Kharge mum on change of Cong state chief in Karnataka
Kalaburagi (Karnataka), Feb 12 (PTI): Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday preferred not to speak about change in the party's state leadership in Karnataka.
Presently, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is holding the post of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president since 2020.
Kharge said there will be appointment of state presidents in two to three states in the next couple of days.
"I have changed the party president in Odisha. He is from backward class. We have done it in three to four places. Gradually it will be done in other places," Kharge told reporters here.
When asked about the new party president in Karnataka, he said, "I cannot say anything specifically. If I say something, then you will twist it and add spices and seasonings. That’s the reason people don't tell you the truth. Quickly different stories will surface once it goes from here."
He, however, said the party is appointing teams one after another state. "We are doing it one after another. We will do it in two to three states in the next couple of days. We will appoint office-bearers in those states where we have not done yet. We will also do it in other cells and departments of Congress," he explained.
Regarding state Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi calling on him recently, he said, "I am AICC president. Is it a big thing if someone meets me? Everyone comes to meet me. He (Satish Jarkiholi) is ours and he is from Karnataka. There is the convenience of getting a quick appointment over the phone. Can I say no to him?"
Kharge also advised the media "not to cook up stories" when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his deputy D K Shivakumar, Home Minister G Parameshwara and Jarkiholi meet him.
"Do not speculate and disturb the government. The media is creating confusion and leaders also become part of that confusion," the Congress chief said.
Several leaders have been talking about the change of Congress state president, a post presently occupied by Shivakumar.
Jarkiholi had also spoken about the need for a 'full time' Congress state president saying that ministers cannot do the job as they do not have time to devote for it.
Several others too raised the matter, prompting the Congress high command to issue a stern warning not to speak a word on controversial topics such as change of guard in the state, appointment of a new Congress state president and cabinet expansion.
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Bengal: On way to PM's rally, 3 mowed down by train amid dense fog
Kolkata (PTI): Three persons died and three others were injured after being hit by a train amid dense fog on Saturday, while travelling to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally at Taherpur in West Bengal's Nadia district, a senior official said.
The incident occurred between Taherpur and Badkulla railway stations under the Sealdah-Krishnanagar section of Eastern Railway, he said.
Modi, whose helicopter could not land at Taherpur due to dense fog and low visibility, condoled the death of the “BJP workers” in his virtual address from Kolkata airport.
“I have come to know that some BJP workers, while travelling to the rally, lost their lives in a rail accident. My condolences are with the families of those who have lost their loved ones, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Modi said.
The Eastern Railway official told PTI that the incident occurred in the morning when these people, who were travelling by a bus, had stopped the vehicle and walked to the railway tracks to answer nature's call.
"While three persons died on the spot, two others with injuries were admitted to a local hospital," he said.
Another person with minor injuries was released after having been administered first aid, the official said.
The deceased have been identified as Ramprasad Ghosh (74), Shaktipada Sutradhar (55) and Gopinath Das (38).
Meanwhile, Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress MP from Krishnanagar constituency in Nadia district, alleged that the BJP ignored the incident and went ahead with the rally.
"Terrible tragedy hushed up at altar of @narendramodi ego. @BJP4India supporters brought from far Murshidabad for PM rally in Ranaghat today," she said in a post on X.
"4 went to answer nature's call and were killed by 31814 down local train near Taherpur. BJP ignored, blacked out & went ahead with rally," Moitra claimed.
Reacting to her remarks, the West Bengal BJP, in a post on X, asserted that the TMC "has always been adept at milking tragedies", and was being "disrespectful to the unfortunate victims of this tragedy".
The TMC alleged that BJP leaders have not shown "neither concern nor compassion" over the mishap.
"The loss of three lives in Taherpur should have united everyone in grief. But @BJP4India leaders showed neither concern nor compassion," it said in another post on X.
"At this painful moment, Smt @MamataOfficial and Shri @abhishekaitc put humanity above party lines and stood beside the families of the deceased," the party said.
TMC’s on-ground leaders promptly reached out to the grieving family members, ensuring them of help and assistance, it said.
"While Delhi’s rulers chase Bengal with arrogance, our leadership chose empathy. This is the difference between politics of power and politics of people!" the TMC added.
