Politics Archives - National Times

08 Feb

Bajwa’s remark is an insult to Dalit community; Congress must apologize within 24 hours or be ready to face strict action: Harpal Cheema

Balwinder Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingHarpal Cheema

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Forest Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, and AAP Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu, have jointly, in strong words, condemned the unfortunate and objectionable remark made by Leader of the Opposition and Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa about Punjab Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh E.T.O. The three leaders termed the Congress party as having an anti-Dalit mindset and issued a stern warning to Bajwa and the Congress party to apologize within 24 hours, failing which strict legal and political action would be taken. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema,…

04 Feb

Congress Protest Outside Parliament Sparks War of Words Between Rahul Gandhi and Minister Ravneet Bittu

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, PoliticsCongress protest, India–US trade deal, Parliament session, Rahul Gandhi, Ravneet Singh Bittu

New Delhi Rajeev Sharma): Political tensions escalated outside Parliament on Wednesday as Congress Members of Parliament staged a protest accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being “compromised,” leading to a brief but sharp verbal confrontation between Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu. The protesting Congress MPs assembled near the Parliament complex holding placards with the slogan “PM is compromised,” reiterating claims earlier made by Rahul Gandhi while addressing the media over the India–US trade agreement. The protest unfolded amid an already charged atmosphere during the ongoing Parliament session. The situation intensified when Ravneet…

29 Jan

PM Modi set to visit Dera Sachkhand Ballan on February 1, focus on Ravidass Jayanti

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingJalandhar, PM Modi

Jalandhar (Gurpreet Singh): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar district on February 1, a move being seen as politically significant with the Punjab Assembly elections due next year. Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu confirmed the programme, stating that the Prime Minister will arrive at the revered Dera around 4 pm after attending the Budget Session of Parliament earlier in the day. The visit coincides with the 649th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidass, a revered spiritual figure whose followers form a substantial and influential community in Punjab. Over the past few years,…

17 Jan

Forensic Report Is Part of Court Record, Not Political Opinion: AAP Warns Jakhar, Pargat Singh

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingPunjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Aam Aadmi Party has strongly condemned attempts by BJP and Congress leaders to mislead the public by casting doubts on a forensic conclusion that has already been categorically recorded by a court in the case related to the doctored video of AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi. AAP Punjab President Aman Arora, responding to the question raised by BJP Punjab President Sunil Jakhar on the forensic report of Punjab Police, said that the issue has gone far beyond political disagreement and now amounts to a direct challenge to a judicial order. Arora clarified that…

17 Jan

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Opposes Seed Bill, Raises State Concerns in Meeting with Amit Shah

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingBhagwant Mann

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Saturday to voice his state’s objections to the proposed Seed Bill, 2026, and to discuss a host of other pressing issues affecting Punjab. The Bill is slated for introduction in the upcoming Budget Session of Parliament. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mann criticised the legislation for potentially threatening traditional farming practices in Punjab. “Our farmers have always saved seeds for the next season. Under this Bill, private companies could dictate which seeds they buy, and that is unacceptable,” Mann said. He…

17 Jan

Sukhbir Badal Secures Bail From Chandigarh Court in Defamation Case

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingSukhbir Badal

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was granted bail by a Chandigarh court on Saturday in a defamation case linked to remarks he allegedly made about a religious organisation. The order was passed by the court of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate during a hearing held earlier in the day. The development comes weeks after the court had cancelled Badal’s earlier bail and issued a non-bailable warrant against him due to his absence at a previous hearing in December. His legal team subsequently moved the court, seeking relief and explaining the circumstances behind his non-appearance.…

16 Jan

BJP Poised for Punjab Push as Five Senior Leaders Expected to Join Party

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingBJP, Punjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): In a development that could alter political alignments in Punjab, five seasoned politicians are expected to formally join the Bharatiya Janata Party later today, according to sources familiar with the plans. The group is said to include a former Member of Parliament, a former legislator and two individuals who earlier served as Officers on Special Duty to senior political figures in the state. Their induction is likely to take place in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, underscoring the significance the BJP is attaching to the move. Although the party has not yet disclosed…

16 Jan

Punjab Assembly Speaker Flags Export Crisis, Urges Centre to Act on Stalled Basmati Shipments

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingKultar Singh Sandhwan

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): With geopolitical tensions involving Iran disrupting trade routes, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has approached the Prime Minister seeking immediate intervention to address mounting losses faced by the state’s Basmati rice sector. Sandhwan said consignments valued at more than ₹2,000 crore are currently held up due to the crisis, leaving exporters unable to receive payments and triggering a chain reaction across the agricultural economy. He noted that the uncertainty has already begun to reflect in domestic markets, where Basmati prices in mandis are witnessing a steady decline. Calling the situation alarming, the Speaker said farmers,…

04 Jan

Raghav Chadha Calls Draft Social Security Rules for Gig Workers a ‘Small Win’

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, TrendingRaghav Chadha

Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha on Tuesday described the Centre’s draft social security rules for gig workers and delivery riders as a “small win”, saying it reflects the growing pressure to acknowledge the rights and welfare of platform-based workers. Welcoming the move, the Rajya Sabha MP said the step was a result of sustained voices raised by workers and opposition leaders across the country. However, he also criticised major gig economy platforms such as Zomato, Swiggy, and Blinkit, accusing them of repeatedly ignoring the concerns and demands of delivery partners. Chadha said that while the…

03 Jan

Fresh Searches Launched by SIT in Probe Into Disappearance of Sacred Saroops

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingSaroops

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): Stepping up its investigation into the missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Tuesday carried out search operations at several locations across Punjab and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Officials said the coordinated exercise covered about 15 premises in Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Ropar and Chandigarh. The locations included homes and workplaces associated with 16 persons who are under scrutiny in connection with the case involving the disappearance of 328 saroops. Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, who is closely monitoring the investigation, confirmed the development and said the SIT was proceeding in…