Siddaramaiah rejects "November revolution", asserts no calls made for leadership change
Hassan (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday rejected speculations about "November revolution" in the state politics, as he asserted that there are no calls for leadership change.
He reiterated that the dinner meeting he hosted for his cabinet colleagues on Monday had nothing to do with leadership change or politics.
The meeting had gained significance amid speculations about a change of guard and cabinet reshuffle in the state, when the Congress government reaches the halfway mark of its five-year term in November, which is being referred to by some as "November revolution". Some interpret "November revolution" as a change of Chief Minister.
"There is no relationship between the dinner meeting and politics. I regularly host such dinners and we keep meeting for dinner and have such get together. We discuss party matters. Other than that there has been no discussion on leadership change or any other political matters," Siddaramaiah said in response to a question from reporters on speculations about leadership change and the dinner meeting he hosted for cabinet colleagues.
Asked about the high command's 'silence' about speculations, he said the top leadership is currently concentrating on Bihar elections.
"Let's see later, what they say. We will go by whatever the high command says," he said.
To a question on talks about the "November revolution", he shot back, "there is no kranti (revolution), no branti (delusion)."
Asked about calls for leadership change and about it requiring approval from the high command and legislators, he said, "there are no such calls, you (media) are talking about such things. Nowhere such calls are there, unnecessary speculations."
There have been speculation within state's political circles, especially within the ruling Congress, for some time now about the Chief Minister change later this year, citing alleged power-sharing agreement involving Siddaramaiah and his deputy and Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar.
Amid talks about CM change, Siddaramaiah has constantly reiterated that he will complete a full five years term.
Siddaramaiah on Monday said no one can become the CM without the support of the majority number of the party legislators, along with the blessings of the Congress high command.
He was responding to a question on a reported statement by Shivakumar that leadership changes can happen in the state based on the high command's decision, and it is not only on the basis of the support of the number of legislators.
Siddaramaiah reply is seen as an assertion that he still enjoys the support of a large number of Congress MLAs.
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post after the Congress won the 2023 Assembly polls and the party had managed to convince the latter and made him the deputy CM.
There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.
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Elderly Dalit woman cremated on road after family denied access to village cremation ground in Bihar
Vaishali: An elderly Dalit woman was cremated on a public road in Bihar’s Vaishali district after her family was allegedly prevented from using the village cremation ground, triggering outrage and tension in the area, The Observer Post reported.
The incident occurred on Thursday at Sontho Andhari village under the Goraul police station limits. The deceased, identified as Jhapki Devi (95), belonged to a Mahadalit family. According to locals and police, when her family tried to take her body to the cremation ground, some people blocked the route, leaving the family with no option but to perform the last rites on the road.
Family members and residents said the obstruction has been a long-standing issue. “Every time we take a body for cremation, the way is blocked. This has happened earlier too, but no permanent solution was given,” said a local resident from Manjhi Tola, expressing anger over repeated denial of access.
As tensions rose, the funeral procession stopped at Andhari Gachi Chowk, where the body was placed on a pyre in front of a Shiva temple and cremated on the road. Villagers alleged that the pathway connecting the main road to the cremation ground had been encroached upon by local landowners.
Police and administrative officials later reached the spot. A fire brigade vehicle was deployed to extinguish the pyre, and the road was cleaned after the cremation. Public representatives who arrived at the scene were reportedly chased away by protesting villagers, who accused the administration of ignoring their complaints for years.
Vaishali Superintendent of Police Vikram Sihag said the issue arose due to the absence of a clear path. “Earlier, there was a route to the cremation ground, but some people built a temple on that path. Due to the lack of access, the family carried out the cremation on the road,” he said. He added that discussions were held with local officials and that arrangements would be made to restore access to the cremation ground. “The situation is currently under control,” the SP said.
Block Development Officer Pankaj Kumar Nigam and Circle Officer Divya Chanchal said the area had been cleared and an inquiry was under way. “All aspects will be examined, and steps will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not happen again,” they said.
