Belagavi, Dec 12: Senior Legislator K Pratapchandra Shetty of Congress was unanimously elected as Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman here on Wednesday during the ongoing Winter Session at Suvarna Vikas Soudha.
Mr Shetty was the lone candidate who had filed his nomination papers yesterday. The senior leader from Udupi has been a four-time MLA and three time MLC.
Senior member of the house and former Minister S R Patil and Allam Veerbhadrappa, both from Congress proposed Mr Shetty's name.
Bengaluru, Feb 4: Karnataka High Court on Monday reserved order on plea, seeking cancellation of bail granted to Nithyananda for skipping the trial and fleeing the country.
After hearing the arguments, the court has reserved the matter for further orders which will be pronounced on February 5.
The plea, which was filed in the high court on January 23, was heard by Justice John Michael Cunha.
The counsel for the complainant Lenin put forth arguments that the self-styled godman Swami Nithyananda had fled the country to escape the trial. "Nityananda has been claiming to be in India in his exemption petitions filed before the trial court but during that time he sought asylum in Ecuador and is having a second passport," said Lenin.
The prosecutor informed the court that they do not need his presence for the trial at this time.
Nithyananda, accused of rape and child abuse, has been absconding since November 2018.
In December 2019, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the passport of Nithyananda was cancelled and a fresh application of the same was denied as he did not get the requisite clearance from police and several criminal cases have been lodged against him.
Police in Ahmedabad had arrested two woman administrators of the ashram, allegedly owned by Nithyananda, and freed two boys who were held captive there.
Two of his disciples, Pranpriya and Priyatattva, were arrested on the basis of a complaint filed by one Janardhan Sharma who alleged that his daughter was held captive in Nithyananda's ashram.
The police took the two women to Nithyananda's ashram in Hathiajan for an investigation and seized laptops, mobile phones among other things.
Shivamogga/Hubballi, Feb 10: Chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday reiterated portfolios for all new ministers will be distributed on Monday and the exercise was not completed sooner only because of weekend holidays.
“I had completed all the formalities on the portfolio allocation,” Yediyurappa said, appearing to rubbish rumours that the delay was caused due to a tussle over portfolios. “However, considering it was a weekend, I decided to postpone handing them out. On Monday all portfolios will be announced.”
The CM also promised to induct loyalists into his council of ministers, admitting Umesh Katti, Hukkeri legislator, should not have been left out. Speaking in Shivamogga earlier in the day, Yediyurappa said Katti was scheduled to take oath last week along with the 10 defectors, but the decision was scrapped at the last minute due to “unavoidable reasons”. “But I have discussed the issue with Katti. Considering he is from North Karnataka and that we have worked together for many years, he will be included in the cabinet soon,” Yediyurappa said.
When questioned on more prominent legislators from his home district missing out — especially Thirthalli Arag Jnanendra — he said a “different responsibility” has been given to him and has already explained why he could not be inducted.
Yediyurappa refused to react to comments by former chief ministers Siddaramaiah and HD Kumaraswamy on government’s survival, saying he would rather concentrate on the state’s development. “It is common for the opposition to criticize the government, but I’m busy preparing for the budget, which will be presented on March 5. I am concentrating on my work,” he said.
In Davangere, Yediyurappa said he is committed to increasing internal reservation for the Valmiki community under the ST quota from 3% to 7.5%, apart from considering a separate department for the community to address their issues. Speaking at a Valimik community event, Yediyurappa said Justice Nagamohan Das has been asked to submit his report at the earliest to bring in reservation.
In Mysuru, chief minister Yediyurappa’s son and BJP Yuva Morcha general secretary BY Vijayendra on Sunday said the district will get representation in his father’s cabinet soon, pointing to the six existing vacancies. He said former minister AH Vishwanath will be made a minister as Yediyurappa is known for delivering on his promises. Speaking to reporters, he said his father has expanded his council of ministers, ensuring there were no complaints and he will include more legislators given that there are six more vacancies.
Mangaluru, Jan 4 The International Kite Festival, will be the main attraction of the Karavali Utsav being held here from January 10-19.
Deputy Commissioner Sindhu Roopesh said on Saturday that a variety of cultural programmes are scheduled on the occasion of Karavali Utsav being organized by the DK District Administration at the Karavali Utsav grounds, Kadri Park and Panambur Beach.
Cultural programmes will be presented by budding local artistes of State, National and International fame. All facilities for the cultural programmes will be set up at the Kadri park and Karavali Utsav grounds.
The programme will begin with a cultural procession from Nehru Maidan on 10 January followed by the Inauguration at the Karavali Utsav grounds.
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CONGRATULATIONS AND ALL THE BEST ON THE OCCASSION OF ELECTED KARNATAKA SPEAKER.
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