Shivakumar cancels Davos trip, cites engagements in Delhi and Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has cancelled his scheduled visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, citing official engagements in New Delhi and Bengaluru.
"The Deputy CM has a series of meetings lined up with AICC functionaries regarding Assam assembly elections and is also spearheading the campaign against the union government over MGNREGA due to which a five-day special session of the Karnataka Assembly is scheduled to begin from January 22," his office said in a release on Saturday.
According to the Deputy CM's itinerary, Shivakumar, who was in Delhi to take part in a preparatory meeting in connection with the Assembly elections in Assam, will be travelling to Bidar in northern Karnataka this evening.
He will attend the funeral of former minister Bheemanna Khandre, who died late last night, at the age of 102, in Bidar.
Later, he will travel to New Delhi via Hyderabad at night.
The decision to skip the Davos summit, scheduled from January 18 and Shivakumar's return to Delhi has fuelled speculations about the stability of current leadership.
It also comes in the backdrop of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's brief conversation with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy Shivakumar on Tuesday evening, sparking rumours that the high command may be addressing the ongoing power tussle.
The leadership tussle in the ruling party has intensified after the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20. The speculation has been fuelled by the reported 'power-sharing' arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of the government’s formation in 2023.
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Belagavi: Married man jumps into Malaprabha river with lover
Belagavi: A married young man allegedly died by suicide after jumping into the Malaprabha river along with his lover on Wednesday morning under the jurisdiction of the Ramadurga police station. The incident is said to have occurred after his family opposed his second marriage.
The deceased have been identified as Jagadish Yallappa Kavalekar (27) and Gangamma Pavadeppa Tyapi (26), both residents of Mallapur village in the taluk.
According to police, Jagadish’s wife had gone to her parental home in Bochabal village for her first delivery. Dur ing this period, discussions regarding Jagadish’s second marriage reportedly arose within the family.
When family members insisted that the issue be addressed only after his wife returned, opposition intensified, leading to tension at home.
Following the disagreement, Jagadish and Gangamma left their homes on Monday. Their bodies were found in the Malaprabha river on Wednesday morning. Upon receiving information, the Ramadurga police rushed to the spot and retrieved the bodies from the river. Police said the bodies were found embracing each other.
A case has been registered at the Ramadurga police station, and further investigation is underway.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
