Cong will decide about making me CM in future, says DK Shivakumar
Gokarna (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday said the Congress will decide about making him the Chief Minister in future, bringing to the fore again the issue of leadership change.
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the Chief Minister's post after the Assembly election results in May last year, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy Chief Minister.
There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational Chief Minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.
During a temple visit here, a priest prayed that God's blessings may be showered on Shivakumar, and he became the Chief Minister.
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Speaking to reporters here in Uttara Kannada district, Shivakumar, who has in the past made no secret of his ambition to become Chief Minister, amid speculations of change in guard mid-way of the Assembly term, responded to talk in some political circles about the leadership issue.
"What's wrong if a priest expresses his desire before God while praying? The priest has expressed his desire. Now Siddaramaiah is the Chief Minister, I'm working as Deputy Chief Minister under him, also as party's state President. People speak about it and desiring it (Shivakumar should become CM) is a different matter, it will be decided by our party," Shivakumar said.
"Now we are all working under the leadership of Siddaramaiah, and our desire is that the state should progress further under his leadership," he said.
"There will be people including supporters and priests, who pray for us, they will express their opinion. Can we stop them from doing it? At the temple it is between God and his disciple, they have expressed their feelings to God," Shivakumar added.
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Traffic curbs likely in central Delhi for IPL match on April 8: Police
New Delhi (PTI): Traffic movement in central Delhi is likely to be affected on April 8 in view of the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, police said.
According to an advisory issued by the Delhi Traffic Police, congestion is expected on key stretches around the stadium from 12 pm to midnight, with the match between the Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans scheduled between 7 pm and 10.30 pm.
The advisory said that, depending on traffic conditions, diversions and restrictions may be imposed on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and JLN Marg during the day.
Movement of heavy and commercial vehicles will remain prohibited on these corridors, including stretches between Daryaganj and Delhi Gate, Delhi Gate to Guru Nanak Chowk, and ITO to Delhi Gate, the advisory read.
Commuters have been advised to avoid JLN Marg (Rajghat to Delhi Gate), Asaf Ali Road (Turkman Gate to Delhi Gate), and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg (Delhi Gate to ITO) in both carriageways, it added.
Entry to the stadium will be regulated through designated gates, with access routes divided across the south, east and west sides via Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and JLN Marg.
The police said parking near the stadium will be restricted, with facilities available only for labelled vehicles.
According to the advisory, free parking, along with park-and-ride services, has been arranged at Mata Sundari Road, Rajghat Power House Road and Velodrome Road. Shuttle bus services will operate from these locations starting two hours before the match and continuing until one hour after it concludes, it added.
Additionally, app-based taxi pick-up and drop-off points have been designated at Gate No. 2 near Maulana Azad Medical College, Rajghat Chowk and the service lane on Ring Road between IP Flyover and Rajghat.
Vehicles found parked illegally on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, JLN Marg and the Ring Road stretch between Rajghat and IP Flyover will be towed and prosecuted, the advisory read.
