BJP's Ram Nath Kovind appears set for comfortable win

News Network
June 20, 2017

New Delhi Jun 20: By selecting Ram Nath Kovind, a dalit leader, as its candidate the presidential election, the BJP has spurred fence-sitters into action.kolvad

Within hours of the announcement of Kovind's candidature, TRS and BJD declared their support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's choice for the country's top office. YSR Congress, headed by Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, reiterated its support to the BJP candidate.

The electoral college for the presidential election has a vote value of 10.98 lakh and comprises 4896 electors – elected members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and elected members of legislative assemblies of states and union territories.

If the BJP manages to keep the NDA intact it has the assured support of 48% of the total electoral college. The BJP has already secured the support of AIADMK, YSR Congress who together make up 7% of the electoral college.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, whose TRS commands 2% votes in the electoral college, announced his support for Kovind's candidature after the Prime Minister spoke to him. YSR Congress too reiterated its support.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced the support of the BJD – which has about 3% votes in the electoral college – placing Kovind with a comfortable support of 60% of the total vote share.

The Bihar Governor's candidature has put Nitish Kumar's JD(U) in a fix as it feels that the party could not be seen opposing a Dalit. However, the Bihar Chief Minister has conveyed to his opposition colleagues that he would stand by their decision.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has played the 'son-of-the-soil' card while canvassing support the Kanpur-born Kovind in an attempt to sway the SP and the BSP.

It is NDA partner Shiv Sena that is playing hardball with the BJP. Sena President Thackeray said his party – with 2.34% voteshare – will not support Kovind's candidature if vote bank politics was the reason for his selection.

The opposition block, led by the Congress, has 35% votes and would be looking at making a dent in the NDA ranks hoping for cross voting by parties such as the Shiv Sena.

The AAP with 85 MLAs and four MPs has a vote value of 8922 and has announced to vote with the opposition block despite Congress keeping it away from the grouping.

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News Network
January 11,2020

Bengaluru, Jan 11: Scholar and writer M Chidanadamurthy passed away at a private hospital here on Saturday.

He was 88 and is survived by wife, son and daughter.
He was a well-known scholar in Karnataka specialising in the history of Kannada language and ancient Karnataka.

He was also known for his campaign to conserve the monuments Hampi and to secure classical language status to Kannada Language. Murthy has also articulated that uniform civil code and an anti-conversion law must be enacted by the Government in India.

Murthy was the head of the department of Kannada Bangalore University. He was also associated with Kannada Shakti Kendra. As a historian most of Murthy's work has focused on scientific study of the Kannada Inscriptions.

He has attempted to contextualise inscriptions in their socio cultural setup. He has produced many books on the history of Kannada language and Karnataka. He has guided many research students.

Murthy was recipient of Rajayothsava, Sathiya Academy Award , Papama award and Alava’s Nudisiri award.
His mortal remains were kept at his residence for his fellow mates and relatives.

Several dignatories like B S Yediyurappa, S L Bhyrappa, S Suresh Kumar, V Somanna expressed their condolences to the veteran's death.

The final rituals will be held on Sunday with state honour.

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News Network
April 10,2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 10: Eight foreign nationals from Italy and United Kingdom, who were undergoing treatment in Kerala, have recovered fully from COVID-19, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Thursday.

The state reported 12 more positive cases of coronavirus on Thursday taking the total number of confirmed cases to 357, Vijayan said as he cautioned that the strict vigil against the pandemic will continue.

While the northern districts of Kannur and Kasaragod reported four cases each, two cases were reported from Malappuram district and one each from Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts, Vijayan told reporters after a COVID-19 review meeting here.

Of the eight foreign nationals, seven were undergoing treatment at the Ernakulam Medical College Hospital and one in Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, Vijayan said, adding that some of the patients were in a serious condition.

The seven foreigners from UK, admitted in Ernakulam medical college, were part of the group which had on March 15 tried to leave the country without permission while being under observation at Munnar, a hill station in the state.

The Italian tourist in Thiruvananthapuram was staying at a resort at Varkala near here and was admitted to hospital on March 13, Vijayan said.

"The recovery of this UK tourist group, which comprised of 83 and 76-year-olds is a testimony to our robust healthcare system and good treatment extended to these patients," the chief minister said.

It has been 100 days since the first COVID-19 case was reported in the state and since then, a total of 357 cases have been confirmed and currently, 258 patients are under treatment in different hospitals.

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News Network
July 1,2020

Mumbai, Jul 1: The Maharashtra government will set up a Marathi medium college in Kolhapur for the Marathi- speaking people residing in the border areas of Karnataka, a minister said on Tuesday.

Higher and technical education minister Uday Samant, in a statement here, said the decision has been taken with a view to cater to the educational needs of the Marathi-speaking population residing in the neighbouring state.

He said the new state-run college will be a sub-centre of the Shivaji University at Kolhapur.

The Kolhapur district collector will provide a five- acre plot for the proposed college following which all necessary official permissions will be given, Samant said.

The college will start functioning from the next academic year, the release said.

Acommittee headed by Shivaji University vice- chancellor Nitin Karmalkarwill work out the modalities for establishing the educational institute, it added.

The border areas of Karnataka have a sizeable Marathi- speaking population.

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