I am in no hurry, party will decide: DK Shivakumar says on leadership change
Bengaluru: KPCC president and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said he is in no hurry over the issue of leadership change and that everything will be decided by the party.
Speaking to reporters near the Palace Grounds on Friday, Shivakumar responded to questions about Congress workers wanting to see him as the next Chief Minister. He said the decision lies fully with the party.
When asked whether he and the Chief Minister would be travelling to Delhi, Shivakumar said he may go as he has several official commitments there. He explained that the Parliament winter session is about to begin and he needs to meet MPs.
He noted that the State has secured favourable directions in court regarding the Mekedatu project, and that the revised DPR is being prepared. Matters related to Mahadayi, Krishna and Ettinahole projects will also be discussed with MPs. A decision on calling an all-party meeting will be taken after talking to the Chief Minister, he added.
On the issue of maize prices, Shivakumar said the Centre has not supported farmers. Though the minimum support price has been fixed at 2400 rupees per quintal, farmers are receiving only 1600 to 1800 rupees in the market. He said the State will hold a meeting with mill owners and urge the Centre to procure maize.
Responding to a question on whether he would visit the Congress office in Delhi, Shivakumar said the party office there is like a temple for them and it provides guidance.
When asked about community pressure to make him Chief Minister, Shivakumar said he does not wish to speak from a community angle. He said Congress is his community and his commitment is towards people from all sections, including backward classes, scheduled communities and minorities. He added that the Vokkaliga community, to which he belongs, is also a backward class community.
On the BJP giving different interpretations to his recent Mumbai visit, he clarified that he had gone only to see an ailing close friend who has supported him in many ways. He said he spent about an hour at the hospital and returned.
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RSS man's defamation case against Rahul: Key witness unavailable, hearing adjourned to Dec 20
Thane (PTI): A court in Bhiwandi in Thane district on Saturday adjourned the hearing in the criminal defamation case filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker to December 20 due to non-availability of a crucial prosecution witness.
Advocate Narayan Iyer, counsel for Rahul Gandhi, confirmed the adjournment, stating that the witness, Ashok Saykar, currently Deputy Superintendent of Police in Barshi in Solapur, could not remain present due to personal reasons.
Saykar's evidence is now likely to be recorded on December 29.
His testimony is considered key because he, as police sub inspector in 2014, conducted the preliminary inquiry into the private defamation matter under Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
It was on the basis of Saykar's submitted report that the court subsequently issued process (summons) against Rahul Gandhi under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The criminal defamation case was filed by local RSS worker Rajesh Kunte following a speech given by Rahul Gandhi at an election rally near Bhiwandi on March 6, 2014.
The case stems from the Congress leader's alleged statement that "the RSS people killed (Mahatma) Gandhi."
The matter is being heard by Bhiwandi Joint Civil Judge, Junior Division, P M Kolse.
The hearing had previously been adjourned on November 15 after the complainant's counsel, Advocate Prabodh Jaywant, moved an application seeking permission to examine Saykar, who had submitted the probe report to the court.
The matter was originally scheduled for November 29 but was deferred to December 6 after Rahul Gandhi's legal team sought an adjournment citing their non-availability. The proceedings will now resume on December 20.
