M Lakshman criticizes Pratap Simha's caste remark, promises development if elected
Mysuru: M Lakshman, the Congress candidate for the Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha constituency, has responded to a statement by parliamentarian Pratap Simha, saying, "I was born as an Okkaliga and grew up to be a vishwamanava." Pratap Simha had earlier questioned as to who had given the caste certificate to M Lakshman.
He defended his caste identity, displaying his Vokkaliga 3A caste certificate issued by the Mysore Taluk Tahsildar, and said that one's caste is not written on their forehead.
Lakshman criticized the BJP, stating that they are resorting to lies and falsehoods during the election campaign. He highlighted the need for communal harmony and unity among all castes. Lakshman promised to focus on tourism development and create employment opportunities in the IT sector if elected. He also pledged to work towards making the Mysuru-Kodagu constituency a model for development.
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He further added that the Congress government will be in the state for 4 years and he is committed to bringing more grants.
“Like BJP we do not indulge in communal and caste conflict. Congress does not have that tendency. We will work for the people without telling lies like the BJP,” he said.
City Congress President R. Murthy, District Congress President Dr. B.J. Vijaykumar, Muda President K. Marigowda, former MLA M.K. Somashekhar, leaders H.V. Rajeev, B.M. Ramu, Sitaram, Bhaskar L. Gowda, N.R. Nagesh, Girish of Seva Dal were present.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
