Gujarat: MLA dropped from BJP list says he will contest as independent if workers want
Vadodara, Nov 10: Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) six-term MLA Madhu Shrivastav who was not given ticket for the coming Gujarat Assembly elections said on Thursday that he will contest as an independent if his supporters wished so.
After the BJP announced its list of candidates for 160 out of 182 seats, Shrivastav's supporters gathered in his constituency Waghodia and protested.
The party has fielded Ashwin Patel from the constituency this time.
"Party workers want me to contest as an independent candidate and have assured me of victory....If they say I should contest as an independent, I will do so," Shrivastav told reporters.
Shrivastav first won from Waghodia constituency in Vadodara district in 1995.
He courted controversy for allegedly intimidating Best Bakery massacre witnesses in a post-Godhra riots case. He was also in news for firing from his licenced revolver during a victory procession after the Baroda Dairy election.
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India describes attack on Fujairah 'unacceptable'
New Delhi (PTI): India on Tuesday described the wounding of three Indians in an attack on the United Arab Emirates' port city of Fujairah as "unacceptable" and pressed for an immediate cessation of hostilities targeting innocent civilians.
New Delhi's reaction came a day after the Indians were injured after a drone attack caused a fire at a major oil industry zone in Fujairah. The UAE had accused Iran of carrying out the strike.
"The attack on Fujairah that resulted in injury to three Indian nationals is unacceptable," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
"We call for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians," the spokesperson said.
Jaiswal said India continued to stand for dialogue and diplomacy to deal with the situation so that peace and stability could be restored across West Asia.
"We also call for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law. India stands ready to support all efforts for a peaceful resolution of issues," he said.
The attack on Fujairah city came as the ceasefire between the US and Iran came under strain in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas pass, remains a major sticking point in the talks. Shipping through the narrow Gulf waterway has been severely disrupted by the conflict, triggering a sharp increase in oil prices and energy shortages in several countries.
The UAE's defence ministry on Monday said its air defence systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran.
The ministry affirmed that it "remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country."
