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I-T department raids 12 locations in Delhi belonging to Gautam Khaitan for his role in defence deal kickbacks during UPA regime

OpIndia Staff
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I-T department raids 12 locations in Delhi belonging to Gautam Khaitan for his role in defence deal kickbacks during UPA regime

In the latest development in the investigation into the AgustaWestland case, the Income Tax department today raided offices and various other properties in Delhi-NCR belonging to Gautam Khaitan.

Gautam Khaitan has been accused of allegedly receiving kickbacks in the AgustaWestland VVIP Chopper purchase deal. The I-T department confirms that they have various details and proof that Khaitan was allegedly involved in several other defence deals during the UPA tenure and he may have received kickbacks in those deals also.

According to reports, the I-T department has conducted these raids in 12 locations. Gautam Khaitan is one of the main accused in chopper purchase scandal and is alleged to have routed bribe through shell companies abroad.

The Delhi-based lawyer was arrested on September 3, 2014, and later released on bail on January 9, 2015. He was a board member of Aeromatrix and is said to have received money from Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa, the key middlemen in the deal.

Khaitan was again arrested along with Sanjeev Tyagi on December 9, 2016, by CBI in connection with the case which relates to the procurement of 12 VVIP choppers from UK-based firm during the UPA-2 regime and was later released on bail.

He had allegedly routed the bribe money in the AgustaWestland deal through shell companies in tax havens abroad and parked it in Mauritius. Khaitan on his part had denied that the money was a part of the kickbacks in the AgustaWestland deal.

As part of the investigation, ED is also probing KRBL, a Basmati Rice Exporting company, as Gautam Khaitan was the joint director of the company from 2007 to 2013. ED sources have reportedly mentioned that the proceeds of the kickbacks and bribes were being laundered through Rawasi Al Khaleej General Trading, a subsidiary of KRBL. KRBL had reportedly denied receiving kickback money or laundering it.

Earlier it was reported that Gautam Khaitan had during CBI questioning had accepted that he set up a shell company to receive money from the aviation firm and there were reports that Gautam Khaitan, one of the main accused in the case could turn approver.

Kumbh Mela will generate six lakh jobs and Rs 1.2 lakh crore revenue to the Uttar Pradesh government: CII

OpIndia Staff
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Kumbh Mela will generate six lakh jobs and Rs 1.2 lakh crore revenue to the Uttar Pradesh government: CII

The mega ‘Maha Kumbh Mela’, the largest human congregations on the earth which takes place over a span of seven weeks is expected to generate a revenue of Rs 1.2 lakh crore for Uttar Pradesh, says apex industry body Confederation of Indian Industry, reported Economic Times.

The Economic Times citing a CII report suggest that the economic activities associated with the Kumbh Mela will generate more than six lakh employment opportunities across various sectors. The Uttar Pradesh government led by Yogi Adityanath has allocated Rs 4,200 crore for the 50-day Kumbh Mela this time, which is over three times more than the Maha Kumbh in 2013.

Reportedly, the CII estimated that the hospitality sector alone will employ more than 2,50,000 people, while airlines and airports will create 1,50,000 jobs with additional 45,000 jobs through tour operations. The employment numbers in eco-tourism and medical tourism are being estimated at 85,000, says a CII study. Addition to this there will be around 55,000 new jobs in the unorganized sector comprising of tour guides, taxi drivers, interpreters, volunteers etc.

The Kumbh Mela is expected to attract a huge number of foreign tourists from various countries like Australia, UK, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, New Zealand, Mauritius, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka indicating that the Kumbh Mela is a global festival.

The Kumbh is expected to generate a revenue of Rs 1.2 lakh crore for Uttar Pradesh, while neighbouring states like Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh will also gain from the enhanced revenue generation with a large number of national and foreign tourists visit these neighbouring states.

The area of Kumbh Mela to accommodate the visitors has also been doubled to 3,200 hectares as compared to 1,600 hectares in the previous melas. Augmenting this, authorities have set up a mini-city with more than 4,000 tents and the Prayagraj is being lit by installing over 40,000 LED lights, say local authorities.

The infrastructure development has also been given the push with the upgrading of nine railways stations and construction of a new airport terminal in Allahabad. The new city near the Kumbh Mela has been built with a road span of 250 km and 22 pontoon bridges, which will make it the largest temporary city in the world.

The CII document further adds that the Kumbh being a sacred Hindu pilgrimage will generate direct and indirect business activities and the fruits of which would hopefully benefit the economy not only of Uttar Pradesh but that of India as a whole.

The historic Kumbh Mela is organised based on a complex astrological calculation and the alignment of the stars which determines the time and place of the ‘Kumbh’ in one of the following four river-sites of either Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nasik and Ujjain. The Kumbh Mela is a celebration of an ancient Hindu tradition, in which a devotee takes a dip in the holy waters where the mythical Saraswati, Ganga and Yamuna rivers meet. The ‘Kumbh Mela’ is not only the largest peaceful gathering in the world but also the oldest religious event to be celebrated and is also on the UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

President Ram Nath Kovind became the first President since Dr Rajendra Prasad in 1953 to visit the Kumbh Mela when he offered prayers with his wife on Thursday. It is expected that more than round 12 crore people will attend the Kumbh from January 15 till Maha Shivratri on March 4, when the Mela will come to a close on Maha Shivratri day.

The first ‘Shahi Snan‘ (royal bath) of Kumbh on January 15 drew a record crowd of 2.25 devotees, said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has been meticulously supervising minute details personally to make the event “Divya Kumbh, Bhavya Kumbh”.

Opposition is allying within themselves, we are allying with 125 crore people of country: PM Modi

OpIndia Staff
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Opposition is allying within themselves, we are allying with 125 crore people of country: PM Modi

While interacting with BJP workers from Maharashtra and Goa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a dig on the show of strength united opposition rally which took place yesterday in Kolkata.


“They (Opposition) have formed alliances with each other. We’ve formed an alliance with 125 crore countrymen,” PM Modi said. He added that most leaders on the stage in Kolkata yesterday were either son of influential people or were trying to set their own children. “They have ‘dhan shakti’ (money power), we have ‘jan shakti’ (people power),” PM Modi said.

Stating that the Opposition has already started making excuses for their defeat in the upcoming general elections, PM Modi said “EVM is being made a villain. It’s natural that every political party wants to win the polls, but it’s worrisome when some parties take the public for granted. They consider public stupid & so keep changing colours.”

Taking on the ‘mahagathbandhan’, PM Modi said that this mahagathbandhan is of the ‘naamdaar’. He added that only the corrupt, scam-ridden are part of the mahagathbandhan which is full of negativity and instability.

Emphasising on the importance of karyakartas, he said that workers are the embodiment of patriotism and selflessness, and a stint of life that teaches a person a lot. The biggest contribution to the country, PM Modi said, was a party which is totally worker-oriented. He added that due to this his party which had mere 2 seats decades back, has now 282 seats in Lok Sabha.

PM Modi slammed opposition for assaulting institutions and questioning them as per convenience. He also mentioned Sharad Yadav’s blunder at Kolatay rally, where he had mistakenly made reference to Congress era scam of Bofors.

PM Modi, countering allegations of the opposition said that in our country the whole year is filled with elections. Introducing amendments to the constitution and getting it passed he said, is not an election issue but the issue of the welfare of common citizens. He also justified the eligibility condition, which requires candidates’ family to have income less than 8 lakh. He said that even the OBC’s creamy layer is at 8 lakhs.

Other than Maharashtra workers, PM Modi also interacted with workers from Goa. PM Modi wished CM Parikar good health and also labelled him as the modern architect of Goa.

PM Modi said that biggest change that can be witnessed is how the world changed its view regarding the country. He said, five years ago our country was counted under The Fragile Five, meaning the weakest countries of the world. Now, he said, we are the fastest growing economy of the world. He talked about the Maoists hit the area, and how under NDA rule they have been controlled. Five years ago, we had mere 38% sanitation coverage, PM Modi said, but he we have close to 98% sanitation coverage in the country. He also mentioned the fact that, during UPA tenure, there was high inflation and low growth, but no, under NDA, there is low inflation but high growth. PM Modi also said that the decade before NDA, was marred with scams, but his tenure is only known for schemes.

High-level inquiry report says Sasikala given special treatment inside prison cell

OpIndia Staff
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High-level inquiry report says Sasikala given special treatment inside prison cell

The committee set up to look into the allegations of V K Sasikala, who is serving a  four-year sentence in a corruption case, being given special treatment inside prison cell has found out serious lapses and falsification of records by the senior prison officials.

The high-level inquiry committee led by retired IAS officer Vinay Kumar had submitted the report last year which was accepted by the Karnataka government. The government had directed the Anti-Corruption Bureau into allegations of irregularities in Bengaluru central prison has found “serious lapses” a to register a case but the findings were kept strictly confidential.

RTI activist Narasimha Murthy alleged that the jail authorities had allotted 5 rooms to Sasikala while she is entitled to only one room.


He further alleged that rules were openly flouted in providing a cook to Sasikala who would prepare food for her in the prison and that people were allowed to meet her in groups and even stay for hours.


The issue regarding special treatment to Sasikala was highlighted in 2017 by the then Deputy Inspector General of Police (Prisons) D Roopa. Roopa had written to the authorities that prison authorities were extending special treatment to Sasikala for a bribe of Rs 2 crore. However right after the issue was brought to the notice of the authorities by Roopa, she was transferred to the Traffic Department.

Karnataka: Two Congress MLAs fight each other at Eagleton resort, MLA Anand Singh injured after being hit by a bottle

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Two Congress MLAs fight each other at Eagleton resort, MLA Anand Singh injured after being hit by a bottle

There seems to be no end to the political drama in the state of Karnataka, as reportedly two Congress MLAs have fought each other violently over the issue of their support to the Congress-JDS coalition government in the state, reported News18.

A heated argument between two Congress MLAs from Bellary- Anand Singh and JN Ganesh turned violent and Anand Singh was injured after JN Ganesh hit him with a bottle. The incident happened during an intense argument over joining hands with Congress-JDS coalition. The Congress MLAs are staying at the Eagleton resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru amidst the rumours of few Congress MLAs deciding to quit the party to support the BJP to form the government.

Reportedly, there was a heated exchange initially at Vidhan Soudha between Hospet MLA Anand Singh and Kampli MLA JN Ganesh on the issue of mining. Soon, both the Congress MLAs were shifted to the Eagleton resort along with other Congress legislators to avoid any risks of possible poaching by the BJP. However, a fight between Ganesh and Singh broke out when the former accused the latter of leaking information to the Congress party. Reportedly, Ganesh is rebelling against the Congress party and also in talks with the BJP.

Ganesh accused Anand Singh of not only leaking information to the Congress but also misleading him to join the Congress party. He reportedly said that Congress did not offer him any ministerial post while he could have been a minister if he had joined the BJP and held Anand Singh responsible for that. After this, a physical fight broke out amidst an intense quarrel, which led to Ganesh allegedly hitting Anand Singh with a bottle leaving the latter injured.

According to the reports, Anand Singh has now been admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru for further treatment. Most of the senior Congress leaders including Deputy CM Parameshwar met Anand Singh in the hospital but refuted any claims of fighting between the two Congress leaders.

Congress leader DK Shivakumar rejected the reports of a fight between Karnataka Congress MLAs Anand Singh and JN Ganesh said, “There is no fight. You saw all of them coming together, going together. It’s fake news. Entire Congress party is united.I’m confident that even those who couldn’t attend CLP will come to Congress.”

Deputy CM Parameshwar and Congress leader DK Suresh however, visited the hospital to check the health condition of Anand Singh and claimed that the Hospet MLA was admitted to the hospital as he was unwell and dismissed that there was any fight at the resort.

“I don’t know about the fight Anand Singh is admitted in hospital due to chest pain. There are no injuries or anything. His parents are here at the hospital. Other issues are just speculations,” said DK Suresh, Congress MP and brother of DK Shivakumar.

Meanwhile, BJP has grabbed the opportunity to attack the Congress government for instability within the party and the Karnataka government. “What more proof do we need to tell all is not well within Congress…Congress MLA’s in Eagleton resort indulged in physical fight & 1 MLA is admitted. How long will Congress be in denial mode & blame BJP for all their differences? When political party is lame, it loves to blame,” said the Karnataka BJP.


Former Deputy CM and BJP leader R Ashok speaking to the media said, “DK Shivakumar & DK Suresh are confusing people by telling lies. Doctors of Apollo Hospital should come out & give clarification about whether Anand Singh is admitted for chest pain treatment or for something else. Police should file a suo-motu case & investigate.”

On Friday, the Congress moved 76 of its 80 lawmakers to the resort amid fears of poaching by the BJP. Four of the Congress MLAs did not make it to the Eagleton Resorts and also failed to attend the Congress legislature party meet on Friday. All the four MLAs have been sent a showcause notice by the Congress party. Recently, two independent MLAs, H Nagesh and R Shankar had withdrawn their support from the Karnataka government.

Opposition rally in Kolkata: Crowd nowhere near the 50 lakh mark as projected, many left mid-way

OpIndia Staff
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Opposition rally in Kolkata: Crowd nowhere near the 50 lakh mark as projected, many left mid-way

After a massive build-up created for several weeks over the turnout at the United India rally at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, the final crowd count was far from what had been projected by the Trinamool Congress party and failed to impress the political veterans, reports DNA.

The over-hyped Brigade meeting has been making headlines for quite some time now, as TMC supremo along with leaders of the Congress, TDP, SP, RJD, NC and AAP are devising a united opposition to give a clarion call to oust the BJP-led NDA coalition government at the centre in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Veteran political observers said that although the turnout was impressive it was not a ‘historic’ one as TMC wanted.

“The way it was being projected we were thinking that even the lanes adjoining the ground would be chocked but nothing of that sort happened. The gathering was under 10 lakh and nowhere near the 50 lakh mark which was projected. The capacity of Brigade Parade Ground is 3.5 lakh and it was surely full,” said a senior police official preferring anonymity.

The onlookers had started leaving the ground mid-way in such big numbers that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had to intervene asking them to stay back. “No vehicles will leave before 4 pm. You people sit down and listen to all the leaders. Let them know how disciplined you are,” Mamata said.

People mostly coming from remote districts, felt disconnected as Karnataka CM, HD Kumaraswamy, started speaking in English and started leaving the ground.

People who were leaving said they could not understand anything. “Some of the leaders are speaking in English which we have no clue about. Some are speaking in Tamil which is being translated in a strange way and there are some leaders who are speaking in Hindi but owing to the age they are incomprehensible,” said Ramesh Kundu who had come from South 24 Parganas district.

Mamata, who was anchoring the event said, “There are 6-7 more speakers and then I will be speaking at the end.” But sadly while Mamata’s speech was still on nearly half the ground had left the venue.

Earlier Mamata Government in its animosity towards the BJP had refused to give permission to BJP’s Rath Yatra citing threats of ‘communal disharmony’ in the state.

BJP had planned three grand rallies from different parts in West Bengal, travelling across the state’s 42 parliamentary constituencies over one-and-a-half months to protest against the Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress government.

After being denied permission the BJP resolute to create awareness decided to organise ‘padyatras’ instead.

Media spreads half-truths about central government debt under Modi

Shantanu
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Media spreads half-truths about central government debt under Modi

On January 19th 2018, several media houses reported how the central government debt had increased massively under the Modi government. India Today headline screamed how central debt under the Modi government had surged by a whopping 50%, and Economic Times reported how India’s debt is up by 50% under the Modi era according to the 8th Edition of the Status Paper on Government Debt that was released on Friday.

Soon, the anti-Modi brigade latched on to the report and started using it to deride the Modi government.


While there is nothing factually wrong in these reports, the real mischief lies in what these reports don’t tell you.

What the reports don’t clarify:

The increase in debt is perfectly normal, in fact, India is doing better than many major economies on this parameter

The central government borrows money (from internal and external sources) to fund the fiscal deficit. Govt debt is nothing but an accumulation of fiscal deficits over the years. Government debt over the years has always increased. The important factor here is the sustainability of the debt, and the most important parameter to evaluate sustainability is the Debt to GDP ratio (because as the GDP increases, govt’s revenue increases and thus its ability to service debt enhances). In India’s case, the Central government debt to GDP ratio has been hovering around 44-47% since 2010 and has shown improvement under the Modi government.

 

Central Government Debt to GDP (%)

The above chart shows that the ratio has improved from 46.98% in 2013 to 45.11% in 2017. Similarly, the gross general government debt, which includes borrowings of both Central and State governments has hovered between 67-72% since 2010 and is expected to steadily decline until 2024.

Gross debt position (% of GDP)

Finance ministry, in a recent press release, commented on the government debt –

The overall liabilities of the Central Government are on a medium-term declining trajectory and Government’s Debt Portfolio is characterised by prudent risk profile. Government is primarily resorting to market-linked borrowings for financing its fiscal deficit. Conventional indicators of Debt sustainability, i.e., Debt/GDP ratio, interest payment to revenue receipts, shares of short-term Debt/External Debt/FRBs in total debt indicate that the debt profile of the Government is comfortably placed in terms of debt sustainability parameters and is consistently improving.

Under UPA, central government debt increased at a much higher rate

 While all reports and tweets by opposition leaders harped on the 49% increase in central government debt under Modi government, they conveniently forgot to compare it with what happened during UPA government. OpIndia analysis shows that the central government debt increased by 68% under UPA-I and 89% under UPA-II. Cumulatively, the debt more than tripled in 10 years of UPA. But why show the complete picture when half of it helps your propaganda?

Central government debt

When it comes to external debt (borrowings from foreign governments and institutions), the figure saw an increase of 443% under UPA-I, 60% under UPA-II and 0.04% under the Modi government. This underscores the statement from the Finance Ministry that the government is primarily resorting to market-linked borrowings to finance the fiscal deficit.

Thus, the number 49% is more hype and less substance. But it’s election season, so expect much more misleading news based on half-truths.

Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit hits out at Arvind Kejriwal, says Congress will highlight AAP’s ‘propaganda’

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit hits out at Arvind Kejriwal, says Congress will highlight AAP’s ‘propaganda’

Sheila Dikshit, the three-time Delhi chief minister who took over as the Congress party’s Delhi unit chief recently, hit out at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal saying that the Congress would hold programmes in all districts to make Delhiites aware of the “propaganda” of the Aam Aadmi Party government.

Dikshit was speaking at a meeting of District and Block Congress Committee presidents at the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) office, as part of the party’s preparations for the coming Lok Sabha elections in Delhi. DPCC working presidents Haroon Yusuf and Rajesh Lilothia were also present in the meeting.

In the meeting, it was also decided that the DPCC will hold conventions in their respective areas from next week, which would be addressed by the recently elected Pradesh Congress president Sheila Dikshit.

Dikshit while speaking to the members of DPCC said that in order to strengthen the Congress party, she would hold ‘Jag Jagran Abhiyan’ in each district in which the Delhiites would be made aware of the false promises and propaganda and the corruption of the AAP. “In the last four years, the AAP Government in Delhi has not done anything for the development of Delhi,” she said.

Lambasting at the Aam Aadmi party for not carrying out any development work in the past four years Dikshit said that the “truth” was that Kejriwal was “taking credit for the development works carried out by the Congress government during its 15-year rule”.

She said the AAP government was “misleading” Delhiites when it came to their mohalla clinics and other healthcare services.

She added that with the Lok Sabha elections round the corner, the Congress would aim to win all seven seats in Delhi, for which the district and block committee presidents would be the backbone.

“Ms Dikshit said that the confusing statements of the BJP and the AAP, their corruption, wrong policies and failures should be told to the people to make them aware about such matters,” the DPCC statement said.

Earlier, criticising the Arvind Kejriwal-led party over the resolution introduced to withdraw the Bharat Ratna given to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Dikshit had denied any possibility of forming an alliance with AAP. She had said that “there is no question of aligning with them after what they have done. I have always had the opinion that the Congress must stay away and fight on its own. We can do it and it’s not difficult. We just have to be together and fight.”

Taking a jibe at the Aam Aadmi party, Dikshit said that it is a small party and such a small party keeps coming and going, “The AAP is not something we have to worry about. It’s a political party that is confined to Delhi. Where is its presence in other states? Where is it in Gujarat or Rajasthan? It’s a small party and will come and go,” she said.

Regarding speculations of a tie-up with AAP, Congress veteran reiterated that “Working with AAP in any way is not possible. I have never said that I am willing for any kind of an alliance. If I have been quoted in this context, I would like to clarify that I have been misunderstood. We are not exploring an alliance with AAP.” Referring to a statement by AAP that such a tie-up was not on the cards, she told NDTV, “This is something they are just repeating. They only said what we already said.”

Last year in July, commenting on the ‘conflict‘ between the Delhi government and Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal, Sheila Dikshit had lashed out at the AAP saying that it was there ‘creation’. Dikshit had then said that there was no conflict with the L-G when she was in power from 1998 to 2013 “because the constitution clearly defines the roles of the chief minister, ministers and the L-G”. She had then also clearly disapproved AAP’s ‘style’ of working.

Karnataka: After expensive Hublot watch, a Mercedes car comes to haunt former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: After expensive Hublot watch, a Mercedes car comes to haunt former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

After facing severe flak over receiving expensive Hublot watch as a gift, a new controversy has struck former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as reports have now emerged that one of his close confidants has gifted him with a brand new Mercedes car worth Rs 1.8 crore.

According to the reports, Hebbal Congress MLA Bhyrathi Suresh, who is known to be a close aide of Congress leader and former CM Siddaramaiah gifted him a brand new expensive Mercedes Benz SUV causing huge controversy. The timing of receiving such gifts amidst the huge farm crisis looming over the state seems to have exposed the insensitivity of the Congress leaders.

Bhyrathi Suresh, who represents Hebbal is one of the richest politicians of the state with a net worth of Rs 416 crore. Suresh, along with his brother Bhyrathi Basavaraj-KR Puram MLA, is known to be from Siddaramaiah faction of the Karnataka Congress and incidentally hails from Kuruba community.

However, as soon as the news went viral, Suresh quickly denied that he had gifted the expensive car to the former CM, claimed that it was his car and had parked it in front of Siddaramaiah’s residence.

“I have not given Siddaramaiah any car. This is my car and I had parked it in front of his house. He may not even be aware of this,” Suresh stated and continued to state that his vehicles are always at the disposal of his friends, including Siddaramaiah.

Congress strongman DK Shivakumar, too, refuted these reports of Congress MLA gifting Mercedes-Benz car to Siddaramaiah, he said, “There is no gift or anything. We also sometimes take our friends’ vehicle to travel. There is no issue. Is there any record that he has received a gift or anything? Nothing, no record.”

Siddaramaiah’s love for gifts is not a closed secret anymore as this is not the first time he has allegedly accepted gifts from his party members and supporters. Earlier, Siddaramaiah was accused of receiving an expensive Hublot watch worth Rs 70 Lakh from a fugitive named Vijay Eshwaran, after which Siddaramaiah had to receive a huge backlash across the state.

In June 2018, KJ George, another close confidant of Siddaramaiah had gifted him a Toyota Land Cruiser to Siddaramaiah with fuel coupons for a year. George had explained that he had given the SUV to Siddaramaiah as the latter was not comfortable driving long distances in an Innova.

BJP President Amit Shah, who was suffering from Swine Flu, discharged from AIIMS

OpIndia Staff
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BJP President Amit Shah, who was suffering from Swine Flu, discharged from AIIMS

BJP President Amit Shah had informed his followers on 16th January that he is suffering from Swine Flu, and that he will be fine soon. Later, it was reported that Amit Shah is admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi. Now, BJP Spokesperson Anil Baluni has informed media that BJP President has completed his treatment and taken discharge from Hospital.


Later Amit Shah himself tweeted that he is fully healthy now and has been discharged from the hospital. He thanked everyone for their good wishes.


Amit Shah’s 4 day-long treatment was marred with indecency displayed by some ’eminent’ journalists and opposition leaders of the country.

A Quint journalist, Stutee Mishra had taken to Twitter to ask whether “people die from Swine Flu”, after news of Amit Shah getting admitted to AIIMS, had gone viral. Following this, the news portal Quint had condemned the tweet and had also promised strict actions.

The hate-filled tweets towards BJP President had not only come from The Quint journalists. An NDTV Journalist, Sunetra Chowdhury, too had expressed her celebratory mood on Twitter. She was also joined by a scribe working at leftist propaganda website The Wire, Maya Mirchandani. The NDTV journalist had also expressed her ‘excitement’ when then Cheif Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi had suffered from Swine Flu in 2009.

On 17th January, BK Hariprasad, a Congress MP from Karnataka had mocked BJP President Amit Shah’s health condition, as he had said that Shah was suffering from ‘suar ka zukam’. He had warned Amit Shah of facing a more graver disease than swine flu if the JD(S)- Congress government in Karnataka is destabilised. He had given the statement in the wake of the speculations of a few Congress MLAs turning rebel and switching over to the BJP camp. A day later, the same leader had again issued a controversial statement claiming that he has received reports stating that BJP President Amit Shah does not have any flu at all.

On the occasion of PM Modi’s birthday in 2017,  a journalist associated with The Quint Suprateek Chatterjee had tweeted that he was happy to know that Prime Minister Modi was one year closer to death. The Quint later had disassociated itself from the scribe.

Congress leaders have not even spared incumbent Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parikar. They have repeatedly dragged CM Parikar’s aliment into politics. Last year in December Congress leader Jaipal Reddy had commented that Parrikar is ‘sticking to his chair like a leech.’ Before that, state Congress spokesperson Jitendra Deshprabhu had demanded that the BJP should either ‘show’ Parrikar is alive or they should conduct his ‘Shradh’ (death rituals).

“It is a matter for all of us to be glad, that our President Amit Shah, has finally cured himself and has received the discharge from AIIMS, and came back to his residence. Thanks to well-wishers and workers of the party” Anil Baluni tweeted.

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