Bengaluru, Mar 19: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday called Narendra Modi a weak Prime Minister who could not restrain the rebel leaders in the BJP.

Siddaramaiah attacked Modi for his remarks against him on Monday during a public meeting in Shivamogga.

The Prime Minister had alleged, "There is competition in Karnataka to become partner in this loot. There are CM-in-waiting', future CM aspirant', super CM' and shadow CM'. Amid many CMs, there is a collection minister in Delhi."

In response, Siddaramaiah said in a post on social media platform X, "What are you other than 'Weak PM' who can't take action against rebel leader Eshwarappa? Dear Prime Minister Narendra Modi, you said there are super CMs and shadow CMs in the Congress party! We have no super, no shadow, there is only one CM that is 'Strong CM', I am not a 'Weak PM' like you."

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Furthermore, he said, "You describe yourself as some having 56-inch chest. Your fans hail you as Vishwaguru. But you are showing yourself as a 'Weak PM' again and again."

The chief minister said former chief minister B S Yediyurappa had once rebelled against his leadership and abused him. "By falling at the feet of such people and bringing them back to the party and taking out a rally, didn't you show yourself as a Weak PM'?" Siddaramaiah asked.

"Half a dozen leaders have rebelled against your leadership in Karnataka. Unable to get tickets, the BJP leaders are fighting on the streets, throwing mud at each other. They have not listened to any of your pleas. Some of them are also contacting us. Such a dance of indiscipline in the disciplined party'! Isn't it because you are a 'Weak PM'?" the chief minister further asked.

He said when Modi was holding a public meeting in Shivamogga, Eshwarappa did not attend it even though he was at his house just a stone's throw away from the venue.

"Eshwarappa was constantly speaking against the BJP leadership. What are you other than Week PM' who can't take action against them?" Siddaramaiah asked.

Claiming that the Congress is a party with internal democracy, Siddaramaiah said there are many people who deserve the post of chief minister. On the other hand there is not a single leader in BJP, which claims to be the largest political party in the world, who is eligible to become PM, he added.

"Aren't there any such leaders in BJP or are you not allowing others to grow, out of fear of losing your position?" he wondered aloud.

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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.

Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.

In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.

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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.

According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.

"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.

The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.