Udupi byelection: leaders use choppers 'intelligently' and hoodwink poll panel

March 15, 2012

Udupi, March 15: Leaders of political parties have been extensively using helicopters during electioneering for the byelection to the Lok Sabha from Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency. They are using helicopters “intelligently” to make sure that the expenditure incurred on air travel is not added to the candidate's expenditure. But while doing so, political parties are misusing official machinery and are attracting the model code of conduct.

Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda was scheduled to campaign in Tarikere and Chikmagalur constituencies on Tuesday. He chose to travel by air from Bangalore to BRP helipad in Shimoga district. On papers, he conducted a “review meeting” of development projects in Shimoga, the district for which he is in-charge Minister.

In other words, the Chief Minister travelled by a chopper at the government's expense. From BRP helipad, he travelled by road to Lakkavalli in Tarikere taluk. The Chief Minister chose the helipad nearest to Lakkavalli, where he began his day's campaign. While returning, he reached Belur in Hassan district by road and from there he took a helicopter.

Violation

This is in violation of the model code of conduct. As per the paragraph VII (i)(a) of the model code of conduct hosted on the election commission website, the Ministers shall not combine their official visit with electioneering work and shall not also make use of official machinery or personnel during the electioneering work.

The Chief Minister has combined the official visit with electioneering on previous occasions too. On March 10, he reached Shimoga by a helicopter. For the record, he attended a workshop for librarians of gram panchayat libraries, an insignificant programme to have Chief Minister as guest, in Shimoga. Within minutes he left for Chikmagalur by road. It is said the Chief Minister's participation in the programme was decided at the last minute on the previous day.

Similarly, on March 6, the Chief Minister was supposed to leave for Bangalore before evening to attend a meeting with representatives of journalists and advocates after campaigning in Balehonnur in Koppa taluk.

His office made arrangements for his air travel from Belur to Bangalore. He reached Belur by road and got into a helicopter. Belur, about 25 km from Chikmagalur, is a strategic point to reach by helicopter. The Chief Minister again visited Belur on March 9 only to pick BJP State unit president K.S. Eshwarappa, who was campaigning in Chikmagalur, on his way to Goa where they participated in the swearing-in ceremony of Manohar Parrikar. Whenever he visited Belur, his visit was “official” and he was received by senior officers of the district.

Union Minister for Labour Mallikarjun Kharge has been made in-charge of campaigning in Sringeri.

He reached Shimoga on March 4 by air and from there he travelled by car to Sringeri. The Minister, however, did not attend any official programme in Shimoga.

Union Minister for External Affairs S.M. Krishna, during his visit to Chikmagalur on March 6, reached a private resort in the town by a helicopter. He travelled to Mudigere by air as well to address a public meeting. Both Mr. Kharge and Mr. Krishna visited Koppa on Tuesday.

This time, they travelled by one helicopter, which landed in Koppa.

The observers appointed by the Election Commission generally keep track of expenditure made by candidates and parties. They can keep track of landings and departures happening in the constituency limits. However, if the operations are made outside the constituency, chances of the observers receiving details are remote.

As per the model code of conduct the expenditure incurred by campaigners for travel will be included in the candidate's poll expenditure.

A candidate can spend a maximum of Rs. 40 lakh on campaigning. Charges for helicopters vary from Rs. 1.25 to Rs. 2 lakh per hour.

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Mangaluru NRI returning from Saudi Arabia arrested over Instagram post

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru police have arrested a 27-year-old NRI on his return from Saudi Arabia in connection with an Instagram post allegedly containing derogatory and provocative remarks about the Hindu religion, officials said on Monday.

The accused, Abdul Khader Nehad, a resident of Ulaibettu in Mangaluru, was working in Saudi Arabia when the post was uploaded, police said.

A suo motu case was registered at the Bajpe police station on October 11 after an allegedly offensive post circulated from the Instagram account ‘team_sdpi_2025’. Police said the content was flagged for being provocative and derogatory in nature.

During the investigation, technical analysis traced the Instagram post to Nehad, who was residing abroad at the time, a senior police officer said. Based on these findings, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him.

On December 14, Nehad arrived from Saudi Arabia at Calicut International Airport in Kerala, where he was taken into custody on arrival. Police said further investigation is underway.

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Mangaluru’s public transport revolution: 100 new govt electric buses to end private ‘trip-cutting’

News Network

December 19,2025

Mangaluru: Public transport in Mangaluru is set for a state-led transformation as the government moves to deploy 100 new electric govt buses to replace unreliable private services. The initiative aims to provide a dependable alternative to private operators who have been frequently "cutting trips," leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

The announcement was made by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV during a public phone-in session. The move specifically targets routes where private bus service has become erratic, ensuring that citizens no longer have to rely on a fluctuating private sector for their daily commute.

Restoring the Govt Presence

The transport crisis was brought to the forefront by Ramayya, a resident of Bajal, who highlighted a growing trend of private buses skipping morning and night trips. With the previous KSRTC (govt) services discontinued, residents have been left without a fallback option.

To fix this, the DC confirmed that the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme will bring 100 government-owned electric buses to the city:

• Phased Deployment: The first 50 of the new 100 government buses are scheduled to arrive by March 2026.

• State Infrastructure: Two new government depots, including one at Mudipu, are being prepared for operations.

• Recruitment: The state has already begun training a new batch of government bus drivers to ensure the fleet is operational the moment it arrives.

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Mangaluru’s ₹1,200 crore fix: Massive sewage overhaul to end city’s drainage woes

News Network

December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

• Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

• STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

• Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

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