Karnataka Congress government's future is dependent on LS poll results: H D Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru, May 25: Raising doubts about the longevity of the Siddaramaiah-led new Congress government in Karnataka, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday said its future is dependent on the results of the 2024 Parliament elections.
The former Chief Minister said his statement is only based on his analysis of political situation in the state and should not be misinterpreted as though he was up to something by joining hands with someone.
"I don't know whether the (next Assembly) election will happen after five years, what all may happen I don't know, let's see. The future of this government is dependent on the results of the upcoming Parliament elections, I know it. I'm not speaking by hiding things, nor am I making any astrological predictions," Kumaraswamy said.
Addressing a party meeting here, he said looking at the developments here, in his opinion anything may happen in the state's politics.
"I'm only doing the state's (political) analysis, that's all. I'm not making any astrological predictions, and let the media friends don't have any doubts that as though I'm planning to do something by joining hands with someone. It's my hunch, because we don't know what all developments may happen," he added.
ALSO READ: Karnataka Congress MLAs told to work towards winning 20 Lok Sabha seats
Kumaraswamy was addressing JD(S) leaders and workers' at an "introspection meeting" organised by the party, following the Assembly polls results, in which the party has won just 19 seats.
Telling party workers that he will stand with them in their fight, Kumaraswamy said whoever works with firm determination to take the party forward will be given an opportunity.
He said he wants to wipe out the "black spot" of "Deve Gowda's family party" image associated with the JD(S).
The JD(S) leader also called on the party workers to start preparing for Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), and Zilla and Taluk Panchayat polls.
He said if Congress fails to implement the poll guarantees or if they put conditions to implement the guarantees, it will become a major ammunition for the JD(S) in the days ahead.
Later speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy said he and his party will keep watch on the government's implementation of its five poll guarantees, as based on it, the Congress got votes and came to power.
"My party's existence has taken a hit in this election, because of these guarantees, so naturally I will hold on to these guarantees....Implement the guarantees now in toto and don't try to cheat the people by adding conditions to it. I will do my politics on this subject now," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Prime organiser of Messi event in Kolkata arrested over ‘mismanagement’ after stadium chaos
Kolkata (PTI): The police on Saturday arrested Satadru Datta, the prime organiser of the Lionel Messi football event at Salt Lake Stadium here, following widespread chaos at the venue, which prompted the Argentine World Cup-winning captain to leave the field early.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the stadium unrest, Datta was held by the Bidhannagar Police for “mismanagement” of the event from the Kolkata airport, where he had gone to see off Messi and his entourage on their way to Hyderabad.
"We are looking into whether there was any mismanagement from the organiser's side, which led to the chaos at the stadium. He has been detained, and the police have now brought the situation under control," West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar said at a press conference.
A senior police officer later confirmed that Dutta has been arrested. Till reports last received, the police were interrogating him and his manager inside one of the departure lounges of the airport.
The organiser has given in writing that he will refund the prices of tickets he sold to the disappointed spectators, Kumar said.
What was supposed to be a marquee football spectacle turned into widespread violence and disorder at the stadium after Messi’s brief and tightly ring-fenced appearance, his first at the venue since 2011, left large sections of the crowd frustrated, as they failed to catch a glimpse of their superstar despite having travelled from far and wide, paying hefty sums for tickets.
Police said they were also investigating how organisers allowed sale of bottled waters and beverages inside the stadium premises, which are banned items during such events.
Thousands of water bottles were used as missiles and lobbed inside the pitch by angry spectators, who also uprooted bucket seats from the gallery and used them as ammunition inside the field against the defending police and security personnel.
Spectators alleged that water bottles were being sold at a massive premium inside the stadium despite police disallowing such items from outside at the entry gates.
Police agreed there was an underlying tension in the galleries on account of Messi not showing his footballing skills on the field, which only got aggravated after a bunch of VIPs, including State Sports Minister Aroop Biswas and unidentified people, blocked the football icon’s view during the limited time he spent on the ground.
“We are on the job, and will ensure that whoever is responsible for what happened today at Salt Lake Stadium will be punished, and action will be taken against the authorities concerned,” said Jawed Shamim, ADG, Law and Order.
