Latest news with #Bhandary
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
MLC to represent K'taka at int'l legislative summit in US
M angaluru: MLC Manjunath Bhandary will represent the state at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) legislative summit, being held in Boston, USA, from Aug 4-6. This marks Bhandary's second consecutive participation in the NCSL summit, following his attendance at the previous edition held in Kentucky. The Indian delegation's participation is being facilitated by the National Legislators' Conference Bharat (NLC Bharat). Bhandary plays a key role in NLC Bharat, working closely with its founder, Rahul V Karad. This year's delegation includes over 130 MLAs and MLCs from 24 Indian states and 21 political parties, making it the largest Indian legislative representation at any global democratic platform. During the summit, the Indian delegation will engage with over 7,000 lawmakers from across the world, participating in high-level sessions on key issues including artificial intelligence in governance, digital democracy, cybersecurity, voter trust, and policy innovation. The programme also includes academic briefings on US legislative practices and opportunities to connect with Indian-origin leaders in public service, academia, and industry.
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP leaders trying to create unrest in DK, say MLCs
: Manjunath Bhandary and Ivan D'Souza, MLCs, of the Congress have alleged that the BJP leaders are trying to create unrest in Dakshina Kannada. Taking objection to the way how the BJP leaders spoke to the Deputy Commissioner and police chiefs of Mangaluru Police Commissionerate and Dakshina Kannada in Mangaluru on May 9, Mr. Bhandary said in a statement that the BJP leaders led by its State president B.Y. Vijayendra do not want to restore peace in the district. 'State BJP leaders are hatching a conspiracy to create anarchy in Dakshina Kannada,' Mr. Bhandary who is also Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee working president, alleged. Mr. Bhandary alleged that the BJP leaders are making the coastal districts scapegoat to strengthen the party's vote bank. They are trying to come to the power in the State by creating unrest in the coastal belt. He alleged that the State BJP leaders led by Mr. Vijayendra during their meetings with two police chiefs in Mangaluru on Monday have indirectly threatened them while discussing about law and order situation. Instead of cooperating with police in maintaining law and order the BJP leaders have exhibited their arrogance, he alleged. Mr. Bhandary said that people of Dakshina Kannada are clever enough to understand the political game of the BJP. 'The BJP can no longer play with its Hindutva trump card,' he said. Demoralising police Meanwhile, while addressing presspersons in the city on Tuesday, June 10, Mr. D'Souza alleged that the BJP leaders are trying to demoralise police force in Dakshina Kannada. The MLC alleged that the BJP leaders who visited Mangaluru on Monday spoke in a threatening manner with police chiefs. Irrespective of the government in power police do their duty to maintain law and order. 'It is not right to raise objection to the functioning of police just because they did not fall in their (BJP leaders') line,' Mr. D'Souza said. The MLC questioned why Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta showed interest to hand over only the murder case of Suhas Shetty to the NIA and not other communal murders reported in the district recently.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MLC urges transport min to upgrade KSRTC bus stand
Mangaluru: MLC Manjunath Bhandary urged transport minister Ramalinga Reddy to upgrade and develop the KSRTC bus station into a high-tech bus terminal and to initiate the operation of electric buses. The bus station, located in the heart of Mangaluru, was approved in 1980 and constructed with an estimated grant of Rs 60 lakh in 1986. In a letter to the minister, Bhandary requested that the bus station be upgraded to a high-tech bus terminal with modern facilities, similar to those in other districts, with an estimated grant of Rs 120 crore, along with the initiation of electric bus operations in the city. Mangaluru is one of the major commercial cities in the country, serving as a port city and a significant trading hub in Karnataka, due to its conducive commercial activities. Thousands of people from across the country and abroad visit the city daily for tourism and educational purposes. Currently, the bus station spans 3.6 acres, with a terminal building covering 4,702sqm, a commercial area of 814sqm, a two-wheeler parking area of 305sqm, a car parking area of 608sqm, an autorickshaw stand of 171sqm, and restrooms of 1,564sqm. The letter details that over the past 39 years, the station was maintained with minimal funding, with no efforts made to upgrade it with modern facilities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo Approximately 585 buses from various sectors arrive and depart from the station daily, with around 25,000 passengers relying on it directly and indirectly. Mangaluru, being one of the cities with the highest tax-paying individuals and organisations through various industries, demands an upgrade to the station's capacity in line with the times, similar to high-tech bus terminals in other states, Bhandary urged. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Don't label persons with criminal background as Hindu activist: Bhandary
Mangaluru: KPCC working president and MLC Manjunath Bhandary strongly objected to individuals with criminal backgrounds being referred to as Hindu activists. He told reporters on Wednesday, that those affiliated with right-wing organisations like the Bajrang Dal or others should be identified by their organisation name, and not as representatives of the Hindu community. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "We too are Hindus, I identify myself as a Congress functionary. It is unacceptable to misuse religion for political gain and to shield those spreading hatred," he said. He expressed dismay that individuals facing multiple criminal cases and even externment proceedings were being referred to as Hindu leaders. Referring to the recent murder of Abdul Rahiman, Bhandary highlighted the irony that Rahiman previously donated blood to the father of one of the accused. "He was called under the pretext to provide sand and was then assaulted. Isn't this betrayal? Hindu leaders must condemn such acts as they go against the core values of Hinduism and the Constitution," he said. Criticising the BJP, Bhandary said the party failed to counter the Congress on the development front, and has hence resorted to backdoor politics by sowing the seeds of communal hatred in the minds of people. "The murder of Abdul Rahiman was an outcome of such brainwashing, and those engaged in such acts should also be punished," he said. He also voiced concern that such incidents were tarnishing the image of coastal Karnataka. "Though these incidents are concentrated within a 10km radius of Mangaluru, the entire region is being unfairly portrayed. This, at a time when the govt is preparing to boost tourism and attract investments to the coast," he said. Referring to the Dakshina Kannada district police initiating the process of externment against 36 people, he said that one must note that a majority belong to two taluks. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bhandary said that the KPCC fact-finding committee comprising MP Syed Naseer Hussain, MLA NA Haris, MLC Manjunath Bhandary, AICC secretary Roji M John, KPCC vice-president VR Sudarshan, former minister Kimmane Ratnakar, and former MP K Jayaprakash Hegde will tour the coastal districts from Thursday. The team will study the socio-political atmosphere and meet senior Congress leaders, the deputy commissioner, police commissioner, SP, business figures, religious leaders, labour unions, intellectuals, artists, and civil society members. They will also visit affected areas and meet families of victims before submitting a report.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress urges Siddaramaiah to form special team to probe murders in Dakshina Kannada
Bengaluru: In the wake of a series of murders that triggered communal tension in Dakshina Kannada district, Congress working president Manjunath Bhandary, in a letter to chief minister Siddaramaiah, demanded the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the incidents. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bhandary said the SIT should be led by an officer of additional director general of police (ADGP) rank. "Strict legal action against those disrupting peace in coastal districts is necessary, and hence the govt should form an SIT and appoint special prosecutors to handle these cases in court," said Bhandary. He said communal tension has persisted in Dakshina Kannada, with incidents of murder and stabbing being frequently reported over the past few months. He said a few anti-social elements are "inciting communal tensions and making provocative statements and disturbing the peace". "These incidents not only tarnish the reputation of the entire coastal region but also hinder development," said Bhandary. "If not controlled, this communal mindset may spread to other districts. The govt must take this seriously and implement strict legal measures to prevent such incidents in the future." He suggested the home department prevent politicians from the region from making provocative speeches. He said provocative messages, warnings, and threats are circulating on social media, and cases have already been filed against individuals with such mindsets. However, no arrests were made. He said immediate strict action is necessary in such cases and police should keep rowdy-sheeters under special surveillance. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He said gun licences issued to individuals with criminal backgrounds should be re-evaluated. BJP condemns Pumpwell's arrest State BJP president, BY Vijayendra, condemned the arrest of Sharan Pumpwell, a VHP activist. This arrest, by Mangaluru police, followed Pumpwell's call for a bandh in Dakshina Kannada district in the wake of the murder of Suhas Shetty, a rowdy-sheeter and pro-Hindu activist. "Pumpwell's arrest is highly condemnable," said Vijayendra. "Hindus get no protection when Congress comes to the helm in the state. The govt intimidates pro-Hindu activists through police action and arrests them for trivial reasons, seemingly filing false cases to threaten them."
