Blow to YSRCP, boost for BJP as Andhra’s first woman Muslim MLC Zakia Khanam switches sides
Amaravati: In a political shift, Mayana Zakia Khanam, the first Muslim woman member of the Andhra Legislative Council, has resigned from the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Though her move caught many in the YSRCP off guard, the Andhra Pradesh BJP unit turned out in full strength to welcome Zakia Khanam into the party. Among those present were state BJP president and Rajahmundry MP Daggubati Purandeswari, state Health Minister and BJP MLA Y Satya Kumar, along with several other senior leaders, as reported by The Indian Express on Thursday.
Purandeswari stated that Zakia Khanam was inspired to join the saffron party by the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She emphasised that the BJP is committed to “delivering welfare beyond the lines of caste and religion” with a focus on uplifting the underprivileged and marginalised. "Khanam’s induction reflects a major shift and strengthens our commitment to inclusive leadership, while signaling a growing trust for the party among minorities,” TIE quoted Purandeswari as saying.
With her exit, the total number of MLCs who have resigned from YSRCP has risen to six. The other MLCs who have resigned from the party so far include Karri Padmasri, Pothula Sunitha, Jayamangala Venkataramana, Balli Kalyan Chakravarthy, and Marri Rajasekhar.
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Dalit youngster in Raichur denied entry into temple: Video viral
Police, priest, Dalit leaders ‘unaware of matter’
Raichur: The priest of the Ambabhavani Temple in Athkur village has been accused of stopping Dalit youngsters from entering the temple for a ritual related the Navaratri festival, although related parties, including the priest and Dalit leaders of the village, have denied knowledge about the incident.
A video of the youngsters, belonging to the Madiga community, who wanted to wear the ritual garlands for the festive period, being denied entry into the temple and the priest handing them the garlands keeping them outside the threshold has gone viral on social media platforms.
Yapaladinni Police officers, however, have said no police complaint about the matter has been filed so far. In addition, Dalit leaders in Athkur have said no such incident has occurred in the village, but the police officers are conducting an inquiry since youngsters have alleged that they were denied entry into the temple.
The temple priest has also refuted the charges against him, clarifying that action will be taken if a complaint is filed.
