PM Modi rejected Karnataka’s request for GIFT City-like zone: Dy CM DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar recently alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi refused a proposal made by the Karnataka government to grant a zone like GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec) City in the state.
While speaking at the inauguration of the Knowledge, Wellbeing, and Innovation (KWIN) City in Vidhana Soudha on Thursday, DK Shivakumar stated that CM Siddaramaiah and he had appealed to the PM to a grant a GIFT City for Karnataka during their previous visit to Delhi. “He refused, saying that it will not be allowed, and that the existing GIFT City will remain the only financial hub,” the Deputy CM was quoted as saying by Deccan Herald.
GIFT City was established in April 2015 in Gandhinagar. Spread over 886 acres, it hosts global financial institutions, special economic zones and gives 100 percent tax exemption for 10 consecutive years.
DK Shivakumar mentioned that the KWIN City will not be a concrete jungle as it is built with a purpose. He highlighted that it is a sustainable city aimed to enhance the quality of life for its residents.
“Let’s all work together, and create a more vibrant Karnataka, and India will grow stronger, with Karnataka being the base. To make this happen, we have to take KWIN City to level in terms of development,” said Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru Development Minister.
Karnataka’s ambitious KWIN City is expected to come between Dobbaspete and Doddaballapura. The key districts of KWIN City are Knowledge, Health, Innovation, and Research. Spread across 5800 acres, it is expected to generate opportunities across sectors like healthcare, biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.
KWIN City is designed to accommodate 500,000 residents and would harness half of its water requirements through an advanced rainwater harvesting system, with an additional 20% supplied by borewells. It will also feature a solar farm spanning 465 acres, capable of generating 0.69 million MWh to meet its entire energy requirements.
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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.
