'Showing up is half the battle': Rahul Gandhi on PM's first appearance at press conference
New Delhi:The Congress on Friday mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not taking any questions in his first appearance at a press conference, with party president Rahul Gandhi saying "showing up is half the battle".
The Congress charge against Modi and Amit Shah was led by Gandhi after the PM showed up on the dais for a scheduled press conference by the BJP chief, who gave a report card on the performance of the NDA government as well as party's extensive electioneering.
"Congratulations Modi Ji. Excellent Press Conference! Showing up is half the battle. Next time Mr Shah may even allow you to answer a couple of questions. Well done," Gandhi tweeted.
In his opening remarks during the presser, Modi asserted the BJP will come back to power with a full majority on its own, but refused to take any questions, citing party discipline.
Gandhi said it is "very impressive" to see the PM address his first press conference a few days before the Lok Sabha election results are out.
"The PM's first press conference is coming 4-5 days before the election results. The PM is accompanying Amit Shah in the press briefing. It is unprecedented. Very good. I am told the doors have also been shut, as journalists who want to ask questions have been blocked. It is a great press conference," he told reporters.
Gandhi addressed a press conference almost at the same time as Amit Shah and Modi did.
"I want to ask the prime minister why he did not hold a debate on the Rafale issue? I want to ask you why did you give Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani. I was ready to come to Race Course road to hold a debate with Modi," Gandhi said, posing a question at his press conference.
The Anil Ambani firm and the government have repeatedly denied allegations of corruption in the Rafale deal.
Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel said in a tweet, "Never seen a press conference where someone else is answering questions on your behalf. There was no need to lower the dignity of the office of the Prime Minister just to prove a point."
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also said on Twitter, "Modi ji's first and last press conference became Amit Shah's crutches...one hour speech, tired journalists and sermons to them, no question, no answer.
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Medical tests, vaccination for Haj pilgrims to be completed by March 28
Bengaluru: Health and Family Welfare Services Commissioner Gurudatta Hegde has directed officials to complete medical examinations and vaccination for pilgrims travelling for Haj this year by March 28.
In a circular issued to the Director of the Medical Education Department, he stated that the District RCH Officer has been designated as the nodal officer to complete all related activities as per the Standard Operating Procedure. The District Health Officer concerned will oversee overall monitoring and coordination of the programme.
The Commissioner has instructed deans and directors of medical colleges, district surgeons and medical superintendents to extend necessary cooperation to ensure smooth conduct of the medical examinations. Medical colleges have also been asked to deploy specialist doctors from their institutions to assist in the medical screening teams for Haj pilgrims.
Hospitals participating in the process must submit details of the specialist teams involved in the examinations and the schedule of health camps organised for the pilgrims. They have also been directed to update the daily progress of the activities on the website https://hphis.ehospital.nic.in/ for monitoring and review.
Officials have been asked to make necessary arrangements in view of the 3,991 Haj pilgrims in Bengaluru who are required to undergo medical screening. Facilities for the examinations have been arranged at Victoria Hospital, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute (Bowring Hospital), K.C. General Hospital, Jayanagar General Hospital, Sir C.V. Raman General Hospital, K.R. Puram General Hospital and Yelahanka General Hospital.
Meanwhile, Karnataka State Haj Committee president Zulfikar Ahmed Khan said that medical examination camps are being organised at Haj Bhavan until March 16. As per the directions of the Saudi Arabian government, all Haj pilgrims must undergo mandatory medical screening.
Pilgrims will first undergo general medical check-ups at Haj Bhavan, and those requiring further tests will be referred to government hospitals based on doctors’ recommendations. He also said arrangements have been made for medical examinations at seven government hospitals in Bengaluru for Haj pilgrims.
