Will resign if Yogi govt prove that Congress arranged Govt buses for migrants: Rajasthan Minister Pratap Singh

20:57 May 20

Cong-arranged buses for migrants return back from Rajasthan-UP border

19:29 May 20

Will resign if Yogi govt prove that Congress arranged Govt buses for migrants: Rajasthan Minister Pratap Singh

Will resign if Yogi govt prove that Congress arranged Govt buses for migrants: Rajasthan Minister Pratap Singh

Rajasthan Transport Minister Pratap Singh on Wednesday said, "I will resign if Yogi govt prove that Congress arranged government buses for migrants. Central govt has clearly stated that no fitness certificate document will be required till June 30 but still Yogi govt asked for it. Case must be registered against Yogi govt".

19:14 May 20

You have to be serious to help stranded migrants: Robert Vadra on bus row

You have to be serious to help stranded migrants: Robert Vadra on bus row

New Delhi: Robert Vadra, husband of Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on Wednesday slammed the Uttar Pradesh government for demanding fitness certificate of the buses rather than helping the stranded people, who wish to return to their homes.

"We are worried about the fitness certificate of the buses but are not worried about getting the COVID-19 tests of people done, who are waiting for buses to reach their homes. Is the testing of the buses for pollution levels more important? You have to help these people. We will give you all the pollution certificates later but at first, let these buses help the migrant people reach their villages," Vadra told mediapersons. 

He said that people are walking beside the buses parked near the border of Uttar Pradesh as they can't use them because of the State Chief Minister's political reasons.

"I believe that the people who are speaking against the help that is being provided is because they have not come out and actually seen the people on roads," Vadra told reporters while he was distributing food and water to migrants in Delhi as part of his campaign - 'Ishwar Se Prarthana Hai Ki Aap Surakshit Apne Manzil Par Pahuncha.'

Requesting the Yogi Adityanath-led government not to do politics on migrant issues, Robert Vadra said: "I plead with folded hands that they must let the buses have the people, who are suffering; who are walking alongside the buses and let them get to their villages."

It is worth mentioning that Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi has arranged a number buses for migrant workers to help them reach their destinations amid lockdown but the UP government denied permission due to lack of fitness certificate of these buses.(ANI)

18:21 May 20

BJP exploiting migrant workers' eagerness to reach home: Akhilesh

BJP exploiting migrant workers' eagerness to reach home: Akhilesh

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged on Wednesday that the BJP is exploiting the eagerness of migrant labourers to reach home to serve its "political self-interest".

"The tales of migrant labourers struggling to reach home are saddening. They are getting killed in accidents daily. But the unconcerned BJP has no care for human values. It is exploiting their eagerness to reach home for its political self-interest," he said in a statement issued here. 

"When 50,000 government, private and school buses are standing, why are those not being utilised to send the migrants back home?" Yadav asked.
        

Without taking the name of any party, he said, "Those who are extending a helping hand are being meted out inhuman treatment, which has become routine behaviour of the BJP."

18:11 May 20

UP Congress chief arrested again after getting bail in Agra

UP Congress chief arrested again after getting bail in Agra

Congress' UP President Ajay Kumar Lallu was granted interim bail by a local court in Agra on Wednesday. He was asked to furnish a personal bond of Rs 20,000 for his release.

Minutes after his release, Lallu was again arrested by a team of Lucknow police that had reached Agra earlier in the day.

Congress media coordinator Lalan Kumar confirmed that Lallu had been rearrested and was being brought to Lucknow.

Lallu was booked in a case of fraud and forgery by the Lucknow police on Tuesday night for allegedly submitting wrong details of 1,000 buses sought by the state government.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's personal secretary Sandeep Singh is also named in the same FIR.

Lallu was earlier arrested in Agra on Tuesday evening when he staged a dharna in Agra in protest against the district administration's refusal to allow buses arranged by the Congress to enter the district for want of requisite permission.

Congress workers in Agra and Lucknow, meanwhile, staged a protest to protest against the UPCC President's arrest and the refusal of the state government to allow their buses to bring migrants.

17:52 May 20

Migrants should be provided with medical facilities, instructs CM Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday instructed the officials to make food and other necesssary requirements available for migrants.  

"Every migrant should be provided with medical facilities and we will ensure that they return to their respective states in a dignified manner", he added.  

17:23 May 20

Cong-arranged buses for migrants return back from Rajasthan-UP border

Jaipur(Rajasthan):Buses arranged by the Congress for the migrant workers started turning back from the Rajasthan-Uttar Pradesh border on Wednesday, a police official said.
"The buses are returning now after the Uttar Pradesh government denied entry," said Sarvan Pathak, the incharge of the Chiksana police station in Bharatpur. "There are nearly 400 buses."
The buses were arranged by the Congress for the migrant labourers wanting to return to Uttar Pradesh, but the state government denied permission for the vehicles to enter.

 

17:05 May 20

Congress President Ajay Kumar Lallu presented in Agra's Civil court

Congress President Ajay Kumar Lallu was presented in Agra's Civil Court in a bench headed by Anukreethi Sant. Lallu was arrested on Tuesday by UP cops under various sections of IPC and Epidemics Act. He was arrested after he sat on a dharna for grant of permission to the buses arranged by the party to enter the state

16:22 May 20

We were not provided with sufficient documents of deployed buses: Kiravali SDM Nandkishore

Kiravali SDM Nandkishore said, "We waited for three days but we did not receive required documents of the buses from Bharatpur district administration. Even today, we were not provided with documents, hence we cannot issue e-passes for inter-state transport. However, we are in talking terms with the officials".

15:45 May 20

Use BJP flags and posters if you want to but allow buses to enter, appeals Priyanka Gandhi

Congress Secretary Priyanka Gandhi said,"If you want to use it, do it. Give us permission. If you want to use BJP party flags and stickers on buses then do it. If you want to say that you made those buses available, do it. 

"We'll have to understand our responsibilities. They (migrant labourers walking to return to their native states)aren't just Indians but India's spinal cord. The country runs on their blood and sweat. It's everyone's responsibility. It's not the time for politics", said  Congress Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday. 

"If UP government is claiming that there is a fault in the details of these buses, we are ready to give refresh list",she adds further. 

"At 4:00 p.m,  these buses will complete 24 hours while standing at the Rajasthan-UP border. Even if Yogi Adityanath government wants to use these buses with their own banners, they can. But please use them to help migrant workers", she added. 

She said, "And if the state government doesn't need these buses, then we are ready to send them back. But Congress party will continue with it's efforts to help these migrant labourers as much as possible".

15:13 May 20

BJP govt is not bothered about migrant workers, says Congress spokesperson Uma Shankar Pandey

Congress spokesperson Uma Shankar Pandey alleged that BJP-led government is not worried about the plight of the distressed and exhausted workers.  

"Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu was arrested after he sat on a dharna for grant of permission to the buses arranged by the party to enter the state", he added.  

14:31 May 20

Will provide employment to migrant workers in Rajasthan, says Deputy CM Sachin Pilot

Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot said that state govt will provide employment opportunities for migrant workers.

"Rajasthan is the first state where job opportunities are provided under MNREGA scheme to migrants. Number of workers enrolled under the scheme has increased rapidly. We will also make provisions for job cards", he adde

14:20 May 20

Only buses deployed at Agra-UP border, says bus driver stuck at border

In a video released by Congress, one of the bus drivers stuck at Agra-UP border can be heard saying that only buses have been deployed to ferry the migrants and there are no autos and other vehicles.

"Govt indulges in political gimmicks at the time of elections or party rallies to gain votes", he added further. 

14:04 May 20

AICC Secretary Rohit Chowdhary urge UP govt to help migrant workers

In a self-shot video, AICC Secretary Rohit Chowdhary has urged Uttar Pradesh to use the deployed migrant buses by the Congress party.  

In the video Chowdhary can be seen saying,"Congress govt has spend around four crores eighty lakh rupees for the buses. I request BJP and Yogi-led govt to use these buses lined at the border to help the migrant workers".

13:47 May 20

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi

"It's still not late": Congress urges UP Govt to allow buses to ferry migrant workers 
 

Alleging Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh Government of playing 'cheap and petty politics', Congress party, on Wednesday, urged the Chief Minister to allow those buses which are standing at Rajasthan-UP border, waiting for permission to get entry into the state for ferrying stranded migrant labourers to their home towns. 

"It is still not late and I beseech with folded hands, like Priyanka Gandhi said, if you're so concerned about politics, please put your name or party banner but at least use the help we are providing," said Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, while addressing a press conference. 

The row between the two sides errupted when more than 500 buses, arranged by Congress party from Rajsthan to ferry migrant labouers, were stopped at the UP border by the authorities on ground, saying that they haven't received any information from the officials to allow those buses entering the state.

Singhvi said, "It is inexplicable. If it was not tragic for humanity, it would be comic. How is is that the Ajay Bisht government can prevent Congress from helping a mass of migrant workers who are walking hundreds of miles in this sweltering month of May?"

He also informed that the Congress workers will wait till 4 pm at the border and said that the party leader, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will put her whole efforts to the cause to ensure that these migrant labourers can reach their homes as soon as possible.

Singhvi alleged that UP government is "scared" of the fact that Congress has arranged these many buses to help the migrant labourers. "BJP is acting as though there is no place of cooperative federalism in Indian democracy. The British Raj gave us a pernicious form of bureaucracy and now this government is taking it forward. BJP want use Permit Raj to let migrant labourers die instead of doing anything or allowing political opponents to provide relief," he added.

 

 

13:44 May 20

Yogi govt opposing Priyanka Gandhi because she wants to help migrant labourers: Ahmed Patel

Yogi govt opposing Priyanka Gandhi because she wants to help migrant labourers: Ahmed Patel

Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Ahmed Patel on Wednesday said that the Uttar Pradesh Government and state administration were opposing party leader Priyanak Gandhi Vadra just because she wants to help migrant workers. 

"Uttar Pradesh Government, its administration and some media channels are opposing Priyanka Gandhi and UP Congress leaders because they want to help the troubled and helpless migrant workers," Patel tweeted in Hindi. 
 

13:31 May 20

Congress has rights to file case against UP govt officials, says party leader Dr. Subash Garg

In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Rajasthan MOs for Health Dr. Subash Garg said, "Party has full rights to file a case against UP officials for not allowing the movement of buses deployed for migrants. Earlier they granted permission for buses and we provided food, water and other necessary facilities to the drivers. But after they denied, we had to face lot of problems".

13:11 May 20

Around 460 buses provided by Congress unfit for travel, says UP Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma on Wednesday accused the Congress of playing politics at a time of intense crisis, saying this has never been done before by a major political party.
         

"There are no buses of the Congress party. These buses belong to the Rajasthan government. When the list of buses submitted by the Congress was analysed, it was found that around 460 vehicles are fake. Doing politics in times of such an intense crisis was never ever done by a major political party before," he told reporters here.
The deputy CM claimed nearly 300 vehicles mentioned in the list were unfit to ply on roads.
         

"First they gave a list, then in the list there were buses of a state government, and of those, around 460 were found to be fake. Around 297 buses are virtually junk and unfit to ply on roads, he said.
         

"Should we ply the unfit buses and put the lives of the migrant labourers at risk? There are 98 three-wheelers, cars and ambulances in the list. Around 68 vehicles in the list do not have proper papers," Sharma added.
         

He also asked how the resources of a state government could be utilised by a political party.
         

"Can any political party use the buses of the Rajasthan State Roadways Transport Corporation as its own? How can the resources of a state government be utilised by a political party? On what basis are these buses being run," the DY CM asked.
         

"Here, I want to ask them why Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot did not feel sad when our children were crying in Kota (the coaching hub) as they were not getting food, water and treatment? Where had his buses gone then," Sharma said.
         

At that time, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued orders to run over 600 buses to bring back the students to UP and send them to their homes, and Gehlot was compelled to praise the UP CM, Sharma said.
         

He said the action of the Congress was a political stunt aimed at deriving some mileage.
         

"If it (Congress) wants to help the migrant labourers of UP in other states, then they should send buses to Rajasthan, Punjab and Maharashtra, as people are being exploited. Why did it not send buses to Punjab and Maharashtra," he asked.
         

The deputy chief minister said around 1,000 trains were made available to UP at the request of the chief minister, and more than 10 lakh migrant labourers have been brought back to the state by trains. Around 6.50 lakh migrants came in buses, he said, adding that over 27,000 buses had been pressed into action by the state government.
         

"The Congress has duped the migrant labourers and kept the UP government in the dark. It should tender an apology for providing a wrong list of buses and wasting the time of the government. They also conspired to put the lives of the migrant labourers at risk and hence, tender an apology to the labourers. Are these Transport Department buses the private property of the Congress party? The resources of a state government cannot be used for a political party," Sharma said. (PTI COPY)

12:55 May 20

Uttar Pradesh govt can use 879 buses for migrant workers, says Priyanka Gandhi

Congress General Secreatary said that Uttar Pradesh govt can use around 879 buses deployed for migrant workers. She said that deployed buses for migrants will be lined up at UP-Agra border and Noida on May 20 at 4pm.  

It is to be noted that there has been a heated debate in Uttar Pradesh over the issue of migrant buses. Political sources revealed that Congress leaders may stage a protest after UP Congress Committee President Ajay Kumar Lallu will be granted bail.

12:37 May 20

Congress MLA slams party for not arranging buses for Kota students

Cong playing cheap politics, wasting time of govt by providing bogus list of buses for migrants workers: Aditi Singh

Raebareli(Uttar Pradesh): Rebel Congress MLA from Raebareli Aditi Singh on Wednesday lashed out at her own party for playing 'cheap politics' over the issue of arranging 1,000 buses by general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to ferry stranded migrant labourers to their homes amid Covid-19 lockdown.

"When the Uttar Pradesh government looked into the list of buses provided by Congress, it turned out that many vehicles are autorickshaws, two-wheelers and three-wheelers. Congress is wasting the time of government officials by providing bogus list and creating political pressure," Singh told mediapersons.

"When thousands of UP children were stranded in Kota, where were these so-called buses? At that time, the Congress government could not even leave these children till the border. Then Yogi Aditynath rescued them overnight by buses and took them to their  houses safely. Even Rajasthan Chief Minister had praised the effort,"she tweeted.  
 

12:16 May 20

Complaint filed against Pankaj Punia for making indecent remarks on CM Yogi

An FIR has been registered against Congress leader Pankaj Punia for deregatory remarks against CM Yogi. 

Various Congress leaders,District President under various sections of IPC and Pandemic Act at Gautam Buddha Nagar station. According to reports, two buses have also been seized by the RTO officials.

It is to be noted that more than 50 Congress leaders were present at Noida-Express Highway along with the buses for sending the migrant workers back home on Tuesday night 

11:49 May 20

Cops deny permission to migrant workers at Delhi border

Hundreds of migrant workers,  who were trying to cross Jamuna Bridge near Delhi border to return to their native places were stopped by the cops on Wednesday. Migrants claimed that during the corona-induced lockdown they are left with no food and money and they have urged the govt to provide them with food and water.  

While talking to ETV Bharat, Sambhu said, "We were stuck during the lockdown and now we don't have anything to eat. How are we going to survive in this hour of crisis?"

11:35 May 20

Mayawati slams BJP and Congress for doing petty politics over migrants

Taking it to Twitter, BSP leader Mayawati said, "Both BJP and Congress are doing petty politics over migrant workers which is really disheartening. Isn't there a possibility that both the parties are indulged in political gimmicks?"

11:17 May 20

J&K govt to arrange buses for their stranded students in UP

In a recent development of politics over migrant labourers, J&K administration has decided to send buses for their stranded students stuck in UP. While talking to ETV Bharat, ADM Vaibhav Mishra said, "As of now, buses will not go from UP to J&K. The state has decided to arrange own buses for their students. Discussions are underway as to when buses will leave for Lucknow from J&K".  

10:55 May 20

UP Cong chief Ajay Kumar Lallu arrested after dharna over buses for migrant workers

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu was arrested here after he sat on a dharna for grant of permission to the buses arranged by the party to enter the state, police said on Wednesday. Senior party leaders Pradeep Mathur, Vivek Bansal and Manoj Dixit were also arrested, they said.

"A case has been registered against Ajay Kumar Lallu under various sections of the IPC and the Epidemic Act at the Fatehpur Sikri police station. Lallu was arrested on Tuesday evening, and he along with other Congress leaders were put in the Police Lines," Senior Superintendent of Police, Agra, Babloo Kumar said.
 

On Tuesday, Lallu and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's secretary were booked by the police after the state government said a list of 1,000 buses submitted by the party to ferry migrant workers contained registration numbers of auto rickshaws, cars and trucks.

 

08:04 May 20

We will remain with buses till 4 pm on May 20: Priyanka's aide writes to UP CM

Sandeep Singh's letter

Sandeep Singh, the personal aide of Priyanka Gandhi, has written another letter stating that the buses which are stranded at various entry points will wait for Uttar Pradesh government's nod till 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

"We're at Noida and Ghaziabad border along with the buses since the morning of May 19 and have not received any response from you. We'll remain here till 4 pm on 20th May".

08:02 May 20

Buses for migrants moved to Noida by Congress stopped

The Congress party has managed to move the buses arranged to transport the migrants to Noida. The police, however, stopped the buses in Sector 39 area of Noida and did not allow their movement.

Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) office bearer and former MLA of Shamli, Pankaj Malik said, "Our leader Priyanka Gandhi has promised to provide 1,000 buses and we are ready at various entry points in the state, but the BJP is doing politics. This is high time to help the migrants."

07:48 May 20

FIR lodged against UP Cong chief, former Agra MLA at Fatehpur Sikri police station

An FIR has been registered at Fatehpur Sikri police station in Uttar Pradesh against Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Kumar Lallu and former Agra MLA Vivek Bansal for leading a protest on movement of buses. 

07:40 May 20

We will remain at Agra border with buses till 4 pm on May 20: Congress to UP govt

The Congress party has asserted that its members along with the fleet of buses will remain put at the Uttar Pradesh border till 4 pm on Wednesday waiting for the Yogi Adityanath-led state government’s nod on further movement.

“We are at Uttar Pradesh border along with buses since the morning of May 19 and have not received any response from you. When we tried to move towards Noida and Ghaziabad then Uttar Pradesh Police stopped us at Agra border. We will remain here till 4 pm on May 20, “ Sandeep Singh, Personal Secretary to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday wrote to UP Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi. 

07:27 May 20

Will resign if Yogi govt prove that Congress arranged Govt buses for migrants: Rajasthan Minister Pratap Singh

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh): Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Kumar Lallu and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's secretary were booked by police Tuesday after the state government said a list of 1,000 buses on which the party planned to ferry migrant workers contained registration numbers of autorickshaws, cars and trucks.

Also, records showed that many of the buses in the list did not have valid fitness certificates or insurance papers, the BJP government said, accusing the opposition party of playing with the lives of workers.

The FIR against Lallu and Sandeep Singh, who is Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's personal secretary, capped a day during which the party traded charges with the Yogi Adityanath government and held a protest at the Rajasthan-UP border.

The FIR charged Lallu, Singh and others under Indian Penal Code sections related to cheating and forging documents.

The Congress rejected the UP government claim on its list containing the numbers of other vehicles, challenging it to conduct a physical verification of the buses.

Later, a state government spokesman said about 100 vehicles on the Congress list were not buses.

Of the buses, 297 lacked either a fitness certificate or valid insurance papers. As the war of words escalated, UP Congress Chief Ajay Kumar Lallu and other party workers reached the Agra border, where they argued with policemen and staged a dharna.

Lallu was seen being carried away from the protest site to a car, with four policemen holding his arms and legs. A UP Congress spokesperson said he was taken to a police station in Agra.

According to the Congress, most of its buses are massed at the Rajasthan-Uttar Pradesh border, awaiting permission to cross over into the state's Agra district.

In a tweet in the evening, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi urged that the state government should at least let the buses found fit by it to enter the state. She said there were 879 such buses.

UP government has crossed the limit, she said, accusing it of creating hurdles in an effort to help migrant workers stranded due to the coronavirus lockdown.

She said if the Yogi Adityanath government wishes the Congress can put BJP banners on the buses, but they should be allowed to run.

Former Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also threatened to sue the UP government for defamation.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad accused the Congress of running a bus scam .

"The Congress has got trapped in its own net of deceit, he tweeted in Hindi.

The row erupted on May 16 when Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra offered to provide 1,000 buses for migrant workers heading for their homes in Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress initially claimed that the state government was ignoring the offer with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath refusing even to give an appointment to a party delegation.

Even while accusing the Congress of playing politics over the plight of migrant workers, the UP government on Monday formally accepted the offer. It asked the Congress to submit a list of the buses and their drivers and conductors.

In an email received by Priyanka Gandhi's private secretary Sandeep Singh at 11.40 pm Monday, the Uttar Pradesh government asked the Congress to send the buses to Lucknow by 10 am on Tuesday.

The aide wrote back to the UP government, saying that sending empty buses to Lucknow was inhuman and the product of an anti-poor mindset when thousands of workers are gathered at UP's borders.

UP's Additional Chief Secretary (Home & Information) Awanish Awasthi responded by agreeing to take charge of the buses at the Delhi-UP border itself.

He suggested that 500 buses should be stationed at the Kaushambi and Sahibabad bus stands in Ghaziabad, just across the border from Delhi. The remaining 500 should be sent to Noida.

Awasthi said directions have been issued to the Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar district magistrates to make use of the buses immediately after checking the permits, fitness certificates, insurance and driving licences of the crew.

But the row reignited hours later when the UP government said the list also contained registration number of vehicles other than buses.

"In the list of buses provided by the Congress, there are motorcycles, three-wheelers, an ambulance and private cars, said Mrityunjay Kumar, media advisor to the chief minister.

UP Congress spokesperson Ashok Singh challenged the claim.

"There are 1,000 buses. If the UP government has any doubts about them, they can conduct a physical verification of the vehicles at the state's border," he said.

In another letter, Priyanka Gandhi's private secretary Sandeep Singh said the buses cannot be brought to Noida and Ghaziabad as the government has not given permission for them to enter Uttar Pradesh from Rajasthan.

Later, Singh wrote yet another letter to Awasthi in which he said, "We want to inform you that we will stay put with our buses till 4 pm on Wednesday."

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya compared the episode to scams during the Congress terms at the Centre.

The Congress is making fun of labourers by providing details of autorickshaws and motorcycles in the name of buses. Misleading people by telling lies is in the DNA of the Congress party," he tweeted in Hindi.

Another deputy CM, Dinesh Sharma, accused Congress of using migrant workers as pawns .

He asked why the Congress couldn't send the buses through the government in Rajasthan, where it is in power.