Rift in BJP delays talks on Modi role in poll campaign

June 9, 2013

Rift_in_BJPPanaji, Jun 9: Amid strong differences within the top leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over a role for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, an announcement on Sunday giving him a prominent position remains a possibility.

There was no decision regarding the new responsibility for Modi on Saturday. However, it is said he may be made either the convener or chairman of the party campaign committee for the Lok Sabha elections.

The rift in the party, heightened by the absence of party veteran L K Advani possibly against the demand for a prominent responsibility for Modi, remained the talking point on the sidelines of the BJP national executive meeting that began here on Saturday.

“Meetings are going on to iron out differences. There will be some clarity by tomorrow (Sunday) which will be spelt out by party president Rajnath Singh,” a senior leader said.

Singh spoke to various leaders, including allies. He is said to have discussed the issue with Advani and ally Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar.

There was also speculation that Rajnath Singh had put forth a proposal before Advani by which Modi would be made convener of the campaign panel. Advani had agreed to it.

If this is agreeable to Modi, then Rajnath may head the panel in his capacity as party chief. However, party spo¬k¬esperson Nirmala Sitharaman, termed it “media speculation.”

A senior leader pointed out that the party president could make an announcement regarding the campaign committee chief, but any decision on the prime ministerial candidate should be taken in the presence of Advani.

Party spokesman Javadekar told journalists, “Rajnath Singh told the delegates that they would go to their respective states after the meeting with new energy, new confidence and enthusiasm.”

The absence of Advani, who has never missed any party meeting ever since the founding of the BJP in 1980, has been attributed to the pressure to make Modi campaign panel head although the official reason given for it was his illness.

Several leaders considered part of his camp—Jaswant Singh, Yashwant Sinha, Uma Bharti, Shatrughan Sinha, B C Khanduri and Maneka Gandhi—have also stayed away from the meeting. Uma Barti has said she is unwell. Ravishankar Prasad and Varun Gandhi are abroad.

The issue did notfigure at the executive meeting that discussed a resolution on national security. Rajnath Singh may raise the issue in his concluding remarks on Sunday as there is immense pressure on the leadership from the party rank and file and a section of the senior leaders that Modi be given a prominent role ahead of elections. Advani is said to have opposed this move.

The 85-year-old leader, who is said to be still nursing an ambition of leading the party in the 2014 elections, will not be attending the concluding session on Sunday either. Asked why several leaders, known to be close to Advani, have also stayed away, party spokesman Prakash Javadekar remarked, “It is the change of season and it is natural that some may fall sick.”

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News Network
July 13,2020

New Delhi, July 13: The number of active Covid-19 cases in India crossed the 3 lakh mark on Sunday even as fresh infections during the day surged to another new peak, crossing 29,000 for the first time. After staying over 500 for the past two days, the daily death toll came down slightly to 492.

While the focus has been on recoveries, the number of active Covid-19 cases in the country has been steadily rising. It hit the 1 lakh mark on June 4 and went past 2 lakh 23 days later. It has taken just 15 days more to reach 3 lakh.

India reported 29,271 new cases on Sunday, the fifth straight day of record rise in daily infections. With this, the country’s coronavirus caseload has risen to 8,79,060, two days after hitting the 8 lakh mark, as per data collated from state governments. Active cases stood at 3,02,466 while more than 5.53 lakh people were declared cured of the infection.

Covid-19 deaths in the country rose to 23,175 after 492 fatalities were added on Sunday, translating to a case fatality rate of 2.6%. The CFR has been steadily dropping with the surge in cases.
 

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News Network
April 9,2020

Patna, Apr 9: In a horrifying incident, a migrant woman was sexually abused in a Gaya hospital where she was kept in an isolation ward. Three days later, she died due to excessive bleeding.

The matter came to light on Tuesday when her mother-in-law informed the authorities concerned about the shocking incident.

The 25-year-old victim had returned to Bihar’s Gaya district from Ludhiana (in Punjab) along with her husband on March 25. Before returning to her in-laws’ place, she had undergone abortion at Ludhiana just when she was two months pregnant.

On reaching Gaya, she complained of excessive bleeding. Her husband admitted her to Anugrah Narain Magadh Medical College and Hospital (ANMMCH) on March 27 where she was kept in the emergency ward.

Later, on April 1, on being suspected to be coronavirus patient, she was kept in an isolation ward. Her family members alleged that it was in this isolation ward where a doctor attending to her overnight outraged her modesty for two successive nights on April 2 and 3.

“The following day, she was discharged from the hospital after her coronavirus test report was found to be negative. However, after returning home, she remained aloof and struck by fear. On questioning, she revealed how a doctor had sexually abused her in the isolation ward. On April 6, she passed away due to excessive bleeding,” said her mother-in-law.

On receiving the information, the local police asked the mother-in-law to come to the hospital on Tuesday and identify the doctor (about whom the victim had given a description). However, the accused was not identified.

“Prima facie, the matter is serious. We are verifying the allegations. We will dig out the CCTV footage in the hospital and take strict action after identifying the culprit,” said Dr VK Prasad, the hospital superintendent.

Meanwhile, the Gaya police have arrested two people who posed as doctors and entered the isolation ward using doctors’ kits. One of the apprehended people works in a private.

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News Network
January 17,2020

New Delhi, Jan 17: Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia does not have any car on his name, according to information shared in the poll affidavit filed by him for Delhi elections.

In the affidavit, it is also shown that while his self-acquired immovable property remained roughly the same as in 2015. His wife's self-acquired immovable property is worth roughly about Rs 65 lakh, as per his latest affidavit.

In the papers submitted during the nomination for 2015 Delhi polls, the senior AAP leader had declared that he owned a Maruti Swift car of make 2013.

However, in his 2020 affidavit, he has mentioned "nil" in the column for motor vehicles and other means of transport.

In the affidavit submitted on Thursday, his moveable assets were declared worth Rs 4,74,888 for 2018-19, as against Rs 4,92,624 for 2013-14.

In 2015, Sisodia had informed in his affidavit that he had bought a property in Vasundhara, Ghaziabad, worth Rs 5.07 lakh in April 2001. The approximate current market value of self-acquired property in 2015 was Rs 12 lakh.

In his current affidavit, the AAP leader has mentioned the same property. However, the approximate current market value of self-acquired property in 2020 has increased to Rs 21 lakh.

In his affidavit for the 2015 polls, Sisodia had also said that his wife had purchased a property in March 2008 costing Rs 8.70 lakh. At that time, the approximate value of her self-acquired property was Rs 20 lakh.

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