BJP causing divisions in society, we will defeat it in 2019: Rahul
Berlin, Aug 24 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the BJP and RSS were weakening the country "by causing divisions and spreading hatred." He said the combined opposition will defeat the ruling alliance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing an event organised by the Indian Overseas Congress on Thursday, Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on several issues, including Rafale fighter jet deal and demonetisation. He alleged that Modi discriminates with the non-BJP ruled states.
The Congress leader said he hugged Modi during the debate on no-confidence motion last month to "remove anger" from him.
"When people are angry with me and shouting at me and getting nasty at me, they are frustrated with their own life. They are not angry with me, they are having difficulty dealing with their life. And it is my job as a politician in India to tell them 'don't worry I am going to try and help you, I am going to try and remove the anger from you'. That is why I hugged the Prime Minister," he said.
"Modi has spent a lot of time attacking me, saying nasty things about me. Did everything he said travel faster or my hug (in the Lok Sabha) and affection travel faster. So affection is a very powerful thing," he added.
"Hatred is being spread, farmers continue to commit suicide and the youth are unable to see a way forward," he said.
Gandhi, who took questions, said for the first time judges of the Supreme Court "came to the people for justice". "They have said clearly that they are not being allowed to do their work. The government, the RSS, the Prime Minister are not allowing them to do their work," he said.
The Congress leader said there was a strong common feeling among Opposition parties that the BJP and RSS should not be allowed to "destroy institutions."
"A united opposition is going to fight and defeat the BJP in the next election. There is no doubt," he said, adding that the BJP had bagged only 31 per cent votes in the 2014 elections.
"If the opposition gets together, there's no way that the BJP can win the election," Gandhi said.
Noting that he derives his thinking from the teachings of Guru Nanak, Gandhi said , "the work that Guru Nanakji did, we work by that vision."
Spelling out an alternative vision, he said the new government, formed by parties that are in opposition at present, will focus on education, healthcare and put energy in competing with the Chinese to make sure that India "starts to produce jobs for its youngsters."
"We are not going to do it with 'Make In India' programme that gives the entire finance of the banking sector to the largest 15-20 industrialists. We are going to do it by supporting small and medium businesses. So, it is a completely different vision from the BJP's," he said.
He said the informal sector is the backbone of India in terms of job creation.
He said if the Congress comes to power in 2019 election, it will fulfil the promise of special category status for Andhra Pradesh.
Gandhi accused the the government of causing Rs 41,000 crore loss to the exchequer in the Rafale fighter jet deal with France. The offset contract had been taken away from a public sector undertaking, he alleged.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
