Bengaluru: BJP national General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka Arun Singh on Friday warned of action against violation of party discipline as rumblings within played out in the open during his three day visit to the state, amid speculation about replacing Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.

Though Singh, who had earlier ruled out leadership change, did not make any direct comments on the issue, he is said to have made it clear at the Karnataka BJP core committee meeting that Yediyurappa will continue as the Chief Minister.

In a gesture signifying that things are in his favour, Yediyurappa, who did not make any comments on what transpired at the meeting on the leadership issue, flashed the victory sign as he departed from the state BJP office.

“The leadership issue was not discussed… Yediyurappa is our leader, there is no change in that. Our in-charge Arun Singh has asked me to make it clear,” Revenue Minister and core committee member R Ashoka told reporters, briefing them about the meeting.

There was no question of replacing Yediyurappa, he said.

“The government will function under his (Yediyurappa) leadership. This is the clear stand,” he said, adding that it has been decided to take strict action against those making open statements on the issue.

Yediyurappa earlier in the day had downplayed the dissidence against him as he ruled out any political crisis in the state.

“There is no political crisis at all…what is happening is just because one or two people are saying something in the media, it is creating misunderstanding…these one or two people speaking against me is not new, they have been doing it since the beginning and it is getting highlighted,” he said, pointing out that Singh did not even meet those involved in such activities.

“There is no confusion or crisis, we are all together and united, and are focusing on the development work.

None of my cabinet colleagues are disturbed by any of these things…we will try and talk to those who are involved in such activities, and try to resolve things,” he said.

Speculations have been rife for some time now that a section of the ruling BJP is trying to push for unseating Yediyurappa, despite Singh, party state President Nalin Kumar Kateel and other senior leaders ruling out replacing the Chief Minister and asserting that the 78 year-old Lingayat strong man will continue in the top post.

This is mainly because of repeated open statements by some disgruntled legislators against the functioning of the government and its leadership, party sources said.

Aimed at putting an end to activities by some legislators that are causing embarrassment to the BJP and the government, the party is likely to take action against a few of them soon.

“Everyone should work together for the party… there are only two-three people (legislators) who are causing damage to the party and have hurt workers…definitely action will be taken against them at the right time…

we will try to talk to them first and make them understand, action will also be taken if necessary,” Singh said.

He said BJP is the world’s largest party and has a goverment in the state. Everyone has to follow discipline, he said, as he evaded questions on the leadership issue.

Despite being warned not to make open statements, disgruntled BJP MLC A H Vishwanath today once again demanded Yediyurappas ouster and levelled allegations of corruption and interference in the administration against his younger son and party vice-president, B Y Vijayendra.

“The government has approved the Upper Bhadra Project worth over Rs 21,000 crore.Is there money with the government? This is being done just for kickbacks,” he alleged.

Not willing to comment on Vishwanath’s statements, Yediyurappa said the high command would decide on what action should be taken against him.

On the charge against his son and kickbacks in an irrigation project, the CM they were all baseless allegations, were being unnecessarily made and done for political reasons.

To add to this, charges of phone-tapping and conspiracy to fix him by Hubli-Dharwad West MLA Arvind Bellad,who is said to be from the faction seeking Yediyurappa’s replacement, had caused further embarrassment to the party and the government.

However, Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and Tourism Minister C P Yogeshwar, who are also from the disgruntled group and had openly spoken against the government and Yediyurappa in the past, had maintained a low key during Singh’s visit.

These allegations against the government and its leadership had also resulted in a slug fest between the camps in favour of Yediyurappa and those seeking his replacement, even as Singh held a series of meetings with party leaders.

Singh had held meetings with Ministers and met 40-odd legislators individually from factions in favour of Yediyurappa, those against him and those seemingly neutral.

According to some BJP sources, he is likely to submit a report to the party’s national leadership.

A few legislators believe the party may go in for a cabinet shuffle, as many of them have complained about a lack of social and regional balance in the Yediyurappa ministry.

Briefing reporters about the decisions of the core committee meeting, Ashoka said it was decided to improve the image of the government and the party in the state and have a proper coordination between the two.

He said the party would hold its state executive on June 26 in Bengaluru, organise district executives from July 1 to 15 and mandal executive meetings from July 16 to 31.

Bengaluru: Former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday hit out at the ruling BJP for not taking up the issue of Mekedatu reservoir project due to internal squabbling in the party.

In a series of tweets, he said the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin recently initiated steps to block the project that is detrimental to the interests of Karnataka.

“The measure of the Tamil Nadu government with respect to Mekedatu reservoir as well as Cauvery river is detrimental to the interests of Karnataka,” the JD (S) leader said.

“Unfortunately, the BJP government in the State, which is supposed to look into such issues, has been debilitated by internal squabbling,” he tweeted.

According to Kumaraswamy, Stalin had recently appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to give permission to Karnataka to go ahead with the construction of Mekedatu reservoir.

“Such an important project is gripped by uncertainty though the BJP is in power both at the State and the Centre.

This has proved wrong the BJPs promise of creating a heaven by using the advantage of being in power at both the State and the Centre,” Kumaraswamy said.

He appealed to Tamil Nadu government to allow the Mekedatu reservoir project saying that it would not harm the interests of Tamil Nadu.

“The Mekedatu project is not for irrigation, but taking care of only drinking water requirements. Stalin should realise this and co-operate with Karnataka with respect to the construction of reservoir,” Kumaraswamy said.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday ruled out any political crisis, even as the rumblings within the ruling BJP have come out in the open during the visit of its national General Secretary in-charge of the State Arun Singh, amid speculations in some quarters about his replacement.

The Chief Minister said that the BJP high command will decide on action against party MLC A H Vishwanath for his recent “open statements,” as he rubbished as “baseless” his allegations against his younger son and party vice-president B Y Vijayendra of interference in administration and “kickbacks” in an irrigation project.

“There is no political crisis at all…what is happening is just because one or two people (legislators) are saying something in the media, it is creating misunderstanding…these one or two people speaking against me is not new, they have been doing it since the beginning and it is getting highlighted,” Yediyurappa said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, about 60 legislators have met national General Secretary Arun Singh on Thursday, but these one or two people who are making statements were not even allowed to meet him.

“There is no confusion or crisis, we are all together and united, and are focusing on the development work. None of my cabinet colleagues are disturbed by any of these things…

we will try and talk to one or two people who are involved in such activities, and try to resolve things,” he added.

Speculations have been rife for some time now that a section of the ruling BJP is trying to push for unseating Yediyurappa, despite Singh ruling out replacing the Chief Minister and asserting that the 78-year old Lingayat strong man will continue in the top post.

MLA from Hubli-Dharwad West Arvind Bellad and Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal who are said to be from the faction seeking Yediyurappa’s replacement did not meet Singh on Thursday.

However, Tourism Minister C P Yogeshwar, who is also reportedly disgruntled, held discussions with him.

Not willing to comment on Vishwanath’s statements, Yediyurappa said, the high command will decide on what action should be taken against him.

Regarding his allegation against his son and kickbacks in an irrigation project, the CM said, “these are all baseless allegations and the Irrigation Department Secretary will clarify everything…unnecessarily such allegations are being made, there is no basis for it. It is being done for political reasons.”

Vishwanath has openly demanded Yediyurappa’s ouster, and levelled allegations of corruption and interference in administration against Vijayendra.

This has resulted in a slugfest, as it elicited sharp reactions from the faction supporting the CM, especially his political secretaries M P Renukacharya and S R Vishwanath.

To add to this, allegations of phone-tapping and conspiracy to fix him by Bellad, had caused further embarrassment to the party and the government.

Amid speculations about replacing him, Yediyurappa had earlier said that he will continue in the top post as long as the BJP high command has confidence in him, but had subsequently asserted that there was no confusion on the issue of leadership and that he will work for the development of the state during the remaining two years of the term.

ByRushda Fathima Khan

The National Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) on 16 June issued orders against two Kannada news channels – News18 Kannada and Suvarna News, and one English news channel- Times Now over ‘inciting hatred’ through their coverage of the pandemic by falsely targeting and vilifying members of Tablighi Jamaat as well as the entire Muslim community.

News18 Kannada has been imposed a fine of Rs One lakh and ordered to air an apology in both text and voice-over on June 23, 2021, prior to the 9 pm news. Suvarna News has been imposed a fine of Rs 50,000.

Both channels have been ordered to immediately remove the ‘hateful’ broadcasts from their channel’s websites, Youtube and other platforms within 7 days.

The authority acted based on the complaints filed by the Campaign Against Hate Speech (CAHS) in 2020. 

“The programmes were prejudicial, inflammatory, and crossed all boundaries of good taste and sensibility without any concern for the feelings of a religious group,” NBSA noted in its order. 

It added that they were based “on pure conjecture” and that “the tone, tenor and language was crass, prejudiced and disrespectful”. 

Agreeing with CAHS’ observations that hate speech dehumanises entire communities and makes them targets of vigilante violence, NBSA said the programmes “promoted and spread hatred which may have affected people’s lives”

“The titles of the programmes has an insidious effect which would incite communal violence,” NBSA said, referring to programmes aired by Suvarna News.

The authority rejected the defense taken by the broadcasters to the right to free speech and the role of the media and stated that the “right to free speech came with reasonable restrictions”. 

NBSA has also issued a censure to Times Now “for telecasting…a programme on a sensitive issue which could create communal dissensions amongst communities” and the broadcaster has been advised to “to avoid those persons to be panellists who are known in the public domain to have rabid and extreme views”. 

The fines are in view of the channels’ violation of the Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards, and Principles of Self Regulation relating to impartiality and objectivity. The programmes lacked verification and were also in violation of the Guidelines relating to Racial and Religious Harmony.

CAHS was formed in February 2020 and has been tracking hateful media coverage, particularly targeted at minority communities. It has approached various media regulatory bodies such as the NBSA and Press Council of India with complaints against media publications and channels for the latter’s violation of media-related laws and guidelines.

CAHS had filed a complaint against News18 Kannada over two shows aired on 1 April 2020 titled “Do you know how is Delhi’s Nizamuddin Markaz which has spread coronavirus to the nation” and “How many have gone to Delhi’s Jamaat congregation from Karnataka”.

They also filed a complaint against seven shows aired between 31 March 2020 and 4 April 2020 on Suvarna News.

They had filed a complaint against Times Nows’ program titled “Is Tablighi Jamaat wilfully sabotaging India” aired on 2 April 2020 before the District Level Monitoring Committee and PIB Fact Check Unit, which forwarded it to the NBSA.

“These orders by the NBSA are extremely heartening and can instill faith among the general public as well as campaigns such as ours that self-regulatory media mechanisms can function to hold media organizations accountable,” a statement by CAHS stated.

BENGALURU: The State Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19, which seemed cautious earlier, at a recent meeting recommended that the State could reopen some economic activities like malls, dine-in restaurants, marriage halls, shopping complexes, shopping lanes and closed markets in unlock phase-2, starting from June 21, sources said.But the number of people at these places will be limited, the sources added. 

But Dr CN Manjunath, Director, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, said, “If we do not follow Covid-appropriate behaviour we will be back to square one. Opening of closed markets, malls and shopping complexes should still be thought about. It can be allowed only if cases continue to drop in Bengaluru.”

Meanwhile, the Technical Advisory Commitee (TAC) on Covid-19 pandemic has recommended that night curfew should be continued till June-end and public rallies, dharnas, fairs and festivals should be banned for the rest of the year.While the second phase of unlocking will start from June 21, the third phase is expected to begin from July 5. Also, the number of people allowed in some of the restricted places will be relaxed depending on the situation.

Gyms and yoga centres, places of worship, cinema halls, sports clubs, clubhouses and public washrooms will have to wait till Unlock Phase-3.The committee has also recommended that the lifting of night curfew and opening of schools and colleges should be decided separately.

BELAGAVI: Priyanka and Rahul are set to join the hurly-burly of Karnataka politics. Not the Gandhis, mind you, and not as leaders but as grassroots Congress workers. These siblings are also from a politically influential family.KPCC working president Satish Jarkiholi’s children Rahul and Priyanka were on Thursday introduced to Congress workers in the Belagavi Congress office.

While Jarkiholi said they would be involved in strengthening the party, it appears to be a tactical move to launch the next-gen into the family business, especially with elections in another two years. The Jarkiholi family already has three heavyweight MLAs — two in the BJP and one in the Congress. Giving advice to his kids, besides other youth leaders of the party who aspire to become future MLAs, Satish said, “Before dreaming big in politics, young leaders must involve themselves in social service and travel widely to understand the people’s problems. Young politicians should struggle to respond to the problems of the poor, downtrodden and weaker sections of society. They should be recognised by their work before they enter big-time politics.’’ 

In an attempt to brush off the dynast tag that is bound to stick to his children, Jarkiholi assured the people that the siblings would work hard and shoulder responsibilities sincerely in the larger interest of society. Rahul, who has been travelling with his father for several political and social activities for the past two years, said he is trying to understand politics, and is keen to promote rural talent. 

He is working on several projects to help talented youngsters from rural areas in sports and cultural activities. Priyanka, who holds up her father as her role model, recalls his many services as politician and leader for 30 years. Expressing her desire to work for people’s welfare in Belagavi region, Priyanka said she is yet to learn a lot. 

BENGALURU: If the intended purpose of BJP general secretary Arun Singh’s visit to Karnataka was to iron out the differences in the state unit, Thursday was a free for all. The simmering dissatisfaction against Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and his government among sections of BJP leaders burst out with legislators making allegations of corruption and nepotism publicly as well as behind closed doors.

Barely hours after Karnataka in-charge Arun Singh urged leaders to refrain from making public statements, MLC H Vishwanath, MLAs Arvind Bellad, S R Vishwanath and M P Renukacharya defied the diktat.

“No minister is happy with the B S Yediyurappa government because of his family’s interference. His son interferes too much in every department, be it tenders in the Irrigation Department or sale of land to a steel company,” said H Vishwanath about his interaction with Arun Singh.He was one of the 17 MLAs who quit the Congress-JDS coalition government in 2019 to join the BJP, but has been miffed over being denied a cabinet berth.

Even as his statement came as much embarrassment, Arun Singh brushed it aside. “Vishwanath is new to the party. He doesn’t know our party culture,” Singh told the media while responding to the allegations.Vishwanath’s allegations were countered by M P Renukacharya and S R Vishwanath, both political secretaries to the CM, who minced no words.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who cancelled all his official work for the day, met with MLAs and ministers at his official residence in the run-up to their interaction with Arun Singh. More than 15 MLAs, chiefs of boards and corporations including Rajesh Gowda, Jyoti Ganesh, Rajugouda, Renukacharya, etc, were present. 

At a private hotel in the city, another set of BJP leaders — most of them with a long list of complaints against Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa — also held meetings.During their individual interactions with Arun Singh at the State BJP headquarters, the party seemed to be clearly divided into three groups — one batting for Yediyurappa’s continuation as chief minister, another lobbying for leadership change and a third that came with a bunch of complaints against the government, but were agreeable to anything that the high command decided.

“There was no discussion on leadership change,” Arun Singh reiterated on Thursday. More than two dozen party MLAs, ministers, party leaders met Arun Singh and all their concerns were noted down. But, going by legislators’ own admission, arguments for and against Yediyurappa were made behind closed doors.“The BJP’s parliamentary committee decides who becomes Chief Minister. It is not a matter to be discussed on the streets lightly,” party national general secretary C T Ravi told the media outside the BJP headquarters.

“Any general secretary’s job is to make note of what leaders have to say and convey it to the central leaders. No decision will be taken at his level. People needed a platform to vent out and the party has given them one. An outburst by leaders like Arvind Bellad was not anticipated,” said a senior party functionary.

Bellad says phone being tapped
Dharwad West BJP MLA Arvind Bellad, has alleged that his phone was being tapped and attempts were being made to fix him in a controversy. “Unknown hands are trying to target me. I have written to Speaker Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri that my phone is being tapped, my movements are being tracked and I have requested protection. I have also written to Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai,” Bellad told the media. Bellad’s name has been doing the rounds as a replacement to Yediyurappa in case of a change in leadership.

Parmesh jain

Officials of the Criminal Investigation Department probing the impersonation case of police constables recruitment exams conducted last year found that the racket was being operated from two coaching centres from Gokak and Belagavi to help 21 candidates who had enrolled into the centre to clear exams through illegal means.

While the CID sleuths arrested four faculties from two coaching centres,the kingpin identified as Basavaraj Dundanahatti is on the run.

We have some clues on the accused and he will be arrested soon, Sara Fathima, AHTU (Anti Human trafficking Unit) Superintendent of Police,CID, heading the investigation,told media persons.

The CID officials have arrested four faculties of Ekalavya and Darideepa coaching centres managed by Bheemmappa Mahadeva Hulloli aka Bheemshi,Lakshmana uddappa Bandi,Laxman Muthappa Parannavar,Mallikarjun Yamunappa Babalannavar from Ekalavya coaching center and Darideepa coaching center in Gokak,Belagavi.

The accused were arrested for conspiracy in impersonation of candidates in the above-mentioned various police constable’s written and Physical (ET)examinations in return of receiving money ranging from Rs 3 to 5 lakh from each candidate.

The accused Bhimappa,a diploma graduate and pursuing BA,also worked part time at the coaching centre to teach mental ability.

Bhimappa also applied and attended the exam and also appeared as an impersonator to earn some money,the investigations revealed.

According to the CID officials the examinations were conducted for posts of Civil Police Constable for Civil and Reserve Forces across the state between September to November last year.

It is found that in these examinations some persons impersonated the original candidates and attended the examination.

Among the impersonators,the CID officials arrested five police constables who were caught red handed while writing exams on behalf of the candidates.

The accused constables have been dismissed from services pending criminal cases against them.

As many as 21 cases were registered in various Police Stations across the state including 11 cases in Bengaluru city,5 cases in Belagavi and each case in Ballari,Chitradurga,Yadagiri, Shivamogga and Hubli-Dharwad.

So far 61 accused persons were arrested and from them Rs.1 54,500 in cash,two cars,one computer hard disk,two pen-drives and 8 mobile phones were seized.

The modus-operandi in this cases is applicants original Aadhaar card was morphed with the photo of the impersonator and attended the examination

The CID officials also found the role of Veeresh Digital studio and other cyber centers in Gokak, and also other cyber centers in different districts and legal action would be initiated against them.

All the 21 candidates who are involved in the above malpractice are debarred and measures taken to ensure that they cannot write any future examinations.

As part of foolproof measures steps are being taken to match the photo identity of candidates from time of applying for the examination till they get the final orders along with the fingerprint to prevent any such malpractices in future recruitment process says a official release by CID.

Finally DGP,CID,PS Sandhu,ADGP CID,Umesh Kumar appreciated,SP,Saraha Fathima and her whole team who has done a painstaking investigation in nabbing the impersonators for the exemplary and commendable job done by them a suitable reward will be given to the team he added.

BENGALURU: Noting that the extension of time for completion of investigation on the application filed by prosecution, without notifying it to the accused, would frustrate their indefeasible right for statutory bail, the Karnataka High Court set aside the order passed by the trial court to extend the period of investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the DJ Halli and KG Halli riots case, terming it the same as being ‘bad in law’.The HC also allowed applications filed by 115 accused seeking ‘default bail’, subject to conditions.

It noted that the application filed by the prosecution seeking more time for investigation was not notified either to the accused or to their advocates, a day after their custody was extended. Even the requirement of law laid down by the Supreme Court in the case of Sanjay Dutt has not been complied with. However, the application filed by the prosecution was allowed on the very same day, while the accused were not made aware that such an application was filed and considered, the court added.

Justice S Vishwanath Shetty passed the order, while allowing a batch of petitions filed by Muzammil Pasha and others. The accused were booked under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, IPC and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. They were arrested by on August 12, 2020.Apart from challenging the order passed by the trial court on November 3, 2020 on the application filed by the NIA, the accused have also questioned the order dated January 5, 2021, passed by that court rejecting their plea seeking default bail.

Since NIA could not complete the investigation within the stipulated 90 days, it sought an extension by another 90 days, which was granted.With the expiry of the period, the accused had filed the application before the trial court, praying for grant of statutory bail for the default of the prosecution.

BENGALURU: The State Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19, which seemed cautious earlier, at a recent meeting recommended that the State could reopen some economic activities like malls, dine-in restaurants, marriage halls, shopping complexes, shopping lanes and closed markets in unlock phase-2, starting from June 21, sources said.But the number of people at these places will be limited, the sources added. 

But Dr CN Manjunath, Director, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, said, “If we do not follow Covid-appropriate behaviour we will be back to square one. Opening of closed markets, malls and shopping complexes should still be thought about. It can be allowed only if cases continue to drop in Bengaluru.”

Meanwhile, the Technical Advisory Commitee (TAC) on Covid-19 pandemic has recommended that night curfew should be continued till June-end and public rallies, dharnas, fairs and festivals should be banned for the rest of the year.While the second phase of unlocking will start from June 21, the third phase is expected to begin from July 5. Also, the number of people allowed in some of the restricted places will be relaxed depending on the situation.

Gyms and yoga centres, places of worship, cinema halls, sports clubs, clubhouses and public washrooms will have to wait till Unlock Phase-3.The committee has also recommended that the lifting of night curfew and opening of schools and colleges should be decided separately.