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United News of India
18 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
BJP leader hits out at Karnataka govt over FIRs against Sangh leaders
Bengaluru, June 3 (UNI) Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on the Congress government in Karnataka, accusing it of shielding anti-national elements while targeting Hindu voices under the guise of curbing hate speech. Reacting sharply to the FIRs registered against BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Legislative Council chief whip N Ravikumar, and RSS ideologue Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, Ashoka questioned the Congress government's silence during an earlier Assembly incident. "Where were you, Congress, when 'Pakistan Zindabad' was shouted in the Assembly? Were you eating mud?" Ashoka thundered. "Today, when our jawans are laying down their lives at the borders in Operation Sindhoor, you remain silent as some run social media campaigns in favour of Pakistan. But you rush to book FIRs against Hindu leaders," Ashoka said. Calling the Congress government one "without a shred of dignity or responsibility," the former minister alleged that law and order in Karnataka had collapsed under Siddaramaiah's leadership. Ashoka also charged the Congress with selectively persecuting Hindus. "If someone says 'Pakistan Zindabad', they are free to roam. But if I say 'I am a Hindu', you look at me with contempt. You need Hindu votes to win, you need Hindus to form the government, but suddenly we are not wanted anymore?" he said. Ashoka's remarks are expected to escalate the political confrontation in Karnataka, especially with Congress already facing flak over its recent moves to rein in right-wing rhetoric. With the BJP turning the debate into one over nationalism, freedom of religion, and selective action, the heat is set to rise both in the streets and inside the Assembly. UNI BDN PRS
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Siddaramaiah directs officials to visit rain-hit areas; calls meetings to review relief measures
BENGALURU: With heavy rains impacting normal life in several parts of the state, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed the district in-charge ministers to visit areas that are severely affected by rains. He also directed in-charge secretaries and Deputy Commissioners (DC) to visit these places. The Chief Minister has called a meeting of DCs and zilla panchayat chief executive officers on May 30 and 31 to review the measures taken to provide relief to people. He directed the chief secretary to call for a meeting in this regard. In his statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Siddaramaiah also directed the officials to ensure the compensation was paid on time. According to the CMO statement, the state government has identified 170 taluks as flood-prone and landslide-prone taluks. As a precautionary measure, 2,296 relief centres have been set up at these places. In Bengaluru, they have identified 201 flood-prone areas. 'As of May 26, 45 houses are completely damaged and 1,385 houses are partially damaged, of which, most of the people got compensation amount,' it stated. A sum of Rs 97,351 lakhs is available in district and taluk-level accounts. As the southwest monsoon entered Karnataka, the Indian Metrological Department (IMD) forecasted above-normal to heavy rains in many parts of the state. The IMD has also issued red and orange alerts. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka urged CM Siddaramaiah to take measures to provide relief.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
BJP demands rollback of Rs 250 garbage user fee in Bengaluru; calls it an excessive tax burden on residents.
BENGALURU: The BJP on Wednesday demanded the rollback of garbage user fee in the city. The Congress government has introduced Rs 250 fee for garbage management. Speaking to reporters at BBMP, Opposition Leader R Ashoka criticized the government for burdening Bengaluru residents with excessive taxes. 'They (Congress) are devising a scheme to extract revenue from garbage. Congress has imposed the highest garbage tax in the country. While Kempegowda earned the title of Nadaprabhu for building the state, Congress leaders have earned the title of those who ruined it,' he said. Previously, the city had a cess. Now, a user fee has been added alongside it. While the garbage tender is valued at Rs 147 crore, excessive fees are being collected from the public. With the user fee, the collection could reach Rs 500 to Rs 600 crore, he said. 'Either user fee or cess should be collected. The move will increase house rents, as well as rates for commercial buildings, marriage halls, hospitals, schools, and hotels. One tax will lead to an increase in all rates,' he said. Ashoka accused the Congress of looting Bengaluru residents. 'They use the excuse of central government law, even though no central law mandates imposing two types of fees,' he said. He urged the government to convene a meeting of Bengaluru MLAs to discuss this issue and alleged that such taxes are being collected to fund Congress's five guarantee schemes.
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Withdraw decision to impose user fee on Bengaluru residents": Karnataka Assembly LoP
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 28 (ANI): Karnataka Assembly Leader of Opposition (LoP) R Ashoka on Wednesday criticised the ruling Congress-led state government for burdening Bengaluru residents with excessive taxes and accused them of devising a scheme to extract revenue from garbage. Speaking to reporters at BBMP, Ashoka claimed that Congress imposes the highest garbage tax in the entire country and said, 'Congress has burdened Bengaluru residents with excessive taxes and accused them of devising a scheme to extract revenue from garbage. While Kempegowda earned the title of Nadaprabhu for building the state, Congress leaders have earned the title of those who ruined it.' 'The city previously had a cess. Now, a user fee has been added alongside it. The cess alone collects around Rs 250 crore. While the garbage tender is valued at Rs 147 crore, excessive fees are being collected from the public. With the user fee, the collection could reach Rs 500-600 crore,' Ashoka said. He argued that either the user fee or the cess should be collected, but Bengaluru is being burdened with both. This will increase house rents, as well as rates for commercial buildings, marriage halls, hospitals, schools, and hotels. 'One tax will lead to an increase in all rates. Congress is looting Bengaluru residents. They use the excuse of a central government law, even though no central law mandates imposing two types of fees,' he claimed. He urged the government to convene a meeting of Bengaluru MLAs to discuss this issue. He said no other city imposes such high fees, and this is an 'uncivilised move.' 'The taxes are being collected to fund Congress's five guarantee schemes and demanded that the decision be withdrawn immediately,' he said. He noted that Bengaluru residents have already started protests, and they will receive full support. He claimed that the state's financial situation has deteriorated due to the guarantee schemes, and efforts are being made to reduce the number of beneficiaries. Only those who voted for Congress will benefit from the guarantee schemes, he alleged. Earlier on Tuesday, R Ashoka visited the rain-affected areas of Sakleshpur in Hassan district and criticised the Congress-led state government for its lack of preparedness and negligence in dealing with the monsoon. Speaking to reporters, Ashoka said that the government had failed to take timely precautionary measures and urged it to expedite compensation for those affected by landslides and heavy rains. 'Monsoon has arrived 15 days early, for the first time in 50 years. The Chief Minister should have held a meeting before the monsoon started. Every time there is damage, there is a delay of one to two months in providing compensation. Landslides are happening in Sakleshpur, Chikkamagaluru, and Kodagu. The government should take precautionary measures and provide compensation, but the government has not done anything till now... Not a single minister has inspected the site...' he alleged. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon has advanced into several parts of India, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and regions of the Northeast. This year, the Southwest Monsoon set in over Kerala on May 24, eight days earlier than its normal onset date of June 1, marking its earliest arrival on the Indian mainland since 2009. Earlier, the Met Centre predicted that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue over west coast (Kerala, Karnataka, coastal Maharashtra & Goa) during next 6-7 days with possibility of extremely heavy rainfall over Kerala during 27-30 May and Konkan, ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra, Coastal and Ghat areas of Karnataka, Ghat areas of Tamil Nadu on 27 May. (ANI)
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt failed in handling rains: Ashoka
Hassan: Leader of opposition in Assembly R Ashoka said the state govt failed to handle rain-related issues in the state. Ashoka, who visited rain-affected areas in Sakleshpura, said after several years, this year's monsoon arrived in the state 15 days early. The chief minister should have held a meeting before this, but he did nothing so far, he said. He said every time there is damage, providing relief is delayed. The govt appears to be unaware of the rain disasters. Not a single minister conducted a spot inspection, he said. Landslides occurred in Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu district, and he urged the govt to announce relief immediately. Congress is just spending time in conventions and meetings, he said. When BJP was in power, the govt provided enough rations for a month to families affected by the rains. But this govt has not even released guidelines yet, he criticised. He added that the govt should take urgent action and open a care centre. Without attending NITI Aayog meeting, CM criticising Centre: Ashoka Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka said the chief minister did not attend the NITI Aayog meeting and made allegations about not receiving funds from the Union govt. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trekking pants for mountain sports and adventure travel Trek Kit India Shop Now Undo "While the neighbouring Tamil Nadu leaders spend a day there and listen to their needs, our CM was comfortably sleeping. This does not affect Siddaramaiah in any way, but it only affects the people of the state. If the govt had any sense, it should have acted," Ashoka said in Hassan. Regarding the verbal spat between Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and minister Priyank Kharge, he said the ruling party should exercise patience. The role of the opposition is to criticise, not to cheer for them. Instead of showing patience, going for personal attacks is not right, he stated.
