My only group is Congress group: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar met face-to-face over breakfast on Friday, following the Congress high command’s instruction to sit together and clear the air over the ongoing leadership debate.
The meeting took place at the CM’s official residence, Cauvery, and lasted for about 40 minutes. With the past one week filled with speculation over power-sharing, factional politics and rumours of internal tension, the breakfast meeting had drawn considerable curiosity.
After the meeting, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar addressed a joint press conference.
Siddaramaiah said both leaders had agreed to follow the directions of the party’s senior leadership. He insisted that neither ministers nor MLAs were against the government. He added that since the Assembly session is coming up, the high command asked both leaders to remove any confusion. “From tomorrow, there will be no confusion. Even now, there is none. We will inform the high command about our understanding,” he said.
He pointed out that unnecessary speculation had been created. “Some media houses have created this confusion. A few MLAs may have visited Delhi regarding cabinet reshuffle, but that should not be misunderstood,” he said.
Siddaramaiah added that the two leaders discussed upcoming elections, the 2028 Assembly polls and the local body elections, and the need to work together like they did in the 2023 Assembly election. “We have decided to move forward unitedly,” he said.
He also underlined that there was no rift between them. “There is no difference now, and there will be no difference in future. The winter session in Belagavi begins on December 8. We have faced BJP and JD(S) strongly before, and we will continue to do so. Their trademark is misinformation and baseless allegations. We have prepared our strategy to counter them,” he said.
Shivakumar, speaking after Siddaramaiah, said the two leaders shared the same stand on the leadership issue. “We will follow what the high command says,” he confirmed.
He said Karnataka has a big responsibility at a time when the Congress is facing challenges at the national level. “After the 2028 Assembly election, we will face the 2029 Lok Sabha election under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Our aim is to bring Congress back to power in Karnataka in 2028 and at the Centre in 2029. We have been working together till now and will continue with the same commitment,” he said.
Shivakumar also said Siddaramaiah will visit his home for dinner in the coming days. “We are working together. The hard work of our cadres and the support of the people brought the Congress to power. We are serving people as promised. It is our responsibility to fulfil people’s expectations. The government is functioning under Siddaramaiah’s leadership, and we are following the high command’s direction,” he said.
He stated firmly that he belongs to no internal group. “There was no groupism even during Krishna’s time, and there is none now. My only group is the Congress group. In Siddaramaiah’s first term, even when I was not made a minister for the first six months, I never complained. My commitment to work together is firm. Our job is to strengthen the party, empower every MLA and move together. We have planned many programmes to bring Congress back to power in 2028, and we are already working in that direction,” he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Former India hockey coach Michael Nobbs dies
Melbourne (PTI): Former Australian hockey player Michael Nobbs, who coached the Indian men's team at the 2012 London Olympics, has died after a prolonged illness.
He was 72 years old and is survived by his wife Lee Capes, a former Australian women's international and daughter Kaitlin, who is a current Hockeyroos star.
"Hockey Australia extends its deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends, former teammates, players and all those whose lives and careers were shaped by his contribution to hockey. He will be remembered as a proud Kookaburra, a respected professional, and a servant of the sport," Hockey Australia said in a statement.
Nobbs represented Australia as a defender, playing across the half-back line and at fullback, and was renowned for his reliability, fitness and professionalism. He earned 76 international caps for Australia between 1979 and 1985, scoring one goal, and was a member of one of the strongest eras in Australian men’s hockey, said Hockey Australia on its website in its tribute.
Nobbs was an integral part of the Australian teams that competed at the 1981 Hockey World Cup in Bombay and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
While part of a generation widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest, he consistently held his place through hard work, discipline and trust earned from teammates and coaches, Hockey Australia wrote.
Nobbs took over the coaching of the Indian men's team in 2011 after it had failed to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2008. While India were brilliant in the qualifiers, the team finished last at the London extravaganza which also expedited the Australian coach's sacking.
Apart from India, Nobbs also coached Japan.
