JD(S) gears up for 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka, leaders to begin state tour after 15th Aug
Bengaluru: Following the setback in the Karnataka Vidhan Sabha polls, the Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)] has already commenced preparations for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In order to bolster its presence in the state, party leaders and top campaigners are set to embark on a state-wide tour after August 15, as announced by JD(S) National President H.D. Devegowda.
A crucial meeting was held under Devegowda's presidency at the JD(S) headquarters in J.P. Bhavan, Bengaluru on Monday, to strategize for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The discussions revolved around party organization and the formation of a new core committee, among other important topics. Several decisions were made during the meeting to strengthen the party's position in preparation for the upcoming polls.
Former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy emphasized that despite the setback in the last assembly elections, the party should focus on organizing and strengthening itself. Devegowda's directive was clear that the JD(S) should continue its struggle, remain organized, and pro-people in its approach.
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To execute these plans, a unanimous decision was made to form a new core committee under the leadership of former minister G.T. Devegowda. This committee will be convened by former MLA Y.S.V. Datta and will consist of 20 members.
Furthermore, Kumaraswamy disclosed that after August 15, key leaders of the party, including himself, will embark on a state tour to intensify the groundwork for the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls.
"The Party President has directed that our struggle must be organized and focused and should be pro-people. And we will fight accordingly. Moreover, there was a detailed discussion in the meeting about appointing leaders for various sections within the party," said Kumaraswamy.
Prominent JD(S) leaders were present in the meeting, including Bandeppa Kashempur, H.K. Kumaraswamy, Alkod Hanumanthappa Suresh Gowda, Annadani, Nisarga Narayanaswamy, K.N. Thippeswamy, Nemiraj Naik, Y.S.V. Datta Lingesh, Appaji Gowda, Veerabhadrayya Halaravi, Magadi Manjunath, Suraj Naik Soni, Thimmarayappa, Doddanagowda Patil, Ashwin Kumar, Choudareddi, and Srikante Gowda.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
