Akhilesh proposes joint candidate against Modi in 2019, Cong non-committal

News Network
June 2, 2018

Bengaluru, Jun 2: Despite winning just 37 seats, constant protestations that he’s chief minister due to Rahul Gandhi’s benevolence and of him being beholden to the Congress and not to the people of Karnataka, HD Kumaraswamy has emerged from a protracted cabinet-formation exercise with a clear upper hand.

The JD(S) has walked away with plum portfolios — finance, energy, excise and public works — leaving many Congress leaders, including DK Shivakumar who had set his eyes on the energy ministry, baffled and upset.

After four days of parleys, Congress and JD(S) hammered out the final split on Friday: The Congress gets 22 portfolios, including home, industries, revenue and Bengaluru development, and the JD(S) 12.

“Both parties have agreed to the portfolio-sharing formula. There are no differences,” AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, KC Venugopal, said at a press conference attended by the chief minister, his deputy G Parameshwara, senior Congress leaders Siddaramaiah, Mallikarjun M Kharge and Shivakumar.

Ministers set to take oath on June 6

The ministers, who are yet to be picked, will take oath at 2pm on June 6. The parties were keen on a Sunday swearingin, but the event had to be postponed as governor Vajubhai R Vala is in New Delhi for four days from Saturday to attend a conclave of the governors.

Admitting that there was a tussle over the finance portfolio, Venugopal said the Congress decided to concede it to the JD(S) following AICC president Rahul Gandhi’s intervention.

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“Rahul wants the coalition to succeed in the larger interest of the country. Based on his advice, we’ve agreed to give the finance portfolio to the JD(S),” he added.

The decision to hand energy and public works department ministries to the JD(S) has not gone down well with many Congress leaders, especially Shivakumar who held the portfolio in the previous government. Shivakumar had skipped the talks held in the morning.

The parties have framed a formula to ensure smooth functioning of the coalition government: Form a coordination committee led by former CM Siddaramaiah; evolve a common agenda based on both parties’ manifestos; appoint one spokesperson from each party to brief media; Congress and JD(S) to share posts of chairpersons of boards and corporations on a 2:1 ratio.

The coordination committee will also include Kumaraswamy, KC Venugopal, G Parameshwara and JD(S) secretary general K Danish Ali. The panel will meet once a month.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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News Network
December 6,2025

indigoticket.jpg

With IndiGo flight disruptions impacting thousands of passengers, the airline on Saturday said that it will offer full waiver on all cancellations/reschedule requests for travel bookings between December 5, 2025 and December 15, 2025.

Earlier in the day, the civil aviation ministry had directed the airline to complete the ticket refund process for the cancelled flights by Sunday evening, as well as ensure baggage separated from the travellers are delivered in the next two days.

In a post on X, titled 'No questions asked', IndiGo wrote, "In response to recent events, all refunds for your cancellations will be processed automatically to your original mode of payment."

"We are deeply sorry for the hardships caused," it further added.

Several passengers, however, complained of not getting full refund as promised by the airline.

Netizens have shared screenchots of getting charged for airline cancellation fee and convenience fee.

"Please tell me why u have did this airline cancellation charges when u say full amount will be refunded (sic)," a user wrote sharing a screenshot of the refund page.

"Well, but you have still debited the convenience charges," wrote another.

Passengers have also raised concerns about the "cancel" option being disabled on the IndiGo app. "First enable the 'Cancel' button on your App & offer full refund on tickets cancelled by customers between the said dates," wrote a user.

A day after the country's largest airline, IndiGo, cancelled more than 1,000 flights and caused disruptions for the fifth day on Saturday, the ministry said that any delay or non-compliance in refund processing will invite immediate regulatory action.

The refund process for all cancelled or disrupted flights must be completed by 8 pm on Sunday, the ministry said in a statement.

"Airlines have also been instructed not to levy any rescheduling charges for passengers whose travel plans were affected by cancellations," it said.

On Saturday, more than 400 flights were cancelled at various airports.

IndiGo has also been instructed to set up dedicated passenger support and refund facilitation cells.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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