There was no need for ED probe into Valmiki Corporation irregularities, says Deputy CM Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said there was no need for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into alleged financial irregularities in a state-run corporation, as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the state government was already on the job.
Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief, was reacting to a question on the agency taking former Minister B Nagendra into custody, as part of a money-laundering probe linked to the irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Limited.
"We (state govt) are doing an inquiry (through SIT), there was no need for it (ED probe), but they are doing it. I will try to know about it and then speak on it," Shivakumar told reporters here.
Nagendra quit as Scheduled Tribes Welfare Minister on June 6 in the wake of the alleged irregularities.
ALSO READ: Diversion of SC, ST fund in Karnataka exposes Rahul's double standards: BJP
The ED carried out searches at several premises, including those linked to Nagendra and ruling Congress MLA Basanagouda Daddal, who is Chairman of the Corporation, in the last two days.
The agency covered around 20 locations in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra as part of a case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said.
Reacting to BJP's protest in Mysuru over alleged fraudulent allotment of sites to land losers by Mysuru Urban Development Authority, which involves plots given to the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife, Shivakumar said: "In Mysuru, they (BJP) are doing politics, there is no truth in it (allegations). When time comes, we will respond to it."
Asserting that there is "no scam", he said: "whatever has been done, was done during the BJP tenure; there is nothing. After winning the election (Lok Sabha), they want to see that Karnataka is in a bad shape. Nothing is there, everything is perfect. We will face all this politically."
Claiming that a conspiracy is being hatched against him out of heartburn as he belongs to a backward class community and has become the Chief Minister for the second time, Siddaramaiah had, while denying the charges on Thursday, asserted that he won't fear such moves by the BJP.
Responding to a question on Siddaramaiah's claims that he was being targeted as he was from backward classes, Shivakumar said: "Definitely, definitely...."
"Only one big state is there (with Congress), so they want to demoralise the state, we won't allow it," Shivakumar said.
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Putting an end to spicy chatter: Kohli, Gambhir bond over love for Tests, need for aggression
Chennai, Sep 18: Two feisty cricketers who love to get in the face of the opposition to get the best out of themselves. Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli were not expected to have a smooth relationship when the former was roped in as India's head coach.
But the two have decided to take the spice out of the chatter surrounding them by sharing a laugh and some thoughts on their aggressive personalities, love for Test cricket and similar aspirations growing up.
"Here we are putting an end to all the masala and spice," said Kohli as he interviewed head coach Gambhir for bcci.tv ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh here.
"That is a good start to the conversation," the southpaw said in response.
Gambhir played with an aggressive mindset all through his career and Kohli continues to play the game with the intensity of a teenager. Considering that, their on-field confrontations in the IPL over the years were hardly a surprise.
In the insightful chat, the two strong personalities looked back at their days in Delhi and Indian cricket.
The conversation flowed after they watched footage of the 2011 World Cup final where Gambhir played a match-winning knock and shared an 83-run stand with his younger teammate Kohli.
"We have come a long way. From playing together for a long time, being part of the same dressing to having ups and downs," said Kohli before Gambhir added that everything that happened between them was in "good spirits".
One could gauge their similar mindset with the way they talked about Test cricket. Gambhir began his India career when there was no IPL and always aspired to be a successful red-ball cricketer. Kohli, on the other hand, is arguably the most high profile supporter of Test cricket.
"Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game. I made my ODI debut before playing Tests. Making Test debut remains my best memory till date. We always thought we would be judged by what we do in red-ball cricket," recollected Gambhir.
The 42-year-old opener, being five years older to Kohli, had established himself when the latter burst on the scene. Kohli still vividly remembers the days when he aspired to be in the league of Gambhir and other big names of Delhi cricket.
"There used to be Kotla 1 and Kotla 2 (nets). We always wanted to be there (with the likes of Gambhir and Co). My first aspiration was to play first class cricket for Delhi. Now you can understand where the competition comes from because the perspective (his and Gambhir's) is very similar," said the most successful Indian Test captain.
For Gambhir, Kohli is the torch-bearer of Test cricket.
"You guys are the torchbearers of Test cricket. In today's day and age the challenge will always remain, how we can motivate the next generation of cricketers. I believe the stronger your Test team, the stronger your cricket," said the former opener and Kohli could not agree more with him.
India needs next generation of bowlers
Both Gambhir and Kohli also agreed that India will have to find the next generation of pacers and spinners to extend their successful run in the longest format. As captain, Kohli had placed emphasis on playing five specialist bowlers, a strategy that paid rich dividends.
"A lot will depend on the next generation of bowlers. We will keep producing quality batters. That is how the structure has been," said Gambhir.
"But does the younger generation have motivation to bowl 20 overs in a day? Someone like Jasprit Bumrah, he just loves to bowl but do the next generation of fast bowlers find enjoyment in bowling 20 overs in a day, even the spinners?
"If you enjoy doing that, that is the only way one would be motivated to play Tests. That is going to be a challenge for all of us to figure out who these guys are," said the coach.
Kohli reserved his last question for Gambhir's umpteen run-ins with opposition bowlers. However, he was quickly reminded about his own on field demeanour.
"You had more altercations. Maybe you can answer this better," said Gambhir (laughs).
"That is what the personality I had and that is the personality you have. At times that conversation can get you in the zone. I don't want the current players to change one bit," added the head coach.
A Very Special Interview 🙌
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 18, 2024
Stay tuned for a deep insight on how great cricketing minds operate. #TeamIndia’s Head Coach @GautamGambhir and @imVkohli come together in a never-seen-before freewheeling chat.
You do not want to miss this! Shortly on https://t.co/Z3MPyeKtDz pic.twitter.com/dQ21iOPoLy
