Indore, June 26 (IANS) Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Thursday that subjects of agricultural research would be decided with consultation and recommendations of farmers in villages across the country.

The Union Minister said that to execute this plan, a total of 2,170 teams, comprising of agriculture-based scientists, experts, and officials from the agricultural department have conducted a survey in 60,823 villages across the country.The survey was conducted under ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, stressing the importance of providing farmers with additional sources of income beyond traditional agriculture and to increase agricultural production.During visits, survey teams conducted meetings with more than 1.23 lakh farmers and noted down their recommendations, the Union Minister said.The farmers from across the country have recommended for thorough research in particular areas or on crops, he added.All those suggestions have been noted down, he said.”It was the first time that such a large number of teams have concluded a survey in villages. After these surveys, we have decided that the subjects for agricultural research would be decided by farmers,” Minister Chouhan said during a press conference in Indore.Minister Chauhan was on a visit to Indore to attend a workshop organised at the Soybean Institute in the city, which was attended by the Agriculture Ministers of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.Senior officers from these three states were also present at the event.On this occasion, Minister Chouhan chaired a series of meetings with several Ministers and senior officials.The discussion was emphasised on soyabean production and its quality.In the coming days, meetings will be organised in various states on the basis of priority.Before attending the workshop, Minister Chouhan, who often introduces himself as a farmer’s son, drove a tractor at the Soyabean Research Centre.”I am a Minister, but first of all, I am a farmer,” Minister Chouhan said.–IANSpd/khz

Mumbai, June 26 (IANS) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Raj Thackeray announced the change in morcha date to July 5 instead of July 6 to protest against the imposition of Hindi in Marathi and English schools for classes 1 to 5 in Maharashtra.

The moves come as the auspicious Ashadhi Ekadashi falls on July 6, when the devotees keep fast the whole day, and walk in huge processions to Pandharpur to pay their tribute to their god Vitthal.The change in the date is also important as Raj Thackeray’s estranged brother and Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray also extended his party’s support to a morcha organised on July 7 in Mumbai by The Tribhasha Sutra (Three language formula) Anti-Mumbai Coordination Committee.Although both estranged brothers and their parties have separately declared that they will not allow the imposition of Hindi language, they have announced two morchas. Insiders from both parties said that efforts are on for one party to avoid a split in the Marathi-speaking people opposing the imposition of Hindi.Raj Thackeray in his post on X said: “With warm regards, Jai Maharashtra. This morning, for our Marathi language, for Maharashtra, and for the Marathi people, a morcha was announced on July 6. There is a slight change in that plan; the morcha will now take place on Saturday, July 5, at 10 AM from Girgaum to Azad Maidan. The location and all other details remain unchanged. Therefore, the media and the people of Maharashtra should take note of this change.”Raj Thackeray further said: “We will not allow Hindi imposition from the beginning, and we have decided to organise a morcha to oppose it. There will be no flags in that march. The entire morcha will belong to the Marathi people. The Marathi agenda will be the only focus. The leadership of that morcha will be by a Marathi person. Let the government understand once and for all what is in the hearts of Maharashtra. The full strength of Maharashtra will be seen. At such a time, I also want to see who participates in this morcha and who chooses not to come. We will speak with educationists and linguists. We will invite all students and parents. Let the government understand once and for all what is in the hearts of Maharashtra.”He added, “Everyone will participate in the anti-Hindi morcha. We will speak with all political parties in Maharashtra. Maharashtra is bigger than any dispute or quarrel, and you will realise this.”Earlier, Uddhav Thackeray declared that the party will not allow the imposition of Hindi as a third language in Marathi and English schools for classes 1 to 5 in the state and appealed to the citizens to join the fight against the state government’s move.“We have strongly opposed Hindi and its imposition in the state. In how many states is the three-language formula implemented? Why the state government is keen to impose Hindi in Maharashtra? Why is the state government not following a one-language formula? Why are you forcing Hindi? That means you have a monopoly. BJP national president JP Nadda had earlier made a promise about this,” said Thackeray, reiterating that he will not allow the imposition of Hindi language in the state.“We are not against the language. We are against its imposition. There is a hidden agenda in this move. I am appealing to all Marathi people to join this fight,” said Thackeray at the press conference.–IANSsj/dan

Mumbai, June 26 (IANS) Mumbai Suburbs Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar said on Thursday that the city’s current stormwater drainage system is designed to handle rainfall up to 55 mm per hour.

In light of the increasingly intense rain events, a new, separate master plan must be created to handle rainfall exceeding 100 mm per hour, the Minister added.He said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will provide additional funds to support this initiative.He noted that NDMA, under the MHA, has acknowledged the recurring flood crisis in Mumbai.”In the first phase, Rs 500 crore has been allocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to implement immediate flood-mitigation measures. The NDMA has also instructed the BMC to prepare a detailed action plan based on real-time assessments of the city’s flood-prone areas. The draft plan prepared by the BMC is currently under review by an expert panel from the IIT,” the Minister said.”Flood-prone areas are being identified where advanced drainage infrastructure will be developed in those locations, designed to handle more than 100 mm of rainfall per hour. A detailed report will be prepared with assistance from the IIT, and the preliminary estimate for this project is around Rs 5,000 crore. The NDMA is expected to provide substantial portion of this funding to implement this critical infrastructure upgrade,” he added.Minister Shelar said that during his visit to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced plans to adopt Japanese drainage technologies for Mumbai.”Taking this into account, the BMC is integrating such innovations into the new master plan,” the Minister added.He instructed officials to prepare this comprehensive plan in coordination with authorities like the Railways, Metro and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).He directed that the final report be completed within the next one month.”In 2017, Mumbai experienced 26 days of rainfall, and in 2024, 21 days. According to BMC studies, the city receives heavy rainfall averaging 16 to 20 days annually, with more than 100 mm of rain falling in an hour during some of these days. From 2014 to 2019, rainfall peaked at 131 mm/hour, and on May 19, it reached 182 mm/hour. On July 26, 2005, the city received nearly 1,000 mm of rainfall in 16 hours — averaging 139 mm/hour — which, combined with a high tide, led to severe flooding. In recent times too, rainfall exceeding 100 mm in an hour has become a frequent occurrence. When such heavy rain coincides with high tide, proper drainage becomes impossible, forcing Mumbai to face flood-like situations,” said the statement issued by the Minister’s office.Minister Shelar said that before the July 26, 2005, deluge, Mumbai’s stormwater drains had a capacity of 25 mm/hour.”Following the Chitale Committee’s recommendations, this was upgraded to 55 mm/hour. However, with rainfall now frequently exceeding 100 mm/hour, further capacity enhancement is essential.”The BMC plans to construct four new pumping stations, both small and big, as part of these efforts, the Minister added.”At present, there are nine small pumping stations in Mumbai. Two more are to be set up at the Maharashtra Nagar and Dharavi T-Junction. Also, there are six large pumping stations and two additional ones will be constructed at Mogra and Mahul. These new stations will help drain water from flood-prone areas such as Kurla and Andheri,” he said.–IANSsj/khz

New Delhi, June 26 (IANS) Amid allegations of a woman patient being sexually assaulted in a Delhi government hospital, an official on Thursday clarified that the 23-year-old patient who died a day earlier was not subjected to any physical or sexual assault.

The controversy over a woman patient’s death in GTB Hospital comes amid rumours that she died following an alleged sexual assault by a fellow patient, a claim dismissed by the Delhi government’s health department.While there were unconfirmed reports of New Usmanpur police detaining a man from Kachchi Khajuri over the alleged assault, the Delhi government has denied any laxity in the patient’s security during treatment at Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital (JPCH).The Health Department’s statement said a medical examination of the victim/patient said that “no physical or sexual assault was found”.The statement was issued with reference to an incident that occurred on June 23 at JPCH regarding the admission of a 23-year-old female patient, who subsequently passed away during treatment at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital.The Delhi government said, as per the report received from the Hospital, the patient was found lying in an unconscious state on June 21 in Sonia Vihar.The patient was brought to JPCH by the Delhi Police and was given proper treatment. On June 22, the patient was moved from the Casualty Ward to the HDU (High Dependency Unit) Ward of JPCH, said the statement.The patient reportedly went missing from the HDU Ward in the early hours of June 23 and was later found on the hospital premises in the afternoon, it said.After treatment, the patient was referred from JPCH to GTB on June 23 evening with a diagnosis of suspected poisoning, and during treatment, she passed away on June 24 night, said the statement.“A committee of senior doctors/officers was constituted on June 23 at Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital to enquire into the matter. As per reports submitted by Medical Superintendent, JPCH, and revealed through medical examination of the victim/patient, no physical or sexual assault was found,” it said.The Health Department said CCTV cameras were functional outside HDU in the Hospital, and as part of the enquiry into this incident, necessary CCTV footage has already been collected and handed over to the Investigation Officer, Delhi Police.On the basis of the Committee findings and CCTV footage, the details of the on-duty nursing officer, sanitation staff and security guard were shared with the investigation officer on Wednesday, it said.The Health Department statement said a post-mortem will be conducted at GTB Hospital after completing the necessary legal procedure by the Delhi Police.As per details received from the GTB Hospital, the body of the deceased is presently preserved in the mortuary, and the close relatives/acquaintances are being traced, it said.–IANSrch/dan

Patna, June 26 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, demanding a public apology for his remark where he referred to Bihar as a “small state”.

Rai said that the comment was not only “insensitive” and “derogatory” but also a direct insult to the 13 crore people of Bihar.In a strongly worded press statement, the senior BJP leader and MP from Ujiarpur said: “Mallikarjun Kharge has insulted not just a state, but the entire cultural legacy, glorious history, and democratic spirit of Bihar. The people of Bihar cannot tolerate such an offensive remark.”Calling the Congress party’s approach to Bihar “consistently dismissive,” Rai said Kharge’s remark reflects the Congress’s historical neglect and disregard for the development of the state.“This is the land of Chanakya, Mahavir, Gautam Buddha, and Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan. It is the cradle of democracy and social justice. Calling Bihar a small state is an affront to its people and their legacy,” he said.Referring to the 50th anniversary of the Emergency, Rai said: “Kharge’s insult has come at a time when we are commemorating the movement led by J.P. Narayan, who rose from this very land to fight the autocracy of the Emergency imposed by the Congress.”“Even after five decades, the Congress cannot seem to digest Bihar’s resistance to dictatorship,” he said.Rai also targeted the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, questioning his silence on the issue.“Rahul Gandhi visits Bihar for votes but allows leaders in Delhi to insult Biharis. Why is he silent now? Does he endorse Kharge’s statement?” Rai asked.“The people of Bihar have self-respect. They never tolerate humiliation and will respond to this insult democratically, in the elections,” he said.Rai demanded an immediate apology from Kharge, saying: “The Congress President must apologise publicly to the 13 crore people of Bihar. This is not just political decorum; it is about respecting the pride of an entire state.”Reiterating the BJP’s stand, Nityanand Rai said Bihar’s contributions to social justice, national politics, and intellectual history remain unmatched.“This is the same Bihar where Karpoori Thakur pioneered the path of reservation and social upliftment, which Rahul Gandhi now speaks about on foreign soil,” Rai added.–IANSajk/dan

Gwalior, June 26 (IANS) Gwalior turned a fresh page in its railway history on Thursday as Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North-Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia unveiled the long-anticipated Gwalior-Bengaluru Express—marking a major leap in connecting Madhya Pradesh’s heartland with Bengaluru — the technology capital of India.The Union Minister highlighted that the newly introduced train will cater to nearly 40 lakh residents, offering them direct access to enhanced rail connectivity.He added that the service will halt at key junctions, including Shivpuri, Guna, Ashoknagar, Bina, and Bhopal — ensuring widespread regional benefit and improved mobility across central Madhya Pradesh.The launch ceremony at Gwalior Railway Station was held in hybrid format, with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw joining virtually.Union Minister Scindia, also the Member of Parliament from Guna, travelled aboard the inaugural service to Ashoknagar, making scheduled halts at Shivpuri and Guna.During the journey, he engaged with passengers and residents, calling the train “a bridge of opportunity for over 40 lakh people” across Madhya Pradesh.The daily express service is set to commence from “Bengaluru on June 29”, and from “Gwalior on July 4”, with scheduled departure from Gwalior at 3:00 PM and arrival at “SMVT (Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal) Bengaluru at 7:35 AM” on the third day.Key stoppages include Shivpuri, Guna, Ashoknagar, Bina, and Bhopal.Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Scindia noted that Gwalior’s new airport terminal is nearing completion, while extensive re-development is underway at the city’s railway station.He also referenced major infrastructure projects, including the Rs 900 crore “Western Expressway” and the on-going extension of the “Gwalior–Sheopur broad gauge line” towards Kota.In his address, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised the transformative scale of investment since 2014.“Railway allocation to Madhya Pradesh has increased from Rs 600 crore to Rs 14,747 crore,” he said, adding that 2,651 km of new rail lines and modernisation of 80 stations — including Gwalior — are in progress.He also announced a prospective “Gwalior–Agra passenger service”.During his address, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav affirmed Gwalior’s trajectory of development, highlighting its growing prominence in national progress.He announced that the Rs 8,500 crore Mumbai rail corridor would redefine infrastructure in the Chambal-Malwa region.CM Yadav projected Gwalior as an emerging hub for semiconductors, electronics, and petrochemicals.He also emphasised that the city is poised to lead in sectors such as industry, education, agriculture, and employment.–IANSsktr/pgh

Bhubaneswar, June 26 (IANS) Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday said his government is prioritising the growth of maritime commerce in Odisha by constructing ports, jetties, and related infrastructure across various parts of the state.

In a major push to strengthen Odisha’s maritime infrastructure and promote port-led economic development, the Odisha government on Thursday signed two Concession Agreements – one for the expansion of Gopalpur Port and another for the construction of a captive jetty at the Jatadhari river mouth in Jagatsinghpur district – in the presence of Chief Minister Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawan.The Odisha government signed a concession agreement with JSW Utkal Steel Limited for the development of a captive jetty at Jatadhari river mouth in Erasama tehsil of Jagatsinghpur district with an investment of Rs 2,100 crore. The jetty will have a cargo handling capacity of 52 million metric tonnes (MMT).It is expected to generate 3,450 direct and indirect employment opportunities. Similarly, Gopalpur Ports Limited will invest Rs 16,554 crore in the expansion and modernisation of Gopalpur Port. Post-expansion, the port’s cargo handling capacity will increase to 50 MMT. The project is anticipated to create nearly 5,000 direct and indirect jobs.“These two projects will together bring an investment of over Rs 18,654 crore and generate around 8,450 jobs in the state. Maritime trade expansion is a key focus area of our government, and we are committed to developing jetties and ports across the coastline to boost Odisha’s economic future,” the Chief Minister added.He further announced that the state government plans to set up new ports at Inchudi and Bahuda, and has also prepared development plans for Subarnarekha and Astaranga ports.Majhi stated that the Odisha government aims to work in partnership with private companies in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode to develop maritime trade along Odisha’s long coastline.Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena emphasised the strategic role of jetties and ports in Odisha’s overall development.“Our government is committed to identifying potential coastal locations and developing ports, fish landing centres, and coastal infrastructure,” he said.–IANSgyan/dan

Lucknow, June 26 (IANS) The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has written to political parties requesting them to push for action in the matter of the “objectionable” speech delivered by Justice Shekhar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court, a Board official said on Thursday.AIMPLB General Secretary Mohammed Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi said Justice Yadav’s remarks on December 8, 2024, amounted to giving “a twisted and misdirected understanding of secularism, coloured by the strong religious consciousness of his own religious belief”.In a letter addressed to political parties, he said: “The Board feels that for the last six months, there has been no effective action in this matter. It appears that the political class of our country has not taken this issue seriously.”Justice Yadav had reportedly stated that India should run according to the will of the majority and made remarks perceived as targeting the Muslim community. A video of the speech was circulated widely on social media.Following the incident, the Supreme Court took cognisance and sought a report from the Chief Justice of the High Court.”We need to remind all the political parties/class that constitutional culture as contemplated by the Constitution of India, 1950, does not permit a Judge of a Constitutional Court to show his/her partisan approach while holding the position of a sitting Judge,” the AIMPLB official said.Board’s Office Secretary Vaquar Uddin Latifi shared excerpts of Mujaddidi’s letter, which said: “The Learned Judge appears to have not only forgotten the position that he commands but also disregarded the fact that the concept of a secular state.””The Constitution preaches by treating every citizen equally as far as their practices — many of them derived from their religion and culture — has space within the constitutional setup, and that is the secularism in our country, and not the definition of secularism that the Learned Judge believes in, by giving a twisted and misdirected understanding of secularism coloured by the strong religious consciousness of his own religious belief,” the AIMPLB official wrote in the letter.The freedom of faith and religion is an integral part of the social structure. Muslims at large also feel that many religious practices in interpersonal relationships are also necessary, wrote Mujaddidi.”The learned Judge appears to have forgotten that his strong religious consciousness targeting a particular religion, under the garb of his understanding of constitutionalism, shall hamper the rule of law,” he wrote.”Being a member of a Constitutional Court, the basic requirement of which is to remain neutral, the Judge has advocated his personal agenda to promote one kind of constitutionalism, which itself is unconstitutional and requires serious intervention from the mechanism set up within the Constitution itself,” he said.Even otherwise, diversity and inclusivity in our country do not permit a Judge to take sides as Justice Yadav has taken, and hence it is necessary that political parties/class take up this issue within the permissible procedure as stated in the Constitution of India, he said.Mujaddidi’s letter comes at a time when senior advocate and Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal has strongly criticised Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar for not acting on an impeachment motion filed against Justice Yadav, nearly six months after it was submitted.–IANSrch/vd

Chandigarh, June 26 (IANS) The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has “violated” the law by registering a disproportionate assets case against party leader Bikram Singh Majithia without holding either a preliminary or regular probe. It accused the government of indulging in a political vendetta to gag Majithia as well as divert attention from the “failure” of its ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ drive.Senior party leaders Balwinder Bhundar, Maheshinder Grewal and Daljit Cheema accused the government of misleading Punjabis and even committing contempt of court by stating that Majithia had been arrested in an Rs 540-crore drug case.”This is not only absurd but a bundle of lies for which the AAP leaders will be held accountable,” said Grewal, adding “the government should tell why it has not released a single complaint with regard to the Rs 540 crore figure it had concocted in”.He said in stark contrast, when AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia had been arrested in the Delhi liquor scam, there were specific complaints from liquor contractors that they had given bribe money to the duo.He also cited how earlier Majithia had been granted bail by the High Court in the NDPS case registered against him by the previous Congress government after it found that there was no recovery of drug money, no transaction had been proved and that no money had been exchanged.Grewal told the media that the public prosecutor stated on Thursday in the court that only a disproportionate assets case had been registered against Majithia.”Even this is fabricated. The properties mentioned in the complaint were in the Majithia family even before Bikram Majithia was born. The Majithia family is an old landed family with Bikram Majithia’s grandfather owning planes and even a Rolls-Royce car. It has also been wrongly imputed that Bikram Majithia was responsible for decision making in the Saraya Industries, as he had resigned as a Director of the company in 2007.”Another Akali Dal leader, Cheema, said all the allegations mentioned in the new case against Majithia had been submitted to the Supreme Court recently while seeking to cancel the bail given to the Akali leader in an NDPS case.”The Supreme Court did not take cognisance of the allegations, and now they have been recycled and turned into a new case,” Cheema said.He also cited how the AAP government had created a curfew-like situation in the Mohali court where Majithia was presented on Thursday, resulting in the “harassment” of litigants.Veteran leader Bhundar said the “vindictive” action had made people remember the Emergency and termed it as the “murder of democracy”.Bhundar said the AAP government had been trying to “implicate” Majithia for more than three years and had formed repeated Special Investigation Teams (SITs) and even suspended officers to force them to do their illegal bidding.He also thanked the opposition for expressing solidarity with Majithia and raising their voice against the “revengeful” action.Investigations by the SIT of the police probing the first information report (FIR) of 2021 and the Vigilance Bureau revealed massive laundering of drug money facilitated by Majithia, the government said on Wednesday.It further said preliminary investigations revealed that more than Rs 540 crore “drug money” has been laundered through several ways, including a huge unaccounted cash of Rs 161 crore deposited in bank accounts of companies controlled by Majithia, channelisation of Rs 141 crore through suspected foreign entities and excess deposition of Rs 236 crore without disclosure or explanation in company financial statements.–IANSvg/svn

Bengaluru, June 26 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on Thursday rebutted statements by Congress MLAs criticising their own government, maintaining that there is no lack of control in the administration.Interacting with media near his residence here, Shivakumar, asked about several MLAs speaking out against the government and whether this reflected a lack of control by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, said: “I am not aware of any such developments. If there is anything, both the Chief Minister and I will discuss it with the party high command.”There is no lack of control in the administration — this is just a media narrative, he stated.Asked about his meeting with the Deputy Chairman for State Policy and Planning Commission and MLA B.R. Patil, Shivakumar said: “As the party’s state President, I needed to understand the facts. So I invited him for a conversation. He shared his views, and I will discuss the matter with the Chief Minister and also speak with Minister for Housing Zameer Ahmad Khan. Our party high command is also arriving shortly and will speak to everyone to gather more information.”Patil had alleged rampant corruption in housing allotments.Shivakumar further announced that the meeting scheduled for June 30 regarding the Hemavati Link Canal project has been postponed to July 4–5 following a request from Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti V. Somanna.”Since Union Minister Somanna is also the local MP, the meeting has been postponed to suit his availability. I have instructed the officials concerned accordingly.”The farmers and the BJP are opposing the implementation of the Hemavati Link Canal Project.”A meeting with the contractors of the Yettinahole project was planned today in Tumakuru. However, due to the absence of Home Minister G. Parameshwara, the meeting has been shifted to Bengaluru. It will now be held either tomorrow or the day after,” he said. Parameshwara hails from Tumakuru.Shivakumar also said that the Chief Minister has directed that the Yettinahole project must be completed within the scheduled timeframe. “Accordingly, the project’s progress is being reviewed. I visited Tumakuru to identify and assess problem areas in the project,” he said.”I have already visited Doddaballapur and Koratagere. I held discussions with Minister Parameshwara, who chairs the Cabinet Subcommittee. We are exploring the technical feasibility of water storage solutions in the region. I have also spoken with local leaders and residents to gather opinions. People have shared their concerns. We are studying whether a dam should be constructed at one site or two, or whether water can be stored using existing lakes based on public suggestions,” he stated.Responding to a question about JD-S Legislature Party leader Suresh Babu writing to Congress MLAs, Shivakumar said: “Suresh Babu should first fix his own party. Let him plug the leaks in his own fence. Let him sort out issues related to MLAs like G.T. Devegowda before commenting on others.”On the BJP comparing Indira Gandhi to Hitler and the FIR filed in this regard, Shivakumar said: “There are serious issues within the BJP. After the Emergency, it was under Indira Gandhi’s leadership that the people brought the Congress party back to power. Even in 1980, Indira Gandhi led the country. At that time, neither the Janata Party nor any other group could form a stable government. Indira Gandhi sacrificed her life for the country. Now, the BJP is raising these issues just for propaganda.””Fifty years have passed since the Emergency. That chapter is closed. Since then, under Congress’s rule, the country has stood strong. We agree with the statement of our leader, Mallikarjun Kharge, about the current condition of the country under BJP rule. Ask BJP MPs privately — they will tell you what kind of situation the country is in today,” he said.–IANSmka/vd