1. BJP Can’t Buy Gujarat, People Will Avenge the Insult: Hardik Patel
Gujarat cannot be bought by the BJP, Patidar agitation leader Hardik Patel tweeted on 23 October, after his key aide Narendra Patel alleged that the BJP offered him Rs 1 crore to join the party.
Narendra Patel, the convener of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti in north Gujarat, made the allegations at a late night press conference on Sunday, 22 October, hours after he joined the BJP.
He alleged he was paid a sum of Rs 10 lakh in advance on Sunday and was promised that the remaining amount would be paid by 23 October.
Read more here.
2. Cong Leaders Protesting Raje Govt’s Ordinance Detained in Jaipur
Several Rajasthan Congress leaders, including Sachin Pilot, were detained by the police while on a protest march towards Raj Bhavan in Jaipur.
Speaking to ANI, Sachin Pilot said that the government was looking to cover up its own corruption with the ordinance.
We will continue to fight and protest against the ordinance. We are going to submit a memorandum to the President.Sachin Pilot, Congress leader
Donning black bands around their heads, the leaders were protesting the tabling of the Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendment) Ordinance in the state Assembly. The ordinance seeks to shield lawmakers and bureaucrats from probes unless they have prior sanction.
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3. Rajinikanth Throws His Weight Behind Vijay and Team ‘Mersal’
The makers of the Tamil film Mersal got a major shot in the arm on Sunday night with the superstar of Tamil cinema, Rajinikanth, coming out in support of the film on Twitter.
Rajinikanth’s support to Mersal and Tamil star Vijay comes in the face of the BJP objecting to a scene in the film which criticises the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
According to a report by PTI, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan demanded removal of the "untruths" about the GST, rolled out by the BJP-led NDA government on July 1, while his party colleague H Raja claimed the film exposed Vijay’s "anti-Modi hatred".
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4. ‘Take Criticism in Stride’: BJP Leader To Farhan Over ‘Low IQ’ Row
On Sunday, 23 October, Farhan Akhtar lashed out at BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao over his remarks that most Indian film stars have “very low IQ and very low general knowledge”.
“How dare you, sir?” an angry Farhan Akhtar tweeted, tagging the BJP leader. “And to all film people in his ranks... Here's what he thinks of you. Shame sir,” the actor wrote.
Reacting to his tweet, Rao asked Akhtar to take ‘criticism in his stride’.
Read more here.
5. Indian Hockey Team Returns Home After Winning Asia Cup
The Indian hockey team returned to New Delhi on Monday, 23 October, after winning the Asia Cup in Dhaka on October 22. The men in blue, who clinched the title after 10 years, defeated Malaysia 2-1 in the final.
Ramandeep Singh (3rd minute) and Lalit Upadhyay (29th) were the scorers for India, while Shahril Saabah (50th minute) found the back of the net for the Malaysians.
The Indian team completed the tournament unbeaten. Their worst result was against South Korea as they drew 1-1.
The Quint spoke to a few of the Indian players after their arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Read more here.
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