New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janta Party is likely to send two Union ministers Pralhad Joshi and Narendra Singh Tomar to Gujarat on Sunday as the party’s central observers to the meeting of the state legislatures as they look to pick Vijay Rupani’s successor.

In a move that shocked everyone, Vijay Rupani had submitted his resignation as the CM to the Governor on Saturday. After the resignation of Vijay Rupani, senior Gujarat BJP leaders met at the party office in Gandhinagar yesterday. The MLAs have been asked to reach the state capital by Saturday night. 

BJP’s general secretary (organisation) B L Santosh and Gujarat state unit in-charge Bhupender Yadav met party functionaries soon after Rupani announced his resignation. Party sources said the issue of Rupani’s successor will be discussed in the legislature party meeting likely to be held on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Rupani met state Governor Acharya Devvrat and tendered his resignation as Gujarat CM. “To further develop the state, with new energy and power, I have decided to resign as Chief Minister,” he told the reporters. 

The move comes just 15 months before the election to the 182-member Assembly that is due in December 2022.

As per sources, names of Gujarat Deputy CM Nitin Patel, state agriculture minister RC Faldu, Union ministers Purshottam Rupala and Mansukh Mandaviya are under consideration.

With his resignation, Rupani became the fourth BJP’s chief minister to be replaced in the last six months. Earlier, Trivendra Singh Rawat and Tirath Singh Rawat in Uttarakhand and BS Yediyurappa in Karnataka were replaced from the CM posts. 

Rupani (65) was sworn in as chief minister in December 2017.

(With Agency inputs)

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New Delhi: Expressing concern over the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, a group of experts underlined that the international community must press for the Taliban to stop abusing women.

Discussing the topic “Role of International Media in Safeguarding Women’s rights under Taliban” during a seminar organised by Delhi-based think tank Red Lantern Analytica, Heather Barr, Associate Director, Women’s Rights Division, Human Rights Watch said that the international media coverage is not fair, and is diluted.  She added that some believe that the security threat is greater when more than fifty percent of the total population in Afghanistan is terrified. She also specified that the Taliban can never be trusted with women’s rights in Afghanistan and they have demonstrated that very clearly.

Nargis Nehan, the former minister of mines and petroleum in Afghanistan said, “Former president would run away leaving his countrymen at the mercy of the Taliban was absolutely unpredictable. It is also very sad to see that posts of ministers and military commanders have gone to terror outfits, especially the  Haqqani network, the members of which are in the FBI’s most-wanted list.”

“Women in Afghanistan have been part of reconstruction, not war. And yet women are the ones who have to pay the highest price in the process,” Zarifa Ghafari, Afghanistan’s former mayor and human rights activist noted. She added, “Though the trouble and the pain is intense, yet the women in Afghanistan would fight back. The battle would be hard but today’s women would not give up as women in Afghanistan make up a significant part of the society, their economy, cultural development, social development and also a part of the government.”

Roya Musawi, former Spokesperson of International Committee of Red Cross Afghanistan, remarked that the media in the west have spread the Taliban propaganda and have focused disproportionately on them, to the detriment of the protests of the population. “They present a partial and simplistic view of the crisis of Afghanistan. But to an absolute dismay, no international media have till now interviewed the protesting women,” she said.

Habiba Ashna, International Affairs Expert, mentioned that the international media positioned themselves as saviors, “instead of saying that they were abandoning us”.

Afghan-Canadian Journalist Yalda Sarwar elaborated how she had many times been targeted by fundamentalist groups and specific media outlets, who wanted to shut her mouth. She opined that many international media have a specific agenda. “They only demonstrate the narrative that they want to show the audience. They try to silence people who question the credibility of their news,” she said.

She urged the people of all the nations to “bend their ears to Afghanistan and stand beside them in times of necessity”.

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It’s a new day, a new beginning. It’s all about starting life afresh. So as you begin a new journey, find out what the stars have in store for you today. There are twelve zodiac signs and each has its distinct features. Be it, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces — each of the signs has something unique to tell.

Aries

You might want to take a breather today. Forget about your problems and appreciate the good around you. Today brings positivity in your life and it will help you look at things with a new perspective. Keep an open mind.

Taurus

You’re a problem solver, but you can’t carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Try to set realistic goals instead of trying to solve all of the world’s problems. This will keep you at peace and keep you content.

Gemini

It’s time to put your adventurous side aside and focus on work today. Today is the best day for you to focus on your goals as the stars are aligning in your favour work wise. You might be getting that promotion you’ve been waiting for, or a sign that tells you to take the risk you’ve been wanting to take for a while.

Cancer

Today is the day to keep your dominance aside and be of assistance to those around you. Your intelligence and intuition might be needed at your workplace, or even around friends and family. Make sure to share your opinion, but do it in a subtle way. 

Leo

It’s all about sharing. Have you been hiding your feelings a little too much lately? Today is the best day to open up to a loved one and share your problems. You never know, you might just find the right person to help you out and be of guidance.

Virgo

You’re too giving, which is good, but don’t waste your time and energy on people who don’t value you. Try to recognize your true ones and put your energy in helping them, and don’t forget to take some time out for yourself today. 

Libra

If you’ve been working too hard and haven’t had the time to relax, then today is the day to do it. Take the day off and do what you’ve been wanting to do. Start the new month out with a treat that you know you deserve. This will keep you calm throughout the week and help you push harder at work as well.

Scorpio

Is there someone you’ve been meaning to talk to for a while? Reach out to them today and things might just work out for you. The stars are in your favour today and it’s going to be uphill from here with friendships, relationships and family. You just have to take that first step in picking up the phone and everything else will flow itself.

Sagittarius

If you feel strongly about something, continue believing in it. Your intuitive powers are at their peak today. Everything you’re feeling could be put in perspective and you might just receive the good news you’ve been waiting for.

Capricorn

Your sensitive personality usually gets the best of you. However, today is the day of being bold. Put your sensitivity aside and explore the stronger parts of you. Be bold. Do something you wouldn’t usually do, say something you’ve been wanting to say for a while. You’ll be surprised as to what you’re capable of. 

Aquarius

Today is the day you’re feeling bolder than usual and it’s going to make the month a good one for you. If there’s something you’ve been meaning to do, then be bold and go ahead and do it. Especially if it’s a business venture.

Pisces 

Keep your finances in check today. Don’t spend on things you don’t need as today you might end up overspending without noticing and this will create problems for you later on. Keep yourself grounded at all times today and make sure you’re not making unthoughtful purchases. Write down whatever you spend on, so you can keep a track of where your finances are going today.

 The astrological predictions are by Dr Sundeep Kochar.

DALLAS: The CEO of Salesforce said the company will help employees leave Texas, and he did so while retweeting a story linking the offer to concern about Texas new anti-abortion law.

Salesforce, which sells customer-management software, joins a small number of companies that have reacted against the Texas law.

CNBC reported that the San Francisco-based company told employees in a Slack message it will help them move if you have concerns about access to reproductive healthcare in your state.

On Friday night, CEO Marc Benioff retweeted a post about the story, adding, Ohana if you want to move well help you exit TX. Your choice. Ohana is a Hawaiian term for family.

The company did not return messages for comment.

The Texas law passed the Republican-controlled state Legislature and was signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in May but didnt go into effect until this month. It bans most abortions after six weeks, before many women know whether they are pregnant, and lets private residents sue anyone who helps a woman get an abortion.