Video of Rajasthan Congress leader targeting party 'rival' triggers controversy
Jaipur (PTI): A controversy has erupted over a video in which Congress leader Archana Sharma, who is said to be in the race to get a party ticket for the upcoming assembly polls, is purportedly speaking about a party "rival" striking up a "Rs 40-crore deal" to "stop her".
Speaking to PTI, Sharma, who is the chairperson of the Social Welfare Board, said she has not named anyone in the video.
After the video surfaced on social media, Congress leader Rajiv Arora, in a veiled attack at Sharma, said, "You can never win by playing dirty".
Sharma is to be eyeing a Congress ticket from Malviya Nagar constituency, responded saying Arora was targeting her due to a "misunderstanding".
In the video, Sharma is purportedly telling a group of people that a "rival within the party" held a meeting with her "rival", indirectly referring to the sitting BJP MLA from Malviya Nagar constituency.
"When my rival felt that he was losing, he thought of making an alliance with my rival within the party, and both had a meeting in a hotel. But walls have ears. It came out that a deal worth Rs 40 crore has been made. Such a big deal to stop me," Sharma is seen to be saying.
BJP MLA Kalicharan Saraf has been representing the Malaviya Nagar seat since 2008.
Arora, who is the chairman of Rajasthan Small Industries Corporation and Export Promotion Council, is among the Congress leaders vying for a ticket from the Malviya Nagar assembly constituency, and is said to be lobbying in Delhi ahead of the announcement of the list of candidates.
After the video emerged, Rajiv Arora wrote on X on Wednesday evening, "You can never win by playing dirty. Karma is real. You reap what you sow. The ill-will of taking ticket even after losing twice is hurting the Congress party from Malviya Nagar."
When contacted, Sharma said she had not named anyone at the gathering.
"Rajiv Arora is like my elder brother. I did not name anyone. When he contested the election from this seat, I supported him. He should also support me," she said.
Polling for the 200-member Rajasthan Assembly will be held on November 25, and the counting of votes will be taken up on December 3.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
