PM Johnson had initially urged Ghani to file a formal complaint through the Conservative party. But she declined, arguing that the allegation centred on government rather than party work…reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ordered an inquiry into claims by a Muslim former minister that she was sacked from his government because of her faith, a spokesperson said Monday.
The claims by Nusrat Ghani, a former junior transport minister, have stoked fresh controversy for Downing Street as PM Johnson awaits the findings of a different inquiry into “partygate” revelations.
“The prime minister has asked the Cabinet Office to conduct an inquiry into the allegations made by Nusrat Ghani MP,” the spokesperson said.
PM Johnson had initially urged Ghani to file a formal complaint through the Conservative party. But she declined, arguing that the allegation centred on government rather than party work.
“The prime minister has now asked officials to establish the facts about what happened,” the spokesperson said, adding that Johnson “takes these claims very seriously”.
Ghani welcomed the new probe, which was announced after she held talks with Johnson on Sunday evening.
“As I said to the prime minister last night, all I want is for this to be taken seriously and for him to investigate,” she tweeted.
The inquiry must look into what she was told both by Downing Street aides and by a Conservative whip in parliament, the Tory MP added.
Ghani, 49, was sacked as a transport minister in 2020, and told the Sunday Times that a whip said her “Muslimness was raised as an issue” at one meeting in Downing Street.
She was also told her “Muslim woman minister status was making colleagues feel uncomfortable”, she claimed.
Chief whip Mark Spencer, whose role is to keep MPs on board with the government’s agenda, took the unusual step of identifying himself as the person at the centre of the claims, and strongly denied the allegations.
The government whips were already in the spotlight after they were accused by another Tory MP of “blackmailing” backbench critics of Johnson over the partygate affair.
Several Conservatives have called for the prime minister to quit after revelations that his staff had held frequent parties in Downing Street during Covid-19 lockdowns.
PM Johnson attended at least one of the gatherings, but denies breaking the law, and has commissioned senior civil servant Sue Gray to investigate.
Gray’s report could come out this week, according to reports.
In a newspaper column in 2018, Johnson sparked widespread criticism by writing that Muslim women wearing the burqa looked like “letter boxes” and a “bank robber”.
Maurya, who hails from the other backward class (OBC) community, had crossed over to the BJP from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) before the 2017 assembly polls…reports Asian Lite News
In a jolt to the BJP in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, OBC leader Swami Prasad Maurya resigned from the state cabinet while three other MLAs announced they are quitting the party.
Maurya, who is expected to join the Samajwadi Party (SP), said he resigning from the Yogi Adityanath cabinet due to “gross neglect” towards Dalits, backwards, farmers, unemployed youth and small traders.
BJP Tindwari MLA Brajesh Prajapati, Tilhar MLA Roshan Lal Varma and Bilhaur MLA Bhagwati Sagar have announced they are leaving the party in support of Maurya.
There was no immediate word on the resignations being accepted.
On Twitter, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya urged the leader to reconsider his move.
“I don’t know for what reasons respected Swami Prasad Maurya has tendered his resignation. I appeal to him to sit down for a talk. Decisions taken in a hurry often prove wrong,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.
The SP tweeted a photograph of Swami Prasad Maurya and Varma with party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and said in Hindi, “Welcome to the Samajwadi Party. There will be a social justice revolution. There will be a change in 2022.”
भाजपा मुख्यालय पर मा0प्रदेशाध्यक्ष श्री @swatantrabjp जी व मा0 #DYCM श्री दिनेश शर्मा जी के साथ कांग्रेस विधायक श्री नरेश सैनी जी,सपा विधायक श्री हरिओम यादव जी तथा पूर्व सपा विधायक श्री धर्मपाल सिंह जी को पार्टी की सदस्यता ग्रहण करवायी सभी का भाजपा परिवार में स्वागत व अभिनंदन है। pic.twitter.com/jGq8i3T3dw
In his resignation letter addressed to Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Maurya said, “I discharged my responsibilities as the minister for labour, employment, and coordination in the council of ministers headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, despite adverse circumstances and ideology.”
“Due to the attitude of gross neglect towards Dalits, backwards, farmers, unemployed youth and small and medium-sized traders, I am resigning from the Yogi ministry of Uttar Pradesh,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.
Maurya, who hails from the other backward class (OBC) community, had crossed over to the BJP from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) before the 2017 assembly polls.
He is a five-time MLA from Padrauna, while his daughter Sanghmitra Maurya is a BJP MP and represents Badaun in the Lok Sabha.
In a tweet, Yadav said, “This time all the oppressed, downtrodden, neglected will unite against the BJP’s insulting and divisive politics.
“There will be a revolution of SP’s politics of giving respect to all. In 2022, with everyone meeting each other, there will be positive politics of ‘mela hobe’. There will be a historic defeat of the BJP,” he said.
The setback to the ruling party came on a day when a key BJP meeting to discuss the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, now just a month away, was taking place in Delhi.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath and Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya attended the meeting, as the party begins shortlisting its candidates.
The Uttar Pradesh polls will be held in seven phases — on February 10, 14, 20, 23, 27, March 3 and 7. The results will be declared on March 10 along with the four other poll-bound states of Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.
Speaking to reporters here, Swami Prasad Maurya said, “I am a political person and I will be talking to some political party or the other. With whom I will talk, it will be done after consulting supporters.”
Asked when was the first time felt he felt angry with the government, he said, “As soon as I felt angry, I tendered my resignation. I was upset with anti-Dalit, anti-backwards, anti-farmers, anti-youth attitude (of the BJP government). I always spoke at the relevant forum be it the government or the party leadership. I was heard, but it led to nothing.”
Maurya’s departure from the BJP is likely to damage the party’s prospects in at least 20 seats spread across Kushinagar, Pratapgarh, Kanpur Dehat, Banda and Shahjahanpur.
BJP Tilhar MLA Varma, who had reached the Raj Bhavan here with the hard copy of Maurya’s resignation, said, “I have resigned from the BJP, and I will be with Swami Prasad Maurya. When we used to raise the grievances of the people, we were not heard.”
“We had complained to the chief minister and also to (the state BJP chief) Swatantra Dev Singh. But nothing happened. I will be joining the SP in the next couple of days,” he said while speaking to PTI.
Varma said better than him, people know the reasons behind he leaving the BJP.
“There has been an increase in unemployment and the backward and most backward classes people have been ignored. We flagged their issues, but no one heard us. Only a handful of officials run this government. Cabinet Minister Suresh Khanna in Shahjahanpur had put hurdles in various works including development,” he said.
This time, the SP is going to form a majority government in Uttar Pradesh, works of public interest will be done and respect will be given to everyone, Varma asserted.
Speaking to reporters at Maurya’s residence, Sagar said he is with Swami Prasad Maurya.
“We will decide our future course of action and go where ever our interest is redressed and we get justice,” he said.
When asked why he has taken the decision now when the assembly polls have been declared, Sagar said, “We were struggling for the past over four years. It is not the matter of getting party tickets for contesting polls, the decision is taken in the interest of our community.”
BJP MLA from Tindwari, Prajapati, has sent a letter regarding his leaving the party to the state party president.
Meanwhile, another Uttar Pradesh Minister Dharam Singh Saini denied quitting the cabinet and the BJP.
“Swami Prasad Maurya ji remains an elder brother to me. I am hearing on TV channels that he has given my name among those joining the SP with him. There is no talk with him on this…I deny quitting the cabinet and the BJP,” Saini, who is minister of state (independent charge) for Ayush, Food Security and Drug Administration, said in a video message.
India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan began his visit 3-day visit to Bahrain…reports Asian Lite News
India and Bahrain are celebrating this year the golden jubilee of their diplomatic relations, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.
V Muraleedharan
Coinciding with this important occasion, V Muraleedharan, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, began yesterday a three-day visit to Bahrain. On the first day of his visit, Muraleedharan met with Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Bahraini Minister of Foreign Affairs.
According to the press release, Muraleedharan will hold discussions with Bahraini ministers and dignitaries during his visit. He will also meet a wide cross-section of the Indian community in Bahrain, including those in health, education, business, and social service.
This is Muraleedharan’s first visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. About 350,000 Indians live in the Kingdom and India-Bahrain bilateral trade is around one billion dollars. The visit is part of India’s continuing engagement of countries in the Gulf region.
Jaishankar highlights need for vaccine equity, fair travel regime
In his two-nation tour, the external affairs minister also met OECD Secretary-General and his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor on the sidelines of G-20 ministeral meetings, reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen and discussed the “Covid challenge” and underlined the importance of equitable vaccine access and a fair travel regime.
Jaishankar arrived in Italy from Greece on the second leg of this two-nation tour. “A good conversation with EU Commissioner for International Partnerships @JuttaUrpilainen,” Jaishankar tweeted, sharing a photograph of them together.
“Discussed the Covid challenge, our Connectivity Partnership and development cooperation. Underlined the importance of equitable vaccine access and a fair travel regime,” he further added.
The minister also met OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann and discussed India-OECD bilateral engagement.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 38 member countries, founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade.
“Discussed India-OECD bilateral engagement with Secretary-General @MathiasCormann. Appreciate OECD’s contribution to the G20,” Jaishankar tweeted along with a photograph of the meeting.
In another meeting, he met his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor.
Shared views on contemporary challenges at the #G20 Foreign & Development Ministers’ Meeting. pic.twitter.com/svMlC85ACR
“Our conversation covered shared concerns on vaccine equity & access. Also discussed our Climate Action approaches,” Jaishankar tweeted after the meet.
He also shared a photograph of the them together along with the tweet.
The meetings were held on the sidelines of the G20 ministerial meetings.
G20 is an influential bloc that brings together the world’s major economies.
The G20 summit is scheduled to be held in Italy in October. India is expected to hold the presidency of the G20 in 2022.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and the two leaders reviewed the progress in bilateral ties and discussed global and regional issues.
“Met UK Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab this morning. Reviewed the progress of our bilateral Road Map. Discussed the state of the world, regional issues, Covid and Climate Action,” Jaishankar said in a series of tweets.
Spoke at the #G20 session on Africa. Underlined our solidarity with Global South and respect for African priorities. pic.twitter.com/rOPh2JlndG
The external affairs minister met his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio and congratulated him on the successful G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Italy.
“Discussed taking forward our bilateral relationship. Look forward to seeing him in India, Jaishankar said in another tweet.
He also met his Mexican counterpart Marcelo Ebrard C and agreed to step up bilateral cooperation and work together in the multilateral arena.
“Our pharma cooperation is particularly important in the times of Covid, Jaishankar said.
He met Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and exchanged views on Quad, 2+2 and Covid.
“A typical #G20 conversation – with FM @moteging of Japan. Spoke about Quad, 2+2 and Covid,” Jaishankar tweeted.
The Quad or Quadrilateral alliance consisting of the US, India, Japan and Australia has been resolving to uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific amid growing Chinese assertiveness in the region.
The minister also held a cordial meeting with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan during which he discussed the Covid situation and urged early resumption of flights.
“Cordial meeting with Saudi FM @FaisalbinFarhan. Discussed the Covid situation and urged early flight resumption. Talks also covered our Strategic Partnership and regional situation,” he tweeted.
Jaishankar later met Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau and discussed issues of bilateral concerns.
“Useful conversation with FM @MarcGarneau of Canada on Indo-Pacific, trade & economic cooperation and bilateral concerns. Agreed to remain in touch, he tweeted.
Met U.K. Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab this morning. Reviewed the progress of our bilateral Road Map. Discussed the state of the world, regional issues, Covid and Climate Action. pic.twitter.com/IDB2c2JlaI
The external affairs minister also met with Josep Borrell Fontelles, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission.
“Taking forward the agenda of the Leaders’ Summit. Discussed vaccine production and access. Took up Covishield’ authorisation for travel to Europe. Will be following up,” he said after the meeting.
The G20 member countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.
As the caller asserted that the reduction will kill poor and farmers, the minister seeks to clarify that there was no reduction of quantity but it is only based on the demands of respective regions that Karnataka will supply food grains…reports Asian Lite News.
A purported audio clip of Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Umesh Katti, telling a farmer activist that it is a “good time for farmers to die”, went viral on Wednesday, creating a major controversy for the BJP government in the state.
As soon the audio clip in Kannada went viral on social media, opposition parties and farmers leaders demanded Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa sack Katti.
In the audio clip, an activist rings up Katti and demands why his department has chosen to reduce the quantity of 5 kg free rice announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently prior to the surge of Covid cases in the country.
Katti responds that the state government had not reduced the quantity, but will instead provide two kg rice and three kg ‘ragi’ (finger millet) in the southern region of Karnataka and ‘jowar’ (sorghum) will be given in north Karnataka.
As the caller asserted that the reduction will kill poor and farmers, the minister seeks to clarify that there was no reduction of quantity but it is only based on the demands of respective regions that Karnataka will supply food grains.
Apparently unhappy over this response, the caller charges that the state government intends to kill the poor by pushing them to starvation.
At this, Katti, losing his temper, retorts that if a farmer or a poor person wants to die, “this is the good time to die”, before cutting the call.
As soon as this conversation went viral, Katti, on his part, tendered an apology.
In a hurriedly called press conference in Belagavi, Katti, dropping enough hints that Yediyurappa has insisted he seek an apology, said that Yediyurappa is their party leader and CM, and “if he has asked me to do something, I will do it without thinking of any consequences”.
“I regret making such a comment if it has hurt the sentiments of any poor or farmer,” he said.
However, prior to regretting his remarks, the minister said that he was forced to say some unwanted words as he was provoked by the caller.
The maverick Katti, a sugar baron from Belgavi district, is not new to stoking controversies as he is known for losing his temper on minor issues. He is the one who had demanded the separate statehood for north Karnataka and when media sought his reaction this couple of years ago, he had coolly said that he would become CM of present Karnataka and someday, his son would be CM of North Karnataka.
On Wednesday, Katti told reporters that the farmer had forced him to speak in such a manner and refused to tender any apology or his regret over his remarks.
“A person claiming to be a farmers’ leader called me on Wednesday and asked why the government was reducing the allotment of rice to poor families. I told him that we had reduced the quantity of rice to two kg from five kg, but had provided ragi instead. He asked what was being given in north Karnataka where people do not eat rice, and I said jowar will be given in the coming months. But he kept pestering me. He said ‘should we die’ and I said it would be a better option. I had to say it as the caller pushed me to it,” Katti said. The minister, however, asserted that none should die of starvation and he will make sure that nobody suffers from hunger or dies due to non-availability of food.
“But why should he speak like that with me? We will make sure that does not happen. I appeal to the people not to die. Chief Minister Yediyurappa has given me a sacred responsibility and I will handle it,” he said.
“I believe we are giving more rice than is necessary. I am concerned about the sale of rice by some of the beneficiaries in the market, as they don’t use it. We want to curb such practices. That is why we are providing local food grains to the people in different regions,” he said.
Katti asserted that there was no reduction in the April allotment.
BJP Minister Umesh Katti has abused a citizen & asked him to 'go die' just because he asked him why Karnataka Govt has cut Rice under PDS to just 2 kgs!
CM @BSYBJP must immediately throw him out of the cabinet for this most insensitive statement.
“We have given a total of five kg of food grains for the month of April. The Centre is providing food grains under the Garib Kalyan Yojana, free of cost, for the next two months. We will make sure they reach the deserving beneficiaries,” he claimed.
However, as this audio clip went viral, state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar demanded Yediyurappa sack Katti from the cabinet for showing insensitivity to the people who have been facing problems owing to the pandemic and lockdown.
“BJP Minister Umesh Katti has abused a citizen & asked him to ‘go die’ just because he asked him why Karnataka Govt has cut Rice under PDS to just 2 kg! CM@BSYBJP must immediately throw him out of the Cabinet for this most insensitive statement. Does this Govt have any shame?” he said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, much before Katti regretted his remarks, Yediyurappa was the first to express his regret over Katti’s statement and assured to provide five kg of rice per month instead of three kg for people of Belagavi region.
“It was not correct on the part of the Minister to indulge such insensitive talk when the farmer sought five kg rice,” he said.
