Cong, AAP, Patidar leaders demand FIR against Raj Thackeray over remarks on Sardar Patel
Ahmedabad (PTI): The Congress, AAP and Patidar leaders in Gujarat have criticised Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray over his comments about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and former Prime Minister Morarji Desai.
They have also demanded a ban on Thackeray’s entry to Gujarat and an FIR against him.
Addressing a rally in Maharashtra's Thane district on Friday, the MNS chief said when migrants from Bihar were "beaten up and driven away" in Gujarat, it did not become an issue, but a minor incident in Maharashtra became a national issue.
He also referred to Morarji Desai and Sardar Patel’s alleged anti-Marathi stand after independence.
Over the past few weeks, MNS workers have been aggressively demanding that those living in Maharashtra learn Marathi. They have also assaulted a few shopkeepers for failing to respond in Marathi.
Gujarat Congress' newly appointed president Amit Chavda on Sunday said making a statement against “Sardar Saheb” was akin to throwing dust in front of the sun.
“If you do politics on the soil of Gujarat, you will get an answer,” he added.
Aam Aadmi Party’s state president Isudan Gadhvi said Gujaratis will never tolerate Thackeray’s remarks.
“Your politics is not working, so you are insulting not only the Gujarati people but also the leader of the entire country, Sardar Patel,” he said.
Gadhvi appealed to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and state BJP president CR Paatil to get an FIR registered against Thackeray.
“Sardar Patel united 565 princely states and created a united India. When Sardar Patel passed away, he had only Rs 261 in his account. Yet, some Maharashtra leaders are trying to further their political agenda by using derogatory language for such a great personality,” he said.
Patidar leader Manoj Panara submitted a petition to the police in Morbi city, demanding a sedition case against Thackeray and a ban on his entry to Gujarat.
“We strongly condemn the comments he made about Sardar Saheb and former PM Morarji Desai. In the coming days, we will knock on the doors of courts and offices and take legal action against him,” he said.
Patidar leader Alpesh Kathiria said Thackeray has no right to insult national icons.
Sardar Patel Group president Lalji Patel and Patidar Yuva Sangh led by Manoj Panara have also condemned Thackeray’s statements. Panara has demanded that the MNS chief, whose mentality he termed “narrow”, be banned from entering Gujarat.
Lalji Patel alleged Thackeray has always been anti-Gujarati.
“He will never become a national leader unless he changes his stance against people from other states,” Lalji Patel added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
