BJP’s decision to field Mangaluru RSS worker Narayan for RS bypolls from Karnataka surprises many

News Network

November 18, 2020

Bengaluru, Nov 18: The central leadership of the BJP on Tuesday picked Mangaluru-based unsung saffron worker K Narayan for the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Karnataka that is going for bypoll on December 1.

The BJP national leaders had surprised everyone in June when they picked Eranna Kadadi and Ashok Gasti, both unsung party workers till then, for the Rajya Sabha. Not many knew much about these two leaders then.

Both had been dedicated workers since their student days. Unfortunately, Gasti succumbed to Covid-19 almost two months ago. Since then the BJP leaders in the state strongly felt that the vacant RS seat should either go to Gasti's widow Suma Gasti or to BJP leader Nirmal Surana, whom the party had appointed as national general secretary in-charge of Puducherry.

But the BJP national leaders again surprised all by picking Narayan, who runs a printing unit in Mangaluru, for the RS seat. For the last several years, he has been printing pamphlets of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and its various affiliated units for free.

A senior RSS leader said that it was unexpected that he would be picked for the RS seat.

"He has not only helped the RSS and other wings in printing pamphlets, but has also been a dedicated worker for years. He belongs to the Devanga (weaver) community, which is one of the neglected and miniscule backward class communities in the state like the Gasti community, which belongs to Savita Samaj (barber)," the RSS leader said.

Another BJP leader in the state unit told media that such selections at times are done to send a message to the people across the country.

"The media all along focussed on Suma, the widow of Ashok Gasti, and senior BJP leader Surana. But by picking Narayan, the national BJP leaders sent a loud and clear message that they do not encourage dynastic politics by rejecting Suma's candidature, while Surana did not belong to the backward classes, hence his candidature may have been overlooked this time," he said.

Narayan has been working with the RSS and its affiliated wings for more than three decades and his work in tribal areas and with backward classes communities, especially among school students, is what sets him apart from his peers in Mangaluru.

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Flight cancellations strand passengers overnight at Mangaluru Airport

News Network

December 4,2025

Mangaluru: Chaos erupted at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) after IndiGo flight 6E 5150, bound for Mumbai, was repeatedly delayed and ultimately cancelled, leaving around 100 passengers stranded overnight. The incident highlights the ongoing country-wide operational disruptions affecting the airline, largely due to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for crew.

The flight was initially scheduled for 9:25 PM on Tuesday but was first postponed to 11:40 PM, then midnight, before being cancelled around 3:00 AM. Passengers expressed frustration over last-minute communication and the lack of clarity, with elderly and ailing travellers particularly affected. “Though the airline arranged food, there was no proper communication, leaving us confused,” said one family member.

An IndiGo executive at MIA cited the FDTL rules, designed to prevent pilot fatigue by limiting crew working hours, as the cause of the cancellation. While alternative arrangements, including hotel stays, were offered, about 100 passengers chose to remain at the airport, creating tension. A replacement flight was arranged but also faced delays due to the same constraints, finally departing for Mumbai around 1:45 PM on Wednesday. Passengers either flew, requested refunds, or postponed their travel.

The Mangaluru delay is part of a broader crisis for IndiGo. The airline has been forced to make “calibrated schedule adjustments”—a euphemism for widespread cancellations and delays—after stricter FDTL norms came into effect on November 1.

While an IndiGo spokesperson acknowledged unavoidable flight disruptions due to technology issues, operational requirements, and the updated crew rostering rules, the DGCA has intervened, summoning senior airline officials to explain the chaos and outline corrective measures.

The ripple effect has been felt across the country, with major hubs like Bengaluru and Mumbai reporting numerous cancellations. The Mangaluru incident underscores the systemic operational strain currently confronting India’s largest carrier, leaving passengers nationwide grappling with uncertainty and delays.

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