Rs 1,350 cr development push counters BJP’s 'no funds' narrative: CM Siddaramaiah
Davangere (Karnataka), Jun 16 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday laid the foundation for development projects worth Rs 1,350 crore in Davangere district and hit out at the BJP for its accusations that the state government lacks the financial strength to deliver on its promises.
Later, speaking at a public function, Siddaramaiah said, "In a single day, we have inaugurated and launched development works worth ₹1,350 crore. If we had no money, could this have been possible? The BJP’s lies stand exposed."
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CM said, "What use is a 56-inch chest when there’s no space in it for the poor and the middle class? His chest might be wide, but there is no compassion inside it."
Siddaramaiah accused the BJP of deliberately spreading misinformation.
"From the Prime Minister down to the local BJP leaders, they claimed that our guarantees would never be implemented. Today, all five guarantees are in force. People across Karnataka, including BJP voters, are benefiting," he said.
Highlighting Karnataka’s fiscal strength, he pointed out that the state now boasts one of the largest budgets and ranks second in the country for GST collection. "This proves our economy is growing and progressing," the chief minister asserted.
In a direct comparison with the previous BJP government, Siddaramaiah said, "When they were in power, not a single house was given to the people. Today, we allotted 1,892 houses to the urban working class in Davangere district alone."
The CM emphasised that his government’s goal is to empower all sections of society, irrespective of caste, class, or religion.
"We are committed to economic and social justice as envisioned by Dr B R Ambedkar. We don’t see caste or party lines when it comes to development," he said.
Siddaramaiah also challenged BJP state president B Y Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka for a public debate on the state’s finances and developmental progress.
"If what I said about the Centre’s betrayal is false, I will never step on a public stage again," he declared.
The CM criticised the central government’s alleged apathy towards Karnataka, stating that the 15th Finance Commission had discriminated against the state to the tune of Rs 11,500 crore.
"The BJP government at the Centre did not release even a single rupee out of the Rs 5,000 crore it had announced for the Bhadra Upper River Project," he said.
Referring to the rising cost of living, Siddaramaiah blamed PM Modi for the surge in prices of fuel, gold, and fertilisers.
"Modi’s ‘Achhe Din’ is just a slogan. Has anyone seen these good days?" he asked.
Taking stock of recent electoral trends, Siddaramaiah said the people of Karnataka had rejected the BJP’s falsehoods in recent bypolls.
"In Shiggaon and Channapatna assembly bypolls, people defeated the children of former chief ministers. We also won in Sandur. We will win again in the next election," he added.
ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿಗೆ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಬಳಿ ಹಣ ಇಲ್ಲ ಎನ್ನುವ ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯ ಹಸಿ ಸುಳ್ಳುಗಳಿಗೆ ತಕ್ಕ ಉತ್ತರ ನೀಡುವ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದೇ ದಿನ ₹1,350 ಕೋಟಿ ವೆಚ್ಚದ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಉದ್ಘಾಟಿಸಿ, ಶಂಕುಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ ನೆರವೇರಿಸಿದ್ದೇವೆ.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) June 16, 2025
56 ಇಂಚಿನ ಎದೆಯ ಪ್ರಧಾನಿ @narendramodi ಅವರು ನಿಷ್ಕ್ರಿಯ ಆಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಎದೆ ಎಷ್ಟು ಇಂಚಿದೆ ಎನ್ನುವುದು… pic.twitter.com/cQnUlyz0Ya
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3 Indians arrested in Canada for shooting outside home
Ottawa (PTI): Three Indian nationals have been arrested by Canadian police on an anti-extortion patrol and charged after bullets were fired at a home.
Harjot Singh (21), Taranveer Singh (19) and Dayajeet Singh Billing (21) face one count each of discharging a firearm, and all have been remanded in custody until Thursday, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) said in a statement on Monday.
The suspects were arrested by patrol officers after an early morning report of shots fired and a small fire outside a home in Surrey's Crescent Beach neighbourhood, the LakelandToday reported.
On February 1, 2026, the SPS members were patrolling in Surrey’s Crescent Beach neighbourhood when reports came in of shots being fired and a small fire outside a residence near Crescent Road and 132 Street.
The three accused were arrested by SPS officers a short time later, the statement said.
SPS’s Major Crime Section took over the investigation, and the three men have now been charged with Criminal Code offences, it said.
All three have been charged with one count each of discharging a firearm into a place contrary to section 244.2(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be forthcoming. All three have been remanded in custody until February 5, 2026.
The SPS has confirmed they are all foreign nationals and has engaged the Canada Border Services Agency, it said.
One of the suspects suffered injuries, including two black eyes, the media report said.
Surrey police Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said on Monday that the suspect had refused to comply with instructions to get out of the ride-share vehicle and started to "actively resist."
"As we were trained, he was taken to the ground and safely handcuffed," said Houghton.
A second suspect with a black eye was also injured in the arrest after refusing to comply, Houghton said.
The arresting officers were part of Project Assurance, an initiative that patrols neighbourhoods that have been targeted by extortion violence.
Houghton said the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is also involved because the men are foreign nationals, and the trio may face additional charges.
It's not clear if the men are in the country on tourist visas, a study permit, or a work permit, but Houghton said CBSA has started its own investigation into the men's status.
Surrey has seen a number of shootings at homes and businesses over the last several months, but there's been an escalation since the new year.
