'Nothing wrong with what I proposed': Karnataka Minister reiterates pitch for three more Deputy CMs
Bengaluru (PTI): Reiterating his pitch for three more Deputy Chief Ministers in Karnataka, Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna on Wednesday said there is nothing wrong with what he has proposed, as it keeps in mind the Congress party's interests in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. It is not based on anyone's instigation, he clarified.
Pushing for Deputy Chief Minister posts to be given to leaders from Veerashaiva-Lingayat, SC/ST and minority communities, he rubbished talks that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had asked him to float such an idea.
The minister had first spoken about it on September 16, and said he would discuss it with the Congress high command.
"Three more DCMs I have suggested are based on caste or community, I'm unable to understand what's wrong with it? I have urged the high command in this regard in the interest of the party. If the high command feels it is right they will implement it, if they feel it is not right they will leave it, there is nothing wrong in it," Rajanna said.
Speaking to reporters, he said, "According to some media reports, my statements proposing three more DCMs are based on what Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has asked me to say. Neither have I met Siddaramaiah on this, nor have I proposed it before him. There has been no discussion with him on this."
Currently, D K Shivakumar from the Vokkaliga community is the only Deputy Chief Minister in the Siddaramaiah-led cabinet. He is also the state Congress President.
A section of the Congress is said to be of the opinion that Rajanna's statement was part of a plan by Siddaramaiah's camp to keep Shivakumar in check, amid talks that he might seek the CM post after two-and-half years of this government's tenure, and to counter his influence both in the government and the party.
Clarifying that his suggestions for three more DCMs are not aimed at bringing down the importance of Shivakumar in government, as being claimed, the minister said, "Such claims are far from the truth.
"Upcoming Lok Sabha polls are important for the state, country and this government. We (Congress) will have to win more seats in Karnataka. If we win less seats they (BJP) will come up with slogans asking us to resign for losing the mandate of the people...there is need for us to win more LS seats, for which I have shared three more DCMs plan," he said adding that it is not aimed at glorifying or condemning someone or on the basis of someone's instigation.
"If DCMs are made one each from Veerashaiva, Minority and SC/ST community, we will get more support than what we have now. This is what I have suggested. I have not said who should be made DCM, I have also clarified that I'm not an aspirant at all," he said.
It was said that Shivakumar being the only DCM was one among the commitments which the Congress leadership made to Shivakumar, while convincing him to give up his claim for the CM post and to take up the role of Deputy Chief Minister at the time of formation of the Congress government in Karnataka.
In response to a question, Rajanna said he wasn't aware of any decision about having Shivakumar as the only DCM.
"No one has told me about it. If I was aware, I wouldn't have proposed what I have. On something we don't know, how can I guess..." he said.
Asked as to what extent he is ready to go regarding the three DCMs demand, the minister said politically he is ready to take challenges and won't shed his responsibility, but on this issue, he will try to convince the high command. "Final decision is left to them."
With voices from within his cabinet pitching for the appointment of three more DCMs in the state, CM Siddaramaiah on Sunday said the high command would decide on it ultimately, and that he would comply with the decision.
Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar on his part on Monday said that CM Siddaramaiah must respond to Rajanna's demand to create three more DCM posts, as it was CM who appointed him and other ministers.
Stating that he has not discussed this with Shivakumar, as he was busy with Cauvery and other issues, Rajanna responding to the DCM's statement said, "He (Shivakumar) has shared his opinion (that CM should respond). Neither have I consented nor am I opposed to his opinion."
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Ladakh a living land of dharma for centuries: Amit Shah
Leh/Jammu (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday described the return of sacred relics of Lord Buddha to Ladakh after 75 years as a "historic reunion" and said that the Union Territory has remained a "living land of dharma", preserving and nurturing Buddhist knowledge for centuries.
Stressing the relevance of Buddha's teachings in modern times, Shah said the message of peace, compassion and the middle path was even more important today than it was 2,500 years ago.
"Ladakh has been a living land of dharma for centuries. When the Dalai Lama comes here, he says this land is not merely a geographical land but a living laboratory of Buddhist culture and compassion," Shah said, speaking after the inauguration of the sacred holy relics exposition of Tathagata Buddha and the 2569th Buddha Purnima celebrations at Jivetsal in Leh during his two-day visit to Ladakh.
Calling Ladakh a land of compassion, he said this land has preserved and nurtured knowledge. "Whenever Buddhism faced crises, this land worked to protect the teachings of Buddha. And when peace returned, it helped to expand and carry forward that preserved wisdom," he added.
"Unless one internalises knowledge and makes it a part of oneself, liberation is not possible. Knowledge is incomplete without spiritual practice, while spiritual practice without knowledge is blind. Therefore, the union of spiritual practice and knowledge is the right path. Even after all this, if there is no moral discipline, one cannot lead a truly wise life. The basis of a life of wisdom is moral discipline," he said.
Shah said it was through Ladakh and adjoining routes that the teachings of Tathagata Buddha, which originated in India, spread to China and several other countries.
"The message that emerged from the land of Ladakh has become a guiding force for many people around the world to take their lives forward. The presence of these sacred relics in Ladakh reminds us that India's civilisation has, for thousands of years, given the message of peace and coexistence," he said.
He said that in a diverse region like Ladakh and Kargil, this message becomes even more relevant. "This heritage still tells us today that amidst conflict and unrest, only the path of peace and compassion can provide solutions."
He said the return of the relics on Buddha Purnima had enhanced the significance of the festival for the people of Ladakh.
"These sacred relics have come to Ladakh after 75 years. It is as if Buddha himself is present here today," Shah said, adding that followers of Buddhism and people of other faiths in Ladakh and Kargil would draw spiritual energy from the relics.
Highlighting Ladakh's role in the spread of Buddhism, Shah said Kashmir was once an ancient centre of Buddhist studies, Mahayana philosophy and Buddhist art, from where Ladakh first came into close contact with Buddhism.
He said Emperor Ashoka's envoys laid the foundation of Buddhist influence in Ladakh through Kashmir and Gandhara, while Mahayana Buddhism expanded in the region during the Kushan period between the first and third centuries CE.
The Silk Route linking Kashmir, Leh, Yarkand, Khotan and Tibet became a channel not only for trade but also for ideas, monks, manuscripts and artistic traditions, Shah said.
He added that later, Tibetan influence between the seventh and tenth centuries further enriched Ladakh through Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.
Stressing the relevance of Buddha's teachings in modern times, Shah said the message of peace, compassion and the middle path was even more important today than it was 2,500 years ago.
"Amid conflict and unrest, only the path of peace and compassion can provide solutions," he said.
Shah also appealed to the Ladakh administration to ensure complete arrangements so that followers of all faiths, especially Buddhists, could visit and pay obeisance to the relics.
#WATCH लेह, लद्दाख: केंद्रीय गृह मंत्री अमित शाह ने कहा, "जब दलाई लामा यहां आते हैं तो वे कहते हैं कि यह भूमि केवल भौगोलिक भूमि नहीं है। यह भूमि बौद्ध संस्कृति और करुणा की जीवंत प्रयोगशाला है। इस भूमि पर ज्ञान का संरक्षण हुआ है... भारत की सभ्यता हजारों वर्षों से शांति का संदेश… https://t.co/2nwG0w2CE6 pic.twitter.com/W13itRBqeX
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