Cong accepted country's division on basis of religion: PM Modi

by Manisha Das

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued to sharpen his attack on the Congress on Thursday during an election rally, alleging that the grand old party accepted the country's division on the basis of religion.

Bhopal, April 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued to sharpen his attack on the Congress on Thursday during an election rally, alleging that the grand old party accepted the country's division on the basis of religion.

He made this accusation while addressing a public rally in Madhya Pradesh's Morena on Thursday.

He said that the BJP was trying to cleanse the “sin” that the Congress committed years ago.

"Instead of opening the chains of 'Ma Bharati', the Congress cut its arms. The Congress accepted the country's division on the basis of religion," PM Modi said while addressing a large gathering.

PM Modi said that the Congress divided the country earlier and is not ready to listen even today.

"The Congress' agenda is to divide the country for power. Once again, it is desperate to return to power," the PM added.

The BJP has won the Morena Lok Sabha seat for the last seven terms since 1996.

Former Union Minister and Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker, Narendra Singh Tomar represented this constituency twice.

This time the BJP has fielded a new candidate from Morena, Shivmangal Singh Tomar against the Congress' Satyapal Singh Sikarwar, a former BJP MLA.

(IANS)

Elections 2024: BJD MLA Crosses All Limits, Uses Slangs In Public Meetings

by Hemanta Pande

Bhubaneswar, May 4: Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal's obstination, caused by long years in power in Odisha, has crossed all limits. Leaders of the ruling party are seen throwing distasteful and derogatory remarks at rival leaders and opposition parties in public meetings during the ongoing poll campaigning.

Such a hostile situation was marked at a public meeting, addressed by Kabisuryanagar MLA Latika Pradhan.

In a video clip that recently went viral on social media, the BJD MLA is heard making abusive remarks about opponents, arrogantly saying, "Biju Janata Dal ra kehi bala bi banka kari paribani" (No one can harm a hair of BJD member) using slang term common to Odia.

While BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik always talks about being polite and humble to people, his party MLA's abusive remark about opposition leaders is a “very sorry state of affairs”, analysts say.

This was not an isolated case. BJD MLA from Jharsuguda, Dipali Das allegedly threatened people during her election campaigning recently.

The incident reportedly occurred when the BJD MLA visited Malibeunra village under Jharmunda panchayat of Kirmira block in Jharsuguda district to seek votes for the upcoming polls.

When the villagers questioned the MLA about what the development works she had done in the village, she reportedly expressed anger towards the people and said, " I don't care whether you vote for me or not."

BJP MLA candidate from Jharsuguda, Tankadhar Tripathy hit back Das for her "rude behaviour" towards the villagers and said that the people of Jharsuguda will give her a befitting reply in the ensuing elections.

Assembly and Lok Sabha elections will be held simultaneously in Odisha in four phases, starting from Phase one on May 13, Phase two on May 20, Phase three on May 25 and the final Phase on June 1.

The results will be announced on June 4.

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IDBI Bank Registers 44 Per Cent Jump In Net Profit For Jan-March Quarter

by Hemanta Pande

Mumbai, May 4: The IDBI Bank on Saturday reported a 44 per cent jump in standalone net profit to Rs 1,628.5 crore for the January-March quarter of 2023-24 compared to the corresponding figure of Rs 1,133 crore for the same period of the previous financial year.

The bank's net interest income (NII) rose 12 per cent to Rs 3,688 crore from Rs 3,280 crore while return on assets (RoA) improved by 39 bps to 1.82 per cent for Q4 as compared to 1.43 per cent in the same quarter of the previous year.

IDBI Bank's Board of Directors have recommended a dividend of Rs 1.50 per equity share for the financial year ended March 31, 2024.

The bank's net interest margin (NIM) declined to 4.91 per cent from 5.01 per cent in the year-ago quarter.

Provisions (other than tax) and contingencies were down 88 per cent at Rs 114 crore from Rs 984 crore last year.

IDBI Bank's provisions on bad debts written off came down sharply to Rs 1,049 crore from Rs 3,587 crore in the same quarter of the previous year.

The asset quality of the bank improved during the quarter with gross NPA falling to 4.53 per cent of total loans as of March-end 2024, against 4.69 per cent as of December-end 2023.