Video shows party worker washing feet of Maharashtra Cong chief Patole; kicks up row
Akola (PTI): A controversy has erupted after a video showed a Congress worker washing the feet of the party's Maharashtra chief Nana Patole before stepping out of a car in Akola district of the state, with the ruling BJP targeting him for "insulting" the workers of his party.
The incident took place on Monday when Patole was at Wadegaon in the district to take part in an event.
The video shows the party worker pouring water on Patole's feet and cleaning them with his hands while the Congress leader is stepping out of the vehicle.
Reacting to the controversy over the episode, Patole said his feet got muddied after taking part in a procession of the holy symbolic footprints of Saint Gajanan Maharaj.
One of the workers put water from a bottle as there was no tap available nearby, he said.
Patole also hit out at the government saying that while the farmers are burdened by loans and need to be brought out of their plight, the ruling dispensation was not at all concerned.
Targeting Patole, BJP Mumbai uploaded the video on X and said, "What a misfortune, Congress is repeatedly insulting the workers whose might it uses to contest elections."
It is very shameful that Congress' Maharashtra chief Nana Patole made a worker wash his muddied feet, it said, and asked where it was the real culture of the grand old party.
BJP leader Chitra Wagh also targeted Patole over the act.
#WATCH | Nana Patole's muddy feet washed by a party worker controversy, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole says, "...I am not hiding yesterday's incident. The worker was pouring water (on my feet). There was no tap - 'Har ghar mein nal, har ghar mein jal', otherwise I… pic.twitter.com/sSGIOn4L5n
— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2024
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Shivakumar opposes ‘One Nation One Election’, calls it ‘unworkable’
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday strongly opposed the central government’s proposed ‘One Nation One Election’ initiative.
Shivakumar expressed his views at a dialogue on ‘One Nation One Election’ organised by the Joint Parliamentary Study Committee.
He said the plan is a politically motivated, power-centralising scheme that would seriously damage India’s federal structure by weakening states and poses a threat to the democratic system, according to a statement from his office.
As KPCC president and deputy CM of Karnataka, he categorically rejected the proposal, stating that it is being crafted to suit the convenience of those in power at the Centre.
Shivakumar said that the Karnataka Legislative Assembly had already passed a resolution opposing ‘One Nation One Election’ and read out the resolution at the meeting.
He firmly stated that it is “not a workable plan” and added that it is “practically impossible.”
“If a government falls midterm due to political instability, a no-confidence motion, or loss of majority, what is the solution?” he asked.
“Elections are held at different times in different states for different terms. Karnataka had its election in 2023, while Tamil Nadu and Kerala had theirs in 2021, and Punjab and Telangana in 2022 and 2023, respectively. How can these elections with varying schedules be synchronised?” he asked.
He added that the proposal is a ploy to suppress the voices of regional and Opposition parties.
He also said the Karnataka government does not agree with the proposal and remains committed to the position of the Congress party’s national leadership.
