Suspended Congress leader claims 100 letters to Sonia Gandhi over leadership change, party denies
New Delhi: Suspended Congress leader Sanjay Jha on Monday triggered a row by claiming that around 100 leaders had written to party president Sonia Gandhi seeking a change of political leadership, a claim the grand old party rushed to deny.
Jha, who was first sacked as spokesperson and later suspended from the party, took to Twitter on Monday to claim that a hundred leaders had petitioned Sonia Gandhi over the state of affairs in the Congress.
AICC chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, however, trashed Jha's remarks saying it was a BJP-motivated move aimed at deflecting attention from the Facebook issue.
The Congress is demanding a joint parliamentary committee probe against Facebook, accusing the social media platform of hate mongering and playing into the BJP's hands.
Jha earlier tweeted, It is estimated that around 100 Congress leaders (including MPs), distressed at the state of affairs within the party, have written a letter to Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Congress President, asking for change in political leadership and transparent elections in CWC. Watch this space.
Soon after Jha's claim about dissenting voices, Surjewala tweeted, TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: 'Special Misinformation Group on Media-TV Debate Guidance' in its WhatsApp of today directed to run the story of a non-existent letter of Congress leaders to divert attention from Facebook-BJP links. Of course, BJP stooges have started acting upon it."
According to recent a news report published in leading US daily Wall Street Journal, Facebook deliberately failed to act against BJP leaders who had violated its policies on hate speech.
Jha was suspended from the party last month apparently for his criticism of its internal affairs.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka: College student dies by suicide in Dharwad, 3 policemen suspended
Dharwad (Karnataka) (PTI): A college student allegedly died by suicide here, following which three policemen were suspended over allegations of harassment linked to his death by the victim's family.
Aditya Myageri, a BSc student at a private college here, was among 18 students detained by the Vidyagiri police on April 25 during an anti-drug drive, police said on Wednesday.
He hailed from Belur village in Bagalkot district, but was staying with his friends at a rented accommodation in Girinagar area of Dharwad city, police said.
Among the 18 students tested, Aditya was among the 10 who had tested negative for ganja consumption and was subsequently released.
Some of his roommates, however, tested positive.
According to police, Aditya's family alleged that despite testing negative, he was harassed by police. They also claimed some policemen demanded Rs 2,000 to settle the matter and threatened legal action if he failed to pay.
He had called his mother asking for money, but she could not arrange it immediately, the family claimed.
On Monday night, Aditya allegedly died by suicide by hanging from a ceiling fan at his rented accommodation, with his family alleging police harassment and pressure over demand for money drove him to the extreme step, a senior police officer said.
Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar told PTI that an unnatural death case has been registered at Vidyagiri police station. Three policemen have been suspended over the allegations, and further investigation is underway.
