Amid challenges, ‘optimist’ DKS marks 100 days in office

Chief Minister D K Shivakumar marks 100 days in office on Thursday, an innings of bouquets and brickbats, as he seeks to shape a governance agenda with one eye on making life better for citizens and another on the 2028 polls. The government has organised an event to mark the milestone at Vidhana Soudha, which will be inaugurated by Shivakumar’s predecessor Siddaramaiah.Shivakumar is scheduled to interact with at least 355 beneficiaries of various government programmes. This includes 200 beneficiaries of the Congress’ flagship ‘guarantee’ schemes. Farmers, pourakarmikas, street vendors, auto rickshaw drivers, Anganwadi workers, Asha workers and representatives from apartment owners’ associations among others have been invited to the event.100 day in, CM Shivakumar govt steps up push for investment, faster project clearancesAt the event, Shivakumar is expected to showcase his vision for the next 100 days of his tenure. This will be through December 2026, placing him at the cusp of an election year.In the first 100 days, the Shivakumar administration has taken over 150 decisions. They include free bus passes for students, recruitment for 72,000 government jobs, a dedicated Prajaseva department to address public grievances, grants for Bengaluru infrastructure and so on.Far from his brash image, Shivakumar has tried to position himself as a statesman with feet on the ground. “Don’t call me king. I want to be addressed as a Prajasevaka (public servant),” he said recently. His impromptu interactions with agitating students, farmers and women have earned him praise, for it typifies a chief minister who is accessible.But the first 100 days also saw Shivakumar facing setbacks. His Cabinet lost its first wicket in B Nagendra, the scam-accused minister who had to resign following tremendous pressure mounted by the Opposition BJP.Shivakumar will complete 100 days in office without a woman in his Cabinet, another sore point for him.Shivakumar’s push for a township in Bidadi – the AI City – made headlines due to protests by farmers unwilling to give up their lands for the project. In a U-turn of sorts, he has constituted a committee to review the project. In another U-turn, Shivakumar’s government had to withdraw a Bill allowing the use of up to 5% of a park’s land for infrastructure projects amid severe opposition from civil society.

Source: Deccan Herald