'I'm the real leader of opposition, allot me seat next to Deputy Speaker': Yatnal in Assembly
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Senior MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who has been expelled from the BJP, on Tuesday claimed in the Karnataka legislative Assembly that he was the "real leader of opposition", and requested the Speaker to allot him a seat next to the Deputy Speaker.
Yatnal said this as he was making a request to the Chair, to make an arrangement for him and two other MLAs -- who are now un-attached members after being expelled from the BJP -- to be seated on the front row, considering their seniority.
Yatnal, S T Somashekar and A Shivaram Hebbar were shifted to back benches, after they were expelled from the BJP earlier this year.
"Senior legislators have been insulted by making them sit on the back benches. It was done in the previous session too. We request you, we have been elected five to six times, arrangements should be made to make us sit in the front row," Yatnal said.
Appealing to the Speaker to reconsider their seating arrangements, he urged that by tomorrow a positive decision should be taken in this regard.
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Intervening Speaker U T Khader told Yatnal that there were no seniors or juniors in politics. "One who is in power is senior and the one without power is a junior."
Seats are not allotted based on seniority, he said, those who have a majority will get treasury benches in the House, and those with lesser numbers in strength will get opposition benches.
Pointing out that Yatnal was given front seating while in BJP, the Speaker asked, what can be done if he is out of the party. "If you (Yatnal) are part of the ruling party or the opposition party, you will get the front seat on the respective sides," he said.
Responding to this Yatnal claimed that he was the "real opposition leader" in the Assembly, even as Leader of Opposition R Ashoka was present in the House.
"I'm not a person who indulges in any adjustment. I have not indulged in any understanding with anyone. I have not been to the CM's office, have not made any requests to any ministers. So I'm the real leader of opposition and you may allot me a seat next to the Deputy Speaker (which is the seat alloted for the leader of opposition in the Assembly)," he added.
Yatnal, both while in BJP and after being expelled from the party, have been accusing the saffron party leadership in the state of indulging in "adjustment politics" with the ruling Congress leaders.
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
