Will decide future course of action after discussing with supporters: Sumalatha
Bengaluru, Mar 28: Incumbent Mandya MP Sumalatha Ambareesh, who was denied a ticket by the BJP, on Friday said she would reveal her future course of action in the coming days after discussing with her supporters.
The multi-lingual film actress-turned-politician reiterated that BJP should have reserved the seat for itself instead of giving it to its ally Janata Dal (Secular) in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking to reporters after an hour-long discussion with the BJP state president and Shikaripura MLA B Y Vijayendra, Sumalatha said, "Vijayendra expressed his opinion and expectations. I too told him about my concerns for the district and election. He asked me to join the party as he wanted me to remain with the BJP."
"Tomorrow I my supporters are coming. I told him that I will not take any decision unilaterally without consulting my supporters. It is my duty to listen to their expectations and opinion. I told him that I will make my stand clear in Mandya itself," Sumalatha said.
The Mandya MP had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate with the BJP's support defeating former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda's grandson Nikhil Kumaraswamy.
She was expecting a BJP ticket to seek re-election from Mandya. However, the BJP forged an alliance with JD(S) last year in September and as per the seat-sharing deal, decided to give Mandya, Kolar and Hassan to its ally.
Now, JD(S) has decided to field former Chief Minister and Deve Gowda's son H D Kumaraswamy from Mandya.
Sumalatha said she wanted BJP to retain Mandya with itself so that it could have given a tough fight in the election and made its presence felt to the people of the region.
"Now there is no point to discuss things which have already happened. I will surely reveal my future course of action in the coming days," the MP said.
Regarding Kumaraswamy's wish to meet her, Sumalatha said she had no objection to meeting him.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Sumalatha, Vijayendra said she had responded to his request. However, she told him that she will reveal her future course of action after discussing with her supporters.
"I am of the firm belief that she will remain with us and strengthen our party. She may feel that this could be her defeat but I told her that everything will set right," the BJP state chief said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.
