Will remain in Congress, says Alpesh Thakor
Ahmedabad: Congress MLA from Gujarat, Alpesh Thakor Saturday dismissed reports that he would switch over to the BJP. The OBC leader also indicated against contesting upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
After meeting top brass of Congress in Delhi, the Radhanpur MLA told reporters here that the speculation that he might join the BJP was not true.
"I am now very clear that I have to fight for my people. So I will stay with Congress and will continue to support this party. I want respect and rights for my people," Thakor said, adding that he would continue fight for the poor, jobless youths, farmers, and people from OBC, SC and ST communities.
Referring to remarks attributed to his detractors on his possible entry to the BJP for a ministerial position, Thakor said he was "neither sold nor greedy".
"Had I been greedy, I would have joined the Congress six months ago," he said.
In the same breath, Thakor also admitted that though he was not happy with Gujarat Congress leadership the matter has been resolved now.
His statement comes a day after two Congress MLAs, Jawahar Chavda and Parsotam Sabariya resigned from the party.
Chavda was inducted as a Cabinet minister in the Vijay Rupani government Saturday, after he joined the BJP.
Political circles were abuzz with rumours that Thakor might also cross over to the ruling party.
Thakor, who has been appointed as the Congress Secretary and party co-incharge in Bihar, also denied reports that he wanted Lok Sabha ticket for his wife.
"My wife will never enter politics," he said.
When asked whether he wanted to contest Parliamentary polls, Thakor said he was not interested in such proposition.
"I am not harbouring any such thought. I am not interested. I must tell you that I want to work in Gujarat. I have even requested my party that I don't want to remain a national executive but wanted to work for my people in Gujarat," he said.
Thakor, who had rallied OBC communities against the quota demand of Patels, had joined the Congress before the 2017 Gujarat assembly polls.
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
