D K Shivakumar takes responsibility for Cong defeat in bypolls, says failure is the foundation of success

News Network

November 10, 2020

Bengaluru, Nov 10: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said he took responsibility for the party’s defeat in Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Sira bypolls, but asked his cadre not to be disheartened.

“As a president, I take responsibility,” he told reporters. “We accept the people’s verdict with respect. The Congress isn’t in a position to question it, because we believe in democracy,” he said, adding that the party would discuss the results and take “corrective action” in the coming days.

The BJP won big in Rajarajeshwari Nagar by a margin of over 58,000 votes whereas in Sira, the saffron party got through by over 12,00 votes.

“I didn’t expect such a huge margin in Rajarajeshwari Nagar,” Shivakumar said. “I expected a close fight in the range of 10,000-15,000 votes. But, our candidate was good and she put up a good fight.” He also expressed surprise over the BJP polling “new votes” in Sira. “We will look at how we can improve there."

Soon after polling on November 3, Shivakumar had said the bypolls generally favour the party that is in power. “Earlier, we won Bellary (Lok Sabha), Nanjangud and Gundlupet bypolls, and lost them later. So, party workers need not be disheartened,” he said. “I lost my first election in 1985. Since then, I’ve been winning. So, I believe that failure is the foundation of success,” he said, adding that the Congress would continue to fight against the ruling BJP.

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Mangaluru–Kasaragod bus fare rolled back after Kerala protests force NHAI to shut Arikkady toll plaza

coastaldigest.com news network

February 5,2026

Mangaluru: The KSRTC Mangaluru division has rolled back the fare hike on buses operating on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route following the suspension of toll collection at the Arikkady toll plaza near Kumbala in Kasaragod district.

The fare revision had been implemented after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) began toll collection at the Arikkady plaza on NH-66. As a result, fares for ordinary and Rajahamsa services were increased by ₹7 and ₹10, respectively, raising the bus fare from Mangaluru to Kasaragod from ₹81 to ₹88.

Senior Divisional Controller of KSRTC’s Mangaluru division, Rajesh Shetty, said the fares were reduced after toll collection at the Arikkady plaza was stopped. “The tollgate began operations on January 13, and the toll amount was deducted from the FASTag accounts of KSRTC buses operating on the route. Following an order from the central government to suspend toll collection, KSRTC has also withdrawn the additional fare with immediate effect,” he said.

At present, vehicles travelling on the Mangaluru–Kasaragod route pay toll only at the Talapady toll plaza. The toll for light motor vehicles (LMVs) at Talapady is ₹80 for a same-day return, while heavy vehicles, including buses, are charged ₹250. At Arikkady, the toll rates were ₹130 for LMVs (same-day return) and ₹450 for buses.

Protests against Arikkady toll plaza

The Arikkady toll plaza witnessed widespread protests from January 12, the day toll collection commenced. On the second day, an action committee led by Manjeshwar MLA A K M Ashraf launched an indefinite protest at the site. Except for the BJP, leaders and workers of most major political parties participated in the agitation.

On the night of January 14, a large number of protesters gathered at the plaza and vandalised property, following which authorities temporarily suspended toll operations. The BJP later also expressed opposition to the toll plaza and criticised NHAI’s decision.

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