Rajasthan BJP chief exhorts partymen to unite for polls
Jaipur, June 30: Madan Lal Saini on Saturday assumed the charge of Rajasthan Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president, a position which was lying vacant for nearly 74 days since the resignation of Ashok Parnami from the post on April 16.
The grand ceremony organised to welcome the new BJP president at the party headquarters here looked like a mega start of the political campaign for the ensuing Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Starting his speech on a motivating note, Saini called upon the BJP workers to forget infighting and their mutual differences in view of the upcoming elections, which according to him, will not be easy.
"Winning elections are never easy, one needs to sweat day in and out," he said, adding that he will search all old party workers who were anguished and demotivated for some reason and will motivate, reward and respect them to ensure they come and work for the party with full dedication in the coming elections to achieve "Mission 180" set by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje for the assembly elections.
The new state BJP chief asked all members to end negativity around and work like a family, saying: "Party's all MLAs and MPs are a part of the family and hence we need to respect them. Coming time is tough and we need to win the elections.
"We have to break the chain in Rajasthan where one party wins election for one tenure while the other party wins the next election. We also need to sweep 25 seats in the Lok Sabha elections."
He also thanked PM Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah for trusting him with a big responsibility.
Sharing his principles and ideologies, he said: "I am a farmer and I feel proud to plough my fields. I have been travelling by bus from Sikar to Jaipur and will continue doing same. I don't prefer running after chair race. For me, that partially broken plastic chair of a worker is more comfortable where I can talk to my fellow workers."
He said that he would work on the principles of Jana Sagh whom he had seen collecting funds to build this party.
Vasundhara Raje also choose this platform to target the rival Congress, claiming that unlike them, the BJP cares for its grassroots workers.
"We appreciate the work of even the smallest worker of the party who works with dedication, unlike Congress where there is only one family representing the party since years.
"The PM of the country was once a small worker of the party who was elevated to the biggest rank looking at his dedicated and honest working. Similarly, we picked Madan Lal Saini who has been a grassroot worker.
"Earlier, we did shock Saini by nominating him for the post of Rajya Sabha MP and now we again shocked him by giving him party responsibility in Rajasthan looking at his hard work."
The Chief Minister said he has been handling the work of disciplinary committee with utmost dedication as he himself was a disciplined leader and under his directions, "I am confident that BJP will touch new heights and will attain Mission 180 in Assembly elections and Mission 25 in Lok Sabha elections."
Vasundhara also praised Ashok Parnami, former BJP president, on the occasion and lauded his prompt action in giving resignation on being asked to do so by party big command.
Attacking the Congress once again, saying unlike the spirit shown by Parnami, the Congress leaders cry before leaving their post. Even after resigning, Parnami continued giving all his services, she added.
Speaking to IANS, Archana Sharma, Vice President, Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee, said that infighting and lack of consensus between central and state leadership of the party was responsible for the BJP president's post lying vacant for 74 days.
"While central leadership wanted Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to be the state BJP president, the Rajasthan BJP was not ready with its proposal. The entire state as well as the nation was witness to this weird infighting within the party. Fed up with such infightings of the party, the people of the state will ensure a clear exit of the ruling party in the ensuing elections," said Sharma.
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India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership as PM Modi holds talks with his counterpart
Addis Ababa (PTI): India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali during which they discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the bilateral talks, reflecting the vibrant India-Ethiopia relations rooted in shared history and a promising future.
"We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties," Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.
He thanked PM Ali for his support in India's fight against terrorism. "The support of friendly countries in this struggle against terrorism holds great significance," Modi said.
"Today, we got the opportunity to deliberate on the key aspects of our cooperation, such as economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that today, we have decided to double the student scholarship for Ethiopia in India," Modi said.
Modi said that India and Ethiopia have shared contact, dialogue, and exchange for thousands of years. The two countries, which are rich in languages and traditions, are symbols of unity in diversity, he added.
"Both countries are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are co-travellers and partners of the Global South. On international platforms, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
The two sides signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to 'Strategic Partnership', customs cooperation, establishing data center at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi said the African Union's headquarters in Ethiopia makes the country a meeting point of African diplomacy. "Inspired by the common vision of an inclusive world, in 2023, India ensured that the African Union became a G20 member," he said.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
Modi said that though this is his first visit, he felt a deep sense of belonging and warmth, reflecting the thousands of years of connection between the two countries.
On his part, Prime Minister Ali said the two countries share over thousands of years of connection through trade, diplomacy, education, culture and even in our food and traditions. "These ties continue to shape a deep friendship, collaboration and mutual respect between our people," he said.
"We also appreciate your consistent message that Africa's priorities must lead the partnership. These kinds of dignified, respectful messages for Africa are very important. Mr Prime Minister, keep pushing. That is the type of message we are expecting from all our trusted friends," Ali said.
He said this aligned fully with Ethiopia's development plan - African-owned, African-led, and African-defined.
"Today, we meet with a clear focus to shape a modern partnership, grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance and practical cooperation. Our cooperation is rooted in equality and South-South solidarity," he said.
"Our economy is performing strongly. Last year, we grew 9.2% and this year we are expecting 10.3% GDP growth. Besides GDP growth, our FDI inflow is also rising big time. India is the leading source for our FDI," he said.
"We have more than 615 Indian companies which are investing in Ethiopia. This all gives our cooperation a strong foundation of trust. I think our decision today that we elevate our historic relationship to a strategic relationship is the right decision," he added.
Ethiopia also conferred its highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia - on PM Modi. He is the first global head of state to receive this award.
Prime Minister Modi also went to the Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with PM Ali.
In a warm and special gesture, PM Modi was earlier received by his Ethiopian counterpart at the airport and accorded a warm and colourful welcome.
"Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," Modi said.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
"At Addis Ababa airport, took part in a traditional Coffee Ceremony with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage," Modi said.
In a unique gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
"Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions," Modi said in a post on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
"Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come," Modi said.
When Modi arrived at the hotel, he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Indian community. Local artists performed dances. Some of them danced on the theme of the popular Hindi song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera' to welcome him.
On Wednesday, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
