Bengaluru: Minister Priyank Kharge slams MP Tejasvi Surya for supporting suspended PDO
Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has criticised BJP MP Tejasvi Surya for publicly supporting a government employee suspended for participating in an RSS route march, calling it a “disturbing endorsement of service rule violations.”
The controversy arose after Tejasvi Surya tweeted in support of a Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) who was suspended for attending an RSS event. In his post, the Bengaluru South MP wrote that he had spoken to the suspended officer and assured him of personal legal assistance to challenge the “illegal suspension” before the appropriate tribunal and courts.
Surya further claimed that several High Courts had clarified that government employees have the right to participate in RSS programmes, adding that “the Siddaramaiah government’s action will not stand judicial scrutiny.” He also asserted that the BJP was ready to fight the matter legally.
Responding to Surya’s remarks, Minister Kharge took to X (formerly Twitter) and said, “It is interesting that a BJP MP is openly supporting government servants who violate the service rules set by the state government. This proves my earlier point.”
Kharge also cited key provisions of the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, which mandate political neutrality among public servants. “No government servant shall be a member of or otherwise associated with any political party, nor shall they participate in any political activity. They must also ensure that their family members do not engage in activities against the government,” he noted.
Kharge emphasised that if any dispute arises over whether an organisation’s activities are political in nature, the final decision rests with the government.
Hmmmmm…… interesting that BJP MPs are coming forward and defending people who are defying the service conduct rules laid down by the State Govt. This itself proves my point.
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) October 19, 2025
Anyway the rules states.
“No Government Servant shall be a member of, or be otherwise associated with,… pic.twitter.com/ryW21fK44B
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Pat Cummins ruled out of T20 World Cup as Australia pick Ben Dwarshuis in 15-men squad
Melbourne (PTI): Australia suffered a huge blow on Saturday as premier pacer Pat Cummins was ruled out of the upcoming T20 World Cup due to an injury, forcing the national selectors to pick Ben Dwarshuis in his place in a 15-member squad.
Cummins, 32, has not recovered fully from his lingering back injury and will miss the tournament that begins in India and Sri Lanka on February 7, while top-order batter Matthew Short has also been omitted from the original 15-player squad.
Matthew Renshaw comes in for Short who was listed in the initial provisional squad.
Selector Tony Dodemaide said: "With Pat needing more time to recover from his back injury Ben is a ready replacement who offers a left arm pace option as well as dynamic fielding and late order hitting.
Cummins had initially been named in Australia's provisional squad.
"We believe his ability to swing the ball at good pace along with clever variations will be well suited to the conditions we expect and overall structure of the squad.
"Matt (Renshaw) has impressed in all formats of late, including in multiple roles in white ball formats for Australia, the Queensland Bulls and the Brisbane Heat.".
The trio of Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis have cleared the fitness test for the month-long T20 showpiece.
Hazlewood has not played since injuring his hamstring and Achilles prior to the Ashes. David missed most of the BBL and the Pakistan series because of a hamstring injury, while Ellis missed the Big Bash League finals and the Pakistan tour with a hamstring niggle.
"With the top order settled and spin heavy conditions expected in the pool stages in Sri Lanka, we also feel Matt provides extra middle order support, with Tim David completing his return to play program in the early phase of the tournament.
"As a left hander, he (Renshaw) also offers a point of difference to the middle order batting."
Australia is currently playing a three-game T20 Series against Pakistan in Lahore before leaving for Sri Lanka for the pool stages of the World Cup.
The T20 World Cup will be held in venues across India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8..
Australian squad: Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
