Amit Shah remarks about Ambedkar: Cong MLA Kuzhalnadan questions Kerala CM's 'silence'
Kochi (PTI): Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan on Friday said it was surprising that the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan have not yet reacted to the alleged slight of B R Ambedkar by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Parliament a few days ago.
Kuzhalnadan, at a press briefing here, said all the CMs of non-BJP states, including M K Stalin from neighbouring Tamil Nadu, have strongly opposed Shah's remarks about Ambedkar, but both Vijayan and CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan have been silent so far.
"The vigour shown by the CPI(M) in defending Veena T (Vijayan's daughter) was not shown by it when Ambedkar was insulted. It shows what is the status of the CPI(M)."
"I believe the reason for this is that Pinarayi Vijayan is scared of reacting against Amit Shah. He is scared of what his and his daughter's fate would be if he reacts against Shah. There are a lot of central agencies probing cases against Vijayan and his daughter," the MLA from Muvattupuzha said.
He said the Left party was heavily indebted to the people belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. Despite that it has not reacted against Shah.
"It is highly unfortunate that the Kerala CM has not reacted or taken a stand on the issue. It is condemnable and an insult to the state. This has not been the stand of Kerala in the past."
"The CPI(M) has weakened its political standing to protect the CM's family, especially his daughter," Kuzhalnadan contended.
Shah on Tuesday had said in the Rajya Sabha that Congress leaders would have got a place in heaven had they chanted the name of God rather than following the fashion of repeating Ambedkar's name.
The Home Minister's remarks have resulted in intense protests from the opposition inside and outside the Parliament with the Congress demanding his resignation.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka: GBA city corporation polls likely between June 14 and 24
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi on Friday said elections to the five city corporations under the GBA will be held anytime between June 14 and June 24.
He said the exact date for the polls will be announced after a week, asserting that the power to postpone the elections, as requested by GBA authorities, lies with the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court had directed the Karnataka government and the State Election Commission to conduct Bengaluru local body elections by June 30.
On Friday, the SEC held a consultation meeting with the GBA Chief Commissioner and commissioners of the five city corporations regarding the election schedule, as per the provisions of the GBA Act.
“During the meeting, I informed GBA officials that only the election date has to be fixed, as all other measures and formalities for conducting the polls have already been completed,” Sangreshi said.
“They requested the Commission to consider factors such as rains, exams, census work, SIR, and manpower shortages while fixing the date and sought additional time,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “I told them this meeting was not for seeking time. Elections to the five corporations under the GBA must be held before June 30, as directed by the Supreme Court, and a compliance report must be submitted to the court. I do not have the power to postpone the elections as requested.”
The Supreme Court has already given a “final opportunity,” and both the SEC and the government must comply with its directions, the State Election Commissioner said.
He asked GBA officials to suggest suitable dates between June 14 and June 24.
“While stating that they are ready for elections, the officials highlighted operational challenges, including manpower shortages. However, I have informed them that the elections will have to be held between June 14 and June 24. After a week, I will announce the final date,” he said.
Reiterating that he does not have the power to postpone the elections, Sangreshi said the authority rests with the Supreme Court, and elections must be conducted as scheduled.
“We have consulted the GBA as per the rules. It is up to them to suggest a date within the given window. If they need more time, they must approach the court. Our responsibility is to fix the date and complete the polls before June 30,” he said.
The matter regarding manpower and other concerns raised by GBA officials is already before the Supreme Court, and the State Election Commission has also filed a petition in this regard. The case is yet to be heard.
“Since the matter has not come up for hearing, the earlier order remains binding. Therefore, preparations are underway,” he added.
The tenure of the previous elected body under the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) ended on September 10, 2020, and since then, a government-appointed administrator has been managing its day-to-day affairs.
Bengaluru was divided into five municipal corporations—Central, East, West, North, and South—under the Greater Bengaluru Authority in September 2025, replacing the BBMP.
Sangreshi had earlier said that elections to the five corporations would be conducted using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines.
This follows the Congress government’s decision last September to recommend the use of ballot papers in all future panchayat and urban local body elections, citing concerns over declining public confidence in EVMs.
The state government subsequently enacted the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026, paving the way for the use of ballot papers in local body elections.
