Always stood by CM, will continue to do so in future, says Dy CM Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Seeking to junk claims of power tussle in the state, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday asserted that he has always stood by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and will continue to do so in future as well.
He said it is the party high command which decides leadership matters and the backing of certain number of MLAs could not decide anything.
During a discussion in the Karnataka Assembly, opposition leader R Ashoka said Shivakumar often spoke about the right time.
"Shivakumar says time will give the answer. We will get relief if he discloses which time he is talking about," Ashoka said.
The BJP leader said he has heard from Shivakumar’s camp that there are at least 56 MLAs to support the deputy chief minister.
"When I asked a person from Chief Minister’s camp he said every morning these 56 people go to Shivakumar’s camp and return to the CM’s camp by the evening. Labour Minister Santosh Lad is from the same category," Ashoka claimed. He added that Shivakumar was in a dilemma over whom to trust.
Lad took exception to Ashoka's statement and rejected being the follower of a particular camp, and retorted saying that the BJP is an "expert" in bringing down governments.
Ashoka said the BJP will never topple the government and hinted that the power tussle would bring down the Congress regime in the state.
He said Shivakumar should clear the air because for the past month, his speeches, statements, and social media posts have been conveying hundreds of meaning, thereby adding confusion.
Replying, the Deputy CM said, his strength is "139 MLAs" including the chief minister.
Further, the deputy chief minister said: "Siddaramaiah is also with me 100 per cent. There is no question on it. We both are together, working to fulfill the promises made to the people of Karnataka. We are marching in that direction and will continue to do so in future as well. There should not be any confusion."
He asserted that he always stood by Siddaramaiah during crisis and will do so in future. "He (Siddaramaiah) will also stand by me,” the Deputy CM said.
On his social media post, he said: "Decisions are not taken based on the number but it is the party leadership which decides. It is applies to both yours and my party."
The BJP replaced a number of chief ministers, MLAs were also changed and a major cabinet reshuffle happened, he added.
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Cash agent attacked; Rs 31.38 lakh looted on Bengaluru outskirts
Bengaluru (PTI): Four unidentified men on two-wheelers allegedly intercepted a cash collection agent, attacked him with a machete and fled with Rs 31.38 lakh on the outskirts of the city, police said on Monday.
The incident occurred on February 1 on Sakalavara Road near Bannerghatta, involving Kailas (24), and was captured on a CCTV camera, they said.
According to the FIR, the complainant had collected cash from multiple outlets on Sunday afternoon and was carrying Rs 31.38 lakh in the storage compartment of his scooter.
At around 4.20 pm, while he was heading towards Bengaluru on Sakalavara Road, four unidentified persons riding a scooter and a motorcycle intercepted him.
One of the assailants allegedly stopped in front of his vehicle, while another pulled alongside and asked him for directions in Kannada. When the victim replied that he did not know, one of the accused allegedly took out a machete and attacked his hand.
The assailants then pushed him, snatched his scooter and mobile phone, and fled with the cash, the complaint stated.
All four accused were wearing helmets and were speaking in Kannada. They were riding a black-coloured scooter and motorcycle, police said.
The complainant’s scooter was later found abandoned about one kilometre from the crime scene, with the storage compartment broken open and the cash missing, the FIR added.
A case has been registered under Sections 309(6) (robbery) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Bannerghatta station.
Police said teams have been formed to trace the accused, and further investigation is underway.
