Siddaramaiah rules out possibility of becoming CM now, says seat not vacant
Bengaluru: Noting that many Congress leaders are pitching for making him the chief minister out of "affection", Siddaramaiah Wednesday ruled out the possibility of any change in the top post held by H D Kumaraswamy of the JD(S).
"They (Congress men) are expressing their opinion, but is it possible now? The seat is not vacant now, Kumaraswamy is chief minister. How can I become the CM?" Siddaramaiah told reporters in Hubballi.
"Some may be saying things, out of affection towards me. Is it wrong to say that?" he asked.
To a query whether there would be changes after Lok Sabha poll results are out on May 23, the Congress Legislature Party leader said, "there are no indications of any changes. Why will there be any change? Kumaraswamy is the coalition government's chief minister."
Asked if the JD(S) would give up the chief minister post to the Congress, Siddaramaiah said he cannot respond to such speculations.
Karnataka Home Minister M B Patil had on Tuesday made a pitch for Siddaramaiah "as chief minister again", but clarified the present coalition government under Kumaraswamy would complete its full term.
Patil's statement resonated with Chikkaballapura Congress MLA K Sudhakar's remarks on Monday that it would be good if Siddaramaiah becomes chief minister again.
Talks about Siddaramaiah as chief minister once again have emerged amid reports that the Congress in Karnataka was preparing for assembly polls after the Lok Sabha election results, which the grand old party leaders have rubbished.
However, there are talks 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 the Kumaraswamy-led government.
Asserting that he is not a "political sanyasi" and was in "active politics", Siddarmaiah had in April said the Congress would form the government in Karnataka after the next assembly polls, and he would become chief minister once again.
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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.
