KOLAR: A day after Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah announced that he will contest from the Kolar Assembly constituency, JDS official candidate CMR Srinath on Tuesday said it is a wrong decision and the former chief minister will burn his fingers as he has chosen the constituency without conducting a proper survey.

Srinath told The New Indian Express that he has been working hard in the constituency over the last several years. In the 2018 Assembly elections, JDS candidate K Srinivasa Gowda won with a thumping majority, only because of the identity of the party, and not due to his work in the constituency. “This election too, people will choose a local candidate.

The good governance given by former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy will benefit me,” he said. BJP leader Varthur Prakash, who has won twice from Kolar, said that Siddaramaiah will face the same fate as former MP from Congress KH Muniyappa, who lost the last Lok Sabha polls in Kolar. “Congress leaders have passed on wrong information to Siddaramaiah.

He will be defeated,” he added. BJP ticket aspirant Om Sakthi Chalapathy, who unsuccessfully contested on a BJP ticket in the last Assembly election, said the party has a good hold over the constituency as has been proved by BJP’s success in the parliamentary elections.

Not all communities will support Siddaramaiah as he is no way connected with Kolar seat. He has chosen a wrong constituency, said Chalapathy. Siddaramaiah will not be able to woo voters as he does not know any panchayat leaders, he added.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Sunday clarified that the State’s tableau did not get the chance to take part in Republic Day parade this year, following the Union government’s guidelines, providing opportunity to the States that took part least number of times during the last eight years.

The clarification comes following the controversy over Karnataka’s tableau being excluded from the Republic Day parade in New Delhi this year, after having showcased the State’s culture for 13 consecutive years.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah has targeted the State BJP government in this regard, by questioning its seriousness in upholding the State’s pride.

“Regarding participation of States’ tableau in Republic Day parade this year, Government of India has issued guidelines, providing opportunity to the States that did not take part/took part least number of times during the last 8 years. Hence, the State of Karnataka has not got the chance to take part in the Republic Day parade,” C R Naveen, Nodal Officer for Republic Day tableau said in a statement.

“Moreover, if the lists of States that took part previous year and the States selected this year are compared, it is evident that all the three prize winning States in 2022 are not selected this year. And also except three States, the rest of the States that took part last year are not selected,” he said.

Karnataka had proposed to showcase its millet diversity through a tableau this year during the Republic Day parade.

The State’s tableau ‘the cradle of traditional handicrafts’ was adjudged second best last year.

Stating that it is “unfortunate” to know that Karnataka will not be participating in the Republic Day parade this year, Siddaramaiah has said, rejection of State’s tableaux reflects how serious the BJP government here is about upholding the pride of our State.

In a series of tweets, the Congress leader alleged that “Incapable and weak Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and his cabinet ministers are worried about looting government resources through 40 per cent commission. Had they put in a little more thought in designing the theme, Karnataka could have presented its tableaux on the Republic Day.”

Karnataka leaders are known for only making noise in our State, but are cowards in front of their high command, he further said “State BJP govt has pledged our pride to accommodate the interests of their high command. Did any of the BJP MPs raise objections for rejecting our tableaux?”

CHITRADURGA:  “Take note of Karnataka’s pride and vote a Congress government to power in 2023,” said AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge at the ‘Aikyatha Samavesha’, an event organised for the SC/ST community by the Grand Old Party on Sunday.

Addressing the mammoth gathering here, Kharge noted that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Gujarat and called himself the son of the soil, people went and voted for him. “Now it is the turn of Kannadigas to vote for Congress, since I come from this state, and I appeal to you,” added the AICC president.

Attacking the Union government on the jobs issue, Kharge claimed that there are 30 lakh vacancies in the government sector across India, of which 15 lakh belong to the SC/ST and OBC categories, as per constitutional reservation. However, the BJP knows that if these jobs are filled up, the SC/STs and OBCs will be empowered and their game-plan will not work, hence they are not filling up these posts. “A majority of highly-qualified graduates are sitting idle at home. The Centre, instead of giving them permanent jobs, is filling them on the basis of outsourcing, which is totally wrong,” he further claimed.

The Congress president further said that going by the assurance of PM Modi in 2014, 18 crore jobs should have been created by now, but this has fallen flat. The Congress will question the BJP on all platforms. Kharge further alleged that the Centre has stopped scholarships for SC/STs and minorities and minimum support price, while farm income has not doubled too. Various other problems are gripping the country, which have to be pointed put and questioned.

Meanwhile, Kharge also accused the BJP of curtailing the right to expression, terming it anti-constitutional.

CHIKBALLAPUR: The seven-day Chikballapura Uthsava commenced on Saturday in a colourful manner which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in the presence of Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Hegde, and Adichuchanagir Mutt Nirmalananda Swamiji.

The programme was organised by the district administration and the Dr Sudhakar Foundation under the direct supervision of the health and family welfare minister and Chikballapur MLA Dr K Sudhakar.

The program will conclude on the 14th of January with famous drumist Shivamani all set to perform on the grand stage.

On the first day, women carrying kumba on their heads along with students and the general public participated in the procession which saw several artists including Dolukunitha. There were other programmes as well.

CM Basavaraj Bommai in his speech said that the government has promoted several developmental programmes for the people and farmers. He assured there would be more programmes.

He also lauded Sudhakar for taking several steps in controlling the spread of Covid.

Dhramadhikari Dr Veerendra Hegde praised the farmers of the region for being hard workers and remarked that every day, the crops grown in Kolar Chikballapur were being transported across the nation.

Sudhakar in his speech said that the Uthsava has been organised to mark the celebration of 15 years after the formation of the new district.

Ministers Byrathi Basavaraj, Sunil Kumar, MTB Nagaraj, Deputy Commissioner NM Nagaraj, Superintendent of Police DL Nagesh and others were present.

Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday stayed the Transport Department notification, fixing a cap of 5 per cent on service charges collected by online aggregators for autorickshaw-hailing.
       
The notification issued on November 25, 2022, was challenged by the aggregators Ola and Uber. The earlier notification derecognising such service was challenged too.
       
The new notification came up after the intervention of the High Court, directing all stakeholders’ views should be considered. Till then, the court allowed the aggregators to collect 10 per cent as a service fee.
      
The aggregators said they were incurring losses even if they collect 10 per cent and cited the Central government that approved a service fee of 20 per cent.
      
After issuing the stay today, Justice CM Poonacha said the court would hear out the petition along with the main petition regarding the aggregator licence for such autorickshaw-hailing.

Bengaluru: Chief Minister of Karnataka Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said the monthly collection of goods and services tax (GST) in the State has crossed Rs 10,000 crore for three months in a row.

He said Karnataka is behind Maharashtra in emerging out of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Karnataka’s monthly GST collection has crossed Rs 10k crore for 3 months in a row, just behind Maharashtra. The positive growth proves we are on the trajectory of good growth & well past the negative impact of the Covid-induced slowdown. Proud to be boosting national economy,” Bommai tweeted.

According to data given by the Chief Minister, Maharashtra was in number-one spot with Rs 23,598 crore in December, Karnataka in second with Rs 10,061 crore and Gujarat third with Rs 9,238 crore followed by Tamil Nadu with Rs 8,324 crore.

Bengaluru: A woman alleged on the social media that she was asked to remove her shirt during a security check at the Kempegowda International Airport here.

The authorities at the airport said they cannot take any action on the matter as it lay with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

“I was asked to remove my shirt at the Bengaluru Airport during security check. It was really humiliating to stand there at the security checkpoint wearing just a camisole and getting the kind of attention you’d never want as a woman. @BLRAirport Why you need a woman to strip?” the woman passenger tweeted on Tuesday.

After tweeting, she de-activated her account.

The airport authorities distanced themselves from the episode.

“We have nothing to say as it’s got to do with the CISF,” a communication team member of the airport told PTI.

The CISF was not available to comment on the issue despite repeated calls.

Siddaramaiah, CM Basavaraj Bommai

Ballari: Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly Siddaramaiah on Wednesday called Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai a puppy before Prime Minister Narendra Modi for alleged failure to bring Rs 5,495 crore into the State as was recommended by the 15th Finance Commission.

Hitting back, Chief Minister Bommai said Siddaramaiah’s statement mirrors his personality. Just like a faithful dog, he is loyal to the people of the State.

Bommai said Modi is like a ‘kamadhenu’ (wish-fulfilling cow) who gave many projects to Karnataka, which never happened since independence.

Addressing a public meeting today, Siddaramaiah challenged Bommai to show some courage.

“Basavaraj Bommai, you are like a puppy in front of Narendra Modi. You tremble before him,” the Congress leader remarked.

The former Chief Minister pointed out that the 15th Finance Commission in its interim report recommended the Rs 5,495 crore as a special allowance for Karnataka.

“But our Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaramam, a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, wrote to the Finance Commission chairperson N K Singh that it is not possible for us to give the Rs 5,495 crore. She asked the chairperson to drop the issue,” Siddaramaiah claimed.

“Karnataka sent 25 BJP MPs to the Lok Sabha. You (Bommai) came to power through Operation Lotus’ in Karnataka. If you have guts and courage, then get Rs 5,495 crore from the Centre,” the Congress said to the Chief Minister.

Reacting to that, Bommai said the people would give a befitting reply to the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly election which is about four months away.

“The statement shows the personality of the Congress leader,” Bommai told reporters in Ballari .

He added that just like dog, which is a faithful animal, he would also remain faithful.

“I have not divided society like Siddaramaiah did. We have given happiness unlike Congress which gave misfortune,” the Chief Minister said.

“Narendra Modi gave 6,000 km of highway to Karnataka which is a record in the post-independence period. He gave approval also to the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway project, Mangaluru-Karwar ports and Kalasa-Bandura project,” Bommai told reporters.

He said that in the coming days, the Upper Krishna project would be declared as a national project and grants would be released. The Smart City project has been sanctioned for all major cities. This was not the case during the UPA regime. All the important projects have been given by Modi, he said

Vijayanagara (K’taka}: Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said his party is thinking about releasing the first list of candidates for the Assembly polls in Karnataka, this month.

The Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly expressed confidence about Congress winning the polls, which is expected by April-May, on its own strength and forming a government in Karnataka.

“We are thinking about releasing it (first list) within this month,” Siddaramaiah told reporters in response to a question.

Replying to a query about the party receiving 1,350 applications seeking tickets, he said, “As Congress has more strength, as there is a wave in favour of the party, many people have applied for the candidacy.”

As the party plans to finalise the first list of candidates there seems to be a competition among aspirants backed by Siddaramaiah and State Congress president D K Shivakumar.

Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are nursing Chief Ministerial ambitions in the event of the party coming to power in the State.

According to party sources, aspirants from both camps have applied for tickets in about 80 constituencies of which the competition is said to be intense in about 30-35 segments.

Congress is said to have decided that winnability will be the main criteria for ticket distribution and is likely to bank on internal surveys to decide the candidates, they further said adding that most of the 69 sitting MLAs are likely to be retained.

While, JD(S) has already announced a first list of 93 candidates, the ruling BJP is yet to decide.

Responding to a question on former Minister and mining baron G Janardhana Reddy’s new party announcement, Siddaramaiah said, anyone can float a new regional party in a democracy, ultimately it is the people who decide whether to accept it and its candidates.

Asked about whether Reddy’s new party ‘Kalyana Rajya Pragati Paksha’ will benefit the Congress as there is a sense that it will split BJP’s votes, the former Chief Minister said, “we (Congress) are not dependent on another party. We will win on our own strength. Let some one form a new party or BJP and JD(S) say anything, hundred per cent we will certainly win.”

Pointing out that many leaders including former Chief Ministers – Devaraja Urs, S Bangarappa, B S Yediyurappa, also now Minister Sriramulu had tried to build a regional party in Karnataka and what happened to them is now part of history, he said, “I’m not belittling them, but ultimately people decide in democracy.”

With an aim to win the election and come back to power in Karnataka, the grand old party has set a target of winning at least 150 out of total 224 seats in the Assembly.

MANGALURU: BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel kicked up a row on Monday by asking his party workers not to engage voters on discussions over roads and drainages (development), but instead tell them that only a BJP government can stop ‘love jihad’ by bringing a law against it.

Addressing party workers at ‘Booth Vijaya Abhiyana’, Kateel lashed out at the Congress and called it a “party of terrorists”. “If (KPCC president) DK Shivakumar becomes the chief minister, then terrorists will have a field day,” he said. Stating that ‘love jihad’ will flourish and laws against cow slaughter and religious conversion will be withdrawn if the Congress comes to power, he said people now have to choose between ‘Nava Karnataka’ and ‘Land of Terrorism’.

Pointing out that Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a bold decision by banning the Popular Front of India (PFI) and Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD) following the murder of BJP worker Praveen Nettaru, Kateel said that if these organisations were not banned then Monappa Bhandary and Harikrishna Bantwal (BJP leaders) would have been dead by now.

He also said that senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah will be in jail over corruption by the next Assembly election. “Why didn’t you (Congress) raise the issue of ‘40 per cent commission’ and ‘Pay CM’ during the just concluded winter session. You didn’t raise it because Kempanna is in jail. (D. Kempanna is the president of Karnataka State Contractors’ Association who first made the charge of 40% commission against the government). Siddaramaiah shut Lokayuktya whereas we strengthened it. We asked them to lodge complaints with Lokayukya over corruption cases but they didn’t. Tell people that Congress is a corrupt party and Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar are the most corrupt,” he said.

Kateel predicted that the BJP would win 150 seats in the state Assembly elections which are 100 days away. “But our victory should be on the basis of our organisational strength. India should culturally transform and for that we should win in booths,” he said.

Exuding confidence that the BJP will sweep all eight seats in Dakshina Kannada district, he said there was huge response to Amit Shah’s tour in Vokkaliga dominated districts of Ramanagar, Hassan and Mandya.