'No word on cabinet reshuffle yet', says Karnataka home minister; denies "rift" in government

Tumakuru (Karnataka) [India], March 31 (ANI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday dismissed reports of a rift between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar over the issue of cabinet reshuffle.
He stated that no such discussion had taken place and that the party high command would handle any decisions regarding the matter.
"There is no rift in our party. The word about the cabinet reshuffle has not come yet. There is no rift; the high command is there, and they will take care of it," Parameshwara told reporters on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka BJP has announced an overnight sit-in protest against the Congress government's price hikes. BJP Karnataka President and MLA B Y Vijayendra stated that the protest would take place at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on April 2 at 11 AM.
Speaking to ANI, Vijayendra said that all BJP MLAs, Legislative Council members, former MLAs, candidates from the last Assembly elections, district presidents, and state office bearers would participate in the protest.
"Today, we have discussed many issues with the party senior leaders. We have taken a decision. On April 2nd, all BJP leaders, office bearers, and district presidents will protest the decision of the Congress government to increase the milk price by Rs 4. After the Congress government came to power, this was the third time Siddaramaiah's government increased milk prices," the Karnataka BJP Chief said.
Vijayendra accused the Congress government of guaranteeing price hikes, stating that water tariffs, petrol prices, and milk prices had all been increased. He sarcastically called the milk price hike the Congress government's "Ugadi gift" to the people. He added that the BJP would launch a public movement to raise awareness and fight against the Congress government's policies.
On Thursday, the Karnataka government announced a Rs 4 per litre price hike for Nandini milk and curd, effective April 1. The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The state government stated that the move aims to support dairy farmers, considering the rising costs of milk production and processing. (ANI)