Pitching for "collective leadership", Former Deputy CM Parameshwara says he can't be "kept away"
Bengaluru, Sept 19: Senior Congress leader G Parameshwara on Thursday pitched strongly for a "collective leadership" and said it was not possible to build the party keeping him away, amid reports of differences within the state leadership.
The former Deputy Chief Minister however ruled out any rivalry between him and Congress Legislature Party leader and Siddaramaiah.
"Keeping someone away, party cannot be built. If someone says they will build the party keeping Parameshwara away, it is not possible.
Or by keeping someone else away party cannot be built.
That is why I keep saying it should be a collective effort, as everyone has different strengths," Parameshwara said.
Speaking to reporters here, he pointed out that party came to power in 2013 as the election was fought under collective leadership.
"Even now it is possible if there is collective leadership, if someone says - he alone can do things - it is not possible," he added.
Speculations were rife within certain Congress circles that Parameshwara, who is said to be eyeing the Leader of Opposition post, was unhappy with Siddaramaiah's "growing dominance" in the party.
His absence from the CLP meeting held under the leadership of Siddaramaiah on Wednesday had added fuel to the speculation, despite clarifications issued by party leaders that Parameshwara was in Delhi and hence did not attend it.
Prameshwara has said, he had no prior knowledge about the CLP meeting, and got to know about it only after landing in Delhi.
With B S Yediyurappa taking over as the Chief Minister of Karnataka in July, following the fall of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government, Leader of the Opposition post is vacant.
With Congress now the principal opposition party in the assembly, the position goes to it.
Though, Siddaramaiah as CLP leader is seen as the primary contender for the post, several senior party leaders including Parameshwara are said to be opposed to key post resting with former Chief Minister, and are willing to throw their hat into the ring.
There are also talks within the Congress circles regarding the change of KPCC President, party sources said, pointing out that Dinesh Gundu Rao, the incumbent currently holding the post, is considered "close" to Siddaramaiah.
However, Parameshwara seeking to downplay differences within the party, termed speculations about "rift" between him and Siddaramaiah as a "conspiracy".
"I feel there is some conspiracy behind projecting it that way, as they know that if we both (Parameshwara and Siddaramaiah) are in good terms Congress will be stronger, and if we are not in good terms it may lead to groupism within the party," he said.
Parameshwara pointed out that he has worked with Siddaramaiah as both party president and Minister in his government.
"There may be a difference of opinion between us, but that does not mean that there is rivalry between us," he added.
Parmeshwara also said, there was no need to give a "different meaning" to Congress President Sonia Gandhi giving appointment to him for a meeting during his visit to Delhi, while "denying" it to Siddaramaiah recently.
Further stating that during Delhi visit he met senior party leader D K Shivakumar, being probed by ED in a money laundering case, Parameshwara said, "he told me that he has not committed any theft or fraud, and it may be true that there may be some mistakes while accounting, and he would face it legally and come out clean."
Congress has accused the BJP of indulging in "hate politics" against Shivakumar, a sitting MLA from Kanakapura assembly seat and a former Minister, by "using" ED against him.
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Tribal man brings dead sister's skeleton to bank to withdraw money from her account
Keonjhar (PTI): A tribal man in Odisha's Keonjhar district on Monday brought the skeleton of his dead sister to a bank to withdraw the money deposited in her name, police said.
The incident occurred at Maliposi branch of Odisha Grameen Bank located at Patana block of Keonjhar district. The man was identified as Jeetu Munda (50) of Dianali village. He was seeking to withdraw Rs 20,000 from the bank account of his elder sister, Kalra Munda (56), who died on January 26, 2026.
"I have run several times to the bank, and the people there told me to bring the account holder to withdraw money deposited in her name. Though I told them that she had died, they did not listen to me and insisted on bringing her to the bank. Therefore, out of frustration, I dug the grave and brought out her skeleton as proof of her death," an illiterate Jeetu Munda told reporters.
Patana Police Station Inspector in charge (IIC) Kiran Prasad Sahu, who reached the bank after getting information, said, "Jeetu is an illiterate tribal man. He does not know what the legal heir or nominee is. The bank officials have failed to make him understand the procedure to withdraw money from the dead person's account."
However, after the incident, the police assured Jeetu Munda that they would facilitate the withdrawal of money from the bank account of his dead sister. Later, the skeleton was again buried at the graveyard in presence of police.
Meanwhile, local Block Development Officer (BDO) Manas Dandpat said that he was not approached by anyone for the legal heir of late Kalra Munda. "Today only, I came to know about it. We will see what can be done to resolve the issue," the BDO said.
Meanwhile, bank sources said that the nominee in Kalra Munda's bank account was also dead. Therefore, Jeetu Munda was the lone claimant over the money deposited in her name.
The local administration has directed the bank officers to make arrangements and ensure that Jeetu Munda, who is the only claimant as per the rules, gets the money as soon as possible.
