Here are the big stories from Karnataka today
The Hindu
Karnataka Today newsletter: Will the BJP-JD(S) alliance work in Karnataka?
1. Watch | Will the BJP-JD(S) alliance work in Karnataka?
Among the big changes to the contours of Karnataka’s political landscape this Lok Sabha election is the pre-poll “partnership of convenience” between old rivals BJP and JD(S). The pact between BJP and JD(S) was formed to mutually benefit both parties through the consolidation of the Lingayat and Vokkaliga vote banks, all to defeat a common political foe — the Congress.
Will this be a win-win situation? Who will the alliance benefit more? How will the caste arithmetic and the redrawn political equations pan out in the Lok Sabha elections? Find the answers to all these questions, in this week’s episode of Decode Karnataka.
Taking a swipe at the JD(S), Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the BJP’s ‘B team’ has now become it’s ‘partner’ in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. Mr Gandhi was recalling his earlier statement from the 2023 Karnataka elections where he had called the JD(S) the BJP’s ‘B team’.
Addressing his first Lok Sabha election rally in Karnataka in the Cauvery heartland of Mandya on April 17, Mr. Gandhi said the JD(S), which had now entered into an alliance with the BJP, had been helping the saffron party at every stage.
Mr. Gandhi also tore into Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the electoral bond issue. Referring to Mr. Modi’s recent interview to ANI where the Prime Minister tried to project the electoral bonds as something that would help cleanse the political system, Mr. Gandhi said the electoral bonds were akin to an extortion racket operated by ‘petty, goonda elements’.
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has announced the construction of a new pedestrian bridge over the Bengaluru-Mysuru National Highway near Challaghatta station. The project, set to be completed by the end of September at a cost of ₹2.22 crore, aims to improve connectivity and safety for both metro commuters and pedestrians in the area.
Maharashtra relocates 25 leopards to Gujarat's Vantara facility amid rising leopard and tiger populations, says Forest Minister Naik.
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Execution of development projects, infrastructure augmentation to occupy centre stage in electioneering
Telangana Cabinet approves Hate Speech and Parents Support Bills, ensuring accountability for neglecting elderly and curbing hate-driven offences.
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KPCC chief Sunny Joseph emphasizes UDF's focus on Sabarimala and corruption while expressing confidence in winning Kerala's upcoming Assembly elections.
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‘Symposium’, a new platform to promote lifelong learning and counter misinformation among youth, was launched in Hyderabad.
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Residents of Chettichavadi express concerns over deteriorating groundwater quality due to long-standing garbage dumping issues in Salem West.