KARNATAKA LANDSLIDE

Karnataka rolls out last Congress guarantee amidst prep for Lok Sabha polls

The Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, officially launched the unemployment assistance scheme "Yuva Nidhi," fulfilling the last of the Congress party's pre-poll guarantees. The scheme promises monetary assistance to graduates and diploma holders, providing financial support for a period of two years or until they find employment or become self-employed.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah under pressure to issue formal order revoking hijab ban

The CM had on Friday sent shockwaves across the state, announcing that his government would be lifting the ban on hijab in colleges that BJP had imposed while in power in 2022. However, there has been no official order to that effect yet.

2023: Congress loses momentum after victories in Karnataka, Himachal

The Congress party has lost three north-eastern states, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, but regained momentum with a win in Karnataka in May. However, it lost three crucial Hindi heartland states, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan, to the BJP. The Congress needs to identify and fix what went wrong and take on the BJP with new-found energy.

Karnataka: Lingayats seek inclusion in central OBC quota, ask CM Siddaramaiah to junk caste census report

The State Permanent Backward Classes Commission has prepared the caste census or socio-economic survey report and is waiting for a signal for the CM to submit it. Lingayat-Veerashaivas are the politically influential caste group. They are said to have backed the Congress in the May 10 assembly polls helping it win a landslide. Vokkaligas, the second largest community, have already petitioned the CM urging him not to accept the report, and the signatories include Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy, besides some Congress MLAs.

Caste Census: Lingayats, OBCs plan separate rallies to send message to Congress as it stands divided

The Veerashaiva Mahasabha, led by veteran Congress lawmaker Shamnur Shivashankarappa, has resisted the caste census report, and is planning a big rally in Davanagere on December 24 to send a political message to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the party that they will only alienate the community if they accept the report.

Siddaramaiah government completes six months in office, showcases introduction of key poll promises

"As the Chief Minister of Karnataka, it brings me immense pride to mark the completion of six months of our government's tenure. In this short span, we have been steadfast in our commitment to empower the people of Karnataka and craft a sustainable and progressive future for our state," Siddaramaiah said in a statement.

Congress MLA's CM change statement causes flutter in Karnataka

Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy said: "There is a legislature party, AICC high command, and they will decide on things at the appropriate time...There is no difference between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar and they are doing their job seriously in the interest of the state." There are more than 50 people who have the capability to become CM in the Congress party, he said. "When their time comes they will become. The post is not vacant now."

Delay over drought relief: Siddaramaiah suspects Centre taking revenue for BJP’s rout in Karnataka

Siddaramaiah complained that the state's 216 taluks have been badly battered by drought. But the Union Government had not given a single paisa of assistance, so far. He took dig at the PM asking why his heart, which beats for everyone else, had been hard on the people of Karnataka.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah rejects party colleague's charge that Congress sidelined Lingayats

Siddaramaiah did not agree with the perception of his party colleague, insisting that his government had treated everyone equally. “Ours is a secular government, which functions above caste lines. All our programmes including Anna Bhagya, Shakti, Gruha Jyothi and Gruha Lakshmi reach members of all communities," the CM told the media in Bengaluru.

Karnataka Congress launches Lok Sabha campaign with a bang, attacks Modi for “credit claiming”

Karnataka Industries minister MB Patil slammed PM Modi for "forgetting" his promises to the country. “Nine years ago, he [Modi] had promised to bring back black money from Swiss banks and credit Rs.15 lakh to every citizen. He may have forgotten,” he said.

2038 dead due to floods, landslides, lightning since April 1: MHA data

Over 2,000 people lost their lives in India due to floods, landslides, and lightning strikes this monsoon season, according to the data collected by the country's Union Home Ministry. Bihar reported the highest casualty figure of 518, and Haryana followed with 330 deaths. Over 1,500 people were also injured, while 101 went missing.

Karnataka Congress leader DK Shivakumar may get to play major role in upcoming Assembly Polls in Telangana

Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, may play a significant role in the upcoming assembly elections in Telangana as Congress prepares to challenge the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. Congress is expected to use a data-based survey-led approach similar to the playbook employed in Karnataka, combined with populist promises to voters.

Rahul Gandhi to meet 50 Karnataka leaders today

The Congress has roped in a team of external strategists which gives inputs to the leadership. Gandhi gets inputs regularly, which he will use to give broad directions to state leaders at Wednesday's meeting. The party's faith in the inputs has only increased after its landslide win in the May 10 polls.

Rahul Gandhi to meet Karnataka Congress leaders, discuss LS election strategy

With the Congress aiming big gains in the Lok Sabha polls due in less than a year, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has called for a meeting of party leaders from Karnataka in Delhi on Wednesday to stem any differences among them in the bud and share tips on how they could repeat the performance of the assembly election.

From Karnataka to Maharashtra to Noida, schools holidays announced in many places amid heavy rains

Several state governments in India have announced school and college closures due to heavy rains. The Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration shut down schools up to class 12 because of rain and waterlogging. Maharashtra's Raigad district will close all schools and colleges amid a "red alert" issued by the weather department. In Karnataka, all schools and colleges in vulnerable areas will remain closed, following a flash flood warning in parts of the state.

Schools and colleges in nine districts announce holiday after heavy rainfall in Karnataka

Heavy southwest monsoon rains have led to fears of flooding in nine Indian districts including Belagavi, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada and Udupi. Schools and colleges in the affected regions have been closed, while the country’s Meteorological Department has issued red alerts for the coast districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada.

Poll guarantees in Karnataka can be template for Congress in other states: Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar says the Congress' poll promise of five guarantees was a "very tough call" and feels it can be a template for the party in other states depending upon their respective financial strength. He further said economic issues, unemployment and poverty are the core matters, not the ideological ones, as "they don't fill the stomach."

KSRTC union writes to CM Siddaramaiah, claims passengers refuse to buy tickets citing Congress poll promise

The Congress had, in the run up to the elections, announced five ‘guarantees’ that the party would implement if it came to power. One of those, Shakti, promised free travel for women in public transport buses across Karnataka.

Have given 'in principle' approval to poll guarantees in first Cabinet meeting, will be in force after next meet, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka's new Congress government has committed to fulfilling election promises on implementing five guarantees in the party's manifesto. Among these promises were free electricity for households and free bus travel for women. An announcement made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that the five guarantees were in-principle approved the same day he and his Cabinet ministers were sworn in. “I had said we don't make false promises. We do what we say”, said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the Cabinet's implementation of the guarantees.

Thumping win for Congress in Karnataka as BJP loses the South

The Congress secured Karnataka's assembly majority with a win in 136 seats, with this being a boost for the party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Rahul Gandhi attributed the achievement to a vote for the poor against crony capitalists, and the newly elected government intends to implement the "five promises" in its first Cabinet meeting, including 200 units of free electricity and help for unemployed graduates. The new Cabinet will be sworn in on Monday, and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is seen as one of the top contenders for the CLP leadership.

Congress Legislature Party to meet Sunday evening to elect new Karnataka CM, new govt likely on Monday

The party, which has logged a landslide victory, will elect its new leader on Sunday. The swearing-in of the new government is expected to take place on Monday.

Six persons killed in landslides in Karnataka

In another heart-wrenching incident reported from Subramanya in Dakshina Kannada district, the mortal remains of two sisters were found holding their hands together as a portion of a hill collapsed on their house. The bodies of the siblings were removed after a long rescue operation. Shruthi (aged 11) and Jnanashree (6), daughters of Kusumadhar, lost their lives in the tragedy on Monday.

Heavy rains in Karnataka, loss of life and property