Karnataka Cong rubbishes reports of preparing for assembly polls after LS results
Bengaluru, May 7: Rubbishing reports that Congress in Karnataka was preparing for assembly polls after the Lok Sabha election results, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara Tuesday said that the coalition government would complete its five year term.
The senior Congress leader also termed as 'impertinent' at this point of time, statements by some party leaders pitching for Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister once again and said there is a system in place in the party to choose the candidate.
"Some unwanted people are spreading news about going for the polls. No one is ready to go for elections.
We have formed an alliance with an intention to run the government for five years and will complete the full term," Parameshwara told reporters in Kalburgi.
The Congress was currently working out a strategy to win the May 19 by-polls for Chincholi and Kundgol assembly constituencies, he said, adding that the party and alliance partner JD(S) would win the maximum number of seats in the recently held Lok Sabha polls.
The Deputy Chief Ministers statement was in response to a question about reports in a section of the media that Congress was preparing for the assembly election after the Lok Sabha poll results are out on May 23.
However, there is talk within political circles that any adverse results for the coalition in the Lok Sabha polls, which they fought in alliance, would have its implications on H D Kumaraswamy led government.
Clarifying on the issue of voices within the party pitching for Siddaramaiah being the Chief Minister once again, Parameshwara said the candidate is selected by the high command after gathering the opinion of legislators.
"This is our system, so what I say or someone else says will not count," he said.
Karnataka Home Minister M B Patil earlier in the day made a pitch for Siddaramaiah "as chief minister again," but clarified that the present coalition government under Kumaraswamy would complete its full term.
Patil's statement is in line with Chikkaballapura Congress MLA K Sudhakar's remarks on Monday that it would be good if Siddaramaiah became chief minister again.
Terming the statements of Sudhakar and Patil as their 'personal opinion', Parameshwara said the high command would take note of it and accordingly advice them against making such statements publicly.
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Violence reported in several parts of Kerala after civic poll results
Kozhikode (PTI): Violence erupted overnight at various places across Kerala, particularly in northern districts, following the announcement of local body election results, police said.
In Eramala in Kozhikode district, tension prevailed throughout the night after the Indira Gandhi Bhavan, a Congress office, was allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers.
According to an FIR registered at Edachery police station, around 200 people marched towards the Congress office carrying dangerous weapons and vandalised the building, causing damage estimated at around Rs five lakh.
A statue of late prime minister Indira Gandhi was also damaged in the attack, police said. Soon after, UDF activists gathered at the spot, further aggravating the situation.
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However, with the deployment of additional police personnel, the situation was brought under control, an officer said.
Police said another violent incident was reported at Marad, where stones were allegedly pelted at a UDF victory procession, leaving several persons injured.
In Sultan Bathery in Wayanad district, police registered a case after a car carrying a UDF activist and his family members was allegedly attacked by around 40 CPI(M) workers, an official said.
Sultan Bathery police also booked UDF activists in a separate incident for allegedly attacking a CPI(M) worker who objected to the bursting of crackers near his house, the officer said.
In Panoor in Kannur district, houses of several Muslim League activists were allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers. Vehicles parked at the houses were also damaged.
According to Panoor police, the violence broke out after a UDF victory rally was allegedly stopped by CPI(M) workers armed with swords and daggers. Some UDF leaders sustained injuries in the clash.
Clashes were also reported between UDF and LDF workers at Ulikkal in Kannur district, though police intervention brought the situation under control later in the night, an officer in the Ulikkal police station said.
In Bedakom in Kasaragod district, an LDF victory march turned violent after CPI(M) activists allegedly intercepted UDF workers passing through the area. Some policemen who intervened suffered minor injuries, an officer said.
Similar violence was reported from Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram district following clashes between CPI(M) and BJP workers. Police said workers from both sides sustained minor injuries and were admitted to hospitals. Cases will be registered after formal complaints are received, police said.
