Shivakumar rejects BJP’s demand for excise minister's resignation
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday rejected the BJP’s demand for Excise Minister R B Timmapur’s resignation citing large-scale corruption in his department.
State Home Minister G Parameshwara too said the opposition is not providing any evidence for corruption.
The BJP staged an overnight agitation in the Karnataka Assembly starting from Tuesday night till Wednesday morning. The party also held demonstrations inside the Assembly as the session started.
The agitation was happening when the state government started discussion on replacing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajivika Mission (Gramin) (VB—G RAM G) and its fallout on the rural economy and employment scenario.
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Congress leaders said the BJP was raking up a non-issue and that there was no need for Timmapur to resign.
"There are no evidences, they (BJP) have no issues and they have created all fake issues. They want to keep this issue alive," Shivakumar, who is Congress Karnataka unit president, told reporters here.
The BJP was staging demonstrations to avoid discussion on the MGNREGA, he said.
"They don’t want MGNREGA to be discussed. That is why they are doing some drama. Apart from drama, there is nothing. Let them participate. Let them tell about the concept of what they are doing. They don’t have a voice to say on MGNREGA. On the issue of opposing MGNREGA, they have started (their agitation). They are diverting the issue," Shivakumar said.
Parameshwara said, "We have said very clearly that if you (BJP) have any evidence, then give it to us. Our minister is ready to resign. The minister himself said, ‘Give me evidences, I will step down’."
The BJP was making a mere allegation, he told reporters.
He also said his party too had done the same thing when it was in the opposition, but evidence is a must to take action.
Parameshwara said based on the allegations, Timmapur will not resign. Just because an officer had said something, that was not sufficient for the minister to quit.
According to the home minister, there should be some evidences like taking cash or cheque or receiving gratification through some other means.
"Just making allegations will not suffice. These are allegations. They cannot be accepted unless it is proved," he underlined.
Opposition leader R Ashoka alleged that there was a scam to the tune of Rs 6,000 crore in the Excise Department.
He also alleged that the money was being used by the ruling Congress to fund the party in the poll-bound states.
The allegations come in the wake of the arrest of Excise Deputy Commissioner of the Bengaluru Urban District Jagadeesh Naik and two other officials by the Lokayukta sleuths, while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 25 lakh on January 16.
According to Lokayukta officials, they were accused of demanding Rs 80 lakh to issue CL-7 (Hotels & Boarding Houses) and micro brewery licence.
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Amaravati as capital of Andhra has nationwide support, except YSRCP: CM Naidu
Amaravati (PTI): Despite alleged conspiracies orchestrated by the opposition YSRCP, Amaravati's status as the capital of Andhra Pradesh has received unanimous support from the country, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, Naidu asserted that after receiving the central government's sovereign seal, no one can alter the status of the capital city in the future.
"They (YSRCP) wanted to destroy Amaravati, but we brought a law. Today, the entire country stands behind Amaravati. Overcoming all conspiracies, Amaravati has emerged victorious."
The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making Amaravati the capital of the southern state, was passed by the Parliament.
He claimed that letters were written to the World Bank, opposing Amaravati and false narratives were spread against the project, including claims about its viability and safety.
Alleging that such actions were aimed at "damaging" the capital, he said that similar attempts were continuing.
"The dreams of five crore people have been fulfilled with the help of the Centre's sovereign seal. Nobody will be able to change anything in the future," he said.
Noting that there are 50 parties in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, he said, "Despite ideological and personal differences, and no direct connection to Andhra Pradesh's capital, they all supported the Amaravati Bill to safeguard the interests of the country."
Naidu attacked the opposition party, alleging that it has no sense of national interest and is not concerned about Andhra Pradesh's progress.
He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the passage of the Amaravati Bill in Parliament.
The CM said PM Modi had laid the foundation stone for Amaravati in line with the Singapore master plan.
He further said that PM, who had originally laid the foundation stone and later returned to relaunch construction activities, is expected to inaugurate the major projects in Amaravati in 2029.
"Soil from temples and places of worship across the country, along with water from various rivers, was brought for the project, while the prime minister gave soil from Parliament and water from the Yamuna," Naidu said.
The chief minister emphasised that this symbolic act reflected the support of Parliament and the entire nation for Amaravati.
He said the government's vision involves a cluster of nine cities with world-class infrastructure, designed by global architects to ensure long-term development.
To achieve this, the design integrates urban planning concepts such as clean and green infrastructure, underground utilities, and walk-to-work systems.
According to him, an agreement was signed with Singapore for developing the financial district, but it was later cancelled by the previous YSRCP regime, which also damaged the Amaravati brand.
Investments were attracted, with educational institutions establishing campuses, and land allocated to over 100 institutions.
Works progressing at a fast pace were halted, and the three-capital policy created divisions among regions, drawing criticism from the High Court.
Naidu claimed that attempts were made to counter the Amaravati farmers' movement and cases were filed, even as political tensions escalated during that period, and people brought his party back to power.
The chief minister said Andhra Pradesh, formed on a linguistic basis, was left without a capital, and the resolution sent to Parliament was approved, granting legal status.
Naidu said Amaravati would emerge as a hub for education, employment and knowledge, while parallel development was being pursued in Visakhapatnam and Tirupati.
He added that industries were being promoted across regions and major companies were setting up operations, alongside efforts to complete irrigation projects.
Naidu said capital development works worth Rs 56,000 crore were currently underway and would progress in phases, with major milestones expected by 2028.
The CM stated that Amaravati was designed as a self-sustainable project with financial support from institutions such as the World Bank, Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) and others.
Naidu said the state aims to achieve a USD 2.4 trillion economy by 2047, with Amaravati playing a key role in driving growth.
He added that the Centre and state were working together to secure funds for key projects, including Polavaram, Amaravati and other infrastructure initiatives.
The chief minister said the government was implementing short-term, medium-term and long-term plans to rebuild the state's economy and restore growth momentum.
