Yediyurappa will be removed from CM post after April: Cong leader Siddaramaiah

Politics

Siddaramaiah’s statement comes a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Yediyurappa would serve as the CM for the whole term till 2023.

TNM Staff

Representation photo

BJP’s high command will remove Yediyurappa as the Chief Minister of Karnataka in April this year, said former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday. Siddaramaiah’s statement comes a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Yediyurappa would continue as the CM of the state and complete his term till 2023.  Speaking to the media, Siddaramaiah said, “After April, Yediyurappa will be removed from the Chief Minister chair. I am saying this based on credible information from my sources in the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh). Amit Shah has announced that Yediyurappa would continue as the CM. Will any political party’s leaders say there would be a change in leadership? It would become difficult for the government to function if they do. But I have information that Yediyurappa will be removed.” On January 13, Water Resources Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, one of the leaders who defected from Congress to the BJP in 2019, had said that there would be a “major restructuring” of the state cabinet in between April and May this year. This had led to the Congress accusing BS Yediyurappa of indulging in dynasty politics. Congress leaders including Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar had raised the issue after BJP MLA from Bijapur City, Basangouda Patil Yatnal had accused Yediyurappa and his son BY Vijayendra of indulging in dynasty politics after the cabinet expansion on January 13.  Reacting to these accusations, Amit Shah on Saturday said, "I have been reading the statements of Congress leaders that this will happen and that will happen in Karnataka, but I want to tell everyone that the BJP government will not only complete the term but also return to power for five years with an absolute majority," Shah said. Speculation has been rife in Karnataka that the BJP’s national leaders are looking to find a replacement for the 77-year-old Chief Minister. The BJP, as a practice, offers its leaders aged above 75 years an advisory role within the party. Yediyurappa was offered the Chief Minister post despite this rule as he was responsible for toppling the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in 2019 by poaching 17 MLAs from the two parties.  Rumours have been doing the rounds since 2020 that Yediyurappa would be forced to retire before his term completes as the BJP wants the new face of the party to make a smooth transition. The Chief Minister currently holds massive support from the Lingayat community, the BJP’s largest voter base in the state. If Yediyurappa is unceremoniously removed, the BJP could face the threat of backlash from the community. 

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Asian Paints factory in Mysuru resumes operation after reassurance of jobs

Controversy

However, the protesters who have been camping outside the factory gate in Immavu village for close to two months have not left the protest site.

Soumya Chatterjee

In what seems to be the end of the dispute between Asian Paints factory management in Mysuru’s Nanjangud and protesting farmers, factory operations have resumed since Friday. It was earlier reported that production was shut down by the protesters from January 11 after their peaceful protests for more than 50 days did not yield any result. The production was allowed to resume after the farmers were convinced with the assurance by the company and district officials.  As reported earlier, the protest was started by farmers who were made to part away with their land for the construction of the factory in 2017. While they were promised a job in the same unit as per the agreement then, the management was allegedly not complying with it. The protesters said that they were given a contractual job in a sanitizer making unit set up by the company 45 km away from the site, which was unacceptable for them. Now a separate industrial unit will be set up by the company on the same land to provide employment to these protesters. Read: Asian Paints factory shut in Mysuru by farmers as the company goes back on job promise However, the protesters, who have been camping outside the factory gate in Immavu village for close to two months, have not left the protest site just yet. They have warned that they will intensify their stir against the company if they fail to honour the commitment. "The DC (Deputy Commissioner) told us that Asian Paints has agreed to give jobs and the formalities will be completed on Monday (January 18). We have placed out trust in district officials. Though we haven't withdrawn our protest, we have allowed the factory to resume production. This is the last chance we have given to the government and the company. If they break our trust this time, the gate is immediately going to be blocked again. Then no amount of assurances will work," Sachin S, one of the protesters, told TNM. Asian Paints also issued a statement saying that it is “acting beyond the lines of the terms and conditions agreed upon initially”. The statement has been carried in full below. A top source in the Mysuru DC’s office said that even the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police had held meetings with the company to persuade them to give in to the demands of the protesters. The official said, “The company was clearly violating the state industrial policy of providing jobs to the land losers. The DC in her report to the Jagadish Shettar, Karnataka Industries Minister and former CM, had said that the company was trying to circumvent its commitment to the land losers, while 100-plus other companies in the district have been following the same. Following that the minister’s office too have warned the company of strict action.” Asian Paints Full statement: Asian Paints being a socially responsible company has always acted in the best interest of its stakeholders. Hence, honouring its commitment to the communities, the company plans to end all dispute at their Mysuru paint plant by setting up an additional facility for any alternate product manufacturing on the same plot for the land sellers. With tremendous respect for the land sellers and the Government of Karnataka, Asian Paints is acting beyond the lines of the terms and conditions agreed upon initially. The company was in continuous talks with the Government of Karnataka and had offered few additional proposals regarding the employment of land sellers.  The Government has now accepted the proposal and the land sellers have also given their nod for employment in a separate set up within the plot. The employment offered shall be commensurate with the skill sets and qualification of the land sellers. In addition to the above proposal, Asian Paints will also provide training to the eligible land sellers for a period of six months along with a suitable stipend. The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has also agreed to provide the final list of eligible land sellers to Asian Paints by 18th January 2021. Asian Paints has already borne an additional cost of Rs. 14 crores in alignment with the Government authorities in the past to set up a Health and Hygiene facility in the Mysuru region for the land sellers. Despite incurring such an expenditure, the brand continued to stay committed to the communities around its plant and works with several NGOs in the areas of health, water, hygiene and education. The company truly believe that strong communities are the necessary ingredients of economic success and hence have gone an extra mile so that it honors all the commitments made to the Government and also contributes to the prosperity and progressiveness of the region. In the last 5 years, Asian Paints has set up 2 mega paint manufacturing facilities in the state of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh with a total investment of Rs. 2400 crores.  Both the plants have an installed capacity of 300,000 KL/annum and together employ about 1200 people.  These plants are set up using state-of-the-art technology and are built in line with the concept of ‘Smart Factory’. The plants operate with maximum green energy including wind and rooftop solar and have received IGBC (Indian Green Business Council) Platinum rated certification for its buildings from Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). (With inputs from Shishir Rao)

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Belagavi farmers stage protest against farm laws during Amit Shah's visit to state

Farmer's Protest

The farmers demanded a complete rollback of the three farmer-related legislations passed last year.

TNM Staff

Farmers in Karnataka’s Belagavi, on Sunday were detained after they staged a protest outside the MR Nirani Sugar Factory, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah was visiting for a function. The farmers, who were protesting against the three controversial farm-related legislations, raised slogans against Amit Shah and demanded that the new laws be rolled back.  A group of farmers began protesting outside Channamma Circle in Belagavi in the early hours of Sunday, shouting slogans such ‘The anti-farmer legislation must be withdrawn.’ The protest continued as farmers began gathering outside the factory and sat down to shout slogans. At around 12.45 pm, when Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Union Home Minister Amit Shah landed in Belagavi and were to reach MLA Murugesh Nirani’s factory, the security personnel who were deployed for the protest detained the farmers.  Several farmers refused to get up and were dragged away by the police personnel. Amit Shah is visiting the factory and also the family members of deceased Belagavi Parliamentarian Suresh Anagadi later on Sunday. Belagavi police said that the protesters had to be dispersed as the convoys of Yediyurappa and Amit Shah had to pass after the ceremony.  Watch: Farmers protesting during Amit Shah's visit in Belagavi detained by police Farmers in Karnataka and those across the country have been protesting against the three controversial legislations since last year. The three legislations include The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 and The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020.  Read: Explainer: The 'Farm Bills' controversy, and why farmers are protesting The Supreme Court last week issued an interim stay against the implementation of these legislations. The Supreme Court also appointed a committee to help negotiate talks between the protesting farmers and the Union government. Farmers had refused to engage with the committee members, alleging that they were pro-government and have demanded that an independent committee look into the matter.

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'Why only Hindi and English on plaques for Karnataka RAF?' HDK hits out at Amit Shah

Politics

On Saturday Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for the RAF campus in Shivamogga district where the plaques had inscriptions only in Hindi and English.

TNM Staff

CM Media Secretary Office

Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, on Sunday, criticised Union Home Minister Amith Shah and CM BS Yediyurappa for ignoring Kannada language and not implementing the three-language policy in the plaques of the foundation stone laid at an event in Karnataka. On Saturday, Union Home Minister Amith Shah laid the foundation stone for the new campus of the Reserve Police Force in Shivamogga district’s Bhadravathi. When the plaques were revealed it only contained inscriptions in Hindi and English languages. Kumaraswamy accused Chief Minister Yediyurappa of ignoring the need to stand up for “the dignity and honour of the land and language”. “The behaviour of Mr. Shah who has ignored Kannada in the process of providing prominence to English and Hindi indicates anti-Kannada attitude. It is an insult to the pride of Kannadigas. It is Karnataka that has given land for the Centre’s RAF unit,” he tweeted. The behaviour of Mr. Shah who has ignored Kannada in the process of providing prominence to English and Hindi indicates anti-Kannada attitude. It is an insult to the pride of Kannadigas. It is Karnataka that has given land for the Centre’s RAF unit. 6/8 — H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) January 17, 2021 Calling the exclusion of Kannada language from the plaques an “unpardonable act” as the land for the RAF campus was in Karnataka, Kumaraswamy said the state’s language was “completely ignored”.  Lashing out at Amit Shah and Yediyurappa, he said that those who “tolerate insult to the dignity and honour of land” are not fit to hold the reins of administration. “The act and behaviour of the Union Home Minister, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are nothing but betraying Kannadigas,” Kumaraswamy said.  Those who tolerate insult to the dignity and honour of land as well as its language are not fit to hold the reigns of state’s administration. The act and behaviour of the Union Home Minister, Chief Minister and deputy Chief Minister are nothing but betraying Kannadigas. 8/8 — H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) January 17, 2021 Kumaraswamy questioned the Union government as to why it did not adhere to its own three-language policy and called the incident a slight to Kannada language. “Amit Shah should clarify to Kannadiagas on the episode of violation of three-language formula in the foundation stone plaque,” he added.  The former Chief Minister reminded the union government of its responsibility to “respect languages of different states” and that regional languages are not undermined.  “...Our country, which is known for its diversity, has adopted the three-language formula to ensure that the importance of state languages is not undermined. But violation of such a sensitive norm by the union home minister himself is an insult to the Kannada language as well as Kannadigas,” Kumaraswamy said in his tweets. 

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Amit Shah says Yediyurappa govt will complete term, dismisses claims by opposition

Politics

Shah asked opposition leaders in Karnataka to work for the well-being of people, instead of finding fault with the BJP.

PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said the BS Yediyurappa-led Karnataka government would not only complete its five-year term but also return to power with an absolute majority. He said a lot of development work has been taking place in the state under the leadership of Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and advised opposition leaders to work for the well-being of people, instead of finding fault with the BJP. "I have been reading the statements of Congress leaders that this will happen and that will happen in Karnataka, but I want to tell everyone that the BJP government will not only complete the five-year term but also return to power for five years with an absolute majority," Shah said. The opposition Congress in Karnataka had on January 14 taken a dig at Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa over dynasty politics allegations made against him by some BJP legislators after the cabinet expansion. The opposition Congress has been mocking the Chief Minister over dynasty politics allegations levelled against him by some BJP legislators after the recent cabinet expansion. Unhappy about missing out on a cabinet berth, some leaders among the saffron party had come out in the open and spoke against the CM following the exercise. Also read: Rebellion within Karnataka BJP: Why Yediyurappa cannot please everyone Shah said the Centre and state are committed to the development for Karnataka. Shah was speaking at the inauguration of police quarters in Bengaluru, besides virtually inaugurating the Indian Reserve Battalion at Vijayapura and the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS). Chief Minister BS  Yediyurappa and state Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai were among the dignitaries present.  Referring to the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive launched on Saturday, Shah said the results would be visible in one or two months. He also lauded the scientists who brought out the Covishield and Covaxin vaccines and said frontline workers deserved to get the first shots as they are at the forefront of the war against the virus. Shah also launched 92 Emergency Response Support System vehicles and congratulated Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai for setting a target of attending to a complaint or information within 15 minutes.

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Bengaluru achieves 65% vaccination target on day one, better than state average

COVID-19

The health department said that Covishield was being administered in 237 centres and Covaxin in six centres in the state

PTI

An estimated 62% of the designated beneficiaries earmarked for Saturday were administered the COVID-19 vaccine, the Karnataka government said, as the first phase of the vaccination drive began in the state. The exercise began at 243 sites across the state, including 10 in Bengaluru and the number of sites is said to "exponentially" raise from Monday. "Today the vaccination drive began at around 11:30 am instead of 9am due to the PM's programme, and ended at 5 pm. On the first day 62% have undergone vaccination voluntarily till 4pm, it was promising and a happy thing," Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said. "Highest 84% vaccination was in Kodagu district, second is Uttara Kannada with 80 %. The least is Dakshina Kannada with only 37%. Of the targeted 600 people, only 223 were vaccinated... reason is not known..people there are educated,I appeal to them," Dr Sudhakar added. In Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike limits it was 65% and 53% in Bengaluru urban, he said, adding that as per observation big facilities or places have seen less turnout, while small centres or places have more turnout. Speaking to reporters, he said 21,658 people were earmarked for vaccination on the first day, of whom 13,408 have been vaccinated. "No serious complications or side effects was reported from anywhere.A few people had slight pain or swelling at the spot where they were injected, but it was fine without any treatment in 30 minutes time, and they have left for home," he said, adding that both Covishield and Covaxin administered. The health department said Covishield was being administered in 237 centres and Covaxin in six centres in Ballari, Shivamogga, Hassan, Chikmagalur, Chamarajnagar and Davanegere. Expressing confidence that more people will get vaccinated in the coming days, the Minister said vaccination would be done at more sites from Monday in a full fledged way, as it was Sunday tomorrow. Some private hospitals who did not start the drive today would join from Sunday, he said. The Minister noted that 7,43,000 people have been identified for the vaccination in the first phase and about 8 lakh doses of vaccine have been received. Dr Sudhakar said the Karnataka government has requested the centre to provide an additional eight lakh doses of vaccine. Nagaratna K (28), a ward attendant at Victoria Hospital, was the first to receive the shot in the presence of Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, among others, at Bangalore Medical College, soon after PM Narendra Modi launched the drive nationally through video conferencing. Yediyurappa and other dignitaries greeted Nagaratna, who hails from a village near Bidadi, with rose flowers after she received the vaccine. "....no one needs to worry or fear about the vaccine, and we should be proud that they are produced in the country," Yediyurappa said. Asked when he will take the vaccine, the 77-year-old CM "Whenever they ask me to take,at that time I'm going to take," he said. Several doctors and health experts, including noted nephrologist and chairman of Manipal Hospitals Sudarshan Ballal, Dr M K Sudarshan, Chairman of the Karnataka government's COVID-19 technical advisory committee and Dr V Ravi, former HOD, Department of Neurovirology at NIMHANS also got vaccinated.

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BBMP rolls back decision to cut trees for drain after residents protest

Civic issues

The BBMP had initially proposed building a concrete drain along a road in Whitefield, which the citizens’ group Namma Whitefield had opposed.

Sanjana Deshpande

Facebook/ Namma Whitefield

Two weeks ago, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) announced that they would fell trees at the entrance of Athashri Road from Swami Vivekananda Road in the city’s Whitefield area. The decision was taken to build a drainage system alongside the newly tarred roads. However, members of the citizens’ group Namma Whitefield severely opposed this. When their protests were heard by officials, the BBMP went back on their decision to cut down the trees and heeded the people’s demands. The concrete drains that were initially proposed were to allow seepage of water, to avoid flooding. “The concreting of the road was completed two weeks back and the BBMP engineer had announced that they will build the concrete drains along the road. We were trying to get in touch with the officials but in vain. We finally posted our ordeal on the social media which garnered the official’s attention and met with him today (Saturday),” said Sandeep Anirudhan, the founder of Namma Whitefield. After seeing their campaign, BBMP Major Roads Engineer Shri Ramakrishna Reddy did not only hold a meeting with the residents, they also inspected the area together and discussed their views on trees and the drain plan. Upon hearing their request to save the greenery, Reddy agreed to not touch the trees and saplings planted in the area. Sandeep said, “Instead of a concrete drain, the road’s edge will be terminated with a concrete shoulder and the water will be allowed to seep into the soil bed, that will provide the trees required water. We were asked to submit a formal written representation to other BBMP officials including the Commissioner.” He further added that the existing drain on the opposite side will be repaired and concrete walls will be added around it. “The adjoining trees and saplings would not be harmed either,” he added. Additionally, the citizens requested for speed breakers on the road to avoid accidents due to speeding. They were assured that the Traffic Cell will look into at the earliest, after receiving written notification from the citizens. The official also assured citizens that the saplings and trees on the adjoining road, the GR Tech Park road, will be protected too, with arrangements for more saplings to be planted in the works. Citizens took to Facebook to thank BBMP and express their joy. TNM tried to contact the Shri Ramakrishna Reddy, but he remained unavailable for comment.   

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