurgents for carrying on cross border movement of both men and material. Also, Pakistani authorities don’t have very cordial relations with its neighbours and can’t chalk out a joint strategy with them to put a check on Baloch insurgents movement across the border.

To effectively monitor and dominate Balochistan a mobilization of forces in big numbers is required. At this point in time Pakistan is not in position to spare that level of forces. The army is tied up at multiple fronts. Pakistan can’t afford to move forces from LOC and International Border with India and with growing tensions with Afghan Taliban forces can’t be redirected from Durand line. Additionally, in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province Pakistani Taliban AKA TTP has heavily engaged Pakistani security forces. Hence, General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi finding it hard to increase its troop level in Balochistan.

Baloch armed groups have increased their capabilities many folds in every dimension. For example- Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) biggest Baloch armed group. Is the most organized insurgent group with an elaborate structure and numerical strength of 3,500 to 4,000 fighters. Over the years, BLA has improved its communication capabilities and armaments significantly. The longevity and resilience of the insurgents is undoubtedly a strength, as they have learned to adapt and respond to various counterinsurgency methods of the state. On ground these groups are capable enough and can give a bloody nose to Pakistani army through guerrilla tactics like- Ambush, IED Blast, Sniper fire, and Suicide attacks.

Despite having such vast natural wealth, much of the population of the province lives below the poverty line this has created a deep sense of resentment among the locals towards the Pakistani state. Sizable section of the Baloch society considers Pakistani deep state as looters which are exploiting their land and using it as a colony. With such a strong anti-Pakistan feeling prevalent in Baloch society it will be very tough for the Army to gather credible intelligence about the insurgents from the locals. Without proper ground information any military operation is doomed to fail.

Islamabad has always sought to consolidate more power and maintain complete control of Balochistan through its security forces by eliminating the traditional and local structures to reinforce state power. But in the process, the Pakistani Army has further weakened the state and advanced the hardliners position. So, by launching military operations in the name of a crackdown on insurgency won’t make much of a difference in fact it might ignite another fierce phase. At the core of the ethno-nationalist armed insurgency is the deep-rooted feeling of oppression among the Baloch people. The Pakistani deep state has always labelled these insurgencies as the handiwork of foreign intelligence agencies. But the truth is that forceful occupation and looting of vast natural resources have fuelled the call of Baloch nationalism. Let’s hope Pakistani generals sitting in GHQ, Rawalpindi come to their senses

The article Pakistani army has only limited options left in Balochistan appeared first on Arabian Post.

By K Raveendran

The Supreme Court’s recent judgments granting bail to Delhi minister Manish Sisodia and others in the Delhi excise and similar cases mark a significant shift in how the judiciary approaches money laundering charges, particularly those pressed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The rulings not only highlight the evolving judicial perspective but also shed light on the court’s broader stance regarding the principles of bail and detention.

Sisodia’s case has garnered immense attention due to his high-profile nature and the gravity of the charges against him. The Supreme Court’s decision to grant bail has been described as a landmark moment in the court’s approach, reflecting a shift towards a more nuanced interpretation of bail conditions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The approach becomes even more pivotal when considered alongside similar cases involving prominent political figures like K Kavitha, a leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), and Prem Prakash, an aide to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Both are facing money laundering charges, and their legal battles offer a comparative lens to understand the court’s evolving stance.

The Supreme Court’s verdict emphasizes a critical principle in criminal justice: bail should be the rule, not the exception. The principle aligns with the broader judicial philosophy that detention before trial should be used sparingly and only in exceptional circumstances. It underscores that the presumption of innocence should be respected, and bail should be granted unless there are compelling reasons to deny it.

In Sisodia’s case, the court examined the nature of the charges and the evidence presented by the ED and came to the conclusion that his prolonged detention amounted to a denial of his right to a speedy trial as the court noted there was not even a remotest possibility of trial being concluded in the future. It showed careful consideration of whether the presented evidence warranted continued detention. This is a departure from the more stringent approach previously adopted in cases under the PMLA, where detention was often prolonged based on the ED’s assertions of the severity of the charges.

The Supreme Court’s recent observations in PMLA cases provide further context for this ruling. Notably, the court has scrutinized the admissibility of confessions obtained during police custody. In a recent case, the court ruled that such confessions in one particular case could not be used as incriminating evidence in another case, reinforcing the importance of protecting the rights of the accused and ensuring that evidence is obtained through lawful means.

The recent verdicts align with a broader judicial trend towards ensuring that the legal process adheres to principles of fairness and due process. The court’s focus on the admissibility of confessions and the conditions for bail reflects a commitment to upholding these principles, even in complex and high-profile cases involving significant financial crimes. This is particularly important in the context of the agency doing mercenary political work for the ruling party.

The PMLA, enacted in 2002, was designed to combat money laundering and ensure that proceeds from criminal activities are curtailed. However, its stringent provisions have increasingly been criticized for their use against political adversaries. The law allows for the attachment of properties, arrest without bail, and long detentions, which can be wielded as a tool to harass and politically undermine individuals or groups.

In recent years, there have been multiple instances where the ED has targeted politicians from opposition parties or those in rival state governments. High-profile cases have involved leaders from various parties, and the timing of these actions often coincides with critical political moments or elections, leading to allegations that the ED is acting at the behest of the ruling party.

Despite the agency’s broad remit to investigate and prosecute money laundering, the conviction rate under the PMLA remains notably low. According to recent figures, out of the thousands of cases registered, the conviction rate is below 10 percent, suggesting a systemic challenge in securing convictions, which raises questions about the efficacy and impartiality of the investigative process.

The court’s reality check on such abuse is particularly significant and might signal a shift in approach. The Supreme Court had previously upheld the ED’s authority to arrest individuals without necessarily presenting detailed grounds for arrest in each case. New pronouncements, however, suggest a more nuanced application of these powers, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that considers the specifics of each case.

The tension between these aspects of the court’s approach highlights the complexities of balancing the need to combat money laundering with the imperative to uphold fundamental legal principles. It also reflects an ongoing effort to reconcile these interests, ensuring that the legal process remains fair and just while addressing serious financial crimes. (IPA Service)

The article Supreme Court Increasingly Convinced About Abuse Of Anti-Money Laundering Law appeared first on Arabian Post.

After lengthy negotiations in Doha, Hamas has named Yahya Sinwar as its new Political chief, replacing Ismail Haniyeh who was assassinated in Teheran. Since 2017, Sinwar has served as the group’s leader inside the Gaza strip. He now becomes overall leader of its political wing. Sinwar’s promotions undermines more pragmatic and senior figures in Hamas with wider exposure to the international political arena and geopolitical landscape of the region, such as former politburo head Khaled Meshaal. Following the death of Haniyeh, who had strong relations with Iranian officials, the most prominent name to be considered as his successor was Khaled Meshaal. The appointment of Sinwar came as a big surprise because many did not take into account the Iran factor. Initially, it was thought Khaled Meshaal would resume his role as chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau, an office he previously held between 1996 and 2017 prior to Haniyeh. But Iranians purportedly vetoed this and put all the weight behind Sinwar candidature.

Meshaal’s vocal criticism during the 2011 Arab Spring of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a close ally of Teheran made him a deeply unpopular figure among Iran’s top leadership. In addition to this Meshaal had made statements in the past opposing Hamas growing dependence on Tehran. Hamas is predominantly a Sunni Islamist organisation, while Iran is a hard-line Shiite regime, they found common ground only in their opposition to Israel. That’s why the alignment between Iran and Hamas has fluctuated in the past many times. Most importantly in 2012, differences over the Syrian civil war introduced a major rift in their relationship. Hamas tacit support for Sunni rebels in Syria was at odds with Iran’s allegiance to the Assad regime, leading to a temporary withdrawal of Iranian support. For years, ever since Jordan expelled the Hamas leadership from Jordanian capital Amman, in 1999, Hamas had maintained the headquarters of its external leadership in Damascus. But in January 2012, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal abandoned the group’s Damascus base after airing the group’s views about the Syrian civil war. Although in June 2022, Hamas and Syria announced their decision to restore ties. But the Syrian regime and Iranians were always suspicious about Hamas’ moderate faction led by Khaled Meshaal.

On the other hand, Sinwar forged close relations with Iranians since becoming head of Hamas in Gaza in February 2017 taking over from Ismail Haniyeh, who became head of the political bureau. In the March 2021 elections, Sinwar was again elected head of Hamas in Gaza. His focus remained on strengthening military capabilities for Hamas’s armed wing Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. For that immense military aid was required. He formed an alliance with Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Resulting in Iran providing a steady flow of weapons, funding, and military training, which undoubtedly facilitated the group’s military operations, including its recent attack on Israel. Importantly, Iran helped Hamas to design and produce rocket systems that match the capabilities and material available in Gaza in vast numbers. In return Sinwar chose to make his factions sort of an Iranian satellite revolving around its orbit. Sinwar saw himself as the Gaza Strip’s self-appointed emperor. He distanced his faction from the political leadership abroad, aligning more closely with Hamas’ local military command.

Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, Hamas top military commander in Gaza, reportedly do not follow directives from their politburo headquartered in Doha. Both have decided to go rogue and lead a faction within Hamas far from the political leadership and closer to Iran, where financial and military aid is more generous. For Iran, which always seeks influential and loyal proxies in the Middle East, Sinwar and Deif represented prime acquisitions. Iran found Hamas political leadership, which was also aligned with Turkey and Qatar, unreliable and not loyal enough. Tehran sought loyalists fully committed to the ayatollahs’ regime, controllable through financial and military aid.

The recent appointment of the new political chief was mainly the power play between Meshaal’s faction, which is closer to Sunni countries, and Sinwar’s faction, which is closer to the pro-Iranian axis. Ultimately, the internal struggle was resolved in favour of the latter.  Hamas as a group always maintains a degree of political and strategic independence, primarily focusing on Palestinian interests. It is not an Iranian proxy, like-Hezbollah which takes direct orders from Tehran but rather an ally of convenience, with a shared common enemy in Israel. But with the rise of Sinwar as the overall chief, Hamas has chosen the way of Hezbollah to become a proxy group rather than an organisation committed to a cause.

The article Hamas Has Chosen to be an Iranian Satellite Like Hezbollah appeared first on Arabian Post.

By K Raveendran

When the Supreme Court Chief Justice of Supreme Chandrachud says people are fed up with the way our courts function, there cannot be a more serious indictment of the judicial system. His assertion that the judiciary should not be an institution run solely by judges for judges is a significant critique that underscores systemic issues within India’s legal framework. The perspective is not just a reflection of personal discontent but an observation that has been echoed in the Supreme Court’s various judgments and statements over time.

CJI Chandrachud’s remarks, made at an event commemorating the week-long Special Lok Adalat at the Supreme Court last week, are particularly poignant when placed in the context of the court’s recent actions and observations. In the latest instance, the Supreme Court came down heavily against the denial of the right to a speedy trial to Delhi deputy chief minister, Manish Sisodia, who had been entangled in a legal battle that drew considerable attention. His case, while attracting significant media coverage, serves as a potent illustration of broader systemic issues. The Supreme Court’s decision, therefore, is not merely about his individual rights but also a broader commentary on the judicial process.

Sisodia is, of course, a high-profile person, but consider the plight of millions of faceless undertrials languishing in Indian jails either without proper trial or the means to secure bail. Most of them, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, find themselves trapped in a legal limbo, with their cases delayed indefinitely. This situation is a stark reminder of how the judicial system’s failings impact those who lack the resources or visibility to attract immediate judicial intervention.

The issue of undertrial prisoners is not a new one, but it has gained renewed attention due to the Supreme Court’s recent observations and decisions. In many instances, undertrials remain in jail for extended periods without even the commencement of their trials, highlighting a significant flaw in the justice delivery system. This problem is exacerbated by delays in the judicial process, a shortage of judicial personnel, and systemic inefficiencies that prevent timely adjudication of cases.

In this context, CJI Chandrachud’s remarks reflect a critical need for reform. The judicial system, as it stands, appears to be struggling under the weight of its own procedural delays and inefficiencies. The criticism is not just about individual rights but about a systemic failure to deliver justice in a timely manner. The broader implications are significant. They point to a need for systemic change, addressing not only the procedural delays but also the inherent inefficiencies that plague the system. The judiciary’s role is not just to adjudicate but to ensure that justice is delivered fairly and expeditiously. When systemic issues undermine this role, it erodes public trust and confidence in the judicial process.

The judiciary must strive to be an institution that upholds the principles of justice for all, not merely a body that operates within the confines of its own procedural framework. The focus must shift towards making the system more accessible, efficient, and responsive to the needs of all individuals, regardless of their social or economic standing. No doubt, the challenges faced by the judicial system are complex and multifaceted. They require a concerted effort to address both immediate concerns, such as the plight of undertrials, and long-term structural issues. Efforts to streamline the judicial process, increase the number of judges and court personnel, and enhance procedural efficiency are crucial steps in this direction. Additionally, addressing the root causes of delays and inefficiencies, such as outdated procedures and inadequate infrastructure, will be essential in creating a more effective judicial system.

Recent statistics underscore the gravity of the situation. As of 2023, approximately 70 percent of India’s prison population consists of undertrials. This staggering figure highlights a critical issue: a large proportion of individuals in Indian jails have not yet faced a trial. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), more than 2.5 lakh people were undertrials as of the latest data. Many of these individuals have been in prison for extended periods, often exceeding the duration of the sentence they would have received if convicted.

The demographics of these undertrials reveal a troubling pattern. A significant number of them come from underprivileged sections of society. Studies have shown that poverty, lack of education, and socio-economic disadvantage are closely linked with prolonged detention. Many undertrials are from marginalized communities, including scheduled castes and tribes, and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. These individuals often lack the resources to secure legal representation or bail, leading to prolonged periods of incarceration without trial.

The issue of undertrials is compounded by the systemic problem of securing bail. Thousands remain in prison not because they are convicted, but because they cannot afford to arrange the security required for bail. The inability to post bail often stems from financial constraints, making it nearly impossible for many to secure their release. This financial barrier exacerbates the issue of overcrowded jails and contributes to the prolonged detention of individuals who may eventually be found innocent.

The plight of undertrials is a stark reminder of the judicial system’s failings. The system’s inefficiencies not only deny individuals their right to a fair and timely trial but also perpetuate a cycle of disadvantage that disproportionately affects the poor and marginalized. The inability to secure bail due to financial constraints underscores a significant barrier to justice and highlights the need for comprehensive reform.

Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach. Reforming the bail system to ensure that it does not disproportionately penalize those who cannot afford it is crucial. Additionally, streamlining the judicial process to reduce delays and increase efficiency is essential for ensuring that justice is delivered promptly. Investments in legal aid services and support for marginalized communities can also help mitigate some of the systemic barriers faced by undertrials. (IPA Service)

The article Sisodia Bail Brings Into Focus Denial Of Right To Millions Of Incarcerated Undertrials appeared first on Arabian Post.

By Harihar Swarup

When newcomer Arvind Kejriwal defeated three—time chief minister Sheila Dikshit in her constituency of New Delhi in 2013 assembly polls, jubilant supporters took to streets, hailing the moment when a common man got an opportunity to master electoral politics. Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party soon became the premier force in Delhi politics. In less than a decade, it extended its sway to one more state by winning the Punjab assembly elections in 2022, becoming the only regional party to be in power in two states. Growing footprint and ambitions in states like Goa, Assam, Haryana and Gujarat further catapulted the AAP into the non-BJP, non-congress political space and raised the profile of its charismatic leader.

However, the arrest of Kejriwal by the CBI in March this year could not have come at a worse time for the party. After recording a below average performance in the Lok Sabha elections, the AAP was banking on release of their leader from jail in the money laundering case of the Enforcement Directorate to go back to drawing board. Despite dominating the Delhi assembly for a decade, the party failed to open its account in the capital, losing all Parliament seats to the BJP, third time a row. The massive loss has dented the credibility of the AAP as a national player and of Kejriwal as a national leader.

The Punjab story, too, did not go as expected as the AAP could win only three seats against Congress’s seven. While the party’s vote share increased to 26 per cent, it had 42 per cent vote share, and 92 seats in the 2022 assembly polls, which allowed it to form government. The AAP’s candidates in Assam, Haryana and Gujarat failed to open the account.

“With Kejriwal in jail and the AAP’s ordinary performance in the Lok Sabha elections, these are very difficult times for the party and it may adversely impact its expansion plans”, said Sajjan Kumar, professor and co-director of Lokniti at the Centre for the study of Developing societies.

“The situation has posed a tough political challenge for the AAP, which faces Assembly elections in Delhi next”.

Kejriwal has been on a legal roller coaster since June 21 when a Delhi court granted bail in ED case, only to put on hold by the Delhi High Court a day later. Just he was looking to secure bail from Supreme court, the CBI arrested him in the same case on June 26.. It has opened a new battlefront for the AAP as Kejriwal faces corruption charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act. In 2022, when the CBI first registered a case under the Act in the liquor policy scam, it did name Kejriwal as an accused. But the net has been widened with the CBI probing charges of corruption and bribe taking by public servants, while the ED is separately investigating the alleged money trail in the case.

The CBI is examining the role of Delhi group of ministers (GOM) consisting of senior AAP leaders including former deputy chief Manish Sisodia, in tweaking the policy to allegedly benefit the “South liquor lobby”, referring to a group of influential persons from south India. The role of chief minister’s office is also under cloud as CBI sleuths are examining evidence against Kejriwal’s close aide Vijay Nair who was allegedly given responsibility to coordinate the meeting with ‘south group’. The CBI said the report prepared by aides became policy in which profit margins were increased from six percent to 12 percent.

AAP is a one leader based party. The senior leaders who helped in the formation of AAP twelve years back, mostly differed with Kejriwal and left the party. With Kejriwal in prison, the work for the assembly polls in 2025 is being adversely affected. Already AAP has earned a bad name by losing all seats in Lok Sabha polls in Delhi. It is imperative for the party to win the 2025 Delhi assembly elections just like 2013, 2015 and 2020 assembly elections. Much depends on the release of the Delhi chief minister from the prison. For AAP, there is no alternative leadership as of now excepting the imprisoned party supremo. (IPA Service)

The article Aam Aadmi Party Has No Alternative Leader To Replace Imprisoned Arvind Kejriwal appeared first on Arabian Post.

By Sushil Kutty

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi, founded by former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, transformed to Bharat Rashtra Samithi, a change brought about because KCR wanted a national role for the party and the Prime Minister’s post for himself. KCR proved to be overambitious and BRS couldn’t make the cut in 2023. It lost Telangana to the Congress in the last assembly polls. Lok Sabha 2024 wasn’t any better for the lanky leader.

Now, KCR says no one can dismantle the BRS even as a number of leaders are deserting BRS like the odd wife abandons all pretence and deserts her legally-wedded hubby who frequently goes astray. When KCR mentioned “dismantle”, he was indirectly talking of the Congress Chief Minister of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy.

And when he spoke of “unwavering confidence” in his party returning to power after losing to Revanth Reddy, he was relying on his own prophecy. For, like all leaders, KCR was pumping up his party cadre who were showing signs of restlessness. Ten years after the formation of Telangana Rashtra Samithi, party morale was at its lowest.

In December 2023, KCR spoke of temporary setbacks and asserted “we will bounce back.” Also, KCR was the first politician to take note of “Congress’ success is due to false promises”, whether that be in the Karnataka Assembly elections or in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha has mastered the art of convincing voters with bundles of promises made off the cuff. Women voters know the pitfalls of falling for slick talk.

The BRS lost the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections last year by a slender margin of 1.8 percent votes. For months thereafter, the future of BRS looked bleak and KCR’s family was caught in the doldrums. KCR’s daughter K Kavitha is in Tihar, giving company to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Satyender Jain. Father KCR is at his wits end as Kavitha stares at the blank Tihar walls.

Nobody can talk of the future of the BRS better than KCR and he says BRS has a great future. In fact, ask KCR and he says “the future belongs to BRS”. K Chandrasekhar Rao goes to the extent of predicting a “bright future”. KCR says BRS will return to power in Telangana, and “stay in power for 15 years”. KCR has all of a sudden become very active, addressing meetings here, there and meeting party leaders everywhere.

Chandrashekar Rao has reasons to hope for a bright future. The party is in the rut and things can only get better. The BRS Chief is being challenged. The morale in the party has to be revived. Party leaders and party cadre haven’t as yet reconciled to the defeat at the hands of the Congress in 2023. The Assembly election defeat, the Lok Sabha polls humiliation and now party MLAs joining the Congress in droves.

KCR is creating a new set of leaders in the BRS. And he reminisces of the good old days. He dreams of the party growing stronger all over again. He is raising issues that concern the people and he is asking why the same officers who worked in his regime are now unable to resolve the state’s power and drinking water supply problems? Why is the Revanth Reddy regime unable to stop the “crime wave”? KCR says Revanth’s Congress government is “inefficient”.

“The Congress has a habit. It has a revolting behaviour. The Revanth Reddy government will fall on its own. We saw this after the TD lost power in unified AP, and Congress came to power. We should not dwell on those who left the party after enjoying power for a long time in the BRS. We should be patient, and we will come back to power,” he said.

But patience doesn’t pay when there are those who are impatient. In the latest, six BRS members of the legislative council deserted and crossed over to the Congress with Revanth Reddy himself receiving the BRS turncoats into the grand old party. What can the BRS Chief do, except wring hands?

The 40-member Telangana Legislative Council has 25 BRS members, four Congress MLCs, four nominated MLCs, two AIMIM members and one each of the BJP, PRTU, and one independent MLC. Two seats are vacant. But with the six BRS MLCs shifting allegiance, the Congress number has gone up to 10. Apparently, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is all set for a cabinet expansion.

Revanth Reddy is feeling threatened in the Congress and he is resorting to strengthening himself within the party by luring BRS leaders to join the Congress. Latest BRS recruits to the Congress include Rajya Sabha MP K Kesava Rao, making him the seventh leader from the KCR-led party to join the Congress. Fact is, Revanth Reddy is strengthening himself by weakening KCR.

Revanth Reddy’s rise in the Congress is resented by many Congress leaders of bygone vintage. Revanth, who holds the dual posts of Chief Minister and state unit chief, is set to give up the post of state unit chief and he wants to have a say in who replaces him. Revanth joined the Congress in 2017 and within a matter of just six years he was the TPCC Chief, sidelining heavyweights in the party who have been in leadership roles in the Congress from long ago.

The irony is KCR is paying for Revanth Reddy’s rise and the fall of those old heavyweights. KCR and BRS will have to think out of the box to regain previous glory. For now, KCR can only give pep talks and hold up cadre morale. Established BRS leaders cannot be trusted. (IPA Service)

The article Revanth Reddy’s Rise Is K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s Fall appeared first on Arabian Post.

By Dr. Gyan Pathak

India’s opposition has taken a new task in hand to restrain Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government from turning the country into a “police state”, as the later “lays foundation” for it by implementing the three new criminal laws form July 1, 2024. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has threatened, “INDIA will no longer allow this Bulldozer Justice.” Opposition has demanded a fresh and comprehensive review of the new criminal laws in the Parliament of India.

The new criminal laws under question are – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) that have replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act. The news criminal laws were passed on December 21, 2023 in the Lok Sabha after expulsion of the entire opposition, consequently without discussion. President’s assent was procured by the government on December 25, and finally Government notified these on February 2024 for implementation from July 1. The offences committed before mid-night July 1, and all the pending criminal cases would be judged according to the old laws. The implementation of these parallel laws – the old and the new – is contributing to great confusions among the people, law enforcement agencies, and also the legal fraternity in the courts.

The government has claimed that the new laws would de-colonise the Indian legal system, modernise it, and focus on justice rather than on punishment. However, the opposition and critiques fear just the opposite. They allege that these laws will be stronger tools for suppression of the people than the old criminal laws which were originally brought by the British rulers against the Indians. In the name of de-colonisation, Modi government lays the foundation of a “police state” in the country. The opposition parties allege that focus of the government is on punishment and not on justice only to suppress the people’s voices against the government.

The allegation of the opposition can’t be easily brushed aside, if the very first FIR registered under the new BNS in New Delhi is taken into consideration under which a vender from Patna was booked for disturbing smooth passage of people from under a railway footbridge where he was selling potable water bottles and sachets of tobacco products. As for widest meaning of justice is concerned, the vendor has obviously been a victim of economic injustice due to government policies and rules, and to earn his living he was compelled to sell water bottles and sachets where people frequently pass by. If we take very narrow meaning of justice, the law enforcing police booked him as offender of passage blocking and obstructing smooth movement of the people. Obviously, these three new criminal laws are less humane and more draconian, which may ultimately dehumanise people with police suppression so that they may not demand justice – economic, political, and social. These laws have very narrow concept of justice and punishment.

It must be recalled that within a week of the passage of the three new criminal laws, truck drivers across the country had called for three days all India strike from January 1, 2024. On government’s assurance that the news laws relating to transport would not be implemented without discussion with Transport Congress. However, the government did not honour its own assurance, apart from other assurances on laws relating to sedition and many others. The news laws are stringent in nature. Political opposition to the draconian provisions of the new criminal laws is inevitable.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has said that the three new criminal laws were passed ‘forcibly’ after suspending 146 MPs in the last Lok Sabha, and asserted that the INDIA bloc will not allow such “bulldozer justice” to prevail in the country’s parliamentary system.

Congress leader Manish Tewari has demanded that Parliament re-examine the new criminal laws, claiming they lay the foundation of turning the country into a “police state”. “Their implementation must be stopped forthwith and Parliament must re-examine them,” the former Union Minister has said.

“It is another case of bulldozing three existing laws and replace them with three new Bills without adequate discussion and debate,” former Union Minister and Congress leader Chidambaram has said, asserting that the initial impact of these new criminal laws will throw the administration of criminal justice into disarray. … “On the other hand, there are several retrograde provisions. Some changes are prima facie unconstitutional,” he said.

“Mamata Banerjee has already written to the Union government asking for deferment of the implementation of the laws. One of the major objections is that the power of the police to extend the policy custody of people, this goes against the basic principles of custodial jurisprudence. There are other provisions in the law which are not yet fully implemented, the provision against false promises of marriage, gang rape of minors and mob lynching has not been finalised. Sedition law has not been implemented. It is highly objectionable,” said TMC MP Saugata Roy adding, “We think that these laws are anti-people.”Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose said these new criminal laws are “vaguely worded” and leave “huge scope for the government to snatch away citizens’ lives and liberty”.

“Right from the beginning, AAP is of the opinion that it should be reviewed. It should be referred to JPC. It should not be implemented in haste. It will have far-reaching consequences,” said AAP MP Raghav Chaddha.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said these laws came to the Parliamentary Standing Committee, the experienced MPs who also practice law clearly gave their dissent note and stated the needed changes but these laws were passed after expelling 146 MPs without taking the objections in consideration.

NCP leader Supriya Sule said the new laws pose a significant threat to civil liberties and democratic freedoms.”By expanding police authority, extending remand periods, permitting solitary confinement, and diminishing judicial oversight, the NDA government is establishing a repressive police state. The soul of Indian Democracy is at stake and we cannot afford to be silent,” Sule has said.

Former Union Minister Kapil Sibal has said that BNS allows for using draconian police powers for political ends, and the Modi government’s agenda is to silence opponents.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader has also criticised the government decision to implement the new criminal laws and had earlier written the Centre urging to reconsider the rollout.

India is heading for a stiff political battle on new criminal laws, since the opposition has already been suppressed under special draconian criminal laws such as UAPA and PMLA, and several political leaders are already in jails. (IPA Service)

The article Opposition Takes New Task In Hand To Prevent India Turning Into Police State appeared first on Arabian Post.

By Dr. Gyan Pathak

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has now decided to go ahead alone and has started reviewing relationship with INDIA bloc. The party’s path ahead is already embattled with legal battles, with its three key leaders – CM Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Satyendra Kumar Jain – put behind the bar. The Enforcement Directorate has made the party an accused in a money laundering case, and the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi has recommended investigation in allegations of receiving funds from a terrorist organization. Apart from that, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said during election campaign that there were other 7 cases of corruption against AAP Supremo Kejriwal. Moreover, AAP could gain only a lacklustre public support during the Lok Sabha Election 2024. All these show AAP’s political path ahead is uncertain and rocky.

After the Lok Sabha Election 2024 results, AAP has said that AAP-Congress alliance was only for Lok Sabha elections, and there would be not tie-up for Delhi Lok Sabha Election 2025 to be held early next year. Further, it was clarified by the party leader Gopal Rai after a meeting of party MLAs and senior leaders at CM Arvind Kejriwal’s residence that the INDIA bloc was established specifically for the Lok Sabha elections from the outset.

In Delhi, where Congress-AAP alliance was contesting together and offering one-on-one fight to the BJP candidates, BJP was able to retain all the 7 seats it had won in 2019. AAP was contesting on 4 and Congress was contesting on 3 seats. BJP was able to gain vote share of 54.35 per cent, while AAP 24.17 and INC 18.91 per cent.

AAP lost East Delhi by a 93,663 margin of votes, New Delhi by 78370 votes, South Delhi by 1,24,33 votes, and West Delhi by 1,99,013 votes. It is despite CM Kejriwal was out on interim bail granted by the Supreme Court of India for campaigning in the Lok Sabha election. Kejriwal had even made emotional appeal to the people of Delhi, reminding then the works done by his government for the people of Delhi for education, health, water, and electricity among others. Electorate of Delhi did not favourably respond.

In Punjab, AAP and Congress contested separately since the alliance between did not materialize on account of opposition from the state leadership of both the parties. Out of the 13 Lok Sabha Constituencies, AAP could win only 3 seats despite the party in power in the state. It was a shock to the Central AAP leadership, and the state party leadership, since they were hoping to win all the seats from the state, believing that the people were angry with SAD and BJP, and INC was in organizational disarray. Election result proved that they were wrong. INC was able to win 7 seats, and SAD 1 seat. Even two independents won 2 of the seats. Due to farmers anger, BJP lost its 2 seats it had won in 2019.

AAP bagged only 26.02 per cent of votes in Punjab, while INC’s vote share was 26.30, SAD’s 13.42 per cent, and BJP’s 18.56 per cent. It clearly shows the Congress has restored itself as the biggest political party in the state, much to the frustration of AAP leaders. Barring the Sangrur Lok Sabha Constituency, where AAP candidate won by a huge margin of 1,72,560 votes, the party won two seats by very low margin. AAP won Hoshiarpur by only 44,111 votes and Anandpur Sahib by only 10,846 votes.

There is also a great trouble brewing for AAP in connection with getting fund from a Sikh terror organization, which is now being investigated. Outcome of this may be devastating for AAP and its existence as a party. The existential crisis the party is already facing on account of the ED case making the party an accused since it benefited from the bribe money taken in the Excise case.

Lok Sabha election result has also sprung up a great surprise for all, in Punjab, and in the country. A Khalistani separatist Amritpal Singh, who is currently in jail, won the election from Kadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency as an independent candidate. He won the seat as an independent candidate by a huge margin of 1,97,120 votes by defeating INC candidate Kulbir Singh Zira. He has been arrested by the AAP government in Punjab.

After his return from Dubai after a decade in September 2022, Amritpal Singh was appointed Waris Punjab De, though controversially, and advocating for sovereign “Punjabi Sikh” nation state Khalistan. His movement is different from the Khalistan movement of 1980s, when a separate Khalistan for Sikhs were demanded. There is an allegation that Waris Punjab De was raising Anandpur Khalsa Fauj (AKF) and has ISI support.

Waris Punjab De activists were also allegedly participated in Farmers Movement or 2020-21, and many of its members were accused of raiding Red Fort Delhi on January 26, 2021. In March 2023, Punjab Police, on instruction of the Centre initiated a crackdown. Amritpal was arrested on April 23, 2023, and sent to Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam under NSA. Over 200 people were arrested during the crackdown.

There is also another twist to the political situation in Punjab. Another independent candidate who won was Sarbjeet Singh Khalsa, son of Beant Singh, one of the assassins of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He won Faridkot seat by defeating AAP candidate by a margin of 49,656 votes.

The victory of Amritpal and Sarbjeet has coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Operation Bluestar. Therefore, these are not simple victories of two independent candidates. Their wins are not an ordinary election results, since they are indicative of the potential revival of separatist movement in Punjab. AAP government in the state may land into great trouble in near future due to a possible new spell of separatist movement.

There is a double-edged sword for AAP, since the party is also under NIA investigation for receiving fund from a foreign terror organisation Sikh for Justice, for enabling a separatist to get out of jail.

Other cases, numbering over half a dozen, of corruption would also be investigated in the near future involving many AAP leaders of Delhi and Punjab. Though party has announced to contest the Vidhan Sabha Election in Delhi on its own, it is still uncertain if it would be possible for the party and its chief leaders to even participate in the election process. Modi government is most likely to pursue all the cases, which CM Kejriwal says that PM Modi wants to finish AAP. Even if for some reasons, AAP will be able to participate in Delhi Vidhan Sabha election, it is highly uncertain that the party would get better response than it got from the electorate in May Lok Sabha elections. (IPA Service)

The post AAP Is Now On An Uncertain Rocky Political Terrain, To Go Ahead Alone first appeared on Latest India news, analysis and reports on IPA Newspack.

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Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan has been the scene of a low-level insurgency and a brutal military crackdown for decades. However, the vast and resource-rich province has witnessed a surge in deadly attacks in recent times.

Pakistan’s largest province recently witnessed a drastic increase in attacks against the Pakistani security forces, with Baloch rebels having caused heavy casualties to the state forces in different operations. The many experts tracking Baloch insurgency are of the view that recruitment of the separatist Baloch armed groups has skyrocketed, and this has enabled the groups to launch more attacks.

The ongoing violent turn in the Baloch movement is considered part of the “Fifth Wave” of the ethno-nationalist insurgency in the region, which began in the early 2000s. Pakistan’s military has been a grandmaster in deflecting blame and labelLing failures as grand conspiracies or political failures. But in reality, it’s the Pakistani Army that is responsible for flaring most of the internal insurgencies faced by Pakistan, especially the Baloch one. Since from the very beginning mighty military generals of Pakistan portrayed Balochistan’s issue as a security affair instead of a social or ethnic matter. By doing this they got the last say on any policy matter concerning Balochistan.

The military always attempts to shift the onus of public outrage in Balochistan on the government and bureaucracy by overplaying the ‘neglect’ part while conveniently brushing the more menacing of its brutal practices towards the Baloch people under the carpet. It’s the gross human rights violations and unspeakable atrocities being committed by Pakistan’s army upon the Balochs pushing the oppressed locals to take up arms against the state. Let’s have a look at the practices of the army which have alienated the common men of Balochistan.

This is a major source of discontent among the people and also the real tipping point for the violent unrest in Balochistan. Enforced disappearances in Balochistan occur during so-called anti-terrorist operations conducted by the Pakistan Army and various paramilitaries, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies under its command.

Any person believed to be a supporter or sympathizer of the Baloch freedom movement is considered a threat and kidnapped, tortured, or killed. This has not only affected the common people but also high-ranking officials. The 2006 arrest of Akhtar Mengal, the Chief Minister of Balochistan, is a glaring example. The number of cases of Baloch disappearing is attributed to either Pakistan’s security forces or Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI).

The military outsourced the targeting of Baloch separatists and political activists to private militias known as “Death Squads”. These squads receive all kinds of support from the Army like- training, weapons, and intelligence. Many death squad operatives have turned to mainstream politics with the help of the Pakistani army. These squads under the patronage of the military are run by the hardcore criminals and drug lords, while a few of them are also led by extremists, pro Pakistan politicians, and former separatist insurgents who have surrendered to authorities under reconciliation schemes in the recent past.

Another strategy employed by the army to suppress the local rebellion, especially in the northern parts of Balochistan is to Islamize the youth, with the help of seminaries run by religious groups close to the military. The top brass of the army thought that by propagation of hardline Sunni Islam, they could undermine the essentially secular nature of the Baloch movement and divide the largely tribal-dominated structure of Baloch society. This effort to promote extremism has resulted in proliferation of Deobandi madrasas and the emergence of Sunni extremist groups like Sipah-e-Sahba and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, in the province.

The ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its flagship project. i.e. Gwadar port hasn’t provided any significant benefit to the locals. The projects under CPEC have systematically excluded the Baloch indigenous people, not only depriving them of employment and development prospects but also forcefully clearing them to make way for the construction sites. It would be right to say that CPEC projects have brought investment and economic opportunities only for the Army. CPEC hinges on the role of the Pakistan Army, whose role is not limited to the provision of security to the corridor, but also in catering to its own economic interests. Ayesha Siddiqa a prominent Pakistani political scientist and author wrote in his book titled “Military Inc.” While it is the Prime Minister who inaugurates CPEC’s key projects, it is the Pakistan Army who controls them.

The Pakistan Army does not know how to contain the insurgencies that are confronting it. The General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi only knows to use excessive force to silence any voice of dissatisfaction. The re-application of colonial tactics by the military elites over other ethnic groups (non-Punjabis) clearly illustrates that the Army lacks empathy towards fellow countrymen. Also, it shows that the country still hasn’t learned lessons from its past. Pakistan needs to understand that the military has to be more vital in protecting the state from external enemies; for internal matters, the institution needs to support a political system governed by parliamentary and democratic forces. The sooner it realizes this, the better it will be for Balochistan and the entire country.

The article Pak Generals forcing Balochis to take up arms appeared first on Arabian Post.

Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander in the elite Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and his deputy General Mohammad Hadi Hajriahimi were killed in an airstrike attributed to Israel on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus.

This attack has raised the geopolitical temperatures of the whole region as this has led to Iran firing hundreds of missiles and drones toward Israel from Iranian territory. Gen. Zahedi’s death was the most significant killing of an IRGC commander since the United States assassinated Quds Force chief Major General Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad in January 2020.

This is a major setback for Iran and IRGC’s network in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. But despite suffering significant losses from regular attacks of Israelis in Syria. Iran’s revolutionary guards have a considerable presence in Syria and they are literally holding Syria as a hostage. The IRGC stepped in to defend Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2013 when his grip on power was challenged during the civil war. But this was the only short-term goal of IRGC. Since the beginning of the Syrian conflict, one of the most important objectives of Tehran was to create the conditions for an encirclement manoeuvre of the Israeli state. To achieve that Iranians established impressive military capabilities in Syria.

With the military presence in Syria Iran has cemented a zone of Iranian influence stretching through Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon to the Mediterranean, helping to counterbalance Tehran’s regional adversaries including Israel. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Quds Force (IRGC-QF) reportedly has deployed an estimated 2000 operatives in Syria alone. Moreover, Iran’s most trusted and valued proxy group Hezbollah’s bulk forces and allied militias have been deployed along the Lebanese-Syrian border. Hezbollah has also deployed fighters deeper into Syria, including around the cities of Damascus and Homs.

There have been reports of Hezbollah fighters as far away as Deir al-Zour governorate in the Middle Euphrates River Valley. The revolutionary guards have numerous permanent bases in Syria and they house Quds Force personnel and the foreign Shia militias under its command. The Iranian installations in these bases include general headquarters, regional command and control centres, intelligence cells, UAV battalions and runways, weapons and heavy equipment depots, and other logistics facilities.

In addition to this guards have multiple production plants in Syria that upgrade and produce rocket and missile arsenals for the Shia militia groups stationed in Syria, particularly those of Lebanese Hezbollah. This effort is part of a Quds Force campaign to ensure a steady supply of rockets/missiles to its proxies in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. These Iranian facilities and Shia militias operate largely autonomously from the Syrian government of Dr Bashar Al-Assad and take orders directly from senior commanders of the IRGC.

It was not that Israelis were keeping quiet when Iran’s revolutionary guards were strengthening their capabilities in Syria. Israel’s attacks against Iran-affiliated positions were occurring now and then. But the guards have suffered one of their most bruising spells in Syria since October 7 since arriving nearly a decade ago. Especially since December last year, Israeli strikes have killed more than half a dozen of their senior members, among them one of the guard’s top intelligence generals.

Although the IRGC’s apparatus in Syria has been under immense pressure from Israeli airstrikes, Tehran is sticking to its mission of long-term presence in Syria. Iranians are just changing the tactics to operate like- most of the IRGC-QF operatives have left their offices and were staying out of sight. One thing is certain Iran has no intention of quitting Syria as it is a key part of Tehran’s sphere of influence.

The expanded presence of Iranians, especially in southern Syria, has already impacted Israel’s threat perception. As a result, Israel’s attacks against Iran-affiliated positions have been on the rise. Israel is playing an aggressive defence, determined to keep the Iranian threat out of its immediate neighbourhood in Syria. In case of being attacked from Syrian territory, Israelis have used disproportionate force to respond and additionally have also attacked the Syrian infrastructure and the civilian centres.

Israelis are not buying this argument that Damascus has no control over the actions of the Iranian-backed militias operating in Syria. Tel Aviv holds the Syrian government responsible for any threat or attack emerging from Syrian territory. The people of Syria are paying the heavy price of this undeclared war between Iranians and Israelis. The common people have already suffered a lot because of the ongoing civil war and the last thing they require is another conflict in their country.

Now it’s up to the Syrian government to decide whether they want to sit on the sideline as a spectator and let Iran drag their country into another conflict or to intervene and take charge. It is the moral obligation of the Syrian government to safeguard the country from getting stuck in this prolonged conflict between Israel and Iran. President Assad needs to ask his Iranian allies to spare his country and to take their fight against Israel somewhere else.

The article Iran Revolutionary Guards holding Syria hostage appeared first on Arabian Post.

By Sushil Kutty

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi dreams of “400 paar”, the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party have made their final pitches, hoping to strike pay-dirt, i.e., Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet his Waterloo come June 4, 2024. Congress released its bombshell manifesto and AAP trained guns on the BJP, claiming that the BJP and not AAP was behind the ‘Dilli Sharab Ghotala’.

Strangely, with that the AAP acknowledged that the Delhi Liquor Policy Scam wasn’t somebody’s figment of intoxicated imagination. The majority of Delhi’s citizenry has now got an answer, but the culprit is the BJP, not the AAP. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should be released from Tihar. Why isn’t AAP approaching the Supreme Court to get “acting Chief Minister” Sunitha Kejriwal’s “Bhagat Singh” released from jail?

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh is the main “sutradaar” of “BJP is behind the Dilli Sharab Ghotala” claim. Singh was released from jail on bail a few days ago, with conditions attached, including that he will refrain from talking about the Delhi excise policy scam while out on bail. Singh signed on the dotted line, but is talking “Dilli sharab ghotala” all the time, and placing the blame squarely on the BJP.

Singh claims his release from jail as a victory for AAP, and proof that Manish Sisodia, Satyender Jain, and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, are all innocent, and that the Enforcement Directorate had caught the wrong guys. Sanjay Singh is pledge-bound to not flout the bail conditions, but nobody seems to care, not even the Enforcement Directorate.

On Friday, Sanjay Singh claimed that the BJP’s top leadership was behind the “conspiracy to arrest” Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and that the BJP was responsible for the “Dilli Sharab Ghotala”. Speaking of the “big conspiracy” to put Arvind Kejriwal in jail, Singh said senior BJP leaders planned the liquor policy scam and carried it out, from start to finish. Sanjay Singh fully expects the majority of the Delhi electorate to believe his story and vote for the Aam Aadmi Party.

Singh spun this hardly believable yarn at an AAP press conference in Delhi. Shockingly, the media did not question Singh’s “theory”. Sanjay Singh appears to be heading the party of “anarchists” for the time being, ever since his release from jail, and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s incarceration. Ministers Atishi Marlena and Saurav Bharadwaj are suddenly more second-rung than they were when Arvind Kejriwal was CM operating from outside Tihar. With the BJP unable to defend itself from AAP attacks, Sanjay Singh is leading the AAP “fight-back”.

Sanjay Singh did not linger at the Tihar gates. He strode out, all guns blazing and the Bharatiya Janata Party is since then trading fire with the Aam Aadmi Party as if Arvind Kejriwal is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Adversary No.1’. Going by television debates over the past fortnight, this is the conclusion staring everybody in the face.

Chances are the AAP will be going into the 2024 general elections pitching Arvind Kejriwal against Prime Minister Narendra Modi one-on-one. That, or maybe, AAP is in panic and is blabbering gibberish as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s comeuppance could be coming any day. A stroll through Delhi in any direction shows that the AAP is no longer the No.1 choice of the majority of Delhi’s electorate.

It is hard to believe that the AAP-Congress alliance will sweep Delhi’s seven parliamentary seats. But the Congress is not so much thinking of AAP’s problems and solutions than of its strategy to dethrone Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The grand old party, led by the Nehru-Gandhi Family, on Friday released its multipronged manifesto for Lok Sabha elections 2024. Party President Mallikarjun Kharge did the honours along with former party presidents, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

It is the Congress’s final pitch to make the cut to take on the BJP. The manifesto calls itself ‘Nyay Patra’ and its five commitments, ‘Yuva Nyay’, ‘Naari Nyay’, ‘Kisaan Nyay’, ‘Shramik Nyay’, and ‘Hissedari Nyay’. Everything that Rahul Gandhi does has ‘Nyay’ at its roots. ‘Nyay’ was at the centre of his second Bharat jodoyatra, the Bharat Jodo ‘Nyay’ Yatra. The Congress party’s electoral guarantees can be kept only by Rahul Gandhi.

As it is, the party has cut the manifesto release date a little too fine. April 19 will be the first phase of the elections and getting the manifesto offerings through to the electorate is the big challenge. Journalist Arnab Goswami, speaking for the Modi government and the BJP, rubbished “the Vadra Congress’s manifesto”, but the fact remains, if elected to power, the Congress will undertake a nationwide Caste Census, dismantle the Agniveer scheme, and ride roughshod over the 50 percent cap on reservations for SC, ST, and the OBC.

There is other stuff in the Congress manifesto including a set of very alluring poll promises made solely to serve the interests of India’s second largest majority, the Muslims. Not surprisingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Congress manifesto reminded him of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan’s ‘Qaid-e-Azam’. The fact remains that the BJP faces a determined Opposition and cannot be altogether sure about Modi’s “abki baar 400 paar”.  (IPA Service)

The post AAP, Congress Make Last Ditch Effort To Take On The BJP In LS Polls first appeared on Latest India news, analysis and reports on IPA Newspack.

The article AAP, Congress Make Last Ditch Effort To Take On The BJP In LS Polls appeared first on Arabian Post.

Last month the Taliban’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai while attending a public program said that there is an absence of an official border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. He further said that Afghanistan will never recognize the Durand Line as its official border with Pakistan.

In the past also senior Taliban leaders have questioned the legitimacy of Durand Line like – Defence Minister Maulvi Muhammad Yaqub Mujahid last year said that Durand Line is merely a ‘line’. Maulvi Yaqub also said that Afghanistan will raise the matter with Islamabad when the Afghan people want it. Since the Taliban came to power in Kabul, troops on both sides of the disputed border have fired at each other on numerous occasions causing casualties on both sides. This border dispute is not a new thing; it emerged soon after the creation of Pakistan.

When Pakistan joined the United Nations in 1947, Afghanistan was the only member nation to vote against its membership. Afghans argued that Pakistan should not be recognized as long as the problem of the disputed border remained unresolved. It would be right to say that the Durand Line issue has continued to complicate the unpredictable nature of the Afghan-Pakistani relationship since the birth of Pakistan.

Let’s have a quick look into the origin of this controversial borderline. The growing imperial Russian expansionism and influence in Central Asia during the nineteenth century increased anxiety of British authorities in India. This resulted in many political and diplomatic confrontations between the two Empires, which later became known as “The Great Game”. The construction of the Trans-Caspian railway, particularly the extension built in 1890, that reached the Afghan border at Goshgy was a further source of concern for the British Raj (Government of India), as it may enable Russia to bring large forces to Afghanistan.

Russia was fearful of British commercial and military raids into Central Asia, while Britain was worried about Russia adding the ‘jewel in the crown’, India, to its vast territory. As a result, an atmosphere of suspicion, distrust, and permanent fear of war between the two Empires emerged. To address this issue Britishers initiated the military campaigns against Afghanistan famously known as Anglo-Afghan wars. However, they failed to impose direct control over Afghanistan. So, they settled the issue by turning the country into a buffer state. To fulfil that plan, the British government supplied the Afghan Amir (King) Abdur Rahman Khan, with military weapons and equipment to defend Afghan northern areas from the Russian influence.

But as this strategy was not secure or promising enough, also as part of their desire to control Afghan foreign policy, the British believed it was of vital importance to define Afghanistan’s external borders. But before going for any formal border agreement the British aimed to annex as much territory as possible to meet their economic, geo-political, and strategic needs. Stripping Afghanistan from most of its land and leaving it with weaker administrative control over what was remaining.

After enough land grab was done then Sir Mortimer Durand, the government of India’s foreign secretary arrived in Kabul on the 2nd of October 1893, to start negotiations with the Amir of Afghanistan on demarcating the border of Afghanistan. Ultimately, negotiations resulted in the creation of the Durand Line which divided half of a Pashtun population intimately related by culture, history, and blood. But the Durand line never served as a de-facto border as after signing the agreement Sir Durand himself said: “The tribes on the Indian side are not to be considered as within British territory. They are simply under our influence in the technical sense of the term, that is to say, so far as the Amir is concerned and as far as they submit to our influence, or we exert it”. This was further clarified when the Viceroy, Lord Elgin, writing in 1896, said: “The Durand Line was an agreement to define the respective spheres of influence of the British Government and the Amir. Its object was to preserve and to obtain Amir’s acceptance of the status quo”.

The argument of every successive Afghan government is that this line is not a legitimate border, since it was intended to be merely a line of control, which for the sake of security, divided the area into zones of influence. Another assertion on behalf of Kabul, which disclaims the legitimacy of the frontier is that the border agreement was signed under duress. Although many historians provide proof that Amir was fully aware of the content and the consequences of the agreement. But one should not fail to admit that Amir was forced to sign it under the threat of an economic embargo. Furthermore, Abdur Rahman Khan wanted to avoid war between Britain and Russia on his territory, which would have inevitably had disastrous consequences for Afghanistan. The country had little space for negotiations when facing the pressure of a global superpower of that time i.e., Britain.

Afghan authorities always asked their British counterparts for comprehensive talks to sort out this border dispute, but all the requests went unheard. And as Britain prepared to leave India, Afghanistan again demanded a revision of the border. Its request was denied. Subsequently, Afghanistan announced that all previous Durand Line agreements, including the prior Anglo-Afghan treaties upholding it are null and void. Moreover, the Afghan parliament issued a resolution denouncing the Durand Line as a fraudulently drawn international border in 1949. To summarise it would be right to say that no Afghan government or political party ever accepted the Durand line as the international border with Pakistan. But as Afghanistan became a war-torn country in the late 1970’s this border dispute was not pursued seriously by Afghans as they were too busy fighting among themselves.

This was an ideal condition for Pakistan to increase its sphere of influence in Afghanistan and even termed it as the fifth province of Islamabad. Pakistan has never been willing to risk a dynamic and powerful Afghan state controlling its affairs. As stable and secured Afghanistan won’t let Pakistan interfere in its domestic issues and will denounce the current border line with Islamabad. Pakistan must acknowledge that the Durand line is not a settled issue, and they can’t proclaim anything unilaterally. The Durand line dispute is not merely a dispute over an international border, but of identity, ethnicities, and sovereignty for Afghans. Unless the two states reach a consensus on the aforementioned affairs, this controversial and contested border line will continue to spew enmity into both sides.

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will once again skip the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) summons, marking the sixth time he has failed to appear for questioning in connection with the Delhi excise policy case. The AAP has reiterated its stance, declaring the summons as “illegal” and asserting that the matter is now before the court.

In a statement released today, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emphasised that the ED had approached the court itself. The party suggested that instead of repeatedly issuing summonses, the ED should await the court’s decision on the validity of the matter.

The ongoing legal battle between Kejriwal and the ED has escalated, with the probe agency persistently summoning the Delhi Chief Minister, who has consistently refused to comply. The sixth summons comes in the wake of a Delhi court’s directive to Arvind Kejriwal to appear and explain his non-compliance with the previous summons.

Kejriwal’s refusal to appear before the ED raises the possibility of him becoming the first sitting chief minister to face arrest.

The ED, investigating money laundering charges, has been probing allegations related to the Delhi liquor excise policy. The case revolves around accusations that the AAP government’s revamped alcohol sales policy allowed it to receive kickbacks from cartels, allegedly funneled into funding election expenses in various states, including Goa.

While Kejriwal has not been named as an accused in the case, two senior AAP members, including ex-Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, have faced arrests.

The AAP vehemently denies all charges, asserting that the BJP is manipulating investigative agencies to target the party.

With inputs from NDTV

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IPA News

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday claimed that 23 Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers carried out raids at his personal assistant’s residence for 16 hours but did not find anything.

He also claimed that the houses of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders such as Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain and Sanjay Singh were raided as well. But even there, the ED did not find anything, the national convener of the party said. These are being done to trample the AAP and trouble its members, Kejriwal said in a post on ‘X’.

The ED on Tuesday searched the premises of Kejriwal’s personal assistant (PA) Bibhav Kumar and others as part of its probe into charges that the AAP and some officials received kickbacks of about Rs 21 crore through alleged irregularities in a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) contract, official sources said. The action is part of a money laundering investigation focusing on alleged bribes that were garnered through irregularities in the DJB tendering process and purportedly channelled as election funds to the AAP, they said.

“Today my PA’s house was raided by 23 ED officers for 16 hours. After a thorough investigation, they found nothing. Not a single penny was found, no jewelery or any property of any kind, no papers,” Kejriwal said in the post on ‘X’ in Hindi.

He claimed that the probe agency had also carried out raids at the homes of AAP leaders Sisodia, Singh and Jain but nothing was found.

The chief minister asked whether the ED can enter anyone’s house without any reason. “Is this not sheer hooliganism? It is clear that all these raids and arrests are being done only out of political malice, to harass us, to crush the Aam Aadmi Party. It’s been two years since they started investigating. Not a single new penny or any evidence has been found,” he said. The country is run by law and the Constitution, “it is not anyone’s inheritance”, Kejriwal said.

“This country has 140 crore people. People will never tolerate this kind of hooliganism,” he said. A dozen premises in the national capital were searched by ED officials from 7 am under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The residences of Bibhav Kumar, former DJB member Shalabh Kumar, the office of party Rajya Sabha member and national treasurer N D Gupta, and the premises of chartered accountant Pankaj Mangal and others associated with the ruling party in Delhi were covered in the search action.

With inputs from News18

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By Sushil Kutty

MLAs and MPs are placed such that they can make tonnes of money by shifting allegiance, the money credited to their bank accounts, like nowadays when the focus is on Jharkhand and Bihar MLAs fleeing BJP depredations with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi minister with multiple portfolios, Atishi Marlena, also alleging that AAP MLAs were being targeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party.

If Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi Marlena are to be believed, the Bharatiya Janata Party tried to “buy” seven AAP MLAs at Rs 25 crore apiece with plans to buy the shifting loyalties of a total of at least 25 AAP MLAs. Now, the Delhi Police Crime Branch is trying to smoke Kejriwal and Marlena out into the open, asking them to provide details of the alleged BJP conspiracy. But for some uncited reasons, Kejriwal and Marlena are refusing to play ball.

The Delhi Chief Minister is known for his ‘shoot-and-scoot MO’, but for Atishi Marlena, also similarly equipped, is a recent discovery. The Delhi Chief Minister is an old hand at levelling unfounded allegations and then playing hide and seek after the shoot and scoot.

With a record like that, what made people vote for the AAP in their large numbers, as seen in Delhi and Punjab, is subject for MPhil scholars. Common sense would dictate common people not to vote for AAP for as long as Arvind Kejriwal is at the helm and the manner in which Atishi Marlena smiles is a definite ‘no-no vote’ for the Aam Aadmi Party. The mischief in Atishi’s eyes is an eye-opener if it isn’t a dead giveaway.

But, says Kejriwal, “I am being forced to join BJP, They are offering me, come to BJP, we won’t trouble you. But I won’t join them. They can do whatever they want. Nothing will happen. I am not going to bow down to them. They can hatch any conspiracy against me but I am standing firm against them. I will never join the BJP.”

And who can prove Kejriwal is lying? The finger will twist and point at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP legislator Suvendu Adhikari. The latter left the Trinamool and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Both Sarma and Suvendu had central agencies gunning for them. There was also Mukul Roy, another of the ED-hounded.

The Enforcement Directorate is, after successfully acting against Hemant Soren, currently training its guns on Rohit Pawar, NCP strongman Sharad Pawar’s grand-nephew, and the RJD’s Tejashvi Yadav. But who can forget Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar’s nephew, the politician the BJP alleged was kingpin of corruption but clean to be appointed Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister?

Kejriwal perhaps has a point – a clean chit awaits him, too, if he “joins” the BJP. But what if he doesn’t take up the BJP invitation, would there be hell to pay? It is, however, hard to think of the BJP pining for Arvind Kejriwal. He is too volatile for any party. That said, Kejriwal is not Delhi’s Jail Minister like Satyender Jain used to be and Delhi’s jails are not the Crowne Plaza or Four Seasons. Arvind Kejriwal could find himself in a cell right next to a Tihar toilet.

Point is, nothing short of a miracle will save Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal if his stars are crossed, which is how it looks like. What happened to Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh portends dire straits for the Delhi Chief Minister. And this is the man who swore on his children’s heads that he will never join politics; that he will never have VIP tantrums; that he will “never join hands with corrupt Congress”.

Unfortunately, Kejriwal stands accused of all those and Atishi Marlena cannot save him with a silver tongue. If Kejriwal finds himself behind bars, Atishi Marlena might be the one in the ‘CM Mansion’ just like she took over Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s official residence after Sisodia was jailed.

So, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is getting hit from two directions. One, the Delhi Police Crime Branch is gunning for him, nail him with what looks like a lie. Does Kejriwal possess evidence to prove the allegation that the BJP tried buying 7 AAP MLAs for Rs 25 crore apiece? And then, there is the Delhi liquor scam case involving a number of AAP politicians and AAP the party itself.

Kejriwal is steadfastly refusing to heed the ED summons and now the ED has taken the Delhi Chief Minister’s intransigence to court. It is apparent that the ED is calibrating its response in a manner that will place Kejriwal behind bars at a time when he will be most needed to be free and campaigning for the Aam Aadmi Party.

Is Arvind Kejriwal the Smart Alec he believes himself to be? Not by a long shot. By cutting it so fine, the boastful AAP convenor is finding himself getting cornered. The Delhi Police Crime Branch case is at worst a headache, but the ED case is serious with the courts also not free with relief. The question is, where will Arvind Kejriwal be when all of India votes for the 18th Lok Sabha? (IPA Service)

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While BJP leaders called the Interim Budget 2024-25 “encouraging” and “empowering”, opposition leaders expressed disappointment calling it an “anti-people budget”.

The key highlights of the Interim Budget 2024-25 include “no changes” to the taxation system — both direct and indirect — including import duties.

FM Sitharaman said that the “target is to reduce the fiscal deficit to below 4.5 per cent by Fiscal Year 2026”.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called it an “encouraging” budget and said, “We are fully confident that we will achieve the target of becoming a developed nation by 2047.”

BJP MP Poonam Mahajan stressed that the interim budget 2024 has empowered the poor, women, farmers and youth, and said, “A woman empowering the nation under the leadership of PM Modi who has always believed in that the country has to go forward with women leading the country. We are empowering – Garib, Mahila, Kisan, Yuva- for Viksit Bharat….”

Madhya Pradesh Finance Minister Jagdish Devda welcomed the budget and said, “It is good and should be welcomed. The poor, women, youth, and farmers, all have been taken care of in this budget. Madhya Pradesh will also get the benefit of the schemes…”

Union Minister VK Singh said, “…Everything will be for ‘Vikshit Bharat’…everything has been discussed in the budget to strengthen the economy…”

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said, “Finance Minister’s Budget is aimed to strengthen India’s economic sector, in line with PM Modi’s resolve to make India the third largest economy of the world…This is a budget to speed up country’s development and increase employment…”

BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy said, “In the interim budget, you don’t bring any new proposals and it is a process of seeking the approval of parliament for the expenditure which you have to incur in next few months as we are going for the next election…”

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar called the budget an excellent summary of the qualitative and quantitative transformation of the Indian economy in the last 10 years.

Congress MP Manish Tewari said, “It is a ‘vote-on-account’ which has only one purpose to keep the government solvent for the first quarter of the current fiscal year. What’s worrying is that there is a budget deficit of Rs 18 lakh crores. This means that the government is borrowing for its expenditure. This number is only going to increase next year.”

All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) Debangshu Bhattacharya Dev mocked the budget saying, “We can only hope for the best because ‘Phir hogi paison ki Hera Pheri’.”

Calling it BJP’s ‘farewell budget’, SP leader and former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav said, “If any budget is not for development and any development is not for the people then it is useless. The BJP government has created a shameful record by completing a decade of anti-people budgets, which will never be broken again because now is the time for a positive government to come. This is BJP’s ‘farewell budget’.”

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor targeted Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget speech calling it “one of the shortest on record and very disappointing”.

“It was one of the shortest speeches on record in the Budget. Not very much came out of it. As usual a lot of rhetorical language, very little concrete on implementation…She talked about foreign investment without acknowledging that that investment has come down significantly. She talked about a number of things which are couched in vague language like ‘confidence’ and ‘hope’ and so on. But when it comes to hard figures, very few figures available…This is going to be a very disappointing speech in terms of being couched entirely in generalities and without enough substance nor any willingness to address the specific problems of the economy…” Shashi Tharoor said.

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram reacted to Interim Budget 2024-25 and said, “Mere administrative exercise to ensure that the government of India has the requisite funds to carry on its normal business until the new parliament is constituted and a new government is formed. And that’s what they have done, except for making their obligatory self-congratulatory, self-praise phrases, nothing else is there and nothing should have been there, and rightly so. Nothing is there.”

Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) MP NK Premachandran noted that nothing is mentioned about unemployment in the Interim Budget 2024-25.

“Unfortunately, the finance minister is talking about the achievements of the last ten years. It is a temporary budget. Even then it is not giving any vision…The unemployment position in the country is alarming and nothing is mentioned about this…It is only an eloquent speech made by the finance minister…” Premachandran said.

With inputs from News18

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By Sushil Kutty

Take the police away for 15 minutes and… Similarly, take the CBI, ED and the Income Tax Department out of the Centre’s equation and people will see through the hollowness of the Modi regime’s allegations of corruption against INDI-Alliance leaders in no time at all. It is long alleged that the Modi-led BJP government uses central investigating agencies to enforce the Bharatiya Janata Party’s “nefarious designs” and the main purpose is to keep opposition leaders embroiled in “corruption cases”, essentially when elections are approaching or when government formation in a state is at hand. Toppling duly-elected governments also gets easier with central probe agencies tied to the effort. Forcing defections is yet another objective.

Like now, when the 2024 general elections are just weeks away and the Modi government isn’t sure of the outcome though the BJP is making a big thing out of “sweep” and “landslide” and “400-plus”. If people haven’t noticed, which all the people might not have in the crescendo of sounds accompanying the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, the Centre has intensified raids on prominent opposition leaders even as the BJP is ramping up preparations for the fast-approaching 2024 general elections.

It is quite clear the Modi government, prompted by the BJP’s interests, is bent on depriving the Opposition of a level-playing field with the blatant misuse of powerful central probe agencies. The sudden spate of “actions” against electorally popular mass leaders is not only ominous but also symptomatic of the Modi government’s anti-democratic electoral agenda, i.e., win the general elections by hook or crook. The central investigative agencies are powerful tools in the hands of unscrupulous entities and the Modi government/BJP fits that bill.

Conceded that some of the opposition leaders targeted by the Enforcement Directorate have a record of past graft, but the timing of their current harassment is certainly shifty. The upcoming Lok Sabha elections are without doubt the sole reason for the witch-hunt. Burdened by double anti-incumbency, the BJP lacks the confidence to fight the Opposition “politically” and, therefore, the use of CBI, ED and the IT-Department to bend the future your way.

Certainly, after the coming together of disparate opposition parties for the first time in decades and the formation of the INDIA Block, the CBI, ED and the Income Tax Department, cannot keep their paws off key opposition leaders. The INDI-Alliance is not just a wake-up call for the Bharatiya Janata Party but the worst nightmare in 10 years of Modi regime. Decimating the INDI-Alliance is a national emergency for the Modi government. Electorally, according to some “independent” analysts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is at his weakest and it tells in the actions of the central investigating agencies.

Opposition leaders from Bihar and Jharkhand are the latest targets of ED highhandedness. Lalu Prasad Yadav is well past his corruption-age, so to speak, but his mass appeal among huge swathes of Bihar’s crores is a known fact and people vote for the RJD on a single nod from Lalu Yadav. But the 75-year-old was “interrogated” for nine hours by the ED following which the same treatment was ladled to Lalu’s son, the just-evicted Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Tejashvi Yadav, whose mass appeal matches that of Lalu.

In neighbouring Jharkhand, Chief Minister Hemant Soren is getting hounded by the ED and by “hounded”, the meaning is “literally hounded”. On January 30, Soren was incommunicado for the entire day and half the night as the ED laid siege for him. For the Opposition, the Enforcement Directorate is not only a menace but most definitely, a smelly pest.

INDI-Alliance leaders from West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Delhi, Punjab are all ED, CBI targets with the Lok Sabha polls getting closer and closer for the ruling dispensation’s comfort. The RJD’s Manoj Jha alleged that the Enforcement Directorate, Central Bureau of Investigation and the Income-Tax Department have been tasked to act against top INDI-Alliance leaders and keep at it right up to the elections. Jha said Lalu Prasad, Tejashwi Yadav, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were latest targets.

The father-son Yadav duo are getting special ED attention for the alleged land-for-jobs scam and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for the Delhi liquor scam. Hemant Soren is perhaps the most vulnerable. It’s the BJP’s fear of the INDI-Alliance which is behind the surge in ED “action” against opposition leaders. The Yadav duo is a threat to Modi’s 40 Bihar Lok Sabha seats target set for the BJP. And Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar joining the NDA doesn’t make a dent on the threat.

The BJP isn’t buying the opposition argument though, which leaves the ball squarely in the people’s court. The BJP says the “corrupt” are “naturally scared” of the ED and the CBI. The reality is no ED case against any opposition politician has been brought to a logical conclusion so far. Not even the ones against AAP leaders Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Satyender Jain. All three are languishing behind bars and the ED is still looking for closure, which makes it very unsure. The only thing sure is that the ED/CBI/Income Tax Department witch-hunt will stop the day the 2024 general elections results are declared and it would not matter who is the victor, the BJP or the INDI-Alliance. (IPA Service)

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 January 2024 – Fourteen years ago, a spark ignited in the heart of Singapore’s tech scene. Driven by a “Challenger Spirit” and a mission to “Deliver solutions with passion and genuine care for your business growth,” Vinova wasn’t just another IT startup. It was a revolutionary force, poised to rewrite the rules of the game. Today, after blazing a trail through the industry with over 400 global talents, 300 successful projects, and a loyal client base of over 250 spanning the globe, Vinova’s meteoric rise has reached a new peak – recognition as one of Singapore’s Fastest-Growing Companies by the prestigious Straits Times.

This accolade isn’t simply a pat on the back; it’s a roaring testimonial to Vinova’s unwavering commitment to innovation. Theirs is a story fueled by the relentless pursuit of new frontiers, where “Togetherness” fosters a culture of collaboration, and “Integrity” underpins every solution they deliver. From their early days conquering the mobile app landscape to their current mastery of cloud infrastructure and enterprise applications, Vinova’s “Dedication” to exceeding expectations has become their signature.

From crafting award-winning mobile apps recognized by Top 10 Asia to serving clients across continents, Vinova’s global reach and innovative spirit are undeniable. From Singapore and China to the USA and Norway, their solutions have empowered businesses of all sizes, earning the trust and praise of renowned organizations like Abbott Labs and Singapore Safety Driving Centre. “Their team delivered the product in record time,” emphasizes Manish Karia, Director – C&B at Abbott Labs, impressed by Vinova’s efficiency and expertise. For Joe Lim, Head of IT at Singapore Safety Driving Centre, their “reliable and excellent support” has fostered a decade-long partnership. These testimonials are just a testament to the transformative power of Vinova’s ingenuity and their unwavering commitment to client success.

But their ambition extends far beyond Singapore’s borders. With “Global Powerhouse for IT Solutions” etched as their North Star, Vinova relentlessly eyes the wider world, eager to share their expertise with new markets. The flames of their “Challenger Spirit” burn bright, pushing them to integrate cutting-edge technologies like AI into their solutions, constantly seeking to redefine the future of IT.

The Straits Times recognition isn’t just an endpoint; it’s a springboard for Vinova’s next chapter. This is a company that thrives on exceeding expectations, breaking boundaries, and leaving a trail of satisfied clients and tangible results in its wake. If you’re looking for a partner who doesn’t just offer solutions, but truly invests in your success, Vinova awaits. Join them on their journey to rewrite the rules of the game, one byte at a time.

Hashtag: #Vinova, #Business, #Technology

https://vinova.sg/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/vinova-sg/
https://www.facebook.com/vinova.sg

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Vinova Pte Ltd.

Vinova is a passion-driven and award-winning Singapore-based ICT solutions company that has been around for over 14 years. We develop top-class solutions for mobile, web, and enterprise-level applications.

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 January 2024 – The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) announced the signing of three landmark Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with key stakeholders in Indonesia, strengthening international collaboration and fostering new opportunities for the accountancy profession in both countries.

With 26.7 million Indonesian companies, including 650 public accounting firms and 686 accounting services firms with over 40,000 members in Ikatan Akuntan Indonesia (IAI) and Institut Akuntan Publik Indonesia (IAPI), there are a lot of opportunities for competent and qualified accountants, and those who would like to carve out a career in accountancy. The strengthened working relationships between ISCA and the Indonesian accountancy bodies will better support the growth of the profession and businesses in the region.

Strengthening Ties with Indonesian Accountancy Bodies

1. Partnership with Ikatan Akuntan Indonesia (IAI)

ISCA and IAI have entered into a strategic alliance to explore establishing membership pathways for members of both Institutes. This initiative aims to enhance professional mobility and career progression for professional accountants who are working across diverse industries across both markets.

The two institutes will collaborate on joint outreach programs and initiatives to develop the next generation of accountancy talents and elevate the appeal of accounting and finance careers in the Indonesian market.

2. Broader Collaboration with Institut Akuntan Publik Indonesia (IAPI)

ISCA and IAPI have partnered to explore membership pathways, facilitate knowledge and resource sharing, and develop and adapt training programs to meet the evolving needs of the Indonesian and Singaporean markets. Both institutes will collaborate to strengthen support and foster mutual growth for small-and-medium-sized practices (SMPs) in Indonesia and Singapore.

With this MOU, ISCA will be sharing resources available for SMPs with IAPI on a complimentary basis. These resources, if adopted, will help to level up audit quality and enhance the technical competency of the Indonesia SMPs. ISCA and IAPI will collaborate on training initiatives, tailoring content to meet the unique needs of each market, and plan business development trips to Singapore and Indonesia for participating SMPs to explore business opportunities.

Elevating Professional Education with the London School of Accountancy & Finance (LSAF)

To bridge the skills gap and equip Indonesian accountants with in-demand expertise, ISCA has appointed the LSAF as its approved learning centre in Indonesia.

Learners who are keen to know about the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification and other programmes, including the ISCA Professional Business Accountant Programme, the ISCA Financial Forensic Accounting Qualification, and the ISCA Sustainability Professional Certification can reach out to LSAF to find out more. This collaboration empowers accounting professionals in Indonesia to access high-quality training and upskilling opportunities that are aligned with international standards.

Mr. Teo Ser Luck, President of ISCA, said, “These MOUs mark a significant milestone in ISCA’s commitment to driving the development of the accountancy profession across the region. By collaborating with IAI, IAPI, and LSAF, we are creating a robust framework for knowledge exchange, professional development, and career advancement for accountants in both Singapore and Indonesia. This combined effort will not only benefit individual professionals but also strengthen the broader accountancy ecosystem and businesses in both countries.”

Dr. Ardan Adiperdana, President of IAI, said, “We are cognizant of the profound impact our collaboration will have on the development of the accountancy profession in Indonesia and Singapore. This MOU signifies our commitment to fostering a learning and networking environment that will prepare our accountants to respond to future challenges in the region. IAI is committed to providing our members with opportunities to enhance their professional mobility and career progression through our collaboration with ISCA.”

Mr Hendang Tanusdjaja, Chairperson of IAPI, said, “IAPI strongly supports the acceleration of accounting and financial education, along with the promotion of international professional standards for public accountants. This in turn, allows us to enhance public recognition of the role our members play in the economic development of our countries. Public accountants play a vital role in supporting the business ecosystem. Therefore, it is essential to nurture and strengthen our profession to ensure the sustained success of the financial sector as a whole.

Manish Gidwani, CEO and founder of LSAF said, “The set up of the ISCA learning centre in Indonesia means our students now have the same opportunities as students in Singapore to be part of a world-class organisation and start their journey to become chartered accountant Singapore in Indonesia.”

These strategic collaborations underscore ISCA’s dedication to fostering international partnerships, creating opportunities for professional development, and contributing to the global advancement of the accountancy profession.

Hashtag: #ISCA #IAI #IAPI #LSAF #Accountancy

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) is the national accountancy body of Singapore with over 35,000 ISCA members making their stride in businesses across industries in Singapore and around the world. ISCA members can be found in over 40 countries and members based out of Singapore are supported through 12 overseas chapters in 10 countries.

Established in 1963, ISCA is an advocate of the interests of the profession. Complementing its global mindset with Asian insights, ISCA leverages its regional expertise, knowledge, and networks with diverse stakeholders to contribute towards the advancement of the accountancy profession.

ISCA administers the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification programme and is the Designated Entity to confer the Chartered Accountant of Singapore – CA (Singapore) – designation.

ISCA is a member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, a global family that brings together the members of leading institutes to create a community of over 1.8 million Chartered Accountants and students in more than 190 countries.

For more information, visit www.isca.org.sg.

About Ikatan Akuntan Indonesia (IAI)

The Institute of Indonesia Chartered Accountants or Ikatan Akuntan Indonesia (IAI) is the recognised Professional Accountancy Organisation (PAO) in Indonesia. Established on December 23, 1957, IAI continues to serve and develop the accountancy profession in the country through among others, establishment of the Chartered Accountant (CA) Indonesia qualification and other professional accountancy certifications, continuous education and training, and standard-setting activities.

IAI is home to more than 35,000 Indonesian accountants from different backgrounds; public accountants, educators, private (business) and public (government) sector accountants, tax, and forensic accountants.

The Institute is recognised as a co-founding member of both the ASEAN Federation of Accountants (AFA) and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). IAI is also an Associate Member of the Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW), reflecting its global recognition for the Chartered Accountant (CA) Indonesia holders.

For more information, visit www.iaiglobal.or.id.

About Institut Akuntan Publik Indonesia (IAPI)

Ikatan Akuntan Publik Indonesia (IAPI) or the Indonesian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (IICPA) has a long historical background, starting with the founding of the Institute of Indonesia Chartered Accountants or Ikatan Akuntan Indonesia (IAI) in 1957, which was the first association of Indonesia chartered accountants.

The development of the public accountant profession and organisation in Indonesia is an integral part of the development of domestic and foreign economy, business, investment, and capital markets, as well as the global impact.

About London School of Accountancy and Finance (LSAF)

Established in 2013, London School of Accountancy and Finance (LSAF) is a recognised learning partner for globally recognised professional accountancy qualifications. LSAF is serving high school students, university students and corporate clients. It has two campuses, one in North Jakarta and one in Bali where it operates within Bali Dwipa University. LSAF is known for its academic rigour in preparing students for world class qualifications and has maintained international accreditations for successfully attaining high passing rates over the past years. LSAF is also known for its strong industry partnership and provides internship and work placements to their students. LSAF also host international students from Malaysia, Korea and India.

The article ISCA Signs MOUs with Indonesian Accountancy Bodies and Education Centre to collaborate on initiatives for accountants in Indonesia and Singapore appeared first on Arabian Post.

By Rahil Nora Chopra

Since Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took over the reins of the party, the Mahagathbandhan alliance partners are wondering whether the decision was deliberately engineered to create a conducive atmosphere for Kumar to switch over, once again to the NDA, or put pressure on the INDIA bloc, or just to hog the limelight on the national stage. However, Nitish taking the command of JD(U) would ensure that he would have a major say in the operation of INDIA bloc, influencing and guiding the activities of the opposition camp. Lalan has not been a heavyweight politician. He does not command the respect, which Nitish enjoys. Political resolution adopted at the JDU national executive described Nitish as the architect of the INDIA bloc, highlighted his leadership abilities and went ahead to urge the “bigger parties in the alliance have more responsibility”. It even hailed Nitish as “the hope of the backwards, extremely backwards, deprived sections, minorities and crores of unemployed youths”. Upset on being ignored, Nitish appeared to have decided to hit the road on his own to assert his leadership of the Opposition bloc. KC Tyagi said that the national executive decided that Nitish and the party will undertake a countrywide campaign, starting mid-January (around the time that Rahul Gandhi begins his Bharat Nyay Yatra), to press for a caste-based census across the country.“In mid-January, Nitishji will start a countrywide campaign from Jharkhand to demand a caste-based census like Bihar to be undertaken nationally,” Tyagi said. At the meeting, the party also decided to contest some seats outside Bihar — in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and some other yet-unspecified states. A resolution terming the Bihar caste-based survey as a “historic initiative” was also passed. Nitish getting direct control of his party affairs was seen a move aimed at keeping the JDU flock intact amid fears that both current ally RJD and friend-turned-foe BJP could be attempt poaching Nitish’s ranks.

CONGRESS FOR BSP’S ENTRY INTO INDIA BLOC, SP AGAINST FOR NOW

The debate within the INDIA bloc over the BSP simmers still, with the Congress reportedly keen on it, but the Samajwadi Party (SP) stalling the same. According to sources, both sides are in connection once again even though Mayawati who had announced that her party would go it alone in the upcoming LS polls. While the Congress carries the opinion that aligning with the BSP would help the two consolidate the Dalit vote behind them, as well as ensure that the Muslim vote is not fragmented multiple ways. Political analysts believe that ‘any possible ties between BSP and Congress is most probably expected to throw up new political permutations ahead of the parliamentary elections’. On the other hand, the SP wants 65 out of the total 80 seats for itself, leaving 10 for the Congress and 5 for the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). A major number of seats from Uttar Pradesh would put the SP in a commanding position.

ALLIANCE BETWEEN AAP AND CONGRESS LOOKS PRECARIOUS IN PUNJAB, DELHI

The tussle between AAP and Congress has immensely increased over seat-sharing, as Congress demanded 8 seats in Punjab and 3 seats in Delhi. In this context, the Congress high command is learnt to have held a meeting with the Punjab CLP leaders, Partap Singh Bajwa and the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), Amarinder Singh Raja Warring to have a discussion on the possibility of alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. On the contrary, the Punjab unit of the Congress has been opposing the proposal of an alliance with the AAP vehemently. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa has maintained that the party rank and file was not ready to accept a tie-up with the AAP in the state, pointing out that the cadre fight the elections. Some of the party leaders are demanding at least eight of the total 13 seats that include the seats of six sitting MPs – Manish Tewari from Anandpur Sahib, GS Aujla from Amritsar, Dr Amar Singh from Fatehgarh Sahib, Mohammed Sadiq from Faridkot, JS Gill from Khadoor Sahib and Ravneet Singh Bittu from Ludhiana

RAHUL GANDHI’S BHARAT JODO NYAY YATRA TO COMMENCE ON JANUARY 14

Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will commence on January 14 from Manipur, mostly via buses besides stretches of walking, and is subsequently scheduled to end in Mumbai on March 20. In total, it will crisscross through 15 states, 110 districts and 100 Lok Sabha seats, covering 6,713 km in 66 days. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that “the idea of Rahul Gandhi’s Yatra is justice. The aim is to ensure political, economic and social justice for people of India,” The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra will begin from violence-hit Manipur’s capital Imphal at 12pm, will cover en route the states of Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and went West Bengal, before reaching central India. All Chief Ministers belonging to the opposition bloc will be present at Imphal to flag off the yatra. According to the route released by the party, the yatra would stay the longest period in Uttar Pradesh, covering a distance approximately 1,074 km in 11 days. It would pass through the politically-vital areas of Varanasi, Prayagraj, Amethi, Rae Bareli, and Lucknow According to the route map, the yatra in West Bengal will be for five days, covering 523 km and seven districts, and in Bihar for four days, covering 425 km and seven districts. In Madhya Pradesh, the yatra will cover 698 km and nine districts in seven days and two districts in Rajasthan for a single day. The yatra will cover five days each in Gujarat and Maharashtra, traversing 445 km and 479 km respectively. The Congress hopes that the yatra will lead in bringing people together and at the same time will promote justice and unity all over the country.

CONGRESS READY WITH SEAT-SHARING PLANS IN BIHAR, UTTAR PRADESH

The Congress is actively engaged in discussions for seat-sharing arrangements in both Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has geared up for a robust electoral strategy by pitching for 21 of 80 Lok Sabha seats. In Bihar, Congress is all set for an ambitious goal of contesting 10 to 12 seats, in a state with 40 Lok Sabha constituencies. The Congress aims to leverage its presence in constituencies with a significant minority voter base, which also happen to be favourable areas for the Samajwadi Party. Congress  keen on contesting the UP Lok Sabha seats are Raebareli, Amethi, Sultanpur, Lucknow, Moradabad, Bijnor, Pratapgarh, Kanpur, Aligarh, Farrukhabad, Jhansi, Barabanki, Gonda, Dhaurahra, Kheri, Saharanpur, Bahraich etc. However, UP Congress leaders expressed their apprehension about the party getting a decent share of seats out of its expected alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP) in the state, anticipating hard bargaining with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav in the wake of the Congress’s recent debacle in three Hindi heartland states. Meanwhile According to sources, SP was not ready to leave more than 12 constituencies for the Congress in the state but Congress, on the other hand, wanted 2009 as the basis of seat sharing. In the 2009 LS polls, Congress had won 21 seats in the state on its own. However SP leaders asserted that the party would also have to leave some seats for the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Bhim Army leader Chandrashekhar and Apna Dal (Krishna Patel). (IPA Service)

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Anandpur Sahib MP Manish Tewari on Thursday said the Congress’ loss in the 2022 Punjab assembly elections was not because the party opted for a Dalit Sikh chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, but because of their “internal contradictions”.

At a discussion on book ‘Punjab- From the Perspective of a Punjabi Hindu’ written by author and poll strategist Vinayak Dutt, the Congress leader also stressed that different communities of Punjab have a “syncretic identity” and the Punjabi Hindus are not a separate identity group compared to the Punjabi Sikhs.

“The fundamental question is if there is an identity called ‘Punjabi Hindu’? There is no separate identity called Punjabi Hindu. Ethos of Punjab is essentially summed up by Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat… It subsumes various ethnic identities,” Tewari said.

The discussion was also attended by poll strategist Naresh Arora and Professor at Delhi’s Ambedkar University Sumail Singh Sidhu. Referring to the last assembly polls in the state, which saw the Congress being defeated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Arora mentioned that the grand old party was close to having a Hindu chief minister in Punjab, but then Channi was picked as the face.

“The Congress, for whatever reasons, was on the verge of making a Hindu a chief minister then Mr Channi came up as an alternative and he became the chief minister. I keep thinking about it… what if it had happened? How would it have shown Punjab to the world?” he said.

“…The Congress did break the unwritten rule and did make Mr Channi the chief minister, results are there… despite Punjab having the highest number of people of the community which Mr Channi represented, the results are here…” Arora said. Tewari, however, said, “politics cannot be differentiated from the political evolution of a state”.

“Cultural evolution of Punjab post 1947 created that Punjabi identity which in my mind is an indivisible identity. To try and divide this identity, is fraught with great risk to national security, because this is what Pakistan wants,” he said.

“I have nothing personal against anybody… But the gentleman who was dreaming of chief ministership in the name of being a Hindu and later on left and went to another party, I asked him what he ever did for the Hindu community to ask for chief ministership in their name.

In fact he was the worst enemy of Punjabiyat by trying to create this division,” said Tewari in an apparent reference to former Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sunil Jakhar, who had quit his party to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the 2022 Punjab assembly polls.

“Similarly I don’t think the rejection of Congress was because there was a Dalit chief minister, the rejection was partly because Punjab had this five year tradition which was broken by the Akali Dal, and there were internal contradictions within the Congress which facilitated the result which came in March, 2022,” he said.

“There are only a few states left where this indivisible identity across communities still remains, those paradoxically are the two states which were partitioned by the British – Punjab and West Bengal,” Tewari added.

Meanwhile, Sumail Singh Sidhu mentioned the farmers’ agitation and said that it brought Punjab and Haryana — which was split in 1966 to form two states. He also said that the Khalistan issue was raked up to create a divide in this unity.

“Khalistan bogey was raised to check the dynamic created by farmers’ movement… The movement created a unity which broke the isolation of Punjab and brought Punjab and Haryana closer,” he said.

Talking about the book, Dutt said it discusses the Punjabi Hindu identity, which is juxtaposed with the idea of a uniform Hindutva, which is being called the only version of the religion.

“Punjabi Hindus form 30 per cent of Punjab’s population. Vedas were written in Punjab, the Ramayana was written in Punjab and Geeta came from Kurukshetra. We don’t believe in the aggressive posturing of Hindutva,” he said.

With inputs from News18

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal could be arrested today after a raid at his house, leaders of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party said hours after he refused to appear for questioning in the Delhi liquor policy case. Party sources also claimed that the roads leading to Mr Kejriwal’s residence have been blocked by Delhi police.

This was the third notice to Kejriwal, also the AAP’s national convenor, after he refused to appear before the Enforcement Directorate on two earlier summons for November 2 and December 21.

Several AAP leaders on Wednesday said that Mr Kejriwal’s house would be raided by the probe agency today morning, following which he could be arrested.

“News coming in that ED is going to raid @ArvindKejriwal’s residence tmrw morning. Arrest likely,” posted senior party leader and Delhi minister Atishi on X, formerly Twitter.

News coming in that ED is going to raid @ArvindKejriwal‘s residence tmrw morning. Arrest likely.

— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) January 3, 2024

Similar posts were seen on the handles of senior party leaders Saurabh Bhardwaj, Jasmine Shah and Sandeep Pathak.

Kejriwal insists that the summons are “motivated” and says it is not clear whether he is being called as a witness or a suspect in the case.His party said it was a plan to stop him from campaigning in the national election due later this year.

With three of its leaders — Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Satyendra Jain — behind the bars, AAP has long been anticipating the eventuality and has discussed the possible courses of action.  They even want Mr Kejriwal to remain the Chief Minister and do his job from jail.

The CBI contends that liquor companies were involved in framing the excise policy, which would have brought them a 12 per cent profit. A liquor lobby it dubbed the “South Group” had paid kickbacks, part of which was routed to public servants. The Enforcement Directorate alleged laundering of the kickbacks.

With inputs from NDTV

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By Arun Srivastava

Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s moves certainly did not amount to a major organisational reshuffle nor was it a step forward to revive the party. It was an inconsequential exercise based on which the leadership cannot aspire to take the BJP head-on in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

That said, the urgency to bring about critical organisational reforms was felt for a long time as the leadership was perceived to lack vision and incapable to evolve a mechanism to counter the politics of the Sangh Parivar. To presume moving pawns would empower the Congress was only conjecture.

Two actions, the relocation of Sachin Pilot to Chhattisgarh and relieving Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of the UP charge have nonetheless aroused interest. Top Congress leaders are scratching their heads. What is Rahul Gandhi’s plan of action? By shifting Pilot to Chhattisgarh, has Rahul given a free hand to Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan?

With that Rahul has depicted his lack of understanding of the ground realities that dictate the dynamics of a state’s politics. It would be wrong to believe that Pilot’s removal would put an end the traditional rivalry between the Meena and the Gujjar. On the contrary, the battle will intensify further. The Gujjar haven’t reconciled to the humiliation of their leader, yet.

It was the electoral importance of the Gujjars that Narendra Modi devoted maximum thrust to by projecting “Sachin” as an issue. Modi fed the narrative that the Congress in Rajasthan had thrown out Sachin Pilot “like a fly from the milk”, just like how his father Rajesh Pilot was treated. Bringing up Sachin Pilot’s caste identity was typical Modi, shrewd and impromptu cut to the chase.

Modi projected Pilot as the victim and with that implied that the Congress had insulted the Gujjar community. “They had insulted Gujjars in the past and they are doing it even now,” Modi drawled, accusing the Congress of victimising Sachin due to rancour about his father’s challenge to the Congress leadership. Rahul cannot assume or be sure that Modi would not raise this issue again.

As for Priyanka being divested of the Uttar Pradesh responsibility is being seen as passing over the baton for ensuring smooth ties with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav whose antipathy for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her style of functioning is an open secret. The conflict between the two parties during the May assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh has further cut into the trust factor.

Priyanka never really responded to Akhilesh’s recommendations. The defeat of the SP-Congress alliance in 2017 had strained relations between the two leaders. In the 2022 assembly elections, the SP had refused to have any understanding with the Congress and SP leaders blame Priyanka’s aide Sandeep Singh, a former Leftist student leader from JNU, for the poor performance.

Even Congress leaders confide that Sandeep was a problem person and though Priyanka, who was given charge of Uttar Pradesh in 2019, put up a brave fight, the party could not perform well and it just about managed to win one Lok Sabha and two Assembly seats.

It was in such a backdrop that Rahul was compelled to remove Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from UP, for the sake of the INDIA bloc.  Some SP leaders believe certain close associates of Priyanka are working against the interest of their party. To substantiate, they cite Congress’ Uttar Pradesh chief Ajay Rai’s statements of “going it alone in the Lok Sabha elections”.

This angered SP leaders who had been promised by Rahul Gandhi of an alliance under the INDIA umbrella. But not many believe the SP allegations levelled against Priyanka, who is aware that the Congress, in its present state, cannot challenge the SP. The Congress has a smaller existence in UP and antagonising the SP will only help the BJP.

Meanwhile, rumours float that Priyanka Gandhi has been relieved of Uttar Pradesh to field her as the INDIA bloc candidate against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi. Note that the name of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has also been doing the rounds as the INDIA candidate from Varanasi.

Moving away from Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, some Congress leaders say party is on the path of resurgence with Dalit and Muslims returning to the Congress fold, so negotiations should be held on “equal terms” with the Samajwadi Party. The leaders espousing this line are mostly upper caste and have “feudal”. Instead of allying with the Yadavs of SP, they prefer Mayawati’s BSP. The BSP’s presence in INDIA would help get Dalit votes across India.

It is upper caste feudal arrogance that has been damaging the party. “We have recovered significantly and the Muslims have made up their mind to vote Congress. If the SP is thinking of dismissing us with 5-10 seats, there will be no alliance. Our ongoing yatra is getting excellent response. All this is not being done for 5-10 seats. We will not settle for anything less than 20 seats.”

“Relocation” just after the two-day CWC meeting will send a message to the BJP and to the other opposition parties. Even to Congress leaders at various levels that the leadership is alive to the needs of the party and is working to change the political narrative. Most leaders and cadres do not agree and they have every right. Rahul Gandhi has not kept his promises to bring about basic ideological reforms and entrust crucial tasks to young leaders.

Older leaders like outgoing general secretary Tariq Anwar, Bhakta Charan Das, Harish Chaudhary, Rajani Patil and Manish Chatrath have been dropped but many others have been pulled out of cold storage and entrusted with important assignments. Most of them have been loyal to the Nehru-Gandhi family.

The constitution of the 16-member manifesto committee, chaired by P Chidambaram, for the 2024 Lok Sabha election is also flawed. It has become a rehabilitation centre for those who have lost political relevance with no connect to the grassroots.

And it does not appear that relocating the heads has enthused cadres and leaders ahead of the December 28 Nagpur rally. As the Congress kickstarts its Lok Sabha election campaign with the rally on its foundation day, with Rahul Gandhi embarking on yet another Bharat Jodo Yatra, the mood should have been upbeat, but it looks somewhat gloomy.

The leaders at the grassroots level are wary of the BJP/RSS electoral strategy. They feel the Congress leadership must have revamped the organisation at the base level to take on the BJP. Unfortunately, people who failed the party continue to call the shots. The message of the first Bharat Jodo Yatra hasn’t yet fully reached the grassroots. The Congress continues to be a party of the rich and wealthy with no connect to the common people. (IPA Service)

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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is systematically unfolding its plan B in view of the impending arrest of its convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

From December 1-20, the party will launch a signature campaign, ‘Main Bhi Kejriwal’, across Delhi. This will be followed by five days of public meetings between December 21 and 24 in all 250 wards. The attempt will be to gather people’s opinion on whether Kejriwal should resign if arrested, or if he should continue to govern Delhi from jail. It also marks the formal launch of the AAP’s 2024 election campaign on the ground in Delhi, following Kejriwal’s declaration during the karyakarta sammelan on November 17.

“From December 1-20, the party will launch a signature campaign, ‘Main Bhi Kejriwal’, across 2,600 polling stations… The party has prepared a pamphlet, which will discuss how the alleged scam is fabricated , why Modiji wants to arrest Arvind Kejriwal , whether he can match Kejriwal’s work, does Modiji stand against corruption. Finally, the question will be — Should Kejriwal resign, if arrested?” said AAP’s Delhi in-charge and AAP minister Gopal Rai.

The minister also said that in the second phase of the exercise, public meetings will be held in all wards of Delhi.

क्या केजरीवाल जी को जेल से सरकार चलानी चाहिए या इस्तीफ़ा देना चाहिए? इसका फैसला BJP नहीं, उन्हें प्रचंड बहुमत देने वाली दिल्ली की जनता करेगी।#MaiBhiKejriwal pic.twitter.com/LoKp7DzgHG— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) November 30, 2023

The CM was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to appear on November 2, which Kejriwal missed and chose to challenge the ED notice instead.

The Delhi CM has already been questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Delhi excise case on April 16 for about nine hours. Three top leaders of the party, Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain and Sanjay Singh, are already behind bars, and, so is communications-in-charge Vijay Nair.

“…..they are conspiring to finish off Kejriwal’s government, stem the growth of AAP and have built up a fabricated liquor scam. Arrests of AAP leaders in the same have been started by the country’s prime minister. Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia was arrested, RS MP Sanjay Singh was arrested, minister Satyendar Jain was arrested, however, inspite of these arrests, the BJP feels that it will not be able to harm AAP, it will not be able to break its MLAs. Therefore, they have started preparations for Kejriwal’s arrest. The purpose behind this conspiracy is if Kejriwal is arrested, maybe, the Delhi government can be finished, the party can be finished,” said Rai.

The AAP in Delhi has tried to galvanise its cadre for this massive mass contact programme. It is as much an “opinion taking” exercise as it is for “opinion building” and garnering sympathy and support for the party ahead of the 2024 elections. The pamphlets that the AAP would be distributing encapsulate exactly what Kejriwal had said on November 17 while addressing the party’s workers.

It has four points – ‘Liquor scam is fabricated’, ‘Modiji is unable to match Kejriwal’s work’, ‘Is Modi ji fighting corruption?’ and ‘Should Kejriwal upon being arrested resign or run the government from the jail?’ The last point says: ‘Some people say that Kejriwal ji should not get trapped in the BJP’s conspiracy. After arrest, Kejriwal ji should not resign, he should run the government from the jail. All files will go to the jail. He may hold all meetings with officers in jail. The people of Delhi had cast their vote to make Kejriwal the chief minister. All promises made to the people of Delhi, Kejriwal ji may fulfil from the jail. If people like Kejriwal’s work, they will vote for Kejriwal again.’

The pamphlet ends with the question, ‘After being arrested what do you think Kejriwal ji should do — resign or run the government from the jail?’ Rai said, “The BJP senses defeat in the 2024 elections and is arresting leaders of INDIA bloc. In Delhi, this campaign marks the beginning of the Lok Sabha campaign.”

With inputs from News18

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Congress leader Manish Tewari on Friday extended support to Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy’s “70 hours per week work” remark and advice that 70 hours a week with one day off and 15 days of vacations in a year should become the norm.

The Congress leader’s reaction came days after Murthy stirred a little storm on social media when he said young people should work 70 hours a week to level up the country’s productivity.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Tewari said, “I do not understand the brouhaha around @Infosys_nmurthy statement on a 70-hour work week. What is wrong with it? Some of us Public Representatives work 12-15 hours a day 7 days a week balancing careers with Public Service. I do not recall when I last took a Sunday off. Sunday is also a full working day in the Constituency/field whether you are elected or unelected. If India has to truly become a great power one or even two generations have to make 70 hours a week their work ethic. 70 hours a week with one day off & 15 days of vacations in one year must become the norm. Provided there is enough work!”

I do not understand the brouhaha around @Infosys_nmurthy statement on a 70 hour work week . What is wrong with it ?Some of us Public Representatives work 12-15 hours a day 7 days a week balancing careers with Public Service.

I do not recall when I last took a Sunday off.…

— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) November 10, 2023

In a conversation with former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai in the inaugural episode of 3one4 Capital’s podcast ‘The Record’ recently, Murthy had said that youngsters should put extra hours at work to compete with leading economies.

“India’s work productivity is one of the lowest in the world. Unless we improve our work productivity…we will not be able to compete with those countries that have made tremendous progress,” he had said, comparing India with China, Japan and Germany.

He added, “So therefore, my request is that our youngsters must say, ‘This is my country. I’d like to work 70 hours a week.”

Murthy’s remarks were lambasted for apparently promoting an “overwork culture” by some, and praised by few others for trying to stoke the young ones into action.

With inputs from News18

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By K Raveendran

The Supreme Court’s displeasure with the way the Centre is using its agencies to suppress criticism or force adversaries into submission is finding expression at increasing frequency.

“It can’t be a State that is run only through its agencies,” Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said while hearing a petition urging the court to establish safeguards against unreasonable interference by law enforcement agencies and create comprehensive guidelines for search and seizure of digital devices used by media persons. The court expressed serious concern over the arbitrary actions by the agencies in this regard.

Last month the apex court had questioned the manner in which enforcement agencies were going after adversaries of the ruling establishment. In the Delhi excise case, the court went to the extent of asking the probe agencies to show proof of deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia’s role in the alleged liquor policy scam, saying that the AAP leader didn’t appear to be involved and demanded to show evidence against the jailed minister.

In the present case of the alleged use of enforcement agencies by the Modi government to tame media houses that don’t toe the government line, the judges tore into the government argument that media cannot be above law and that the investigating agencies cannot be shut out completely from media. Justice Kaul promptly responded, saying powers of the agencies cannot be misused either.

The judge told additional solicitor general SV Raju that he found it very difficult to accept the kind of ‘all-within powers that the agencies have’ and asked the government to come up with proper guidelines to ensure that there is no misuse of powers.

A collective of media organizations under the banner of the Foundation of Media Professionals had in the wake of raids of journalists associated with ‘NewsClick’ written to the Chief Justice of India seeking guidelines on seizure of digital devices. The Foundation has highlighted the increasing reliance on personal digital devices for journalistic work, which often involves handling ‘confidential information of public value,  private correspondence with sources and whistle-blowers, and remote  collaboration to break news stories in the public interest’.

It also raised concerns over the ‘unsettling trend’ of law enforcement agencies conducting intrusive searches and seizures of personal digital devices, leading to a chilling effect on the exercise of constitutional freedoms, particularly within the journalist community.

The repeated warnings by the Supreme Court about the misuse of powers by the probe agencies assume special significance in view of the pending review of the apex court’s own decision earlier, upholding the constitutionality of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), under which the Enforcement Directorate enjoyed the power to make arrests in money laundering cases. It is to be noted that Justice Kaul is among the three-member bench constituted by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud to hear the batch of review petitions.

The government has been desperately trying to delay the review on one pretext or the other. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had raised procedural issues in a bid to prevent the bench from hearing the petitions, questioning the propriety of a new bench hearing appeal against another coordinate bench, arguing that it amounted to abuse of the process of law. But the judges found no merit in the argument and gave the green light to proceed with the hearing.

The Solicitor General then requested the bench to delay the hearing by a month in view of the periodic evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which is the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog that mandates laws like PMLA and invoked national security to press for his demand. The judges, however, rejected the claim and declared that the hearing of the review petitions can in no way be considered as against national interests.

The government seems to be keen to see that the bench hearing the review petitions does not include Justice Kaul, who is retiring on December 25 and that there would be another bench without him to hear the petitions. But it remains to be seen how the government manages to avert the judge’s presence as the bench is slated to take up the hearing on November 22. (IPA Service)

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After a meeting with Aam Aadmi Party MLAs on November 6, AAP convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal met his councillors in the assembly on the 7th. The meeting lasted about one and a half hours. Kejriwal did not speak to the media afterwards. But AAP MLA and MCD incharge Durgesh Pathak told reporters, “Yesterday (on Monday), there was a meeting of the MLAs. All MLAs had unanimously told the chief minister not to resign; we will run the government from the jail. Today (on Tuesday), all AAP councillors had a meeting with the chief minister. The meeting was long, lasting about one and a half hours. All councillors unanimously requested the chief minister that you will not even think of resigning. If Modji musters the courage to arrest you, then you have to run the government from Tihar jail. You have to defeat his purpose.”

The young legislator of AAP argued that the Modi government was conspiring to somehow jail Arvind Kejriwal. “And, once he is behind bars, he will resign and after that, they will destroy AAP. They want to break AAP as they have tried it earlier. This is their conspiracy. They have been making this plan for the past one and a half years, first to arrest Satyendar Jain, then Manish (Sisodia) ji, then Sanjay Singh ji, and finally arrest the CM. They have conspired to put leaders in jail and then destroy AAP.”

In perhaps what could be interpreted as a message to the councillors, Pathak reiterated, “Modi ji has built a fabricated case under which he is arresting all AAP leaders one by one. A few days earlier, he sent a notice to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. You must have seen during Manish ji’s bail hearing, the manner in which the judge sahab repeatedly asked where is the proof, where is the money trail. The judge went to the extent of saying that the case would be demolished in the trial court within two minutes. It is true that the court did not grant bail. We respect the Supreme Court and the judge sahab.”

Pathak alleged that the plot to arrest the chief minister has been hatched as the BJP knows that it cannot beat AAP. “Modi ji knows that he cannot defeat AAP electorally. In Delhi, we defeated him in 2013, 2015, 2020, and in the 2022 MCD elections. He lost elections in Punjab,” he said. Therefore, alleged Pathak, they have conspired to jail AAP leaders.

The Delhi MLA, who is also a PAC member, said that a decision has been taken to conduct a referendum on whether the chief minister should continue to hold office or resign in case he is arrested. “In Delhi, we will conduct a referendum by reaching out to each household in each street. We will hold a dialogue with the people and take their opinion—’Should the Delhi chief minister resign or run the government from Tihar?’ These dialogues will take place across Delhi and the country. There will be referendums across the country on the same question of whether Kejriwal should resign or run the government from jail.”

It may be recalled that AAP convener Kejriwal in the past has often chosen the referendum route for taking difficult decisions. When the Anna Hazare anti-corruption campaign was at a crossroads on whether to continue as a movement or morph into a political party, Kejriwal sought the people’s opinion. Similarly, when AAP won 28 seats in 2013 and fell short of the eight more needed to form the government, again Kejriwal relied on the opinion of the public, and ‘referendums’ were conducted in every assembly constituency of Delhi. Again, recently when AAP had to declare a chief ministerial face for Punjab, it sought public opinion.

For AAP, a ‘referendum’ is a political tool to galvanise public opinion, more often used to make an unconventional decision palatable to the citizens.

With inputs from News18

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By Dr. Gyan Pathak

Election campaigns in India are no longer free and fair. There is no level playing field for  the opposition parties   s    against   the    ruling   BJP. Dominant share of funds is collected by the BJP under electoral bond scheme chiefly on account of its being privileged ruling political party. Opposition just can’t match the BJP in election campaigns due to scarcity of funds. Numerous hurdles are being put before opposition leaders through a strategy for raiding, summoning, and arresting them so that they may not effectively campaigns against PM Narendra Modi.

“ED targeting leaders of almost all political parties in opposition,” says a prominent opposition leader, a senior advocate and former Union Minister Kapil Sibal in his post on X. “ED and denial of bail to leaders has become a political weapon in the hands of the government. Time for courts to wake up to the blatant misuse of PMLA.”

His post on X has come just after AAP leader and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was summoned by ED in Delhi liquor case. Earlier, when the Supreme Court denied bail to Delhi’s former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Sibal had said that the INDIA block must speak in one voice as all opposition leaders were being targeted. “Send them to jail, proof can come later,” seems to be the motto.

It should be noted that ED has summoned AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal at a time when five states of the country are going to poll this month. It is time for any political party or leader to give full time to their election campaigns without any diversion. Arvind Kejriwal has boldly skipped the summon for November 2, and headed for pre scheduled election campaigns. However, he and his party were even denied permission for poll rally in Singrauli, in Madhya Pradesh. It necessitated AAP leaders to hold roadshow. It should also be noted that Madhya Pradesh is ruled by BJP, and they are trying hard to retain power in the state.

Here back in Delhi, another AAP leader and minister in the state Raaj Kumar Anand’s home and 11 other premises have  been raided in money laundering case. Earlier, ED had already arrested two key ministers and AAP leaders Satyendar Jain and Manish Sisodia. AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was also arrested. BJP leaders are saying that now is the turn of Arvind Kejriwal to be arrested.

AAP is one of the chief opposition political parties challenging the clout of PM Narendra Modi and BJP in Delhi. In such a situation, Kapil Sibal’s statement cannot be undermined that the ED actions and denial of bail to leaders have become “political weapon” in the hands of the government. During the ongoing elections in the five states, ED has been continuously raiding opposition leaders and their associates in old cases, and surprisingly these have nothing to do with election related offences. It gives rise to the suspicion that the chief interest of the Central government led by PM Modi is to create hurdles before the opposition so that they cannot effectively take part in election campaigns against them.

TMC and AAP have accused the BJP of even ‘conspiring to arrest opposition leaders before 2024 polls.” West Bengal CM and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee has said, “Before next year’s elections, they (BJP) are trying to gag the voice of all opposition parties. They are planning to arrest all opposition leaders before the polls so that they can vote for themselves in an empty country. They are hatching a conspiracy.” She also accused that Central government has been spying the opposition leaders and their activities.

AAP leader Raghav Chadha has accused the BJP Central leadership that they are targeting top INDIA alliance leader ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. At a press conference in the Delhi, he said that since 2014, about 95 per cent cases registered by the Central investigating agencies have been against opposition leaders. He said that ED-CBI have filed cases against 125 influential leaders between 2014-2022, out of them 118 were leaders of opposition political parties.

“Now after the formation of the INDIA alliance, the BJP is rattled. We have learnt from sources that they have hatched a plan to target top leaders from the INDIA alliance. The first arrest in this plan will be of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal,” AAP leader Raghav Chadha has claimed.”If you’d put the INDIA alliance top leadership or party presidents behind bars, then only BJP will run in the race and win solely…A strategy was formed along these lines in which Central agencies are going to do the first arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.”

The issue of political misuse of Central investigating agencies has also been brought by the opposition before the Supreme Court of India. Supreme court is presently hearing the petitions challenging Electoral bond scheme, and also have agreed to hear several petitions against misuse of ED. On several occasions SC had also criticised ED for their highhandedness and their illegal actions. Does ED believe that only opposition leaders deserve action, and BJP leaders or their associates are above board? If so, is it justifiable? What is then the equality before law, a guarantee to the citizens of India provided under the Constitution? Its wakeup call for everyone   who   believe   in   the Constitutional values    of    Indian   democracy. (IPA Service)

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The Aam Aadmi Party is planning to file a review petition against the Supreme Court’s decision rejecting former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia’s bail plea, party sources said on Monday.

In a setback to Sisodia, the top court earlier in the day rejected his regular bail pleas in corruption and money-laundering cases related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam and said the transfer of Rs 338 crore was tentatively established in the matter.

“The party is planning to file a review petition against the order,” a party source said. A bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice SVN Bhatti said it has recorded the statements of the probe agencies that the trial in these cases will conclude in six to eight months.

But if the trial proceeds in a “sloppy manner”, Sisodia will be at liberty to apply for bail in these cases in three months, the bench said.

AAP leader Atishi said the party and its leaders respect the Supreme Court but do not agree with its order.

At a press conference here after the order, Atishi said the court has given an “adverse order” despite making sharp observations against probe agencies. ”

While his bail plea was being heard, the Supreme Court constantly asked the ED tough questions like where is the money trail. The apex court also pointed out that the case is based on the statement of one approver Dinesh Arora,” she said.

“Despite these sharp observations, the SC gave an adverse verdict. We will study that order deeply and explore our legal options and decide our next step,” she added.

With inputs from News18

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By Dr. Gyan Pathak

ED summon to AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to appear before it on November 2 signals his possible arrest. It has triggered a serious political concern, since ED’s actions in the recent times have been by and large targeted against leaders of opposition political parties who happen to dare politically oppose PM Narendra Modi.

As the country is reaching closer to the Lok Sabha election, unprecedented increase in ED’s and other central investigating agencies’ raids, arrests, and actions against opposition leaders across the country are being witnessed. People in general believe opposing PM Narendra Modi turns too costly for those who dare to politically challenge him. Arvind Kejriwal is seen as one of such victims, and if he gets public sympathy as martyr BJP would certainly be in political trouble.

It should be noted that PM Narendra Modi’s political charisma and clout has successfully been checkmated in the National Capital Territory Delhi for the last one decade. Kejriwal has rendered humiliating defeat to BJP in every Vidhan Sabha election in the state since 2014 in spite of PM Modi’s high decibel political campaigns. BJP could get only 3 seats in 2015, and 8 seats in 2020 in a 70-seat Delhi Legislative Assembly. In the 2022 MCD election, Kejriwal’s AAP was able to throw out the BJP ruling for about 15 years.

No wonder BJP wants to nail down Arvind Kejriwal and his AAP. The allegation BJP leaders have been labelling against him is that AAP regime in Delhi is neck deep in corruption, and CM Arvind Kejriwal is the kingpin, as the BJP state leadership has alleged after the latest summon, and said that Delhi will finally be get freedom from Arvind Kejriwal’s corrupt regime. The political overtone is clearly heard in his statement. Moreover, ED has not always been found above suspicion and in many cases their ‘legal actions’ have been found ‘illegal’ even by Supreme Court of India. Judges have raised their probing fingers on ED and other Central investigating agencies on several occasions, especially in cases against political opponents. Moreover, there is a serious question of selective actions and inactions, which makes the case that Law is not taking its own course and it is not treating all equally which differentiates between the leaders of opposition and the leaders of the ruling establishment. Therefore, it is a serious political concern, and is not a simple matter of “action against the corrupts whosoever they may be”.

It may be recalled that the case in which ED has summoned Arvind Kejriwal is based on an FIR registered by CBI alleging multiple irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi excise policy (2021-22) which was actually scrapped following corruption allegation. AAP has been saying that the policy was even cleared by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. However, he has been kept outside of ED’s prosecution. Only AAP leaders, their associates, and people from liquor cartel have been made accused in this case.

CBI has previously questioned Arvind Kejriwal in April this year. Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has said, “As per the news that the Central Government’s ED has sent summon to Delhi CM, it gets clear that the Centre has only one aim to somehow finish AAP. They are not leaving a stone unturned in framing a false case to put CM Arvind Kejriwal in jail and to finish AAP.”

Other AAP leaders such as Delhi Minister Atishi also has said, “The BJP is scared of AAP and the work being done in Punjab and Delhi by the government. They are scared of free electricity, good schools, and Mohalla clinics. Therefore, they are trying to frame AAP leaders in false cases and send them to jail.”

“They want to finish the party. Under this conspiracy, the ED has summoned Arvind Kejriwal on Nov 2 to get him arrested. I want to tell the BJP that we are not scared of going to jail and their false cases,” she said.

Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva has demanded immediate resignation from CM Arvind Kejriwal and said, “When the Liquor scam came to the fore, we were saying since the beginning that CM Arvind Kejriwal is the kingpin in the scam. When SC denied the bail plea of Manish Sisodia and established that there was a Rs 338 crore money trail. … “Arvind Kejriwal has to tell where they have spent Rs 338 crore…Arvind Kejriwal and his entire team, who call themselves honest, their faces have been unveiled”.

Only a few hours earlier, Delhi BJP chief has said that the rejection of Manish Sisodia’s bail applications by the Supreme Court suggests that there was sufficient evidence to prima facie implicate him in the alleged scam. He said that SC’s ruling was a rebuff to AAP leaders, including Kejriwal who has consistently maintained that there was no evidence of a money trail.

AAP has decided to file a review petition in the case. AAP leader Atishi has highlighted that the Supreme Court had delivered an adverse verdict despite making sharp observations about the conduct of the investigating agencies in this case. It should be noted that during hearing of the case judges have raised probing fingers on prosecution regarding the ‘money trail’ to Manish Sisodia.

ED had submitted in the SC that the trial in these cases would be concluded within six to eight months. Even when refusing bail, the bench has clarified that if the trial proceeded in the lackadaisical manner, Sisodia would have the liberty to apply for bail in these cases in three months.

Even then there is a bigger political question – what is the remedy for AAP and their leaders, or the opposition as a whole, if they are in reality made victim of politically opposing PM Narendra Modi? Political justice demands that Supreme Court must intervene to protect the opposition leaders, by making the ruling establishment responsible for their vindictive actions, if proved as such, or the cases turn out to be fake and political conspiracy. How to make politics in India free and fair is even the larger question that needs an answer. (IPA Service)

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Mumbai: Air India on Friday announced the appointment of Klaus Goersch as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, as well as various other senior level appointments.

In the newly-created position at the airline, Mr Goersch will oversee flight operations, engineering, ground operations, Integrated Operations Control and cabin crew functions.

Air India said incumbent chief of operations RS Sandhu will transition to an advisory role.

In a release, Air India said Mr Goersch’s role includes focus on the harmonisation of the four Tata airlines’ operating procedures, the Airbus A350 entry-into-service programme and assisting the team establishing the carrier’s new training academy.

A licensed B777/787 pilot, he had served in similar positions in both British Airways and Air Canada.

Air India has also announced the appointment of Manish Uppal, who transitioned from AirAsia India a few months ago, as Senior Vice President for flight operations.

Besides, Henry Donohoe’s corporate safety, security and quality role will be expanded to include emergency response. He title will be changed to Senior Vice President for safety, security and quality.

According to the release, the inflight product and service design functions being headed by Sandeep Verma will move to Rajesh Dogra’s Customer Experience portfolio so that the latter has oversight of all customer interfaces.

Pankaj Handa will lead ground operations, Choorah Singh will be Divisional Vice President Integrated Operations Control Centre and JuLi Ng will be Divisional Vice President for cabin crew. Goersch, Dogra and Donohoe will report directly to Air India Managing Director and CEO Campbell Wilson. The existing management committee members Nipun Aggarwal, Satya Ramaswamy, Suresh Dutt Tripathi and Vinod Hejmadi, whose roles remain unchanged, will report to Wilson, it said.

Mr Handa, Mr Singh and Mr Ng will report to Mr Goersch, as will Uppal and Sisira Kanta Dash, senior vice president engineering.

“These changes have been made with a view to managing succession, streamlining the organisation, optimising talent from within the Tata airline group and positioning it strongly for future growth and success,” Wilson said.

About Mr Goersch, Air India Chief said he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that is valuable to the ongoing transformation at the airline.

“At Air India, we remain committed to building top leadership as we continue to invest in all the resources that are required to take the airline to the upper echelons of global aviation,” Wilson said.

Tata Group, which took control of loss-making Air India in January last year, is in the process of consolidating its airline business.

As part of the consolidation, AirAsia India (now AIX Connect) is in the process of getting merged with Air India Express, while Vistara will be merged with Air India.

Vistara is a joint venture between Tatas and Singapore Airlines.

With inputs from agencies.

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Union minister Anurag Thakur on Friday hit out at AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying that earlier he used to stage sit-in protests against corruption, but he was now holding agitations to save his “corrupt friends”.

His statement comes a day after AAP workers held protests in parts of the country, including Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai and Jammu, to denounce the arrest of the party’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in connection with the excise policy case.

“I can see in Delhi a corrupt AAP government, whose health ministers and MPs are in jail. They used to raise slogans against corruption, and stage protests over the issue. But they are now holding agitations to save their corrupt friends,” Thakur told reporters in Jabalpur, after he arrived here to take part in a programme organised by a university.

“You must have seen a big change…Before entering politics, Arvind Kejriwal ji used to say that something must be wrong with the seat of power as whoever occupies it becomes corrupt and he has proved it right through his own example,” the Information and Broadcasting Minister said.

The BJP leader added that Kejriwal used to stage sit-in protests against Congress’ corruption, but now he is staging similar protests to save his corrupt friends.

Replying to a query, Thakur justified the action being taken by the probe agencies against those looting the nation.

“Those to whom they used to give the certificate of honesty, from their (then Delhi) health minister Satyendar Jain to deputy CM Manish Sisodia, have been in jail for the past few months…Their (AAP’s) health ministers in Punjab and Delhi had to resign on charges of corruption,” he said.

He slammed Jain for running his ministry from jail for nearly 10 months.

“What kind of politics is this? All this has exposed the corrupt face of Arvind Kejriwal and AAP,” Thakur alleged.

With inputs from News18

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By Sushil Kutty

When the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam – a ‘whodunit’ if any – is spoken about in roadside tea stalls, it is a Sherlock Holmes narrative, especially the headline, “The Curious Case of AAP, Liquor and the Missing Money Trail” that prevails. It’s a question AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal has been asking and it’s the favourite line of Delhi Education Minister Atishi Marlena as she laughs off suggestions that Kejriwal’s party is dead on its feet with the arrest of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh. “Where’s the money trail?” asks Marlena, confident that it wouldn’t be found because “donation” and “bribe” sound and spell differently. Most importantly, they are two words with different meanings.

The liquor policy could have been changed because certain people demanded the change for which money would have changed hands but it wouldn’t be called a bribe, instead it would rank as a donation or a grant to a political party. Can the Enforcement Directorate fault Manish Sisodia or Sanjay Singh for a donation made to the Aam Aadmi Party and link the money to the amendments made to the Delhi liquor policy to benefit private entities?

The intoxicating answer to the question is the link cannot be established, not even if the state parades accused-turned-approvers one after the other, like they were on an assembly line. After weeks and months of investigations and political drama in the streets, there’s no money trail and Atishi Marlena cannot be more confident and sure. All that the Enforcement Directorate can present in court is “Sanjay Singh received crores of rupees from accused-turned-approver”.

No wonder the Supreme Court’s skepticism. And no wonder, some experts are suggesting that the top court’s query, “Why isn’t AAP an accused?” is a timely reminder to the Enforcement Directorate to pull up its socks and not miss the crux of the case. Like the two-judge Supreme Court bench warned the case would be casualty within no time without the money trail established in the proper manner suggested in legalese. In its current avatar, it is AAP that got a donation and not a bribe taken by Manish Sisodia or Sanjay Singh.

And talk that next will be Atishi Marlena and Saurabh Bharadwaj, finally to the very man at the top – Arvind Kejriwal – is all hot air and balloon. That the ED has established a money trail was being told and repeated for more months than Sisodia has been in jail. Sisodia has been behind bars since February 2023. The case drags on has been the feature all these eight months – a line of approvers and no money trail. The latest is the guy named Dinesh Arora who has been linked to Sanjay Singh whose favourite spot in the upper house was the “Well”.

Was Sanjay Singh involved in the formulation of the Delhi liquor policy, which now stands scrapped, and is he a recipient of kickbacks? The allegation is that a sidekick of Dinesh Arora handed over Rs 2 crore in kickbacks at Sanjay Singh’s North Avenue residence. But a search of the house did not produce the illegal handout. Singh’s family says the ED officials went back empty handed.

Ditto, earlier in February this year when the ED raided Manish Sisodia’s home. “The Case of ED’s Empty Hands” is yet another Holmes kind of headline. There is talk now that the ED has more evidence than just approvers to prove Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh’s involvement in the scam and that it’s just a matter of time. But then, the ED has a deadline to keep. The case has to be wrapped up before General Elections 2024, sufficiently proved for the BJP to take political advantage of.

It has been said time and again that the AAP fought the Goa and Punjab and Gujarat assembly elections with liquor scam money. And this when the Modi government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was fighting the Covid pandemic with all it could spare. And this when Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was building his “Castle” in Delhi with taxpayer money.

The fact of the matter is, dressing ‘donation’ in the clothes of ‘bribe’ is damn difficult. Both the ED as well as the CBI are up the creek on this. How can the dots be connected when there aren’t any dots to connect? It was thought the money laundering probe had successfully linked AAP leaders to the 2021-22 Delhi Excise policy, which was taken as a jolt to the Aam Aadmi Party, a political entity considered as the last word on the fight against corruption. Indications are Manish Sisodia will likely walk free on October 12 and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, would second that. (IPA Service)

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By Dr. Gyan Pathak

As India moves closer to the Lok Sabha election 2024, the number of raids on, arrests of, and seizures from the leaders of political parties in opposition has increased. Central agencies such as CBI, ED, NIA, and the Department of Income Tax have become super active along with others, such as Delhi Police, under the Union Government. The offences registered are typically under draconian laws, such as PMLA and UAPA, which do not give the accused persons even the status of an accused under CrPC enabling the government to put them behind bar even without evidence against them denying fair trial and justice. Such a ruthless suppression of the opposition is being veiled under legal procedure, obviously for the gaining legitimacy in eyes of the people.

We have just heard the Bench of the Supreme Court of India observing that “Chain of evidence was not fully established” and there was no actual evidence against AAP leader Manish Sisodia arrested under PMLA that attract this act. The Bench pulled up ED officials for several other lacunae in the excise scam case in which Manish Sisodia was arrested and put behind the bar. Another AAP leader Satyendra Jain is also behind the bar for money laundering under PMLA. Both the leaders, who were ministers in the AAP government in Delhi, have been put into jail for a long time.

Now, Rajya Sabha MP from AAP, Sanjay Singh has been arrested in the excise scam case. BJP leaders has now indirectly threatened of arrest of AAP chief and the Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal, who have been put under scanner in several cases including the excise scam and house renovation scam. If it happens, the entire AAP leadership and the party would be politically finished. The merit of the cases against them registered by CBI and ED will only be known to the people when the final judgement would come, but until then PM Narendra Modi and his BJP will have no political challenge from AAP. Many cases have been registered against other AAP leaders in Delhi.

It should be noted that AAP has emerged as chief threat to BJP in Delhi for about a decade, and has rendered humiliating defeat to BJP in two Vidhan Sabha elections and the last MCD election. AAP has been expanding fast, had won Punjab election in 2022 and formed its government, and have made inroads even in Gujarat against BJP considered to be PM Modi’s stronghold where people believed him invincible. AAP is now part of opposition INDIA alliance, and if they put joint candidates against the BJP candidates in Delhi and Gujarat, BJP may find itself in trouble.

It is not only AAP, but also several other political parties are braving the raids, arrests, and seizures. PM Modi and Union Minister of Home Amit Shah have been repeatedly declaring their intent to destroy “corruption” and “terror” ecosystems. Money laundering, anti-India activities, and terror-funding are the three major offences under which cases are being registered only shows the “ruthlessness”, the word Amit Shah has just used the other day. Linking to money laundering, terror networks, and anti-India activities by PM Modi is noteworthy. While speaking in Chhattisgarh rally he alleged even Congress of links with and guided by “naxals” ie Left Wing extremists, and his party has linked Rahul Gandhi with some foreign national engaged in “anti-India” activity.

Several Congress leaders are already facing CBI and ED cases which included former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi has also several cases registered against them, which are at several stages in courts.

In West Bengal, TMC leaders are target, which included Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. ED has registered a case against Abhishek Banerjee in the multi-crore recruitment scam in schools. Another Bengal Minister for Food Rathin Ghosh has also been raided this week on similar charges.

In Jharkhand, JMM leader and Chief Minister Hemant Soren is facing an ED case on money laundering. There are cases against former RJD leader Laloo Yadav and his son Tejasvi Yadav, who is presently Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar.

DMK MPs and ministers have also become target of Central agencies. Income Tax Department have yesterday raided former Union Minister and DMK MP Jagathrakshakan’s house and several other premises. Earlier ED had arrested DMK minister Senthil Balaji. ED has also said that the raids at the premises of DMK minister K Ponmudi and his son revealed incriminating documents.

Raids are being conducted on leaders of the national and regional political parties across India. These are apart from the raids on registered political parties that are alleged to have been engaged in scams and tax evasion.

It has already been submitted by the opposition political parties in the Supreme Court of India that the cases against the opposition leaders have increase up to 95 per cent of the total cases registered by CBI against political leaders since 2014, and 85 per cent by ED.

ED’s net had several prominent leaders across the opposition one year before which included Congress (24), TMC (19), NCP (11), Shiv Sena (8), DMK (6), BJD (6), RJD (5), BSP (5), SP (5), TDP (5), AAP (3), INLD (3), YSRCP (3), CPM (2), NC (2), PDP (2), Ind (2), AIADMK (1), MNS (1), SBSP (1) and TRS (1). The increased action by ED shows the number might have substantially risen. These all show a pattern.

In election bound states, raids by central agency have increased. CBI and ED raided several places in Telangana and Hyderabad. Telangana Chief Minister’s daughter K Kavita have been summoned in Delhi liquor scam and Minister Gangula Kamalakar is also in Central agencies’ net on money laundering. ED, IT, and CBI raids have been sending shivers down the spine of the ruling BRS, formerly TRS.

ED have recently conducted raids on opposition leaders and their associates in poll bound Chhattisgarh too. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has alleged that the raids were politically motivated. Raids were also conducted by CBI and ED against several political leaders and their associates in Rajasthan in several cases of money laundering, which included Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s brother in ‘diversion of fertilisers’ case.

Opposition leaders have alleged ruthless political suppress, while the PM and Union Home Minister says they are committed to root out the entire ecosystem of corruption, terror, and anti-India activities. Only the judiciary can bring out the truth, or else there would be death of democracy in the country.  (IPA Service)

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Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday sent AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) till October 10 in connection with the money laundering case linked with the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy.

Sanjay Singh was arrested after the Enforcement Directorate raided his premises in connection with the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case on Wednesday. Singh, 51, is the third AAP leader who has been arrested.

The Enforcement Directorate has sought a 10-day remand of the AAP leader. However, the court sent Singh to ED remand till October 10.

Appearing for the ED, Special Public Prosecutor Naveen Matta said the agency found transactions worth Rs 2 crore in two tranches and AAP leader Manish Sisodia’s close aide Dinesh Arora confirmed from Singh telephonically regarding receipt of the amount.

Matta told the court that a total of 239 places have been searched including raids at Singh’s house on October 4 so far in the case. He further said that Arora’s employee gave Rs 2 crore to Sarvesh, an employee of the AAP leader at his residence.

“We have to extract digital data, further he needs to be interrogated with other persons. We had called three people for interrogation who have to be confronted with Sanjay Singh,” he said.

The ED informed the court that Sarvesh Mishra, an employee of Sanjay Singh, has been summoned for questioning on Friday.

Senior Advocate Mohit Mathur, representing Sanjay Singh, said there is a big question on the credibility of their star witness.

“This changing stand of Dinesh Arora, both in CBI and ED, the tune changes. Supplementary statements have less credibility. What is remand for? Eliciting remand and truth, and, why is 167 there, because your Lordships is the guardian,” he said.

“Please see what questions they asked, now this non-cooperation suddenly changes and they say they want to interrogate me (Sanjay Singh) now. It is because there is a separate agenda. What is further interrogation? Jab jiska mann karta hai uspe utha ke daal dete hai (They pick up whoever they want),” Mathur said.

The ED said if he’s (Dinesh Arora) an approver, there can’t be an apprehension on the credibility, since the permission to become approver is given by the Court.

Zoeb Hussain, appearing for the ED, said Dinesh Arora had said he was threatened by Vijay Nair and this is why he was not revealing the names of influential persons like Sanjay Singh.

Sanjay Singh was arrested after the Enforcement Directorate raided his premises on Wednesday. The ED raids began before 7 a.m. Wednesday, when the MP was home with his wife, parents, domestic help and his pet dogs, fish and birds. The ED raids came months after the agency raided three of his associates — Sarvesh Mishra, Ajit and Vivek Tyagi – over their alleged involvement in the purported Delhi liquor scam.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who visited Singh’s residence on Wednesday night, said agencies have conducted thousands of raids but they did not find any money.

“They (ED officials) searched his entire house but nothing was found and he was arrested in the evening. Elections are coming and after the formation of the INDIA alliance, PM Modi is desperate… They will arrest many people till 2024. Sanjay Singh is a lion…We file a case in court,” he said.

Ananya Bhatnagar

Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the …Read More

With inputs from News18

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By Sushil Kutty

It did not strike anybody. Neither to the enforcement directorate, nor to the prosecution. And it did not strike the defence team of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. None of the AAP ministers or the AAP MLAs thought of it. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal completely missed it. But it could not escape the notice of the country’s Supreme Court, which sought to know why the Aam Aadmi Party had not been named as an accused in the Delhi liquor scam if the money was going to the AAP treasury?

The question is striking because yet another AAP top-gun has been named and arrested by the ED in the meantime – AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh was taken away by ED officials after 10 hours of interrogation at his North Avenue home in New Delhi. Singh’s wife told the media her husband went asking her to stay “brave”, like her “brave husband”, and that he’ll return home “stronger”. Sanjay Singh has been one of the most persistent critics of the Modi government among opposition politicians. He will be missed, perhaps more than Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia ever was.

Now, AAP Minister for Education Atishi Marlena is asking if “AAP is made an accused in the case, does that not tantamount to the innocence of Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh? And does it not prove that they found nothing against Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh?” For Atishi, the ED going this late to name AAP an accused – after 15 months of investigations – only means that the ED did not have evidence against Manish Sisodia or Sanjay Singh.

Meaning the ED was bluffing the Supreme Court all these months and it is only now, if the ED makes AAP a party in the case, the truth will be out. Marlena, however, sees things differently, she sees a botched plot of a government that is on its last legs. So, is the BJP desperate? Does the ED have any evidence against Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh apart from the “credible allegations” of the Justin Trudeau kind?

We do not know if the raids on Sanjay Singh’s North Avenue home yielded any evidence. No “gold biscuits”, nothing. And Ms. Marlena says nothing will be found, ever. The Supreme Court wanted to know why, if AAP was the main beneficiary of the scam, AAP wasn’t an accused? Manish Sisodia was arrested in February this year and Sanjay Singh on October 4. And all through, AAP condemned the arrests and refuted the allegations. Does that leave AAP in the clear? The ED has named Newsclick.in as an accused in the case lodged against it which saw two arrests.

The Supreme Court said in the AAP case that it wanted “clarity on this issue”. It wanted to know if Manish Sisodia is one of the beneficiaries and if the prosecution’s case is that AAP benefitted, then why is it that AAP is not accused. “How do you answer that?” the court asked. And Atishi Marlena picked up the lifeline. Manish Sisodia is languishing in prison and there is pressure building on AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal. The pressure will only mount with the arrest of Sanjay Singh, whose supporters are more “local and vocal” than those of Manish Sisodia. Kejriwal’s leadership will be tested in the days to come.

That is, if the next target of the “very wise man” isn’t Arvind Kejriwal himself. BJP spokespersons such as the voluble Sambit Patra are already hinting of the needle of suspicion moving towards Kejriwal. The Modi-Kejriwal equation is all skewed up but AAP will not sink as long as Arvind Kejriwal remains on board. Just like BJP without Modi and Congress without Gandhi Family will flounder and perhaps capsize, AAP without Arvind Kejriwal at the helm will overshoot the runway and plunge into the undergrowth. Who will carry the AAP torch if Kejriwal is the next target?

The top court is still hearing appeals. And it wasn’t “Sisodia” who asked why AAP is not named as accused. “He (Sisodia) has not raised this point. We have put it directly to you. Whatever it is, you answer that tomorrow,” the bench told the ED, which so far, in as far as this case is concerned, has had a stellar run. So much so, even the courts haven’t been able to find chinks through which the accused could be offered relief. Satyender Jain, Manish Sisodia, and now Sanjay Singh, what is so damning about this case that it has become so damn difficult to procure bail? Last heard, ED was consulting legal-eagles before naming AAP as an accused and Atishi Marlena was banking on the ED to do just that, as it would be, according to her, proof that ED has no evidence to hold AAP leaders in jail. (IPA Service)

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Reliable legal sources close to CNN-News 18 has learned that there are ongoing deliberations among Enforcement Directorate whether AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) will be named as an accused in the Delhi liquor scam case.

This is said to be in ED’s plans after the Supreme Court asked why the party has not been named as beneficiary if the probe agency and CBI’s case is that money was taken for party fund.

While legal opinions are being sought, it is important to note that the ultimate decision rests with the investigating officer.

Top legal sources confirmed to News18 that discussions are underway as to whether AAP will be made an accused or not. Legal opinions are being sought, though the final call would be of the investigating officer, sources said.

This development comes a day after AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP was arrested after raids were conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) his residence in Delhi in connection with the Delhi liquorgate. Sanjay Singh’s aides were searched by ED earlier this year.

On Tuesday, AAP leader Manish Sisodia’s close aide Dinesh Arora and YSRCP MP Magunta Reddy’s son Raghav Manguta turned approver in the money laundering case pertaining to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.

Speaking on ED action against her party colleague Sanjay Singh, AAP leader Atishi said Dinesh Arora has been forced to turn approver. Without any proof they have arrested Sanjay Singh…BJP is ending jail to anyone who is against them. AAP is not scared from BJP’s jail threats. Dinesh Arora is forced to turn approver.”

Arora, who was arrested in the money laundering case in July, had also turned approver in the CBI case wherein his statements had played a crucial role in the arrest of former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.

With inputs from News18

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Reacting to the ED’s action against the 51-year-old Aam Aadmi Party leader and MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday, his family said that the probe agency officials “failed” to find anything during the 10-hour-long searches and called the case “fake”.

When asked by the media about the arrest of his son, Dinesh Singh was quoted as saying by news agency ANI, “We have said we will cooperate. I told him (Sanjay Singh) not to worry. I think they didn’t find any base to arrest him but since they (ED officials) were told to arrest, they arrested him. It will bring positive results as the government will be changed.”

#WATCH | Delhi: On the arrest of AAP MP Sanjay Singh, his father says, “We’ve said we will cooperate. I told him (Sanjay Singh) not to worry. I think they didn’t find any base to arrest him but since they (ED officials) were told to arrest, they arrested him. It will bring… pic.twitter.com/NQN9Jigcb2— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2023

Reacting on the same, his wife said, “They questioned and searched the house, computer, and documents but did not find anything. There was pressure upon them (ED officials) to arrest him and they arrested him. They (ED) did not give us any reason. We all are with him. He has been arrested in a fake case.”

#WATCH | Delhi: On the arrest of AAP MP Sanjay Singh, his wife says, “They questioned and searched the house, computer, and documents but did not find anything. There was pressure upon them (ED officials) to arrest him and they arrested him. They (ED) did not give us any reason.… pic.twitter.com/HH6a0QP3P1— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2023

Singh was arrested in the evening after the anti-money laundering agency conducted searches at his premises. He becomes the second high-profile AAP leader to be arrested in this case after former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.

The AAP has alleged the ED “targeted” Singh as he raised issues related to the Adani group in Parliament. The ED had mentioned Singh’s name in its charge sheet. It stated that Dinesh Arora, a middleman, had said he had met Singh during a party in his restaurant Unplugged Courtyard.

With inputs from News18

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By Manish Rai

The recent bold attacks by the Pakistani Taliban, also known as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, wreaking havoc paints an alarming picture of rising instability across Pakistan. Especially the TTP’s recent incursion into Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bordering Afghanistan is very concerning. Because it may be the attempt by the group to carve out safe sanctuaries for itself by controlling the territory which it used to do till 2014.

This new avatar of TTP has complicated the internal security scenario for Pakistan as the country is also fighting the Baloch insurgency. But this hasn’t come as a surprise since the Afghan Taliban ideological sibling of TTP has taken over Afghanistan. The Pakistani Taliban has begun a trajectory to emulate its allies in Afghanistan. TTP renewed its pledge of allegiance to the Afghan Taliban after the fall of Kabul. Also, the Afghan Taliban freed hundreds of TTP operatives, including the group’s deputy leader, Maulvi Faqir Mohammad and former spokesperson Mufti Khalid Bulti who were detained by Afghan authorities. Also, with the Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan, the TTP has obtained new more sophisticated weapons and relocated fighters from Afghanistan to Pakistan.  And the outfit is now turning its focus back to its war against the Pakistani state.

Over the past two years, the group has gone through a series of mergers, strengthened its media and operational activities, moved away from the indiscriminate targeting of civilians in suicide attacks, implemented a range of new internal policies centralizing its organizational structure, and unifocal on a localized strategy. With now a solid organizational foundation and its eyes set on the Pakistani state. TTP appears all set to pose a formidable challenge to the Pakistani establishment.

Another source of the TTP’s aggressive stance is the perceived weakness of its opponent, i.e., the Pakistani State, which has been experiencing high levels of socioeconomic and political instability. Mired in their own set of domestic problems, the Pakistani government and military officials come across as beleaguered. Desperate for a peace deal and ceasefire with TTP. This perception is evident from the tones taken by the TTP’s chief, Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, in his recent public statements.

TTP becoming a major security challenge is also because of Pakistan’s policy makers short sightedness. Prior to the Afghan Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the government in Pakistan promoted the narrative that the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban were not interconnected. Also, blamed the growing threat from the TTP on foreign intelligence agencies supported through the former Afghan government. Pakistani officials especially from ISI claimed the Taliban’s recent accession to power would force the TTP to retreat from Afghan territory and eventually face a certain organizational death. Certainly, this didn’t happen on the contrary the Pakistani Taliban problem mutated into a reverse insurgency, tactically supported by elements within the Afghan Taliban government who ironically owe their own victory up to certain degree to Pakistan.

This epiphenomenon has turned the tables against Islamabad, a cruel irony in which Pakistan’s stability is threatened by its own allies while also betrayed by old friends in the Taliban government. This has created tensions between Islamabad and Kabul. In the past Pakistan has tried sending a strong message to the Taliban government by conducting sporadic cross-border strikes against TTP hideouts in Afghanistan, in eastern Kunar and Khost provinces. Those strikes likely had the blessings of Haqqani network Pakistan’s all-weather friend and a governing partner in the Afghan Taliban’s government. But other powerful factions in the southern Taliban have strongly objected to these attacks. This includes the Taliban’s defence minister, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob, who publicly warned Pakistan against such operations.

The Pakistani army has also explored the idea of expanded cross-border operations against the TTP inside Afghanistan. But such operations carry a greater risk of making Pakistan’s relationship with the Taliban government yet more unmanageable. The Afghan Taliban could use the TTP as its proxy against Pakistan, meaning that the two countries could enter an unannounced war. For now, Islamabad faces a lose-lose scenario against the TTP in which its loss will be bigger than the Pakistani Taliban.

Wholesale anti-TTP operations will not only strain its limited resources but also open a bloody Pandora’s box. It’s a matter of fact that still, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is the largest militant organization in Pakistan. They may not be able to control large swaths of territory in tribal areas as they used to do till 2014. But certainly, it can launch a new wave of terrorist attacks across Pakistan if not checked in time. It will be right to say that the Pakistani Taliban is rising from the ashes and no longer wants to lie low and keep a low profile. It’s getting bolder with each passing day. Also, they see Afghan Taliban as a role model and aspire to adopt their pathway which TTP thinks will lead it to success one day. It is high time that Pakistan’s national security apparatus takes the threat of TTP seriously and comes up with a concrete strategy to tackle it. (IPA Service)

By arrangement with the Arabian Post

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The opposition on Tuesday termed as an “election jumla” the women’s reservation bill brought by the government with many leaders raising questions over the proposed legislation, contending it doesn’t account for reservation for OBC communities and that it will be effective at the earliest by the 2029 Lok Sabha polls.

Meeting a long-pending demand, the government on Tuesday introduced the Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. However, it is unlikely to be in force for the next Lok Sabha elections in 2024 as the reservation will come into effect only after a census and delimitation exercise are completed.

Calling the bill an “election jumla” and “huge betrayal of hopes of women”, the Congress said that according to the Centre, the reservation will be effective only after census and delimitation exercise are conducted post-enactment of the bill.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the party has always supported the women’s reservation bill.

“In 2010, the Congress-UPA government got the women’s reservation bill passed in the Rajya Sabha. Just as SC-ST class has got a constitutional opportunity in politics, similarly everyone including women of OBC class should get equal opportunity through this bill,” Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X.

“There is a need to look carefully at the bill that the Modi government has brought today. In the current draft of the bill, it is written that it will be implemented only after decadal census and delimitation. This means, Modi government has probably closed the doors of women’s reservation till 2029. BJP should clarify on this,” he said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah slammed the opposition, particularly the Congress, for showing only “tokenism” on the bill and said the party has never been serious about women’s reservation in legislative bodies.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh wondered whether the Census and delimitation will be done before the 2024 elections, pointing out that the Narendra Modi government has not yet conducted the 2021 decadal Census.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary Ramesh said, “In a season of election jumlas, this one is the biggest of them all! A huge betrayal of the hopes of crores of Indian women and girls.” Congress general secretary organisation K C Venugopal said unlike the UPA’s women’s reservation bill that immediately gave women 33 per cent reservation, the NDA’s women’s reservation will kick-in only after a census and delimitation process.

“At the earliest, this will kick in for the 2029 elections. If it isn’t applicable immediately, this is just another headline management stunt by the Modi government. Further, the Bill doesn’t account for reservation for women from OBC communities. Without that, it is incomplete in its social justice agenda,” Venugopal said on X.

“The government should ensure that along with women’s reservation, representation of India’s backward communities is also guaranteed,” he said.

Former law minister and senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily slammed the government, saying bringing the bill at the last minute, the BJP thinks they can get some political advantage.

Congress MP Manish Tewari said the bill introduced by the government is a “betrayal of the women’s movement”.

“The clause 334A says the reservation will come into effect post the first census that is conducted after the constitution amendment is passed and then the delimitation exercise which would follow that. So essentially it means that before 2029 there is going to be no women’s reservation,” he said.

Senior party leader P Chidambaram said the bill is a typical example of BJP’s deceptive politics and should be called ‘Nari Shakti Mockery Adhiniyam (Bill)’ as it mocks the women of India and asks them to wait for the next Census.

“Can there be a greater jumla,” he asked.

Another ex-law minister Kapil Sibal alleged that the bill was “yet another dream” being sold by Prime Minister Modi for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and claimed that its benefits would accrue to women only in 2029.

With inputs from News18

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By Annie Domini

In hindsight, the New Delhi summit of G20 countries under India’s presidency, from September 8 to 10, could be seen as a one-size-fit-all type of clothing, which wrapped around deep differences of rival geopolitical blocs, primarily led by the United States on the one hand, and China-Russia on the other. India is increasingly situating itself as a bridge country that’s a conciliatory link nation between choppy waters of international relations, and it has indeed managed to give the otherwise moribund G20 grouping a decent facelift under its presidency.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with his penchant for extravagant event management, the rotational G20 presidency had been turned into a vehicle for the ruling party’s nonstop propaganda, an excuse to project him as the “Vishwaguru”. The G20 logo carrying the lotus symbol, synonymous with his party, the BJP, as well as Narendra Modi’s face on massive hoardings and billboards dotting every street in Delhi and other Indian cities — were already preparing the average Indian for a blitzkrieg of G20 advertising. Eventually, central Delhi was barricaded and forced into a quasi-lockdown, its homeless evicted, slums demolished, strays locked up and the poor forced behind absurd green screens, to sanitise the area for its global glory.

Nevertheless, the G20 summit became notable for both the presences as well as conspicuous absences. US president Joe Biden, clearly the most anticipated guest, flew in and rubbed shoulders with Modi and other world leaders in several choreographed and photographed events, such as the one at Rajghat paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi. Others like UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak waltzed around with his wife Akshata Murthy, taking in the adulation of being ‘India’s son-in-law’. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, Italy’s Georgia Meloni, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Australia’s Anthony Albanese, European Union chief Ursula Van der Lyon, World Bank’s Ajay Banga, IMF’s Gita Gopinath, all made their presence felt in various degrees.

On the other hand, Brazil’s Lula De Silva, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman and others tried to make up for two crucial absences — that of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin — both of whom were represented by their deputies, premier Li Qiang and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. Importantly, African Union became a permanent member of the G20 grouping, a significant development in sync with the current times of the middle continent asserting itself in global forums.

The Delhi Declaration, which was announced on September 9,turned out to be a laudable diplomatic coup, pleasing everyone in the room, including the presidents of Russia and China. By omitting any reference to Russia and using the phrase “war in Ukraine” instead of either Russia-Ukraine War, or war against Ukraine, the Delhi G20 document signified a key turn in geopolitics, in which the West is clearly winding down its nefarious adventure of fighting Russia to the last Ukrainian, while the Global South stands firmly neutral and refuses to condemn Moscow for its stance. Expectedly, the Western media is confused between New Delhi helping out its old friend Moscow, while shaking hands with Washington very publicly.

Moreover, the Delhi Declaration ticked all the boxes of current international discourse, focussing on climate contingencies, peace, stability and security of all nations, strengthening of multilateral platforms by making them more representative, pandemic preparedness, reforming global financial institutions, health care, education, skill development and a balanced, sustainable growth, among several others. Many of the points read similar to those in the Johannesburg Declaration of the BRICS XV summit in South Africa, held last month, even though the tone was milder, with all criticism of the West turned into platitudes for more international cooperation and less competition.

The announcement of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic corridor, as its name suggest, is a significant achievement, evidently to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its growing hold on West Asia and rest of the world. Backed by the United States, the IMEEC would be one more potential route for India to trade with the Gulf States as well as the West, along with the existing International North-South Transport Corridor between India, Iran and Russia, as well as the Middle Corridor between China-Central Asia-Türkyie (or Georgia/Black Sea)-Europe.

While the sight of Modi, Biden and Crown Prince Bin-Salman made for great photographs, it must be remembered that for this latest trade route to see the light of day, much new infrastructure would need to be built, including putting in freight corridors through the harsh Arabian deserts. Moreover, the route will pass through a number of ports operated by the Chinese in West Asia, with the exception of Haifa in Israel, for which billionaire Gautam Adani, very close to Modi, bought the rights of operation in January of this year for a hefty sum of over a billion US dollars. In addition, the convoluted logistics of the alternative route needs to be ironed out, especially when shorter route through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal already exists, and BRICS’s new member, Egypt, mainly controls this indispensable shipping route valve.

Another significant development came on September 8, when the India-US joint statement came on the sidelines of G20. Para 18 of the joint statement has raised eyebrows amongst observers of external affairs as well as among the leaders of opposition, stating: “Both sides recommitted to advancing India’s emergence as a hub for the maintenance and repair of forward-deployed U.S. Navy assets and other aircraft and vessels. The leaders also welcomed further commitments from U.S. industry to invest more in India’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities and facilities for aircraft.” Opposition MP Manish Tewari has asked if this could be construed as the beginnings of having US military bases in India, a development that would put a massive question mark over New Delhi’s legendary and time-tested neutrality, and certainly make BRICS partners, China and Russia, rather uncomfortable.

However, neither Moscow nor Beijing has yet made much of these details. In fact, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov commended India on a successful G20, saying that New Delhi prevented the West from making G20 about Ukraine, and instead made it about greater bargaining rights for the Global South. Biden, meanwhile, flew to Hanoi for US-Vietnam bilateral summit, where he rued that the Modi administration didn’t allow for press conference, although he did mention human rights issues to the Indian Prime Minister. However, the Indian mainstream media would brush it aside, and hail the G20 as historic, which it was in a mellow way of averting major diplomatic confrontations, and politely asking for more representation for the Global South in multilateral forums and financial institutions.

At Rs 4200 crore spent, the New Delhi meet was easily the most expensive G20 summits in years, and all the showbiz was about projecting Modi at the centre of the world stage. Away from the cameras, Manipur is still witnessing ethnic violence, despite the Delhi Declaration’s paean to non-discrimination on religious and ethnic grounds, in its para 78. However, none of that matters to Modi, who’s now busy repainting India as ‘Bharat’, with the nameplates, souvenirs, venues saying ‘Bharat’ more prominently than ‘India’. It’s a subtle shift geared towards the next general elections, appropriating the language of decolonization to suit narrow the prime minister’s Hindu nationalist ideological interests. For Modi, international politics is mostly a longer route for strengthening his home turf. (IPA Service)

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