Archives for April 2019

   Chikballapur Lok Sabha constituency bordering the districts of neighboring Andhra Pradesh is by and large typical to the scenario of the adjoining region.The district is notoriously known for its extreme climate,depleting ground water table,exploitation of natural resources and at the same time the tireless efforts of the peasant community.
Irrespective of the adverse factors all along the farmers here go out of the way to get the maximum yield with the help of the minimum water they are left with these days.The district continues to occupy the number one position along with Kolar in the production of milk,grapes,silk,leafy and other vegetables coupled by horticultural products.
Chikballapur district was carved from the erstwhile undivided Kolar district on 23 August 2007 and by and large Telugu is the language for communication at home and elsewhere although the natives are quiet fluent in Kannada as well.
Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya,the legendary visionary statesman of the Mysuru royal kingdom was born at Muddenahalli of the district.His pioneering role in the development of the erstwhile princely state continued to be remembered till date.
Thanks to his foresight,the Krishna Raj Sagar(KRS) Dam was built in spite of no adequate resources in the treasury amidst stiff opposition by Tamil Nadu.The hitherto dry terrain of Mandya district on the way to Mysuru has turned out to be a cynosure for the onlookers due to it’s lush green fields boasting of Paddy and Sugar Cane among several other cash rich crops.Muddenahalli these days also has the distinction of being the location for regional headquarters of the state owned Visvesvarayya Technological University (VTU) along with the private Sri Sathya Sai Baba University.Nandi Hills continues to be the closest hill resort of the capital city.
Devanahalli Assembly constituency comes under the jurisdiction of Bengaluru Rural district but falls under Chikballapur Lok Sabha constituency.It also happens to be the birth place of Tippu Sultan,erstwhile ruler of Mysuru kingdom and now in public controversy for a variety of reasons! Marpadi Veerappa Moily,former chief minister is the sitting MP having represented the constituency twice continuously and is trying his luck for the third time against BN Bache Gowda of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The interesting note worthy factor which demands mention here is the fact that M Veerappa Moily incidentally happens to be originally from South Canara coastal district which is literally on the other end of the state.Yet the electorate have preferred to reelect him from here.In fact during the May 2014 general elections M Veerappa Moily struggled to register a win with a slender margin of 9,520 votes against BN Bache Gowda of the BJP while the tally of NOTA votes alone was found to be 7,682.
Although BN Bache Gowda was part of the Janata Pariwar and had the privilege of being part of the HD Devegowda coterie during the hay days of Janata Party/Dal regime in the state in his initial innings of politics,he joined the saffron party after falling apart.A former labor minister belonging to the Vokkaliga community of HD Devegowda is also a strong force to reckon with in Hosakote Assembly constituency in Bengaluru Rural district,which he represented many a time.Last time his defeat was manly attributed to the last minute decision of HD Kumaraswamy to jump into the electoral fray with the sole intention of ensuring the defeat of BN Bache Gowda.
Though HD Kumaraswamy came only to file nomination papers and had a whirlwind tour of the constituency once, he bagged a whopping 3,46,339 votes!Jayaramu,a local journalist exclaims:Had HD Kumaraswamy really intended and tried he would have also easily won from here last time.However the objective of remaining in the fray was different and not winning.By contesting and not bothering to campaign was part of the strategy to enable that the Congress candidate wins and BN Bache Gowda loses.
And across the constituency just like elsewhere it’s no public secret that HD Kumaraswamy by doing a great favor to M Veerappa Moily had also guaranteed himself that he’s the biggest beneficiary monetarily!This time around since the seat has been let out to the Congress one didn’t become a political pundit to come to a conclusion that the mood of all Vokkaliga votes is in favor of the defeated candidate BN Bache Gowda.
However Munegowda,Chikaballapur district Janata Dal Secular party president opines:Our party has resolved to support the Congress candidate as per the agreement of seat sharing and our cadre will also stick to the party’s stance.
On the reports of indifference of Dr K Sudhakar Reddy,Chikballapur Congress MLA,Munegowda claimed:Yes it’s a matter of fact that the supporters of the local legislator had abstained from campaigning on the pretext that the MP didn’t come to the rescue of their MLA in getting a berth in the ministry.But now they have agreed to work for the party candidate.When persisted about the possibilities of the swing of Vokkaliga votes to BN Bache Gowda,he insisted:There are reports about pro Prime Minister Narendra Modi wave among the youths of villages and the one+ lakh new voters.But what has the BJP government to the district in the last five years?He also had a dig at the BJP candidate:Where was this gentleman all these five years and who stalled him from bringing in new projects to the constituency.People are no fools to be carried away by the so called sympathy factor.
But when it was pointed out about the Congress MP’s failure in implementation of the Yettinahole lift irrigation project Munegowda clarified:There could have been a delay but anyway it’s on the way and mega projects like these are bound to be delayed for many a reason.The preference of the district people also looks quite amazing when it comes to voting to the state Assembly and Parliament.If the Bharatiya Janata Party hardly matters for the Assembly polls and has to remain contented by garnering a few thousand votes it’s altogether a paradoxical picture for the Parliament.
To add to the woes of the INC candidate Dr CR Dwarakanath,journalist turned lawyer cum social activist is contesting on the ticket of Bahujan Samaj Party(BSP). The backward district deprived of any industries worth mentioning has a huge chunk of SC/ST and Backward community votes.
As if BSP candidate alone wasn’t enough S Varalakshmi is the CPI(M) candidate.Bagepalli had CPI(M) MLAs’ a few decades before and is now a Congress bastion.However last time the party candidate had bagged 26,071 votes.
M Veerappa Moily is also accused of antagonizing the Balija community which also has a significant presence in the constituency.His own claims:If Vokkaligas prefer to vote the BJP and the saffron party manages to get 22 seats the very next day HD Kumaraswamy government will be toppled!So whichever way you would like to look at it turns out to be in favor of BN Bache Gowda.In fact he himself was reluctant to contest this time as he had exclaimed:I am tired of losing elections one after one and that too for five times.
However he had to yield to the party pressure.His son also lost from Hosakote,home turf during the May 2018 Assembly elections.So in that way it’s double sympathy for the family.If the political observers are to be believed BN Bache Gowda making it to the victory isn’t the topic right now.It’s the margin which is making rounds?

Manohar Yadavatti

Congress president Rahul Gandhi released the election manifesto on Tuesday for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, which has promised 34 lakh jobs, farmer welfare among many others.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a public meeting in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh. (Photo: Twitter | @BJP4India)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday while addressing a rally in Pasighat in Arunachal said that the Congress which ruled for the better part of the seven decades since Independence, never bothered about the Northeast and hence the state lacked connectivity and development.

In a stinging attack on the Congress manifesto, PM Modi said: “their manifesto just like the party, is corrupt and full of hypocrisy and lies”.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi released the election manifesto on Tuesday for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Launching the 53-page Congress manifesto, Gandhi said it was “completely truthful and reflected the wishes of the people of India”.

The manifesto has promised 34 lakh jobs, farmer welfare among many others.

Addressing the crowd at the General Ground in the east Arunachal Pradesh district, PM Modi said the last time he was here only a handful could hear him as none could reach the venue.

He further said it was with the support of the people of Arunachal Pradesh that the BJP has been able to develop roads, national highways, railways and improve air connectivity of the state with the rest of the nation.

“Now this is a stadium where you have come in thousands. We have brought you roads, national highways, railways, connecting you to the rest of India and it’s all because you believed in me. The Congress just came to power to serve themselves that’s why they never bothered. But my government has fulfilled what we promised you just five years back,” he said.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley came down heavily on the Congress manifesto earlier on Tuesday stating that it was apparently drafted by the “tukde tukde gang”.

Slamming the grand old party and its chief, Rahul Gandhi, the BJP leader said that the manifesto will “divide India”.

PM Modi had on Saturday asked the people of Arunachal Pradesh to vote for a ‘chowkidar’ who would provide security to the country even as he attacked Opposition parties, claiming they were “disheartened” by India’s growth and success.

Targeting the Congress, he had said the grand old party is “synonymous with corruption” and has the habit of taking people of this country for a ride”

Agencies

By : Rizwan Asad

 Rizwan Arshad, who has been chosen as the Congress candidate for Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency, is confident of emerging victorious in the forthcoming elections. Pitted against stiff competition with the likes of two-time MP PC Mohan of the BJP and new entrant actor turned politician Prakash Raj, Rizwan Arshad’s confidence stems from the fact that he has youth on his side and his learnings from his previous rendezvous with elections from the same constituency. With around 21 lakh voters poised to cast their vote in Bangalore Central constituency, the youth in the constituency is set to double this year. Rizwan is counting on his connect with this section of voters, given that he will be able to make a connect with them. The fact that he is the President of the Youth Congress only works towards his advantage. One of the strategies of the Congress Party is to lay impetus on youth and  Rizwan Arshad is seen as a young leader, who will appeal to a large number of  first time voters and youth in general. The other advantage working Rizwan’s way is that he is an educated leader who has a very good relationship across communities.

Rizwan has the backing of several senior leaders in the Congress including four out of five MLAs and twenty six out of thirty corporators of the Bangalore Central Constituency. A lot of his local backing is coming from the development works that Arshad has carried out in the constituencies representing Bangalore Central.  Developmental works include road laying, sewage pipes laying, new bus routes to ease public transportation woes etc. Voters are looking to their MP to get support in terms of employment opportunities, healthcare centers, drinking water supply, roads, public transport, street lighting and easing traffic congestion. Among his priorities, Rizwan is keen to address these issues if voted to power. Often in the past, funds that have been allocated by the Centre for development work in the constituency has been returned without being utilized. His aim is to fully utlilse Central funds for the constituency that has been allocated for development for the betterment of the constituency and the social and economic upliftment of the people.
Rizwan Arshad remains unfazed with his rivals. According to him, Prakash Raj is a first time candidate with limited appeal focused mainly at his fans. P C Mohan of the BJP has won the seat for the past two elections, but has failed to create a direct connect with the people of the constituency. There has also been a feel in a section of BJP supporters that there needs to be an alternate to PC Mohan. Locals have been reeling under various issues including lack of safety for women, public toilets, parking, street lights, drinking water, recurring street fights, waste management etc.
Bangalore Central was won by the BJP in 2009 and since then the Congress has not been able to set a foothold there, despite having a stronghold in five of the eight Assembly constituencies. There are surveys that indicate that Bangalore Central will be a keenly contested seat and there is a general consensus among the public about the need for change. Victory for the Congress Party would however still depend on how Rizwan Arshad goes NB about his election campaigning with interactions with members of the constituency that will create a sense of proximity and confidence in voters.

https://youtu.be/Ho9jPr9Hu9k

The response is very good and people also have sympathy for me as I lost the elections last time, but continued to work in the constituency. On the contrary, people have a feeling that the current MP is not seen in the constituency and they are disappointed with him.

I am assuring people that I will be their voice in the Parliament and other forums and take up issues that matter to them.

Both congress ans JDS working together and votes will be transfer to me my campaign is about developement of bangalore and issues concerned about people of bangalore

The Lok Sabha election from  the Bengaluru (Central) constituency has become a lot more interesting this time with Mr Rizwan Arshad taking on sitting MP P C Mohan from BJP but also actor, Prakash Raj, who is contesting as an independent.

Besides, there is a large Tamil-speaking population in Shanthinagar, Shivajinagar, Gandhinagar, and Sarvagnanagar, and a good number of techies employed in IT firms in C V Raman Nagar and Mahadevapura. Muslim and Christian voters too play a vital role in the constituency.

While there are about 21.4 lakh voters in Bengaluru (Central), Mr Mohan was elected the last poll with 5.5 lakh votes, defeating Mr Arshad, who got 4.19 lakh votes. The JD(S) candidate came a distant third with 20,000 votes.

However, the pattern changed in the 2018 Assembly elections when the Congress and JD(S) received 6.6 lakh votes and the BJP managed only 4.6 lakh.

While there are 22 candidates in the fray in the constituency, Mr Rizwan rivals are Mr P C Mohan of BJP, and Mr Pakash Raj Independent, who is trying his luck in electoral politics for the first time.

With secular vote not getting diveded and triangular contest Rizwan certainly holds clear edge

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has sought a response from the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry over the 24-hour channel ‘NaMo TV’, based on the complaints filed by the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party.

The letter, written by the EC to the I&B secretary, has been received by the ministry and is being examined, sources cited by The Economic Times said.

The poll body has also written to autonomous public service broadcaster Doordarshan over the hour-long broadcast of PM Modi’s ‘Main Bhi Chowkidaar’ event on 31 March, after a complaint by the Congress to the EC, the daily further reported on Wednesday, 3 April.

Launched on 31 March, NaMo TV is devoted to the coverage of PM Modi’s speeches and rallies, with both the BJP and Modi having promoted it on social media, though there’s no clarity on who owns the channel.

In a letter to the EC written on Monday, the Aam Aadmi Party had asked the poll body if permission was sought by the BJP before the launch of the channel.

The party also said the Supreme Court in its various judgments, held that there has to be a “level playing field” for all political parties. “The Commission is entrusted with the duty to maintain the same among all the parties.”

Agencies

The she-says-maybe-he-says-nay syndrome may hinder the BJP from winning Muslim votes in the western Uttar Pradesh belt that goes to the polls in the first phase on April 11.

MUZAFFARNAGAR/MEERUT: The issue of triple talaq is trapped in the gender binary that divides conservative Muslim society across western Uttar Pradesh, with many women giving the government a thumb’s up for its efforts to criminalise the practice but shying away from voting for the BJP because of loyalty to their husbands.

The she-says-maybe-he-says-nay syndrome may hinder the BJP from winning Muslim votes in the western Uttar Pradesh belt that goes to the polls in the first phase on April 11 as most men in the community say they don’t want the government to interfere in their religion.

Kaisar Jahan, a homemaker in Muzaffarnagar, typifies the dilemma of a woman caught between self-assertion and tradition that dictates she bows down to her husband.

“Triple talaq is an atrocity which should definitely be criminalised. I like BJP for thinking about us,” said the mother of a six-year-old boy.

She quickly added that she will not vote for the BJP as her husband does not want it to win.

“I will vote where my husband wants me to. He does not want BJP, so I will not vote for it,” Kaisar told PTI while standing outside a shop.

“Don’t interfere in our religion. Keep politics out of it,” snapped her husband Aslam who came and took her away.

The pattern was visible in Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut and Baghpat, which votes in phase one along with Saharanpur, Bijnor, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.

Rabia, 35, resident of Kairana, said, “Triple talaq is a wrong practice but we are not for the BJP. We will vote for anyone fielded by Akhilesh ji (SP chief Akhilesh Yadav) as my husband says.”

About 35 per cent of the more than 1.5 crore voting in round one are Muslims, said J P S Rathore, vice president of the Uttar Pradesh unit of the BJP.

Most Muslim women in the region hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing triple talaq under the spotlight, saying it was a step towards empowering Muslim women.

Triple talaq, also known as ‘talaq-e-biddat’, is the practice of instant divorce in which a Muslim man can legally divorce his wife by pronouncing ‘talaq’ three times in one go.

“My husband divorced me and married another woman. I had no choice but to accept the decision. I live with my four-year-old son now. Triple talaq is a heinous practice. Don’t we Muslim women have rights?” asked Farzana, a resident of Muzaffarnagar.

Her outrage found an echo in the small town of Kairana nearby.

Saba was divorced by her husband through triple talaq and is now living with her maternal family.

“My husband divorced me within two years of our marriage. I was just 18. We do not have any rights. I am illiterate maybe that’s why I could not fight. Luckily I did not have a child to look after. Triple talaq is a crime and men should not be allowed to do it,” said an anguished Saba.

While most of the women supported criminalising triple talaq, there were also women who felt their “Allah” would take care of everything and the government was trying to get in the way.

Like 23-year-old Faiza, a resident of Baghpat who got married a year ago, and feels triple talaq is a “personal matter” which no political party should interfere in.

In a landmark verdict, the apex court in August 2017 set aside the 1,400-year-old practice on several grounds, including that it was against the basic tenets of the Quran and violated the Shariat.

The government issued a triple talaq ordinance in September 2018, making the practice a penal offence for Muslim men.

Most Muslim men blame the BJP for polarisation of society and for interfering in Islam.

If at all the government wants to do anything for Muslims, it should be to not incite violence, said many of the men.

According to Faisal Khan, who runs a cigarette shop in Meerut, the Modi government made a “calculated political move” to win Muslim votes but it would not turn out that way.

“Triple talaq is in our Islam. Who are they to interfere? We can take care of our women and don’t need the government for it. We will not let BJP win again,” Khan said.

Mohammad Aamir Arshad, 30, a truck driver with a transport company in Kairana, agreed with him.

“All these years, the BJP polarised Hindus and Muslims. Now they are trying to divide men and women in Islam. They are showing that it is a very positive step but in fact it’s only an interference in our religion,” Arshad said.

Standing with him were five other Muslim men who voiced the same opinion.

In Baghpat, a Muslim doctor added that religion is a private affair and the government has no role to play in it.

“There are bigger issues to look at. Why are they getting into our personal issues. Our women are our responsibility. We will see what has to be done,” said Asad, a general physician.

In 2014, all eight seats went to the BJP.

There was a bypoll held in Kairana subsequently that went to the RLD.

PTI

Bengaluru, Apr 3 : BJP’s National President Amit Shah had drawn a huge crowd during his road show in the Banashankari in the Bengaluru.

The BJP president, who had arrived more than two hours late to attend the road show on Tuesday, was taken in an open jeep for over two kilometers and the party workers greeted him with cheerfulness all along the two sides of the road.

State party president B S Yeddyurappa, and the newly appointed Vice president of the state unit, Tejasvini Ananthkumar, party candidate, Tejasvi Surya, former Deputy Chief minister R Ashok and others were also accompanied the national president.

The BJP president however did not addressed the party workers, as he arrived late to the road show.

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 3 : In the backdrop of repeated instances of Maoist presence, security has been tightened in Wayanad where Congress President Rahul Gandhi is contesting the April 23 Lok Sabha election.

Rahul Gandhi will file his nominations papers from Wayanad on Thursday after a roadshow along with his sister Priyanka Vadra, who is also the AICC general secretary incharge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, sources said.

Due to health reasons, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will not be able to come to Wayanad to accompany Mr Gandhi during the filing of nomination papers.

Special Protection Group (SPG) camping in the constituency began search operations in sensitive areas following the arrival of Mr Gandhi, who enjoys the highest security cover in the country.

Mr Gandhi is expected to reach Kozhikode on Wednesday evening after attending election programmes in the North-Eastern state.

Senior Congress leader AK Antony, AICC general secretaries Oommen Chandy, KC Venugopal, Mukul Wasnik, IUML leader Kunhalikutty, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran will accompany Mr Rahul who will participate in a series of party meetings during his visit to Kozhikode and Wayanad.

Out of the 10 companies of Central Paramilitary forces allotted to Kerala, one company of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel had already been deployed in Wayanad which recently witnessed an encounter with Maoists in Vythiri.

Meanwhile, Kerala Police has demanded 149 companies of paramilitary forces for the Lok Sabha election in the State.

Out of the 30 Maoists sighting reported from Wayanad, Kannur, Malappuram, Kozhikode rural and Palakkad during December-February period, eight were reported from Wayanad alone, sources added.

Agencies