Krishna Byre Gowda gets Cong ticket from Bangalore North, to take on Sadananda Gowda

Lok Sabha 2019

Union Minister and incumbent MP Sadananda Gowda had won from Bangalore North in 2014 with a comfortable margin of more than 2 lakh votes.

Soumya Chatterjee

The Congress late on Monday night named Karnataka minister Krishna Byre Gowda as its candidate for Bangalore North setting up a high profile contest with Union Minister and incumbent MP Sadananda Gowda.  Other than being a minister in two successive governments, Krishna Byre Gowda represents Karnataka in the GST council. He will file his nomination at the Bengaluru DC’s office at 1pm on Tuesday, he announced on Twitter. “I am honoured to get the opportunity to file my nomination as the candidate for BLR North#LokSabha Constituency @ DC Office,Near MysoreBank Circle,KG Road. I request all the leaders,Party workers & well wishers to participate & support.Nomination filing is today 26/03/19 @ 1pm,” he tweeted Incidentally, Byre Gowda, who is the Rural Development Minister, is a two-time MLA from Byatarayanapura segment which falls under the same Lok Sabha constituency.  Bangalore North being home to many Vokkaligas may have prompted the Congress to go with a leader of the community. The Congress will also want to consolidate the significant number of minority votes in the segment. The decision to field the sitting minister comes with less than a day left to file nominations for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The last date of filing nominations for the 14 seats in Karnataka going to polls in the first phase is Tuesday. In a rather late and surprising decision, coalition partner JD(S) gave up the seat for the Congress contrary to the original seat sharing agreement between the ruling coalition in the state. Sadananda Gowda, a former CM, defeated his nearest rival C Narayana Swamy of the Congress with a comfortable margin of over two lakh votes in 2014, riding the Modi wave. Until then, he had won both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in coastal Karnataka. Meanwhile, in May 2018 assembly elections, Byre Gowda managed to retain his seat by a slim margin of 5,671 votes against BJP’s A Ravi. A few days earlier, speculation was rife that sitting MP and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda might contest from Bangalore North. Sensing this possibility, with Deve Gowda’s grandson Prajwal Revanna being given the JD(S) fiefdom of Hassan for his electoral debut, Sadananda Gowda last week had spoken about not being afraid to contest against the former PM.

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In shift, Trump administration backs ruling that Obamacare should be thrown out

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Deve Gowda files nomination from Tumakuru, so does sitting Congress MP turned rebel

Lok Sabha 2019

Will Congress dissidence threaten his chances or can the Congress convince the rebel?

Prajwal Bhat

Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda filed his nomination papers confirming himself as the coalition's candidate from Tumkur in the Lok Sabha elections. But a day of celebration for the JD(S) supremo was overshadowed by the decision of incumbent Congress MP Muddahanumegowda to file his nomination as an independent candidate seeking the support of local Congress leaders Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, who hails from Tumakuru district was present when Deve Gowda filed his nomination papers, and attempted to play peacemaker between the Congress and JD(S) in the district. "I attempted to persuade Muddahanumegowda to withdraw his candidature. There is no difference between Congress and JD(S) workers. I will persuade him to withdraw his candidature. I am confident I can convince him", he said. For Deve Gowda, the decision to contest from Tumakuru ended weeks of speculation about the fate of his candidature. After he relinquished the Hassan seat to his grandson Prajwal Revanna, reports suggested that Deve Gowda was undecided between Tumakuru and Bengaluru (North) Lok Sabha constituency. Eventually, on Saturday, Deve Gowda confirmed that he would be contesting from Tumakuru constituency. "Congress leaders had said I should stand in either Bengaluru North or on the other hand from the Tumakuru constituency. All the leaders finally said I should contest from Tumakru. This is the reason I am standing from here. Congress leaders have taken an interest in asking me," he said after filing his nomination. Tumkur was the only constituency handed over by the Congress to the JD(S) as per the seat sharing alliance struck between the two parties in which the incumbent MP belonged to the Congress party. Even choosing a candidate with the reputation of Deve Gowda has done little to please sitting Congress MP Muddahanumegowda, who has vowed to re-contest from the constituency as an independent candidate. Muddahanumegowda along with a section of local Congress supporters gathered at the Tumakuru Mahanagara Palike and held a procession before filing his nomination. "Today, in the entire country 44 MPs are there and of these 44 if you give to everyone, but deny me, how fair is this? You have taken part in coalition governmen. Despite knowing how i have worked in the constituency you have sacrificed me for coalition interests. How fair is this?", he asked to cheers from his supporters However, several JD(S) supporters in the crowd claimed that there was no injustice in giving the seat to Deve Gowda. "There is no injustice done. They have maintained coalition pact. From both parties we asked him to come to Tumakuru since there are JD(S) MLAs here and Congress Deputy CM Parameshwara is also from here", says Ravikumar, a JD(S) supporter. Moreover, Deve Gowda and the coalition also have to contend with the challenge of the BJP and its candidate and former MP from Tumakuru - GS Basavaraju. "Deve Gowda is not only an outsider in Tumakuru but he also has to answer the people here about the lack of 24 tmc ft water entering via Hemavathi Dam to Tumakuru district. We will contest Deve Gowda and we are confident that the division within Congress and JD(S) will help us", Basavaraju said speaking to TNM. He will file his nomination papers on Tuesday hoping to take advantage of the division between the coalition partners.

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Dharwad building collapse: Death toll reaches 19, rescue operations end after 5 days

Building Collapse

All the five persons accused in the case have been arrested by the police, while seven civic officials have been suspended.

Soumya Chatterjee

The final death toll in the Dharwad building collapse in north Karnataka reached 19, as relief and rescue operations concluded on Monday after five long days.  An official of the disaster management department confirmed the development stating a total of 54 people have been rescued including some who were trapped for more than two whole days. “Rescue and relief operations have been concluded today at around 3pm. The final death toll is 19,” an official said. The rescue operations had begun since March 19 when the under construction commercial building within Dharwad Sub-urban Police Station limits had collapsed in the afternoon. State Fire and Emergency rescue personnel were immediately pressed into service. Based on the Deputy Commissioner’s inputs, the state government had flown one National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team stationed in Bengaluru on the same evening itself. Later, two more teams of NDRF personnel were flown to the spot from Ghaziabad.  The official said, “In total, 111 NDRF personnel, 205 fire officials and 42 State Disaster Relief Force persons were involved in the rescue and relief operations.” Hubli-Dharwad Commissioner MN Nagaraju and Deputy Commissioner M Deepa monitored the developments from the spot. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Revenue Minister RV Deshpande also visited the spot to take stock of the situation.  So far, seven officials from the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation have been suspended including Town Planning Officer Mukund Joshi, Town Planning Cell Assistant Director Ashok Gadag, Zonal Officer Prabhakar Doddmani, Executive Engineer V Sridhar, Assistant Executive Engineer Chandrappa, Town Planning Cell Deputy Director BV Hiremath and Assistant Commissioner (zone-3) Santosh Anishettar. An inquiry is pending. Urban Development UT Khader told TNM that a team headed by the Deputy Commissioner will probe the involvement of the civic officials and submit a report based on which action will be taken.  Meanwhile, all the five named in the FIR registered in the case have been arrested including Gangappa Shintri, the father-in-law of former Dharwad MLA from Congress Vinay Kulkarni.  While the owners, Ravi Basavaraj Sabarad, Basavaraj D Nigadi, Gangappa Shintri and Mahabaleshwar Puradagudi surrendered on March 21, the architect of the building Vivek Pawar was arrested from Kolhapur in Maharashtra on Friday. All five have been booked under section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 338 (Causing grievous hurt by act endangering life) of the IPC.

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B’luru cop calls journo’s tweet on Kashmir student attack ‘illegal,’ faces criticism

Controversy

After Kashmiri journalist Fahad Shah tweeted about the attack, Whitefield DCP stated that tweeting about the incident was illegal and may instigate people.

TNM Staff

Twitter

Is it illegal to post updates about an ongoing criminal investigation on social media? Deputy Commissioner of Police of Bengaluru’s Whitefield Division has been facing flak on Twitter after telling a journalist that he will be summoned to the police station for tweeting about the attack on a Kashmiri student which took place a few days ago. On March 20, 24-year-old Kashmiri student Asad Zahood Dhar was attacked by a group of four men who beat him with rods and one of them also had a knife. Fahad Shah, the editor of the magazine ‘The Kashmir Walla’ had posted a picture of Absar Zahoor Dhar, who was thrashed by four men on March 20, with a quote from him, that said, “They could have killed me... I’m living in fear, not attending college as the assailants roam free in front of my house as if nothing happened.” Dhar, the Kashmiri students, told TNM that though four people were initially arrested, they were let out on bail. Dhar also stated that he does not think he was attacked solely because he is a Kashmiri. On March 24, Whitefield DCP Abdul Ahad replied to Fahad’s tweet, saying, “Mr Fahad Shah, you are discussing a subject of investigation in public domain which is an offence. Four culprits have been arrested and 107 CrPC proceedings are on. You are warned against this illegal behaviour.” Mr Fahad Shah Ur discussing a subject of investigation in public domain which is an offence,4 culprits have been arrested and 107 CrPC proceedings on...Ur warned against this illegal behaviour. — Abdul Ahad IPS (@dcpwhitefield) March 24, 2019 Under Section 107 of the CrPC, if a Magistrate receives information that a person is likely to commit a breach of peace or disturb public tranquillity, a Magistrate can send a show cause notice to the person asking him why he should not be ordered to submit a bond (with or without sureties) for keeping the peace for a certain period. Fahad Shah responded to the DCP stating that what he had tweeted was in public domain and was already published in newspapers. As much as I have tweeted here (which is not a discussion or an opinion) was already published in newspaper - perhaps it should be found what’s already in public domain. Thanks. — Fahad Shah (@pzfahad) March 24, 2019 DCP Abdul Ahad stated on Twitter that the journalist would be asked to speak to an investigating officer and ensure that he is not “instigating people.” U will be asked to explain...u can give Ur clarification to the investigating officer..as a law abiding citizen IAM sure u will explain Ur stand to the satisfaction of investigating officer...and make sure that Ur not instigating people....it's a serious offence — Abdul Ahad IPS (@dcpwhitefield) March 24, 2019 The DCP’s response to the journalist has drawn criticism on social media. Several journalists and public figures pointed out that it was not illegal to post updates of an ongoing investigation. “Remember you are bound by Constitution of India, let me refresh your memory, Freedom of Expression is still a Fundamental Right which NO DCP can take it from any Indian,” AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi stated in a tweet to the DCP. Muhtaram,Aali Janab ,Your Excellency of course you can arrest,jail you have all the Taqaat remember you are bound by Constitution of INDIA ,let me refresh your memory Freedom of Expression is still a Fundamental Right which NO DCP can take it from any Indian Samjha — Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) March 25, 2019 Why the hell are you threatening citizens? Under what law is discussion a public offence? Stop bullying people and abusing your office. — Dushyant (@atti_cus) March 24, 2019 Shooting the messenger. — Waheed وحید الرحمان پرہ (@parawahid) March 24, 2019 As per law, it is not against the rules for a journalist to report on an ongoing investigation. According to the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, fair and accurate report of a judicial proceeding (or any stage thereof) is not contempt. However, though Asad has stated that he was not attacked because he was a Kashmiri, it seems that the DCP was hinting that the news of his attack may instigate people. Shortly after the Pulwama terror attack which killed 40 CRPF jawans, there were reports of Kashmiri people in various parts of the country being abused and in some cases, assaulted.

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Ola gets green signal from officials, just has to pay Rs 15 lakh fine

Transportation

The Bengaluru commissioner of Road Transport and Safety said on Monday that the six-month suspension would be revoked after the fine was paid.

Soumya Chatterjee

The six-month suspension on taxi aggregator Ola in Bengaluru will be revoked only after the company pays Rs 15 lakh to the Regional Transport Authority. Ola's license was suspended after it was found operating illegal bike taxis in the city. Though it was announced on Sunday that the suspension would be revoked, it has now been revealed that Ola will have to pay the fine before the order is lifted. VP Ikkeri, Commissioner of Road Transport and Safety, Bengaluru, told mediapersons on Monday that the moment the taxi aggregator pays the fine, it will be allowed to legally function. When questioned about how he rolled back his decision within a few days, he said, “It is my discretionary power in the law to modify the suspension order within 30 days”. He denied any political pressure and said the decision was based on representations made by various stakeholders, including drivers, who said they had to pay their EMIs. In a statement, Ola said that the issue has been resolved. “We are glad that the issue stands resolved and we regret any inconvenience caused to our driver-partners and passengers since Friday,” the statement read. “We look forward to continue working with the state, to help address the challenges of mobility. We are committed to creating and enhancing livelihood opportunities for millions of driver-partners in the time to come,” it added. On Friday, it was reported that Ola was staring at a six-month suspension of its operating license in Bengaluru. This came after Ola illegally operated bike taxis. An order dated March 18 stated that Ola had to submit its original license to the RTO from Monday for operating bike taxis. Due to the lack of policy framework, all bikes taxis are illegal. Monday's decision comes after Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy authorised Chief Secretary Vijay Bhaskar to take a decision on the issue. Priyank Kharge, minister of Social Welfare, said on Twitter that business for Ola would be as usual. Speaking to TNM, the minister had said, “I've had a meeting with the Transport Department. The transport officials have also met the chief secretary. It'll be resolved, it should not be a problem. There are new technologies that are being introduced.” “Policy in any part of the world, not only in Bengaluru, is always playing catch-up with technology. Innovation happens faster than policy. That is why we had suggested that any innovation that needs to be evaluated by the government. We will come up with an innovation authority which will be headed by the CM,” he added.

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5 cases of Monkey fever confirmed in Wayanad district, officials on high alert

Monkey Fever

A man who was undergoing treatment for the fever at Kozhikode Medical College, succumbed on Sunday.

Dr. Nimeshika Jayachandran

Image for representation

Wayanad district is on high alert after 10 suspected cases of monkey fever were reported, with 5 of them being confirmed as monkey fever. One man who was undergoing treatment for the fever at Kozhikode Medical College tested positive and succumbed to monkey fever on Sunday. The deceased has been identified as  27-year-old Sundaran from Kattikulam Begur Colony. “We are working with officials from the Karnataka state health department who handled the outbreak of the fever in Shivamogga. All officials in the district are on high alert and we are working to ensure that awareness is being effectively executed, particularly among tribal groups, and forest workers, who are prone to coming in contact with ticks which may cause the disease,” stated Dr Renuka R, District Medical Officer (DMO) of Wayanad to TNM. She further added that vaccination efforts have already taken place with the guidance of the officials who had handled the outbreaks in Shivamogga district in January. “People are also being encouraged to use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, and also to use the appropriate repellants before going into the forest areas. Several of them find the vaccine to be painful and are hesitant to take them after the first dose, so we are stressing the importance of PPE,” added the DMO. The vaccine for monkey fever consists of 3 doses which are given on the first day, second day, and sixth day. Monkey fever, or Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), is a tick-borne disease which was first reported from Karnataka’s Shivamogga district in 1957, according to the National Centre for Disease Control. It spread to other parts of the country and has been noted to occur in Wayanad and Malappuram districts of Kerala. KFD is caused by a virus which belongs to the member of the flavivirus genus. It is transmitted to humans via infected ticks which are commonly found on monkeys, as a result of which it is also known as monkey fever. Symptoms include sudden onset of high grade fever, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea as well as bleeding tendencies.

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