Will remain active in politics till my last breath: JD(S) patriarch & ex-PM Deve Gowda
Mandya (PTI): Targeting the ruling Congress in Karnataka, JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Friday said he will not rest until the government is removed, and reiterated that he would remain active in politics till his last breath.
The veteran leader praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his leadership, as he hit out at INDI Alliance leaders, and attacked Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the State Congress chief
"It is in Deve Gowda's instinct, I have said about a thousand times now, until there is last breath in this life, I will fight in politics. I have never said that I will retire from politics," he said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said he is not just campaigning and "taking part in the political fight" as his grandson Nikhil Kumaraswamy is in poll from Channapatna. "I will fight (campaign) in the next election too for party candidates...." he said.
Channapatna assembly segment is going for by-polls on November 13.
Gowda accused Shivakumar of trying to defeat his son and union minister H D Kumaraswamy in Mandya in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year using money power. "DK (Shivakumar) don't try to compare yourself, don't try to estimate yourself."
Pointing at the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation scam, he said, the Valmiki community's money was taken and used for Telangana Assembly election by the Congress government in Karnataka.
"Until this government is removed (I'll fight)...my age is 92. It is not that I will sleep at home after my grandson Nikhil Kumaraswamy wins. No. I have not seen such a government in 62 years of my political life...we need to save this state. I will try for it beyond my limits," he said.
Reacting to Gowda's comments, Shivakumar told reporters in Ramanagara: "Kumaraswamy is a former CM, former PM's son, while I am a poor farmer's son and there cannot be a comparison between me and Kumaraswamy."
"He (Kumaraswamy) is Himalaya, while I'm an honest soldier of the people," he said.
On Gowda's comments on removing the government, Shivakumar said, "....it is not a groundnut plant to be removed easily....this is 136 MLAs strong government democratically elected by the people."
Deve Gowda said JD(S), a regional party, joined the NDA because there is not a single leader in INDI Alliance, who is "equivalent" to PM Modi. "Let any INDI Alliance leader say he can face Modi...."
Speaking about Donald Trump winning US Presidential polls, Gowda said Modi and Trump share a good relationship and it will be beneficial for the country, in its economic progress, and to face "adversaries like China and others."
Gowda, pointing at a section of the media projecting the Channapatna by-polls as a fight between 'DK" (Shivakumar) versus 'HDK' (H D Kumaraswamy), said there cannot be any comparison between them.
"Where is HDK? Kumaraswamy made Ramanagara a district, he (Shivakumar) is trying to integrate it with Bengaluru claiming that it will benefit people....Comparing him (DK) with Kumaraswamy - HDK, I'm not saying it because he (Kumaraswamy) is my son -- you can't (compare)," he said.
Prime Minister Modi has given Kumaraswamy the responsibility of two major departments at the Centre, despite JD(S) winning just two seats. "Kumaraswamy has developed a personality to gain such a responsibility."
Reacting to a question on Shivakumar and other Congress leaders allegedly criticising his grandson and son for getting emotional and shedding tears during poll campaigning, Gowda asked, "has anyone one seen DK shedding tears?"
"Having started working with Kotwal Ramachandra (gangster) for a hundred rupees, he (Shivakumar) is the state president of the Congress party that was led by Pandit Nehru and Indira Gandhi -- has he ever shed tears? show me," he said.
Accepting that he, his son and grandson shed tears, Gowda further said, "when farmers are suffering our heart pains...our family sheds tears, it has come from me, my father, we have suffered poverty, we have concern and pain for the poor...."
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2nd WT20I: Shafali, spin trio do star turns in India''s seven-wicket win
Visakhapatnam (PTI): Shafali Verma hit a blistering unbeaten 69 as India made short work of a paltry target to outclass Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second Women’s T20 International here on Tuesday.
India now lead the five-match series 2-0 after another one-sided victory, having restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 128 for 9 through a collective display of disciplined bowling from the spin trio of seasoned Sneh Rana, ably complemented by young spinners Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani.
During the chase, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (14) fell cheaply but Shafali, enjoying new found confidence after a stellar show in the World Cup final, sent the bowlers on a leather-hunt during her 34-ball knock, winning it for her team in just 11.5 overs.
The hosts have now completed back-to-back successful chases within 15 overs which speaks volumes about the unit's sky-high confidence.
Shafali's innings had 11 punchy boundaries apart from a maximum.
The floodgates opened when left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera bowled a few flighted deliveries and Shafali would step out everytime to hit her over extra cover. Her footwork against slow bowlers was immaculate whether stepping out to loft the ball or rocking back to punch or pull.
Seeing her confidence, the newly appointed Delhi Capitals skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (26 off 15 balls) also attacked as the duo added 58 runs in just 4.3 overs.
By the time Rodrigues was out trying to hit one six too many, the match as a contest was over. Shafali completed her half-century off just 27 balls and completed the formalities in a jiffy.
Earlier, off-spinner Rana, who got a look-in after Deepti Sharma was ruled out due to fever, showed her utility keeping the Lankan batters under tight leash with figures of 1 for 11 in 4 overs, including a maiden which certainly is a rarity in T20 cricket.
Charani, who made an impression during India's ODI World Cup triumph, took 2 for 23 in her quota of overs, while Vaishnavi after an impressive debut in the opening encounter, finished with 2 for 32, not letting the Islanders get easy runs in her second spell.
The last six wickets fell for just 24 runs, but what stood out during India’s bowling effort was their superb ground fielding. After a patchy show in the previous game, the improved sharpness in the field resulted in three run-outs.
Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu (31 off 24 balls) looked in good nick as she deposited length deliveries from seamers Kranti Gaud and Arundhati Reddy over the ropes but it was Rana, who kept her quiet by repeatedly pitching on good length.
Unable to manoeuvre the strike and with the big hits suddenly drying up, Athapaththu chanced her arm at another delivery in which Rana had shortened the length slightly.
Not having transferred the weight into the lofted shot, Athapaththu's hoick was pouched cleanly by Amanjot Kaur at long-off.
This was after Athapaththu's opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne (1) had offered a simple return catch to Gaud.
Hasini Perera (22 off 28 balls) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33 off 32 balls) did stitch a stand of 44 but they could never set the tempo against the Indian spin troika.
Once Hasini offered a tame return catch off a Charani full-toss, Sri Lankans never recovered and lost wickets in a heap towards the end.
