Let HDK quit as CM to make way for Kharge, taunts BSY

News Network

May 16, 2019

Bengaluru, May 16: State BJP president B S Yeddyurappa on Wednesday demanded that Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy should quit his post and allow veteran Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge to occupy it.

Kumaraswamy, speaking at a function organised to mark the death anniversary of former chief minister N Dharam Singh in Chincholi on Tuesday, had said that Kharge should have been the chief minister. To this Yeddyurappa said: “If he (Kumaraswamy) is sincere in what he said, he should quit immediately and allow Kharge to be chief minister. If it (Kharge becoming CM) is really his dream, let him (Kumaraswamy) resign,”

BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatna also said Kumaraswamy should make way for Kharge. “Kumaraswamy’s statement is only a poll gimmick. Kharge is a senior leader. The Congress did not make use of his experience. It’s time Kumaraswamy allows Kharge to be CM,” he added.

Reacting to the chief minister’s statement, Kharge told reporters he has not taken Kumaraswamy’s statement seriously.

“He has said it out of affection...I don’t like to react to emotional statements. We have formed the coalition government to keep the BJP away from power. We will support any party for strengthening secularism,” he added.

Asked why Kumaraswamy has suddenly developed so much love for him, Kharge retorted saying that the question should be posed to the chief minister.

Kumaraswamy’s statement in favour of Kharge is seen as an effort to checkmate Congress legislature party leader Siddaramaiah, who had been expressing his desire to become the chief minister again. Kharge, who is a senior Dalit leader, missed an opportunity to become the chief minister in 2013.

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QR-code tips power Mangaluru's major drug bust: 25 arrested in 2 weeks

News Network

December 16,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 16: The Mangaluru City police have significantly escalated their campaign against drug trafficking, arresting 25 individuals and booking 12 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between November 30 and December 13. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of illicit substances, including 685.6 grams of MDMA and 1.5 kg of ganja.

The success of this recent drive has been significantly boosted by the city’s innovative, QR code-based anonymous reporting system.

"The anonymous reporting system has received an encouraging response. Several recent arrests were made based on inputs received through this system, helping police tighten the noose around drug peddlers," said the City Police Commissioner.

The latest arrests contribute to a robust year-to-date record, underscoring the police's relentless commitment to combating the drug menace.

Up to December 14 this year, the police have registered a total of 107 cases of drug peddling, leading to the arrest of 219 peddlers. Furthermore, they have booked 562 cases of drug consumption, resulting in the arrest of 671 individuals.

The scale of the seizure for the year reflects the magnitude of the problem being tackled: police have seized 320.6 kg of ganja worth ₹88.7 lakh and 1.4 kg of MDMA valued at ₹1.2 crore. Other significant seizures include hydro-weed ganja worth ₹94.7 lakh and cocaine worth ₹1.9 lakh, among others.

The Commissioner emphasized a policy of rigorous enforcement: "We ensure that peddlers are caught red-handed so that they cannot later dispute the case or claim innocence."

To counter the rising trend of substance abuse among youth, the Mangaluru City police have rolled out uniform guidelines for random drug testing across educational institutions.

As part of the drive, tests were conducted in approximately 100 institutions, screening an estimated 5,500 to 6,000 students in the first phase. 20 students tested positive for drug consumption during the initial screening.

Students who tested positive have been provided counselling and are scheduled for re-testing in the second quarter. The testing will also be expanded to students not covered in the first phase. In a move to ensure strict implementation, police personnel were deployed in mufti in some institutions. Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance, the Commissioner confirmed that random testing will continue, and colleges have also been instructed to conduct drug tests at the time of admission to deter substance abuse from an early stage.

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