NEWS

After Karnataka BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel's purported audio conversation, hinting at a possible leadership change in the state, fuelled more speculation on B S Yediyurappa's exit as Chief Minister, senior BJP leader Basavaraj Patil Yatnal on Monday said the party's central leadership will soon pick a new CM, someone who is “honest, pro Hindu, and capable of bringing the BJP back to power”.

The leaked audio, which has a voice resembling that of Kateel — he has denied any links to the audio and dismissed it as fake — hints at one of three Karnataka leaders currently based in Delhi being sent as CM to replace Yediyurappa, 78.

Yediyurappa, who returned from Delhi on Saturday, did not issue any statement on Monday to emphasise his continuance in office for the remaining two years of the BJP government's tenure.

After stressing the importance of close coordination with opposition parties in a party strategy meeting last week, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi again on Sunday emphasised its urgency as she along with Lok Sabha MPs finalised fuel price hike and farmers agitation as the key subjects to corner Modi government in monsoon session.

Speaking to Congress MPs in Lok Sabha, Sonia said floor coordination with like-minded parties was a priority inside the House and in Parliament complex where protests are held to highlight matters in focus. The party decided to raise fuel hike and farmers agitation in the initial days. As the controversial disclosure of the alleged phone-tapping by the central government of activists, journalists, politicians and judges is being reported in media, party members felt it should be brought up with gusto. However, it was felt that the issue was still unfolding and the party would decide on the future course of action once a full picture was available.

World Health Organisation (WHO) chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan on Friday said India could initiate research on heterologous administration (mix and match) of various Covid-19 vaccines to study the breadth and duration of immune responses as well as protection.

“In the long term, if effective and safe, such a strategy could help countries manage supply constraints, while providing flexibility in vaccination programmes. It is also possible that combinations have an advantage in stimulating immune responses, but this can only be confirmed through research studies,” Swaminathan told a national daily.

Mamata will also be coming to Delhi and stay for five days from July 25 to 30 during the monsoon session of Parliament.  She is to meet leaders of opposition parties. Her July 21 speech will be delivered virtually and for the first time, the address will be beamed to people beyond Bengal, particularly Delhi, UP, Tripura, Assam and other states, with an eye on 2024 LS polls when she hopes to play a role at the national level.