New Delhi, 8 July

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was an influential backward classes leader and hence the Congress party was utilising his leadership to organise backward classes.

“Siddaramaiah is an influential leader of the backward classes and the party is utilising it. The national level OBC Advisory Council meeting to be held on 15 July would be held under the leadership of Siddaramaiah,” he said.

Responding to a question on the recent power tussle speculations, he said, “The CM’s post is not vacant right now. This is not the time to discuss it.”

‘LEADERSHIP CHANGE A NON-ISSUE’

AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala on Tuesday declined to comment on the ongoing discussions regarding leadership change in the State, suggesting that it is no longer pertinent and said that such decisions rest with the party high command.

"Somebody can have a desire, like a journalist can have a desire to become the editor, but it is ultimately the owner of the television channel who will pick an editor,” he said.

SEEKS EARLY NOD FOR YETTINAHOLE PROJECT

Shivakumar met Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday to seek early in-principle clearance for the revised forest land diversion proposal under the Yettinahole Project, which aims to supply drinking water to drought-prone areas of South Karnataka.

He said the implementation of the project will benefit 75.59 lakh people in seven districts, helping fill up 527 tanks to their 50 per cent capacity and recharging the groundwater table, he added.