Retail trade is not a problem but wholesale is: Siddaramaiah on BJP buying MLAs

Agencies
July 23, 2019

Bengaluru, Jul 23: Taking a jibe at the politics of defections in karnataka, senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said retail 'trade is not a problem but wholesale is'.

"This wholesale trade is a problem. If there is retail trade of one or two members it's not a problem. The MLAs who have gone have indulged in wholesale trade," he said participating in the debate on the confidence motion moved by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

"They (BJP) are at 105. They needed 8 more to have majority but they decided on 15 (rebels). I do not think the people of Karnataka will accept this undemocratic procedure," he said.

The Congress leader cornered BJP state unit chief BS Yeddyurappa asking is "wholesale trade not a shameful act?"

"The intention of the lawmakers behind the Tenth Schedule was to put an end to this disease of defection. Where are we headed? Should it be the reason for this disease coming back? This has to be discussed by the people of this country whether they should stop this disease or let it go on. No democratically-elected government can survive if this continues," he said.

Hitting out at Yeddyurappa, the Congress leader said even if he forms government, he will not last for six months or year adding that if he believes he can come to power by killing democracy then it is a delusion.

"Even their (BJP) government will not be formed. Yeddyurappa you cannot last for 6 months or a year like this. What happened in 2008? Did your MLAs allow you to be CM for five years? They got 9 MLAs from operation lotus and 6 independents. What happened then?" he said.

He said he was hurt that Karnataka, which has its own independent history, should be ashamed of the developments as there was no space here for principled politics.

"I will not say do not be optimistic. Already the roots of democracy are shaking. What will happen if those who do not know the Constitution come to power? If only money and power become prominent where will we stand? What will happen to the Constitution?" he asked.

Siddaramaiah said minister Krishna Byregowda has explained how Yeddyurappa and others were involved in the horse-trading of MLAs.

"Why can't you (Yeddyurappa) admit it publicly? Tell me who doesn't know? 99 per cent people of the state know that BJP is indulging in horse-trading," he said.

"An audio clip of Yeddyurappa came. I appreciate him because he admitted that the voice was his but the content was doctored. When he has admitted it is his voice, what more is required? Poor thing, he admitted it was his voice," he added.

The 13-month-old Congress-JDS government slumped into a minority earlier this month following the resignations of 16 dissident MLAs from the Assembly.

The Assembly has 225 members, including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark in the House is 113. 

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News Network
December 2,2025

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Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

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News Network
December 2,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 2: Mangaluru International Airport responded to a medical emergency late on Monday night. Air India Express flight IX 522, travelling from Riyadh to Thiruvananthapuram, was diverted to Mangaluru Airport after a passenger in his late 30s experienced a medical emergency on board.

The Airport’s Operations Control Centre received an alert regarding the passenger’s health condition. The airport activated its emergency response protocol, mobilising the airport medical team and coordinating with stakeholders including CISF, immigration, and customs. 

Upon landing, airport medical personnel attended to the passenger, assessed his condition, and arranged to shift him to a local tertiary-care hospital for further treatment. The passenger’s relatives accompanied the passenger, who incidentally received necessary medical care on board, which helped stabilise the situation.

Following the handling of the emergency, the flight departed for Thiruvananthapuram at 2:05 am on Tuesday.

"We appreciate the cooperation of all parties involved, and this incident reaffirms our ongoing commitment to prioritising passenger safety and readiness to respond to unforeseen emergencies with professionalism and care," the Airport spokesperson said. 

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News Network
December 1,2025

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Udupi, Dec 1: A horrific case of alleged rape has unfolded in Udupi, where a worker from a Hindutva organisation, previously arrested and released on bail for harassing a young woman, is now accused of waylaying and sexually assaulting her.

The arrested individual has been identified as Pradeep Poojary (26), a member of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike's Nairkode unit in Perdur.

Poojary had allegedly been relentlessly harassing the young woman, pressuring her to marry him. When she bravely stood up to him and refused his demands, she filed a formal complaint at the Hiriyadka police station. He was subsequently arrested in that initial harassment case but was later granted bail.

According to police reports, driven by the same malicious grudge, Poojary allegedly intercepted the woman again on November 29. While she was walking through a deserted area, the accused is claimed to have threatened her by grabbing her neck. When she again refused to marry him, he allegedly proceeded to rape her.

The survivor immediately informed her family about the traumatic assault. Following this, her parents lodged a complaint at the Udupi women’s police station.

Police arrested Poojary again and produced him before the court. He has since been remanded to judicial custody.

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