Sports Minister to make statement in LS on Phogat's Olympic disqualification
New Delhi (PTI): Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will make a statement in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday on the disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat at the Olympics, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal informed the House.
As the news of Phogat’s disqualification broke, Opposition MPs protested in the House during the Zero Hour demanding a statement from the government over the issue.
Some MPs also trooped into the Well of the House raising slogans demanding that the sports minister should answer.
As opposition MPs protested, Meghwal intervened and said the minister would make a statement in the House at 3 pm over the issue.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was then called to make his Zero Hour mentions. Several MPs, who were on their feet, sat down as the Leader of Opposition stood up to speak.
The ruckus died down as Gandhi spoke on the landslide in Wayanad. The House later resumed discussion on the Finance Bill.
In a shocking turn of events, Phogat was on Wednesday disqualified from the Olympics after being found overweight ahead of her women's 50kg final here.
Phogat had scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal bout in the event on Tuesday night.
"She was found overweight by 100 gm this morning. The rules do not allow this and she has been disqualified," an Indian coach said.
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CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
