Congress bandh call will not evoke response, as party itself on verge of getting shut: CM Bommai
Hubballi (KTK) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said the Congress' call for a two-hour 'bandh' on March 9, as part of its fight against the ruling BJP over alleged corruption, will not get any response from the people, as the opposition party itself is on the "verge of getting bandh" (shut).
Accusing the Congress of indulging in 'rampant corruption' while in power, he claimed that the then CM Siddaramaiah had set "targets" for Ministers in his cabinet.
"Congress is the well of corruption, their sins are not just one or two. Congress itself is on the verge of getting bandh, so by means of such protests and bandh they want to safeguard their political future, it won't get any response, because those who make allegations should be of clean hands, only then it will have some value," Bommai said.
Speaking to reporters here, he alleged that the Congress has indulged in corruption in the past during the procurement of pillows and beds, among others.
"From small projects to big irrigation projects, they have indulged in corruption. Siddaramaiah the then CM had set a target for all his Ministers, ask M B Patil, K J George, (H C) Mahadevappa among others regarding the targets set for them," the CM said, adding that people will not pay heed to the bandh call given by the Congress, as their "hands are completely immersed in corruption".
"People know about their (Congress) tricks and games, people are aware as to who is true, anyways there is election by May, and people will decide in the electoral battle," he added.
The Karnataka Congress has called the bandh to escalate the issue and further embarrass the BJP following the recovery of over Rs eight crore unaccounted cash from its MLA Madal Virupakshappa's son Prashanth Madal by the Lokayukta, in an alleged bribery case.
Announcing the bandh from 9 to 11 am on Thursday, Karnataka Congress president D K Shivakumar on Sunday said, schools, colleges, transport and health services will not be disturbed.
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25 killed in lightning strikes, hailstorms in several districts of Bihar
Patna, Apr 10 (PTI): At least 25 people were killed in lightning strikes and hailstorms in several districts of Bihar on Thursday, officials said.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Nalanda reported 18 deaths, followed by two in Siwan, one each in Katihar, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Bhagalpur and Jehanabad.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, however, claimed in a post on X that over 50 people died on Thursday.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of more than 50 people in various incidents of storm, rain, lightning, tree and wall collapse in Bihar. I express my deepest condolences. May God provide strength to the families affected by the disaster in this hour of grief,” he wrote in Hindi.
He also said that the state government should compensate farmers for their crop loss due to the sudden rain and give them proper compensation.
Earlier, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condoled the deaths and announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.
On Wednesday, 13 people had died in lightning strikes in four districts of Bihar.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an ‘orange alert’ (be prepared) for a number of districts, including Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada and Patna.
It has also forecast heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday in these districts.
"Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) likely to occur at few places over Madhubani, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna," the IMD said in a bulletin.
Water-logging was also reported on Thursday from several parts of Patna following heavy rain.
The state capital recorded an average of 42.6 mm rainfall till 5.30 pm.
Officials of the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) and district administration, however, claimed that rainwater was drained out in the shortest possible time despite the downpour.
