Woman killed in wall collapse
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the woes faced by the IT capital during rains was not new, but that the government was now working to fix them with a long-term solution. The city received about 104 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, inundating many low-lying areas and leading to traffic pile-up, prompting the BJP to launch a scathing attack on the ruling Congress.
Former Deputy Chief Minister and MLA of Malleswaram, CN Ashwath Narayan criticised Shivakumar, saying, 'Crores spent. Zero results.' Taking to 'X' he said: 'Last night's rains didn't expose Bengaluru's infrastructure — they exposed @DKShivakumar's track record of the last two years of doing nothing.'
Karnataka BJP General Secretary and MLA of Karkala, Sunil Kumar Karkala challenged the government on 'X' to release a white paper on how much has actually been spent on Bengaluru's infrastructure in the last two years.
'Visit Silk Board once — you'll see your real contribution,' he said.
Speaking at a press conference, BJP spokesperson Ashwath Narayan Gowda said that 'despite the weatherman predicting heavy rainfall almost a week ago, there were no efforts made to meet any monsoon-related exigency. The deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar is directly responsible for the rain havoc in the city'. He alleged that the deputy CM kept repeating 'Brand Bengaluru' and in the last assembly session, Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill was passed.
'From Brand Bengaluru to Greater Bengaluru, and now from Greater Bengaluru, it has now become Submerged Bengaluru. This is the achievement of the state government,' Gowda charged.
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Hindustan Times
17 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Mahayuti leaders welcome Malegaon blast verdict, slam Congress for coining term ‘saffron terror'
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'More than the police, the then UPA government was responsible for the case. They had conspired to appease a certain community and extremist ideology. The court verdict has exposed the conspiracy, and the entire country is now condemning it. Congress leaders must now publicly apologise to Hindus for defaming them by associating them with so-called saffron terrorism and the conspiracy to coin a new term—Hindu or saffron terrorism,' he said. Fadnavis added that his government will look into the details of the verdict, checking what exactly the court has brought on record. A decision over the next course of action would be taken after this, he added. Senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar also blamed the previous Congress-led government for the bungled investigation, saying, 'The ruling parties at the time tried to indict innocent people in the case to appease certain communities. There was a political motive behind it, as was said after the case was registered. The verdict has ratified the doubt raised.' Shiv Sena president and deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde alleged that using the term 'saffron terrorism' was part of the Congress's conspiracy to defame the Hindu community. 'Hindus can never engage in anti-national activities, because patriotism is a sacred duty for those who follow Hinduism. The absurd term 'Hindu terrorism' was coined by conspiratorial Congress leaders. What answer do they have now for such blatant falsehoods?' he said. Adding that the court's verdict has ended a dark chapter, he said, 'The stigma on the Hindu community has been wiped off. The slogan 'Garv se kaho hum Hindu hain' (Say with pride we are Hindus) will now resonate across the country with a hundredfold louder voice. Truth may be troubled, but can never be defeated.' The Congress hit back at the Mahayuti, with state party chief Sapkal saying that terrorism has no religion or colour, and the state government should ensure justice is delivered in the case. 'As soon as the verdict of the 2006 [Mumbai train] bomb blasts was announced, the state government challenged it in the Supreme Court. Will the state government show the same will in this case, as both were acts of terrorism and the perpetrators of the cases should face justice,' he said, adding that the state government should not be double-faced. The 12 acquitted accused in the train blasts case were all Muslims. Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, 'These people even view terrorism through a political lens. Those associated with the BJP and RSS had, for their political gain, labelled martyr Hemant Karkare a traitor. Wasn't it the same political mindset that led to [special public prosecutor] Rohini Salian being asked to take a lenient stand against the accused and slow down the investigation? Witnesses were enticed with offers. A witness like Randhir Singh was even given a ministerial position in Jharkhand.' 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India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Mamata Banerjee hikes Durga Puja grant to Rs 1.10 lakh, slams BJP over criticism
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced an increase in the state government's financial grant to Durga Puja committees, raising it from Rs 85,000 to Rs 1.10 lakh. The announcement came during her address at a coordination meeting with Puja organisers in Kolkata, ahead of the festive 45,000 Durga Puja committees are registered across the state and will benefit from the increased grant, pushing the total estimated expenditure to over Rs 400 crore this year — a significant rise from last year's Rs 340 addressing the gathering, Banerjee defended the government's support for Durga Puja, taking a pointed dig at the opposition, particularly the BJP. 'Few people say Mamata didi doesn't allow Durga Puja and Saraswati Puja. They don't know these are regular affairs in households across Bengal,' she said. 'Some go to court and ask why we help those doing Puja. It's because so many people's bread and butter is involved with this.'The BJP, which has consistently opposed the grant, reiterated its criticism following the announcement. Senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha called the grant a misuse of public funds. 'This is a burden on taxpayers as the money is coming from the government exchequer. Why doesn't Mamata Banerjee give the grant from the Trinamool fund or from her own pocket?' he said, accusing the Chief Minister of attempting to woo Hindu voters ahead of elections by funding Durga Puja and planning the construction of a Jagannath temple in addition to the grant hike, Banerjee instructed the state administration to enhance infrastructure and public services during the Puja period. 'Public announcement systems should be placed inside and outside pandals. The Transport Department must increase the frequency of buses and I will ask Metro authorities to run services continuously. We will also speak with the Railways to ensure more local trains are available,' she Puja immersions are scheduled for October 2, 3, and 4. The Chief Minister assured that police and administrative authorities will manage law and order throughout the celebrations.- EndsMust Watch
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Opposition will derail Punjab's development if voted to power, says Arvind Kejriwal
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said that the development trajectory of Punjab would be derailed if the opposition returns to power. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal along with Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, cabinet minister Aman Arora and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia at an event in Shaheed Udham Singh Wala town on Thursday. (HT) He made the statement while addressing a public gathering on the martyrdom day of freedom fighter Udham Singh and laying the foundation stone for development projects worth ₹85 crore in Shaheed Udham Singh Wala town. Accompanied by Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, cabinet minister Aman Arora and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, Kejriwal criticised previous governments led by Congress and the Akali-BJP alliance for 'looting public wealth' and 'introducing drugs' into the state. He accused them of misusing power, promoting corruption and neglecting vital sectors like education and healthcare. 'The previous regimes ruined Punjab. They never cared for the youth, hospitals were in shambles and public money was mercilessly looted for personal gain,' Kejriwal said. He added that even after 75 years of Independence, the vision of India's freedom fighters remained unfulfilled due to the actions of such leaders. The event was also a tribute to Shaheed Udham Singh, the legendary freedom fighter who avenged the Jallianwala Bagh massacre by assassinating Michael O'Dwyer in 1940. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann, speaking at the event, highlighted the importance of commemorating martyrs and preserving their legacy. 'It is our solemn duty to honour heroes like Shaheed Udham Singh. He waited 21 years to avenge the massacre, and his courage laid the foundation for India's eventual independence,' Mann said. Mann emphasised that naming airports, universities and institutions after national heroes helps in keeping their sacrifices alive in public memory. He also criticised the British colonial administration for honoring collaborators with titles like 'Sir', citing the example of a family that hosted General Dyer on the very day of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. 'Every inch of this sacred land carries the legacy of our Gurus, saints and martyrs, who showed us how to resist tyranny and injustice,' the CM concluded.
