Not aware of Congress-SDPI secret pact, says Ramanath Rai

coastaldigest.com news network

April 26, 2018

Mangaluru, Apr 26: B Ramanath Rai, minister for forest, environment and ecology, and Congress candidate for Bantwal assembly constituency, today said that he is not aware of any secret pact between the Congress and the Social Democratic Party of India.

Replying to the queries of media persons in the city, Mr Rai said: “The party leaders have not given me any instructions regarding the alliance with the SDPI. I ask all the people to support Congress, which is the biggest secular party in the country. I don’t know what SDPI leaders are going to do.”

Mr Rai’s comments came a day after SDPI’s Bantwal candidate Riyaz Farangipete withdrew his nomination papers to “defeat communalism and save democracy”. Mr Farangipete had earlier claimed that Mr Rai was the biggest problem of Bantwal and that he should be defeated. The sudden U-turn of SDPI has sparked many rumours.

Mr Rai, who has tasted six victories and one defeat in last seven assembly polls, is contesting for the eighth time from Bantwal. “I assure that the development works in my constancy will pick up speed if I was elected once again,” he said while expecting confidence that people will make him MLA for the seventh time.

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Will end Karnataka leadership confusion after talks with top leaders: Kharge

News Network

November 27,2025

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday announced that he will convene a high-level meeting in New Delhi with senior leaders — including Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar — to resolve the escalating leadership turmoil in Karnataka and “put an end to the confusion.”

Kharge said the discussions would focus on the way forward for the ruling party, as rumours of a possible leadership change continue to swirl. The speculation has intensified after the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, reviving talk of an alleged 2023 “power-sharing agreement” between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

“After reaching Delhi, I will call three or four important leaders and hold discussions. Once we talk, we will decide how to move ahead and end this confusion,” Kharge told reporters in Bengaluru, according to PTI.

When asked specifically about calling Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to Delhi, he responded: “Certainly, we should call them. We will discuss with them and settle the issue.”

He confirmed that Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister and other senior members would be part of the deliberations. “After discussing with everyone, a decision will be made,” he said.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah held a separate strategy meeting at his Bengaluru residence with ministers and leaders seen as his close confidants, including G. Parameshwara, Satish Jarkiholi, H.C. Mahadevappa, K. Venkatesh and K.N. Rajanna.
Signalling calm, the Chief Minister told reporters, “Will go to Delhi if the high command calls.”

Shivakumar echoed a similar stance, saying he too would head to the national capital if summoned by the party leadership.

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