Tag: MLAs

Cong finalises around 100 candidates for Karnataka, some MLAs to be dropped

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New Delhi: The Congress has finalised about 100 candidates for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections where it has decided to go solo.
The party’s Central Election Committee met on Friday evening and deliberated on each seat. The list is likely to come out soon.
Congress’ state chief D.K. Shivakumar said that the the party will not go in any alliance in the state.
Sources said that some sitting MLAs may not get ticket.
The Congress currently has 68 MLAs in the 224-member house and the state screening committee already prepared a list comprising names for most of the constituencies.
The committee has recommended single names for more than 100 constituencies and two or three names for other constituencies.
State leaders have urged the party should also give proper representation to sub-castes of SCs/STs and Other Backward Class.
The Congress has received more than 1,300 applications for the 224 seats and Shivakumar said that “the people of the state have made their mind for change as they are fed up of corruption of the BJP government”.

Congress in Karnataka is strategising to field a formidable candidate against Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in Shiggaon constituency to ensure his defeat, sources said
The party will soon take a call on fielding former minister Vinay Kulkarni against Bommai. The calculation is that Kulkarni belongs to Panchamasali sub caste of Lingayat community while Bommai belongs to Sadar sub-caste.
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#Cong #finalises #candidates #Karnataka #MLAs #dropped
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 17, 2023
SC asks Telangana police not to continue probe into BRS MLAs poaching case

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Telangana police not to continue its investigation into the alleged criminal conspiracy behind an attempt to poach BRS MLAs allegedly by the BJP.
The development comes after the apex court, earlier this week, asked the CBI to not begin its probe in accordance with the Telangana High Court direction.
Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, representing the Telangana Police, contended before a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and M.M. Sundresh that on the last date of hearing on March 13, the matter was mentioned for hearing as no formal notice was issued. The apex court said the Telangana Police can’t continue with its probe, while issuing notice to the central agency, the BJP and others.
On March 13, the Supreme Court said the CBI should put on hold its investigation into alleged criminal conspiracy behind an attempt to poach BRS MLAs allegedly by the BJP, while hearing an appeal filed by the Telangana Police against the high court order in the matter.
The top court orally observed that the CBI should not proceed with the matter, while listing the matter for further hearing in July.
Dave had vehemently opposed transfer of probe to the CBI. The top court was informed that the case materials have not been handed over to the central agency so far. The bench said it is making it very clear that the CBI probe should not be continued while the matter is sub-judice.
Earlier, Dave had argued that the consequences of transferring the case to the CBI, which was allegedly under Centre’s control, would be serious. He had submitted that it would go to the heart of democracy.
A division bench of the Telangana High Court on February 6 upheld the earlier order of a single judge on December 26, 2022 transferring the case to the CBI. The Telangana Police had moved the apex court challenging this order.

The plea argued that the high court did not appreciate that the CBI directly works under the Centre and is under the control of the office of the Prime Minister and the Home Ministry. The state government alleged the involvement of some top BJP leaders to poach its four MLAs, was an attempt to topple the government.
The plea said: “The Bharatiya Janata Party is in power in the Central government and the allegations in the FIR are squarely and directly against the said party adopting illegal and criminal steps and methods to destabilize the Government of Telangana, the Hon’ble High Court therefore could not have entrusted the investigation to CBI in any case.”
“The High Court has unnecessarily drawn conclusion that release of the CD by the Chief Minister on November 3, 2022 amounted to interference with the investigation and therefore concluded that investigation was not fair and violated the rights of accused for fair investigation.”
Three persons – Ramachandra Bharati alias Satish Sharma, Nandu Kumar and Simhayaji Swamy, named as accused – have already been granted bail.
According to the FIR, MLA Rohith Reddy alleged that the accused in October last year, offered him Rs 100 crore for leaving the BRS.
It was also alleged that they asked Reddy to bring some more BRS MLAs by offering Rs 50 crore each to join the BJP.
In November last year, the state government had formed an SIT, comprising state police officers to investigate the matter.
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#asks #Telangana #police #continue #probe #BRS #MLAs #poaching #case
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 17, 2023
Money laundering: ED says only 2.98% cases against MPs, MLAs; conviction 96%

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New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has said that only 2.98 percent of its overall ECIRs or complaints have been filed against serving or former MPs and MLAs even as its conviction rate under the anti-money laundering law is at a high of 96 per cent.
The federal probe agency has published an updated data of its action under the three laws it implements– the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA)– till January 31, 2023.
The ED was entrusted with enforcing the stringent provisions of the PMLA, enacted in 2002, from July 1, 2005. The law empowers the agency to summon, arrest, attach the assets of the accused at the investigation stage and prosecute the offenders before a court of law.
The data said the ED filed a total of 176 Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIRs), equivalent to a police FIR, against existing and ex MPs, MLAs and MLCs which comes to 2.98 percentage of the total 5,906 such complaints filed since the law came into being.
It said a total of 1,142 prosecution complaints or charge sheets have been filed by it till now under the PMLA and it arrested a total 513 people under these ECIRs and prosecution complaints.
Trial, according to the data, was completed in a total of 25 cases under the PMLA till this period, and, this resulted in conviction in 24 cases. One case resulted in acquittal.
The number of accused convicted under the anti-money laundering law in these cases stands at 45.
The percentage of conviction is as high as 96 per cent, according to the data.

These convictions led to the confiscation of assets of Rs 36.23 crore while the courts imposed a fine of Rs 4.62 crore against the convicts.
The opposition parties have often criticised the ED for choosing to act against politicians from their ranks and have said that the agency has a dismal conviction rate.
The data also said that only in 8.99 per cent or in 531 cases out of the total 5,906 ECIRs filed, a search or raid was conducted by the agency sleuths. The number of search warrants issued in these 531 cases is 4,954.
According to the data, a total of 1,919 provisional attachment orders were issued by the agency under the anti-money laundering law, under which assets to the tune of total Rs 1,15,350 crore were attached.
The agency has been investigating some high-profile people, including sitting chief ministers, top politicians, bureaucrats, business groups, corporates, foreign nationals and others, under the anti-money laundering law.
The Adjudicating Authority of the PMLA confirmed 1,632 such attachment orders (holding assets worth Rs 71,290 crore) while 260 (with assets under attachment worth Rs 40,904 crore) were pending for confirmation.
Talking about its FEMA action, the ED said it launched a total of 33,988 cases under this civil law till January end this year, and probe was disposed in 16,148 cases. A total of 8,440 show cause notices (after completion of investigation) were issued under the FEMA out of which 6,847 were adjudicated, the data said.
The FEMA was enacted in 1999 after repealing the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act(FERA) of 1973.
The agency also said it initiated FEOA proceedings against 15 people out of which nine have been declared Fugitive Economic Offenders (FEO) by the courts till now and the assets attached under this law, brought in 2018, are pegged at 862.43 crore, the data said.
The FEOA was enacted by the Narendra Modi government to cripple those who are charged with high-value economic frauds and abscond from the country to evade the law.
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#Money #laundering #cases #MPs #MLAs #conviction
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 16, 2023
MP assembly: Congress MLAs stage walkout against BBC censure motion

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Bhopal: Congress MLAs on Tuesday walked out opposing a censure motion that the Madhya Pradesh assembly passed against the BBC for allegedly showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a bad light in its documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots.
The House on Monday passed the censure motion against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) after it was introduced as a private member resolution. It came days after the Gujarat assembly passed a resolution requesting the Centre to take strict action against BBC for “tarnishing the image and popularity of PM Modi”.
As the house convened on Tuesday, Leader of Opposition Dr Govind Singh quoted news articles saying it was reported that the censure motion was approved “unanimously” by the House, though the Congress had not supported it.
It is incorrect to say that the motion was approved unanimously as it was brought during “Zero Hour’ without prior notice, Singh said. Also, the motion was not brought before the House business committee for discussion, which he said was against democratic norms.
The Opposition leader said that the Congress legislature party was opposing this censure motion.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Narottam Mishra, however, countered the charge saying most of the Congress MLAs, except for the party’s state chief Kamal Nath, were present when the motion against BBC was passed in the House. But the leader of opposition didn’t speak then, he said.
Dr Singh claimed that he had opposed the censure motion at the time but it was not recorded. Some Congress MLAs, including Sajjan Singh Verma, also started speaking about the resolution related to the BBC documentary.
With several members speaking together, the leader of the opposition announced that the Congress legislature party was staging a walkout against the motion.

As the Congress members walked out, Speaker Girish Gautam clarified that the censure motion against BBC was passed with a voice vote and not “unanimously”.
On Monday, the motion against the UK broadcaster was introduced as a private member resolution moved by ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Shailendra Jain and seconded by minister Narottam Mishra.
Before the motion was passed by voice vote, MLA Jain said the BBC had telecast an objectionable documentary by misinterpreting the 2002 Gujarat riots and portrayed then chief minister Narendra Modi in a bad light.
He said the documentary had also cast aspersions on the country’s judiciary which amounts to contempt of court and added that the judiciary works independently and freely in India.
Jain said the Central government should take action against the broadcaster.
The speaker placed the resolution to test which was passed by a voice vote.
The Gujarat assembly had on Friday passed a resolution requesting the Centre to take strict action against BBC for “tarnishing the image and popularity of PM Modi with the documentary”.
A censure motion is an expression of strong disapproval. In Parliamentary procedure, it is a debatable main motion that could be adopted by a majority vote.
The MP assembly has 230 members 96 from the Congress and 127 from BJP besides four independents, two of BSP and one SP.
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#assembly #Congress #MLAs #stage #walkout #BBC #censure #motion
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 14, 2023
‘Should be put on hold’, SC on CBI probe into BRS MLAs poaching case

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday said the CBI should put on hold its investigation into the alleged criminal conspiracy behind an attempt to poach BRS MLAs allegedly by the BJP while hearing an appeal filed by the Telangana Police against the high court order in the matter.
A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and M.M. Sundresh orally observed that the CBI should not proceed with the matter, while listing the case for further hearing in July.
Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for the Telangana Police, vehemently opposed the transfer of probe to the CBI. The top court was informed that the case materials have not been handed over to the central agency so far. The bench said it is making it very clear that the CBI probe should not be continued while the matter is sub-judice.
Earlier, Dave had argued that the consequences of transferring the case to CBI, which was allegedly under the Centre’s control, would be serious. He had submitted that it would go to the heart of democracy.
A division bench of the Telangana High Court on February 6 upheld the earlier order of a single judge on December 26, 2022 transferring the case to the CBI. The Telangana Police had moved the apex court challenging this order.
The plea argued that the high court did not appreciate that the CBI directly works under the Centre and is under the control of the office of the Prime Minister and the Home Ministry. The state government alleged the involvement of some top BJP leaders to poach its four MLAs, was an attempt to topple the government.
The plea said: “The Bharatiya Janata Party is in power in the Central Government and the allegations in the FIR are squarely and directly against the said party adopting illegal and criminal steps and methods to destabilize the Government of Telangana, the Hon’ble High Court therefore could not have entrusted the investigation to CBI in any case.”
The plea further added, “The High Court has unnecessarily drawn the conclusion that release of the CD by the Chief Minister on 03.11.2022 amounted to interference with the investigation and therefore concluded that investigation was not fair and violated the rights of accused for fair investigation.”

Three persons Ramachandra Bharati alias Satish Sharma, Nandu Kumar and Simhayaji Swamy, named as accused have already been granted bail.
According to the FIR, MLA Rohith Reddy alleged that the accused in October last year, offered him Rs 100 crore and in return the legislator had to leave the BRS.
It was also alleged that they asked Reddy to bring some more BRS MLAs by offering Rs 50 crore each to join the BJP.
In November last year, the state government had formed an SIT, comprising state police officers to investigate the matter.
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#put #hold #CBI #probe #BRS #MLAs #poaching #case
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 13, 2023
Siddaramaiah takes dig at Modi for keeping mum on BJP MLA’s role in bribery case

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Bengaluru: Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence regarding alleged involvement of a BJP MLA in a corruption case filed by Lokayukta, senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Sunday asked him whether he has changed his ‘Na khaunga, Na khane dunga’ slogan to ‘Tum khao, mujhe bhi khilao’.
While the Hindi phrase ‘Na khaunga, na khane dunga’ translates to — would not take bribes, nor let anyone do so; ‘Tum khao, mujhe bhi khilao’ means — you take bribe and give me its share.
The former Karnataka chief minister’s dig at Modi, through a series of tweets, came on a day when the Prime Minister was visiting Mandya and Dharwad districts of the state. Assembly elections are due in the state by May.
“Mr.@narendramodi, Why are you silent despite Lokayukta exposing rampant corruption done by MLA Virupaksha (Madal Virupakshappa) & his son? Do you also have share in that corrupt money?” Siddaramaiah tweeted.
“Will a corrupt and shameless MLA of @BJP4Karnataka be able to go on a display march without the support of the supreme leader of BJP like you?, Mr. @narendramodi .Are all @BJP4India leaders shameless?” he asked, in another tweet, adding “Did you, Mr @narendramodi, change your Na Khaunga, Na Khane dunga slogan to ‘Thum Khao, Muje bhi Khilao’?”
Virupakshappa is an accused in a bribery case where his son, a government officer, was caught by the state Lokayukta police while collecting money allegedly on behalf of the legislator.
Siddaramaiah, the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, also asked the Prime Minister stating: “…Can we assume that till the share of the corrupt money reaches you, all these shameless corrupt leaders of @BJP4Karnataka will remain safe & roam scot free?”

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#Siddaramaiah #takes #dig #Modi #keeping #mum #BJP #MLAs #role #bribery #case
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 12, 2023
AAP MLAs Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj take oath as Delhi ministers

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New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj were sworn in as Ministers in the Delhi cabinet on Thursday.
The swearing-in ceremony took place in the Auditorium at Raj Niwas, Delhi.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena administered the oath to newly inducted ministers.
“In terms of the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Atishi Marlena and Saurabh Bharadwaj have been appointed as Ministers in the National Capital Territory of Delhi,” read the official statement from the General Administration Department.
This comes after President Droupadi Murmu Tuesday accepted the resignations of former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Minister Satyendar Jain, both currently lodged in Tihar jail in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.
President Murmu on Tuesday appointed Atishi and Bharadwaj as ministers in the Delhi cabinet on the advice of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, with effect from the date they are sworn in, stated Ministry of Home Affairs.
Kejriwal had forwarded the names to the Lieutenant Governor for their appointment to the Cabinet.
Atishi represents the Kalkaji constituency and has been a key member of Sisodia’s education team.

She had also contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from the East Delhi constituency and lost to BJP’s Gautam Gambhir.
Bharadwaj, the party’s national spokesperson, had served the Delhi Jal Board as its vice chairman. The legislator from Greater Kailash was also a minister during the first stint of the AAP government.
The Delhi council of ministers now has a strength of five, including CM Arvind Kejriwal, who does not hold any portfolios.
Sisodia had resigned from his all 18 posts following his arrest in the alleged excise policy scam.
After former Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain’s arrest last year, seven portfolios handled by him were shifted to Sisodia, who was looking after 18 departments when he was arrested.
He is now lodged in Tihar’s jail after Rouse Avenue Court on Monday sent him to judicial custody till March 20.
The excise policy was passed in Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Cabinet in the middle of the deadly Delta Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.
The Delhi government’s version is that the policy was formulated to ensure the generation of optimum revenue, eradicate the sale of spurious liquor or non-duty paid liquor in Delhi, besides improving user experience.
The CBI had filed a case against alleged corruption in the 2021-22 excise policy. The excise policy was subsequently withdrawn by the AAP government.
Sisodia was among 15 others booked in an FIR filed by the CBI. Excise officials, liquor company executives, dealers, some unknown public servants and private persons were booked in the case.
It was alleged that irregularities were committed including modifications in the Excise Policy and undue favours were extended to the license holders including waiver or reduction in licence fee, an extension of L-1 license without approval etc.
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#AAP #MLAs #Atishi #Saurabh #Bharadwaj #oath #Delhi #ministers
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 9, 2023
Karnataka: Rs 6 cr recovered at BJP MLA’s home after son caught taking Rs 40L bribe

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Bengaluru: After Karnataka, BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa’s son Prashanth Madal was caught taking a bribe of Rs 40 lakh on Thursday, an amount close to Rs 6 crore was recovered from the MLA’s residence on Friday.
Karnataka Special Lokayukta Court remanded the BJP MLA’s son, who was arrested for accepting a bribe of Rs 40 lakh, to 14 days of judicial custody here on Friday.
According to Lokayukta sources, Prashanth Madal has been sent to judicial custody as raids are pending. The officials will seek his custody after the completion of preliminary investigations.
Four other accused in the case have also been handed over to judicial custody. Authorities are also likely to take BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa into custody and question him, they said.
The sources confirmed that the Lokayukta authorities have found Rs 7.62 crore at Prashant and his aides’ residences.
The authorities had arrested five persons in this connection, including Prashanth. Siddesh, a relative of Prashanth, accountant Surendra, Nicolas and Gangadhar. Nicolas and Gangadhar had come to hand over the cash of Rs 40 lakh, Lokayukta sources said.
The MLA from Channagiri in the Davanagere district, is the chairman of the state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), which is known for its famous Mysore Sandal Soap.
The MLA has now stepped down from his position at KSDL.

Virupakshappa’s son Prashanth worked as the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) Chief Accountant.
After arresting Channagiri MLA K Madal Virupakshappa’s son Prashanth Madal, a chief accountant in BWSSB have conducted raids on his residence in Dollars Colony, the Lokayukta police seized around Rs 6 crore in cash from his residence.pic.twitter.com/CX6pW1qgGQ
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) March 3, 2023
The raids have also been conducted on the residence and office of BJP MLA from Channagiri constituency Madal Virupakshappa at K.M.V. Mansion in Sanjaynagar locality of Bengaluru. The authorities have seized documents and other evidence from the residences. The raid is still on.
The development is seen as a serious setback to the ruling BJP. The incident has come to light at a time when the opposition is launching attacks of 40 percent commission and kickbacks in government tenders. Congress has stated that the raids proved their allegations of corruption and commission charges.
Prashanth had demanded Rs 80 lakh bribe for a tender process and was caught while accepting Rs 40 lakh at his office.
The complaint was filed regarding the allotment of tender for providing raw materials to the KSDL. Prashath’s father Madal Virupakshappa is the Chairman of KSDL.
The authorities are preparing to question BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa as the bribe money has been received on behalf of Chairman of KSDL for raw material procurement tender.
The Lokayukta has lodged a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and taken up the investigation.
Sources explained that Prashanth was an accused in a Rs 55 crore misappropriation case in Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KIRDL).
Prashanth and two others were suspended by the government and the case was handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The case in this regard was lodged at Surathkal police station.
(The story has been edited with inputs form IANS)

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#Karnataka #recovered #BJP #MLAs #home #son #caught #40L #bribe
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 3, 2023
Congress MLAs in Haryana marches to Assembly over old pension scheme

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Chandigarh: Congress MLAs in Haryana on Tuesday marched to the Vidhan Sabha under the leadership of former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda to support the demand of government employees for restoration of old pension scheme (OPS).
The MLAs also raised issues concerning the public and highlighted the ‘failures’ of the BJP-JJP government in the state.
The party’s state unit chief Chaudhary Udaibhan specially joined the march.
“Unemployment, corruption, crime, inflation and atrocities are at their peak in the state. The government uses lathi-charge on the people raising their demands in a democratic way,” Hooda said.
“This government lathi-charged first the farmers, then the youth, then the employees and then elected representatives of the panchayats. The Congress is committed to raise its voice against such undemocratic actions of the state government, both on the streets and in the House,” he added.
Hooda said today Haryana is facing maximum unemployment in the country.
“About two lakh posts are lying vacant in government departments. Amid all scams and paper leaks, even in the isolated recruitments, people from other states are being selected instead of those from Haryana,” he said.
Citing the example of the latest recruitment of technical lecturers, Hooda said out of 157 general category candidates, about 100 from other states were selected.

“While all state governments give priority to the natives in recruitments, the BJP-JJP government in Haryana is sometimes giving preference to people from other states. In such a situation, where would the youth of Haryana go,” Hooda asked.
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#Congress #MLAs #Haryana #marches #Assembly #pension #scheme
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 21, 2023
MLA’s son attacks Sonu Nigam during concert: Fans outraged as video surfaces

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A shocking incident occurred during a recent musical concert in Mumbai’s Chembur area, as famous singer Sonu Nigam was attacked by the son of an MLA. A video of the incident has since surfaced online, causing widespread outrage among fans of the acclaimed artist.
The incident took place while Nigam was performing on stage, with the MLA’s son allegedly hurling abuses and attacking the singer with his hands. The video shows Nigam being pulled down from the stage and pushed around by the assailant, who is seen trying to punch him.
#Breaking
Singer Sonu Nigam who raised his voice about Azan Loudspeakers attacked by Janab Uddhav Thackeray MLA Prakash Phaterpekar and his goons in music event at Chembur. Sonu has been taken to the hospital nearby. pic.twitter.com/32eIPQtdyM
— Sameet Thakkar (@thakkar_sameet) February 20, 2023
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of artists performing in public, as such incidents are becoming increasingly common in India. Fans of Nigam have expressed their support and solidarity with the singer, condemning the MLA’s son’s actions and calling for strict action to be taken against him.
Nigam himself has not yet commented on the incident, but it is hoped that he will soon be able to address the matter and provide his side of the story. The incident has sparked a much-needed conversation about the importance of protecting artists and performers from violence and harassment.
(With inputs taken from agencies)
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#MLAs #son #attacks #Sonu #Nigam #concert #Fans #outraged #video #surfaces

( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 21, 2023