JD(S) leader Sandesh Swamy to join BJP as party decides to field Abdullah from NR segment

News Network

March 30, 2018

Bengaluru, Mar 30: Another Janata Dal (Secular) leader from Mysuru region has rebelled against his party and decided to join the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Former Mysuru Mayor Sandesh Swamy, who is the brother of JD(S) MLC Sandesh Nagaraj, was aspiring for a ticket from Narasimharaja constituency in Mysuru.

The party, however, decided to field businessman Abdullah, leading to discontentment among Swamy and his brother.

Swamy, who faxed his resignation letter to party president H D Kumaraswamy from Mysuru on Thursday, said that the BJP has assured him a ticket from Narasimharaja constituency.

Swamy will join the BJP officially in the presence of party national president Amit Shah in Mysuru on Friday. Nagaraj's son S Nagaraj too will join the BJP along with his uncle.

Swamy, who is a former Mysuru Mayor, has also been elected as a corporator thrice. He had contested from Narasimharaja on a JD(S) ticket in 2013 and had lost to Congress candidate Tanveer Sait.

Nagaraj said that he is upset with party colleague and MLA Sa Ra Mahesh for influencing Kumaraswamy and thereby scuttling his brother's candidature. He has distanced himself from the party.

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International Airport in Udupi, Metro to Mangaluru…: Pontiffs present comprehensive Udupi development plan to PM

News Network

November 30,2025

Udupi: The pontiffs of Sri Paryaya Puttige Mutt, the sacred seat of Jagadguru Shrimad Madhvacharya Moola Samsthanam, have submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking comprehensive development for Udupi district.

Proposal for International Airport

A key request is the establishment of an international airport. Highlighting that around 1,000 acres of land are available and suitable, the pontiffs noted that the existing Mangalore Airport provides limited international connectivity. They suggested the airport be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or as a Greenfield Airport to boost trade, education, healthcare, and spiritual tourism.

Metro and Rapid Transit Connectivity

The proposal also calls for Metro Rail or Rapid Transit between Mangaluru and Udupi. The 55 km coastal stretch experiences heavy daily commuter traffic, causing congestion. The district administration is ready to prepare an initial project report for a Mass Rapid Transit corridor and requested inclusion under national urban mobility programmes to ensure safe, green, and time-efficient regional transport.

Port and Coastal Development

The pontiffs urged the development of an international-standard port with a cruise terminal along Udupi’s coast. They also requested fast-tracking of pending coastal tourism projects and revising Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms to encourage sustainable infrastructure and hospitality investment.

IT, AI and Technological Infrastructure

Support was sought for an IT and AI Innovation Park with incubation facilities under Digital India and Startup India initiatives. The proposal also emphasized the need for strengthened data security and cloud computing infrastructure to boost India’s technological independence.

Sports and Education Initiatives

The pontiffs requested national sports status for Kambala, along with financial and infrastructure support. They also sought the establishment of an AIIMS in Udupi, a new IIT campus, and approval for an IIM to promote higher education in the district.

Representation to the Prime Minister

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Pontiff and Sri Sushrendra Tirtha Swamiji represented the pontiffs in submitting the comprehensive development proposal to the Prime Minister during his recent visit.

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