Karnataka Polls

BJP calls Karnataka caste census 'divisive and unfortunate' move by Cong

With the Social and Education Survey, popularly known as 'caste census' commencing in Karnataka on Monday, state BJP President B Y Vijayendra accused the Congress government and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of trying to divide the Hindu society, and called it "unfortunate". He termed the caste census as the "misadventure" of the state government, despite it not having any powers to conduct such a survey. "The caste census has reached the High Court...the chief minister, who should be thinking about the development of the state, is involving himself in attempts to divide the Hindu society. This is an unfortunate thing for the state," Vijayendra said. Speaking to reporters here, he said, "People are discussing it. People and society have become aware now, but there is a need for Hindu society to become more aware. This misadventure of the state government, despite them not having any powers to do the cast census is condemnable. We will see what happens at the court." The survey by the

He chose to threaten a constitutional body: EC on Rahul's Karnataka claims

The Election Commission on Thursday hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's claim that it allowed cheating in a Karnataka constituency and said that besides making "baseless allegations", the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha chose to "threaten" a constitutional body. Gandhi said the Congress has "concrete 100 per cent proof" that the Election Commission (EC) allowed cheating in a constituency in Karnataka and warned the poll panel that it will not get away with this "because we are going to come for you". Responding to Gandhi's statement, the EC said that as far as the Karnataka elections are concerned, it is "highly unfortunate" that rather than filling an election petition as per Section 80 of the Representation of the People Act 1951, or if filed, awaiting the verdict of the high court, he not only made "baseless allegations" but has also "chosen to threaten" the EC, a constitutional body. Gandhi alleged that the EC is not functioning as the Election Commission of India, a

Karnataka risks Rs 18,948 crore grants as local body polls face delays

The state faces a 16-month deadline to complete these polls to remain eligible for its share of Rs 18,948 crore allocated by the 15th Finance Commission for 2021-26

By-polls: K'taka Cong to send candidates' list to high command in 2-3 days

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday said the ruling Congress will send a final report on probable candidates for the November 13 by-polls for three Assembly seats in the state to the party high command in two-three days. The preparations for the by-polls will formally begin on Thursday, Shivakumar, who is also Congress state president, said. "We will do our job. Today we have some programme. Let it get over. From tomorrow, we will take it up (poll preparations). We have already held our local meetings. In two-three days we will send a final report on candidates (to the Congress high command)," he said in response to a question. Speaking to reporters here, he said that he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will hold discussions on the by-polls and candidates on Wednesday. Noting that Congress general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal, who heads the Parliaments' Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is visiting the city to attend a PAC related meeting, Shivakumar

Prajwal to be taken for medical examination before being produced in court

Prajwal Revanna, in a self-made video released on May 27, said that he will appear before the SIT on May 31 for questioning

LS polls: PM Modi to address four mega rallies in North K'taka today

The third phase is scheduled for May 7 which will witness polling in 94 constituencies across 12 states/UTs. The results will be announced on June 4

Village in Udupi decides to boycott elections overs poor civic facilities

Residents of a village in Kapu assembly segment of Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha constituency have decided to boycott the upcoming election, in protest against the poor civic amenities there. The decision was taken by the villagers of Kattingeri, which is part of Moodubelle Gram Panchayat. They declared their refusal to partake in any forthcoming electoral processes, including the Lok Sabha elections, until their demands are met. The villagers were aggrieved that Kattingeri grapples with a dearth of essential amenities such as roads, bridges, and functional public transport connectivity. They lamented the lack of progress despite previous engagements with authorities, including a visit by the deputy commissioners in the past, which failed to yield tangible solutions. Former President of Belle Gram Panchayat Shivaji S Suvarna highlighted the significant voter base in Kattingeri, estimating around a thousand eligible voters with substantial participation in past elections. However,

BJP, Cong spar over Centre rejecting Karnataka's tableau at R-day parade

Responding to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's accusation of the Central government denying an opportunity to Karnataka to present its tableau during the Republic Day parade to be held in New Delhi, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra on Wednesday said the government should have approached the Centre instead of trying to politicise the issue. He said Karnataka tableaux were part of the parade for 14 consecutive years but the State could not get the chance this year because other states were given opportunity. "As far as the tableau issue is concerned, Karnataka has had an opportunity for the last 14 years. Since every state has to get the opportunity, Karnataka has missed this time," Vijayendra told reporters. Last year when Karnataka's tableau proposal initially did not get permission, the then BJP government "rushed" to Delhi, made a request and ensured that the state got the chance. "But this time the state government did not choose to do that. Immediately when they got the informat

BJP raised Rs 341.65 cr during Karnataka Assembly polls, spent Rs 196.7 cr

The BJP spent Rs 196.70 crore on the Karnataka assembly elections held in May, including Rs 16.83 crore on air charters for star campaigners, the party said in a report submitted to the Election Commission. The BJP central headquarters received Rs 341.65 crore in the period from the announcement of the Karnataka election to the date of completion of the process, according to the report. It stated that the party spent Rs 78.10 crore on advertisements in print and electronic media, bulk messages, websites and TV channels, and Rs 14.21 crore on organising rallies and public meetings. The expenditure also included Rs 34 crore as total lump sum payments to candidates of the party or other candidates authorised or incurred by the state unit. Of the total spending of Rs 196.70 crore, the BJP declared Rs 149.36 crore as expenditure on general party propaganda and Rs 47.33 crore as expenditure on candidates.

Congress ads in Telangana papers do not seek votes: DK Shivakumar to EC

EC issued a notice to the K'taka govt for publishing ads about welfare schemes and achievements in several newspapers in poll-bound Telangana and said that it was a violation of the MCC

Karnataka may keep additional expenditure on 5 poll promises fiscal neutral

The implementation of these promises may cost the exchequer an additional sum in the range of Rs 45,000-50,000 crore

Karnataka political glass ceiling: Why women have limited representation

The Lok Sabha had 14.4 per cent representation of women after the 2019 general elections

Congress won Karnataka polls taking cue from AAP manifesto: Arvind Kejriwal

The Congress won the Karnataka assembly elections by promising free electricity, free ration and unemployment allowance in its poll manifesto, taking cue from the Aam Aadmi Party, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday. He said the AAP has succeeded in its efforts to bring some change in the country's political discourse as other parties are also now seeking votes on issues like education and health. He was addressing AAP leaders who won seats in just-concluded Uttar Pradesh local body elections. "The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has tried to change the narrative of the country's politics. If you look at Karnataka polls, the Congress party has won on our manifesto," Kejriwal said. "We said we will provide free electricity, they (Congress) also said so. We said we will provide unemployment allowance, free ration, and Rs 1,000 (per moth to women, They also said so," he said. The BJP is also now making such promises, he said, adding, political parties earlier used to seek vote

Reworking the casts: Lesson from Karnataka poll outcome for the BJP

Has the Karnataka poll outcome brought home to the BJP the message of nurturing strong regional leaders?

'K'taka poll results gave ray of hope to country', says Mehbooba Mufti

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti said here on Sunday that the mandate of the people of Karnataka giving victory to the Congress has given a ray of hope to the entire country

Rs 2,000 note withdrawal to cover up drubbing in Karnataka polls: Stalin

After the landslide victory of Congress in Karnataka assembly elections, Stalin had said the BJP has been wiped out from Dravidian landscape

97% MLAs crorepatis in Karnataka's new Assembly, 55% have criminal records

The average assets of the MLAs witnessed a rise of nearly Rs 30 crore from Rs 34.59 crore in 2018 to Rs 64.39 crore in 2013

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Dead heat for foreign investment as Congress takes charge of Karnataka

The party is expected to continues policies designed to woo the world's biggest industries

MVA will never be able to form government in Maharashtra: Fadnavis

"Maha Vikas Aghadi's dream of forming the government (in Maharashtra) will never be fulfilled as BJP-Sena will be re-elected," he said