Cong wants to restore Karnataka's image: Sonia Gandhi in Mangalore

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar, Suresh)
April 27, 2013
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Mangalore, Apr 27: The Congress is all set to fight tooth and nail to send the BJP back home in the State. This was evident when All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Sonia Gandhi said that the immediate task before the Congress is to get back to power in Karnataka and restore its image, which has been battered and dented by the BJP rule.

Addressing a public rally at Nehru Maidan in the city on Saturday, Ms. Gandhi said that under the BJP rule, Karnataka's image has taken a huge blow and the Congress eyes to set it right.

“Investors used to look at Karnataka as a potential investment destination and this has resulted in generation of large scale employment opportunities. Thanks to the BJP's corruption, political interference and crumbling of infrastructure, investors have turned their back on Karnataka and diverted their attention to other states. Corruption has reached unprecedented levels in the state and immoral behaviour has been exhibited by those in power. The most immediate task before us is to restore the image of Karnataka which has been battered by the BJP,” Ms. Gandhi reiterated.

The UPA Chairperson lamented that although Mangalore has a history of communal harmony, attempts have been constantly made in the recent past to destroy peace for political gains.

“Mangalore truly represents unity in diversity with its secular ethos and a society that believes in living together. Sadly, from past few years, this has been damaged by fundamentalist organizations claiming to be protectors of morality. They have no other agenda except spreading hatred and deriving personal and political gains. The Congress has always rejected all forms of communal ideology. We will strive to make sure that communal harmony thrives. Dalits, minorities and women have a right to be empowered which is why lots of money has been sent from Delhi to empower the weaker sections, ” Ms. Gandhi said.

Funds not used

The Congress powerhouse took on the BJP, alleging its state government of not utilizing funds for several projects granted by the UPA government.

“The UPA has given vast financial support to Karnataka but where has all that money gone? Voters must ask as to why have people in power and those close to the ones in power grown richer? People look for a government that protects them, generates jobs for them and helps them lead a dignified life. Farmers are distressed today. The fishermen of your region are unhappy. They want cold storage facilities so that their catch remains fresh and marketable. The BJP promised 24 hour electricity supply but what have they done? One must not make promises which cannot be fulfilled and hence we have assured in our manifesto that since it is not possible to provide 24x7 electricity, we will ensure that at least 8-9 hours of power supply is provided. We delivered our promise by introducing the RTI through which most cases of corruption are being dug out today. We introduced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) but it has not been implemented effectively in Karnataka. We delivered our promise with the Right to Education Act. We are concerned about the plight of our brethren in forests and have tabled the Tribal Rights Bill and the Food Security Bill so that no child remains malnourished in the country. In order to ensure that the farmers get the right price for their lands, we have tabled the Land Rehabilitation Bill, which we expect to pass in the next session of the Parliament”, Ms. Gandhi revealed.

Thanks to coastal Karnataka

Ms. Gandhi had a word of gratitude for the people of coastal Karnataka for swinging the tide back towards Congress.

“You elected Jayaprakash Hegde in the Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha bypoll. I have been told that you have voted for our party in the local body elections here. I am grateful to you. These are signs that you want change and get that opportunity on May 5”, Ms. Gandhi said.

Rajya Sabha MPs Ambika Soni and Oscar Fernandes, KPCC President Dr. G Parameshwar, Madhusoodan Mistry, AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka, former minister B Janardhana Poojary, were present.

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BJP betrayed people; need for change now, says Sonia Gandhi

Chikmagalur, Apr 27: Charging the BJP government in Karnataka with betraying the people's mandate, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday, made a strong pitch for "change" in the State as it was passing through "some of the darkest days."

"I remind the young generation that these are some of the darkest days. People want change. The need for change is now, and now", she said in her first campaign rally in Karnataka, which goes to assembly polls on May five.

"The BJP has completely ignored your mandate, they have completely betrayed the mandate of the people of Karnataka", she charged, as she attacked the Government on various fronts, including the "breakdown" of the law and order.

On illegal mining scam in Karnataka, she said the mining mafia has destroyed environment, and charged the BJP government with serving only its "narrow and selfish political ends".

She said there was a time when industries competed with one another to invest in Karnataka but the situation now is "opposite". Now the industries are leaving Karnataka because of corruption, government interference and infrastructure issues, she said.

Noting that Karnataka has had a glorious past and brighter future awaiting, she said this is possible only if there is political stability. "Therefore this political stability is essential. A stable government is need of the hour for Karnataka".

Gandhi said the immediate task for the Congress in the State is to restore the image of Karnataka as a "bright state" of the country. "Congress will ensure this Karnataka thrives and prospers".

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News Network
October 7,2024

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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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News Network
October 1,2024

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The BJP has selected Kishore Kumar Puttur as its candidate for the bypoll to Karnataka Legislative Council from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Local Authorities’ Constituency. The by-election will be held on October 21.

Kishore Kumar is presently serving as the General Secretary of Dakshina Kannada BJP unit. He had served as vice president of State BJP Yuva Morcha from 2014 to 2016.

The by-election will be held to the seat vacated by Kota Srinivas Poojary of the BJP who has been elected as the Lok Sabha member from Udupi-Chikmagaluru Lok Sabha constituency. The vacancy was created on June 15, 2024 following Poojary’s resignation to the Council. His term in the council was till January, 2028.

In the last Council election held for the dual member constituency in December 2021, Poojary had secured 3,672 votes while the Congress candidate Manjunath Bhandary had secured 2079 votes. Poojary and Bhandary had secured required votes from the first preferential votes and had won the election.

There were several aspirants for the BJP ticket including former MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, DK BJP president Satish Kumpala, Mangaluru divisional in-charge Uday Kumar Shetty, former minister Pramod Madhwaraj and former Udupi district BJP president Kuilady Suresh Nayak.

The Congress is yet to announce its candidate for the election. KPCC working president Manjunath Bhandary in a recent press meet in Mangaluru had said that an opportunity will be given to congress leaders from Udupi district to contest by-election.

The Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Local Authorities’ Constituency has 6037 voters including 3551 from Dakshina Kannada comprising eight MLAs, one MP. The last date for filing nomination is October 3 and the last date for withdrawal of nomination is October 7. The counting will be held on October 24.

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News Network
October 4,2024

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Mysuru: Chairman of JD(S) core committee and Chamundeshwari constituency MLA G T Devegowda on Thursday expressed his solidarity with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah saying the latter need not resign, while lambasting leaders of his own party and alliance partner BJP, including Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

In his speech during Mysuru Dasara inauguration he said that if persons against whom FIR is registered have to resign, many leaders from all the three parties, including Opposition Leader R Ashoka, will have to resign.

“All are sitting in glass houses... Since I know Siddaramaiah well, I am talking about him. At a time when mines and real estate are ruling politics, Siddaramaiah has survived in politics. He has never done any favour,” Devegowda said.

He added, “Allegations against Siddaramaiah are unexpected and accidental. If the Governor and Chief Justice order an investigation, it does not mean that he should resign."

He continued, asking, "Have they told Siddaramaiah to resign or have they asked to imprison him? When a person becomes a Central minister, he or she should realise their dignity and responsibility. Instead of recognising the good work done by Siddaramaiah, they ask him to resign. Will Kumarswamy (facing an FIR) resign? Should Siddaramaiah, who has become CM with a support of 135 MLAs, resign?"

"Opposition leaders are not remembering the good work of earlier CMs Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Veerendra Patil, Ramakrishna Hegde, H D Deve Gowda or S M Krishna. Karnataka is a model state. It is a bad trend to topple an elected government which is doing good work,” he further said.

Devegowda added, “Siddaramaiah is Goddess Chamundeshwari’s ‘Varaputra’ and hence has her blessings during tough times. He won the election in Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency, when the BJP-JD(S) government was in power in 2006. With the blessings of the Goddess, he has held varied positions right from becoming an MLA for the first time in 1983. He presented 15 budgets and has become CM for a second time. He took H C Mahadevappa, a Dalit leader to the state level. Siddaramaiah has the support of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar as ‘Jodeththu’. Blessings of the beneficiaries of guarantee schemes are with him (Siddaramaiah).” 

Siddaramaiah said, “Devegowda was a MUDA member. He knows the truth. Hence, he is saying this. His words have filled strength in me. ‘Satyameva Jayate’, Truth will always triumph.” 

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