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New Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Siddaramaiah agrees there'll be change after September, but says won't be ‘revolutionary'
BENGALURU: While slightly agreeing with the opinions of his close associates and cabinet colleagues that there would be considerable political developments after September, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday clarified that these changes will not be revolutionary as suggested by some. 'Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna said there could be developments in state politics but did not specify what. Rajanna's statement deserves to be ignored. I am not a journalist to interpret it,' Siddaramaiah told reporters at Vidhana Soudha in the company of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on the sidelines of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Jayanti. Siddaramaiah's Man Friday and PWD minister Satish Jarkiholi, a strong contender for the KPCC president post, admitted on Thursday that there will be some change in October-November, especially with regards to cabinet reshuffle. Sources said Siddaramaiah is keen to get the high command's approval for the cabinet rejig and hopes it will happen in September, a month before he completes two-and-a-half years as CM. On Friday, Rajanna reiterated his Thursday's statement that there would be enormous changes and said politics is not stagnant water. 'I am predicting a cabinet reshuffle, while others about a change in the KPCC president post and even change in the CM post,' he said. Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara said that though he had no information about any revolutionary change, Rajanna might have his own information. Parameshwara on Thursday met Siddaramaiah and also Large-scale Industries Minister MB Patil and discussed developments after the visit of chief minister and his team to New Delhi, where they met AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, AICC general secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
KPCC chief rejects praises, says bypoll result a pointer to 2026
Thiruvananthapuram: KPCC president Sunny Joseph on Friday dismissed the 'Captain-Major' praises that surfaced following the resounding victory of Congress in the Nilambur byelection. "I am just an ordinary soldier," the KPCC president said. Addressing a news conference after the KPCC political affairs committee meeting, Joseph described the Nilambur result as a clear pointer to the 2026 assembly elections. "It is a verdict filled with hope, and one that demands correction from the state govt. The grievances of ASHAs, issues faced by high-range residents and other pressing concerns must be addressed urgently," he said. The KPCC president also launched a scathing attack on the RSS, accusing it of attempting to erase the soul of the Indian republic. Referring to RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale's remarks suggesting the removal of the words 'socialism' and 'secularism' from the Preamble of the Constitution, Joseph said: "This is an effort to dismantle the very foundation of our democracy. The RSS had no role in shaping the Constitution. It was formed through the vision and commitment of leaders like Nehru and Ambedkar, based on thorough debates and global constitutional principles." Joseph emphasised that socialism and secularism were introduced during Indira Gandhi's tenure and remain central to the Constitution's character. "Congress will strongly resist any move to undermine democracy, secularism, socialism, and sovereignty. We call upon all secular citizens to join us in protecting these ideals," the KPCC chief said. Joseph accused governor Rajendra Arlekar of attempting to convert Raj Bhavan into a political platform. "It is highly condemnable that a constitutional institution is being misused for political propaganda. All such attempts must come to an end," he said. On the Nilambur byelection, Joseph reiterated that the Congress had no alliance or discussions with any other party. "This was a result of hard work, unity and grassroots strength. It was team effort that earned public approval. P V Anvar is now a closed chapter," he said. The KPCC political affairs committee formally congratulated voters and party workers for the emphatic win. Joseph noted that the result was a serious setback for the LDF, which has plunged into confusion and internal strife. "The CPM's contradictory statements on its RSS connections exposed deep fissures. Even the CPI assessed the verdict as an expression of public discontent. The govt must read this message and correct its course," he added. The KPCC president said the state govt reduced the PSC into a 'rubber stamp' for backdoor appointments. The KPCC political affairs committee also passed a resolution seeking a full investigation into alleged corruption in national highway construction. Joseph questioned why the state was reluctant to act. "Thousands of crores have been siphoned off with political patronage. Even MPs of ruling front have acknowledged the scam," he said.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
KPCC seeks to quash ‘captain' controversy, attributes Nilambur bypoll win to ‘Team UDF'
The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), which met here on Friday, sought to quell what it termed as media speculation that some leaders had prematurely claimed credit for the Nilambur bypoll victory, irking others in the hierarchy. At a press conference, KPCC president Sunny Joseph dismissed the 'captain controversy'. He attributed the win to teamwork and voter anger against the LDF government. The controversy erupted after some reports attributed the Nilambur victory to the Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan's 'captaincy'. Subsequently, senior leader Ramesh Chennithala observed that the UDF had won several by-elections when he was the Leader of the Opposition. Nevertheless, Mr. Chennithala said the media had not given him the honorific status of a 'captain'. He noted the press appeared to apply double standards. Later, Mr. Satheesan shrugged off the 'captain rank' and attributed the bypoll win to 'Team UDF'. He also praised Mr. Chennithala as a leader in the rank of 'Major'. However, the remarks provided grist to the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) to assail the UDF leadership as faction-driven and squabbling over credit. Mr. Joseph also appeared to stoke speculation that some LDF allies had put out feelers to the Congress, seeking a political accommodation in the UDF ahead of the 2025 local body polls and the 2026 Assembly elections. KC(M) question When asked whether Congress considered wooing back Kerala Congress (Mani) [KC(M)] — a key LDF ally with deep pockets of influence among the Christian community in central Kerala — Mr. Joseph said, 'The UDF is set to expand its base significantly,' he said. Meanwhile, KC(M) chairperson Jose K. Mani told reporters in Kottayam that his party remained an integral part of the LDF. He denied the conjecture that the party's State Secretariat would weigh the possibility of parleying with the UDF on Friday. Mr. Mani refused to comment when asked whether the UDF's willingness to expand its base would give the KC(M) a bargaining tool to demand more local body and Assembly seats from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]. The KPCC deemed the ward limitation ahead of the local body polls unscientific. It also accused the government of nepotism in appointments and corruption in the construction of NH-66.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Karnataka PWD Minister Satish says CM Siddaramaiah will discuss Kage's concerns with Dy CM Shivakumar
BELAGAVI: Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Thursday said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will discuss the issue of lack of funds raised by MLA Raju Kage with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. 'Who says the Water Resources Department has no funds? It has Rs 25,000 crore. But there are pending bills as well. Regardless of which government is in power, bills often remain unpaid for the first three years,' he said. He also said that he has not made any efforts to become KPCC president. 'I am content with my current position. Had I tried, I would have pursued it further. As you all know, no one is actively backing me from behind.' Regarding the Chief Minister and his aides visiting Delhi, he said, 'There is nothing unusual about it. We accompanied the CM to Delhi and met the President. During every Delhi visit, we engage with senior leaders. The CM may have held individual meetings, but we met everyone together.' On internal party dynamics, he said, 'Senior leaders are closely observing all developments. The high command knows how to assign responsibilities. Even MLA BR Patil's remarks were discussed in Delhi, and senior leaders have spoken to the Chief Minister about them.' 'Every constituency faces its own challenges, whether related to funds or transfers. Kage has brought several issues to my attention over the past year. However, that does not necessitate his resignation. The CM will address these concerns,' he said.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Hemavathi link canal meeting postponed: Karnataka deputy CM Shivakumar
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 26 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced on Thursday that the meeting on the Hemavathi link canal, originally scheduled for June 30, has been postponed to July 4-5, following a request from Union Minister V Somanna. Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence here, Shivakumar said, 'We have postponed the meeting as Somanna is also the MP from the district. The officials have been instructed accordingly.' The Deputy CM also addressed the postponement of a meeting with Yettinahole project contractors in Tumakuru, attributing it to the absence of Home Minister G Parameshwar. 'The meeting will now be held in Bengaluru tomorrow or the day after,' he said. Shivakumar emphasised the government's commitment to completing the Yettinahole project on time. 'The CM has instructed us to finish the project within the stipulated period, so we are reviewing problem areas. We are exploring options to store water in Koratagere taluk--whether a new dam is needed or if existing reservoirs can be utilised,' he explained. When asked about his meeting with MLA BR Patil, Shivakumar, who is also the KPCC president, said, 'As party chief, I need to understand ground realities. We will discuss issues with the CM and Housing Minister.' Reacting to questions about dissent within the government, he dismissed the notion, calling it 'a media creation.' Later, while laying the foundation for the Rs 50-crore Matada Halla lift irrigation project in Gubbi, Shivakumar urged people to avoid conflicts over water. 'We all belong to one state. Fighting over water is unnecessary--everyone's interests will be safeguarded,' he said, referring to disputes over the Hemavathi link canal. He also took a dig at former CM HD Kumaraswamy, stating, 'Kumaraswamy said lifting Yettinahole water was impossible, but we made it happen. We are resolving forest land issues and planning dams in Koratagere and Doddaballapur to store water. Without storing at least 3 TMC, we cannot supply water to Chikkaballapur and Kolar.' Shivakumar praised the Visvesvaraya Jala Nigam for its 10-km aqueduct project, calling it a significant achievement. (ANI)
