K’taka elections all about Modi's development politics vs Congress' appeasement politics: Amit Shah
Gundlupet (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the May 10 Assembly polls in Karnataka was all about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development politics versus Congress' appeasement politics, and defended the state BJP government's decision to scrap the four per cent reservation for Muslims.
He asserted that BJP would form a government with full majority in Karnataka and once again strengthen the party's entry in the south of India.
"Congress even today is indulging in appeasement politics. The four per cent Muslim reservation that was given by the Congress has been ended by the BJP, and it has increased the reservation for Lingayat, Vokkaliga, SC/STs," Shah said.
Addressing a large gathering after holding a massive road show in Gundlupet in Chamarajanagar district, the former BJP chief pointed out that state Congress president D K Shivakumar had said that if their party came to power they would once again bring in Muslim reservation.
Asking people if they wanted Muslim reservation back, Shah said, "I want to ask Congress state President Shivakumar ji, you are speaking about bringing in Muslim reservation once again, but whose will you reduce? Answer the people of Karnataka, will you reduce Vokkaligas or Lingayats or SC/STs?"
"This election is all about Modi's development politics versus Congress' appeasement politics," said Shah, one of the party's key poll strategists and campaigners.
Just ahead of the announcement of polls in Karnataka, the state cabinet led by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had decided to scrap the 4 per cent reservation for Muslims under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota and to distribute it equally among the dominant Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities.
Expressing confidence in the BJP forming a government with a full majority in Karnataka, once again strengthening the party's entry in South India, Shah said, "Under Modi's leadership a double-engine government will be formed. Modi and our CM Bommai have worked for Karnataka's progress."
Shah also appealed to the people to ensure that sitting MLA Niranjan Kumar is victorious once again in Gundlupet with a large margin and that BJP comes to power with a huge majority by winning all four Assembly segments in Chamarajanagar district.
The Union Home Minister earlier held a massive road show in Gundlupet, waving at a large crowd.
Shah, standing in a specially designed vehicle accompanied by Mysuru-Kodagu Member of Parliament Pratap Simha and other leaders, was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd gathered on the roadside and on nearby buildings, many of whom were seen chanting slogans praising BJP and PM Modi and shouting loud cheers.
A large number of party workers walked along with Shah's vehicle holding BJP flags and raising slogans.
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.
Two held in UP's Bijnor for contact with Pakistan linked Dubai handler
_vb_24.jpeg)
Bijnor (PTI): Two men were arrested in this Uttar Pradesh district on Friday for allegedly being in touch with a Pakistan-linked handler based in Dubai, police said.
Circle Officer, Najibabad, Anjani Kumar Chaturvedi said Uvaid Malik and Jalal Haider were arrested following inputs on their alleged links with Aqib, a resident of Meerut currently staying in Dubai.
According to police, Aqib had earlier come into the spotlight after a video surfaced on Instagram purportedly showing him displaying an AK-47 rifle and explosives.
During interrogation, the arrested men allegedly told police that Aqib used to incite youngsters against Hindus and encourage anti-national activities, the officer said, adding that detailed questioning of the accused is underway.
On April 6, Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Jha said the video first surfaced in November last year. Aqib, a native of Sathla village in the Mawana area of Meerut, was allegedly seen in the video brandishing weapons.
Following the viral clip, a case was registered at the Nangal police station by sub-inspector Vinod Kumar. However, the then station house officer and investigating officer Satyendra Singh had recorded Aqib's statement and filed a final report, stating that the weapons seen in the video were toys, effectively giving him a clean chit.
Police said fresh developments have now revealed Aqib's suspicious links and the probe has been handed over to the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS).
The SP said action has been taken against the officials concerned, with the then SHO and investigating officer suspended and Circle Officer Nitesh Pratap Singh removed from his post.
