D K Shivakumar patiently awaits Congress decision on leadership, says brother Suresh
Bengaluru (PTI): Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is patiently waiting for the Congress's decision on the leadership issue, his brother and former MP D K Suresh said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters, Suresh described Shivakumar as a "disciplined soldier of the party" who is acting in the interest of both the party and its legislators. He added that senior leader Rahul Gandhi has assured that an appropriate decision will be taken at the right time.
"The party has already asked him to be patient. Rahul Gandhi, during the meeting in Mysuru, also said that an appropriate decision would be taken at the right time," he said, reiterating that Shivakumar has been a disciplined soldier of the party from the beginning.
"In the interest of the party and legislators, and with the goal of keeping all 140 legislators together, he is patiently waiting for the party’s decision," Suresh said.
On whether there was a deadline for patience, he said, "Power doesn’t come easily to anyone. If it is written in my brother’s fate, he will become the chief minister. The post is not easy, and it cannot be achieved without patience."
Suresh further emphasised the importance of unity ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections. "The party will have to fight the polls unitedly. In that direction, keeping in mind the interests of legislators and workers, patience is important," he said.
Highlighting Shivakumar’s commitment to party discipline, Suresh added, "He is also the party president and should maintain discipline first, which he is following diligently."
The 'leadership tussle' in Karnataka has intensified amid speculation of a possible change in the chief ministership after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20. The speculation is linked to a reported "power-sharing" arrangement between CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar during the government’s formation in 2023.
Shivakumar had earlier indicated that discussions over the leadership issue involving himself and Siddaramaiah were held in the presence of the Congress high command, and that a decision had been reached, with timing yet to be finalised.
"Time will answer everything," he said. Shivakumar has also asserted that he enjoys the support of all 140 ruling party legislators, including CM Siddaramaiah.
When asked how long supporters of Shivakumar should remain patient, Suresh referred to the upcoming legislative session from January 22 to 31. "After that, we will have to wait and see what the high command decides," he said.
On concerns that a leadership change could affect votes from certain communities, Suresh stressed the party’s inclusive approach. "A politician needs Vokkaliga votes, Lingayat votes, as well as SC and ST votes. Appeasing one section alone won’t help. Every vote counts. Caste-based politics hampers development at both state and national levels," he said.
Suresh also highlighted Shivakumar’s loyalty to the party rather than to any individual leader. "While some people are loyal to personalities or power, D K Shivakumar has always stood by the party in all situations, whether in power or not. He sees everything patiently," he said, adding that his comments on Panchayat chairmen were illustrative and not meant to apply to state-level politics.
Asked whether Shivakumar’s intentions and patience had been conveyed to Rahul Gandhi, Suresh said the national leader considers the political situation across the country and makes decisions after consulting all stakeholders. "We have faith that the party leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, will take everyone into confidence before deciding," he said.
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Karachi shopping plaza fire death toll reaches 28, another 80 missing
Karachi (PTI): At least 28 people have died in the fire at a shopping plaza in Pakistan’s Karachi with another 80 missing as rescue operations continued to locate them in the rubble of the old building on Tuesday.
Police Surgeon Summaiya Syed confirmed on Tuesday that so far 28 bodies had been brought to the Jinnah and civil hospitals while another 20 were still under treatment but in stable condition.
“Since Saturday night when the fire broke out, 28 bodies have been brought to the hospitals,” she said.
Syed said so far 18 bodies had been identified while DNA tests were also being carried out to confirm the identity of the others.
The fire broke out at a shop in the basement of the Gul Shopping Plaza, a wholesale and retail market, and quickly spread to the rest of the building.
Rescue 1122 Chief Operating Officer (COO) Abid Jalal said due to the intensity of the fire, which was only brought under control after nearly 34 hours, many portions of the dilapidated structure had collapsed.
“We have been given a list of some 80 people who are believed to be missing in the fire,” he said.
He added that some of them could be on the list of dead sent to hospitals since Saturday.
“The rescue operations are progressing slowly because of the condition of the building and there were around 1200 shops on all floors,” he said.
Relatives and families of the missing people have refused to leave the site of the building as they wait anxiously for news while the authorities have closed the M A Jinnah Road for all traffic.
Business owners and traders observed a one day mourning on Monday in remembrance of those who perished in the fire.
Tanweer Pasha, a senior official of the Gul Plaza shop owners association, estimated that the fire has caused losses of at least 3 billion PKR.
He said that the exact figure would only be known once the rescue operations are completed.
