May 23 should be celebrated as 'Modi Diwas': Baba Ramdev
Haridwar, May 27: Describing May 23, when the BJP rode back to power with a massive mandate, as a "historic" day, Yoga guru Ramdev Monday said it should be celebrated either as "Modi Diwas or public welfare day".
The BJP won 303 of the 542 Lok Sabha seats that went to polls this time while the opposition was left way behind with the Congress winning only 52 seats.The results for the seven-phase general elections were announced on May 23.
"May 23 is a historic day. It should be celebrated either as Modi Diwas or Jan Kalyan Diwas (public welfare day)," Ramdev told reporters here on the sidelines of a programme to launch milk and dairy products of Patanjali.
Narendra Modi is the third prime minister of the country who has been able to retain power for a second term with full majority in Lok Sabha after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
Speaking about Patanjali Ayurved Limited's latest line of products, the Yoga guru, who is the co-founder of the company, said Patanjali's toned milk, butter, paneer, lassi and chach were made from pure cow milk without any chemicals.
"These are cheaper and better than those of Mother Dairy and Amul," Ramdev said, without elaborating how Patanjali's products were better than those of its rivals.
He claimed other companies used a "chemical colour" in its butter which was injurious to health.
The dairy and milk products of Patanjali are being supplied to Delhi-NCR, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Mumbai and Pune in the first phase and plans are underway to supply these soon to other states, Ramdev said.
On Sunday, Ramdev addressing a press conference had opined that India is not ready to deal with its population explosion and suggested some measures like denying voting rights and other government services to the third children onwards.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Kharge calls NDA ‘opportunist alliance thriving on corruption’ at rally
Puducherry (PTI): Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said the NDA "is an opportunist alliance that thrives on corruption and the looting of public assets".
Addressing a rally of the INDIA bloc in Puducherry, the Congress president said Prime Minister Narendra Modi "had done nothing" for the union territory’s development.
He urged voters to back the INDIA bloc in the April 9 Assembly polls, calling it "an opportunity for the people to fight against divisive forces led by the BJP and RSS, which are destroying unity, harmony, and the progressive spirit of Puducherry."
Kharge also criticised the BJP for neglecting smaller states like Puducherry and made a strong case for granting it statehood, promising, "Congress will secure statehood—this is a guarantee we give to the people here".
He alleged that under the current AINRC-BJP coalition, Puducherry is "riddled with corruption and a 30 per cent commission system," with the NDA government exploiting the union territory, despite it being "one of the country’s most beautiful places".
He expressed concern over "misuse of funds and stalled development", alleging corruption had "seeped into every sector".
Kharge claimed that despite Prime Minister Modi’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, "everything in practice is being handed to one person, Adani—from land to skies."
He added that the NDA was "exploiting land, temple lands, and public property."
The Congress leader also criticised the AINRC-BJP rule for granting permits for around 450 liquor shops and restaurants over the last five years, claiming, "Instead of providing clean water, the government has been giving liquor to the people."
Kharge compared the current situation with the previous Congress rule, highlighting development across sectors, particularly healthcare. "Hospitals were established here to take care of the health of the people," he said.
Among his promises, Kharge pledged "gold for mangala sutra" for women if Congress is elected, along with free education from primary school to research level.
He reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promises to Puducherry had not materialised and renewed his call for full statehood, citing the lack of powers as a "hindrance" to the elected government.
He recalled that during the previous Congress rule, then Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, who was also present, faced interference from then Lt Governor Kiran Bedi.
Kharge said Congress has always stood with the people and would continue to improve their lives through developmental programmes, as it had during earlier administrations.
The meeting was presided over by Puducherry PCC president V Vaithilingam, and among the speakers was S P Sivakumar of the DMK.
