Simultaneous polls' push a bid to deprive people of 'other' religions from voting rights: Sena (UBT)
Mumbai, Mar 29 (PTI): Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday targeted the Centre over its push for simultaneous polls, claiming polling will be eventually conducted by excluding people from "other" religions from the voters list under the guise of electoral reforms.
An editorial in the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana claimed the BJP wants only one party to survive in the country and that the "one party one election" is its ultimate goal.
Referring to Donald Trump, the editorial stated that while the US President wants to stop Latinos, black Americans, and immigrants from voting, similarly, in India polling will be conducted by excluding people from "other" religions from the voters' list and this will be labelled as election reform.
It also pointed to the executive action signed by Trump on Tuesday to overhaul elections.
The order makes the documentary proof of citizenship necessary for registration to vote in federal elections and demands that all ballots be received by Election Day.
"India is the world's largest democracy, and the US is the strongest democracy. However, it is evident that the roots of democracy are so weak. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump have no faith in democracy and the freedom of expression," the Shiv Sena (UBT) said.
Dubbing Trump a "White Modi", the editorial said the decision is a blow to the vote bank of the democrats because this will automatically eliminate the Latinos, black Americans, and immigrants from voting.
"Modi and the BJP want only one party to survive in the country. 'One party one election' is the ultimate goal," the editorial said, taking a dig at the Modi government's push for simultaneous polls.
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Omar Abdullah launches free bus service for women in Jammu and Kashmir
Srinagar(PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launched free bus service for women in the Union Territory, at a function held at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) here on Tuesday.
Abdullah expressed hope that the move would make travel easy and comfortable for women.
The launch was also attended by ministers Satish Sharma and Sakina Itoo.
Free bus rides for women, a promise made in the National Conference's election manifesto, was announced in the recent budget presented by the chief minister.
"In the budget, we had made a special announcement that women will travel free of cost in SRTC (state road transport corporation) and Smart City buses from April 1. Today, we have launched the service with a hope that it will make their travel across Jammu and Kashmir easy and safe," Abdullah told reporters here.
He said the government will compensate the SRTC and Smart City buses for the zero-fare tickets.
"There will be no losses for the SRTC and Smart City buses. We will provide them compensation from the budget," Abdullah said.
In an X post, the chief minister said it was not just a welfare measure, but a commitment to women's empowerment and accessible mobility.
"Starting today, women across Jammu and Kashmir will travel free of cost in all Smart City and SRTC buses. This isn't just a welfare measure, it is a commitment to women's empowerment, accessible mobility, and a more inclusive J&K," he wrote.
Meanwhile, National Conference said the initiative paves way for women to move forward, both literally and figuratively.
"Enhancing mobility is key to greater opportunities, independence and progress. This initiative paves the way for women to move forward, both literally and figuratively," the NC wrote on its X handle.
