Several Congress leaders here reportedly cut a “tricolour” cake to celebrate the 64th birthday of AICC president Sonia Gandhi at the state party headquarters on Thursday, stirring up an unsavoury controversy. Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC) general secretary Subhash Sharma inaugurated the occasion by cutting a cake in the colours of the national flag in presence of a host of state and local leaders of the party.
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Rajasthan security for MLAs, MPs
AGE CORRESPONDENT
jaipur
Dec. 10: The state government has decided to provide security guards to all MLAs and MPs in Rajasthan. Home minister Shanti Dhariwal said the decision was taken after reviewing all aspects. “We even downsized security cover in some cases after reviewing it,” said Mr Dhariwal. The state has 200 MLAs and 35 MPs, including 10 Rajya Sabha members. Former Rajasthan director-general police Amitabh Gupta questioned the rationale behind providing security cover to all MPs and MLAs.
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Home of IAS couple is raided
AGE CORRESPONDENT
BHOPAL
Dec. 10: The Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta police raided the official residence of suspended IAS couple Arvind and Tinoo Joshi in the state capital on Friday.
The action by the Special Police Establishment of the Lokayukta comes months after the income-tax department had conducted a search and seizure operation at their residence and seized more than `3 crores in cash. Earlier this year, after the income-tax raid, both Mr Arvind Joshi and Ms Tinoo Joshi were put under suspension by the state government.
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Gadkari on Israel tour from Monday
AGE CORRESPONDENT
BHOPAL
Dec. 10: BJP chief Nitin Gadkari would be leaving for a six-day long “goodwill” visit to Israel on Monday. A delegation of party leaders which also include former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje, general secretary (organisation) Ramlal and national executive member Satpal Malik is also accompanying the BJP chief.
A statement issued by the party said BJP leaders are visiting Israel to “study various development projects in the fields of agriculture, irrigation, water management, agro-processing, alternative energy sources, nanotechnology and biotechnology etc.”