Modi 'double-thanks' Opposition for no-trust vote
New Delhi, July 31: Prime Minister Narendra Modi told BJP MPs on Tuesday that he was "thankful" to the opposition parties for bringing a no-confidence motion against his government which, according to him, provided the ruling dispensation an opportunity to expose their political "hollowness".
The Prime Minister's remarks came during a meeting of BJP parliamentary party, which felicitated Modi for defeating the no-confidence motion.
"The Prime Minister double-thanked and gave multiple compliments to opposition parties which brought the no-confidence motion and helped the ruling party to bring before public its achievements and pro-poor policies. It also provided an opportunity to expose their hollowness," said a senior BJP leader who was present in the meeting.
The Prime Minister also said that at this stage no political party would have moved the motion.
"The BJP and NDA utilised the opportunity provided by the immature opposition parties. This has given us a chance to explain the success story of NDA to the whole nation," the BJP leader quoted Modi as saying.
Talking to reporters after the first BJP parliamentary party meeting in the ongoing Monsoon Session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the opposition brought the no-confidence motion despite knowing that the numbers were not in their favour. The motion was defeated by 195 votes.
"They used the occasion to target us without facts and figures. Their hollowness was exposed before the people," Kumar quoted Modi as saying.
Kumar said that Modi also praised Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's speech on the motion and asked party members to take it to the people.
Besides Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Land and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari addressed the meeting.
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Police probe antecedents of man who opened fire at Farooq Abdullah
Jammu (PTI): Police have initiated a detailed probe into the antecedents of Kamal Singh Jamwal, the man who allegedly attempted to assassinate former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah at a marriage function here, officials said on Thursday.
Police are examining the 63-year-old Jamwal’s background, including his personal, social and possible organisational links, to ascertain the motive behind the firing incident, they said.
Abdullah, the president of the National Conference, had a narrow escape when the accused allegedly fired at him from behind as he was leaving the marriage function at Greater Kailash on the outskirts of Jammu on Wednesday night.
Security personnel deployed with Abdullah immediately swung into action and thwarted the assassination attempt. A licensed pistol allegedly used in the crime was recovered from Jamwal's possession.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and adviser to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Nasir Aslam Wani, were also accompanying the NC chief when the incident occurred.
Jamwal, a resident of Purani Mandi in Jammu, reportedly told police that he had been waiting for an opportunity to target Abdullah for the last 20 years. Officials said police are also examining his recent activities and movements before the attack.
Senior police officers are currently questioning Jamwal, who told investigators that he earns his livelihood from rent generated by his shops.
Officials said security arrangements at the venue are being reviewed to determine how the accused managed to enter the function with a weapon.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Jahanzaib Sirwal has condemned the attack on Abdullah, saying "such acts of violence are unacceptable and have no place in a democratic and civilised society."
"Since the accused has been arrested, the authorities must ensure a thorough and transparent investigation so that the complete facts behind the attack come to light and strict action is taken in accordance with the law," Sirwal said.
