People of Mandya will decide if I will contest next election on BJP ticket: Sumalatha Ambareesh
Bengaluru: Mandya MP Sumalatha Ambareesh on Monday said that the decision on whether to contest the coming Parliamentary Election in 2023 on BJP ticket lies with the people of the constituency.
Speaking to reporters here, she said, “I won the previous Lok Sabha election as an Independent candidate with the help of the people of Mandya. The final decision on contesting from BJP or any other party in the coming elections will be taken after taking people of the constituency in confidence. It is not my decision alone.”
“I have sought advice from the CM over developmental activities to be carried out in the district while inviting him for my niece’s wedding. Since I am an independent candidate, the discussion regarding joining BJP is still underway. My only concern is the development of this district,” she noted.
She also said she has discussed matters concerning the development of the district with the CM while clarifying that no politics was discussed during their meeting. She asserted that the ultimate decision regarding joining BJP is up to the people of Mandya.
When asked about Abhishek Ambareesh’s part in the upcoming elections, she said, “People are pressuring him to contest the upcoming election, but the final decision will be his alone.”
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TN seeks duty-free cotton imports to support textile sector: CM Vijay writes to PM
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove the import duty on cotton.
In his first letter to Modi after taking over as chief minister of the state, he said Tamil Nadu is the country’s largest textile and apparel exporting state.
Lakhs of people are dependent on this sector for both direct and indirect employment, especially women from rural and semi-urban backgrounds, Vijay pointed out.
Stating that the industry is facing a severe crisis due to an increase in cotton prices and consequently yarn prices, he said, “I understand this is caused primarily due to a shortage in cotton production and increased trading activity in the country.”
Pointing out that the price of cotton has increased from Rs 54,700 to Rs 67,700 per candy—an increase of 25 per cent over the last two months—while yarn prices have increased from Rs 301 to Rs 330 per kg, he said, “In this situation, the continued supply of raw material can be ensured only through imports.”
However, there is an import duty of 11 per cent on cotton, he said, adding that in such a situation, permitting duty-free cotton imports will help the industry meet increasing export commitments and remain globally competitive.
Vijay said that after agriculture, the textile and apparel sector is one of the largest employment-generating sectors.
“There is a significant responsibility on the government to safeguard the employment of lakhs of people and ensure the sustainability of the textile value chain," he said.
“Hence, I request your intervention to remove the import duty on cotton from the existing 11 per cent to 0 per cent to ensure the availability of raw material. This measure will enable the textile and apparel industry to remain globally competitive, enhance exports, and protect jobs,” he added.
