Bengaluru, July 2 (PTI): Notwithstanding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s assertion that he would complete the full five-year term, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Wednesday indicated that there will be a change of guard in the state in October or November.

Ashoka's comments come amid speculation about leadership change in the ruling Congress in the state.

The LoP said the Congress party is a divided house and the Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is sending signals to seize power.

“The replacement of the Chief Minister is definite in October or November. The Congress party is like a house with three doors, with all MLAs aspiring to be CM,” the BJP leader said at a press conference here.

He wanted the Congress high command to clarify whether Siddaramaiah would remain the Chief Minister.

According to the opposition leader, Siddaramaiah’s repeated assertion that he would continue his five-year turn was out of fear of losing his position.

“Shivakumar is sending signals to seize power. I challenge him to declare that Siddaramaiah will remain CM until 2028. We (BJP) would accept it as a ‘sixth guarantee’ and stay silent,” Ashoka said.

He claimed that the state government lacked funds, MLAs are frustrated, and the public has lost confidence in it.

Ashoka termed the High Court assigning the CBI to probe the Valmiki Corporation scam case a victory for the BJP’s fight.

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Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.

Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.

Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.

“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.

“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.

Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.

“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.

The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.

The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.

Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.

Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.