No one knows what developments will take place after 2023 poll results: HD Kumaraswamy
Chitradurga (K'taka), Aug 18: Recalling the turn of events which led to his party and Congress joining hands to form a coalition government in Karnataka after the 2018 assembly polls, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday said no one knows what developments would take place post the 2023 election results.
The former Chief Minister said this after a Vokkaliga community event here, in which he shared the stage with State Congress president D K Shivakumar, who cryptically spoke about his Chief Ministerial aspirations and sought the community's support.
Kumaraswamy and Shivakumar are influential leaders from the Vokkaliga community, which has predominant presence in the old Mysuru or southern Karnataka region.
"I'm in my own struggle (political), we will put in our party's effort, you put in yours. Who knows God will give power to whom... No one knows what developments will take place after the poll results," Kumaraswamy said in response to a question on whether he would stand in support of Shivakumar if the situation arises.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the Congress leaders, in the 2018 poll campaign, had appealed to people to not vote for JD(S), alleging that it was BJP's 'B team', and thereby ensured the regional party doesn't get community (minority/Muslim) votes.
"...but, we (JDS) joined hands with the same Congress after the polls. Who knows what will happen in the next election. Let the election result come, we will discuss it after that," he added.
Responding to a question on Shivakumar's Chief Ministerial aspirations, Kumaraswamy said it is not in his hands, and noted that, for it to happen he has to "overtake" Siddaramaiah, who is another aspirant for the post, in case the Congress comes to power.
"Will he (Siddaramaiah) let him (Shivakumar) become the Chief Minister so easily?" he asked.
Siddaramaiah (Congress Legislature Party leader) and Shivakumar are nursing ambitions for the top post in the event of Congress coming to power, and are involved in a game of political oneupmanship.
Asked if would join hands with Shivakumar in case there is a possibility of him becoming the Chief Minister, he said, "They (Shivakumar and Congress) already feel that they have got a clear majority."
Earlier, speaking at the event that was attended by Voikkaliga community seers -- Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji of the Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math and Nanjavadutha Swamiji of Spatikapuri Mutt -- Shivakumar spoke about his aspirations and sought the community's support.
"Lots of opportunities will come in the days to come. I will leave it to your discretion. I have told seers with folded hands to welcome 'Lakshmi' (Goddess of wealth) who is about to come to your doorstep in the form of light, it is left to them to welcome or not," he said.
"I will talk about politics next time...there is an ambition to give strong leadership to the community and create an impressive mark, need your blessings...D K Shivakumar is your son, you have stood by me during my difficult times, I'm sure that you will stand by me in the future too," he added.
Shivakumar, too, had earlier sought the community's backing for him to become the Chief Minister.
Referring to him being the only Vokkaliga to be the KPCC president after S M Krishna (who later went on to become Chief Minister), Shivakumar, while citing the example of how Dalits would want one of their own to become the Chief Minister, had recently, said: "Every community has self-respect. Let our community come together."
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Chhattisgarh: Two killed, six injured in centring frame crash at under-construction building
Raipur, Jan 11: Two workers were killed and six others injured when a centring frame collapsed during the laying of a slab at an under-construction building in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur on Saturday, police said.
The incident occurred in Vishal Nagar area on VIP Road where a multi-storey building is being constructed, Raipur Additional Superintendent of Police Lakhan Patle told PTI.
As per preliminary information, a slab was being laid on 8th floor of the building around 3:30 PM when the centring frame crashed and fell on the ground, he said.
"Eight workers who were trapped under the debris of iron bars and construction material, were evacuated and admitted to different hospitals. Of them, two succumbed to injuries in the hospital," he said.
Police had earlier said 10 injured workers were injured in the incident.
Of the six injured, the condition of one is stated to be serious, Raipur Superintendent of Police Lal Umed Singh said.
Soon after being alerted, police and district administration personnel rushed to the spot and launched a rescue exercise wherein State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was later involved, he said.
As per information, no worker is trapped under the debris but more clarity will be had after the debris is cleared over the next few hours, the SP said.
The under-construction project belongs to a private real estate firm, which has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to kin of each of the deceased, officials said.
Pradyum, a labourer, said he was working on the ground floor when he heard a loud sound of metals falling to the ground.
"Some workers fell from the top where slab laying work was underway. Some workers who were at the ground got trapped under the debris. I and others present got involved in pulling them out," he said.
Meanwhile, some workers, on condition of anonymity, said the site did not have safety measures.
Queried about this aspect, SP Singh said a probe will be conducted into safety protocols and action will follow based on the findings.
