Congress high command will decide on who will be the CM: D K Shivakumar
Hubballi(PTI): Karnataka Congress President D K Shivakumar on Monday said the party high command will decide as to who the chief minister will be in the event of the party coming to power in the Assembly elections, likely by April-May.
Conveying good wishes to people of the state and all political parties for the New Year, he however wished that the Congress comes to power.
"I wish good for media, people of the state for the New Year, I also wish good for all parties, but we (Congress) should get the power," Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters here, in response to a question, he said, "It is not that I should become the chief minister, it will be decided by the high command. Mallikarjun Kharge (AICC President), Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi (former AICC Presidents) will decide. What ever they decide is like prasada."
With Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah too along with Shivakumar nursing chief ministerial ambitions in the event of the party coming to power in the state, there seems to be a game of political one-upmanship, between the two leaders as the election nears.
The Congress appears to be a divided house, with supporters of both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar often openly projecting their leaders as the next chief minister.
Calling the BJP "university of lies" on the Mahadayi river water issue, Shivakumar said, "for three-and-a half years they (BJP) couldn't do any thing, despite their own government in Maharashtra...they have taken most of our MLAs through 'Operation Lotus' in Goa and are in power there too, as they did here in Karnataka."
"Without doing anything for three years, as we are preparing to raise a voice on the issue, instead of giving necessary clearances they have now issued a draft note...They (centre) have put a rider pointing to the Supreme Court's final order on the issue, instead of getting the cases filed in the SC withdrawn," he said, adding despite having 25 BJP MPs from the state, they did not meet the PM on the issue even once in order to get the work started.
"Who is going to stop you (Karnataka government) from taking up work within your state, with your money," he questioned the ruling BJP.
Condemning the "delay" by the BJP government in getting the necessary approvals for the Mahadayi project, the Congress today is holding a massive rally in Hubballi to highlight the issue.
Recently, the Union government had approved Karnataka's detailed project report (DPR) on the Kalasa-Banduri (Mahadayi) project, which was opposed by Goa.
Karnataka wants to use the Mahadayi river water from its tributaries Kalasa and Banduri to supply water to drought-hit districts of north Karnataka.
The proposed project will use 3.9 tmc water - 2.18 tmc from Banduri and 1.72 tmc from Kalasa river canals - for drinking water needs.
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Modi's allegation of insult to Uttar Pradesh, a "cheap tactic" says DMK chief Stalin
Chennai (PTI): DMK President and Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of picking up a "cheap strategy" of stoking confrontation between states as his "propaganda of communal hatred" did not help.
Stalin slammed what he called Modi's "imaginary tales and bags of lies" by alleging that leaders of southern states including Tamil Nadu (INDIA bloc constituents) were speaking in a derogatory manner, against the people of Uttar Pradesh.
Days ago, PM Modi had alleged in a poll rally that Samajwadi Party and the Congress's southern allies insulted Uttar Pradesh and Sanatana Dharma but the two parties remained quiet.
The DMK president alleged that it was the BJP that supported and encouraged fake news items, such as the false claims made by "YouTubers like Manish Kashyap" of assault on guest workers in Tamil Nadu. Such fake claims were hate propaganda aimed at creating divisions in society.
Kashyap was arrested last year by Tamil Nadu police for alleged circulation of fake videos on "attacks" in Tamil Nadu on migrant workers hailing from Bihar. Kashyap, who had been in jail in connection with that case, joined the BJP last month.
Stalin lashed out at Modi saying he did not speak on removing the 50 per cent cap on reservation for Backward classes and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes people, a move that will be very beneficial for the people of Uttar Pradesh. However, Modi was keen on propaganda of hatred alone, the DMK top leader alleged.
"The BJP's divisive dreams will never come true ! false narrative and hatred will be shattered, India will win," Stalin said in a statement.
The Chief Minister said Modi was frustrated as hate propaganda has become useless and he does not have any achievements to tell the people from his ten-year tenure.
Hence, PM Modi has gone to the extent of "besmirching" welfare schemes implemented in opposition-ruled states and he has demonstrated that "he is always against the poor people."
Stalin said the DMK government's fare-free town bus services scheme for women has benefited them in several ways, ensuring "travel freedom," and claimed that Modi has "started a rumour" that passenger traffic has witnessed a decline in Metrorail services.
The Dravidian party chief, citing statistics said the patronage for Chennai MetroRail (CMRL) has increased significantly and accused Modi of scuttling the CMRL phase-II expansion in the Tamil Nadu capital city by not "releasing funds" to the state as agreed by the Centre.
PM Modi has reportedly spoken in an interview on bus and the Metro rail services and whether or not he made a specific reference to Tamil Nadu is not known.
Stalin said the INDIA bloc was "racing towards victory" and accused Modi of making "propaganda of lies and hatred," and people were witnessing "Election Commission's silence" with shock and grief.
