BJP using Waqf issue as "political weapon": Karnataka Home Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Accusing the opposition BJP of using the Waqf issue as a "political weapon", Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday warned of strict action against any attempts to disturb peace in the state.
His comments come as BJP plans to intensify its fight against the Congress government over the issue in the days ahead, as the party even constituted three teams, which will visit districts and meet those affected by Waqf notices.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar too has blamed the BJP for trying to "create communal disturbance" on the issue.
"They (BJP) are using it (Waqf issue) as a political weapon. It means, there may be efforts for communal flare ups and disturbing peace. It is our allegation that they might be using their yatra (tour) for it. How things will take shape in the future, we cannot speculate now," Parameshwara told reporters here.
Asked whether the ruling Congress feared that BJP would attempt to create law and order situation and pave the way for President's rule in the state, he said, "it is not possible. The police department has been abely maintaining peace in the state. There might have been few incidents, but by and large we have been successful in maintaining peace."
A section of farmers and others in certain parts of the state have alleged that their lands were marked as Waqf properties.
With the row escalating, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had directed officials to revoke all notices issued to farmers, and any unauthorised amendments in land records without due notice also be nullified.
Reacting to BJP's claims that the Lokayukta probe has proved that the 40 percent commission charge leveled against the previous BJP government by the Congress is completely "false", Parameshwara said he was not aware about the basis of such claims.
Hitting back at the BJP, the Minister said it is wrong to say that Congress came to power only because of the 40 percent commission campaign against the then BJP government, as there were also guarantee schemes among other things.
"It may be BJP's claim that Congress came to power by constantly levelling 40 per cent commission charge against the previous BJP government. The then state contractors' association President Kempanna, who is now no more, had written to the PM alleging corruption and 40 percent commission was being collected, during the BJP government. Based on it, Congress as a party, in the interest of the people, had taken up the issue," he added.
To a question on BJP challenging CM Siddaramaiah to prove his allegation that Rs 50 crore bribe was offered by the party to 50 Congress MLAs to topple the government, Parameshwara said let PM Narendra Modi also prove his allegations that the ruling Congress is collecting upto Rs 700 crore from liquor shop owners in Karnataka for Maharashtra polls.
"...let state BJP leaders ask for evidence from the PM for his allegations, so that they can fight here more strongly. We will give proof later," he added.
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2nd WT20I: Shafali, spin trio do star turns in India''s seven-wicket win
Visakhapatnam (PTI): Shafali Verma hit a blistering unbeaten 69 as India made short work of a paltry target to outclass Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second Women’s T20 International here on Tuesday.
India now lead the five-match series 2-0 after another one-sided victory, having restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 128 for 9 through a collective display of disciplined bowling from the spin trio of seasoned Sneh Rana, ably complemented by young spinners Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani.
During the chase, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (14) fell cheaply but Shafali, enjoying new found confidence after a stellar show in the World Cup final, sent the bowlers on a leather-hunt during her 34-ball knock, winning it for her team in just 11.5 overs.
The hosts have now completed back-to-back successful chases within 15 overs which speaks volumes about the unit's sky-high confidence.
Shafali's innings had 11 punchy boundaries apart from a maximum.
The floodgates opened when left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera bowled a few flighted deliveries and Shafali would step out everytime to hit her over extra cover. Her footwork against slow bowlers was immaculate whether stepping out to loft the ball or rocking back to punch or pull.
Seeing her confidence, the newly appointed Delhi Capitals skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (26 off 15 balls) also attacked as the duo added 58 runs in just 4.3 overs.
By the time Rodrigues was out trying to hit one six too many, the match as a contest was over. Shafali completed her half-century off just 27 balls and completed the formalities in a jiffy.
Earlier, off-spinner Rana, who got a look-in after Deepti Sharma was ruled out due to fever, showed her utility keeping the Lankan batters under tight leash with figures of 1 for 11 in 4 overs, including a maiden which certainly is a rarity in T20 cricket.
Charani, who made an impression during India's ODI World Cup triumph, took 2 for 23 in her quota of overs, while Vaishnavi after an impressive debut in the opening encounter, finished with 2 for 32, not letting the Islanders get easy runs in her second spell.
The last six wickets fell for just 24 runs, but what stood out during India’s bowling effort was their superb ground fielding. After a patchy show in the previous game, the improved sharpness in the field resulted in three run-outs.
Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu (31 off 24 balls) looked in good nick as she deposited length deliveries from seamers Kranti Gaud and Arundhati Reddy over the ropes but it was Rana, who kept her quiet by repeatedly pitching on good length.
Unable to manoeuvre the strike and with the big hits suddenly drying up, Athapaththu chanced her arm at another delivery in which Rana had shortened the length slightly.
Not having transferred the weight into the lofted shot, Athapaththu's hoick was pouched cleanly by Amanjot Kaur at long-off.
This was after Athapaththu's opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne (1) had offered a simple return catch to Gaud.
Hasini Perera (22 off 28 balls) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33 off 32 balls) did stitch a stand of 44 but they could never set the tempo against the Indian spin troika.
Once Hasini offered a tame return catch off a Charani full-toss, Sri Lankans never recovered and lost wickets in a heap towards the end.
