Top News

Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Shivakumar stated, “It’s all done by the opposition parties. B Nagendra, on our order, gave his resignation before. Let’s see; there is no such thing at present.”

The re-induction of B Nagendra into the Karnataka Cabinet has sparked significant legislative turmoil and opposition criticism. Nagendra faces serious money-laundering allegations involving the alleged theft of nearly Rs 90 crore from the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, as detailed in charge sheets filed by central agencies such as the CBI.

Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, announced an indefinite day-and-night dharna inside the Assembly on August 24, accusing the Congress government of protecting Nagendra.

Shivakumar also addressed the phone-tapping controversy, stating he would investigate the matter after it was raised by the media. He said, “I don’t have any information about this. I had read about it in the newspapers earlier… There was some report about phone tapping in the newspapers. Our Swamiji had even put up a photograph and written: ‘delete.’ After that, I have no information about it. Since you have brought it up, I will try to find out more about it.”

Regarding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, the Chief Minister affirmed the government’s commitment to protecting every citizen’s right to vote. He added, “I have already stated my stand, and it’s clear that no one should lose their voting rights. That’s why our stand is important, and we have to save their voting rights, doesn’t matter whom they vote for. Our stand is clear: we will keep our stand to save voting rights.”

On the issue of Cauvery water sharing, Shivakumar noted that the state government is acting on legal advice. He said, “We have to take the opinion of the legal team, and the committee and authority are calling meetings every 10 days; let’s see. I’m aware of the protests of our farmers too. We have to find a remedy.”