Siddaramaiah's announcement causes flutters in congress
Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he will not fight electoral elections anymore. He had said the same when he was the Chief Minister as well. At a time when Siddaramaiah seemed inevitable to Congress demand for dalit Chief Minister was created.
The demand was created to unseat Siddaramaiah and not to make a dalit Chief Minister of the state.
Native Congress when fired so long as Siddaramaiah was in the party they would never get a chance to become the chief minister. To dissuade the fears of native congressmen, siddaramaiah had then told he would not fight elections anymore.
With this, the Parmeshwar gang was happy that the he can become a chief minister next time.
Owing to his duty towards people he was forced to fight Vidhan Sabha elections last time.
If Congress had achieved majority, Siddaramaiah's becoming of the CM second time over was most certain. Hence in order to avoid working under him again, native Congressis ensured he lost the Chamundeshwari seat. More than his opponent's pluses, anti-Siddaramaiah gang worked to make sure he lost. However, he won with a small margin in Badami, his second seat. If he had lost that, Siddaramaiah would have been a closed chapter in Congress.
This time again, Siddaramaiah has said he won't contest elections anymore. This time the announcement has come after considering changing political scenario and realities. This is a message to most leaders in his party and also to his opponents. He has made his role clear in the coming days in a rather delicate manner. He still nurses some anger about leaders who ensured his failure in Congress during last polls.
He has even made his inevitability clear when his party and JDS came together to form coalition government.
By now, other leaders also know that Siddaramaiah's presence is inevitable to Congress. Looks like former CM Siddaramaiah has decided to quit full time politics after teaching a good lesson to people who worked to defeat him. So his announcement of not contesting elections also means he'd stay away from the fighting grounds for a while. He now wants to play the king maker. So DKS gang can rely on him without any hesitation now. Because now Siddaramaiah is in a mindset that if he doesn't become the CM, that's fine. But he will not let someone else, especially his opponent to become one.
He did not say he'd stay out of politics either. DKS recently said Cong lost because the party supported the Lingayat issue in a rather irresponsible manner. In a way, this statement has Siddaramaiah as target. This statement makes the Lingayat issue some kind of a political strategy. Congress had lost miserably many a times even when the party never went close to the Lingayat issue. Internal conflicts caused the failure of Congress this time over. Hindutva wave also caused enough damage. BJP spent money like water in the elections rendering Congress helpless. Leaders like D.K. Shivakumar who hardly know anything about Lingayat dharma or about Basavanna, cause more damage to Congress.
The party has already earned the wrath of Veerashaivas on Lingayat issue. Most of the Veerashaivas are followers of RSS or BJP. Now even Lingayats will probably look at Congress with suspicion over this. Lingayat leaders now understand that their fight has to be a separate one and this has to be fought outside the citadel of Congress. Siddaramaiah knows the history of this land.
Is political journey is free from money, muscle power and rowdyism. His space is secure in the history of Karnataka respective of his victory or loss.
He can give fresh lease of life to value based politics. Hence his decision to not contest electoral elections must give him more free space to work in the Congress.
He must now concentrate on creating new generation of leaders for the state. This would help both the party and the state as well. Congress high command must focus on using his experience and statesmanship for its growth and the future of the party in the state.
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
