K Ashraf ready to join JD(S) if assured of ticket from Mangaluru South

coastaldigest.com news network
January 28, 2018

Mangaluru, Jan 28: Congress leader and former Mangaluru Mayor K Ashraf, who had quit and rejoined the party several times in the past, this time, has openly threatened to join Janata Dal (Secular) and bid adieu to the national party forever.

Mr Asrhaf, who is currently holding the post of the vice-president of the state unit of the minority cell of the Congress, told coastaldigest.com on Sunday that he would surely join JD(S) if it guarantees him a ticket from Mangaluru City South constituency in the looming Karnataka Assembly polls. The constituency is currently represented by Congress MLA J R Lobo, who had defeated BJP candidate Yogish Bhat in 2013.

“I am still in Congress. But, I have decided to quit the party. I am in touch with JD(S) leaders too and am ready to join the regional party if they are ready to field me from Mangaluru City South constituency this time,” said Mr Ashraf.

Mr Ashraf, who is known as one of the ‘ever-disgruntled leaders’ in the Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee, had in the past repeatedly rebelled against party veteran B Janardhana Poojary.

In recent days, he has been obliquely criticising the senior Congress leaders and ministers from coastal Karnataka, whom he describes as “incapable of solving the problems faced by Muslim community” in coastal Karnataka in general and Mangaluru in particular. Ashraf says that despite serving the Congress for three decades selflessly, the senior leaders of the party often tried to sideline and suppress him.

According to sources, Mr Ashraf already has held first round of talks with three top leaders of the JD(S) – former PM H D Deve Gowda, former CM H D Kumaraswamy and party’s general secretary B M Farooq – wherein the former Mayor and three-time corporator put forth a set of demands including the ticket to contest from Mangaluru South.

Being a mastermind behind the formation of Dakshina Kannada Muslim Sanghatanegala Okkoota, an umbrella body of many local Muslim outfits in the coastal district, Mr Ashraf, in last couple of years, has led several agitations against alleged police atrocities against minorities and alleged failure of the state government to protect the interests of the minorities.

The JD(S), which is leaving no stone unturned to strengthen its base in coastal region ahead of the polls, is reportedly considering the demands of Mr Ashraf seriously. If it fields Mr Ashraf from Mangaluru City South, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) also is likely to extend him support as part of tacit understanding with the JD(S).

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News Network
May 3,2020

Bengaluru, May 3: Five more COVID-19 cases have been reported from Karnataka, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the state to 606, the state government said on Sunday.

The total number of cases includes, 25 deaths and 282 discharged.

"Five new COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Karnataka from 2nd May, 5 pm to 3rd May, 12 noon; taking the total number of positive cases to 606 which includes 25 deaths and 282 discharges," the government stated.

According to the statement, out of the five cases, three have been reported from Kalaburagi and two have been identified from Mudhol.

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News Network
February 8,2020

Bengaluru, Feb 8: The Department of Religious Endowments in Karnataka will undertake 'Ratha Yatras' in 110 major temples of the state, in order to inform the public about mass marriages, scheduled to be held on April 26.

The publicity campaign through Rath Yatra will be flagged off from Mookambika temple in Kollur of Udupi district from February 13.

The mass marriage programme 'Saptapadi,' would be held in 100 major temples of Muzrai department. The second phase would be held on May 24, Minister for Ports, Fisheries and Muzrai Kota Srinivas Poojary told newspersons here on Friday.

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News Network
April 20,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 20: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday came down heavily on Congress legislator BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan over the Padarayanapura vandalism that saw a mob run amok against efforts to quarantine suspected COVID-19 persons late on Sunday evening. 

Khan, who represents the Chamarajpet constituency where Padarayanapura is located, said that authorities should have gone to the area during day time.

“Who is he to say that? What does he have to do with this? Why should we ask him? Should we get his permission to carry out government work? Instead of saying that action should be taken, he is speaking like this. Should we then think that he incited the mob? This is the height of being irresponsible,” Yediyurappa said. 

Following the violence, the police have arrested 54 persons and “five more will be arrested,” Yediyurappa said.

Khan clarified that he did not defend those who indulged in vandalism. “I condemn the incident and action should be taken. I’m not saying officials shouldn’t have gone. My point is that they should’ve gone during the day and by creating awareness beforehand that people need to be quarantined,” he said, adding that the BBMP had identified 57 people to be quarantined in Padarayanapura. 

“People in this area are poor, uneducated and are mostly coolie workers and daily wagers. But whatever happened was wrong,” Khan said. He also pointed out that he was the one who arranged for 80 people to be quarantined in Tipu Nagar. 

Yediyurappa said the Padarayanapura incident was unprecedented. “In the entire state, never had such incidents taken place. Everybody agrees this is unacceptable,” the CM said. “Whoever breaks the law - Hindu, Muslim, Christian or anyone - should face action,” he said.

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