Why two constituencies? Contest from only one seat: High command tells Siddaramaiah

News Network

April 13, 2018

Bengaluru, Apr 13: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee chief D G Parameshwara have reportedly been asked by the party high command not to contest more than one seat in the May 12 Assembly elections.

With growing clamour among many leaders to contest from two segments, the party has decided to reject all proposals and will give an opportunity to other leaders to contest the elections, top sources in the Congress leaderhsip said.

"It is up to Siddaramaiah to choose between Chamundeshwari in Mysuru district or Badami in Bagalkot district from where he wanted to contest. Though the chief minister earlier showed an inclination towards Chamundeshwari, the party asked him to finalise his choice by Friday morning before the scheduled Central Election Committee meeting.

Apprehending that the chief minister may face a strong fight at Chamundeshwari, where a sizable number of voters belong to the Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities, the party top brass advised him to opt for a safe seat like Badami in Bagalkot district as the constituency has a large number of Kuruba community voters, the caste to which Siddaramaiah belongs.

However, apart from Badami, Siddaramaiah planned to contest from Chamundeshwari too as it is close to Varuna segment from where his doctor son Yathindra is trying for a ticket. The chief minister believes that contesting from Chamundeshwari would also help his son, a political greenhorn, to win the elections.

However, Parameshwara agreed to contest only from Koratagere from where he lost in the 2013 Assembly elections and decided to drop his plan to file his nomination from Pulakeshinagar, in Bengaluru. The party will decide whether to field JD(S) rebel and sitting MLA Akhanda Srinivasmurthy or former Congress MLA Prasanna Kumar from Pulakeshinagar, sources said.

"If we allow Siddaramaiah to contest from two seats, we will have to oblige Parameshwara too. If we allow both these leaders, others will also start making similar demands. Besides, allowing top leaders to contest from two seats will give ammunition to political opponents to attack the ruling party saying that their leaders are on the backfoot in the elections," sources added.

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Promising life cut short: Mangaluru college student killed in Padubidri road accident

News Network

November 30,2025

Mangaluru, Nov 30: A 22-year-old college student succumbed to her injuries at a private hospital in Mangaluru today, days after she was hit by a goods tempo while crossing a road in Padubidri.

The deceased has been identified as Preksha, a resident of Nadsalu Billitota in Padubidri. The fatal incident occurred as Preksha, who was returning home after completing her examination, attempted to cross the service road towards Mangaluru. She was struck by a goods tempo approaching from the Udupi side, causing her to fall and sustain a severe head injury.

Prompt action from local residents ensured she received immediate first aid before being rushed to a hospital in Mangaluru for specialised treatment. Despite medical efforts, she passed away while undergoing care.

Preksha was a student at Karavali College, Vamanjoor on the outskirts of Mangaluru city. The tragedy is compounded by the fact that she belonged to a financially vulnerable family, having previously lost her father. She is survived by her mother and brother.

A case related to the accident has been registered at the Padubidri police station, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances that led to the collision. The incident highlights the growing concerns over road safety, particularly on busy service roads, and serves as a tragic reminder of the human cost of traffic accidents.

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