Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

1. Political activity set to pick up in Karnataka with notification of elections to four Rajya Sabha seats

Political activity in the ruling Congress and opposition BJP is likely to intensify in the coming days with the notification of elections for four seats in the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka by the Election Commission of India on May 22. The elections will be held on June 18. The Congress is expected to win three seats while the BJP is likely to get one seat.

The elections have been necessitated by the completion of the term of senior leaders H.D. Deve Gowda JD(S), Mallikarjuna Kharge (Congress), and BJP members K. Narayana and Iranna Kadadi. In all, the State sends 12 members to the Rajya Sabha. At present, Congress has five members, BJP has six, and JD(S) has one member in the Upper House from Karnataka.

2. Erstwhile BBMP’s stray dog feeding programme in Bengaluru on backburner

The erstwhile BBMP’s ambitious project of feeding stray dogs, announced in 2025, has been shelved following the formation of five new corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), sources said. The project has been put on the backburner mainly due to a lack of interest, which activists say ‘should not have happened’.

However, it is a legal obligation for the corporations to feed stray dogs as per the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, and the GBA had clarified that feeding is a ‘statutory requirement’ for them. According to a official, the feeding project was not even considered during budget allocation, with a major portion of the funds earmarked to establishing infrastructure for relocation and the ABC programme.

3. Karnataka State Wakf Council urges government to ensure protection during Bakrid celebrations

The Karnataka State Wakf Council has submitted a memorandum to Home Minister G. Parameshwara seeking police protection and strict legal action against individuals attempting to create fear and disturbance during Bakrid celebrations. The memorandum expressed concerns about social media campaigns, threats, and intimidation targeting lawful religious practices.

In the letter, signed by Wakf Council Vice-Chairman Moulana N.K.M. Shafi Saadi, the council stated that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to practice and propagate their religion, and that the ritual animal sacrifice conducted during Bakrid has been carried out peacefully for decades within the framework of the law.

4. Travel operators in Bengaluru fear loss of livelihood if work-from-home increases, urge Centre for protection

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal urging citizens to adopt work-from-home (WFH) practices, minimise unnecessary travel and rely more on public transport has sparked concern among cab drivers and travel operators, with industry representatives warning that the move could severely impact the employee transportation sector.

The Karnataka State Travel Operators’ Association (KSTOA) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent intervention and protective measures for the transport industry, stating that thousands of drivers and small travel businesses could face financial distress if work-from-home arrangements become widespread again.