2 BJP MPs will join TMC on July 21, says Kunal Ghosh
Kolkata, Jul 18: Senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh on Thursday claimed two BJP MPs have shown interest in joining Trinamool Congress during the Martyrs' Day function on July 21.
Ghosh told reporters that TMC Chairperson Mamata Banerjee and National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee will make the final decision after considering all aspects.
"Two MPs from the BJP, who were elected in the recent Lok Sabha polls and are among the 12 MPs from their party, have approached us expressing their desire to join TMC. They wish to work under Mamata Banerjee and intend to join during the July 21 programme," Ghosh claimed.
He added that the identities of these MPs cannot be disclosed at this time.
Since these MPs were recently elected, Ghosh mentioned that TMC leadership has advised them to wait a while to avoid falling under the anti-defection law.
"The ultimate decision in this matter will be made by Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee," he said.
Responding to Ghosh's comments, BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar downplayed the issue, saying, "Kunal Ghosh often makes such statements which should not be taken seriously."
"Let's wait until July 21. We have seen similar claims from leaders like Ghosh in the past. He is known for making such statements for publicity," Majumdar added.
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.
Nine dead as fire breaks out in residential building in east Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): A fire broke out in a residential building in east Delhi's Vivek Vihar early Sunday, leaving nine people belonging to two families dead, including a toddler, officials said.
The incident was reported around 3.48 am at a four-storey building in Vivek Vihar Phase-I, following which police, fire and disaster management teams rushed to the spot.
According to the police, the blaze engulfed flats on the second, third and fourth floors of the building, prompting a large-scale rescue operation.The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.
The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) said nine charred bodies were recovered from different floors.
ALSO READ: Tribals, Scheduled Castes preserved India's identity and soul despite foreign invasions: Bhagwat
"One body was recovered from the first floor, five from the second floor and three from the staircase which was found locked," the DFS officer said.
Those found dead on the second floor have been identified as Arvind Jain (60), his wife Anita Jain (58), son Nishant Jain (35), daughter-in-law Anchal Jain (33) and grandchild Akash Jain.
On the third floor, three members of a family were found dead. They were identified as Nitin Jain (50), wife Shailey Jain (48) and son Samyak Jain (25).
On the first floor a woman identified as Shikha Jain (45) was found dead while her husband Naveen Jain (48) sustained injuries.
A senior police officer said, "Around 10 to 15 people were rescued from the premises during the firefighting operation. Two of them, who sustained minor injuries, were shifted to the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital."
A total of 12 fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames, while teams from the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), traffic police and local police assisted in the rescue and evacuation efforts.
Police said the fire was brought under control after several hours. Efforts are underway to determine the cause of the fire, police said.
Further investigation and proceedings are underway.
