BJP leader CT Ravi warns retaliation if Congress eyes to induct leaders from his party in Karnataka

Vartha Bharati | 19-08-2023 | 19:55:00 IST

Bengaluru, Aug 19: Amid speculations that Congress was looking at inducting leaders from other parties in Karnataka, ahead of Lok Sabha polls, BJP leader C T Ravi on Saturday warned the ruling party of a strong retaliation.

The former BJP national general secretary advised the Congress to focus on giving good administration as it has full majority in the Assembly, and not to indulge in any misadventure.

''I want to tell Congress people --you won in the election, you got 135 seats, also independents are supporting your government, so focus on giving good administration. Leaving that if you try to do too much, we know how to do Operation Hasta-- the hand, which is Congress' symbol-- (like Operation Lotus). If we do it, you know what will be the consequence,'' Ravi said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said Congress need not worry about numbers as it has a clear majority, despite that if it tries to play too much, the situation will be bad, and advised the ruling party not to bring itself to such a situation.

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''You (Congress) have a clear majority, give good administration for which the people have voted to power, instead of that if you try to do something unnecessary, we are not the sort of people who will remain silent, and if we do something -- I can say this much -- you will not be able to raise or get up -- if they (Congress) cross limits it is not right for me to say what we will do, but one can touch and feel it,'' he said.

There have been speculation in political and media circles in the state that few leaders and sitting MLAs from the opposition -- especially the BJP, who had earlier quit the Congress, leading to the collapse of the then Congress-JD(S) coalition government in 2019 -- will be rejoining the party ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

State Congress president and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's statement on Wednesday that several political workers were willing to join the party, and a decision will be taken keeping in mind party interest and aimed at increasing the votes share in Lok Sabha polls, has added to the speculations.

Pointing out that after 2018 Assembly polls, BJP had got 104 seats and no party had got a clear majority, Ravi trying to defend defections of Congress-JD(S) MLAs to BJP in 2019 said, ''Congress-JD(S) tried to run a coalition government but within three months, situation had turned to worst between the alliance partners, and they also lost Lok Sabha polls despite a joint contest.'' ''As there was a sense of uncertainty and anarchy, they (Congress and JDS MLAs) felt BJP was an alternative and came out,'' he said, noting that the situation is not similar now, as Congress has a clear majority.

Asserting that no one will quit BJP and go, Ravi said Congress is not in a position to keep its own senior leaders in good terms, and everything is not good within the ruling party.

''I don't think anyone will go...despite that if Congress tries to do something excessively, we know how to save our party and respond politically,'' he added.

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K'taka govt contemplating hiking water tariff by 1 paise per litre: DK Shivakumar

14-03-2025 ¦ 14-03-2025 IST

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar

Bengaluru, Mar 14 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said the government was planning to hike the water tariff by one paise per litre, claiming that water rates in Bengaluru have not been revised since 2014.

In view of the losses, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has proposed a hike of seven to eight paise per litre, he said.

"But I have told them that 7-8 paise is too much. The government is contemplating a one-paise hike per litre. We will discuss the matter with city MLAs before making a decision," said Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio.

The minister was responding to Congress MLC Ramoji Gowda, who urged the government to expedite the supply of Cauvery water to households given the approaching summer.

"We had a difficult year last year. As many as 7,000 borewells dried up, forcing the government to take over private water tankers. We have executed the Cauvery 5th Stage project, which is providing water to 110 villages," he said.

March 22 is Water Conservation Day, and the government has decided to observe a month-long campaign to create awareness about water conservation, he added, in a statement issued by his office.

Shivakumar alleged that builders had constructed large apartment complexes but had not paid deposits to the BWSSB.

"They have taken connections illegally. We have issued notices to them," he said.

He also warned that the government would take over water tankers this summer as well.

"The water tanker business has become a mafia. We have also decided to fill all the lakes with treated water to help recharge groundwater. The Cauvery 6th Stage plan is also ready," he said.

Noting that many people were using drinking water to wash livestock and water gardens, the minister added, "Many of them are covering bare ground with concrete, which affects water absorption. We will take action on these issues. The water conservation month will help create awareness about all these concerns."

Responding to BJP MLC Keshava Prasad, who raised concerns about compensation for those displaced by the Alamatti Dam and objections raised by Maharashtra, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "I believe an all-party delegation must go to Delhi and urge the Centre to issue a Gazette notification on the third stage of the Upper Krishna project."

When MLC Nagaraj Yadav drew attention to delays in waste disposal, Shivakumar said, "Solid waste management has become a mafia. A tender was called in the past, but vendors collectively moved the court, halting all work."

He added, "The court has yet to deliver a judgment. Some MLAs are blackmailing us over garbage dumping pits—I don’t want to name them. They are demanding Rs 800 crore for their constituencies. Garbage trucks have been parked in Mahadevapura constituency for several days now, and it has become a major issue."

"We are planning to visit Indore to study their waste management model. We haven’t called for a tender, yet the Opposition is claiming I have made Rs 15,000 crore," Shivakumar stated.

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