PM Modi to hoist flag atop Ayodhya Temple; Rift over Karnataka CM post continues

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hoist a saffron flag atop the Ayodhya Ram Temple on Tuesday to mark the completion of the temple’s construction. The flag, a right-angled triangle measuring 10 feet in height and 20 feet in length, carries a radiant Sun representing Lord Rama’s brilliance and courage, along with the sacred ‘Om’ and the Kovidara tree.

A leadership dispute has emerged in the Karnataka Congress government between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. The issue revolves around claims of a two-and-a-half-year rotational Chief Minister arrangement, which DK Shivakumar’s supporters say was promised by the party High Command. However, CM aide Basavaraj Rayareddy insists no such deal was ever mentioned when the Congress won the state. Meanwhile, MLAs from Shivakumar’s camp have gone to Delhi to present their case to party leaders. Siddaramaiah has said he will follow whatever decision the High Command makes on the matter.