Siddaramaiah was planning to seek BJP’s help to become CM: Deve Gowda

DHNS
May 3, 2018

Bengaluru, May 3: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was willing to knock on the BJP’s door to become chief minister in 2004, his former mentor and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda said on Wednesday.

“Let me be very frank. In 2004, Siddaramaiah was ready to take the help of the BJP to become the chief minister. I did not agree. All our 58 MLAs met at a resort and we decided against it,” Gowda said. Siddaramaiah was then with the JD(S). The revelation came during the former prime minister’s interaction with reporters in Bengaluru.

The remarks come amid escalating tension between Siddaramaiah and Gowda, with the former repeatedly attacking the latter in public. “Neither Mallikarjuna Kharge nor B S Yeddyurappa speak of me lightly, but Siddaramaiah does,” he rued.

He added that Siddaramaiah was smarter than Yeddyurappa. “Yeddyurappa went to jail, whereas Siddaramaiah created the Anti Corruption Bureau where he takes decisions.” Further, he joked that the BJP and Congress were like brothers. “Reddy brothers are back in the BJP, while the Congress inducted Ashok Kheny.”

On Prime Minister Narendra Modi showering respect on him, adding fuel to the speculation that the BJP was cosying up to the JD(S) ahead of the May 12 polls, Gowda said there was nothing more than what meets the eye. 

“Modi understands the background of every state he visits. Congress president Rahul Gandhi asked me to come clean while making a speech in my native district. Siddaramaiah got my portrait removed from Vidhana Soudha. They don’t know how to respect a Kannadiga who became PM, but Modi showed respect to the chair I once held. There’s nothing else to it,” he said. Gowda complained, however, that Modi had failed to address the Mahadayi river water sharing dispute during his visits to Karnataka. Gowda said he was not bothered about surveys predicting a hung Assembly. “The JD(S) now has the support of Mayawati, Asaduddin Owaisi, N Chandrababu Naidu, K Chandrasekhar Rao among others. Kumaraswamy is getting massive support wherever he is going.”

The result of this election holds the answer to the question whether or not a regional party is necessary. “I have suffered much pain to keep this party alive. I’m fighting two national parties,” he said.

Comments

Aneesh Karanth
 - 
Thursday, 3 May 2018

Father and son no less than a snake. Beware you will meet the same as Nitish ******

Shameer
 - 
Thursday, 3 May 2018

Very surprising, at this age he remembers so much, does he remember who was his political mentor since early 60ies to middle of 70ies? I know him since those days, when he use to visit his mentor. His mentor was speaking for him in election rallies while HDDG was taking a nap on the stage. His political career is finished,yet he don't want to retire. He want his sons and the grandsons to rule in Karnataka.

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News Network
January 8,2026

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Bengaluru: A 26-year-old tech professional of Mangaluru origin died after allegedly falling from the 16th floor of a residential apartment in Bengaluru on Wednesday, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Nikshap Bangera, an electronics engineering graduate who had recently returned to India after completing his education in Europe and had begun working here. He was residing with his parents at Prince Town Apartments in Bengaluru’s Shettihalli area.

According to police, Nikshap’s father Kishore said his son called him around 5 am, informing him that he would return home soon. However, at about 8.30 am, the apartment association president, Ravi, contacted the family and asked them to come to the ground floor.

“When we went down, we saw that our son had fallen from the 16th floor of the apartment and died,” Kishore said.

Personnel from the Bagalagunte Police Station visited the spot and registered a case. Police said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Officials further stated that Kishore informed them that Nikshap had been suffering from schizophrenia for the past few years. The body has been shifted to Victoria Hospital for post-mortem examination.

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coastaldigest.com news network
January 10,2026

Mangaluru: In a strong pitch for redefining the economic future of coastal Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday lamented that the region’s vast natural wealth and tourism potential remain largely underutilised, forcing thousands of coastal youth to migrate outside the state and even abroad in search of opportunities.

Speaking in Mangaluru, Shivakumar said the coastal belt—stretching from Mangaluru to Karwar—continues to be one of Karnataka’s most scenic and resource-rich zones, yet local communities are not benefiting proportionately.

“Our beaches, backwaters, forests and culture are unmatched. But people from Mangaluru and other coastal districts continue to move out because we have not capitalised on what we already have,” he said.

Emphasising the talent of the younger generation, he noted that youth from coastal Karnataka are excelling in countries across the world. “They are brilliant, skilled and globally competitive. Our priority must be to create conditions where they can build their future here, not somewhere else. Our identity should shine on our own soil,” he asserted.

Shivakumar revealed that the state government has finalised a new tourism policy aimed at transforming Karnataka—particularly the coast—into a major tourism hub.

As part of the rollout, meetings will be held with investors, builders, tourism operators, entrepreneurs and local business communities.

“The government will extend full support to tourism development. Before implementing the policy, we will take inputs from stakeholders across Karnataka, especially from the coastal belt. Locals should be the prime beneficiaries of tourism growth,” he said.

He stressed that development must be driven by local capability, local enterprise and local initiative, ensuring that economic gains stay within the region rather than drifting outward.

Shivakumar added that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to visit later in the evening, urging those with concerns or suggestions regarding coastal tourism and youth opportunities to raise them directly during the visit.

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News Network
January 8,2026

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Jubail: Team B-Human (Jubail Unit) hosted a special felicitation ceremony at the Muzain Campus to honour Mr. Zakariya Jokatte, an ad-hoc member of the organisation and a recipient of the prestigious Karnataka Rajyotsava Award.

The event brought together the leadership of Team B-Human along with the faculty and management of Al Muzain, celebrating Mr. Jokatte’s lifelong commitment to social service and his recognition by the Karnataka state government for outstanding contributions to society.

Several prominent community leaders and philanthropists were present on the occasion, who spoke highly of Mr. Jokatte’s humanitarian work and dedication to public welfare.

Addressing the gathering, Team B-Human Founder Asif Deals outlined the organisation’s core mission and values. He urged attendees to watch a documentary highlighting Zakariya Jokatte’s inspiring life journey and achievements, describing it as a source of motivation for the younger generation.

During the ceremony, the management and trustees presented tokens of appreciation to the awardee. A memento was also presented to Team B-Human HQ President, Adv. Zeeshan, in recognition of his leadership and continued guidance.

The event reflected strong collaboration with Team Muzain, with senior management members including Deepak (General Manager), Ritesh (Planning Manager), and Cherian Thomas (Finance Manager) in attendance.

The felicitation ceremony was graced by Chairman Shareef White Stone, Trustees Yunus Manipal, Shahul Hamid, and Bashir Al Falak, and Executive Members Iqbal Buntwal, Nazir Ullal, Ibba Bajpe, Sheriff Adoor, Salim Udupi, Muqthar (Shield Sensor), and Farooq (Port Way).

The programme concluded with a collective call to continue supporting humanitarian causes, echoing the spirit of “B-Human” across both Saudi Arabia and India.

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