BJP is not a threat to Christians: George Kurian
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Aizawal(PTI): Union Minister George Kurian on Wednesday said that the BJP is not a threat to Christians.
Addressing a rally at Darlung village in north-western Mizoram's Mamit district, Kurian said the BJP is not inimical to Christianity and there is nothing to fear about the party for Christians.
Kurian said that he was baffled by the alleged teaching in the Christian-dominated Mizoram to fear the saffron party.
"I have joined the BJP since its inception in 1980. I am from Kerala, and I am a true and good Christian devotee. I have never come across difficulties for being a BJP member due to my faith. Therefore, teaching people to fear the BJP is only a political game," Kurian said.
"There is no contradiction for a Christian to associate with the BJP," he added..
Kurian, the Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying portfolios, said Dampa must link with Delhi to usher in development in the area.
He said that the BJP government at the Centre will bring several developments, including road connectivity and agricultural link roads, if the BJP candidate is elected in the upcoming bypoll..
Kurian also blamed the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) government headed by Chief Minister Lalduhoma for allegedly neglecting the Dampa constituency..
"While I was heading to Darlung, I travelled on a very narrow and bad road. I have witnessed how the state government neglected your area. This is very unfortunate," he said..
Citing that the NDA government's top priority is development, Kurian said Prime Minister Narendra Modi also gave due importance to Mizoram's growth and a Rs 8,000 crore railway line project was opened by the PM in September to improve connectivity between Mizoram and the rest of the country..
The Union Minister also visited other villages within Dampa constituency, and he will leave for Delhi on Thursday, BJP sources said..
Five candidates are in the fray for the Dampa bypoll, which was necessitated by the death of incumbent Mizo National Front (MNF) legislator Lalrintluanga Sailo on July 21.
The ruling ZPM has fielded Mizo singer and preacher Vanlalsailova, the main opposition MNF nominated party senior vice president and former health minister Dr R Lalthangliana and Congress fielded party vice president and former transport minister John Rotluangliana.
The BJP nominated Lalhmingthanga, while former chief minister Brig T Sailo's party (People's Conference) fielded its vice president K. Zahmingthanga.
A total of 21,003 voters, including 115 service voters, are eligible to exercise their franchise in the upcoming bypoll..
Polling will be held on November 11, and counting of votes will take place on November 14.
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
