Sushil Modi threatens to sue Rahul Gandhi for defamation over surname jibe
Patna: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday threatened to file a defamation case against Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his comment that all thieves shared the Modi surname.
Sushil Modi's strong reaction came in the backdrop of Gandhis jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi that all thieves had the same surname.
I was deeply hurt by Rahul Gandhis statement wherein he remarked that all those who are chor (thieves) shared the Modi surname. Besides insulting the Prime Minister, he has hurt me personally as I share the same surname. Hence, I would be suing him for defamation, the senior BJP leader told reporters here.
Gandhi, who has rankled the BJP with his chowkidar chor hai jibe over alleged irregularities in the Rafale deal, has also been accusing the Prime Minister of colluding with Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi both wanted in different corruption cases and currently on the run.
In an attempt to pepper his attacks with sarcasm, he has of late been saying why is it that all the thieves have the same surname Modi.
Meanwhile, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav whose party is an ally of the Congress in Bihar reacted to the deputy chief ministers defamation threat saying I openly say Sushil Kumar Modi is a thief. Let him sue me for defamation as well.
I have for long been saying that Sushil Kumar Modi is directly involved in the Srijan scam. If he is so upset over an indirect remark by Rahul Gandhi, let me add upfront Sushil Kumar Modi is a thief. Now let him sue me for defamation, the RJD heir apparent whom the BJP leader has succeeded as deputy cm, said.
Currently being investigated by the CBI, the Srijan scam pertains to fraudulent withdrawal of thousands of crores from the treasury and illegal transfer of the money into accounts of an NGO based in Bhagalpur with branches in several other districts.
A distant relative of the deputy cm, Rekha Modi, is said to be allegedly involved in the scam though Modi who holds the finance portfolio insists that he maintains no family ties with her.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
India describes attack on Fujairah 'unacceptable'
New Delhi (PTI): India on Tuesday described the wounding of three Indians in an attack on the United Arab Emirates' port city of Fujairah as "unacceptable" and pressed for an immediate cessation of hostilities targeting innocent civilians.
New Delhi's reaction came a day after the Indians were injured after a drone attack caused a fire at a major oil industry zone in Fujairah. The UAE had accused Iran of carrying out the strike.
"The attack on Fujairah that resulted in injury to three Indian nationals is unacceptable," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
"We call for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians," the spokesperson said.
Jaiswal said India continued to stand for dialogue and diplomacy to deal with the situation so that peace and stability could be restored across West Asia.
"We also call for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law. India stands ready to support all efforts for a peaceful resolution of issues," he said.
The attack on Fujairah city came as the ceasefire between the US and Iran came under strain in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas pass, remains a major sticking point in the talks. Shipping through the narrow Gulf waterway has been severely disrupted by the conflict, triggering a sharp increase in oil prices and energy shortages in several countries.
The UAE's defence ministry on Monday said its air defence systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran.
The ministry affirmed that it "remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country."
