Tharoor says ‘relieved’ KPCC accepted my explanation on Modi praise
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, at the centre of a controversy for stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be praised for doing the “right things”, on Thursday said he was “relieved” the party accepted his explanation.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Mullapally Ramachandran is also learnt to have instructed party leaders to avoid airing their views in public over the controversy.
“Yes, that controversy is over. There is no need for any more discussion (on this),” said Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala.
Mr. Tharoor said he was “grateful” for those who supported him and he will not comment further on this episode.
“I am relieved that KPCC have accepted my reply & this unfortunate & unnecessary episode is over. I am grateful to all those who have stood by me but will be making no further comment on this matter,” he tweeted.
Mr. Tharoor had remarked on the performance of the Modi government after his party colleagues Jairam Ramesh and Abhishek Singhvi had expressed similar sentiments.
The three-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram thanked IUML leader and former minister M K Muneer and Muslim Youth League president Sayyid Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal for their support.
Will apprise PM on enormity of flood damage on Sept 7: BSY
Karnataka Chief Minsiter B.S. Yediyurappa insisted that the enormity of flood-related damages warranted maximum aid from the Centre.
He said he would apprise the situation to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Bengaluru visit on September 7.
“The Central team had inspected the flood situation in the State. I believe that in two to three days we will get a substantial aid from the Centre,” Mr. Yediyurappa told reporters in Mysuru after giving an offering to full-to-the-brim river Cauvery at the Krishna Raja Sagar dam.
“We need more assistance from the Centre. Prime minister is coming to Bengaluru on September seven. I will apprise him about the situation to get maximum aid from the Centre,” the Chief Minister said.
On flood relief, Mr. Yediyurappa said the government has already paid ₹10,000 to each flood affected families.
The government has resolved to pay ₹5 lakh to the families who lost their houses, and ₹1 lakh to those whose houses have partially damaged for repairing their them.
Congress stages demonstration
Meanwhile, the Congress staged a demonstration in the city, where the leaders slammed the Chief Minister, alleging he failed to get any central aid for flood relief.
Congress leaders warned that they would take the agitation to Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Addressing the gathering, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alleged the government was “absent” in the State though the Congress was always willing to cooperate with it.
“Our cooperation is there but you [Yediyurappa] have failed. There is no government at all. At least now start the relief work on a war footing. If you fail, then we will take our struggle to the streets,” he said.
The Congress Legislature Party leader clarified that the purpose of the agitation was not to “trouble” the government but to “awaken” them to take measures on providing flood relief.
“It’s more than 20 days since the flood hit the state. On the one hand, there is flood and on the other there is drought,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.
The Congress State president Dinesh Gundu Rao said if the government “remained in slumber” to provide any relief to the flood-affected people, the party would stage demonstration in the national capital.
Mr. Rao charged the Chief Minister with being “afraid” of seeking Central aid.
Avadhut Tatkare meets Uddhav Thackeray
Amid speculations that he may quit the NCP, party MLA Avadhut Tatkare on Thursday met Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray here and said he wants to stay in “mainstream politics“.
Rumours have been doing the rounds that the MLA, who represents Shrivardhan Assembly seat in Maharashtra’s Raigad district, would be joining Shiv Sena.
“I met Uddhav Thackeray to remain in mainstream politics. I will announce my official decision in next two days,” Mr. Tatkare told reporters outside Mr. Thackeray's residence in suburban Bandra.
“I would take a decision after consultation with my party workers and close aides. I need some time to make a statement on the same. I cannot confirm anything but I want to stay in mainstream politics and as part of it, I met Thackeray.”
Several senior leaders from the opposition NCP and Congress have recently joined the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena in the state, where the Assembly polls are due in September- October.
The Election Commission has announced that byelection from two seats in Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh will be held on September 23.
The byelection was necessitated after the resignation of Samajwadi Party leaders Surendra Singh Nagar and Sanjay Seth. They subsequently joined the BJP. Their term was supposed to end on July 4, 2022.
Kashmir was never part of Pakistan: Rajnath
Reiterating that Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh are integral part of India, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh wondered when had Kashmir belonged to Pakistan. "Pakistan has no locus standi on Kashmir," Mr. Singh said at a DRDO event in Leh.
On talks with Pakistan, Mr. Singh asked, "How can we talk to Pak when it keeps trying to destabilise India using terror? We want to have good neighbourly relationship with Pakistan. But, it should first stop exporting terror to India."
Mayawati a 'live wire', says UP Minister
Newly-inducted Uttar Pradesh Minister Giriraj Singh Dharmesh has compared Bahujan Samaj Party President Mayawati to a “naked” live wire and said whosoever touches her either dies or is destroyed. He has called her “untrustworthy” who betrays others after reaping maximum benefit.
“Mayawati is like a naked electric wire. Anyone who touches her will die,” he said in an informal chat with the media.
The Minister of State for Social Welfare and SC/ST Welfare, who represents the Agra cantonment seat in the Assembly, said: “Mayawati is not trustworthy and has betrayed everyone.
“She used the Samajwadi Party, increased her party’s strength during Lok Sabha to 10 and then ditched that party.”
- IANS
Rahul Gandhi is liked by Pakistan, says Smriti Irani
Union Minister Smriti Irani slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying that it is not for the first time that Pakistan is finding support from him.
While talking to the mediapersons on Wednesday, Ms. Irani said, “When the Union Home Minister is talking about one flag, one constitution for the entire country, the Congress, following the “hints and directions” from Rahul Gandhi, is echoing the views which tend to divide the country.”
“It is not for the first time that Pakistan is finding support from Rahul Gandhi. If you remember, earlier also his views were liked by Pakistan. It would be better for the country if Rahul Gandhi stops igniting the fire of separatism. It is really unfortunate for India that today there is a leader in the country who doesn’t think much about the Tricolour, undermines the Tricolour and is loved by the enemy country,” said the women and child development minister.
I appeal to the Congress that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of the country. Those living there wish to see development under the leadership of PM Modi, she added.
- IANS
Pappu Yadav's party to contest elections in 100 seats
Madhepura MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav’s Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) has begun its preparation for 2020 Bihar assembly elections and announced that his party will contests elections on 100 seats.
Addressing the mediapersons here, after a three-day meeting of the party units, Mr. Yadav said that in order to implement social and political justice, the JAP has pledged that the next Chief Minister of Bihar would be from Dalit or Backward class.
Mr. Yadav said, “Party has earmarked 100 seats on which it will be contesting assembly elections schedule for next year.”
“Party will connect with at least 20,000 people at every assembly. A membership campaign will also be carried out till Dec 31,” he added.
- IANS
SP fields Manoj Prajapati from Hamirpur seat
Samajwadi Party (SP) has declared Dr Manoj Prajapati as their candidate from Hamirpur assembly seat of Uttar Pradesh.
SP spokesprson Rajendra Chaudhary said on Wednesday, “Party president Akhilesh Yadav has announced Dr Manoj Prajapati as party candidate for the Assembly by—elections from Hamirpur seat which was vacant after BJP MLA Ashok Chandel was awarded life sentence in a murder case.”
Voting in Hamirpur will take place on Sept 23 whereas the last date for filing nominations is Sept 7. The counting will be done on Sept 27.
- IANS
