Dec 5 convention in Hassan will be under Cong banner, says DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Dec 3: Karnataka Congress president and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said that a mega convention scheduled for December 5 in Hassan will be organised under the party's banner and his leadership.
Initially planned as a "show of strength" event in solidarity with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (who faces allegations in MUDA case), the convention, originally called "Siddaramaiah Swabhimaani Janandolana Samavesha," will now be named "Jana Kalyana Samavesha," according to party sources.
The convention will be held in Hassan, the home turf of former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda.
"It's a Congress programme, under my leadership and the KPCC (state Congress). We want to communicate what we are doing, the development we have achieved, the lies spread by BJP and JD(S) which have not worked, and it is the people's mandate," Shivakumar told reporters.
In response to a question, he emphasised, "Congress is a big party with a big history. If I want to participate as the president of the party, it should be under our banner. If the chief minister has to participate, it should be under Congress' banner. I have made it very clear, and they have agreed. Under our leadership, it is going on. I'm presiding over the meeting."
Addressing concerns that Siddaramaiah's loyalists were upset with this decision, Shivakumar said, "That is false. They are doing their job. No one is a D K Shivakumar supporter or a Siddaramaiah supporter. Everyone is a Congress supporter."
The convention was initially organised by the federation of organisations representing oppressed communities.
The Congress party's involvement as a joint host was confirmed by the chief minister last week, despite reports that a section of party leaders opposed the event being held outside the party framework.
A letter allegedly written by a party leader to Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, complaining that the event was being held without involving the party and urging that it be conducted under the party symbol, had also surfaced.
The event, originally aimed at mobilising support for Siddaramaiah amid an investigation into the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment scam, will now also highlight the government's "pro-people" programmes, especially the guarantee schemes, among other initiatives, party sources said.
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Railways gives Rs 56,993 crore subsidy on tickets every year: Ashwini Vaishnaw
New Delhi (PTI): A total subsidy of Rs 56,993 crore is given every year by the Indian Railways to all categories of passengers, with a 46 per cent rebate on every ticket, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday.
Replying to multiple questions in the Lok Sabha on restoring discounts given to various categories of train passengers, he said if the price of a ticket is Rs 100, then the railways charges just Rs 54 for it -- a discount of 46 per cent.
"A total of Rs 56,993 crore subsidy is given every year by the Indian Railways to all classes of passengers," Vaishnaw said during the Question Hour.
Replying to another question on rapid train service, he said the railways has already started such a service -- Namo Bharat Rapid Rail -- between Bhuj and Ahmedabad and the satisfaction level of passengers is extremely high due to its superior service.
Officials said Namo Bharat Rapid Rail has improved intercity connectivity by covering the 359-kilometre distance between Bhuj and Ahmedabad in 5 hours and 45 minutes, with stops at several stations along the way.
