India losing credibility globally as one of its states burns amidst ongoing G20 summit: Tharoor
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): As India talks about 'One Earth, One Family, One Future -- the theme of the ongoing G20 Presidency -- the nation is losing its credibility before the world, as one of its states is burning, Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor said here on Wednesday.
Tharoor said that while India's leaders talk about 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' -- which means 'One Earth-One Family-One Future' in their speeches, at the same time "what credibility would we have when one of our own states is burning"?
The MP from Thiruvananthapuram said that people across the world who would be reading about India would say that humanity and harmony are required here first.
"Therefore, I would request (Prime Minister) Modi ji to take some action to at least salvage our global credibility," Tharoor, also a former minister of state for external affairs, said.
He was speaking here after releasing the cover of a book titled 'Manipur FIR' penned by Delhi-based journalist George Kallivayalil. CPI(M) leader and Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas was also among the dignitaries who attended the function organised by the Kerala Media Academy.
In his speech, the Congress MP described violence in Manipur as a "slow burning horror" and said that when violence broke out in the northeastern state in May, he had suggested that President's Rule be imposed there.
"That way, the Army and the Governor could have taken decisions on maintaining law and order without all the political nonsense.
"However, till now, it has not been done, and I do not think it will be done as this government (at the Centre) has decided that if the BJP has to continue in power there, the same CM should continue. So they do not want President's Rule there," Tharoor said, severely criticising both the BJP-led state and central governments.
Questioning the attitude of the government on the matter, he wondered how a government that was not ready to acknowledge the reality on the ground could "bring a solution" for the Manipur problem.
Later talking to PTI, Tharoor alleged that the Union government was showing an amazing lack of will to resolve the Manipur crisis.
"It is, after all, the responsibility of both the state and the central government, both ruled by the BJP, to give a greater priority to bringing about not just peace but also restoring harmony and reconciliation between the communities.
"Right now, whatever little peace there is, is the peace of the graveyard. The community is completely divided -- and no Kukis in the Meitei areas and Meitis in Kuki areas. We cannot have a country on that kind of basis. It will be shocking," Tharoor said and urged the Union government to act in a proactive manner.
Several people have been killed in violent clashes between tribes living in the Manipur hills and the majority Meitei community residing in the Imphal Valley over the latter's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
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BJP will form govt in Bengal with thumping majority: Nabin
Mirzapur (UP) (PTI): BJP president Nitin Nabin on Wednesday voiced confidence that his party will form the government in West Bengal with a "thumping majority".
Polling is underway for 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, covering key districts, including Kolkata, Howrah and North and South 24 Parganas.
The high-stakes contest is being seen as decisive for the ruling TMC's bid for a fourth consecutive term and the BJP's push to form its first government in the state. The first phase held on April 23 recorded a high voter turnout of over 93 per cent, reflecting intense electoral engagement.
Speaking to reporters in Mirzapur, Nabin said, "The BJP will form the government in Bengal. We are winning the elections with a massive majority."
Earlier in the day, the BJP chief visited the Vindhyavasini temple and offered prayers. The rituals were conducted by his priest Acharya Agastya Kumar Dwivedi.
On his first visit to the district after assuming office, Nabin was welcomed by party workers at several places. At the temple, he was received by city MLA Ratnakar Mishra and District Magistrate Pawan Kumar Gangwar, who felicitated him with a traditional 'angvastram'.
After offering prayers for about 10 minutes amid Vedic chants, Nabin held a meeting at a hotel with local MLAs, including Mishra, Majhwan MLA Suchismita Maurya and Madihan MLA Ramashankar Patel.
Patel said Nabin emphasised strengthening the organisation and asked public representatives to focus on serving people in their respective constituencies.
Several party leaders, including district president Lal Bahadur Saroj, district vice-president Gaurav Umar, municipal chairperson Shyam Sundar Kesari, women workers and senior officials, were present on the occasion.
Elaborate security arrangements were put in place by the district administration for the visit, with multiple officers of circle officer rank deployed, officials said.
