DSS demands action against college principal

April 2, 2011

Udupi, April 2: District organising secretary of the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) Ramesh Kotian on Friday said that the State Government should suspend the principal of the Udupi Government Girls' Pre-University College, Suresh Thunga, for taking additional fees from poor students.

Mr. Kotian told presspersons here that an inquiry conducted by the Deputy Director (Administration) of the Pre-University Education Department, R. Mahadevappa, revealed that Mr. Thunga had been accepting “additional fee” of Rs. 1,000 from arts and commerce students and Rs. 1,200 from science students.

Mr. Thunga had stated that the “additional fee” was taken with the permission of the college development committee. The money collected was used to give honorariums to lecturers as the college faced staff shortage. It was also used for payment of telephone and electricity bills.

Mr. Kotian said that the inquiry report of Mr. Mahadevappa made it clear that only receipt books for acceptance of this “additional fee” from students for 2010-11 were available.

The report stated that Mr. Thunga's statement that receipt books detailing acceptance of “additional fee” in previous academic years were stolen led to suspicion.

The report suggested that the auditors of Directorate of Pre-University Education could conduct a detailed investigation of the “additional fee” received after Mr. Thunga took charge as the principal of the college.

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No rift, no rebel: Siddaramaiah–DKS stage a dramatic show of unity after high command push

News Network

November 29,2025

New Delhi: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Saturday put up a dramatic display of unity at a closely watched joint press briefing, firmly dismissing weeks of speculation about a power-sharing tussle within the Congress. With the high command nudging both leaders to sit together and settle the dust, the meeting became a political spectacle, ending with the duo declaring that there was “no confusion, no differences.”

Calling the reports of a rift “manufactured confusion,” Siddaramaiah said the talks had gone smoothly, even joking about their breakfast. “Breakfast was very good. All three of us enjoyed it,” he said. “We want to end this confusion once and for all. For local elections and for 2028, our mission is clear — Congress must return to power. There is no difference between me and DKS, not now, not before.”

He blamed the media for fuelling rumours and reiterated absolute adherence to the party leadership. “From tomorrow, let there be no confusion. What the high command says, we will follow.”

Siddaramaiah also assured that the Assembly session starting December 8 would run smoothly and vowed that Congress would take on the BJP and JD(S) “together.”

Shivakumar echoed the chief minister word for word, stressing loyalty and discipline. “People have given us a massive mandate. It is our duty to deliver,” he said. “This government was formed under Siddaramaiah’s leadership. We both have complete trust in the high command. If they tell me to wait, I will wait.”

He added that the two leaders had discussed strategy for the 2028 Assembly elections. “Whatever the CM says, I agree. We are loyal soldiers of the party. The party may be facing challenges nationally, but we will keep it strong in Karnataka.”

Shivakumar also said Siddaramaiah would soon visit his home for lunch or dinner — another symbolic gesture meant to underline their unity.

Both leaders later posted on social media describing the breakfast meeting as “productive” and focused on “Karnataka’s priorities.”

The BJP, however, rejected the show of camaraderie as “pure bunkum,” accusing Congress of trying to paper over an internal power struggle. But Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar insisted their united front would continue — and that there was “no confusion” within the state leadership.

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