Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday distanced himself from slogans raised by his supporters in Tumakuru, projecting him as the next Chief Minister, and asserted that he would not fuel speculation or lobby for the post as any decision rests with the party high command.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said he had no role in the slogans raised by his followers and reiterated that leadership decisions would be taken at the appropriate time by the party leadership.

“I am not prepared to create any more confusion,” he said, adding that “our High Command will take a decision at the appropriate time.”

Responding to questions about alleged lobbying by party workers and supporters, he said, “I am not going to do any lobbying. Didn’t you hear what I said yesterday? Someone asked me whether I was going to Delhi. I did not go to Delhi. That’s it.”

The minister also said such decisions are left to the Congress high command.

He maintained that while well-wishers may express their feelings, he had discouraged them from doing so.

“Our well-wishers here may be expressing their feelings. How can I tell them not to do that? I have told them not to do it… but in all this, as I said, I am not going to join or encourage this confusion,” he said.

Regarding missing children cases, the Home Minister said the government was taking it seriously.

He also said that instructions had been issued to trace foreigners overstaying their visas.

He also referred to ongoing verification drives in Bengaluru to identify illegal stay and scrutinise identity documents.

Reiterating that recruitment to vacant government posts would continue in a phased manner, Parameshwara said discussions would be held on employment generation and other administrative matters.

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.



Lucknow (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants via Super Overs in a battle between two bottom-placed teams in the IPL, here on Sunday.

Chasing a modest 156, LSG suffered a batting collapse and managed to tie the contest and take it to Super Over with No. 9 Mohammed Shami striking a last-ball six against a wayward Kartik Tyagi, who leaked 16 runs in the final over.

But Sunil Narine bowled a stunning Super Over conceding just one run and taking two wickets to give KKR an easy target.

Rinku Singh then finished the chase with a boundary off first ball from Prince Yadav.

Earlier the KKR were in deep trouble with 93/7 in 15 overs but Rinku smashed a sensational 83 not out from 51 balls including four sixes in a row in the final over to lift them to 155/7.

Cameron Green (34) was the only other batter to reach double-digit scores as KKR suffered a familiar batting meltdown with Mohsin taking his maiden fifer.

In reply, LSG continued their dismal show with the bat to succumb to their fifth loss in a row.

Brief Scores:

Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7; 20 overs (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23). Lucknow Super Giants 155/8; 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 42). KKR won via Super Over.