'Ramrajya Rathyatra' begins from Ayodhya, saints take pledge for Ram Mandir

Bengaluru, Aug 3: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee working president Satish Jarakiholi on Sunday said that as per the party sources, state chief minister BS Yediyurappa has got only six months' time and there are different teams working against Yediyurappa in their party.

The BJP high command has decided to bring down Yediyurappa, Jarakhioli said. He added, "Yediyurappa had asked BJP high command to appoint him Chief Minister for six months and due to corona, his period has been extended. But now their own party sources have revealed that he has got only another six months."

While addressing the issue of different statements by BJP leaders and ministership aspirants after five MLCs were nominated, Jarakiholi said "Yediyurappa followers are not actual followers. BJP high command has already decided to bring down Yediyurappa as per their own party sources."

While speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said there are teams formed in the names of deputy CMs and there are many who are working in their party against Yediyurappa.

He also said that it's up to their party what they think about Yediyurappa's tenure, whether they keep him as CM or remove him. Being in Opposition, now Congress is only working on strengthening the party, he said.

Madikeri, Aug 7: Two days after massive landslides triggered by heavy downpour in Kodagu, five people including a priest are still missing. 

The landslide, which originating at Brahmagiri Hills in Talacauvery, swept away two houses on Wednesday night.

This missing people are: Talacauvery temple chief Narayana Achar (70), his wife Shantha (70), brother Ananda Theertha Swami (87) and two assistants — Ravi Kiran (26) and Srinivas (30). Achar’s neighbour had shifted out of Bhagamandala earlier, fearing a landslide. 

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had to stop rescue operations due to bad weather. The operations resumed today. 

“There are many minor landslides on the way to the spot,” said Kodagu Deputy Commissioner C Annies K Joy, adding that the flood situation at Bhagamandala was not permitting earthmovers to reach the spot. Heavy rain between Wednesday and Thursday triggered landslides. 

Bhagamandala Panchayat Development Officer Ashok said a notice was issued to the priest’s family to shift out of the house, but they chose to stay back. 

On Thursday morning, when the Talacauvery temple staff went to check on Narayana Achar, as he had not reached the temple for the daily puja, they found levelled land and debris where Achar’s house stood. Utensils, puja material and clothes were found nearly 2 km away at Cherangala. 

As rains continued over the last few days, many rivers are flowing above the danger levels, forcing people to move to safer places.

 Responding to the situation, which is turning grimmer by the day, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who is currently undergoing treatment in a private hospital after testing positive for Covid-19, directed ministers to visit rain-hit areas and supervise relief efforts. He has also assured of providing required financial assistance for those affected.