Siddaramiah hints at continuing as CM, says he will present 17th budget next year
Bengaluru (PTI): Signalling that he intends to continue as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asserted that he would present his record 17th Budget next year.
Siddaramaiah, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented his 16th budget in March.
He was speaking at the golden jubilee of LG Havanur, marking submission of the first backward classes commission report.
"When I first became finance minister, a newspaper wrote -- this Siddaramaiah (a Kuruba) can't count a hundred sheep, how will he function as Karnataka's finance minister -- I accepted this as a challenge..... I have presented 16 budgets. Next, I will present the 17th budget," Siddaramaiah said, drawing loud applause.
The 2026-27 budget is likely to be presented in March next year, and preparatory work has already begun.
Siddaramaiah's comments come amid speculations about a possible leadership change in the state, when the Congress government reaches the halfway mark of its five-year term in November, which is being referred to by some as the "November revolution".
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy CM.
There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.
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Davanagere: Students complain to ADC after finding worm in hostel idli-sambar
Davanagere: Students of Dr B.R. Ambedkar Post-Matric Hostel at SPS Nagar on Budal Road filed a complaint with the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) after allegedly finding a worm in the idli-sambar served to them.
The students brought a plate of the food to the ADC to highlight the issue. They alleged that unhygienic items such as hair, small stones, sticks and insects are being found in the food regularly.
They also complained that neither the kitchen staff nor the hostel warden was taking the issue seriously.
Responding to the complaint, ADC Sheelvant Shivakumar assured the students that action would be taken if lapses were found. He said he would visit the hostel soon to inspect the kitchen and check whether food is being served as per the approved menu.
