Tuesday, 1 April 2025: A wrap of news and developments in Karnataka—Priyank Kharge criticized BJP and JD(S) MLAs for disrupting the Assembly, while BJP plans protests against price hikes and reservation.
Published Apr 01, 2025 | 3:25 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 01, 2025 | 3:25 PM
Minister Priyank Kharge. (Supplied)
Synopsis: Priyank Kharge criticized JD(S) and BJP MLAs for disrupting the Karnataka Assembly over the Karnataka Public Procurement Transparency Bill. He said if he were the Speaker, he’d have suspended them for a year. Meanwhile, the BJP announced protests from April 2-7 against price hikes and the 4% Muslim reservation. BMRCL will extend metro services until 1:45 AM for IPL matches.
Priyank Kharge, the Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology, made strong statements against the JD (S), and the BJP MLAs for creating a ruckus on the last day of the Assembly session in March.
Noting that he would suspend MLAs in the assembly for one year if he was the speaker, the minister said, “How can they throw papers at speaker’s face? I would have suspended them for one year for their indisciplined behaviour. ”
The BJP and JD(S) MLAs protested the passing of the Karnataka Public Procurement Transparency Bill, in which the Congress government reserved 4 percent for Muslims belonging to socially and educationally backward classes in government contract works.
They tore and threw papers at the speaker, UT Khader’s face. Following this Khader had suspended all 18 of them for six months.
The bill aimed at reducing unemployment and empowering them.
BJP MLAs and MLCs in Karnataka have announced to protest against the price hike on essential commodities from 2 to 7 April.
BY Vijayendra, Karnataka BJP president said, “All our MLAs and MLCs will be protesting against the price hike at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on 2 April. On 7 April, all MLAs, MPs and Central ministers will be organising the Jana Akrosh Yatra from Mysuru. Central Minister, Prahlad Joshi will flag this yatra.”
He added, “We will also protest against 4 percent reservation for Muslims in government contracts. The state government is very arrogant and thinks it can do anything in this state.”
In view of the ongoing IPL matches, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has announced plans to extend its train services from all four terminal metro stations, including Whitefield, Challaghatta, Silk Institute and Madavara, scheduled on 2, 10, 17, and 26 April and 21 May till 1.45 am.
The press statement released by BMRCL states that the trains on the purple line and green line will be extended to handle the rush of passengers on match day.
On the occasion of the 118th birth anniversary of Spiritual leader Shri Shivakumar Swamiji of Siddaganga mutt, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has appealed to the central government to honour Shri Shivakumar Swamiji with the Bharat Ratna Award.
Speaking on Tuesday, 1 April, in Tumkur at the Guru Vandana program of Shivaikya, he said, “I appeal on behalf of the people of the state and the state government that the Prime Minister and the Central Government should honour Shri Shivakumara Swamiji with the Bharat Ratna award. Shri Shivakumara Swamiji is a revered saint whose contribution to society through the concept of dasoha and education is immense.”
