Sardar Patel statue to be unveiled on October 31
Bengaluru, October 16: Gujarat government Energy Minister Saurabh Patel said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would unveil the Unity Statue of former deputy prime minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the highest statue in the world, constructed near Sardar Sarovar dam in Gujarat, on October 31.
Speaking to reporters at a private hotel here on Tuesday, Patel said that October 31 is the birthday of Sardar Patel. So, on the same day, the government has planned to unveil the 182 metre height Unity Statue, he said.
The people of the country have donated 5,000 metric ton iron and steel and it was constructed in 48 months investing Rs 2,332 crore. Under this statue, 73 ft height museum was constructed in which, valuables related to Sardar Patel, his life and works and photos were kept, he said.
Due to shortage of bronze in the country, the contractor had decided to import it from China and the Gujarat government had no role in it, he clarified.
Governor Vajubhai Vala and Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy were invited for the unveiling programme. He would also invite the people of Karnataka to participate in the programme. People could visit Gujarat after November 1, he said.
When asked about the conflict on Bihar-based labourers in Gujarat, Saurabh Patel said that it was a political conspiracy. Some people have hatched out a conspiracy. People from different states of the country were living in Gujarat and have been contributing for the development of this state. Those who have left Gujarat in the conflict would return shortly, he exuded confidence.
The situation was under control in Gujarat and proper security was provided to Biharis. There was no problem for their daily activities. Legal action would be taken against those who are responsible for this conflict, he said.
Gujarat Minister Jayadrat Singh Parmar, MLAs Shailesh, Bharat Bhai Patel, Bhikhabhai Bharat, Madhu Srivatsav, Health Department Secretary Jayanti Ravi, Forest Corporation Joint Managing Director B.K. Sugur were present at the press conference.
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Top US counterterrorism official resigns over Iran war, says Iran posed no imminent threat
Washington (AP): Joe Kent, the director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, announced his resignation on Tuesday, saying he “cannot in good conscience” back the Trump administration's war in Iran.
Kent said on social media Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”
There was no immediate comment from the White House.
Kent, a former political candidate with connections to right-wing extremists, was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote.
As head of the National Counterterrorism Centre, he was in charge of an agency tasked with analysing and detecting terrorist threats.
Before entering President Donald Trump's administration, Kent ran two unsuccessful campaigns for Congress in Washington state. He also served in the military, seeing 11 deployments as a Green Beret, followed by work at the CIA.
Democrats strongly opposed Kent's confirmation, pointing to his past ties to far-right figures and conspiracy theories. During his 2022 congressional campaign, Kent paid Graham Jorgensen, a member of the far-right military group the Proud Boys, for consulting work. He also worked closely with Joey Gibson, the founder of the Christian nationalist group Patriot Prayer, and attracted support from a variety of far-right figures.
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Kent also refused to distance himself from a conspiracy theory that federal agents instigated the January 6, 2021, attack at the Capitol, as well as false claims that Trump, a Republican, won the 2020 election over Democrat Joe Biden.
Democrats grilled Kent on his participation in a group chat on Signal that was used by Trump's national security team to discuss sensitive military plans.
Still, Republicans praised Kent's counterterrorism qualifications, pointing to his military and intelligence experience.
Sen. Tom Cotton, the GOP chair of the intelligence committee, said in a floor speech that Kent had "dedicated his career to fighting terrorism and keeping Americans safe.”
