Yediyurappa dismisses 'voter data theft' charge as baseless
Shivamogga (Karnataka), Nov 18: Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday dismissed the Congress party's allegation of misuse of electoral data by the BJP government as a baseless charge and a conspiracy by the opposition party.
The BJP strongman said there was no need to take Congress seriously because it is making these allegations out of fear of losing the upcoming assembly election.
"Congress party lacks leadership due to which they have started making baseless allegation. There is no need to take them seriously. No such misuse has taken place. It's all a conspiracy hatched by the Congress," Yediyurappa told reporters here.
He said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has said if there was any shortcoming then an inquiry will be ordered. He has even asked the Congress to furnish all the proof, he added.
The BJP strongman slammed the Congress for making baseless allegation out of fear of losing the upcoming assembly election.
"It does not suit Congress to make such allegations. We will come to power again without any doubt. Nobody can stop it," Yediyurappa said.
The opposition party on Thursday alleged "theft" of voter data in Bengaluru and breach of privacy.
An FIR has been registered against NGO 'Chilume Trust' and one of its employees.
The Congress alleged that the private agency was granted permission for house-to-house survey to create awareness among voters on filing online applications and charged it with collecting their personal data presenting themselves as booth-level officers (BLOs).
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Kohli, Konstas involved in mid-pitch altercation, debutant brushes off incident
Melbourne (PTI): Star Indian batter Virat Kohli and Australian youngster Sam Konstas were on Thursday involved in a physical altercation as tempers flared on the first day of the fourth Test here but the 19-year-old home debutant played down the incident.
The brief showdown took place after the completion of the 10th over of the Australian innings when the players were crossing over. Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders while moving across the pitch. Both players quickly turned around to glance at each other and engage in a heated exchange of words with Konstas' teammate Usman Khawaja stepping in to separate them. The on-field umpires also had a word with the two.
"I think the emotions got to both of us," Konstas later told 'Channel 7'. "I didn't quite realise, I was doing my gloves, then a little shoulder charge, but it happens in cricket," he added.
Konstas, who was batting on 27 at the time, went on to hit Jasprit Bumrah for two boundaries and a six in the next over. The teenager scored a stunning fifty on debut before Ravindra Jadeja trapped him leg before wicket. Oz media says Kohli could face disciplinary action
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Konstas might have dismissed it as routine but former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting blamed Kohli for instigating the exchange. He went to the extent of saying that Kohli could face disciplinary action for it.
"Have a look where Virat walks. Virat's walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever," Ponting said on Channel 7 while watching the replay of the incident.
"I have no doubt that the umpires and the referee will have a good look at that. Fielders should be nowhere near the batsman at that stage. It looked to me that Konstas looked up really late, wouldn't even know anyone is in front of him. That man on-screen there (Kohli) might have a few questions to answer," Ponting added.
Match referee Andy Pycroft is certain to review the incident, according to a report in 'cricket.com.au'. The ICC's Code of Conduct states that "any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited in cricket. Without limitation, players will breach this regulation if they deliberately, recklessly and/or negligently walk or run into or shoulder another player or umpire".
A Level 1 offence would likely mean a match fee fine. However, Level 2 offences carry a penalty of three to four demerit points. Four demerit points would lead to a suspension of one Test.
