Over 100 BJP leaders to join Congress in Afzalpur
Kalburgi: In a major setback to the BJP and its nominee from Afzalpur in the imminent Assembly polls Malikayya Guttedar, over a 100 party activists, including office-bearers of the party structure at various levels and elected representatives, have resolved to quit the BJP to join the Congress.
At a press confenerece here, M.Y. Patil, a senior leader who recently quit the BJP to join the Congress after his arch-rival Guttedar left the Congress and joined the BJP, released a collective resignation letter which was signed by over 100 local leaders.
Those who have signed the resignation letter included BJP’s district unit secretary Prakash S. Jamadar, district farmers wing vice-president Tukaramgowda Patil, State unit member Shivananda Gadi, mandal vice-presidents Bhimaraya Gaura, Bhasha Patel Hasaragundi, Bhiranna Pujari and Mandal secretaries Sharanu Kumbar, Manjunath S., Ashok Sidagante, Nijaguna Chakravarthi, Yallanagowda Patil and Siddamma Guled.
Mr. M.Y. Patil, who is likely to be the Congress candidate in Afzalpur, claimed that 10 taluk panchayat members, five zilla panchayat members, a majority of Afzalpur Town Municipal Council members and a large section of party workers were supporting him. “Taluk panchayat and municipal council members would tender resignation to the BJP and join me in the Congress as their action doesn’t attract the anti-defection law. Zilla panchayat members, however, will not officially quit the party in view of the law. Most of the zilla panchayat members are women. They will technically continue to be in BJP, but their husbands will practically campaign for the Congress,” he said.
On denial of BJP ticket to him, Mr. M.Y. Patil said that the party leadership preferred Mr. Guttedar over him as he had assured the party leadership that he would ensure a victory of the party candidates in at least 15 constituencies in the Hyderabad Karnataka region.
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
