72 first-timers, series of resignations, BJP's struggles continue ahead of assembly polls in K'taka
Bengaluru: As the Assembly elections in Karnataka approach, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is dealing with the challenge of having 72 first-time candidates and the resignation of several senior leaders, including Jagadish Shettar, from the party. Despite this setback, the BJP has expressed confidence in its ability to field new candidates as instructed by the party high command and has maintained that the departure of senior leaders will not affect its chances in the upcoming polls.
However, Congress leader Siddaramaiah has criticized the BJP's treatment of Shettar, whom he believes has been derogated by the party. Siddaramaiah also accused the BJP of attempting to win over the Lingayat community, to which Shettar belongs, through another senior leader BS Yediyurappa.
Veteran Congressman Shamanuru Shivashankarappa and Congress legislator MB Patil have convinced Shettar to join the Congress. In response to this development, the BJP has highlighted the apolitical relationship between Shettar and Shivashankarappa, whose granddaughter is married to Shettar's son, to indicate the influence of personal relationships on political moves.
According to Arun Singh, the Karnataka In-charge of the BJP, Shettar was promised a national-level post, including membership of the Rajya Sabha, by the party high command. Despite this assurance, Shettar decided to leave the party and join the Congress. Singh suggested that voters do not appreciate individuals who work solely for their own interests.
Another prominent leader who recently quit the BJP is former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, who joined the Congress after being denied a party ticket for the upcoming elections. These resignations and the addition of new candidates have made the political climate in Karnataka more unpredictable in the lead-up to the Assembly elections.
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Andhra CM promises housing for all poor by 2029
Amaravati (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said his government will ensure housing for all the poor before 2029 and allocate housing plots for those who do not own land.
Addressing the Assembly, the Chief Minister urged eligible beneficiaries who have not received a house to apply, assuring that both the central and state governments would take the responsibility for providing housing to all.
“We will not only build houses for all the poor before 2029 but also provide housing plots to landless people,” said Naidu, adding that the government intends to build houses for all the poor.
Noting that the state government aims to allot housing plots to all before 2029, Naidu said it will build apartments if housing plots were not available.
Ahead of Ugadi festival in 2026, the CM said the government will organise three lakh house warming ceremonies under welfare housing, vowing to organise 10 lakh such events within 2026.
On agriculture, Naidu said the southern state accounts for 10 percent of agricultural production at the national level.
He outlined a five-pronged approach of water security, demand-driven crops, food processing, marketing and government support to develop agriculture.
In fiscal 2025 – 26, the CM said Rs 13,772 crore has been earmarked for free power to agriculture, and a financial aid of Rs 20,000 per annum is being given to farmers under Annadata Sukhibava welfare scheme.
According to him, only Rs 7,500 was given to farmers during the previous YSRCP regime. He highlighted that the TDP-led NDA government is offering more than double that amount.
The TDP supremo also announced plans to expand AI agronomist and farm mechanisation services on a large-scale.
Noting that Rs 14,230 crore investments have flowed into the food processing sector, Naidu said the government is concentrating on this front.
Observing that 15 lakh acres are under natural farming in 8,168 villages, he said the target is to expand it to 50 lakh acres.
Besides setting up a large cocoa city near Eluru, he said the government will provide power at Rs 1.5 per unit to aquaculture, among other initiatives.
Assuring continued support, Naidu said his government would stand by farmers in all circumstances and also extend assistance to tenant farmers.
Meanwhile, Irrigation Minister N Rama Naidu informed the House that water would be supplied up to Anakapalli by June 2026 through Polavaram left main canal.
He also said that the government has allocated Rs 600 crore in FY27 budget for Sujala Sravanti project in North Andhra.
The House was later adjourned till Wednesday, March 4.
