Today in politics: Oppn in all-black protest in Parliament, PM Modi in Sikar

The government is scheduled to introduce The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023, in the Lok Sabha apart from The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023, as reported by Joint Committee, for consideration and passing.

Meanwhile, PM Modi, the object of the Opposition’s ire, is set to be away on a two-day visit to Rajasthan and Gujarat. He will first head to Rajasthan’s Sikar town where, around 11.15 am, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation of various development projects and address a public meeting, where is expected to launch a fusillade against the Opposition. Modi will then reach Rajkot, Gujarat where at around 3.15 pm, where he will inaugurate the new Rajkot International Airport and other projects. Around 4.15 pm, the PM is scheduled to inaugurate various development projects at Race Course Ground in Rajkot.

The fallout of the police shooting in Bihar’s Katihar district that left two people dead is also expected to reverberate across the power corridors today. As reported by Santosh Singh, the police on Wednesday afternoon opened fire in Katihar’s Barsoi town after a large group of villagers pelted stones and stormed an electricity department office during a protest against frequent power cuts over the past few days. The incident drew sharp criticism from the BJP, which is an Opposition party in Bihar, and the CPI(ML)-Liberation, which supports the Nitish Kumar government from the outside.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will be in Delhi to meet his counterpart and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal. In Punjab, state BJP president Sunil Jakhar is scheduled to meet Governor Banwarilal Purohit on issues related to the state, including the flood situation. After that Jakhar is scheduled to Ropar to continue with his state tour.

In Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray’s interview with party mouthpiece Saamana will be one to watch out for. It is Thackeray’s birthday today. Meanwhile, the state Assembly will discuss the safety of women and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio, is expected to respond.

The West Bengal Assembly’s Monsoon Session has been a stormy affair till now and more protests are expected today as the BJP tries to move an adjournment motion on the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state. On Wednesday, Speaker Biman Banerjee rejected the Opposition party’s proposal to bring an adjournment motion to discuss “atrocities against women in the state”, citing “procedural lapses”. The decision triggered a walkout by the Opposition MLAs.

BJP Mahila Morcha workers will continue with their sit-in at the iconic Shyambazar five-point crossing in Kolkata for the second straight day. They launched the demonstration to protest against the TMC government’s failure to ensure the security of women in the state. The Calcutta High Court, meanwhile, will hear the National Investigation Agency’s petition accusing the state government of not cooperating with its investigation into the Ram Navami violence.

Watch out for

During the day, we will publish an interview of Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who has spoken with Manoj C G about the no-confidence motion against the Modi government, the 26-party Opposition front INDIA, and the anti-BJP coalition not inviting the AIMIM.

Also, don’t miss out on Lalmani Verma’s interview of Uttar Pradesh fisheries minister and Nishad Party leader Sanjay Nishad, a BJP ally.