Sonia Gandhi played key role in convincing DKShi for settling with Dy.CM role
New Delhi: Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar has accepted the post of the Deputy Chief Minister albeit reluctantly. His acceptance, nevertheless, is being attributed to an intervention by former Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Sources in the Congress have said that the High Command chose Siddaramaiah for the post of Chief Minister and Shivakumar as his deputy, reports NDTV.
Shivakumar had been firm on his demand for the chief ministerial post, but Sonia Gandhi spoke to him late Wednesday evening to resolve the deadlock and get the CM candidates to strike a deal. Shivakumar’s aides have said that he decided to make the ‘sacrifice’ in the interest of the party.
An official announcement of the posts is expected to be made on Thursday evening, after a key meeting of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) in Bengaluru.
The Congress was struggling since the declaration of election results to get Shivakumar to agree to let Siddaramaiah have a second term in the top post. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar held meetings with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, General Secretary KC Venugopal and Rahul Gandhi putting forth their cases as contenders for the post.
Siddaramaiah is seen as a leader with mass appeal and had also served a full term from 2013 to 2018. He reportedly had greater support within the party, especially of the MLAs, to become the next chief minister.
Shivakumar, on the other hand, is known for his strong organizational capabilities. He is also considered resourceful and troubleshooter for the Congress in times of need.
The KPCC President had been insisting that he be given the CM post, citing his work during the four years since the collapse of the Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka due to a mass party switch by MLAs. He had, however, added that he would not resort to ‘blackmail’.
In an earlier interview with the NDTV, Shivakumar had said, “Sonia Gandhi told me, 'I have confidence in you that you will deliver Karnataka'. I am sitting here, doing my regular responsibility. You should have the basic courtesy, a bit of gratitude. They should have the courtesy to acknowledge who is behind the win.”
Sonia Gandhi is learned to have spoken to Shivakumar on Wednesday evening, after which, he accepted the post of deputy chief minister, although sources have said that the power-sharing arrangement is yet to be ‘fine-tuned’.
Congress General Secretary (Karnataka In-charge) Randeep Singh Surjewala said on Wednesday that a decision would be taken in around 48 hours and the Cabinet would be announced in around 72 hours. The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled to be held on Saturday.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
MYAS launches quiz on national flag, 25 top-scorers to get trip to Siachen with Mandaviya
New Delhi, Aug 7 (PTI): The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) has launched an online quiz on the national flag and 25 top-scoring participants in the age bracket of 21 to 29 will get an opportunity to visit Siachen with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
The quiz, according to the ministry, will "foster patriotism and enhance awareness about the Indian National Flag."
"This online quiz, hosted on the MYBharat portal (mybharat.gov.in), invites all citizen to participate and test their knowledge about the Tricolour," the ministry stated.
It will consist of multiple-choice questions and all contestants will be awarded an e-certificate.
"As a grand incentive, 25 top-scoring participants will be selected for a remarkable opportunity to visit Siachen in the company of the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya," the ministry said.
"The selection of winners for the Siachen visit will be limited to youth between the ages of 21 and 29. The final selection of the 25 winners will be conducted through a computer-based lottery system from the pool of top scorers," it added.
