Siddaramaiah asked high command to clear air on leadership issue early: Minister Jarkiholi
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Wednesday said Chief Minister Siddramaiah has asked the Congress High Command to clear the air at the earliest on the issue of leadership change in the state.
The Minister, who holds the public works portfolio, told reporters that he would soon seek time from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to meet him.
According to him, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar harbors the ambition to become the chief minister, and he had made it known to all from day one, but the party high command gave a chance to Siddaramaiah.
Noting that the party high command has to decide on the leadership change, Jarkiholi said Siddaramaiah has also said that the high command should finalize it at the earliest.
"When CM says it, then seniors in the party should take note of it," the minister said.
Asked whether the MLAs have agreed to it, Jarkiholi said such a discussion is not taking place in the party at present.
"There is no discussion on leadership change in the party. Once it comes up, then we will discuss, but there is no discussion on it in the party right now," the minister said.
To a question whether he met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to resolve the matter, Jarkiholi said he will seek time and meet Kharge to discuss this issue and to express his opinion.
He added that Shivakumar had met many people -- some at his residence and some others outside. He also said he too had met him but did not disclose the content of the discussion.
Regarding Home Minister G. Parameshwara's claim that he should also be made the CM, the Public Works Minister said Parameshwara had served as party president for five years.
"I had said in Belagavi that there is nothing wrong in making such claims. So he too is senior, but who will decide finally? It happens in Delhi. All that we can do is just make a claim."
Referring to Siddaramaiah's services in the party post retirement, Jarkiholi said, "We (Congress) will require CM Siddaramaiah's leadership, his service and guidance even after his retirement from active politics."
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy Shivakumar are locked in a stiff competition for the state's top post.
Shivakumar has been insisting on being made the next chief minister, said sources close to him.
According to sources in the Congress, Shivakumar held a one-hour meeting with Jarkiholi in a private hotel.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar told media on Wednesday that he had discussed political strategy, strengthening the party, and bringing the party back to power in 2028 during his discussion with Jarkiholi.
He said he was meeting a lot of other senior leaders of the party, like Ministers Zameer Ahmed Khan, K H Muniyappa, Priyank Kharge, and others, to discuss political strategy.
"We want to see that we retain power in the state and see to it that Rahul Gandhi takes over as the Prime Minister of the country after the 2029 Lok Sabha polls," the Deputy CM said.
"Of course, Satish Jarkiholi had worked with me as a working president (of the party). We all have worked together. We are cabinet colleagues, we want to see that in 2028 we come back to power. We want to have a road map by taking every section of the society together. We want to strengthen the party. We have discussed all this. I always keep on meeting. What's wrong, he is my colleague and senior leader of the party," he said.
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Former India hockey coach Michael Nobbs dies
Melbourne (PTI): Former Australian hockey player Michael Nobbs, who coached the Indian men's team at the 2012 London Olympics, has died after a prolonged illness.
He was 72 years old and is survived by his wife Lee Capes, a former Australian women's international and daughter Kaitlin, who is a current Hockeyroos star.
"Hockey Australia extends its deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends, former teammates, players and all those whose lives and careers were shaped by his contribution to hockey. He will be remembered as a proud Kookaburra, a respected professional, and a servant of the sport," Hockey Australia said in a statement.
Nobbs represented Australia as a defender, playing across the half-back line and at fullback, and was renowned for his reliability, fitness and professionalism. He earned 76 international caps for Australia between 1979 and 1985, scoring one goal, and was a member of one of the strongest eras in Australian men’s hockey, said Hockey Australia on its website in its tribute.
Nobbs was an integral part of the Australian teams that competed at the 1981 Hockey World Cup in Bombay and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
While part of a generation widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest, he consistently held his place through hard work, discipline and trust earned from teammates and coaches, Hockey Australia wrote.
Nobbs took over the coaching of the Indian men's team in 2011 after it had failed to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2008. While India were brilliant in the qualifiers, the team finished last at the London extravaganza which also expedited the Australian coach's sacking.
Apart from India, Nobbs also coached Japan.
