Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has put to rest speculation that the Congress high command is considering a leadership change in the state. Speaking to mediapersons on Wednesday, Siddaramaiah asserted that he would complete his five-year term as Chief Minister. Meanwhile, his deputy, DK Shivakumar, stated that he had no choice but to stand by Siddaramaiah. Their statements come after some DK Shivakumar loyalists demanded his elevation to the CM’s post, with a few claiming that over 100 Congress MLAs support the move.
Dalai Lama’s succession plan
The Dalai Lama, spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism, has affirmed that the 600-year-old institution of the Dalai Lama will continue after his death. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the spiritual leader said the process for recognising a future Dalai Lama had already been outlined in his declaration in September 2011. He reiterated that the responsibility for selecting his successor would rest solely with members of the Gaden Phodrang Trust. However, China’s Foreign Ministry responded by insisting that any reincarnation must be approved by its central government.
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PM embarks on five-nation visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a week-long visit to five countries. During the trip, the PM will visit Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Namibia, and Brazil, where he will attend the BRICS summit. In his departure statement, the PM underlined BRICS as a vital platform for cooperation among emerging economies and reaffirmed India’s commitment to it.
QUAD condemns Pahalgam terror attack
The Quad—the four-nation grouping of the United States, Japan, Australia, and India—has called for swift action against those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack. In a joint statement, the foreign ministers urged that the perpetrators, organisers, and financiers of the April 22 attack be brought to justice without delay. The ministers met in Washington DC, on Tuesday to lay the groundwork for the bloc’s annual summit, to be held in India later this year.
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Indian equities in the red
Indian equities opened in the green but shed early gains to end in the red. The Sensex fell by half a per cent, slipping below 83,500. The Nifty also saw similar losses, closing below 25,500.
