The Next Karnataka CM To Wrestlers' Ultimatum To Centre: What To Expect This Week Ahead

From Congress's dilemma in choosing the next chief minister to possibility of fresh showdown between wrestlers and government — here's what to expect in The Week Ahead.

As the week starts, begin your Monday morning with ABP Live's dose of top news events expected to take place this week. After securing a thumping victory in Karnataka, the focus for Congress now shifts on who will become the Chief Minister. Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar are in the forefront for the coveted post. While the tensions around the Karnataka polls eased last week, the pot is still boiling in the northeastern state of Manipur as sporadic incidents of violence saw the government extend the suspension of mobile internet services.

Read on as we try to decode the news and also the newsmakers in the next seven days help you understand what is likely to happen in the week ahead. Here are the biggest developments expected to play out this week.

Siddaramaiah Or Shivakumar? CM Dilemma For Congress

Even though Congress secured an emphatic win in the Karnataka Assembly election, winning 135 seats, it has a headache on whom to chose as the next Chief Minister. According to sources, Congress is working out a formula to split the tenure of the Chief Minister between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

On Sunday, the Congress Legislature Party passed a unanimous resolution authorising party president Mallikarjun Kharge to pick the next chief minister of Karnataka. AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal and three central observers also held separate meetings with Siddaramaiah and Karnataka state president DK Shivakumar.

This week, the scene will shift to Delhi with both the contenders expected to arrive in the national capital on Monday to meet Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Kharge.

The new Karnataka Chief Minister and the Cabinet is likely to take oath on Thursday.

Sporadic Incidents Of Violence Keep Manipur On Edge

Even though peace has returned to several parts of Manipur, sporadic incidents of violence and demand by 10 Kuki legislators, including eight from the ruling BJP, urging the Centre to create a 'separate administration' has kept the state on edge.

The government has already ordered an extension of the suspension of the internet services, including mobile data and broadband services till May 16.

Duirng the weekend, incidents of violence were reported from the hill state's Senapati and Churachandpur districts. Two cases of attacks on security forces by armed miscreants were also reported in Manipur, which has witnessed massive violence that has claimed more than 60 lives and displaced hundreds.

The continuing incidents of arson and violence saw Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, accompanied by four of his Cabinet ministers, coming to Delhi and meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah. THe delegation is also likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week.

The CM's Delhi visit comes amid demand by 10 tribal MLAs belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi group in Manipur for a separate administration for their region in the wake of recent violent clashes between the Meiteis and tribals.

Eye On Wrestlers' Protest As Grapplers Set May 21 Deadline For Govt Action

The week is expected to see some development in the wresters' protest arena as the grapplers have warned of a "significant decision" if WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh is not arrested by May 21.

Moreover,  farmers who have joined top wrestlers in their protest have warned the government of preparing for a "long haul" if Bhushan was not arrested. "We will not back down until the wrestlers get justice. Members from each khap will join the protest daily," BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said last week.

The Delhi Police have recorded statements of the seven women complainants under Section 161. The wrestlers have accused Brij Bhushan of sexual exploitation of several women wrestlers over a period of time and have demanded his removal.

Govt To Roll Out Mobile Blocking, Tracking System

The government is set to roll out a tracking system through which people will be able to block and track their lost or stolen mobile phones across India. The CEIR system is scheduled for pan-India launch on May 17.

The basic purpose of CEIR is to ease reporting of stolen and lost mobiles and block the use of mobiles all over the country. 

Moreover, this will lessen theft of mobile phones, enable police to easily trace the stolen and lost mobile, detect cloned or counterfeit mobiles, restrict the use of such cloned mobiles.

"The system has an in-built mechanism which will also check the smuggling of phones and help the government from revenue loss to the exchequer as well," a senior government official told PTI.

Imran Khan To Appear In Lahore HC As Another Tumultous Week Awaits Pakistan

After a tumultous week in Pakistan that saw Imran Khan being arrested and granted bail by the Supreme Court,  the former prime minister is likely to appear before the Lahore High Court on Monday in the cases registered against him for torching the house of a Corps Commander and other incidents of violence.

The court had also ordered that Khan could not be arrested before Monday in any case.

Last week, the Islamabad High Court granted bail to Khan for two weeks after he was dramatically arrested by National Accountability Bureau  in the Al Qadir Trust case.