MLAs demand funds, highlight bureaucratic apathy to Karnataka CM at CLP meeting
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Demand for development funds for their constituencies and apathy of bureaucrats were among the issues raised by party MLAs during the CLP meeting here, party sources said.
Congress legislators are said to have asserted before the leadership that guarantee schemes alone were not enough, development was also needed, they said on Tuesday.
The meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is also the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), was attended by Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, who is the state Congress chief, ministers, and legislators.
During the meeting, some Congress legislators demanded funds for their constituency development, and expressed reservation regarding the functioning of bureaucrats.
Officials sitting on files of MLAs and some corruption allegations were also raised, they added.
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According to sources, the CM promised legislators that out of Rs 50 crore assured per MLA, the money will be released in a phased manner and that he would speak to the Finance Department regarding this.
Siddaramaiah, during the meeting, asked party legislators to effectively counter the opposition's attack against the government on issues concerning north Karnataka, and sugarcane and maize farmers' issue.
The CM told legislators that the central government did not stand by sugarcane and maize farmers. He also accused the BJP of trying to instigate farmers against the state's government, despite its best efforts to provide relief to them.
Apparently, a handout is said to have been given to legislators regarding the Congress government's contribution to north Karnataka and farmers' issues, to counter the opposition, they added.
The meeting took place amid a power tussle within the ruling party and speculations about a change in chief minister in the state, after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20. The speculation was fuelled by an alleged "power-sharing" agreement involving Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in 2023.
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
