Row rises between rival parties as Jharkhand Health Minister’s son visits hospital, video goes viral
Ranchi: Health Minister and Congress leader Irfan Ansari’s son Krish Ansari’s visit to the Rajendra Insitute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here on Sunday, apparently for an inspection, gave rise to a political scuffle after a 19-second video clip of the visit went viral on social media platforms.
The 19-year-old youngster is seen entering a ward and inquiring about the comfort of the patients. His associates too are seen in the clip speaking to the patients. The reel has a Punjabi song playing in the background.
Krish is learned to be an Engineering student in Uttarakhand and currently home on vacation.
As the video went viral, leaders of the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized Krish for recording a reel of the inspection.
BJP Jharkhand spokesperson Ajay Sah has commented on his ‘X’ account that the son of Jharkhand’s ‘Reel Minister’ has also started inspecting government hospitals and making reels.
On the other hand, Minister Ansari justified his son’s visit, stating that Krish was helping his teacher’s mother, who was struggling with health issues, get admitted into the hospital.
Ansari has clarified before reporters that Krish was doing a good deed by taking his teacher’s mother to the hospital, getting her treated there and also bringing her medicine. He stressed that his son’s intention for the visit was not to shout at the hospital administration, adding, “You should appreciate his act.”
The minister also clarified that he had questioned his son about the visit in the backdrop of the row and Krish had explained that he was helping his teacher’s mother who was unwell.
Posting his comments in Hindi on ‘X’, Irfan asked the BJP to ‘move forward with positive thinking’. He challenged the BJP to face them instead of involving family and children. “I have given my children good values. Whether it is my son or my worker. They will help humanity. They will ensure people's treatment and save their lives,” he said.
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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.
