Dont want 'outgoing CM', resolve leadership issue before assembly session: Vijayendra tells Cong
Davangere (PTI): Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra on Tuesday said the state does not want "acting or outgoing CM", and urged the ruling Congress to settle its leadership tussle before the winter session of the legislature begins in Belagavi next month.
Noting that the government will be unable to address the concerns of the people and farmers during the session, if the infighting in the ruling party continues, he suggested postponement of the session if the Congress leaders are unable to resolve the leadership change issue.
The power tussle within the ruling party has intensified after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
"From December 8, the winter session of the state legislature will begin in Belagavi, and people are waiting with frustration to get response to several issues faced by the state, especially north Karnataka region and farmers during the session. But the competition is going on in the ruling party for the Chief Minister's chair," Vijayendra told reporters here.
He said, "I want to tell the Chief Minister that the state doesn't want an acting or outgoing Chief Minister . Before coming for the Belagavi session, resolve the ongoing fight for the CM chair in your party. If the fight continues during the session, you will not be able to respond to or address the issues faced by the farmers and the state."
Questioning the point of holding the session under such circumstances, he asked the government to come prepared after resolving the leadership issue or "postpone the session."
The BJP leader accused the state government of "failing" to address the concerns of sugarcane and maize farmers issues.
According to Vijayendra, maize is widely grown in Davangere, Belagavi, Shivamogga, Ballari, Vijayapura, Haveri, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, and other districts, and the government's inaction amounts to injustice to growers.
The BJP has decided to launch an agitation on behalf of farmers across the state, he said, adding that protests will be held in all assembly constituencies on November 27 and 28 and in district centers on December 1 and 2.
A mega protest has been organised in Davangere on Tuesday to awaken this government and to address the concerns of the sugarcane, maize and paddy farmers.
Farmers are demanding a support price of Rs 3,000 per quintal for maize, and have been urging the government to start procurement centres.
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Withdraw 'disrespectful' remark against Rahul Gandhi and apologise: Pilot asks Rijiju
Mumbai (PTI): Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Thursday hit out at Union minister Kiren Rijiju for passing a "disrespectful and inappropriate" remark against Rahul Gandhi, and asked him to apologise for it.
He was answering a query regarding Rijiju's reported statement in which he described Gandhi as the "most dangerous person" for India's security, and a purported video of a man claiming to be from Karni Sena issuing death threats to the Congress leader.
Addressing a press conference here, Pilot said, "When ordinary journalists criticise the government, they face FIRs and jail. But when threats are issued against the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (Rahul Gandhi), there is silence. This shows the government's intention. LoP is a constitutional position. To describe him as a security threat is inappropriate and disrespectful. Even as such open threats are being made, the government is not taking any action."
"The statement 9against Gandhi) should be withdrawn and an apology should be issued," the Congress general secretary said, adding that it is the job of the LoP to seek accountability from the government and ask questions.
To a query on the plane crash in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed on January 28, Pilot said, "I do not want to speculate. There should be a transparent, time-bound inquiry. If there are doubts, a high-level investigation should clarify facts."
When asked about the demand for leadership change in the opposition INDIA bloc, he said, "Leadership decisions are internal matters. The alliance worked remarkably well in the last Lok Sabha election. The gap in numbers between the INDIA bloc and the NDA was not very wide. We are working together strongly and will continue to do so."
The Congress has been helming the INDIA bloc, a coalition of Opposition parties formed before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to counter the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, voices from disgruntled Congress members and those associated with the UPA dispensation suggested that the leadership of the opposition alliance should be given to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin.
On Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Indian economy, Pilot said, "India is a major IT power. We have talent and capability. Many countries see India as a natural partner. But we must use our strengths wisely and not compromise our sovereignty under pressure."
"India should have the freedom to decide where to buy oil from. That is a sovereign decision," Pilot said.
On the issue of illegal migration, he said anybody staying illegally in India should be removed regardless of religion or caste.
"But this issue should not be politicised. If the border has been under control for 11 years, how did illegal immigrants enter? The government should provide data on how many people have been deported," he said.
"This government's intent and policies are anti-farmer and there is no accountability. The opposition will continue to demand answers from the government and stand with farmers and the people of India," he said.
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