Shah flags off 'Gaurav Yatra' in Rajasthan, kicks off poll campaign
Jaipur, Aug 4 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah on Saturday flagged off "Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra" at Charbhuja temple in Rajsamund, which is also being seen as the official start of the party's election campaign in the state.
Before flagging off the Yatra, Shah and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje offered prayers in the renowned Vishnu temple.
Addressing a huge gathering on the occasion, Shah asked the Congress to give an account of the work done by its leaders during their four generations of rule.
"Instead of shooting 40 questions, you should present the report card of the last four generations of Congress, which ruled the country for many decades," he said.
The BJP chief said that Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra has been converted into a victory march as the Chief Minister of this state is taking out this procession and is ready to present her report card before the public for the works done during her tenure, he said.
Attacking the Congress, he said that the Congress leaders failed to make any significant achievement during their successive terms in the government.
"Rajasthan was referred to as a "Beemaru" state earlier. But ever since Raje took over the reins, the state is being counted as a developed state."
On Friday, Raje performed pooja of the bus to be used in the Yatra, which the party is calling as "Vijay Rath" (victory juggernaut).
Meanwhile, refuting the charges levelled by Shah, state Congress vice president Archana Sharma said that the BJP leaders, instead of answering a decent question, are issuing indecent statements.
"'Who has authorised the PWD officials to organise this political event?' was our question and the BJP has failed to answer the same. It seems they are baffled and hence are beating around the bush instead of speaking to the point," she said.
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
