Will meaningfully celebrate 67th Karnataka Rajyotsava: CM Bommai
Bengaluru, Oct 31: The state government will celebrate the 67th Karnataka Rajyotsava on November 1 in the most meaningful way, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Monday.
Addressing reporters at Vidhana Soudha, Bommai said the state formation day must be celebrated across Karnataka in schools, institutions, associations and government offices, and people should hoist the Kannada flag.
The Chief Minister said the prestigious 'Karnataka Ratna' award will be presented posthumously to Puneeth Rajkumar on the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday at 4 pm.
"The fans of Appu (as Puneeth was fondly called) and the Kannadigas must witness the presentation of this award. On the same day, Kannada Rajyotsava award will be conferred on 67 personalities from various fields in recognition of their contribution to their respective fields, at Ravindra Kalakshethra," he said.
Regarding the Global Investors' Meet, which will be held in Bengaluru from November 2 to 4, Bommai said the captains of national and international companies are expected to participate. He said around Rs 5 lakh crore investment will come to Karnataka.
"Many business tycoons have expressed their interest to invest in the state. The letters of assurance will be distributed tomorrow. For the next three days, there would be discussions on developments and challenges in the fields of renewable energy, semiconductor, aerospace and defence sectors, and progress in other fields," he told reporters.
According to him, the investors conclave will be an indicator of economic activities in the next five years.
Interested entrepreneurs and small scale industrialists must register their names immediately. The entry into the meet will be only through registration.
Speaking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to Karnataka on November 11, Bommai said Modi will inaugurate the second terminal of Kempegowda International Airport, flag off the Chennai-Mysuru Vande Bharat high-speed train at Bengaluru Railway Station and unveil the 108-feet tall statue of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda near the city airport.
This statue has been named as 'Statue of Prosperity' and lakhs of people are expected to participate in this function. The Prime Minister will address a public meeting after unveiling the statue, he added.
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.
CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
