Leaders hold breakfast meet, but farmers', pothole issues unresolved: BJP leader Ashoka
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP leader R Ashoka on Tuesday took a swipe at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar, alleging that while the two leaders were holding breakfast meetings to resolve internal issues, the Congress government had failed to address farmers’ concerns and the pothole menace across Karnataka.
Ashoka, the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, said the government had "lost the trust" of anganwadi workers, farmers, entrepreneurs, the working class and Dalits, and alleged that "the only thing happening under this government is a fight for power."
In a show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday for breakfast, days after the two leaders met amid reports of an internal power tussle.
'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry), considered one of Siddaramaiah’s favourites, along with steaming hot idlis, was on the menu, official sources said.
Ashoka also objected to the chief minister consuming 'nati koli' on the day of Hanuma Jayanti celebrations, claiming that the act had "hurt the sentiments" of devotees.
He further recalled an earlier controversy in which Siddaramaiah had allegedly eaten meat before visiting the Dharmasthala temple.
"A few days ago, a breakfast was held at Siddaramaiah’s house, and now it has been held at D K Shivakumar’s house. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and K C Venugopal have directed this drama," Ashoka told reporters.
Citing civic concerns, he said more than 580 people had died due to potholes in the last 10 months in the state. "If the time spent eating breakfast had been used to hold meetings with officials on filling potholes, innocent lives could have been saved," he said.
Ashoka added that the issues faced by sugarcane farmers regarding price fixation and problems at maize procurement centres remained unresolved. "But no breakfast meetings have been held on these matters," he added.
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SIT formed to probe second sexual assault case against expelled Cong MLA Mamkootathil
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe a second case of sexual assault against expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, police officials said on Friday.
The SIT will be led by G Poonguzhali, Assistant Inspector General at the Police Headquarters.
The team also includes a DSP rank officer and sub-inspectors, officials added.
The second sexual assault complaint was received by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, which it forwarded to the state police chief.
ALSO READ: Cong expels rape-accused MLA Mamkootathil from party's primary membership
Following this, the Crime Branch registered a case and launched an investigation.
Crime Branch officials said the email complaint contained only the sender's email ID and no other contact details.
As part of the probe, they have sent a reply email requesting that the complainant contact them and provide her statement.
The complainant has alleged that she was sexually assaulted under the false promise of marriage, a Crime Branch official said.
However, details such as the location and date of the alleged incident are not currently available to the police.
The SIT will attempt to trace the sender of the email and record her statement, which is crucial for further investigation, the officer said.
Mamkootathil was expelled from the Congress party on Thursday after a court here rejected his anticipatory bail petition in another rape case.
Police said he is currently absconding, and a manhunt is underway in Kerala and neighbouring states.
