Cong will face next elections under CM Siddu, affirms Parameshwara

Chikkamagaluru, Apr 21: Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday reaffirmed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s statement that the latter would lead the Congress party in the next Assembly elections.

Parameshwara told media, “The party is fully confident of retaining power, with 124 MLAs already in the fold.” He clarified that whenever there is election, there will be mass leadership and one should head the bunch of leaders.

“While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is the leader by virtue of being head of the government, I am also at the helm as sitting president of the KPCC. When this is the set-up, can we bring anybody from outside to head the clan?” he said. Parameshwara refused to attach any significance to Siddaramaiah’s meeting with senior leader M H Ambareesh.

Calling the process of selecting candidates for the coming elections an internal issue of the party, Parameshwara said, “Observers will visit every constituency and discussions will be held with local leaders, before selecting the candidate. The executive committee will decide on giving tickets to sitting MLAs. Till then, one should not make claims on contesting polls and getting tickets.”

On the revamp of the Cabinet, he said, “It is the prerogative of the chief minister, who holds the right to drop anybody (including me) or induct anybody. I was not part of any such parleys. The chief minister will discuss with seniors in the party before the revamping.” On the Datta Peetha row, he said the Cabinet sub-committee formed after the Supreme Court’s order to the state to find an amicable solution was expected to make its recommendations soon.

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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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