Karnataka: All three Cong candidates win Rajya Sabha polls, BJP wins one

coastaldigest.com news network

March 23, 2018

All three Congress candidates - Nasir Husain, L Hanumanathaiah, G C Chandrashekar - and BJP candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday emerged victorious in the Rajya Sabha elections from the state amid a boycott by JD(S) legislators, who cited violation of electoral rules.

A candidate required around 38 votes to win the elections. Members of the Legislative Assembly form the electoral college for the Rajya Sabha polls. Of the 217 eligible voters, as many as 188 members voted and four votes were found invalid.

While Congress candidates secured the required number of votes for victory - Chandrashekar (46 ), L Hanumanathaiah(44) and Husain (42 ) - B M Farook of the JD(S) lost the polls as he secured only two votes. This is the second time that Farook is tasting defeat in the Rajya Sabha elections. Rajeev Chandrasekhar secured the highest number votes (50) to bag his third consecutive term to the Rajya Sabha.

The day witnessed high drama. The process of counting was delayed by nearly two-and-a-half hours as Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sanjeev Kumar referred a memorandum submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI) submitted to him by the JD(S) seeking countermanding of the polls. Kumar was discharing his duties as observer of the ECI.

The JD(S), in its complaint, cited gross violation of electoral rules by Legislative Assembly Secretary S Murthy, who is the Returning Officer (RO). The party had objected to two Congress legislators - Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa and Gurmitkal MLA Baburao Chinchansur - being allowed a second chance to cast their votes.

Both Thimmappa and Chinchansur had sought replacement of ballot papers as they wrongly marked their preference. The election officers obliged, much to the chagrin of the JD(S). Counting of votes which was scheduled to start at 5 pm, commenced only at 7.30 pm after the ECI gave its go-ahead for the process.

ECI's direction
The ECI subsequently directed that the votes of Thimmappa and Chinchansur should be rejected and the counting process should commence after due segregation of ballot papers. The ECI, in its response, stated that the RO's decision to issue fresh ballot papers was in total violation of voting procedure provided under the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. The ECI replaced Murthy with Assembly Joint Secretary M S Kumaraswamy.

The JD(S) had requested the Congress not to field its third candidate and extend its support to the party candidate. However, the Congress not only fielded its third candidate - G C Chandrashekar - but also ensured his victory. Friday's development is bound to further widen the gap between the Congress and the JD(S) in the run-up to the crucial Assembly polls. For its part, the Congress has bagged the support of at least five of the eight independents, including Kudligi MLA B Nagendra, who is likely to join the party.

An analysis of the voting pattern shows that all the seven JD(S) rebels voted for Congress candidates. The BJP, which has 43 votes of its own, secured 50. The party seems to have not only secured the support of not only two BSR legislators and two KJP MLAs but three others.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

SMR Public School’s ‘EXCELLENTIA’ highlights academic excellence and holistic growth

News Network

December 16,2025

Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

Elusive bamboo shrimp resurfaces in Mangaluru estuary after 70 years

News Network

December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

Comments