New Delhi: Former controversial Shia Waqf Board Chairman of Uttar Pradesh, Waseem Rizvi on Monday converted to Hinduism after quitting Islam. He was converted to Hinduism by Swami Yati Narsinghanand, the head priest of Dasna Devi temple in Ghaziabad.

Rizvi’s new name is Jitendra Narayan Singh Tyagi, Swami Narsinghanand said.

"I was removed from Islam. The prize money on my head is increased every Friday. Today I am embracing Sanatan Dharma," Rizvi was quoted by India Today as saying.

Swami Chakrapani Maharaj, national president of All India Hindu Mahasabha, said, "The decision of former Muslim cleric Waseem Rizvi sahab to accept Hindu Sanatan Dharma is welcome. All India Hindu Mahasabha, Sant Mahasabha welcomes him. Waseem Rizvi Sahab is now a part of our Hindu Sanatan Dharma, no fanatic should dare to issue a fatwa against him. The central and state governments should provide him proper security."

Waseem Rizvi had allegedly received threats to life after he filed a PIL in the Supreme Court seeking the removal of some verses from the Quran, which he alleged taught violence. His appeal was, however, rejected by the Supreme Court.

He also received threats after he released a book that allegedly portrayed Prophet Muhammad in a bad light.

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Bengaluru, Feb 17 (PTI): Amid speculations about leadership change in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said it is for the Congress high command to decide.

There have been talks in the state's political circles, especially in the ruling Congress party, about a chief minister change later this year, under a "rotational chief minister" or "power-sharing" formula.

"It is for the high command to decide," Siddaramaiah told reporters in response to a question on discussions about leadership change.

Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, is a strong chief ministerial aspirant and has made no secret of his ambition to become the CM.

There have been time and again attempts by a section of party leaders and workers to project Shivakumar as the next chief minister.

ALSO READ: Karnataka Minister Rajanna asks Shivakumar not to 'misuse' AICC, high command's name

There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy Chief Minister.

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.

A section of party leaders, especially ministers considered close to Siddaramaiah, have been pitching for him to complete the full term as chief minister, stating that he was indispensable to the party if it wanted to retain power in the next election. These activities are notwithstanding Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's warning last month asking his party colleagues to 'shut up' and focus on governance, amid public statements from them on the leadership change issue.

A section consisting of ministers from SC/ST communities had even held dinner meetings last month, which was seen as an attempt to revive the demand for a Dalit or an AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) to become the next chief minister, in case Siddaramaiah demits office.

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