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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
PM Modi speaks to Iranian president, discusses 'serious' situation in West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone and discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
Modi expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.
The prime minister told the Iranian President that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priorities.
“Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister also reiterated India's commitment to peace and stability and urged dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis.
The prime minister had spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days in the wake of the coordinated offensive launched against Iran by the United States and Israel, in which the Islamic country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed last month.
In retaliation, Iran has fired drones and missiles at Israel and US military installations around the Gulf region, including the global business and aviation hubs of Dubai and Doha.
Modi earlier spoke to the leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel and Qatar, and expressed concern over the attacks on their countries, and condemned the violation of some nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing in those countries.
Around 1 crore Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia. While about 10,000 Indian citizens live, study and work in Iran, more than 40,000 live in Israel.
