Haryana assembly poll results dispel myth of Modi 3.0 govt being weak: Nirmala Sitharaman
The Hindu
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman discusses BJP's historic third term win in Haryana and India's green initiatives post-2024 elections.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday (October 9, 2024) said the result of the Haryana assembly elections in favour of the BJP has "dispelled" the myth that the Modi 3.0 government is weaker than in the previous two terms.
Against the dominant narrative of a Congress comeback, the BJP has pulled off a historic third term on the trot in Haryana, a feat that will reinvigorate the ruling party cadres and could deal a debilitating blow to the Congress looking for further ascendency after its improved show in the Lok Sabha polls.
The BJP had a majority on its own in the previous two general elections but its number of seats fell significantly in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Replying to a question at 'Energy Transition Summit India' organised by Financial Times, Ms. Sitharaman said the BJP-led NDA government has returned to power for the third successive time.
She said only one parliament session has happened post-2024 elections (Budget Session) and there was no severe opposition because the issues that were taken up were very "well established and well argued", and it passed through.
“And since you’re today asking me this question about weaker (government), in spite of coming back for the third time, the results, which were declared yesterday for a provincial election in Haryana...has dispelled that myth and therefore I don’t see the Opposition behaving in less than what constructive opposition should behave like,” the minister said.
To another query on India's green initiatives, Ms. Sitharaman said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has led from the front in setting the agenda for the country and the commitments given at the U.N. climate change conference COP 21 were fulfilled by India well ahead of time, with its own resources.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu bats for simultaneous elections. One Nation, One Election needed to focus on development, he avers. Centre exploring options to stop privatisation of Vizag steel plant; he says. The Chief Minister lauds BJP leadership for scoring a hat-trick win in Haryana and garnering a higher vote share than the NC in Jammu & Kashmir.
A heronry survey conducted in Nooranad, widely known as bird village, has recorded 400 nests of five waterbird species. The count was organised under the aegis of the Gramasree Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi recently. Waterbirds nest in the region between June and October. Birders found 240 nests of Indian cormorant, followed by Little cormorant (75 nests), Great egret (35), Median egret (28) and Darter (22).