Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress (NCP) leader and state unit chief Jayant Patil on Sunday refuted the reports of him joining Ajit Pawar faction who broke ranks with his uncle Sharad Pawar almost one month ago.
“I am always with Sharad Pawar,” Jayant Patil said while talking to the reporters here.
There have been some reports in media about Patil meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday.
The NCP leader outrightly rejected of having met anyone and said he has been in Mumbai and did not travel to Delhi or Pune.
“Who told you this? (that I met Amit Shah) You should ask those who are saying all this. Last evening, I was there at the residence of Sharad Pawar… I have not met anyone…,” Patil said.
#WATCH | Maharashtra NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) President Jayant Patil on reports that he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah yesterday; says, "Who told you this? (that I met Amit Shah) You should ask those who are saying all this. Last evening I was there at the residence of… pic.twitter.com/CkJHnEFZIR
Ajit Pawar, along with eight the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs, switched over to the BJP-Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde)-led Maharashtra government recently.
Pawar was then sworn in as a Deputy Chief Minister of the state. Maharashtra’s other Deputy Chief Minister is BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis.
However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday shared the dais with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar at an event in Maharashtra’s Pune and said the latter is at the “right place”.
“Ajit Dada (Pawar) has come for the first time after becoming the Deputy CM and I am sharing the stage with him, I want to tell him that after a long time, you are sitting at the right place,” Shah said.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
Following the deadly train derailment incident in Sindh’s Nawabshah on Sunday, Federal Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique said someone could have “deliberately” caused the accident, according to Geo News.
At least 30 people were killed and over 80 others have been injured after 10 bogies of Hazara Express derailed on Sunday near Sahara Railway Station in Sindh’s Nawabshah district, 275 kilometres away from Karachi.
Rafique, during a press conference, said someone could have “deliberately” caused the accident and it could also be a mechanical fault, Geo News reported.
As per the initial investigations, the train was travelling at a reasonable speed, he said, adding that officials had reached the scene and an emergency had been imposed in hospitals in Sukkur and Nawabshah, Sindh.
The victims were taken to the People’s Medical Hospital in Nawabshah, Sindh while authorities fear more injuries as the ill-fated train is said to be carrying a large number of people.
The train comprised 17 bogies with a capacity of 950 passengers in its economy class and 72 in its air-conditioned standard coach, the senior superintendent of police said.
He said that 10 Station House Officers, four District Superintendent of Police (DSPs) and more than 100 police personnel are participating in rescue work.
Pakistan Army also joined the relief activities at the site of the accident after special instructions issued by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.
Moreover, train operations to and from the interior districts of Sindh have been suspended, Railway authorities said, adding that it may take up to 18 hours to restore operations as removing bogies from the tracks require time.
According to the police, rescue efforts have been carried out to recover passengers from the affected bogies.
Additional troops were also called in from Hyderabad and Sakrand with army aviation helicopters.
According to Geo News, such train accidents are common in Pakistan. However, the authorities fail to prevent such happenings by taking relevant measures.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
At least 30 people have lost their life and over 80 people have sustained injuries in a train accident near Sahara Railway Station in Sindh’s Nawabshah district, officials said as reported by Pakistan’s Geo TV. The casualties took place after 10 bogies of Havelian-bound Hazara Express got derailed on Sunday, 6 August.
In an official statement, the Commissioner of Benazirabad division, Abbas Baloch said at least 30 died in the incident while passengers are still stranded in a bogie.
The train was heading towards Rawalpindi from Karachi, Dawn news reported. The injured passengers have been taken to the Medical Hospitals in Shahdadpur and Nawabshah. However, the People’s Hospital in Nawabshah reportedly has a maximum capacity of around 1,000 people.
For this reason, a state of emergency has been declared in all the hospitals in the district. Train operations to and fro from the interior districts of Sindh have been suspended and restoration of operations can take up to 18 hours as per officials.
Another Police official stated that nine out of 10 wrecked bogies had been cleared. Bodies of deceased individuals and those injured have been pulled out of these bogies. However, the official added that the remaining bogie will need heavy heavy machinery to be cleared. The officials have maintained that the number of casualties can increase as time progresses.
The senior superintendent of police said the train, comprising 17 bogies with a capacity of 950 passengers in its economy class and 72 in its air-conditioned standard coach, went off track on its way to Havelian from Karachi in district Sanghar.
The carriages of Hazara Express derailed in Nawabshah: Pakistan Army and Rangers started immediate relief activities at the accident site
The Army Chief has issued special instructions to Pakistan Army and Rangers for relief activities. Rescue teams of Pakistan Army and Rangers… pic.twitter.com/1edxuMQ2Do
Pakistan rangers and Army personnel have been called in large numbers, following the directions of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asif Munir, to carry out the rescue operations and military helicopters have also been asked to assist them.
The officials have categorically stated that the reason behind the train derailment still remains unknown. However, officials have not ruled out the possibility of tampering or an act of terror behind this derailment. During a press conference, Federal Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique claimed that someone could have “deliberately” caused the accident and it could also be a mechanical fault.
Pakistani Railway Minister Saad said, “First, we will provide relief and then investigate. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah is reaching the site. Emergency has been imposed in hospitals in Sukkur.”
As per a report in GeoTV, officials present at the accident site stated that accidents on Pakistan’s decaying rail system are common.
A day before the Hazara train derailment, three coaches of Allama Iqbal Express which were heading from Karachi to Sialkot got derailed, but no one suffered injured in that incident.
Earlier, when the same locomotive was heading towards Havelian from Karachi, it had narrowly escaped a grave accident in March this year and nobody was hurt. According to reports, it happened after railway officials had put a rusted train on tracks.
Earlier Major train accidents
Pakistan has an alarming track record when it comes to train accidents. Over the past decade, it has experienced several fatal train accidents, and the frequency of such accidents has been on the rise in recent years.
Earlier, in June 2021, around 65 people died and more than 150 were injured when two trains collided near Daharki in Sindh. Back then, an express derailed onto the opposite track, and a second passenger train crashed into the wreckage roughly a minute later.
In October 2019, at least 75 passengers were burnt to death in a fire aboard the Tezgam Express train. In 2005, more than 100 passengers lost their lives when two trains collided at Ghotki.
On Saturday (August 5), The New York Timespublished a detailed article, revealing the ties of an American businessman with the Chinese government and his financial support to an Indian leftist propaganda outlet named NewsClick.
According to the US-based newspaper, a millionaire named Neville Roy Singham is funding several news publications across the world (including India) to peddle Chinese propaganda.
“What is less known, and is hidden amid a tangle of nonprofit groups and shell companies, is that Mr. Singham works closely with the Chinese government media machine and is financing its propaganda worldwide,” the article stated.
The New York Times pointed out that Singham has been successful in disseminating Chinese government talking points under the pretext of ‘progressive advocacy’ in countries such as India, Brazil, South Africa and the United States.
Screengrab of the news report by The New York Times
Neville Roy Singham, who holds strong ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is at the forefront of China’s smokeless war.
In its article, The New York Times stated, “Under the rule of Xi Jinping, China has expanded state media operations, teamed up with overseas outlets and cultivated foreign influencers. The goal is to disguise propaganda as independent content.”
It further added, “The result is a seemingly organic bloom of far-left groups that echo Chinese government talking points, echo one another, and are echoed in turn by the Chinese state media.”
During its investigation, the American newspaper found that Neville Roy Singham had financed an India-based leftist propaganda outlet named NewsClick. It noted that the news outlet had repeated the talking points of the CCP in the past.
“In New Delhi, corporate filings show, Mr. Singham’s network financed a news site, NewsClick, that sprinkled its coverage with Chinese government talking points. “China’s history continues to inspire the working classes,” one video said,” noted The New York Times.
News Click received foreign funding, ED revealed
On February 9, 2021, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the home of News Click founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha. According to the sources in ED, NewsClick had received ₹10 crores under Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from an American company.
Interestingly, Purkayastha had no idea why the American company had transferred the money to his company’s account. He could not give any proof of work that he had done for the particular company.
Further investigation revealed that another US-based company gave NewsClick ₹20 crores and marked it as ‘Export Remittance’. The money was transferred because NewsClick had uploaded content on a portal named People’s Dispatch.
Sources revealed that Purkayastha also took ₹1.5 crore rupees in the name of maintenance. Interestingly, he had hired a ninth-class pass electrician for maintenance at his office. The money he took was without any documentation, which made it impossible for him to explain the transaction to ED.
In July 2021, the ED informed that the investigation into the money laundering case against ‘NewsClick’ had revealed that the promoters of the media outlet received nearly ₹38 crores from entities, which might be associated with the Communist Party of China.
An officer probing the money laundering case revealed that NewsClick had financial dealings with a Sri Lankan-Cuban-based businessman named Neville Roy Singham, who allegedly funnelled Rs 38 crore to PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt Ltd between 2018 and 2021 from abroad.
The officials, who had traced the money flow of the media outlet, said that Singham is associated with the propaganda arm of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
When devotion meets skill, amazing things happen. A devotee of Lord Ram achieved an incredible feat by crafting a massive 400-kilogram lock for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Satya Prakash Sharma, an Aligarh native famous for his handmade locks, has crafted a 10 feet high, 4.5 feet wide, and 9.5-inch thick lock that opens with a 4-foot-long key that weighs 30 kg.
Hailing from the ‘Taala Nagari’ or the land of locks—Aligarh, Satya Prakash Sharma’s family has been making handmade locks for over a century in Aligarh. Sharma invested his life savings in the endeavour, which cost him approximately Rs 2 lakh, and worked tirelessly for months to make the “world’s largest lock.”
An ardent devotee of Lord Ram, Sharma stated that the lock was a labour of love and that his wife Rukmani assisted him in crafting it.
Giant lock made by Aligarh artisan Satya Prakash Sharma for Ram Mandir in Ayodhya (Image via FPJ)
“Since I’ve been in the lock-making business for decades, I thought of making a giant lock for the temple of Lord Ram as our city is known for locks and no one has ever done anything like this in the past,” says the artisan.
He went on to say that after previously making a 6-feet tall and 3 feet wide lock, he was motivated by suggestions to make a larger, more majestic lock for the temple of Lord Ram. The lock was displayed at the annual Aligarh exhibition earlier this year, but Sharma has been making modifications and refinements to it after that, including adding embellishments. He said that he wants the lock to be perfect.
His wife Rukmani, has been assisting in his work. “This endeavor was a labor of love for me, and my wife, Rukmani, also played an essential role in this ambitious venture,” Sharma told the media.
The lock’s box, lever, and hood are made of brass, and a steel seat has been installed to prevent it from rusting.
Meanwhile, officials with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust said they are receiving offerings from a large number of devotees and would have to determine where the lock can be utilised.
It is pertinent to recall that Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony for the Ram Temple on August 5, 2020. PM Modi laid a 40-kg silver brick as the Ram Mandir’s foundation stone.
Image via Friends of RSS on Twitter
Ram Temple consecration ceremony to be held in January 2024
Meanwhile, arrangements for the Pran Pratishtha or the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya are ongoing. Champat Rai, General Secretary of the Ram Mandir Trust, said that the consecration ceremony will take place on January 21, 22, and 23 of the coming year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be invited to attend this historic event. The event will also witness the presence of prominent saints and other noted figures.
According to Champat Rai, the temple trust aims to invite more than 25,000 Hindu religious leaders from 136 Sanatan traditions for the ceremony. The temple trust is compiling a list of such saints, and an invitation letter with the signature of trust president Mahant Nritya Gopal Das would be delivered to them soon. The trust intends to host revered saints in Ayodhya’s large monasteries.
“These 25,000 saints will be separate from the 10,000 “special guests” who will attend the consecration ceremony inside the premise of Ram Janmabhoomi,” Rai added.
Taking to Twitter/X on Friday, Champat Rai informed that presently, the construction work is going on in full swing on the first floor of the temple.
“Construction work going on on the first floor of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. The construction of the grand and divine temple is the culmination of Bhagirath’s efforts and the continuous struggle of crores of Ram devotees,” Rai tweeted.
श्री राम जन्मभूमि मंदिर के प्रथम तल पर चल रहा निर्माण कार्य। भव्य और दिव्य मंदिर का निर्माण कोटि-कोटि रामभक्तों के भागीरथ प्रयास और अनवरत संघर्ष की परिणीति है। pic.twitter.com/tM5YPvofeM
Anil Misra, a member of the temple trust said that Ramlala’s sanctum sanctorum is nearing completion. Now the preparation for the grand event of ‘Pran Pratishtha’ is in full swing. The trust will also plan to serve free food for nearly a month to devotees of Lord Rama attending the consecration event in Ayodhya.
The government-appointed Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust tasked with the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has stated that it has recruited 1,600 workers to ensure that the first floor of the temple is completed before its scheduled January 2024 opening.
The latest pictures from the temple construction site give a glimpse of the architectural marvel and beautiful details of the temple pillars and roof.
Images tweeted by Champat Rai, Ram Temple Trust’s general secretary
About Ram Mandir architecture
The major architectural component of a Hindu temple comprises a Garbhagriha—the small room where the principal deity/deities of the temple reside. Mandapa— the portico or hall at the temple’s entrance that is often constructed to accommodate a large number of visitors. Shikhara is a mountain-like spire with various shapes ranging from pyramidal to curvilinear. Vahana – the major deity’s mount, which is normally visible from Garbhagriha.
The Ayodhya Ram Mandir would be a magnificent temple constructed in the Nagara temple architecture style, which is characterised by towering shikhara. The temple is 2.77 acres in size and is built of pink sandstone. The temple is to be surrounded by a large courtyard, which will hold multiple smaller shrines devoted to various Hindu deities. The Shaligram stone— a non-anthropomorphic representation of Lord Vishnu in Hindu dharma imported from Nepal’s Gandaki River will be the temple’s most prominent feature.
According to Shri Ram Mandir Teerth Kshetra’s website, the temple will measure 360 feet long, 235 feet broad, and 161 feet high. Teak wood (Sagwan/Sagaun) from Maharashtra’s Chandrapur is being used to construct the windows and doors. Teak is a unique wood with a lifespan of more than 100 years. The temple is designed by Chandrakant Bhai Sompura, whose grandfather, Prabhakarji Sompura, collaborated with his son, Ashish Sompura, on the Somnath Temple.
The peaceful city of Pimpri-Chinchwad near Pune in Maharashtra was shaken by a horrifying incident that left the community in shock and disbelief. A bizarre and macabre desire to consume blood culminated in a tragic outcome, resulting in the death of a man. The shocking incident took place in Bhosari area of Pimpri Chinchwad district of Maharashtra.
The incident occurred on Thursday, 3rd August 2023, in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra. The accused, identified as 24-year-old Rahul Lohar, killed his friend 26-year-old Ishtiaq Khan after Khan bit his neck to drink blood when they were drinking together along with two other friends.
During the drinking session, Ishtiaq Khan surprisingly expressed an unusual desire to drink human blood. However, he didn’t stop at merely expressing his desire, he proceeded to bite Rahul Lohar’s neck. This shocking act led to a confrontation between the two friends. Fearing for his safety, Rahul managed to break free from the predicament and hastily walked away from the scene.
However, the situation took a darker turn when Rahul, consumed by anger and vengeance, returned to seek retribution from Ishtiaq Khan. Under the influence of alcohol and emotions, Rahul returned to the place at around 11.30 PM where Ishtiaq along with a friend were sleeping. He ominously uttered, “you want to drink my blood? I will not let you live now.” Armed with a large stone, he mercilessly struck Istaq Khan’s head, resulting in the tragic death of his friend.
The Bhosari MIDC police swiftly responded to the incident and apprehended Rahul Lohar, taking him into custody. As investigations unfolded, it was revealed that both the victim and the accused had a history of criminal activity.
Assistant Police Inspector Somnath Panchal is overseeing the ongoing investigation to uncover every detail surrounding this tragic occurrence. The authorities are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice and a comprehensive understanding of the events leading up to the incident.
On the 5th of August, the National Investigating Agency (NIA), in coordination with Bihar police arrested two PFI members from Officers’ Colony at Chakiya in East Champaran district. The officials also recovered a country-made pistol during the joint operation. It is alleged that the arrested accused were indulging in anti-national activities.
The two PFI members have been identified as Shahid Raza and Faisal Ali alias Mohammad Kaif. Both of them are said to be residents of the Chakiya block in East Champaran.
Confirming the arrests, East Champaran’s superintendent of police (SP) Kantesh Kumar Mishra said, “The NIA has arrested two suspects with cooperation from the district police. A small weapon has been recovered from them. Further raid is underway.”
According to the Police officials, Shahid Raza and Kaif were arrested based on the information received from PFI’s master trainer Yakub alias Sultan Usman Khan, during NIA’s interrogation. Yakub is currently in jail. He was arrested on the 19th of July from the district’s Gawandra village.
During NIA interrogation, PFI trainer Yakub spilled several secrets which helped the investigating agency to carry out back-to-back raids and make arrests. During interrogation, Yakub revealed that there was a conspiracy going on to spread communal riots by carrying out an incident in Motihari. The group had clandestinely purchased weapons for this reason and one of those pistols was kept with Shahid Raza.
Subsequently, the NIA team reached Motihari on Friday night (4 August) and they brought Yakub along with them. Afterwards, NIA and Bihar Police carried out a joint operation and nabbed Shahid Raza and Mohd Kaif from the Officers’ colony.
After the arrests, NIA jointly interrogated all three of them for hours. Later, the NIA team brought Yakub and Shahid Raza along with them to Patna, however, they released Kaif after questioning him.
Phulwari Sharif terror module
A case was initially registered in 2022, at the Phulwari Sharif Police Station in Patna. Around 26 suspects were charged in the FIR after the Bihar Police busted PFI’s Phulwari Sharif terror module. After ten days, the case was transferred to NIA. Since then, NIA and ATS teams have conducted seven and two raids respectively in Motihari’s Chakia and Mehsi area to arrest PFI members.
On 28 July 2022, the NIA team raided Bablu’s house in Kuava village in the Chakia police station area. The second raid was done on 4 February 2023. Subsequently, NIA raided the area for the third and fourth time on 20th February and 17th March this year. These were followed by an ATS team raid on the 25th of April. During the sixth raid on the 19th of July, the PFI trainer and most wanted Yakub was arrested by the authorities.
In total, 15 PFI members have been arrested so far from this region in connection with the Phulwari Sharif terror module case.
It is important to note that on 27 September 2022, the Home Ministry imposed a ban on PFI and its eight affiliates. Despite the ban, experts aware of the matter have said that PFI has been actively working to disturb communal harmony and carry out anti-national activities, the two recent arrests in connection with hatching a conspiracy to stroke communal violence in Bihar is a testimony of their claims.
The Expert Committee, formed to examine the legislative competence of the State Legislature to enact a law to ban polygamy in Assam has submitted its report, the state Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday.
Taking to Twitter, Sarma while making the announcement of the development said that the state is now closer of creating a positive ecosystem for women’s empowerment irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
“Today, the Expert Committee, formed to examine the legislative competence of the State Legislature to enact a law to end polygamy in Assam, submitted its report. Assam is now closer of creating a positive ecosystem for women’s empowerment irrespective of caste, creed or religion,” Sarma said in his tweet.
Today, the Expert Committee, formed to examine the legislative competence of the State Legislature to enact a law to end polygamy in Assam, submitted its report. Assam is now closer of creating a positive ecosystem for women's empowerment irrespective of caste, creed or religion. pic.twitter.com/4sycOWwPhN
In May this year, the state government constituted a four-member committee to examine the legality of such action.
The committee was chaired by retired Gauhati High Court judge Justice Rumi Phukan. The other members are Assam Advocate General Debajit Saikia, Assam Additional Advocate General Nalin Kohli and advocate at the Gauhati High Court Nekibur Zaman.
However, in July, the Government of Assam extended the term of the Expert Committee to examine the Legislative Competence of the State Legislature to enact a law to end polygamy by one month.
“The term of the Expert Committee is extended for a period of one month from July 13, 2023 to August 12, 2023,” the state government had said.
The committee was given a deadline of 60 days to submit its report.
The committee has scrutinized the provisions of The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Act, 1937, along with Article 25 of the Constitution of India, in relation to the directive principle of state policy for a uniform civil code.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
On Sunday, 6th August 2023, Rajdeep Sardesai distanced himself from his own remarks against the middle class in the country that he made in a program on Saturday 5th August 2023. Rajdeep Sardesai said in his clarification tweet that he was calling only a section of the middle class communal and not the whole middle class.
Shameless @SardesaiRajdeep now says he was saying a section of middle class is communal.
Rajdeep Sardesai tweeted, “I wish people see the entire 200th episode of Neta Nagri on The Lallantop before making comments on short clips. India’s middle class is wonderfully aspirational, hard-working, resourceful and will drive India forward in the next century. It is our growth engine. However, a section of it has also got tied up in communal poison (I was not seeking to generalise if it appeared that way I apologise ). Great nations are built on bridge builders and not divisiveness. We (Hindus, Muslims, all communities) need to reflect and move forward TOGETHER as one INDIA.”
I wish people see the entire 200th episode of Neta Nagri on @TheLallantop before making comments on short clips. India’s middle class is wonderfully aspirational, hard working, resourceful and will drive India forward in the next century. It is our growth engine. However, a…
On 5th August 2023, India Today journalist Rajdeep Sardesai ranted against the Indian middle class and scientific community, labelling them the most communal sections of society.
Sardesai spewed venom against the middle-class society in the 200th episode of The Lallantop’s show “Neta Nagari Mahotsav”. A student in the audience of the show asked about what could be a solution for curbing the transition from being religious to becoming communal. While anchor Saurabh Dwivedi opined that “rationality” can be the solution, Rajdeep Sardesai intervened to speak a ‘bitter truth’.
Rajdeep calls middle class Selfish and Most Communal people.
Rajdeep even calls Scientists communal. Says people who're reading science are communal.
While spelling out his “bitter truth”, Rajdeep launched an attack against the middle class, blaming them for the weakening of the political left as they have become highly communal and selfish in the past 30 years.
“The truth is that in the middle class of our country, in the past 30 years, someone was asking about the political left, and why it got weakened, it is because the middle class only takes its self-interest into consideration while moving ahead. This middle class has become the most communal in this country. The poor are never communal in this country. The poor Hindu-Muslim need each other more,” Rajdeep harangued.
Sardesai further asserted that it is when the poor gain financial stability and become middle class that start turning their religious identity into the communal one. The ‘journalist’ also claimed that a section of scientists are the most communal minds in the country.
“The communalism is highest among those who make such statements made on social media. They are the school-college-attending middle class. Some of the most communal minds in this country are the scientists,” Sardesai said. It is notable that Rajdeep Sardesai did not mention about any section of the middle class in his original statement. However, in the clarification tweet he posted after facing a backlash, he said that he was referring to a section of the middle class in the country.
The war of words between Delhi Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit and the Aam Aadmi Party continues unabated even as the two parties are part of the same I.N.D.I.A. alliance. Dismissing the comments of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Gupta on the Delhi ordinance bill, Sandeep Dikshit has now responded and said that he doesn’t take people like Gupta seriously.
Responding to Sushil Gupta’s comments asking why Sandeep Dikshit is not supporting AAP in opposing the bill, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said, “Who is Sushil Gupta? He is the one who used to earlier roam around in Congress demanding a seat. He also came to Congress to do some trade. I don’t take this man seriously. Such people don’t deserve a comment.”
#WATCH | Delhi: On AAP MP Sushil Gupta, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit says, "Who is Sushil Gupta? He is the one who used to earlier roam around in Congress demanding a seat…He also came to Congress to do some trade. I don't take this man seriously…Such people don't deserve… https://t.co/N8wb9ipGSRpic.twitter.com/gfz1Fv6YTT
The Rajya Sabha MP had earlier said, “All Congress leaders are standing with AAP on the ordinance. Sandeep Dikshit will have to think about whether or not he is in Congress, is he with Rahul Gandhi or some other Congress.”
Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party are part of I.N.D.I.A. coalition that has been conjured up to take on PM Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Congress party has agreed to support AAP in opposing the bill in the Parliament but that decision has left leaders like Sandeep Dikshit unhappy.
Commenting on the matter on 31 July, Dikshit said, “BJP has a majority in Lok Sabha. This bill should be passed in the House. It is according to the present circumstances of Delhi. If you want to provide authority to Delhi, then it should be elevated to the status of a full state. In my opinion, it is wrong to oppose the bill.”
The statement was opposite to the grand old party’s stand to oppose the measure which led to a verbal tussle between the Congress veteran and the AAP leaders. Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj had said, “When the Congress leadership has decided to oppose the bill, then what Sandeep Dikshit has to say on this does not matter.”
Notably, the Congressman earlier remarked that he could have shown the “real truth of Arvind Kejriwal’s governance” to Karnataka minister Dinesh Gundu Rao who called the mohalla clinics run by the Delhi government “overhyped” and that he was left “disappointed” after a visit to one such facility at Panchsheel Park.
Wish you'd met us also @dineshgrao – wud have shown real truth of @ArvindKejriwal edu, health, finance, environment, water, roads, buses, infra, rampant corruption …….
Commenting on the ongoing war of words between the two “alliance partners”, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, “With such friends who need enemies. This isn’t anything close to the spirit of I.N.D.I.A. This is just an opportunistic alliance of people who have nothing in common, least of all a mission or vision for the country.”
After Dinesh Gundu Rao busted the “World Class Health Model” of AAP by calling it over hyped now Sandeep Dikshit & Mr Maken continue to expose it further by saying that AAP indulges in rampant corruption & in every area the truth is something else.
Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, to replace the ordinance on transfers and postings of senior officers in the country’s national capital Delhi, was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 3, and is set to be presented in the Upper House on August 7.
