Will continue in politics till I have people's blessings: Siddaramaiah
Haveri (Karnataka) (PTI): Siddaramaiah, who on Wednesday etched his name in history as the longest serving Chief Minster of Karnataka said he has come so far in politics with the blessings of the people and doesn't know how long he will be active.
While asserting that he will remain in politics until he has the blessings of the people, he also expressed satisfaction about his administration.
In his second term as chief minister, the 77-year-old Congress leader surpassed Devaraj Urs' record as the longest serving CM of the state for 2,792 days.
"One has to have the blessings of people to be in politics. With the blessings of the people I have come so far, I don't know how long I will be there (in politics). I have come so far, and will continue in the future too. Will remain in politics until I have the blessings of the people," Siddaramaiah said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said he is satisfied with his administration.
Hitting back at the BJP for claiming that Siddaramaiah's achievements were zero and that he has emptied the state's coffers, he said the opposition party leaders are experts in lying, and they keep doing it.
"Who brought the SCP/TSP (Special Component Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan) act? Did they (BJP) do it? Did they provide reservation in promotions? Who gave Anna Bhagya scheme? How can they say I did not do anything? They should ask people what we have done," he added
Siddaramaiah's unique record as the longest serving CM of the state has come even as the power tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculations about a change in chief minister in the state, after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
The speculation was fueled by the "power-sharing" pact between Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar in 2023.
Stating that he has not done politics to break any record, Siddaramaiah had on Tuesday expressed confidence about him completing the full five-year term. He had also maintained that the Congress high command will have to decide on it.
Reacting to Siddaramaiah's statement his deputy Shivakumar had wished him "good luck".
Several ministers and Congress leaders considered close to Siddaramaiah have expressed confidence about him completing a full five years term.
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Karnataka businessman held captive for days in Thane hotels, robbed of Rs 2 cr at gunpoint
Thane (PTI): Police have arrested a man after he allegedly tricked a Karnataka-based businessman into visiting Maharashtra's Thane district on the promise of investment in his firm, and was robbed of over Rs 2 crore at gunpoint after holding him captive in multiple hotels, officials said on Thursday.
The incident took place between December 15 and 18, 2025, and the main accused in the case, Ankit Bapu Thombre (40), a resident of Manpada in Thane, was arrested on January 6, an official said.
The arrest was made by the Crime Branch Unit-I of the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar police commissionerate, ACP (Crime) Madan Ballal said.
"The victim, identified as Shamantkumar Shadak Sharappa Karder (31), a businessman from Shimoga in Karnataka, received a call on December 15, 2025, from a man, who identified himself as Ankit. The latter expressed interest in investing in his company," he said.
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"Trusting his proposal, the complainant travelled to Kashimira in Thane district. However, the accused took him to three different hotels between December 15 and 18 and held him captive there," ACP Ballal said.
The accused threatened the businessman with a pistol, while his accomplice wielded a knife. They forcibly obtained the victim's net banking ID and password. Using these details, they made unauthorised online transactions amounting to Rs 2,17,63,287 from the complainant's current bank account," he added.
Based on the complaint, the Kashimira police registered an FIR on January 2, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including attempt to murder and wrongful confinement, along with sections of the Arms Act, against Thombre and his accomplices.
"During the investigation, police found that the accused had tried to conceal his identity by using a mobile number from the United Kingdom. But despite that, the police identified the main accused and finally arrested him from Shil Phata near Navi Mumbai," Ballal added.
Police also seized a sports utility vehicle (SUV) used by the accused in the crime, he said.
The police are now looking for his accomplices, the official said.
