Shivakumar rejects claims of TN Cong MLAs being shifted to Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday dismissed reports that Congress MLAs from Tamil Nadu had been shifted to a resort in Karnataka amid post-election political developments in the neighbouring state, saying he was unaware of any such move.
Political activity in Tamil Nadu has intensified following the Assembly election results, with parties engaged in consultations over government formation and support arrangements.
Amid speculation about legislators being moved to resorts in other states and ongoing political negotiations, internal party discussions and interactions between senior leaders have continued. However, no official confirmation has been made regarding any such relocation of MLAs.
Rejecting claims that five Tamil Nadu MLAs had arrived at Eagleton Resort near Bengaluru, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, said, "All of that is false. No MLAs have come to Eagleton Resort. I am not aware of it."
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he added that he had only seen media reports regarding developments in Tamil Nadu and had not received any communication from the Congress high command on the matter.
"The party high command has not spoken to me about it. If the party high command speaks, that is a different matter. Whatever stand the party takes, I will abide by it. It is a party decision," he said.
When asked about the reported shifting political alignments in Tamil Nadu, where some leaders were said to be extending and later withdrawing support, Shivakumar said, "I am not aware of it. I do not have that much information. No one has spoken to me about it."
The Congress leader also confirmed that he was travelling to Puducherry on Saturday. "Yes, I had not visited the Shaneswara temple in a long time. I am going to visit it," he said.
Responding to questions on the 'Abhimanotsava' celebrations being organised to felicitate former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, the deputy CM conveyed his wishes and said political differences should not overshadow personal respect.
"If it is his birthday, let it be celebrated well. We have all worked with him. In the end, his party people want to organise and honour him. There is nothing wrong with that. Let them do their duty. I wish him good health," he said.
On allegations related to ticket allocations by the Karnataka State Cricket Association, Shivakumar said he had only represented the collective views of legislators across party lines regarding their entitlement to match tickets.
The BCCI recently announced that the IPL final would be shifted from Bengaluru to Ahmedabad. Some opposition members in Karnataka alleged that the decision was influenced by the distribution of tickets to MLAs, allegations which Shivakumar had rejected on Wednesday.
"I am a representative of the people of Karnataka. Whatever my MLAs say, I have to do that. All parties in the Assembly together raised the request, and we acted on it," he said.
He clarified the demand, adding, "Earlier they were giving two tickets; I said, please give three now. That is all," referring to cricket match ticket allocations for legislators.
The Deputy Chief Minister also defended the allocation of cricket match tickets to legislators, which had sparked political controversy in Karnataka, and accused the BJP of "politicising the matter unnecessarily."
"BJP people are making politics out of it. They wanted more tickets and more business, and that is why they are creating drama," he alleged.
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TCS case: AIMIM chief Owaisi decries 'media trial' of Nida Khan; asks if possessing burqa is crime
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (PTI): All India Majlis E Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday said it was wrong to associate his party to TCS case accused Nida Khan and asserted the latter will be proven innocent in court.
Khan, a key accused in the TCS sexual harassment-forced conversion case, was arrested from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Thursday by Nashik police, following which AIMIM corporator Matin Patel was booked for sheltering her while she was on the run.
The developments have evoked sharp reactions from ruling Mahayuti leaders, including ministers Sanjay Shirsat and Nitesh Rane, who have called for a deeper probe against the AIMIM in the case.
Addressing reporters after a meeting of his party in connection with the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, Owaisi said Nida Khan is being subjected to a "media trial".
"Nida Khan was transferred from her job before the FIR was registered. We all have seen the statement of TCS. It says she is not connected in any manner to the HR department. Nine FIRs have been registered so far and in one of them, Nida Khan has been named for allegedly hurting religious sentiments," he said.
Asserting that the complainant in the case is a "member of the ruling party", the Lok Sabha MP questioned whether possession of a burqa or a book on Prophet Mohammad was illegal, adding that it is available in every Muslim household.
Earlier, in Delhi, police dubbed some youth as terrorists because a book of (legendary poet) Mirza Ghalib was found in their home, he pointed out.
"This is a media trial and if the media acts like judge and jury, it is dangerous. It will not serve the purpose of justice. We have faith that the court will deliver justice and the girl (Nida Khan) will be proven innocent. This case will not stand in court," Owaisi emphasised.
"This is being done with an intention to harass educated persons from the Muslim community. The allegations are coming out of hatred. The judiciary will play its role. But connecting a party with this case is completely wrong," he further said.
On his party colleague and corporator Matin Patel being booked, Owaisi said the charges will be contested in court.
He claimed such an environment was created after the blasts in Malegaon and Mumbai, but no one went to the families of those incarcerated once the judgement (of acquittal) was delivered.
The allegations against his party in the case at least means "we are not the B team of the BJP", the AIMIM chief added.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Nashik police is probing nine cases of molestation and harassment at the IT major's Nashik unit.
It had arrested eight persons, including a female operations manager, by registering nine FIRs after allegations of exploitation, attempt of forceful conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation and mental harassment of female employees at the TCS unit came to light.
Nida Khan is accused of targeting employees in a WhatsApp group, pressuring them to pray and eat non-vegetarian food. According to the FIR, she also allegedly advised women employees to dress and behave in accordance with Islamic traditions.
TCS has clarified that it has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form for a long time, and the employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at the Nashik office have been suspended.
