No competitors for Rai, UTK; Around 20 Cong ticket aspirants in other 6 seats of DK

coastaldigest.com news network

April 11, 2018

Mangaluru, Apr 11: The Congress is likely to face a mild dissidence following the announcement of candidates for the eight constituencies in Dakshina Kannada for the May 12 Karnataka assembly polls as there are multiple contenders in six constituencies.

Seven of the eight constituencies in the coastal district are now represented by the Congress legislators. Only Sullia is represented by the BJP legislator, who had defeated Congress candidate by a small margin in 2013 polls.

Two cabinet ministers from the district – U T Khader and B Ramanath Rai – have remained undisputed Congress leaders in their respective constancies – Mangaluru and Bantwal, and are sure to get the party’s B Form. However, there are multiple ticket aspirants in other six constituencies.

The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has already received applications from over 20 ticket aspirants from Mangaluru City North, Mangaluru City South, Moodbidri, Sullia, Puttur and Belthangady constituencies.

B A Mohiuddin Bava and J R Lobo, the sitting MLAs of Managluru City North and South respectively are hoping to get the B Form again. However Mangaluru City Corporation member M Shashidhar Hegde is reportedly lobbying hard to get ticket from one of these constituencies. Apart from him, former MLA K Vijaykumar Shetty and corporator Purushottam Chitrapur also are ticket aspirants in Bava’s constituency.

Incidentally, District Congress president K Harish Kumar himself has filed an application to contest from Belthangady along with incumbent MLA K Vasanth Bangera; but Mr. Kumar clarified that he has filed the application as a precautionary measure.

In Puttur, incumbent MLA Shakuntala T Shetty has launched poll campaign nearly two months ago. However, two more Congress leaders – Kavu Hemanath Shetty and Divyaprabha Chilladka – are trying to snatch party ticket from her this time.

In Moodbidri, incumbent MLA K Abhayachandra, MLC Ivan D’Souza, former Mangaluru Mayor Kavita Sanil and District Youth Congress president Mithun Rai are prominent contenders.

Dr B Raghu, who faced defeat by BJP MLA S Angara twice, and Madikeri CMC member Nanda Kumar are the contenders from Sullia.

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Stranded, hungry, and helpless: Last-minute cancellation of Dammam flight sparks chaos at Mangaluru Airport

News Network

November 24,2025

Mangaluru, Nov 24: The original departure time of 11.10 pm was a distant memory for scores of Dammam-bound passengers at Mangaluru International Airport last Friday night, as their Air India Express flight was abruptly cancelled at the eleventh hour, sparking hours of frustration and chaos.

The flight, IX 885, initially scheduled to depart at 11.10 pm on November 22, was subject to two back-to-back reschedules—first pushed to 11.45 pm and then significantly postponed to 1.40 am—before the final, crushing announcement of cancellation was made. For the travellers, many of whom are likely expatriate workers with tight schedules, the last-minute change marked the beginning of a distressing ordeal.

"There was no drinking water, no food, and absolutely no proper guidance. We were left stranded like refugees," complained a stranded passenger.

According to multiple passenger accounts, the airline's ground staff failed to provide adequate support or essential amenities following the cancellation. Complaints poured in about the total absence of drinking water, food provisions, and any reliable guidance from the carrier's representatives. Travellers alleged they were left stranded for a considerable period, with no immediate arrangements or clear communication offered regarding accommodation or alternative travel to send them back home.

The incident has highlighted serious concerns over the carrier's contingency planning and customer service protocols during flight disruptions at one of India's key international gateways. The airline is yet to issue a comprehensive statement addressing the alleged lapse in passenger care.

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