Vidhan Parishad poll: BJP gives rebel candidate Raghupati Bhat 24 hours to withdraw nomination
Udupi: BJP State General Secretary V Sunil Kumar has directed senior party member and former MLA Raghupati Bhat to withdraw his nomination as Independent candidate for the Karnataka Legislative Council election within 24 hours, failing which, disciplinary action would be taken against him by party leaders.
Bhat, who was denied the BJP ticket from the South West Graduates constituency of the Council, decided to contest the polls independently and filed his nomination papers as a rebel candidate of the BJP.
Sunil Kumar, who is also the Karkala legislator, told reporters at a press meet in Udupi on Thursday that he was appealing to Bhat as a friend to immediately withdraw his candidature as the BJP High Command would take strict action against any member who indulged in anti-party activities or was guilty of causing embarrassment to the entire party.
When asked about the party leaders delaying the process of taking action on Raghupati Bhat whereas the alleged violation by former Deputy Chief Minister KS Eshwarappa during the ongoing Lok Sabha election had drawn an immediate response, Sunil Kumar refuted the notion that the party leaders were being selective in such matters. He insisted that disciplinary action would be taken not only on Bhat but any party member who contested against the official candidate of the party, adding that the party members had expressed confidence in Bhat deciding to withdraw his nomination.
Sunil Kumar said that the party was focusing on ensuring the victory of the candidates rather than worrying about rebel members. The ground-level workers of the party were being roped in to campaign for the BJP candidates, he added.
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Essar Group co-founder Shashi Ruia dies at 80
New Delhi (PTI): Essar Group co-founder Shashi Ruia has died after a prolonged illness. He was 80.
Ruia, who co-founded metals-to-technology conglomerate Essar with his brother Ravi, died in Mumbai around 23.55 hrs on November 25, family sources said.
He had returned from the US, where he was undergoing treatment, about a month back.
His mortal remains will be kept at Ruia House from 1 pm to 3 pm on Tuesday. The funeral procession will leave from Ruia House at 4 pm towards the Hindu Worli Crematorium.
Shashi, a first-generation entrepreneur industrialist, started his career in 1965 under the guidance of his father Nand Kishore Ruia.
He, along with his brother Ravi, laid the foundation of Essar in 1969 by constructing an outer breakwater at Chennai Port. The group expanded into various sectors, including steel, oil refining, exploration and production, telecom, power, and construction.
He is survived by his wife Manju and two sons Prashant and Anshuman.
