Latest news with #JanakroshYatra
New Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Political fever in Karnataka's Gangavathi hots up after Reddy's disqualification
KOPPAL: Political permutations and combinations are on the rise in Koppal district, after the disqualification of Gangavathi MLA G Janardhana Reddy. BJP leaders are vying to field a strong candidate to secure the seat, buoyed by the response for the party's recent Janakrosh Yatra. The line of aspirants for a ticket for the impending election is only growing, with certain BJP sources suggesting that Reddy's wife Aruna, is likely to contest. Congress has also set its eyes on the constituency, confident of the successes of its five guarantee schemes. Reddy was a minister in the first BJP government, when BS Yediyurappa was the CM. In 2023, he won as MLA from Gangavathi, from a party he floated -- Kalyana Rajya Pragati Paksha -- only to rejoin the BJP in March 2024.
Hans India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
After Janardhana Reddy's disqualification, BJP, Cong prepare for Gangavati battle
Bengaluru: The political parties in Karnataka are strategising to capture the Gangavati Assembly seat, which fell vacant after the disqualification of mining baron and Karnataka MLA G. Janardhana Reddy. Reddy was disqualified from the Karnataka Assembly on May 8 after being convicted by a Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in an illegal mining case. The current Congress-led government in Karnataka, headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, was sworn in on May 20, 2023. The term of the Karnataka Assembly is scheduled to end in May 2028. Although Reddy won the Gangavati seat in the 2023 Assembly elections as a candidate of his own party, Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha (KRPP), he dissolved the party and rejoined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on March 25, 2024. With the seat now officially vacant, the ruling Congress, under the leadership of CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar, is eager to wrest the seat to send a strong message that their policies and programmes have effectively reached the common man, despite the Opposition's allegations of appeasement politics. On the other hand, the BJP is determined to retain the seat at any cost. For State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra, a victory here is critical to cement his political standing. He has already launched a 'Janakrosh Yatra' across the state to mobilise public sentiment against the Congress-led government. Party sources indicate that after Operation Sindoor, it has become even more imperative for BJP leader Vijayendra to secure a win in Gangavati. Meanwhile, aspirants from both parties have begun lobbying for the ticket. Iqbal Ansari, the Congress candidate who lost the 2023 Assembly election to Janardhana Reddy by 7,997 votes, is hopeful of securing the ticket again, banking on the advantage of the Congress being in power in the state. Former MP Sanganna Karadi and Congress leader Hanumantha Arasinakere are also reportedly in the race for the ticket. On the BJP side, party sources say that Aruna Laxmi, Reddy's wife, is willing to contest the seat. Local BJP leader Paranna Munalli, who came third in the 2023 Assembly election with 29,167 votes, is also considered a strong contender.
Hans India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Congress must clarify whether it stands with India or Pakistan: Karnataka BJP on peace message
Slamming the Karnataka Congress unit for posting a peace message in the backdrop of the launch of 'Operation Sindoor', the state BJP has questioned whether the party stands with India or supports Pakistan. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, BJP state President B.Y. Vijayendra said, 'At this critical juncture, the Karnataka unit of the Congress party posted on social media that 'Peace is the strongest weapon of humankind', quoting Mahatma Gandhi. They should be ashamed. I ask Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to clarify their stand.' 'They must explain the intent behind the social media post. Are they on the side of India, or do they support terrorists and Pakistan?' he questioned. He emphasised that such statements at this sensitive time do not bring dignity to the Congress party. 'They must apologise to the people of the country immediately,' he urged. Speaking on 'Operation Sindoor', Vijayendra referred to the killing of 26 people in the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. 'The entire country was outraged by the incident. Every Indian citizen believed that this act should be avenged. People also felt that terrorist organisations and the country of Pakistan must be taught a lesson.' He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had consistently assured the nation that the terror attack would not be forgotten and that terrorists would not be spared. 'In the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, strikes were carried out in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK). In Pakistan, strikes targeted locations, including hideouts in PoK. Every Indian today feels proud and elated about the action taken by the Indian armed forces,' he stated. 'At this time, we must all stand in support of our soldiers and armed forces. I especially appeal to BJP workers and the people of Karnataka to offer special prayers at temples. We must boost the morale of our soldiers,' Vijayendra emphasised. He also noted that the BJP had taken up the final phase of the Janakrosh Yatra in the state. 'Today, the yatra will be held in Kolar, and later it was planned in Tumakuru and other cities. However, given the war-like situation between India and Pakistan, all Indians must stay united. With this intention, we are conducting only the Kolar event today and postponing all other Janakrosh Yatra programmes,' he said. Responding to a question, Vijayendra remarked, 'Kashmir has witnessed the massacre of Hindus, and our armed forces have also suffered great losses. Every Indian has long aspired that Pakistan must be taught a lesson, even if it leads to the eventuality of war.' 'This process has now begun. Every Indian understands the need to remain united. The mock drills that are beginning across the country today will receive full cooperation from the people — there is no doubt about that,' he concluded.
New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Spur of the moment, says Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar on CM Siddaramaiahs' slap-like gesture during Belagavi rally
BELAGAVI: On the commotion which broke out during a Congress rally in Belagavi on Monday, Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar said it was unfair of the BJP activists to storm the Congress rally which was attended by over 25,000 people and create ruckus. While slamming the BJP activists for disrupting the rally, she asked, 'Will the BJP leaders keep silent if the Congress activists did the same in a BJP rally? The Congress workers will not remain silent in the future if such incidents continue.' 'Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has a large section of supporters across the state. What would happen if his supporters got enraged and stormed into a BJP rally in the future?' She asked while advising the BJP activists to introspect their actions. Defending Siddaramaiah who came under fire from all quarters for making a slap-like gesture towards a police officer during the rally in Belagavi, she said that the CM always respected the officers and people and never crossed the boundaries. She said it all happened in a spur of the moment but the CM always had concern for all classes of people. She recalled how BJP leaders humiliated many top Congress leaders, mainly Rahul Gandhi in the Janakrosh Yatra and said the BJP leaders verbally abused Rahul both inside and outside the House on many occasions. Hebbalkar said the Congress leaders did not get provoked as the people had the right to protest in a democracy.
New Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
PM Modi ignoring job loss, inflation woes, says CM Siddaramaiah
BELAGAVI: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched a scathing attack against the Centre, blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the rising prices of petrol, diesel, LPG cylinders, rice, gold, and other goods. He accused the Centre of ignoring issues such as unemployment and inflation, while misleading people with lies. He stated that the BJP's 'Janakrosh Yatra' (public outrage rally) is actually provoking public anger. The chief minister emphasised that the Congress government has introduced five guarantee schemes to help people suffering from rising prices of essentials. He accused the BJP and its ally, the JDS, of criticising people-friendly initiatives of the ruling party, and trying to obstruct programmes aimed at benefiting the common people. Siddaramaiah called the BJP shameless for blaming the Congress for rise in prices of various commodities, and said the price rise occurred only after the Centre hiked the prices of petrol, diesel, and LPG. 'Despite the low price of crude oil in the international market, the BJP has been increasing the prices of petrol and diesel. The prices of petrol and diesel were not increased by the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government before 2014, in spite of higher crude oil rates in the international market. The people should know the truth, as to who is responsible for price rise today. They should also be aware of who is cheating and taking them for a ride,' he alleged. Hitting out at the BJP, Siddaramaiah further alleged that the saffron party would never unite people, but instead divide and destroy society. He accused BJP of sowing hatred in society, and added that it was always anti-farmer, anti-women, anti-OBC, and anti-backward classes. On the other hand, he claimed that the Congress always respected the Constitution.
