CM's son embroiled in controversy after viral video; JD(S) & BJP target Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's son Yathindra Siddaramaiah found himself embroiled in a controversy on Thursday after a video, where he was seen issuing certain instructions on the phone, went viral on social media.
Hurling corruption charges against him, former chief minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy hit out at the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, alleging that the conversation was related to the "transfer (of government servants) business".
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his deputy D K Shivakumar and others from the ruling party said the phone conversations were regarding development of four to five schools using the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
Siddaramaiah even said that he would retire from politics if even one instance is presented with proof that he had made money by transferring officials.
In the video, Yathindra, a former Congress MLA, is heard saying, "Hello Appa (Father), Vivekananda! To where? No I didn't give that. Give it (phone) to Mahadeva. I had given only five."
Then he speaks to Mahadeva, saying, "Mahadeva, why are you giving something...? Who has given that? Nothing but whatever 4-5 I have given, that alone should be done."
According to Kumaraswamy, Yathindra spoke to R Mahadeva, a sub-registrar at Ganganagar in Bengaluru, who has been appointed as the CM's Officer on Special Duty.
Demanding an investigation into the whole episode, the JD(S) state president sought to know which list Yathindra was speaking about and who was Vivekananda in the conversation.
Directing his questions at Siddaramaiah, Kumaraswamy asked, "Why did you call him (son Yathindra) and which list is that?"
Taking a dig at the CM, Kumaraswamy said, "What is his (CM's) role? Is it his job to call his son and ask him what to do?"
The BJP too came down heavily on the Chief Minister and his son Yathindra.
"This shadow CM (Yathindra) is more powerful than CM! The ex-MLA Yathindra gave an order to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that he should do only what 'I have given him' and not more than that," the BJP posted on social media platform X.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is only occupying a nominal position and all power and administration belongs to his son Yathindra, the BJP alleged, remarking that the post of chief minister is "vacant in the state".
Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah clarified that the conversation was related to the school buildings being constructed with CSR funds. He claimed that Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa had given the list.
Talking about the video, the chief minister said he would retire from politics if it was shown that he had made money through transfers in his political career.
Shivakumar, also the Karnataka Congress chief, too said the conversation was related to school development with CSR funds.
Yathindra being the member of the Karnataka Development Programme and chairman of the Ashraya Samiti was talking about utilisation of CSR funds to provide benches and other furniture in the schools he had chosen, he said.
Kumaraswamy demanded that the list of schools that the Deputy Director of Public Instructions has provided be made public.
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Father responds to age fraud allegations against IPL history's youngest buy 13 yr old Vaibhav Suryav
New Delhi (PTI): When Sanjiv Suryavanshi sold his farm land to fund his 10-year-old son Vaibhav's cricketing aspirations, little did he know that within three years the boy would be scripting history.
During the second and final day of the IPL mega auction in Jeddah, Vaibhav, at 13 years and eight months, became the youngest cricketer ever to be picked by a franchise as Rajasthan Royals bought him for Rs 1.10 crore.
Sanjiv, who owned farm land in his native Motipur village which is 15kms from Samastipur town in Bihar, was lost for words.
"Woh ab sirf humra bituwa nahi pura Bihar ka bituwa hai (He is not just my son now but entire Bihar's son)," Sanjiv told PTI over phone as his son is currently in Dubai for the U-19 Asia Cup.
"My son has worked hard. At the age of 8 years, he excelled at U-16 district trials. I would take him for his cricket coaching to Samastipur and then take him back," he recalled the days of hardships.
So were his finances in place as cricket is an investment?
"Not just investment, it's big investment. Aapko kya bataye humne toh apna zameen tak bech diya. Abhi bhi halat pura sudhra nahi (I have sold my land. Financial issues are still there)."
When asked about the controversies regarding Vaibhav's actual age which many believe is 15 years, the father was quick to clarify.
"When he was 8 and half years old he first appeared for BCCI bone test. He has already played India U-19. We don't fear anyone. He can again undergo age test," he sounded defiant.
Sanjiv said that Bihar Cricket Association president Rakesh Tiwary's "blessings" have always helped Vaibhav in his journey.
"Rakesh ji ka ashirwaad raha hai bahoot (Rakesh ji's blessings are there)."
His base price in the auction was Rs. 30 lakh and Delhi Capitals made the opening bid. RR entered the fray at Rs. 35 lakh and eventually got the better of DC to get the player on board.
So how did this bidding war happened?
"Rajasthan Royals had called him for trials in Nagpur. Vikram Rathour sir (batting coach) gave a match situation where he had to score 17 in an over. Bituwa ne 3 chakka mara. Trials mein aat chakka aur char chauwaa mara (He smashed three sixes. At trials, he hit eight sixes and four fours)," the father claimed proudly.
For a 13-year-old, it can be very difficult to understand what it means to earn a crore. So how does he plan to keep his young son away from monetary discussions?
"He just wants to play cricket and nothing else. A few years back he loved Doremon, not anymore," Sanjiv said.
BCA lauds selection
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BCA president Tiwary was all praise for the prodigy after his 1.10 crore bid for RR.
"Vaibhav Suryavanshi's incredible achievement at such a young age fills us with immense pride," Tiwary said in a statement.
"His journey from Bihar to the IPL is a reflection of his talent, hard work, and determination. The Bihar Cricket Association has always believed in nurturing young talent, and Vaibhav's success highlights the cricketing potential in our state.
"We are confident he will continue to shine and inspire aspiring cricketers across Bihar and beyond. I congratulate Vaibhav and his family."
