Timeline India

Category: Karnataka Politics

  • “Where Was This Concern When You Looted with High GST?” CM Siddaramaiah Questions PM Modi

    Bengaluru, September 22, 2025 – Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched a sharp verbal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, questioning the BJP’s tax policies. “You introduced GST, hiked it repeatedly, and now you’re patting your back for reductions—where was this concern when you were looting people with high GST?” Siddaramaiah asked.

    Speaking after inaugurating the food fair at Maharaja College ground as part of the world-famous Mysuru Dasara celebrations, the CM mocked Modi as “Mahaan Dongi.” He challenged, “After eight years of reverse GST collections, will you refund the money to Indians? We opposed the 18% and 28% hikes. Those who collected now take credit—see how delicately they wear the topi. You shouldn’t return to this.”

    Siddaramaiah highlighted his government’s Anna Bhagya scheme, providing 10 kg of rice to prevent the poor from sleeping hungry.

    Addressing the controversy over inviting Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Dasara, he noted that opponents lost in both the High Court and Supreme Court. “My name has two gods—Sidd (Shiva) and Ram (Vishnu). I love and devote to gods. We don’t spread hate in gods’ names like others. The Supreme Court told these fools opposing Banu to read the Constitution’s Preamble.”

    He indirectly jabbed former MP Pratap Simha, who opposed Mushtaq despite being an MP twice, saying they don’t know Dasara is a state festival. “They tried to portray me as anti-Hindu and lost. I am a better Hindu than them.”

  • Koppal: FIR Filed Against BJP MLA Yatnal for Allegedly Insulting Dalit Women

    Koppal, September 16, 2025 – An FIR has been registered against Vijayapura BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Dalit women during a public statement on a private TV channel. The complaint, filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, accuses Yatnal of insulting the Dalit community in the context of the ongoing controversy over the Mysuru Dasara inauguration.

    https://twitter.com/CheKrishnaCk_/status/1967964897704378656

    Mallikarjun Poojar, the Koppal district convener of the Dalit Vimochane Human Rights Forum, lodged the complaint at the local police station on Tuesday. Poojar highlighted a viral video from Suvarna TV where Yatnal, opposing Booker Prize-winning author Bhanu Mushtaq’s invitation to inaugurate the Dasara festivities, stated that even Dalit women are not allowed to offer flowers to Goddess Chamundeshwari, reserving the right only for followers of Sanatan Dharma.

    The incident stems from Yatnal’s comments made on September 12 during a visit to Chamundi Hills in Mysuru, amid protests against Mushtaq’s selection due to her Muslim identity. Poojar condemned the remarks as an open insult to Dalit women and the entire community, arguing that such statements reflect a “vile mindset” and promote communal discord. He demanded Yatnal’s immediate arrest under the SC/ST Atrocities Act, citing the MLA’s history of inflammatory speeches that allegedly incite youth and demean Dalits.

    Yatnal, who was expelled from the BJP earlier this year but continues as an MLA, has been embroiled in multiple controversies, including recent FIRs for provocative speeches in Mandya and Maddur. In those cases, he faced charges under sections related to promoting enmity and outraging religious feelings.

    Police have confirmed the FIR and stated that investigations are underway. Yatnal has not yet responded to the latest allegations, but in similar past incidents, he has defended his remarks as upholding religious traditions.

  • Byndoor: SDPI Holds Leaders’ Meeting in Gangolli Under “Contribution for Change” Theme

    Gangolli, September 1, 2025 – The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) Byndoor Constituency Committee conducted a leaders’ meeting in Gangolli, themed “Contribution for Change.”

    The meeting was presided over by constituency committee president Siddique Gangolli. Udupi District Vice President Haneef Mulur delivered the introductory address, while State General Secretary Majeed Thumbe engaged in consultations with party leaders. Udupi District Committee member Mohammed Haneef was also present.

  • Show Cause Notice Issued to 10 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties for Delisting

    Bengaluru, August 28, 2025 – The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, issued a show cause notice on August 12, 2025, to 10 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, proposing their delisting due to inactivity and untraceable addresses. The notice, signed by V. Anbukkumar, IAS, Chief Electoral Officer, targets parties that have not fielded candidates in Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assembly, or bye-elections since 2019, indicating they no longer function as political entities for the purposes of the Act.

    The listed parties include:

    1. Akhila Bharatiya Rytha Party, Shravanabelagula Town, Channarayapatna Taluk, Hassan District
    2. Badavara Shramikara Raitara Congress Party, Parvathi Nagar Main Road, Bellary
    3. Bhaarateeya Janashakthi Congress, Paniyoor Road, Uchila, Udupi District
    4. Bharatiya Rashtriya Mahila Sarvodaya Congress, Vayuputra Arcade, Dharwad
    5. Dr. Ambedkar Samajvadi Democratic Party, Haradanahalli Hobli, Chamarajanagara
    6. Jana Samanyara Party (Karnataka), Vijaya Nagar, Tumkur
    7. Manava Party, Eureka Towers, Hubli
    8. Praja Parivartan Party, Nanjappa Layout, Anekal Town, Bangalore Urban
    9. Shubha Karnataka, Kustagi Road, Gajendragad, Gadag
    10. Young India Tangress Party, Yelam Galli, Bhalki, Bidar

    Each party must submit a written representation, supported by an affidavit from the President or General Secretary and relevant documents, by September 1, 2025, to justify their continued registration. A mandatory hearing is scheduled for the same date, requiring attendance by the party’s President, General Secretary, or Head. Failure to respond will result in delisting without further notice, as per the Election Commission’s authority under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 29A.

  • DK Shivakumar Apologizes for Mentioning RSS Song in Assembly, Clarifies Congress Loyalty

    Bengaluru, August 26, 2025 – Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President DK Shivakumar issued an apology during a press conference today for referencing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) song “Namaste Sada Vatsale” in the Vidhan Sabha, which sparked criticism from Congress leaders, including BK Hariprasad, who demanded an apology for invoking an RSS-associated song.

    Addressing the media, Shivakumar clarified, “I was born a Congressman and will die a Congressman. Those questioning my loyalty are fools.” He explained that his mention of the RSS song was a rhetorical jab at opposition leader R. Ashoka to demonstrate familiarity with RSS ideology, not an endorsement. “I was pulling their leg, nothing more,” he said, emphasizing his adherence to Vidhan Sabha decorum and his long-standing Congress roots from his student activism days. As an MA Political Science graduate, he noted studying various ideologies, including those of the RSS, BJP, Communist parties, and Muslim League, and even attended a Muslim League meeting, admiring their discipline.

    Shivakumar expressed regret if his words hurt anyone, stating, “If my remarks caused pain to anyone, including BK Hariprasad, I apologize. I’m ready to seek forgiveness from all.” He clarified that neither the Congress high command nor anyone else had questioned him, urging the matter be closed. He reiterated his commitment to his “dharma” while respecting all religions—Hindu, Muslim, Christian—and placing the highest value on humanism. “The relationship between me and Congress is like that of a devotee and God,” he added.

  • Gangtok: Chitradurga Congress MLA K.C. Veerendra Puppy Taken into ED Custody in Money Laundering Case

    Gangtok, August 22, 2025: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) took Chitradurga Congress MLA K.C. Veerendra Puppy into custody from a hotel in Gangtok, Sikkim, on Thursday night, August 21, 2025, in connection with an ongoing investigation into a money laundering racket linked to online gaming and betting operations. The action was carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), with a special ED team tracking Puppy, who represents the Chitradurga Assembly constituency, according to official sources.

    On Friday morning, August 22, 2025, the ED conducted coordinated raids at 30 locations across six states, including six premises in Chitradurga, ten in Bengaluru, three in Jodhpur, one in Hubballi, two in Mumbai, and eight in Goa. The searches targeted properties linked to Puppy, his brothers K.C. Nagaraja and K.C. Tippeswamy, and associates such as Kusuma Hanumantharayappa, Anil Gowda, and a hawala operator from Hubballi. The raids, including at Puppy’s residence near Veerabhadraswamy Temple in Challakere and an upscale apartment in Bengaluru’s Vasanth Nagar, resulted in the seizure of digital devices, financial records, documents, and one kilogram of gold.

    Preliminary findings indicate that Puppy and his associates operated illegal betting websites, including King567, Raja567, Puppy’s003, and Rathna Gaming, and held stakes in five Goa casinos: Puppy’s Casino Gold, Ocean Rivers Casino, Puppy’s Casino Pride, Ocean 7 Casino, and Big Daddy Casino. These platforms are alleged to have facilitated suspicious money transfers and financial irregularities.

    Pappy, who switched from JD(S) to Congress before the 2023 Assembly elections, previously faced scrutiny in 2016 when the Income Tax Department seized Rs 5.7 crore in new currency, 32 kilograms of gold, and Rs 90 lakh in old notes from his bathroom in Challakere.

    Critical Note: The investigation is ongoing, with no official statement from Puppy, ED or the Congress party addressing the allegations.

  • Udupi: KPCC Minority Cell President K. Abdul Jabbar to Visit on August 23

    Udupi, August 22, 2025 – K. Abdul Jabbar, President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Minority Cell and Member of the Legislative Council, will visit Udupi on Saturday, August 23, 2025. He is scheduled to attend a meeting of Congress party workers and minority community leaders at 11:00 AM at the Basel Missionaries Memorial Auditorium (Mini Hall), Mission Compound, Udupi.

    Accompanying Jabbar will be KPCC spokesperson Abdul Muneer Jalsale and leader Siraj Ahammad. The event will also feature prominent figures such as former minister and KPCC Campaign Committee President Vinay Kumar Sorake, former MP K. Jayaprakash Hegde, former MLA Gopal Poojary, Udupi District Congress President Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, M.A. Gafur, Kishan Hegde, Muniyalu Uday Kumar Shetty, Prasad Kanchan, and Dinesh Hegde Molahalli, along with minority cell block presidents, district office-bearers, and senior Congress leaders. Sharfuddin Sheikh, President of the Udupi District Congress Minority Cell, has urged party workers and supporters to attend in large numbers to strengthen the organization’s outreach.

    Additionally, Jabbar will participate as the chief guest in the Marhaba Ya Shahr Rabi and Swalath program organized by the Mallaru-Majooru Badriya Juma Masjid, reinforcing his engagement with the local community.

  • Kaup: Vinay Kumar Sorake Launches “Stop Vote Chori” Sticker Campaign

    Kaup, August 18, 2025 – Former minister and Congress leader Vinay Kumar Sorake launched the nationwide “Stop Vote Chori” sticker campaign at Rajiv Bhavan in Kaup, Udupi district, following directives from the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and National Youth Congress. The initiative seeks to alert voters to alleged manipulations of the democratic process by the central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Addressing the gathering, Sorake accused the central government of weakening constitutional mechanisms and misusing the Election Commission to secure electoral victories through illicit means. He emphasized that the Indian Constitution, crafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, grants equal voting rights to all citizens, from the President to the poorest individual. However, he claimed the Modi government is exploiting the Election Commission to suppress these rights. Sorake referenced Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s research, which highlighted a discrepancy of 41 lakh votes between parliamentary and assembly elections, citing a speech by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Solapur calling for the inclusion of “fake votes.” He alleged that the Election Commission has unfairly targeted Gandhi for exposing these issues.

    The sticker campaign, led by the Karnataka Youth Congress, aims to educate the public about these alleged injustices and protect constitutional voting rights. Sorake urged citizens to safeguard their democratic privileges and resist attempts to undermine the electoral process.

    The event was attended by key Congress leaders, including Kapu Block Congress (South) President V. Sukumar, Kapu Constituency Congress President Mohammad Niyaz, and prominent figures such as Ganesh Kotyana, Shekhar Hejamadi, Sukumar, Naveen N. Shetty, Sanawar Sheikh, Prabhakar Acharya, Melvin D’Souza, Devaraj Kapu, Uday Sanil, Sunil Bangera, Reena D’Souza Hejamadi, Sudhir Karkera, Akhilesh Kotyana, and Yusi Shekabba.

  • Udupi MP Kota Srinivas Poojary Urges ED Probe into Alleged Foreign Funding for “Muslim YouTuber” in Dharmasthala Temple Conspiracy

    Udupi, August 19, 2025: Kota Srinivas Poojary, Member of Parliament from Udupi-Chikmagalur, has formally requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to initiate an Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into alleged foreign funding received by a “Muslim YouTuber” and associates attempting to tarnish the reputation of the Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy Temple in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka. In a letter dated August 19, 2025, Poojary expressed concerns over a conspiracy targeting the revered 800-year-old Hindu temple, which he claims is being fueled by external financial support.

    Poojary’s letter points to statements by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who acknowledged a conspiracy against the temple, and Dakshina Kannada’s district in-charge minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, who noted that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed under pressure from Left-wing groups to probe allegations of mass burials based on an anonymous complainant’s claims. He criticized the Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, for endorsing the SIT probe, which has led to excavations near sacred sites like the Bahubali statue, causing distress among devotees.

    The MP highlighted reports suggesting that a Muslim YouTuber and associates, allegedly receiving foreign funds, are orchestrating a campaign to defame the temple. Additionally, he alleged that a Tamil Nadu politician is pressuring the Congress high command to undermine Hindu faith in Karnataka. Poojary urged the ED to probe these financial links to uncover the truth and protect the temple’s sanctity, emphasizing the need to maintain communal harmony in the region.

    This request follows widespread public and political reactions, including protests by the BJP and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), who have also called for investigations into the alleged conspiracy. The issue has sparked debates in the Karnataka Assembly, with demands for a transparent probe to safeguard the temple’s reputation.

    Udupi MP Kota Srinivasa Poojary Urges ED Probe into Alleged Foreign Funding for “Muslim YouTuber” in Dharmasthala Temple Conspiracy

  • Karwar: ED Raids Congress MLA Satish Krishna Sail in Illegal Iron Ore Export and Money Laundering Case

    Karwar, August 14, 2025: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Bengaluru unit, conducted extensive raids on August 13 and 14, 2025, targeting premises linked to Karwar Congress MLA Satish Krishna Sail in connection with an illegal iron ore export and money laundering case. The operations, carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), spanned Karwar, Goa, Mumbai, and New Delhi.

    During the raids, the ED seized ₹1.68 crore in cash and 6.75 kg of gold jewelry and bullion. Additionally, bank accounts holding approximately ₹14.13 crore were frozen. The agency also recovered incriminating documents, emails, and other evidence related to the case, as stated in an official ED release shared via their X account.

    The investigation stems from a 2010 Karnataka Lokayukta probe that uncovered the illegal transport of around eight lakh tonnes of iron ore from Ballari to Belekeri port, causing an estimated ₹38 crore loss to the state exchequer, though the actual value of the exported ore is believed to be in the hundreds of crores. A special court in Bengaluru had previously convicted Sail and others, sentencing him to seven years in prison, though the Karnataka High Court suspended the sentence and granted bail in 2024.

    The ED’s probe focuses on Sail’s alleged role through his company, Shree Mallikarjun Shipping Pvt. Ltd., in illegally exporting 1.25 lakh metric tonnes of seized iron ore between April and June 2010, valued at ₹86.78 crore. The ongoing investigation continues to scrutinize financial transactions and property records to uncover the full extent of the money-laundering network.