RBI guv’s forced exit blot on banking system: Cong
New Delhi: The Congress on Monday dubbed RBI Governor Urjit Patel’s resignation as a “blot” on India’s monetary and banking system, alleging that he was forced to quit. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged that NDA government “denigrated” another institution and that his exit was the result of attempts to stifle RBI’s independence. Patel, who had a run in with the government over autonomy of the central bank, Monday resigned from his post. In a brief statement, Patel said he has decided to step down with immediate effect. He, however, did not specify the reason for the decision. “The manner in which the RBI governor has been forced to quit is a blot on India’s monetary and banking system. BJP government has unleashed a defacto financial emergency. The country’s reputation and credibility is now at stake,” senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel said. (PTI)
‘BJP built tallest statute but not construct Ram temple’
Jammu: Accusing the BJP of misleading the people, National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah alleged Monday the party built the tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat, but could not keep the promise of constructing a Ram temple in Ayodhya. He said the BJP was reverting to its tactics of arousing religious passion for electoral success ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. “After four and a half years, the BJP is again talking about religion…You have made the biggest statue dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gujarat. You had also talked about a Ram temple but did not keep the promise,” he said at an event at the party headquarters here. He said a small temple, not the largest in the world, would have worked. He said the BJP was talking about the Ram temple to mislead the people. “Now they are propagating it again. The processions are being carried out in Delhi, Mumbai and other places as the party is hearing the bells of defeat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls,” Abdullah said. He said time has changed and now the voters are more interested in measures taken for their welfare than anything else. (PTI)
BJP march over Sabarimala issue turns violent
Thiruvananthapuram: The BJP’s “secretariat march” over the Sabarimala issue here on Monday turned violent, prompting police to use water cannon and tear gas to disperse the protesters. The day also saw the Congress-led UDF take out a march to the state Assembly over the same issue. The BJP and the UDF marched separately, demanding the LDF government’s intervention to end the agitation by their respective leaders for withdrawal of the prohibitory orders around Sabarimala. The BJP workers threw stones and hurled chairs at police personnel outside the state secretariat when the latter stopped them from proceeding further. The party had announced the march as part of its intensifying protests over the Sabarimala issue. The protesters raised slogans demanding the government’s intervention to end the eight-day-old indefinite fast of BJP general secretary A N Radhakrishnan. Subsequently, police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse the protesters. (PTI)
Cases against Rajasthan BJP leader over burning vehicles
Bikaner: Senior BJP leader Devi Singh Bhati and his supporters were booked for allegedly thrashing two men and setting their vehicles on fire on the election day here, police said Monday. Bhati, a former minister in the state government, and his supporters allegedly thrashed Lakshman Singh and Ganpat Ram on December 7. The BJP workers also allegedly set their vehicles on fire, officials said. Following the incident, two separate complaints were filed on December 8 based on which police registered cases. Alongside Bhati, the cases mention names of over a dozen BJP members. Those named include Vishwajit Singh, Jalam Singh, Rakesh Mathur, Raju Modi, Vishnu Joshi and Udaibhan. “Acting on the complaint, FIR was registered against the accused and further investigation is on in the matter,” SHO of Bajju police station, Vikram Singh, said. Rajasthan voted for 199 seats of its 200-member Assembly on December 7 and results will be declared on Tuesday. (PTI)
Woman dies after falling from Ferris wheel while clicking selfie
Ballia: A 20-year-old woman died after she fell from a Ferris wheel a fair in UP’s Ballia while clicking selfie, police said Monday. The incident happened Sunday at Dadri fair in Sadar area. The woman, Rani, was clicking selfie while taking a ride on the Ferris wheel. She lost balance and fell down, police said. She was rushed to the hospital, where she died during treatment. The body has been sent for postmortem, police said. (PTI)