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Will retire from politics, if proved I have taken money in single case of transfer Karnataka C.M Siddaramaiah

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Will retire from politics, if proved I have taken money in single case of transfer: Siddaramaiah
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: With JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy repeatedly attacking him and his son Yathindra, a former Congress MLA, accusing them of a “cash for transfer” racket, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said he will retire from politics, if proved that he has taken money, even in a single transfer case of government officials.

He alleged such cash for transfer happened during Kumaraswamy’s tenure.

“I have told you not to ask about it (Kumaraswamy’s allegations). Haven’t I responded to it already? Let him tweet (post on X) a number of times. He is speaking about what they did during his tenure (as CM),” Siddaramaiah said in response to a question about Kumaraswamy’s attacks.

Speaking to reporters here, the chief minister said, “He (Kumaraswamy) is speaking about the money they (Kumaraswamy and JDS leaders) took for transfers. They took money during his tenure. In our tenure, we have not taken any money. I have already said — I will retire from politics, if it’s proved that I have taken money in even a single case of transfer.”

“Let him tweet a hundred times, I don’t want to reply,” he added.

Kumaraswamy had recently sought to link a phone conversation between Yathindra and Siddaramaiah, which was widely circulated on social media, to allege a cash for postings/transfer’ scam, a charge which has been rightly rejected by the chief minister and his son.

Continuing his attack, Kumaraswamy has even alleged that an official, whose name was mentioned in a phone conversation between the CM and his son, had figured in the transfer list of police inspectors released recently.

Further accusing Yathindra of acting like a “Super Chief Minister”, the JD(S) leader had even sought the resignation of Siddaramaiah over a video clip.

The former chief minister today too, in a series of posts on ‘X’, on the issue, accused Siddaramaiah of outsourcing his Varuna constituency in Mysuru district to his son Yathindra.

Yathindra from 2018-23 had represented the Varuna segment, and in 2023, he gave up the seat to his father Siddaramaiah to contest from his home seat for one last time, and himself did not contest from any other constituency.

“The people of Varuna have chosen you (Siddaramaiah). You have to do their work yourself. Why outsource the constituency to your son? I never outsourced the constituency to my son when I was CM. You have outsourced Varuna to the son,” Kumaraswamy posted.

Noting that as far as he knows, no CM has ever outsourced his constituency to children, he accused Siddaramaiah of giving power to his son, through the backdoor, by ensuring him a Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) post in the segment. “Is there any provision in the constitution that allows this? If so, let me know.”

Further stating that as far as he knows, CSR stands for Corporate Social Responsibility, Kumaraswamy said, “Now it has become Corrupt Son Of Siddaramaiah! Have you outsourced to your son — to do CSR collection in the state? Is he in-charge of CSR for 224 constituencies (in the state)? You seem to have your eye on the 2 per cent CSR as well.

WC Final: Pro-Palestine fan breaches security to reach Virat Kohli

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WC Final: Pro-Palestine fan breaches security to reach Virat Kohli

Ahmedabad: A pro-Palestine fan breached a tight security cordon to enter the field of play in a desperate attempt to hug Virat Kohli during the World Cup final between India against Australia here on Sunday.

The incident happened before the first drinks break.

The security personnel apprehended the man, who was identified as Wayne Johnson, an Australian of Chinese-Filipino origin.

He was arrested and taken to Chand Kheda Police station.

Political sloganeering is an offence at cricket games but with Johnson being a foreign national, it is not yet known what kind of action will be taken against him.

Johnson wore a face mask with design of a Palestine flag and a T-shirt with slogans on both sides.

On the front of the t-shirt, ‘stop bombing Palestine’ was written and on the back, Save Palestine’ .

His sudden intrusion caught everyone unaware but the security was quick to apprehend him.

The ICC doesn’t allow any political sloganeering during its event and any such act is also not allowed in India.

Israel and Palestine Hamas group have been engaged in a war since October 7, when the latter attacked a music festival in Kibbutz Re’

Adani-Hindenburg row: Plea in SC seeks contempt action against SEBI

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New Delhi: A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court for initiation of contempt proceedings against the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), alleging it has violated the timeline for completing the investigation and submitting its report on the allegations of stock price manipulation by the Adani group.

An application has been filed by PIL petitioner Vishal Tiwari saying that despite the deadline given to the SEBI it has failed to comply with the direction of the court and has not submitted the final conclusion/report as was directed by the court.

It said by the order dated May 17, 2023, the apex court directed SEBI to submit its report till August 14, 2023. It said on August 25, 2023, SEBI filed the status report regarding its investigation stating that overall it has done 24 investigations, out of which 22 investigations have achieved finality and two are of interim nature.

The application also referred to the latest report by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) against the Adani Group and its alleged investments via “opaque” Mauritius funds.

The application said that the primary focus of the PIL was on what steps shall be taken in future to strengthen the regulatory system so that the investors could be protected and their investment in the share market remains safe.

“Because after the publication of the Hindenburg report against the Adani Group …. thousands of crores of the investors’ money got lost.

“But now the question arises, whether the present regulatory authority is efficient enough or if some changes are required by setting up a new regulatory body with a more efficient mechanism so that in future such damaging incidents may not occur in the share market and the investors’ money may be protected,” it said.

Tiwari in his application said that a strong mechanism is also required to keep vigil upon the companies’ conduct and practises – whether they are complying with necessary rules and regulations laid down by the regulatory authority.

“That till now after the recommendations and suggestions given by the expert committee in its report the Union Government has not taken any strong step in compliance of that and has not apprised the court with any secured framework for the protection of investors in future,” it said.

Tiwari said that SEBI in its application has objected to the suggestion of a necessary timeline for the completion of the investigation.

“The SEBI objection is contrary to the present need of a strong and efficient regulatory mechanism because timeless investigations lead to the disappearance of evidence and vital information against any entity which is under investigation and it also reduces the confidence of the investors in the market,” it said, adding that SEBI failed to file its report despite timeline fixed by the court till August 14.

“The inordinate delay in investigation impacts upon investigation and it also raises suspicion in the minds of investors and refrains them from investing in future. Delay in the investigation also leads to the manipulations and damage of vital material and evidence,” it said.

The application said that the expert committee constituted by this court is still working in the present matter and has not been discharged.

“As the issue has again risen by the new disclosures and report of Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) against Adani Group, the need has arisen to get it investigated by the independent body which was constituted by this court,” the application said.

It said an explanation should be sought from SEBI for not complying with the timeline framed by this court in the order dated May 17, 2023 for completing the investigation and submitting a report.

On November 6, the top court said the apex court registry would look into the issue of listing for hearing PILs related to allegations of stock price manipulation by the Adani group.

On July 11, the top court asked the SEBI about the status of its ongoing investigation into the allegations of stock price manipulation by the Adani group.

The court, which had granted time till August 14 for a probe by the SEBI, had said the inquiry has to be concluded expeditiously.

Later, the capital markets regulator filed a status report on the Adani-Hindenburg probe and said it was awaiting information from tax havens.

The SEBI, in its report, had said that it has completed the probe in all but two allegations against the Adani group and is still awaiting information from five tax havens on actual owners behind foreign investors investing in the conglomerate.

The report said out of the 24 matters it was probing, findings in as many as 22 are final.

Without divulging the outcome of its investigations, the SEBI had given a detailed breakdown of the steps taken by it during its probe, including related party transactions.

“SEBI shall take appropriate action based on the outcome of the investigations in accordance with law,” the regulator had said.

The probe reports finalised include allegations of manipulation of stock prices, alleged failure to disclose transactions with related parties and possible violation of insider trading in some of the group stocks.

On May 17, the apex court granted SEBI time till August 14 to complete its probe into the allegations of stock price manipulation by the Adani group.

A Supreme Court-appointed expert committee had in an interim report in May stated that it saw “no evident pattern of manipulation” in billionaire Gautam Adani’s companies and there was no regulatory failure.

It, however, cited several amendments the SEBI made between 2014 and 2019 that constrained the regulator’s ability to investigate, and its probe into alleged violations in money flows from offshore entities has “drawn a blank”.

The apex court had on May 17 directed that copies of the report submitted before it by the top court-appointed Justice (retd) A M Sapre expert committee be made available to the parties to enable them to assist it in further deliberations in the matter.

Adani Group stocks had been bludgeoned on the bourses after Hindenburg Research made a litany of allegations, including those about fraudulent transactions and share-price manipulation, against the business conglomerate.

The Adani Group dismissed the charges as lies, saying it complies with all laws and disclosure requirements.

Electricity pole by Kadaba-Panja Road breaks, falls as vehicle rams into it

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Electricity pole by Kadaba-Panja Road breaks, falls as vehicle rams into it

Kadaba: An electricity pole installed near the junction of the Kadaba-Panja Road at Kodimbala early Sunday morning broke and fell as an SUV hit it after the driver lost control over the vehicle.

Three people in the SUV, including a child, have sustained injuries but escaped danger. The SUV has been damaged in the accident that occurred when they were traveling to Dharmasthala.

The locals and eye-witnesses, who were nearby, rushed to the help of the people traveling in the vehicle on Sunday morning.

India Lose to Australia By 6 wickets Australia Are The sixth time ICC World Cup 2023 Champion

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AHMEDABAD: Australia won the Cricket World Cup for a record-extending sixth time Sunday, ending India’s dominant run in its home tournament with a six-wicket victory in a low-scoring final on the back of Travis Head’s 137.

A heavily pro-Indian crowd inside the 132,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium was silenced as Head combined with Marnus Labuschagne (58 not out ) in a 192-run partnership to chase down the target of 241.

Australia was wobbling on 47-3 after seven overs but Head and Labuschagne dug in to help their country regain its status as the king of one-day international cricket, adding to its 50-over world titles in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015.

India won all 10 of its matches before the final and was seeking a third title in its fourth appearance in a title match that brought a country of 1.4 billion people to a virtual standstill. Virat Kohli (54) and Lokesh Rahul (66) made half-centuries in India’s 240 all-out on a slow pitch.

CM Chouhan, Congress’ Nath among early voters in Madhya Pradesh Polls

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Chhindwara/Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and state Congress president Kamal Nath on Friday voted in their respective constituencies after polling began in the state in the morning.

Chouhan along with his wife Sadhna Singh and their two sons cast their votes in village Jait, part of the Budhni assembly seat in Sehore district, from where he is a BJP candidate.

Before heading to the polling booth, Chouhan offered prayers at a temple in the village.

Nath, his son and Lok Sabha MP Nakul Nath and daughter-in-law also cast their votes at Shikarpur in the Sausar assembly seat of Chhindwara district, the home turf of the state Congress chief. Nath is the Congress candidate from Chhindwara assembly seat.

Prominent among those who voted early in the polls also include home minister Narottam Mishra, sports and youth welfare minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia, industries minister Rajvardhan Singh Dattigaon, former minister and Congress leader Jitu Patwari and MP’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Anupam Rajan.

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh’s son and former minister Jaivardhan Singh, who is contesting from Raghogarh, also cast his ballot along with his family members.

Polling began at 7 am across all 230 constituencies, including 47 reserved for ST and 35 for the SC, in the state, a poll official said. A total of 2,533 candidates, including 2,280 males, 252 females and one third gender person, are in the fray.

“Ladli Behnas are turning out in large numbers to vote across the state,” Sharma said, referring to the BJP government’s flagship Ladli Behna’ scheme.

Voting will continue till 6 pm in all the polling stations except those in Naxalite-affected areas of Balaghat, Mandla and Dindori districts where it will end at 3 pm, the official said.

At a polling booth in Datia district, poll officials made arrangements for voting in candlelight after the power supply was interrupted. It was restored after about 10 minutes, an eyewitness said.

A total of 64,626 polling stations have been set up in the state. Among these, 64,523 are main booths and 103 associate (sahayak) stations, where the number of electors is more than 1,500, CEO Anupam Rajan said.

As many as 5,60,58,521 voters, including 2,87,82,261 males, 2,71,99,586 females and 1,292 third gender persons, are eligible to exercise their franchise. The total number of voters also includes service and overseas electors, Rajan informed.

India strongly condemned death of civilians: PM Modi on Hamas-Israel conflict

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New Delhi: New challenges are emerging from the incidents in West Asia and it is time for the countries of the Global South to talk in one voice for greater global good, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday amid the Hamas-Israel conflict.

In his address at the second edition of the India-hosted virtual Voice of Global South Summit, Modi said New Delhi has emphasised on dialogue and diplomacy along with restraint to deal with the situation arising out of the Hamas-Israel conflict.

India condemned the barbaric October 7 terrorist attack on Israel, he said

At the same time, the prime minister said India strongly condemned the death of civilians in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

“We are seeing that new challenges are emerging from developments in West Asia,” he said.

India hosted the first edition of the ‘Voice of Global South Summit’ in January to flag concerns and challenges facing the developing countries.

“The Voice of Global South is the most unique platform reflecting the changing world of the 21st century,” Modi said.

The prime minister also called for cooperation under the framework of ‘five Cs’ — consultation, communication, cooperation, creativity, capacity building.

“I cannot forget that historic moment, when African Union was inducted into G20 as a permanent member with India’s efforts,” he said.

In a significant milestone under India’s G20 presidency, the African Union in September became the new permanent member of the grouping of the largest economies of the world in the first expansion of the influential bloc since its inception in 1999.

Listing achievements for the Global South under India’s G20 presidency, Modi said significant seriousness was shown this time on climate finance. There was consensus at G20 on providing finance and technology in easy terms to countries of the Global South for climate transition, he said.

India considers that new technology should not increase distance between Global South and North, he said.

Israel forces search Gaza hospital as civilians stranded inside

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Israeli forces were searching building to building at Gaza’s main hospital Thursday as Hamas said the military had “destroyed” parts of the compound where deep concern has mounted for the up to thousands of Palestinians trapped inside.

Soldiers raided the Al-Shifa a day ago in the hunt for a command centre they say the militants built below the complex, a charge denied by Hamas and leaders of the hospital that has become a focal point of the war.

“The soldiers are proceeding one building at a time, searching each floor, all while hundreds of patients and medical staff remain in the complex,” an Israeli army official said.

Ashraf Al-Qudra, spokesman for the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, told AFP Israeli troops “destroyed the radiology service, and bombed the burns and dialysis departments”.

“Thousands of women, children, sick and wounded are in danger of death,” he said.

Before Israel first sent troops into the hospital complex on Wednesday, UN agencies estimated that 2,300 patients, staff and displaced civilians were sheltering at Al-Shifa without enough food, water and fuel for generators.

Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas in retaliation for the attacks of October 7, which killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and saw about 240 people hostage, according to Israeli officials.

The Israeli military says 51 of its troops have been killed in Gaza since fighting began.

But with the Hamas government media office saying the death toll from the offensive has now topped 11,500, including thousands of children, calls for a truce are mounting.

Gaza’s 36 hospitals have been caught in the war, with more than half rendered non-functioning by shortages, combat and damage, the UN has said.

The Red Crescent said a “violent attack” was underway on Gaza’s Al-Ahli hospital, which was hit by a deadly strike on October 17.

Hamas blamed the blast on Israel, while Israel said a misfired Islamic Jihad group rocket was responsible, a position supported by US and some other western security officials.

“Israeli military tanks besiege Al-Ahli Baptist hospital in Gaza, and violent attack is underway. (Red Crescent) teams are unable to move and reach those who are injured,” the group said on social media.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday set aside deep divisions over the conflict to agree a resolution calling for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses” in fighting.

The resolution — which passed with abstentions from the United States, Britain and Russia — called on Hamas and Israel to protect civilians, “especially children”.

Israel has agreed to temporary localised pauses in fighting, but has rejected calls for a broader ceasefire.

“The @UN Security Council’s resolution is disconnected from reality and is meaningless,” Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, wrote on X.

He also reiterated the Israeli government’s war aims, saying: “Israel will continue to act until Hamas is destroyed and the hostages are returned.”

The Israeli foreign ministry called Thursday on the Security Council and the international community to “stand firm on the prompt release” of all those kidnapped.

“Extended humanitarian pauses are untenable as long as 239 abductees remain in the hands of Hamas terrorists,” it said.

Israel has concentrated its heavy bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza City, announcing this week the seizure of the parliament building, government offices, Hamas police headquarters and key port.

Israel’s army claimed an initial raid in Al-Shifa had uncovered military equipment, weapons and what spokesman Daniel Hagari described as “an operational headquarters with comms equipment”.

A video narrated by another Israeli army spokesman showed rifles and ammunition magazines inside an area he identified as Al-Shifa’s MRI scanner building.

“This was hidden very conveniently, secretly behind the MRI machine, said the spokesman, Jonathan Conricus.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza argued Wednesday the Israeli military did not find any weapons when it raided the hospital.

The death and suffering in the densely populated coastal territory has prompted growing concern for Gaza’s civilians, who have fled south to try to escape the heaviest combat.

Gaza City’s Al-Quds Hospital was evacuated during fighting in the area, forcing patients to make their way south to other facilities.

“We were in pain along the road… I feel pain in the knee,” said Ahmad Abou-Sabra, wounded evacuee.

“The situation was bad, and the distance. We stayed in the army (checkpoint) for more than two hours,” he told AFP at a Palestinian Red Crescent hospital in Khan Yunis.

Over a month after the Hamas attack, mourners gathered for the funeral of 74-year-old Israeli-Canadian peace activist Vivian Silver whose killing was confirmed days ago.

“Vivian was a woman who believed in peace. She was a woman who, in moments of despair, would bring us back the hope,” peace activist Ghadir Hani said. “She believed that, both in Gaza and around Gaza, we all deserve to live in peace.”

Call for war probe
UN human rights chief Volker Turk pointed to what he called serious allegations of international law violations in the Israel-Hamas war and suggested an international investigation was needed.

“Where national authorities prove unwilling or unable to carry out such investigations, and where there are contested narratives on particularly significant incidents, international investigation is called for,” he said in a briefing to UN member states in Geneva.

Polls in Israel show widespread public support for military action against Hamas following the October 7 attacks, the worst in the country’s history.

But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Netanyahu, who has led Israel on-and-off for 16 years, is under intense domestic pressure to account for political and security failings surrounding the attack.

Protesters have taken to the streets demanding greater efforts to free the hostages.

If anyone opposes me, they oppose Modi Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra

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BENGALURU: Newly appointed state BJP chief BY Vijayendra has said that his priority is to win Karnataka for PM Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Speaking to The New Indian Express, Vijayendra downplayed the issue of senior BJP leaders, including BJP general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh, Pralhad Joshi, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, and V Somanna skipping the event in which he took charge as state party chief on Wednesday.

“The first person to wish me was Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. BL Santosh Ji is among the tallest leaders of the party. As far as leaders V Somanna and Basanagouda Patil Yatnal are concerned, I will visit and speak to them,” Vijayendra added. “If anyone opposes me, he is opposing Modi,” the 47-year-old MLA from Shikaripura added. On BJP leader Arvind Bellad giving the event a miss, he said, “I have spoken to him and he has wished me all success. I have visited so many leaders. I visited Basavraj Bommaiji at his residence. He came to the party office and blessed me even though he underwent surgery recently. He told me that it is his duty to bless me.’’

On being compared to Abhimanyu of Mahabharata and that forces opposing him would try to pin him down and harm his political career ahead of the LS polls, Vijayendra said, “Who made me the party president? Was it Yediyurappa? It is PM Modiji, Home Minister Amit Shahji and party president JP Naddaji. My job is to deliver all 28 seats in Karnataka to Modiji. If anyone opposes me, they oppose Modiji. I am confident that even Somanna and Yatnal and all others will work unitedly for the party. I have tried to reach out to Yatnal. I am confident that seniors in the party and other leaders will talk to them. I will personally go and reach out to them. Things will take time but will settle down.”

Vijayendra said he would visit New Delhi on 23, 24, 25 this month and meet Modiji, Shah and Nadda. While there was a talk that he would hold a formal celebration meeting in Bengaluru on November 25 for his supporters, he said nothing has been decided as yet. He also expressed confidence in the BJP performing well in the LS polls.

“There is a pro-incumbency wave in favour of Modiji. What does the Congress government have to offer except for some half-baked guarantees? People have realised that they have been let down. What fresh programme has the State Government offered to the state except for blaming the Centre?”

Asked how many seats the BJP would win in Karnataka in the polls,  he said with confidence, “Wait and see.’’

When asked about social media posts alleging that senior leaders skipping Vijayendra’s installation ceremony was a sign of resentment, he said, “We will all come together. I am confident.’’ 

It is clear that Vijayendra’s first big challenge is to take everyone along and quell the “dissent” in the state unit of the party. He said he would tour Karnataka after his return from Delhi. 

Madhya Pradesh elections: Polling begins for 230 seats 2,533 candidates in fray

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Polling began Friday morning for assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, where 2,533 candidates, including Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his predecessor Kamal Nath, are in the fray for 230 assembly seats in a largely straight contest between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.

Top leaders crisscrossed the state, addressing rallies, holding road shows, trading charges, and making a slew of promises to seek votes for their candidates.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is contesting from Budhni and state Congress president Kamal Nath from Chhindwara.

The electioneering saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, and Chouhan, among others, address rallies to drum up support for the saffron party nominees.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra, Nath, and Digvijaya Singh, among others, addressed rallies to seek support for their party nominees.

Modi made nine visits to the state and addressed 14 public meetings after the elections were announced. The BJP is heavily banking on his charisma to retain power.

A look at the constituency:

  • The single-phase voting covering all 230 assembly seats—47 of them reserved for Scheduled Tribes and 35 for Scheduled Castes—has more than 5.6 crore registered electors.
  • Inputs from ground zero suggest that the Gwalior-Chambal, Vindhya, and Bundelkhand regions may ultimately hold the key to who comes to power, despite the communally sensitive Malwa-Nimar region housing a maximum of 66 seats.
  • Opinion polls in the recent past have been predicting a close race between both the main players (with an edge to the Congress).
  • In 2018, Congress emerged as the largest party, winning 114 seats and forming the government with the support of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP).

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