If I am not JD(S) candidate for Rajya Sabha then it's moneybag: BM Farooq

May 27, 2016

Mangaluru, May 27: Fiza group proprietor and Bearys Welfare Association President, BM Farooq remained a frontrunner for the Rajya Sabha ticket from the Janata Dal (Secular) even as the party chief HD Deve Gowda is all set to finalise a Muslim candidate.

To elect a candidate successfully, JD(S) requires 45 first preferential votes from MLAs. The party has 40 MLAs in the Assembly, but with the help of independents, the party would be able to ensure the nominee's victory.

Mr Gowda's move could well tantamount to killing two birds with one stone. By picking a Muslim candidate, he would not only succeed in checkmating rebel MLA Zameer Ahamed Khan, but also an attempt to send a strong message to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who has been projecting himself as messiah of the poor and the downtrodden.

The brother of Mangaluru City North Congress MLA BA Mohiuddin Bava, who has been in touch with the JD(S) leaders for the last nine days, says that the future belongs to regional parties.

“A good opportunity has come along. I want to do something good for the state, country and especially my community. HD Kumaraswamy has been a good friend of mine for the last seven to eight years. And now Deve Gowda has given his consent,” he said.

Mr Farooq is a BE (Mechanical) and also has a MBA (marketing) degree. He is the CMD of Fiza Developer and Inter-Trade Pvt Ltd, which commissions wind energy projects. He is a joint developer with realty majors like Prestige and Godrej Properties. One of the major projects completed by his group is Forum Fiza mall in Mangaluru. His group also owns the cricket team Mangalore United in the Karnataka Premier League.

"From my party (there are) no aspirants other than me," he fumed. "If I am not (a) candidate then it is some moneybag."

On the other hand, Mr Kumaraswamy, denied charges that they have auctioned the seat to Mr Farooq.

But the disagreement between a few JD(S) leaders after Thursday's meeting has led to the party deferring the announcement of Mr Farooq's name. Some say this is only a formality, meant to give him more time to 'manage' extra legislators from other parties.

Also Read: Modi govt brought India's economy to grinding halt, says AIMC chief

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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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