Govt to take decision on COVID curbs based on experts' report: CM Bommai
Bengaluru, Jan 27: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said the state government will review the COVID-19 situation soon, and take decisions regarding the curbs that are in place, after obtaining the experts' committee report in this connection.
He said the government is coming out with a book on its achievements so far, as it completes six months in office, tomorrow.
"We (Ministers) have discussed several issues including COVID situation, how to manage it in the days to come, representations given by various organisations (for relaxations), regarding the functioning of schools and colleges among others. We have referred it to the experts' committee," Bommai said.
Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting here, he said once we get the report from the experts' committee, a meeting will be held in about three or four days and certain decisions will be taken.
Last week, the state government had decided to lift the week-end curfew imposed in view of the spike in coronavirus infections, while deciding to continue the the night curfew between 10PM to 5AM everyday, and all other COVID curbs including 50 per cent capacity rules in cinema halls, pubs, clubs, restaurants, bars, hotels and eating places.
Noting that the Ministers after cabinet meeting, also discussed the upcoming Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections, the CM said it has been decided to conduct these polls successfully, whenever it happens, by deploying Ministers from other districts along with those from Bengaluru.
A decision was also taken to make preparations for Zilla and Taluk Panchayat elections.
Alluding to the completion of six months in office tomorrow, he said a book will be released on the achievements of his government so far.
Bommai said discussions were held on the programmes to be implemented until 2023 and publicise the work done during the last six months.
It has been decided that Ministers during the next one week through the media will inform people about the performance of their departments.
He further said that the meeting for coordination between the party (BJP) and the government that was postponed will be convened soon.
"We have discussed and decided to move ahead and work united," he added.
To a question regarding plans to meet the party high command in Delhi soon, he said he was in constant touch with the party leadership, and will pay a visit, if they call.
"Normally during the parliament session it is a practice for CM to hold a meeting with all MPs from the state in Delhi, there is a plan for such a meeting as well," he added.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
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.
