Veteran BJP leader in Gujarat Jay Narayan Vyas resigns from party
Ahmedabad: Jay Narayan Vyas, veteran leader of the BJP and former health minister, has resigned from the party after an association with the party for almost three decades.
Addressing mediapersons here on Saturday, Vyas said that he would be contesting the upcoming elections to the Gujarat Assembly, but is keeping his options open. He would discuss with his supporters before deciding on joining the Congress or the Aam Aadmi Party.
“I was relegated to the position of the complainant in the party, which proved a humiliation to my experience. As a result, I decided to quit the BJP,” Vyas clarified, said sources.
The leader, who represents Siddhpur constituency in Patan district, also reportedly accused the members of the district committee of the BJP of trying to get a hold over the district.
“Surveys show me to be a popular candidate in Siddhpur constituency. I have contested seven elections from here and have won four times, although I could not retain the seat in the 2017 election,” Vyas added.
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
