Centre ‘attempting to silence’ Rahul Gandhi: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday accused the central government of "attempting to silence" the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, saying it strikes at the heart of India’s democracy.
He was referring to Rahul Gandhi being disallowed from quoting an article that cited an unpublished memoir of former Army chief M M Naravane on the 2020 India-China conflict in the Lok Sabha.
"The Modi government’s repeated attempts to silence the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament are deeply troubling and strike at the heart of India’s democracy," Siddaramaiah said in a post on 'X'.
Stating that Rahul Gandhi raised legitimate questions on national security based on excerpts from 'Four Stars of Destiny', the book authored by Naravane, he said the book, originally slated for release in 2024, remains unpublished because it is "being withheld" by the Government of India.
"The excerpts were quoted in a recent article by The Caravan magazine. Importantly, General Naravane has not denied the contents attributed to him. On the contrary, he has publicly acknowledged that his book is awaiting government clearance," he said.
"If these statements were inaccurate or misleading, the government could have issued a clear denial. Its decision instead to withhold the book and silence discussion only deepens the suspicion that uncomfortable truths are being suppressed," Siddaramaiah added.
He said that the book indicates that during the critical phase of the 2020 China border standoff, the Modi government "failed" to take clear and decisive strategic calls, leaving the armed forces to manage a complex political crisis within broader constraints.
"This points not to any failure of the Army, but to a lack of strong political leadership at the highest level under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Defence Minister Rajnath Singh," he added.
"Such issues deserve serious discussion in Parliament. Rahul Gandhi did what a responsible Leader of the Opposition is duty-bound to do—ask questions on behalf of the people. He did not speak against the nation or the armed forces," Siddaramaiah said.
"Yet, instead of answering, the government stalled Parliament for two consecutive days, suspended eight opposition MPs, and, in an unprecedented act, prevented the Leader of the Opposition from speaking on the president’s address," he added.
The chief minister said that in any responsible democracy, "such grave revelations" would have led to accountability and serious political consequences at the highest level.
"Instead, this government has chosen suppression and intimidation," he alleged.
"If the Modi government has nothing to hide, why silence debate? And if India’s national interest was fully safeguarded, why fear scrutiny in Parliament?" he asked.
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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.
