Bengaluru, May 27: The BJP has called for ‘voluntary Karnataka bandh’ excluding Bengaluru tomorrow against the JDS-Congress coalition government alleging that Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has failed to keep his words on waiving off the farmers loan even after 24 hours of taking charge as the CM.

But the farmers and pro-Kannada organizations have not extended their support to this bandh called by the BJP. Hotel owners, businessmen, petrol bunk owners, lorry owners, auto drivers and others have clarified that they would not participate in the bandh. There is no holiday for schools and colleges. KSRTC and BMTC buses would ply as usual,. Auto Rickshaw and taxi service would also be there in the city. As per the court direction, there is no provision for bandh, police officers said.  

In view of this, except Bengaluru, the Karnataka bandh in Coastal region, Hubballi, Dharwad, Bellary, Belagavi and other cities would be a symbolic one.

BJP leader Ravi Kumar said that Kumaraswamy has cheated the farmers without fulfilling his promise. So, the people should observe bandh voluntarily. Believing the promises made in the election manifesto, the people have believed the JDS and given more seats than expected. Now, Kumaraswamy is telling that he could not waive off the farmers loans which is not acceptable, he said.

Condemning Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s anti-farmers stand, the BJP has called for Karnataka bandh. Thousands of party workers and himself would participate in the bandh. They would not hesitate to conduct the bandh even if the government caned them or put them before bars, said MLA B Sriramulu.

Meanwhile, leaders of state sugarcane growers association, Chamber of Kannada Films, farmers association and private vehicles owners association have denied their support to the bandh called by BJP. They said that they would not support this unilateral decision taken without discussing with the Chief Minister.

  • No holiday for schools and colleges
  • Cinemas and petrol bunks would function as usual
  • KSRTC and other government transport system would function as usual

 



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.



New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday, while lauding the win of the UDF in Kerala local bodies elections, also congratulated the BJP for its historic performance in his Thiruvananthapuram constituency, calling it the "beauty of democracy".

In a post on X, he said the people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in his constituency.

"What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through.

"A huge congratulations to @UDFKerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies! This is a massive endorsement and a powerful signal ahead of the state legislative elections. Hard work, a strong message and anti-incumbency have all clearly paid off to achieve a much better result than in 2020," Tharoor said.

He said he also acknowledges the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and "offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city corporation -” a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capital's political landscape."

Tharoor said he campaigned for a change from 45 years of the LDF "misrule", but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance.

"That is the beauty of democracy. The people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency.

"We will continue to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocating for the people's needs and upholding the principles of good governance. Onwards and upwards!" Tharoor, who is the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, said.

The lotus bloomed in the state capital as the BJP-led NDA achieved a resounding win in the polls for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, snatching it from the CPI(M)-led LDF and marking an end to 45 years of continuous Left rule in the local body.

The win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will act as a boost for the BJP in the 2026 Assembly polls, especially in the state capital.

Of the 101 wards in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP won 50, LDF 29, UDF 19 and two wards were won by independent candidates.

The BJP is one seat short of a decisive majority in the corporation.

Besides this, the NDA retained the Palakkad municipality after a close battle with the Congress-led UDF and wrested the Thrippunithura Municipality from the grand old party.

In Thrissur, from where Suresh Gopi won in the Lok Sabha polls last year, the BJP won 18 out of the 46 wards in Kodungallur Municipality, eight in Thrissur Corporation, two each in Guruvayoor and Vadakkancherry municipalities, seven in Kunnamkulam Municipality, six in Irinjalakuda Municipality and one in Chalakudy Municipality.