Hopping on to the BJP bandwagon in a constituency where the saffron outfit has not tasted victory in 25 years, H Vishwanath exudes a quiet confidence that he will make history.

HUNSUR: Hopping on to the BJP bandwagon in a constituency where the saffron outfit has not tasted victory in 25 years, H Vishwanath exudes a quiet confidence that he will make history. On waging a triangular battle, Vishwanath says, “I will win and that will change political equations in Hunsur, which has been a bastion of the JDS.” Excerpts from the interview:

How is the campaign going? What is your reading of the electorate’s mood?
People say they are looking to BJP. The people of Hunsur know I have an agenda of making Hunsur a district, bringing a medical college and better infrastructure. This time, voters are for development and will not get carried away by opposition propaganda.

You seem to be batting on a dicey wicket this time…
I am contesting an election for the first time on a BJP ticket. I must build my profile with support of BJP workers and my followers. 

How will you overcome the loss of your traditional Vokkaliga and minority base?
I have lost the support of minorities. However, I will get considerable votes from Vokkaligas. Both Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah have lost the power to transfer votes. Many microscopic communities have already deserted Congress.

BJP lacks cadre base here. Will it harm your prospects?
Except once in 1994, BJP has not won Hunsur. BJP cadres do not have much presence in rural parts. Leaders of other communities are filling this gap. People are looking for a stable government and development under Yediyurappa’s leadership.                      

What are the factors that instil the confidence of victory in you?
The presence of Dalits, STs and backward communities are a boon. Many feel that 
my demand for a district is judicious as the government have carved out Ramanagara and Yadgir, which have only two or three taluks.

The exams will commence on  March 27, Friday and end on April 9, Thursday

The Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board (KSEEB ) released the final timetable for SSLC examination 2020 on its official website. The exams will commence on  March 27 (Friday) and end on April 9 (Thursday). 

TIME TABLE

March 27: First Language
March 30:  Science, Political Science, Karnataka/Hindustani music
April 1: Second Language
April 3: Third Language/ NSQF Exm subjects
April 4: Elements of mechanical and electrical engineering, engineering graphic, elements of electronic engineering, elements of computer science, economics
April 7: Mathematics, sociology
April 9: Social Science

Visit the KSEEB website for more details.

The police till now have arrested seven people including players and a coach in connection with the KPL match-fixing case.

BENGALURU: The sleuths of the Central Crime Branch (CCB), who are investigating the alleged match-fixing in Karnataka Premiere League (KPL) matches, have questioned an umpire in connection with the probe. BK Ravi, an umpire, was questioned by the CCB police on Friday for a few hours. Sources said that Ravi had worked as third umpire for a few matches which were allegedly fixed. Ravi’s son BR Sharath, who is Under-23 India skipper, is a player of Bengaluru Blasters KPL team and the police would also summon him as part of the probe. The police till now have arrested seven people including players and a coach in connection with the KPL match-fixing case.

The accused, during interrogation, revealed that he had tracked Sait for more than two months and had maintained a low profile.

MYSURU: Farhan Pasha, accused of attacking Narasimharaja MLA and former minister Tanveer Sait, had planned to assault the leader during Id Milad function and protests over Tipu Jayanti in front of the MUDA office, a probe has revealed. Though, Farhan had come close to Sait during Id Milad function, he could not execute his plans as the latter was with a group of photojournalists.

The accused, during interrogation, revealed that he had tracked Sait for more than two months and had maintained a low profile. He had no criminal record either. He reached Bannimantap, the marriage venue, knowing that Sait would turn up at the wedding reception and spend some time at the musical programme.
There are charges that Farhan was assigned to attack Sait on the ideological issue and his political dominance in Narasimharaja constituency represented by him and his father Azeez Sait for five decades.

Cops who are tracking the video footage and call records, frequent callers and duration of calls, have taken five persons — Akram, Abeed Pasha, Noor Khan, Mujeeb and Muzamil — into custody. They are also probing one of the accused’s role in the murder of an RSS worker. The police have concluded that the accused could not have carried out such an attack on the MLA. without training. The police also plan to seek the assistance of the central agencies.

Hindu leader on hit list?
The investigation has revealed that they had also planned an attack on Hindu leader Giridhar in Kythamaranahalli. Giridhar, who was instrumental in the construction of a temple, has been provided with a gunman after the threat was revealed by Abeed Pasha.

Sait moved to ward
Sait has been moved to the ward from ICU at Columbia Asia Hospitals. Police are keeping a  tight vigil at the hospital. They are also tracking movement of activists of various organisations and conducting surprise raids.

Health Minister B Sriramulu said the BJP is confident that Sumalatha Ambareesh, Independent MP of Mandya constituency,  will support the KR Pet candidate in the bye-elections.

MANDYA: Health Minister B Sriramulu said the BJP is confident that Sumalatha Ambareesh, Independent MP of Mandya constituency,  will support the KR Pet candidate in the bye-elections.

Addressing the media in Mandya on Tuesday, he said the party top brass have held talks with Sumalatha, and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have sought her support too, he added.  Sriramulu said, “Sumalatha is a multi-lingual actress and MP. She knows well whom to support and whom not to support.”

Exuding confidence of winning all 15 constituencies in the bye-elections, he said he will campaign for party candidate Narayan Gowda in KR Pet for two days.

BENGALURU: Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday kick-started his bypoll campaign from Hoskote by launching a scathing attack on the opposition Congress and exuding confidence of winning the elections with a big margin.

The voters will teach a befitting lesson to Sharath Bache Gowda, the CM said.

“Winning Hoskote is an issue of prestige for us,” the CM said while addressing party workers after a roadshow attended by around 10,000 people. “We are confident of winning by a margin of 25,000 votes and M T B Nagaraj will become minister in our government,” the CM said in the constituency where the BJP is facing a stiff challenge from its rebel Sharath Bache Gowda, who is contesting as an independent candidate.

If Sharath fails to withdraw from the contest, the BJP may find itself in a tough situation due to possible consolidation of Vokkaliga votes in favour of the independent candidate supported by the JDS. In 2018, Sharath, who had contested as BJP candidate, had lost to M T B Nagaraj, who had contested on a Congress ticket, by a narrow margin. The CM sounded confident of Nagaraj’s victory. “The opposition parties should note that Nagaraj will win with a big margin of 25,000 votes and he will become minister, let there be no doubt about it,” he said.

The voters will teach a befitting lesson to Sharath Bache Gowda, the CM said. Yediyurappa asked Sharath’s father and party MP BN Bache Gowda to campaign for Nagaraj or face action. The CM reiterated that Sharath would be expelled from the party and would not be taken back.

Launching a scathing attack on the opposition leaders, the CM said the Congress and the JDS leaders were responsible for the bypolls as they neglected legislators and their constituencies.  

In the next two weeks, the CM will address campaign rallies in all 15 assembly constituencies as ensuring reelection of his party candidates is crucial for his government’s stability.

The neighbourhood comprising majorly of daily wagers and artisans recount the youth as a calm and composed boy who never engaged even in a verbal duel in the area

MYSURU: Residents of the impoverished neighbourhood off HCG Road in KN Pura, Udayagiri, are still shocked how their neighbour Farhan Pasha, who is usually calm could thrust a machete on Tanveer Sait, local strongman and MLA.

The neighbourhood comprising majorly of daily wagers and artisans recount the youth as a calm and composed boy who never engaged even in a verbal duel in the area.

“Usually in our area, fights and arguments are common, but we have never seen Farhan having an argument in public. He was just like his father, mostly confined to his work. It came as a shock to us, we are still not able to believe the news,” said Shakeela, a neighbour.

According to her, Farhan’s father Maqbool, who is also a woodcarver has been staying in the locality for the past 50 years and the whole family, including Farhan had very cordial relationships with everyone in the area.

“We know him since he was young age. He is very helpful, he was very cooperative with the family and has never acted strangely before,” said Umma Kulsum, another neighbour.

Farhan is the youngest son of Maqbool-Shanu couple who has two more sons and a daughter, who are all married, and Farhan used to help his father in creating wood carving of figurines and wall panels of gods and goddesses. Their house is now locked away since the family left their house following the incident.

Opposition leader Siddaramaiah said the police are suspecting SDPI hand in the  attack on MLA Tanveer Sait. He said the accused is a worker of SDPI. Speaking to the media after calling on Tanveer Sait, he said this act is not committed by one individual and it is well-planned.  He said an SIT probe will further throw light on the organisation involved in the act and demanded the arrest of other accused and if proved they will  press for its ban. He termed it as a coward attack and condemned it. District Minister V Somanna said the government will airlift Sait if necessary to a good hospital for better treatment. He said the government will meet medical expenses and said Chief  Minister B S Yediyurappa has expressed shock over the incident.

In a video doing the rounds on social media, the man is seen stabbing Tanveer Sait and fleeing.

MYSURU: Congress MLA representing Narasimharaja constituency in Mysuru, Tanveer Sait, was attacked by an unidentified man at a private function late on Sunday night.

In a video doing the rounds on social media, the man is seen stabbing Tanveer Sait and fleeing. The NR Mohalla police said the incident occurred around 11.30 pm. The attacker was caught by the public and handed over to the police.

 Sait was admitted to hospital in a critical condition.

Ojal Nalavade, a 7th standard girl from Hubballi covered the distance of 400 mts in 51 seconds by skating blindfolded.

HUBBALLI: A 14-years old girl from Hubballi has achieved a rare fete by creating a world record here on Thursday morning.

Ojal Nalavade, a 7th standard girl from Hubballi covered the distance of 400 mts in 51 seconds by skating blindfolded.

The officials from the Gunnies Book of World Records declared that Ojal is now fastest blindfold skater in the world in 400 mts.

A certificate was given to the winner amidst cheers of well-wishers and skating enthusiasts.

The event on held near Chetana College where people has gathered as early as 5.30 am. There were a total of three attempts and third attempt was declared as the record. The officials from Gunnies Book of Records had given a timing of 60 seconds to complete the task.

Speaking with media, Ojal expressed happiness and thanks everyone for the support. “My parents, coach and family was a big support. I shall achieve more with their support in future,” she said.

Akshay Suryawanshi, skating coach of Ojal said that she was practicing early morning hours for many days. “Skating faster with blindfold is a rarity. She has achieved it with determination and hard work,” he said.

The I-T Department had filed a complaint against DK Shivakumar and others after it conducted a search in August 2017 under the provisions of Income Tax Act as well as IPC

BENGALURU: In a setback to Congress leader D K Shivakumar, the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday dismissed the criminal review petition filed him against the order of the trial court which had rejected his plea seeking him to discharge from the case registered by the Income Tax Department for allegedly evading tax.

This apart, the High Court has also dismissed the criminal review petitions of two other accused in the same case. The two other accused are N Rajendra and Anjaneya Hanumanthaiah.

Justice B A Patil observed that prima facie petitioners – accused have not made out any grounds so as to interfere with the order of the trial court. The petitions are devoid of merits and the same are liable to be dismissed. Accordingly, the petitions are dismissed, the judge said. 

All the three accused approached the high court against the trial court order dated June 25, 2019. 

The I-T Department had filed a complaint against DK Shivakumar and others after it conducted a search in August 2017 under the provisions of Income Tax Act as well as IPC.