Rajnath Singh takes over as BJP Prez

Jan 23,  5:16 PM Rajnath Singh has been elected unopposed as the new President of the Bharatiya Janata Party. The formal announcement was made by the Central Election Officer Thawar Chand Gehlot at the party headquarters in New Delhi. The BJP Parliamentary Board that met earlier in the day had endorsed the candidature of Rajnath Singh for Party Presidentship. Briefing newsmen Party leader Ananth Kumar said, the Chairman of the Parliamentary party, Mr. L.K Advani moved a resolution appreciating the good work done by the outgoing Party president Nitin Gadkari in the last three years. He said all senior leaders including Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley were present and the resolution was unanimously accepted by the party leaders. Rajnath Singh a former National President of the BJP has also served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and was a Cabinet Minister during the NDA regime. BJP President Nitin Gadkari resigned from the party post last evening. In a statement issued last night Mr.Gadkari opted out of the race from the post of party President. He said, he did not want the allegations against him to adversely affect the interests of the party in any way. After taking over as the BJP President for a second time Mr. Rajnath Singh said, he accepts the position as a responsibility and would bring the BJP back to power. He said he was taking over in not very conducive conditions in the wake of allegations leveled against the outgoing Party President Nitin Gadkari. The entire party will stand by Nitin Gadkari in his fight against injustice. Mr. Rajnath alleged that, Home Minister Sushil Kumar's statement on Hindu terror brings to fore the fact that the government is not serious in the fight against terrorism. He blamed the Congress for the adverse economic and security. Two K'taka Ministers resign to join Yeddyurappa led-Karnataka Janata Party Jan 23,  1:16 PM In Karnataka, the Minister for Public Works, C M Udasi and Power Minister, Shobha Karandlaje have tendered their resignation to Chief Minister Jagadish Shetter. Speaking to media persons, Udasi said that they have resigned as ministers and will submit their resignation as members of the Legislative Assembly to the Speaker in the afternoon. He further said that they are resigning to join Karnataka Janata Party of B S Yeddyurappa. When asked whether more Ministers and MLAs will resign today to join the Karnataka Janatha Party, Udasi said, it will be decided at the meeting of the KJP party in the afternoon. Our Correspondent reports that high drama prevailed outside the assembly secretariat when 13 BJP MLAs including two Ministers loyal to B S Yeddyurappa reached there to submit their resignation. The Speaker however was not present. The Joint Secretary in the Speaker's Secretariat, Jayathirtha Galagali informed the MLAs that he cannot accept the resignation letters in the absence of the Speaker. Speaking to reporters, Karnataka Janata Party President B S Yeddyurappa said that the BJP government has lost majority in the House and should resign. Our correspondent reports tha the absence of the Speaker has enraged the MLAs loyal to Yeddyurappa. Angry over the absence, Yeddyurappa said they will meet the Governor and go to court at the attitude of the Speaker. He charged that it is a deliberate attempt to save the Government. The Joint Secretry’s statement that he cannot accept the resignation in the absence of the Speaker did not satisfy the MLAs, who insisted that the said statement should be given in writing. The stalemate continues in the Speaker’s chamber, as different groups are seen engaged in seeking legal opinion on the future course of action. Justice J S Verma committee recommends changes to ensure gender equality, women safety Jan 23 Justice J S Verma committee has recommended comprehensive changes to ensure gender equality and safety of women in the country. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, after submission of its report to the Home Ministry, Justice Verma said that the committee has recommended for mandatory time frame for trail of sexual assault cases and disposal of appeal. He said sexual assault cases must be tried by women Judges. Justice Verma called for strengthening good governance and called for proper implementation of existing laws in accordance to the spirit of the constitution. He said sexual violence and gender bias are key areas of the committee recommendations. The committee has also recommended to change the definition of sexual assault to make it broadbased. 80 thousand recommendations were received from country and abroad by the committee in this regard. Over 2.32 crore citizens registered under enrolment drive says EC ahead of National Voters Day Jan 23 Over 2.32 crore citizens have been registered under the enrolment drive conducted by the Election Commission across the country ahead of the 3rd National Voters Day-NVD which will be celebrated on 25th of this month. On this day the newly enroled voters will be given Electoral Photo Identity Card-EPIC at various functions. Briefing reporters in New Delhi, the Director General of Election Commission, Mr Akshay Rout said that out of the newly added voters, around 93 lakhs are those who are in the age of 18 to 19 years. He said, with this the total electorate now stands 77.78 crore out of which 36.90 crore are women and 1.76 crore are in the 18 to 19 year age group. Highlighting the various events to be held on the occasion of National Voters Day, Mr Rout said that functions will be held at more than 6.5 lakhs locations across the country covering almost all Polling Stations. He said that two new national icons M.C Mary Kom and Saina Nehwal have also joined in promoting message of electoral participation in the run up to NVD along with large number of regional and local icons.