Will face December 5 bypolls to 15 seats with unity: Karnataka Congress
Bengaluru, Nov 11: Amid talks of differences within the party, Congress leaders in Karnataka on Monday said they resolved to face December 5 bypolls to 15 assembly seats in the state with "unity".
The list of candidates for the remaining seven constituencies has almost been finalized and would be declared after the Supreme Court verdict on the disqualified MLAs case, which they hoped, would give a 'favourable' verdict.
A meeting of senior Congress leaders was convened by the party's state unit here to discuss about the bypolls and the candidates.
The meeting also saw leaders expressing strong reservations against taking in disgruntled leaders from the BJP into the party.
"Senior party leaders met today and discussed about the bypolls. Looking at the court order on November 13, we will finalise the candidates for remaining seven seats," KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao said after the meeting.
He told reporters here that the discussions took place in a "cordial atmosphere" and leaders decided to set aside their differences and jointly face the polls.
Rao said the list cannot be considered final until it comes from the AICC and added that they had decided on probable candidates in most constituencies, except in one or two, where further discussions were needed.
In general there was more or less unanimity on selection of candidates, he said.
However, according to sources some senior party leaders expressed displeasure about not everyone being taken into confidence on selection of candidates.
When CLP leader Siddaramaiah asked senior leaders to take responsibility of a constituency each, some reportedly voiced discontent about their opinion not being considered while deciding candidates and "unilateral decisions" being taken.
Congress has already announced a list of candidates for eight out of 15 seats that will go for the December 5 bypolls.
Adding credence to the speculation about differences emerging at the meeting was senior Congress leaders K H Muniyappa and B K Hariprasad leaving early.
The KPCC chief however brushed aside questions of discontent among leaders, saying there was nothing of the sort and discussions at the meet were held peacefully and all present expressed their opinion.
Clarifying on Muniyappa and Hariprasad leaving the meeting early, he said it was the guesswork of the media and not the truth.
"They participated in the meeting, after which they left.
As there are municipality polls in Kolar (Muniyappa's home district) he had to leave urgently, that's all. Unnecessarily don't misrepresent."
Muniyappa, flanked by Hariprasad, also cited a similar reason for leaving early.
He said discussions were held on candidates for the coming bypolls and opinions were shared.
"We have to see to that party wins all the 15 seats..We have given our own suggestions."
Muniyappa replied in the negative when asked whether there was disgruntlement about candidates already selected for eight seats, saying they had given their suggestions and brought to the leadership's notice who are the winnable candidates.
At a recent party meeting, Muniyappa and Hariprasad had hit out at CLP Leader Siddaramaiah and Dinesh Gundu Rao for their "unilateral style of functioning" and accountability not being fixed for he party's debacle in Lok Sabha polls.
To a question, Rao said he was 100 per cent confident that the Supreme Court judgment on disqualified MLAs that is likely on November 13 "will go in our favour" and the party would also win the maximum number of seats in the bypolls.
Bypolls to 15 of 17 seats represented by disqualified MLAs, whose resignation and absence from the trust vote led to the fall of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government, and made way for the BJP to come to power, will be held on December 5.
Meanwhile, state Congress on Monday held protest in front of Town Hall here against the "anti public policies" of both state and central governments.
In a memorandum to the President, submitted through the Deputy Commissioner, Congress requested him to intervene and direct the government to work towards improving the economy, solve unemployment, among other issues.
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Police acted proactively in arrest of rape accused 'godman' Kharat: Fadnavis
Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the police acted proactively in arresting self-styled godman Ashok Kharat, accused of raping a woman in Nashik.
Several women were initially reluctant to come forward and lodge complaints, but were provided complete protection by the authorities, Fadnavis informed the state assembly.
More victims are expected to come forward as confidence in the investigation grows, he said.
Kharat, who claimed to be a retired Merchant Navy officer and was known as "captain", was arrested on March 18 for rape and other offences on the complaint of a 35-year-old woman. She alleged Kharat raped her several times over a period of three years.
"The police trapped and proactively arrested Kharat. It is a very serious matter. He misused his so-called powers and misbehaved with women. Preparations to arrest him had been underway for some time," CM Fadnavis said.
Around March 10, a complaint registered in another district was used by the police to initiate action against Kharat. A look-out circular had already been issued to prevent him from fleeing the country, Fadnavis informed the assembly.
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The chief minister said he would make a detailed statement on the case in the House on Tuesday and asserted that no one would be spared.
Earlier, Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar termed the case a blot on Maharashtra and alleged that women were exploited by Kharat and other such people. He demanded the immediate removal of all those allegedly involved, including ministers and senior officials.
Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav claimed the case involved some ministers as well as senior IAS and IPS officers, and said the House had the right to discuss the matter. He alleged that the government had previously attempted to suppress a similar case in Nashik without conducting a proper probe.
Jadhav criticised the ruling dispensation, saying those in power invoked the name of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj but failed to follow his principles.
Several political leaders had visited Kharat over the years, allegedly for seeking spiritual advice.
The government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case.
The woman in her complaint to Nashik police alleged that Kharat called her to his office in 2022 on the pretext of performing rituals to avert danger to her husband, administered a sedative-laced drink and raped her. She alleged repeated sexual assault over a period of three years.
The police have seized CCTV DVRs from Kharat's Mirgaon farmhouse, Tikde Colony bungalow and Canada Corner office as part of the probe into the case.
Kharat is named in several cases filed at Vavi, Shirdi and Sarkarwada police stations for alleged extortion, blackmail, rape and black magic practices, officials earlier said.
Investigators were reaching out to potential victims and more cases were expected to be registered against Kharat, they added.
