Congress looks for a Lingayat face to fill BS Yeddyurappa's space

TNN

June 3, 2019

Bengaluru, Jun 3: With the BJP looking to push its state president BS Yeddyurappa to Margdarshak Mandal, the Congress sees a huge opportunity in promoting a Lingayat leader who can fill the opposition leader’s shoes. The party desperately needs a Lingayat leader to stay relevant — especially in north Karnataka — considering the BJP swept all 14 Lok Sabha seats dominated by the community.

“The 2018 assembly polls and the recent general elections show the party can no longer rely only on Ahinda (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and dalits) votes,” said a senior Congress leader. “It also needs the support of dominant Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities to win elections. The two communities have, in recent times, largely supported the JD(S) and BJP respectively. We need to promote influential leaders from these communities to wean voters back.”

The party already began work in this direction prior to the Lok Sabha polls by appointing Lingayat leader MB Patil as the home minister, party sources said.

Following a meeting in March this year, sources say the party decided to sideline leaders like HK Patil, Basavaraj Rayaraddi, SR Patil, Shamanur Shivashankarappa and Sharan Prakash Patil — Lingayat faces in Siddaramaiah’s government. The party instead penciled in four leaders — MB Patil, Vinay Kulkarni, Eshwar Khandre and SS Mallikarjuna — to shoulder the leadership role of the community. But with the defeat of Kulkarni and Khandre in the Lok Sabha polls, the party has very few names to go on with.

Politically influential, the Lingayat community comprises around 17% of Karnataka’s population and has loyally supported the BJP. The Siddaramaiah government’s perceived bid to drive a wedge in the community by offering Veerashaiva Lingayats the status of a separate religion, did not work. In fact, it consolidated the community votes against the Congress.

Now, with the BJP looking to relegate Yeddyurappa, the Congress is hoping history will repeat itself — this time by favouring them. In 1989, the Congress, led by prominent Lingayat leader Veerendra Patil, won one of its biggest victories in the assembly elections. Patil was credited with mobilising the community as the Congress won 179 of the 224 seats.

The unceremonious dismissal of the Patil government the very next year by then Congress president Rajiv Gandhi saw the Lingayat community move away from the Congress. This resulted in one of its most humiliating defeats when it won a mere 36 seats in the 1994 elections. The loss in vote share amounted to a staggering 17%, which was shared predominantly by the BJP and the Janata Dal. The Congress has never been able to recover the ground it lost then.

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Lokayukta to probe Siddaramaiah as special court orders filing of FIR in MUDA case

News Network

September 25,2024

In a significant development, a special court tasked with handling cases against Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MP/MLAs) has ordered that a First Information Report (FIR) be filed regarding the Muda case.

Additionally, the Karnataka Lokayukta, which is an anti-corruption body, has been tasked with investigating allegations against Siddaramaiah, who is reportedly involved in the case.

The court instructed the Lokayukta (an anti-corruption authority) to provide a report within three months. It also ordered the relevant authorities to file a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the case.

Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat issued the directive, compelling the Mysuru Lokayukta police to commence an investigation following a formal complaint lodged by Snehamayi Krishna.

The Karnataka Lokayukta in Mysuru is required to carry out the investigation under Section 156 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Code, which mandates the registration of a First Information Report (FIR).

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Warning! Cancer-causing chemicals found in bakery products, especially cakes in Karnataka

News Network

October 3,2024

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Food Safety and Quality Department has issued an urgent warning following the discovery of potentially cancer-causing chemicals in cakes sold by certain bakeries across the state.

Recent tests conducted by the department revealed that some cake samples, particularly those with vibrant colors, contain harmful synthetic coloring agents such as Allura Red, a substance known to pose health risks. The findings have raised concerns about the use of artificial colors in bakery products, especially given their potential link to cancer and other serious health conditions.

"We routinely test various food products, and this time, our officials noticed unusually dark-colored cakes on the market," said Srinivas K, Commissioner of Food Safety for Karnataka. "Upon testing, we found that a few cakes contained Allura Red, a synthetic dye associated with health risks."

The use of artificial colors, especially in popular cakes like red velvet and pineapple varieties, is widespread as it attracts customers, particularly children. However, many bakers prefer using natural, safer alternatives, while some opt for synthetic dyes to enhance the cake's visual appeal.

"Most bakeries use permissible, natural colors that are safe for consumption. Unfortunately, a few are resorting to synthetic dyes just to make their cakes more attractive," said a bakery owner from Electronic City, speaking anonymously.

Medical experts are warning that consuming synthetic colors can lead to numerous health issues, including asthma and allergic reactions.

"Some of these artificial dyes are carcinogenic, and prolonged exposure could have serious consequences, especially for children and young adults," cautioned Dr. Vandana G, a private medical practitioner.

While the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) confirms that only a limited number of samples tested positive for harmful colors, legal action is being taken against the violators.

"There is no need for widespread panic or halting production. We are closely monitoring the situation, and only a few bakeries were found to be non-compliant. Rest assured, appropriate legal measures are underway," assured an FSSAI official.

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