Minister Priyank says talks of Mallikarjun Kharge as Karnataka CM 'irrelevant'
Bengaluru(PTI): With a section of Congress leaders pitching AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge for the chief minister post amid a "leadership tussle" in Karnataka, his son and Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday dismissed such calls as "irrelevant."
The "internal power tussle" in the ruling party has intensified following speculations of a change in the chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
The debate comes against the backdrop of an alleged "power-sharing" arrangement between CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar in 2023.
"Whenever elections happen here (in Karnataka), he is in the race to become the CM, and whenever Parliamentary elections happen, he is in the race to become the PM. Such discussions are irrelevant now," Priyank told reporters in respones to a question about leaders pitching for Mallikarjun Kharge as CM.
He further said, "Mr. Kharge has spoken on this matter earlier. There is no need to discuss and drag this subject on for long."
According to party sources, Mallikarjun Kharge, a Dalit stalwart, has lost the chance to become chief minister thrice—1999 to S M Krishna, 2004 to Dharam Singh, and 2013 to Siddaramaiah.
Minister Shivananda Patil had described Mallikarjun Kharge as the "most eligible person" for the CM post. "I had committed a mistake once by not voting for him. I accept it today," he said.
State Home Minister G. Parameshwara told reporters in Vijayapura on Wednesday that if the party high command decides, everyone would accept Kharge as the CM.
Reacting to demands from some Dalit organisations for a Dalit CM, Priyank said, "There is nothing wrong in any community demanding the CM post for a leader from their community, whether it is backward classes, upper classes, minorities, or Dalits. There is nothing wrong. But for everything, there will be time and situation."
The issue of a Dalit chief minister has been debated within Congress for a long time, with senior Dalit leaders, including Parameshwara and Mahadevappa, speaking on the matter in the past.
Some prominent Dalit leaders are reportedly planning to push for a "Dalit CM" before the high command in the event of a change in the state leadership.
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Former India hockey coach Michael Nobbs dies
Melbourne (PTI): Former Australian hockey player Michael Nobbs, who coached the Indian men's team at the 2012 London Olympics, has died after a prolonged illness.
He was 72 years old and is survived by his wife Lee Capes, a former Australian women's international and daughter Kaitlin, who is a current Hockeyroos star.
"Hockey Australia extends its deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends, former teammates, players and all those whose lives and careers were shaped by his contribution to hockey. He will be remembered as a proud Kookaburra, a respected professional, and a servant of the sport," Hockey Australia said in a statement.
Nobbs represented Australia as a defender, playing across the half-back line and at fullback, and was renowned for his reliability, fitness and professionalism. He earned 76 international caps for Australia between 1979 and 1985, scoring one goal, and was a member of one of the strongest eras in Australian men’s hockey, said Hockey Australia on its website in its tribute.
Nobbs was an integral part of the Australian teams that competed at the 1981 Hockey World Cup in Bombay and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
While part of a generation widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest, he consistently held his place through hard work, discipline and trust earned from teammates and coaches, Hockey Australia wrote.
Nobbs took over the coaching of the Indian men's team in 2011 after it had failed to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2008. While India were brilliant in the qualifiers, the team finished last at the London extravaganza which also expedited the Australian coach's sacking.
Apart from India, Nobbs also coached Japan.
