Despite Sushma 's opposition Sriramulu rejoins BJP

March 14, 2014

Bangalore, Mar 14: BJP on Friday inducted BSR Congress chief B. Sriramulu back into its fold after its top brass decided to allow his entry, but not his party 's merger following public opposition by its leader Sushma Swaraj.

Mr. Sriramulu, who left BJP in November 2011 and formed his own outfit, was once a close aide of mining baron Janardhana Reddy, now in jail in Andhra Pradesh over an illegal mining case.

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“...Mr. Sriramulu has rejoined the party on Friday. Karnataka BJP wholeheartedly welcomes him; all necessary legal procedures will follow,” state BJP president Prahalad Joshi told reporters in Bangalore.

Mr. Sriramulu 's homecoming came a day after BJP Parliamentary Board disfavoured the merger but decided to field him as candidate on the party ticket for the Bellary Lok Sabha seat.

BSR Congress had declared its decision on merger but it ran into trouble after Ms. Swaraj publicly opposed his and mining baron Reddy brothers ' entry into BJP, saying such “tainted” leaders should not be allowed to be associated with the party.

Speaking to reporters after his induction, Mr. Sriramulu said, “...I have returned to the party as per the wish of all senior party leaders, I am here with an intention to make a true patriot (Mr. Modi) the Prime Minister of India...”

“Country 's economic situation has deteriorated; our security is in bad shape... at this juncture we should overcome all our selfish motives and work for the county, and make Mr. Modi our PM. So I have returned to my mother party.”

He said he floated his outfit the day he felt his self-respect was hurt “but today nothing is more important than the country... we will have to work towards making Modi PM.”

When reminded that he was opposed by Ms. Swaraj whom he used to call mother ', he said, “She is like my mother. She will continue to remain so. We will continue to respect her as mother.”

Mr. Sriramulu, who wields influence over the Valmiki community, is expected to give incremental value to BJP in the districts of Bellary, Gadag, Koppal and Chitradurga. BSR Congress won four Assembly seats in the May 8 polls last year.

Asked about the merger, the status of MLAs and also about Mr. Sriramulu resigning as legislator, former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said all formalities would be completed after consulting legal experts.

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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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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

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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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