Surprise: Manorama Madhwaraj endorses Sunil Kumar as poll fever sweeps Udupi

February 29, 2012

Udupi, February 29: In an interesting development that may boost the strength of Bharatiya Janata Party in poll-bound Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency, former MP Manorama Madhwaraj was given a red carpet welcome at a BJP programme here.

The development comes minutes after BJP candidate V Sunil Kumar formally filed his nomination on Wednesday.

The BJP workers began raising slogans glorifying when Ms Madhwaraj, who had quit the party four years ago, arrived at the party's public meeting.

The BJP workers erupted with screams when Ms Madhwaraj garlanded Mr Kumar and endorsed him in the public.

It's worth mentioning here that Ms Madhwaraj had identified herself with Congress after she quit BJP and Lok Sabha in 2008 after voting in favour of Congress during a vote of confidence. Later, she had stated that she had taken that decision because she was against coal-based thermal power plants, which was supported by BJP leaders.

However, the latest surprise by Ms Madhwaraj has raised many eyebrows.

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From malls to highways, Kannada signboards to be enforced in Dakshina Kannada

News Network

February 4,2026

Mangaluru: Urban local bodies and gram panchayats should make the use of Kannada on signboards mandatory while issuing trade licences to commercial establishments, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Darshan HV said. He also called for regular inspections to ensure compliance.

Presiding over the District Kannada Awareness Committee meeting at the deputy commissioner’s office, Darshan said the city corporation would be directed to ensure that shops operating in malls prominently display their names in Kannada. “All commercial establishments, including shops, companies, offices and hotels, must mandatorily display their names in Kannada on signboards,” he said.

The deputy commissioner added that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would be instructed to include Kannada on signboards along national highways. Banks, he said, would be directed through committee meetings to provide application forms in Kannada.

“Even if English-medium schools and colleges impart education in English, their signboards must display the institution’s name in Kannada. Steps will also be taken to ensure that private buses display place names in Kannada,” Darshan said.

During the meeting, committee members raised concerns over the closure of Kannada-medium schools in rural areas due to a shortage of teachers and stressed the need for immediate corrective measures. They also pointed out that several industries employ workers from other states while overlooking local candidates.

Members further demanded that nationalised banks provide deposit and withdrawal slips in Kannada. It was brought to the deputy commissioner’s notice that the presence of staff without knowledge of Kannada in rural branches of nationalised banks is causing hardship to local customers.

Meanwhile, MP Srinath, president of the District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, urged the district administration to allot land for the construction of a district Kannada Bhavana in Mangaluru.

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