Congress leader K C Venugopal rejects speculation over CM change in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Amid ongoing speculation about a possible change in chief minister later this year in Karnataka, AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal on Friday dismissed the rumours, asserting that the Congress is fully capable of handling decisions regarding its state leadership.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, “The Indian National Congress is capable enough to decide what should happen in our party. Please leave that decision to our party. You don’t worry. Whenever a decision is needed, the party is capable enough to take that decision, that’s all."
Responding to queries from reporters about the speculation, he said, "You people are having only one agenda whenever I come here only this question of five years, 2.5 years..."
His remarks came in the backdrop of continued speculation in political circles about the leadership change in Karnataka.
Congress MLA from Kunigal H D Ranganath and former Mandya MP L R Shivarame Gowda on Wednesday renewed the debate by claiming that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will become the next CM of the state.
Speculation within the state’s political circles, particularly in the ruling Congress, has been ongoing regarding a possible change in the chief ministership later this year, citing a power-sharing arrangement involving Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter to accept the position of Deputy CM.
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.
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Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya hammer half-centuries as India make 231/5 vs SA in 5th T20I
Ahmedabad (PTI): Skipper Suryakumar Yadav's poor run with the bat continued but India still managed a massive 231 for 5 thanks to Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya's blazing half-centuries and Sanju Samson's useful contribution at the top in the fifth and final T20 International here on Saturday.
Samson, who opened the batting in place of the injured vice-captain Shubman Gill, struck a 22-ball 37 and shared a 63-run stand with Abhishek Sharma (34 off 21 balls) as the hosts, leading the series 2-1, were off to a fine start.
Abhishek and later Samson's dismissals did not slow down the momentum as Varma (73 off 42 balls) continued to play his natural game even as Suryakumar (5) departed without making much of a contribution.
Varma and Hardik Pandya (63 off 25 balls) then shared a 115-run stand for the fourth wickets to carry the team past the 200-run mark, with the latter hammering five boundaries and as many sixes at a strike rate of over 250.
Earlier, India included pacer Jasprit Bumrah in place of Harshit Rana, while Washington Sundar came in for Kuldeep Yadav. Samson was included in place of Shubman Gill.
Brief scores.
India 231 for 5 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 34, Sanju Samson 37, Tilak Varma 73, Hardik Pandya 63; Corbin Bosch 2/44).
