What matters is clarity as to who must be stopped from returning as PM: Shatrughan Sinha
Patna (PTI): It is pointless to fret over who would be the prime ministerial candidate of the opposition, since what matters is clarity as to who must be stopped from returning as PM, actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha said.
The Trinamool Congress MP also called his party chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee a "tried and tested" leader who would be a "game-changer" in next year's Lok Sabha polls.
"It appears achche din' (good days) of my friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are over," said the Bihari Babu', who quit the BJP four years ago, famously saying that the party had become a "one man show, two man army".
"We have been hearing this talk of who will be the leader since long. People used to ask the same question till Nehru was around. It is pointless for the opposition to occupy itself with this thought. The important part is, there is clarity with regard to who must be stopped from returning as PM," the former Union minister told reporters on Wednesday night.
Sinha, who had contested as a Congress candidate in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls but failed to do a hat-trick in Patna Sahib, also said he viewed Rahul Gandhi as a "capable" ( kaabil') leader, but sought to steer clear of the debate around the party "leading" the united opposition.
The TMC leader also said he had high regard for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the latter's efforts to forge opposition unity, but pointed out "he has ruled himself out of the race for prime ministership".
About the buzz around Tejashwi Yadav becoming the CM of Bihar in future, the stylish actor of yore popularly known as shotgun' by virtue of his gift of the gab, backed the young RJD leader with trademark irreverence.
"If Narendra Modi can become the prime minister of the country, what is the problem with poor Tejashwi? Anybody who enjoys popular support can rise in politics," the Asansol MP said.
On the Shiv Sena imbroglio, Sinha said "I think the game has just begun and Supreme Court will do justice", while tending to agree with NCP chief Sharad Pawar's outbursts against the Election Commission of India.
The Uddhav Thackeray faction has approached the top court, challenging the decision of the Election Commission recognising the Eknath Shinde-led bloc as the real Shiv Sena and allotting the 'bow and arrow' poll symbol to it.
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Sooryavanshi's century in vain as SRH beat RR by 5 wickets
Jaipur (PTI): Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's century went in vain as Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Rajasthan Royals by five wickets in their IPL match here on Saturday.
Sooryavanshi hammered his second hundred in the IPL — a 37-ball 103 — as Rajasthan Royals put on board a strong 228 for six after they were put in to bat first.
Sooryavanshi got plenty of support from Dhruv Jurel, who made a 35-ball 51 and, helped the teenager milk 112 runs for the second wicket. In the death overs, Donovan Ferreira (33) played some big shots as RR went past the 200-run mark.
But, SRH chased down the target of 229 with nine balls to spare, with Ishan Kishan top-scoring with a 74 off 31 balls. Abhishek Sharma chipped in with 57 off 29 deliveries as SRH reached 229 for 5 in 18.3 overs.
Brief Scores:
Rajasthan Royals: 228/6 in 20 overs (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 103, Dhruv Jurel 51; Pat Cummins 1/27, Eshan Malinga 2/38).
Sunrisers Hydearabad: 229 for 5 in 18.3 overs (Ishan Kishan 74, Abhishek Sharma 57; Jofra Archer 2/34, Brijesh Sharma 2/44).
