Karnataka leadership: Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar will be called for talks if needed, says Kharge
Bengaluru (PTI): AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar would be called to New Delhi for discussions whenever necessary, amid an ongoing "power tussle" within the ruling Congress in Karnataka.
Kharge said, "Whenever necessary, the party would call them," in response to a question from reporters on when the CM and Deputy CM would be summoned to Delhi for talks.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
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The speculation has been fuelled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of the government’s formation in 2023.
Siddaramaiah, who recently became the longest-serving chief minister of the state, surpassing the record held by Devaraj Urs, has expressed confidence that he will complete the full five-year term. However, he has maintained that the final decision rests with the Congress high command.
Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, on Sunday said his hard work had brought him this far in politics and that he was confident about the Congress party’s future decision regarding him.
His remarks are being seen as an assertion of his chief ministerial ambitions.
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Bengaluru: Commercial building fire brought under control, two rescued
Bengaluru (PTI): A fire broke out in a multi-storey commercial building here on Friday evening, following which two people who were trapped on the terrace were safely rescued, officials said.
The incident occurred at around 5.30 pm at a commercial building located on Coles Road, they said.
However, no casualties were reported, officials added.
According to officials, the blaze started on the terrace, where a pantry and storeroom are located. The situation led to panic as the building is located adjacent to a petrol bunk, raising fears of a possible explosion.
Two people trapped on the terrace due to the fire were rescued by a police team along with Fire and Emergency Services personnel, a senior police officer said.
Four fire tenders were pressed into service, and after nearly an hour of intense firefighting, the blaze was brought under control.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, police said, adding that further investigation is underway.
