Pawar criticises Modi over his remarks against Rajiv Gandhi
Satara: NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent criticism of late PM Rajiv Gandhi, including his "corrupt number 1" barb directed at the latter. Pawar said it did not behove the prime minister to make such a remark about the person who was not alive.
Modi at a rally in Uttar Pradesh last Saturday targeted Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, saying, "Your father (Rajiv Gandhi) was termed Mr Clean by his courtiers, but his life ended as 'bhrashtachari' no 1 (corrupt number 1)."
Besides, in a sensational charge, Modi on Wednesday accused the Gandhi family of using warship INS Viraat as its "personal taxi" when Rajiv Gandhi was the prime minister.
Reacting to the allegations, Pawar told reporters here, "That person (Rajiv Gandhi) is not alive. His death was painful, for anyone." He said two individuals -- Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi -- from the Gandhi family became prime minister and were killed. "And after such big sacrifice, it does not behove (the prime minister) to use such a language about the person," the former Union minister said.
Referring to Modi's "corrupt number 1" remark against Rajiv Gandhi, Pawar said the prime minister called for contesting the remaining two rounds of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls over the issue. "What is he talking? What level he is stooping to?" the NCP chief asked.
Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984 by her bodyguards after the Operation Blue Star. Her son Rajiv Gandhi was killed in 1991 by a suicide bomber from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
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Bengal: Hours after killing of Suvendu's aide, cops say 5 BJP workers injured in bomb attack
Kolkata (PTI): Five BJP supporters have been injured allegedly in a bomb blast in Panihati in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, police said on Thursday.
The incident occurred late on Wednesday night, hours after Chandranath Rath, a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants, which led to the saffron camp accusing the TMC of unleashing retaliatory violence.
The bomb blast occurred near St Xavier's Institution in Panihati. Unidentified assailants hurled crude bombs at a group of BJP workers, injuring at least five people, police said, adding the injured were admitted to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
According to local sources, BJP workers were interacting with residents on Dutta Road in Panihati's Ward number 2 when a group of motorcycle-borne persons allegedly targeted them with bombs before fleeing.
The BJP alleged that the attackers were backed by the ruling Trinamool Congress, an allegation denied by the Mamata Banerjee-led party.
A senior police official said, "We have started an investigation and are examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas to identify those involved. Raids are being conducted to nab the accused."
A heavy police deployment has been made in the area.
"We are maintaining strict vigil and appealing to people not to spread rumours. Necessary steps are being taken to maintain peace," the officer added.
Incidentally, the area where the blast occurred is located near the residence of newly elected BJP MLA Ratna Debnath, the mother of the RG Kar Hospital rape victim.
