Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar addressing Congress leader Yatindra’s statement asserted that the Congress government will remain strong for five years and that the Lok Sabha polls will be held under the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s leadership. Shivakumar was speaking to the press at the Kumara Krupa guest house in the city on Wednesday.
Congress leader and CM Siddaramaiah’s son Yatindra on Wednesday in a function held at Hassan district stated, “If Cong performs well in LS polls, Siddaramaiah will continue as CM for a full term without any hindrances.” The remark sparked a debate about vexed leadership issue in the Congress state unit.
"Our government will remain strong for five years. Siddaramaiah is our Chief Minister now. He, as the Chief Minister, and myself, as the State President of the Congress Party, will conduct election campaigns together. Elections will be held under his leadership. There is no doubt about it. It is not wrong to desire and ask people for support," stated Shivakumar.
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Referring to Yathindra as a responsible leader, Shivakumar mentioned that, “Yathindra is a responsible leader. It is natural to seek strength from the public. There is no requirement to distort his statement.”
Meanwhile addressing about counterfeit Mysore Sandal Soaps in circulation in the market he said, “I have observed counterfeit Mysore sandal soaps as well. Genuine and fake kinds of the soap exist in the market, with the fake ones often having the quality of getting discolored after a day of use. I have emphasized the need for an investigation into this matter. Previously, there were Mysore lamps being counterfeited. The authorities have taken effective measures to investigate and expose the production of counterfeit Mysore Sandal Soap. Legal action will be pursued against those involved in counterfeiting the soaps.”
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Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
