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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Chandigarh (PTI): The Haryana government transferred 15 IAS officers with immediate effect on Wednesday.

Among those who have been transferred are Vineet Garg, Chairman, Haryana State Pollution Control Board. He has been posted as the additional chief secretary to the government's printing and stationery department, relieving Raja Shekhar Vundru of the charge, a government order said.

Ajay Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram, has been transferred and posted as the deputy principal secretary-II to the chief minister against a newly-created post.

Pankaj Agarwal, Principal Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources Department, has been posted as the principal secretary in the architecture department, relieving Apporva Kumar Singh of the charge.

Saket Kumar, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Commissioner and Secretary, Development and Panchayats Department, has been transferred and posted as the commissioner and secretary in the archives department, relieving Shekhar Vidyarthi of the charge.

Mani Ram Sharma, Registrar, Cooperative Societies, has been posted as the secretary in the health department, relieving Rippudaman Singh Dhillon of the charge.