Leadership change not discussed with high command, patience will pay: DK Shivakumar
New Delhi (PTI): Amid speculation over a leadership change in the Congress-led Karnataka government, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said the matter was not discussed with the party's top brass during his Delhi visit but added that "patience will also pay".
Speaking to reporters after meeting senior party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi as well as AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge here, Shivakumar reiterated that the party's central leadership will take a call at an appropriate time in the interest of the state.
"We are not discussing anything on this. The party's success story is very important.
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"In the interest of the party, the party leadership -- Rahulji and Khargeji, and all our senior leaders are there. They will take a call whenever they feel fit in the interest of Karnataka," he told reporters, when asked if any clarity was received from the high command on the leadership change in the state.
Asked if he was told to be patient, Shivakumar responded, "Patience will also pay."
The development comes as the Siddaramaiah government is set to complete 1,000 days in office on Friday. The state government will celebrate the milestone by announcing one more guarantee to the people — the Bhoomi guarantee, which will provide 'pakka khata' from the revenue department to those who have built houses.
Shivakumar denied that there was any power tussle between him and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. "It (power tussle) is within the BJP," he added.
On reports that some legislators are embarking on a foreign tour from February 16 to March 3, supposedly to delay power-sharing between the chief minister and his deputy, Shivakumar said he was unaware of such a development.
"I am not aware of it. I have seen only in newspapers," he said.
The deputy chief minister declined to share the outcome of the meeting with key party leaders. "Politics was discussed but that will not be discussed before the media. We are political leaders and obviously discussion happens," he said.
He did not respond when asked if there would be a change in leadership by the completion of 2,000 days in office.
Every Delhi visit by Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in recent months has been surrounded by speculation about a change of leadership in the Karnataka government, with claims and counter-claims emerging from different sections of the party.
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Madhya Pradesh: School organizes separate annual functions for Muslim, non-Muslim students
Indore (M.P) : A private school in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, is facing allegations of religious segregation after reportedly organising separate annual day functions for Muslim and non-Muslim students.
According to a report by Maktoob media, the International school of Bombay, situated in the Muslim majority area of Khajrana, organized two annual day celebrations on consecutive days earlier this month. One event was attended largely by Muslim students and their families, while the other saw participation primarily from non-Muslim, mostly Hindu, students and parents.
Citing parents and a teacher, Maktoob media alleged that some classes were categorised into “M” sections comprising Muslim students. A teacher named: Poonam Tiwari, reportedly told individuals posing as prospective parents that she was in charge of the “M” sections for Classes 6 and 7.
The report further said the parents as alleging disparities between the two events, including differences in duration, coordination and the presence of a chief guest. A parent identified as Nighat claimed that Muslim students were largely required to organise their performances independently; and that their function lasted around two hours, compared to three to four hours for the other event.
Additional allegations cited in the report included the omission of Muslim surnames from academic scoreboards in previous years. However, another parent described as non-Muslim was quoted as saying that the matter should not be politicised, suggesting that the separate arrangements may have been made in view of the Muslim festival of Shab-e-Barat.
Maktoob Media also reported that local Congress corporator, Rubina Khan, visited the school and stated that she would escalate the issue to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav if the concerns are not addressed. As of the time of publication, no police complaint or legal proceedings had been initiated.
