Karnataka: No plans to join Congress, says BJP MLA ST Somashekhar
Bengaluru: In a candid response, BJP legislator ST Somashekhar has quashed rumors of his potential move to the Congress party. He asserted that while he has no intentions of crossing party lines, some members of his own party have exhibited a desire to facilitate his shift to Congress.
Speaking with reporters in the city, the Yeshwantpur MLA openly addressed the recent speculations surrounding his political allegiance. Somashekhar clarified, "I have never expressed any inclination to join the Congress, not even in my private conversations with my BJP colleagues. I remain content and have no feelings of dissatisfaction with the BJP leadership. Moreover, I have refrained from engaging in political discussions with Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar."
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Somashekhar further emphasized, "My words of appreciation for DK Shivakumar have garnered attention from numerous BJP activists on social media. This subsequent online discourse led local BJP workers to criticize me. A video calling for my resignation from the party has also circulated widely. It appears that some members within my own party are keen on my exit from the BJP."
The legislator went on to clarify the interactions he has had with senior party figures. He stated, "Party leaders Nalin Kumar Kateel and CT Ravi have contacted me via phone, and DV Sadananda Gowda discussed the matter at his residence. I have unequivocally conveyed to all of them that I am not considering a move to the Congress."
Rumors regarding Somashekhar's potential party switch began circulating after a meeting between Congress MLA N Srinivas and the BJP legislator at his office in Nelamangala.
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Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 noon over Adani, Sambhal issues
New Delhi (PTI): Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 12 noon on Thursday amid protests by Opposition members over the Adani issue, violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal and other issues.
As soon as the House met for the day, Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was elected from Kerala's Wayanad in the recent bypoll, and Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan, who was elected from Maharashtra's Nanded, took oath as Lok Sabha MPs.
Immediately after the oath taking of the two new members, many Opposition members, including from the Congress, were on their feet as they sought to raise issues related to the allegations against the Adani Group and other issues.
Some members from the Congress and Samajwadi Party were in the Well while other Opposition members stood in the aisle and shouted slogans.
Speaker Om Birla asked the Opposition members to allow the Question Hour and said they can take up their issues later.
"I have been giving you enough opportunities to raise your issues and will continue to do so in future. But your way of systematic blockade of the proceedings is not acceptable. The issue which you want to raise has nothing to do with the country," he told the protesting members.
Birla said people have chosen the MPs as their representatives to raise the genuine issue of the people but they were resorting to disrupt the proceedings of the House which is not good.
He said there were difference of opinions in the Constituent Assembly too but those were raised in dignified manners.
Amid the din, one question was taken up.
As the protests continued, the Speaker adjourned the House will 12 noon.
The Opposition members wanted to discuss the Adani controversy and the recent violence in Sambhal.
The Adani Group said on Wednesday that Gautam Adani, and his nephew Sagar have not been charged with any violation of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in the indictment that authorities filed in the New York court in an alleged bribery case.
