On scooter, Smriti Irani leads BJP rally for Bengal polls
Sonarpur (WB), Feb 26: Riding a scooter, Union minister Smriti Irani led a rally of the BJP on Friday as she campaigned for the upcoming West Bengal elections in the South 24 Parganas district.
Taking part in the BJP's state-wide 'Poriborton Yatra', Irani along with BJP MP Roopa Ganguly and Agnimitra Paul began the campaign in Gangajoara near Garia on the party's 'rath' -- a bus decked up with slogans and photos of the leaders.
After covering a short distance, the minister got down from the 'rath' and took to a scooter, wearing a black helmet and a mask.
"When we began the 'rath yatra' today, the administration deliberately tried to delay it. We will ride two-wheelers, walk on foot because West Bengal is on the march towards change," Irani said.
Enthused by the minister's spontanity, scores of BJP workers followed Irani on two-wheelers, chanting "Jai Shri Ram" and "Khela Hobey", meaning 'game on' -- a slogan first raised by the Trinamool Congress, which has now become the catchphrase of this election season.
Irani, the minister of textile, led the rally on the scooter for a few kilometres, often stopping as fervent supporters gathered, choking the road.
The minister interacted with the party's young supporters in fluent Bengali, besides reaching out to the people.
"I want to thank everybody. We are out today to take your blessings. You have already given an opportunity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and during the elections in West Bengal, bless the BJP and the 'Lotus'," she said as a cordless mic was handed to her to speak.
The minister got on to the rath again a few kilometres later till Bhojerhat, around 20 km away from where she started the journey.
Irani's bike rally comes a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to the streets, riding an e-scooter to protest against the steep price rise of petrol and diesel.
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Indian climber dies while descending from Mt Everest summit point: Report
Kathmandu, May 16 (PTI): A 45-year-old Indian climber died on Mt Everest after showing signs of altitude sickness while descending from the summit point of the world's highest peak, according to a media report on Friday.
The deceased climber has been identified as Subrata Ghosh from West Bengal. Ghosh is the second foreigner to die on the 8,848.86 metres-high Mt Everest this season, The Himalayan Times newspaper reported.
Bodhraj Bhandari, Managing Director at Snowy Horizon Treks, said that Ghosh died just below the Hillary Step, near the summit point of Mt Everest on Saturday, according to the paper.
Ghosh was late in making his summit push and reached the top with his guide around 2 pm, the paper said.
During the descent, he became exhausted and showed signs of altitude sickness, eventually refusing to continue, he said.
"Ghosh refused to move while descending from the summit," Bhandari quoted Champal Tamang, his guide, as saying.
Champal returned to Camp IV late last night and informed about the incident this morning, he added.
Ghosh was part of the Mountaineering Association of Krishnanagar–Snowy Everest Expedition 2025, the paper said.
Efforts are underway to bring his body to the base camp, Bhandari said.
Earlier, 45-year-old Philipp II Santiago from the Philippines died while preparing for the summit push on May 14.
So far, over 50 climbers have successfully reached the peak this season. More than 450 climbers have been granted permits to attempt the ascent.
