Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar said, “The government is considering constructing a ‘Karnataka Mantapa’—modeled after Delhi’s ‘Bharat Mandapam’—near a metro station at locations such as Jakkur, Mysore Lamps, or NGEF.”

He was speaking after inaugurating the first-ever Karnataka Tourism Awards ceremony, held at Palace Grounds on Sunday to mark World Tourism Day. It was organised by the Department of Tourism and Karnataka Tourism Society (KTS) to recognise and felicitate various stakeholders contributing to Tourism sector.

For the first time, these awards were given under 35 different categories including best business hotel, eco-friendly resort, best educational institute in tourism, rural tourism project, wellness retreat, tourism startup and others. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar presented the awards to winners.

Addressing the awardees on the occasion of World Tourism Day, K.J. George, Minister for Energy and Tourism said, “Tourism must move beyond digital marketing towards a fully connected digital ecosystem that improves the entire visitor experience.”

Mr. George added, “We should use Artificial Intelligence not merely to make tourism smarter, but to make it more inclusive, sustainable and meaningful. The benefits of this transformation must reach not only large companies, but also homestay owners, tourist guides, artisans, small entrepreneurs and young people.”

While highlighting that AI-based tourism services could help visitors create personalised itineraries based on their interests, travel duration and requirements, provide multilingual information and connect them with recognised tourism service providers, he said that the Tourism Department is working towards developing such technology-driven solutions.

Leaders and politicians across political parties mourned the death of veteran playback singer S. Janaki and paid heartfelt tributes to her.

On X, Vice-President of India C.P. Radhakrishnan said her songs transcended linguistic and regional boundaries, uniting millions through the universal language of music.

“S. Janaki-amma’s passing is an irreparable loss to the world of music and to the nation’s artistic heritage. Through her immense contribution to Indian music, she left behind a legacy that will continue to inspire artists and music lovers alike,” the Vice-President said.

In his message, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay said the demise of Ms. Janaki brought immense sorrow.

“Having sung thousands of songs in various languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, and more, she has left an indelible mark on the music world. The recipient of countless prestigious awards, including multiple National Film Awards, she will forever remain etched in the hearts of fans through her sweet voice, exceptional ability to convey emotions and unwavering dedication to music,” he said.

DMK president M.K. Stalin said her demise was a great loss, not only to the people of Tamil Nadu, who would continue to let her “nectar-like” songs resonate in their homes from the radio to Spotify, but also to the people of south India and the Indian film industry as a whole.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami said she rendered many songs as a playback singer across 20 Indian languages, including Tamil, securing an indelible place in the hearts of the people.

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the passing of Ms. Janaki, the unparalleled playback singer of Indian cinema and the nightingale of Kannada films, had delivered a profound shock.

He added that her embodiment of simplicity inspired and nurtured countless singers, and her vocal charm would forever remain immortal in the cultural sphere of Karnataka.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said: “A daughter of Telugu soil, she built an unparalleled musical legacy spanning over six decades, touching generations with her timeless voice.”

YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said Indian music had lost one of its brightest stars, but her melodies would live on forever.

Minister Krishna Byre Gowda took charge of the Bengaluru Development portfolio on Tuesday, nearly two weeks after being sworn in, stating that his decision followed directions from the Congress high command and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

Mr. Gowda, who was sworn in on June 3, had delayed taking charge, unhappy with the Chief Minister retaining the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA), two key planning bodies for the city.

“I have told the Chief Minister and the leadership my opinion that the lack of clarity in who is in charge will come in the way of accountability and result-oriented administration,” he said. He added, however, that it was finally the discretion of the Chief Minister.

“I have appealed to the Chief Minister to reconsider his decision. I was of the opinion that it was better to take charge after I got this clarity, but the high command and the Chief Minister told me to take charge and begin work, and that the issue would be resolved eventually. So, I have begun my work,” he told mediapersons.

Mr. Gowda said that improving the quality of everyday life of Bengalureans was his top priority. He held his first meeting with top officials under the GBA limits. He reportedly questioned officials over Bengaluru’s road quality and asked if road construction was “rocket science” and why we cannot build pothole-free roads.

Despite an intense power tussle within the Congress in Karnataka over the last three years, the party high command appears to have managed a smooth transition of power to ensure political stability, with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar set to succeed outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Follow | Karnataka DKS swearing in LIVE

One of the biggest challenges before the new Chief Minister would be balancing his relationship with Mr. Siddaramaiah’s loyalists and support base within the Congress. Mr. Siddaramaiah has already indicated that he will remain active in politics and continue to stay in Karnataka, raising the possibility of an alternative power centre emerging around him if his supporters feel sidelined under the new leadership.

Shadow of outgoing CM

The outgoing Chief Minister is also expected to play a significant role in decisions concerning the composition of the next State Cabinet and the appointment of a new Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president.

An immediate challenge for Mr. Shivakumar would be the formation of the new Cabinet and the allocation of key ministerial portfolios without triggering resentment among senior leaders, particularly those aligned with Mr. Siddaramaiah. With barely two years left for the next Assembly elections, striking the right balance between youth and experience in the Cabinet will be critical.

Ensuring regional and caste balance in Cabinet formation and other appointments is expected to pose another major challenge, given the large number of aspirants within the party. Several legislators who have won 3 to 4 consecutive terms are already lobbying for ministerial berths and are learnt to have submitted representations to the party high command.

Mr. Shivakumar, often perceived as a leader favoured by the Congress high command, will also have to build stronger rapport with party legislators to maintain cohesion between the government and the organisation.

Tussle for the top spot in Karnataka: A timeline

Political observers say the new Chief Minister would need to adopt an accommodative leadership style to retain the support of legislators, whose cooperation would be crucial during Assembly sessions and in governance.

Karnataka also faces several inter-State disputes, particularly over water-sharing issues. The political acumen of Mr. Shivakumar, who has so far held Water Resources portfolio, and leadership will be closely tested in such disputes.

AHINDA support base

Belonging to the dominant Vokkaliga community of the Old Mysore region, Mr. Shivakumar will also have to ensure that the Congress retains the AHINDA social coalition — comprising minorities, backward classes, and Dalits — carefully cultivated by Mr. Siddaramaiah over the last two decades.

The AHINDA support base has traditionally formed the backbone of the Congress’ electoral strategy in Karnataka and is considered critical in securing a substantial vote share for the party. Preserving this social coalition and maintaining internal unity will be essential for the Congress as it prepares for the 2028 Assembly elections.

RS elections ahead

An immediate political challenge before the new Chief Minister would be ensuring the smooth victory of the Congress nominees in the Rajya Sabha elections and the Legislative Council polls scheduled for June 18. Formulating strategies to secure victories in the forthcoming elections to civic bodies, including five corporations in Bengaluru city and other local bodies across the State, would also demand urgent attention.

Key governance challenges would include taking a decision on the contentious socio-economic survey (caste census), effectively implementing the Congress government’s five guarantee schemes, reviving development works that have slowed down because of fiscal stress, and maintaining communal harmony in the State. All these factors are expected to shape the early phase of Mr. Shivakumar’s tenure as Chief Minister.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday announced that 80% of landowners, whose lands are notified for the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) or Bidadi township, have agreed to part with their land, and the final notification will be issued by June 30.

The government is set to acquire over 6,700 acres for developing India’s first and largest artificial intelligence (AI)-powered integrated township. Mr. Shivakumar held discussions with farmers from the Bidadi region regarding the township project at his government residence office in Kumara Park on Wednesday.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the government will start releasing compensation from the first week of June. For the final notification, three villages will be grouped together to form separate batches, and separate final notifications will be issued.

He noted that those who agree to part with their land before June 30 will be issued full compensation. For those who are opposing, the money will be deposited in court, and the process will be initiated.

Mr. Shivakumar urged farmers to opt for land compensation, even though cash compensation is available, because the returns will be higher. “When premium FAR is offered in the coming days, it will be beneficial to landowners. We are spending ₹5 crore for every acre,” he said.

“I have advised all farmers not to sell their land because they do not yet understand its future value. Everyone has agreed,” he said.

He further explained that the government had also undertaken surveys to establish Metro connectivity in the future. “This area has been brought under the BWSSB, so the board will provide water connections. About 40 km of road connectivity will also be established”, he added.

The government is extending compensation under the Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013. In a first-of-its-kind measure, the government will provide livelihood support from the date of the final notification until monetary compensation is paid or developed sites are handed over. The landowners will receive financial assistance ranging between ₹ 25,000 and ₹ 50,000 based on the type of land.

During the meeting, farmers demanded not only compensation, but also residential sites. After hearing all their grievances, Mr. Shivakumar assured them that whatever assistance could be extended legally would be provided.

With farmers’ confidence

He later addressed the media. “This region had been declared a red zone, meaning nobody could sell or transact land here. Some people had even approached the court seeking to stop the project, but the court refused to halt it. That is why I am continuing the project after taking farmers into confidence,” he said.

He further stated that the township would be connected to Kanakapura Road, Mysuru-Bengaluru Road, and NICE Road.

“In the future, premium FAR will also be provided. Foreigners are asking us what this AI city will look like. Once we secure the required land, we will release the project blueprint,” he said.

Answering a question that H.D. Kumaraswamy had reportedly thrown an open challenge regarding the Bidadi township issue, Mr. Shivakumar said that he was ready to accept it. “Three days are enough for me. Fix the date, time, and venue, and I will be ready,” he said, adding that Mr. Kumaraswamy himself could decide the place and time. He reiterated that it was Mr. Kumaraswamy who notified the lands earlier for the project and questioned why he had not denotified them later.