Is SM Krishna returning to Congress?
Bengaluru: In a massive setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party, former Union minister and CM of Karnataka S M Krishna, who had joined BJP last year, is likely to return to Congress.
According to sources, the senior leader is reportedly upset with the BJP for denying any position in the party and is likely to change the loyalties. Krishna was expecting a ticket for his daughter from RR Nagar or Maddur constituency.
KPCC President Dr G Parameshwar and minister D K Shiva Kumar are said to held first round of talks with the senior leader. The matter has been also brought to the notice of state in-charge K C Venugopal and Congress president Rahul Gandhi. The Congress High Command too has given green signal to welcome Krishna back to its fold.
It is learnt that the supporters of Krishna also met chief minister Siddaramaiah.
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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.
