Panchayat poll results indicate party’s return to power: Karnataka BJP

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Bengaluru, Dec 24 (IANS) After the victory in the town panchayat elections held in various districts of the state, the Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said on Wednesday that the election results indicate the party’s return to power in the state.

Speaking to the media at the state BJP office “Jagannath Bhavan” in Bengaluru Urban district’s Malleswaram, N. Ravikumar, Opposition’s Chief Whip in the Legislative Council and senior BJP leader, said, “If the results of the town panchayat elections are taken as an indicator, it is clear that the BJP will come to power in Karnataka in the coming days.”

He added that elections were held to 76 wards across four town panchayats, in which the BJP won 48 seats, the Congress 23, Social democratic Party of India (SDPI) three, and Independents two.

He said that elections were also held to two wards in Raichur and Bengaluru Rural districts, and the BJP won both.

“Including the by-elections, the BJP secured a total of 50 seats,” he added.

BJP leader Ravikumar said that the Congress is currently in power in Karnataka, with a Chief Minister, a Deputy Chief Minister, and a full-fledged Cabinet of 33 Ministers.

“Is this your (Congress) achievement?” he asked, noting that the BJP had won 50 out of 76 seats.

He also criticised the Congress-led Karnataka government, saying that no matter how many guarantees are announced, it would not yield results as the state has a development-deficient government.

“Salaries are not being paid, there is a shortage of lecturers in universities, schools and colleges, and roads across the state are riddled with potholes,” BJP leader Ravikumar alleged.

State BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra has expressed happiness over the party’s victory in a total of four town panchayats across Karnataka.

He said the BJP secured a majority in the Bashettihalli town panchayat election in Doddaballapur taluk.

“In addition, the BJP candidate also emerged victorious in the election held for one seat in the Doddaballapur City Municipal Council,” he added.

Vijayendra said that the BJP also won a majority in the town panchayat elections held in Bajpe and Kinnigoli in Dakshina Kannada district, and in Manki in Uttara Kannada district.

He also added that the BJP candidate won the by-election held for Ward No. 4 of the Turvihal Town Panchayat in Raichur district, and congratulated all the party’s winning candidates.

“This unprecedented victory in the local body elections is a fitting response from the people to the failures of the ruling (Congress) government’s policies in the state. The party is committed to the overall development of these constituencies,” Vijayendra said.

Taking to his official X account, the Karnataka BJP said, “Thanking all the voters who voted for development in the town panchayat and local body by-elections without being swayed by the Congress government’s guarantee schemes.”

“The BJP’s young leadership worked hard for the victory of the party workers, resulting in the party’s success in the town panchayat and local body by-elections. Congratulations to all the BJP candidates who emerged victorious, as well as to the office-bearers, leaders, and party workers who worked tirelessly to ensure the party’s win,” it added.

–IANS

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Chennai, May 10 (IANS) Amid rising tensions along the India-Pakistan border, five students from Tamil Nadu, who were stranded in Punjab, safely returned to Chennai on Saturday morning, thanks to the swift intervention of the Tamil Nadu government.

The students were part of a group of 12 from Tamil Nadu pursuing higher education at a private university in Jalandhar district, Punjab.

As cross-border hostilities escalated, the situation in Punjab grew tense, leaving the students anxious and uncertain about their safety.

Responding promptly, the Tamil Nadu government coordinated with central agencies to facilitate their safe evacuation. Officials arranged for the students to be transported from Punjab to Delhi on Thursday night.

Of the 12 stranded students, five were flown from Delhi to Chennai early Saturday morning aboard an Air India flight. They were received at the Chennai airport by senior officials, including the Deputy Director of the Department of Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils.

The state government also arranged special transportation to help the students return to their hometowns, covering districts such as Namakkal and Coimbatore.

The remaining seven students are scheduled to arrive in Chennai around noon on Saturday, flying in via an IndiGo flight. Minister for the Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils, S M Nassar, along with senior officials, was present at the airport to receive them. These students hail from districts including Kallakurichi, Namakkal, and Coimbatore.

Speaking to reporters at the airport, the returning students expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Tamil Nadu government for its timely help.

“We were just 60 kilometres from the Pakistan border. The situation was very tense, and we were under immense stress,” said Ajay Vasanth from Namakkal.

“But as soon as Tamil Nadu government officials reached us, our anxiety eased. They took good care of us and are now ensuring we return home safely,” Vasanth said.

Naveen, a student from Coimbatore, shared, “We didn’t know what to do or where to go. But Tamil Nadu officials treated us with care, guided us at every step, and ensured our well-being.”

Another student, Remi from Coimbatore, recounted their journey: “We travelled from Punjab to Delhi by bus, unsure of what lay ahead and with no place to stay. But after we contacted the Tamil Nadu government helpline, officials quickly reached out, provided support, and arranged everything for our safe return.”

The Tamil Nadu government has assured continuous monitoring of the situation and pledged assistance to any more residents stranded in conflict zones.

–IANS

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Maha Kumbh mela ignites PM Modi’s vision for a resurgent India, says TN BJP

Chennai, Feb 28 (IANS) Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson and senior leader ANS Prasad said that the Maha Kumbh mela has demonstrated India’s growing stature on the world stage, poised to become a global superpower by 2047.

In a statement on Friday, the BJP leader said, “As the world acknowledges India’s spiritual prowess, it is a moment of pride for Bharat, underscoring the nation’s unwavering commitment to its cultural and spiritual heritage.”

“The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj has been a monumental success, thanks to the exemplary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath,” the BJP leader said.

He said that the event, which drew over 660 million devotees, was a powerful demonstration of India’s cultural unity and spiritual diversity, showcasing exceptional event management and reinforcing the principles of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (world is one family)’.

“By embodying the essence of India’s revered spiritual guru, Swami Vivekananda, these visionary leaders have demonstrated their commitment to the nation’s spiritual and cultural resurgence, inspiring a new era of spiritual awakening and national resurgence, and solidifying the Maha Kumbh Mela’s status as a symbol of national pride,” the BJP leader said.

ANS Prasad said, “The colossal spiritual contributions of millions of Indians, symbolising unity, have infused new vigour into India’s culture, heritage, and traditions.”

The BJP leader said that the world watches in awe as India marches forward with a magnificent resurgence, heralding a new era.

Prasad said that the Maha Kumbh Mela has emerged as a beacon of spiritual resurgence, captivating the hearts of people worldwide with its profound message of love and unity.

He said that this magnificent celebration has not only showcased India’s rich cultural heritage but has also underscored the nation’s unwavering commitment to its spiritual roots.

The revered Hindu scriptures, ancient texts, and timeless epics, from the Vedas and Puranas to the inspiring teachings of Swami Vivekananda, have collectively contributed to India’s magnificent heritage, he said.

The senior BJP leader said that the rich legacy has shaped Bharat into a beacon of hope and a guiding light for humanity, showcasing the nation as an exemplary model for the world.

ANS Prasad said that the Maha Kumbh Mela embodies the sublime philosophy of selfless service, where devotion to humanity is considered devotion to the divine. He said that by fostering a sense of unity amidst diversity, this grand festival has been showcasing India’s incredible pluralism to the world, offering a unique doctrine of “Unity in Diversity” that inspires wonder.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, a beacon of global unity and a testament to humanity’s shared values, concluded in India with great fanfare, he said.

He added, “This grand spiritual festival, which drew millions of devotees from across the globe, transcended geographical, cultural, and sectarian boundaries, uniting people under the universal language of love and spirituality.”

The BJP spokesperson said that the magnificent event embodies the essence of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat (One India, Supreme India)’, a vision that resonates deeply with the hearts of Indians.

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He said that the event set new standards in management and cleanliness, celebrating unity and global harmony.

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He said that the success of the event is a testament to the visionary leadership of PM Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath, who have inspired a new era of spiritual awakening and national resurgence.

As the country celebrates Viksit Bharat, it’s essential to understand the vision behind this initiative, he said. The BJP leader said that ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ aims to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, focussing on economic growth, environmental sustainability, social progress, and good governance.

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ED chargesheet against Sonia, Rahul is ‘politics of vendetta and intimidation’: Jairam Ramesh

New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed its first chargesheet in the high-profile National Herald money laundering case, naming senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Sam Pitroda, among others.

The chargesheet has been submitted to the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi, which is scheduled to hear arguments on April 25.

In response to the chargesheet, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh lashed out at the government, accusing it of misusing central agencies for political gain.

“Seizing the assets of the National Herald is a state-sponsored crime masquerading as the rule of law. Filing chargesheets against Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and some others is nothing but the politics of vendetta and intimidation by the PM and the HM gone completely berserk. The INC and its leadership will not be silenced. Satyameva Jayate,” Ramesh said in a post on X.

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The agency claims that Young Indian, beneficially owned by the Gandhis, effectively took control of AJL’s properties while undervaluing their market worth.

The ED’s probe officially began in 2021, after courts allowed the investigation to move forward despite multiple legal challenges.

In November 2023, the agency attached immovable properties valued at Rs 661 crore and AJL shares worth Rs 90.2 crore, terming them suspected proceeds of crime. The total value of the alleged proceeds in the case stands at Rs 988 crore.

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