Shivakumar stresses party discipline amid Davanagere South bypoll row
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday underlined the importance of party discipline amid the fallout of the Davanagere South bypoll controversy, even as action against certain leaders triggered fresh ripples within the ruling Congress.
Speaking to reporters here, Shivakumar said decisions regarding the party candidate and subsequent developments were taken after consultations with leaders and based on reports submitted from the ground, which were then acted upon by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Shivakumar’s remarks come against the backdrop of the removal of Siddaramaiah’s political secretary, Naseer Ahmed, who was "relieved with immediate effect" following allegations that he worked against the party’s candidate in the Davanagere South Assembly bypoll.
Held on April 9, the election was necessitated by the death of veteran MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa, with the Congress fielding his grandson, Samarth Shamanur.
"If there is no discipline in any party, nothing can function," Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, said.
"We decided on the candidate after taking everyone into confidence. Every day we were in touch with various leaders. They all submitted reports, and based on that, the CM has taken the decision (on choosing Samarth Shamanur as the Congress candidate for the Davanagere South Assembly segment bypolls)," he said.
He noted that some Congress leaders had stepped down amid the developments.
"By the time we took a decision, they themselves had given their resignation, and it has been accepted," he said, referring to recent exits, including that of MLC Abdul Jabbar.
On his interaction with MLAs aspiring for ministerial positions, Shivakumar said there was nothing wrong with internal discussions but stressed restraint.
"There is nothing wrong with holding meetings or asking for posts; please do. But one must maintain strict discipline. That is my humble request," he said.
He pointed out that he had advised party members to remain cautious in their public conduct.
Asked about the specific allegations against certain leaders, he said he was awaiting further clarity.
"We, too, had received some reports. Another report has to come on what exactly happened (in Davanagere South); I am waiting for it," he said.
On whether any report had been submitted against Housing and Minority Welfare Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, Shivakumar said, "I have no information."
Khan was among those who had demanded that a Muslim candidate be given the ticket in Davanagere South, as the constituency has a substantial Muslim population.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah summoned him on Tuesday. The outcome of the meeting remains unknown.
Tensions had surfaced within the party over the candidate selection, with sections of minority leaders expressing dissatisfaction and demanding representation.
Although a rebel candidate later withdrew his nomination following intervention by the leadership, discontent reportedly persisted, with some leaders staying away from campaign activities.
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Two incidents of betting over IPL cricket matches in Mysuru: Five men arrested
Mysuru: Police have arrested five people in two separate cases where betting for the IPL cricket matches was going on, and have confiscated various equipment used by the arrested men for the illegal activity.
In the first case, Hebbal Police arrested two men who were reportedly found betting during the IPL cricket matches, and have confiscated one laptop and three mobile phones from the arrested men.
The arrested men are identified as Pradeep (39) and Praful (21) of Naidu Nagar.
The police team is learned to have conducted the operation on the third floor of a hotel within the Hebbal Police Station limits on getting information of betting over the IPL matches going on. The gamblers allegedly were getting citizens to invest money online and betting illegally on IPL matches over mobile phones and laptops in order to illegally earning money from them.
Pradeep and Praful were taken into custody by the police who have filed a case and are investigating it.
The second incident occurred near the Town Hall on Thursday, May 7, when Devaraja Police arrested three men who were gambling.
The police have arrested Kumar (33) of Mandimohalla, PV Vinod (32) of Ilava and Likhith Kumar (27) of Paduvarahalli.
The three men were reportedly carrying out their criminal activity inside a car parked behind the Town Hall on Thursday, in order to earn money from the IPL tournament through a mobile phone. They were also found to have gotten citizens to invest money online and off-line in the cricket matches.
They were found and arrested by policemen who were on beat in the area near the Town Hall. In addition, one car, Rs 15,900 in cash and three mobile phones were seized from them.
A case has been registered by the Devaraja Police officers, who are investigating the case.
