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DK Shivakumar will become CM, replacing Siddaramaiah: MLA Iqbal Hussain

DK Shivakumar will become CM, replacing Siddaramaiah: MLA Iqbal Hussain

New Indian Express15 hours ago

BENGALURU: Ramanagara Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain on Sunday said DCM DK Shivakumar will become CM, replacing Siddaramaiah, as per an agreement that was struck at the high command level soon after the party came to power in the state.
'When the decision was taken in New Delhi that day, Shivakumar and I were together. Then, senior leader Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge decided about leadership change after Siddaramaiah completes two-and-a-half years in office,' Hussain said in Ramanagara.
He hit back at Siddaramaiah's son Dr Yathindra for commenting on Sunday that the high command has not instructed about any change in leadership.
Mocking at Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna's statement that there would be a political revolution in the state after September, he said, 'Change is natural in politics. Those who deserve it will get power as discipline and commitment pay in Congress. There are no power centres in the government and the high command treats all classes and religions equally,' he said.
'They (Siddaramaiah camp) are asking for change, and it will happen. Everyone knows who fought and worked hard for the party,' he said, referring to Shivakumar's organisational skills. He likened Shivakumar-led Mekedatu Yatra to Rahul's Bharat Jodo Yatra.
'We don't believe in any speculation as the high command will give Shivakumar the opportunity at the right time. Everything will be decided in the next two to three months,' said Hussain.

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Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurates two-day annual conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Zone-2 at Tapovan
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India Gazette

timean hour ago

  • India Gazette

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurates two-day annual conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Zone-2 at Tapovan

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 30 (ANI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, on Monday, inaugurated the annual conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), India Region Zone-2, in Tapovan, Dharamshala. According to a release, the conference witnessed the participation of Speakers, Deputy Speakers, Chief Whips, and Deputy Chief Whips from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir, all part of Zone 2. In addition, the Speakers of the Legislative Assemblies of Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana were present as special guests. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while welcoming all the dignitaries and congratulating Speaker of Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Kuldeep Singh Pathania for organising the event, said that this conference was a significant initiative towards strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing legislative processes, fostering democratic dialogue, and promoting regional co-operation. The Chief Minister stated that for the first time in the history of Himachal Pradesh, an attempt was made to overthrow a democratically elected government. However, the Speaker of Vidhan Sabha took a lawful stance and disqualified the concerned MLAs. As per the release, CM Sukhu stressed the importance of the Anti-Defection Law in safeguarding democracy and said, 'The State Vidhan Sabha has passed a Bill to stop the pensions of disqualified legislators, which was currently awaiting the Governor's approval.' He further emphasised that Himachal Pradesh has become a model for other States, especially in terms of digital democracy. 'In 2014, Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha became the first completely paperless Assembly in the country, with all proceedings conducted digitally,' the CM said, according to the release. He also raised the issue of conducting by-elections only once a year under the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' framework and requested the Lok Sabha Speaker to take up the matter at an appropriate forum. He also advocated for a separate policy for the hill States, keeping in view the tough topography, and said, 'The Nation cannot prosper if the States do not progress. Himachal has suffered due to the implementation of GST, and therefore, a separate policy should be formulated for Hill States.' Sukhu further said that the State Government was committed to 'Vyavastha Parivartan' for ensuring good governance. Under the 'Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar' initiative, Ministers have visited over 1,000 Panchayats to engage directly with citizens and address local issues at the earliest. He said that remarkable progress has been made in the fields of health and education. 'Himachal Pradesh secured the 5th position in the NAS Survey 2025, a significant jump from the 21st position in 2021, reflecting the State's commitment to quality education,' he added, as per the release. The Himachal CM also highlighted the introduction of robotic surgery in the State as a landmark step towards modernising healthcare facilities. He also said that the government is adopting a zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and has passed the Himachal Pradesh Organised Crime (Prevention & Control) Bill, 2025, which includes provisions for the death penalty, life imprisonment, heavy fines, and confiscation of the property of the offenders. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu reiterated the State's commitment to welfare schemes and agricultural reforms. Over 1.36 lakh government employees have been brought under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), and nearly three lakh women were receiving Rs. 1,500 monthly under the 'Indira Gandhi Pyari Bahna Samman Nidhi Yojana'. The state has introduced Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for wheat, maize, and raw turmeric, he added. Speaker of the State Assembly, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, extended a warm welcome to all the delegates and expressed pride in hosting the CPA Zone-2 conference for the first time in Dharamsala. He noted that for the past two decades, the Winter session of the Himachal Assembly has been conducted in Dharamshala and that this conference marks a new beginning for many such future events in the region. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan also called for concerted efforts to strengthen democracy and expressed concern over the threat posed by legislators defecting. He congratulated the Speaker for successfully organising the conference. Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Dr. Harivansh Narayan Singh, also spoke on the occasion. AYUSH Minister Yadvinder Goma, Deputy Speaker of Himachal Pradesh Assembly Vinay Kumar were also present on the occasion, along with several representatives from participating states. (ANI)

H'bag MP launches pilgrimage programme
H'bag MP launches pilgrimage programme

Time of India

timean hour ago

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H'bag MP launches pilgrimage programme

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‘I am not under pressure,' says Dhankhar as Gehlot alleges pressure on LS, RS presiding officers
‘I am not under pressure,' says Dhankhar as Gehlot alleges pressure on LS, RS presiding officers

The Hindu

time3 hours ago

  • The Hindu

‘I am not under pressure,' says Dhankhar as Gehlot alleges pressure on LS, RS presiding officers

Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday (June 30, 2025) refuted veteran Congress leader Ashok Gehlot's claim of pressure on presiding officers of Parliament – the Rajya Sabha Chairman and the Lok Sabha Speaker. 'I am not under [any] pressure,' Mr. Dhankhar said at a function organised by an association of former MLAs in Jaipur. 'Since he [Mr. Gehlot] spoke publicly, I would also like to say publicly – he need not worry. I am under no pressure… Neither do I exert pressure on anyone nor do I operate under pressure,' Mr. Dhankhar said while addressing the gathering at the 'Sneh Milan Samaroh' organised by Rajasthan Pragatisheel Manch at the Constitution Club here. 'I was a little concerned, not for my health, but for my friend, the former Chief Minister, who said we are under pressure. He is one of my oldest friends in Rajasthan politics and a well-wisher,' Mr. Dhankhar said, while dismissing Mr. Gehlot's claim of pressure on the presiding officers of Parliament. Gehlot's charge Mr. Gehlot, during a visit to Jodhpur recently, said that Opposition leaders were not allowed to speak in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. He alleged that all this was happening under pressure from the Vice-President and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, adding that they too were under pressure. Mr. Dhankhar said he could make an affirmation about 'no pressure', while speaking from the soil of Rajasthan, and added that he had 'personally observed that Mr. Birla cannot be brought under pressure… I work with him closely'. Referring to the constitutional position of Governors, Mr. Dhankhar said they are 'often treated like an easy punching bag'. 'If the State and the Centre are ruled by different political parties, it becomes very easy to make allegations. But now even the Vice-President and the President are being dragged into this domain. This, in my view, is a matter of concern and is not appropriate,' he said. The Vice-President expressed concern over the current political scenario, saying the political atmosphere at present was 'not healthy' for individuals and democracy. 'Power keeps changing hands; the ruling party becomes the Opposition, the Opposition becomes the ruling party. But that does not mean we should become enemies. Our enemies may lie across the border, not within the country,' Mr. Dhankhar said. He laid emphasis on greater decorum in legislative conduct, while pointing out that public disenchantment with legislators' conduct could erode faith in democratic institutions. 'It is worrying to see what is happening in the temples of democracy. If the sanctity of these institutions is compromised, people will seek alternatives,' he said, and called upon the former MLAs to help improve the quality of public discourse. Highlighting the significance of a healthy Opposition, Mr. Dhankhar said the Opposition was a vital constituent of democracy and not an adversary. He advocated for 'open expression and dialogue', while affirming that when expression becomes dismissive of opposing views, it ceases to be meaningful. 'Constructive debate is essential, and it means engaging with people who disagree with you,' he said. Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade, Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully, and Rajasthan Pragatisheel Manch's patron Harimohan Sharma and working president Jeetram Choudhary were among those present.

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