No-confidence motion: Shiv Sena boycotts parliamentary work
New Delhi, July 20 : The Shiv Sena decided to boycott parliamentary work on Friday. The party MPs did not sign the attendance register also. Speaking to ANI, Shiv Sena MP Anandrao Adsul confirmed that the party will not take part in Parliament work today. "We are boycotting parliamentary work today and we have not even signed our attendance," Adsul said.
A discussion on no-confidence motion is underway in Parliament against Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government over special category status issue to Andhra Pradesh. The Telegu Desam Party moved the motion on July 18.
On July 19, it was reported that the Shiv Sena will vote against the no-confidence motion. The party had issued a whip to its MPs directing them to support the central government.
According to sources, the decision was taken after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah spoke to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray over the phone on the no-confidence motion.
courtesy : aninews.in
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Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
