Karnataka: BJP Yuva Morcha Secretary says he will take part in Tipu Jayanti celebrations
Bengaluru: In what came as a surprise to many, BJP Yuva Morcha Secretary Sharath Bachegowda, son of BJP MP Bachegowda on Friday added that he will celebrate Tipu Jayanti, a statement straightaway contradicting with his party’s stand over the issue.
BJP had been opposing the celebration of the Mysore ruler adding that he was a ‘religious bigot’ ever since the Siddaramaiah led Congress government decided to celebrate his Jayanti. BJP continued protesting against the celebration during the JD(s)-Congress coalition government in the state.
In a video that is going viral on social media, Sharath is seen saying that he will celebrate Tipu Jayanti in Bengaluru’s Thammarasanahalli. Political experts believe that there has arisen internal conflict of interest within the saffron party’s cadre over the issue.
Sharath was reportedly speaking at a religious program in Bengaluru when he made the statement, a local youth elated by the statement of Sharath is seen showering currency notes on Sharath.
#BIGNEWS: Sulking BJP leader and the party's youth wing secretary Sharath Bachegowda openly claims he'll celebrate Tipu Jayanti, going against the saffron party's ideology which opposes celebration of the Muslim King's birth anniversary. @BJP4Karnataka @INCKarnataka pic.twitter.com/hpaELCqWz4
— NEWS9 (@NEWS9TWEETS) October 25, 2019
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Adani Group emerges lowest bidder for Bengaluru’s 16.75-km tunnel road project
Bengaluru: The Adani Group has become the lowest bidder for both packages of the proposed 16.75-km tunnel road project in Bengaluru, according to sources familiar with the bids opened by Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE).
According to a report published by Deccan Herald on Monday, the government estimated the entire project to cost Rs 17,698 crore, while the Adani Group has quoted Rs 22,267 crore. The ports-to-power conglomerate’s bid is about 24% higher for the first package and 28% higher for the second than the government’s estimates, a gap that could prompt authorities to seek the state Cabinet’s approval on the tenders’ fate.
M Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), who is also the Managing Director of B-SMILE, declined to comment.
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In all, four infrastructure companies had participated in the tenders for the project, which has been proposed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, with 40% funding from the government and the remaining investment to be raised by the private concessionaire.
During the technical evaluation, the Adani Group and the Hyderabad-based Vishwa Samudra Engineering Ltd qualified for the financial round.
According to the report, Dilip Buildcon was disqualified due to a clause that bars firms linked to collapsed bridges or tunnels, while Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) was rejected because its joint venture (JV) partner did not meet technical requirements.
With only two companies left in the fray, the Adani Group emerged as the lowest bidder, ahead of Vishwa Samudra.
The tunnel project officially named the North–South underground corridor, is part of the Congress government’s ambitious to ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion by building two major underground roads (totalling 40 km) along with 13 flyovers and elevated corridors.
The project is the brainchild of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru development minister.
The proposal, however, has faced criticism and political opposition, especially from senior BJP leaders, who object to the alignment that requires acquiring six acres of Lalbagh Botanical Garden, a historic green space.
As per the report, Urban mobility experts have also warned that the tunnel corridor may clash with the alignment of Namma Metro’s Phase 3A, possibly affecting the metro expansion.
