Contractor payment issues a legacy of previous BJP government: D.K. Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday attributed the ongoing contractor payment delays in Karnataka to financial mismanagement by the previous BJP government.
Speaking during the "Bengaluru Nadige” (Walk for Bengaluru) initiative at Vengayyana Kere Eco Park in K.R. Puram, Shivakumar said that the former BJP administration had sanctioned projects far exceeding the state’s budgetary limits, resulting in the current crisis.
“The contractors’ dues are not my personal responsibility. I have already convened a meeting with their association to discuss the matter. I am not afraid of threats,” Shivakumar said, addressing citizens during an interaction session.
He added that the present Congress government is clearing the pending bills in a phased manner. “We are making payments step by step, and will continue to do so until the issue is resolved. If anyone demands a bribe, the affected parties should file formal complaints with evidence. Talking to the media will not bring a solution,” he cautioned.
During the event, a local resident, Sultan Mirza, complained that a revenue officer in K.R. Puram was demanding a bribe of ₹10,000–₹15,000 for processing official documents. Shivakumar immediately directed officials to take action against Revenue Officer Basavaraj over the allegation.
In another grievance, a resident named Vignesh tearfully told Shivakumar that his neighbor, Mallikarjun, had allegedly blocked his house entrance and was demanding ₹10 lakh to allow access. Responding firmly, Shivakumar said, “It doesn’t matter whether they belong to the Congress, BJP, or any other group — strict action will be taken. File a complaint with the police immediately, and I will ensure action is taken by this evening.”
He further instructed municipal officials to visit the site, investigate the situation, and take legal action if threats or extortion were confirmed.
Shivakumar reiterated that his government would not tolerate corruption or intimidation and would continue to clear contractors’ dues while ensuring accountability among officials.
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.
Sunetra Pawar elected as NCP's legislature party leader
Mumbai (PTI): Rajya Sabha member Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected as the leader of the NCP legislature party in Maharashtra on Saturday, three days after the death of her husband and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
She is set to take oath as the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of the state later in the day.
Sunetra Pawar's name as the NCP's legislature party leader was proposed by senior leader Dilip Walse Patil and seconded by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal.
She was elected during a meeting of the party's legislature wing, held at the office of late Ajit Pawar on the ground floor of the Vidhan Bhavan complex in south Mumbai.
Ajit Pawar, who was deputy chief minister and finance minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government, was killed in a plane crash in Baramati along with four others on January 28.
Sunetra Pawar paid floral tributes to a portrait of her late husband in the meeting hall. Their younger son Jay was also present.
Many ministers and legislators were teary-eyed when they entered the Vidhan Bhavan complex.
The Lok Bhavan has confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony of Sunetra Pawar as the state deputy CM will be held at 5 pm in Mumbai.
Until the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Sunetra Pawar had kept a low profile. In the Lok Sabha elections that year, she contested from Baramati as the candidate of her husband's party, but was defeated by her sister-in-law and incumbent NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule in the prestige battle.
Sunetra Pawar was subsequently elected to the Rajya Sabha.
