Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar accuses BJP of 'divisive politics' over Maddur violence
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday accused the BJP of "engaging in politics" and "dividing people" in the wake of the stone pelting incident during a Ganesha immersion procession in Maddur town.
He also called on the opposition party leaders to secure the state's share of funds and clearance for various projects from the Centre.
The Deputy CM was reacting to a question on a BJP delegation comprising its President B Y Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in both houses of legislature R Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and other party leaders visiting Maddur on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters, he said, "They (BJP) don't have any job other than indulging in politics, dividing people and inciting fire. They have nothing else to do," Shivakumar said.
"Let them go to Delhi and get funds (from the Centre for the state). Let them get the state NREGA funds, tax share. Let them get permission for Mekedatu and Mahadayi (river) projects. Let them do this first."
So far, 22 people have been arrested in connection with the stone pelting incident in Maddur.
Tension escalated in Maddur and surrounding areas following the incident on Sunday, with several right-wing organisations staging large-scale protests on Monday.
Declining to comment on the violence, Shivakumar said, "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Home Minister G Parameshwara and District in-charge Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy have all reacted on the matter."
"I was not in town and I'm not fully aware of the incident, I have seen media reports. I will speak on getting information. Don't want to react without proper information," he added.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
