Karnataka Cong rubbishes reports of preparing for assembly polls after LS results
Bengaluru, May 7: Rubbishing reports that Congress in Karnataka was preparing for assembly polls after the Lok Sabha election results, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara Tuesday said that the coalition government would complete its five year term.
The senior Congress leader also termed as 'impertinent' at this point of time, statements by some party leaders pitching for Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister once again and said there is a system in place in the party to choose the candidate.
"Some unwanted people are spreading news about going for the polls. No one is ready to go for elections.
We have formed an alliance with an intention to run the government for five years and will complete the full term," Parameshwara told reporters in Kalburgi.
The Congress was currently working out a strategy to win the May 19 by-polls for Chincholi and Kundgol assembly constituencies, he said, adding that the party and alliance partner JD(S) would win the maximum number of seats in the recently held Lok Sabha polls.
The Deputy Chief Ministers statement was in response to a question about reports in a section of the media that Congress was preparing for the assembly election after the Lok Sabha poll results are out on May 23.
However, there is talk within political circles that any adverse results for the coalition in the Lok Sabha polls, which they fought in alliance, would have its implications on H D Kumaraswamy led government.
Clarifying on the issue of voices within the party pitching for Siddaramaiah being the Chief Minister once again, Parameshwara said the candidate is selected by the high command after gathering the opinion of legislators.
"This is our system, so what I say or someone else says will not count," he said.
Karnataka Home Minister M B Patil earlier in the day made a pitch for Siddaramaiah "as chief minister again," but clarified that the present coalition government under Kumaraswamy would complete its full term.
Patil's statement is in line with Chikkaballapura Congress MLA K Sudhakar's remarks on Monday that it would be good if Siddaramaiah became chief minister again.
Terming the statements of Sudhakar and Patil as their 'personal opinion', Parameshwara said the high command would take note of it and accordingly advice them against making such statements publicly.
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.
No more street vending on B’luru’s main roads, as govt plans to bring new policy for street hawkers
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said that the state government has decided to formulate a new policy for footpaths in Bengaluru, under which street vending will not be allowed on main roads and sub-main roads.
Addressing the media after a budget preparation meeting and executive meeting of GBA corporations at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said discussions were held with MLAs from the GBA region regarding the corporations’ budgets and key civic issues.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashok also participated in the meeting and shared his views. Officials from multiple departments, including police, BESCOM, BMRCL, BWSSB and BDA, along with ministers and legislators, were present.
He stated that all five municipalities have prepared their individual budgets, while MLAs have submitted their demands, including calls for ward-wise grants.
“We have decided to bring a new policy for footpaths. Citizens are struggling to walk as footpaths are encroached upon by street vendors,” Shivakumar said.
Highlighting the need to balance livelihoods and public convenience, he added that “a separate space will be provided for street vendors, and specific roads will be designated for their business,” ensuring that pedestrians can use footpaths without obstruction. He noted that there was unanimous agreement among MLAs on this approach.
Issuing a warning to vendors, Shivakumar said that authorities will act against those violating the rules. “If vendors operate during the day and leave their carts on the roadside at night, authorities will clear them. People should be aware of this,” he said.
Providing data on street vendors, he said that around 60,000 vendors have registered so far, of which 30,000 have applied for vehicles, and a tender has already been floated.
“Only those with street vendor identity cards will be allowed to do business. Those without ID cards will not be permitted to operate on the streets,” he added.
