Kejriwal tops non-UPA, non-NDA PM probable; Modi is still middle class 'messiah': Survey

February 16, 2014

New Delhi, Feb 16: BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi continues to be the top choice for Prime Minister, according to an India Today Group/CVoter survey of the Indian Middle Class with 52.1 per cent preferring him. Aam Aadmi party leader Arvind Kejriwal came second at 15.8 per cent and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi third at 11.5 per cent.

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Asked about Modi's key attributes, the middle class ranked development (29.4 per cent) above Hindu nationalism (26.1 per cent).

Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal continues to be the favourite for PM from the non-UPA, non-NDA lot with 25.7 per cent support. Mayawati, surprisingly, came in second with 8.2 per cent and Mulayam Singh Yadav third at 5 per cent.

The middle class, however, thought Rahul Gandhi was the best bet in the Congress for PM. Rahul got 41.1 per cent, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh got 13.3 per cent. While they may crib about the Gandhi dynasty monopoly in the Congress, 51.8 per cent of the middle class was sure the party cannot do without the family.

Though Manmohan Singh got a measly 2.2 per cent for top choice for PM, almost 61 per cent of respondents said Singh is an honest person despite the coal scam besmirching the economist-PM's image.

But there was no respite for the UPA 2 which continued to be slammed by the middle class for price rise and corruption. The respondents said price rise at 37 per cent and corruption at 36.6 per cent were the hallmarks of the government that has ruled since 2009. The UPA's mismanagement of the economy was also noted to be the second biggest reason for the slowing down of the India growth story at 25.1 per cent, corruption was the first reason at 34.3 per cent.

While 58.2 per cent of the middle class said it was 'not at all satisfied' with Manmohan Singh, 52.5 per cent said it was very much satisfied with Modi. Even Rahul Gandhi got a dismal rating with 47.3 per cent saying they were not at all satisfied.

Corruption was the most troubling issue for the middle class. Among those polled, 40.4 per cent said bribes affected them the most, followed by rising prices at 18 per cent and unemployment at 11.7 per cent. The survey found the middle class least interested in hostility between India and its neighbours and Naxalism, which was said to be India's biggest internal security threat by PM Manmohan Singh a few years ago.

But Naxals were the third biggest threat to India at 21.4 per cent after cross-border terror (34.3 per cent) and religious fundamentalism (26.8 per cent).

With 50 per cent of the respondents saying AAP will replicate their Delhi success in the Lok Sabha, the middle class is divided since an equal number say it can't.

The India Today/CVoter survey was conducted between January 3 and 30 across all states interviewing 17,463 randomly selected middle income group respondents across all demographics. The respondents were divided into lower middle class, middle and upper.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

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December 2,2025

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Udupi, Dec 2: A wave of regional pride is sweeping through Udupi district as Shagun S Verma Hegde, a talented Class 9 student from Christ King English Medium High School, Karkala, has been named the captain of the Indian National Team for the Under-15 Girls’ Volleyball Championship.

Shagun holds the unique distinction of being the sole player from Karnataka selected to represent the country in the prestigious international tournament. The championship, organized by the School Games Federation, is scheduled to take place in Shangluo, China, from December 3 to 13, where Shagun will lead the national squad.

A Remarkable Journey to the Top

Shagun’s selection is a testament to her dedication and exceptional skill on the court. Her journey included several rigorous rounds of selection:

•    She was the only player from Udupi district to qualify for the state-level selection camp.

•    Out of eight players from Karnataka who advanced to the national selection camp in Pune, Maharashtra, Shagun was the only one to secure a place in the final national squad.

•    The national camp saw participation from approximately 200 players, which was shortlisted to 23. Shagun not only made the final cut but was also ranked as the second-best player overall, solidifying her leadership role.

Shagun, who is the daughter of Sandesh Verma and Shruthiraj of Kallotte, Karkala, has trained under experienced coaches Santosh D’Souza, Jeevan D’Silva, Jairaj Poojary, and Ramesh. Her selection as the team captain has brought profound honour to her family, school, the Udupi district, and the entire state of Karnataka.

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News Network
December 2,2025

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Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

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