Blow to YSRCP, boost for BJP as Andhra’s first woman Muslim MLC Zakia Khanam switches sides
Amaravati: In a political shift, Mayana Zakia Khanam, the first Muslim woman member of the Andhra Legislative Council, has resigned from the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Though her move caught many in the YSRCP off guard, the Andhra Pradesh BJP unit turned out in full strength to welcome Zakia Khanam into the party. Among those present were state BJP president and Rajahmundry MP Daggubati Purandeswari, state Health Minister and BJP MLA Y Satya Kumar, along with several other senior leaders, as reported by The Indian Express on Thursday.
Purandeswari stated that Zakia Khanam was inspired to join the saffron party by the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She emphasised that the BJP is committed to “delivering welfare beyond the lines of caste and religion” with a focus on uplifting the underprivileged and marginalised. "Khanam’s induction reflects a major shift and strengthens our commitment to inclusive leadership, while signaling a growing trust for the party among minorities,” TIE quoted Purandeswari as saying.
With her exit, the total number of MLCs who have resigned from YSRCP has risen to six. The other MLCs who have resigned from the party so far include Karri Padmasri, Pothula Sunitha, Jayamangala Venkataramana, Balli Kalyan Chakravarthy, and Marri Rajasekhar.
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4 workers die after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (PTI): At least four workers died after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Saturday, a police official said.
The incident took place at Moonidih coal washery in the command area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
"Bodies of all four workers were dug out of debris during a rescue operation," Putki police station in-charge Waqar Hussain told PTI.
The incident took place when coal slurry was being loaded into trucks by workers, during which a large chunk of slurry fell and trapped several workers underneath, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Manik Bauri, Dinesh Bauri, Deepak Bauri, and Hemlal Gope.
Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased and local villagers placed the bodies in front of the washery gate and began a protest.
They demanded compensation, jobs for dependents and action against those responsible for the incident.
Police and administration officials are trying to pacify the protesters, an official said.
