The slip between the cup and the lip
The current assembly election results were quite a surprise for many. The voters had not exhibited their inclination despite highly charged speeches by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the popularity of Siddaramaiah. Adityanath, Modi, Amit Shah and other leaders from the north delivered highly charged speeches to the voters. This hadn’t borne any tangible results. Ananta Kumar Hegde, Prathap Simha and Shobha Karandlaje’s attempts to fan communal fires hadn’t borne any fruits. The voters kept their cards close to their chest. Though Sangh Parivar tried its best to start communal tension in Bantwal, it couldn’t be assumed that it could have its impact on the elections. Every political pundit thought Cong will emerge victorious from this.
But the results now show JD(S) is a decisive party with 38 seats, Cong has been reduced to 78 seats and BJP is at least 10 seats short of majority at 104 seats. But the percentage of votes is high in the favour of Congress which suffered a defeat. The sitting cabinet has suffered massive drubbing. This is a shocking verdict to Siddaramaiah and his friends. The main beneficiary in this is JD(S) which has secured enough number of seats to be able to negotiate a deal with any interested party to form the government.
The government led by Siddaramaiah wasn’t all that bad to be rejected by the government. This government had responded to people better than the BJP government led by Yeddyurappa. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had achieved a good hold over the matters relating to administration. There were hardly any corruption charges that could be proved, so much so that the people would reject it. On the other hand, the candidates within BJP weren’t too conducive for the people. Modi and Amit Shah travelled across the state and hypnotized people. Veerashaiva votes polled against Congress. Lingayat community did not stand by Siddaramaiah. JD(S) had, anyway, held Vokkaligas against Siddaramaiah. Upper class and caste votes, expectedly, went against Siddaramaiah. And some of his mistakes showed up to be big blunders and began to brew as discontentment within the party and among the voters too. In Varuna, Siddaramaiah showed he was for ‘dynasty’ politics by ensuring his son Yatheendra gets a ticket and posts victory. Though there was no tangible dissidence, it was difficult to sideline Siddaramaiah within the party for its leaders. The role of Congress in ensuring his defeat in Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari is as much as JD(S) too. If he had not chosen to contest from Badami where he emerged victorious from, his political journey would have come to a standstill today. However the difference of votes in victory, are big enough to provide any solace to the stature of a popular chief minister.
The opponents of BJP are interpreting its emergence as largest party in the current elections as victory based on money. BJP spent a lot of money from both state and centre. Central leadership had to do well in Karnataka because this is an indicator of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Though there were enough ‘rich’ candidates in Congress, the fear of IT raids had tied their hands. Along with this, Congress leaders are expressing their suspicions about EVM functioning too. The difference in votes between the victorious and the ones who didn’t make the cut, has given them this feeling. But to say this after the results are declared, doesn’t really make sense. The cong leaders had to ensure this problem was sorted even before the elections started. Now they will have to approach the Election Commission over this matter along with other secular forces.
Yet, amidst the humiliating defeat, Cong has been able to find a way of staying on the side of the government by joining hands with JD(S) and ensuring Kumaraswamy becomes the CM. Any delay in this decision would have cost it dearly. But Cong lost no time to do this. This may allow Parameshwar to be Dy CM too. Devegowda and sons are happy that they could cut Siddaramaiah to size with this move. Many have had their cake and eaten it too in this deal. The fact that they have kept the communal forces away is a big achievement enough. They have to be congratulated for keeping Karnataka free of the communal mess as of now.
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Have sanctioned 1,000 buses for next fiscal, says K'taka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Wednesday said the government has sanctioned procurement of 1,000 government buses in the next year’s budget.
According to him, in the current fiscal, 2,000 buses were sanctioned and many of them have already arrived.
Speaking in the Legislative Council, he alleged that the previous BJP government neither bought a single bus nor recruitment was done in the state transport department.
He was replying to BJP MLC Y M Satish’s request for buses for Ballari and Vijayanagara districts.
“From 2019 to 2023, not a single bus was purchased in the four corporations. Not even one bus. If buses are not purchased continuously for four years, what will happen to the organisation?” Reddy asked.
He recalled that the last time buses were procured and recruitments took place were in 2016, when he was the transport minister during the previous Congress government from 2013 to 2018.
“After we came to power (from 2013), we procured 6,080 new buses. Then last year, 2,000 buses were provided, and many of them have already arrived. This year too, 1,000 buses have been sanctioned in the budget,” Reddy told the House.
He noted that 9,000 people were recruited and 1,300 people were appointed on compassionate grounds during the Congress tenure.
The Minister added that around 2,000 to 2,500 buses have been refurbished.
“In total, 6,080 buses came in two years. Last year’s 2,000 buses, and now 1,000 more. Altogether, we have about 26,000 buses. Out of these, nearly one-third have been added in the last two-and-a-half years,” Reddy said.
Satish told the Minister that at least 100 red buses and about 20 Volvo buses are required for Ballari and Vijayanagara districts.
In response, Reddy said in 2022-23, 720 buses were given, and in 2024–25, 307 buses; in 2026, 140 buses—totalling 1,173 new buses were given to Kalyana Karnataka region.
There are around 4,000-odd buses in Kalyana Karnataka region, he said adding that another 400 buses have been tendered and funds have to be released.
“Additionally, 56 high-end buses—sleeper AC, non-sleeper AC, and Volvo buses—are also coming. Now, 400 buses are coming. Priority will be given to Ballari and Vijayanagara districts,” Reddy said.
