Yeddyurappa seeks dissolution of Karnataka assembly and fresh polls
Bengaluru, May 28: BJP's Karnataka chief B S Yeddyurappa Tuesday said it would be "better" if the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition in the State dissolves the assembly and goes for fresh polls.
The former chief minister also ruled out the possibility of any BJP MLA switching sides to the Congress or the JD(S).
"In 177 assembly constituencies (out of 224) we are in number one place, we have won 25 Lok sabha constituencies (out of 28), better if they dissolve the assembly and go for fresh elections...we will welcome (if they take that decision)," Yeddyurappa said.
Speaking to reporters here, he asserted that not even a single MLA from the Bharatiya Janata Party will go to the Congress or the Janata Dal (Secular) as being claimed by those parties.
"I'm not bothered....it is impossible, they (Congress and JDS) are saying such thing to create confusion," he added.
The Congress-JD(S) alliance having faced a rout in the Lok Sabha polls with both parties managed to win only one seat each, and growing discontent within the parties with some of their members blaming the partnership for their "worst ever" performance, coalition leaders fear BJP may poach its MLAs taking advantage of the situation.
Aimed at saving the government, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has swung into action and is personally meeting disgruntled legislators, mainly from the Congress and is making attempts to pacify them.
Rebel Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi, who has allegedly been rubbing shoulders with the BJP for some time, has threatened to resign from the party along with some MLAs after the Lok Sabha polls, worrying the coalition leadership as it will trigger a number game in the assembly.
The BJP has predicted the collapse of the coalition and increase in its tally in the assembly after the Lok Sabha poll results, claiming that 20-odd Congress MLAs are unhappy and may take a decision anytime.
Not willing to give any direct response to a question about the BJP forming the government, Yeddyurappa said: "We will wait and see the atmosphere...and will take appropriate decision in appropriate time."
Though Karnataka BJP leaders were upbeat about the collapse of the coalition government after the Lok Sabha results, the party central leadership is said to have asked the state leadership not to make any immediate attempts to topple the government, party sources said.
According to the sources, the state leadership has been asked to wait till Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet is sworn in, as any move at this juncture would send a wrong message.
Out of the 224-member Karnataka assembly, the BJP has 105 MLAs, Congress-78, JD(S)-37, BSP (1), Independent (1)(both currently supporting the ruling alliance), KPJP (1) and the Speaker.
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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.
