Shivakumar rejects claims of TN Cong MLAs being shifted to Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday dismissed reports that Congress MLAs from Tamil Nadu had been shifted to a resort in Karnataka amid post-election political developments in the neighbouring state, saying he was unaware of any such move.
Political activity in Tamil Nadu has intensified following the Assembly election results, with parties engaged in consultations over government formation and support arrangements.
Amid speculation about legislators being moved to resorts in other states and ongoing political negotiations, internal party discussions and interactions between senior leaders have continued. However, no official confirmation has been made regarding any such relocation of MLAs.
Rejecting claims that five Tamil Nadu MLAs had arrived at Eagleton Resort near Bengaluru, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, said, "All of that is false. No MLAs have come to Eagleton Resort. I am not aware of it."
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he added that he had only seen media reports regarding developments in Tamil Nadu and had not received any communication from the Congress high command on the matter.
"The party high command has not spoken to me about it. If the party high command speaks, that is a different matter. Whatever stand the party takes, I will abide by it. It is a party decision," he said.
When asked about the reported shifting political alignments in Tamil Nadu, where some leaders were said to be extending and later withdrawing support, Shivakumar said, "I am not aware of it. I do not have that much information. No one has spoken to me about it."
The Congress leader also confirmed that he was travelling to Puducherry on Saturday. "Yes, I had not visited the Shaneswara temple in a long time. I am going to visit it," he said.
Responding to questions on the 'Abhimanotsava' celebrations being organised to felicitate former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, the deputy CM conveyed his wishes and said political differences should not overshadow personal respect.
"If it is his birthday, let it be celebrated well. We have all worked with him. In the end, his party people want to organise and honour him. There is nothing wrong with that. Let them do their duty. I wish him good health," he said.
On allegations related to ticket allocations by the Karnataka State Cricket Association, Shivakumar said he had only represented the collective views of legislators across party lines regarding their entitlement to match tickets.
The BCCI recently announced that the IPL final would be shifted from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad. Some opposition members in Karnataka alleged that the decision was influenced by the distribution of tickets to MLAs, allegations which Shivakumar had rejected on Wednesday.
"I am a representative of the people of Karnataka. Whatever my MLAs say, I have to do that. All parties in the Assembly together raised the request, and we acted on it," he said.
He clarified the demand, adding, "Earlier they were giving two tickets; I said, please give three now. That is all," referring to cricket match ticket allocations for legislators.
The Deputy Chief Minister also defended the allocation of cricket match tickets to legislators, which had sparked political controversy in Karnataka, and accused the BJP of "politicising the matter unnecessarily."
"BJP people are making politics out of it. They wanted more tickets and more business, and that is why they are creating drama," he alleged.
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Deepika Kumari leads Indian recurve archery team to dramatic World Cup gold
Shanghai (PTI): The Indian trio of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and teenager Kumkum Mohod held their nerve in a tense shoot-off to beat home favourites China and clinch the women's recurve team gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 here on Sunday.
In a final marked by fluctuating fortunes, India edged past the home side 5-4 (28-26) in the shoot-off after the four-set regulation ended 4-4.
The victory was especially sweeter as India had earlier stunned record 10-time Olympic champions South Korea in the semifinals en route to their first World Cup women's team gold since 2021.
Deepika, who was also part of India's World Cup-winning teams in Guatemala City and Paris in 2021, now has seven World Cup team gold medals to her name since 2010.
It was also the Indian women recurve team's first World Cup medal in three years, its previous podium finish coming in Stage 4 in Paris in 2023 where Ankita was a member of the winning team.
India's campaign in Shanghai has thus already yielded two medals after compound archer Sahil Jadhav opened the country's account, securing a bronze on Saturday.
India also remained in contention for another podium finish later in the day with recurve archer Simranjeet Kaur set to compete in the semifinals. She is a win away from her maiden individual World Cup medal.
Travelling without a full-time national coach amid the continuing impasse over appointments, it was the vastly experienced Deepika who led from the front, constantly motivating her teammates during breaks and changeovers.
Prafull Dange, who was the designated women's recurve coach after his ward Kumkum topped the national trials, largely remained in the background as Deepika guided the side through the pressure moments against a hostile home crowd and vocal Chinese support staff.
Against a young Chinese side comprising Zhu Jingyi, Huang Yuwei and teenage archer Yu Qi, who all made their World Cup debuts only last year, India looked in control initially but nearly let the match slip after taking the opening set (54-53).
Shooting last in the Indian order, Deepika set the tone with successive 10s as India edged the first set despite Ankita (8-8) and 17-year-old Kumkum (10-8) putting up an inconsistent show.
Deepika continued her fine rhythm in the second set with another perfect 10 as India briefly held a one-point advantage (28-27) midway through the end. But China responded strongly with two 9s and a 10 in their final three arrows of the second set to post 55.
Ankita replied with a 9, but Kumkum managed only an 8, leaving Deepika needing a 10 to level the set.
The four-time Olympian, however, slipped to a 7 as India lost the set 52-55 and China drew level at 2-2.
The hosts then moved ahead in the third set. The teams were initially tied at 56, but a review upgraded China's final arrow from 8 to 9, handing them the set 57-56 and a 4-2 lead.
India appeared on the verge of defeat in the fourth set despite Deepika rediscovering her touch with two 10s. Kumkum's final arrow landed in the 7-ring as India posted a modest 54.
China required two 10s and a 9 from their last three arrows to seal the match.
Zhu and Huang delivered perfect 10s, leaving 18-year-old Yu Qi needing a 9 for victory in front of the home crowd.
But the youngster shot an 8, allowing India a dramatic escape and forcing a shoot-off.
The Indians peaked at the right moment in the decider. Ankita opened with a 9, Kumkum followed with a superb 10, and Deepika calmly delivered a 9 when only an 8 was needed to seal the title.
