Mekedatu project will benefit Tamil Nadu more than Karnataka: D.K. Shivakumar
Chennai: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar today said that the Mekedatu project, if implemented, would benefit the people of Tamil Nadu more than those in Karnataka. He made this statement during his visit to the Srinivasa Solid Waste Management Unit in Chennai on Tuesday. Responding to questions from the media about Tamil Nadu's opposition to the Mekedatu Dam, he said, “Varuna Deva has been kind to us this year. If the Mekedatu scheme is implemented, it will be more beneficial for Tamil Nadu than for Karnataka. However, we will not discuss this much now.”
Shivakumar, who was in Chennai to study the city’s solid waste management model, was accompanied by 15 officials. “I came here to learn about gas generation from garbage and solid waste management. We’ve gained valuable insights from the waste management practices here. I had been planning to visit for the past year and finally had the opportunity. We will implement some of the good practices in our state as well,” he said.
He also pointed out that while power generation from solid waste has not been successful in many places, Tamil Nadu has made significant progress. “We have been permitted to generate electricity from waste in 10 locations. Earlier, I visited Hyderabad, and here in Chennai, they have efficiently set up a CNG manufacturing plant in the middle of the city. We have also achieved some good results, but their work here is commendable,” he added.
When questioned about the alleged irregularities in Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) CA land allotment by BJP Rajya Sabha member Lehar Singh, Shivakumar asserted that the allotment had been done legally. “There is nothing illegal about this. We have not allotted the site to an individual but to a charitable trust,” he clarified.
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.
Sanjay Raut demands re-election, alleges irregularities in EVMs during Maharashtra polls
Mumbai, Nov 25: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday demanded a re-election in Maharashtra using ballot papers, claiming there were irregularities with the electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Talking to reporters, Raut alleged several complaints about EVMs malfunctioning and questioned the integrity of the recently held elections.
The BJP-led Mahayuti won 230 out of 288 seats in the assembly elections, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi managed 46 seats, with Shiv Sena (UBT) winning just 20 out of 95 seats it contested.
"We have received nearly 450 complaints regarding EVMs. Despite raising objections repeatedly, no action has been taken on these issues. How can we say these elections were conducted fairly? Hence, I demand that the results be set aside and elections be held again using ballot papers," Raut said.
Citing some instances, he said a candidate in Nashik reportedly received only four votes despite having 65 votes from his family, while in Dombivli, discrepancies were found in EVM tallies, and election officials refused to acknowledge the objections.
The Sena (UBT) leader also questioned the credibility of the landslide victories of some candidates, saying, "What revolutionary work have they done to receive more than 1.5 lakh votes? Even leaders who recently switched parties have become MLAs. This raises suspicions. For the first time, a senior leader like Sharad Pawar has expressed doubts about EVMs, which cannot be ignored."
Asked about the MVA's poor performance in the elections, Raut rejected the idea of blaming a single individual.
"We fought as a united MVA. Even a leader like Sharad Pawar, who commands immense respect in Maharashtra, faced defeat. This shows that we need to analyse the reasons behind the failure. One of the reasons is EVM irregularities and the misuse of the system, unconstitutional practices, and even judicial decisions left unresolved by Justice Chandrachud," he said.
Raut stressed that though internal differences might have existed within the MVA, the failure was collective.
He also accused the Mahayuti of conducting the elections in an unfair manner.
"I cannot call the elections fair given the numerous reports of discrepancies in EVMs, mismatched numbers, and vote irregularities across the state," Raut said.
