Belagavi, Feb 12: Chief Minister of Karnataka Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday exuded confidence that the Union government would hand over 750 acres of defence land and set up a military school in Belagavi in the name of Sangolli Rayanna, who had fought against the British rulers.

Bommai said he met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding defence land and military school during a visit to New Delhi recently.

"Regarding handing over the 750 acres of defence land, the Defence Minister assured me that he would get all information first and then get it done at the earliest," the Chief Minister said.

On the proposed Sangolli Rayanna Military school in Belagavi, Bommai said Singh has assured him a decision to this effect would be taken soon. He said the defence Ministry has carried out an inspection.

To a query on the preparation for the budget, Bommai said the process has started with meetings of several departments.

"I am going to hold meetings on Monday and Tuesday. Keeping in mind the demands of various departments and the various schemes of central and State governments, we will prepare the upcoming budget," Bommai told reporters.

He said he has given directions to the officials for resource mobilisation.

To a question on a special package for north Karnataka, Bommai said it was not possible to disclose the contents of the budget at this juncture and it would be inappropriate to say anything on this issue.

Asked about investigating into the role of some suspects who instigated the 'hijab' (scarf) issue, Bommai said the High Court is seized of the matter and would hear the case on a day-to-day basis.

"The court has passed an interim order. Our priority is to ensure law and order in the State and give children the education. So, we want schools to re-open. The High Court too has said the same thing," the Chief Minister said.

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Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.

In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.

Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.

Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.

According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.

He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.

He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.

Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.

He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.

Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.

He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.