'BSP to contest all 28 LS seats in Karnataka if no poll alliance': MLA N Mahesh
Bengaluru, Jan 31: BSP chief Mayawati is yet to take a call on an alliance in Karnataka for the Lok Sabha polls and if a tie up did not work out, they would go it alone in all 28 seats, the party's lone MLA N Mahesh said here Thursday.
"We will contest (Lok Sabha polls); Behenji (Mayawati) has to say...if there is an alliance we will contest in those seats we get. If there is no alliance, we will contest in all 28 seats," he told reporters here.
Mahesh said the process of identifying candidates for the Lok Sabha polls are on and a final decision would be taken at the party's state committee on February 2.
Bahujan Samaj Party leaders, including Rajya Sabha member Ashok Siddharth and in-charge of Karnataka M L Tomar are expected to attend the meeting, he added.
BSP contested in 18 seats during the May 2018 assembly polls in Karnataka as per the alliance arrangement reached with JD(S), which contested in 200 seats and won 37.
Following a fractured verdict, JD(S) joined hands with Congress to form the coalition government.
Mahesh said the party has potential in seats like Chamarajanagara, Mysuru, Bidar, Gulbarga, Chikkodi, Raichur, Chikkaballapura, but would wait to see how a possible alliance takes shape before taking a decision on these seats.
JD(S), which is scheduled to begin seat sharing talks with Congress in the first week on February, has said it intends to contest in 10-12 seats of the total of 28 seats.
However, the Congress is opposed to this and has made it clear that seat sharing will be based on "merit".
Mahesh clarified that he would not be contesting the Lok Sabha polls.
Asked if he would come back to the state cabinet after quitting as Primary and Secondary Education Minister last October, citing personal reasons, he said, "Behanji has to take a call, whatever she says(will act accordingly)."
Mahesh had said after quitting that he would continue to support the ruling coalition government.
Expressing confidence that the coalition government would complete its full term, he termed the alleged attempts by Congress MLAs to undermine Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy as "unfortunate" and asked its chief Siddaramaiah to control his party MLAs.
"...being in the government side, saying that Siddaramaiah (CLP leader) is still our CM, it is sacrilege... they (Congress MLAs) should not speak like that. Their high command, especially Siddaramaiah, has to control them...I think it will be sorted out in a short time," he added.
Amid strains in Congress-JDS ties, Kumaraswamy on Monday had threatened to step down over adverse comments by a Congress MLA, prompting the coalition partner to swing into damage control mode.
On BJP's reported plans to bring in a no confidence motion against the Kumaraswamy government during the budget session starting from February 6, he said "if they bring it, we will win on the floor of the House...nothing will happen."
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Delhi: Multi-layered security at Arun Jaitley Stadium ahead of footballer Messi's visit
New Delhi (PTI): In view of chaos during an event featuring Lionel Messi in Kolkata, the Delhi Police has made multi-layered security arrangements at and around the Arun Jaitley Stadium where the Argentine football icon will attend another event on Monday.
The event will be held at the stadium here between 1 pm and 4 pm, officials said on Sunday.
On Saturday, chaos erupted at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata as thousands of fans protested after failing to catch a clear glimpse of Messi during a much-hyped event, prompting police to resort to lathi charge. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.
The Delhi Police said an elaborate and multi-layered security bandobast is being put in place for Messi's visit.
A senior police officer said comprehensive arrangements are being made to ensure the smooth conduct of the event, with a strong focus on crowd management, access control and traffic regulation.
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According to the police, multiple security rings will be established around the venue, with deployment of additional police personnel along with paramilitary forces to maintain law and order. Entry to the stadium and designated areas will be strictly regulated and no one will be permitted without a valid pass.
"Anti-sabotage checks, frisking points and surveillance through CCTV cameras will form a key part of the security plan," the officer said.
The officer added that quick reaction teams, senior supervisory officers and emergency response units will remain on standby throughout the event, and public safety will remain the top priority.
On the traffic front, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Nishant Gupta said the traffic police have identified three main parking areas for labelled vehicles, including P1 near Vikram Nagar.
Vehicles without labels should be parked at the Rajghat Powerhouse parking lot and Mata Sundari Lane, from where people can walk to the stadium, the police said.
App-based taxi users are also advised to drop off at Rajghat Chowk and walk the rest of the way. Parking is strictly forbidden around the Arun Jaitley Stadium, and any vehicle parked there will be towed and fined, the senior officer said.
To make things easier, the public is encouraged to use the metro or buses as much as possible to reduce congestion and enjoy the event comfortably, the police advised.
Around 70 police personnel have been deployed as part of the traffic and security arrangements, the DCP told PTI.
If needed, traffic diversions may be implemented from Delhi Gate Chowk and ITO. During VIP movement, traffic may slow briefly to allow the players' buses to reach and enter the stadium smoothly, he added.
Public movement is expected to begin around 11 am. Commuters have been advised to avoid Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, ITO, Delhi Gate, Netaji Subhash Marg and Brijmohan Chowk from 10 am till the event concludes.
