Congress MLC BK Hariprasad dismisses ambitions for Karnataka CM post
Mangaluru: Congress MLC BK Hariprasad addressed reporters on Tuesday, clarifying that he is not seeking the position of Chief Minister of Karnataka. Hariprasad emphasized that the final decision regarding the continuation of Siddaramaiah in the role amid ongoing legal issues would be made by the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah faces allegations of illegally receiving a site from the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), with the BJP demanding his resignation. In response to these accusations, Hariprasad expressed confidence that both Siddaramaiah and the Congress party would prevail in the legal proceedings, noting that a final judgment has not yet been issued.
Hariprasad addressed concerns about other Congress members expressing interest in the Chief Minister position. He clarified that party leaders had previously addressed questions about potential replacements and that any decision regarding a change in leadership would be determined by the Congress High Command. Hariprasad also highlighted that the 135 Congress legislators in Karnataka are exercising their democratic right to express their opinions and aspirations.
On the issue of alleged irregularities in Covid-19 management under the BJP government and Health Minister Dr. K. Sudhakar, Hariprasad criticized the BJP administration for its handling of the pandemic. He pointed out the significant number of deaths and the difficulties faced by the public due to vaccine supply mismanagement during the BJP's tenure. Hariprasad noted that the former health minister has been silent on these allegations and indicated that the release of the Justice John Michael Cunha Commission's report on the irregularities will bring the truth to light. He warned that those found guilty of illegal activities during the pandemic would face legal consequences.
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Ajit Pawar wins Baramati battle, defeats nephew Yugendra by more than 1 lakh votes
Baramati, Nov 23: Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister and NCP president Ajit Pawar on Saturday won from his traditional Baramati assembly constituency by defeating his nephew and NCP (SP) candidate Yugendra Pawar by more than one lakh votes.
Ajit, who parted ways with his uncle Sharad Pawar last year and was seeking an eighth term from this family bastion in Pune district, polled 1,81,132 votes while Yugendra Pawar polled 80,233 votes.
Ajit, thus, defeated his younger brother's son by 1,00,899 votes.
Five months ago, Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) had triumphed in Baramati in the Lok Sabha elections, with incumbent MP and Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule defeating Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra by a margin of 1.5 lakh votes.
Both the NCP factions did not leave a single stone unturned during the assembly campaign, and even Sharad Pawar's wife Pratibha Pawar and Sule's daughter Revati were seen campaigning for Yugendra, while Ajit Pawar brought his mother on stage during his concluding rally in Baramati.
While Sharad Pawar told the people of Baramati that they needed a new leadership, alluding to Yugendra Pawar whom he described as a highly-educated candidate, Ajit Pawar cautioned people not to fall prey to the "emotional pitch" by the senior Pawar.
After Saturday's results, Ajit Pawar, who along with several other NCP legislators sided with the BJP-Shiv Sena government in 2023, could claim to be the real political heir of his estranged uncle who founded the NCP in 1999.
Sunetra Pawar, now a Rajya Sabha member, thanked the people of Baramati for reposing their faith once again in `Dada' (elder brother in Marathi, as Ajit is fondly called).
