Deve Gowda offers prayers at Tirumala on his 86th birthday
Tirupati(AP): Former prime minister and JD(S)leader H D Deve Gowda offered prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara near here on his 86th birthday Saturday.
Gowda arrived here last evening along with his son and Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and other family members.
After offering prayers this morning, Gowda told reporters that he has been visiting the ancient shrine for the last 35 years on his birthday on May 18.
"As a member of Lok Sabha in the complex political situation, what I can do I don't know.. we are with the Congress," he said in response to a question.
Kumaraswamy predicted that the Congress-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka would secure 18 to 19 seats (out of 28) in the Lok Sabha elections.
To a query, he said there was no change in his party's stand and it would support the Congress in the formation of a new government at the Centre.
Asked about the Cauvery water sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Naidu, Kumaraswamy avoided a direct reply and said he has come to Tirumala to pray to Lord Venkateswara for good rains this year.
Later, they all left for Bengaluru.
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KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
