Modi inaugurated Ayodhya temple 3 months before Ram Navami eyeing polls: Abhishek
Kolkata (PTI): Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Monday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Ayodhya temple three months before Ram Navami, eyeing the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, amid West Bengal BJP's criticism of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for throwing open Durga Puja pandals before the auspicious 'Devi Paksha'.
Abhishek Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress national general secretary, while speaking to reporters at his Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, also accused the Modi government of having perfected the "art of double speak, taking no accountability for abrupt declaration of demonetisation leading to deaths of many people, and taking away financial dues of the state against the spirit of the federal setup".
Asked about the Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari's criticism of the CM for inaugurating the pandals before Devi Paksha, which marks the start of Durga Puja festivities, he said, "Well, she just inaugurated the pandals a day before the start of Devi Paksha, and did not inaugurate the idols."
"What about the PM inaugurating the Ram temple and the idol of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya in January 2024, three months before Ram Navami? Has any BJP leader commented on that act which was done eyeing the Lok Sabha elections?" he asked.
Accusing the BJP of lacking transparency, he demanded to know how much money had been given to West Bengal and how much taken from the state through direct and indirect taxes.
"The BJP unilaterally imposed GST on a wide range of essential commodities. They had thought they could run the country at their will. Now, they have lowered it, and I think it will be lessened further," he said.
Accusing the BJP of blocking funds to West Bengal for projects like MGNREGA, he accused the Modi government of not "honouring the Calcutta High Court order on the issue".
"When Narendra Modi talks about the poor, he must explain why 69 lakh job card holders are yet to get money from the Centre... the state mopped up resources from its limited corpus to help them," he said.
Referring to demonetisation announced by the Modi government in 2016, he said, "The BJP is yet to reply who was responsible for pushing to death so many people in the wake of the sudden and drastic announcement of the PM. It owes an explanation to the kin of those who died waiting in queues for hours."
Banerjee accused the BJP of using the two "previously independent agencies" -- ED and CBI -- to "torture its political opponents".
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
