We want you to help make Rahul PM: Venugopal tells Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru: Congress party high command used Saturday’s legislature party (CLP) meeting at Vidhana Soudha, where DK Shivakumar was chosen as the next CM, to send the message that outgoing CM Siddaramaiah’s political innings is far from over. At a subdued CLP meeting, KC Venugopal, Congress general secretary (organisation), reassured Siddaramaiah’s supporters that the 77-year-old veteran would continue to play a key role in both state and national politics. Addressing legislators and MPs, Venugopal praised Siddaramaiah’s contribution to the state and told him: “We will not allow you to rest. Congress needs your services in Karnataka and at the national level. You all must think about 2029. We all need Siddaramaiah in our team to make Rahul Gandhi, our leader, prime minister.” Legislators present said Siddaramaiah appeared emotional while reflecting on his tenure. He highlighted the implementation of the guarantee schemes and their impact on people in the state. “He said BJP at the Centre had treated Karnataka shabbily and that Congress under his governance had managed the financial burden with prudence,” an MP said. The CLP adopted a resolution thanking Siddaramaiah for his guidance during his two terms as CM from 2013 to 2018 and from 2023 to 2026. The resolution credited him with welfare programmes, social justice measures, administrative reforms, and development initiatives that helped strengthen the party’s support base. The process of selecting the new CLP leader began with Siddaramaiah moving a one-line resolution authorising the party high command to choose his successor. The proposal, seconded by home minister G Parameshwara, was unanimously approved. After a brief consultation involving Siddaramaiah, Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress general secretary in charge of Karnataka, Shivakumar’s name was formally announced. Following his election, Shivakumar moved a resolution appreciating Siddaramaiah’s service and appealed for unity. “He said that the party needs to work towards ensuring Congress return to the helm in 2028 and urged every legislator to lend their full support under his tenure,” a legislator said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi called me’: Mamata says LoP offered to fly Abhishek Banerjee to Hyderabad for treatment
NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee claimed that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi had personally reached out to her following the alleged attack on TMC national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee in West Bengal. Addressing reporters late on Saturday night, Mamata said Rahul Gandhi had offered assistance for her nephew Abhishek Banerjee’s medical treatment and assured support if required. “Rahul Gandhi called me and told me if anything is needed, I can tell him, and he can take Abhishek Banerjee to Hyderabad or anywhere else for the treatment,” Mamata said. The remarks come after Abhishek Banerjee was allegedly attacked during a visit to Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas district, where he had gone to meet families affected by post-poll violence. Videos from the scene showed stones, eggs and shoes being hurled as protesters shouted slogans against the TMC leader. Visuals also showed Banerjee being escorted away by security personnel with his shirt torn during the scuffle. Mamata Banerjee further alleged that there was pressure on hospitals and doctors regarding Abhishek Banerjee’s treatment after the incident. “Those who are in power are threatening all the hospitals and the maximum authorities not to admit Abhishek Banerjee because they don’t want him to be treated,” she alleged. “When I was sitting with the hospital administrator, he told me that he was getting threat calls from the police. Doctors are sad, but they are pressured,” she added. Also Read | ‘Rulers have become killers’: Mamata fumes over attack on nephew Abhishek Banerjee; BJP hits back Rahul Gandhi had strongly condemned the attack and described it as an assault on democracy. In a post on X, Rahul wrote: “The attack on MP Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur is utterly reprehensible. An attack on a Member of Parliament is not merely an assault on one individual—it is an assault on the very people who elected him, and on the democracy that is our shared legacy. This is the ugly face of the BJP’s politics of revenge. Political differences can never justify violence.” “The central government and the West Bengal government—both must take immediate action against the perpetrators, and ensure that no public representative, regardless of their party, ever has to worry about their safety. Abhishek ji, my thoughts are with you and your family. Wishing you a speedy recovery,” he further wrote. The attack has triggered a political storm, with several Opposition leaders rallying behind Abhishek Banerjee. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the incident and questioned the alleged lack of adequate security, while Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav termed it a ‘major conspiracy’ and accused the BJP of promoting violent politics. The TMC has alleged that BJP-backed supporters were behind the attack. In a statement, the party claimed Abhishek Banerjee continued with his visit despite what it described as a ‘vicious attack by BJP-backed miscreants’ while meeting families of party workers allegedly targeted in post-poll violence. BJP leaders, however, denied any involvement. West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya condemned the incident but said the party had no role in it, suggesting that local anger against the TMC may have led to the confrontation. Union minister Sukanta Majumdar also condemned the violence and appealed for peace, while urging people not to take law and order into their own hands. Following the attack, Abhishek Banerjee alleged that the incident was pre-planned and questioned the absence of adequate police deployment at the site. “Look what they have done to me. This was pre-planned. There is no police in the area. They want to kill me,” he had said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bihar government suspends two senior IAS officers in connection with tender scam
The ED had conducted an inquiry against the IAS officers and subsequently wrote to SVU to recommend further action. PATNA: The Bihar government on Saturday suspended two senior IAS officers in connection with a tender scam, allegedly orchestrated by a high-profile contractor, Rishu Ranjan Sinha alias Rishu Shree. The suspended officers are 2017-batch IAS officer Yogesh Kumar Sagar and 2014-batch IAS officer Abhilasha Kumari Sharma. They are facing allegations of money laundering. Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) had arrested Rishu Shree in connection with a tender fraud and money laundering case on May 28. Both suspended IAS officers have been accused of receiving favours from the contractor Rishu Shree. The ED had conducted an inquiry against them and subsequently wrote to SVU to recommend further action. Rishu Shree reportedly sponsored a trip to Europe for Yogesh Kumar Sagar and eight of his relatives. During the tour, which took place from June 22, 2024, to June 30, 2024, Yogesh and his family members visited the Austrian cities of Vienna, Salzburg, and Wolfgang. They stayed in luxury hotels, and a total of Rs 21.92 lakh was spent on air travel and accommodation. The bills of these foreign hotels, as well as other expenses, were allegedly borne by Rishu Shree. Yogesh Kumar Sagar was posted in the state social welfare department. Originally from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, Yogesh completed his MBBS degree in 2012 from King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow. Meanwhile, Abhilasha Sharma is currently holding the post of additional CEO and deputy secretary in the state rural development department. According to reports, SVU officials summoned Rishu Shree on the pretext that his signature was required on certain important documents. However, upon his arrival at the SVU office in Patna, he was detained and subjected to questioning regarding various aspects of the case. Sources within the investigating agency claimed that as the investigation progresses, the roles of several senior administrative officials may also come under scrutiny. The agency is attempting to ascertain the extent to which influence was exerted during the tender processes within government departments, and which officials allegedly facilitated such actions. A case of money laundering has already been registered against Rishu Shree under PMLA. Facing accusations of acting as an illegal middleman, he allegedly manipulated state tenders to benefit his firm and extended undue luxuries—such as financing multi-lakh foreign trips to Europe and Australia—for high-ranking Bihar IAS officers in exchange for lucrative government contracts. The SVU’s action was based on a case registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act) against him. The agency suspects that Rishu Shree colluded with several senior officials and engineers to secure benefits for his company, “Reliable Infra Services,” by fixing tenders in government departments. During the search of his house, cash amounting to Rs. 2.5 lakh and jewellery worth Rs. two crore were recovered by SVU. Rishu Shree lived in an apartment located near Mithapur in the state capital. Ramashankar Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Allahabad HC seeks State’s response on plea of Journalist held for inciting Noida workers’ protest
It was alleged that journalist Verma had an important role to play in the violence, arson and spread of disorder during the Noida workers’ protest. LUCKNOW: The Allahabad High Court asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file its reply on a petition concerning journalist Satyam Verma, who was arrested last month on allegations of instigating workers to carry out violence during the Noida labour protests. A division bench, comprising Justice Salil Kumar Rai and Justice Devendra Singh, after hearing Senior Advocate SFA Naqvi, along with Advocates Shashwat Anand and Ankur Azad, appearing for Verma, on the illegality of his arrest and continued custody, issued notice to the State authorities and granted time to file a Counter Affidavit on the habeas corpus writ petition. Verma was separately booked under the National Security Act (NSA) on May 13. The petition filed on behalf of Verma by his wife challenges his arrest, detention and remand. The petition alleges serious procedural irregularities in the arrest and custodial transfer process and has accordingly sought his release along with preservation of electronic and documentary evidence relating to the detention. Verma was arrested in Lucknow on April 17. It was alleged that Verma had an important role to play in the violence, arson and spread of disorder during the workers’ protest, as he attempted to disrupt public order by provoking people in various areas. It may be recalled that the workers of the textile sector were protesting for a hike in their wages and improved working conditions across Noida since April 10. On April 13, the protestors turned violent, indulging in vandalism and arson. They set vehicles afire, resorted to trespassing and stone pelting at a few places, following which police resorted to lathi-charge and detained hundreds of workers and seven activists involved in the protest. The Court further directed that the petitioner would be at liberty to file a Rejoinder Affidavit thereafter and posted the matter for the next hearing on July 13. Earlier, on May 20, a division bench of Justice Siddharth and Justice Vinai Kumar Kumar Dwivedi recused from hearing the present Habeas Corpus plea. Namita Bajpai Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Ensure not a single person loses vote during SIR: Telangana CM to Congress workers
CM Revanth said it was encouraging that party leaders were creating awareness on the SIR and had understood the difficulties it could create for common people, the poor and Congress workers. HYDERABAD: Expressing concern over the possibility of Dalits, minorities and women losing their votes due to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy called upon party workers to ensure that not a single eligible voter was removed from the electoral rolls. Addressing a joint meeting of the Pradesh Congress Committee Political Affairs Committee and PCC Advisory Committee at Gandhi Bhavan on Friday, he asked the Mahila Congress to organise cluster-wise meetings on the SIR and create awareness among voters. He said it was encouraging that party leaders were creating awareness on the SIR and had understood the difficulties it could create for common people, the poor and Congress workers. He said the SIR could become a major issue for Lambadas, tribals and migrant workers. Stating that people in some Assembly segments might have migrated elsewhere for employment, Revanth asked Congress activists to remain vigilant and ensure that those who had moved temporarily for work were not removed from the electoral rolls. He directed party workers to create awareness regarding solutions to problems arising out of the SIR process. He recalled that with the support of booth-level enrollers, the Congress had completed 45 lakh digital memberships in 90 days in the past. Cong to appoint in-charges to keep track of SIR process Those who registered the highest number of memberships were felicitated by Rahul Gandhi, Revanth said, while adding that the same enrollers who had played a key role in earlier Congress membership drives should now be utilised during the SIR process. For the digital membership drive, one in-charge was appointed in every constituency and continuous monitoring was carried out. Similar in-charges should now be appointed for all 119 Assembly constituencies and 17 Lok Sabha segments to keep track of the SIR process, he said. Assembly in-charges must remain in their constituencies until the SIR process was completed, Revanth said, adding that if the in-charges functioned effectively, not even a single vote would be deleted. CM to meet party workers once every 10 days Revanth also said that in-charge ministers should dedicate one full day every 10 days for party activities and interact with workers at the grassroots level. He said he too would meet grassroots-level party workers once every 10 days and dedicate three days every month to party activities. He said ministers, MLAs, MPs, MLCs and chairpersons of various corporations must participate in party programmes and that no exemptions would be given to anyone. He also advised party leaders to take into consideration suggestions made by former PCC presidents. Revanth said that almost all nominated posts had been filled and that the party now had thousands of sarpanches, municipal chairpersons and councillors. All these leaders must move forward in coordination, he added. The meeting decided to convene Assembly-wise meetings on the SIR in the 15 Assembly constituencies under Hyderabad city limits. AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan and others were present at the meeting. Briefing reporters later, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar recalled that after the SIR process, a large number of voters were allegedly removed in West Bengal, Assam and other states. He said then West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had approached the court claiming that around 93 lakh votes had been removed in the state. Prabhakar said party workers who had actively participated in the membership drive would now be deployed across nearly 34,000 polling stations in the state to monitor the SIR process. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘NEET, CBSE, SSC. And today CUET’: Rahul Gandhi says ‘not a single exam conducted with honesty’
NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a fresh attack on the Centre after reports emerged that the CUET-UG 2026 examination was cancelled and delayed at several centres across the country due to technical glitches. Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul alleged that the government had failed to conduct major national examinations fairly and efficiently, citing controversies surrounding NEET, CBSE, SSC and now CUET. In a post on X, he wrote: “NEET. CBSE. SSC. And today CUET. Four exams. One crore children. Not a single one conducted with honesty.” “Claims of ‘world guru’, but can’t conduct even one exam in the country – Modi ji has completely ruined the entire education system. The generation whose future you are destroying – that same generation will hold you accountable,” he added. Rahul’s remarks came after the National Testing Agency (NTA) acknowledged that a technical glitch at the end of its technology partner, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) delayed the commencement of CUET-UG 2026 at several examination centres on Saturday. According to the NTA, the issue was later resolved and candidates were provided full compensatory time to ensure that no student was disadvantaged. However, reports from multiple cities suggested that thousands of students were left waiting for hours before examinations could begin. Several opposition leaders joined Rahul Gandhi in criticising the government over the CUET disruption. Former Delhi chief minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said the government was more focused on ‘theatrics’ than addressing systemic failures in examinations. Referring to the Centre’s decision to use Air Force aircraft for transporting NEET question papers, Kejriwal questioned whether such measures would actually prevent leaks. “Air Force ships will be used to prevent paper leaks in NEET. Will this stop paper leaks? How is our government talking like uneducated people?” he wrote on X. AAP leader Atishi also targeted the Centre, claiming that the latest disruption reflected a pattern of administrative failures. “First NEET, then CBSE, now CUET. Today CUET has been delayed due to a ‘technical issue’. Lakhs of students were to take the exam in all parts of India today and after waiting for hours, such notices have been put up outside all centres. Remarkable incompetence,” she said. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj raised concerns about the possibility of a security breach, questioning whether students receiving question papers at different times could compromise the fairness of the examination process. AAP spokesperson Anurag Dhanda also criticised the government, alleging that lakhs of students had been made to report to examination centres early in the morning only to face long delays due to technical problems. The NTA has expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and said revised schedules were issued for affected sessions. It also launched helpline support for students and parents. The latest controversy adds to a series of examination-related disputes that have put the government’s testing and recruitment mechanisms under scrutiny. The NEET-UG examination was rocked by allegations of a paper leak and irregularities, triggering nationwide protests by students and parents and leading to court intervention. The issue sparked a political storm, with opposition parties accusing the Centre of failing to safeguard the integrity of one of the country’s most important entrance examinations. Meanwhile, concerns were also raised over alleged irregularities in CBSE examinations, including complaints related to OMR sheet handling and evaluation procedures. The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has also faced criticism in recent months over delays and administrative issues affecting recruitment examinations. Introduced in 2022, the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) serves as a standardised national-level entrance examination for admission to undergraduate programmes across central, state and participating universities. The examination was designed to provide a common platform for admissions and is one of the largest entrance tests conducted in the country. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bengal education institutes witness rapid RSS-affiliates expansion after BJP’s rise to power
ABVP leaders said the student body was present in 96 colleges before polls, but in two weeks, this has grown to over 400, with informal networks springing up even before membership drives from June 9. KOLKATA: Barely three weeks after the BJP’s emphatic victory in West Bengal, the ideological churn inside the state’s educational institutes has begun unfolding with remarkable speed, as organisations affiliated to the RSS move aggressively to expand their footprint across campuses, staff rooms and academic networks long dominated by the Left and the TMC. From college canteens in north Bengal to university departments in Kolkata, a quiet but unmistakable realignment is underway. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which spent decades as a marginal force in Bengal’s student politics, is suddenly finding itself flooded with membership requests, WhatsApp enquiries and invitations to form campus units. Among teachers, professors and non-teaching staff, the Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal and the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh (ABRSM) are also reporting an unprecedented spike in outreach after the May 4 election results altered Bengal’s ideological and political landscape for the first time in nearly half a century. For years, the RSS ecosystem believed Bengal’s educational institutes were structurally hostile terrain where Left influence survived long after its electoral decline and where the TMC eventually built its own patronage networks through student unions, recruitment channels and campus-level control. The BJP’s victory has finally broken what one Sangh organiser described as the “psychological resistance barrier”. “It is from the land of Bengal where nationalism, which is Hindu nationalism, and ‘Vande Mataram’ (song) originated. For several decades, there was an effort to ensure that we forget our history, culture and roots. Now Bengal has decided to go back to its roots,” senior RSS leader Jishnu Basu told PTI, articulating the broader ideological confidence sweeping through Sangh circles after the election outcome. ABVP leaders claimed the student body had a presence in only 96 colleges before the election results. In just over two weeks, they said that number has crossed 400, with informal networks springing up even before formal membership drives will begin on June 9. “Many students from various colleges and universities are in touch with us and want to join ABVP and open ABVP units in their colleges or universities. But unlike TMCP, joining ABVP requires following proper procedure and scrutiny before induction,” ABVP South Bengal secretary Nilkantha Bhattacharya told PTI. In many campuses, instead of immediately announcing committees, ABVP organisers have opened WhatsApp groups, creating digital spaces for interested students while screening potential entrants. Unlike the BJP, which has temporarily halted mass induction amid fears of an influx of opportunistic entrants from rival parties, RSS affiliates are expanding carefully but steadily, attempting to balance rapid growth with ideological filtration. ABVP leaders privately admitted that many students now approaching them were until recently associated with the TMCP, the students’ wing of the TMC, and in some places with SFI, the students’ arm of the CPI(M). But they insisted that controversial figures accused of extortion, intimidation or involvement in admission rackets will not be accommodated. The Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal, primarily involved in education policy and intellectual discourse, has traditionally been less focused on numerical expansion. But its office-bearers argued that Bengal requires exceptional mobilisation because the state resisted implementation of the National Education Policy for years, despite many of its recommendations emerging from consultations involving ‘shikshan mandal’ thinkers. The ABRMS claimed its membership in Bengal, once below 10,000, may now cross one lakh as schoolteachers, college staff, and university employees increasingly seek association with groups perceived to be aligned with the new power structure. “Our network already has a presence across most blocks and educational circles in the state, but the post-election momentum has dramatically accelerated recruitment in districts where Sangh affiliates earlier struggled to gain institutional legitimacy,” state general secretary Bapi Pramanik told. Political observers saw the development as part of a deeper ideological consolidation project accompanying the BJP’s historic win in Bengal. For the Sangh, capturing administrative power was only one milestone. The more enduring battle, its strategists have long argued internally, lies inside classrooms, curriculum, teachers’ associations and student consciousness. That is why, even as the BJP leadership publicly speaks of governance and development, the Sangh ecosystem is quietly investing organisational energy into educational institutions, historically among the toughest arenas for Hindutva politics in Bengal. The immediate impact may remain organisational. But the longer-term implications could reshape the ideological character of Bengal’s campuses in ways unseen since the Left’s rise through colleges and universities in the 1960s and 1970s. Already, in several districts, teachers once reluctant to publicly associate with Sangh-linked bodies are attending closed-door orientation sessions, while students who previously avoided ABVP rallies for fear of political isolation are now volunteering to organise events themselves. Opposition parties dismissed the surge as a temporary byproduct of regime change and argued that institutional influence built over decades cannot be dismantled within weeks. Yet even critics privately conceded that the change in mood inside campuses is palpable. For the RSS and its affiliates, Bengal’s educational institutes are no longer merely hostile territory where survival itself was an achievement. After years of operating from the margins, they now sense a rare political opening to move from resistance to dominance within Bengal’s academic space. Whether that transformation sustains itself beyond the post-election euphoria may determine if Bengal’s next political generation continues to inherit the state’s ideological traditions or gradually shifts towards a nationalist political culture. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Day after resigning as Karnataka CM, Siddaramaiah meets Kharge, Rahul Gandhi in Delhi
The former CM is also likely to press for Cabinet positions for his son and loyalists in the new Karnataka government, including the post of Deputy Chief Minister. A day after stepping down as Karnataka Chief Minister, senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah met President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Friday morning, officials said. Siddaramaiah, accompanied by his son Yathindra, is understood to have discussed his future role within the party leadership. The meeting is seen as significance as the veteran leader has already declined a Rajya Sabha berth and expressed his preference to remain active in Karnataka rather than take up a role at the Centre. He is also likely to press for Cabinet positions for his son and loyalists in the new Karnataka government, including the post of Deputy Chief Minister, sources added. Siddaramaiah thanked Rahul Gandhi for giving him an opportunity to serve the state and informed him that he had resigned from the chief minister’s post as asked, the sources said. According to the sources, Siddaramaiah later met Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and discussed the new government formation in Karnataka and his future role in the party. Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala, who was present during Siddaramaiah’s hour-long meeting with Rahul Gandhi, said, “It was a very pleasant meeting. They discussed multiple issues.” Asked if the transition will be smooth in Karnataka, he said, “Absolutely. There is no hurdle in the smooth tradition of power in the state.” Siddaramaiah is expected to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge later in the day to discuss the political transition and government formation. Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala was present during Siddaramaiah’s meeting with the Gandhis. Meanwhile, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has accepted Siddaramaiah’s resignation as Chief Minister. According to sources, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is expected to succeed Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister, will separately hold discussions on government formation with Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal. The Congress leadership is also expected to deliberate on restructuring the party organisation in Karnataka, sources said. The Congress will also work on rearranging the party organisation in Karnataka for which discussions will be held on Friday, the sources said. A meeting of the Congress Legislature Party in Karnataka is likely to be held on Saturday to elect the new chief minister, they said. A two-time chief minister, Siddaramaiah joined the Congress in 2006 after switching sides from the JD(S). Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Shaped political, social fabric of our state’: DKS expresses gratitude to Siddaramaiah after resignation
Stating that it has been a privilege to serve alongside him, Shivakumar said Siddaramaiah’s guidance would continue to inspire and strengthen everyone in the days ahead. Expressing “gratitude and deep respect” for Siddaramaiah, who resigned as Chief Minister of Karnataka, his probable successor DK Shivakumar on Friday said that he looks forward to carrying the journey forward together, and quoted a saying, “If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together.” Stating that it has been a privilege to serve alongside him, Shivakumar, who served as Deputy CM under Siddaramaiah, said his guidance would continue to inspire and strengthen everyone in the days ahead. In a post on ‘X’, Shivakumar, who is widely expected to be elected as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the next couple of days said, “As the saying goes – If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together – I look forward to carrying this journey forward together for the people of Karnataka.” Siddaramaiah’s resignation as Chief Minister was accepted and the Council of Ministers headed by him was dissolved by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Friday. Both Siddaramaiah and his deputy Shivakumar are in Delhi to meet the Congress high command and discuss the transition of power, and formation of the new Cabinet. “God does not give boons or curses. He only gives opportunities. What truly matters is what we make of those opportunities. Siddaramaiah’s life is one of the finest reflections of this thought,” Shivakumar said. From a humble village in Mysuru to leading Karnataka as Chief Minister, his journey stands as a testament to resilience, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to social justice, he noted. “As he steps down from the office of the Chief Minister, I express my heartfelt gratitude and deep respect for his years of service and leadership to the people of Karnataka,” Shivakumar, also the state Congress chief said. Noting that the impact of several public welfare schemes and the many developmental initiatives undertaken during Siddaramaiah’s tenure will remain significant chapters in Karnataka’s growth story, Shivakumar said, “Over nearly five decades in public life, he has shaped the political and social fabric of our state through people-centric governance and inclusive leadership.” “Ever since I was entrusted with the responsibility of serving as KPCC president in 2020, Siddaramaiah has stood firmly beside me like a pillar of strength. Together, we have worked shoulder to shoulder in strengthening the party and taking its vision to the people,” he recalled. It has been a privilege to serve alongside Siddaramaiah as Deputy Chief Minister and to continuously learn from his experience, wisdom, and political foresight, Shivakumar stated. “I sincerely hope his guidance will continue to inspire and strengthen all of us in the years ahead as we work towards Karnataka’s progress and welfare,” he added. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Karnataka Congress legislature party to meet Saturday; DK Shivakumar likely to be elected leader
Following the high command’s instructions, Siddaramaiah had already declared Shivakumar as his successor, making his election as CLP leader largely a formality. BENGALURU: The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) will meet to elect its new leader, with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar widely expected to be chosen following the Congress high command’s decision to name him as Siddaramaiah’s successor. The meeting will be chaired by outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the conference hall in Vidhana Soudha on Saturday at 4pm. The CLP secretary issued a circular in this regard on Friday. Following the high command’s instructions, Siddaramaiah had already declared Shivakumar as his successor, making his election as CLP leader largely a formality. AICC general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, the Congress floor leader in the Karnataka Legislative Council and minister NS Boseraju will also take part in the meeting. The 136 Congress MLAs are expected to elect the CLP leader in line with the high command’s directions. After securing letters of support from the MLAs, the new CLP leader will meet the Governor to seek permission to form the new government and finalise a date for the swearing-in of the Council of Ministers. According to sources, the swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held on Monday on the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha. Meanwhile, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar met the top Congress leaders in Delhi to discuss the transition of power, and formation of the new cabinet. Earlier in the day, Shivakumar also met other Congress leaders at a hotel in the national capital. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Shivakumar said discussions with the Congress high command were still underway and all party MLAs had been asked to remain present in Bengaluru for the meeting. “Everything is happening as requested by the high command. Nothing has been decided. Tomorrow we have called the CLP meeting, our central leaders have to come. We have to discuss with our high command. We have asked all MLAs to be present in Bengaluru. Apart from that, nothing else is there,” said Shivakumar. The developments come after Siddaramaiah resigned as the chief minister on Thursday, ending days of intense speculation over a leadership change. And on Friday, Siddaramaiah met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and other senior party in New Delhi to discuss the Karnataka cabinet reshuffle, Rajya Sabha elections and other organisational matters. The meeting is seen as significance as the veteran leader has already declined a Rajya Sabha berth and expressed his preference to remain active in Karnataka rather than take up a role at the Centre. Notably, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were locked in a keen contest for the chief minister’s post after the Congress won the May 2023 Assembly elections. The party eventually persuaded Shivakumar to accept the post of deputy chief minister. At the time, reports suggested a compromise under a “rotational chief minister formula”, whereby Shivakumar would take over as chief minister after two-and-a-half years. However, neither the party nor the two leaders officially confirmed the arrangement. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights