C M Ibrahim’s unopposed election to Council a boost for Cong’s morale

News Network
August 22, 2017

Bengaluru, Aug 22: He brings alive drab political speeches in public with wit, sarcasm as well as Basavanna's vachanas and Sanskrit shlokas.

The unopposed election of Congress candidate C M Ibrahim to the Karnataka legislative council (formal announcement of his election will be on August 24) from the assembly set at rest speculation of his quitting the party as the JD(S) and BJP were reportedly trying to woo him.

"When the bride is good-looking, there are many suitors for her,'' he said, after his name was cleared by the Congress high command for the council seat.

After he filed his nomination papers, he was asked whether the 10-month tenure as MLC would be enough to implement his plans. Ibrahim quipped: "Many things happen in nine months.''

The vacancy to the council was caused following the death of BJP MLC Vimala Gowda, whose tenure was to end in June 2018.

Ibrahim, a confidant of chief minister Siddaramaiah, finished his schooling and has been with the Congress and undivided Janata Parivaar since 1978. He became an MLA in 1978 on a Janata Party ticket, joined the Congress in 1980 and quit but only to rejoin in 2008.

His proximity to former PM H D Deve Gowda peaked in 1996, when he became the second in command in the latter's cabinet as minister for civil aviation.

His induction into the Union cabinet was Gowda's thanksgiving as Ibrahim was one of the contributors of the Janata Parivaar victory in the assembly elections with Gowda becoming the CM in 1994.

A few years later, Ibrahim fell out with Gowda and in 2008 rejoined the Congress. Ibrahim's first mentor was former CM S Nijalingappa, who is said to have spotted him at an election meeting as a 12-year-old boy giving election speeches for his father's friend contesting on a Congress ticket from Bhadravati in 1967.

In 1969, when the Congress split, Nijalingappa entrusted Ibrahim to former chief minister Veerendra Patil with whom he stayed till his death.

Apart from his oratory, Ibrahim is also remembered for the Rolex watch controversy. Acording to Ibrahim, he visited Dubai as food and civil supplies minister in Gundu Rao's cabinet.  

He was presented a steel Rolex watch which then cost Rs 1,000. Although it was declared at customs, Ibrahim said former MLC A K Subbaiah had made an issue of it.

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Agencies
February 13,2020

New Delhi, Feb 13: The BJP's Amit Shah today said statements like "goli maaro" and "Indo-Pak match" should not have been made by BJP leaders ahead of the Delhi elections.

The BJP may have suffered in the elections because of hate statements made by party leaders, he said, reported news agency Press Trust of India.

The party, he said, had distanced itself from such remarks.

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March 24,2020

Mangaluru, Mar 24: Amidst uncertainty and fear in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, the prices of vegetables and fruits have shot up in the coastal city of Mangaluru.

Fearing complete closure of shops, people arrived at the market to purchase vegetables in large numbers today morning.

Encashing the situation, the traders too increased the prices of vegetables and fruits.

Tomatoes that were sold for Rs 15 to 20 per kg in the last few days were sold at Rs 40 to 60 per kg. 

Long yard beans were sold at Rs 50 per kg while okra fetched Rs 60 per kg in the market. Onions were sold at Rs 40 to Rs 60 per kg.

Owing to rumours, the price of chicken was reduced to Rs 50 per kg. On Monday, it had increased to Rs 70 to Rs 80 per kg.

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News Network
May 18,2020

Bengaluru, May 18: Over two months after his appointment as the Karnataka Congress President, DK Shivakumar is likely to take-over the reigns of the party officially on May 31.

"There are two dates, May 31 and June 7. He is most likely to officially take over as KPCC President on the 31st," sources close to Mr Shivakumar told PTI.

After remaining in a virtual vacuum for nearly three months, the party high command on March 11 appointed Mr Shivakumar, known to be the Congress' chief troubleshooter in crisis situations, replacing Dinesh Gundu Rao as KPCC chief.

Mr Rao had quit the post in December 2019 after the party's dismal show in the bypolls when it won only two of the 15 seats and yielded 12.

Congress sources said once the appointment letter came from the high command, he has been KPCC president and officially taking charge was just a formality.

"He will be officially handed over the party insignias and responsibilities relating to bank accounts and cheques, among other things, that has been traditionally followed," they said, adding the official take over was delayed by the coronavirus.

After his appointment as KPCC president, Mr Shivakumar has been meeting a host of senior party leaders and leading the party in the fight against coronavirus.

These include setting up of Congress' COVID-19 task force, alerting the government in its management of the crisis, holding weekly video conferencing with leaders of party's local units to gather information, among other things.

Sources close to Mr Shivakumar said the official take over would be a simple event, looking at the current situation due to the pandemic.

"Very few select party leaders and office bearers, say about 50 odd people, are likely to be in attendance at the simple event at KPCC office," they said, adding that arrangements may be made to telecast the event live for the benefit for party workers and local leaders.

A six-time MLA, Mr Shivakumar had a long wait for his appointment to the coveted post, due to opposition within. There were reports that Congress Legislature Party leader Siddarmaiah had lobbied in favour of one of his confidants for the top job.

In a first, appointment of three KPCC Working Presidents- Satish Jharkiholi, Saleem Ahammed and Eashwar Khandre, was seen as an attempt by those apposing Mr Shivakumar, to weaken his hold on the party.

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