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Shivakumar Pushes For Woman Minister, Announces Bengaluru Crime Crackdown (Img: X)
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday said he had taken up the demand for inducting a woman minister into the state Cabinet with the Congress high command. He added that discussions on the proposed expansion are likely during his upcoming visit to New Delhi.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar and at Bharathinagar, Shivakumar confirmed that the party leadership had acknowledged his proposal. However, he did not indicate when the Cabinet reshuffle might take place.
"I have brought the matter of inducting a woman minister to the attention of our party high command in Delhi. I cannot say whether the process will happen tomorrow, but they have mentioned they will call me to Delhi to discuss it. It is something that needs to be done, and we will definitely see it through," Shivakumar said.
Shivakumar said he would leave for Delhi at noon on Monday after attending a private religious ceremony at his new residence, which is yet to be completed.
"My new house is not fully complete yet. However, since tomorrow is an auspicious day, we are holding a quiet family puja without inviting anyone. Following that, I will leave for Delhi at 12 noon to attend Sonia Gandhi's book launch," he said.
On the law and order situation, Shivakumar announced the formation of a specialised Anti-Rowdy Squad to deal with criminal activities in Bengaluru. The unit will function directly under the police commissionerate rather than local police stations.
"To curb rowdyism in Bengaluru, we are forming a dedicated 'Anti-Rowdy Squad'. We are removing rowdy elements from the purview of local police stations and bringing them directly under the Commissionerate. Often, rowdies maintain links with local police—we are aware of all this. To ensure there is no room for such nexus, the squad itself will crack down on criminal activities. Our goal is to build a fear-free Bengaluru where not even a minor untoward incident takes place," he asserted.
He added that the government was also pursuing a major crackdown against drugs to make Karnataka drug-free.
Responding to criticism over his cordial relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shivakumar said cooperation between the Centre and states was essential for development.
"As the representative of a state government, I must accord the office of the Prime Minister the respect it deserves, and he reciprocates the respect due to a state's leadership. Let us compete during elections, but right now, I have told him that we should work together for the development of the people," he clarified.
On the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, Shivakumar maintained that Karnataka would continue its efforts despite opposition from Tamil Nadu.
"I have already appealed to the Central government on this. The Tamil Nadu government knows the truth, yet they continue to oppose it. That is their right, and we cannot stop them from voicing it. They have their own team of legal experts as well. As for us, we will push ahead with our work on Mekedatu," he said.
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On preparations for the winter session at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, he said the Assembly Speaker would address concerns over maintenance.
Regarding a possible increase in property guidance values, Shivakumar said no proposal had reached him yet. "No information regarding a revision of guidance values has been brought to my notice so far. Discussions might be underway at the departmental level. We will look into it when the file comes to me," he noted.
Shivakumar also said the Congress was preparing for the upcoming Hiriyur by-election, although the schedule had not been announced.
"We are all gearing up for the Hiriyur by-election, though we do not know when the dates will be announced. This Saturday, I will personally hold a 'Prajaseve' programme in Hiriyur to listen to the grievances of the public," he added.
