Need new blood in Karnataka Cabinet, old guard can't stay forever: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday strongly backed the induction of "new blood" into the cabinet, asserting that the old guard cannot continue indefinitely and that fresh thinking is essential for the party’s future.
Speaking to reporters here, he backed the first-time MLAs' demand to give them space in the cabinet.
"The party needs new blood and new thinking. I support fresh blood," the deputy CM said, underlining the need for generational change.
"The old guard can't stay forever," Shivakumar, who is also Congress state president, maintained.
He was reacting to a query on first-time MLAs writing to senior party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, seeking representation in the state cabinet during the proposed reshuffle.
In a joint representation addressed to the Congress high command and the state leadership, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, the legislators urged that at least five first-time MLAs be inducted as ministers.
"As you are aware, the people of Karnataka have elected 38 members to the legislative assembly from the Indian National Congress for the first time and thereby sent out a clear message that they want to see new young faces in the Legislature," the MLAs said in their letter.
Shivakumar also reacted to remarks by his cabinet colleague H C Mahadevappa on the Dalit chief minister issue, even as he maintained that he had no information about any leadership change in the state.
"I saw Mahadevappa's statement. He is our high command, and he may have some information. I don't have any information on this," the deputy CM said.
Asked whether the party high command had summoned him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to Delhi, he clarified, "I haven’t got any calls. I have to visit Delhi for some work related to my department."
Referring to central funds for urban development, he said the Centre was releasing Rs 1 lakh crore but had indicated it was not meant for bigger cities.
"I will discuss it with the urban development minister and ask them to prepare a proposal for tier two and three cities in the state," he added.
On criticism that, as Congress state president, he had remained silent over statements by ministers, Shivakumar said, "It is the CM who has to regulate the ministers and MLAs. I am doing the job of communicating it to the party."
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Eight women labourers killed as truck hits tempo on Nagpur-Mumbai expressway
Jalna/Mumbai (PTI): Eight women labourers were killed, and three others were injured after a speeding truck rammed into a tempo on the Nagpur-Mumbai Expressway in Jalna district of Maharashtra on Wednesday evening, police said.
The incident occurred when a group of women was returning home after completing cleaning work on the expressway.
"A total of 11 persons, including the driver, were sitting in the tempo. As the vehicle was about to start, a speeding truck headed towards Mumbai rammed into it from behind at Kadvanchi village," a police official said, adding that seven women died on the spot and another succumbed in the Jalna government hospital.
The tempo was badly mangled, and the bodies were reportedly strewn across the road.
The deceased have been identified as Alkabai Admane (45), Laxmibai Madan (35), Meena Admane (45), Kanchan Admane (50), Tarabai Choudhari (60), Kadubai Madan (55), and Suman Admane (70), all residents of Jalna tehsil.
The identity of the eighth deceased is yet to be confirmed.
Three people are undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Police have arrested the truck driver and registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is underway.
Expressing grief, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the death of eight people is extremely unfortunate, and announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.
Fadnavis paid heartfelt tributes to the deceased and expressed solidarity with their families.
He said in a statement the injured have been immediately admitted to hospitals and the local administration is coordinating relief efforts.
The district collector and the superintendent of police are present at the spot, overseeing the situation, the chief minister added.
Environment Minister and Jalna District Guardian Minister Pankaja Munde has expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
In a condolence message, Munde extended her sympathies to the families of the deceased.
