Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar says Congress govt united, rejects other voices
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday played down speculation about a possible change in leadership, popularly dubbed the 'November Revolution', asserting that there was complete unity within the state government.
He said there is no need for media or the people in Congress to search for a leader.
“Only what the Chief Minister and I have spoken matters. Apart from that, no one else’s words carry any value,” the Deputy Chief Minister said, dismissing political rumours.
Speaking to reporters near the Kanteerava Stadium, Shivakumar stressed that the government’s focus remained on governance and development, not speculation.
He underlined that his coordination with CM Siddaramaiah was intact and that “it is precisely because of our unity that we have won 136 constituencies and increased our strength to 140.
On the issue of proposed Tunnel Road project in Bengaluru, which the BJP has been opposing, Shivakumar said, “I am ready to form a committee on the Tunnel Road issue under the leadership of Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka. The entry and exit points near Lalbagh will be designed at the place he suggests."
Clarifying that he was open to a bipartisan approach on city infrastructure, the Deputy CM said, “There is no need for Ashoka to sit on a demonstration because he is from Bengaluru. He has won from here seven to eight times. He too has a responsibility. The committee formed under his leadership itself should give advice and direction to the government. Whoever’s names, including Malleswaram MLA C N Ashwath Narayan, he suggests, they will be added to this committee. We all must work together and we will.”
Shivakumar revealed that he had personally inspected the Tunnel Road site near Lalbagh on Friday night.
“I visited the area near Lalbagh to examine where entry points could be provided. I am also considering alternative routes. There is no need for any anxiety,” he said, assuring that public interest would guide the project’s execution.
Responding to questions on who would hoist the flag during the upcoming Rajyotsava celebrations, Shivakumar brushed it aside.
“Then what was done now at the Stadium?” he counter questioned.
On the issue of linguistic and regional identity, the Deputy Chief Minister made his position clear.
Asked about the police taking selfies with Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti members in Belagavi and providing them protection, he remarked, “We will work to transform the MES members. A party or a group is working in Karnataka, and they too are Kannadigas. They too have entered the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.”
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'Someone must be held accountable': HC converts civil suit on Goa nightclub tragedy into PIL
Panaji (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Monday converted a civil suit against Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub into a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) saying "someone has to be held accountable" for the tragedy in which 25 people were killed.In a stern observation, Goa bench of the High Court of Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ashish Chavan said the local panchayat had "failed to take suo motu cognisance" of the club and had taken "no action despite complaints."
The division bench directed the Goa government to file a detailed reply on the permissions granted to the nightclub.
The High Court, while fixing January 8 as the next date of hearing, pointed out that commercial operations were continuing in the structure despite it having been served a demolition order.
The original petition was filed after the December 6 tragedy by Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar and Sunil Divkar, the owners of the land on which the nightclub was operating.
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Advocate Rohit Bras de Sa, the lawyer representing the petitioner, was made amicus curiae in the matter and has been asked to file a detailed affidavit in the matter.
In their petition, Amonkar and Divkar highlighted "the alarming pattern of statutory violations that have remained inadequately addressed despite multiple complaints, inspections, show-cause notices, and even a demolition order".
They contended that these violations posed "immediate threats to public safety, ecological integrity, and the rule of law in the state of Goa."
Investigations by multiple agencies into the nightclub fire have revealed various irregularities, including lack of permissions to operate the nightclub.
The Goa police arrested five managers and staff members of the club, while co-owners Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra have been detained in Thailand after they fled the country.
