'Sonia annoyed at the way Karnataka Cong leaders handled CM watch row'

March 10, 2016

New Delhi, Mar 10: Karnataka Congress unit chief G Parameshwara on Wednesday met party president Sonia Gandhi and explained the reasons for its “average” performance in the recently held zilla and taluk panchayat elections in Karnataka, according to sources.

During the meeting, Sonia expressed her unhappiness over the manner in which the State party leaders handled the controversy over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's expensive wristwatch, the sources said.

Sonia was upset that Rahman Sharief, Congress candidate and grandson of former Union minister C K Jaffer Sharief, had lost the Assembly bypoll from the Hebbal constituency in Bengaluru.

She was also said to be “very annoyed” at senior leaders failing to contain the damage caused to the party's image due the wristwatch row. Party sources said the Congress president was not satisfied with G Parameshwara's explanation of the strategy adopted by him and other leaders.

Parameshwara reportedly admitted that the watch controversy was also a reason for the party's average performance in the local body polls.

Comments

Remove both siddu and parameshwar from their respective positions. Allow new faces otherwise congress in the state will repeat the same result in state which happened with congress in the central. Siddu is responsible for Hebbal loss.

Well said Ibrahim, no need opposition party to Siddu/Cong when Parameshwar is there. Most Congis are more than Sanghis only diff is CHEDDI is covered in white Lungi/Pyjama.

G Parameshwara is unfit for any post.

Dr. Parameshwar is playing petty politics within Congress as he is eying on the CM post. Instead of his intentions of removing Sidda Ramayya, he should be removed from KPCC president post and Home ministry, as he handled MP Ananthkumar case very badly. His silence on Ananthkumar's rhetoric against Islam indicates that he is very soft to RSS/Saffron thugs.

The KPCC president should be without any ministerial portfolio and best candidate will be MLC Ugrappa. High command should take necessary steps and all vacant posts of Chairmanships and other to be filled with honest congressmen as soon as possible.

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

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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