Bommai attacks Siddaramaiah govt, says those in power busy in politics to save position
Belagavi (K'taka), Jul 30: Targeting the Congress government in Karnataka over its handling of rain and flood situation in the state and in providing relief to those affected, senior BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday alleged that those in power are busy in politics to save their position.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's most of the time is getting utilised in resolving conflicts within the ruling party, he said and also alleged that there is competition between those in the government for corruption in transfer business (transfer of government officials or servants), while law and order situation has deteriorated in the state.
"The state government is not paying attention towards damages caused due to rains. Other than the Chief Minister holding a video conferencing no action has happened," Bommai, a former Chief Minister said while addressing the mediapersons here.
Immediate relief of Rs 10,000 has not reached those whose houses have been damaged, he said.
Initial assessment has not yet been done regarding crop damage, also no one is paying attention towards loss of lives, and ministers have not visited rain or flood affected areas, he added.
Further stating that no measures have been taken to provide seeds and fertilizer to farmers for alternative cropping in drought affected areas, the former Chief Minister said those in government are busy in politics, aimed at saving their position.
The Chief Minister is utilising most of his time in resolving the conflict between ministers and legislators, he said.
"At a time when people are in distress, the state government has not come forward to rescue them. So, I urge the government to ensure that ministers visit affected areas, provide relief to those in distress," Bommai said.
"During our (BJP) government, we had provided Rs 5 lakh for those whose houses have been fully damaged. It should be continued and Rs 10,000 should be given as immediate relief," he said and added that additional relief given to farmers by the state government last time in addition to Central relief should be continued this time as well.
"If the government does not do this, what is the use, whether it exists or not," he said.
Alleging that the entire government is indulged in "transfer business", Bommai alleged that, there is competition between those in government with regards to transfer business, and the recent confusion within their meeting (Congress legislature party) was due to "competition for corruption in transfer business."
There is also bargaining going on for transfer business in this government, he alleged.
Claiming that anti-social elements are functioning in the state without any fear under the Congress regime, Bommai said because they are getting support from the ruling party. "There is no fear of law, and the law and order situation has deteriorated."
This government has completely failed in maintaining law and order. If actions are not taken against errant officials, and those involved in such activities, people will themselves take action, he said.
Noting that preparations are on in the state BJP for Lok Sabha polls, the former Chief Minister said general secretary in-charge (Arun Singh) has reviewed and district level preparations are also on.
Responding to a question, Bommai said there is expectation that the announcement of the new state BJP president will be made soon.
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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.
