BJP-JD(S) claim 'Randeep rule' in Karnataka, call Surjewala 'super CM', as he meets Ministers
Bengaluru, Jul 16 (PTI): As AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala continued to hold one-on-one meetings with several ministers on Wednesday, opposition BJP and JD(S) took a dig at the ruling Congress, calling him "super CM".
They also asked whether "Randeep rule" has been imposed in the state.
While Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and BJP leader R Ashoka claimed that the Congress high command, which has completely lost confidence in CM Siddaramaiah, has imposed a "Randeep rule" in Karnataka.
Surjewala's one-on-one meetings with ministers entered the third day on Wednesday. These meetings are said to be aimed at understanding their grievances, assessing their performance, and addressing the complaints shared by the party MLAs against the ministers.
Earlier, the AICC General Secretary had held two rounds of one-on-one meetings with party legislators in the state.
"Is Randeep rule implemented in the state? Will Thursday's cabinet meeting also be chaired by Surjewala?" Ashoka asked in a post on 'X'.
"The Congress high command, which has completely lost confidence in the lottery CM Siddaramaiah, has imposed a "Randeep rule" in Karnataka," he claimed and said said, "It should not be surprising if Surjewala, who is listening to the complaints and grievances of dissatisfied MLAs in the KPCC office and five-star hotels and reviewing the performance of ministers, comes to the cabinet meeting to be held at the Vidhana Soudha on Thursday and presides over it himself."
"CM Siddaramaiah has no control over the administration, and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar does not have the support of the MLAs, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi does not have the power to appoint whoever he wants as the Chief Minister," Ashoka alleged.
"Overall, the Congress party in Karnataka is in a state of "limbo" without a single leader who can handle the post of Chief Minister effectively," Ashoka claimed.
Meanwhile, JD(S) State Youth President Nikhil Kumaraswamy in a post on 'X' sarcastically said, "Congratulations to Surjewala on his silent elevation as the Super CM of Karnataka."
"Looks like the elected CM has handed Surjewala a GPA to run the government," he slammed.
"Democratically elected MLAs are now forced to bow before a 'Surjewala Sarkar' for constituency development funds," he claimed.
"Siddaramaiah is outgoing (as CM), D K Shivakumar is incoming, but Surjewala is already ruling," Nikhil Kumaraswamy claimed, pointing at CM change speculations within the ruling Congress.
The Congress has reduced Karnataka to a puppet state, he said, calling it "a total mockery of federalism and democracy."
❓ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ "ರಣದೀಪ್" ಆಡಳಿತ ಜಾರಿ ಆಗಿದೆಯಾ?
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) July 16, 2025
❓ಗುರುವಾರದ ಸಂಪುಟ ಸಭೆಯೂ ಸುರ್ಜೆವಾಲಾ ಅವರ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಾ?
ಲಾಟರಿ ಸಿಎಂ @siddaramaiah ಅವರ ಮೇಲೆ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ವಿಶ್ವಾಸ ಕಳೆದುಕೊಂಡಿರುವ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಹೈಕಮಾಂಡ್ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದಲ್ಲಿ ''ರಣದೀಪ್ " ಆಡಳಿತ ಹೇರಿದೆ.
ಕೆಪಿಸಿಸಿ ಕಚೇರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ, ಪಂಚತಾರಾ ಹೋಟೆಲ್ ಗಳಲ್ಲಿ… pic.twitter.com/oqLwyQ70MY
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MEA reports more than 200 Indians enlisted in Russian military since 2022; 26 deaths confirmed
More than 200 Indian nationals have joined the Russian armed forces since 2022, with 26 are confirmed dead, MEA—The Ministry of External Affairs have informed the Upper house of the Parliament: Rajya Sabha.
In a written response, the Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, has stated that at least 202 Indians are reported to have joined the Russian army. Among these recruited personnels, 26 have lost their lives; while, seven individuals have been reported missing by Russian authorities. He added that the remains of two deceased Indian nationals were cremated in Russia.
Singh noted that the sustained diplomatic efforts by the Indian government have led to the early discharge of 119 individuals. He further added that the discussions are going smoothly with the Russians to secure the release of the remaining personnel, with efforts underway to facilitate the early discharge of 50 more Indian nationals.
According to the minister, the Union government is in contact with Russian authorities to ensure the safety, welfare, and prompt return of Indian citizens serving in the Russian army. The issue, he said, is being addressed at multiple levels, including interactions between senior leaders, ministers, and officials of both countries.
The said disclosure was made in response to queries raised by Saket Gokhale, the MP of Trinamool Congress, and Randeep Singh Surjewala, the MP of INC, regarding the number of Indians allegedly recruited into the military service in Russia; Along with the details of deaths and missing persons reported since 2022.
