Deve Gowda likely to contest from Tumakuru, not Bengaluru North

News Network

March 21, 2019

Bengaluru, Mar 21: Former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda is more likely to contest the next month’s elections from Tumakuru Lok Sabha constituency and not from Bengaluru North.

The constituency Gowda would opt for was a matter of massive speculation after he ceded Hassan, which he represents in the Lok Sabha, to grandson Prajwal Revanna.

Besides Tumakuru, Gowda had Bengaluru North and Mysuru-Kodagu seats to choose from. There was even talk he could hang up his boots. Now, there are strong indications that he could throw his hat in the ring from Tumakuru.

“Gowda has decided to contest from Tumakuru and asked his son and PWD minister HD Revanna to fix a date and time to file nomination papers,” a senior JD(S) leader said.

Gowda reportedly decided to opt for Tumakuru only after he received a firm assurance from Congress leaders — especially CLP leader Siddaramaiah — that they would ensure his victory. There were reports that the former chief minister could settle personal scores with Gowda, who reportedly engineered his defeat in Chamundeshwari in the assembly polls last year.

If everything goes to plan, Gowda, 86, will seek re-election to Parliament for the sixth time. He will face BJP’s GS Basavaraju, a four time MP from Tumakuru. The constituency is dominated by Vokkaligas, but it has been vacillating between Congress and BJP since 1999. JD(S) has never won the seat.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the vote share of the JD(S) in the constituency was 23.5% compared to 6.8% in Bengaluru North.

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PM Modi vows to strengthen India-Maldives ties, inks currency swap deal with President Muizzu

News Network

October 7,2024

New Delhi: Seeking to strengthen bilateral ties, India and the Maldives on Monday inked a currency swap agreement to the tune of $400 million, a move that would help the archipelago nation overcome foreign exchange reserve issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu also launched Rupay card in the Maldives, inaugurated the new runway at the Hanimadhoo International airport and agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations that had hit a rocky patch last year.

Muizzu, who is on a four-day state visit, held talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House here.

After the talks, India also handed over 700 social housing units to the Maldives built under the EXIM Bank’s buyer’s credit facilities.

"Today, we have inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo Airport. Now, the Greater Male Connectivity Project will also be expedited. We will also support the development of a new commercial port in Thilafushi," Modi told reporters here with Muizzu by his side.

Modi said India and Maldives have decided to initiate discussion on the Free Trade Agreement to further strengthen economic ties.

The prime minister described Maldives as a "close friend" which had an important position in India's neighbourhood policy and SAGAR vision.

"India has always fulfilled the responsibilities of a neighbour. Today, we have taken up the vision of a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership to give our mutual cooperation a strategic direction," Modi said.

Earlier, Muizzu was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Modi was also present on the occasion.

Muizzu was given a tri-services guard of honour before he drove down the Rajghat to offer his respects at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November.

Muizzu won the presidential election last year on the 'India out' campaign and asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel posted in the archipelago nation by May this year.

The bilateral ties also hit a rocky patch when Maldivian ministers were critical of Modi. However, Muizzu has since toned down his anti-India stance and even sacked ministers who were critical of the Indian prime minister.

As the Maldives was grappling with a serious economic downturn, India has decided to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year.

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