Another Kumaraswamy is JD(S) Karnataka chief; HDK’s son is youth wing chief

News Network

July 4, 2019

Bengaluru, Jul 4: Five-time Janata Dal (Secular) legislator H.K. Kumaraswamy has been named the president of the party’s Karnataka unit, replacing A H Vishwanath, who had resigned following the Lok Sabha debacle.

The announcement was made by party supremo and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda here on July 4.

Mr. Gowda also announced several other office-bearers, including Madhu Bangarappa, former legislator and son of former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa as the party's working president. Incidentally, Mr. Madhu Bangarappa lost in recent Lok Sabha election against the BJP’s B.Y. Raghavendra in Shivamogga.

The party will stick to one working president instead of the four it intended to appoint earlier.

In a surprise move, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, has been appointed the youth wing president.

Nikhil lost the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Mandya against BJP-backed Independent candidate Sumalatha.

“At 11 am today I got a call from party leaders and I didn't expect this at all,” Nikhil said. “This decision has been taken in consultation with all senior leaders. They have given me this responsibility believing in me. If the JD(S) still survives, it is because of Deve Gowda. He might have lost, but I know his resolve. He is completely dedicated to rejuvenating this party. I will follow in his footsteps,” he said.

Former minister N M Nabi and MLA K Gopalaiah have been made JD(S) senior vice presidents. Party leader from Hanur R Manjunath is the vice president.

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Mangaluru NRI returning from Saudi Arabia arrested over Instagram post

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December 15,2025

Mangaluru police have arrested a 27-year-old NRI on his return from Saudi Arabia in connection with an Instagram post allegedly containing derogatory and provocative remarks about the Hindu religion, officials said on Monday.

The accused, Abdul Khader Nehad, a resident of Ulaibettu in Mangaluru, was working in Saudi Arabia when the post was uploaded, police said.

A suo motu case was registered at the Bajpe police station on October 11 after an allegedly offensive post circulated from the Instagram account ‘team_sdpi_2025’. Police said the content was flagged for being provocative and derogatory in nature.

During the investigation, technical analysis traced the Instagram post to Nehad, who was residing abroad at the time, a senior police officer said. Based on these findings, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him.

On December 14, Nehad arrived from Saudi Arabia at Calicut International Airport in Kerala, where he was taken into custody on arrival. Police said further investigation is underway.

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Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

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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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