Belagavi, 16 Dec 

The power-tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Deputy DK Shivakumar caused a major stir in the Legislative Assembly during the question hour. 

Shivakumar loyalist, MLA HD Ranganath, alleged that the farmers in his constituency of Kunigal were not getting short-term loans from the District Central Cooperative Bank (DCC Bank) whereas farmers from neighbouring Madhugiri constituency got short-term loans worth Rs 100 crore. KN Rajanna, a Siddaramaiah loyalist, represents Madhugiri.

Siddaramaiah vowed to address any alleged discrimination, while asserting that he would complete a full five-year tenure. 

However, Opposition Leader R Ashoka quipped that the discrimination was intentional. 

The CM retorted, “Don’t add fuel to the fire. Opposition is meant for adding fuel.”

Ashoka replied, “It means there is fire. Ranganath is performing poojas to see that Shivakumar becomes CM.”

“Even if you try to instigate, no one from our side will react… All 140 MLAs are standing in unison,” Siddaramaiah shot back. 

Ashoka then asked whether he would remain CM for full five years.

Siddaramaiah said, “Why are you asking me this question. People have given us a mandate to rule for five years.”

BJP MLA S Suresh Kumar pointed out that, “Siddaramaiah had been saying ‘I will remain as Chief Minister for five years’, but now he is saying ‘we will rule for five years’. There is a shift from the singular term ‘I’ to the plural term ‘we’.”

Siddaramaiah clarified that “We are running the government. It was always plural (collective). It was never an individual affair. I am the CM till now and will remain in the post till the High Command wishes.”

Jalahalli underpass to be discussed with LoP: DKS 

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that a meeting of MLAs and officials would be held under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka to discuss Jalahalli underpass work.

Replying to a question from MLA Muniraju during Question Hour in the Legislative Council, he said “The construction work was given to a contractor named PGB in 2021 for an amount of Rs 57 crore. As many as 48 property owners have been given compensation till now. The total compensation for the project is Rs 85 crore. The land acquisition amount has been estimated to be around 139 crore. Compensation of Rs 53 crore needs to be paid out. TDR also need to be given.” 

He was replying a question on pending dues in compensation for Jalahalli underpass project.

HOLIDAY VILLAGE ROAD 

To a question raised by Yeshwanthpur MLA ST Somashekar on white topping work of Holiday Village road, the DyCM said, “Bommanahalli and Yeshwanthpur constituencies are large constituencies. I have personally inspected the white topping work. I will call the contractor and speak to them. The white topping work is going on and there are delays due to shifting of some utilities. It is not a big deal to blacklist contractors but getting the work done is important. I have taken special interest in Somashekar’s constituency.”

‘WHY IS BJP SILENT ON CENTRE’S IRRIGATION LAPSES?’

Later, speaking at Belagavi airport and Circuit House, he said, “The Centre has not given the promised Rs 5,300 crore for Upper Bhadra and it has not given approval for Mahadayi project. The Centre has not issued Gazette notification for Upper Krishna project. Why is BJP not talking about these things?”

BR Patil attempts to discuss Aland vote chori, Oppn says wait 

Congress MLA BR Patil on Tuesday tried to raise the issue of alleged "vote theft" in the Karnataka Assembly, claiming that attempts were made to prevent his election as the legislator.

The MLA from Aland assembly constituency in Kalaburagi wanted a discussion, but the Opposition objected to it, saying that until the Special Investigation Team submits its report on ‘Vote Chori’, a discussion cannot take place.

“There were attempts to stop me from entering the Assembly. The SIT has identified the accused in the 'vote chori’ scam,” the Aland MLA said in the House.

Minister Priyank Kharge supported Patil, saying the MLA should be given a chance.

“He should be given a chance to speak. There were attempts to steal votes for Rs 70 per vote."

The SIT has so far arrested one person from West Bengal for trying to delete votes using an application ‘OTP Bazaar’. The SIT has also filed a charge sheet in this case, naming the BJP candidate Subhash Guttedar, his son Harshanand Guttedar, Adya and four others in this case.

Female foeticide: Govt appointing nodal officers in all districts 

Accepting that the female foeticide has not stopped in the State, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday said that the government is appointing separate nodal officers in all districts and tightening measures to a "social evil".

He also assured that the government will consider strengthening legislation to control such activities.

Rao was responding to a question by BJP MLC CT Ravi in the Legislative Council.

"Foeticides are not happening under pressure; voluntarily, it is happening, for not wanting a girl child. These things are happening based on the sex determination of the foetus at some hospitals. Sex determination is illegal, but with the advancement in technology, portable ultrasound machines have been developed, which can be easily carried anywhere, and scans and tests can be done. This needs to be controlled. We will bring it to the notice of the Central government," he said.

Why is BJP panicking over hate speech bill: Priyank

IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday asked why the BJP was panicking over the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill (Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Bill, 2025).

“It has nothing to do with them,” he remarked on Tuesday. 

Labour Minister Santosh Lad said the proposed law was in line with existing legal frameworks. “For everything there is a law, so we are also getting it. What is wrong with that?” 

Minister Madhu Bangarappa emphasised the responsible use of social media. “Putting out wrong information on social media should be punishable.”

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said, “We are a civilised society and there is no place for hatred. We are bringing this legislation to keep peace and law and order in the society. This will do good for the State.”

The State government introduced bill in the assembly on 10 December despite steep backlash from the Opposition. 

The bill proposes imprisonment for one year to seven years and a fine of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh for offenders.