Lingayat seers ask BJP to change its Dharwad LS candidate Pralhad Joshi
Hubballi, Mar 27: A few Lingayat seers in the region met here on Wednesday and asked the BJP central leadership to change the party's Dharwad Lok Sabha candidate Prahlad Joshi, Fakira Dingaleshwar Swamiji of Shirahatti-Balehosur said.
He said, at the meeting it was decided that "like in the north", Swamijis in the south too should work in the political field and contest elections.
"Swamijis met and discussed about a Central minister who has been fielded from the Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency (by BJP), they want him to be changed. We have given four days time for this, we will wait till March 31 to see what the (BJP) high command decides," Fakira Dingaleshwar Swamiji said after the meeting.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, they will meet once again on April 2 and announce their decision accordingly.
Lingayats are said to be the majority among voters in the Dharwad segment, while Joshi, a four-time MP, is a Brahmin.
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Stating that he has a lot of respect and regard for Dingaleshwar Swamiji and has over 30 years of association with his guru and the math, Joshi said, he will consider seer's comments as a blessings and will try to clarify the misunderstandings, if any, in the days ahead.
He said he would not like to comment on any personal allegations.
Veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa, a Lingayat, said there is no question of changing Joshi from being the candidate. "He is a senior leader and will win with a huge margin."
He said he will personally speak to Dingaleshwar Swamiji and clarify the misunderstandings that he may have.
Targeting Joshi, the Swamiji further said, "every community is pained by him...We are not speaking against the party, we are speaking about Union minister Pralhad Joshi."
He also said that in north India "Kavidharis" and Swamijis have been given an opportunity in politics, but it is not the case in South India. "We have discussed it and it was decided that swamijis in the south too should work in the political field and contest elections."
Asked whether he or someone among the Swamijis will contest the polls from Dharwad if BJP doesn't change its candidate, he said, "Wait till April 2 for it."
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India to pursue extradition of Khalistani separatist Arsh Dalla with Canada following his arrest
New Delhi, Nov 14: India on Thursday said it will pursue an extradition request with Canada for Arsh Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, the de-facto chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force, following his arrest in that country.
Dalla was designated in India as a terrorist in 2023.
In July 2023, India had requested the Canadian government for his provisional arrest.
"In view of the recent arrest, our agencies will be following up on an extradition request," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
"Given Arsh Dalla's criminal record in India and his involvement in similar illegal activities in Canada, it is expected that he will be extradited or deported to face justice in India," he added.
Dalla was reportedly arrested by the Canadian Police late last month.
"We have seen media reports circulating since November 10 on the arrest in Canada of proclaimed offender Arsh Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, the de-facto chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force," Jaiswal said.
"Canadian print and visual media have widely reported on the arrest. We understand that the Ontario Court has listed the case for hearing," he added.
Jaiswal was replying to media queries regarding the arrest of Dalla.
"Arsh Dalla is a proclaimed offender in over 50 cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion and terrorist acts, including terror financing. In May 2022, a Red Corner Notice was issued against him," Jaiswal said.
"He was designated in India as an individual terrorist in 2023. In July 2023, the Government of India had requested the Canadian government for his provisional arrest. This was declined," he added.
Jaiswal said India had provided additional information in the case to the Canadian authorities.
"A separate request was also sent to Canada under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to verify Arsh Dalla's suspected residential address, his financial transactions to India, moveable/immovable properties, details of mobile numbers etc - all of which were provided to Canadian authorities in January 2023," Jaiswal said.
"In December 2023, the Department of Justice of Canada sought additional information on the case. A reply to these queries was sent in March this year," he added.
Our response to media queries regarding the arrest of a designated terrorist in Canada:https://t.co/c6CasRuteb pic.twitter.com/XfH4S5UzUr
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) November 14, 2024
