Bahutva Karnataka writes open letter to CM, demands measures to restore 'political health' of state
In a congratulatory message to the victorious party in Karnataka, Bahutva Karnataka, a civil society collective committed to justice, equality, communal harmony, and peace, emphasizes the need for immediate and long-term measures to restore the economic, social, cultural, and political health of the state. The collective highlights the disenchantment and disappointment of over 60% of the population with the policies and politics of the previous government, which caused distress and insecurity across various sections of society.
The recent elections witnessed significant participation from civil society organizations concerned about the impact of these policies on the vulnerable sections and democratic fabric of the state. The collective commends the party for raising awareness about large-scale corruption and emphasizes the importance of upholding constitutional commitments to justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Bahutva Karnataka had previously released sector-specific report cards evaluating the performance of the previous government in areas such as education, healthcare, women's rights, minority rights, workers' rights, and governance. Drawing from these reports, the collective emphasizes the following urgent measures for the new government:
Justice:
Abolish anti-labor laws allowing 12-hour workdays and address grievances of various workforces.
Provide land rights to slum residents and make the 2015 socio-economic educational survey public for enhancing accessibility to education.
Strengthen action against gender-based violence, renew Santwana Kendras, and empower commissions for women and child rights.
Increase funding for preserving forest and marine ecosystems, reviewing environmentally sensitive projects.
Repeal anti-farmer laws and legalize Minimum Support Price.
Ensure transparency in government decisions and tackle the practice of manual scavenging.
Liberty of Thought and Expression:
Uphold civil society's right to dissent and revoke restrictions on protests.
Revoke anti-conversion laws and promote tolerance and unbiased engagement with citizens.
Conduct Panchayat and Municipal elections to facilitate local body functioning.
Equality of Opportunities to Education and Health:
Fill teaching and support staff positions in educational institutions.
Increase school enrollments, allocate funds for infrastructure, and restore mid-day meal schemes.
Formulate a State Education Policy based on consultations with experts, ensuring holistic knowledge and critical thinking.
Allocate resources for improving public health infrastructure and enhance welfare schemes like Indira Canteens and free public transport.
Fraternity:
Address untouchability and inequality, promote diversity, and strictly deal with violations of fraternity and dignity.
Strengthen human rights commissions and involve citizens in decision-making through gram sabhas and public consultations.
The collective also calls for the implementation of a pre-legislative consultation policy to ensure public participation in the lawmaking process. They express their commitment to holding the government accountable and urge continued engagement on issues impacting public interest.
As Karnataka seeks renewal under the new government, the implementation of these measures is seen as crucial to transforming the state into a more just, equitable, and harmonious entity.
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Delhi Polls: BJP faces protest, placates MLA amid resentment over ticket distribution
New Delhi, Jan 12: Resentment surfaced in the BJP on Sunday over ticket distribution for Delhi Assembly polls, with a protest held outside its Delhi unit office and an angry outburst by the outgoing MLA from Karawal Nagar who was not included in the candidate list released a day earlier.
As MLA Mohan Singh Bisht threatened to revolt after being denied a ticket from Karawal Nagar, the party rushed to control the damage and announced his candidature from the Mustafabad seat this evening.
A group of protesters from Tughlakabad in South Delhi held a dharna at the gate of the Delhi BJP office, demanding a change in the candidate from the constituency.
"Vikram Bidhuri Tum Sangharsh Karo; Modi Se Bair Nahi, Rohtas Teri Khair Nahi," the protesters, including mostly youngsters, chanted as the party leaders tried to pacify them.
In the second list of BJP candidates for the polls declared on Saturday, Rohtas Bidhuri was fielded from the Tughlakabad seat. In 2020 Assembly polls, Vikram Bidhuri who is a relative of senior party leader Ramesh Bidhuri, lost to AAP's Sahiram by over 13,000 votes.
A similar protest was also held by some party workers outside the Delhi BJP office against Mehrauli candidate Gajainder Yadav after the announcement of the first list of candidates earlier this month.
Bisht, the senior-most BJP MLA in the outgoing Assembly elected five times from Karawal Nagar, openly expressed unhappiness over being denied the ticket to contest from his stronghold.
A senior party leader said he was pacified after a meeting with BJP chief JP Nadda.
Bisht, after getting the ticket from Mustafabad, expressed confidence that he would win the seat for the BJP.
"I met the national president and things were ironed out. I have assured that I will contest from Mustafabad and win the seat for the party," Bisht told PTI.
The MLA said he and the BJP had considerable support in Mustafabad and he has already attended two public meetings there.
The BJP won the Mustafabad seat, having a significant minority community presence, in the 2015 Assembly polls but lost it to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2020.
Earlier in the day, Bisht told PTI that the party's decision to replace him with Kapil Mishra was "wrong" and its consequences will be visible after voting on February 5.
"You have challenged the 'samaj' (his Uttarakhandi community), not Mohan Singh Bisht. The BJP will lose at least 8-10 seats because of this decision, including Karawal Nagar, Burari, Mustafabad and Gokalpuri," Bisht warned.
The BJP fielded Kapil Mishra, a Hindutva hardliner, from Karwal Nagar in North East Delhi, which was rocked by massive communal violence just after the 2020 Assembly polls.
Sources in the party claimed that there was also "deep resentment" among the Delhi BJP's Scheduled Castes Morcha leaders over being denied tickets from different constituencies including Madipur and Kondli.
A top Delhi BJP functionary stressed that there are many ticket aspirants, so it is natural for those who did not get selected to feel disappointed.
"The BJP is a disciplined party and its leaders understand this. Sooner or later, everyone will realise this and work for the victory of the party giving up their resentment," he said.
The elections to 70 Assembly seats in Delhi are scheduled on February 5. Results will be out after the counting of votes on February 8.
The BJP, out of power in Delhi since 1998, is making all-out efforts to return to power. In the 2015 and 2020 Assembly polls, the party was completely routed by the AAP, scraping through with just three and eight seats, respectively.
