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

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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SIT raids rape accused BJP MLA Munirathna’s residence, 15 other locations

News Network

September 28,2024

Bengaluru, Sep 28: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing charges against arrested Karnataka BJP MLA N. Munirathna Naidu, including allegations of rape, honey-trapping, and other offences, on Saturday conducted raids at his residence and 15 other locations across the city.

Sources confirmed that the raids were taking place at his Vyalikaval residence and other properties owned by the BJP MLA. The operation is being conducted by the SIT under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) led by ACP Kavitha.

The team is examining documents, electronic devices, and other materials related to the rape and honey-trapping case. The SIT is being supported by experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), with Superintendent of Police (SP) Sowmya Latha also participating in the search and inspection at Munirathna’s Vyalikaval residence.

According to sources, the raids were triggered by information provided by the victim, who alleged that Munirathna recorded footage of sexual assaults and used it to blackmail politicians and public servants, including IAS and IPS officers.

The victim reportedly revealed that she was used to entrap the woman who had lodged a rape case against a senior IFS officer. She was allegedly instructed to frame the rape victim in a drug peddling case.

The complainant told police that she was tasked with capturing compromising videos of the rape victim who had filed the case against the IFS officer. She claimed that, after several failed attempts to obtain the videos, the victim was drugged with sleeping pills, and obscene footage was recorded without her consent. Later, the IFS officer was bailed out from the charges.

Furthermore, the complainant has accused MLA Munirathna of raping her at his office within the state legislature, in his official vehicle, and at his godown. She has alleged that he recorded videos of these assaults.

Police sources also revealed that the victim in the MLA's case provided details of a plot involving sending HIV-infected women to Munirathna's targets in an attempt to ruin them politically and personally. She also disclosed the names of several politicians whom she had entrapped through honey-trapping.

The woman further claimed that Munirathna had threatened to have her son kidnapped and killed if she refused to comply with his demands. According to her, the MLA had a well-organised team dedicated to carrying out these honey-trapping operations, and she provided details about his close associates and relatives involved in the scheme.

Munirathna, who was in judicial custody following his arrest in the rape and honey-trap case, has now been taken into the custody of the SIT.

The MLA was transferred from Bengaluru Central Jail to the CID office on the night of September 24. The BJP legislator, however, has denied all the allegations, claiming they are false.

Karnataka Congress leader D.K. Suresh had alleged that Munirathna was trying to infect his adversaries with HIV and that the government should investigate the matter.

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