Rahul Gandhi recalls family connection with Karnataka on last day of yatra in poll-bound state
Raichur (PTI): On the last day of Bharat Jodo Yatra in poll-bound Karnataka, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that his family has a long connection with the state, as he reminded that his grandmother and mother had won crucial elections from here.
Pointing out that today was the last day of the yatra in the state, covering more than 500 km, he thanked the people for their support, love and strength.
"My family has a long connection with Karnataka. I can never forget that you (people) gave victory to (former PM) Indira Gandhi from Chikkamagaluru (in 1978). I can also not forget you gave victory to Sonia Gandhi in Ballari (in 1999)," Rahul Gandhi said while concluding his speech at the end of the 45th day of the yatra here.
He then moved to the centre of the stage and held the hands of both state Congress President D K Shivakumar and Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah and raised in the air, aimed at sending out a message of unity to the party cadres.
Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who are nursing chief ministerial ambitions ahead of assembly polls next year, are indulging in a game of political one-upmanship, with an intention to assert their position in the party's state unit.
The Bharat Jodo Yata will be entering neighbouring Telangana on Sunday morning after covering a short distance within the state's borders.
The nationwide foot march entered the state on September 30 at Gundlupet in Chamarajanagara district and after covering several districts, it was in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh for three days from October 18. The yatra then re-entered Karnataka at Raichur on October 21.
Alleging that the BJP and RSS have spread hatred and violence in the country, Gandhi said, "They have created rifts between brothers, they have tried to divide India. So, we have taken up this Bharat Jodo Yatra."
He also said that according to farmers in today's India, their government is neither protecting nor helping them, and farming as a profession was not fetching adequate money.
Speaking about the tax/GST on fertilisers, tractors, pesticides and diesel, he further said: "Farmers say that the MSP (minimum support price) which they have to get, the government is not ready to give them. After walking for 20-22 days on the streets of Karnataka, I could not find a single happy farmer here."
The former AICC president also said the youth are unable to find jobs despite having degree certificates, but if one has Rs 80 lakh he or she can become a sub-inspector in Karnataka.
This remark is an oblique reference to the police sub-inspectors recruitment scam that roiled the state with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probing the case.
The government in Karnataka takes 40 per cent commission in everything, he said "there are various scams in the state like - Rs 430 crore borewell scam from the scheme which would have benefited SC/STs, Rs 150 crore Bhovi corporation scam, also scams in Ambedkar, Valmiki and Babu Jagjivan Ram development corporations. There are only scams in Karnataka."
The Wayanad MP said, on one side there is corruption and unemployment in the country, while on the other side there is price rise.
Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the increase in gas cylinder price, and giving two crore youth jobs every year, he said, "From note ban and bad GST, he (Modi) has taken away jobs from crores of youth, he doesn't utter a word on employment."
The world's second richest man is from India and he is a close friend to the Prime Minister, he further pointed out without taking any name, and added that "on one side there are the richest people in the world and on the other side there is unemployment and price rise."
Further claiming credit on behalf of Congress for implementing Article 371J of the Constitution, which grants special status to six backward districts of Hyderabad-Karnataka region, while pointing out that the then BJP government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani had refused to do it, Gandhi highlighted the education, employment and infrastructure-related benefits that the region has gained because of the provision.
"It is unfortunate that the BJP government is unable to implement it properly, with large numbers of jobs still vacant. Once we come to power, we will do it on priority," he added.
Earlier in the day, Gandhi walked with a group of ex-servicemen here.
He also met representatives from minority communities, and also had an interaction with MGNREGA workers and Dalit women from Raichur.
According to a press release from Congress, while meeting with minority community representatives, the party leader said he believed that the "definition of India is a welcoming place for everyone".
Gandhi also went on to say that he was "extremely disturbed by the way a limited number of people that control India were treating minorities, women, Dalits, and small businesses," and assured everyone that the divisiveness and hatred fostered by the BJP and RSS would not last long.
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Akeal Hosein bosses powerplay overs with 'skill and mental fortitude'
New Delhi (PTI): For a spinner who bowls majority of his overs in the powerplay, Chennai Super Kings' West Indian import Akeal Hosein relies as much on mental fortitude as his skills to excel in the most unforgiving phase of the game.
With just two fielders in the deep in the first six overs, the margin for error is miniscule and the pressure is sky high.
However, Hosein thrives in that tense environment. The left-arm spinner returned with frugal figures of 3-0-15-1 in the powerplay to play a crucial role in his team's eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in an IPL match here on Tuesday.
"You need both of them (skill and mental toughness). Especially when you come upon pitches that aren't conducive to spin and it's just about being disciplined as well," he said.
"Having two fielders out in the power play. It's not a job that you can go searching for wickets or you can be too greedy. It's just about sticking to the plan," he explained.
Hosein got the all-important wicket of an in-form K L Rahul, who was foxed by the West Indian as he stepped out to smash him for an inside out six.
Hosein's inclusion in the playing eleven after not being picked in the initial phase of the tournament has allowed CSK to win more games. On Tuesday, the pitch offered him a bit of help and he ended up dominating the batters.
After the win over DC, Hosein was asked about his recipe for success in the powerplay.
"...it's a bit scripted because you only have two guys out so it's just about being disciplined and trying to do the job for the team. At the end of the day if you don't get wickets and you bowl economically in the power play, that's a damn good job you've done for the team," said Hosein.
He has taken seven wickets in five games at an impressive economy rate of 7.25.
Fully aware that the batter is a mere couple of hits away from putting the pressure back on him, Hosein says practising for high-pressure situations helps him stay in the present.
"I think homework is very important. You want to have that head-start when you come up against whichever batter you're going to face. And like I say it's just about making assessments as quickly as possible.
"You might come up on a pitch that is spinning. You might come up against one that isn't spinning. Thankfully I can spin the ball. So it's just about picking which deliveries will give you the most success on a particular day and against a particular batter," said Hosein.
He got rid of Rahul first ball from the other end, something that was decided by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Post powerplay, Noor Ahmad took over the mantle from Hosein and maintained the pressure on DC batters.
"Getting the opportunity to bowl first for me is just about again making that assessment as quickly as possible and then passing on that information to Noor or even to the seamers as well if it was a bit of spin or if it's gripping or whatever the case is.
"So conversations with myself and Noor have been fantastic. Really happy for him that he's getting some success," he added.
