Wearing saffron turban Owaisi campaigns for BJP’s potential ally in Karnataka

coastaldigest.com web desk
May 10, 2018

Bengaluru, May 10: Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), has courted a controversy by wearing a saffron turban when he addressed a Janata Dal (Secular) rally in poll-bound Karnataka.

Owaisi, who is facing allegations of helping BJP candidates in several states by fielding his party’s candidates to divide Muslim votes, had decided to field around 50 MIM candidates in May 12 polls for Karnataka Legislative Assembly. However, following a meeting with JD(S) leaders, he changed his decision and announced complete support to the party of H D Kumaraswamy who had once formed coalition government with BJP in Karnataka.

Earlier this week, Owaisi, who is a member of parliament from Hyderabad, hit the campaign trail in Karnataka and attacked chief minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka while urging the people to support Kumaraswamy, who recently in a public rally in Chikkamagaluru had expressed his readiness to join hands with any party to form the government.

Known for being outspoken against both Congress and BJP, the habitually skullcap-wearing Owaisi turned many heads when he emerged in an artfully tied saffron turban at a public gathering in Belagavi.

The photos and videos of Owaisi with saffron turban are now going viral on social media within Muslims of the state who consider Siddarmaiah a non-communal politician accusing the MIM chief of trying to help BJP again by joining hands with JD(S). 

In his speech, Owaisi said that people of Karnataka fed up with the Siddarmaiah government and formation of a non-Congress and non-BJP government was need of the hour. “Hence, I am here to campaign for the JD(S),” he said adding that the regional parties should take centre-stage and end the era of national parties.

Comments

MR
 - 
Thursday, 10 May 2018

Think twice before you vote for JDS  a vote for JDS is a vote for BJP.. 

Please Vote for Congress! for 5 years of Stable Govt. under Siddaramiah

Rigid
 - 
Thursday, 10 May 2018

Saffron or Green is not for any particular religion. 

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News Network
January 10,2026

Udupi: In a shocking case of digital deception, a 32-year-old resident of Nadpalu village lost Rs 2.19 lakh after falling victim to an online loan scam while desperately seeking funds for his sister’s wedding.

According to the complaint filed with Hebri Police, Ramesh (32) received a call around 10 am on January 2 from an unknown number. The caller identified himself as Ravi Kumar S, claiming to represent a non-banking finance company offering quick online loans.

Needing urgent financial support for the marriage expenses, Ramesh enquired about the loan details. The caller allegedly promised a 3% interest rate with a monthly EMI of Rs 6,289 for five years, assuring a smooth approval process. Believing the offer to be genuine, Ramesh agreed to proceed.

Police said the fraudster then demanded multiple payments under different pretexts, claiming they were part of the loan processing formalities. Between January 2 and January 5, Ramesh transferred Rs 2,19,500 across 36 separate online transactions.

Realising he had been cheated, Ramesh approached Hebri Police, who registered a case under Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act for online impersonation and fraud.

Police have initiated an investigation to trace the accused and have once again urged the public to verify the authenticity of financial service providers before making any payments.

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coastaldigest.com news network
January 19,2026

rizwanzameer.jpg

Bengaluru: As the dust settles on the recent legislative session, the corridors of Vidhana Soudha are buzzing with more than just policy talk. A high-stakes game of political musical chairs has begun, exposing a deepening rift within the Congress party’s Muslim leadership as a major Cabinet reshuffle looms.

With the party hierarchy signaling a "50% refresh" to gear up for the 2028 Assembly elections, the race to fill three projected Muslim ministerial berths has transformed from a strategic discussion into an all-out turf war.

The "Star Son" Spark

The internal friction turned public this week following provocative remarks by Zaid Khan, actor and son of Wakf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan. Zaid’s claim—that his father "helped" secure a ticket for Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad in 2023—has acted as a lightning rod for resentment.

Rizwan’s camp was quick to fire back, dismissing the comment as a desperate attempt by Zameer to manufacture seniority. "Rizwan’s political pedigree was forged in the NSUI and Youth Congress long before Zameer even stepped into the party," a supporter noted, highlighting Rizwan’s tenure as an AICC secretary and his two-term presidency of the State Youth Congress.

A Tale of Two Loyalists

While both Zameer Ahmed Khan and Rizwan Arshad are staunch allies of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and represent Bengaluru strongholds, their political DNA could not be more different:

•    Zameer Ahmed Khan: A four-time MLA who crossed over from JD(S) in 2018. Known for his "overzealous" and often polarizing outreach during communal flashpoints—from the DJ Halli riots to the recent Wakf land notice controversy—his style has frequently left the Congress high command in a state of "discomfort."

•    Rizwan Arshad: A homegrown organizational man. Seen as a "quiet performer," Arshad represents the sophisticated, moderate face of the party, preferred by those who find Zameer’s brand of politics too volatile.

The Outsiders Looking In

The bickering isn't limited to a duo. The "Beary" community, represented by leaders like N A Haris and Saleem Ahmed, is demanding its pound of flesh. Saleem Ahmed, the Chief Whip in the Legislative Council, has dropped the veil of diplomacy, openly declaring his ministerial aspirations.

"I was the only working president not included in the Cabinet last time," Saleem noted pointedly, signaling that the "loyalty quota" is no longer enough to keep the peace.

As Chief Minister Siddaramaiah prepares to finalize the list, he faces a delicate balancing act: rewarding the aggressive grassroots mobilization of Zameer’s camp without alienating the organizational stalwarts and minority sub-sects who feel increasingly sidelined by the "Chamarajpet-Shivajinagar" binary.

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