Use of chemical colours in Vidhana Soudha prohibited by earlier govts too: CM Siddaramaiah
'We have only followed government convention in Karnataka'
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has clarified the government circular prohibiting the use of chemicals, including turmeric and vermillion, at the Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha during Ayudha Pooja, insisting that the government had followed the convention of prohibiting the use of chemicals at the buildings.
The Chief Minister posted on his X page, "The government order, to not use turmeric, vermillion and other colours based on chemicals in the corridors and offices at the Vidhana Soudha, Vikasa Soudha and other prominent multi-storeyed buildings, is nothing new. We have, in contrast, merely followed a convention of the efforts of government to protect the structures."
Siddaramaiah appealed further, "The Vidhana Soudha and the Vikasa Soudha, which are historic buildings, will be greatly affected by the chemicals in the colours. The walls and floors would possibly be stained permanently or for a very long time, on account of this, too. In order to prevent such damage to the structures, the preceding governments, and we too, have been prohibiting the use of such colours in the building during the celebration of Ayudha Pooja."
The CM, in his post, also asked the people not to pay heed to any undue and illogical criticism of government orders in this regard.
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Two held for 'firing' at BJP leader's house in Bengal
Kolkata (PTI): A day before the counting of votes for the West Bengal assembly elections, two persons were arrested on Sunday for allegedly being involved in a firing incident outside the residence of a BJP leader in North 24 Parganas district, police said.
BJP leader Kundan Singh lodged a police complaint, alleging that a few gunmen fired at his house in the Noapara constituency around Saturday midnight.
Based on the CCTV footage, the two accused were apprehended, a senior officer said.
BJP's Noapara candidate Arjun Singh, in a post on social media, claimed that around 12.05 am, two armed miscreants arrived on a motorcycle at the residence of Kundan Singh, a BJP functionary and secretary of the Barrackpore organisational district, with an "intent to kill him".
According to the BJP leader, the accused are residents of Garulia and are known criminals.
Their names as offenders had been submitted to the Election Commission, he said.
The police officer did not specify whether the two arrested persons were the same individuals named by Arjun Singh.
According to the complaint, one round of firing took place outside Kundan Singh's house, triggering panic in the area.
The BJP candidate also questioned the role of the police, claiming that one of the accused had been detained by the police on the polling day but was later released in the evening.
The Noapara assembly seat went to the polls on April 29.
Several BJP leaders alleged that attempts were being made to create an atmosphere of fear ahead of the counting and weaken the organisation of the opposition parties.
The counting of votes will take place on May 4. Polling for the West Bengal assembly elections was held on April 23 and April 29.
The BJP urged the Election Commission to intervene immediately to ensure peaceful counting.
TMC candidate Somnath Shyam rubbished Arjun Singh’s allegation, claiming that the BJP nominee had orchestrated the firing incident to divert attention from imminent defeat.
“Arjun Singh knows all the gangsters in the Barrackpore belt. Everyone knows about his links with the underworld. Let the police investigate the incident,” Shyam said.
