Congress high command likely to summon K'taka CM Siddaramaiah, DCM DKShi amid leadership tensions
Bengaluru: As the power tussle within the ruling Congress in Karnataka refuses to subside, the party's top brass is likely to summon Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, to New Delhi soon to resolve the escalating issue that is threatening to spiral out of control.
According to a report published by Deccan Herald on Wednesday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who recently held discussions with both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in Bengaluru, has briefed top party leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, about the current political situation in Karnataka.
The high command is keen to address the issue before the winter session of Parliament begins on December 1. While the exact dates are yet to be confirmed, it is reported that both leaders could be called to the national capital on November 28 or 29.
Sources cited by the newspaper have suggested that Sonia and Rahul are likely to hold talks with Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar jointly.
Shivakumar is keen to remind Rahul Gandhi of the informal “power-sharing” agreement discussed when the government was formed in May 2023, DH wrote in its report citing sources close to Shivakumar .
Congress President Kharge, when asked about the ongoing leadership issue, emphasised that the matter should not be discussed publicly. He refrained from confirming any meeting with Rahul Gandhi, stating, “You all know that the president does not discuss anywhere else. If a meeting takes place, we will discuss.”
Meanwhile, the political turmoil within the state Congress has also provided ammunition to the opposition parties, with the BJP and JD(S) accusing the ruling party’s leadership of neglecting governance amid their internal power struggle.
Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra said the state does not want "acting or outgoing CM", and urged the Congress to settle its leadership tussle before the winter session of the legislature begins in Belagavi next month.
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Withdraw 'disrespectful' remark against Rahul Gandhi and apologise: Pilot asks Rijiju
Mumbai (PTI): Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Thursday hit out at Union minister Kiren Rijiju for passing a "disrespectful and inappropriate" remark against Rahul Gandhi, and asked him to apologise for it.
He was answering a query regarding Rijiju's reported statement in which he described Gandhi as the "most dangerous person" for India's security, and a purported video of a man claiming to be from Karni Sena issuing death threats to the Congress leader.
Addressing a press conference here, Pilot said, "When ordinary journalists criticise the government, they face FIRs and jail. But when threats are issued against the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (Rahul Gandhi), there is silence. This shows the government's intention. LoP is a constitutional position. To describe him as a security threat is inappropriate and disrespectful. Even as such open threats are being made, the government is not taking any action."
"The statement 9against Gandhi) should be withdrawn and an apology should be issued," the Congress general secretary said, adding that it is the job of the LoP to seek accountability from the government and ask questions.
To a query on the plane crash in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed on January 28, Pilot said, "I do not want to speculate. There should be a transparent, time-bound inquiry. If there are doubts, a high-level investigation should clarify facts."
When asked about the demand for leadership change in the opposition INDIA bloc, he said, "Leadership decisions are internal matters. The alliance worked remarkably well in the last Lok Sabha election. The gap in numbers between the INDIA bloc and the NDA was not very wide. We are working together strongly and will continue to do so."
The Congress has been helming the INDIA bloc, a coalition of Opposition parties formed before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to counter the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, voices from disgruntled Congress members and those associated with the UPA dispensation suggested that the leadership of the opposition alliance should be given to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin.
On Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Indian economy, Pilot said, "India is a major IT power. We have talent and capability. Many countries see India as a natural partner. But we must use our strengths wisely and not compromise our sovereignty under pressure."
"India should have the freedom to decide where to buy oil from. That is a sovereign decision," Pilot said.
On the issue of illegal migration, he said anybody staying illegally in India should be removed regardless of religion or caste.
"But this issue should not be politicised. If the border has been under control for 11 years, how did illegal immigrants enter? The government should provide data on how many people have been deported," he said.
"This government's intent and policies are anti-farmer and there is no accountability. The opposition will continue to demand answers from the government and stand with farmers and the people of India," he said.
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