Bengaluru:Dy CM D K Shivakumar on Friday alleged that there is a conspiracy to remove the votes of poor people through the SIR process and said Congress workers have been instructed to remain highly vigilant.

Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, Bengaluru, the Deputy Chief Minister said the party has begun creating awareness among legislators and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

“We have convened meetings to educate our MLAs and BLAs about SIR because the dates have already been announced. Every eligible person must submit the necessary application; otherwise, citizens may lose their voting rights,” he said.

He warned that similar situations had occurred in other states and stressed the importance of protecting voter rights. “If people lose their voting rights, they may also face difficulties in accessing welfare benefits such as pension schemes and the Gruha Lakshmi Scheme. Hence, we are focusing on public awareness,” he added.

Responding to questions regarding the government’s decision to withdraw cases filed against members of the Muslim community, Shivakumar clarified that only politically motivated cases were being withdrawn. “Cases filed against farmers and Kannada activists have also been withdrawn earlier. There is nothing wrong in withdrawing politically motivated cases,” he stated.

New intl cricket stadium near Anekal soon

Bengaluru:Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will lay the foundation stone tomorrow (May 23) for a new international cricket stadium coming up near Anekal on the outskirts of Bengaluru. With a seating capacity of 80,000, the proposed venue is set to become India’s second-largest cricket stadium after the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The mega project, estimated to cost around Rs 943 crore, is expected to be completed within the next three years. The stadium will be constructed at Surya Nagar Phase 4 in Indlawadi village of Anekal taluk under the ‘KHB Surya Kreeda Grama’ initiative of the Karnataka Housing Board (KHB).

Designed as a world-class sporting venue, the stadium will feature modern amenities including hospitality lounges, VIP boxes, advanced media facilities, and enhanced spectator services. Comprehensive security and crowd-management systems are also planned to handle large gatherings during international matches and major events.

Currently, Bengaluru’s iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has a seating capacity of only around 32,000, which many believe is inadequate for the growing demand during international cricket fixtures and IPL matches. The new stadium, spread across 75 acres, is expected to significantly boost Bengaluru’s capacity to host large-scale sporting events. Apart from international cricket, the project is expected to play a major role in promoting sports and nurturing young talent in Karnataka. The facility will host cricket academies, youth training programmes, school and college tournaments, and state-level sporting events. The stadium is also being envisioned as a multi-purpose venue capable of hosting concerts, conferences, public gatherings, corporate events, and exhibitions, making it one of the largest entertainment and sporting hubs in the region.