No speculation within Cong or anywhere about leadership change in Karnataka: DK Shivakumar
New Delhi (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday dismissed speculation about a possible change of guard in the state after Makara Sankranti, saying such talk exists only in the media and not within the party or government.
Shivakumar, who was in Delhi, said he is not meeting anyone during this trip. "Kharge is in Delhi. I think Rahul Gandhi came yesterday and I don't want to disturb him," he said.
Asked about the change of guard in Karnataka, he told reporters, "The speculation is only in the media. There is no speculation within the party or anywhere in the government. The media is only speculating about things."
Speaking about his current role, the Deputy CM said, "I would love to be a party worker rather than (holding) any position in the party. That is permanent for me," adding that he has been working for the party since 1980, completing 45 years of service.
About meetings with party leaders, he said such interactions over breakfast are routine, similar to meetings with businessmen, bureaucrats and media. "Meeting, sharing and caring is part of life," he added.
The Deputy CM said the Congress government has delivered on promises made to the people during elections and will continue to do so. He said the party high command has given them a free hand to work as a team.
Asked about speculation regarding Lok Sabha MP and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's political future and a possible prime ministerial role, Shivakumar distanced himself from such discussions.
"I am not aware of all these issues. My leader is AICC president Mallikarjuna Kharge and Rahul Gandhi is my Leader of Opposition and they are at the helm of affairs. They are running the party under the guidance of Sonia Gandhi. Whatever call they take, I strive to work," he said.
He praised Rahul Gandhi for giving "big strength" to the party and said there is no discussion on alternative leadership.
"Priyanka Gandhi's sole motto is only to see that Rahul Gandhi becomes PM," he added.
He emphasised that speculation about individual names goes against party principles.
"One or two members or workers on the basic principles of the party should be there. No names should be speculated.
"We believe in leadership. Any day, the Congress party can make a decision. Discipline is important. I don't want anyone to create any confusion," Shivakumar said.
On questions about a possible cabinet reshuffle, Shivakumar said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would be the better person to address such matters.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
