Latest news with #Lakshmana
The Hindu
12-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Counter protest: Congress targets pro-BJP college managements for allowing students to participate in ABVP rally
Youth Congress workers held a counter protest in Mysuru on Tuesday to condemn the efforts of ABVP to allegedly instill negative sentiments about the Congress among students under the guise of its 'drug-free campus' campaign. KPCC spokesperson M. Lakshmana told reporters at the counter protest organised by Youth Congress activists in Mysuru that the Congress party will be forced to hold demonstrations outside the institutions of certain pro-BJP managements, which were allowing its students to participate in programmes organised by the BJP and its frontal organisations. Mr. Lakshmana said that he will lodge a complaint with the police to file cases against the managements of such institutions, and urged the government to withdraw the recognition of these educational institutions for 'allowing the students to be misused for political purposes'. He alleged that the speeches made by the leaders of the BJP and its frontal organisations at the demonstration organised by ABVP as part of its 'drug-free campus' campaign at Gun House circle in Mysuru on Tuesday were aimed at instilling negative sentiments about the Congress party and Muslims in the minds of the students. The aim of the demonstration organised by the ABVP was to defame the Congress government in Karnataka, Mr. Lakshmana said. Moreover, he stated that the narcotic drugs seized in Mysuru recently were part of a racket that had its roots in Gujarat and Maharashtra, which are ruled by the BJP. Claiming that drugs worth ₹25,000 crore had been seized in BJP-ruled States during the last ten years, Mr. Lakshmana blamed the Maharashtra police and the anti-narcotics sleuths of the Centre for providing 'wrong' information regarding the raid in Mysuru by exaggerating the worth of the seizure only to defame the Congress government in Karnataka. Seeking to clarify that the narcotic drugs seized in Mysuru was not MDMA, but Mephedrone weighing about 20 kg, Mr. Lakshmana said a that kilogram of Mephedrone costs about ₹20 lakh. Hence, the total seizure is worth ₹4 crore and not ₹400 crore as alleged, he added. While the drugs seized in Mysuru were part of a drug racket that had its roots in Gujarat and Maharashtra, the Mysuru City Police had done a good job by raiding the premises along with a team of police from Mumbai, he said.
Time of India
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Lakshmana accuses BJP of EVM rigging in LS polls
Mysuru: KPCC spokesperson M Lakshmana, who contested unsuccessfully in the Lok Sabha polls from the Mysore constituency in April/May 2024, accused the BJP (BJP) on Wednesday of rigging electronic voting machines (EVMs) to secure the victory for their candidate Yaduveer Wadiyar. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He demanded an in-depth investigation into it. Speaking to reporters, Lakshmana claimed that out of 2,202 polling booths in Mysuru, 292 were subject to EVM rigging, affecting 1.45 lakh votes. Of these, Congress secured only 22,000 votes, a sharp decline from the 50-60% vote share the party typically received in these booths over the past four elections, he claimed. Lakshmana highlighted an instance where a booth with around 750 votes from 15 Congress workers' households yielded just seven votes for the party. Similar irregularities were reported in Shanti Nagar under the Narasimharaja constituency. Tipu built a barrage: KPCC spokesperson Meanwhile, he rejected the allegations levelled by BJP functionaries against Congress regarding Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan's connection with the KRS dam construction. Lakshmana defended district minister HC Mahadevappa's statement crediting Tipu with laying the foundation for the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) dam, calling it "100% true." "Tipu built a barrage, known as Movi Dam, with a 6 TMC water storage capacity at the same site, which supplied water to Srirangapatna and KR Nagar. The KRS dam was later constructed by the Maharajas at this location, supported by documentary evidence," he said. He also defended MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah's claim that chief minister Siddaramaiah contributed more to Mysuru than Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, citing the CM's efforts in providing water, building hospitals, and improving roads in a democratic setup.
The Hindu
06-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Congress alleges rigging by BJP during 2024 Lok Sabha polls in Mysuru
KPCC spokesperson M. Lakshmana has alleged rigging and EVM manipulation by the BJP in the Mysuru Lok Sabha constituency during the elections in 2024. Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Mr. Lakshmana, who was the Congress candidate during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Mysuru constituency, alleged rigging and EVM manipulation by the BJP in 292 booths out of the total 2,202 booths in the constituency. During the post-poll assessment, he had suspected electoral malpractices by the BJP in 292 booths that were spread across Chamaraja, Krishnaraja, Madikeri and Virajpet assembly segments, Mr. Lakshmana said. Out of the total 1,45,616 votes in these 292 booths, Mr. Lakshmana claimed he had secured only 27,522 votes, while the BJP polled 1,18,094 votes. Contending that the Congress had secured at least 40 to 45% of votes in these constituencies during the previous Assembly elections in 2018 and 2023 as well as the Lok Sabha elections of 2019, Mr. Lakshmana said the dismal number of votes polled by Congress in these specific 292 booths gives room for suspicion. In one case, Mr. Lakshmana said the number of votes counted by the EVM were 750, when only 700 people had caste their votes. 'From where did the excess 50 votes come?', he asked. Citing another example, Mr. Lakshmana said that one booth having 750 votes had shown that only 7 votes were cast in his favour, even though there were 15 families of Congressmen residing in the jurisdiction. He also cited the case of a booth in Narasimharaja assembly constituency, where the BJP, which could not poll a single vote, had secured 200 votes. He said the alleged rigging and EVM manipulation will be made part of the complaint to be submitted to the Election Commission during a protest to be led by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday, August 8.
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Congress leader Lakshmana blames Centre for GST notice on petty traders in Karnataka
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) spokesperson M. Lakshmana on Tuesday sought to lay the blame for small traders receiving notices from the Commercial Taxes Department at the Centre's doorstep by claiming that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) came under the purview of Union government. Even though Commercial Tax Department functioned under the State government, the notices had been issued in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Centre under the GST Act, which was brought into force in 2017, said Mr. Lakshmana while speaking to the presspersons outside the GST office in Mysuru on Tuesday. Extending the Congress party's support to the agitating small traders, Mr. Lakshmana accused the BJP of spreading misinformation on the notices issued by the Commercial Tax Department and blaming the Congress government. 'If you have any respect, you should clarify', he told BJP leaders. Citing Section 22 of the GST Act, Mr. Lakshmana said suppliers of goods are liable to be registered under the Act if their aggregate turnover crosses ₹40 lakh in a financial year. Recalling that the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi had criticised GST in the Parliament and described it as 'Gabbar Singh Tax' as it provides for 'removing money from the pockets of the poor', Mr. Lakshmana regretted that people did not bother to listen to him when he pointed out that one item was being taxed multiple times under GST regime. He demanded a clarification with regard to the notices issued to small traders from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr. Lakshmana also took exception to the statement issued by Joint Commissioner of Commercial Taxes Meera Pandit that the traders can be given a reprieve only if the Centre and the State government come to a solution. Describing Ms. Pandit as an 'IRS officer, who is an employee of the Union government,' Mr. Lakshmana said the statement issued by her was 'misleading'. 'It is not our tax. It is Centre's tax', the KPCC spokesperson sought to clarify. Campaign against ED The Congress leaders gathered outside the office of Lokayukta Superintendent of Police in Mysuru on Tuesday and displayed 'Satyameva Jayate' placards claiming victory against the BJP's sustained campaign to foist a false case against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his wife in the MUDA case. With regard to the critical remarks by the Supreme Court against 'misuse' of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) by the BJP in the alleged Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case against Mr. Siddaramaiah's wife, Mr. Lakshmana said the Congress party is planning a campaign against ED. Claiming that the apex court's observations should bring 'shame' to an autonomous institution like ED, 'which had been misused by the BJP for its political purposes', Mr. Lakshmana said the Congress party will be devising a plan of action to create awareness among the general public about the misuse of ED by the BJP.
Hans India
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Ravie Dubey shares special moment from ‘Ramayana: Part 1' sets
Actor-producer Ravie Dubey, who will be seen as Lord Lakshmana in the much-anticipated Ramayana: Part 1, recently shared a powerful behind-the-scenes glimpse from the film's sets. Taking to Instagram, Ravie posted a photo featuring himself alongside director Nitesh Tiwari and lead actor Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Ram in the magnum opus. Captioning the post with a poetic tribute, Ravie wrote, 'Dhairya Dhani hai, Mahaguni hai, Vishwa Vijay hai Ram,' which loosely translates to 'Patience is wealth, supreme virtue, and Lord Ram is the conqueror of the world.' He added, 'In the company of legends @niteshtiwari22 sir #ranbirkapoor bhai,' expressing his admiration for the cinematic giants. The buzz around Ramayana: Part 1 has been steadily building since the makers unveiled its first look on July 3. Dominated by cutting-edge CGI crafted by Prime Focus and Oscar-winning VFX house DNEG (best known for Dune), the visual grandeur promises to redefine mythological cinema. The film boasts an ensemble cast with Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Yash as Raavan, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Amitabh Bachchan as Jatayu, and Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi. Dubey's inclusion as Lakshmana adds further depth to this stellar lineup. Legendary music composers A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer are joining forces to create the film's score, marking a rare and historic collaboration. Hollywood stunt masters Terry Notary (Avengers, Planet of the Apes) and Guy Norris (Mad Max: Fury Road) are orchestrating the film's massive action sequences. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is being envisioned as a two-part IMAX spectacle, with Part 1 set for a grand Diwali 2026 release and Part 2 following in Diwali 2027.
