If Dolly Chaiwala were from Mangaluru, his stall would’ve been demolished: Actor Raj B Shetty
Mangaluru: Actor and director Raj B Shetty has criticised the BJP-led Mangaluru City Corporation’s ‘Tiger Operation’ targeting street vendors. In an Instagram story, he remarked that if Dolly Chaiwala were a street vendor in Mangaluru, his stall too would’ve been demolished.
The statement came after the City Corporation organised a five-day ‘Mangaluru Street Food Fiesta’ near Lady Hill Circle, a location where stalls were previously demolished for causing traffic congestion and encroachments. The irony of holding such an event while evicting local vendors has drawn sharp criticism.
The festival, running from January 18 to 22, featured Dolly Chaiwala from Mumbai as a special participant, sparking protests from activists. On the event’s opening day, the presence of Dolly Chaiwala triggered debates on social media, with many calling out the administration's double standards.
In his Instagram post, Raj B Shetty stated, “Dolly Chaiwala a street tea seller was celebrated in Mangalore. The same city buldozed street food vendors few months ago. Glad that Dolly is not from Mangalore If he was here we would have buldozed.”
Street vendors and activists have criticised the BJP-led administration for prioritising high-profile events over the welfare of local vendors. BK Imtiyaz, honorary president of the street vendors’ association, accused the City Corporation and MLA Vedavyas Kamath of hypocrisy. "They destroyed livelihoods with bulldozers and then hosted an event in violation of their own rules," he said.
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Ex-minister Shrawon Kumar appointed JD(U) legislative party leader in Bihar
Patna (PTI): Former Bihar minister Shrawon Kumar has been made the JD(U)'s legislative party leader, a notification issued by the state assembly secretariat said on Tuesday.
The development comes a day after the party's legislators had "authorised" national president Nitish Kumar to take a decision in the matter.
The JD(U) supremo had chaired a meeting of party MLAs and MLCs at 1, Anney Marg, the official residence of the Chief Minister of Bihar, which he is likely to vacate soon in view of having relinquished the top post.
Shrawon Kumar, a confidant of the JD(U) chief, is a seventh-term MLA from Nalanda constituency, which falls in the eponymous district to which the former CM also belongs.
The 68-year-old leader, who is a Kurmi, a powerful OBC group to which Nitish Kumar also belongs, has held portfolios like rural development, social welfare and transport in governments headed by his mentor, who has now moved to the Rajya Sabha.
Meanwhile, the JD(U) president's son Nishant congratulated Shrawon Kumar upon being appointed as the legislative party leader.
"This is great. I extend him my best wishes," he told reporters.
BJP leader Samrat Choudhary was sworn in as the 24th chief minister of Bihar on April 15, marking the first instance of a member of the saffron party assuming the top post in the state.
