1. Guj Cong Complains to EC Over Poll-Related Meet at CM's House
The Gujarat Congress on Monday, 18 March, alleged the BJP has violated the model code of conduct by holding a meeting of the party's State Parliamentary Board at Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's official residence, prompting the poll panel to order a probe.
The main opposition party lodged a complaint in this regard with the Election Commission (EC). However, the BJP rejected the Congress's charge. On receiving the complaint, sent by the Congress through fax, Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S Murali Krishna ordered an inquiry into the matter.
"We have received the complaint. We will conduct an inquiry into the issue," Krishna told PTI. In its complaint, the Congress alleged the CM's official residence in Gandhinagar is a government property and no political activity is permitted from a government premises when the model code of conduct is in force.
(Source: PTI)
2. ‘Berojgar Hardik Patel’: Patidar Leader Counters PM Modi’s ‘Mai Bhi Chowkidar’ Campaign
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mai Bhi Chowkidar’ campaign gained momentum among BJP leaders and supporters, Patidar leader and now Congress member Hardik Patel on Monday, 18 March, took a swipe at the ruling saffron party over unemployment by adding the prefix “Berojgar” (jobless) to his Twitter handle.
Patel’s Twitter handle is now “Berojgar Hardik Patel”.The renaming comes a day after the prime minister added the prefix “Chowkidar” to his Twitter handle. Modi, while launching the campaign on Saturday, had said, “Your Chowkidar is standing firm and serving the nation.
But, I am not alone. Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar. Today, every Indian is saying-#MainBhiChowkidar.”
(Source: Indian Express)
3. Shunned, Unhappy BJP Biggies Seek PM Narendra Modi Support
Gujarat BJP's parliamentary board, by Monday evening, 18 March completed reviewing the first 22 seats to select suitable candidates. The review of the remaining 4 seats will take place on on Tuesday, 19 March.
However, those who failed to convince the state leadership for tickets are now preparing to catch the flights to New Delhi and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, directly for a representation.
Among those who failed to convince the state leaders are former ministers Shankar Chaudhary, Dilip Sanghani, Prabhatsinh Chauhan, and Naran Patel. The state parliamentary board, however, is reluctant to include them in the list of final probables for different seats of Lok Sabha, a senior leader of the party said on condition of anonymity.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
4. Polls May Derail Water Conservation Drive, Fear Farmers
A provision in the Model Code of Conduct that says that no work should begin after the announcement of elections has raised fears among farming and rural community that 'Jalsanchay Abhiyan' or the drive to conserve rainwater will also not begin till the Code is in place. An order by the Office of Chief Electoral Officer in the state specifically mentions that even if the work order has been issued, such works cannot begin.
"We are facing one of the worst droughts. It is extremely necessary that we make more check-dams, deepen ponds so that maximum rainwater is conserved during Monsoon. This activity needs to be completed ahead of the rainy season. However, the order mentions that work cannot start even if the work order is issued. There will be a number of works to harvest rainwater that cannot be initiated because of this provision," said Atul Patel, president of Gujarat Khedut Hitrakshak Samiti.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
5. Shankersinh Vaghela’s House Robbed
Police filed an FIR on Sunday, 17 March, alleging theft of cash and jewellery worth Rs 5 lakh from NCP leader and former CM Shankersinh Vaghela’s Gandhinagar residence. The theft is suspected to have taken place sometime between October 1 and October 30 last year.
Suryasinh Chavda, an employee of Vaghela, lodged a complaint with the police, alleging that the theft was committed by house helps — Basudev Nepali, alias Shambhu Gurkha, and his wife Sharda — who had left for Nepal in October.
“During the wedding arrangement of a relative of Vaghelas on February 7, it was found that cash worth Rs 3 lakh and jewellery worth Rs 2 lakh rupees were missing,” said Bhaumik Thaker, Vaghela’s personal assistant.
(Source: Indian Express)
6. Gujarat High Court Quashes Death Penalty of Teen Killer
The Gujarat High Court on Monday, 18 March quashed the death penalty awarded to a teenage girl, who had allegedly killed her mother and sister, and asked the trial court to first verify the girl's mental condition.
The Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and AC Rao quashed the death sentence awarded to Manju Kunvariya, a resident of Gandhidham, for the murders of her mother Rajiben and sister Aarti.
According to the FIR registered by her brother Vijay, Manju, who was 19 at the time, inflicted several blows of a sword on her mother Rajiben, and her sisters Aarti and Madhu, in the early hours of February 17, 2017. The victims were sleeping when they were attacked. Rajiben and Aarti died of the injuries, while Madhu survived.
(Source: DNA Ahmedabad)
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