Am already 71; faced 13 elections so far... it’s time to retire: Siddaramaiah

coastaldigest.com web desk

October 17, 2018

Bengaluru, Oct 17: Former chief minister Siddaramaih has once again announced his retirement from electoral politics. The fresh announcement comes a time when the Congress is looking to absorb Siddaramaiah into a national role.

Speaking to party workers at Guledgudd town of Bagalkot district on Wednesday, he said he does not wish to contest any more elections. "I have faced 13 elections so far and after completing my five-year term as MLA, I will not contest any more elections. I am already 71 years old," he said. As part of the Congress working committee, Siddaramaiah hopes to continue working for the party.

It could be recalled here that after being elected the Chief Minister in 2013, Siddaramaiah had announced he would not contest any more elections. But in 2018 assembly polls he contested from two seats- Badami and Chamundeshwari claiming that he had to take such a decision only with the intention of preventing communal forces.

"He has already decided not to contest Lok Sabha polls. While the party would like him to contest, he is not keen. He has already conveyed his no to AICC President Rahul Gandhi," said a close aide of Siddaramaiah.

The Congress, that will begin seat-sharing discussions with the JD(S) shortly, hopes to retain the Mysuru seat. Siddaramaiah, according to many in the party, would be the ideal candidate for the seat.

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Karnataka's lonely lion who dint care for anything only given importence to the karnataka state, with your good work karnataka has become very developed. thank u sir for this sweet memory

great sir, this s enough and end politcs. rest of the like enjoy with family.

wow in this age also u roar like a tiger. we want to see in politics more then 100 years

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Mangaluru’s public transport revolution: 100 new govt electric buses to end private ‘trip-cutting’

News Network

December 19,2025

Mangaluru: Public transport in Mangaluru is set for a state-led transformation as the government moves to deploy 100 new electric govt buses to replace unreliable private services. The initiative aims to provide a dependable alternative to private operators who have been frequently "cutting trips," leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

The announcement was made by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV during a public phone-in session. The move specifically targets routes where private bus service has become erratic, ensuring that citizens no longer have to rely on a fluctuating private sector for their daily commute.

Restoring the Govt Presence

The transport crisis was brought to the forefront by Ramayya, a resident of Bajal, who highlighted a growing trend of private buses skipping morning and night trips. With the previous KSRTC (govt) services discontinued, residents have been left without a fallback option.

To fix this, the DC confirmed that the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme will bring 100 government-owned electric buses to the city:

• Phased Deployment: The first 50 of the new 100 government buses are scheduled to arrive by March 2026.

• State Infrastructure: Two new government depots, including one at Mudipu, are being prepared for operations.

• Recruitment: The state has already begun training a new batch of government bus drivers to ensure the fleet is operational the moment it arrives.

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Mangaluru’s ₹1,200 crore fix: Massive sewage overhaul to end city’s drainage woes

News Network

December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

• Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

• STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

• Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

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