Karnataka Congress

The proposed Hindu Religious Endowment Amendment Bill faced strong opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, leading to its rejection and dealing a blow to the Congress government's agenda. Despite efforts to secure passage, the bill failed due to a lack of support, highlighting challenges in navigating state governance dynamics.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed confidence on Sunday that the Congress party is poised to secure victory in at least 20 constituencies in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Speaking to the media before attending a conference on government guarantee schemes in Malavalli, Mandya district, the Chief Minister conveyed his assurance regarding the party's electoral prospects. 

Congress selects Ajay Maken, Syed Nasir Hussain, and GC Chandrasekhar as Rajya Sabha candidates in Karnataka, omitting L. Hanumanthaiah. Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Akhilesh Prasad Singh were nominated from Himachal Pradesh and Bihar respectively. Sonia Gandhi was nominated from Rajasthan. Maken's prominent role is highlighted.

As the Lok Sabha elections of 2024 draw near, the Congress party is gearing up for a crucial meeting to select candidates for the upcoming polls. Steering Committee Chairman Harish Chaudhary will chair the meeting at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office on February 14th at 11 a.m. Key members of the Congress party, including State Congress In-Charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and other committee members, will participate in the meeting.
 

The Siddaramaiah-led government in Karnataka faces criticism for appointing a record-breaking 90 individuals to cabinet-rank positions in just nine months, including non-legislators as advisors to the Chief Minister. Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai warns against excessive appointments, advocating for restraint.

Former DCM KS Eshwarappa's condemnation of Congress MP DK Suresh and MLA Vinay Kulkarni's statements advocating for dividing the nation has sparked outrage. Eshwarappa called for a law allowing shooting of those making such statements, leading to a heated debate on free speech and national loyalty.

Karnataka Congress leaders, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, have been protesting in Delhi to highlight disparities in tax contributions and returns, emphasizing losses incurred by Karnataka. However, the BJP is now pointing out that the decision to reduce Karnataka's share was made during the Congress-led UPA government

Karnataka Congress leaders, spearheaded by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, are orchestrating the 'Chalo Delhi' protest at Jantar Mantar in the national capital. The demonstration aims to address longstanding grievances against the Central leadership, encompassing issues like reduced tax devolution and an imbalanced distribution of resources.

The CM criticizes the Centre for discontinuing compensation to states post-GST implementation. Karnataka, a significant tax contributor, receives only Rs 12-13 out of every Rs 100 in taxes, contributing Rs 4,30,000 crore annually.

Karnataka Congress MLA Laxman Savadi criticized Finance Secretary Nirmala Sitharaman's election as MP from Karnataka, accusing her of overlooking discrimination against the state. Speculations arise about Savadi's absence from a key conference and potential defection to BJP, fueled by his public appearances with BJP leaders and ongoing communications.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans a protest in Bengaluru against the Karnataka Congress government's handling of drought relief. BJP leaders criticize alleged negligence towards farmers and welcome efforts to rejuvenate temples while condemning controversies over religious practices.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lashed out at Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, after he cited the Karnataka government's accusations of grant withholding by the central government. The Finance emphasised the integrity of the system, stating that the Finance Commission's report guides grant allocations, dismissing any notion of arbitrary decision-making. 
 

Karnataka Congress MP DK Suresh criticizes Union Interim Budget 2024, citing tax distribution disparities. He controversially calls for a separate nation for the South, expressing concerns about economic gaps. Suresh questions budget legitimacy, raising doubts about the impact of the Economic Survey and accuses some parties of altering stances for political motives. The proposal sparks a heated debate on regional imbalances and fiscal policies in India.

Congress MLA Laxman Savadi, with 25 years in politics, faces BJP's efforts to bring him back for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Savadi, addressing media, rejects BJP's advances, recalling his and Jagadish Shettar's shift to Congress. Despite BJP's "Operation Comeback," Savadi remains loyal to Congress, citing trust from leaders like Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. He rejects succumbing to BJP pressure and emphasizes commitment to his current party.

The Karnataka Congress government has raised eyebrows by demanding the return of salaries provided to priests. The case revolves around Hiremagaluru Kannan, a revered Kannada scholar and priest, who has been serving at the Kalyana Kodanda Rama temple on the outskirts of Chikkamagaluru for the past five decades.