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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INDIA bloc is always determined to protect culture, rights of people of Jharkhand: Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi (PTI): Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi greeted people of Jharkhand on the state's foundation day on Friday and said the INDIA bloc is always determined to protect their culture and rights.
"Hearty greetings to all the people of Jharkhand on the foundation day of Jharkhand, which has abundant natural, cultural and mineral wealth," Gandhi said in his post in Hindi on X.
INDIA bloc is always determined to protect the culture and rights of the people of Jharkhand, the former Congress chief said.
"Respectful tributes to the tribal great hero, Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda ji on his birth anniversary. His struggle for tribal identity and his sacrifice to protect water, forest and land will always inspire us," Gandhi said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also extended wishes to the people and hoped for a future that is pleasant, prosperous and happy for them.
Kharge also hailed tribal icon Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary.
"On the birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter, Dharti Aaba, Bhagwan Birsa Munda ji, I bow down to him, who rebelled against the British rule to protect water, forest, land and tribal civilization and culture. He is and will remain the source of inspiration for crores of Indians," Kharge said in a post on X.
"Heartiest congratulations to all the brothers and sisters of Jharkhand, a state full of natural resources, on Jharkhand Foundation Day. We wish that tomorrow will be pleasant, prosperous and happy for all of you," he said.
The state of Jharkhand officially came into being on Munda's birth anniversary in 2000.
The two leaders also wished people on Guru Nanak Jayanti.
