Good show in LS polls will allow Siddaramaiah to continue as CM for 5 years, says his son
Bengaluru (PTI): A good show by the ruling Congress in the coming Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka would enable Siddaramaiah to continue as Chief Minister for a full term of five years without any hindrance, his son Yathindra said on Wednesday, sparking a debate on the vexed leadership issue.
After the Congress swept the Assembly elections in May last year, Siddaramaiah, who was engaged in a stiff competition with senior party leader D K Shivakumar for the Chief Minister's post, was chosen to lead the government.
Shivakumar was made the lone deputy Chief Minister and he also continued in the post of President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.
It was rumoured at the time within a section of the party that a power-sharing formula was struck under which Shivakumar would take over the reins from Siddaramaiah after two-and-half-years. There was no official word on this with speculation over the leadership issue refusing to die down.
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Speaking at a function in the district headquarters town of Hassan, Yathindra appealed to the people to continue their support to Siddaramaiah.
The Congress will have to face the Lok Sabha election in Karnataka under the leadership of Siddaramaiah. "In that election, under Siddaramaiah's leadership, if we win a maximum number of seats, we will gain moral support (strength)", the former MLA said.
He said the Congress government is spending about Rs 56,000 crore annually for implementation of 'guarantee schemes' for social welfare.
Perhaps no other government in the history of Karnataka took up welfare measures aimed at the common man and the poor on such a scale, according to him.
"We indeed have public support but you have to show that this government has people's backing in the Lok Sabha election by winning maximum seats for Congress and strengthening Siddaramaiah's hands. With this strength, it will be possible for Siddaramaiah to continue to offer these guarantee schemes for the next five years and continue to be Chief Minister for five years without any hindrance", Yathindra said.
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KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
