Bengaluru: With six children of Karnataka Ministers in the Lok Sabha poll arena, the campaign scene is getting spiced up in the high-stakes elections for the ruling Congress in the state. Prabha Mallikarjun, wife of Minister S S Mallikarjun, is also in the poll fray.
The grand old party tried its best to make several ministers enter the Lok Sabha election fray but none of them agreed and, instead, they proposed the candidature of their family members.
'Now, deliver' is the stern message of the Congress leadership to the ministers, putting the onus on them to ensure the victory of their kin, according to party sources.
The Congress secured only one seat in Karnataka in the 2019 general elections, and has now set an ambitious target of winning in 15 to 20 constituencies in the coming polls.
Elections in 28 constituencies in the State will be held in two phases on April 26 and May 7.
Sons of Laxmi Hebbalkar, Eshwar Khandre and H C Mahadevappa— Mrinal Ravindra Hebbalkar, Sagar Khandre and Sunil Bose— have been fielded from Belagavi (Belgaum), Bidar and Chamarajanagar, respectively.
Daughters of Satish Jarkiholi, Shivanand Patil and Ramalinga Reddy— Priyanka Jarkiholi, Samyukta Patil and Sowmya Reddy— are in contention in Chikkodi, Bagalkot and Bangalore South respectively.
Prabha Mallikarjun, wife of Minister S S Mallikarjun and daughter-in-law of veteran party leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa, is the party's nominee from Davangere.
"In this 'do or die' situation, the ministers have found the Lok Sabha election a launch pad for their children and relatives. We have to see how these ministers succeed in their mission," a Congress insider said.
Barring Sowmya Reddy, who is a former MLA, none of them have any legislative experience in elections. Stakes are high for some other ministers as well.
The party has fielded Radhakrishna Doddamani, son-in-law of Congress President M Mallikarjun Kharge in the family's home turf of Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), a seat held by the BJP.
Kharge's son and Minister Priyank Kharge has taken charge of spearheading the campaign in this segment, where his father had lost in the 2019 general elections.
"Priyank has taken this election as a prestige issue given the fact that the Congress president hails from here and had represented this constituency in the past in the Lok Sabha," a Congress leader said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last month launched the BJP's formal campaign in Kalaburagi in what was seen as an aggressive message to the Congress.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress chief D K Shivakumar's brother D K Suresh is seeking reelection in Bangalore Rural, where the BJP and JD(S) have fielded noted cardiologist and son-in-law of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.
The Congress which came to power in the state in May last year is seeking to ride on its five guarantee schemes of the government.
Sowmya Reddy, who is contesting from Bangalore South asked the women voters during a recent roadshow - "Do you travel in the buses? Which places have you visited in the recent past? Do you pay or travel for free?".
She was referring to 'Shakti' guarantee that offers free rides to Karnataka women in non-luxury government buses within the state. Reddy explained to the people about the four other guarantees— 'Gruha Lakshmi', 'Gruha Jyoti', 'Yuva Nidhi' and 'Anna Bhagya'.
"Who brought 'Achchhe Din'? Is it Congress or the BJP? Which 'Achchhe Din' you will vote for?" Reddy asked the women voters.
In Belagavi, Mrinal Ravindra Hebbalkar, is taking on BJP candidate and former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar.
In campaign meetings, Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar reminded the crowd how Shettar had joined Congress when the BJP denied him a ticket in the 2023 Assembly election, only to return to the saffron party a few months later.
"Shettar is from Hubballi and we are from Belagavi. We know the problems prevailing here better than any 'outsider'. Today, BJP people are saying that they vote for Shettar keeping Prime Minister Narendra Modi in mind, but I want to know why he joined Congress and abused the BJP, Modi and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa," the minister asked.
The BJP swept the 2019 general elections in Karnataka winning 25 out of the 28 seats, while an independent backed by the party also won. The Congress and JD(S) which fought the elections together, secured one seat each.
Comments
Ibraheem Hussain Udupi, Just one thing If he is wrong he will be punished and Mashallah we know that he has a good reputation and if you are wrong Alaah will punish you. So It is only right and wrong. YOU ARE PURE JEALOUS.
Mohammad, Mangalore
The facts which I wrote is 100% true and nothing conceited. People of Kudroli know Masood and his family and their contribution to the Muslim Community. If you compare his economical condition from 50 years back to now, you will realize from where he got the money. He was henchman of Mr. Poojari, who brought him to political life, and bank loans approved to him for his various projects and hotels in undivided DK district while Poojari was central Minister. Poojari made him as MLC and he was not elected MLC. Masood was not born with Golden spoon, by hook or crook become rich man that everyone knows. He is a \PRACHARA PRIYA\".
I have no enmity with Masood, whatever I wrote it is fact and people from Muslim Community of Kudroli and Jodu Palli knows. With regard to Halal and Haram, he is answerable to Allah."
hey hang on Mr. George. Are you appreciating a classless goon who can illegally trespassed to an institute to show his brutality. If you are an uneducated illiterate coward man I have no issues, but I don't think so, you must be well educated civilized white collared man. My advise is to you, always try to stand with the truth, bcoz the truth will prevail. if the victim has done something wrong, what is your role if you are a neighbor? just to advise them in a peaceful manner, he repeats just give a complaint at the nearest police station, that's all. Who is this Kishore, is he appointed by the government or the local body to punish for those who creates nuisance in that place. Hey guyz stand up as a team irrespective of any religion and raise your voice, if required raise your muscles against such nasty criminals and smack them down. don't let anyone to destroy your community in the name of religion or politics. Bring peace & prosper with your neighbors, live lively and peacefully.
Ibrahim Hussain Udupi, One word may Allah give you good sense and take away the hasad you have in you towards people. My advice to you is good deep and check the facts and also the number of good deeds him and his extended family members have done to our community. Allah is watching and he is the one to decide on being wrong or right. Gain respect not demand respect. Thank Arakul Riyadh for your advice and Allah will reward the one who does good deeds be it us, him or anyone else.
Mr. Ibrahim Hussain, Udupi and Mr. Mohammad Mangalore. Please for Allah's sake donot quarrel each other. We are Muslim and one Umma. We should not show our behavior for other religion. This is not the place for arguing. Whatever we wrote here should give answer to Allah (SWT) at the time of resurrection. Pray ALLAH for forgive us for our unwanted behavior.
May ALLAH bless us and follow the religion with the foundation of our beloved prophet Muhammad (S.A)
Mohammad Mangalore,
I don't think you were not born during the Mangalore Riots. I dont want to elaborate the incident that may be healthy in this forum. Masood is one of the opportunist Politician ever lived in the Mangalore. His popularity is nil, he has no people support in Bunder Area. No.2 businessmen of his relatives residing in Dubai and forest Wood thieves donated large amount to the college and a Madrasa near Jodupalli just to avoid income tax. You are wrong to say two Masjid were built by Tippu sultan, except Zeenat Baksh masjid. You are in dark days in this 21st century. I think you are henchman of Masood, who has low respect in Mangalore.
However, let the readers know what Central Committee did to this incident, clarify.
Third class guys can only support this type of students in the name of religion. shame on them as they are linking with their religion ...well done kishor .we support you.
I could see statements made by some non muslim brothers is really intensive which produces wrath among different communities. I have my condolences to the victim and his family. However, I strongly disagree with the action of the accused who could barge into college premises and assault the student. I am sure the reason for this attack is not the bike nor the roaring silencer , the real motive is something else. When the street dog becomes mad, there is no point of taking it for medical treatment, but it must be treated the way it should be treated. Hope the message is clear.
Ibrahim Hussain SS Udupi, Go check your history as per our knowledge Mr. Masood was married in the year 1966 and not 1965. THe riot was started by Putthan (beary) and this can be vouched by the urdu speaking persons of that locality. I will have to forgive your knowledge on when the two masjids were built in Jodupalli (it was in the time of Tippu Sultan). The two masjids were made one thanks to Mr Masood when he was the Chairman of the minority commission and the president of the mosque. For the college of Kashipattana there huge money was donated by Mr. Masood, his brother, brother in-laws and I can vouch that you are not one of them. Go to Bunder and check how many weddings of poor girls are being donated by them. Go and check the accounts of the Central committee and you will know how much money has been given to riot victims and innocent muslims be it for theirvpersonal heath or marriage. I know that he has personally given money from his own pocket many a times as I reside near his house. Come to Mangalore and check what the central committee has done and not stay in Udupi and comment. May Allah give you good sense.
Mohammed Mangalore,
I know Masood's old story. 1965/66 first Mangalore Hindu- Muslim riot was perpetrated by Masood family and entire community sufferred, and he is man behind the whole incident. Central committee is only doing the job of representing the memorandum to the DC or Police commissioner that's the end of it. No follow up or solution. Kudroli Two masjids one place? As per quran and hadees all muslims brothers and equal, then why this two Masjid's in one vicinity?
Regarding Kashipatna Girls college is not a charity college, its a commercialized educational institution. Did Masood pay full amount for this school building? Or what is his contribution, you have to elaborate.
Constructive criticism are always brings some sort of solution to problems, Mr. Mohammad.
Give me one example of one instance of Ullal Riots or Kavoor/Bajpe riots, what is the contribution to the victims of the riots by Central Committee?
Mohammed SS, It clearly shows how the muslim community is divided (Hanafi and Shafi). You point one finger at someone and the other 4 will point at you. If we have to postmortem the so called MUSLIM LEADERS whom you support (we very well know which language they speak) then all their wrong doings will spill out. Do not wash your dirty linen in public.
Dear Ibrahim Hussain, don't you remember Masood's old story, what you are expecting from him
Ibrahim Hussain Udupi, I can scense your jealousy in naming some politicians name when you do not know what good Mr. Masood has done to his community. Come to Jodupalli,Kudroli, Bunder etc and see. The Central committee is doing a good job and people like you are always there to point fingers at someone or the other. If you think you can do a difference stand for elections or let us know what good you do to out community. It is easy to write negative comment but to write a good one you need to be good at heart. By the way ask the Kazi of Mangalore what Mr. Masood has done and is doing for the community. go visit Kashipattana where a girls college is coming up go to Kudroli and visit the old age home for women. Come out of your dreams bro. Grow up and learn to appreciate.
The main mistake here is from parents. They should not provide either Motor Bike or Mobile to student. Let them start earning in their own, then let them buy Motor Bike, Car or Mobile or whatever they need.
Here one mistake made by home guard by handling law and order by himself by hitting him. It should not happen in future. There should be severe enquiry needed for both the party to find out the culprit behind this.
May Allah (swt) protect our all muslim Ummthis from bad and prohibited things.
Do home guards can handle law and order situation and arrest any one? They are third rate guards as Mr. Kishor. This matter have to be investigated and stripped out from the Home guard role.
Why only Muslim Students are vulnerable to arrest these days. Recently a Muslim student was tortured by the Police allegedly, having contact with the missing Girls were found in Kerala state.
Why muslim Central Committee led by former politician Masood is silent?
look at him. slept like a buffalo, he deserves more punishment, if some strange person is coming and beating a strange one?, readers must feel the pain behind that, making loud sound on the public road rash idriving is not a culture of civilized person
police must investigate the matter if any evidence of rash driving both must be punished kishor for taking law in hand and student for rash driving on public road.
who is he to beat the student, if they are doing rash driving let police take the action, he is targeting student because they are muslims, so intolerance. must take action against him in future there is no wonder if he enters the college and shoot students.
Good Work by kishor, this rash riders are not only killing themselves but also killing innocents.
i too heard silencer loud sound, all the way irritating pedestrians, its not about hindu or muslim, better to warn their parents before taking charges on them otherwise media will carry this headline mentioning the religion's name, each and every one should be punished.
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