Sonia says Narendra Modi's real face 'masked'

April 9, 2014

Kolar, Apr 9: Training her guns on BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today charged that he was being projected with his "true face" hidden behind a mask and as a "magician" who could cure all ills of the country.

sonia
Without naming Modi, Gandhi also made a stinging attack on the Gujarat model of development being touted by him, saying some people had the habit of projecting "small things in a big" way as if no good work is happening in other states.

"These days you can see all over the country huge and costly advertisements are being showcased and an attempt is being made by them to hide the truth," the UPA Chairperson told an election rally here.

She said, "An attempt is being made to hide the true face of one person with a mask; he is being projected as a cure for all ills and as a magician for the country."

Tearing into the Gujarat model, she said, "Some people have this habit of projecting small things in a big way. These days similar picture is being shown about the development in Gujarat as though no good work is happening in other states."

Gandhi said it was a "different thing altogether" that the poor, downtrodden and minorities had made enough sacrifices for "this development...children are dying of malnutrition in poor man's house, tribals are facing problems in leading their daily lives."

Charging that farmers' lands were being forcefully acquired in Gujarat, she said, "If we talk about the condition of women in Gujarat, there are different types of harassment. This is their true picture."

"....they don't believe in unity in diversity, they divide hearts, they make brothers to fight against each other. Please tell me can you expect nation building from such people who don't believe in our fundamentals of secular principles."

"We cannot have expectations from such people about nation building.," Gandhi said, as she canvassed support for Union Minister K H Muniyappa who is contesting from Kolar (Reserved) constituency. "We

have two options in front of us. On one side we have BJP and its divisive communal agenda, on the other side there is Congress which has always stood for brotherhood and unity...," Gandhi said.

"This is the same BJP that talks of Dharma and morality, but you are witness to the fact of how women were treated during their rule, it was a kind of national embarrassment," she said hitting out at the previous BJP government in Karnataka.

She said, "It was the time in Karnataka when all kinds of developmental activities had come to halt, and with conspiracy and collusion your mineral resources were being looted."

Expressing happiness about developmental works undertaken by Siddaramaih-led Government, she said, "A season of progress has come back to Karnataka."

She also said that in the last ten years UPA government at the Centre has also undertaken several developmental works. "We have done works and have taken several decisions that will improve the quality of life of people from all sections of society."

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News Network
December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A 34-year-old fruit and vegetable trader in Mangaluru has reportedly lost ₹33.1 lakh after falling victim to an online investment scam run through a fake mobile app.

Police said the scam began in September, when the victim received a link on Facebook. Clicking it connected him to a WhatsApp number, where an unidentified person introduced a high-return investment scheme and instructed him to download an app.

To build trust, the fraudster asked him to invest ₹30,000 on September 24. The trader soon received ₹34,000 as “profit,” convincing him the scheme was genuine. Over the next two months, he transferred money in multiple instalments via Google Pay and IMPS to different scanner codes and bank accounts shared by the scammers. Between September 24 and December 3, he ended up sending a total of ₹33.1 lakh.

When he later requested a refund of his investment and promised returns, the scammers demanded additional payments, claiming he needed to pay a “service tax” first. Even after he paid a small amount, no money was returned, and the scammers continued pressuring him for more.

A case has been registered at the CEN Crime Police Station.

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru CEN police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly posting provocative and misleading content on an Instagram page named “mr_a_titude”, targeting the Bajpe police.

Mangaluru Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H identified the arrested as Abhishek M, a resident of Katipalla in Mangaluru.

A case has been registered at the Bajpe Police Station under Sections 353(1)(c), 353(2), 56, and 57 read with Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the post.

According to police, the accused uploaded a photograph of a hotel on the Instagram page and alleged that accused persons in a murder case under the Bajpe police jurisdiction were being given “royal treatment” by the police, including being served beef meals daily from the hotel.

The post further accused the police of supporting criminals, misusing their authority, and betraying public trust. Police said the content was provocative in nature and aimed at inciting public outrage against the police.

Following the post, a case was registered at the Bajpe police station, and further investigation was transferred to the CEN police station.

Police records indicate that the accused has a criminal history, with multiple cases registered against him, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, and robbery at the Surathkal Police Station, and one case at the Kaup Police Station.

The Commissioner said the accused was traced and arrested using technical evidence.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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