Sisodia, over 60 AAP MLAs detained on their way to Modi's resident

Mangaluru, June 10: Former minister and Mangaluru MLA U T Khader has hit out at the Karnataka government for what he opined that it is misusing the Epidemic Diseases Act to target opposition parties. 

The statement comes in the backdrop of state government’s move to scuttle oath taking ceremony of KPCC president designate D K Shivakumar.

Asserting that the oath taking will be a grand affair, Mr Khader said that Congress will not be browbeaten by the tactics of the BJP.

Citing the blatant violation of all norms laid down under the Act by minister for health B R Sriramulu at Chitradurga earlier this month, Khader told reporters that the BJP is using the Act for its narrow political gains.

“KPCC has twice deferred swearing in ceremony of Shivakumar after being given the oral go ahead,” Khader claimed, adding the state government must explain to people the issue it has with the Congress organising this function.

Referring to the back-to-back virtual political rallies – one for Bihar and the other for Odisha – on Sunday and Monday that union home minister Amit Shah conducted, Khader wondered if the Act did not apply to the BJP leadership.

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 14: Amid Covid-19 lockdown,

Keralites celebrated a low key "Vishu" ,the Malayalam new year, on Tuesday, hoping that days of plenty, prosperity and peace will return.

People woke up in the early hours to see the auspicious "Vishu kani", symbolising hope, promise and fine prospects they wish to have in the year ahead.

The ritual comprises arranging on platters auspicious articles like seasonal fruits, vegetables, flower, gold and clothes which together form the first sight when the family members wake up on the Vishu day.

Normally, Keralites dressed in their traditional attire throng temples across the state.

However, this year due to the lockdown restrictions, temple visits were given a go by.

The famed Sri Krishna temple at Guruvayur and the Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala witnesses heavy rush of devotees during the vishu day.

But pilgrims were not allowed inside and only temple officials and security personnel were present for the"Vishu kani".

Rehaman, a small time trader, said very few people have come out for vishu purchases due to the restricitons.

It is fine as it is for a good cause, while Radha, a young woman said she could not celebrate the festival.

"We have no money, no job. With whatever little we have, we are celebrating the festival", she said.

87-year-old Vilasini Nambiar, a retired college professor, said vishu has visited the state during a most bewildering time.

"It should however remind us that every mountain must have its valley, desert its oasis, every storm cloud its rainbow, every night its day.

We are prepared to believe that we will overcome this misfortune", she said.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Home minister, Amit Shah, Kerala Governor, Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, were among those who greeted people on the occasion of Vishu.

Bengaluru, July 2: Congress leader and seven-time MLA D K Shivakumar today took charge as the president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress committee in the presence of senior leaders of the party.

The formal was held at the KPCC office in Bengaluru. The ceremony is said to be a first of its kind in the country as 10 lakh people from the remotest corners of the state — 462 blocks and 6,000 gram panchayats and municipalities across 7,800 locations —witnessed it online.

Dinesh Gundu Rao , MLA, and immediate past president, handed over the party flag to Mr. Shivakumar. Senior leaders Siddaramaiah, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other MLAs and MLCs attended the programme.

AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka K C Venugopal spoke on the occasion and lashed out at the Modi government for poor handling of economic and health issues in the country.