Retd IAF man joins Cong, says PM politicising military's work
Ahmedabad, May 7: Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP of 'politicising' the work of the armed forces, former Air Force veteran from Gujarat, Anil Kumar Kaushik, joined the Congress here on Tuesday.
Kaushik served in the IAF for 17 years as a flight engineer before retiring in the 1990s at the rank of sergeant.
Kaushik, who joined the Congress in the presence of Gujarat unit chief Amit Chavda, claimed he is upset the way PM Modi and other BJP leaders were seeking votes in the names of the armed forces.
"The Congress never took credit for several important army operations, such as liberation of Goa and East Pakistan (that went on to become modern day Bangladesh). Surgical strikes also took place in the past. But, the party (Congress) never used such army operations to get political mileage," Kaushik told reporters.
"However, today's BJP government is politicising the Army's work. Instead of talking about real issues, BJP leaders are seeking votes in the name of armed forces. Narendra Modi should not forget that he is the PM of entire country, not just of a party," Kaushik said.
Welcoming Kaushik in the party, Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda alleged Modi was trying to build his "political career" by repeatedly invoking armed forces' operations.
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Himanta resigns as Assam CM, paving way for formation of new govt
Guwahati (PTI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday resigned along with his cabinet colleagues, paving the way for formation of a new government led by the BJP, officials said.
The BJP-led NDA bagged 102 seats in the 126-member assembly. The assembly elections were held in a single phase on April 9, and counting of votes took place on May 4.
"Following the formal notification of the results of #AssamElections2026 and to enable the formation of the new government, Dr @himantabiswa tendered his resignation as Chief Minister along with that of the council of Ministers to Hon'ble Governor Shri @Laxmanacharya54 today at Lok Bhawan," the Chief Minister's Office said in a post on X.
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The Governor has accepted the resignation, and requested Sarma to continue as the caretaker CM till the new government assumes office, it said.
Later, speaking to reporters outside the Lok Bhawan, Sarma said the oath-taking ceremony is likely to take place after May 11.
“As it was a historic win, we have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grace the occasion," he said.
The new Assam chief minister will be selected at a meeting of the BJP legislature party in presence of central observers, Sarma said.
