Ramanath Rai files nomination, says Congress is his religion, promises to work more if elected

coastaldigest.com news network

April 19, 2018

Mangaluru, Apr 19: Bellipady Ramanath Rai, who has tasted six victories and one defeat in last seven assembly elections in Bantwal constituency, today filed nomination papers for the May 12 polls.

This is his eighth electoral battle in the communally sensitive constituency of the Dakshina Kannada district. The constituency is considered one of the prestigious in the state as Mr Rai is the minister for forest, environment and ecology Bellipady Ramanath Rai in the incumbent government.

Accopanied by hundreds of Congress workers, 65-year-old Rai walked from party election committee office near BC Road KSRTC Bus Stand to Mini Vidhan Soudha and handed over his nomination papers to the returning officer.

Prior to this, addressing party workers, Mr Rai said he has worked sincerely for the constituency during his stint as the MLA of Bantwal since 1985.

“I have worked as minister for home, excise, transport, Fisheries and Ports, and forest departments. I need not to tell my achievements. But, I assure the people of my constituency that I will work more if I am elected,” he said.

“I am not contesting in any religion's name. Congress party itself is my religion. Communalism is my enemy. Development is my aim,” he said.

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Saffron wave sweeps Udupi during PM Modi’s roadshow

coastaldigest.com news network

November 28,2025

Udupi district transformed into a sea of saffron and celebration on Friday, November 28, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow swept through the coastal temple town. Thousands of residents lined the streets, turning the event into a vibrant public spectacle filled with cheers, flags, and festive energy.

The procession route—from the helipad to the historic Sri Krishna Math—was decked with buntings, saffron flags, and multilayered security barricades. One of the district’s largest-ever security deployments was put in place for the high-profile visit, with over 3,000 police personnel on duty. The arrangement included ten SPs, 27 DSPs, 49 inspectors, 127 sub-inspectors, 232 assistant sub-inspectors, 1,608 constables, and 39 women staff.

Six platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police, six Quick Response Teams, bomb detection units, and dog squads were stationed across Udupi. Enhanced surveillance covered Adi Udupi, Bannanje bus stand, and the Sri Krishna Math parking zone, with combing operations carried out along the roadshow corridor.

At the 800-year-old Sri Krishna Math, preparations reached a ceremonial peak. Paryaya Puttige Math seer Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji said the Prime Minister would take part in the Laksha Kantha Geetha Parayana, a mass chanting of the Bhagavad Gita by one lakh devotees, and inaugurate the new Suvarna Teertha Mantapa.

“He will first offer floral tributes to saint-poet Kanakadasa and then unveil the golden covering over the Kanakana Kindi,” the seer said.

The Prime Minister will also receive a Poorna Kumbha welcome and have darshan of Lord Sri Krishna, Mukhyaprana Devaru, and the Suvarna Paduke. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Minister Bairathi Suresh, Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade, and seers from the Ashta Maths are expected to join the ceremony.

Ahead of his arrival, the Prime Minister posted on X that he felt “honoured” to attend the spiritually significant gathering. “This is a special occasion that brings together people from different sections of society for a recital of the Gita. This Matha has a very special significance in our cultural life,” he wrote, noting the institution’s long-standing legacy rooted in the teachings of Sri Madhvacharya.

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