Kharge fails to distinguish between terror, those who fight it: V-P Radhakrishnan
Bidar (Karnataka) (PTI): Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Wednesday took a veiled dig at AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge over his remark against PM Narendra Modi, saying the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha "fails to distinguish between terror and those who fight it."
He made the remark at the beginning of his speech at the Amrit Mahotsava (75th birth anniversary) celebration of Dr Basavalinga Pattadevaru Mahaswamiji of Hiremath Samsthan at Sri Channabasavashram in Bhalki, Bidar district.
Kharge, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, and Minister Eshwar Khandre were among those present at the event.
“I had a slight difference with Kharge ji—only a difference in vision. Sometimes, I feel Kharge ji does not differentiate between black and white, or between a terrorist and the terror to the terrorist. Otherwise, I have no problem; he is a very good friend of mine,” Radhakrishnan said.
Kharge on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Modi of “terrorising” political parties by misusing government machinery and central agencies to stifle the Opposition, triggering strong reactions from the BJP, which criticised the opposition leader for calling Modi a “terrorist.”
Addressing a press conference in Chennai alongside AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal, Kharge initially referred to the Prime Minister as a “terrorist” while criticising the AIADMK’s alliance with the BJP.
Questioning how the AIADMK—a party rooted in the Dravidian ideologies of Periyar and C N Annadurai—could justify partnering with Modi, Kharge said: "How can these AIADMK leaders, who themselves display the photo of Annadurai, align with Modi? He is a terrorist... He does not believe in equality. His party does not believe in equality and justice. And by joining them, they are weakening democracy."
However, when asked by reporters to clarify the remark, Kharge said he meant that the PM was “terrorising” the democratic fabric of the country.
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Gadkari flags energy security concerns, says India eyes 100% ethanol blending
New Delhi: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said that India should aim to achieve 100 per cent ethanol blending in fuel in the near future, , citing the need for energy self-reliance amid global uncertainties.
Speaking at a green transport conclave, Gadkari was quoted by NDTV Profit as saying that rising tensions in West Asia have underscored the risks associated with dependence on imported fossil fuels. He noted that India currently meets about 87 per cent of its oil requirement through imports, with an annual outlay of nearly ₹22 lakh crore.
“Given the ongoing global situation, it is necessary for us to become self-reliant in the energy sector,” he said, emphasising the need to scale up alternative fuels and biofuel production.
India has already introduced petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol, launched in 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with vehicles now being adapted to run on E20 fuel with minor modifications.
Countries such as Brazil have adopted higher ethanol blending, offering a possible model as India expands its biofuel programme.
Gadkari was quoted by NDTV Profit as saying that reducing production costs to around one dollar per kilogram would be key to making India a global exporter of energy.
