Latest news with #Rajanna


Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
2 more from Andhra Pradesh among Naxals killed in encounter
Hyderabad: Two senior Maoist leaders from Andhra Pradesh are believed to have been killed in the recent encounter in Chhattisgarh, top sources confirmed on Tuesday. Among them is Sajja Venkata Nageswara Rao , better known by his aliases Rajanna, Yesanna, or Jang Naveen, a key figure who headed the Maoist journal 'Jung'. He was serving as a Special Zonal Committee Member (SZCM) of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC). The second leader reported dead is Madhu, also an SZCM-level cadre in the same region. However, officials from Andhra Pradesh Police said they were awaiting formal confirmation from their Chhattisgarh counterparts regarding the identities. Naveen (60) hailed from Rama village of Jandrapet in Chirala mandal of Prakasam district. He was from middle-class background and joined the Maoist movement early, influenced by People's War Group activities in his native region. He was fluent in Telugu and was known to carry an AK-47. The AP govt had announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh on him.


New Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Karnataka Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna retires from electoral politics, urges youth to lead
MYSURU: Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna on Tuesday announced retirement from electoral politics, and will not contest the new Assembly elections. However, he will continue in active politics. Rajanna said he is 75-years-old now, and would have turned 78 during the polls in 2028. 'Even if I contest and win the election, it would be difficult to deliver due to my advanced age,' he added. He said it is high time that the youth are encouraged to enter politics. Disputing the BJP's criticism against the Congress government celebrating two years in office, he said the BJP is opposing it for being an Opposition party, and does not deserve a reaction. Asked about delay in releasing Gruha Lakshmi funds, he maintained that the fund release was delayed due to change in the app during January and February, and claimed that the government has transferred money to the accounts of the beneficiaries. When told about KPCC working president Tanveer Sait hinting at some ministers being dropped from the cabinet, he said, 'Sait will not decide on cabinet reshuffle or dropping ministers. It is for the high command to decide.'


Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Will not contest next elections, says minister Rajanna
Mysuru: Pointing to age and health issues, cooperation minister KN Rajanna reiterated that he would step away from electoral politics after his current tenure as MLA ends but will remain active in politics. "I am 75-years-old, and by the time the next election comes, I will be 78," Rajanna said. "Even if I contest and win, I won't be able to serve the people effectively due to health reasons." He added: "It's my opinion that we should give youngsters an opportunity." He brushed aside BJP's criticism of the govt's accomplishments, saying it is expected and requires no response. He suggested focusing on the govt's initiatives instead. On Bengaluru's flooding issues, Rajanna identified encroachments as the primary cause. "This is a consequence of our own mistakes. We've blocked drains and canals, so water takes its own path leading to this situation," he said. He said the govt will conduct a detailed assessment and implement solutions. He also assured ongoing efforts to remove encroachments, particularly along rajakaluves, noting, "The previous govt did this haphazardly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Airlines Don't Want You to Know This Secret for Cheaper Flights Cheaper Flights | search ads Read More Undo We will clear encroachments, not just during rains but at all times." Rajanna, who in the past has been a critic of deputy CM DK Shivakumar, praised his ministerial performance saying: "DK Shivakumar is working effectively." Plaint against MLA An individual has filed a complaint with police in Bengaluru against Kolar MLA Kothur G Manjunath for his recent comments on Operation Sindoor. Banashankari police treated a complaint by Ganesh Singh, vice-president of Bengaluru Nagarika Hakku Horata Samithi, as a petition and said they will forward it to Kolar police for further action. Manjunath had wondered if the Pahalgam terror was "stage-managed", questioning how the perpetrators had "disappeared" so easily. He later clarified that he did not make derogatory comments against the armed forces and that his comments were only intended to get authorities to catch the terrorists who killed 26 innocent people and serve justice to the women who lost their husbands.