FIR against SP MP Barq’s father for threatening power dept officials in Sambhal

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Sambhal, Dec 19 (IANS) An FIR has been registered against Mamluk Ur Rahman Barq, father of Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq, at Nakhasa police station in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly threatening officials of the UP Power Department during an inspection.

The case was filed by Santosh Tripathi, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of the electricity department, under sections 352, 351(2), and 132 Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Earlier, the SP’s Sambhal MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq was booked by the Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday for alleged theft of electricity at his residence in the Deepa Sarai neighbourhood here.

Addressing the media, Krisha Kumar, SP of Sambhal said, “The incident occurred early in the morning at around 7:30 a.m. SDO Santosh Kumar Tripathi and his team were conducting an electricity equipment check in the Deepa Sarai area. During the inspection, they visited the residence of Zia Ur Rehman Barq, where he reportedly confronted Tripathi, using abusive language and interfering with official duties.”

He said, Barq allegedly threatened the officials, saying, “If the government changes, we will destroy you,” and made several other inappropriate remarks. The electricity department captured the incident on video.

After the inspection, the team completed their work and filed a written complaint at the local police station.

Earlier in the day, the UP Power Department, accompanied by heavy security, raided the residence of SP MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq in Sambhal on suspicions of electricity metre tampering. During the raid, irregularities were discovered in two electricity meters at the MP’s residence, and it was revealed that the electricity bill for the past year had recorded zero consumption, despite the presence of air conditioners, ceiling fans, and other electrical appliances.

Santosh Kumar Tripathi, a power department official, confirmed the findings but refrained from making further comments until a full investigation was completed.

Meanwhile, Barq’s legal representative, Advocate Kasim Jamal, explained that the household was equipped with air conditioners, ceiling fans, lights, and a refrigerator. Jamal said that they pay the minimum charges based on the department’s assessment and that the house is also equipped with solar panels.

He added that the MP’s family comprises only four members, as his sisters no longer reside there.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Dec 11 (IANS) The question of leadership in the INDIA bloc has sparked intense debate after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently expressed dissatisfaction with the alliance’s current leadership and her willingness to take charge.

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey on Wednesday stated that while Mamata Banerjee is a capable leader, party chief Uddhav Thackeray would be the most suitable person to lead the Opposition alliance.

“Mamata Banerjee has proven her mettle by halting PM Modi’s political surge in Bengal twice, in 2016 and 2021. She is a formidable leader who challenges PM Modi effectively,” Dubey told IANS.

However, he emphasised that Uddhav Thackeray “possesses all the qualities needed” to unify and lead the alliance.

Dubey praised Thackeray as a leader who is “calm by nature, knowledgeable, articulate, and a flag-bearer of Hindutva,” adding, “He seeks to steer the country toward development and could run the INDIA bloc better than anyone else.”

The INDIA bloc was conceptualised with Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar playing a significant role. However, Nitish Kumar’s dissatisfaction with the alliance reportedly led him to align with the BJP. Since then, Rahul Gandhi has emerged as a prominent face of the Opposition, but repeated defeats in state elections have raised questions about his leadership.

Dubey acknowledged Rahul Gandhi’s contributions, saying, “He is a capable Leader of Opposition, but the burden on him is immense. If someone else also takes on the INDIA bloc leadership, what’s wrong with that? Rahul Gandhi himself should consider sharing responsibilities to strengthen the alliance.”

Using a cricket analogy, Dubey highlighted the importance of teamwork, stating, “In a cricket team, captains change every three years, but the team wins when everyone contributes. Similarly, defeating PM Modi in 2024 requires unity and collective performance.”

While some leaders within the Opposition alliance, including RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and NCP chief Sharad Pawar, have rallied behind Mamata Banerjee as the ideal leader, Dubey expressed concerns about her potential departure from the bloc.

“If Mamata also leaves like Nitish Kumar, it will weaken the fight against Modi. We need a solution through collective dialogue,” he said.

Interestingly, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), which is not a part of the INDIA bloc, has also voiced support for Mamata.

As speculation grows about leadership, Dubey reiterated that the alliance must act decisively to counter the BJP’s preparation for the 2024 elections and beyond.

“We will have to perform well. Otherwise, we saw the 2024, 2019, and 2014 elections. Should we keep watching like that? Now, the BJP must have started preparing for 2029; it will not be sitting at home,” he added.

Backing Thackeray, he added, “Uddhav Thackeray embodies the qualities of an ideal leader — calmness, focus on development, and the ability to unify diverse factions.”

With the leadership debate intensifying, the INDIA bloc faces a crucial test in balancing ambitions and unity to present a formidable challenge to the BJP in the next general elections.

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Rahul Gandhi should learn from ex-PM Vajpayee as LoP, says MP CM

Bhopal, Dec 25 (IANS) Reacting to a series of allegations against the Congress, especially on Nehru-Gandhi family, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Tuesday that Rahul Gandhi must learn from former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the Leader of Opposition.

During a press briefing in Bhopal, CM Yadav also criticised the current leadership of Congress under Rahul Gandhi.

“Why should Amit Shah apologise when he did nothing wrong? His (Amit Shah) statement during Parliament address was misinterpreted and presented by Congress in an attempt to mislead people for vote bank,” the CM said.

Besides highlighting the historical facts (as claimed by BJP) about the bitter relationship between former PM Jawahar Lal Nehru and Ambedkar on various issues, including Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, CM Yadav criticised Congress MP and LoP in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.

Citing the example of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he said, “After Prime Minister, the LoP is the second highest post in Indian democracy. Rahul Gandhi should show some respect for his position. He should take a lesson from Atal ji, who led the Opposition (as LoP) under five Prime Ministers, and he earned respect for himself from the ruling side also.”

CM Yadav also asked: “What the Congress has done in respect of Ambedkar?”

He said the person, who defeated Ambedkar in the election, was felicitated with the highest civilian award ‘Bharat Ratna’.

“Nehru-Gandhi family insulted Ambedkar even after his death. I want to ask Ambedkar deserves Bharat Ratna or not?” he asked.

Chief Minister Yadav also said, “Congress was in power in Madhya Pradesh for several decades, but didn’t establish a monument of Ambedkar at his birthplace in Mhow.”

“Rahul Gandhi visited Mhow during his Bharat Jodo Yatra, but when any Congress top leader visited Ambedkar’s birthplace,” he asked.

On the other side, Congress leaders, including former CM and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh participated in a march carried out in respect of Ambedkar in Bhopal.

Addressing the party workers, Digvijaya Singh said, “Amit Shah’s remarks on Ambedkar were condemnable and the Opposition is demanding an apology from him. He should apologise and resign from the post on moral grounds, but he is being shielded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

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