Naseem Khan quits as Cong’s star campaigner
Rana rides pillion with spouse to vote, forgets helmet
While the Congress recently heaved a sigh of relief after resolving the tug of war regarding the Sangli and Bhiwandi seats with its allies, it now finds itself grappling with yet another discontented leader. Naseem Khan, four-time MLA and five-time minister, resigned from the post of star campaigner after the party fielded Varsha Gaikwad from Mumbai north central.
“The Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress-NCP (SP)- Uddhav Sena combine) has declared candidates in almost all the seats, but none of the candidates is a Muslim. There is severe disappointment within the minority community, select Congress leaders and workers,” said an irked Khan. He claimed that the grand old party had promised him to give a ticket to Khan from Mumbai north central seat. He had also started preparations accordingly, but suddenly Gaikwad was given ticket.
Stepping down as star campaigner, Khan said he will not canvass for the Congress in the upcoming third, fourth and fifth phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. “I had always stood with the party during tough times and performed my duty. I have completed the responsibility to campaign in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Karnataka, Telangana, Goa and Maharashtra. The Congress has not given a single seat to the minorities. If voters ask me about it, what answer should I give to them? Therefore, I have decided to resign from the post of star campaigner,” said Khan. There are 6.5 lakh people from the minority community and two lakh Hindispeaking population in the Mumbai north central.
According to sources, state Congress leaders have sent proposals to the central committee, seeking action against Vishal Patil, who is contesting as an Independent from the Sangli seat. He was earlier thought to be given a Congress ticket, but the party relented as Uddhav Sena was not ready to leave the claim over the seat. It remains to be seen whether the whip will also be cracked on Khan.
Amravati:
Actress-turnedpolitician BJP candidate for Amravati (SC) Lok Sabha constituency, Navneet Rana knows how to grab eyeballs, not just inside dark cinemas but also in broad daylight.
As the much-awaited polling day dawned on Friday, Rana, 38 - sporting a dazzling golden-orange sari with small designs - decided to do something different while stepping out to vote on Friday morning.
In the 39 degrees Celsius fiery heat, she discarded her cool comfy car and hopped onto her independent MLA husband Ravi Rana's Bullet motorcycle as a pillion rider to cast her vote, but minus the protective helmets. Her retinue of supporters and excited media crews followed suit on their own motorcycles, and she indulged in some straight talk, unmindful of the blazing sun.