Naidu meets JD(S) leaders Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy to discuss post-poll alliance

Politics

The meeting which lasted for about an hour centred around post-poll scenarios if the NDA finds itself short of the 272 mark.

TNM Staff

With just over a day to go for counting of votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda. The late night meeting took place at the former Prime MInister’s residence in Bengaluru’s Padmanabha Nagar. The meeting which lasted for about an hour centred around post-poll scenarios if the NDA finds itself short of the 272 mark, informed sources said. "Naidu met Gowda and Kumaraswamy at the latter's residence in the city's southern suburb and sought their party's support for forming a non-BJP alliance and staking claim to power in the event of a fractured verdict and a hung Parliament," JD(S) official Ramesh Babu said. "Naidu also apprised Gowda and Kumaraswamy of his discussions with Rahul Gandhi, TMC President Mamata Banerjee, BSP President Mayawati, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and other allies for a post-poll alliance to prevent the BJP from returning to power in a hung Parliament," added Babu. Speculation is rife that Naidu has also proposed that all non-BJP aligned parties submit a memorandum to the President even before the results are officially declared to stake claim to the government if such a situation arises. Naidu, who was earlier aligned with the BJP-led NDA, had vowed to dethrone Narendra Modi from the PM’s post over the denial of special status to Andhra Pradesh. Since the day of polling, he has had a series of meetings with leaders opposed to the BJP and its allies. Naidu’s meeting with the Karnataka CM and the former PM was preceded by his meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who is also one of the key faces of the anti-BJP coalition. On Sunday, he met the top brass of the Congress party including the Chairperson of the UPA Sonia Gandhi, the Congress president Rahul Gandhi, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and CPI(M) chief Sitaram Yechury. The day before, he had similar talks with former UP Chief Ministers Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati and also Sharad Yadav, the chief of Loktantrik Janata Dal. With inputs from IANS

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Lok Sabha 2019: Bengaluru (North), Mumbai North saw highest transgender voters turnout

LGBTQ+

In most of the constituencies, the number of votes polled by transgenders voters was nil or below 10 with exceptions in big cities.

IANS

Sreekesh Raveendran Nair | Image for Representation

The Mumbai (North) Lok Sabha seat with 167 votes saw the highest turnout of transgender voters, followed by Bengaluru (North) constituency. According to the preliminary data in Election Commission's Voter turnout app, the voters listed in "other" category continue to be low all across the country. In most of the constituencies, the number of votes polled by transgenders voters was nil or below 10 with exceptions in big cities. Bengaluru (North) had the second highest turnout in "other" segment with 105 votes followed by 72 in Kalyan, 71 in Puducherry, 64 in Tiruchirapalli and 55 in Chennai Central, according to the voters turn out figure till phase 6 of the Lok Sabha elections, according to the EC app. Mumbai and Bengaluru constituencies otherwise saw low voter turnouts. The turnout in Bengaluru (North) was only 54.66 per cent. Among smaller cities where transgender persons turnout was in double digits include Nandyal (71) and Kadapa (68) in Andhra Pradesh, Bhopal (66) in Madhya Pradesh, Raipur (33) in Chhattisgarh, Anand (30) in Gujarat and Haridwar (22) in Uttarakhand. Enrolling transgenders in the "other" category is a recent development but very few people have come out to register. Only 38,325 voters are listed in the others category across the country. Karnataka alone has over 4,000 other voters while the number is over 1,800 in Maharashtra and 660 in Delhi. Transgender persons form a minuscule component of 900 million strong Indian electorate. According to 2011 census, India's transgender persons population stands at 4.9 lakh. In the national capital, the highest 46 votes were polled in Chandni Chowk in other category.

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Karnataka PU dept says no to different cut-off marks for boys and girls

Education

The notice comes days after it emerged that pre-university colleges in Bengaluru had set a higher cut-off mark for girls.

Prajwal Bhat

Representational Image/ PTI

The Karnataka Pre-University Education Department has stated that it will ask PU colleges in the state to do away with differential cut-off marks for boys and girls. A notice issued by the PU Education Department of the state government on Monday stated that students should be admitted as per merit. "In the guidelines issued to PU colleges for the year 2019-20, the seat matrix suggested that seats for girls and boys should be equal at 50%. But in the coming days, the department will issue a notice stating that seats should be given based on merit," the notice said. The notice comes days after it emerged that pre-university colleges in Bengaluru had set a higher cut-off mark for girls seeking admission. The colleges had cited the guidelines issued by the PU Education Department ahead of the 2019-20 academic year. "The guidelines were brought in around five years ago in order to encourage colleges to enroll girl students. We have come to know that this is being misused to deny students seats. We will be rectifying this soon," confirmed C Shikha, Director of the PU Department. According to a report in the Times of India, the cut off for boys in Bengaluru's MES and Christ Junior Colleges were less than what it was for girls opting for the same stream. The higher cutoff for girls was deemed necessary to maintain 'gender balance' in the college. However, legal experts told TNM that such rules are not only discriminatory but also illegal. Read: Why Bengaluru colleges setting a higher cutoff for girls is illegal and discriminatory  

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20 Congress MLAs will join BJP after vote counting on May 23: BS Yeddyurappa

Lok Sabha 2019

Operation Kamala all set to return.

TNM Staff

With exit polls predicting a thumping victory for the BJP in Karnataka, the party’s state President BS Yeddyurappa said that 20-22 Congress MLAs would join the BJP after the Lok Sabha election results are announced. "Many exit polls have predicted that BJP will 20-23 seats. Ver since election campaigning began, I have maintained that BJP would comfortably win 22 seats in Karnataka and that many big leaders of the Congress and the JD(S) will lose,” Yeddyurappa said. Stating that the Congress leaders have reportedly informed the high command that the party has not benefited anything from the alliance with the JD(S), Yeddyurappa said this was proof everyone was unhappy with the coalition. “Once the election results are out on May 23, a lot will change in the state politics. 20-22 Congress leader will join the BJP. They are not happy with the outcome of the coalition,” he added. Yeddyurappa held talks with Gokak Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi on Monday regarding defecting to the BJP. Party sources say that Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi will fly to New Delhi on Wednesday to hold talks with senior leaders regarding the defection of other MLAs. “Congress MLAs Mahesh Kumatihalli, Bheema Nayak, JN Ganesh are already in talks. Ramesh Jarkiholi has been holding talks with other legislators over the phone. Yeddyurappa has entrusted the responsibility of herding in MLAs to Ramesh Jarkiholi. Over 20 MLAs say they will defect only if the NDA comes to power this time,” the source added.    

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Karnataka Congress MLA calls KC Venugopal a buffoon, Siddaramaiah arrogant

Politics

With exit polls predicting a loss for the JD(S)-Congress alliance and with state government in jeopardy, tempers flare.

TNM Staff

File image

In yet another embarrassment for the Congress party in Karnataka, seven-time MLA and former minister Roshan Baig has lashed out against his own party men, especially Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Dinesh Gundu Rao and former Chief Minister Siddarmaiah. Roshan Baig’s statement comes two days before the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha Elections. The disgruntled veteran leader, who was speculated to be unhappy with his party after not being allocated a ministerial post, has said that he may join the BJP. His discontent with the party only worsened when the Congress denied him a Lok Sabha seat from the Bengaluru Central segment, but chose to offer it to Rizwan Arshad instead. The leader, who is popular among the Muslim community in Bengaluru, has also urged his community members to not shy away from accepting the BJP. In various interactions with the media since Monday, Roshan Baig has expressed his discontent with the Congress. “No seats were given to Christians and only one seat was given to a Muslim in Karnataka. These communities were ignored. I'm upset with this. We have been used. KC Venugopal is a buffoon. I feel sorry for my leader Rahul Gandhi ji. Buffoons like Venugopal, the arrogant attitude of Siddaramaiah and the flop show Gundu Rao...The result is this,” the senior leader told news agency ANI on Tuesday morning whilst reacting to exit poll predictions. Speaking with reporters on Monday, he said, “Well, if NDA is coming back to power, I humbly appeal to Muslim brothers to learn to compromise with the situation." "If need be, I will do it [referring to supporting the BJP] because we (Muslims) cannot remain in a party which has disgraced us. We live our lives with grace and dignity. Where we will not get respect, we will not want to remain there. If someone makes us sit with love and affection, we will sit with them," he added. A show cause notice has been issued to Roshan Baig seeking an explanation over his behaviour within one weeks’ time. The show casue notice issued by BY Ghorpade, General Secretary, KPCC Disciplinary Committee said, “It has come to our knowledge that you have spoken against Congress in-charge of Karnataka KC Venugopal, CLP leader Siddaramaiah and KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao.” The notice added, “We have seen the video of your statement to the media on Tuesday referring to these leaders as buffoon, arrogant and flop show. Your statement has caused extreme embarrassment to the party. Speaking against these leaders and slighting the party with your statement constitutes indulging in anti-party activities. We give you one week to respond to the notice or disciplinary action will be taken against you.” How stable is Karnataka government? In addition to the embarrassment, if the senior Congressman does eventually choose to leave the party, it threatens the stability of the government. Other than Baig, at least four MLAs led by Ramesh Jarkiholi are also poised to join the BJP. Umesh Jadhav, another such dissident MLA who won on a Congress ticket is already in the BJP and contested against Congress heavyweight Mallikarjun Kharge on his home turf for the Kalaburagi Lok Sabha seat. However, the switching of sides is expected to take place only after May 23, when along with the Lok Sabha elections, results of the two crucial Assembly seats will be declared. With two sitting Congress MLAs also contesting Lok Sabha elections, the number of games might change further. The majority mark in the 224-member Karnataka Assembly is 113. At present, Congress has 77 MLAs, plus the Speaker who casts a vote in case of a tie during a floor test. The JD(S) has 37 MLAs and the lone BSP MLA also supports the Kumaraswamy government. The BJP, on the other hand, has 104 MLAs and the support from two independents. If the BJP wins the two bye-election seats and also manages to poach at least five MLAs, it will not only be able to bring down the Kumaraswamy government but can also stake claim to form the next government.  

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Unfavourable exit polls have prompted K’taka CM to cancel Delhi visit: Sources

HD Kumaraswamy was supposed to join the top brass of 21 Opposition parties in Delhi, who are rallying for a non-BJP government at the Centre.

TNM Staff

On Tuesday morning, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy cancelled his visit to the national capital -- New Delhi, unceremoniously. He was supposed to join the top brass of 21 Opposition parties who are rallying for a non-BJP government at the Centre. Kumaraswamy was also to be a part of the delegation that is meeting the Election Commission regarding the issue of EVMs. A JD(S) source claimed that the CM’s visit has been cancelled due to the prevailing “fluid state” following the exit polls. All major exit polls have hinted at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s return.  “See now, the exit poll results have come out. Everything is now in a fluid state. So let the clear picture emerge, that is why he is waiting for May 23. There is no point for him to go. Anyway, we are expecting five seats in total, so our role is more to act as a binding factor for all other small parties. So let the results come out, then only we can act on that direction,” the JD(S) source added.  The Opposition parties intend to demand that the EC tally the VVPAT slips with the EVM count for every constituency in order to detect discrepancies. Ahmed Patel of the Congress, Sharad Pawar of NCP, Chandrababu Naidu of TDP, Satish Chandra Mishra of BSP, Sitaram Yechury of CPI(M) and Derek O’Brien of the TMC are expected to meet the EC officials. Kumaraswamy was also supposed to join the 21 parties and address the press jointly at the Constitution Club in Delhi, before heading for a meeting with the Election Commission. It may be recalled that Kumaraswamy’s swearing-in ceremony in mid-2018 was the first time that the top leaders of all anti-BJP political parties came together on the same stage in a show of unity. The CM’s office could not be reached for comment. Now, KC Venugopal, the AICC-Karnataka-in charge is likely to meet the CM later in the day at the former’s JP Nagar residence.   Read: Exit polls with false numbers being used by BJP to lure regional players, Kumaraswamy alleges The calling off of the CM’s visit has also triggered speculations about the longevity of the state government amidst the continuous public infighting between the two coalition partners. Since the formation of the coalition government, the two parties had also contested the Lok Sabha polls as pre-poll allies. The open bitterness among some leaders and former rivals has even displeased Congress President Rahul Gandhi who cracked the whip on Sunday. Following that, KPCC (Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee) President Dinesh Gundu Rao was forced to make a public statement appealing to leaders of both the parties to avoid making controversial comments. However, the JD(S) source claimed that despite the apparent differences, there is no threat to the government. Incidentally, BJP president Amit Shah is hosting a dinner in Delhi for all the NDA allies, two days ahead of counting of votes.  

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Unfavourable exit polls have prompted K’taka CM to cancel Delhi visit: Sources

Politics

HD Kumaraswamy was supposed to join the top brass of 21 Opposition parties in Delhi, who are rallying for a non-BJP government at the Centre.

Soumya Chatterjee

On Tuesday morning, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy cancelled his visit to the national capital -- New Delhi, unceremoniously. He was supposed to join the top brass of 21 Opposition parties who are rallying for a non-BJP government at the Centre. Kumaraswamy was also to be a part of the delegation that is meeting the Election Commission regarding the issue of EVMs. A JD(S) source claimed that the CM’s visit has been cancelled due to the prevailing “fluid state” following the exit polls. All major exit polls have hinted at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s return. “See now, the exit poll results have come out. Everything is now in a fluid state. So let the clear picture emerge, that is why he is waiting for May 23. There is no point for him to go. Anyway, we are expecting five seats in total, so our role is more to act as a binding factor for all other small parties. So let the results come out, then only we can act on that direction,” the JD(S) source added. The Opposition parties intend to demand that the EC tally the VVPAT slips with the EVM count for every constituency in order to detect discrepancies. Ahmed Patel of the Congress, Sharad Pawar of NCP, Chandrababu Naidu of TDP, Satish Chandra Mishra of BSP, Sitaram Yechury of CPI(M) and Derek O’Brien of the TMC are expected to meet the EC officials. Kumaraswamy was also supposed to join the 21 parties and address the press jointly at the Constitution Club in Delhi, before heading for a meeting with the Election Commission. It may be recalled that Kumaraswamy’s swearing-in ceremony in mid-2018 was the first time that the top leaders of all anti-BJP political parties came together on the same stage in a show of unity. The CM’s office could not be reached for comment. Now, KC Venugopal, the AICC-Karnataka-in charge is likely to meet the CM later in the day at the former’s JP Nagar residence. Read: Exit polls with false numbers being used by BJP to lure regional players, Kumaraswamy alleges The calling off of the CM’s visit has also triggered speculations about the longevity of the state government amidst the continuous public infighting between the two coalition partners. Since the formation of the coalition government, the two parties had also contested the Lok Sabha polls as pre-poll allies. The open bitterness among some leaders and former rivals has even displeased Congress President Rahul Gandhi who cracked the whip on Sunday. Following that, KPCC (Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee) President Dinesh Gundu Rao was forced to make a public statement appealing to leaders of both the parties to avoid making controversial comments. However, the JD(S) source claimed that despite the apparent differences, there is no threat to the government. Incidentally, BJP president Amit Shah is hosting a dinner in Delhi for all the NDA allies, two days ahead of counting of votes.

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