Krishna’s continued association with Cong led to I-T raids on Siddhartha’s firm?

coastaldigest.com news network
September 21, 2017

Bengaluru: Less than two months after the Income Tax department’s marathon raids on the premises of Congress leader D K Shivakumar, another tycoon from Karnataka has fallen prey to the central government’s powerful agency.

Non-NDA political parties often accuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of using I-T department and Central Bureau of Investigation for political vendetta. Interestingly, this time the “victim” of I-T raid is the son-in-law of an 85-year-old BJP leader who had recently quit Congress and openly praised Modi and his policies.

Rumours were rife that S M Krshina had to jump the ship and join BJP earlier this year just to save his tycoon son-in-law V G Siddhartha from a positional I-T raid.

However, BJP supremo was not happy with Krishna’s continued association with the Congress leaders even after formally joining the saffron party. Besides, recent bypolls in Karnataka had drastically lowered the BJP’s exceptions on this Vokkaliga stalwart.

If sources are to be believed, Krishna’s lack of enthusiasm in strengthening the BJP in Karnataka ahead of next assembly polls and star-turned-Congress leader Ramya’s penchant for criticizing Modi government’s policies also had irked Amit Shah. On the other hand, Siddhartha had continued to maintain his apolitical image.

Who is Siddhartha?

57-year-old Siddhartha, who hails from Chikkamagaluru, founded the Amalgamated Bean Coffee Trading Company in 1993, which was later renamed Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd. The chain, which operates over 1600 cafes was first started in 1996 with single outlet in Bengaluru.

Siddhartha comes from a coffee plantation owning family, and has multiple business interests in industries such as furniture, real estate, investment consulting, agri exports and logistics. He is known to be a serial investor, and has diversified Coffee Day Enterprises portfolio through holdings in Mindtree Consulting and many other companies. Krishna had reportedly played a key role in Siddhartha’s sudden growth.

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News Network
December 2,2025

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Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

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News Network
November 22,2025

Udupi, Nov 22: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has officially confirmed Narendra Modi’s visit to Udupi on November 28 and shared his detailed schedule with the Karnataka chief secretary.

According to the itinerary, the Prime Minister will land at Mangaluru International Airport from Delhi at 11:05 am and depart for Udupi by helicopter at 11:10 am. He is expected to arrive at the Adi Udupi helipad at 11:35 am.

The earlier plan for a roadshow has been cancelled. Instead, PM Modi will proceed directly to Sri Krishna Math at 12 pm, where he will have darshan of Sri Krishna and address participants of the Laksha Kanta Geetha Gayana event.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to depart from the Adi Udupi helipad at 1:35 pm, returning to Mangaluru Airport before leaving for Goa at 2 pm.

The state administration has been directed to make all necessary arrangements for the visit.

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coastaldigest.com news network
December 2,2025

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Udupi, Dec 2: A wave of regional pride is sweeping through Udupi district as Shagun S Verma Hegde, a talented Class 9 student from Christ King English Medium High School, Karkala, has been named the captain of the Indian National Team for the Under-15 Girls’ Volleyball Championship.

Shagun holds the unique distinction of being the sole player from Karnataka selected to represent the country in the prestigious international tournament. The championship, organized by the School Games Federation, is scheduled to take place in Shangluo, China, from December 3 to 13, where Shagun will lead the national squad.

A Remarkable Journey to the Top

Shagun’s selection is a testament to her dedication and exceptional skill on the court. Her journey included several rigorous rounds of selection:

•    She was the only player from Udupi district to qualify for the state-level selection camp.

•    Out of eight players from Karnataka who advanced to the national selection camp in Pune, Maharashtra, Shagun was the only one to secure a place in the final national squad.

•    The national camp saw participation from approximately 200 players, which was shortlisted to 23. Shagun not only made the final cut but was also ranked as the second-best player overall, solidifying her leadership role.

Shagun, who is the daughter of Sandesh Verma and Shruthiraj of Kallotte, Karkala, has trained under experienced coaches Santosh D’Souza, Jeevan D’Silva, Jairaj Poojary, and Ramesh. Her selection as the team captain has brought profound honour to her family, school, the Udupi district, and the entire state of Karnataka.

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