BJP created atmosphere of hatred: KPCC vice president VR Sudarshan
Mangaluru, Apr 5: The BJP-led NDA government at the Centre had created an atmosphere of hatred and anxiety across the nation during its five-year rule, which failed to fulfill any of its promises made in 2014, a senior congress leader in Karnataka alleged Friday.
Speaking to reporters here, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee vice president V R Sudarshan exuded confidence that the Congress and its allies will be able to defeat the BJP in the coming Lok Sabha elections.
The Congress manifesto, prepared after interacting with various sections of people across the nation, is aimed at dealing with issues on the ground, he said.
The Congress had delivered on its promises whenever it ruled the Centre and the state.
The NDA government did nothing to help farmers in distress and did not have the will to waive agricultural loans, he alleged.
The demonetisation exercise was a big failure which did not meet any of its declared objectives, he claimed.
The country faced more attacks from terrorists during the NDA rule, but they always blamed the Opposition to wrongly project them as patriots, Sudarshan said.
DCC president Harish Kumar and former state minister Ramanath Rai were present at the press meet.
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Nigeria confirms at least 27 people died, more than 100 missing after boat capsized
Abuja (AP): At least 27 people died and more than 100, mostly women, were missing on Friday, after a boat transporting them to a food market capsized along the River Niger in northern Nigeria, authorities said.
About 200 passengers were on the boat that was going from the state of Kogi to neighbouring state of Niger when it capsized, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency spokesman Ibrahim Audu told The Associated Press.
Rescuers managed to pull 27 bodies from the river by Friday evening while local divers were still searching for others, according to Sandra Musa, spokeswoman for the Kogi state emergency services.
No survivor was found about 12 hours after the incident occurred, she added.
Authorities have not confirmed what caused the sinking but local media suggested the boat may have been overloaded. Overcrowding on boats is common in remote parts of Nigeria where the lack of good roads leaves many with no alternative routes.
According to Justin Uwazuruonye, who is in charge of Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency operations in the state, rescuers had trouble finding the location of the capsizing for hours after Friday's tragedy struck.
Such deadly incidents are increasingly becoming a source of concern in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, as authorities struggle to enforce safety measures and regulations for water transportation.
Most of the accidents have been attributed to overcrowding and the lack of maintenance of the boats, often built locally to accommodate as many passengers as possible in defiance of safety measures.
Also, authorities have not been able to enforce the use of life jackets on such trips, often because of lack of availability or cost.
