Ignored for Khel Ratna, Bajrang Punia to move court
New Delhi : Star Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia has vowed to move court after being ignored for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
Asian Games champion Bajrang was considered as a strong contender for India's highest sporting honour following his recent achievements. He won gold medals in Gold Coast and Jakarta this year. The Haryana grappler has also won a World Championship bronze medal in 2013 besides winning silver medals in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games and Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
The selection committee, which met on Monday, recommended cricketer Virat Kohli and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu for the prestigious award.
Speaking to Mail Today, the 24-year-old wrestler said he was 'hurt'. "I don't know what is in their (selection committee's) mind. My achievements are there what else do you want? I am coming to Delhi tomorrow and will file a case in the court against it. I am really disappointed," Bajrang said on Tuesday.
"I tried Rathore sir's (Sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh) number several times but of no use. He didn't even reply. I will now meet him personally and enquire about the matter," he added. "The World Championship is scheduled to begin next month and such ignorance of the ministry is really disappointing," said Bajrang, who is currently training in Bengaluru.
Meanwhile, Olympic bronze medallist and Bajrang's guru, Yogeshwar Dutt, raised questions over 'selection criteria'. "Bajrang has been consistently performing well in international tournaments. I am unable to understand why his name not being nominated for Khel Ratna. I am not against anybody. I am happy for the athletes who are getting awards but on what basis Bajrang has been ignored? The committee must make the criteria for selection transparent," he said.
It is also learnt that Indian wrestling coach Sujeet Maan has also expressed his disappointment over Dronacharya award snub. According to sources, Maan is likely to meet the sports minister soon.
courtesy : indiatoday.in
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.
Bypolls: K'taka Cong Minority Abdul Jabbar chief resigns amid allegations of 'internal conspiracy'
_vb_72.jpeg)
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Congress Minority Department President K Abdul Jabbar announced his resignation from the post on Saturday, a day after a group of Muslim leaders accused members of their own party of "conspiring" to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Jabbar, an MLC, was an aspirant for the Congress ticket from the Davanagere South Assembly segment.
"It has been an honor for me to serve as Chairman of the KPCC Minority department and have worked to the best of my ability during assembly elections 2023 and followed by Parliament polls and many such occasions whenever the party needed the minority department and showed results. I have toured the entire state of Karnataka and worked to align the minorities with Congress values and principles. Most of it is available in the public domain," Jabbar has said in a letter to the party.
"Minority voters and minority office bearers are the backbone of our great Congress party and certainly deserve better," he said.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President, confirmed Jabbar's resignation.
"I won't speak about this now, I have got some reports. The Minority President has submitted his resignation. I will verify things, I will seek a report from local leaders after that I will speak," he told reporters in response to a question on internal conspiracy.
A rift within the Karnataka Congress surfaced on Friday, a day after the bypolls to two Assembly constituencies in the state, as a group of Muslim leaders alleged a "conspiracy" by some of their own senior party leaders to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
However, they asserted that despite efforts by some within to project that Congress "betrayed" Muslims, the party candidate Samarth Mallikarjun will win in Davanagere South, the constituency where the community has a significant presence.
They said the party finally named Samarth Mallikarjun as the candidate after considering all factors and taking all Muslim leaders into confidence. Despite this, a massive campaign, including from some within the party, projected the Congress as having "betrayed" the minorities by denying them tickets.
Chief Whip in the Legislative Council Saleem Ahmed, MLAs Rizwan Arshad, Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, MLC Bilkis Bano, and other Congress leaders addressed a joint press conference on Friday, claiming an "internal conspiracy".
According to party sources, these Muslim leaders have also complained to AICC and state party leadership, alleging "internal sabotage" in Davanagere South.
Though the leaders did not name anyone, several party sources said their attack was directed at State Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan and Jabbar among others.
Khan, who had openly demanded the Davanagere South ticket for a Muslim candidate, initially stayed away from campaigning in the constituency, citing his Kerala poll responsibilities.
However, he addressed a press meet with Samarth's father and Minister SS Mallikarjun at the request of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Jabbar too had not actively participated in the campaigning, despite hailing from Davanagere.
Bypolls for Davanagere South were held along with Bagalkot on Thursday. The election was necessitated following the death of sitting MLAs Shamanur Shivashankarappa and H Y Meti respectively. Samarth is the grandson of Shivashankarappa.
Muslim disgruntlement appears to be a concern for the Congress in Davanagere South. With 14 of the 25 candidates in the fray belonging to the community, there are apprehensions within the party about a split in votes, which could benefit the BJP.
Given its significant presence in the constituency, the Muslim community strongly demanded the Congress ticket for Davanagere South. Some party factions had opposed giving the ticket to the Shamanur family.
Although the Congress was successful in persuading rebel candidate Sadiq Pailwan to withdraw from the contest, he remained in the fray as the move came after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations.
_vb_81.jpeg)
