BJP leaders have no concern for Bengaluru’s development: Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday accused BJP leaders of neglecting Bengaluru’s development, questioning what they had achieved for the city during their tenure.
"I am not a technical expert, and neither is Tejasvi Surya"
Speaking to reporters at the KPCC office on Queens Road, Shivakumar said, “BJP leaders have no real concern for Bengaluru’s growth. What did they do for the city when they were in power?”
Responding to criticism over the proposed tunnel road project, he remarked, “I am not a technical expert, and neither is Tejasvi Surya. That’s why a dedicated team of technical experts is handling the matter.”
Shivakumar further commented on BJP MP Tejasvi Surya’s remarks about implementing the suburban rail project: “Let him do it; there’s nothing wrong with that. He should ensure that the required funds come from the central government. Our own Somanna is the Union Railway Minister—let them seek his help. If they want to fight for Bengaluru, let them. Who is stopping them?”
The Deputy CM noted that apart from Tejasvi Surya and R. Ashoka, no other BJP leader had spoken up about the city’s issues. “We are doing our work. People have seen our commitment and are supporting our efforts. I am confident our projects will be implemented,” he added.
When asked about discussions within the Congress over a possible change of Chief Minister and demands for a Dalit CM, Shivakumar said, “There’s no need to tire ourselves by making unnecessary comments.”
On Rahul Gandhi’s proposed visit to Karnataka on November 20 to lay the foundation stone for new Congress offices, he clarified, “The date has not been finalized yet. I have submitted a proposal, and land documents are being prepared. Once my report is sent, the high command will decide the date.”
He also revealed that the Congress leadership has sought a detailed report on which ministers, MPs, and district presidents have shown interest in the construction of party offices. “I am preparing that report,” he said.
Responding to BJP leader B. Sriramulu’s claim that ₹300 crore in unaccounted funds were sent to Bihar for election purposes, Shivakumar quipped, “It was the same money Shriramulu gave to the Congress party that we sent to Bihar.”
Regarding the selection of candidates for the upcoming Legislative Council elections from the graduates’ and teachers’ constituencies, Shivakumar said that discussions were underway. “Each constituency has about five to six aspirants. We’ll finalize the candidates within 8–10 days after consulting ministers and MLAs from the respective districts,” he added.
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NEET student hangs self in Rajasthan's Sikar
Jaipur (PTI): A student preparing for the NEET examination allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in a rented room in Rajasthan's Sikar on Friday, police said.
According to the police, the student allegedly hanged himself from a ceiling fan using his sister's scarf while one sister was attending coaching classes and the other was in the bathroom.
He had appeared in the NEET UG exam 2026, which was cancelled due to paper leak, they said.
Udyog Nagar SHO Rajesh Kumar said that the deceased, identified as Pradeep Meghwal, was a resident of Kanika ki Dhani village in Jhunjhunu's Gudha Gaudji area.
He had been living in a rented room in Sikar's Jaldhari Nagar area with his two sisters while preparing for NEET over the last three years.
His elder sister later found him hanging and informed the landlord and police after bringing him down, officials said.
The SHO said the body was kept at SK Hospital mortuary, and a postmortem had not been conducted.
The student's father, Rajesh Kumar Meghwal, told police that Pradeep's NEET examination had gone well and the family was expecting him to score around 650 marks.
Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot expressed grief over the incident and linked it to anxiety among students after reports of irregularities and paper leaks in NEET 2026.
Pilot said repeated paper leak incidents and cancellation of examinations were affecting students' mental health and demanded a time-bound investigation and strict action against those responsible.
