BJP MLA ST Somasekhar announces support for Congress in Lok Sabha elections
Bengaluru: In a surprising turn of events, BJP MLA from Yeshwanthpur constituency, ST Somasekhar, has declared his support for the Congress party in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a gathering in Kengeri, Somasekhar stated that despite being a BJP member, he will work for the Congress to support his constituency's interests.
Taking a dig at BJP leaders, Somasekhar criticized the party for neglecting him and not seeking his support for the Lok Sabha elections. He expressed disappointment over not being invited to events attended by top BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah.
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Asserting his independence from party directives, Somasekhar declared that he would campaign door-to-door for the Congress candidate, emphasizing that his constituency's voters are his priority. This decision comes after Somasekhar's earlier vote for a Congress candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections, citing promises of grants for his constituency's development as the reason.
In response to potential backlash from the BJP, Somasekhar remained defiant, stating, "I am not afraid of anything, let the BJP do what they want."
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13 lakh litres of 'Rail Neer' supplied to train passengers daily: Government
New Delhi (PTI): Approximately 13 lakh litres of packaged drinking water -- 'Rail Neer' -- are being supplied to train passengers across the railway network daily, the government informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.
Apprising the Lower House about the Indian Railways' endeavour to provide safe and potable drinking water facilities at all stations, the government also provided zone-wise details of the water vending machines (WVMs) installed there.
"To ensure the quality of drinking water being made available at the railway stations, instructions exist for periodical checking and required corrective action to be taken.
"Regular inspection and maintenance of drinking water facilities is carried out and complaints are attended to promptly," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while responding to a question raised by BJP MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre seeking to know the supply of drinking water at railway stations across the country
"Complaints regarding deficiency in services, including water supply, are received through various channels such as public complaints, web portals, social media, etc. These complaints are received at various levels, including the Railway Board, zonal railways, division office, etc.," Vaishnaw said.
"The complaints so received are forwarded to the concerned wings of Railways and necessary action is taken to check and address them. As receipt of such complaints and action taken thereon is a continuous and dynamic process, a centralised compendium of these is not maintained," he added.
Providing zone-wise details of water vending machines, the minister said 954 such machines have been installed across railway stations.
"The Indian Railways also provides safe and affordable packaged drinking water bottles -- Rail Neer -- approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in trains and at stations," Vaishnaw said.
"Approximately, 13 lakh litres of Rail Neer are being supplied per day to the travelling passengers in trains and at stations across the Indian Railways network," he added.
