Ghosi bypoll: SP's Shivpal Yadav accuses UP police of threatening voters, demands action
Azamgarh (UP) (PTI): Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav on Monday accused Uttar Pradesh police officials of threatening voters of the Ghosi assembly constituency ahead of the bypoll and demanded action against them.
The national general secretary of the Samajwadi party along with 10 legislators met Inspector General of Police Akhilesh Kumar and demanded action against the officials of the force who were "threatening" voters.
Yadav also alleged that the deployment of 40 ministers for the Ghosi bypoll was also affecting the election. He handed over a memorandum to the IGP seeking his intervention in ensuring free and fair polls.
The bypoll is slated on September 5 and counting of votes will be held on September 8.
The Samajwadi Party leader alleged that Ghosi and Kopaganj's SHO and circle officer are harassing people and threatening voters.
"In hotels from Azamgarh to Mau, ministers are staying and affecting polls. Money is also being distributed. Muslims are being threatened to prevent them from voting," Yadav said and alleged that the BJP was adopting dishonest means to win the bypoll.
On Sunday, the ruling BJP and the opposition Samajwadi Party submitted memorandums to the state election commissioner, accusing each other of "trying to influence" the Ghosi Assembly bypoll.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak accused the son of the Samajwadi Party candidate for the Ghosi assembly bypoll of threatening a police constable and that his outpost in-charge, a Dalit, would be "beaten up with shoes".
The bypoll in Ghosi was necessitated following the resignation of Samajwadi Party MLA and OBC leader Dara Singh Chauhan, who joined the BJP and is seeking re-election.
The Congress and Left parties have extended their support to Samajwadi Party candidate Sudhakar Singh. The BSP has not fielded any candidate for the bypoll.
Campaigning for the bypoll came to an end on Sunday evening.
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Sports Ministry revokes WFI suspension, restores Federation's status as NSF
New Delhi (PTI): The Sports Ministry has revoked the suspension imposed on the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), ending the months of uncertainty surrounding the sport and paving the way for resumption of activities, including selection trials for the upcoming Asian Championship in Amman.
The ministry had suspended the WFI on December 24, 2023 for lapses in governance and procedural integrity by the new body, which was elected on December 21.
The Sanjay Singh-led body had announced the conduct of Under-15 and Under-20 National Championships in Nandini Nagar, Gonda – the stronghold of former WFI chief Brijbhushan Sharan Singh – and the choice of venue irked the government since the former BJP MP was facing charges of sexual harassment.
The ministry, in its order, said that the WFI has taken compliant measures, so in larger interest of the sport and athletes, the ministry has decided to lift the suspension.
"I thank the government for taking this step. It will allow us to function smoothly. It was needed for the sake of the sport. The athletes were suffering for lack of competitions," Sanjay Singh told PTI.
The ministry, though, has asked the WFI to follow certain directions, such as the federation has to ensure that there is a balance of power among the elected office bearers, and it keeps itself disassociated from the suspended/terminated officials.
It may be noted that Prem Chand Lochab, the new general secretary, was elected from the rival camp and the ministry's directive could be understood in that context.
"The EC of the WFI must give an undertaking in this regard within 4 weeks.
Any violation of the undertaking will invite appropriate legal action, including the action under the Sports Code," the ministry said in its order.
It also said that the WFI must ensure that the selection for all international events should be done in a free, fair and transparent manner as per the extant provisions of the Sports Code and the other latest instructions issued in this regard along with regulations issued from time-to-time by the UWW (United World Wrestling)," the order said.
WFI president said there is nothing that can't be followed.
"We have already shifted to a new office and soon we will call for an EC meeting and also issue a circular for the selection trials. We have no issues in following these instructions," he said.
The Asian Championship is scheduled to be held in Amman, Jordan from March 25.
The Indian wrestlers missed out on competing in Ranking Series tournaments in Zagreb and Albania due to the ministry suspension and the court cases filed by prominent wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Satyawart Kadian.
The wrestlers, who had led the protest against Brij Bhushan, had contended that the WFI did not have the authority to pick national teams since it was suspended.
The court had directed the Indian Olympic Association to restore the ad-hoc panel for managing the WFI but the sports body had refused, saying UWW, the world governing body, recognises only the WFI and won't accept entries from the ad-hoc panel.
The UWW had threatened IOA to suspend WFI again if there was interference in its governance.
"We are so relieved that this suspension has been lifted. There was a compete lull, the young wrestlers were suffering for no fault of theirs. They were missing tournaments, there was no national camp. The suspension should have been lifted long back," said a coach associated with a leading training centre in Haryana.
