Mandya Lok Sabha bypoll: JD(S) former MLA questions Ramya's parentage; terms her a 'test tube baby'

August 10, 2013

Bangalore, Aug 10: The level of political debate in Karnataka has been touching new lows in every election.

Amidst the intense campaign for the August 21 Mandya Lok Sabha byelection, former Janata Dal (Secular) MLA from Mandya city, M Srinivas, scraped the bottom of the barrel in public decency on Friday.

At a meeting in Srirangapatna, in the presence of senior leader N Cheluvarayaswamy and JD(S) candidate C S Puttaraju,Srinivas said: “Who is Ramya's father? What caste does she belong to? Is she a test-tube baby?”

Srinivas contended that Ramya, in her affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, has not filled in her father's name and caste.

Further, he said Ramya did not even know how many taluks were there in Mandya district or know any of the local workers and leaders.

“She does not belong to Mandya. So why should the public elect her to Parliament?” he asked.

Even as Congress workers burnt Srinivas's effigy in Mandya, former prime minister and JD(S) national president H D Deve Gowda said in KR Pet, “Making such comments about a woman is wrong. It is in very bad taste.”

Housing Minister M H Ambareesh, Ramya's mentor, said, “Srinivas should have controlled himself. He should learn to respect others. Speaking ill about a woman who has just lost her father is inhuman. All of us are test-tube babies in politics and we are still in LKG.”

Ambareesh said Ramya's parents are from Mandya and her grandfather was the president of the Mandya city municipal council. “She comes from a political background.”

Ramya is still in mourning after she lost her foster father R T Narayan few days ago.

Congress leaders came down heavily on Srinivas. The party has said Srinivas is indulging in “third class politics” and no leader should speak on personal issues related to any candidate or party worker.

Mandya deputy commissioner seeks report

The Mandya deputy commissioner, who is the returning officer for the byelection, has sought a video recording of Srinivas' speech and a report from Srirangapatna tahsildar. D N Krishnaiah said after going through details of the speech that action will be initiated against Srinivas under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which prohibits people from making vulgar statements or personal attacks. "I have to ascertain facts before proceeding with the law" he added.

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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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