Govt allocated space for Manmohan Singh's memorial, Congress playing 'cheap politics': Nadda
New Delhi, Dec 28: BJP president JP Nadda on Saturday said the Centre had allocated space for Manmohan Singh's memorial and informed his family about it as he accused the Congress of indulging in "cheap politics" over the former prime minister's cremation.
The BJP chief's reaction came after the Congress accused the Centre of insulting Singh, the country's first Sikh prime minister, by performing his last rites at Nigambodh Ghat instead of a designated spot that could be turned into his memorial.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the BJP-led Centre had "totally insulted" Singh, a great son of Mother India and the first prime minister from the Sikh community, by performing his last rites at Nigambodh Ghat.
Reacting sharply, Nadda said, "It's very unfortunate that former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and incumbent Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge are not refraining from playing politics even over the former prime minister's sad demise."
"No amount of condemnation is enough for such cheap thinking of the Congress. The Congress, which never gave real respect to Manmohan Singh when he was alive, is now playing politics in the name of his respect," he added.
The Union minister also said the government under Prime MInister Narendra Modi had allocated space for Singh's memorial and also informed his family about it.
"Yet, the Congress is spreading lies," he said.
"Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and other Congress leaders should refrain from indulging in such cheap politics," Nadda said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Haryana Steelers win maiden PKL title after big win over Patna Pirates
Pune, Dec 29: Haryana Steelers produced an outstanding display on the mat to beat Patna Pirates 32-23 and clinch their maiden Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) crown here on Sunday.
With show-stopper Mohammadreza Shadloui in full flow, Haryana Steelers won the final with consummate ease.
For Haryana Steelers, Shivam Patare scored nine points, Shadloui seven and Vinay added six more.
The champions were awarded Rs 3 crore, while the runners-up got Rs 1.8 crore.
Haryana Steelers were off to a quick start, picking up the first few points and the lead in the early exchanges.
Devank and Ankit put up a dogged fight Patna Pirates, but Haryana Steelers kept dictating terms and controlling the tempo, with Shivam Patare and Shadloui doing the heavy lifting.
Haryana Steelers' defence, led by Jaideep and Rahul Sethpal, showed why it considered one of the best units in the competition, as it made scoring extremely difficult for Patna Pirates.
However, as the half progressed, Gurdeep and Sudhakar brought Patna Pirates within touching distance of their opponents.
Devank and Ayan then levelled things up, before Shivam Patare and Vinay put Haryana Steelers in the box seat.
At the half-time break, Haryana Steelers led 15-12.
The second half started off sluggishly, with Patna Pirates picking up the first points through Sudhakar.
Haryana Steelers did well to keep Devank and Ayan quiet, but the three-time champions fought back.
However, Shadloui kept scoring crucial points, as did Jaideep, which kept Haryana Steelers in the hunt for their first PKL title.
Close to the half-hour mark, Haryana Steelers had a three-point lead, which had the game on a knife's edge.
After that, Haryana Steelers turned on the screws, landing the first 'all out' of the game. Shadloui was in his elements, as Haryana Steelers stormed to a nine-point lead.
In the final minutes, Haryana Steelers managed the game and the clock brilliantly to slam the door shut on their opponents.
