Politics
BJP mocks CM Siddaramaiah on caste census advice to Centre

Bengaluru, May 1: The Karnataka BJP, on Thursday, criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on his caste census remarks, saying that the exercise done by the Congress-led government was a model for how not to conduct the census.
Earlier, CM Siddaramaiah said that his government was fully prepared to extend any guidance to the Union government on the caste census.
R. Ashoka, the Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, stated, “Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, your statement suggesting that Karnataka’s model should be adopted for the caste census is truly laughable. A report whose original copy has gone missing, which lacks even the signatures of the secretaries, where applications were filled by school children paid five to ten rupees per form, where houses with dogs were skipped during enumeration, and which even after ten years remains unaccepted – your caste census report stands as a textbook example of how not to conduct a caste census.”
“Your claim that the BJP has always opposed the caste census is an outright lie. In 2010, the then Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the late Sushma Swaraj, had formally conveyed to the UPA government that the BJP supported, including caste enumeration in the 2011 census. The BJP had also supported the unanimous resolution passed in Parliament on the matter,” Ashoka pointed out.
However, instead of conducting a proper caste census, the then Congress government carried out a flawed Social-Economic Caste Census – 2011 (SECC-2011). Like Karnataka’s caste census, this too suffered from poor planning and ineffective execution, leading to its complete failure. Despite spending crores of rupees, the findings were never officially released. This reveals the Congress party’s true commitment towards the caste census, Ashoka stated.
“The BJP has never misused the caste census as an electoral weapon. When in power, we demonstrated commitment by deciding to carry out the caste census. We did not indulge in petty politics by shedding crocodile tears while in opposition and ignoring the issue when in power. This reflects our genuine dedication to social justice. BJP’s only concern regarding the caste census has always been that it should not be misused for political attacks,” Ashoka underlined.
“The caste census that the Central government is now set to conduct will be carried out in a highly transparent, scientific, and purposeful manner – not manipulated for political gain as your Congress government did by twisting data to suit your needs,” Ashoka stated, addressing CM Siddaramaiah.
Karnataka’s caste census process serves only as an example of how not to conduct a caste census; there are no aspects worth emulating from it, he reiterated.
Welcoming the decision for caste census by the centre, CM Siddaramaiah stated on Wednesday, “Just as the BJP initially mocked our five guarantee schemes and later adopted them, the Modi government’s decision to implement a caste census proves that Congress’ policies are rooted in public welfare.
“The Karnataka government’s caste-based Social, Economic, and Educational Survey is a robust model. We are fully prepared to extend any guidance or support the Union government may need,” the CM said.
CM Siddaramaiah further stated, “Our government wholeheartedly welcomes the Union government’s decision to conduct a caste census along with the national population census. At this moment, I urge the Union government to also carry out a social, economic, and educational survey alongside the census. In Karnataka, we didn’t just conduct a caste census – we also gathered data on the social, economic, and educational status of communities. Based on this data, we have taken steps to revise and expand the current reservation policy. I hope the Union government will now follow through with this process as well.”
Maharashtra
Mumbai BMC issues directions to Municipal Commissioner Gagrani to deal with flood situation

Mumbai: In view of the situation created by the continuous and heavy rains in Mumbai for two days, Municipal Commissioner and Administrative Manager Bhushan Gagrani today reviewed the monsoon works of the Municipal Corporation. At that time, he gave various instructions to the officers. Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Dr. Vipin Sharma, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijeet Bangar, all the concerned Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and concerned officers were present in the meeting held at the Municipal Corporation headquarters.
Municipal Commissioner Gagrani said that this year the monsoon arrived in Mumbai fifteen days earlier than every year. It is a fact that the works of the Municipal Corporation have been affected to some extent due to the heavy rains in the beginning. Especially, the work of removing silt from drains has been hampered. However, to ensure that the pace of monsoon works is not slowed down under any circumstances, appropriate amendments should be made in the previous planning and necessary changes should be made. The Municipal Commissioner said that the work of desilting rivers and canals should be completed in the next eight to ten days.
This year, a total of 414 pumping sets have been planned to be installed in low-lying and very low-lying areas as well as in all possible places where water can accumulate during heavy rains. Accordingly, it should be ensured that the process of installation of pumping sets (pump sets) is completed at all places. The process of setting up and operating the pumping system should be completed in the next 24 hours. To check that the system is working smoothly, it should be properly tested. Follow-up should be done in coordination at the necessary levels to complete the entire process. The contractors have been given letters of expediency to acquire 10 sets of mobile pumps mounted on vehicles on lease. These sets will be available within eight days. Gagrani also said that this system can be used in case of emergency.
He further said that utmost care should be taken that rainwater does not accumulate in extremely low-lying and low-lying areas. If water accumulates due to heavy rain, efforts should be made to ensure its early drainage. The new places where rainwater has accumulated, the Assistant Commissioner of the concerned administrative department and the Deputy Commissioner of the circle should inspect these places. The reasons for the formation of such new places should be found. Gagrani advised that the steps to be taken at these places should be decided and the problem of water accumulation should be resolved.
Flood control gates should be installed in timely and proper manner at relief centers like Haji Ali, Lovegrove, Britannia etc. They should be opened and closed every two hours and the Emergency Management Room should be informed that they are in good condition. The remaining work of concreting the roads should be completed at an accelerated pace. The incomplete roads should be completed permanently and made traffic-ready. In addition, road blocks (barricades) and other materials should be removed from the roads within 24 hours and transported to the warehouses. It should be ensured that vehicles do not obstruct the roads in any way. Similarly, the work of felling trees should be completed on time, etc., Municipal Commissioner Gagrani directed.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Airport motorcycle and car collide, video of rider riding on bonnet goes viral, traffic police action, case registered against accused

Mumbai: After a collision between a car and a motorcycle near Mumbai Airport, a car driver put a motorcyclist on the bonnet of the car, endangering his life, after which the police have registered a case on the complaint of the motorcyclist and started an investigation.
After the collision between the car and the motorcycle, the local crowd stopped the car and during this, an argument broke out between the motorcyclist and the car driver and suddenly the car driver ran over the motorcyclist and put him on the bonnet and drove the car. After this video went viral, the police registered a case and released the accused after giving a notice. The police have started an investigation in this matter. Regarding the incident, the Airport Police Station Mumbai has registered an offence 61/2025 under sections 281,125,1126(2),115(2),352 BNS r/w sec 184 mvact. A case has been registered against the accused Bhim Prasad Giani Mahto, aged 24, resident of Vartak Nagar and a notice has been issued to him.
Maharashtra
Cyclone Shakti Alert: IMD Warns of Heavy Rain and Rough Seas Along East Coast

Mumbai, May 28, 2025: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cyclone alert for the eastern coast of India, as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm within the next 24 hours. If it forms, the cyclone will be named ‘Shakti’.
According to the IMD, the depression currently lies over the central Bay of Bengal and is moving in a northwesterly direction. It is expected to make landfall along the coasts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh by the evening of May 29, bringing with it heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Wind speeds could reach 75–85 km/h, with gusts up to 95 km/h. Coastal regions have been warned of rough seas and the possibility of localized flooding.
In preparation for the potential cyclone, the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been placed on high alert. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, and coastal villages are being kept under close watch for any signs of distress.
Impact on West Bengal and Maharashtra
The weather system may also influence conditions in West Bengal, with heavy rainfall expected in southern districts, including Kolkata, over the next few days. The monsoon may advance into North Bengal by Friday, the IMD said.
Meanwhile, in Mumbai and surrounding areas, the cyclone is unlikely to have a direct impact but may cause light to moderate showers, with a possibility of heavy rainfall in isolated spots. The IMD has issued an orange alert for Mumbai as a precautionary measure.
Public Advisory:
- Stay tuned to updates from the IMD and local authorities.
- Avoid travel to coastal areas until further notice.
- In case of emergency, contact the National Disaster Helpline at 1070.
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