DK Shivakumar dismisses as false reports on Sonia being offered RS seat from State
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar on Tuesday dismissed as false and speculation some media reports which claimed that former party President Sonia Gandhi may be offered a Rajya Sabha seat from the State, and clarified that no such discussions have taken place.
There have been reports in a section of media that Sonia Gandhi may not contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, and she may be given a Rajya Sabha seat from Karnataka.
"All such information is false, no such discussions have happened. You (media) are writing such speculations, no such discussions have happened," Shivakumar, also the Deputy Chief Minister, said in response to a question on such reports.
Sonia Gandhi had won the1999 Lok Sabha elections from Ballari in Karnataka, defeating veteran BJP leader late Sushma Swaraj.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar hit out at BJP and JD(S) for the row over removal of Hanuman flag flying from the 108-ft flagstaff at Keragodu village in Mandya district.
Such things are being done to create disturbance and law and order situation, he said.
Alleging that innocent villagers are being misused, Shivakumar said, "in old Mysuru region (south Karnataka) people of all castes and religions are living with peace and brotherhood. Now they are trying to do an new experiment, let them do."
Stating that the Panchayat in Keragodu had obtained an undertaking from the local organisation concerned that they will not hoist anything other than national and Kannada flag, he said the government is committed to protect and respect the national flag and the Constitution.
The authorities in Mandya on Sunday hoisted a national flag, replacing the "Hanuman Dhwaja".
Replying to a question that BJP is planning to distribute Hanuman flag to every household, he said: "BJP had run a 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, what happened to it, why have they left the Tiranga now? They are in the central government, let them bring in a law replacing Tiranga with Hanuman Dhwaja."
Taking a dig at JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy for joining the protest in the district headquarters city of Mandya against the removal of Hanuman flag, Shivakumar said, "he (Kumaraswamy) seems to have almost merged his party with the BJP, let them do anything, it is their party matter. He can wear any flag (shawl) of any colour."
"BJP doesn't have a base in Mandya, so they are using JD(S)' strength there," he said. "Let's see who will eat into whom."
Kumaraswamy on Monday took part in the protest, wearing a saffron shawl, as he blamed the Congress government for the disturbance in Keragodu, while accusing it of failing to handle the situation.
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
