New Delhi, July 21 : Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Saturday backed party President Rahul Gandhi's hugging of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on Friday, saying that it was done to wipe out hate politics between the ruling and opposition parties.
"Modi has hugged various leaders during his visit to foreign countries. Were they unwanted hugs.
"What will they (the BJP) say to Modi hugging to various top leaders of the other country," asked the party General Secretary to counter Modi's comment that he received a unwanted hug from Gandhi.
Gehlot also added that Gandhi, through his speech on no-confidence motion on Friday, has given a message of following love and brotherhood between the ruling and opposition parties despite the tense environment prevailing among them.
He said that the cause of situation of violence, hatred and instability in the country is due to following of hate politics. "I think the people are understanding all this, and in future, the public will reply to it," he said.
On the lynching of a 28-year-old man by suspected cow vigilantes in Rajasthan's Alwar district, Gehlot asked: "Why lynchings did not take place during the rule of other government. Why this is happening in BJP ruled states."
Countering Modi's remarked that few anti-social elements are involved in lynching, he asked: "Why it did not stop even then? Either the credibility of the PM has declined or he has just done a formality."
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Motihari (PTI): The toll in the hooch tragedy in Bihar's East Champaran district rose to nine on Sunday after three more people who had consumed spurious liquor died, officials said.
The first death was reported on Thursday, they said.
A total of 15 people have been arrested in connection with the deaths in the Turkauliya and Raghunathpur areas of Motihari, District Magistrate Saurabh Jorwal said.
A case of murder has already been registered on the basis of complaints filed by the family members of the deceased, police said.
Jorwal said one person is still in the hospital and his condition is reported to be critical.
"Seven persons have already been discharged after treatment," he told PTI.
"The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem examination. The exact cause of the deaths can only be known after the reports arrive," he said.
The SHO of Turkauliya police station has already been suspended on charge of dereliction of duty, and a special investigation team has been constituted to probe the incident, officials said.
The deaths have led to a political slugfest in the state, where the sale and consumption of alcohol has been banned since 2016.
