Belagavi, 23 Dec

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dismissed BJP’s protests and reaffirmed his leadership of the Congress party, stating, “I am very much alive and heading the Congress party. I am not scared of BJP’s protest tactics.”

Speaking to reporters during the centenary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi’s presidency at the 1924 Congress convention in Belagavi, Shivakumar drew parallels to Gandhi’s unwavering resolve. “Mahatma Gandhi achieved independence through his resolute fight. Should we be scared when we are remembering the Mahatma?” he said.

When asked about Union Minister Pralhad Joshi’s allegation of a conspiracy to eliminate BJP MLC CT Ravi in a fake encounter, Shivakumar deferred, saying, “The Home Minister and the police will respond to this. I have no comment.”

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday alleged that the present Congress party is "duplicate Congress" led by fake "Gandhis" and noted that they were not the inheritors of party that was there during Mahatma Gandhi's time.

He also alleged that government money was being used by the ruling party for the centenary celebrations of the 1924 Indian National Congress session that was presided over by Mahatma Gandhi in Belagavi.

The 39th session of the Indian National Congress held in Belagavi was the only Congress session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi.

Speaking to reporters here, he alleged that thousands of rupees from the government is being spent and decorative light arrangements have been done by Hubballi Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM) in Belagavi for the celebrations. "Entirely government money."

Meanwhile, State social welfare and district in charge minister HC Mahadevappa who took strong objections on statement of union minister Prahlad Joshi said that state police conspired to kill Ravi in a fake encounter said that people who have done wrongdoing find such excuses, makes false allegations against the state government. -Salar News