PDOs stage stir against assault on officer

Mangalore, March 24: Flaying the assault on a Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) of Maladi Gram Panchayat in Belthnagady taluk, Panchayat Development Officers Federation staged a protest in Zilla Panchayat office premises on Wednesday.

It was said that Maladi Gram Panchayat PDO Jagadish S was assaulated by a Panchayat member Sudhakar Alva when the latter failed to settle the bills related to Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). Due to technical reason, the bill could not be settled. Enraged over the incident, the GP member had allegedly abused and assaulted the PDO.

Addressing the protesters, Gram Panchayat Employees and Secretaries Association President Prakash Shetty said criminal case must be filed against the GP member Sudhakar Alva for assaulting the PDO and the GP member should be disqualified from the membership.

“The government had created the post of PDO to introduce transparency in the Gram Panchayat administration. However, many a time, the PDOs can not discharge their duties efficiently within the framework of the law owing to the pressure from the elected representatives,” he added.

He said memorandum has already been submitted to the police urging to file criminal case against the GP member. “From the time we were appointed, we have been suppressed. Those who had come with the dreams of creating a model village by transparent administered have been shattered with the present system. If the GP member is not punished and if we fail to get justice, then all the PDOs will tender mass resignation,” Federation Secretary Harish said.

Zilla Panchayat CEO P Shivashankar has assured the Federation members that legal action will be initaited against the culprit and that he has laready held talks with the SP.

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Siddaramaiah's camp on alert as Karnataka Congress leadership rift escalates

News Network

November 27,2025

Bengaluru, Nov 27: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp is reportedly on alert as the Congress leadership tussle in the state intensifies, particularly amid speculation over the potential promotion of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah is said to be in a “wait-and-watch” mode after admitting to “confusion” earlier this week and urging the party to “put a full stop” to it.

Sources say his supporters are ready to act if senior leaders — including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi — give any indication of backing Shivakumar. If the party insists on a leadership change, Siddaramaiah’s camp has a list of alternatives, underscoring the deep rift between the two leaders. One possible candidate is Home Minister G. Parameshwara, a Siddaramaiah loyalist and influential Dalit leader.

The strategy was reportedly finalized at a meeting led by PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, another Siddaramaiah supporter, who stressed that Delhi leaders need to resolve the issue. Kharge and the Gandhis are expected to meet soon, after which Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be summoned to Delhi.

Shivakumar has largely stayed non-confrontational, publicly endorsing Siddaramaiah and downplaying speculation about his own ambitions. However, he has made pointed comments emphasizing the importance of honoring promises, directed at Siddaramaiah.

The feud traces back to the 2023 state election, when Siddaramaiah was chosen as Chief Minister while Shivakumar, who led the party’s campaign, was made Deputy CM and state party chief — a departure from the Congress’ usual “one post per person” rule.

There were also hints of a prior understanding that Siddaramaiah would step down midway through the term. As the halfway mark passed last week, Shivakumar-aligned lawmakers have ramped up pressure on the party for a leadership change, with Shivakumar himself hinting at stepping down as state party chief to pursue the top job.

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