Cong candidate to contest from Shivamogga: Dinesh Gundu Rao
Lok Sabha by-election
Bengaluru, October 11: Saying that there was no confusion on selection of candidate for Shivamogga by-election, KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the Congress candidate would contest in the constituency as the party was strong locally.
Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, he said that there was Congress vs BJP in Shivamogga constituency. Congress was the strong opponent to the BJP. So, it was decided to field Congress candidate in Shivamogga LS constituency, he said.
Discussion on HAL contributions
A discussion would be held on the contribution of HAL on October 13 in view of the Rafale deal scam and AICC President Rahul Gandhi would participate in it.
“We are not conducting any programme on the premises of HAL. Moreover, we have not given statement that we will conduct programme on HAL premises. The programme would be held near the Cubbon Park on the contribution of the HAL. HAL staff and selected few would take part in it”, he said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar's contract renewed till next year
New Delhi (PTI): Ajit Agarkar will continue as chairman of the senior selection committee after the BCCI decided to renew his contract for one more year, keeping an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Under Agarkar's chairmanship, the selected Indian teams between October 2023 to March 2026 reached four ICC tournament finals, winning three of them -- two T20 World Cups and one ICC Champions Trophy -- and it was a foregone conclusion that his contract will be renewed for fourth year.
"Agarkar didn't seek extension. A selector can continue up to four years in either junior or senior selection committee and five years cumulatively across both committees. Hence Ajit's contract is being renewed and not extended," a senior BCCI source told PTI.
Sources close to Agarkar always maintained that he preferred to let the decision-makers assess his panel's performance rather than seek a renewal himself.
Continuity ahead of the 50-over World Cup is one of the key factors behind the board's decision.
During his tenure, the committee has taken several tough calls, including overseeing the Test retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and gradually phasing out senior pacer Mohammed Shami from international cricket.
It also made a bold selection call, dropping Test and ODI skipper Shubman Gill from the T20 World Cup squad and instead fielding a form player in Ishan Kishan.
