RS poll: EC?seeks report on CM 'inducing MLAs' to vote for Cong

June 6, 2016

Bengaluru, Jun 6: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the Returning Officer for the Rajya Sabha election to submit a report on a complaint that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was trying to induce independent MLAs by offering them special grants.

Untitled-1The JD(S) had on May 29 lodged the complaint with the ECI, charging Siddaramaiah with indulging in election malpractice. The chief minister had been wooing independent MLAs by offering Rs 100-crore special development grant to each of their constituencies, the party had charged in its complaint.

The Congress has been trying to get the support of nine independents and MLAs of smaller parties to win the third seat in the elections. Congress's third candidate K C Ramamurthy needs the support of about 13 non-Congress MLAs for his election. Similarly, JD(S) candidate B M Farook has to muster the support of about 12 non-JD(S) MLAs for his election.

About 12 MLAs, including nine independents, had initially pledged their support to Farook. They had even agreed to be the proposers to the JD(S) candidate. But they later changed their decision and declared their support to the Congress candidate. The JD(S) subsequently lodged the complaint with the ECI, alleging that the chief minister was inducing the independents. However, official sources said the JD(S) had not furnished the necessary documents to the ECI to substantiate its claims. But some independent MLAs have reportedly stated that they would vote for the Congress as they would get special funds for the development of their constituencies.

When contacted, Returning Officer S Murthy only said that he was examining the complaint and that he would submit the report soon. The ECI has already directed Murthy, who is also the Karnataka Legislative Assembly secretary, to submit a report on a sting operation done by two national news channels on votes for sale recently. The election is scheduled for June 11.

Chief Minister denies horse-trading

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday refuted the allegations that the Congress had indulged in horse-trading, ahead of Rajya Sabha elections.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, he said that there was no need for the party to bank on other party legislators to get its candidates elected. Siddaramaiah defended fielding a third candidate in the election, saying that the party will be left with 33 votes after ensuring the victory of two candidates.

“We need 90 votes to win two seats. The party will be left with 33 votes and this may help win another seat. Hence a third candidate is fielded,” the chief minister said. He also denied the party's involvement in the recent sting operation, in which a few MLAs were shown striking money deals for votes.

Comments

Saleem
 - 
Monday, 6 Jun 2016

Muslims are always indirectly supporting BJP Growth because of their selfishness.

If BJP Gets majority in RS then they can implement all RSS agendas.

But for us our selfish attitude is important than all.

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January 17,2020

Bengaluru, Jan 17: Chief minister BS Yediyurappa is likely to induct new ministers into his cabinet only after he returns from Davos, Switzerland, on January 25.

Yediyurappa will leave for Davos on January 19 to participate in the World Economic Forum’s 50th annual meet.

Sources say Yediyurappa is keen on expanding his cabinet before he leaves for Davos and is still trying to secure the green signal from BJP national president Amit Shah. However, Shah has cold-shouldered Yediyurappa’s several requests for a meeting to discuss the issue.

Shah is scheduled to visit Karnataka on January 18 to participate in a pro-Citizenship (Amendment) Act rally in Hubballi and the CM plans to corner him there. But, given the time constraint, Yediyurappa is likely to put off the exercise till he returns from Davos even if Shah extends approval.

“Even if Shah gives the green signal, Yediyurappa will have less than 24 hours to expand his cabinet,” a source said. “It is highly unlikely he will rush through the process of inducting ministers. Also, his presence is required to douse disgruntlement which is bound to arise once the new ministers are sworn in.”

The CM and the party high command are on different pages as far as cabinet expansion is concerned. While Yediyurappa is hell-bent on keeping his promise of inducting all the newly elected MLAs, who switched from Congress and JD(S) to the BJP, Shah is keen on sharing vacant berths equally between loyal MLAs and the new entrants. There are 16 cabinet berths vacant.

Shah, sources said, is of the opinion that giving 12 berths to the turncoats will lead to heartburn among loyalists and it will impact the party’s prospects in the next election. “Moreover, he is of the opinion that none of the turncoats have mass appeal, nor do they have any administrative experience. This, he thinks, will impact governance,” said a source.

This has resulted in a deadlock and the issue has dragged on for a month now.

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News Network
June 29,2020

Bengaluru, June 29: The Karnataka government on Monday issued guidelines to conduct online classes for all students of ICSE, CBSE and SSLC under the directions of the High Court.

According to the guidelines, for the kindergarten students, online classes can be held 30 minutes a week and students in classes 1-5 will have online classes for 30-45 minutes divided into two periods for three alternate days every week.

For students in classes 6-8, the online classes will be for 30-45 minutes divided into two periods for five days every week while students in classes 9 and 10 can have the virtual classes for 30-45 minutes divided into four periods for five days a week.

Earlier, the state government barred online classes for the kids from LKG to class 5.

Minister for primary and secondary education S Suresh Kumar had said that online classes cannot be held for the kids from LKG to class V.

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News Network
February 23,2020

Mangaluru, Feb 23: Karnataka Minister for Fisheries and Religious Endowment Kota Shrinivas Poojari on Sunday said that there will be no shortage of water during the summer season in Dakshina Kannada district as per a review done by the district administration and the Panchayati Raj Department.

He said that periodic review will be conducted and based on that appropriate decisions will be taken.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, February 23, Poojari said that the main source of water for Mangaluru, the Thumbe vented dam, has a steady inflow of water.

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