Maharashtra Cong chief Patole kicks up row with dog jibe at BJP
Akola (PTI): Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole has courted a controversy after he asked OBC voters in Akola district if they would vote for the BJP who calls them "kutta" (dog).
Patole, while addressing a public meeting in Akola for Congress's candidate from the Akola West constituency on Monday, alleged that the BJP has become so arrogant that it calls the Other Backward Class community dog.
Hitting back at Patole, the BJP said his remarks reflected the frustration of the Congress.
"I want to ask the people belonging to the OBC in Akola district, will you vote for the BJP who calls you kutta (dog)? Now the time has come to make the BJP 'kutta' (dog)," he said.
The state Congress chief asserted that BJP is working to break the country's unity by showing fear.
He claimed there was a wave of change in Maharashtra, and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would lose the election this time.
Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya said such statements show the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s declining state.
“They are going from disappointment to dejection. Sharad Pawar is saying something, Uddhav Thackeray is verbally abusing the Election Commission, and now Congress is calling the BJP a 'kutta' because opinion polls show that Mahayuti is going to win the elections,” Somaiya said.
The battle is getting fiercer between the Mahayuti and MVA in the run-up to the November 20 state assembly election. Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant had to eat his words and apologise after he referred to Shiv Sena candidate Shaina NC as "imported maal".
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Kohli's U-19 teammate Amanpreet Singh Gill dies at 36
New Delhi (PTI): Former India U-19 and Punjab medium pacer Amanpreet Singh Gill died at the age of 36 in Chandigarh on Wednesday, leaving the cricket fraternity in mourning.
The cause of death is not yet known.
Gill, who was Virat Kohli's U-19 teammate, featured in six first-class matches for Punjab, picking up 11 wickets.
He was also part of the Punjab franchise (Kings XI Punjab) in the inaugural Indian Premier League season, and later served as a member of Punjab's senior selection committee.
"Punjab Cricket Association deeply mourns the sad demise of Amanpreet Singh Gill, former Punjab cricketer and Member, Senior Selection Committee Punjab,” the Punjab Cricket Association announced on X.
"Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and loved ones. May Waheguru grant eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the family in this difficult time."
Two-time World Cup-winning India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh also paid tribute to Gill.
"Deeply saddened to hear about Amanpreet Singh Gill’s passing. Shared the dressing room in our early days, he was a quiet, hardworking cricketer who loved the game. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace Om Shanti,” Singh posted on X.
Gill played five Youth ODIs and one Youth Test for India in 2007.
In the longer format, he claimed the wicket of former Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera.
However, he did not make the Virat Kohli-led India U-19 side that went on to win the 2008 World Cup.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Amanpreet Singh Shergill, who proudly represented Punjab and was a part of the Punjab Kings family. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire cricketing fraternity,” Punjab Kings posted on their official Instagram account.
