K’taka BJP chief Vijayendra backs farmers opposing land acquisition for Bengaluru’s second airport

Bengaluru, May 4 (IANS) The counting of votes for two Assembly segments in Karnataka — Davanagere South and Bagalkot — where bye-elections were held, was progressing well on Monday. The BJP leads by 8,539 votes in Davanagere South and the ruling Congress party leads by 9,969 votes in the initial rounds.

The results are crucial for both the ruling Congress party and the Opposition BJP.

In the much-awaited Davanagere South constituency, BJP’s Srinivasa T. Dasakariyappa has increased the lead over Congress candidate Samarth Mallikarjun. Srinivasa has polled 25,728 votes, while Samarth Mallikarjun has secured 17,189 votes after the six round of counting. There are a total of 21 rounds of counting.

In the Bagalkot Assembly segment, at the end of the second round of counting, Congress candidate Umesh Meti has taken a lead of more than 8,000 votes over BJP candidate Veeranna Charantimath. Umesh Meti has secured 47,206 votes, while Veeranna Charantimath has polled 37,237 votes. There are a total of 23 rounds of counting.

In Bagalkot, the bye-election was held following the untimely demise of H.Y. Meti. His son, Umesh Meti, is in a direct contest against the BJP’s Veeranna Charantimath. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah campaigned extensively for the Congress candidate.

The counting of votes began at 8 A.M. and will be conducted in 23 rounds across 14 tables. Bagalkot Deputy Commissioner Sangappa said that all preparations had been made for the counting process. A total of 63 counting personnel have been deployed, and all necessary arrangements are in place.

Candidates and election agents arrived at the counting centre by 7 A.M., and the strongroom was opened in their presence.

The Davanagere South bypoll was necessitated by the death of veteran Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa. The party fielded his grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun, as its candidate, while the BJP nominated Srinivasa T. Dasakariyappa, a party leader from the oppressed classes.

Following allegations of anti-party activities, Congress removed two MLCs from party positions after announcing its candidate. The prestige of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is at stake, while the BJP is hoping to secure its first victory in this Assembly segment.

Election Officer Santosh Kumar and Deputy Commissioner G.M. Gangadharaswamy reviewed the preparations in Davanagere. The strongroom was opened in the presence of the candidates’ agents.

–IANS

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Bhubaneswar, Feb 4 (IANS) The Odisha Forest Department has introduced AI-enabled cameras and drones this year, enabling early detection and rapid intervention to prevent forest fires.

Speaking to media persons here, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF), K. Murugesan, on Wednesday, stated that timely detection through satellite-based fire alerts and swift action by field staff helped contain most of the incidents, achieving an impressive response efficiency of 99.7 per cent and significantly minimising damage.

According to last year’s statistics, approximately 29,709 forest fire sites were identified in Odisha. These incidents were primarily caused by human negligence, combined with dry grass and accumulated fallen leaves in the forests.

He further added that, drawing from last year’s experience, the Forest Department has strengthened its preparedness for the current fire season. He added that District Action Plans have been formulated across all districts, and around 20,461 kilometres of fire lines have been created and maintained in vulnerable forest areas.

To bolster on-ground response, the department has deployed 334 dedicated fire protection squads at division, range, and beat levels. These teams have been equipped with essential fire-fighting tools, including nearly 5,000 fire lift blowers and safety kits.

“The early warning and response system has been further enhanced with the deployment of AI-enabled cameras and drones. Active involvement of Vana Suraksha Samitis, Eco-Development Committees, and local communities has also been ensured. Awareness programmes have already been conducted in 336 villages, while over 631 training programmes are planned for various field units. Additionally, around 200 NDRF personnel have received specialised training in forest fire prevention and control,” Murugesan said.

Appealing to the public, Murugesan urged people, especially those living in and around forest areas, not to light fires in forests or forest fringes.

He warned that negligent use of fire can cause severe and irreversible damage to forests and wildlife, emphasising that public cooperation is crucial to ensure a safe and fire-free forest season.

–IANS

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Mumbai, Jan 15 (IANS) Amid the ongoing polling for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra on Thursday, the opposition has accused the ruling alliance of unleashing money power and has also blamed the State Election Commission (SEC) for the mismanagement of voter lists

Shiv Sena(UBT) leader and former Leader of Opposition in the state council, Ambadas Danve, alleged that the BJP was intoxicated with money power.

Danve, after casting his vote in Sambhajinagar, said, “I received calls until 4.00 a.m. about how the BJP has showered money across this city. The BJP is intoxicated and arrogant because of their wealth.BJP leaders talk grandly about development; if that is true, why do they need to rain down money? They should ask for votes based on their work, but that hasn’t happened.”

He expressed confidence that the public is wise and will “show the BJP their place”.

Voting is underway in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. According to the updated lists, 1,118,263 voters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are eligible to exercise their franchise. However, just hours before polling began, intense chaos broke out in several areas over allegations of cash distribution, claimed Danve.

Danve further alleged that the administration is under pressure from the ruling party and that the State Election Commission is “sleeping like Kumbhakarna”. He urged voters to take note of this perceived bias, stating that if justice is being meted out unevenly under administrative pressure, voters must stand by the right candidates.

Highlighting the need for a shift in power, Danve noted that 1,150 farmers committed suicide in 2025. He cautioned voters against “false and delusional propaganda” and a “fake balloon of development”.

NCP Legislator Rohit Pawar criticised the SEC for anomalies in the voters’ lists after significant confusion was reported at polling stations in Pimpri-Chinchwad and in other parts of Maharashtra.

He cited the case involving BJP minister Ganesh Naik, who could vote after one hour of moving here and there searching for his name and also the names of his family members in Navi Mumbai.

Rohit Pawar alleged that ward boundaries and voter lists were manipulated to suit the ruling party’s interests, even suggesting that voters were shifted based on their surnames and faces. He remarked that even a sitting Cabinet Minister like Ganesh Naik became a “victim of the BJP’s strategy”.

He demanded that the State Election Commission take responsibility for this state-wide confusion.

Meanwhile, the State Election Commission officials have appealed to citizens to step out and vote more actively as the day progresses.

–IANS

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