K'taka leadership change no longer an issue, Cong high command decides such matters: Surjewala
Bengaluru, Jul 8 (PTI): AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala on Tuesday declined to comment on the ongoing discussions regarding leadership change in the state, suggesting that it is no longer pertinent and also indicated that such decisions rest with the party high command.
This even as the ruling Congress MLAs continue to openly discuss the prospect of a leadership change, despite warnings from the party leadership to refrain from making statements on the matter.
Addressing speculations surrounding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's visit to New Delhi, which some linked to the possibility of change in the CM, the Congress General Secretary clarified that the trip was for official government work and to present the state's case and demands to the central government.
"My PCC President (Shivakumar) has already taken note of the same. As far as leadership issues are concerned, I spoke to you last week along with the PCC President, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister. Whatever we had to say on that issue, we have already spoken," Surjewala told reporters in response to a question about MLAs openly making statements on leadership change and internal issues.
"Somebody can have a desire, like a journalist can have a desire to become the editor, but it is ultimately the owner of the television channel who will pick an editor. All I'm saying is, we have already spoken, I don't think so, that's an issue any longer."
Last week, Surjewala had said any news that is circulated in the media about leadership change is only a "figment of imagination", while AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge had asserted that it is up to the party high command to decide on matters such as change of guard.
Amid intense speculations about CM change, Siddaramaiah had said he will be the Chief Minister for a full five-year term. In his reaction, Shivakumar indicated that he had no option and would stand by Siddaramaiah.
There has been speculation within political circles, especially within the ruling Congress, for some time now about the Chief Minister change later this year, citing power-sharing agreement involving incumbent Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
While Shivakumar is already in Delhi to meet with Union Ministers, Siddaramaiah will be travelling to the national capital on Wednesday and is scheduled to hold discussions with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
According to party sources, their meeting with Congress leadership during the visit cannot be ruled out.
Responding to a query on CM and Deputy CM's visit to Delhi amid leadership change rumours, Surjewala quipped, "they are not barred from travelling to Delhi".
"There is no injunction or stay. For government work and for pleading our (state) case before the Government of India, they often travel to Delhi, and they should be travelling and trying to persuade with all our might the Government of India, not to discriminate against and not give step-motherly treatment to people of Karnataka,"
"As far as our MLAs are concerned, many can have issues, I have asked them to give me in writing... we are resolving them one by one," he added.
Surjewala is in Karnataka once again, as part of the second phase of his one-on-one meetings with MLAs.
He explained that his visit to Karnataka is to gather feedback from party legislators on how the Congress government's guarantee schemes are performing in their respective constituencies and to identify areas for further improvement.
"To understand whether the district and taluk guarantee committees are able to reach out to people and settle the grievances or not, what our legislators have done to help the people and in terms of public development over two years," Surjewala said.
"Also, what more should be done and how should the government and the party be assisting them (MLAs). Also, what is the status of organisational preparedness in their respective assembly constituencies," he added.
Meanwhile, Ramanagara MLA H A Iqbal Hussain, who has been served a show cause notice by the party for making statements before the media that Shivakumar should become the CM said he stands by his statement and will reiterate it.
"... I have been asked not to violate the party discipline by discussing the matter in public. I won't discuss it. I stand by my statement and the same will be there in my reply to the show cause notice, which I will be sending today," he said.
Channapatna MLA C P Yogeshwara said he has no ambition to become a Minister, and instead desires to see Shivakumar elevated to the post of CM first.
"We are all saying it. All the MLAs from the district (Bengaluru South/Ramanagara) are unanimous that D K Shivakumar should become the CM, there is no difference of opinion on this...the high command has to decide. I support Shivakumar becoming the CM," he said.
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
