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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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
