After violent clashes, BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy demands Z security
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP MLA G Janardhan Reddy has written separate letters to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding immediate Z-category security for him, alleging there was a "pre-planned assassination attempt" on him in Ballari.
He was referring to January 1 clashes that erupted over installation of a banner for unveiling of Valmiki statue and claimed that there was "complete breakdown of law and order". Janardhan Reddy, among others, has been booked with regard to the clashes.
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In his letter to the Chief Minister on Saturday, Reddy claimed that the attack on his Ballari residence on New Year's Day was "not an ordinary political clash, but a pre-planned and systematic assassination attempt allegedly carried out by Ballari Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and his associates".
The former minister squarely blamed the local police for inaction and negligence, saying the threat to his life had reached the "highest possible level".
Detailing the sequence of events, Reddy said that around 2 pm, supporters of Bharath Reddy attempted to illegally erect banners inside the fencing area of his house and were driven away following police intervention.
He alleged that at about 5.30 pm, "Bharath Reddy's close aide Sathish Reddy, along with 40-50 armed men, trespassed into his premises carrying bottles, stones, clubs and deadly weapons, sat inside the compound and openly issued threats, while police remained mute spectators".
According to Reddy, the violence escalated around 7 pm when he returned from Gangavathi.
He alleged that on the instructions of MLA Nara Bharat Reddy, Satish Reddy and his men launched a direct attack, during which a private gunman fired about eight rounds targeting him and his house.
"By God's grace and sheer luck, I narrowly escaped death," he said, adding that the police failed to control the situation.
He further claimed that at around 9 pm, Bharat Reddy himself arrived near the SP Circle with hundreds of supporters armed with clubs, stones and petrol bombs, triggering what he described as a 'terror-style attack'.
During the incident, indiscriminate firing of the gunman had allegedly taken the life of Raja Shekhar, after which police resorted to firing tear gas, firing in the air and a lathi charge to restore order.
Reddy in his letter demanded 'Z' category or equivalent high-level police security for him and his family with immediate effect.
He also sought registration of murder cases against Bharath Reddy, Sathish Reddy and their associates, and strict action against police officers for dereliction of duty.
Calling the incident evidence of "Jungle Raj" in Karnataka, Reddy warned that if any further harm came to him or his family due to lack of security, the state government would be "directly responsible".
In a separate representation to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Reddy requested security through central forces, alleging that the Congress-led State government had failed in providing security. He claimed the attack was politically motivated, asserting that his renewed statewide campaigning for the BJP had unsettled the Congress leadership.
After the violent clashes on January 1, a team of BJP leaders including Union Minister V Somanna, Opposition Leader in the state Assembly and Council R Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy planning to meet Janardhana Reddy at his residence in Ballari.
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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
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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.
