Mangaluru: CM Siddaramaiah inaugurates D.K. District administrative center ‘Praja Soudha’
engages in heated exchange with BJP MLA Kamath
Mangaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday inaugurated the Dakshina Kannada District Magistrate’s Office Complex, officially named ‘Praja Soudha’, constructed at Padil in Mangaluru. The inauguration was attended by Speaker U.T. Khader, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh, and several other dignitaries.
In the event, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah engaged in a sharp exchange with Mangaluru South BJP MLA Vedavyas Kamath over claims made during the latter’s speech. Kamath, who spoke before the Chief Minister, credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Smart City project, calling it the PM’s dream, and suggested that the new developments would not have materialized without the Centre’s involvement.
He also expressed frustration that efforts made during the BJP government's tenure, especially regarding the stalled Urva Sports Complex project and the issuance of right certificates to over 690 families in 2023 were being ignored. Kamath criticized Congress workers for allegedly installing unauthorized banners across the city to welcome the Chief Minister, while earlier, flexes put up for traditional local events like Kola, Nema, and Bhajana Mangalotsavas were reportedly removed under rule enforcement.
Kamath also condemned what he called the political appropriation of development projects by the Congress, urging the ruling party not to politicize public welfare issues.
In a strong rebuttal, CM Siddaramaiah responded directly to Kamath’s statements, warning against the distortion of history and the politicization of development. “Mr. Kamath, I consider myself fortunate to have performed the puja for this building and to inaugurate it today. You said Smart City is PM Modi’s dream. Yes, but do you know that the state government also contributes 50 percent of the funding for Smart City projects? The foundation stone for this project was laid in 2015. You were in power for four years. Why didn’t your government complete this project then? If the funds had been utilized then, it wouldn’t have taken so long,” Siddaramaiah asserted.
He credited senior Congress leader Ramanath Rai for the realization of ‘Praja Soudha’, stating that Rai had persistently demanded a new office for the district administration. “Ramanath Rai was the one who insisted on this project. Know your history. Don’t distort it. Let’s do politics, but not in the realm of development,” Siddaramaiah said, drawing cheers from party workers present at the venue.
The Chief Minister also used the occasion to appeal for peace and harmony in Dakshina Kannada district. “Ours is a garden of peace for all communities, a society where humans love one another. Let’s strengthen this spirit and move toward social justice. Let’s ensure that no communal tensions arise in this district, which is home to some of the most intelligent people in the state,” he said.
Fulfilling pre-election promises, Siddaramaiah announced that a new medical college has been sanctioned for Puttur. A 250-bed hospital is already under construction, and an additional 250.
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Road crash in UP leaves 10 dead
Lakhimpur Kheri (UP) (PTI): Ten people were killed when a van collided head-on with a truck on the Sisaiya-Lakhimpur national highway on Monday, police said.
The van was going to Sisaiya from Lakhimpur when the accident took place between Unchgaon and Bharehta villages.
Circle Officer of Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh, said all nine passengers travelling in the van and the driver were killed.
District Magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri Anjani Kumar Singh told reporters that the van collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction, leading to nine casualties on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at the district hospital.
Circle Officer, Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh told PTI, "Efforts are on to establish the identity of other deceased persons."
The seven of the deceased have been identified as Jaideep Singh (25), Pawan (23), Sohan (21), Ram Goyal (42), Sahajram (35), Pappu (18), all residents of Bahraich district and Adnan Khan (15), a resident of Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said.
Condoling the loss of lives in the accident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a post on X, said, "The loss of life in the unfortunate road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply distressing and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families."
"I have directed the local administration to provide prompt and adequate assistance to the injured and the victims. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed souls a place at His divine feet and to bestow a speedy recovery upon the injured," Adityanath said on X.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak too condoled the loss of lives in the accident.
"The loss of lives resulting from the road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply tragic and heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families," Maurya said.
