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Karnataka's Bold Move: Paid Leave for Bihar Voters Amid Election Battle

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has made a unique appeal to companies across the state. He requested they grant paid leave to workers from Bihar so they can travel home and vote in the assembly elections. The deputy CM specifically urged support for the Mahagathbandhan alliance while expressing concerns about voter deletions in Bihar. Additionally, he announced plans to allocate land for the Bihar Association in Karnataka.

Key Points: DK Shivakumar Urges Paid Leave for Bihar Voters in Karnataka

  • Deputy CM appeals to companies for three-day paid leave for Bihar voters
  • Shivakumar openly supports Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar polls
  • Concerns raised about lakhs of voters deleted from Bihar electoral rolls
  • Karnataka government to allocate site for Bihar Association in state
3 min read

Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar urges firms in state to grant paid leave for Bihar voters

Karnataka Deputy CM requests companies to grant paid leave for Bihar workers to vote in assembly elections, supporting Mahagathbandhan alliance.

"I request all companies to give at least three days leave with pay to Bihar voters - DK Shivakumar"

Bengaluru, November 4

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar urged companies and business establishments in the state to grant paid leave to workers from Bihar so they can travel home and vote in the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled for November 6 and 11.

In the letter, DK Shivakumar wrote, "Bihar State General Election-2025 November date; 06/11/2025 and 11/11/2025. A large number of residents of Bihar are working in Bangalore and various parts of Karnataka. In this regard, I request all the companies, commercial entrepreneurs, hotels, contractors, builders, shop fronts and other entrepreneurs to give at least three days "leave with pay" to the voters of Bihar state so that they can cast their votes in the general elections of Bihar state and cooperate to actively participate in the election process."

Earlier, on November 2, Shivakumar appealed to members of the Bihar community living in Bengaluru to travel home and support the Mahaghatbandhan alliance in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

Addressing members of the Bihar Association at Coffee Board Layout in North Bengaluru, Shivakumar said, "a three-day holiday would be facilitated for those travelling to Bihar to cast their vote. All of you have said that I deserve a bigger post. That is not important for me, I would be happier if you all vote for Mahaghatbandhan in Bihar. Nitish Kumar is at the fag end of his political career, Tejaswi Yadav has been declared as the CM candidate for Bihar."

Highlighting concerns over voter deletions in Bihar, he added, "Lakhs of voters have been removed from the voters' list in Bihar. We are trying to save your votes in Bihar. I appeal to all of you to go to Bihar and vote for Mahaghatbandhan. We will direct Credai, contractors and other organisations to declare a three-day holiday so that you all can go to Bihar to vote."

The Deputy Chief Minister also announced that the state government would allocate a site for the Karnataka Bihar Association.

"It would not have been possible to build buildings in Bengaluru without you. You are hard workers and work with diligence. We have decided to allocate a site for Bihar Association in Karnataka. We have never discriminated against you as outsiders. We had made arrangements to send you home by arranging buses during Covid when the bus fares shot up," he said.

Voting for Bihar's 243-seat Assembly will take place in two phases on November 6 and 11. Counting of votes will take place on November 14.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While I support the voting rights aspect, this seems like political campaigning disguised as welfare. Why only for Bihar elections? What about workers from other states? This sets a concerning precedent.
A
Arjun K
As a business owner in Bengaluru, I'm concerned about the operational impact. Three days paid leave for all Bihar employees during peak season could affect productivity. The government should consider some compensation mechanism for small businesses.
M
Meera T
Heartwarming to see our Karnataka government supporting migrant workers! They contribute so much to our state's economy. This inclusive approach makes me proud to be a Kannadiga. ❤️
S
Siddharth J
The timing is interesting - just before Karnataka's own local body elections. Feels like political calculation rather than genuine concern for voting rights. Still, if it helps people vote, maybe it's worth it.
A
Aditya G
Good move! Our Bihari brothers and sisters work hard to build our cities and deserve to participate in their home state's democracy. Hope other states follow this example for all migrant workers.

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