BJP releases letters accusing Congress of helping Vijay Mallya

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on 30th January 2017 slammed former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for allegedly extending financial support to Kingfisher Airlines. Citing letters written by Vijay Mallya to Manmohan Singh, BJP's National spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "a bailout package was given to Kingfisher Airlines on Manmohan Singh's insistence". While reading out the letters claimed to be written by Mallya, Patra added, "not only that, only on the former Prime Minister's insistence the Income Tax Department went soft on Mallya and his accounts were also unfrozen". The BJP also cited a report that said the UPA Government facilitated loans to Mallya after he allegedly wrote to Manmohan Singh and the then Finance Minister P Chidambaram in 2011 and 2013. 

Holding a press conference, BJP leader Patra also claimed Singh and Chidambaram connived with Mallya's UBL Group for a bailout of his beleaguered Kingfisher Airlines. He further said that the former Finance Minister forced the State Bank of India group, which was not willing to give a No-Objection Certificate for the issue of fresh share to raise funds, to not only issue the NoC, but a direction was given to the bank officials to meet UBL officials. A number of charges were also listed by the BJP leader that includes - Who aided Vijay Mallya? Why bail out a sinking ship? Who granted the loans? Did former FM rush to his aid?

People support the BJP over its allegations against the Congress party by mentioning that Manmohan Singh and P Chidambaram has been exposed in a major scam case with loan defaulter Vijay Mallya and documents revealed by the BJP has shown a real face of UPA Government for supporting and extending financial aid to scamsters. People further accuse former PM Manmohan Singh saying that he disgraced the constitutional status of 'Prime Minister of India' by favouring and encouraging Mallya for which a legal action should be taken against them as soon as possible.

People criticize the BJP by raising various questions related to revealed letter's authenticity and further asked that why the party did not disclose about the documents earlier against Manmohan Singh and other congress leaders in Vijay Mallya case. Whereas, some people refer the BJP's claims as a big tactic or a political strategy to defame Congress party in view of upcoming polls.

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Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passes resolution for return of Kashmiri Pandits

The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Assembly on 19th January 2017 unanimously passed a resolution for creating a conducive atmosphere for the return of Kashmiri Pandits and other migrants to the Valley. Former J&K Chief Minister and opposition leader Omar Abdullah tabled the resolution and the PDP-BJP Government supported it. After the Question-Hour concluded and discussions began on grants for Industries and Commerce department, senior PDP leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Abdur Rehman Veeri approved that the resolution should be passed in the House calling for the return of migrant Pandits and other communities displaced after an eruption of militancy to the Valley. 

Meanwhile, Speaker Kavinder Gupta stressed that everybody should work towards creating a good and conducive atmosphere for a safe return of migrant Pandits and other displaced people to the Valley. However, independent Legislator from Langate constituency of North-Kashmir, Engineer Rasheed, termed the resolution as a 'gimmick aimed at scoring political points'. He opposed the resolution arguing that since no Kashmiri is opposed to the return of Pandits, there was no need to pass a resolution.

Most of the people respond positively towards passing a resolution for return of Kashmiri Pandits by saying that the State Lawmakers have taken an excellent decision for the welfare & prosperity of migrant Pandits which indicates everybody is highly committed towards rehabilitation and safe-return of all migrants to the valley. People also refer the resolution as a great achievement of PDP-BJP Government for which they congratulate the coalition Government of the State.

Some people raise various questions related to the security and safety over the resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley by asking that before passing the resolution what are the protection parameters have been frameworked for all migrants by the State Government. While, some also express their views that State Government would not be able to provide protection to Kashmiri Pandits because earlier the Government had failed to handle the issue of Kashmir unrest properly.

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PM Narendra Modi's New Year address to the nation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation and announced various schemes for senior citizens, farmers, rural housing, women and small entrepreneurs on the eve of New Year (31st December 2016). While addressing the nation, PM Modi said that under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana 4% interest waiver on housing loan up to Rs. 9 lakh and 3% on loan up to Rs. 12 lakh will be provided in the urban areas. 

He also announced 3% interest waiver on loan up to Rs. 2 lakh for construction of houses in rural areas. The Prime Minister also made key announcements for famers during his address. He said that Centre will pay interest for 60 days on loan taken by farmers for Rabi season from district cooperative banks and primary societies. He further announced that the 3 crore 'Kisan Credit Cards' would be converted to 'RuPay Card' within three months to help farmers to purchase various inputs anywhere and also said that banks have also been asked to raise cash credit limit to small business to 25% from 20%.  All pregnant women will get an assistance of 6000 rupees to meet medical expenses and senior citizens will get 8% interest on deposits of up to 7.5 lakh rupees for 10 years. During his addressing he said that after the demonetisation, 125 crore people have proved that for them truth and honesty are important despite inconveniences. 

He further added that government has taken steps to protect rights of common man and isolate the dishonest people. Talking about the involvement of some banks and government officials post demonetisation, the Prime Minister asserted that the serious offences have come to light and no one will be spared. He said that law will take its own course against the illegal wealth holders but government's priority is that honest get protection and their difficulties are reduced. On electoral funding, PM Modi asked political parties to take steps to end black money in funding and corruption. He has sought a debate on holding Parliamentary and Assembly elections simultaneously and issue of rising costs in polls.

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