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Voting underway in Karnataka civic polls

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Moderate polling is underway since for the election to 102 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across Karnataka, a poll official said on Friday.

Polling started at 7 a.m. amid tight security, the official added.

About 40,000 security personnel have been deployed in cities and towns to maintain law and order across the state where voting will continue till 5 p.m.

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are being used in the poll.

Voting is being held in 2,529 wards spread over 29 city municipalities, 53 town municipalities and 23 town panchayats and in 135 wards of the three city corporations.

In all, 8,340 candidates, including 2,306 from the Congress, 2,203 from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and 1,397 from the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) are in the fray for the ULBs, while 814 are contesting in the city corporations, including 135 from Congress, 130 from BJP and 129 from JD-S.

A total of 36 lakh voters are registered for exercising franchise in the ULB wards and 13.33 lakh in the three towns of Mysuru, Shivamogga and Tumakuru.

Counting of votes will be taken up on September 3 and most of the results are expected by night or early the next day.

Though the civic election was earlier scheduled to be held in 105 ULBs, it has been postponed in three of them — Somwarpet, Virajpet and Kushalnagar due to heavy rains and flash floods early in August in the Kodagu district, about 270km from here.

In the 2013 ULB elections held in 4,976 seats, the Congress had won 1,960 seats, while BJP and JD-S had won 905 seats each, the Independents bagged the remaining 1,206 seats.

Rahul Gandhi May Decline RSS Invite After Kharge’s Warning .

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Cautioned by senior party leader Mallikarjun Kharge against the “trap laid by the RSS”, Congress president Rahul Gandhi may decline to participate in the three-day conclave of the Sangh in Delhi if an invite is extended for the programme.

“RSS is like a poison. They are trapping him by forcing him to drink poison by extending the invite. There is no need to drink poison,” Kharge who is also the leader of the party in Lok Sabha told this to Rahul in the core committee meeting of Congress earlier this week.

RSS is organising a three-day meeting at Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan in the third week of September to discuss and debate ‘RSS Perspective on the Future of Bharat’. There were reports in the media about RSS inviting leaders of all political parties for the conclave in Delhi, including CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury and Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi had also declined an invite from the RSS when she was the party president.

Rahul after taking charge of the party last year has launched a scathing attack on the Sangh. In one of the interactions during his Europe tour, he had compared Sangh to radical right-wing outfit Muslim Brotherhood.

Rahul is also facing a defamation suit in a Maharashtra court on his statements linking RSS to Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination.

Sources say at the core meeting Rahul and his team discussed their strategy for the Lok Sabha polls.

The Congress in the coming days will continue to mount pressure on the government over Rafael deal and demonetisation. At the same time, party will be treading cautiously not to get embroiled a polemical debate on issues which may trigger religion polarization. The Congress will project itself as a party which believes in One India.

(PTI)

Pakistan marchers threaten Islamabad blockade over Dutch cartoons

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Hundreds of far-right protesters are marching on the Pakistani capital Islamabad, threatening to blockade the city unless the country cuts diplomatic ties with the Netherlands over a cartoon competition deemed to be blasphemous.

Protesters belonging to the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party began the second day of their march on the capital from the eastern city of Lahore on Thursday.

Images from the march showed TLP activists toppling a container used to block their path in the Punjab town of Jhelum, as they continued on their way towards the capital.

Security has been increased in Islamabad ahead of their arrival, with roadblocks prepared to be placed on several major roads.

The TLP activists are protesting against a competition for cartoons depicting Islam’s Prophet Muhammad by far-right Dutch opposition leader Geert Wilders, a known provocateur.

Physical depictions of God or the Prophet Muhammad are forbidden in Islam, and the TLP says the competition amounts to “blasphemy”.

The Dutch government has distanced itself from the competition, with Prime Minister Mark Rutte clarifying that Wilders is not a member of the government.

Pakistan condemns blasphemous Dutch cartoon contest
“The competition is not a government initiative,” he told a news conference last week.

The Dutch government, however, maintains that banning the competition would be a violation of the right to freedom of expression.

Foreign Minister Stef Blok echoed Rutte’s comments.

“The Netherlands very much adheres by freedom of speech, but we also adhere to treat religions respectfully,” Blok said according to Dutch news agency ANP.

He added that the competition “wouldn’t be his choice” but that there were no plans to ban the contest from happening.

Wilders leads the Dutch opposition Freedom Party (PVV) and is known for his incendiary speeches and protests against immigration and Islam.

The far-right politician told Dutch media the contest was not being held “to provoke, but to show we are marching for freedom of speech”.

On Tuesday, Dutch police arrested a man accused of plotting to kill the politician over the competition.

Clashes with riot police
The TLP rose to prominence last November, when firebrand Muslim scholar Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the party’s founder, led a three-week blockade of the Pakistani capital over a minor change to an electoral oath that he said amounted to “blasphemy”.

Riot police clashed with protesters but failed to end the demonstration, with TLP activists only vacating the sit-in after the government capitulated to all their demands, including the reversal of the change in the oath, the resignation of a federal minister, and the granting of legal immunity to all protesters.

In Pakistan’s July general election, the newly formed party bagged 2.2 million votes in national assembly constituencies nationwide, making it the fifth most popular political party in the country.

Tehreek-e-Labbaik: New far right campaigns against ‘blasphemy’
Those votes, however, only translated to two provincial assembly seats in the southern province of Sindh.

Ijaz Ashrafi, a TLP spokesperson, told Al Jazeera that his party was prepared to repeat the November blockade if their demand that Pakistan cut diplomatic ties with the Netherlands was not met.

“This issue must be resolved on an emergency basis, otherwise we will be out on the streets,” he said shortly before the protest. “I don’t mind if I die, but no one can dishonour the Prophet.”

‘They must act’
On Monday, Pakistan’s upper house of parliament passed a resolution condemning the holding of the competition, with newly elected Prime Minister Imran Khan saying his government would raise the matter with the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and at the United Nations.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said he had requested the OIC to call an emergency meeting on the issue.

“We have decided that an effective voice may be raised unanimously from the OIC platform,” he said.

“I assure the people of Pakistan that we are aware of their sentiments and we will stand with the Muslims around the world in raising the voice against this event.”

Qureshi’s statement followed an official note of protest registered with the Dutch charge d’affaires in Islamabad, as well as a phone call with Dutch Foreign Minister Blok.

It is unclear, however, if the government’s statements will be deemed sufficient by the TLP.

As the protest caravan of hundreds wound its way through Punjab province, the country’s political heartland, demonstrators carried banners condemning the Dutch government and Wilders and sang devotional songs.

Dutch police arrest man over alleged plot to kill Geert Wilders
“For our Prophet’s honour, we will lay down our lives,” they chanted, video footage from the rally showed.

Prime Minister Khan frequently referred to the blasphemy allegations raised by the TLP in November during his election campaign, and in his victory speech promised to run the country on the basis of the Prophet Muhammad’s governance of the Arab state of Medina in the 7th century.

“They have made a promise during the election, they have promised to establish a state along the lines of Medina,” said TLP spokesperson Ashrafi.

“So now they must act.”

 

 

Modi meets Sri Lankan President

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held talks with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on the sidelines of the fourth BIMSTEC Summit here.

“Good and positive exchange of views on strengthening development cooperation and other areas of bilateral relationship (between India and Sri Lanka),” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

Modi is also scheduled to meet other heads of state and government taking part in the summit.

(IANS)

BSY alleges phone tapping by state govt

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The State president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) B S Yeddyurappa, on Wednesday, August 29, alleged that the state government was tapping his and Congress leader Siddaramiah’s phones.

Speaking to the media, Yeddyurappa said, “There is no doubt that my phone is being tapped. Siddarmaiah and other leaders’ private conversations are also tapped,” and warned the state government to stop it immediately or face the consequences.

He also said that several top leaders of the Congress and officials were in touch with him about pledging allegiance to the BJP.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy denied these allegations. Speaking to the media at Ramanagar, the CM said that he was ready for an inquiry into the matter. “BJP is in power at the Centre. Let Yeddyurappa complain to the central government about the matter. I am ready to take action if any wrongdoings are found,” he added.

Govt instructs lenders not to harass debtors to repay loan

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The government has instructed all the regional commissioners, zonal police inspectors, district administration and police superintendents that no lender should force or harass the debtors who belong to below the poverty line farmer families.

Based on Chief Minister Kumaraswamy’s instructions, Chief Secretary T M Vijaya Bhaskar has issued a circular to this effect.

The state cabinet had passed the “Karnataka Debt Relief Bill 2018”, in a move to ease the financial burden on small farmers, agricultural labourers and other weaker sections of the society.

This follows pre-election assurances made by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on behalf of his party Janata Dal (Secular) of making farmers “debt free.”

Accordingly, the government has now instructed all the authorities to ensure that no lender will harass or force any debtors who belong to below the poverty line farmer families.

HDK urges Rahul to decide on Cabinet expansion

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With the coalition government completing 100 days, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday met Congress president Rahul Gandhi and urged him to decide on expanding the state Cabinet.

“I have requested the Congress president to take a decision on the expansion of the Cabinet and appointments to boards and corporations,” Kumaraswamy told reporters here after a brief meeting with Rahul. Kumaraswamy’s discussions with Rahul came on the eve of the JD(S)-Congress Coordination Committee meeting convened to iron out the irritants in the alliance that has cropped up after former chief minister Siddaramaiah’s remarks about returning as chief minister.

“The coalition government is secure under the leadership of Siddaramaiah,” the chief minister said. He said Rahul was happy at the functioning of the coalition government. “Our government is stable and functioning smoothly,” Kumaraswamy said.

The chief minister said he did not complain to Rahul about Siddaramaiah expressing his desire to return to power. “Anybody can aspire to be chief minister. Even R V Deshpande can aspire to become chief minister,” he said referring to the senior Congress leader who was with him. Kumaraswamy said

Siddaramaiah has already clarified that he would become chief minister after the next election if the people desire.

Will accept Stalin as leader: Alagiri

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Expelled DMK leader and former Union Minister M.K. Alagiri on Thursday said he will accept his younger brother and party President M.K. Stalin as “leader” — if he was taken back into the party.

Alagiri had publicly stated earlier that he cannot consider anyone as his leader other than the late M. Karunanidhi, his father and party President who died earlier this month.

Alagiri was expelled from the DMK by Karunanidhi for anti-party activities.

Speaking to reporters here, Alagiri said the current leadership of the DMK — a reference to Stalin — was not willing to re-admit him despite his requests.

He said the DMK did not consist just of the General Council, which has elected Stalin as the DMK President, and that “genuine party cadres” were with him.

Asked if he would accept Stalin’s leadership, Alagiri said: “If I am in the party, then I will.”

In a show of strength, Alagiri is preparing to organise a rally in which he says over 100,000 people would take part.

On August 27, Alagiri warned in Madurai that if the DMK leadership did not take him back, then its leadership will have to face “consequences”. He did not elaborate.

Alagiri was opposed to Stalin becoming the DMK President. After the death of his father, he spoke in riddles claiming that the DMK would face difficulties if it ignored him.

Govt to crackdown on moneylenders who harass people

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Karnataka state government has issued a direction to all regional commissioners, IGPs of all ranges and Deputy Commissioners and Superintendent of Police of all districts to take necessary steps to stop harassment of borrowers by moneylenders.

On directions of Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Chief Secretary T M Vijayabhaskar has issued a circular: “Government is examining the proposal to table Karnataka Debt Relief Bill 2018 to relieve small farmers, agricultural labours and other weaker sections of the society of their burden of debts. This information has been published in various newspapers.”

In this wake, it has been noticed that many such borrowers are illegally harassed and assaulted by moneylenders in various instances. Hence it is hereby directed to take legal action against those who are harassing or assaulting such borrowers”.

Parrikar heads to US for treatment

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Panaji Amid demands for dismissal of his government by the opposition and confusion in the state BJP ranks over leadership issues, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar left for the US from Mumbai early on Thursday, for treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.

“The Chief Minister left by a 1.30 a.m. flight. He is expected to be back in a week’s time,” sources close to Parrikar said.

Parrikar was admitted to Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital last week, hours after he returned to Goa from a New York medical facility, following a second round of treatment abroad.

The Congress in the state has appealed to Goa Governor Mridula Sinha to dismiss the BJP-led coalition government in the coastal state due to the severe health crisis that has hit the state cabinet.

Four out of the 12 cabinet ministers including Parrikar, have been suffering from serious ailments, which has forced them to abstain from discharging their official duty to full capacity.

On Wednesday, there was confusion in the ranks of the Bharatiya Janata Party, as well as alliance partners, over facilitating an “alternative arrangement” in the absence of Parrikar.

While Union Minister of the State for AYUSH and North Goa MP Shripad Naik told reporters on Wednesday, that he would be meeting party chief Amit Shah along with the members of its state core committee to form an alternative arrangement, some members of the committee later said that there were no such plans on the anvil.

The Chief Minister’s Office was later forced to issue a statement saying Parrikar himself would be overseeing functioning of the coalition government from the US.

Parrikar was diagnosed in February and was treated in a New York medical facility from March to June. On August 10, Parrikar had again left for the US for review of his treatment.
(10:40)
Panaji, Aug 30 (IANS) Amid demands for dismissal of his government by the opposition and confusion in the state BJP ranks over leadership issues, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar left for the US from Mumbai early on Thursday, for treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.

“The Chief Minister left by a 1.30 a.m. flight. He is expected to be back in a week’s time,” sources close to Parrikar said

Parrikar was admitted to Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital last week, hours after he returned to Goa from a New York medical facility, following a second round of treatment abroad.

The Congress in the state has appealed to Goa Governor Mridula Sinha to dismiss the BJP-led coalition government in the coastal state due to the severe health crisis that has hit the state cabinet.

Four out of the 12 cabinet ministers including Parrikar, have been suffering from serious ailments, which has forced them to abstain from discharging their official duty to full capacity.

On Wednesday, there was confusion in the ranks of the Bharatiya Janata Party, as well as alliance partners, over facilitating an “alternative arrangement” in the absence of Parrikar.

While Union Minister of the State for AYUSH and North Goa MP Shripad Naik told reporters on Wednesday, that he would be meeting party chief Amit Shah along with the members of its state core committee to form an alternative arrangement, some members of the committee later said that there were no such plans on the anvil.

The Chief Minister’s Office was later forced to issue a statement saying Parrikar himself would be overseeing functioning of the coalition government from the US.

Parrikar was diagnosed in February and was treated in a New York medical facility from March to June. On August 10, Parrikar had again left for the US for review of his treatment.

[IANS]

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