Former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has revealed that the alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (Secular) [JDS] is not a recent development, citing an unofficial understanding between the two parties in Mysore since 2014.

Kumaraswamy made these remarks during a media interaction following a tulabhara seve ceremony at the Sri Nanjundeshwara Swamy Temple in Nanjangud, Mysuru, on Thursday.

Addressing the existing harmony between the party cadres, Kumaraswamy described the pre-existing unofficial treaty in Mysore and emphasized that there was no discontent among them.

Responding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's statement predicting Kumaraswamy's defeat in Mandya, Kumaraswamy questioned Siddaramaiah's credibility as an astrologer and asserted that the people would ultimately decide the outcome of the elections.

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Referring to Siddaramaiah's labeling of him as a migrant, Kumaraswamy retorted by pointing out Siddaramaiah's own transition to the Congress party and his criticism of original Congress members. Kumaraswamy asserted his Kannadiga identity and his right to contest elections anywhere, including Mandya, where he is set to compete against his old friend.

“Siddaramaiah has called me a migrant. Isn’t he a migrant in Congress? Hasn’t he trashed other original Congress people and enjoying power? I am a Kannadiga. I can contest anywhere. I must compete with my old friend in Mandya this time. My fate is so. Sometimes our own friends turn against us. Let it be so”, Kumaraswamy said.

Regarding the Mekedatu project, Kumaraswamy defended former Prime Minister H D Devegowda and questioned the moral authority of the Congress party to criticize him. Regarding the JDS's support for Sumalatha, Kumaraswamy emphasized the need to move beyond political differences and recalled his close association with her late husband, Ambarish. He also expressed willingness to meet Sumalatha if necessary.

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New Delhi (PTI): Traffic movement in central Delhi is likely to be affected on April 8 in view of the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, police said.

According to an advisory issued by the Delhi Traffic Police, congestion is expected on key stretches around the stadium from 12 pm to midnight, with the match between the Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans scheduled between 7 pm and 10.30 pm.

The advisory said that, depending on traffic conditions, diversions and restrictions may be imposed on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and JLN Marg during the day.

Movement of heavy and commercial vehicles will remain prohibited on these corridors, including stretches between Daryaganj and Delhi Gate, Delhi Gate to Guru Nanak Chowk, and ITO to Delhi Gate, the advisory read.

Commuters have been advised to avoid JLN Marg (Rajghat to Delhi Gate), Asaf Ali Road (Turkman Gate to Delhi Gate), and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg (Delhi Gate to ITO) in both carriageways, it added.

Entry to the stadium will be regulated through designated gates, with access routes divided across the south, east and west sides via Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and JLN Marg.

The police said parking near the stadium will be restricted, with facilities available only for labelled vehicles.

According to the advisory, free parking, along with park-and-ride services, has been arranged at Mata Sundari Road, Rajghat Power House Road and Velodrome Road. Shuttle bus services will operate from these locations starting two hours before the match and continuing until one hour after it concludes, it added.

Additionally, app-based taxi pick-up and drop-off points have been designated at Gate No. 2 near Maulana Azad Medical College, Rajghat Chowk and the service lane on Ring Road between IP Flyover and Rajghat.

Vehicles found parked illegally on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, JLN Marg and the Ring Road stretch between Rajghat and IP Flyover will be towed and prosecuted, the advisory read.