Pioneer in short

CEC removal bid fails in Parliament

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan on Monday rejected separate motions from opposition parties seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The notices, submitted on March 12, 2026, accused the CEC of “partisan conduct,” obstructing electoral fraud investigations, and causing “mass disenfranchisement.” The motions were signed by 130 Lok Sabha members and 63 Rajya Sabha members under Article 324(5) of the Constitution, with references to the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, and other statutes. In separate notifications, both the Speaker and the Chairman stated that after careful assessment, they refused to admit the motions. The opposition had alleged that Gyanesh Kumar favored the ruling BJP, particularly during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. They also claimed that multiple complaints of irregularities were dismissed without proper investigation, raising questions about the impartiality of the Election Commission of India. The Constitution requires that a CEC can only be removed through a process akin to SC judges.  

Sharad Pawar Rules Out NCP Merger

NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Monday clarified that no fresh discussions are underway regarding a merger with the ruling Nationalist Congress Party. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Pawar senior said previous talks had been held between his late nephew Ajit Pawar and NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil, but no new negotiations are in progress.The issue gained attention after Maharashtra NCP leader Sunil Tatkare acknowledged earlier discussions on potential reunification. Tatkare stressed that the NCP will remain aligned with the BJP-led NDA, despite earlier speculation that a merger might consolidate the two factions.The party had split in July 2023 when Ajit Pawar joined the Mahayuti alliance with loyalist MLAs and became Deputy Chief Minister.  

Kerala: BJP links UDF victory to pakistan

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday launched a blistering attack on the Congress-led UDF in Kerala, claiming that “crackers will be burst in Pakistan” if they win the April 9 Assembly election. Speaking at a poll rally in Palakkad, Chouhan praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “unique leader” and described BJP candidate Sobha Surendran as reflecting similar leadership qualities. Chouhan alleged links between the Congress-UDF and Jamaat-e-Islami, warning that their victory would harm Kerala. He emphasized that a BJP win would drive development and boost agriculture in the state, promising to personally oversee initiatives to strengthen the sector. “The Government of India will stand with you,” he said, urging voters to support the BJP for progress and prosperity.