''I am ahimsavadi,'' says BJP leader accused of threatening Rahul Gandhi
_vb_92.jpeg)
Thrissur (Kerala)(PTI): BJP leader Printu Mahadevan, accused of making a death threat to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during a TV channel discussion, rejected the allegations on Wednesday, saying he was an 'ahimsavadi' (non-violent person) and had never threatened anyone.
Speaking to reporters here, Mahadevan said he was a teacher and a "non-violent person who had never made provocative statements or issued death threats."
He alleged that his remarks during the television debate on the recent violence in Ladakh were "distorted" by the channel with an "agenda" to defame him and damage his political career.
Mahadevan, who was arrested on Monday night and released on bail after being produced in court, also claimed that the police "hunted" him and intimidated his family by entering his house under the pretext of searching for him.
He said his party had stood by him during this difficult time. "I am speaking out only to clarify my stand and state the facts," he added.
Meanwhile, the opposition Congress-led UDF continued to criticise the ruling CPI(M) for the "delayed action" against the BJP leader, while the Left party hit back, saying the opposition was raising "non-issues" as it had nothing else to say.
At the same time, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the party did not approve of Mahadevan’s remarks and had conveyed the same to him.
"One of our spokespersons said something in anger, in passion, and we told him it was not correct. He has accepted that," Chandrasekhar said.
"Ours is a battle of ideology, of development. We put forward the politics of performance. We do not intend to carry out politics of personal enmity against anyone," he added.
Mahadevan had, during a panel discussion on September 26 about protests in Bangladesh and Nepal, allegedly said that such protests were not possible in India as people here supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He reportedly added that if Rahul Gandhi had similar aspirations, "bullets will pierce his chest".
On September 29, Mahadevan appeared before police along with a few party members and was arrested. He was later released on bail.
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.
Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
