Kharge falls ill during poll rally in Jammu & Kashmir; Says will stay alive until PM Modi is ousted
Kathua: Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge experienced health issues during an election campaign in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. While addressing the gathering, Kharge reportedly felt dizzy and was seen struggling to maintain balance. His security personnel and Congress leaders present on stage quickly attended to him, leading to a temporary pause in the event.
Kharge was delivering a speech in Jasrota ahead of the third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections when he began to feel unwell. He was seen breathing heavily but managed to regain composure after taking a sip of water. Although he resumed his speech, he concluded it quickly due to his condition. The Congress is contesting these Assembly elections in alliance with the National Conference.
Following the incident, his son and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge posted on X (formerly Twitter) to update on his father’s health. “Congress President Sri @kharge felt slightly unwell while addressing a public meeting in Jasrota, Jammu & Kashmir. He has been checked upon by his medical team and apart from slightly low blood pressure, he is doing well. Extremely grateful for everyone's concern,” Priyank Kharge tweeted, adding that his father’s resolve and the good wishes of the people keep him going strong.
Despite the health scare, Kharge conveyed his determination to remain active in politics until Prime Minister Narendra Modi is removed from office. "I am 83 years old, but I am not going to die so early. I will stay alive till PM Modi is removed from power," Kharge asserted. He also criticized the Centre for its delayed approach to holding elections in the region and alleged that the government is attempting to maintain control through the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are being conducted in three phases, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 8.
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Conspiracy afoot to 'tarnish' image of Dharmasthala: Deputy CM DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Aug 14 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said there was a “conspiracy” to tarnish the image of Dharmasthala.
His comments come amid an ongoing investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into serious allegations of mass burials in the revered temple town in Dakshina Kannada district.
“A conspiracy is being hatched to destroy hundreds of years of legacy. It is not correct to tarnish someone just like that. It has all happened due to one complainant,” he said.
Noting that some Congress MLAs have called for action against those involved in the slander campaign at the legislature party meeting, he said, “ I have told them that action must be taken against those who are indulging in a slander campaign. The CM has also said that action must be taken against such people.”
“I have information on this case. Religious feelings should not be hurt in any manner. Culprits must be punished,” he told reporters, according to a release from his office.
Responding to a question, Shivakumar said the Congress party will not allow the image of any religious place to be tarnished.
“We see everyone equally when it comes to religion,” he added.
The SIT, formed by the state government, is probing claims of mass murder, rape, and mass burials in Dharmasthala over the past two decades.
The complainant, a former sanitation worker whose identity has not been revealed, alleged that between 1995 and 2014 he was forced to handle bodies—including women and minors—and that some showed signs of sexual assault. He has given a statement before a magistrate.
As part of the probe, the SIT has been conducting exhumations at multiple locations identified by the complainant-witness in the forested areas along the banks of the Netravathi River in Dharmasthala, where some skeletal remains have been found at two sites so far.
