No issues over alliance and seat-sharing with BJP for LS poll: HD Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru: Karnataka JD(S) President H D Kumaraswamy on Friday said there are no issues with respect to his party's alliance with the BJP, and also regarding seat sharing between the two parties in the state for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The former Chief Minister also did not rule out the possibility of his brother-in-law and noted cardiac surgeon Dr C N Manjunath contesting the Lok Sabha election.
Kumaraswamy and his son Nikhil met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday, and they are said to have held discussions regarding seat sharing.
"There are no issues with respect to alliance in any way, there are also no issues regarding seat sharing. Our intention is -- the alliance should win all the 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state," Kumaraswamy said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said both parties will take the decisions together.
JD(S) formally joined the BJP-led NDA in September last year and both parties decided to fight the Lok Sabha polls together.
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To a question regarding Manjunath contesting the polls, the JDS leader said, "everyone has positive opinion of him for his service to the state and to the medical field, based on that some people have expressed their feelings about bringing him to politics, but he has said that he has not decided yet. Let's see when the time comes, what to decide."
There is intense speculation about Manjunath being fielded as the alliance's candidate from Bengaluru Rural constituency, currently represented by Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar's brother D K Suresh.
According to some reports, he may contest on a BJP ticket, based on arrangement between both parties.
Asked about the possibility of a JD(S) leader D Kupendra Reddy winning the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls, Kumaraswamy said, "All of us take up any journey with a desire to win the goal. Whether the desire will be fulfilled or not will be known after polls on February 27."
BJP-JD(S) combine have fielded Reddy as its second candidate, even though the alliance has the strength to win only one out of four seats.
Kumaraswamy said he has not been able to participate in the ongoing Assembly session as doctors have advised him "voice rest" and not to speak much.
Hitting out at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for his recent speech in the Legislative Council, targeting the central government and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while demanding central funds for the state, he accused him of bringing down the state's pride.
Seeking to know whether the CM was turning Karnataka into a "beggar state", he said, "Karnataka is a wealthy state. When it comes to its own tax revenues, Karnataka stands number one in the country. There is no shortage of funds. To quench your thirst to loot you are emptying the state's coffers. The coffers are getting empty not because of guarantee schemes."
He also alleged that the state government is constantly in a confrontation mode with the Centre.
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Silver extends record run to Rs 2.86 lakh/kg; gold hits fresh record Rs 1.46 lakh/10g in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Silver prices zoomed by Rs 15,000 to a fresh record of Rs 2,86,000 per kg in the national capital on Wednesday, while gold also climbed to touch a lifetime high of Rs 1,46,500 per 10 grams, tracking strong global trends.
According to the All India Sarafa Association, silver prices extended their blistering rally for the fourth consecutive day by jumping Rs 15,000, or 5.5 per cent, to touch a new peak of Rs 2,86,000 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes) up from Tuesday's close of Rs 2,71,000 per kg.
With the latest rise, the metal had appreciated by Rs 42,500, or 17.45 per cent, over the past four sessions from Rs 2,43,500 per kg on January 8.
Traders said silver continued to outperform gold in terms of returns. During the calendar year, the metal has rallied nearly 20 per cent, gaining Rs 47,000 from Rs 2,39,000 per kg recorded on December 31, 2025.
Gold of 99.9 per cent purity also climbed by Rs 1,500 to scale yet another peak of Rs 1,46,500 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) on Wednesday. The yellow metal had settled at Rs 1,45,000 per 10 grams in the previous session.
In the past four sessions, the precious yellow metal prices have risen Rs 6,000, or 4.3 per cent, from Rs 1,40,500 per 10 grams on January 8.
So far this year, gold prices have gained Rs 8,800, or 6.4 per cent, from Rs 1,37,700 per 10 grams recorded on December 31, 2025.
The domestic bullion rally mirrors sharp gains in the overseas markets.
Spot silver breached USD 91 per ounce-mark for the first time, surging more than 5 per cent to a record of USD 91.56 per ounce while gold advanced by 1.14 per cent, to a fresh record of USD 4,640.13 per ounce.
"Persistent geopolitical unrest across the globe and a weak dollar index boosted safe-haven demand, while softer inflation data increased expectations of a interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve, underpinning safe-haven appeal," an expert said.
