JD(S) planning revamp as HD Kumaraswamy goes to Centre; Nikhil likely to be new state chief
Bengaluru: JD(S) State President HD Kumaraswamy, who is Union Minister for Heavy Industries, is likely to pass the baton as state chief of the party to his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy. The party, therefore, is expecting a revamp after the Sankranti festival on January 14, sources in the JD(S) have said.
The JD(S) will organize a meeting, chaired by HD Kumaraswamy, in the second week of January, and elect the new state president on the occasion. Other issues, including strengthening the party in order to regain its hold over the Old Mysore region as well as parts of North Karnataka, will also be discussed, Deccan Herald has reported.
Incidentally, the senior leaders of the party too are likely to elect Nikhil Kumaraswamy as the new state president of the party, as they wish JD(S) to have more young leaders and attract more youngsters into the party. The seniors, however, have opined that Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who failed in electoral politics, has toured seven districts, but needs to hone his organizing skills.
“There are young legislators and leaders in the party. Their capabilities and network at the grassroots level will be utilized well to strengthen the party at the base,” sources said added. Young legislators like Harish Gowda, Sharanagouda Kandakur, Swaroop Prakash and Samrudhi Manjunath are gaining prominence in the political field, and also backed Nikhil at booth level during the polls. The JD(S), therefore, wishes to utilize their capabilities, the party sources added.
Referring to the support of the Lingayat community in North Karnataka, the sources said that the leaders plan to appoint Sharanagouda Kandakur as the president of Youth Janata Dal, which is now led by Nikhil.
Further, Harish Gowda, MLA from Hunsur constituency, is found to be close to Nikhil although his father and senior legislator of the JD(S) GT Deve Gowda has been maintaining a distance from the party.
Admitting that the party is accused of favouring family politics, the sources have clarified that the JD(S) leaders plan to appoint three working presidents and include members belonging to SC/ST communities and minorities. “The aim is to prove our potential in the upcoming zilla panchayat and taluk panchayat elections,” said a senior JD(S) leader.
Planning to undertake work at grass-root level, the JD(S) is likely to hold elections for the appointment of district and taluk-level leaders for the party.
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Karnataka govt to establish Gig Workers’ Welfare Board
Bengaluru, Apr 3 (PTI): The Karnataka government decided to establish a Gig Workers’ Welfare Board, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s office said on Thursday.
The decision was made following a discussion between Siddaramaiah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Rahul Gandhi inquired about the timeline for formulating the Gig Workers' Welfare Act, which he had promised during his Bharat Jodo Yatra and the elections.
"The Karnataka government has decided to establish a Gig Workers' Welfare Board to ensure the well-being of workers employed by companies like Amazon, Flipkart, Ola, Uber, and others," the statement said.
It further stated that a five per cent cess would be collected from the concerned companies, while the state government would provide the remaining funds required to support welfare schemes for gig workers.
"A comprehensive bill covering all aspects of gig workers' welfare will be prepared and presented before the state cabinet for approval," the statement added.
Three gig worker representatives—Rakshitha Dev, Sheikh Salahuddin, and Nikhil Dev—were also invited to the meeting.
They appreciated the government's initiative and expressed hope for improved working conditions.
State ministers Santosh Lad, Priyank Kharge, and M B Patil were present at the meeting.
Santosh Lad was quoted as saying that Rahul Gandhi, who had earlier advocated for gig workers' rights during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, welcomed the eight-point proposal prepared by the Labour department.
Rahul Gandhi also emphasised the need for swift implementation to safeguard gig workers' interests.
"The Karnataka Labour Department has already introduced three key bills—covering workers' gratuity, cinema workers' rights, and now, gig workers' welfare. The unorganised workers' sector has lauded the government's efforts and extended full support for this progressive move," the statement quoted Lad as saying.
