Didn't discuss leadership change with MLAs, MPs in Karnataka: Cong leader Surjewala
Bengaluru (PTI): AICC general secretary and party's Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Tuesday ruled out gathering any opinion on leadership change, remarks that came in the wake of internal bickering in the Congress' state unit over the matter.
Surjewala said that he has been meeting the MLAs and MPs to understand the work done by them in their respective constituencies.
"Some of you asked me are you taking opinion on leadership change. The answer I had given yesterday also and I am answering again today-- the answer is clearly 'no' in one word," Surjewala said in a press conference.
Flanked by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka State Congress president, Surjewala said he had a meeting with the party MLAs, MPs, MLCs and party candidates who contested the assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
He also said that in the next seven to eight days he would meet all the MLAs.
Explaining the reason, the Congress general secretary said, "We are meeting the MLAs and MPs. We are trying to understand from our MLAs what work they have done in the past two years in their respective constituencies. It's important to review their performance."
"If I'm an MLA, I'm obliged to ensure that my accountability to the people and the election promises of the Congress party are fulfilled in my constituency. So, I am asking my MLAs to give their report cards," he added.
The MLAs will also be asked about the status of the Block Congress Committee, Assembly Congress Committee and the number of party meetings they held from time to time, the Congress leader said.
"We are also asking them (MLAs) what, if any, difficulty or aspiration he or she has. Every MLA has some aspirations or some more work to be done in the constituency," he explained.
Stating that it was fine to have aspirations, Surjewala said their ambitions will be conveyed to government and whatever best can be done on a priority basis will be taken up.
After the MLAs, the Congress leader said he would meet the ministers to understand what they have done in their respective constituencies.
The role of the frontal organisations such as NSUI, Mahila Congress, SC/ST and OBC, Minority, Kisan departments and Youth Congress will be reviewed, he said.
Surjewala said it was necessary to see the status of the implementation of the five guarantees.
The five guarantees are Rs 3,000 monthly assistance to homemakers, loan waivers up to Rs 3 lakh for farmers, Rs 25 lakh health insurance per family, Rs 4,000 monthly allowance for unemployed youth, and free bus travel for women.
On the BJP being critical of the five guarantees, he said, "This is a bogey raised by BJP in Karnataka. They want the guarantees to be shut down."
"I reiterate that the BJP leaders from R Ashoka to Vijayendra want the five guarantees to be stopped. They want Rs 58,000 crore not to go to the accounts of Kannadigas in a transparent manner," he alleged.
The Congress leader said the five guarantees will never be stopped.
On some Congress MLAs' charges that there was no development work happening in their segments, Surjewala said there are sufficient funds with the government in Karnataka.
Regarding MLAs giving open statements in public against the government, the Congress leader said, "What we deliberate in the party should remain within the party. I have advised my MLAs also. If they have a problem, instead of raising an issue or a non-issue to settle score, raise it with the head of the family -- In the PCC, there is Shivakumar and in the government there is Siddaramaiah."
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
