BJD supported NDA RS Dy Chairman candidate due to CBI fear: Congress
Bhubaneswar, Aug 9 : The Odisha unit of the Congress on Thursday said that the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supported the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson's post in fear of a CBI inquiry into the chit fund scam.
The party also said that this move strengthens the ongoing rumour of seat sharing discussions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the BJD.
"BJD supporting the NDA candidate for Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman election isn't surprising at all, that's what allies are supposed to do. It's a deal to stop CBI from exposing BJD's misdeeds," said Pradesh Congress Committee President Niranjan Patnaik.
Its claim of maintaining equal distance from the Congress and the BJP will be judged by the people, said Patnaik.
Notably, the NDA-supported candidate, Harivansh Narayan Singh, is a JD(U) MP. The BJD explained that it decided to support the JD(U) candidate since the JD(U) and the BJD have similar ideological origins, emerging from the Jayprakash Narayan movement.
It said that in the highest traditions of a parliamentary democracy, constitutional posts like that of the Speaker and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha should be decided by a consensus instead of elections.
Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated Harivansh Narayan Singh on being elected as the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman on Thursday.
"A socialist leader from the same village as legendary Jayaprakash Narayan and former newspaper editor and author, I am sure he will discharge his duties according to the highest parliamentary tradition," said the Chief Minister.
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Karnataka Forest Minister warns against illegal tree felling amid gas shortage
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Thursday directed officials to remain vigilant to prevent illegal tree felling in forests, areas bordering them, and government lands in the wake of increased demand for firewood due to LPG scarcity, triggered by the widening West Asia conflict.
In written instructions issued to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of the Forest Force, Meenakshi Negi, the minister said that the impact of the LPG shortage has been felt in Karnataka as well.
Citing that restaurants, resorts and homestays are facing difficulties in obtaining commercial LPG cylinders, and disruptions are being reported in the supply of domestic cooking gas, he has ordered officials to intensify patrols and surveillance to prevent illegal tree felling for firewood.
He further directed all forest circles and divisions to take appropriate patrol and precautionary measures.
The minister warned that if illegal tree felling occurs in forests or government land, the concerned range officer and staff would be held responsible.
