Congress not to field candidates in UP Assembly bypolls, says will support INDIA bloc nominees
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Thursday announced it would not field candidates in the nine Assembly bypolls in Uttar Pradesh and would support the INDIA bloc nominees, asserting that the prevailing political situation demands prioritising efforts to protect the Constitution over party interests.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here along with the Congress' Uttar Pradesh chief Ajay Rai, AICC general secretary in-charge of the state Avinash Pande said party workers and leaders would unconditionally work to ensure the victory of Samajwadi Party candidates or that of other INDIA bloc parties.
"The manner in which political and social tensions are rising in UP and in the country and keeping in mind the objectives with which the INDIA bloc was created, on that basis, the question is not about strengthening organisation or forwarding party interests but to save the Constitution and to strengthen mutual harmony," Pande said. Keeping this in mind, on the suggestions of UP Congress leaders, the party has decided not to field its candidates but strongly work for the victory of the INDIA bloc nominees, he said.
"We have to ensure the defeat of the BJP nominees so that it has a positive impact on the Assembly polls in 2027," Pande asserted.
Pande said recently, under the aegis of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee, 'Samvidhan Bachao Sankalp Sammelan' were organised in all the 10 Assembly constituencies where bypolls are due.
"If the BJP is not stopped today, then the Constitution, brotherhood and mutual harmony will weaken in the times to come," he alleged.
He asserted that it was not about seats but victory on these seats.
Pande said the decision was arrived at after consultations involving Rai, Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Misra, AICC general secretary organisation K C Venugopal, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, alongwith the SP leadership.
The Congress' assertion came a day after SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said all the INDIA bloc candidates would contest the bypolls on the party's 'cycle' election symbol.
Pande, however, clarified that the candidate and symbol both would be of the SP or any other INDIA bloc ally, and not of the Congress.
Yadav had earlier said the alliance's decision was not informed by any seat-sharing maths but a pursuit of victory.
"The Congress and the Samajwadi Party are united and stand shoulder to shoulder for a big victory. The INDIA bloc is going to write a new chapter of victory in this by-election," Yadav said in a post on X on Wednesday.
Yadav on Thursday shared on X a picture with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and emphasised their shared commitment to protect the Constitution, reservation and social harmony.
The nine assembly seats going to polls are Katehari, Karhal, Mirapur, Ghaziabad, Majhawan, Sisamau, Khair, Phulpur and Kundarki.
The bypolls are scheduled to be held on November 13 and the results will be announced on November 23.
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Mumbai family deaths: Rat poison ingredient zinc phosphide found in viscera, watermelon sample
Mumbai (PTI): Four members of a family in Pydhonie area of south Mumbai died last month due to rat poison, police officials said on Thursday.
The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report has confirmed the presence of zinc phosphide in viscera (liver, kidney, spleen), stomach contents, bile, and abdominal fat samples of the deceased identified as Abdulla Dokadia (44), his wife Nasrin (35) and their daughters Aayesha (16) and Zaineb (13), said Deputy Commissioner of Police Pravin Mundhe.
"The watermelon sample also tested positive for zinc phosphide, while all other food items were negative. The report will be studied in depth. We will consult forensic doctors. Further probe in the case is underway," the DCP said.
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Zinc phosphide is used primarily as a highly toxic acute rodenticide to control rats and mice.
"The forensic experts who examined the viscera of deceased Abdulla Dokadia, Nasrin (35), Aayesha (16) and Zaineb (13) found traces of zinc phosphide. It is, however, unclear whether the rat poison was consumed accidentally (or on purpose). So far, we have found no strong reason why the whole family would take such an extreme step," another official said.
Further probe is being conducted by the JJ Marg police station, which has recorded statements of kin and neighbours, he added.
The Dokadia family, residents of Ghari Mohalla on Ismail Kurte Road, had hosted a get-together of relatives on the night of April 25. At around 1 am, hours after the guests had left, Abdullah Dokadia, his wife Nasreen, and daughters Ayesha and Zaineb ate pieces of a watermelon.
They suffered severe bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea in the early hours of April 26 and were rushed to a local hospital before being referred to the government-run J J Hospital where all four died during treatment.
