2018 polls: Lobbying for ticket intensifies in Cong after entry of 7 JD(S) rebels

News Network
August 23, 2017

Bengaluru, Aug 23: The imminent entry of seven ticket-monger rebel JD(S) MLAs into the Congress has created a sense of insecurity among several Congress leaders in Karnataka. Senior leaders in the ruling party have commenced lobbying for ticket for their loyalists and kin for the 2018 Assembly elections.

The JD(S) rebel legislators will officially join the Congress soon and they have been introduced to party vice-president Rahul Gandhi by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Delhi, with the hope of getting ticket. However, sources in the Congress revealed that the party has not guaranteed ticket to all seven.

It is learnt that the party has not ensured ticket in the reserve (SC) constituency of Pulakeshinagar in Bengaluru to incumbent Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy. Sources said Congress leader in the Lok Sabha M. Mallikarjun Kharge has been supporting the candidature of Prasanna Kumar, who had lost to Mr. Murthy in the 2013 polls. Complicating matters further is the indication that KPCC president G. Parameshwara has plans to migrate to the city and contest from Pulakeshinagar. The KPPC chief lost to Sudhakar Lal of JD(S) in 2013 from Koratagere constituency in Tumakuru district.

The other six rebel JD(S) leaders are expected to get ticket. They are Zameer Ahmed Khan (Chamarajpet); N. Chaluvarayaswamy (Nagamangala); H.C. Balakrishna (Magadi); Bhima Naik (Hagaribommanahalli); Ramesh Bandisiddegowda (Srirangapatna); and Iqbal Ansari (Gangavathi) as there are no strong Congress candidates in these constituencies.

Meanwhile, Ministers and senior leaders too have started lobbying for ticket for their sons and daughters. Mr. Siddaramaiah is almost sure to field his son, Yathindra, either from Chamundeshwari or Varuna constituency. Public Works Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, Law Minister T.B. Jayachandra, Animal Husbandry Minister A. Manju, Legislative Assembly Speaker K.B. Koliwad, former Union Minister Margaret Alva, and former Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Rahman Khan are lobbying with the party high command to get ticket for their sons in constituencies of their respective districts.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has been lobbying hard to get ticket for his daughter Sowmya Reddy for Jayanagar seat in the city, while K.H. Muniyappa, Kolar MP, is keen on fielding his daughter Roopakala from KGF constituency. Motamma too has been trying to get ticket for her daughter in Kadur constituency of Chikkamagalur.

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News Network
November 21,2025

Bantwal: A domestic dispute appears to have led to a violent confrontation in BC Road area, where the owner of a textile shop was allegedly attacked with a knife by his wife on Wednesday evening.

Krishna Kumar Somayaji, the owner of Somayaji Textiles, sustained serious injuries in the incident and was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment. He is currently receiving care in the intensive care unit and is reported to have survived the assault, according to police.

The Bantwal Town police have registered a case against Somayaji's wife, Jyothi KT, who has since been taken into custody.

Police stated that the complainant, Namita, an employee at the shop, reported the sequence of events. She stated that around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, the suspect entered the shop, wearing a burqa and disguised as a customer, before attacking Somayaji with a knife. The employee then transported the injured owner to a local hospital via an autorickshaw.

Superintendent of Police Arun K confirmed that an ongoing domestic dispute between Somayaji and his wife reportedly preceded the attack. Police noted that Jyothi KT had previously visited the shop and issued threats.

Based on the complaint, Bantwal Town police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Indian Arms Act-1959. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.

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News Network
November 22,2025

Mangaluru: Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H has warned of strict action against individuals spreading rumours and attempting to create insecurity within the Muslim community and fuel hatred between Hindus and Muslims through social media.

Referring to a recent social media post alleging that police personnel had entered a masjid premises to check whether beef was being cooked, the commissioner said miscreants were attempting to push their communal agenda. 

“A group of people, both from Mangaluru and abroad, are trying hard to spread rumours. For the past 10 days, they have been attempting to rake up old issues, highlight routine matters as controversies, or fabricate news altogether,” he said.

He reiterated that any such attempts to disturb communal harmony would invite legal action. “Cases will be registered and the accused will be brought to book,” he stated.

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News Network
November 22,2025

Mangaluru: Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H has warned of strict action against individuals spreading rumours and attempting to create insecurity within the Muslim community and fuel hatred between Hindus and Muslims through social media.

Referring to a recent social media post alleging that police personnel had entered a masjid premises to check whether beef was being cooked, the commissioner said miscreants were attempting to push their communal agenda. 

“A group of people, both from Mangaluru and abroad, are trying hard to spread rumours. For the past 10 days, they have been attempting to rake up old issues, highlight routine matters as controversies, or fabricate news altogether,” he said.

He reiterated that any such attempts to disturb communal harmony would invite legal action. “Cases will be registered and the accused will be brought to book,” he stated.

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