Congress govt in Karnataka will fall due to own contradictions: Ex-Karnataka CM Bommai
Senior BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday predicted that the Congress government in Karnataka will fall due to its own contradictions, after the Lok Sabha poll results are out. Claiming that there were internal differences in the ruling party and "competition" between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, the former CM also stated that there may be a vertical split in the Congress at the national level after the poll results and that too may have its impact on the government in the state.
"Statements were made by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister during the Lok Sabha election. The CM on one side said -- if you don't vote for us (Congress) in large numbers it will be difficult for me to continue. While on the other hand, Deputy CM said -- you (people) voted for Congress thinking I will become Chief Minister but you were let down and in the days to come I will become (CM)," Bommai told reporters here.
He further said, "no ministers contested the polls, instead they fielded their children. These are big indications that things are not fine in this government, there are internal differences over several issues. There are lobbies, and there was a short break for them due to elections, but they will restart activities once again."
"The Congress government will fall due to its own contradictions. More than anything else, it is certain that Narendra Modi will become Prime Minister for the third time, and within a few months after that there will be a lot of changes in All India Congress, it won't be surprising if there is a vertical split, and that too will have its implications in Karnataka." The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka, completed one year in office on Monday. Responding to a question, Bommai said the BJP has no agenda, and the party will only "wait and watch" the developments.
"Difference of opinion is natural in any government, there are no governments without differences, but here it is not mere difference of opinion, here there is competition. One person is on his toes to become the Chief Minister, while the other doesn't want to give up the CM post to anyone. This competition between personalities has resulted in bigger political implications in the past, in Karnataka's history," he said.
The BJP and JD(S) leaders in the state have predicted the collapse of the Congress government after the Lok Sabha polls, despite Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar ruling out any differences. Leaders of the two opposition parties have been hinting at a possible power tussle within the Congress, amid persistent rumours about leadership change in the ruling party in the state after Lok Sabha polls or mid-way of the current assembly's tenure. There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the CM's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May last year, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy Chief Minister.
There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational Chief Minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years but they have not been officially confirmed by the party. Shivakumar has made no secret of his ambition to become Chief Minister, while Siddaramaiah had sought public support during Lok Sabha polls so that the Congress wins maximum number of seats in the State which would cement his position.
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Nicobar Tribal Council Alleges FRA Violations in Great Nicobar Wildlife Sanctuaries
Sri Vijaypuram (Port Blair): The Tribal Council of Little and Great Nicobar has alleged fresh violations of the Forest Rights Act in the notification of three wildlife sanctuaries linked to the Centre’s ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar Island project, even as the Calcutta High Court is set to hear petitions challenging the mega project over similar concerns next month.
The Union government had, in October 2022, notified three wildlife sanctuaries in parts of Little Nicobar Island, Menchal Island and Meroe Island for the conservation of leatherback turtles, megapodes and coral ecosystems. The move came after the government acknowledged that the proposed infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island would affect coral colonies and nesting habitats of endangered species.
However, the tribal council has maintained that the sanctuaries were declared without consultation with the Nicobarese communities who traditionally inhabit and manage these islands.
In a letter dated April 23 addressed to the Assistant Conservator of Forests of the Nicobar Forest Division, the council reiterated its opposition to the sanctuaries and objected to the formation of a committee to determine eco-sensitive zones around the protected areas.
The council said its chairman had not been consulted before being included in the committee and was informed of his membership only a month after the committee was constituted.
The three notified sanctuaries include the Leatherback Turtle Sanctuary in parts of Little Nicobar Island, the Megapode Sanctuary covering the entire Menchal Island and the Coral Sanctuary spanning the whole of Meroe Island.
According to the council, Menchal and Meroe islands hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Nicobarese community, which believes the islands are inhabited by the spirits of their ancestors.
The council demanded that the sanctuary notifications be revoked and the eco-sensitive zone committee dissolved, alleging that both decisions were taken against the wishes of the indigenous community.
Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh has written to Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram alleging violations of the Forest Rights Act in the process of obtaining consent for diversion of forest land for the Great Nicobar project.
Ramesh argued that consent should have been obtained through the Tribal Council representing the Nicobarese communities instead of through Gram Sabhas representing settler families. He also questioned how the government-controlled Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti could provide consent on behalf of the Shompen community, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group.
He urged the Tribal Affairs Ministry to intervene and seek withdrawal of clearances granted for the project under the Forest Rights Act.
Earlier, Ramesh had also written to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav alleging that environmental impact studies for the project were conducted in haste and without the detailed seasonal assessments mandated under environmental laws.
The dispute dates back to 2022 when the Andaman and Nicobar administration initiated the process for notifying the three sanctuaries before holding Special Gram Sabhas for diversion of forest land linked to the Great Nicobar project.
In May that year, the administration invited objections and claims regarding the proposed sanctuaries. Subsequently, on July 19, the Nicobar Deputy Commissioner certified that no objections or claims had been received.
The tribal council later wrote to the district administration stating that the notification process was carried out without ensuring that residents of Little Nicobar Island were informed as required by law. It alleged that no public announcements seeking objections were made in villages such as Bahua, Muhincoihn and Kiyang, whose residents traditionally use and manage parts of the notified areas.
The council said the Nicobarese community had protected the islands and wildlife for generations through customary practices and traditional belief systems.
It further argued that the sanctuaries would interfere with long-standing rights over forests and coastal areas. They noted that these areas are used for rituals, plantations, collection of forest produce, construction of huts and canoes, harvesting medicinal plants and worship.
In November 2024, the council objected to draft Island Coastal Regulation Zone plans, demanding basic infrastructure, instead of proposed eco-tourism activities in the sanctuaries. The council demanded better public restrooms, jetties, water facilities, pathways, and mobile connectivity.
The Nicobar administration issued a clarification in May 2025, stating that the sanctuaries would not affect hunting rights available to Scheduled Tribes in the Nicobar Islands. The council, however, rejected the clarification, stating that their dependence on forests and coasts extended far beyond hunting activities.
Earlier this month, a Bench led by the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court dismissed preliminary objections raised by the Union government against petitions challenging the diversion of forest land for the Great Nicobar project. The matter has now been listed for final hearing in June.
