Minister KN Rajanna reaffirms ‘revolutionary’ political developments in Karnataka after Sept
Bengaluru, Jul 24 (PTI): Karnataka Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna, who had earlier hinted at "revolutionary" political developments in the state post-September, reiterated on Thursday that he stands by his statement.
Similar remarks made by him on June 26 had sparked speculation about a possible change in leadership and a cabinet reshuffle later this year.
"It (revolutionary political developments) is ahead… I had said September. I still stand by that statement," Rajanna told reporters here when asked about his earlier comments.
When pressed for details, he said, "If I reveal everything now, there won’t be any curiosity left. Let the curiosity remain."
Noting that Siddaramaiah has already clarified the issue of a leadership change, Rajanna, a supporter of the chief minister, said any discussion on the topic is irrelevant.
"Siddaramaiah has made it clear that he will abide by the high command’s decision, so that rider is also there. Any decision on this will be taken at the high command level," he added.
Earlier this month, Siddaramaiah had asserted that he would complete his full five-year term as CM, while reiterating that he would go by the party high command's decision.
Speculation has been rife in political circles—particularly within the ruling Congress—about a potential change in leadership later this year, reportedly tied to a power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
There has also been talk of a change in the KPCC President post, which Shivakumar has held beyond his original term.
Rajanna said he plans to meet AICC General Secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, during his upcoming visit to Delhi.
"There’s no specific reason. He is our in-charge secretary, so I will meet and discuss matters with him," he added.
Responding to reports that he had "boycotted" Surjewala’s one-on-one meetings with ministers earlier this month, Rajanna clarified, "I wasn’t called for that meeting. If I had been in the city, I would have met him. But I had pre-scheduled international travel for personal reasons and couldn’t attend."
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Bangladesh court sentences Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in corruption cases
Dhaka (PTI): A Bangladesh court on Monday sentenced deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in two separate corruption cases related to alleged irregularities in allocations of land in a government housing project.
Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-4 Judge Rabiul Alam handed down the verdicts, sentencing Hasina to a total of 10 years’ imprisonment — five years in each case, state-run BSS news agency reported.
The court sentenced 78-year-old Hasina, her nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and her nieces, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, and others in the cases over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots under the Rajuk New Town Project in Purbachol.
The judgment was pronounced at around 12.30 pm.
Tulip Siddiq was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment — two years in each case — while Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq were each sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in both cases.
Rajuk member Mohammad Khurshid Alam, the only accused to surrender before the court, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment in each case, totalling two years.
The court also fined all convicted persons Tk1 lakh each and ordered them to serve an additional six months in prison in default of payment.
Hasina has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year in the face of the massive protests. She was earlier declared a fugitive by the court.
The cases were filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged abuse of power in the allocation of two 10-katha plots.
According to the prosecution, the accused manipulated the allocation process and violated existing rules and regulations of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
