Today in Politics: PM Modi begins three-day tour of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Assam

Later in the day, he is scheduled to meet BJP MPs, MLAs and top functionaries and also hold an organisational meeting. On Monday, he will depart for Bihar before heading to Assam to inaugurate its Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit.

Atishi seeks meeting with Delhi CM

On Sunday, ahead of the first session of the new Delhi Assembly on Monday, outgoing CM and AAP leader Atishi has sought a meeting of AAP MLAs with CM Rekha Gupta to discuss the Rs 2,500 monthly aid to women promised by the BJP earlier during the election campaign.

In a letter to Gupta on Saturday, Atishi questioned why a scheme on the financial aid to women was not approved in the new government’s first Cabinet meeting when the PM had promised it in an election rally. Gupta and her council of ministers took oath of office on Thursday.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an election rally in Dwarka on January 31 promised Delhi’s mothers and sisters that the scheme for Rs 2,500 monthly payment would be passed in the first Cabinet meeting after the BJP formed the government,” Atishi wrote. The first Cabinet meeting was held on February 20 but the scheme was not passed, the AAP leader said, adding that the women of Delhi who believed “Modi’s guarantee” are feeling “betrayed”. However, BJP leaders including Gupta have asserted the scheme will be implemented from March as was promised by the party.

Ahead of the new Assembly session, a meeting of BJP MLAs will be held at the party’s Delhi unit office on Sunday, in which they will be guided about conduct of the House and other procedures, party leaders said. The three-day session will see the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, and the tabling of the 14 pending CAG reports on the performance of the previous AAP government.

Chhattisgarh panchayat polls

Voting for the third and final phase of panchayat elections will be held on Sunday in 50 development blocks in Chhattisgarh. A senior poll official said 53.28 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise.

“All preparations have been made for polling to elect 30,990 ward panchs, 3,802 sarpanchs, 1,122 janpad panchayat members, and 145 posts of Zila panchayat members,” said Commissioner of State Election Commission Ajay Singh. He added that 11,430 polling stations have been set up in 50 development blocks.

The results of the third phase will be announced on February 25.

The first and second phases were held on February 17 and 20, with turnouts of 81.38% and 81.22% respectively. The results of these phases were announced on February 19 and 22.

In the recently held urban body elections in Chhattisgarh, the result of which was announced on February 15, the BJP captured a majority of civic bodies and won mayors’ posts in all 10 municipal corporations.

– With PTI inputs