Good if Kharge becomes PM candidate but winning elections a major challenge, says Priyank Kharge
Kalaburagi (K'taka), Dec 20: It is good if Congress President M Mallikarjun Kharge becomes the Prime Ministerial candidate of opposition bloc INDIA, but there is need to first face practical challenges ahead, instead of daydreaming, his son and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said on Wednesday.
He stressed on the need for the Congress and INDIA bloc parties to gain majority in Lok Sabha, calling it a major challenge before of the opposition formation.
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday proposed Kharge's name, saying he could be the "first Dalit prime minister" of the country, but no decision was taken on it.
Several leaders, including MDMK leader Vaiko, confirmed this after the meeting of the opposition grouping and said Kharge told the leaders that it is important to win first and increase the strength of the alliance while everything else can be decided later.
"AICC President has clearly reacted to this, he has said that the challenge before us is to elect as many (Congress) parliamentarians as possible and send them to Delhi. It is the major challenge ahead of us. Whatever has to be done to get a majority, we will do it," Priyank Kharge said.
Speaking to reporters here, in response to a question, he said, "Will you say no, if a Kannadiga becomes the Prime Minister?"
"If he (Mallikarjun Kharge) becomes (PM candidate), good, but we have to first face the practical challenges ahead of us, we cannot be just daydreaming. We have to first win Congress' 200-250 seats, along with that we have to together with INDIA alliance members create a favourable atmosphere and ensure that as many candidates win from their parties too; after that other questions will arise," the Minister for Rural Development added.
Though Kharge's name was proposed with several leaders backing him, no final decision on the issue was taken during the meeting, sources said.
After his name was proposed at a meeting attended by leaders of 28 opposition parties, Kharge, who is member of Rajya Sabha from Karnataka, said, "I work for the downtrodden. Let's win first, then we will see. I don't seek anything."
"We have to first win, and who will be the prime minister is a matter to be decided later. First, we have to get a majority and increase our strength, then MPs will decide democratically," Kharge told reporters on Tuesday when asked if his name was finalised as the PM face of the opposition alliance.
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Punishment for those disrupting assembly proceedings, warns Speaker UT Khader
Belagavi: Speaker U.T. Khader on Friday warned that members who disrupt Assembly proceedings by talking in their seats during debates will be made to sit in the House for an entire day as a disciplinary measure.
The warning came after the Question Hour, when Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad was permitted to initiate a discussion on the development of North Karnataka.
At this point, expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal objected, stating that he had been seeking a debate for the past three days but had not been given an opportunity.
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Responding to the objection, Speaker Khader said Bellad had already been granted permission and assured Yatnal that he would be allowed to speak at the next opportunity. He noted that even as a serious discussion was underway, several MLAs were speaking among themselves with their microphones on, disrupting the proceedings.
Expressing displeasure over the conduct of members, Khader likened the situation to football, where players receive red, yellow, or white cards for violations. Similarly, he said, the Assembly issues warning cards to members who disturb the House. If they fail to correct themselves despite repeated warnings, they would be required to remain seated in the Assembly hall for a full day as punishment, he stated.
