No immediate change in JDS state president: H.D. Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru: Union Minister and JDS State President H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday clarified that there are no immediate plans to change the party's state president.
Speaking to media representatives in the city, Kumaraswamy addressed speculation about a potential leadership change within the party. "Currently, there is no discussion about changing the state president. I am the state president right now," he stated. He acknowledged requests to give more party responsibility to Nikhil Kumaraswamy, the youth wing president, but confirmed that no discussions have taken place on the matter.
Coordination committee with BJP to be formed soon
Kumaraswamy announced that a coordination committee between the JDS and BJP will be formed shortly. "Discussions have been held with BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra and other leaders of the party. A decision has been made to form one coordination committee for Bengaluru and another for the state," he said. He added that a final decision on the committees' formation will be made within a week to ten days.
He also mentioned that the JDS core committee will be restructured and that a separate committee will be formed to strengthen the party for the upcoming Greater Bengaluru Municipal Corporation elections.
Kumaraswamy hits back at Congress
Responding to criticism from Minister Priyank Kharge, Kumaraswamy launched a sharp counter-attack on the Congress party. "Weren't these the same Congress leaders who came to our doorstep for power? Didn't they know that I had previously formed a government with the BJP?" he questioned.
He urged the Congress to stop engaging in "petty politics" regarding the JDS and instead focus on addressing the flood situation in the Kalaburagi district. "I have criticized the RSS in the past, I don't deny it. But what has the Congress done? They were given 136 seats in the state. They are not listening to the people's problems. People are on the streets in Kalaburagi. What relief have you provided to the distressed farmers?" Kumaraswamy asked.
Recalling the Congress's long rule, he added, "For 50 years after independence, the Congress party ruled the country. People elected Congress MPs in all 28 constituencies. Congress was in power at both the Centre and the state. What did those MPs bring for Karnataka? How much funding did they secure for the state? Which irrigation projects did they resolve? Instead of discussing us, they should introspect."
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Udhayanidhi accuses BJP of not releasing funds for TN
Gobichettipalayam (PTI): Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of "snatching" TN's rights.
Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.
"They (union government) have snatched all our rights," he charged.
With regard to the Centre's proposal for delimitation, he said chief minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise the voice against the union government's move. He claimed that it was a "huge victory" for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.
Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai" (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK was voted to power again.
The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. "At present more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme", he said.
"Similarly, the breakfast scheme for the government school students will be extended till Class VIII", he said adding "more than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed".
Udhayanidhi also pointed out at the "Illatharasi" poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax paying women where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and the results declared on May 4 following counting of polled votes.
