Coronavirus: Karnataka reports 8,642 fresh cases, 126 death
Bengaluru: Karnataka on Wednesday reported 8,642 fresh cases taking the total infection to 2,49,590 while the toll reached 4,327 with 126 deaths.
As many as 7,201 people were discharged, taking the total recoveries to 1,64,150 and the number of active cases was put at 81,097, including 704 in the intensive care units of various hospitals, the Health department said in a statement.
Bengaluru Urban accounted for the maximum numbers in the fresh cases (2,804) and deaths (56).
The city has so far reported 96,910 cases and 1,588 deaths due to the coronavirus and there were 33,280 active cases after 329 discharges on Wednesday, taking the total recoveries to 62,041.
In a big spike, Shivamogga recorded 915 fresh cases on a single day.
Mysuru reported 562 fresh cases followed by 537 in Ballari, 379 in Belagavi, 375 in Udupi, 253 in Dharwad, 234 in Dakshina Kannada, 228 each in Davangere and Hassan. Cases were also reported in Bagalkote, Chamarajanagar, Gadag, Haveri, Kalaburagi and other districts.
On fatalities due to COVID-19, the health department said nine deaths each occurred in Ballari and Dharwad, eight in Koppal, seven in Davangere, five each in Mysuru and Tumakuru and four in Dakshina Kannada.
Deaths were also reported in Belagavi, Bengaluru Rural, Bidar, Gadag and other districts.
While a majority of those who died of the coronavirus were aged above 50, there were also young people who succumbed to the infection.
There was one victim in his 20s, four in their 30s and 14 in their 40s, the bulletin said.
Most of those who died of coronavirus had Severe Acute Respiratory Illness, or the Influenza Like Illness. The department said as on Wednesday 3.26 lakh people were under home quarantine.
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Kharge has put 'full stop' to leadership speculation in Karnataka: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge has put a "full stop" on the issue of leadership change in the state.
Kharge's statement has a lot of significance and there ends the matter for now. Everyone in the party should respect and accept this, he said.
Parameshwara was referring to Kharge's statement on Thursday that there was no chief minister change in Karnataka "for now" and that the leadership issue in the state will be resolved soon.
Kharge's statement came amid speculation within the party and political circles about a possible decision on leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, once the results for assembly elections in four states and one union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in Karnataka, are announced.
"Mallikarjun Kharge is our party's national president. He has a lot of experience. Several people, including me, have said that in the case of change (in leadership), if he (Kharge) comes (as CM), no one could speak in front of his experience and everyone would accept it. While replying to it, Kharge said that there is a chief minister now, and there is no question of change as of now," Parameshwara said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I welcome his (Kharge) statement because I feel he has expressed his opinion after a discussion involving him, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala (both AICC general secretaries). I may be right or wrong. I feel that his statement has a lot of significance. So that matter ends there for now."
Responding to a question on repeated statements by several party leaders regarding leadership change, the home minister said, what the AICC chief has said on the matter is final. It should be respected and accepted by all in the party. There is no meaning in interpreting it further.
"I cannot respond to what others say, but I can say my opinion. In my opinion, the AICC chief is the supreme authority in the party. He, along with Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, are our high command. If the high command has said something, we should both respect and accept it. There ends the matter," he said.
Kharge has put a "full stop" on the issue, he further said, adding that, "When he has said there is no change. It is a full stop."
Responding to a question on Parameshwara's recent statement about Kharge becoming chief minister, the AICC chief on Thursday said, "You (media), he (Parameshwara), and people at the top say that it is better if I become CM. But more than fate, as per my ideology and my service to the party so far, Sonia Gandhi makes decisions regarding me."
He had further said, "But that question does not arise now. There is already a CM here. If Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and I together have to take any decision in that direction, it will take some time. Let's wait and see."
Kharge on Friday too said no date has been fixed yet to discuss a possible leadership change in Karnataka.
Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar have been insisting on his elevation in line with a reported power-sharing agreement with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah when the party won the 2023 Assembly elections. Some have even claimed that "sweet news" is expected by May 15, which is Shivakumar's birthday.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
The speculation has been fuelled by a reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
