Amit Shah accuses grand alliance of 'breaking India'
Hyderabad, Oct 28: BJP President Amit Shah Sunday described the 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) of opposition parties as a 'dhakosla' (deception) and and accused it of "breaking India," while the Narendra Modi-led government was working for "making India."
Addressing the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) national convention here, Shah said on the one hand Prime Minister Modi was focussed on 'Making India', on the other the grand alliance leaders wanted to 'Break' India.
"Modiji says remove poverty, unemployment, insecurity...but Mahagathbandhan leaders say remove Modi," he added.
Criticising the grand alliance, the BJP leader said it "neither has a policy nor a leader nor any principles."
The Congress, TDP, TJS and others are presently engaged in seat-sharing talks for the proposed "grand alliance".
Taking a dig at Congress President Rahul Gandhi over his comments on the recent arrest of activists by the Maharashtra government over alleged links with Maoists, Shah said, "I want to tell Rahul Gandhi that whoever raises slogans on "breaking India" will land behind bars and they will never be pardoned."
He also hit out at Gandhi for questioning Modi government's' achievement during the last four-and-half-years and saying, he had no right to ask after having ruled for four generations and "doing nothing for the country and the poor."
Shah said the Modi government has launched several schemes and worked for the poor, farmers, women, Dalits and tribals.
Asserting that the BJP was ready to fight the 2019 elections under Modi's leadership, Shah urged the Yuva Morcha members to reach out to people and create awareness about the NDA government's achievements.
On the issue of National Register of Citizens, the BJP Chief said, "Rahul Baba talks of their human rights, but is not concerned about human rights of our security forces.
Infiltrators explode bombs killing security forces. Are you not concerned about their (security personnel) wives and children?" he asked adding that the issue might be a vote bank matter for the Congress, but for BJP it is security of the nation.
"Once the BJP is re-elected after 2019 polls, I guarantee that the party-led government will initiate the process of evicting illegal immigrants from all parts of the country," he added.
Slamming the TRS government in Telangana for not celebrating the Hyderabad Liberation Day, Shah alleged it was 'scared' of MIM and its chief Asaduddin Owaisi.
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No hurdle to increase Almatti Dam height, says Deputy CM Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said there is no legal impediment to issuing a notification for the Upper Krishna River Phase-3 project, including raising the height of the Almatti dam, and indicated that the state would soon take a decision after consultations.
Speaking to reporters here after his recent Delhi visit, he also said an all-party meeting may be convened in the state even as there was broad political consensus on taking up irrigation issues with the Centre.
“There is no legal hurdle to issuing a notification for increasing the height of the Almatti dam, and there is no stay order either, as stated by legal experts. We will take our own decision soon. An all-party meeting may also be convened in the State,” Shivakumar, who holds the water resource portfolio, said.
He said 24 Members of Parliament from Karnataka attended a meeting held in Delhi, cutting across party lines except the Janata Dal (Secular), where various irrigation issues were discussed.
“We stayed in Delhi for two days and held a meeting of the State’s Members of Parliament. A total of 24 MPs attended. Except for the Janata Dal (Secular), MPs from the BJP, Congress, Independents and nominated members were present. I briefed them about the status of several irrigation projects in the State,” he said.
Shivakumar said several leaders offered suggestions and an all-party delegation would meet the Prime Minister and the Union Water Resource Minister C R Patil.
“Jagadish Shettar, Govind Karjol, Basavaraj Bommai and P C Mohan offered certain suggestions. Union ministers from Karnataka V Somanna and Pralhad Joshi said they could not attend and requested another meeting. It has been decided to take an all-party delegation to meet the Prime Minister and C R Patil. There is consensus on this,” he said.
Referring to legal consultations, he said, “In this matter, our legal advisors Mohan Katarki, retired judge Nagamohan Das and the Advocate General have given some useful inputs. We will take a decision soon.”
On urban development issues, he said the State has taken up concerns with the Centre regarding building norms. “We have brought to the notice of the Civil Aviation Minister the differences in premium FAR and building height regulations between our state and others. We will soon meet the Defence Minister as well. We have explained the issues faced by our state, and all have responded positively,” he said.
On the proposal for a second airport in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said it would be examined by the Cabinet.
He said state Minister M B Patil has submitted a proposal, and opinions have also been given. It needs to be placed before the Cabinet to discuss the pros and cons.
Issues like land acquisition, finances and other aspects must be examined. A study has been conducted and a report submitted, he added.
The Deputy CM said central aviation authorities have also provided a report on global standards regarding building height restrictions. The state government will take a decision after reviewing that report.
On the upcoming assembly by-elections in Bagalkote and Davangere, Shivakumar, who is also the Congress Karnataka unit president, said candidate selection would be decided by the party high command.
“Over the last two months, I have collected reports from booth level to all levels. Our leaders have visited and given their opinions. I have also spoken to some people. AICC secretaries will arrive in the next two to three days. The Chief Minister and I have discussed what needs to be done in the two constituencies. I cannot disclose it publicly. We will present our views in the interest of the party. ‘B’ forms will be distributed as per the decision of the high command,” he said.
Ruling out any preference for family members, he said, "Family is not important here. The party must win and that is what matters."
He noted that multiple stakeholders, including minorities, have claims that need to be balanced through discussions.
Shivakumar also told reporters that discussions on Assam elections were held with party leaders and another meeting would be conducted through video conference, following which a campaign schedule would be finalised.
Responding to demands for a Cabinet reshuffle, Shivakumar said there was nothing wrong in aspirations.
On whether it would be a reshuffle or power-sharing exercise, he said, “Time will decide.”
He also declined to comment on reports of a separate meeting with Priyanka Gandhi.
“I will not discuss that. I will not reveal whom I met or what I discussed. Time will decide,” he said.
On AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal’s statement that there was no vacancy for the Chief Minister’s post, Shivakumar said, “Yes, he has said there is no vacancy. He has also said that the party and MLAs will take a decision.”
