BJP-JD(S) like milk-honey, alliance strong, intact: Karnataka LoP R Ashoka
Udupi: Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka on Sunday said the alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal (Secular) remains strong and intact, and that no one should attempt to create differences between the two parties.
Speaking at a press conference held at a resort in Kapu, Ashoka described the BJP–JD(S) partnership as being “like milk and honey” and said the two parties would contest upcoming elections as directed by their central leadership. He said decisions on the future course of the alliance would be taken by senior leaders, including H. D. Kumaraswamy, H. D. Deve Gowda, and top leaders of the BJP.
Responding to questions on differing statements made by BJP state president B. Y. Vijayendra and Deve Gowda on contesting future elections, Ashoka said the BJP and JD(S) are partners within the NDA and that the alliance has already been announced at the national level by the party leadership, including the Prime Minister. He said there is currently no disagreement between the two parties and that the coordination with JD(S) would continue, just as it did successfully during the Lok Sabha elections.
Ashoka made it clear that the BJP is not attempting to bring down the present state government. “We are not in a mindset to topple the government. We have already seen the consequences of such actions once,” he said.
ALSO READ: Hamas confirms death of Abu Obeida, introduces new military spokesman
He further claimed that if Assembly elections are held, the BJP–JD(S) alliance would secure more than 170 seats in Karnataka, similar to the strong mandates seen in states like Telangana and Bihar.
When asked about Deve Gowda’s statement that the JD(S) may contest local body elections independently, Ashoka said Deve Gowda is a senior leader whose words carry weight, but stressed that the final decision would be taken by the NDA coordination committee. “Whatever opinions are expressed, the coordination committee’s decision will be final,” he said.
On Vijayendra’s earlier remark about the BJP winning 140 seats on its own strength, Ashoka said the state president had already clarified that the statement reflected the sentiments of party workers and not an official position. “The decision to go together is a collective one,” he added.
Ashoka also addressed questions about the BJP state president’s post, saying the party follows a democratic process with organisational elections held every three years. He said Vijayendra was nominated by the central leadership and that the decision to continue or replace him rests with the national leadership. “There is no confusion on this issue. The decision will be taken by the party high command after January,” he said.
The press conference was attended by Kapu MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty, former MLA Lalaji Mendon, and BJP leaders Kutyaru Naveen Shetty, Reshma Uday Shetty, Kalya Divakar Shetty, Srikant Naik and others.
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.
Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
===================
The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
