Decision taken on leadership issue in Karnataka, says Satish Jarkiholi after meeting Kharge

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) Amid the ongoing leadership uncertainty in the Karnataka Congress, PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Saturday said that AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge has told him that a decision has been reached on the leadership issue in the state and assured that the confusion would be resolved soon.

Minister Satish Jarkiholi made the statement in Delhi after meeting AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge at his residence on Rajaji Marg.

“Kharge has said that they have decided on the leadership matter. He did not specify when it would be implemented, but maintained that the issue would be resolved soon,” Jarkiholi stated.

He further said, “I, along with a team of MLAs, met AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi and appealed to him to clear the confusion regarding the leadership in Karnataka.”

“We held a discussion with Mallikarjun Kharge and urged him to resolve the confusion surrounding the leadership issue in Karnataka at the earliest,” he further added.

“I, along with several MLAs and leaders, met Kharge and discussed matters related to state politics. We discussed the current scenario as well as future developments. We attempted to bring certain matters to his notice. He has given some suggestions on what needs to be done. So, let us wait. He is also leaving for Bengaluru,” Jarkiholi stated.

“Kharge has assured us that the issues will be addressed soon. This is not a new issue; it has already been delayed. Hence, we appealed to him to make an effort to resolve the leadership matter. He has assured us that the issue will certainly be addressed,” he said.

“This situation should not continue. Repeated statements and confusion regarding leadership should not prevail. This is the opinion of party workers and leaders. We are waiting, and if the matter is resolved soon, it will be good for the party,” he added.

Along with Jarkiholi, former minister and MLA K.N. Rajanna — who was removed from his post for allegedly questioning Rahul Gandhi’s statements on the voter fraud issue and is considered a close confidant of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah — also met Kharge at his residence on Rajaji Marg to discuss state politics. This was Rajanna’s first visit to Delhi after his removal.

Rajanna had directly challenged Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on the leadership issue by demanding the creation of additional Deputy Chief Minister posts and also claiming that he was ready to take up the responsibility of State Congress President, a post currently held by Shivakumar.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently posted on social media that “vested interests” were unable to tolerate his becoming Chief Minister for a second term. In a strongly worded statement, he alleged that many attacks and criticisms against him were driven in part by caste prejudice.

“The fact that a man who once herded sheep became Chief Minister is what has made the elite see red. There is resentment that someone who was expected to remain a shepherd has become Chief Minister, presents budget after budget, and earns praise for it. Some believe that if they can finish off this one person politically, their path ahead will become easier,” he said.

–IANS

mka/skp

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Third arrest made in accident death case of Sandeshkhali witness’ son

Kolkata, Dec 14 (IANS) The police on Sunday evening arrested another person in connection with the mysterious death of Satyajit Ghosh, the younger son of Bhola Ghosh, a key witness in a criminal case against suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan of Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.

The arrested individual has been identified as Golam Hossian Mollah, who was the cleaner of the truck that allegedly rammed into the vehicle in which Bhola Ghosh and his son were travelling last week. The duo were on their way to a district court, where Bhola Ghosh was scheduled to record his statement against Shahjahan.

However, police officials said they were yet to conclusively establish whether Golam Hossian Mollah was present inside the truck at the time it struck the vehicle carrying the witness and his son.

This is the third arrest made in the case so far. On Saturday, police had arrested two other individuals — Uttam Sardar alias Sushanta, a Trinamool Congress activist from Sandeshkhali and a former close confidant of Sheikh Shahjahan, and Ruhul Kuddus Sheikh — in connection with the incident.

Notably, none of the three persons arrested so far figures among the eight individuals named in the written complaint filed earlier this week by Bhola Ghosh at the Nazat police station, which falls under the Basirhat district police jurisdiction.

In his complaint, Bhola Ghosh alleged that eight individuals had conspired to stage the road accident, claiming that he was the intended target because of his role as a key witness against Shahjahan, who has been locally described as the terror of Sandeshkhali. The first two names mentioned in the complaint are those of Sheikh Shahjahan and his wife, Taslima Bibi.

Following Golam Hossian Mollah’s arrest on Sunday evening, Bhola Ghosh expressed doubts over the direction of the investigation, stating that he was trying to understand “what kind of game” the state police were playing in the matter.

Satyajit Ghosh died on Wednesday after a truck rammed into the vehicle in which he was travelling with his father to the district court to record the latter’s statement against Shahjahan. Bhola Ghosh narrowly escaped with his life, while the driver of their vehicle, Shahnur Molla, also succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.

Bhola Ghosh has repeatedly claimed that the attack was aimed at him and not his son. “I was the target because I am one of the main witnesses against Shahjahan,” he had said earlier.

–IANS

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PM Modi’s Odisha visit: CM Mohan Majhi reviews preparations at programme venue in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, June 19 (IANS) Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Odisha visit, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday reviewed the final preparations at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar, where PM Modi is scheduled to attend a public event as the chief guest on Friday, to mark the completion of one year of the BJP-led state government.

The Chief Minister inspected the venue and directed officials to ensure flawless arrangements for the Prime Minister’s visit.

He emphasised that no lapses should occur and instructed all concerned departments to complete the pending work by Thursday night.

Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal, State BJP In-charge Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, and Co-In-charge Lata Usendi accompanied the Chief Minister during the inspection.

Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department Hemant Sharma and other senior officials briefed the Chief Minister on the progress of the preparations.

Odisha BJP president Samal termed the Pirme Minister’s scheduled visit a “historic moment” for the state and the party. He said that preparations have been made with full dedication — from the airport to Janata Maidan — where the main event will take place.

“The entire state is filled with enthusiasm. From the airport to Janata Maidan, every arrangement reflects our dedication. His (PM Modi’s) guidance will shape our future roadmap. Odisha is now moving ahead with the spirit of ‘Modi-maya’ governance, and this one-year celebration will mark a turning point in the state’s development journey.”

He mentioned that the event will witness the unveiling of a vision document charting the path for ‘Samruddha Odisha’ by 2036 and the announcement of key development and welfare initiatives.

Meanwhile, Law Minister Harichandan who also accompanied CM Majhi told reporters that the PM will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of multiple developmental projects worth over Rs 19,000 crore.

The Prime Minister will also interact with beneficiaries of the Lakhpati Didi scheme and honour around 25 eminent freedom fighters from the state.

“This programme is a reflection of the Prime Minister’s blessings and the Centre’s unwavering commitment to Odisha’s development. Projects worth over Rs 19,000 crore will be inaugurated or have their foundation stones laid. The Prime Minister will also meet Lakhpati Didis and honour freedom fighters. Odisha has embarked on a new journey of progress, and this event is a milestone towards our vision for 2040,” added Harichandan.

Harichandan also stated that the event may also include inauguration of religious projects like the digital Hundi system for online donation platform for the famous Jagannath temple, Puri, depending on the final schedule.

The Odisha Police have made massive security arrangements in view of the visit of Prime Minister Modi on June 20.

Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Dutta Singh assured that robust security measures have been implemented to ensure a safe and hassle-free event.

“We have made extensive security arrangements in coordination with various agencies, including State Police and Central Armed Police Forces. Adequate deployment has been ensured to cover all critical points. A separate traffic advisory has been issued, and crowd management plans have been drawn up. Our aim is to ensure minimum inconvenience to the public while maintaining high levels of safety and security throughout the Prime Minister’s visit,” said Singh.

–IANS

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Palaniswami meets party district secretaries as AIADMK gears up for 2026 polls

Chennai, March 9 (IANS) In a strategic move to strengthen the party ahead of upcoming elections, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) held a virtual meeting with party district secretaries on Sunday.

The meeting, conducted via video conference from the AIADMK headquarters in Royapettah, focused on bolstering the party’s grassroots presence and electoral strategy.

Palaniswami urged the 82 district secretaries in attendance to reinforce booth committees and submit comprehensive lists of committee members to the party headquarters without delay.

He stressed the crucial role of booth committees in AIADMK’s electoral success and emphasised the need to appoint dedicated and eligible members.

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The meeting also covered preparations for Palaniswami’s upcoming statewide tour, a critical part of AIADMK’s strategy to regain lost ground and counter the DMK’s dominance.

After ruling Tamil Nadu for a decade (2011–2021), AIADMK has faced significant challenges, particularly following the demise of its iconic leader J. Jayalalithaa in 2016.

Despite this, party insiders maintain that AIADMK’s core voter base remains largely intact.

In the 2021 state elections, despite lacking a charismatic figure like Jayalalithaa, AIADMK secured 66 seats and garnered 33.29 per cent of the vote share, compared to DMK’s 37.70 per cent.

Recognising the evolving political landscape, the party has conducted a detailed constituency-wise analysis to tailor its strategy to Tamil Nadu’s diverse electorate.

AIADMK is reportedly exploring a renewed alliance with the BJP for the 2026 Assembly elections.

The party is also considering partnerships with the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a current NDA constituent, and Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK).

As part of its election strategy, AIADMK will appoint dedicated leaders for each assembly constituency, who will report to the respective district secretaries.

A professional agency has been engaged to conduct in-depth constituency-level surveys to identify and address local issues.

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AIADMK aims to hold both the central and state governments accountable for their “inaction” on the repeated arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen.

With these initiatives, AIADMK is gearing up for a fierce electoral battle, seeking to reclaim its position as a dominant political force in Tamil Nadu.

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aal/svn