#OPINION | As the political ground shifts in #Karnataka, all parties are looking at avoiding past follies. For the new CM, it’s about managing aspirations and keeping governance promises.


🔗https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinion/2026/Jun/09/bucking-trends-in-karnataka

#Karnataka Home Minister #PriyankKharge triggered a political row with an open letter to #RSS chief #MohanBhagwat, demanding transparency from the RSS.

He asked 5 questions:
Why isn’t RSS registered?
Should its finances be public?
What’s its legal basis?
Should it follow NGO transparency norms?
Will its centenary include tax compliance?

Bhagwat called it a political gimmick, saying RSS is a voluntary org recognised by courts and tax bodies.

Beyond the letter, a political signal: Is Priyank Kharge now Congress’s assertive Dalit face? And will his RSS showdown shape the next Karnataka polls?

A shocking incident in #Karnataka's Gadag has triggered widespread outrage after a father was caught carrying his young child inside the side bag of a motorcycle, treating the storage compartment like a passenger seat.

What are normally used to carry documents, groceries and small household items became an unlikely and alarming spot for a child.

Witnesses were stunned to see the youngster crammed inside the bike’s side bag, with only the child’s head visible above the compartment as the motorcycle moved through city traffic.

🔗https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2026/Jun/29/caught-on-camera-karnataka-man-fined-for-carrying-child-in-bike-side-bag

The inauguration of the 33 newly installed crest gates at the #TungabhadraDam on June 25 marked more than a routine irrigation milestone. The ceremony, attended by the Chief Ministers of #Karnataka, #AndhraPradesh and #Telangana, along with the Union Jal Shakti Minister, symbolised rare political and administrative cooperation over a shared river.

For more than seven decades, the dam has supported food security for millions by enabling the cultivation of paddy, cotton, sugarcane, chilli, pulses and horticultural crops. Any disruption to its operations immediately affects farming, drinking water supplies and industrial production across the three states.

✍️Kiran Balannanavar

🔗https://www.newindianexpress.com/explainers/2026/Jul/02/tungabhadra-dam-a-new-era-of-indias-water-cooperation

#Karnataka #Congress President #BKHariprasad questioned the Centre over the rollout of 20% ethanol-blended petrol (#E20), alleging that it is leading to vehicle breakdowns, reduced mileage and higher maintenance costs for consumers.

Targeting the #NarendraModi-led government, he alleged that instead of lowering fuel prices, the Centre had increased ethanol blending and shifted the cost burden onto consumers.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Jul/04/this-is-a-scam-karnataka-congress-chief-demands-rollback-of-e20-petrol-over-vehicle-damage

Over 56,000 people in #Karnataka may still be unaware of their HIV status, while 2,05,350 people living with HIV in the state are alive and on antiretroviral therapy (ART) as of June, 2026.

A person diagnosed early, started on ART and supported to achieve sustained viral suppression can live a long, healthy and productive life.

Over 37.57 lakh from the general population were tested for HIV in 2025-26 and 11,322 new positive cases were detected.

Nearly 11.98 lakh antenatal mothers underwent HIV testing, with 451 new positive cases identified, while 1,009 known HIV-positive pregnant women were followed through care.

🔗https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2026/Jul/06/56406-karnataka-people-unaware-of-their-hiv-status

#Karnataka | A 17-year-old girl was brutally attacked with a machete by her relative after her family rejected his marriage proposal in Dakshina Kannada.

The victim, a second PU student, was waiting at a bus stop to board a bus to her college when the accused, Mohammad Jawar (28), attacked her.

The accused repeatedly attacked the girl with the weapon in full public view, leaving bystanders shocked. As people screamed and rushed towards the spot, Jawar fled.

Jawar later surrendered before the Bantwal Rural police.

🔗 https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2026/Jul/07/after-family-rejects-wedding-proposal-man-attacks-minor-girl-in-dakshina-kannada

A 31-year-old software professional who went trekking at Karnataka's Shivagange Hills has been missing for the past two days, prompting the forest department, police and SDRF to launch a search operation.

The teams are searching for Advaith Upadhyey, a resident of Mythri Layout in Bengaluru, who hails from Indore and has been working in the city for the past four years.

#Karnataka

🔗https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2026/Aug/09/31-year-old-techie-goes-missing-while-trekking-at-karnatakas-shivagange-hills

Bengaluru has witnessed a major food safety crackdown, with five hotels raided and an elite pub shut down after officials found rotten and fungus-infested meat, expired dairy products and other food items deemed unfit for consumption.

The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department deployed 30 teams across Bengaluru Urban district and BBMP zones as part of a special enforcement drive.

In total, 132 kg of food articles were seized or disposed of, apart from 15 litres of used cooking oil. Eighteen food samples have been sent for laboratory analysis.

Authorities have issued notices to the concerned food business operators, with legal action likely under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, depending on the findings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUwGk4wCHVM

Karnataka Cabinet Portfolios | Chief Minister DK Shivakumar keeps Finance, Cabinet Affairs, Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Intelligence, Information, Law, Justice and Human Rights, Parliamentary Affairs, Legislation and Agriculture Marketing, along with unallocated portfolios.

BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan has been assigned Housing, KH Muniyappa Social Welfare, UT Khader Minority Welfare, Haj & Waqf, Health and Family Welfare, and MB Patil Commerce and Industries.

Karnataka Cabinet Minister Ramalinga Reddy has been assigned the Forest, Ecology and Environment portfolio.

#KarnatakaCabinetPortfolio #Karnataka

With only hours left before the monsoon session of the joint legislature begins on Thursday, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar allotted portfolios to 19 new ministers, ending a 10-day suspense over the distribution after expanding his cabinet.

But key issues, including representation for a woman in the cabinet and the induction of sulking Vijayanagar MLA and influential Bengaluru leader M Krishnappa, and Byadagi MLA Basavaraj Shivannanavar, who has the backing of former CM Siddaramaiah, remained unresolved.

#KarnatakaCabinetPortfolio #Karnataka

🔗https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2026/Aug/12/karnataka-cm-allots-cabinet-portfolios-to-19-ministers-dks-keeps-finance-law

#Karnataka | The Food Safety department conducted inspections at hotels and food establishments located within Arogya Soudha, Vidhana Soudha, Legislators’ Home, Vikasa Soudha and the MS Building. Officials examined food quality, labelling, storage, hygiene and food-handling practices.

At a canteen within the premises, 500 grams each of expired suji rava and coconut powder were seized.

🔗https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2026/Aug/13/karnataka-food-safety-drive-flags-expired-food-hygiene-violations-at-vidhana-soudha-eateries

Karnataka Minister B Nagendra announces his resignation from the Cabinet, following allegations of his involvement in the financial irregularities in the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation.

After announcing resignation to avoid embarrassment to the party, he said he will also resign from assembly membership & dares Karnataka BJP
leaders to contest against him. He denies all allegations made against him.

#Karnataka #BNagendra

It is surprising that the party did not anticipate it, given the ongoing investigations by central agencies into the multi-crore scam at the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, a state government entity.

But what compelled them to bring him into the cabinet against all odds?
Whose decision was it? What ‘X’ factor did he bring to the party or the government?

#Karnataka #Nagendra

🔗https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2026/Aug/30/major-setback-or-blessing-in-disguisenagendras-resignation-leaves-congress-facing-fresh-political-test

Karnataka’s political tradition of marking a Chief Minister’s first 100 days in office is set to repeat itself once again, as DK Shivakumar prepares to complete a hundred days in power on September 10.

Kunigal MLA HD Ranganath offered a preview of what the government has in store. “There will be major announcements for farmers,” he said, adding that “education related celebrations and even in the area of health there are expected to be some important announcements.” His comments reflect the broader anticipation building across the state over whether the milestone will yield substantive relief or remain largely ceremonial.

The BJP, however, was in no mood to join the celebrations. State president BY Vijayendra was sharply critical, sarcastically dismissing the government as a “U-Turn government”.

#Karnataka #DKShivakumar

🔗https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2026/Sep/08/dk-shivakumars-100-days-as-cm-celebrations-planned-opposition-calls-it-a-u-turn-government

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar made a surprise visit to the APMC Market at Yeshwanthpur. The Chief Minister interacted with farmers, traders and women workers, listening to their concerns.

He also shared a plate of idli and had tea with labourers at the market. He inquired whether farmers were stopped by police and asked to pay extra while transporting produce.

He then visited onion and garlic shops and spoke to traders about prices and market issues. The Chief Minister also checked garlic quality and personally weighed the produce at a shop.

The surprise visit brought smiles to traders and workers at the busy APMC market.

#Karnataka

Read:

🔗https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2026/Sep/08/karnataka-cm-dk-shivakumar-discusses-issues-of-commission-yields-with-apmc-farmers

🔗https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2026/Sep/09/karnataka-cms-visit-makes-garlic-shop-famous

“I consider myself an Indian first. Religion and caste come later. I respect all religions while remaining true to my own faith. What I value most is humanity rather than religion. When we participate in Hindu festivals, they in turn join us during Muslim festivals. People of all faiths are living here in perfect harmony.”

At a time when divisive forces are trying to create rifts in society on the lines of religion and caste, a Muslim woman in NR Pura town has been heading the Ganesha festival committee for the past 18 years.

Jubedha, former president of the NR Pura Town Panchayat, is the president of the Rajivnagara Sri Vinayaka Seva Samiti, which installs a Ganesha idol for three days every year. As the Samiti president, she oversees Ganapathi homa, Satyanarayana Puja and other rituals during the festival.


#GaneshChaturthi #Karnataka

🔗https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2026/Sep/14/karnataka-muslim-woman-leads-ganesha-samiti-celebrates-festival-for-18-years

#Karnataka | HD Kumaraswamy’s unexpected praise for Siddaramaiah has stirred Karnataka politics. Amid the alleged sting operation row, Kumaraswamy has accused Congress leaders of trying to undermine the Chief Minister, while the BJP has attacked the state government over alleged blackmail.

With D K Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah back in focus, is Karnataka Congress heading towards a deeper leadership crisis? Or is Kumaraswamy’s intervention part of a larger political game?

Watch this explainer by TNIE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsWME5MfRZc