Karnataka leadership: Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar will be called for talks if needed, says Kharge
Bengaluru (PTI): AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar would be called to New Delhi for discussions whenever necessary, amid an ongoing "power tussle" within the ruling Congress in Karnataka.
Kharge said, "Whenever necessary, the party would call them," in response to a question from reporters on when the CM and Deputy CM would be summoned to Delhi for talks.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
ALSO READ: Gold found in Lakkundi village in Karnataka is 'not treasure': ASI official
The speculation has been fuelled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of the government’s formation in 2023.
Siddaramaiah, who recently became the longest-serving chief minister of the state, surpassing the record held by Devaraj Urs, has expressed confidence that he will complete the full five-year term. However, he has maintained that the final decision rests with the Congress high command.
Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, on Sunday said his hard work had brought him this far in politics and that he was confident about the Congress party’s future decision regarding him.
His remarks are being seen as an assertion of his chief ministerial ambitions.
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.
Ex-VP Dhankhar admitted to AIIMS after two bouts of unconsciousness
New Delhi (PTI): Former vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar was admitted to the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on Monday after he fell unconscious twice on January 10, officials said.
Dhankhar, 74, underwent an MRI, the officials said, adding that other tests will be carried out on Tuesday.
The former vice president had "two bouts of unconsciousness" in the washroom around 3.30 am on January 10, they said.
"Today, he had gone to AIIMS for a checkup when the doctors insisted that he should get admitted for tests. He will remain there overnight," an official said.
Dhankhar had blacked out on multiple occasions in the past, including in the Rann of Kutch, Uttarakhand, Kerala and the national capital while attending public events as the vice president, he said.
Dhankhar had quit as the vice president on July 21 citing health grounds.
He was admitted to AIIMS last year too for a heart-related ailment.
