Kannada activists, Vatal Nagaraj protest delay in cabinet expansion

Mysuru: Kannada activists and former MLA Vatal Nagaraj on Sunday staged a protest at Hardinge Circle in Mysuru condemning the delay in the expansion of the state cabinet and alleging a breakdown in governance.Addressing the gathering, Vatal Nagaraj criticised the state govt, stating that the prolonged delay in cabinet formation adversely affected administration and stalled development activities across Karnataka. He alleged that pressure from the party high command and competition among legislators for influential portfolios have weakened democratic values and hampered effective governance.Demanding greater transparency, Nagaraj urged all ministers to publicly disclose their assets and called for a comprehensive investigation into the assets accumulated by govt officials over the past two decades. He said mere assurances of a corruption-free Karnataka were insufficient without concrete action.He also announced plans to launch a ‘Bidadi Chalo’ movement to safeguard farmers’ lands and urged the govt to withdraw decisions detrimental to the interests of Kannadigas.