Telangana Congress leader's wife Padmini Reddy joins BJP, returns in 10 hours
HYDERABAD: This would have been one of the shortest stints of an individual in a political party in India. Padmini Reddy, wife of senior Telangana Congress leader C Damodar Rajanarasimha, was with the Congress in the morning, joined the BJP at around noon today only to be back in the Congress a little after 9 PM.
Ms Reddy's husband C Damodar Rajanarasimha was the deputy chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh in the Congress government headed by N Kiran Kumar Reddy. He is presently the in-charge of the party's manifesto committee for the Telangana elections.
Given Mr Rajanarasimha's seniority, Ms Reddy's shift to the BJP was an embarrassment for the Congress. Naturally, the BJP considered her a prize catch and she was welcomed into the party by top leaders like Telangana BJP president K Laxman and BJP national general secretary V Muralidhar Rao.
Soon after Ms Reddy joined the BJP, Mr Rao tweeted pictures of her induction and wrote, "Impressed by the work of PM Narendra Modi ji, senior Congress leader Smt Padmini Reddy joined BJP today in Hyderabad (Telangana)".
Telangana BJP president K Laxman claimed that Ms Reddy had joined the party as she was impressed by the way Prime Minister Narendra Modi had worked towards empowering women, especially by appointing women in key positions.
"Padmini Reddy has made a name for herself with her social work in Medak region, especially among women...Her joining the BJP will strengthen the party," he further said.
However, the BJP's joy proved to be short-lived. By late evening, Ms Reddy went back to the Congress. She said that she decided to return as "party workers were feeling hurt" with her departure.
An embarrassed BJP tried to save face by saying that the party "respects Padmini Reddy's decision".
"Padmini Reddy is an educated and well-informed woman. BJP is a party which respects and believes in women's empowerment. When she approached BJP to join and work for the party, certainly we couldn't have asked her to get her husband's permission. We respect Padmini Reddy's decision either way. This only exemplifies BJP's respect for women," Telangana BJP spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao wrote on Twitter.
Voting will take place in all the 119 constituencies of Telangana on December 7.
courtesy : ndtv.com
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CEC orders immediate arrest of those involved in post-poll violence in Bengal: Official
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar directed the authorities concerned to immediately arrest those involved in post-poll violence and vandalism in West Bengal, an official said on Wednesday.
The Election Commission's directive came after two persons were killed in alleged incidents of post-poll violence in the state on Tuesday, besides scores of party offices being ransacked.
The CEC issued instructions to the West Bengal chief secretary, director general of police, Kolkata police commissioner and directors general of central armed police forces, along with all district magistrates, superintendents of police and other officials, to maintain continuous patrolling in sensitive areas, he said.
"Those responsible for inciting violence and carrying out acts of vandalism must be arrested immediately," the official said, quoting the CEC's instruction.
The chief election commissioner also stressed the need for swift and firm enforcement of the law, he added.
This directive came amid concerns over law and order in parts of the state, with the Election Commission closely monitoring the situation, he added.
"We have been asked to remain on high alert and ensure that any attempt to disturb peace is dealt with firmly," a senior police officer said.
The state authorities have intensified vigil across districts, with coordinated efforts between the police and central forces to prevent any untoward incident, he added.
The assembly elections were held in West Bengal in two phases - April 23 and 29. The counting of votes took place on May 4.
The BJP sealed a landslide victory with 207 seats in the 294-member assembly, ending the TMC's uninterrupted 15-year rule in the state.
