BJP wants governor's rule to continue in Kashmir: Ram Madhav
Srinagar, July 7 : BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav on Saturday ruled out any possibility of the BJP stitching an alliance with disgruntled PDP legislators to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir.
"We are for continuing with Governor's Rule in the interest of peace, governance and development in the state," Madhav tweeted.
Madhav's remarks came amid speculation that the BJP and its partner, former secessionist Sajad Lone's Peoples Conference, were engineering a political coup in the PDP and get support of its rebel MLAs.
At least five rebel PDP lawmakers in the state have openly spoken against former Chief Minister and party President Mehbooba Mufti.
With speculation of a new political alignment flying thick and fast, former Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah in a tweet asked Madhav about reports that the BJP's state had confessed to being party to the efforts to break the BJP.
"Power at any cost would seem to be the guiding philosophy," Abdullah took a jibe at Madhav and the BJP.
In response, Madhav wrote it was "not true".
"I will certainly check with the state unit and ensure that the BJP keeps itself scrupulously out of whatever is happening in other parties in the valley."
Mathematical arrangements in the 87-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly are stacked in no party's favour.
In the house, which has been kept under suspended animation, the PDP has 28 MLAs. The BJP has 25 and enjoys support of two legislators from Sajad Lone-led Peoples Conference and one legislator from Ladakh.
For any party to stake claim to form a government, it would require support of 44 lawmakers.
The state's anti-defection law is tougher as compared to others. The number of legislators who defect from a party without being disqualified should be two-third of the party's total strength in the House.
In such a situation, the number of those walking out of the PDP need to be at least 18 to avoid disqualification.
Also, the anti-defection law also empowers House leader of a legislative party a final say about disqualifying the defectors. The speaker cannot challenge the decision.
But it is the speaker who notifies and issues a bulletin disqualifying the members.
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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.
