I am in no hurry, party will decide: DK Shivakumar says on leadership change
Bengaluru: KPCC president and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said he is in no hurry over the issue of leadership change and that everything will be decided by the party.
Speaking to reporters near the Palace Grounds on Friday, Shivakumar responded to questions about Congress workers wanting to see him as the next Chief Minister. He said the decision lies fully with the party.
When asked whether he and the Chief Minister would be travelling to Delhi, Shivakumar said he may go as he has several official commitments there. He explained that the Parliament winter session is about to begin and he needs to meet MPs.
He noted that the State has secured favourable directions in court regarding the Mekedatu project, and that the revised DPR is being prepared. Matters related to Mahadayi, Krishna and Ettinahole projects will also be discussed with MPs. A decision on calling an all-party meeting will be taken after talking to the Chief Minister, he added.
On the issue of maize prices, Shivakumar said the Centre has not supported farmers. Though the minimum support price has been fixed at 2400 rupees per quintal, farmers are receiving only 1600 to 1800 rupees in the market. He said the State will hold a meeting with mill owners and urge the Centre to procure maize.
Responding to a question on whether he would visit the Congress office in Delhi, Shivakumar said the party office there is like a temple for them and it provides guidance.
When asked about community pressure to make him Chief Minister, Shivakumar said he does not wish to speak from a community angle. He said Congress is his community and his commitment is towards people from all sections, including backward classes, scheduled communities and minorities. He added that the Vokkaliga community, to which he belongs, is also a backward class community.
On the BJP giving different interpretations to his recent Mumbai visit, he clarified that he had gone only to see an ailing close friend who has supported him in many ways. He said he spent about an hour at the hospital and returned.
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ED raids Kolkata Police deputy commissioner, businessman in PMLA probe
Kolkata (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate on Sunday conducted raids at the premises of Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas and a local businessman as part of a money laundering probe against an alleged criminal and his linked syndicate in the poll-bound state, officials said.
Two premises of Biswas, including his residence in Ballygunge area and one location of the businessman named Joy Kamdar, Managing Director of a company named Sun Enterprise, have been raided under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Kamdar has been taken by the officials to the local ED office for questioning. Biswas, chief coordinator and nodal officer of the West Bengal and Kolkata Police welfare committee, was not present at his premises, they said.
The action is linked to a money laundering case against an alleged local criminal named Biswajit Podder alias Sona Pappu, who is booked in multiple cases on charges of attempted murder and extortion.
The federal probe agency had conducted the first round of searches in this case on April 1.
The ED had then seized cash of Rs 1.47 crore apart from gold jewellery and silver valued at Rs 67.64 lakh and a country-made revolver from some premises that were searched.
The probe stems from a Kolkata Police FIR against against Podder for his alleged involvement in rioting, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and Arms Act violations. The accused, including Podder, were engaged in organised criminal syndicate activities in the state of West Bengal and generated funds illegally by way of syndicate operations, the ED said in a statement on April 9.
Podder is also wanted by the police in a case of violence in Kankulia road near Golpark of Kolkata and is currently on the run.
The ED has issued summons to Podder but he has failed to join the investigation so far, according to the agency.
West Bengal will have a two phase poll on April 23 and April 29.
