Kalaburagi, 27 August (H.S.):

All India Congress Committee president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday urged the Union government to intervene immediately to rescue and assist Indian tourists and pilgrims stranded in Nepal following severe floods and flash floods.

Expressing deep anguish over the disaster, Kharge said citizens from several parts of India, including Karnataka, had been affected by the deluge. Hundreds were reportedly stranded, while several people had lost their lives and many others remained missing.

Kharge extended his condolences to the families of those killed in the calamity and called for coordinated measures to locate the missing and safely evacuate stranded Indians.

Speaking at Kalaburagi Airport, Kharge said he would write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent intervention. He said the Centre should provide comprehensive assistance and adequate compensation to the families affected by the floods.

Highlighting the close bilateral relationship between India and Nepal, Kharge also urged the Union government to extend substantial relief assistance to the neighbouring country. India should support Nepal's search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations during the crisis, he said.

Meanwhile, Kharge dismissed speculation about an imminent cabinet reshuffle or organisational changes in the Karnataka government.

He clarified that decisions concerning the inclusion or removal of ministers, reallocation of portfolios and other cabinet-related changes would be taken only by the Congress central leadership.

“Any inclusion in or removal from the cabinet will have to be done in consultation with me. I have received no proposal on the matter,” Kharge said.

His remarks came amid renewed political speculation over possible changes in the Karnataka cabinet. Kharge's clarification indicated that no formal proposal regarding a reshuffle had reached the Congress high command and that reports of immediate changes were premature.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman