Kalaburagi: MLA Dr. Ajay Singh, representing the Jewargi Constituency, made headlines on Saturday as he chose to abstain from the state government's significant Gruha Jyoti Yojana launch program held in the city. The absence of the legislator, who is also the son of former Chief Minister Dharmasingh, has sparked discussions and raised eyebrows, particularly considering his reported discontentment over not being appointed to a ministerial post.

The Gruha Jyoti Yojana launch program, inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, took place at the new Vidyalaya grounds in the city. The event was attended by prominent political figures, including All India Congress Committee President Dr. Mallikarjuna Kharge, Deputy Chief Minister DK Sivakumar, and Ministers KJ George, Priyank Kharge, Dr. Sharanprakash Patil, Sharanbasappa Darsanapura, and Eshwara Khandre, among others.

Dr. Ajay Singh, who has been serving as the MLA for the Jewargi Constituency for the third time, was notably absent from the event held in close proximity to his residence. This absence has become a subject of debate and speculation, especially given the recent reports of his dissatisfaction with not being appointed to a ministerial position within the government.

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Washington (PTI): US President Donald Trump has posted a seemingly AI generated photo of himself in papal attire on his social media sparking a duelling backlash and praise, Newsweek said on Saturday.

The image, which was also posted from the White House's social media handle, prompted many social media users to call it “cosplaying as the next Pope” comes days after Trump had jokingly said last week that he would be his own “number one choice” for the next pope.

In the Vatican, cardinals are set to begin on May 7 the process to choose a successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21. The US president was among the world leaders who attended his funeral at St Peter's Square on April 26.

The president posted the picture without a caption or comment. “The post immediately garnered positive and negative reaction online,” Newsweek said adding, it reached out to the Vatican via email soon after.

Earlier on April 29, Trump told a television reporter: “I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice.”

When asked who should replace Francis, Trump said, “I have no preference,” but added: “I must say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who’s very good, so we’ll see what happens.”

Meanwhile, Trump's image went viral on social media with scores of users coming up with jokes, memes and criticism of the president.

Reacting to the image posted on the White House's X account, Lepus (@LepusNox) was quick to point out how it was neither funny nor respectful. “As President of the United States, posting a picture of himself as Pope a few days after the Pope's death is neither funny, nor does it present statesmanship and respectful behaviour. Rather, it shows the boundless arrogance and childish behaviour of a man who believes he is above everything, can get away with anything and is the head of everyone.”

The newsportal quoted comedian Terrance K Williams's post on X, which said: “Pope Trump... Lol our President just posted this. He's trolling because he knows the media is going to flip out. Love it Actually I love the sound of King Trump, the first of his name.”

Melanie D'Arrigo, executive director of the Campaign for New York Health and former Democratic congressional candidate, also took to X saying, “The guy who broke all 10 commandments is posting pictures of himself cosplaying as the next Pope.”

An X user, Average Aussie Egyptologist (Therese Clarke) (@AUSegyptology) called it “truly disgraceful” and an insult to the late Pope Francis.

“I can take lots of jokes about religion, but this is truly disgraceful - an insult to the late Pope Francis. It is on Donald Trump's approved Instagram account. The man couldn't even follow the protocols advised by the Holy See, fell asleep during the funeral mass and now does this,” she said.