Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has denied reports of meeting former US President Barack Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris, calling them inaccurate. The denial comes after media speculation about a possible meeting during Shivakumar’s recent trip to the United States.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has announced that a water tariff hike in Bengaluru is unavoidable due to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) facing financial difficulties. The hike, which is expected to be between 20-30%, is necessary to prevent the board’s collapse and ensure continued water supply to the city’s residents. However, the exact amount and specific segments affected by the hike are still under consideration. Shivakumar also addressed the rising electricity costs, emphasizing the need for a more efficient distribution network to manage the city’s water supply. He also firmly rejected proposals to privatize BWSSB services, citing past experiences where privatization led to increased costs without significant improvements.
A video purportedly showing Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar slapping a worker during a roadshow in Haveri’s Savanur town has gone viral on social media. The incident occurred when Shivakumar arrived for campaigning and one of the Congress workers tried to put his hands on the minister’s shoulders for a picture. Shivakumar immediately removed his hand and slapped the worker, identified as Allauddin Maniar, a municipal member. BJP leader Amit Malviya accused Shivakumar of assaulting a Congress worker, saying “their leaders slap them, humiliate them and don’t even give tickets to contest elections.” Karnataka’s Haveri will go to polls in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 on May 7.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has alleged that the Income Tax (I-T) Department is working like an agent for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and selectively targeting Congress leaders in Bangalore Rural constituency. Shivakumar’s claims come after I-T raids on the residences of close aides of his brother, Bangalore Rural Congress candidate D.K. Suresh. The I-T department has not yet commented on the allegations.
