Rahul Gandhi enquiries about Parrikar's health
Panaji, Oct 12: Congress President Rahul Gandhi enquired about the health of ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar during a meeting Friday in New Delhi with a senior party leader from the state, and wished him a speedy recovery.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar met Gandhi in New Delhi Friday.
Parrikar (62) is admitted in the All-India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in New Delhi since mid-September.
"Party chief Rahul Gandhi inquired about the health of Parrikar during my meeting with him," Chodankar told PTI over the phone from the national capital.
He said Gandhi wished the BJP chief minister a speedy recovery.
Chodankar said his meeting with Gandhi was a courtesy visit during which they discussed organisational matters.
"He told me to be with party workers and connect to the people of the state," the GPCC president said.
The Congress is the main opposition party in Goa, where it emerged as the single largest political formation after polls in early 2017 but could not form its government.
Chodankar's meeting with Gandhi comes in the backdrop of the Congress seeking dismissal of the BJP-led government in Goa, claiming it has lost its majority in the assembly.
The Congress has 16 MLAs in the 40-member House.
The BJP, which has 14 MLAs, is ruling the state with the help of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and the Goa Forward Party (which have three MLAs each), Independents (3) and the Nationalist Congress Party (1).
However, the BJP and its allies have said the Parrikar government is stable and enjoys majority in the assembly.
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CEC orders immediate arrest of those involved in post-poll violence in Bengal: Official
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar directed the authorities concerned to immediately arrest those involved in post-poll violence and vandalism in West Bengal, an official said on Wednesday.
The Election Commission's directive came after two persons were killed in alleged incidents of post-poll violence in the state on Tuesday, besides scores of party offices being ransacked.
The CEC issued instructions to the West Bengal chief secretary, director general of police, Kolkata police commissioner and directors general of central armed police forces, along with all district magistrates, superintendents of police and other officials, to maintain continuous patrolling in sensitive areas, he said.
"Those responsible for inciting violence and carrying out acts of vandalism must be arrested immediately," the official said, quoting the CEC's instruction.
The chief election commissioner also stressed the need for swift and firm enforcement of the law, he added.
This directive came amid concerns over law and order in parts of the state, with the Election Commission closely monitoring the situation, he added.
"We have been asked to remain on high alert and ensure that any attempt to disturb peace is dealt with firmly," a senior police officer said.
The state authorities have intensified vigil across districts, with coordinated efforts between the police and central forces to prevent any untoward incident, he added.
The assembly elections were held in West Bengal in two phases - April 23 and 29. The counting of votes took place on May 4.
The BJP sealed a landslide victory with 207 seats in the 294-member assembly, ending the TMC's uninterrupted 15-year rule in the state.
