Political row erupts over Ramanagara’s proposed renaming by DKS which is being opposed by BJP and HDK

Karnataka Legislative Council elections will be held in the first week of June for six MLCs elected by teachers and graduates, while the second is on June 13 for 11 seats elected by members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).

As per the video, when Shivakumar stepped out, one of the Congress workers tried to put his hands on the Karnataka minister’s shoulders and posed at the camera for a picture with him. Immediately, DK Shivakumar removed his hand and slapped him.

From water scarcity to probe agencies targeting opposition leaders to electoral bonds, all was discussed by the deputy chief minister.  

“It is totally false. There is no water to be released. It is just a political game they (BJP) are trying,” said Shivakumar, who is also the State Congress President.

The Congress leader had moved the top court against the 2019 order of Karnataka High Court that refused to quash the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons issued to him in an alleged case of money laundering.

Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said police officers from Mangaluru and Shivamogga have come to the spot, and all angles are being looked into. Investigators had found that the 2022 Mangaluru cooker blast was ‘Islamic State-sponsored’ and had the involvement of a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative.

Speaking to reporters, DK Shivakumar said, “It was a bomb blast with a low intensity or impact. He (man) had fixed a timer for the blast to happen after one hour.” Central Crime Branch (CCB) has taken up the investigation. FSL and bomb squad have also come to the spot.

Shivakumar also said that the central observers have spoken to Sukhu, party MLAs and state unit chief Pratibha Singh and all differences have been ironed out.

The MLAs are unhappy with the leadership of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and are advocating for his replacement. 

"We are holding the state-level convention this time in Mangaluru as we perceive chances of winning from this region," the Deputy Chief Minister said. 

Shivakumar, who is also the Congress’ state unit president, said he had a meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and AICC general secretary and the party’s Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala among others, and it is decided that the final call will be taken after another survey.