Eight NRIs win in the Canada Elections

5/3/11 11:04 AM

 Eight NRIs register win in the just- concluded general elections in Canada. Big NRI names like Ruby Dhalla, ujjal Dosanjh and Sukh Dhaliwal lose their seats in a poll swept by Conservatives.

 Conservatives Win Majority of Canada Parliament in Elections

Conservative Party candidates in Canada won a majority of the seats in Parliament in Tuesday’s elections, with Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s party defeating Liberals and gaining 164 of 308 seats. Although Harper has opposed pro-life legislation and said his government would not push any bills limiting abortions, the results could allow pro-life backbencher MPs to obtain more support for bills that could offer some protection for unborn children.

Canadians voted on Monday in the country’s fourth general election in seven years. The election was such a strong result for Conservatives that the NDP took the Liberal Party’s historic place as official opposition — pushing aside the Liberals to a third place finish. The results were the first time in Canadian history that the Liberal party did not win the elections or place as a second highest ranking party in terms of the number of MPs elected.

Harper had been the head of minority governments after the elections of 2006 and 2008, but now his party has an absolute majority in the House of Commons. Conservatives picked up enough seats in Toronto and the suburban areas around the city while Liberals were only able to hold on to seats in Quebec majorities in the tiny provinces of Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island as well as seats in historic Liberal areas like Nova Scotia and central Toronto. Party leader Michael Ignatieff lost his Etobicoke Lakeshore seat in the Toronto suburbs.

“It’s tough to lose like this,” the Liberal leader said. “Defeat is a teacher and now we have to learn the lesson of defeat and look at ourselves in the mirror.”

New Democrats surged to second place mostly by replacing the Bloc Quebecois in a good number of seats in the French-speaking province. As a result, BQ will only have a handful of seats in the new parliament and will lose its status as a national party. NDP leader Jack Layton was exuberant about his party becoming the second place one, saying, “Spring is here, my friends, and a new chapter begins.”

As a result of the Liberal Party and BQ losses, Canada moves more towards a two-party dominated system in the American style of politics and away from the multi-party parliament that most nations in South America and Europe have.

Some analysts are seeing the results as a potential omen or predictor for the 2012 presidential election in the United States — in terms of a potential second part of the conservative backlash against pro-abortion Democratic President Barack Obama.

Before the elections, a debate over abortion started when comments Conservative MP Brad Trost made at the Saskatchewan Pro-life Association convention came to light where he suggested the federal government has decided to deny funding to the International Planned Parenthood Federation abortion business. After a lengthy debate over funding the abortion giant in the United States, the comments drew an immediate controversy in the Canadian press. Officially, the Canadian government has neither accepted nor denied a request from the abortion business for $18 million in taxpayer funding to promote and perform abortions across the globe.

Harper responded to the dust-up by saying the Conservative government will never endorse pro-life legislation as long as he is the Prime Minister.

“As long as I’m prime minister, we are not reopening the abortion debate,” he said. “The government will not bring forward any such legislation, and any such legislation that is brought forward will be defeated. This is not the priority of the Canadian people, or of this government. The priority is the economy. That’s what we’re going to focus on.”

“In our party, as in any broadly based party, there are people with a range of views on this issue,” he told reporters, and would not answer a question about his own views on abortion, saying, “My position is I’m not opening this debate. I don’t want it opened, I have not wanted it opened, I haven’t opened it as prime minister. I’m not going to open it. The public doesn’t want to open it. It’s not the priority of the Canadian public or this government, and it will not be.”

Harper voted against a modest bill in the Parliament that would have provided protection for women and unborn children who are victims of violent crimes outside the context of abortion.

The new Indo-Canadian Parliamentarians

Jinny Sims (Joginder Kaur)

Jinny Sims (Joginder Kaur) New Democratic Party (NDP): She beat sitting MP Sukh Dhaliwal in Newton-North Delta.  Jinny Sims has a long and dedicated history as a teacher, counsellor, union leader and as a strong advocate for public education. Born in India, Jinny emigrated to England when she was nine years old. She earned a Bachelor of Education at the University of Victoria in Manchester and moved to Canada in 1975. After years of teaching in the classroom and being actively involved in the BC Teachers’ Federation, she became Federation president in 2004. In 2005, she successfully lead the Federation’s fight against the Campbell government for smaller class sizes and better learning conditions for students. Jinny currently works for the BCTF as Director of Professional and Social Issues. She has been married for 37 years to Stephen Sims, and is the mother of two adult children, Keeran and Michael. Her family has lived in Delta for over 20 years.

Jasbir Sandhu:

Jasbir Sandhu  (New Democratic Party): He beat Conservative candidate Dona Cadman in Surrey North.Jasbir Sandhu has been a Program Manager at the Justice Institute of BC since 1996. He is also the owner of My Village Restaurant in Surrey. Jasbir is a Board Member of the Vancity Community Foundation, which supports affordable housing and homeless shelters. He is also a spokesperson for the Professor Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation, and a volunteer for the United Way. Jasbir has worked as a Business Analyst, a customs officer, a self-employed Building Contractor, a truck driver, taxi driver and factory worker. He has a Masters of Business Administration from Royal Roads University and a Bachelor of Arts from Simon Fraser University. Jasbir has lived in North Surrey for 29 years. He is married to Simi and has two children.

Deepak Obhrai:

Deepak Obhrai(Conservative Party ): 
Deepak beat New Democratic Party candidate Al Brown in Calgary East.Deepak is a former entrepreneur and public servant who speaks English, Hindi, Punjabi and Swahili. Deeply involved in the community, Deepak is the past President of the India Canada Association, Monterey Community Association, Hindu Society of Calgary and past Vice-President of the National Indo/Canadian Council. He has been an international election observer. First elected to the House of Commons in 1997, Deepak is Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He and his wife, Neena, have three children.

Devinder Shory

Devinder Shory(Conservative Party): He beat Liberal Party candidate Cam Stewart in Calgary Northeast.Devinder earned a BA and a law degree from Punjabi University before coming to Canada. Unable to get his credentials recognized, he drove a cab, opened a small video store and built homes. When Alberta offered him the chance to upgrade his education and get his credentials recognized, he took it, and set up a law practice in Calgary Northeast. His provision of free services to students and seniors was recognized by the Law Society of Alberta. Devinder earned a BA and a law degree from Punjabi University before coming to Canada. Unable to get his credentials recognized, he drove a cab, opened a small video store and built homes. When Alberta offered him the chance to upgrade his education and get his credentials recognized, he took it, and set up a law practice in Calgary Northeast. His provision of free services to students and seniors was recognized by the Law Society of Alberta. He was also active in the India Canada Association and the Northeast Centre for Community Society. He received the outstanding Service Award from the Calgary Filipino community and is a recipient of the Alberta Centennial Medal. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 2008. He serves on the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration and the Standing Committee on Natural Resources. Devinder and his wife, Neetu, have three children..

Tim Uppal (Conservative Party): He beat Independent candidate James Ford in Edmonton-Sherwood.

Tim U

Tim Uppal was elected to the Harper Government in 2008 as Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Sherwood Park. Before being elected, Tim was a Residential Mortgage Manager for TD Canada Trust and later served as a Senior Advisor for the Conservative Party of Canada. Tim and his wife Kiran, a Department of Justice lawyer, are enjoying the gift and responsibilities of raising their 3 year old daughter Kirpa, and baby son Nihal. Tim was born in British Columbia in 1974 and has spent most of his life in Edmonton andSherwood Park. For over a decade, Tim’s passion has been mentoring youth through sport, especially youth at risk. He coached soccer and wrestling, and was involved in the World Masters Games held in Edmonton. For many years, Tim was also the host of a community radio show on CKER FM. Tim has a long history of community involvement, which was recognized when he was named The Outstanding Young Edmontonian for 2005 by the Junior Chamber of Commerce and when he was awarded an Alberta Centennial Medallion from the Government of Alberta. Tim sits as a member of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration and the Standing Committee on Health. In 2010 Prime Minister Harper asked Tim to be the Acting Chair the Health Committee of the House of Commons. In December 2010, Tim’s private member’s bill, An Act to Establish a National HolocaustMonument, was passed through the House of Commons with unanimous all-party support. It received Royal Assent on March 25th 2011, hours before the Opposition forced an election. Tim and his family enjoy living in Sherwood Park, Alberta.


 Nina Grewal(Conservative Party): She beat New Democratic Party candidate Nao Fernando in Fleetwood-Port Kells. Nina was born in Japan and earned Bachelor of History and English Literature degrees from the Punjabi University in Patiala, India.

Nina Grewal

While living in Liberia, where she was a partner in a family business, Nina witnessed the atrocities of war, an experience that left her with a deep appreciation for freedom and democracy. After coming to Canada with her family, Nina worked as a Sales Manager for a company selling Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs). Long involved in federal politics at the riding level, Nina was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004. She has represented the people of Fleetwood—Port Kells ever since. Most recently, she served as a Member on two House of Commons Standing Committees — Citizenship andImmigration, and Status of Women.Nina and her husband, Gurmant, became the first married couple to simultaneously hold elected seats in the House of Commons. She has long contributed to improving Canada though community service and volunteer work.


 Bal Gosal(Conservative Party): He beat Liberal candidate Gurbax S. Malhi in Bramalea–Gore—Maltonc. Bal is the Conservative candidate for Bramalea-Gore-Malton. As a long time resident of the area he takes satisfaction in the many opportunities he has taken to make a positive difference in his community. Bal understands family life in Brampton both as a soccer dad and through his community involvement. He organized a soccer league for children in the area in addition to being a coach. He volunteered with the Brampton YMCA, acting as a director of the Regional Council, and was profoundly involved in the creation of the new Brampton YMCA building.

Bal Gosal

His involvement in his community increased, which better reflected his life philosophy of giving back. His core values included: public safety and so he served as a member of the Peel Regional Police Services Board and Peel Children’s Aid Society; sustainable and accessible healthcare and so he served on various committees and chaired a sub-committee at the William Osler Hospital Foundation; and fostering a strong and economically prosperous region and so he served as a member of the Brampton Board of Trade Marketing Committee. Bal and his wife have lived, raised a family and successfully run their own business in Brampton and he desires to see the region prosper and grow to its full potential. He hopes to achieve this goal by being your member of parliament.


 Parm Gill(Conservative Party): Hebeat Liberal Party candidate Ruby Dhalla in Brampton—Springdale. Parm arrived to Canada at a young age, immediately setting roots in the Greater Toronto Area. He now resides in Brampton with his wife Amarpal, his two sons, Raman and Daman, and his daughter Parmeet. Parm continues to be a successful entrepreneur in the hospitality and manufacturing industries. He is proud to be able to contribute to Brampton’s economy through his businesses and to be part of the numerous job-creators in the city to provide opportunities for the citizens from his community.

Parm Gill

Parm has been involved in politics for many years with the desire to make a change in Canada. In 2006 he began his candidacy in Brampton-Springdale, a community he has deep roots in. He believes that Brampton-Springdale deserves a representative in Ottawa who can and will deliver results that will benefit us all – from making our community safer for our children, lowering taxes for our families, keeping our government accountable and continuing to make our economy one of the strongest and most stable in the world. Parm continues to be one of the hardest working individuals in politics, striving to contribute to a community and a country that is based on crime control, economic strength, equality for all and support for our immigrants. Parm makes it a priority to establish strong ties with all parts of our community through outreach initiatives – striving to be the best representative for the community as a whole and working to resolve the issues that affect each Bramptonian. Parm has been a long time resident of Brampton, he has worked in the community and his children attend school here. He believes he has a strong personal connection and duty to provide the best results for not only his family but for each community member. Parm has been heavily involved in Brampton-Springdale through organizations such as the Peel Regional Police, Malaysian-Singapore Cultural Association and Canadian Eye Sight International. He continues to work on behalf of those who are less fortunate – to provide a lifestyle that all of us deserve. Parm wants to be part of a government that continues to build a stronger, prouder and more prosperous Canada. He has made significant contributions to Brampton through round-tables with our seniors, veterans, immigrants and business owners. Parm is grateful and honoured for the support he has received and hopes for continued support in the next federal election to bring a new voice to Ottawa on behalf of Brampton-Springdale. Parm holds a conception of Canada that is based on providing the best for our citizens. He wants to continue to focus on the economy as we enter our second phase of recovery – to fight for lower taxes for our job-creators and continue to reduce unemployment and increase job growth. Brampton is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and Parm believes, with hard work and dedication, we can continue this trend by providing opportunities and financial security for our residents. The Conservative Party has been highly successful during these fragile economic times and Parm wants to help keep our future bright.

Moga man Gill trumps Ruby Dhalla

Ludhiana: In a closely watched contest in the Canadian federal elections, Conservative candidate Parm Gill has defeated Liberal candidate Ruby Dhalla by 7,000 votes. Gill hails from Puranewala village near Moga. Dhalla, who faced Gill for the Brampton-Springdale seat, saw her campaign dogged by allegations of mistreating her domestic help. The glamorous Dhalla tried to work her Punjab connection and her proximity to the ruling SAD(B) here – even using CM Parkash Singh Badal’s image on her campaign material – to no avail. Gill, it is said, has Canadian PM Stephen Harper’s backing. Gill’s home town Moga is in celebratory mood over his win. Congress MLA Joginderpal Jain, who is a close friend of Gill, says, “He was bound to win. Gill is very committed to his work. He has been supporting the Punjabi community like an MP.” Gyan Singh Khiva a retired government official who, too, is close to Gill said, “I spent the entire night on the Internet following these elections.”

Top Indo-Canadian MPs lost in Canadian elections

Toronto, May 4 (IANS) Top Indo-Canadian MPs, including Ujjal Dosanjh, Ruby Dhalla, Gurbax Malhi, Navdeep Bains and Sukh Dhaliwal, lost in Monday's parliamentary elections which returned the ruling Conservative Party to power with 167 seats in the 308-member House of Commons.All these defeated Indo-Canadian MPs represented the opposition Liberal Party, which was reduced to just 34 seats - a historic low for Canada's 'natural governing party', whose leader Michael Ignatieff lost his own seat in Toronto.
Former Canadian health minister Dosanjh, who won by about 20 votes in 2008, lost by over 1,000 votes this time to his old rival Wai Young of the ruling party in Vancouver South.
Ruby Dhalla, who in 2004 became the first Sikh woman MP in Canada, lost to fellow Indo-Canadian Parm Gill of the ruling party in Brampton-Springdale on the outskirts of Toronto.
Thirty-seven-year-old Dhalla, who had squeezed through by a margin of just 700 votes in 2008, was hammered by more than 7,000 votes this time.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney had made it their mission to wrest this seat from Dhalla, with the prime minister visiting the constituency four times and even roping in Bollywood star Akshay Kumar for campaigning.
Three-time Sikh MP Navdeep Bains, who had held the Mississauga-Brampton South seat since 2004, was also routed this time.
Six-time MP Gurbax Malhi, who created history by becoming the first turbaned Sikh MP in Canada in 1993, lost by just 500 votes to fellow Indo-Canadian Bal Gosal of the ruling party in Bramalea-Gore-Malton here.
Former Canada-India Business Council (CIBC) president Sarkar Rana came a poor third in the Toronto suburb of Scarborough Rouge.
Sitting MP Sukh Dhaliwal was also beaten by Jinny Sims (Joginder Kaur) of the New Democratic Party (NDP) in Newton-North Delta on the suburbs of Vancouver. Sims becomes the first Indo-Canadian MP for the NDP.
And the NDP got another Indo-Canadian MP when its candidate Jasbir Sandhu beat Shinder Purewal of the Liberal Party in the Vancouver suburb of Surrey North.
But from the ruling Conservative Party, all sitting Indo-Canadian MPs - Deepak Obhrai (Calgary East), Devinder Shory (Calgary Northeast), Tim Uppal (Edmonton-Sherwood) and Nina Grewal (Fleetwood-Port Kells) - retained their seats.
Twenty-three Indo-Canadian candidates were in the fray this time. But the 41st parliament will have eight Indo-Canadian MPs against nine in the outgoing House.
Canada also made history Monday when the Left-leaning NDP became the official opposition party for the first time by winning 102 seats, replacing the Liberal Party.
More importantly, Canada's French-speaking Quebec province rejected separatist Bloc Quebecois party and instead voted for the nationalist NDP for the first time.
In fact, Bloc Quebecois was reduced to just four seats from 48 last time, with its leader Gilles Duceppe losing his own seat.
The Green Party also made its entry into parliament with its leader Elizabeth May winning her seat. Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon was among those who lost Monday.

India, Nigeria to establish direct flights

Paul Ohia Abuja, May 4 (PTI) India and Nigeria will establish direct flights under a proposed bilateral air agreement which will lead to greater business transactions between the two countries, a top Nigerian minister has said. Foreign Minister Henry Odein Ajumogobia was addressing a group of nine Indian journalists here on familiarisation visit to the country, who were accompanied by the high commissioner to the country, Mahesh Sachdev. Direct flights would ease business, pleasure, medical and sundry travels between the two countries where travellers at present need to make a stop at United Arab Emirate or Ethiopia to get a connecting plane, he said. This and the agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Investment Promotion are being drafted and may be signed during the India- Nigeria Forum which would hold early 2012. Ajumogobia said adding the agreements would ensure investments and ease of business transaction between both countries. Sachdev explained to the minister that the ministry of external affairs decided to organise the familiarisation tour of the African continent for the journalists ahead of Indo-African summit to be held in Addis Ababa later this month to ensure that their work reflects the true situation of the continent. Bilateral relations between the two countries have greatly improved even as the oil rich country makes strong efforts to establish strong democracy patterned like the United States though colonised by Britain just like India. Nigeria which just held a successful general election is Africa's biggest democracy with a population of 150 million people. The incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan won a keenly contested poll against his major opponent, former military ruler, General Muhammadu Buhari and will be sworn in on May 29.

Indian national jailed for molestation
Singapore, May 4 (PTI) An Indian national, Adaikalam Suresh, was jailed here today for five months for outraging the modesty of a Filipino maid in February. Suresh, 24, pleaded guilty in the district court for molesting the 28-year old maid, who had ignored his advances and request for a cell phone number, The Straits Times said today. Suresh, who worked as a labourer, followed the maid in a lift to the 21st floor of an apartment building in the Tiong Bahru housing estate. He fled the scene after molesting her but dropped his dormitory card.

Sourav Ganguly to join Pune Warriors India for IPL 4

NEW DELHI: After going unsold in the players' auction, former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday made a dramatic return to the Indian Premier League by signing up for struggling franchise Pune Warriors as replacement for injured pacer Ashish Nehra.
"We were waiting for Ashish Nehra's fitness report and ultimately the report came yesterday. I was already in talks with Ganguly and we decided that the amount of experience that Sourav has in cricket will no doubt help the team. So we finalised Ganguly last night," Pune Warriors Team director Abhijit Sarkar said referring to the finger injury that Nehra has been nursing. Ganguly, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders for three IPL seasons captaining them in two editions, went unsold in the January players' auction despite a rather modest base price of $400,000.
The 38-year-old refused a mentor's role with KKR after that and there had been speculation of a possible comeback through another franchise. The left-handed batman was first sought by Kochi Tuskers Kerala but their application was rejected by the IPL's Governing Council. However, he signed on the dotted line for Pune on Monday, giving a major fillip to the side which has lost six matches on the trot after starting promisingly with a couple of back-to-back wins.

Murthy to be honoured by Australian varsity

New Delhi, May 3 (PTI) Infosys founder Chairman N R Narayana Murthy will be conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by Australia's prestigious Monash University. Recognising Murthy as an IT world leader and visionary, Monash University Chancellor Alan Finkel and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ed Byrne will confer the Doctor of Engineering degree honoris causa on the Infosys mentor at a ceremony on the University's Clayton campus in Melbourne this month, an Australian embassy release said here today. Murthy will also present the inaugural Richard Larkins Oration on the occasion. The Infosys founder chairman is also the Chair of the Research Advisory Council of The IITB-Monash Research Academy, a joint venture between the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Monash University. Supporting the decision of Monash University, Australian High Commissioner to India Peter Varghese, said, I congratulate Narayana Murthy on this honour. As Chair of the IITB-Monash Research Advisory Council, Murthy has been a dedicated and long-time supporter of both Indian and Australian science. With the support of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund, IITB-Monash Research Academy has become a showcase for collaboration between Australian and Indian Institutions in the field of scientific research and development, and Murthy is well deserving of the recognition conferred with this honorary degree. According to the Australian embassy release, Murthy said he was honoured to be receiving the Doctorate from Monash University and was pleased to accept the opportunity to present the oration. I am also deeply honoured to be giving the inaugural Richard Larkins Oration in Melbourne. I have had a long and pleasant relationship with Australia and its wonderful people. I have been associated with the investments that Monash University is making in India in the R&D and innovation sector in partnership with IIT Bombay. Therefore, to receive this recognition from Monash University, one of Australia's top educational institutions is a privilege for me, Murthy said.

BSNL ISD Call Charges Revised

Telugu pharmacist shot dead in New Jersey/అమెరికాలో దారుణం తెలుగు తేజం కాల్చివేత ఫార్మసిస్టు అర్జునరెడ్డి న్యూజెర్సీలో దారుణహత్య

Telugu pharmacist shot dead in New Jersey

Dyapa Arjun Reddy(52)

Trenton (New Jersey): An Indian-American pharmacy owner here was shot dead allegedly by a black teenager after he refused to give a medicine to the boy without a valid prescription.52-year-old Arjun Reddy Dyapa, owner of Brunswick Avenue Pharmacy in Broad Street, was shot in the chest and brought dead to Capital Health Regional Medical Centre across the pharmacy around 6.30 pm local time last evening.Eye witnesses said a teenage African-American with dreadlocks showed up at the counter and demanded a prescription medicine without producing valid prescription issued by a physician.
Dyapa politely refused and said sorry but when the customer insisted that he be given the medicine, he told the boy that he would lose his licence if he obliges him.
The customer, at that time, seemed to have resigned to the fate and nodded his head, said Dyapa's staff. The boy left only to return again and fired one bullet at Dyapa from his pistol from behind.
The police have taken the video camera recordings and are confident of nabbing the criminal very soon.
Dyapa, a native of Jadcherala village in Mehboobnagar district of Andhra Pradesh, is survived by wife Geetha and a 16-year-old daughter.
Dyapa was an active community activist and one of the founders of North American Telugu Association (NATA) and also a senior leader of American Telugu Association (ATA). He was involved with several social and cultural organisations in New Jersey.
Steve Ettman, who owns Westside Pharmacy on Hermitage Avenue, said he was "absolutely shocked" by the news. He is offering a USD 1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer.
"This could happen to any of us and Reddy was a nice guy, ever helpful," he said.
The shocked Indian-American community leaders gathered at the hospital to console the family and assist in the identification of the culprit.

Mr&Mrs ArjunReddy Dyapa(File)

Adopting a village
Monday 7 July 2008
Hyderabad: The American Telugu Association (ATA) members will adopt one village each in their motherland to contribute their might for its development. ATA has about 3000 members of whom about 300 will take up this programme over two years. ATA has chosen "Adopt a village" as its biennial theme this year and its chairman Gavva Chandra Reddy has started the initiative by adopting his native Pillalamarri village in Nalgonda district of Andhra Pradesh. "Prime emphasis of 'Adopt a village' programme will be on creating infrastructure for schools, improving sanitary conditions and providing healthcare facilities through special camps in collaboration with voluntary organisations like the Lions Club," ATA organiser Arjun Dyapa said. Another prominent ATA member P Malla Reddy has built a college building in his native village near Bhongir. "There has been a good response from our members to the initiative and many are ready to adopt their native villages and contribute to their uplift," Arjun said. Meanwhile, most of the second-generation NRI youth have been showing an inclination to return to their motherland, given the growing job and business opportunities here. With the Indian economy on a boom compared to the US, NRI youth were keen on investing in Andhra Pradesh and set up manufacturing facilities. ATA is seeking guidance from the state government on the investment prospects in Andhra Pradesh so that prospective investors could set up shop here. "Unlike in the past, we need not move lock, stock and barrel from the US to do business here. We can open our units here and do business even staying abroad," Arjun pointed out. 

Arjun Dyapa Addresses

167 Main St Ste 2A
Metuchen, NJ 08840  

Majlis MLA shot and injured in Hyderabad

Majlis MLA shot and injured in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Akbaruddin Owaisi, Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) legislator from Chandrayangutta here, was injured when his rivals attacked him with knives and shot at him near Barkas, a stronghold of his party, sparking tension in the old city area of Hyderabad on Saturday. Mr. Owaisi was declared out of danger after he underwent a major surgery.A youth, later identified as Ibrahim Yafai (26), said to be an assailant, was killed and two others were injured when the gunman of another MIM legislator, Mohammed Bin Balala, opened fire as the attack took place, around 11.15 a.m. Mr. Balala too suffered a bullet wound while trying to save Mr. Owaisi, but his condition was stable, police said.Large contingents of police moved into the old city, a bastion of the MIM, as thousands of youth took to the streets and began attacking vehicles near the Owaisi Hospital, where Mr. Owaisi was undergoing treatment. Tension eased only after police declared that Mr. Owaisi was out of danger. The motive appears to be the strident opposition of the Majlis to alleged land-grabbing activities by Mohammed ‘ Pehalwan.'Mr. Owaisi, Mr. Balala, party legislator from Malakpet, and some party workers were near their office when a group rushed towards them and began arguing with them. “They attacked Mr. Owaisi with knives, inflicting bleeding wounds, while one of them shot him from close range,” police maintained. They said doctors removed two bullets from the injured Owaisi, while one more was still embedded in the abdomen.