Another caste-based party has taken birth in caste-ridden UP. This time it is the Vaishyas — the trader community — that has floated a political outfit called Rashtriya Vyaparik party (RVP). Interestingly, the Rashtriya Vyaparik Party was born at a function in the presence of union minister Shri Prakash Jaiswal who not only supported the initiative but said that the demands of his community were justified.
Talking to reporters, the newly nominated president of RVP, Dr Sumant Gupta said, “For several decades, various political parties have treated the Vaishya community as a vote bank. We have supported all parties with our votes and notes too but no one has bothered to pay any heed to our demands. From now on, we will flex out own muscles and create our own political identity.”
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UP mantri expelled,arrested
Age Correspondent
Lucknow
March 28: Vinod Tejiyan, who held the rank of a minister of state, was expelled from the BSP on Monday and then arrested for disrupting rail traffic during an agitation in Saharanpur.
Mr Tejiyan reportedly took out a procession under the banner of Dalit Aarakshan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, demanding reservation for dalits in government jobs. “Tejiyan has been arrested in Saharanpur, expelled from the party and his minister of state status stands withdrawn,” UP cabinet secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh told reporters here.
The protesters allegedly indulged in brick-batting, the officials said. The Railway Protection Force has lodged an FIR against 500 people, including Mr Tejiyan in this connection.
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Close shave for 2 K’taka ministers
Bellary (Karnataka), March 28: Karnataka tourism minister and mining magnate G. Janardhana Reddy and health minister B. Sreeramulu had a close shave on Monday when the private chartered aircraft by which they were flying suffered a tyre burst at Hyderabad airport. Both the ministers, accompanied by some officials, had left here for Hyderabad enroute to Delhi this morning and had a brief stop over for refuelling at Hyderabad airport, sources close to them said.
However, one of the tyres of the aircraft burst during take-off, following which all those on-board were evacuated safely, the sources said. —PTI
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Jaitley: Pak must stop terrorism
age correspondent
Guwahati
March 28: The BJP leader Arun Jaitley here on Monday said that cricket diplomacy will certainly promote sports in this subcontinent but will not help in improving Indo-Pak relations until Pakistan stops encouraging terrorists against India.
Mr Jaitley told reporters, “The cricket match will only improve sports and cricket.” He added, “But when terrorism is stopped (from Pakistan), all other ties will also improve.” He is currently touring Assam to campaign for the BJP.
for next month’s assembly elections.