Owaisi hits out at Modi govt's 100 day-rule
Hyderabad, Sep 10 : AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday slammed the NDA government's performance in 100 days in office in its second term, vis--vis the decline in GDP, 'growing unemployment' and the crisis in the automobile industry.
"In 100 days, no internet in Kashmir for 35 days. No school opens. GDP has become five per cent in 100 days.
Unemployment has gone above six per cent in 100 days.
In 100 days, 10 lakh people in auto industry are going to be jobless. In 100 days, the number of vehicles that are sold, it has fallen by 20 to 30 per cent.
GST collection has fallen in 100 days...which 100 days are you praising?," he told reporters here when asked about the Modi government completing 100 days in office.
Owaisi, a bitter critic of the BJP and NDA government, found fault with the restrictions imposed in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370.
"How are they dealing Kashmir? By NSA (National Security Adviser) saying that till Pakistan does this, we will not lift the curfew?... Dont fundamental rights apply to Kashmir and we will keep them behind their homes, imprisoned?
Shops are not being opened, schools are not being run properly. Moharrum procession is not allowed. Normal activities are not taking place," Owaisi, a Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad, said.
He said this was why he had he had opposed in Parliament, the abrogation of Article 370
Owaisi said things have come to such a stage that a daughter of a former chief minister had to move the Supreme Court to meet her mother.
"This speaks volumes of what this government is doing in Kashmir," he said.
Asked about a former (Sikh) MLA in Pakistan reportedly seeking asylum in India, he said the Centre should take a decision on the matter.
"The asylum law presently says that on the basis of religious persecution, asylum can be given.
But here is a very peculiar case that this gentleman, he is an elected member of the Pakistan state assembly. He belongs to the ruling party of Pakistan. So how can he claim persecution?, he said.
He demanded that the Modi government sign the refugee convention act of 1951.
"India is not a signatory. Please sign it, he said.
On Pakistan reportedly submitting a dossier to UNHRC, quoting the statements of certain opposition leaders in India, Owaisi claimed he has informatin of a reference to Haryana Chief Minister and also a BJP MLA.
"Why dont you ask BJP about that? he asked.
Owaisi asserted that Kashmir is an integral part of India and that it would remain so.
Referring to the alleged mob lynching of Tabrez Ansari in Jharkhand, Owaisi sought to know why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not taking steps to enact a law against mob lynching if he was so pained by such incidents.
Owaisi said the AIMIMs Maharashtra unit would decide how many seats the party would contest in the coming assembly polls in that state.
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Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
