JD(S) to support Prasad only if he contests as independent: Deve Gowda

November 2, 2016

Bengaluru, Nov 2: Cashing in on the dilemma of former minister V Srinivasa Prasad, JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda said his party will back him if he contests as an independent in the Nanjangud bypolls.

"We'll extend ideological support only if he stays away from the BJP and contests as an independent," Gowda told reporters here on Tuesday. After being dropped from the cabinet, Prasad recently resigned as Nanjangud MLA. Speculation is rife that he'll join the BJP after meeting his supporters in Nanjangud on November 8. He'll apprise his supporters of what led to his resignation, humiliation in the Congress and other factors at a rally.

On allegations by social activist SR Hiremath that JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy has illegally acquired nearly 200 acres of public land in Ramanagara district, Gowda said Kumarswamy owns not more than 70-80 acres of private land purchased legally in 1982. "Many chief ministers in the past got it investigated by various agencies to finish us politically, but they found nothing. Hiremath is just making another attempt,'' he added.

Bosch dispute: Gowda sought the intervention of chief minister Siddaramaiah in the labour dispute in Bosch India after a suicide bid by a former employee last week. Praveen Melegowda, 31, of Hassan district, was among 260 employees on strike for over a year against their termination. He allegedly attempted to kill himself at his residence at Dasarahalli last week. Two other terminated employees reportedly committed suicide earlier this year.

Gowda said the government has provided land and other facilities to the company. The chief minister has every right to intervene and resolve the dispute cordially, in the interest of employees and the management, he added.

Letter to PM: In another letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gowda said any effort to restrict empowerment or cross-empowerment to states in administering tax on services in the GST regime will amount to the Centre going back on its earlier assurances and endanger the principles of federalism and fiscal autonomy of states.

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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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