BJP, JD(S) join hands to defeat Siddaramaiah in his home district

DHNS
April 24, 2018

Bengaluru, Apr 24: The BJP and the JD(S) appear to have joined forces to take on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress in almost all constituencies in Mysuru district and not just Chamundeshwari.

The two Opposition parties have decided to help each other to defeat the Congress in the district, which currently holds eight out the 11 Assembly segments. While the JD(S) had bagged three seats in the 2013 elections, the BJP could not even garner one seat. But, this does not negate the saffron party’s presence in the district.

The party, in fact, gained momentum in the district, especially after BJP state chief B S Yeddyurappa’s son B Y Vijayendra decided to contest against Siddaramaiah’s son Dr Yathindra from Varuna seat.

Though Vijayendra’s fate hangs in balance of now, the JD(S) has entered into a tacit understanding with the BJP to ensure the latter’s victory in Varuna.

The party has even gone to the extent of changing its candidate to facilitate the BJP’s victory. The JD(S) which had fielded Abhishek, now wants to field a Muslim candidate, Sajid.

“The decision has been taken to ensure Yathindra’s defeat in Varuna. The JD(S) had not strengthened the constituency. So, it was decided to help the BJP,” said party sources.

The JD(S) move is in reciprocation to the BJP’s support to its candidate G T Devegowda in the Vokkaliga-dominant Chamundeshwari, from where Siddaramaiah has filed his nomination. The BJP had earlier wanted to field Hemanth Gowda, a Vokkaliga from there. After it came to fore that Hemanth Gowda would eat into a sizable chunk of Vokkaliga votes, the BJP fielded a Brahim, Gopal Rao, to facilitate the JD(S) candidate’s victory.

The BJP also changed its candidate in K R Nagar. It had earlier thought of fielding Hosahalli Venkatesh (a Vokkaliga), but later decided to field Shwetha Gopal, to help JD(S) candidate and sitting MLA Sa Ra Mahesh. Else, there would have been a close contest between Mahesh and Congress candidate D Ravishankar.

In Periyapatna, the BJP wanted to field Ganesh (who had taken 28,000 votes in the previous polls), but has now fielded S Manjunath, to help JD(S) candidate K Mahadev. As Manjunath is a Kuruba, the two parties hope that his candidature will cut into the Kuruba votes, denting Congress MLA K Venkatesh’s prospects. The segment is dominated by Kurubas and Vokkaligas.

The same strategy has been adopted in Hunsur, H D Kote and Chamaraja segments, where the BJP had fielded “weak” candidates.

The JD(S) for itts part has decided to help the BJP in Krishnaraja, where the saffron party has fielded S A Ramdas. Krishnaraja is currently held by Congress MLA M K Somashekar.

Comments

Abdullah
 - 
Tuesday, 24 Apr 2018

Whomever against Balathkari Janasanga party (BJP) should be against JDS also.

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News Network
May 28,2020

May 28: The Karnataka State Election Commission on Thursday announced postponement of gram panchayat polls citing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Out of 6,025 gram panchayats, the tenure of 5,800 gram panchayats will end by June-August 2020.

"After examining the feasibility of conducting general elections to gram panchayats, the State Election Commission, considering the current situation as exceptional circumstance, has decided to temporarily postpone the general elections to the gram panchayats," the SEC said in a release.

It said after examining the situation in the days to come, the decision will be taken on holding the general elections to the gram panchayats.

The CEC also states that report by Deputy Commissioners of districts on holding the elections was verified and it has been found that district administrations are involved in COVID-19 related work and there will be shortage of staff and transport facilities for the elections. Besides, there would be a problem in maintaining law and order.

Last week through a letter to Deputy Commissioners of districts, the commission had sought opinion on holding panchayat polls amid the COVID-19 crisis. It had also pointed out that electoral roll needs to be prepared and reservations had to be allocated as per the new amendments.

Stating that the state election commission's decision to postpone gram panchayat elections was against the provisions of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act 1993, the Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah said the Congress will question this "undemocratic act" in the court of law.

He accused the commission of playing to the BJP's tune and said the congress will protest the decision at gram panchayat level.

Opposition parties in the state, especially congress, have been demanding elections.

The government was in favour of postponement of polls and wants to have administrative committees to govern the panchayats, until the polls are held, according to government sources.

The Congress, raising apprehension about administrative committees, has accused the government of conspiring to have ruling BJP workers as its members.

A congress delegation had last week submitted a petition to State Election Commissioner B Basavaraju and urged the Commission to hold elections.

The congress had even suggested continuation of sitting panchayat members until the polls are held, instead of appointing administrative committees.

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News Network
July 30,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 30: As the protest by Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers entered the 20th day, Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu on Wednesday assured them that he would take up their demands with Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.

The ASHA workers are sitting in protests with a number of demands that include a minimum salary of Rs 12,000 per month.

Assuring that their matter will be taken up, Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu said while speaking to reporters, "We know how hard ASHA workers have been working as frontline warriors in the fight against COVID-19. I will discuss with CM about their demand for a minimum wage of Rs 12,000 per month and the final decision will be taken soon."

"We went to the police to allow us to protest. Officials then took us to the CM. During the meeting, he demanded some time to sort out our issues. 

We told him we are protesting for the past 20 days and that it was he who needs to call a meeting with us. Only then will he know the problems being faced by ASHA workers," an ASHA worker said clad in her signature pink sari.

"When asked as to why salaries of ASHA workers were not hiked, while it was done for doctors and other healthcare officials, the CM requested for time to look into the matter. 

We are not much happy now, but will if he comes in front of the media and promises to sort out our issues, then we will listen to him", she added.

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News Network
July 31,2020

Bengaluru, Jul 31: Gyms in Bengaluru carried out sanitation work on Thursday following the Centre's nod to reopen gyms from August 5, after several weeks of COVID-induced lockdowns.

"We are taking all the precautionary measures prescribed by the government and will follow the guidelines very strictly. A thermal scanner, oximeter and hand sanitizers have been placed at the entrance of the gym. 

We request all other gym owners also to follow the guidelines strictly to keep their members safe and healthy," said Prasad Kumar, a gym owner in Bangalore.

He added, "The last few months have been very difficult for us gym owners and fitness instructors. We are very grateful to the government for allowing us to re-open. 

We are going to be very cautious when we open. Even before this COVID-19 pandemic, we used to sanitise all the equipment before and after every use so hopefully, this won't be too difficult for us. We are getting rid of the air conditioners to allow cross ventilation and open the space a little more."

According to Chandu Gowda, an actor and frequenter of the gym, working out at home was not the same as working out in the gym with the proper equipment.

"I'm very glad that I get to come back and work out as I used to before this lockdown. For an actor, working out is extremely important, not just for my physical health but also mental health. 

Doing exercises at home is never as good as exercising in a space dedicated to one purpose. I hope other members of the gym follow the rules and regulations religiously," Gowda said.

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