Will not contest next elections, says minister Rajanna
Mysuru: Pointing to age and health issues, cooperation minister KN Rajanna reiterated that he would step away from electoral politics after his current tenure as MLA ends but will remain active in politics.
"I am 75-years-old, and by the time the next election comes, I will be 78," Rajanna said. "Even if I contest and win, I won't be able to serve the people effectively due to health reasons." He added: "It's my opinion that we should give youngsters an opportunity."
He brushed aside BJP's criticism of the govt's accomplishments, saying it is expected and requires no response. He suggested focusing on the govt's initiatives instead.
On Bengaluru's flooding issues, Rajanna identified encroachments as the primary cause. "This is a consequence of our own mistakes. We've blocked drains and canals, so water takes its own path leading to this situation," he said.
He said the govt will conduct a detailed assessment and implement solutions. He also assured ongoing efforts to remove encroachments, particularly along rajakaluves, noting, "The previous govt did this haphazardly.
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We will clear encroachments, not just during rains but at all times."
Rajanna, who in the past has been a critic of deputy CM DK Shivakumar, praised his ministerial performance saying: "DK Shivakumar is working effectively."
Plaint against MLA
An individual has filed a complaint with police in Bengaluru against
Kolar MLA Kothur G Manjunath
for his recent comments on Operation Sindoor.
Banashankari police treated a complaint by Ganesh Singh, vice-president of Bengaluru Nagarika Hakku Horata Samithi, as a petition and said they will forward it to Kolar police for further action.
Manjunath had wondered if the Pahalgam terror was "stage-managed", questioning how the perpetrators had "disappeared" so easily.
He later clarified that he did not make derogatory comments against the armed forces and that his comments were only intended to get authorities to catch the terrorists who killed 26 innocent people and serve justice to the women who lost their husbands.
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