Bengaluru, 24 August

Karnataka Legislative Council on Monday passed two Bills amid protests by the BJP and JD(S) over the re-induction of B Nagendra into the state Cabinet and their demand for his removal over his alleged involvement in the Valmiki Corporation scam.

The Council passed the Karnataka Municipalities Amendment Bill, 2026, and the Karnataka Apartment Ownership and Management Bill, 2026, amid the din.

The apartment Bill, moved by Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, seeks to provide a legal framework for apartment management, maintenance and dispute resolution. It makes registration and annual audits of resident welfare associations (RWAs) mandatory, including fresh registration for existing associations.

The legislation also requires developers who have collected maintenance or development charges to hand over details of collections, expenditure and balances to recognised RWAs. Gowda said it would extend rights-based protection under RERA to residents after they purchase apartments.

Ashoka alleges media bias against Opposition

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka has written to Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar alleging discrimination in the telecast and media coverage of Assembly proceedings.

Ashoka alleged that since the monsoon session began on 13 August, statements, photographs and videos of Opposition leaders and MLAs were not being released, while those of the Chief Minister, ministers and ruling-party legislators were being given coverage. He sought immediate corrective action and warned of a breach of privilege motion against officials concerned.