BJP MLAs being kept in "confinement" at Gurugram hotel, alleges Kumaraswamy

Agencies

January 17, 2019

Bengaluru, Jan 17: Hitting out at the BJP for making "futile attempts" to destabilise his government, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Thursday accused the saffron party of keeping its MLAs in "confinement" at a hotel in Gurugram.

Grappling with the political turmoil triggered by reports that the BJP was luring Congress MLAs, Kumaraswamy rejected a charge by the saffron party that he was trying to poach their lawmakers.

"Some people tried to misuse you (the media) in spreading a feeling that on January 15 there would be some-kranthi (revolution).I feel instead of doing some-kranthi they have done some-branti (illusion) to themselves," Kumaraswamy said.

Kumaraswamy was referring to reports about alleged claims in BJP that there would be "some kranthi (revolution)" by 'Sankranthi' on January 15, the festival of harvests in Karnataka, to suggest that the government would fall.

Speaking to reporters here, Kumaraswamy said BJP state president Yeddyurappa making repeated claims that Congress-JD(S) leaders, especially the Chief Minister, was luringhis party MLAs, was "surprising" for him.

"They are making all kinds of futile attempts (to destabilise the government)...," he said.

The ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition and BJP have accused each other of trying to lure the MLAs.

Hitting out at Yeddyurappa for criticising his foreignvisit along with family on New Year's eve when the state was reeling under drought, Kumaraswamy asked the BJP president about his party MLAs now spending time at a five star hotel.

Yeddyurappa had spoken with anger asthough only he was concerned about the farmers and difficulties of the people, he said.

"Is Yeddyurappa and party taking stock of the drought situation in Gurugram, sitting at the hotel? Has the situation in Karnataka improved now?" he asked.

The Chief Minister flayed Yeddyurappa forallegedly confining BJP MLAs at a hotel, while pointing out that the ruling coalition legislators were free.

"I am surprised when you (Yeddyurappa) criticise theCongress and JD(S) for their inability to keep MLAs together..but, you have kept your MLAs in confinement at a hotel, are there differences between you and your MLAs?

We have not kept any of our MLAs in confinement, we have left them free," Kumaraswamy said.

"You (BJP) are doing everything (trying to poach MLAs), but now blaming us, if you feel that people will accept whatever you say, you are wrong. Peoplewill give answer to BJP leaders at the right time," he added.

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QR-code tips power Mangaluru's major drug bust: 25 arrested in 2 weeks

News Network

December 16,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 16: The Mangaluru City police have significantly escalated their campaign against drug trafficking, arresting 25 individuals and booking 12 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between November 30 and December 13. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of illicit substances, including 685.6 grams of MDMA and 1.5 kg of ganja.

The success of this recent drive has been significantly boosted by the city’s innovative, QR code-based anonymous reporting system.

"The anonymous reporting system has received an encouraging response. Several recent arrests were made based on inputs received through this system, helping police tighten the noose around drug peddlers," said the City Police Commissioner.

The latest arrests contribute to a robust year-to-date record, underscoring the police's relentless commitment to combating the drug menace.

Up to December 14 this year, the police have registered a total of 107 cases of drug peddling, leading to the arrest of 219 peddlers. Furthermore, they have booked 562 cases of drug consumption, resulting in the arrest of 671 individuals.

The scale of the seizure for the year reflects the magnitude of the problem being tackled: police have seized 320.6 kg of ganja worth ₹88.7 lakh and 1.4 kg of MDMA valued at ₹1.2 crore. Other significant seizures include hydro-weed ganja worth ₹94.7 lakh and cocaine worth ₹1.9 lakh, among others.

The Commissioner emphasized a policy of rigorous enforcement: "We ensure that peddlers are caught red-handed so that they cannot later dispute the case or claim innocence."

To counter the rising trend of substance abuse among youth, the Mangaluru City police have rolled out uniform guidelines for random drug testing across educational institutions.

As part of the drive, tests were conducted in approximately 100 institutions, screening an estimated 5,500 to 6,000 students in the first phase. 20 students tested positive for drug consumption during the initial screening.

Students who tested positive have been provided counselling and are scheduled for re-testing in the second quarter. The testing will also be expanded to students not covered in the first phase. In a move to ensure strict implementation, police personnel were deployed in mufti in some institutions. Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance, the Commissioner confirmed that random testing will continue, and colleges have also been instructed to conduct drug tests at the time of admission to deter substance abuse from an early stage.

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