States » SouthPosted at: Nov 9 2026 8:50PM


Shivakumar dismisses rift talk with Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru, Nov 9 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday launched a pointed counterattack against speculation over his relationship with former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, emphatically declaring that there was "neither a big rift nor a small rift" between them and accusing certain quarters of deliberately creating an impression of discord within the Congress leadership.
Reinforcing his political equation with Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar described him as their leader and said his recent meeting with the former Chief Minister was aimed at discussing several issues ahead of the local body elections, besides exchanging festival greetings.
"There is neither a big rift nor a small rift between Siddaramaiah and me. Some people are trying to create an atmosphere suggesting there is friction between us," he told reporters.
He also took exception to attempts by some people, including respected seers, to portray their relationship differently in the media, saying the necessary message had already been conveyed to them.
"In politics, there must be detractors and opponents. Only when they are present can people like us engage in clean politics. Siddaramaiah is our leader," he said.
Explaining the reason for his meeting with Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar said the approaching local body elections and several other matters required discussions between them.
"Siddaramaiah is our leader. Local body elections are approaching, and since I needed to discuss several matters with him, I met him and extended festival greetings," he said.
Moving to Bengaluru's infrastructure challenges, Shivakumar defended the proposed short tunnel road and elevated corridor projects around Mekhri Circle, accusing the opposition of objecting to development initiatives irrespective of their merits.
He argued that alternative routes were essential to address the city's worsening traffic congestion, as conventional road widening was increasingly difficult in densely populated areas.
"Whether we build a tunnel road, the opposition objects; whether we construct an elevated corridor, they object. They always think negatively. To resolve Bengaluru's traffic congestion, alternative routes must be created. We either have to build roads elevated above or construct tunnels underground. Can we widen roads by demolishing buildings?" he asked.
Shivakumar said the government had sought Defence land near Mekhri Circle to facilitate road widening and that he had already appealed to the Defence Minister to release the land located at the corner of the junction.
If the land was made available, a redesigned rotary and ring-road arrangement would be developed to streamline traffic, with separate provisions for vehicles moving left and right.
The proposed traffic management system would combine elevated infrastructure with underground tunnels wherever required, he explained.
Assuring commuters that the construction would not bring traffic movement to a complete halt, Shivakumar said the traffic police had already inspected the proposed plan and the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) Chairman had also visited the site.
"I have visited the spot myself and instructed officials to assess which sections are experiencing high traffic congestion. Traffic will not be completely halted at any point during the execution of the work," he said.
Only certain heavy and cargo vehicles might face temporary restrictions during specified hours, while other vehicles would continue to move, he added.
The Chief Minister said alternative connecting roads were being developed to minimise inconvenience to the public during construction.
Responding to criticism that development projects could cause inconvenience to residents and commuters, he alleged that some political opponents had made it their agenda to oppose every initiative undertaken by him.
"There is no need to convince those who oppose for the sake of opposing. It seems a section of people has decided to oppose whatever I do," he said, questioning whether the BJP or JD(S) had undertaken comparable development initiatives when they were in power.
He further accused the opposition of being unable to digest the pace of development work being undertaken by the Congress government.
On the relationship between the proposed tunnel road and the existing elevated corridor, Shivakumar clarified that they would be separate projects, although provision would be made for vehicles to exit the tunnel and proceed via the elevated road.
"This will be a separate project. Both projects will function in their own ways. A separate system is being designed to maintain traffic speed and smooth vehicular movement," he said.
He clarified that the proposal under consideration was not the 16-km-long tunnel road project but a shorter tunnel intended to ease congestion around Hebbal and provide alternative connectivity.
Shivakumar also disclosed that officials had been asked to examine an alternative plan for a section of the proposed tunnel route near Lalbagh after he noticed a large crater and variations in the rocky terrain during an aerial inspection.
He said the geological variations between the rocky stretch and the point where the tunnel was proposed to emerge required a fresh assessment to avoid complications during execution.
The government was examining alternative arrangements to ensure that the project could be implemented without creating technical or traffic-related problems, he added.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Shivakumar dismisses rift talk with Siddaramaiah
More News

AP: Naidu government undermined democracy: YSRCP slams

09 Nov 2026 | 8:58 PM

Vijayawada, Nov 9 (UNI) YSR Congress Party senior leader and former Minister Perni Venkatramaiah accused the TDP-led government of undermining democracy during the recent local body elections.

see more..

AP: ULB, ZP election results vindication of development: Naidu

09 Nov 2026 | 8:54 PM

Vijayawada, Nov 9 (UNI) Telugu Desam party national president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has described the Urban Local Body and Zilla and Mandal Parishad election results as a vindication of his regime's development agenda.

see more..

Shivakumar dismisses rift talk with Siddaramaiah

09 Nov 2026 | 8:50 PM

Bengaluru, Nov 9 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday launched a pointed counterattack against speculation over his relationship with former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, emphatically declaring that there was "neither a big rift nor a small rift" between them and accusing certain quarters of deliberately creating an impression of discord within the Congress leadership.

see more..

Tirupati: Cash counting machines donated to TTD-run Tiruchanoor, Appalayagunta temples

09 Nov 2026 | 8:44 PM

Tirupati, Nov 9 (UNI) Two cash counting machines were donated to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) by Tirupati-based VKRR Fuel Station Groups owner Manoj Kumar on Monday.

see more..

Revanth Reddy vows to bring Krishna waters to Kodangal by December 2028

09 Nov 2026 | 8:30 PM

Hyderabad, Nov 9 (UNI) Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday vowed to bring Krishna river water to the Kodangal region by December 2028, asserting that the government was committed to transforming the drought-prone areas of Palamuru into fertile agricultural lands.

see more..