Vokkaliga seer backs Shivakumar for Karnataka CM post
Hassan(PTI): Vokkaliga seer Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji on Wednesday said it was both his personal view and the sentiment within the community that D K Shivakumar should become the next chief minister of Karnataka.
The pontiff of the Adichunchunagiri Math expressed confidence that the Congress high command would take an appropriate decision, citing Shivakumar’s loyalty and long service to the party.
His remarks come amid an intensifying power tussle in the ruling Congress, with speculation of a possible change of guard after the government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20. Reports have pointed to an alleged "power-sharing" agreement between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in 2023.
Shivakumar is a key leader from the Vokkaliga community, which has a strong presence in the Old Mysuru region.
"I am watching and reading in the media about the developments in the government. The Math is a center of faith for the Vokkaliga community and has been a voice for other communities as well. On the CM issue, Shivakumar has not spoken to me yet," the seer told reporters.
He noted that the Vokkaliga community has contributed leaders across all major parties, JD(S), BJP and Congress, who have worked for the state’s development.
"In the 2023 Assembly polls, people from the community voted, hoping one among us would become CM. It didn’t happen then. There was hope it would happen after 2.5 years, but that too now seems unlikely. If it doesn’t happen, it will sadden thousands of devotees of the Math," he said.
Calling the current "confusion" over leadership unhealthy for the state, the seer said it was the Congress high command’s responsibility to provide clarity.
"Shivakumar should become CM after 2.5 years—this is both my view and that of our devotees. The Congress high command should give an opportunity to someone who has worked like a disciplined soldier for the party, just as earlier Vokkaliga leaders, Kengal Hanumanthaiah, K C Reddy, H D Deve Gowda, S M Krishna, Sadananda Gowda and H D Kumaraswamy, served as CMs," he said.
Reiterating his appeal, the seer said making Shivakumar chief minister for the remaining term would reflect the wishes of devotees and recognise his loyalty and efforts in strengthening the Congress.
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Withdraw 'disrespectful' remark against Rahul Gandhi and apologise: Pilot asks Rijiju
Mumbai (PTI): Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Thursday hit out at Union minister Kiren Rijiju for passing a "disrespectful and inappropriate" remark against Rahul Gandhi, and asked him to apologise for it.
He was answering a query regarding Rijiju's reported statement in which he described Gandhi as the "most dangerous person" for India's security, and a purported video of a man claiming to be from Karni Sena issuing death threats to the Congress leader.
Addressing a press conference here, Pilot said, "When ordinary journalists criticise the government, they face FIRs and jail. But when threats are issued against the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (Rahul Gandhi), there is silence. This shows the government's intention. LoP is a constitutional position. To describe him as a security threat is inappropriate and disrespectful. Even as such open threats are being made, the government is not taking any action."
"The statement 9against Gandhi) should be withdrawn and an apology should be issued," the Congress general secretary said, adding that it is the job of the LoP to seek accountability from the government and ask questions.
To a query on the plane crash in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed on January 28, Pilot said, "I do not want to speculate. There should be a transparent, time-bound inquiry. If there are doubts, a high-level investigation should clarify facts."
When asked about the demand for leadership change in the opposition INDIA bloc, he said, "Leadership decisions are internal matters. The alliance worked remarkably well in the last Lok Sabha election. The gap in numbers between the INDIA bloc and the NDA was not very wide. We are working together strongly and will continue to do so."
The Congress has been helming the INDIA bloc, a coalition of Opposition parties formed before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to counter the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, voices from disgruntled Congress members and those associated with the UPA dispensation suggested that the leadership of the opposition alliance should be given to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin.
On Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Indian economy, Pilot said, "India is a major IT power. We have talent and capability. Many countries see India as a natural partner. But we must use our strengths wisely and not compromise our sovereignty under pressure."
"India should have the freedom to decide where to buy oil from. That is a sovereign decision," Pilot said.
On the issue of illegal migration, he said anybody staying illegally in India should be removed regardless of religion or caste.
"But this issue should not be politicised. If the border has been under control for 11 years, how did illegal immigrants enter? The government should provide data on how many people have been deported," he said.
"This government's intent and policies are anti-farmer and there is no accountability. The opposition will continue to demand answers from the government and stand with farmers and the people of India," he said.
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