Sania condemns 'daughter-in-law of Pakistan' comment, says I am Indian and will always remain so

Sania was named the brand ambassador of the newly-created state on Tuesday, a move that triggered a political furor. The BJP started the controversy by saying that Sania does not deserve the honour as she is the "daughter-in-law of Pakistan" after her marriage to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik.

BJP Legislative Party Leader in the Telangana Assembly K Laxman alleged that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) did this to appease Minorities in view of the coming elections to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.

Asserting her Hyderabadi roots, Sania said her ancestors had contributed to the city and her marriage to Malik does not take away the fact that she remains an Indian citizen.

"I am married to Shoaib Malik, who is from Pakistan. I am an Indian, who will remain an Indian until the end of my life," the 27-year-old insisted.

"It hurts me that so much precious time of prominent politicians and the media is being wasted on a petty issue of my being appointed the Brand Ambassador of my state of Telangana. I sincerely believe that this precious time should be spent on solving the more urgent issues of our state and country," Sania said in a statement. 

"I was born in Mumbai as my mother needed to be at a specialist hospital since she was seriously unwell at the time of my birth. I came home to Hyderabad when I was 3 weeks old,” she added.

"My forefathers have lived in Hyderabad for more than a century. My grandfather, Mohammed Zaffer Mirza started his career as an Engineer in Nizam's Railways in Hyderabad in 1948 and died in his ancestral home in Hyderabad," she said.

Sania also spoke about her great grandfather Mohd Ahmed Mirza, insisting that he "was also born and raised in Hyderabad. He was the Chief Engineer, Water Works, Hyderabad and was responsible for constructing the famous Gandipet dam."

"My great, great grandfather, Aziz Mirza was the Home Secretary under the Nizam in Hyderabad and worked tirelessly for relief works during the historic Musi River floods of 1908."

Sania said it was hurtful to hear comments which sought to brand her as an outsider.

"So, my family belongs to Hyderabad for more than a century and I strongly condemn any attempts by any person, whosoever, to brand me an outsider. I hope this clears all doubts and issues," she said.

Telangana BJP leader K Laxman had flayed the TRS government's decision to appoint Sania as brand ambassador, questioning her credentials for the honour.

The tennis player had never participated in agitation for a separate state of Telangana, said Laxman who is leader of BJP in Telangana legislative assembly.

Handing over a grant of Rs 1 crore here on Tuesday, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao appointed Sania as brand ambassador of Telangana and described her as a daughter of Hyderabad.

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LS polls: Nitin Gadkari scouting for competent candidates in Delhi

The party’s brainstorming session over the announcement of probable candidates continued till late night on Tuesday. During the party’s meeting, Gadkari collected details related to all candidates including MLAs, defeated candidates, areas of their representation, information regarding district presidents and scrutinized their claim for candidature from close quarters.

Delhi Lok Sabha polls are a matter of prestige for Nitin Gadkari as he has been given the responsibility of taking care of party’s affairs in the national capital. Overall, he has not been able to deliver the party an absolute majority during the Assembly polls as well. In order to make up for this unfinished agenda, the former saffron party chief is trying out possible trick in his sleeve to ensure BJP’s victory in the national capital’s seven Lok Sabha seats.

It’s mainly due to this very reason, he wants to have a proper look into the names of candidates and gauge their winnability before sending the list to party’s parliamentary board.

Several leaders, willing to contest elections also claimed their stakes before Gadkari. Now it remains to be seen, what would be the party’s decision during its parliamentary board meeting, scheduled to be held on 13th March.

During the meet, Gadkari asked the party leaders and workers to discharge their duties in proper co-ordination with each other so that its effect can have an impact during the elections as well.

JPN/Bureau

Source: Breaking News

Poll code no barrier to give aid to affected farmers, says Gopinath Munde

“There is no need to take permission from the Election Commission to provide financial aid to the affected farmers during the code of conduct,” the Beed Lok Sabha MP said.

   

Munde was speaking at a press conference at the BJP office in Beed.

   

The state government has a right to take suo motu decision on financial assistance to the farmers, the former deputy chief minister said.

   

Due to hailstorm and unseasonal rains in the last eight days, standing crops like wheat, jowar, sunflower, pulses and vegetables suffered heavy damage in several parts of the state particularly Vidarbha and Marathwada, he said.

   

This is not a normal natural calamity. Hence, the Centre and state government should declare a special package for the affected farmers, Munde said.

   

The government officials should quickly assess the damage so that relief is promptly provided to agriculturists, who do not have any other source of income, he added.

(Agencies)

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