Siddaramaiah rejects CM change speculation after meeting Rahul Gandhi
Mysuru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday dismissed media speculation about a possible change in the state’s leadership, reiterating that he will abide by the Congress high command’s decision.
Speaking to reporters after briefly meeting top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at the airport, Siddaramaiah said there was no confusion within the party regarding leadership issues. He clarified that he did not hold any political discussions with Rahul Gandhi during the meeting.
"No discussion has taken place today, and none is scheduled for the evening. He (Rahul Gandhi) is en route to Gudalur in Tamil Nadu and will return here later to fly back to Delhi. I will see him off again," Siddaramaiah said.
Responding to questions about media reports on a possible leadership change, the CM said, "What speculations? You (the media) are the ones speculating. There is no such issue within the party. This question itself is baseless."
Addressing rumours of confusion over a potential Cabinet reshuffle, he added, "Where is the confusion? These are discussions in newspapers and media; there is no such thing in the party."
Speculation over a leadership tussle has intensified since the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, fueled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar at the time of the government’s formation in 2023.
Commenting on reports that legislators were giving dates for a leadership change, Siddaramaiah said, "Either D K Shivakumar or I would speak on this issue, as we are the ones who know. Have we spoken? No. In fact, legislators are not discussing it now; it is you (the media) who are discussing it."
When asked about Shivakumar and his supporters referencing promises regarding power transfer, he said, "When was this said? They have not said anything; you are creating it. Ultimately, we will abide by whatever the high command decides."
On the issue of MLAs publicly commenting on his tenure, Siddaramaiah said, "MLAs don’t know the details. The high command has not informed them. The decision will be taken as per the high command."
Referring to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s earlier remark that local leaders should resolve leadership issues, the CM said, "Shivakumar and I have had discussions and even visited each other’s homes for breakfast. We agreed to abide by the high command’s decision."
Siddaramaiah added that he would not be going to New Delhi immediately to discuss the proposed Cabinet reshuffle with the Congress leadership.
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SC confirms interim bail granted to UP MLA Abbas Ansari in Gangsters Act case
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday confirmed its earlier order granting interim bail to Uttar Pradesh MLA Abbas Ansari, son of late gangster Mukhtar Ansari, in a case under the state's Gangsters Act.
On August 31, 2024, an FIR was lodged at Kotwali Karvi police station in Chitrakoot district under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986, against Ansari and others on charges of extortion and assault.
On March 7 last year, the top court granted six-week interim bail to Ansari in the case.
On Tuesday, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi took note of the submissions of senior advocate Kapil Sibal and advocate Nizam Pasha, appearing for Ansari, and regularised the interim bail granted earlier in the case.
The relief from the top court in March 2025 had paved the way for Ansari's release from Kasganj jail. He had been granted bail in all other criminal cases against him.
The bench had imposed certain conditions and later relaxed a few of them, including that he could not leave Lucknow without the investigating officer's nod.
Ansari was taken into custody in other criminal cases on November 4, 2022, and arrested under the Gangsters Act on September 6, 2024.
Granting him relief in March last year, the bench noted that he was granted bail in all other criminal cases except the Gangsters Act case.
On December 18, 2024, the Allahabad High Court rejected Ansari's bail plea in the case.
Navneet Sachan, Niyaz Ansari, Faraz Khan and Shahbaz Alam Khan are the other accused in the case.
