<p>Bengaluru: AICC general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala will meet Congress MLAs in the state, including dissenting lawmakers B R Patil and Raju Kage, for three days starting Monday to listen to their grievances.</p>.<p>Both Patil and Kage recently hit the headlines for publicly criticising the government. While Patil has alleged “corruption” in the housing department headed by B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, Kage has spoken about resigning due to “delay in executing developmental works” in his constituency.</p>.Why would Surjewala object to my remarks, asks Karnataka minister Rajanna.<p>Addressing the media on Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar confirmed Surjewala’s planned visit and its purpose.</p>.<p>“Yes, he will meet MLAs personally. He has already informed them about it. I will also send out messages to the MLAs regarding this,” Shivakumar said.</p>.<p>According to a source, Surjewala will try to understand the grievances of MLAs and address them. He may also collect their feedback about the government’s functioning, the source added.</p>.<p>Surjewala is expected to meet around 40 Congress MLAs from the Old Mysuru region on Monday. He might meet other MLAs on subsequent days.</p>.<p>B R Patil is likely to meet the senior leader on Monday morning.</p>.<p>The Congress currently has 137 MLAs. While 135 were elected during the 2023 election, the party added 2 seats after winning the bypolls. </p>.<p><strong>Govt will respond to notice'</strong></p>.<p>Shivakumar also spoke about the Cauvery Aarti being planned near the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam, stating that the state government would respond to the high court notice in this regard. </p>.<p>"No one objects to offering pooja. Certain sections have some concerns and the government will address them. No one is seeking permission to offer pooja, it is a practice that has been going on every day," he said.</p>.<p>Cauvery Aarti is considered a pet project of Shivakumar.</p>.<p>Taunting Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and BJP leader R Ashoka for his comment that there would be a change of guard in the state in August, the deputy chief minister said: "When did Ashoka become an astrologer? If he has become one, do get me an appointment as I would like to consult him."</p>
<p>Bengaluru: AICC general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala will meet Congress MLAs in the state, including dissenting lawmakers B R Patil and Raju Kage, for three days starting Monday to listen to their grievances.</p>.<p>Both Patil and Kage recently hit the headlines for publicly criticising the government. While Patil has alleged “corruption” in the housing department headed by B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, Kage has spoken about resigning due to “delay in executing developmental works” in his constituency.</p>.Why would Surjewala object to my remarks, asks Karnataka minister Rajanna.<p>Addressing the media on Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar confirmed Surjewala’s planned visit and its purpose.</p>.<p>“Yes, he will meet MLAs personally. He has already informed them about it. I will also send out messages to the MLAs regarding this,” Shivakumar said.</p>.<p>According to a source, Surjewala will try to understand the grievances of MLAs and address them. He may also collect their feedback about the government’s functioning, the source added.</p>.<p>Surjewala is expected to meet around 40 Congress MLAs from the Old Mysuru region on Monday. He might meet other MLAs on subsequent days.</p>.<p>B R Patil is likely to meet the senior leader on Monday morning.</p>.<p>The Congress currently has 137 MLAs. While 135 were elected during the 2023 election, the party added 2 seats after winning the bypolls. </p>.<p><strong>Govt will respond to notice'</strong></p>.<p>Shivakumar also spoke about the Cauvery Aarti being planned near the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam, stating that the state government would respond to the high court notice in this regard. </p>.<p>"No one objects to offering pooja. Certain sections have some concerns and the government will address them. No one is seeking permission to offer pooja, it is a practice that has been going on every day," he said.</p>.<p>Cauvery Aarti is considered a pet project of Shivakumar.</p>.<p>Taunting Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly and BJP leader R Ashoka for his comment that there would be a change of guard in the state in August, the deputy chief minister said: "When did Ashoka become an astrologer? If he has become one, do get me an appointment as I would like to consult him."</p>