Ready to retire from politics if I ever spoke about changing Constitution: Dy CM DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Mar 25 (PTI): Refuting the opposition BJP's claim that he suggested amending the Constitution to allow religion-based reservations, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday asserted that he was ready to retire from politics if the accusation was proven true.
He accused the BJP of "spreading false claims" due to their inability to tolerate his political stance.
Shivakumar also mentioned that the Congress high command had inquired about his comments and, after reviewing the video of his statement at a news channel’s programme—where he defended his government's decision to introduce a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in public contracts—was convinced he had not made such remarks.
"Am I mad? Those raising this issue have gone mad. BJP leaders cannot accept what I said in my interview, nor can they tolerate my political stance. Where have I spoken about changing the Constitution? It is their party members who have talked about it," Shivakumar claimed in response to a question.
Speaking to reporters, he said, "I'm ready to retire from politics if I have ever spoken about changing the Constitution. Will they (the BJP) accept this challenge? Let them verify where I said it."
Asked about the BJP’s reported plans to protest by waving black flags at his events, Shivakumar said, "They should go ahead. They have a special affection for me, which is why they do this. They can’t sleep without taking my name or creating issues related to me. So, let them continue."
Dismissing the BJP's allegations as "baseless", he urged the media and political observers to watch his full interview. "Whatever they (BJP) are claiming is a lie; it holds no meaning. I urge my media and political friends to watch the entire interview from start to finish. They cannot digest the truth I speak. If I had said anything wrong, I would have admitted it," he claimed.
Affirming that the Congress is committed to protecting the Constitution, Shivakumar accused the BJP of "attempting to divert attention" from key issues by creating an uproar in Parliament over the matter on Monday.
"Are our leaders (Congress leaders) fools? They have verified my statements. I, too, have reviewed them, and so can you," he added.
He confirmed that the Congress leadership in Delhi had reached out to him for clarification.
"They asked me about it, and I told them to review the video. After watching it, they were convinced. They inquired anxiously, and I provided them with the footage of my statement," he said.
Regarding allegations of phone tapping raised by Congress members and opposition leaders from the BJP and JD(S), Shivakumar pointed to previous instances of alleged phone tapping under past governments, including against prominent seers, which were investigated by the CBI.
"Let the BJP government at the Centre release the CBI probe report on that matter. We can discuss the fresh allegations later," he remarked.
On Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna submitting a representation to State Home Minister G Parameshwara over an alleged "honeytrap" attempt against him, Shivakumar said Parameshwara, as a senior leader, would ensure "a proper probe and deliver justice to Rajanna, the party, and those affected."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Next round of Iran-US negotiations expected soon: Pak's Defence Minister
_vb_61.jpeg)
Islamabad (PTI): Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday said that the next round of Iran-US negotiations was expected soon.
Asif made these remarks on Monday, a day after the Islamabad talks failed to clinch a deal.
The 21-hour talks between the US and Iran on Saturday were the first of their kind since 1979 due to the involvement of top-level officials from both sides. The two sides, however, failed to secure a lasting peace deal to end hostilities following their talks in Pakistan over the weekend.
Speaking to the media outside Parliament House, Asif said there had been a sense of satisfaction after the talks that there were no negative developments so far.
“Only positive progress has been observed,” he said, indicating that the ongoing diplomatic efforts were moving in a constructive direction.
The next round of Iran-US negotiations was expected soon, he added.
The Express Tribune reported that responding to a question about whether Pakistan would play a decisive role in shaping the region’s future, Asif said that ultimate decisions rest with Allah.
Vice President JD Vance, who led the US delegation at the negotiations in Islamabad, said the Iranian side did not accept Washington's terms for ending the war even as the US presented its "final and best offer".
Hours after the talks collapsed, US President Donald Trump said on social media that the negotiations with Iran failed as "Iran is unwilling to give up its nuclear ambitions."
Pakistan led the diplomatic push to bring the two sides to the table, which became possible after an appeal by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier this week, leading to a pause in the fighting.
The conflict began after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, paralysing global energy markets and disrupting trade.
_vb_34.jpeg)
_vb_87.jpeg)
_vb_90.jpeg)