Shigeru Ishiba elected as Japan’s new Prime Minister
Tokyo: Shigeru Ishiba, 67, leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), has been elected as the new Prime Minister by the House of Representatives. Ishiba, who secured the LDP presidency last week, was endorsed by the ruling coalition-controlled lower house and is set to replace Fumio Kishida, who decided not to run again amid a slush fund scandal that has tarnished the party’s image.
This marks Ishiba’s fifth attempt at the LDP leadership, where he emerged victorious by defeating Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi in a closely contested runoff. Ishiba garnered 215 votes, surpassing Takaichi's 194. His tenure begins amid significant challenges, with a pressing need to restore public trust in the LDP.
In his first announcement as party leader, Ishiba declared plans to dissolve the lower house on October 9, with general elections scheduled for October 27. This move has been criticised by opposition parties, who described it as "disrespectful" and "unconstitutional" since it came before Ishiba’s formal election as Prime Minister.
Ishiba’s rise to the highest office has been marked by a steady ascent through various roles within the LDP. His political career began in 1986 when he was elected to the House of Representatives. Over the years, he has held positions such as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, and Minister of Defence. Known for his independent stance and policy expertise, Ishiba has often been at odds with party leadership, notably during his rivalry with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
With a focus on transparency and accountability, Ishiba has pledged to rebuild the LDP’s image and prioritize national security. "I will dedicate myself to making Japan a safer country," he said following his election.
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AIMIM wins Malegaon Central seat by 162 votes
Malegaon (Maharashtra), Nov 23: In a closely contested election, Mohammad Ismail Abdul Khalique of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has retained the Malegaon Central assembly seat, winning by a razor-thin margin of 162 votes.
This victory in the north Maharashtra constituency marks a significant turnaround for Khalique, who previously enjoyed a commanding lead in the 2019 elections, winning by over one lakh votes.
Khalique, an Islamic scholar, received a total of 1,09,653 votes this time, narrowly defeating his nearest rival, Asif Shaikh Rasheed of the Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra party, who got 1,09,491 votes.
There were a total of 13 candidates contesting in this Muslim dominated constituency. Barring Khalique and Rasheed, two other candidates -- Shaan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed of Samajwadi Party and Ejaz Baig Aziz Baig managed below 10,000 votes. Other remaining candidates were below 1,000 votes.
This election marks Khalique's third term as an MLA. He initially represented the Malegaon Central seat in 2009 as a member of the Jan Surajya Shakti party.
However, Khalique faced a setback in the 2014 elections when he contested under the banner of the Nationalist Congress Party and lost.
His return to the assembly in 2019 under the AIMIM banner solidified his political presence, and despite the significantly reduced margin this year, he has once again emerged victorious.
The results highlight the competitive nature of the Malegaon Central constituency and underscore Khalique's resilience in maintaining his position amidst changing political dynamics.
