India rebuts Canada's 'preposterous' allegations in diplomatic row over Nijjar's killing
New Delhi: India issued a strong rebuttal to Canada on Monday, dismissing claims that its High Commissioner, Sanjay Kumar Verma, was a 'person of interest' in the investigation of Hardeep Singh Nijjar's death. The Ministry of External Affairs described the allegations as "preposterous imputations" and accused the Canadian government of engaging in vote-bank politics by pandering to pro-Khalistan elements.
This diplomatic rift dates back to June 2023, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Nijjar, a known pro-Khalistan figure. India has consistently rejected the claims, calling them "absurd" and "motivated."
Tensions escalated when reports emerged that Canada named the Indian High Commissioner in the investigation. India condemned these allegations, asserting that they lacked evidence and were part of a "deliberate strategy" by Canada to smear India for political gains.
In its statement, India highlighted Verma's 36-year diplomatic career, which includes postings in Japan, Sudan, Italy, Turkiye, Vietnam, and China, and denounced the accusations against him as baseless.
India has long voiced concerns over the growing pro-Khalistan movement in Canada, urging Ottawa to take action against individuals involved in extremist activities. Despite repeated diplomatic efforts, India claims that Canada has not taken sufficient steps to address the issue, further straining relations between the two countries.
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Will vacate one of two assembly seats won in 10 days: BJP''s Suvendu
Kolkata (PTI): BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur and secured Nandigram for three times in a row in the recent assembly polls, said on Wednesday that he would vacate one of the two constituencies within 10 days.
Adhikari also asserted that the party's central leadership would decide which constituency he would retain.
"I will vacate one seat within 10 days. The party will decide which one I retain. I will not forget my responsibility towards the people of Bhabanipur and Nandigram," he said.
Adhikari on Monday defeated Banerjee in Bhabanipur by over 15,000 votes, puncturing what was long seen as her safest political refuge and delivering a decisive psychological blow to the TMC, amid a sweeping BJP surge across West Bengal.
Addressing party workers and supporters in Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district, the BJP leader appealed to them not to take out victory processions immediately and instead maintain peace.
"Do not take out victory rallies now. Maintain peace and discipline. Celebrate after May 9, after taking permission," he told party workers.
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Wednesday announced that the oath-taking ceremony of the new government will be held on May 9 at Brigade Parade Ground.
Referring to alleged attacks on BJP workers during the TMC regime, Adhikari said he would not forget the “atrocities" faced by them and assured them of taking appropriate action against perpetrators through legal processes.
"I was part of the 2011 ‘poribartan’ (change), and now I am part of the real change. I offer my gratitude to the people of Nandigram," Adhikari said.
He was referring to the TMC's victory in 2011 when the Mamata Banerjee party dismantled the 34-year Left Front regime in the state.
Adhikari offered prayers at a Hanuman statue in Nandigram and remembered the BJP workers, who had died in political violence.
"We will work in such a way that the BJP government in Bengal stays for 100 years," he said, expressing hope that the BJP’s vote share in the state would rise from the current 46 per cent to 60 per cent in future elections.
The BJP leader also assured residents of Nandigram of improved drinking water supply and better hospital and education infrastructure.
