Jharkhand BJP MLA stages symbolic protest with oxen, plough over poor road condition in Hazaribagh
Hazaribagh (PTI): Jharkhand's Hazaribagh BJP MLA Pradeep Das on Monday staged a symbolic protest using a pair of oxen, a yoke, and a plough to draw attention to alleged poor condition of roads in the district.
Das told PTI that he was forced to undertake such a protest after repeated complaints before authorities failed to evince any response.
"I lodged complaints about poor road conditions before the district administration for nearly six months. But no action has been taken to repair the potholed roads even during festive seasons. This forced me to take up such a symbolic protest. If the authorities do not undertake repairs, I will launch an agitation both in Hazaribagh and also at the Vidhan Sabha," Das said.
Standing with the oxen and plough along Lepo Road near NH-33 for about 10–15 minutes, Das claimed that several roads in Hazaribagh city were in a dilapidated state, riddled with potholes.
He also pointed to clogged roadside drains, which he said had led to waterlogging during Durga Puja.
"It is not only this road where I am standing, several other roads in the city are damaged and people face problems commuting. Potholes dot almost every road and cleaning work of roadside drains are not being carried out regularly leading to clogging of drains and subsequent waterlogging," the BJP MLA alleged.
"People faced problems during Durga Puja. We want the problems to be addressed before Diwali and Chhath Puja. It seems officials are only busy in meetings and not taking action on the ground," Das said.
Deputy Commissioner Shashi Prakash Singh told PTI that the process for floating tenders for road repairs are underway.
Hazaribagh Municipal Corporation Assistant Municipal Commissioner Vipin Kumar said the road stretch which the MLA had highlighted comes under National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
NHAI Hazaribagh section junior engineer Manish Choudhary told PTI that the process to finalise tenders for repair of NH-33 stretch has been completed and work will commence soon.
"Due to rain, work was delayed. Tender process for road repair has been completed and work will begin soon," the NHAI official said.
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Women’s Reservation Bill: K'taka CM accuses PM Modi of adopting 'double standard'
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of adopting a “double standard” on women’s reservation, alleging that the Centre had delayed implementation despite having the opportunity to act earlier.
Addressing reporters here, Siddaramaiah said the BJP and Modi had earlier opposed welfare guarantees and were now replicating them, while also questioning the timing and intent behind the women’s reservation move.
“That’s what I call double standards. Narendra Modi is not for social justice. If he was, this would have been done long ago. How many years has he been in power? It’s been 12 years. Why hasn’t it been done so far?” he asked.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the Congress had consistently supported women’s reservation and accused the Centre of "politicising" the issue.
“We spoke about women’s reservation. The Prime Minister asked me what our stand was. I said we are in favour of women’s reservation,” he said, referring to recent discussions with the PM.
He maintained that delimitation should only be carried out after a fresh Census to ensure equitable representation among states.
“In my view, delimitation should be done after a new census. That is why we opposed it. We have not opposed women’s reservation. We have always supported it,” he said.
Highlighting Congress’ past role, he said, “Who brought the 73rd and 74th amendments? Rajiv Gandhi and the Congress party. Those amendments ensured 50 per cent reservation for women in local bodies. Why would we oppose it?”
Siddaramaiah further questioned the union government’s delay in implementation. “Narendra Modi indulged in politics and got it passed in 2023. Why didn’t he implement it immediately? Then why did he wait so long? He could have implemented it immediately. If he is committed to women’s reservation, he should have implemented it,” he said.
On the linkage between delimitation and reservation, he asked, “Why did the Centre link it with delimitation? Why did it go for a constitutional amendment?” adding that such a move could disadvantage southern states that have successfully controlled population growth.
“Southern states have controlled population well, but northern states haven’t. Naturally, it benefits them and disadvantages us,” he said.
Responding to BJP’s criticism that women would “teach Congress a lesson,” Siddaramaiah said, “They are doing politics. If Modi had brought this earlier, who would have opposed women’s reservation?”
On electoral prospects elsewhere, he said he had no direct information on Tamil Nadu but was optimistic about ruling DMK's victory.
"According to the information I have, DMK and its alliance are likely to win,” while asserting that Kerala would also be won by the opposition.
In a major setback to the BJP-led Central government, a Constitution Amendment Bill to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 was defeated on Friday, with the ruling dispensation asserting that the struggle to give the rights to women will continue.
While 298 members voted in support of the bill in Lok Sabha, 230 MPs voted against it. Out of 528 members who voted, the bill required 352 votes for a two-third majority.
According to the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, Lok Sabha seats were to be increased to 816 from the current 543 to "operationalise" the women's reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.
Seats were also to be increased in state and Union territory assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women.
