Ajit Pawar campaigns for Nawab Malik amid stiff opposition from BJP
Mumbai, Nov 7: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who heads the ruling NCP, on Thursday campaigned for party candidate Nawab Malik, and held a roadshow in his support, ignoring ally BJP's stiff opposition to his candidature.
Pawar also held a roadshow for Malik's daughter Sana, who is contesting her maiden assembly poll from Anushakti Nagar in the city.
"I am discharging my responsibility. We are campaigning for him (Malik)," Pawar said.
Malik's candidature has been opposed by the BJP, which has alleged that the former Maharashtra minister has links with the underworld. When Maha Vikas Agahdi (MVA) was in power, Malik, a former minister, was critical of BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, who is now the deputy chief minister.
Earlier in the day, Pawar said no charge has been proven against Malik who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2022 and later granted bail.
Despite the opposition, Pawar nominated Malik as party candidate from Mankhurd-Shivajinagar assembly constituency in Mumbai. The seat is witnessing a friendly fight as Shiv sena has fielded Suresh Patil from the seat.
Samajwadi Party's Abu Asim Azmi and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's Jagdish Khandekar are also in fray. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi have also fielded candidates in this multi-cornered contest.
Amid the BJP's opposition, Malik had said he was not a candidate of the Mahayuti, but of the NCP.
"He (Pawar) nominated me as a party candidate, he came for my campaigning. There can't be anything bigger than that," Malik told reporters on Thursday.
The Mankhurd-Shivajinagar constituency has been represented by Samajwadi Party's Abu Azmi for the last three terms.
Pawar said development has not taken place since the last 15 years.
There are problems related to garbage. People fall ill. Some decisions need to be taken regarding this. After Nawab Malik is elected, all these problems will be solved, the deputy CM said.
#WATCH मुंबई: महाराष्ट्र के उपमुख्यमंत्री अजित पवार ने कहा, "मैं अपने बहुत से उम्मीदवारों की रैलियों में जाता हूं। मैं सना और नवाब भाई की रैली में आया हूं...आप लोगों का उत्साह देख सकते हैं। सभी वर्गों के लोग इसमें शामिल हुए हैं, हमें खुशी है कि हमें लोगों का समर्थन मिल रहा है।… pic.twitter.com/XvI31uif10
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US President Biden assures peaceful transfer of power in January
Washington, Nov 7: Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Thursday vowed to ensure a peaceful and orderly transfer of power to President-elect Donald Trump in January and appealed to the people to accept the election results for the White House.
Biden made the comments during an address to the nation a day after Trump, 78, was re-elected as the 47th president of the US after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party's nominee.
Biden said he spoke with Trump and also with Vice President Harris, who he said ran an inspiring campaign.
Trump, who had lost the 2020 elections to President Biden, won this time both in terms of popular votes and electoral college votes.
“Yesterday, I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory. I assured him that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition," Biden said in his address from the Rose Garden of the White House.
"That's what the American people deserve,” he added.
"For over 200 years, America has carried on the greatest experiment in self-government in the history of the world," he said, adding that the people vote and choose their leaders and do it peacefully.
"In a democracy, the will of the people always prevails," said Biden in his address attended by members of his Cabinet and senior administration officials.
Biden said he hoped the election could also lay to rest the question about the integrity of the American electoral system.
“It is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent. It can be trusted, win or lose. I also hope we can restore the respect for all our election workers who busted their necks and took risks at the outset,” he said.
“As they did their duty as citizens, I will do my duty as president. I'll fulfill my oath and I will honour the Constitution. On January 20th, we'll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America,” Biden said.
Rebutting criticism of his economic policy, Biden said his administration is leaving behind the strongest economy in the world.
Biden said he also spoke with Vice President Harris.
"She's been a partner and a public servant. She ran an inspiring campaign, and everyone got to see something that I learned early on to respect so much: her character... She has great character, true character,” he said.
Biden added that Harris -- who took after Biden withdrew in July-- gave her "whole heart and effort" to her presidential campaign.
"I know for some people, it's a time for victory, to state the obvious. For others, it's a time of loss," he said.
Adding that campaigns are contests of competing visions and the country chooses one or the other, Biden said, "We accept the choice the country made."
"You can't love your country only when you win. You can't love your neighbour only when you agree,” Biden said.
His remarks are seen as an attempt to heal a country that appeared divided into two groups after the results of the bitterly contested presidential election were out.
"I know people are still hurting, but things are changing rapidly. Together, we've changed America for the better. Now we have 74 days to finish our term. Let's make every day count. That's the responsibility we have to the American people,” he said.
Noting that setbacks are unavoidable, he said that giving up is "unforgivable".
"We all get knocked down. But the measure of our character, as my dad would say, is how quickly we get back up. Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up,” he said.
“That's the story of America for over 240 years and counting. It's a story for all of us, not just some of us," he said, adding that the American experiment endures.
"We're going to be okay, but we need to stay engaged. We need to keep going. Above all, we need to keep the faith,” Biden said.
