We welcome Paswan's move, says Congress
New Delhi, July 28 : As Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan-led LJP turned up the heat on Modi government over the appointment of A.K. Goel as NGT chairman and demanded his removal by August 9, the Congress while welcoming his move said he can't stay silent now as he has to do the politics of backward classes.
On Paswan joining the oppositon, the party said whenever he comes, it will comment on it. "Can't comment on a hypothetical question," said AICC in-charge of Bihar Shaktisinh Gohil.
Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) also demanded that the stringent provisions of the SC/ST atrocities law must be restored. It also said if its demands were not met, it will join anti-government protests by Dalit organisations on August 9.
"Not only Paswan-ji, all the allies of NDA, be it its oldest ally Shiv Sena, be it Mehbooba-ji (PDP's Mehbooba Mufti), Chandrababu Naidu (TDP), or Upendra Kushwaha (RLSP), nobody is comfortable with them (BJP)," said Gohil.
The leader said people have gone gainst them and the message is loud and clear. "This message is very clear in Bihar that Modi-led BJP is against the SCs, STs, OBCs and EBCs," said Gohil.
"The SC/ST (Prvention of Atrocities) Act was weakened under this government, because the affidavit of the government of India given in the Supreme Court was against this law," he said.
"The judge who gave judgment against the SC/ST was appointed NGT chairman. If Paswanji stays quiet now, the situation will get worse for him. So, better late than never. Hope his inner soul remains awake," he added.
On Samajwadi Party seeking support of all opposition parties on its demand of restoration of ballot system during elections, Gohil said: "We passed a resolution in the plenary session of the Congress in which we said we should go back to ballot paper and EVM machines should be done away with," Gohil said.
"When questions are raised on our democracy, it is the responsibility of the Election Commission to take steps as a constitutional authority. As far as seeking our support is concerned, our leadership will definitely talk to them along with other opposition parties to plan a strategy," he added.
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We need to create system in which people's skills get their due: Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi (PTI): Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi Friday called for creating a system in which people's skills get their due and everyone's contribution is respected, as he shared a Diwali video in which he interacts with paint job workers and potters.
Posting the over nine-minute video which features him also having a conversation with his nephew Raihan Rajiv Vadra on YouTube, the former Congress chief said, "A memorable Diwali with special people - I celebrated this Diwali working with some painter brothers and making earthen diyas with a potter family."
"I saw their work closely, tried to learn their skills and understood their difficulties and problems. They don't go home. We celebrate festivals happily and to earn some money, they forget their village, city, family," Gandhi said.
"They make happiness from clay. While lighting up the festivals of others, are they able to live in light themselves? Those who build houses can hardly run their own houses!" he said.
Gandhi said Diwali means light that can remove the darkness of poverty and helplessness.
"We have to create such a system -- in which people's skills get their due and contribution is respected -- makes everyone's Diwali a happy one. I hope this Diwali brings prosperity, progress and love in the lives of all of you," he said.
In the video, Gandhi is seen working with labourers at the 10 Janpath residence and learning to paint walls along with his nephew. In the second part of the video, Gandhi goes to the house of a woman who makes earthen lamps with her five daughters.
Gandhi tries his hand at pottery and makes 'diyas', which he says he would give to his mother and sister.
Since his Kanyakumari to Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra and his Manipur to Mumbai Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Gandhi has been interacting with a cross-section of people from mechanics and cobblers to labourers and bus drivers.
He often posts videos of his numerous interactions and highlights the plight of various sections of society.
