As the 16^th Karnataka assembly commences today, ahead of it Congress workers sprinkled cow urine and performed Pooja at the state assembly in Bengaluru in order to purify it.

Reports claimed, the Congress workers stated the reason for their action is to purify the Vidhan Soudha as the BJP government has been removed from the power and the Siddaramaiah led Congress is now the leader of the assembly.

Congress workers performed a Pooja near the B.R. ambedkar statue.

The 16^th assembly of the Karnataka assembly has begun today with the Siddaramaiah as the leader of the house and the BJP in the opposition.

Earlier in the day,  Haliyal MLA RV Deshpande took oath as the pro-term speaker of the house, the oath was administered by Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot.

Deshpande took oath to oversee the house proceeding and administer the oath to the newly elected legislators.

Newly elected Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar took oath as MLAs in the assembly, followed by all the cabinet ministers who were sworn-in at Siddaramaiah’s oath taking ceremony on May 20.

The MLAs have also begun the process of oath taking following the cabinet ministers.

The procedure of the election of a new speaker of the house will reportedly be held on Wednesday.

In the assembly today, DK Shivakumar also posed for a picture with former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and other BJP leaders like Ramesh Jarkiholi.

He also met with the youngest MLA in the Vidhan Soudha Darshan Dhruvanarayana, 28-year-old.

On May 13, the results of Karnataka assemmbly elections were declared in which Congress defeated the BJP by winning 135 seats.

The Congress returned back to power making Siddaramaiah the CM for a second term and state Congress chief DK Shivakumar as his deputy, a decision which was taken after a parlay of drama unfolded in the past week.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently provided reassurance to the public regarding the validity and acceptance of Rs 2000 notes.

In a statement issued by the central bank on Monday, it said there is no reason for individuals to rush to banks to exchange or deposit these notes. This announcement aims to address the rumours and concerns circulating among the public about the future of the high-value denomination.

The RBI Governor, ShaktiKanta Das, said there is no reason to rush to banks now and people have four months, till September 30.

Das further said the deadline has been given so that people would take it seriously and make an effort to return Rs 2000 denominations. He said banks have been advised to make arrangements for the exchange and the RBI has more than the required notes already printed.

RBI Governor, in a recent press conference, highlighted the need for people to rely on official communications from the central bank rather than base their actions on hearsay or rumours. He urged the public to exercise caution and refrain from indulging in speculative activities related to the currency notes.

The central bank further explained that any decision regarding the withdrawal or discontinuation of a particular currency denomination rests solely with the government. As of now, no such decision has been taken with regard to the Rs 2,000 note. Therefore, the public can continue to use and hold these banknotes without any apprehension.

The Rs 2,000 banknote was introduced by the RBI in November 2016 as part of the government’s demonetisation exercise. It was designed to facilitate high-value transactions and reduce the volume of currency in circulation.

The window to exchange these notes is from May 23 to September 30. They can be exchanged at the 19 RBI regional offices or banks.

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his global leadership was conferred Fiji’s highest honour, the Companion of the Order of Fiji.

Fiji’s Prime Minster Sitiveni Rabuka conferred the Order on PM Modi with a medallion for the title during their meeting in Papua New Guinea.

PM Modi Tweeted a video saying it is an honour of  the 140 crore India and it recognises the strong ties between both India and Fiji.

Prime Minister further thanked the Fiji Prime Minister and the people of Fiji along with their government for presenting the award to him.

The Companion is conferred upon Fiji citizens foreigner citizens by an Honorary Award in recognition of an eminent achievement or the highest degree of meritorious service to Fiji or humanity.

PM Modi is on a six days three nation tour since May 19. In the second leg of his tour, the Prime Minister on Monday evening landed in Papua New Guinea.

Upon his arrival in the island country, PM Modi was welcomed by PNG Prime Minister James Marape who touched PM Modi’s feet to welcome him, a rare visual to watch.

PM Modi also was accorded a grand ceremonial welcome, the welcome was special as the tradition of Papua New Guinea says any leader if arrives after the sunset is accorded no ceremonial welcome.

PM landed in Papua New Guinea after attending the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan which he attended on a special invitation of Japanese PM Fumio Kishida.

In Japan, PM Modi met with various leaders from different countries including US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor and many others.

The Prime Minister also held bilateral talks with Ukraine President Voldymyr Zelenskyy, who also reached the Summit on the invitation of PM Kishida.

PM Modi from Papua New Guinea will board the plane for Sydney, Australia where he will take part in various events that are lined up.