BSY may have 3 deputy CMs to pacify disgruntled MLAs, but it may add fuel to the fire

News Network

August 26, 2019

Bengaluru, Aug 26: In a desperate bid to quell disgruntles and pacify power-hungry MLAs of BJP, Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa is likely to create three deputy CM posts.

The list of probables for three deputy chief minister posts appears to have added fuel to the fire of rebellion raging within BJP following the Yediyurappa cabinet formation. Senior leaders who felt slighted at being left out of the council said it was “baffling” that inexperienced colleagues were being considered for the post.

The reference was to Lingayat leader from Belagavi, Laxman Savadi, and young Vokkaliga leader CN Ashwathnarayana from Bengaluru. Dalit leader Govind M Karjol, also in contention, appears to have been given a leeway due to his seniority.

“The process of allocating portfolios will be finalized on Monday. We will have a deputy CM — how many deputy CM posts (we will have) will be known by Monday....” the CM said. Admitting the discontent over Savadi’s inclusion, Yediyurappa said it was the party high command’s call.

With Yediyurappa confirming there would be “one to three” DyCMs serving under him, the likelihood of the central BJP brass handing two of them to relatively ‘inexperienced’ ministers has caused widespread resentment among party seniors.

The furore over the deputy chief minister posts comes at a time when disgruntled seniors left out of the cabinet are already raising a banner of revolt. Also there has been considerable lag in allocating portfolios among the 17 who were sworn in as ministers and suspense is building over the exercise.

Yediyurappa was expected to allocate portfolios by Sunday, but put off an announcement on account of former Union minister Arun Jaitley’s demise. All senior leaders of the party attended the last rites on Sunday evening.

Senior Dalit leader Govind M Karjol, Vokkaliga leader CN Ashwathnarayan, who represents Malleswaram, Bengaluru, and Lingayat leader from Belagavi Laxman Savadi are tipped for the DyCM posts. While the BJP rank and file appears to have, by and large, accepted Karjol’s choice given his seniority, the heartburn is over the selection of the other two.

“The reports, if they are true, are baffling. Ashwathnarayan was never a minister and Laxman Savadi has not even won his seat. How can the party leadership consider them for such a top post?” said a senior leader from Bengaluru. “Is it their objective to humiliate seniors who have been loyal to the party?”

Seniors including KS Eshwarappa and R Ashoka, both of whom have served as DyCM in the past, and former chief minister Jagadish Shettar are feeling ignored.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

Zameer Ahmed among 30 Cong activists arrested during protest against Reddy

News Network

January 13,2020

Ballari, Jan 13: Police on Monday arrested more than 30 Congress activists, including Congress MLA B Z Zameer Ahmad, who were on the way to Ballari to stage a dharna in front of MLA G Somashekhar Reddy's residence after he delivered hate speech during a pro-CAA demonstration a week ago.

Ballari Superintendent of Police SP C K Baba said that Congress MLA B Z Zameer Ahmed has not been granted permission to stage a dharna in front of the Bellary MLA’s residence.

Zameer Ahmed had asked the police to arrest Mr Reddy after he delivered a provocative speech or he will stage a dharna in front of the later's house.

SP said, “Investigations into the complaints pertaining to the provocative speech by Bellary City MLA G Somashekar Reddy is underway. In-charge Dy SP Maheshwara Gouda has taken statements of the complainants and others related to the case. A charge sheet on the same will be submitted to the court soon."

Reddy has been booked for making a provocative speech during a pro-CAA protest here in Ballari last week in which he said that Hindus outnumbered Muslims.

Following the incident police provided high police security to the MLA house and sensitive area in the city.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

Karnataka: Covid-19 positive cases mounts to 651 including 304 recoveries and 26 deaths

News Network

May 4,2020

Bengaluru, May 4: A total of 37 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in the last 24 hours in Karnataka taking the total number to 651, State Health Department said on Monday.

"Thirty seven new coronavirus positive cases have been confirmed in Karnataka from 5 pm yesterday to 5 pm today. The total number of cases in the state stands at 651," the department said.

The total number of cases includes 27 deaths and 321 persons who have been discharged. Of the remaining 302 cases, 296 patients are in isolation in designated hospitals and six patients are in ICU.

India has registered 2,553 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours and the total number of cases now stands at 44,532.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

London to Kolkata bus service? Yes, it’s real! Viral pics of 1957 make netizens curious

coastaldigest.com web desk

July 2,2020

When the black and white photos of the ‘London to Calcutta (Kolkata) bus service’ went viral on social media recently, the response of some of the netizens was “stop spreading fake news!” But, it isn’t a fake news. The late 1950s indeed offered people a lavish bus trip from London to Kolkata.

While one of the viral images shows passengers at the Victoria Coach Station, London, boarding 'Albert', the other image show the same bus travelling through a valley. In another image the bus is stationed at a tourist spot. All these photos were captured during the bus’ maiden international journey in 1957.

An image of the bus ticket is also making rounds on social media, that shows the route of the bus — London, Belgium, West Germany, Austria,Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, West Pakistan, India. The route in India followed Delhi, Agra, Allahabad, Banaras and finally Calcutta.

The ticket shows that a one side travel cost 145 pounds (13,644 Rupees at the present day) back then, and it was inclusive of all the luxury provided during the run.

The luxurious bus provided the facilities of reading, individual sleeping bunks, radio/taped music for parties and pleasure and fan heaters, among other things. The brochure reads, "Your complete home while you travel."

Some of the tour highlights included Banaras on the Ganges, The Taj Mahal, The Raj Path, The Rhine Valley and The Peacock Throne. Passengers reportedly got free shopping days in New Delhi, Tehran, Salzburg, Kabul, Istanbul and Vienna.