'Are Naxals/Maoists part of Bharat Jodo Yatra in Karnataka?' asks BJP MP
Bengaluru, Oct 3: BJP Rajya Sabha member Lahar Singh Siroya on Monday asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to clarify whether "Naxals/Maoists and their sympathisers" were part of the Bharat Jodo Yatra that is underway in Karnataka.
He has posed 10 questions to Gandhi and Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah seeking clarity on certain issues, while asking whether the opposition party would seek a probe by central agencies into the affairs of "Naxals/Maoists" and their sympathisers in the state.
"As they walk across Karnataka, can I request Sri Rahul Gandhi and Sri Siddaramaiah to give the nation and the state clarity on the following issues. Can they confirm that Naxals/Maoists and their sympathisers are not part of the Bharat Jodo Yatra's Karnataka leg? Were these people involved in the planning of the yatra?" Siroya said in a statement.
"Can they confirm if some Congressmen have helped Naxals/Maoists to collect large sum of money to build and run media outlets in recent years? Will they agree to a probe into the money sources of these people?" he further asked.
The Yatra which entered poll-bound Karnataka on September 30 via Gundlupet in Chamarajanagar district, has reached Mysuru on Monday.
Siroya expressed "suspicion" about the then Congress administration, which ruled the state between 2013-18, and asked Siddaramaiah to point out his government's policy towards the Naxals in that period.
"Can they confirm if the Siddaramaiah-led government deliberately looked away as Naxals/Maoists exploited the death of a famous journalist to strengthen their operations? Did friends of Siddaramaiah give monetary and logistics help to Naxals/Maoists to organise memorial functions for the journalist?" he asked.
The journalist he seemed to be referring to is Gauri Lankesh, who was shot dead on the night of September 5, 2017, from close range near her house in Rajarajeshwari Nagar here.
"Like the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government had a soft corner for PFI, did it also have a soft corner for Naxals/Maoists? Why did some underground elements come overground during his time? Recently, when action was taken against PFI, Siddaramaiah said there should be action against RSS too. Has he ever sought action against Naxals/Maoists?" he questioned.
Asking as to why Siddaramaiah first agreed to be part of a Chinese association function which wanted to protest against US "involvement" in Taiwan, and suddenly withdrew after it became a public issue, he wanted to know, "Did Siddaramaiah seek action against his friends and partymen involved in organising the function?"
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Vijay secures majority support, set to stake claim to form Tamil Nadu govt
Chennai: After four days of political uncertainty and intense negotiations in Tamil Nadu, actor-politician Vijay is learnt to have secured the numbers required to form the government, sources said.
Supporters gathered outside Vijay’s residence in Chennai on Friday evening, raising slogans in support of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam soon after reports emerged that the party had managed to secure majority support.
Sources said Vijay is expected to meet Tamil Nadu Governor R. V. Arlekar on Friday evening to stake claim to form the government. The meeting is likely to take place around 6 pm.
In its electoral debut in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, TVK won 108 out of the 234 seats, dealing a major blow to the 62-year political dominance of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
However, Governor Arlekar had reportedly made it clear that the party would not be invited to form the government without proving a clear majority. Even after two rounds of discussions on Wednesday and Thursday, the Governor is learnt to have maintained his stand that letters of support from at least 118 MLAs must be submitted in the 234-member Assembly.
Apart from Vijay, TVK had the backing of 107 MLAs. Vijay had contested from Tiruchy (East) and Perambur constituencies and won both seats, meaning he would have to resign from one seat before taking oath. This increased the need for additional support.
Amid the political developments, five MLAs from the Congress party, which reportedly moved away from the DMK-led alliance, extended support to Vijay. Vijay also held discussions with leaders of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India.
The VCK, CPI(M) and CPI had so far been allies of the DMK. At the same time, political discussions intensified in the state over speculation that the DMK could even explore a post-poll understanding with its long-time rival AIADMK to prevent an alternative government from taking shape.
Reports had been circulating since Friday afternoon that the VCK and Left parties were likely to support Vijay. Sources later said that the VCK, CPI(M) and CPI agreed to extend the support of two MLAs each, helping TVK cross the required majority mark.
All eyes are now on the Governor’s next move and the official announcement regarding the formation of the new government in Tamil Nadu.
