Following the sexual harassment allegations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and BJP MP, the Delhi Police have registered two FIRs based on complaints by six wrestlers and the father of wrestler who is a minor. The wrestlers have detailed instances of alleged sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour in the FIR. However, Singh has reportedly denied all the allegations against him, the PTI reported on Friday. The FIR against Brij Bhushan Singh was registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act by Delhi Police on the complaint of the wrestlers, as per the PTI. Here are ten key points based on the allegations of the wrestlers- FIRs Registered: Delhi Police have registered two FIRs against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh based on complaints by six wrestlers and the father of a wrestler who is a minor. Allegations by Wrestlers: Wrestlers allege instances of sexual harassment, inappropriate behaviour, groping, stalking, and intimidation allegedly by Singh, according to PTI. Charges under IPC and POCSO Act: Singh has been charged under sections of the IPC, including assaulting a woman to outrage her modesty (Section 354), sexual harassment (354 A), and stalking (354 D). The FIR filed by the father of a wrestler who is a minor invokes the POCSO Act, the PTI reported. Promises of Professional Support: Some wrestlers have alleged that Singh allegedly made advances, promising to help them in their careers. Denial of Charges: Brij Bhushan Singh has denied all the allegations and had recently said that 'he would hang himself if any accusation is proven against him'. He asserted his care for the wrestlers and emphasised his contributions to their success. WFI Secretary's name in the case: The FIR filed by the wrestlers also reportedly includes the name of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) secretary Vinod Tomar. Specific Incidents: A complainant described an incident where the 'victim' was allegedly called separately, and was harassed, reported the PTI. 'Harassed' during team photograph: Another wrestler complainant alleged that she was harassed while a team photograph was being clicked, according to the PTI. Offered to buy supplements: A wrestler claimed that Singh allegedly offered to buy her supplements in exchange for sexual favors, the FIR said, according to PTI report on Friday. Domestic and International Incidents: The allegations involve incidents occurring during championship events, at the WFI office, and at locations in India and abroad, according to the FIR. (With inputs from PTI)
02 June,2023 11:33 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA devastating triple train crash in Odisha has resulted in the tragic loss of 50 lives and left over 350 people injured. The collision involved the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train. Rescue operations are underway as authorities and emergency services work tirelessly to save lives and provide assistance. Here are ten key points: Triple Train Crash: A collision between the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train has resulted in a major train accident in Odisha. Derailment and Collision: Coaches of the Bengaluru-Howrah train derailed at Bahanagabazar and collided with the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, causing its coaches to overturn. The goods train was also involved as the derailed coaches hit its wagons. Casualties and Injuries: At least 50 people have lost their lives, and over 350 individuals have been injured in the horrific accident. Rescue Efforts: Rescue operations are underway, with local residents assisting emergency services in rescuing people trapped under the derailed coaches. However, the operation is being hindered by darkness. Medical Assistance: The injured have been admitted to various hospitals across the district. All private and government hospitals in nearby districts, including Bhubaneswar, have been put on alert to handle the influx of patients. Government Response: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced his visit to the accident site and mobilized rescue teams, including NDRF, state government teams, and the Airforce. Ex-gratia compensation has also been announced for the deceased and the injured. Chief Minister's Actions: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has reviewed the situation and will be visiting the accident site early Saturday to assess the damage and offer support. Prime Minister's Concern: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed distress over the accident and spoke with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to gather information. He assured all possible assistance to those affected by the tragedy. Disaster Response: The Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and ambulances are actively engaged in rescue and relief operations to assist the injured. Helplines and Support: Helplines have been set up by the Odisha government and railway authorities to provide information and assistance. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Odisha government and railway officials. (With inputs from PTI)
02 June,2023 11:10 PM IST | Odisha | mid-day online correspondentBJP national secretary Pankaja Munde said on Friday she would compile the government resolutions (GRs) issued during her tenure as a state minister into a book and recalled that many schemes launched by her were inspired by her late father Gopinath Munde. Pankaja, who served as the minister of rural development, women and child welfare when BJP's Devendra Fadnavis was the chief minister between 2014 and 2019, was speaking to reporters a day prior to the ninth death anniversary of her father. Gopinath Munde, a former deputy leader of the BJP in the Lok Sabha, was appointed as the Rural Development Minister by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he assumed office in 2014. He died in a road accident on June 3 of that year. After inaugurating a camp for the differently abled in Beed, Pankaja said, There are many memories of Gopinath Munde. Each of his memory encouraged me and a (public welfare) scheme came out of it. A book of the GRs that were passed during my tenure will be prepared. Talking about her speeches, she said, I speak my mind. I used to do it when Gopinath Munde was alive, I do it even in his absence. When asked that the words in her speeches are often taken otherwise, Pankaja said, It has become a routine affair. There are very few speakers that people come to listen to. I feel proud that people come to listen to me. She said people usually draw a conclusion from her utterances depending on what is happening around her at the time and one should not read too much into it. But I don't stop, she said. Over the past few years, there have been speculations that she has been sidelined by the state BJP. After the first expansion of the Eknath Shinde-Fadnavis cabinet in August 2022, she had said she might not have been qualified enough to get a berth. In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, she lost to her estranged cousin and Nationalist Congress Party leader Dhananjay Munde on her home turf Parli.
02 June,2023 10:43 PM IST | Aurangabad | PTIAt least 50 people died and 179 people were injured as a three way accident involving Bengaluru-Howrah superfast express, the Coromandel Express and goods train on three separate tracks occurred at Bahanagar in Odisha's Balasore district. A railway official said that several coaches of 12864 Bengaluru-Howrah superfast express travelling to Howrah, derailed at Bahanagabazar and fell on the up line. "These derailed coaches collided with 12841 Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express and its coaches capsized too," he said. A goods train was also involved in the accident as the coaches of the Coromandel Express hit its wagons after getting derailed, the official said. The accident occurred at around 7 pm, about 255 kms from Howrah, he said. Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahoo said 47 people have so far been admitted to the Balasore Medical College and Hospital. A PTI reporter at the spot said several people were trapped under the derailed coaches, and locals were assisting emergency services personnel to rescue them, but darkness was hindering the operation. Odisha's Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena said 132 injured persons were admitted to Soro, Gopalpur and Khantapada health centres, while 47 people were admitted to the Balasore Medical College and Hospital. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik directed Special Relief Secretary Satyabrata Sahoo and Revenue Minister Pramila Malik to rush to the accident site, officials said. Accident relief trains have been dispatched to the spot, a South Eastern Railway official said. Four units of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), three units of NDRF and 60 ambulances were working to rescue the injured, officials said. The Odisha government has issued helpline 06782-262286. The railway helplines are 033-26382217 (Howrah), 8972073925 (Kharagpur), 8249591559 (Balasore) and 044- 25330952 (Chennai). Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was distressed by the accident, and spoke with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to take stock of the situation. "Distressed by the train accident in Odisha. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to Railway Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw and took stock of the situation. Rescue ops are underway at the site of the mishap and all possible assistance is being given to those affected," he tweeted. West Bengal Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi said the state was sending a team led by minister Manas Bhunia and MP Dola Sen to the spot. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was personally monitoring the situation along with the chief secretary and other officials. "We are coordinating with Odisha government and South Eastern Railways for our people's sake. Our emergency control room has been activated at once with numbers 033- 22143526/ 22535185. All out efforts for rescue, retrieval, aid and assistance initiated," she tweeted. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
02 June,2023 10:14 PM IST | Balasore | PTIAt least four coaches of the Coromandel Express derailed in Odisha's Balasore district on Friday evening after a head-on collision with a goods train, officials said, according to PTI report. Officials told the news agency that the accident happened around 7.20 pm near Bahanaga Bazar station when the train was on the way to Chennai Central station from the Shalimar station near Kolkata. Accident relief trains have been dispatched to the spot, a South Eastern Railway official told PTI. Authorities are yet to ascertain the number of people injured in the accident in eastern state. However, recent reports say that at least 50 people are injured. Visuals from the site of accident in Odisha's Balasore district. pic.twitter.com/zWhoSCyeab — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 2, 2023 Meanwhile, the state government directed the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action (ODRAF) Force to assist in rescue operations. Visuals from the accident spot show injured people lying on the ground, while several are bleeding. Several boggies of the Chennai-Howrah Coromandel Express are reported to have derailed after it collided with a goods train. Several casualties are also feared in the accident, PTI reported while sharing videos of the incident on Twitter. PTI reported that rescue teams have been mobilised on the spot. Odisha | An Express Train met with an accident near Bahanaga railway station in Balasore district. Teams have left for the spot for search and rescue operation. Collector, Balasore has also been directed to reach the spot to make all necessary arrangements and intimate the SRC if… pic.twitter.com/N4AGWQVKkX — ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2023 The Special Relief Commissioner Office said that teams have rushed to the spot for search and rescue operation.Balasore Collector has also been directed to reach the spot to make all necessary arrangements and intimate the SRC if any additional help is required from the state level, added Special Relief Commissioner Office. (This is a developing story, will be updated as and when inputs are received) (With inputs from PTI and ANI)
02 June,2023 08:42 PM IST | Balasore | PTIRahul Gandhi's remark that IUML is a "completely secular party" triggered a political slugfest on Friday with the BJP alleging that the Kerala-based party is guided by the same mindset which was behind the Muslim League and the Congress reminding the saffron party about its veteran leader L K Advani's praise for Mohammad Ali Jinnah during his 2005 Pakistan visit, reported PTI. According to PTI, Gandhi, during a media interaction at the National Press Club in Washington, US, was asked about his party being in alliance with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in Kerala while talking about secularism, to which he answered "Muslim League is a completely secular party. There is nothing non-secular about the Muslim League." Gandhi's remark drew a sharp response from the BJP as its leaders alleged that the IUML is guided by the same mindset which was behind Jinnah's All India Muslim League. Launching a scathing attack against Gandhi, Union minister Anurag Thakur said,"these are the same people who had stayed back after partition. They formed the Muslim League hereafter partition and became MPs. They advocated for Sharia law and wanted separate seats reserved for Muslims. They are the same people who are part of the same Muslim League. "It is Rahul Gandhi and the Congress that sees Hindu terrorism but feels Muslim League is secular." In a counter-attack, the Congress said the party Gandhi referred to was different from the Muslim League, for which the BJP has "more love" and whose leader Jinnah was hailed by Advani. In a tweet, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said,"Syama Prasad Mookerjee was in league with the Muslim League in the government in Bengal when (Mahatma) Gandhiji launched Quit India movement. SPM was singularly responsible for the partition of Bengal." He also tagged a tweet by Congress leader Amitabh Dubey who had slammed BJP IT department head Amit Malviya for his criticism of Gandhi, saying "You're confusing the Kerala-based IUML he is talking about with Jinnah's Muslim League that took Savarkar's two-nation theory to its logical conclusion." "The same Muslim League with whom BJP founder SP Mookerjee and Hindu Mahasabha formed coalition governments in Bengal, Sind, NWFP (North-West Frontier Province)," Dubey said. Congress' media department head Pawan Khera hit out at the BJP over its criticism and said the BJP-RSS have more knowledge of Pakistan's politics and Jinnah's Muslim League as they share a historical 'jugalbandi'. He said the NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee had sent IUML leader E Ahamed to Geneva to represent India. "IUML established the largest Sanskrit University in Kerala. The BJP also made an alliance with IUML for Nagpur Municipal Corporation. The omniscient Vishwaguru of WhatsApp nursery, please enrich your knowledge," Khera claimed in a tweet in Hindi. Meanwhile, the IUML welcomed Gandhi's statement that the Kerala-based party is completely secular, saying the Congress leader's assertion came from his party's experience. "Rahul Gandhi's statement that the Muslim League is a secular party is based on his party's experience. We look at it with great responsibility. The Muslim League's close relationship with Congress dates back to the days of Indira Gandhi," IUML general secretary P K Kunhalikutty said in a Facebook post.BJP national spokesperson and MP Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed a link between the regional party and Jinnah's outfit, which spearheaded the partition stir among Muslims. "For the Congress, parties such as AIMIM, Muslim League and Indian Secular Front, a West Bengal party formed by a Muslim cleric, are secular and the PFI, a banned radical Islamic organisation, is a cultural body," he said. Mocking Gandhi, the BJP leader said his claim raises a question mark on his wisdom. Reacting to the BJP's criticism, Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said the party Gandhi referred to is IUML which is a registered political party in India. "Is a registered party in India not a secular party? Does the Election Commission get ineligible parties registered? I would like to remind the BJP that this is not the party with which Syama Prasad Mookerjee aligned to form the government in Bengal," Vallabh said at a press conference at the AICC headquarters here. "That Muslim League of Jinnah is different, with which you formed the government. Rahul Gandhi has not talked about that Muslim League but the thing is that you have more love for that party, therefore, you think that the party being talked about is the one whose leader was Jinnah," he said, slamming the BJP. Vallabh said he would like to tell the BJP people that the former Congress chief was not talking about the Muslim League of Jinnah on whose mausoleum in Pakistan, BJP co-founder Advani had hailed him and called him "secular". In 2005, Advani visited Pakistan and praised the neighbouring country's founder Jinnah, triggering criticism from within his own party. Hitting out at the BJP leaders for their criticism, Vallabh said,"so all those who today are talking about IUML should go and ask Advani ji," he said. (With inputs from PTI)
02 June,2023 08:20 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentUnion Minister Meenakshi Lekhi on Friday said the wrestlers' matter will be decided by court and that the law is same for everyone be it a man or a woman, reported PTI. "The law of India is equal to everyone whether it is a daughter, son, husband or a wife. The court will decide what is wrong and what is right," she said when asked to comment on wrestlers' protest against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Sharma, who has been accused of committing several acts of sexual exploitation against women under training. According to PTI, the Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi was in Agra to highlight the achievements of the Modi government in the past nine years. Speaking on the achievements of the BJP government at the Centre, she said the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought a massive change in the last nine years of his rule. "Things are same. What has changed is the able leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who always thought of welfare of the poor, farmers, the deprived section and women," she said. "Despite rumours spread by the people in Opposition about the COVID vaccines, the BJP government did a commendable work by providing vaccines to lakhs of people in record time and supplying two COVID-19 vaccines to the developed nations and other countries," she said. Lekhi also lauded the Modi government work on the launch of Vande Bharat trains, construction of the house for poor people under PM Awas Yojana, construction of toilets and increasing the number of tap water connection in rural areas. (With PTI inputs)
02 June,2023 08:06 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentSix police personnel were injured in an attack by a mob on Friday when they went to a village in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district to help a BSF jawan take possession of land allotted to him by the government, officials said, according 'to PTI report. Prakash Sharma, the jawan, was provided 10 decimal (4,355 sq.ft) land in Romi village in Padma police station area as per the government's rehabilitation policy, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Nancy Sahay told PTI. "But, whenever Sharma tried to take possession of the land, the locals resisted," she said. Sharma had sought the administration's help, following which heavy police deployment was made in the area, Superintendent of Police (SP) Manoj Ratan Chothe said. A mob of more than 100 people gathered, and began pelting stones at the police as work for taking possession of the land began, he said. "At least six police personnel were injured. The man who was operating the earthmover was also injured on the head. We have arrested 15 people and lodged an FIR for obstructing the police from doing official work," Chothe said. Police baton-charged the mob, and used tear-gas to bring the situation under control, he said. It was not immediately known how many people were injured in the police action, officials said. Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Nazir Akhtar said the plot allotted to Sharma was close to a school, and the villagers claimed that it belonged to the school. They felt that if the plot was given to the BSF jawan it will affect the activities of school, he said. "The situation is well under control. After police action, the mob fled the spot. Security in the area has been tightened and protection has been given to the BSF jawan," he said. (With PTI inputs)
02 June,2023 07:58 PM IST | Ranchi | mid-day online correspondentThe Congress slammed the Centre on Friday over "inaction" against outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, with Rahul Gandhi saying while daughters who won international medals are pleading for justice on the streets, a member of Parliament who has "heinous allegations" against him is safe under the prime minister's "protective shield". Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue and asked why no action has been taken against Singh, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP, so far. The two FIRs registered by the Delhi Police against the outgoing WFI chief on the basis of complaints from six women wrestlers and the father of a minor narrate several alleged instances of sexual harassment, inappropriate touching, groping, stalking and intimidation by Singh at different times and places, including in foreign countries, over a decade. In a tweet in Hindi, Rahul Gandhi said, "Daughters who brought 25 international medals -- pleading for justice on the streets! MP with 15 heinous allegations of sexual abuse in two FIRs -- safe in prime minister's 'suraksha kavach'!" The Modi government is responsible for the plight of the wrestlers, he said. Tagging the details of the FIRs against Singh, Priyanka Gandhi said, "Read these serious allegations and tell the country why no action has been taken against the accused till now?"Congress MP Deepender Hooda also tagged a media report detailing the FIRs, saying, "Speechless! What else is left after this? How will someone's blood not boil after reading this?" "BJP trolls today, before writing against me, must think that if your sister and daughter were in place of these girls, would you have been able to tolerate this? If the accused is a BJP MP/minister, will the FIR also be registered when the Supreme Court orders?" Hooda, who has been vocal on the issue and attacking the government over it, said. The Delhi Police on April 28 registered the two FIRs at the Connaught Place police station, including one on the basis of a complaint from the father of a minor wrestler invoking the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act that entails a prison term of up to seven years on conviction. The FIRs registered following a Supreme Court order have charged Singh under various Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections, including assaulting a woman to outrage her modesty (section 354), sexual harassment (354A) and stalking (354D), that are punishable with jail terms of two-three years. Some of the complainants also alleged that Singh made advances to seek "sexual favours", promising to help them in their careers. Singh has denied all the charges and said he will hang himself even if a single allegation is proved against him. He has maintained that all wrestlers are like his children and he will not blame them as his blood and sweat have also gone into their success. The FIR filed on the basis of the six wrestlers' complaint also names WFI secretary Vinod Tomar as an accused. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
02 June,2023 06:01 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIThe Delhi High Court on Friday allowed former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to meet his ailing wife in police custody on June 3, between 10 am to 5 pm as per rule. Sisodia has moved an interim bail citing his wife's illness. The bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma said, "He (Manish Sisodia) shall not interact with media, use a mobile phone or access the internet." The court further directed that the medical report be verified and the medical report of Sisodia's wife be furnished by tomorrow evening positively. The Court in order further added that Sisodia will not meet anyone except family members during this period. Sisodia's legal team also moved an interim bail plea in Delhi High Court citing his wife's medical illness. The interim bail is seeking court direction to grant six weeks of bail. The interim bail is opposed by the ED through Additional Solicitor General SV Raju who can visit his wife in a police escort. The same bench of Delhi High Court on Friday reserved the order on regular bail petitions of Former Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Vijay Nair, ex Communication in charges of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Enforcement Directorate (ED) case related to Delhi Excise Policy matter. The same Bench had on Thursday also kept reserved the order on Abhishek Boinpally, Hyderabad Businessman in the same case. The Trial Court had earlier denied the bail to them. Recently Delhi High Court dismissed the bail plea of Manish Sisodia in a CBI case alleging corruption in the implementation of the previous liquor policy in the national capital. The bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma on Tuesday denied bail to Sisodia and said Manish Sisodia (Applicant) is a powerful person, there is the possibility of him influencing the witnesses. Last month, Delhi High Court issued notice to ED on Manish Sisodia's bail petitions in a money laundering case in connection with the alleged excise scam. The Rouse Avenue Court earlier dismissed the bail plea of Manish Sisodia in a money laundering case related to the excise scam stating that "This case of economic offences having serious repercussions upon the general public and society at large as the evidence collected during investigation speaks volumes of his involvement in the commission of the said offence" Court also noted that some evidence is also alleged to have surfaced during the investigation to show that some part of the kickbacks or bribe amount received from South lobby was spent or utilized in connection with the election campaign of the AAP in Goa and some cash payments through hawala channels are alleged to have been sent to Goa for bearing the said expenses and even some fake invoices are alleged to have been created as a cover-up for the cash amounts transferred through hawala channels. It is stated that the above cash transfers were made as per instructions of the coaccused Vijay Nair, who was the representative of the applicant and the AAP and also the Media Incharge of AAP and looking after the work related to said elections and he also roped in a company named M/S Chariot Productions Media Pvt. Ltd. owned by the coaccused Rajesh Joshi to do the election-related advertising work and other jobs for the party during said elections, noted the court. Thus, in view of the above background, the serious nature of the allegations made and the role played by the applicant in the above criminal conspiracy, his connection with the activities relating to the generation or acquisition and use etc of the above proceeds of crime within the meaning of Section 3 of the PMLA and the oral and documentary evidence collected in support of the same and as placed for the perusal of the court, this court is of the considered opinion that even if the rigours and restrictions contained U/S 45 of the PMLA are viewed and construed reasonably, the prosecution has still been able to show a genuine and prima facie case for the involvement of the applicant in the commission of the alleged offence of money laundering. The ED on March 9 arrested former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia in the liquor policy case, after hours of questioning at Tihar Jail. Sisodia was arrested by the CBI earlier in its ongoing investigation of a case related to alleged irregularities in the framing and implementation of the excise policy of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD). This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
02 June,2023 05:57 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIFormer Karnataka CM Basavaraja Bommai met former CM and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa on Friday amid discussions in the party to decide the Leader of the Opposition. It is to be noted that the state BJP is yet to decide the Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka where Congress emerged victorious in May 10 elections. On May 29th Basavaraja Bommai slammed the Congress government in the state saying the party has cheated the people regarding the implementation of the five guarantees given to the people during the elections. "Congress promised people free for all, free for us and free for you during the elections, but now they are making different statements. Even in the principal order, it was said that it is free for all. Now they are giving different statements," said Basavaraja Bommai speaking at a press conference at the BJP office in Bengaluru. He further said that the Congress should implement those schemes which they have announced during poll campaigning. "Now people are realising What Congress says is what does?. The congress colour will be sooner exposed. If people believe that whatever Congres says is right, then why did they lose the election in 2018 after that even the people sent us back home now it is done by Congress and the responsibility of them is to implement those schemes which they have announced," he added. Further, slamming the current Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and other Congress leaders, Bommai said that they blocked their black money in banks of abroad and made a 'one-to-one agreement' with those countries. "These Congress people have sludge the black money and have done one-to-one agreements with those countries. They have blocked it...people have elected him (DK Shivakumar) on his guarantees first he answers them," he said. The party's five "guarantees" were 200 units of free power to all households, Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family, 10 kg of rice free to all members of a BPL family, and Rs 3,000 every month for graduate youth, Rs 1,500 for diploma holders (both in the age group of 18-25) for two years and free bus travelling for women in government buses if the party is voted to power in the state. Recently, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Staff and Workers Federation wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urging him to implement the electoral promise made by Congress of free travel to women in government buses. In its letter, the Federation claimed that there are incidents where bus passengers are refusing to buy tickets. "There have been instances where women passengers are putting pressure on their staff saying they can't pay and the government will pay ticket prices," the letter said. Notably, during a public rally in Mangaluru, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi declared the party's fifth poll promise of free travel to women in government buses. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
02 June,2023 05:41 PM IST | Bengaluru | ANIADVERTISEMENT
