Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V. Anbu Kumar | Photo credit: Ravichandran N.

1. Logical inconsistencies can be discussed only after the proposals are published: Karnataka CEO V. Anbu Kumar

Whether the special intensive revision (SIR) in Karnataka will create “logical contradictions” will be known only after the release of the draft electoral rolls, Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V Anbu Kumar said.

In an interview with The Hindu, he dismissed fears of arbitrary deletion and claimed that the objective of the exercise is to identify and include all eligible voters. Read edited excerpts here.

2. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to attack BJP and PM Narendra Modi at Congress convention

Accusing the Center of being directly responsible for the rise in the price of petroleum products in the country and the NEET exam paper leak, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on 19 May 2026 also accused the BJP of dividing the society and the country by driving a wedge between Hindus and Muslims. He was speaking at a convention organized in Tumakuru to mark the third anniversary of the Congress rule in Karnataka.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi watched US President Donald Trump and also talked about the return of the Trump administration. When the US and Israel attacked Iran, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not even express anxiety… He is directly responsible for the rise in prices. Only Adani and Ambani benefited from Mr. Modi’s regime and the common people and the middle class said no. Those who voted for Mr. Modi were not disappointed.

3. Dubare jumbo fight: Marthanda the elephant dies a day after the fatal encounter

A day after a fierce clash between captive elephants Kanjan and Marthanda at the Dubare elephant camp in Kodagu district claimed the life of a tourist from Chennai who was caught in the crossfire, Marthanda (53) succumbed to serious injuries in the attack on May 19.

Marthanda, a 53-year-old makna elephant weighing around 4,500 kg, was captured in Alur taluk of Hassan district in 2023. Kanjan was a 26-year-old elephant captured near Yeslur in Hassan district in 2014. After the incident, Mr. Dasara Khandre ordered to use My Kanu forest department in future.

4. After the nightmare of JC Road in Bengaluru, Kengal Hanumanthaiah Road is set to be whitewashed

After seven months of persistent efforts, B-SMILE has finally received partial permission from the Bengal Traffic Police (BTP) for the overhaul (white lining and drainage work) of Kengal Hanumanthaiah Road, one of the most important connecting links in the central part of the city.

However, the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) has yet to clear the decks by developing a time-bound action plan and then get final approval to lay the road.

As of now, BTP has agreed to allow drainage, footing and engineering works to be completed. If all goes according to plan, B-SMILE is likely to embark on whitewashing on the 1km stretch between KH Circle and Kreeda Junction within the next month.

5. Now fly non-stop from Bengaluru to Zurich from October 2026

Direct flights from Bengaluru to Zurich, operating five times a week, will begin operations from October 2026. The new route is designed to meet strong demand from business travelers, the technology sector, premium leisure customers and the growing Indian diaspora across Europe and beyond, Bangalore International Airport Limited said.

BIAL, which operates the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), said Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will launch new non-stop flights between Bengaluru and Zurich with onward connections across Europe and North America via the Lufthansa Group network.

Published – 19 May 2026 20:11 IST