Ministers to go to rain affected districts & oversee relief work: Karnataka CM Bommai
Bengaluru(PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said that all ministers of his government would travel to rain battered districts in the state and oversee relief work there.
He said a survey is on to estimate the damage and the compensation will be announced at the earliest.
"Several Ministers are in the rain affected districts as this was unseasonal rain. Some Ministers, who couldn't do so earlier, will also go. All Ministers will go to their districts," Bommai said.
Speaking to reporters, he pointed out that there is need to get the Election Commission's permission as well, in the wake of December 10 legislative council polls and that he has spoken to the EC in this regard.
"I have told the commission to allow Ministers to hold meetings with officials, to permit the survey work. The Chief Secretary will also be writing to the Election Commission in this regard. Ministers will go to the affected districts immediately," he added.
The biennial election to the Karnataka Legislative Council from 20 Local Authorities Constituencies for 25 seats, due to retirement of sitting members, will be held on December 10, and the Model Code of Conduct is in place.
Noting that the depression in the Bay of Bengal has resulted in unexpected, untimely, widespread rains in the south and north interior and coastal parts of the state, Bommai said that due to excess rains in the interior regions in the last few days, there are reports of destruction of crops, connecting roads and bridges, and loss of lives in some places.
He said that during the recent video conference, district administrations were directed to survey losses at all affected regions.
Pointing out that continuous rains made it difficult to do surveys in some areas, the Chief Minister said "Preliminary or eyesight surveys have begun where the rains have reduced and information is getting uploaded on the portal. From today evening we will examine the reports, discuss with officials on the funds required, following which the compensation will be announced."
During the rains in July, August and September, three lakh farmers had lost their crops and the government has already released compensation, he said, adding that Rs 130 crore was pending and that he has ordered for its immediate disbursement through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer).
The CM said he has already inspected a few rain affected areas of Bengaluru city and that he would continue to do so in future as well. Bommai, in response to a question, said "We care for Bengaluru. Officials have been directed to take up project and repair works once the rain reduces and preparations are on. Work will be taken up on a war footing."
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
