Siddaramaiah declares retirement from election politics
Bagalkote, October 17: “In my political career, I have contested 13 elections and won in five. I have completed full five years as the chief minister. In future, I will not contest in any elections”, said former chief minister Siddaramaiah.
Speaking at a programme organized to felicitate newly elected town municipal council members at Guledgudda in Badami taluk on Wednesday, Siddaramaiah said that “I was elected as the MLA from Badami constituency. So, I am from North Karnataka. Already, I have spent six months and remaining four and half years would be spent here only. It is my duty to develop the constituency. I will not contest any elections in future. Now, I am 71 year old. I would not do politics in development issue. There is no need to contest elections to do development works”, he said giving clear message that he would continue in active politics.
On Tipu Jayanti, Siddaramaiah said that whoever may be the opponent, it was the duty of one to fight. Earlier, winning in wars was the Rajadharma. But in this democratic system, ensuring justice to everyone was the Rajadharma. Many people have not studied the history properly. So, they have been creating unnecessary confusions, he criticized BJP leaders indirectly.
Speaking to reporters before, Siddaramaiah retaliated in his own version to MP Shobha Karandlaje’s statement that he was a toothless snake. “MP Shobha Karandlaje does not have common sense. I am not a snake. I am a human being. I don’t know whether Shobha belongs to that category or not. Whether the snakes have tooth or not, we have to give milk. What is the relationship between milk and snake? Should we need tooth to drink milk? While speaking, Shobha should understand her position and behave. She should stop speaking lightly in future”, he said.
“BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa speaking lie is not a new thing. He does not know how to speak truth. He speaks lie. Unfortunately media people believe him. He does not have any bomb. Even if he has, it is fake bomb”, Siddaramaiah ridiculed.
On joint campaigning with HD Deve Gowda for by-elections to three Lok Sabha and two Assembly constituencies, Siddaramaiah said that all details would be given in a joint press conference on October 20.
When asked about the entry of women into Sabarimala temple, Siddaramaiah said that people should respect the Supreme Court verdict.
Former ministers SR Patil, RB Thimmapur and HY Meti, former MLA BB Chimmanakatti and others were present.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Vartha Bharati launches Kalyana Karnataka edition, releases 23rd annual special issue in Kalaburagi
Kalaburagi: The Kalyana Karnataka edition of the Kannada daily Vartha Bharati was formally launched on Saturday at a programme held at Dr S M Pandit Rangamandir in Kalaburagi. The event also marked the release of the newspaper’s twenty-third annual special issue, a compilation of selected editorials, and the Kalyana Karnataka special supplement.
The programme was inaugurated by Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader. The Kalyana Karnataka edition of Vartha Bharati was unveiled by Siddharth Varadarajan, Editor-in-Chief of The Wire.
The twenty-third annual special issue was released by multilingual actor Prakash Raj. The book compiling selected editorials of Vartha Bharati was released by B R Patil, Vice-Chairperson of the State Policy and Planning Commission and MLA from Aland. The Kalyana Karnataka special supplement was released by Rahim Khan, Minister for Municipal Administration and Haj.
ALSO READ: Kalaburagi: ‘Vartha Bharati’ Kalyana Karnataka edition launched
Chairperson of the State Waqf Board and Sajjada Nashin of the Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah, Hazrat Syed Mohammed Ali Al Husseini, and Kalaburagi South MLA Allamaprabhu Patil were present as chief guests.
Among the special invitees on the dais were Koraneshwara Mahaswamiji of the Tontadarya Anubhava Mantapa, Aland; Bishop Rev Fr Robert Miranda of Kalaburagi; Bhante Varajyothi of Anandur; social activist K Neela; farmers’ leader Chamarasa Mali Patil; DSS state convenor D G Sagar; and activist and singer Ambanna Arolikar.
Speaking on the occasion, Assembly Speaker U T Khader said Vartha Bharati had emerged as the voice of the weak and the voiceless in society and had earned the love, trust and confidence of people across the state. He said the newspaper had carved out a distinct identity in the media landscape and expressed happiness that it was now reaching the Kalyana Karnataka region. He added that Vartha Bharati had remained free from political pressures and inducements and expressed hope that it would continue to stand as a support system for the distressed.
B R Patil said running a newspaper in the present times was not easy, as the media sector had increasingly turned into an industry driven by profit. Amidst such challenges, he said, Vartha Bharati had maintained integrity, honesty and commitment throughout its twenty-three-year journey. He expressed confidence that the newspaper would continue on the same path. Referring to Kalaburagi, he noted that the region frequently witnessed agitations due to the large number of unresolved issues, and said Vartha Bharati should continue to bring the problems and suffering of the people to the attention of the government and contribute to finding solutions.
