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Bengaluru: Amid speculation over whom the BJP would field against Karnataka Congress strongman Siddaramaiah in Varuna constituency in the May 10 Assembly polls, party stalwart B S Yediyurappa on Thursday did not rule out the possibility of his son B Y Vijayendra entering the fray. Varuna in Mysuru district is among the key seats to watch out for as Siddaramaiah, the Congress legislature party leader and former Chief Minister, has thrown his hat in the ring in this segment, currently represented his son Yathindra. When asked by reporters whether Vijayendra would be fielded from Varuna, Yediyurappa said, “Discussions are going on. Siddaramaiah knows that his ground is slipping away. I don’t think it is so easy for him. We will field a good candidate. We will give a tough fight. Let’s see what happens.” Also Read Karnataka polls: Cong releases 1st list of 124 candidates The BJP veteran and four-time Chief Minister said the decision on whether to give the Varuna ticket to Vijayen

Bengaluru: Former JD(S) MLA S R Srinivas (Gubbi Srinivas alias Vasu) on Thursday became the third legislator to resign from the post, and join Congress, this month, ahead of May 10 Assembly polls in Karnataka. According to the Congress, 37 leaders associated with JD(S) in the 2018 Assembly polls, have joined the party so far, in the run up to the upcoming elections. Srinivas, a former Minister had resigned as MLA on March 27, while two MLCs from BJP Puttanna and Baburao Chinchansur had resigned from their Legislative Council membership earlier this month to join the Congress. Puttanna has been fielded from Rajajinagar Assembly segment by the Congress in its first list, and there are indications that the party might field Chinchansur and Srinivas too from Gurmitkal and Gubbi segments respectively. Inducting Srinivas, a four time MLA and former Minister,and his supporters into the party, KPCC President D K Shivakumar said, “I had been trying to get Vasu (Srinivas) to Congress for a

New Delhi: In a bid to ensure participative election in Karnataka, the Election Commission will set up 40 ‘ethnic polling stations’ for particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs). Polls in the state will be held in a single phase on May 10, while counting will take place on May 13. “The venue, look and feel of these booths will be different. It would be more contextual to the tribals so that they feel at home. And the very fact that we are focusing on it is an invitation to them to come out and vote,” Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar told a press conference here. PVTGs were formerly known as primitive tribal groups. Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Hyderabad: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has frozen an amount of more than Rs. 137 crores during search operations at seven locations (4 in Hyderabad and 3 in Bengaluru) conducted in connection with a money laundering case against Vihaan Direct Selling(I) Private Limited, a sub-franchise company of Qnet Ltd. According to the officials, the ED initiated a PMLA investigation on the basis of 38 FIRs against Qnet Ltd., Vihaan Direct Selling (I) Private Limited and others registered by Cyberabad Police, Hyderabad under various Sections of IPC and Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning)Act, 1978. “During the investigation, it was revealed that M/s Vihaan Direct Selling (I) Private Limited has been cheating gullible people, promising huge commissions on their investment, by way of running a money circulation scheme in the guise of direct selling of products. As a result of the search, various incriminating documents and digital devices were seized. Further, an amount of

Bengaluru: In a big relief to the ruling BJP in Karnataka, senior Lingayat leader, minister for Housing V. Somanna on Wednesday termed former Chief Minister and BJP Central Parliamentary Board Member B.S. Yediyurappa the “supreme leader”. Somanna and Yediyurappa were on the path of war recently posing a serious challenge for the ruling BJP in the state. Somanna had skipped Vijay Sankalp Yatra attended by BJP National President J.P. Nadda alleging interference by Yediyurappa in his domain. Later, it was rumoured that Somanna would join Congress and his photo with Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar in an aircraft fuelled the rumours. However, after the intervention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Somanna clarified that he is happy after the meeting and he will not quit the party. However, Yediyurappa did not attend the programme of unveiling of the 108-foot tall Male Mahadeshwara statue, where both the leaders were to come together to give a message. Also Read Karnat

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India will announce the schedule of the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Karnataka slated this year at 11:30 am on Wednesday, the ECI said. The EC will hold a press conference at Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhawan in the national capital. Karnataka, which has 224 seats in the Assembly currently has 119 MLAs of the ruling BJP, while Congress has 75 and its ally JD(S) has 28 seats. With months to go for the Assembly elections, the political parties including the ruling BJP, Congress and ally JD(S) began the spate of allegations and counter-allegations, with the latter attempting to corner the government over the issue of corruption. The BJP government, being led by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is also putting in efforts to return to power and stressing on the Kannadigas issue, reservation to the Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities by scrapping a religion-based reservation for the Muslim community, a decision which the state government

Bengaluru : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday inaugurated nine universities in the state ahead of assembly elections. “All the new universities that were opened today are the future-writing centres,” said the Chief Minister. Speaking after inaugurating nine new universities, he said the government has given impetus to health and education. “These kinds of universities have started for the first time in the country. In the coming days, everyone will adopt the Karnataka model. In the country, higher education means IIT and the selection for that is through CET. The children of Karnataka must have access to the IIT model education,” Bommai said. Also Read BJP vs BJP: Bommai to raise Maha insurance scheme decision with Amit Shah “For this reason, the KIT has been established. In the next five years, all the institutions will be on the IIT model. Instead of going in search of the IITs, the IITs are being created. The MoUs are signed with the world’s best univers

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said that Karnataka BJP will announce the list of candidates in the first week of April. Meanwhile, Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar has stated that the second list of Congress party would be out March 30 onwards. Speaking to reporters, Bommai stated in Belagavi that probably the list of candidates by BJP would be announced in the first week of April. “There will be a fight for tickets as there is a demand for the winning party,” he said. There is no understanding with the JD(S) party in the old Mysuru region. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had clearly stated that there is no alliance with any party. “I am clearing again. There will be no alliance with JD(S).” Bommai maintained that Shivakumar is making calls to all sitting MLAs of BJP and offering tickets. “He has been calling our MLAs for two-three days. This shows the Congress party’s desperation. They are contacting our MLAs as they have not got their candidates

Bengaluru: Withdrawal of 4 per cent reservation for Muslim community by the ruling BJP government is likely to snowball into a crisis-situation in the poll-bound Karnataka. As the major political parties engage in a war of words over the issue, members of the Muslim community came out in the open on Tuesday to protest against the BJP government’s decision. The ruling BJP had withdrawn reservation of Muslims under 2B category and sent a proposal to the Centre. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has announced that the 4 per cent quota for Muslim will be given to Lingayats and Vokkaligas. Chief Minister Bommai maintained that the reservation quota for Muslims will be intact as they will be moved to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota. Muslim groups and political parties have come to the streets lately demanding that their quota should remain untouched. The protests have been staged in Belagavi, Chitradurga and Mandya cities of Karnataka. Also Read Muslim reservation: BJP’s

Bengaluru: Former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said that the BJP-ruled state of Karnataka’s “intention” behind scrapping 4 per cent OBC reservation for Muslims was to spark communal strife between Vokkaligas and Lingayats and the Muslim community. “All these things are childish issues. Without properly applying the mind, this government wanted to get votes from a certain community. But nothing will happen,” the JD-S leader said. Kumaraswamy termed the government’s decision as “unprepared and illegal the way they announced it. After the election, this is going to be changed. Everybody is going to scrap it. I request the people of Karnataka not take this issue seriously. Also Read Owaisi slams BJP for scrapping 4% Muslim quota in Karnataka In a cabinet meeting held on Friday, the Karnataka government scrapped the four per cent OBC reservation for Muslims and distributed it to two dominant communities, Veerashaiva-Lingayats and Vokkaligas. It also decided t

Bengaluru: The Congress is planning a mega programme for April 5 to retaliate on the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the very place where the contentious speech was made in Karnataka, sources confirmed on Tuesday. The party is planning to have Rahul Gandhi deliver his address. Gandhi faced disqualification for his speech in Kolar city in Karnataka. Hence, the Congress wants to hold the event at the same venue and use it to its advantage, sources confirmed. Also Read Pawar steps in amid row over Rahul’s Savarkar remark, asks Cong to tone down attack He delivered the speech which resulted in his disqualification during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He was seeking votes for the Congress candidate, former Union Minister K.H. Muniyappa. During his speech Rahul Gandhi had stated, “Neerav Modi, Lalit Modi and Narendra Modi, all have the same surname and all are thieves. All these thieves have looted the country.” He reiterated this at the function in Sir M. Visvesvaraya stad

A man in Bengaluru caught his wife cheating on him after he found his car’s GPS history following which he petitioned a local court to direct the police to file an FIR against her. The man, a private company employee who worked night shifts, married the woman in 2014 and the couple has a six-year-old daughter. The couple’s relationship was stable until he came across his car’s GPS history which showed that the vehicle was taken out when he was away one night. The man had purchased the car in the year 2020 with a GPS-tracking system built in. “A detailed study of the GPS showed the car had moved in the KIA direction by midnight and stopped outside a hotel. It was driven back home a little after 5 am. I visited the hotel and found that my wife and her boyfriend had booked a room using their voter IDs,” the man was quoted by TOI . After the man confronted the duo, they reportedly threatened him with grave repercussions. The police have filed a case under IPC sections 417 (cheating),

Raichur : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the defeat of the Congress in the assembly elections held recently in three northeastern states of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura indicated the party’s political downfall under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. He said this while speaking after the foundation stone laying ceremony and inauguration function for several projects at Gabbur village in Raichur district of Karnataka. With Karnataka Assembly polls due in the next few weeks, Shah targetted the Congress party on corruption and development issues. Also Read Karnataka: Amit Shah rakes up Hyderabad Liberation Day in Bidar “When the Congress was ruling the state, it treated Karnataka as an ATM. The party neglected development works in the state. How can the Congress develop the state?” he wondered. Cautioning against the coalition governments of the type that the Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular had formed, Shah urged the people to vote the Bharatiya Janata Party (B

Bengaluru: Muslims form one of the largest communities with a 13 per cent population in Karnataka. Leaked reports claimed that the census during the tenure of the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government put them ahead of the Lingayats and the Vokkaligas in terms of numbers. The Karnataka legislature has seven MLAs from the Muslim community and all are from the Congress party. This is the lowest Muslim representation in the last decade. In 2008, nine Muslim MLAs were elected in the state. In 2013, 11 Muslim candidates won, nine from the Congress and three from the JD (S). The highest Muslim representation (16 MLAs) was in 1978 and the lowest (2) was in 1983. In spite of the numbers, Muslims are not being considered for tickets to contest the upcoming assembly elections in proportion to their numbers, even by the Congress party. Analysts say that polarisation by the ruling BJP and Hindutva forces is the main reason for it. Starting from the hijab crisis, boycotting of Muslim traders t

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made an appeal to the voters in poll-bound Karnataka not to believe in the guarantee schemes assured by the Congress. “Congress leaders are promising guarantee schemes. Himachal Pradesh is an example that guarantee schemes do not work. They made tall promises there and did not give anything in the budget,” he said. Addressing a mega rally in Davanagere, Modi said the objective of uplifting Dalits and tribals is a priority for the BJP, and to fulfil these obligations, there is a need for clear majority. Also Read Karnataka: Security breach during PM Modi’s roadshow; one held “Do you want a stable government,” the Prime Minister asked the gathering, adding, “We have not neglected the Dalits and tribals, nor exploited them. Karnataka has suffered in the past due to opportunist coalition governments.” “There should be a BJP government with a clear mandate in Karnataka. If majority is not attained, it will not help the state. A

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Rs 4,249 crore, 13.71 km Whitefield (Kadugodi) to Krishnarajapura Metro Line here which comprises 12 stations. Officials said this section is the eastern extension to the operational East-West Corridor (Purple Line) from Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield Station. Out of the 15.81 km extension under construction, the 13.71 km section from K R Puram to Whitefield was inaugurated on Saturday, they said, adding it would cut down journey time on this route by 40 per cent and reduce road traffic congestion. The new line of Bengaluru Metro is beneficial for five lakh to six lakh Bengalurians serving in information technology parks, export promotion industrial areas, malls, hospitals and several Fortune 500 companies, it was noted. This route will be operated with five trains each having six coaches bought from BEML Limited, they said adding, more trains will be kept as backup. Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News ,

Citizens of East Bengaluru on Saturday invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to go take a look at the ‘dilapidated’ state of city infrastructure during his visit to the city. The Prime Minister is set to visit the Karnataka capital city to launch a new metro line. In a series of tweets, Citizens Movement, East Bengaluru, put up photos and videos of several places in the city where infrastructure such as drains, sewerages, bridges, roads and lakes are defunct with a photo of the smiling Prime Minister on the side smiling. “Respected @narendramodi sir, Since you are in Mahadevapura today, please visit Sarjapura road and see Carmelaram bridge. You will feel pride after seeing dilapidated bridge! #EastBrngaluru #Mahadevapura #ModiinMahadevapura ,” a tweet read. “Respected @narendramodi sir, Since you are in Mahadevapura today, please visit Kasavanhalli, off Sarjapura road. You will feel pride after seeing open drain! #EastBrngaluru #Mahadevapura #ModiinMahadevapura ,” another one r

Bengaluru: The Congress has released its first list of 124 candidates for the Karnataka Assembly polls fielding Opposition leader Siddaramaiah from Varuna constituency and retaining most of the old faces. Presently, the seat in Mysuru district is being held by his son Dr. Yatindra. Siddaramaiah is also expecting a ticket from another constituency, which is likely to be announced in the second list. According to sources close to Siddaramaiah, the former chief minister might again contest from the Badami constituency. Varuna ticket has been given to Siddaramaiah to ensure victory without having to campaign for a long time in the constituency. However, BJP is contemplating fielding former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa’s son B.Y. Vijayendra from Varuna. In this scenario, the Varuna constituency will witness a fierce competition and a high voltage campaigning with Congress’s game plan of using Siddaramaiah’s services across the state likely to receive a jolt. Senior Congress leader

Bengaluru: In a thrust towards urban mobility infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a new section of Bengaluru Metro Phase 2 on Saturday. Prime Minister will visit poll-bound Karnataka Saturday. “I will be in Karnataka tomorrow, March 25. The Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research will be inaugurated in Chikkaballapur. After that, will be in Bengaluru for inaugurating the Whitefield (Kadugodi) to Krishnarajapura Metro Line of Bangalore Metro,” tweeted PM Modi. Also Read PM Modi to visit poll-bound Karnataka on March 25 In an initiative that will help students to avail new opportunities and provide accessible and affordable healthcare in this region, Prime Minister will inaugurate Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SMSIMSR) in Chikkaballapur. According to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the institute has been established by Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence at Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli,

Bengaluru: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who arrived in Karnataka on Friday, visited former Chief Minister and BJP Central Parliamentary Board Member B.S. Yediyurappa’s residence and had breakfast there. The visit is analyzed as a message to the BJP leaders who are openly expressing their reservations on high command giving prominence to Yediyurappa. Earlier, BJP National General Secretary C.T. Ravi had objected to Yediyurappa’s statement of allocating a party ticket to his son B.Y. Vijayendra. Also Read Amit Shah to attend host of events in poll-bound Karnataka on March 24 Ravi has stated that the party will not allow the kitchen cabinet to function. Yediyurappa had to take back his statement. Vijayendra had made an open statement that no one should take Yediyurappa’s silence as weakness and they will repent. “Can anyone have the strength to assure a majority in elections for the party?” Vijayendra had asked. Minister for Housing V. Somanna also had a tiff with Vijayendra

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit poll-bound Karnataka on March 25 for a day-long visit. He will inaugurate Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research at Chikkaballapur. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate Whitefield (Kadugodi) to Krishnarajapura Metro Line of Bangalore Metro. Also Read Telangana Cong MP meets PM Modi amid protests over Rahul Gandhi’s conviction The metro line will further enhance ease of mobility and reduce traffic congestion in the city, official sources said. The Prime Minister will also undertake a ride in the metro. With Assembly polls in Karnataka slated soon, the Prime Minister has visited the state several times in the past two months and inaugurated as well as laid foundation stones for many projects. Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for A

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has quashed a 2018 Enforcement Directorate order of freezing the bank accounts of Amnesty International India Private Limited. The petition filed by Amnesty International in 2018 was allowed and the notices quashed, the single-judge bench of Justice K S Hemalekha said in its February 24 order. A copy of the judgment was made available recently. In the judgment, the court said: “On perusal of the provisions of Section 132(8A) of the Act, it is evident that order under Sub-Section (3) of Section 132 of the Income Tax Act would not be in force beyond sixty days from the date of the order. In light of the provisions of Section 132(8A), the impugned notices dated 25.10.2018 have lost their efficacy by efflux of time as the period of sixty days has expired.” Also Read Karnataka HC disallows bus transport strike scheduled to start tomorrow The court, however, said all the contentions are left open to be urged before the appropriate authority in ac

Bengaluru : The Karnataka High Court has put temporary brakes on the proposed transport strike called by a state transport corporation employees union known as the ‘Sarige Nigamagala Noukarara Samana Manskara Vedike’. The strike in demand of wage revision, allowances and reinstatement of employees was to commence on March 24. A Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Ashok S Kinagi, which heard a public interest litigation (PIL) against the strike call on Thursday, opined that since there are public exams going on for students across Karnataka, any strike would put their future in jeopardy. Therefore, any strike should not be allowed during this period. Directing that no strike should be undertaken till the next date of hearing, the court adjourned the case by three weeks. Notices were ordered to be issued to the transport union in the PIL. The indefinite strike was earlier announced by the union which represents employees from the B

Bengaluru : Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be in poll-bound Karnataka on Friday to attend a host of events. According to his official tour programme, Shah will be reaching Bengaluru on Thursday at about 11 pm and will stay at a five-star hotel. On Friday, Shah is set to attend the Regional Conference with Southern States and Union Territories on Smuggling of Narcotics and National Security from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm. Shah, who also holds the cooperation portfolio, will then visit Kommaghatta village on the outskirts of Bengaluru where he will lay the foundation stone of the Sahakara Samruddhi Soudha’. He will also inaugurate various other programmes related to the ministry of cooperation. Also Read Bribe for tender scam: Karnataka BJP shifts venue of Amit Shah’s event According to BJP sources, he will visit the state once again on March 26. In between Shah’s back-to-back visit on March 24 and 26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend events in Bengaluru and

Bengaluru: Two days after resigning from the Karnataka legislative council, BJP legislator Baburao Chinchansur on Wednesday joined the Congress. Two weeks ago, another BJP legislator, Puttanna, too had resigned from the council and the party, and joined the Congress. Chinchansur, who had played a key role in the defeat of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge from Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency in 2019, returned today to the Kharge-led Congress. According to Congress state president D K Shivakumar, Chinchansur had expressed his desire to join the party on Ugadi, the new year day observed according to the Hindu calendar in Karnataka. “Today, Baburao Chinchansur who comes from Mallikarjun Kharge’s home district has joined the Congress reposing faith in Kharge’s leadership. I welcome him to the party,” Shivakumar said. Also Read Karnataka: BJP leader who played role in Kharge’s LS poll loss set to join Congress Chinchansur had been a Congress man till 2018 and served

New Delhi: Kannada actor Chetan Kumar, popularly known as Chetan Ahimsa has been sent to judicial custody for 14 days over his tweet about Hindutva. The Sheshadripuram police arrested him in Bengaluru following a complaint against him after his tweet stating that Hindutva is ‘built on lies’ went viral online. In a tweet on March 20, Kumar claimed that Hindutva is ‘built on lies’ .The complaint filed by Shivakumar of Bajrang dal against him stated that his tweet, which says that “Hindutva is built on lies”, allegedly hurt the sentiments of Hindus. Also Read Karnataka: Actor Chetan Ahimsa arrested for ‘Hindutva is built on lies’ tweet The actor, who is also a Dalit and tribal activist, was produced at a district court and was sent to judicial custody for 14 days. In his tweets, the actor also said that Hindutva can only be defeated by truth. “Hindutva is built on LIES- Savarkar: Indian ‘nation’ began when Rama defeated Ravana & returned to Ayodhya; a lie, 1992: Babri Masji

Bengaluru: The Halal versus Jhatka row surfaced again in Karnataka with Hindu activists giving a call to the community members not to consume meat prepared through Halal cut by Muslims but to instead eat meat prepared through Jhatka cut by Hindus. The call has been given on the occasion of the ‘Ugadi’ and ‘Hosa Toduku’ festivals. Meat is eaten during the celebration of festivals across Karnataka. While celebrating ‘Hosa Toduku’ entire villages, cities and towns cook non-vegetarian food and invite friends and relatives to feast on it. The call for a ban on Halal meat is perceived to affect thousands of Muslim traders. Karnataka Hindu Janjagruthi Vedike members have submitted a memorandum to the Bengaluru district magistrate demanding not to give Halal certificates to meat shops. They also demanded a ban on Halal meat and Jhatka meat for Hindus during the Ugadi festival. Ugadi will be celebrated on Wednesday and Hosa Todaku the next day. Hindu activists have carried out an awareness