MLA U T Khader informed on Saturday, May 26 that the construction of permanent and temporary sea walls in Kaiko, Subhasnagar and other places has begun under ADB project. He also demanded the Election Commission (EC) to look into Electronic Voter Machine (EVM) issue.

Addressing media Khader said, “Places like Kodi, Kotepura, Someshwar, Kaiko, Subhas Nagar, and Hilary Nagar are heavily affected due to sea erosion. Several houses have collapsed. Issues faced due to sea erosion at Kodi and Kotepura have been sorted out. The construction of permanent mini breakwater has been undertaken in places like Kaiko, Subhas Nagar, and Hilary Nagar under ADB project worth Rs 14 crore,”

“The construction of temporary sea wall of 900 meters worth Rs 4.75 crore at Someshwara has also been undertaken. We had a discussion with the deputy commissioner, if residents whose houses are damaged by sea erosion, can apply for compensation via taluk panchayat.”

Speaking on the successful floor test on May 25, he said, “We successfully won the floor test which is the victory of democracy. We will form the government along with JD(S) and continue to do all development works,”

Asked about portfolios being assigned to him or JD (S) leader B M Farooq, Khader said, “Our political parties might be different, but we share a close bond. It is left to the high command to assign portfolios. There is nothing fight between myself and B M Farooq.”
When asked about leaders’ suspicions about EVM, Khader said, “This is a serious issue. There was a lot of suspicion over EVM in the entire state. The Election Commission should look into this issue,”

Reacting to opposition leader Yeddyurappa’s call for bandh if the state government fails to waive farmers’ loans, Khader said, “Everything is viewed from a political angle. Before the floor test itself, Yeddyurappa announced a bandh if we fail to waive farmers’ loans. The cabinet has to be formed, portfolios need to be assigned and the discussions need to be held. This call for bandh is politically influenced,”

District Congress president Harish Kumar, Sadashiva Ullal, Mamatha Gatty and others were present.

HD Kumaraswamy may have won the crucial vote of confidence in the state Assembly Yesterday smoothly with the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party preferring to abstain from the house by staging a walkout when the voting was scheduled to take place. But the immediate second test in the form of cabinet formation is yet to begin.

As per the indications available now the Janata Dal-Secular and Indian National Congress parties are set to have agreed upon an understanding for the formation of the cabinet.The JDS including the Chief Minister’s position will be entitled for 12 berths while the Congress including the Deputy CM’s position will be handed over 22 berths.

In the dozen cabinet positions, the JDS is also supposed to accommodate the lone BSP member from Kollegal reserve constituency in Chamarajnagar district and two Independents.It may be recalled here that the JDS had contested the polls on an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party and the latter’s nominee emerged victorious in one seat.

Thanks to last-minute developments in the form of rejection of nomination papers of the official candidate in the Mulabagal constituency of Kolar district, the Congress party was compelled to support an Independent who also managed to win.

While R Shankar of the KPJP regional outfit floated by Upendra, film actor trounced KB Koliwad, Speaker of the previous Assembly in Ranebennur constituency of Haveri district. KH Koliwad didn’t hide his anger on the counting day and squarely blamed Siddaramaiah for his defeat.

In fact R Shankar had earlier tried for a Congress ticket in vain.KB Koliwad had termed Siddaramaiah as ‘Bachha’ in comparison with his long stint in the Congress party. However according to him, Siddaramaiah ensured his defeat as R Shankar belonged to his Kuruba community.

R Shankar’s behavior on the next day of counting was also found peculiar. In the morning he accompanied KS Eshwarappa,then leader of the opposition in the legislative council who got elected from Shivamogga constituency to BS Yeddyurappa’s house.

Then the party sources also claimed that R Shankar had extended his support to the BJP. But by the end of the day he had switched sides and joined the Congress camp citing ‘development of his constituency’.In fact this first time legislator happens to be KS Eshwarappa’s relative and the previous day KSE’s son had brought him to the city from Ranebennur.

Even if both the Independent MLAs’ had supported the BJP also the strength of the saffron party would still be 106 and remained short of seven members to reach the magic number.Well all these factors are now things of the past and history.

The pertinent question which will continue to haunt the new alliance government for now is the expansion of the two members cabinet.As mentioned earlier there may not be another round of debate on the 12-22 understanding between the parties.But who will represent whom is bound to become a new headache if the matter can be perceived in that way.

HD Devegowda’s preferences on choices from the Congress are no public secret either.He’s said to have expressed his resentment on taking in DK Shivakumar,Congress party’s Man Friday and MB Patil,former Major Irrigation Minister to the cabinet.

HDD feels DK Shivakumar although a Vokkaliga is a sworn enemy having friendly relations with BS Yeddyurappa. Perhaps the senior Gowda looks to be scared that DK Shivakumar may repeat what his own son had done for the Congress led JDS supported government in 2006!

But DK Shivakumar is no simpleton.He’s already registered his dissatisfaction to the party high command and according to his own public utterances:I am no saint to keep quiet…

His grouse is that the party made use of his services when it was struggling to keep the entire flock together.Over the years he’s in fact become a veteran of such capabilities.But after the task was over he has been let down by not inducting into the cabinet as another Deputy Chief Minister.

He had kept all the 46 Gujarat Congress MLAs’ together in the same Eagleton resort during the Rajya Sabha elections which returned Ahmed Patel to the upper house.His similar experience of holding captive Maharashtra Congress MLAs during adverse political conditions to the late Vilasrao Deshmukh government is also something the party can ill afford to forget.

But the Congress party has its own problems. HD Kumaraswamy is a Vokkaliga holding the CM’s position and the 16 member strong Lingayat lobby is also pressurizing the party to be given one more Deputy CM’s post.In a way the top brass of the party is in a fix of not being in a position to oblige either DK Shivakumar nor the Lingayat lobby.

Dr G Parameshwar,the first Dalit Deputy Chief Minister is averse to the idea of another DCM from his own party as he feels the importance attached to the position now may lose its shine sooner or later.

DK Shivakumar is also said to be toying with the idea of holding the KPCC President’s post as well along with a cabinet berth.

Janata Dal Secular looks to be in a advantageous position with only 37 MLAs’.Apart from the cabinet berths all those who couldn’t make it to the cabinet can be rehabilitated by rewarding with positions of chairmen to boards and corporations.But the same argument cannot hold good to the 78 members Congress.

Hindusthan Samachar/Manohar Yadavatti

In a series of Tweets PM says, we’ve taken futuristic and people-friendly decisions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that BJP-led NDA government at the Centre is laying the foundations of a New India.

In a series of tweets on the fourth anniversary of NDA government at the Centre, Modi said that we took futuristic and people-friendly decisions with the best intent and complete integrity.

Over the last four years, development has become a vibrant mass movement, with every citizen feeling involved in India’s growth trajectory, he added.

Expressing gratitude to the citizens for their unwavering faith in the NDA Government, Modi said that 125 crore Indians are taking India to great heights.

He said, this support and affection are the biggest source of motivation and strength for the entire Government.

PM said that the government will continue to serve the people of India with the same vigour and dedication as for them it is always India First.

Hindusthan Samachar/Shri Ram Shaw

‘Saaf Niyat, Sahi Vikas’: Modi Govt completes four years in office today

The BJP-led NDA government at the Centre completes four years in office on Saturday (May 26).

It was on this day in 2014 when Narendra Modi was sworn-in as the Prime Minister following BJP’s massive victory in the Lok Sabha elections.

A number of functions have been organized to mark the day. The Prime Minister is visiting Odisha. He will address a public meeting at Bali Jatra Ground on the bank of river Mahanadi in Cuttack in the afternoon.

BJP President Amit Shah will also address a press conference in New Delhi today to highlight the achievements and welfare measures taken by the NDA regime.

Addressing media on Friday, Shah said, the welfare schemes of Modi government in the last four years have benefitted 22 crore poor families and set an example of how a pro-people dispensation is run. He said, the current dispensation has taken the country’s self-pride to the highest level.

The BJP President also inaugurated an exhibition on various schemes and infrastructure projects launched under the Modi government

The party also unveiled a new slogan ‘Saaf Niyat, Sahi Vikas’ (clean intentions, right development) as it launches a nationwide fortnight-long programme to mark the fourth anniversary of the NDA government.

Shah will lead an exercise to reach out to one lakh personalities from different walks of life to highlight its achievements.

In the programme all ministers- both from the Centre and BJP-ruled states, MPs, MLAs and other office-bearers of the party will reach out to experts or influential people across the country.

As part of the programme, each BJP leader will interact with at least 25 renowned people from various fields such as retired judges of the Supreme Court and high courts, retired bureaucrats, retired army personnel, sports personalities, writers among others.

The BJP leaders will inform them about the achievements of the Modi government in last four years.

Hindusthan Samachar/Shri Ram Shaw

President of All India Confederation of Goods Vehicle Owners Associations, B Channareddy, said that the truck owners will begin an indefinite strike from June 18, protesting against the hike in petrol and diesel prices, increase in third-party policy premium rates and in support of a number of other demands.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday May 25, Channareddy noted that diesel price has been going up every day. He blamed the central government for affecting this hike since the last some years. “Since 2002, third-party insurance premium is also going up steadily. This increase of this premium now stands at 1117 percent. Our repeated requests to contain this increase have fallen on deaf ears. Therefore we have decided to protest,” he explained.

Channareddy said that if their demands are not met by June 18, the indefinite strike will be undertaken from midnight that day all over the country, as a result of which all kinds of goods transport vehicles will stop plying. He accused the central government of not addressing problems like toll charges and taking unilateral decisions. He also blamed the government for allowing private companies to conduct third-party insurance business which has been creating problems.

“About 80 percent of truck owners own one or two vehicles and they are facing problems in repaying loans raised from banks. They are not even able to cover diesel cost out of hire charges. Therefore, we demand immediate action failing which protest will be held,” he warned.

Lauding the Visva-Bharati University for its rural construction programme in the neighbouring areas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged the institution to bring 100 villages into its ambit by 2021 — its centenary year.

“I have been told that you are doing development work in around 50 villages. When I was told about it, my hopes and expectations from you increased.

“So I have a humble request before you. In 2021, this great institution will complete 100 years. Can you extend to 100 or 200 villages, what you are doing in 50 villages now?” Modi said in his address at the 49th convocation of the university set up by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

Modi appealed to the university to take a pledge to develop 100 villages by 2021.

“In these villages, arrangements can be made for LPG connections for the people, women-child vaccination, digital connectivity,” he said.

Women can play a crucial role in peace talks and governments should co-opt them in peace bodies to cash in on their intrinsic qualities, said journalist and author Rashmi Saksena on Thursday.

Speaking at the launch of her book on women militants, titled “She Goes to War: Women Militants of India”, she noted that women also played an equally important role in keeping insurgent organizations alive.

She spoke to a number of women militants and selected 16 of them for the book, who were “close to my heart”.

“Choosing a favorite of the many I spoke to is difficult. All these 16 were my favorites and so I am telling you their stories,” she said.

“The reason why they opt out of such organizations is as important as the reason why they join it.

“They were not made part of peace talks, although they played an important role in the move,” she added.

Congress legislator K.R. Ramesh Kumar has been elected unopposed as the Karnataka Assembly Speaker on Friday, pro tem Speaker K.G. Bopaiah announced.

Congress legislative party leader Siddaramaiah proposed Kumar’s name for the Speaker’s post, which was seconded by Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara.

“(The) Congress legislator is elected unopposed as Speaker of the Assembly,” said Bopaiah on the floor of the hung House.

Most shops will remain closed today throughout Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in protest against the firing incident in Tuticorin that claimed 13 lives.
Auto rickshaws are also expected to be off the roads in Chennai and many other cities/towns. The government has stated that the bus services will be operated as usual.
The TN Police is not taking things lightly and security has been tightened throughout the state to prevent any untoward incident from happening. The opposition DMK is spearheading the protest to hold demonstrations across the state, along with the other opposition parties.
Meanwhile, Tuticorin town and surrounding villages are slowly limping back to normal. However, shops have remained closed for the 4th day in succession.
Internet services remain suspended and the new Collector has confirmed that the services will remain suspended till May 27. As a precautionary measure, bus services to and from Tuticorin stand withdrawn.
The District Collector held a meeting yesterday with a cross-section of representatives from different spheres; political parties, community leaders, priests from the church and so on, with a view to elicit their opinion and seek their cooperation for restoring peace and normalcy in the town.

Hindusthan Samachar/S. Mahadevan/Shri Ram\

Bookanakere Siddalingappa Yeddyurappa(75) is all set to be declared as the new leader of the opposition in the recently constituted state Assembly.He has already resigned to the membership of Lok Sabha from Shivamogga constituency on being elected as MLA from Shikaripur constituency in the same Shivamogga district.

According to sources in the Bharatiya Janata Party BS Yeddyurappa is likely to continue in both,opposition leader and state BJP President’s post till the general elections to the Lok Sabha in 2019.The party intends to make best use of the services of the Lingayat strong man in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

BS Yeddyurappa has already been elected as the leader of Bharatiya Janata Legislature Party and his declaration as leader of the opposition is only a formality and expected to be announced in today’s deliberations of the state Assembly.

Today the house is scheduled to meet at 12.15 pm and is slated to elect the new Speaker.KR Rameshkumar from the ruling combine and belonging to the Congress party is the nominee to the post while S Sureshkumar,Rajajinagar MLA is the BJP candidate.Later the house will take up the motion on vote of confidence for discussion and voting.

Apart from BS Yeddyurappa two other MPs’ have submitted their papers to the membership of Lok Sabha on being elected to the state Assembly.They are B Sriramulu of the BJP and Puttaraju of the JDS.

B Sriramulu on being elected to the state Assembly from Molakalmuru constituency in Chitradurga district put papers to his membership of Lok Sabha from Ballari constituency. Puttaraju resigned his membership of Lok Sabha from Mandya constituency after being elected from Melukote constituency in the same Mandya district.

He defeated Darshan Puttanaiah,son of late KS Puttanaiah,farmers leader who passed away a few days before the polls. Darshan Puttanaiah,a software professional in the US quit his job and returned to his native country to carry on the mantle of his late father.He made an attempt in vain on a Swaraj India party ticket.In fact the Congress party supported his candidature after failing to grab him to the party fold.Though the Congress never fielded its candidate he failed to register a win.

Hindusthan Samachar/Manohar Yadavatti