Minister Satish Jarkiholi dismisses talk of 'November revolution', says Congress won't allow it
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Bengaluru (PTI): Playing down speculations about "November revolution" and major political changes in Karnataka, especially in the ruling Congress, state Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Monday said the party high command would not let any such upheaval to take place.
There have been speculations about a change in Chief Minister in the state, when the Congress government reaches the halfway mark of its five-year term in November, which is being referred to by some as "November revolution".
"I have said it many times, I'm not aware of it. It will be decided at the level of the Chief Minister, Deputy CM and party high command. I'm not aware of it, so I cannot say anything about it," Jarkiholi said responding to a question regarding the cabinet reshuffle and power sharing with leadership change.
Speaking to reporters here, the minister said, "I don't know anything about the November revolution. There is a party and there is high command, why will they let any revolution happen? They will not allow it."
When pointed out that many leaders in the party, including his friend K N Rajanna repeatedly predicting political changes in November, he said, "let's wait and see, only a few more days are left."
The state's political circles have been abuzz with speculation about a possible power-sharing arrangement between incumbent CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar.
The statement made by Siddaramaiah's son Yathindra Siddaramaiah last week that his father was at the fag end of his political life and Satish Jarkiholi is a leader with similar progressive ideological thinking, had lead to speculations.
Downplaying Yathindra's remark, Jarkiholi said he has spoken about leading the AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) movement (championed by Siddaramaiah), which is separate from the party and the government.
"It has nothing to do with this (CM change)....I have not asked for CM post or party (President) post and he (Yathindra) too did not speak about CM or party president post," he said.
Asked whether he would stake claim for the CM's post in 2028, he said, "let's see when the time comes. Election has to happen and depending on the situation, a decision will be taken."
To another query about some voices within the party rooting for him to take over as the Karnataka Congress President, Jarkiholi said the party high command will take a call on it.
"There is no point in me making any claims....I have not demanded, nor will I do it. I have been given the responsibility as the Minister and I'm discharging it."
Currently the state Congress President post is held by Deputy CM D K Shivakumar for an extended tenure.
Responding to a question on the demand for a Dalit CM, Jarkiholi, a leader from the ST community said, "Many, including me have said that if an opportunity is given (to Dalit) it will be good. The party will ultimately decide who and from which community."
Asked whether there was a possibility for a Dalit to become CM in the Congress party, he replied, "it may happen in the days ahead. We will have to wait, immediately there is no such opportunity. We will have to create an opportunity."
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India proposes preferential trade agreement with Mexico to deal with high tariffs
New Delhi (PTI): India has proposed a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Mexico to help domestic exporters deal with the steep tariffs announced by the South American country, a top government official said on Monday.
Mexico has decided to impose steep import tariffs - ranging from about 5 per cent to as high as 50 per cent on a wide range of goods (about 1,463 tariff lines) from countries that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico, including India, China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said that India has engaged with the country on the issue.
"Technical level talks are on...The only fast way forward is to try to get a preferential trade agreement (PTA) because an FTA (free trade agreement) will take a lot of time. So we are trying to see what can be a good way forward," he told reporters here.
While in an FTA two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate import duties on maximum number of goods traded between them, in a PTA, duties are cut or removed on a limited number of products.
Trading partners of Mexico cannot file a compliant against the decision on imposing high tariffs as they are WTO (World Trade Organisation) compatible.
The duties are within their bound rates, he said, adding that their primary target was not India.
"We have proposed a PTA because its a WTO-compatible way forward... we can do a PTA and try to get concessions that are required for Indian supply chains and similarly offer them concessions where they have export interests in India," Agrawal said.
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Citing support for local production and correction of trade imbalances, Mexico has approved an increase in MFN (most favoured nation) import tariffs (5-50 per cent) with effect from January 1, 2026 on 1,455 tariff lines (or product categories) within the WTO framework, targeting non-FTA partners.
Preliminary estimates suggest that this affects India's around USD 2 billion exports to Mexico particularly -- automobile, two-wheelers, auto parts, textiles, iron and steel, plastics, leather and footwear.
The measure is also aimed at curbing Chinese imports.
India-Mexico merchandise trade totalled USD 8.74 billion in 2024, with exports USD 5.73 billion, imports USD 3.01 billion, and a trade surplus of USD 2.72 billion.
The government has been continuously and comprehensively assessing Mexico's tariff revisions since the issue emerged, engaging stakeholders, safeguarding the interests of Indian exporters, and pursuing constructive dialogue to ensure a stable trade environment benefiting businesses and consumers in both countries.
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Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Director General Ajay Sahai has said that Mexico's decision is a matter of concern, particularly for sectors like automobiles and auto components, machinery, electrical and electronics, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and plastics.
"Such steep duties will erode our competitiveness and risk, disrupting supply chains that have taken years to develop," Sahai said, adding that this development also underlines the little urgency for India and Mexico to fast-track a comprehensive trade agreement.
Domestic auto component manufacturers will face enhanced cost pressures with Mexico hiking duties on Indian imports, according to industry body ACMA.
