It was expected, says Cong prez Kharge on JD(U) leaving Mahagathbandhan alliance
Kalaburagi (KTK) (PTI): Taking a dig at the JD(U) and its leadership for quitting the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar and returning to the BJP-led NDA to form a new government in that state, Congress President M Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said this was expected and there are many such people in the country who are "Aaya Ram Gaya Ram".
He said he had received information from RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav about JD(U)'s plans to walk out of Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) five days ago, and despite all efforts the Nitish Kumar-led party has left.
"Lalu Prasad Yadav (RJD leader) had hinted about this development five days ago, I had spoken to him in detail about the situation, what is the number, what is their number, and what to do. He (Yadav) told me if they (JD(U)) are going, let them go. We have been fighting, earlier also, we (Congress and JD(U) both have fought (elections) together and we will continue to fight..." Kharge said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said despite knowing about it, he did not want to disclose till the end.
Averring that it was "expected" that JD(U) would go, the AICC President further said, "There were indications of it... when I spoke to Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav (Bihar Deputy CM), both had mentioned that JD(U) will leave and both of us (Congress and RJD) will have to fight together."
RJD leadership had also said that they would still make all efforts to ensure that JD(U) stayed, he said. "If they want to stay with us, fine, but despite our efforts if they want to go, they will."
"So, we were aware of it, but to keep the INDIA alliance intact, we did not speak out, as we thought if we say something wrong, a wrong message may go. So, when I was questioned about this during the last two days, I said I was not aware of the developments," he added.
Further, noting that the information provided by Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav and Lalu Prasad Yadav was right, Kharge said, "there are many such people in the country, who are Aaya Ram Gaya Ram."
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar submitted his resignation to Governor Rajendra V Arlekar this morning.
A new government with the support of the BJP is likely to be in place by the evening, according to sources.
The Mahagathbandhan' government in Bihar consisted of RJD, JD(U), Congress, and three Left parties.
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.
'Strong evidence' available against Saif attacker, police tell court while opposing his bail plea
Mumbai, Jul 25 (PTI): Police have opposed the bail plea of the Bangladeshi national arrested for allegedly stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan with a knife and injuring him at his home here in January this year, telling a Mumbai court there was "strong evidence" against the accused.
Citing a Forensic Science Laboratory report, police reiterated before the sessions court their earlier claim knife fragments that got lodged near the actor's spine during the attack as well as a part found at the crime spot have matched with the weapon recovered from the accused, Shariful Islam.
These three pieces were part of the same weapon (knife) used to attack the filmstar, the police said in a written response to the accused's plea submitted in the court on Thursday (July 24).
Khan was repeatedly stabbed with a knife by an intruder inside his 12th floor apartment in upscale Bandra on January 16 during a robbery attempt.
The 54-year-old actor underwent surgery at Lilavati Hospital to remove a piece of knife that got lodged near his spine during the attack. He was discharged from the private hospital after five days.
Shariful Islam, a Bangladeshi national, was arrested two days later for allegedly stabbing Khan.
The police, in their response, highlighted that the accused is a Bangladeshi citizen residing illegally in India.
If granted bail, there was a possibility that he may flee India and not appear before the court during the trial. The crime committed by the accused is of a "very serious nature, and strong evidence" is available against him, they argued.
In his bail plea, filed through advocate Vipul Dushing, the accused asserted he was innocent and had no prior criminal record.
Investigation into the case has practically concluded with only the filing of a chargesheet pending, the accused contended while seeking bail.
The alleged attacker has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections related to house trespass, robbery and dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous injury.
