Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar says Congress govt united, rejects other voices
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday played down speculation about a possible change in leadership, popularly dubbed the 'November Revolution', asserting that there was complete unity within the state government.
He said there is no need for media or the people in Congress to search for a leader.
“Only what the Chief Minister and I have spoken matters. Apart from that, no one else’s words carry any value,” the Deputy Chief Minister said, dismissing political rumours.
Speaking to reporters near the Kanteerava Stadium, Shivakumar stressed that the government’s focus remained on governance and development, not speculation.
He underlined that his coordination with CM Siddaramaiah was intact and that “it is precisely because of our unity that we have won 136 constituencies and increased our strength to 140.
On the issue of proposed Tunnel Road project in Bengaluru, which the BJP has been opposing, Shivakumar said, “I am ready to form a committee on the Tunnel Road issue under the leadership of Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka. The entry and exit points near Lalbagh will be designed at the place he suggests."
Clarifying that he was open to a bipartisan approach on city infrastructure, the Deputy CM said, “There is no need for Ashoka to sit on a demonstration because he is from Bengaluru. He has won from here seven to eight times. He too has a responsibility. The committee formed under his leadership itself should give advice and direction to the government. Whoever’s names, including Malleswaram MLA C N Ashwath Narayan, he suggests, they will be added to this committee. We all must work together and we will.”
Shivakumar revealed that he had personally inspected the Tunnel Road site near Lalbagh on Friday night.
“I visited the area near Lalbagh to examine where entry points could be provided. I am also considering alternative routes. There is no need for any anxiety,” he said, assuring that public interest would guide the project’s execution.
Responding to questions on who would hoist the flag during the upcoming Rajyotsava celebrations, Shivakumar brushed it aside.
“Then what was done now at the Stadium?” he counter questioned.
On the issue of linguistic and regional identity, the Deputy Chief Minister made his position clear.
Asked about the police taking selfies with Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti members in Belagavi and providing them protection, he remarked, “We will work to transform the MES members. A party or a group is working in Karnataka, and they too are Kannadigas. They too have entered the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.”
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Karnataka electoral roll SIR exercise to begin from June 20
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka will begin SIR of electoral rolls from June 20 as part of a nationwide exercise covering 16 states and three Union territories, CEO Anbu Kumar said on Friday.
The drive will cover more than 5.55 crore electors in the state, he said.
As per the schedule notified by the Election Commission (EC), preparation, training and printing activities will be carried out from June 20 to June 29 and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will conduct house-to-house visits from June 30 to July 29.
The rationalisation of polling stations is scheduled to be completed by July 29. The draft electoral roll will be published on August 5, following which claims and objections can be filed between August 5 and September 4.
The notice phase and disposal of claims and objections will continue from August 5 to October 3, and the final electoral roll will be published on October 7, it said.
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Addressing a press conference here, CEO Kumar said that in Karnataka, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer is fully prepared to proceed with the SIR of electoral rolls.
As part of this exercise, we have successfully mapped 86.46 per cent of our voters, he said.
"The primary objective of this entire exercise is to ensure that every eligible voter is enrolled, while simultaneously ensuring that no ineligible individuals are included in the voter list. Therefore, I seek the support and cooperation of all the voters of Karnataka, all political parties, and our friends from the media," he added.
According to the statement issued by the CEO's office, 59,050 BLOs will be involved in the SIR of the electoral roll in the state. The exercise will cover approximately 5,55,74,064 electors in the state as of May 12.
The SIR is a participative and transparent exercise involving electors, political parties and the election machinery. During the revision process, BLOs will undertake house-to-house visits for the distribution and collection of enumeration forms, the statement said.
Stating that there are currently 25,284 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by recognised political parties, the CEO urged all recognised political parties to appoint BLAs for every polling station to ensure active participation and transparency in the revision process.
Electors have been requested to cooperate with BLOs during the house-to-house distribution and collection of enumeration forms.
Further details regarding the revision process, forms and schedule will be made available on the official websites of the District Election Officers, the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, and the Election Commission of India, the statement said.
