What's wrong if Siddaramaiah continues as CM, asks Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Asserting that he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are working together unitedly, Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar on Wednesday, questioned what's wrong if the incumbent continues as the CM.
Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, was responding to Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan's recent statement that Shivakumar can become the CM of the state, after Siddaramaiah completes his five-year term in 2028.
There have been talks about the chief minister change in the state when the Congress government reaches the halfway mark of its five-year term in November, which is being referred to by some as the "November revolution".
"Very happy. What's wrong? The chief minister is there. Let him be. We are not sad. We are working together. We are all united and we continue to be united," Shivakumar told reporters in response to a question on Khan's statement.
There have been talks within state's political circles, especially within the ruling Congress, for some time now about the chief minister change, citing a "power-sharing" agreement involving Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
Responding to a question on Siddaramaiah's proposed visit to New Delhi on November 15, Shivakumar said he, too, will be visiting the national capital to participate in a programme of Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal.
"I'm also going. Kapil Sibal is my lawyer. He has represented me at courts both here and Delhi. He has called me and I'm also going," he added.
Asked if there will be any discussion with the Congress high command on the much awaited Cabinet reshuffle during the Delhi visit, Shivakumar said, it is the chief minister's responsibility.
To a question whether the CM has discussed with him regarding the Cabinet expansion or reshuffle as he is the state president, Shivakumar said, "He (CM) has not yet discussed with him."
Stating that he doesn't believe in exit polls, the Deputy CM expressed confidence that 'Mahagatbandhan' comprising Congress and RJD will come to power in Bihar.
"All exit polls haven't come true. I'm a practical politician...I believe in the people of Bihar," he said.
Rejecting speculation that the Bihar poll results would have implications on the state politics, Shivakumar said Karnataka is a leader in development, social change, administrative and financial discipline.
Bihar polls were held over two phases on November 6 and 11. The votes will be counted on November 14.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
