Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday expanded his cabinet with the induction of 17 legislators as ministers at Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru.

The oath-taking ceremony was administered by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala.&nbsp;

The development comes a day after Yediyurappa received the final list of ministers from Bharatiya Janata Party President and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday.

The BJP government had been under attack by the opposition parties over delay in the constitution of the Cabinet.

On July 29, Yediyurappa proved the majority of his government in the state Assembly after winning the trust vote through voice vote. He took oath as the chief minister of Karnataka for the fourth time on July 26.

The Congress-JD(S) coalition government fell last week after losing the trust vote in the Karnataka Assembly. Following the defeat, Kumaraswamy submitted his resignation to Governor Vajubhai Vala at Raj Bhavan, along with his cabinet ministers.

 
(With inputs from agencies)

Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday expanded his cabinet with the induction of 17 legislators as ministers at Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru. The oath-taking ceremony was administered by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala.

Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday expanded his cabinet with the induction of 17 legislators as ministers at Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru. The oath-taking ceremony was administered by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala. The development comes a day after Yediyurappa received the final list of ministers from Bharatiya Janata Party President and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday. The BJP government had been under attack by the opposition parties over delay in the constitution of the Cabinet. On July 29, Yediyurappa proved the majority of his government in the state Assembly after winning the trust vote through voice vote. He took oath as the chief minister of Karnataka for the fourth time on July 26. The Congress-JD(S) coalition government fell last week after losing the trust vote in the Karnataka Assembly. Following the defeat, Kumaraswamy submitted his resignation to Governor Vajubhai Vala at Raj Bhavan, along with his cabinet ministers. (With inputs from agencies)

Karnataka cabinet expansion: 17 MLAs take oath as ministers in B S Yediyurappa government

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/death-toll-from-floods-across-india-rises-to-95-hundreds-of-thousands-evacuated-241993">The&nbsp;death&nbsp;toll&nbsp;from&nbsp;floods</a>&nbsp;in Karnataka, Kerala, and Maharashtra rose to&nbsp;147, state authorities said on Sunday, as rescue teams raced to evacuate people and waters submerged parts of a world heritage site.

Heavy rain and landslides forced&nbsp;hundreds&nbsp;of&nbsp;thousands&nbsp;of people to take shelter in relief camps, while train services were cancelled in several flood-hit areas.

In Kerala, at least 57 people were killed in rain-related incidents while over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-around-30000-evacuated-to-relief-camps-in-wayanad-242076">165,000 people were in relief camps in the state</a>, state authorities said on Sunday.

"Several houses are still covered under 10-12 feet deep mud. This is hampering rescue work," state chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.

Authorities worried that rescue operations would be hit by thunderstorms and rainfall predicted in some parts of Kerala.

Last year, more than 200 people were killed in Kerala and over five million affected in one of the worst&nbsp;floods&nbsp;in 100 years in the state.

In Karnataka, several structures at world heritage site Hampi, an ancient town, were flooded.

So far 60 people have died in rain-related incidents, said state chief minister B S Yediyurappa, adding nearly 227,000 people were staying in relief camps.

While Karnataka, Kerala, and Maharashtra have been the worst hit this year, several other states including Gujarat, Assam, and Bihar have also seen heavy damage due to&nbsp;floods.

In Maharashtra, where the&nbsp;death&nbsp;toll&nbsp;stood at 30, the flood situation was improving, according to state-run All India Radio, though authorities said it would be difficult to restore rail services in some flood-hit areas within the next two weeks.

India's main opposition Congress party called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide relief packages.

Citing media reports, the Congress party said so far this year 446 people have been killed in six flood-hit states including Assam, Bihar, and Gujarat.

"Despite the mammoth loss of lives and displacement caused due to&nbsp;floods, the government is failing to realize the gravity of the flood fury," the Congress party said in a statement on Sunday.

The death toll from floods in Karnataka, Kerala, and Maharashtra rose to 147, state authorities said on Sunday, as rescue teams raced to evacuate people and waters submerged parts of a world heritage site.

The death toll from floods in Karnataka, Kerala, and Maharashtra rose to 147, state authorities said on Sunday, as rescue teams raced to evacuate people and waters submerged parts of a world heritage site. Heavy rain and landslides forced hundreds of thousands of people to take shelter in relief camps, while train services were cancelled in several flood-hit areas. In Kerala, at least 57 people were killed in rain-related incidents while over 165,000 people were in relief camps in the state, state authorities said on Sunday. "Several houses are still covered under 10-12 feet deep mud. This is hampering rescue work," state chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. Authorities worried that rescue operations would be hit by thunderstorms and rainfall predicted in some parts of Kerala. Last year, more than 200 people were killed in Kerala and over five million affected in one of the worst floods in 100 years in the state. In Karnataka, several structures at world heritage site Hampi, an ancient town, were flooded. So far 60 people have died in rain-related incidents, said state chief minister B S Yediyurappa, adding nearly 227,000 people were staying in relief camps. While Karnataka, Kerala, and Maharashtra have been the worst hit this year, several other states including Gujarat, Assam, and Bihar have also seen heavy damage due to floods. In Maharashtra, where the death toll stood at 30, the flood situation was improving, according to state-run All India Radio, though authorities said it would be difficult to restore rail services in some flood-hit areas within the next two weeks. India's main opposition Congress party called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide relief packages. Citing media reports, the Congress party said so far this year 446 people have been killed in six flood-hit states including Assam, Bihar, and Gujarat. "Despite the mammoth loss of lives and displacement caused due to floods, the government is failing to realize the gravity of the flood fury," the Congress party said in a statement on Sunday.

Death toll from floods reaches 147, hundreds of thousands evacuated

The future of the ruling JD(S)-Congress coalition is likely to be decided on Friday even as the deadline set by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai ended at 1.30pm today. 
 
Speaker Ramesh Kumar said that the directive of the Governor is applied to the chief minister and he cannot be forced by any time constraint.

"Unless the discussion is complete, you cannot press for division of votes for the floor test," said the Speaker. 
 
"Governor's order has to be followed or not, it has to be decided by chief minister because the letter was sent to him, so he has to decide," he further added 
 
Earlier in the day, chief minister HD Kumaraswamy had asked the Speaker to decide on the floor test.

"We have already moved the confidence motion. I request the speaker to decide on whether the Governor can direct me to hold the floor test today," he said. 
 
Kumaraswamy asserted he would not misuse power to save his government. "Let's have discussion. You can still form government. Nothing urgent. You can do it on Monday or Tuesday also. I am not going to misuse power," Kumaraswamy told the BJP.

On Thursday, Governor, in a letter to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, asked him to hold the floor test by 1.30pm on Friday. "Though a message as contemplated under Article 175(2) is sent to the Speaker, I am informed that the House is adjourned today i.e, 18-07-2019. Under these circumstances, I require you to prove your majority on the floor of the house on or before 1.30 pm tomorrow" stated the Governor's letter.&nbsp;

An earlier letter to the Speaker by Governor to&nbsp;conduct the floor test by the end of Thursday was merely dismissed as a suggestion and not an order.&nbsp;

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy moved confidence motion in the state Assembly at 11 am on Thursday to prove the majority of his government amidst rebellion by a section of the lawmakers.

He claimed that the dissenting legislators had moved the apex court with the BJP's assistance."A situation has been created so that people lose trust in us. Without any discussion they have wanted a trust vote", Kumaraswamy said.

Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah that a floor test in the House will not be appropriate until a clarification is attained on the Supreme Court order allowing freedom to the 15 rebel MLAs from participating in the House proceedings.

"If we go ahead with the confidence motion, if the whip is applicable and they (rebel MLAs) don't come to the house because of the SC order, it will be a big loss to the coalition government," he said.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders claimed JD(S)-Congress coalition was delaying the trust vote fearing imminent defeat due to lack of majority numbers.

BJP legislators staged a night-long sit-in at Vidhana Soudha, protesting against the Congress-JD(S) government dragging its feet on the trust vote.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The future of the ruling JD(S)-Congress coalition is likely to be decided on Friday even as the deadline set by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai ended at 1.30pm today.

The future of the ruling JD(S)-Congress coalition is likely to be decided on Friday even as the deadline set by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai ended at 1.30pm today. Speaker Ramesh Kumar said that the directive of the Governor is applied to the chief minister and he cannot be forced by any time constraint. "Unless the discussion is complete, you cannot press for division of votes for the floor test," said the Speaker. "Governor's order has to be followed or not, it has to be decided by chief minister because the letter was sent to him, so he has to decide," he further added Earlier in the day, chief minister HD Kumaraswamy had asked the Speaker to decide on the floor test. "We have already moved the confidence motion. I request the speaker to decide on whether the Governor can direct me to hold the floor test today," he said. Kumaraswamy asserted he would not misuse power to save his government. "Let's have discussion. You can still form government. Nothing urgent. You can do it on Monday or Tuesday also. I am not going to misuse power," Kumaraswamy told the BJP. On Thursday, Governor, in a letter to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, asked him to hold the floor test by 1.30pm on Friday. "Though a message as contemplated under Article 175(2) is sent to the Speaker, I am informed that the House is adjourned today i.e, 18-07-2019. Under these circumstances, I require you to prove your majority on the floor of the house on or before 1.30 pm tomorrow" stated the Governor's letter. An earlier letter to the Speaker by Governor to conduct the floor test by the end of Thursday was merely dismissed as a suggestion and not an order. Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy moved confidence motion in the state Assembly at 11 am on Thursday to prove the majority of his government amidst rebellion by a section of the lawmakers. He claimed that the dissenting legislators had moved the apex court with the BJP's assistance."A situation has been created so that people lose trust in us. Without any discussion they have wanted a trust vote", Kumaraswamy said. Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah that a floor test in the House will not be appropriate until a clarification is attained on the Supreme Court order allowing freedom to the 15 rebel MLAs from participating in the House proceedings. "If we go ahead with the confidence motion, if the whip is applicable and they (rebel MLAs) don't come to the house because of the SC order, it will be a big loss to the coalition government," he said. Meanwhile, BJP leaders claimed JD(S)-Congress coalition was delaying the trust vote fearing imminent defeat due to lack of majority numbers. BJP legislators staged a night-long sit-in at Vidhana Soudha, protesting against the Congress-JD(S) government dragging its feet on the trust vote. (With inputs from agencies)

Karnataka crisis: Heated debate on in Assembly as deadline set by Governor ends

Amid allegations of former Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa having paid Rs 1,800 crore to BJP leaders, the Income Tax Department Friday issued a clarification saying its one-and-half-year-old searches yielding "loose sheets" of papers containing "numerical entries" against "some individual names" appear to be doubtful as the originals are not available.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) in a statement said it had recovered "xerox copy" of "diary pages" of Karnataka Legislative Assembly of 2009 from Congress leader D K Shivakumar during a search action on August 2, 2017.

Shivakumar in a statement to the tax department stated that these were "a copy of the diary, written by B S Yeddyurappa, and the payments paid on behalf of B S Yeddyurappa to legislators and received from various leaders, MLAs, Ministers when they were in power," it said.

The Caravan magazine reported that the recipients of the funds include Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari as well as the BJP Central Committee members and state legislators.

While no immediate comments were available from the three ministers, Yeddyurappa rubbished the allegations as "atrocious and malicious". The BJP's Karnataka unit also tweeted to deny the claim, saying the "handwriting &amp; the signature on the dairy released by @INCIndia is as fake as the diary itself."

Yeddyurappa in a statement recorded with the tax department in November 2017 had denied writing any such diary entry and said that the copies did not contain his handwriting or signatures, according to CBDT.

CBDT, which comes under Jaitley, in the statement said the loose sheets were sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad for an analysis but the laboratory after carrying out an examination of handwriting and signatures stated that it needed originals.

"No originals were given by Shivakumar," the statement said. "It is clear that for a forensic analysis of the disputed writings to establish its evidentiary value, originals of the same are required."

The tax department said details about the place and custody of the original writings and "if the original writings exist, are not available."

"The same loose sheets prima-facie appear to be of a doubtful nature and were given by the person who was being raided for tax violations," it added. 
CBDT said it had carried out a search on Shivakumar and others on August 2, 2017 and "a large evidence of incriminating material against" him and his company were found.

It further stated that Shivakumar in his statement to the tax department on October 19, 2017 "stated that this was a copy of a diary, written by Mr BS Yeddyurappa, and the payments paid on behalf of Mr BS Yeddyurappa to legislators and received from various leaders, MLAs, Ministers when they were in power."

He, however, did not disclose the source of information, it said.

"He also stated that he did not know the time period in which the said transactions have taken place and he did not have the originals of the said loose sheets."

The department said on being asked why he had not brought this to the notice of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) or Lokayukta of Karnataka, "Shivakumar stated that as he did not know about the genuineness of the said loose sheets, he did not inform the same to enforcement agencies."

"He further stated that the handwriting in the loose sheets could be of Mr BS Yeddyurappa on the basis of comparison between various documents written by Mr BS Yeddyurappa and the handwriting in the loose sheets," it said.

Yeddyurappa in his statement to the tax department on November 25, 2017 stated that he was not in the habit of writing a diary and "that the loose sheets in question were not in his handwriting," the statement said. "He denied his handwriting and signatures on the loose sheets."

"He further stated that contents of the loose sheets were false and fabricated and his name has been used to malign his political career," it said. "He also provided a sample of his handwriting in order to verify the genuineness of the said loose sheets. Further, he also stated that the fabricated loose sheets were politically motivated with an intention to tarnish his political image."&nbsp;

Amid allegations of former Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa having paid Rs 1,800 crore to BJP leaders, the Income Tax Department Friday issued a clarification saying its one-and-half-year-old searches yielding "loose sheets" of papers containing "numerical entries" against "some individual names" appear to be doubtful as the originals are not available.

Amid allegations of former Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa having paid Rs 1,800 crore to BJP leaders, the Income Tax Department Friday issued a clarification saying its one-and-half-year-old searches yielding "loose sheets" of papers containing "numerical entries" against "some individual names" appear to be doubtful as the originals are not available. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) in a statement said it had recovered "xerox copy" of "diary pages" of Karnataka Legislative Assembly of 2009 from Congress leader D K Shivakumar during a search action on August 2, 2017. Shivakumar in a statement to the tax department stated that these were "a copy of the diary, written by B S Yeddyurappa, and the payments paid on behalf of B S Yeddyurappa to legislators and received from various leaders, MLAs, Ministers when they were in power," it said. The Caravan magazine reported that the recipients of the funds include Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari as well as the BJP Central Committee members and state legislators. While no immediate comments were available from the three ministers, Yeddyurappa rubbished the allegations as "atrocious and malicious". The BJP's Karnataka unit also tweeted to deny the claim, saying the "handwriting & the signature on the dairy released by @INCIndia is as fake as the diary itself." Yeddyurappa in a statement recorded with the tax department in November 2017 had denied writing any such diary entry and said that the copies did not contain his handwriting or signatures, according to CBDT. CBDT, which comes under Jaitley, in the statement said the loose sheets were sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad for an analysis but the laboratory after carrying out an examination of handwriting and signatures stated that it needed originals. "No originals were given by Shivakumar," the statement said. "It is clear that for a forensic analysis of the disputed writings to establish its evidentiary value, originals of the same are required." The tax department said details about the place and custody of the original writings and "if the original writings exist, are not available." "The same loose sheets prima-facie appear to be of a doubtful nature and were given by the person who was being raided for tax violations," it added. CBDT said it had carried out a search on Shivakumar and others on August 2, 2017 and "a large evidence of incriminating material against" him and his company were found. It further stated that Shivakumar in his statement to the tax department on October 19, 2017 "stated that this was a copy of a diary, written by Mr BS Yeddyurappa, and the payments paid on behalf of Mr BS Yeddyurappa to legislators and received from various leaders, MLAs, Ministers when they were in power." He, however, did not disclose the source of information, it said. "He also stated that he did not know the time period in which the said transactions have taken place and he did not have the originals of the said loose sheets." The department said on being asked why he had not brought this to the notice of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) or Lokayukta of Karnataka, "Shivakumar stated that as he did not know about the genuineness of the said loose sheets, he did not inform the same to enforcement agencies." "He further stated that the handwriting in the loose sheets could be of Mr BS Yeddyurappa on the basis of comparison between various documents written by Mr BS Yeddyurappa and the handwriting in the loose sheets," it said. Yeddyurappa in his statement to the tax department on November 25, 2017 stated that he was not in the habit of writing a diary and "that the loose sheets in question were not in his handwriting," the statement said. "He denied his handwriting and signatures on the loose sheets." "He further stated that contents of the loose sheets were false and fabricated and his name has been used to malign his political career," it said. "He also provided a sample of his handwriting in order to verify the genuineness of the said loose sheets. Further, he also stated that the fabricated loose sheets were politically motivated with an intention to tarnish his political image."

Tax dept says 'loose sheets' containing alleged pay-offs by Yeddyurappa doubtful

After the resignation&nbsp;of BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa from Karnataka, the Congress took to Twitter to celebrate its victory.&nbsp;

The official Twitter account of the Congress congratulated Karnataka calling it the victory of democracy against the "unholy politics".

The Congress tweeted, " Democracy has finally won the battle against the unholy politics of intimidation, corruption and lies, Congratulations Karnataka"

Two days after taking oath as the chief minister of Karnataka, the BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa resigned today in the Karnataka assembly.

Yeddyurappa resigned saying, " If we had 113 seats, we would have changed the fate of this state. That did not happen. I expected the MLAs to come to my side. We will win all 28 Lok Sabha seats, that I assure the people. In the next assembly elections, we will win 150 seats. I will tour the state after this session. I will bring the party to power on my own. MLAs are fearful and scared. The JD(S) and Congress are harassing them. Even without power, I fight and live for the people. The Congress has subverted democracy. I am off to the Governor's house. I now give my resignation to the people of Karnataka".

The resignation has come a day after the Supreme Court asked the BJP to prove its majority in the legislative assembly in Karnataka. 
&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Democracy has finally won the battle against the unholy politics of intimidation, corruption and lies. Congratulations Karnataka! <a href="https://twitter.com/INCKarnataka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@INCKarnataka</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CongressDefeatsBJP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CongressDefeatsBJP</a> <a href="https://t.co/uBjHXZ6xiu">pic.twitter.com/uBjHXZ6xiu</a>
— Congress (@INCIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/INCIndia/status/997790902096556032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Congress tweeted, 'Democracy has finally won the battle against the unholy politics of intimidation, corruption and lies, Congratulations Karnataka'

After the resignation of BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa from Karnataka, the Congress took to Twitter to celebrate its victory. The official Twitter account of the Congress congratulated Karnataka calling it the victory of democracy against the "unholy politics". The Congress tweeted, " Democracy has finally won the battle against the unholy politics of intimidation, corruption and lies, Congratulations Karnataka" Two days after taking oath as the chief minister of Karnataka, the BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa resigned today in the Karnataka assembly. Yeddyurappa resigned saying, " If we had 113 seats, we would have changed the fate of this state. That did not happen. I expected the MLAs to come to my side. We will win all 28 Lok Sabha seats, that I assure the people. In the next assembly elections, we will win 150 seats. I will tour the state after this session. I will bring the party to power on my own. MLAs are fearful and scared. The JD(S) and Congress are harassing them. Even without power, I fight and live for the people. The Congress has subverted democracy. I am off to the Governor's house. I now give my resignation to the people of Karnataka". The resignation has come a day after the Supreme Court asked the BJP to prove its majority in the legislative assembly in Karnataka. Democracy has finally won the battle against the unholy politics of intimidation, corruption and lies. Congratulations Karnataka! @INCKarnataka #CongressDefeatsBJP pic.twitter.com/uBjHXZ6xiu — Congress (@INCIndia) May 19, 2018 ×

Democracy has won against unholy politics of intimidation, corruption, lies: Congress on Yeddyurappa's resignation

Hours after B S Yeddyurappa assumed office as Chief Minister, several IAS and IPS officers were today transferred and a new Advocate General appointed in a top-level reshuffle.

In a major decision, the Yeddyurappa government appointed senior advocate Prabhuling K Navadagi as the Advocate General of Karnataka, in place of Madhusudan R Naik, who has since resigned.

Governor Vajubhai Vala appointed Navadagi to the post with immediate effect, a government notification said.

Effecting changes in the bureaucracy, the government appointed M Lakshminarayana, additional chief secretary, public works department, as the additional chief secretary to the chief minister.

It also notified that his position would be equivalent to the additional chief secretary in the home department.

Senior IPS officer Amar Kumar Pandey, serving as Additional Director General of Police, Railways, has been made ADGP, Intelligence, according to a government notification.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Karnataka State Reserve Police Sandeep Patil will be the DIG, Intelligence.

Bidar Superintendent of Police D Devaraja has been transferred to Bengaluru Central division as the deputy commissioner of police.

Superintendent of police in the Anti-Corruption Bureau S Girish has been transferred as DCP of Bengaluru North East Division.

Governor Vajubhai Vala appointed Navadagi to the post with immediate effect, a government notification said.

Hours after B S Yeddyurappa assumed office as Chief Minister, several IAS and IPS officers were today transferred and a new Advocate General appointed in a top-level reshuffle. In a major decision, the Yeddyurappa government appointed senior advocate Prabhuling K Navadagi as the Advocate General of Karnataka, in place of Madhusudan R Naik, who has since resigned. Governor Vajubhai Vala appointed Navadagi to the post with immediate effect, a government notification said. Effecting changes in the bureaucracy, the government appointed M Lakshminarayana, additional chief secretary, public works department, as the additional chief secretary to the chief minister. It also notified that his position would be equivalent to the additional chief secretary in the home department. Senior IPS officer Amar Kumar Pandey, serving as Additional Director General of Police, Railways, has been made ADGP, Intelligence, according to a government notification. Deputy Inspector General of Police, Karnataka State Reserve Police Sandeep Patil will be the DIG, Intelligence. Bidar Superintendent of Police D Devaraja has been transferred to Bengaluru Central division as the deputy commissioner of police. Superintendent of police in the Anti-Corruption Bureau S Girish has been transferred as DCP of Bengaluru North East Division.

Yeddyurappa effects major reshuffle in Karnataka bureaucracy

BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa was on Tuesday elected to the Karnataka Assembly from Shikaripura by 35,397 votes, the Election Commission announced.

Yeddyurappa, 75, defeated Congress nominee Goni Malatesha and seven others in his home constituency.

Yeddyurappa, who had dealt a body blow to the BJP in 2013 by quitting the party to form his own KJP, returned to mother party before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

In 2016 he became BJP state chief and a year later he was officially made the CM candidate.

(With inputs from Karnataka)

In 2016 he became BJP state chief and a year later he was officially made the CM candidate.

BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa was on Tuesday elected to the Karnataka Assembly from Shikaripura by 35,397 votes, the Election Commission announced. Yeddyurappa, 75, defeated Congress nominee Goni Malatesha and seven others in his home constituency. Yeddyurappa, who had dealt a body blow to the BJP in 2013 by quitting the party to form his own KJP, returned to mother party before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. In 2016 he became BJP state chief and a year later he was officially made the CM candidate. (With inputs from Karnataka)

BJP's CM face BS Yeddyurappa wins from Shikaripura

Ahead of May 12 Assembly polls, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has projected himself as "champion of regional sentiment".

Even before launching his party's campaign, the CM has been pushing the Kannadiga identity agenda through a state flag, fighting the imposition of Hindi and opposing the terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission that are “unfair” to southern states such as Karnataka.

However, unlike some neighbouring southern states like Tamil Nadu and Telangana, no party has come to power in Karnataka riding on the "linguistic" or regional identity in the past but now, the chief minister, who is from a national party, is leaving no stone unturned to reiterate the state's linguistic identity and federalism.

"My identity as a proud Kannadiga is not inconsistent with my identity as a proud Indian. Taking pride in Kannada identity doesn't make Kannadigas any less Indian," Siddaramaiah wrote in a lengthy Facebook post on March 15th.

The Karnataka CM also attacked the BJP's Karnataka unit and said that the state unit of the national party lacked leadership and therefore relied on "North Indian imports" for the May 12th election campaign.

Siddaramaiah also said BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa had been reduced to a "dummy."

"@BJP4Karnataka by waiting for North Indian imports like PM Modi, UPCM Adityanath is admitting they have no leaders in the state. They have reduced their CM face @BSYBJP to a dummy," Siddaramaiah tweeted.

BJP countered this argument by saying it showed Siddaramaiah’s desperation to attack him but he had chosen a frivolous, flippant and totally irrelevant way.

Some feel that incumbent CM's inclination to whip-up Kannadiga pride will only resonate with the urban voters. However, it would have a very little impact in the coastal region where the "Hindutva" plank may decide the election outcome.

As election day approaches, the Congress through its president Rahul Gandhi's temple hopping is seeking to counter Hindutva by positioning itself as a "soft Hindutva" party as opposed to the BJP’s communal image. Siddaramaiah has repeatedly countered BJP’s efforts to portray him as anti-Hindu by saying that he was a "true Hindu" - after all, his name is "Sidda-Rama".

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who began the first of his series of public rallies in the state at Santhemarahalli on Tuesday, paid rich tributes to Kannada thespian Dr. Rajkumar and poet GP Rajarathnam, who were natives of the region, in his bid to strike an emotional connect with the voters.

Modi and BJP president Amit Shah have also started tweeting in Kannada and visited memorials of several Kannada poets.

Siddaramaiah, who started his political career as the head of the Kannada Kavalu Samiti (Kannada Surveillance Committee) in the 1980s and is now projecting himself as a champion of Kannada pride, says the regional sentiment only helps build a strong India but will the Congress leader’s strategy to ride on the Kannada pride help him to get re-elected in a state where an&nbsp;incumbent&nbsp;has not been voted back to&nbsp;power since 1985. That will be decided on May 14 when the counting of the votes takes place.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Some feel that incumbent CM's inclination to whip-up Kannadiga pride will only resonate with the urban voters.

Ahead of May 12 Assembly polls, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has projected himself as "champion of regional sentiment". Even before launching his party's campaign, the CM has been pushing the Kannadiga identity agenda through a state flag, fighting the imposition of Hindi and opposing the terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission that are “unfair” to southern states such as Karnataka. However, unlike some neighbouring southern states like Tamil Nadu and Telangana, no party has come to power in Karnataka riding on the "linguistic" or regional identity in the past but now, the chief minister, who is from a national party, is leaving no stone unturned to reiterate the state's linguistic identity and federalism. "My identity as a proud Kannadiga is not inconsistent with my identity as a proud Indian. Taking pride in Kannada identity doesn't make Kannadigas any less Indian," Siddaramaiah wrote in a lengthy Facebook post on March 15th. The Karnataka CM also attacked the BJP's Karnataka unit and said that the state unit of the national party lacked leadership and therefore relied on "North Indian imports" for the May 12th election campaign. Siddaramaiah also said BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa had been reduced to a "dummy." "@BJP4Karnataka by waiting for North Indian imports like PM Modi, UPCM Adityanath is admitting they have no leaders in the state. They have reduced their CM face @BSYBJP to a dummy," Siddaramaiah tweeted. BJP countered this argument by saying it showed Siddaramaiah’s desperation to attack him but he had chosen a frivolous, flippant and totally irrelevant way. Some feel that incumbent CM's inclination to whip-up Kannadiga pride will only resonate with the urban voters. However, it would have a very little impact in the coastal region where the "Hindutva" plank may decide the election outcome. As election day approaches, the Congress through its president Rahul Gandhi's temple hopping is seeking to counter Hindutva by positioning itself as a "soft Hindutva" party as opposed to the BJP’s communal image. Siddaramaiah has repeatedly countered BJP’s efforts to portray him as anti-Hindu by saying that he was a "true Hindu" - after all, his name is "Sidda-Rama". Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who began the first of his series of public rallies in the state at Santhemarahalli on Tuesday, paid rich tributes to Kannada thespian Dr. Rajkumar and poet GP Rajarathnam, who were natives of the region, in his bid to strike an emotional connect with the voters. Modi and BJP president Amit Shah have also started tweeting in Kannada and visited memorials of several Kannada poets. Siddaramaiah, who started his political career as the head of the Kannada Kavalu Samiti (Kannada Surveillance Committee) in the 1980s and is now projecting himself as a champion of Kannada pride, says the regional sentiment only helps build a strong India but will the Congress leader’s strategy to ride on the Kannada pride help him to get re-elected in a state where an incumbent has not been voted back to power since 1985. That will be decided on May 14 when the counting of the votes takes place. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Siddaramaiah's 'pride of Kannadigas' plank a master ploy or 'flawed' parochial approach?

Bookanakere Siddalingappa Yeddyurappa, born on February 27, 1943, has made a strong stand for himself over the years. He was Karnataka's 19th chief minister, the current president of Karnataka BJP and is now ready to contest in the upcoming Karnataka election as the party's chief ministerial candidate.

He became the Chief Minister of Karnataka after leading the BJP to a victory in the 2008 assembly elections. A seven-time member of the Karnataka Assembly, he represents the Shimoga constituency in the Lok Sabha.

Yeddyurappa's political career began in Shikaripura at the taluk level (an administrative division) of the Jan Sangh (BJP traces its roots to the Jan Sangh) - of which he later became the president - during his college days in 1970 and he assiduously worked his way up. Yeddyurappa's official website says he was 15 when he joined the Sangh. He was imprisoned for 45 days during the Emergency in India and lodged in Bellary and Shimoga jails.

Though born in Mandya district, Yeddyurappa made Shimoga his political base and entered the assembly for the first time from Shikaripura in that district in 1983. He has been representing the constituency since then, losing only once in 1999.

Yeddyurappa once made a deal with Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Kumaraswmy to bring down Dharam Singh-led Congress government in the state in 2006. The agreement between the two leaders was that Kumarasway will be the chief minister for first 20 months, and Yeddyurappa for rest of the period. But Kumaraswamy went back on his words and in the ensuing feud, Yeddyurappa could become the chief minister only for seven days.

It was only in the 2008 that his dream of helming the state affairs were realised. Yeddyurappa gave BJP a victory - and its first government in south - in the assembly elections in Karnataka and became the chief minister in May, 2008. Seventy five-year-old Yeddyurappa is the tallest Lingayat leader in Karnataka - one of the powerful communities in the state - and the BJP is banking on him to garner a sizeable chunk of Lingayat votes in the coming state elections.

A farmer's son, Yeddyuruppa has had a few ups and down during his journey as a regional stalwart, the most prominent one being his decision to quit the BJP in 2011 after he was caught in an illegal mining case. The allegations were that he made profit from illegal land deals in Bengaluru and Shimoga, and was also involved in the illegal iron ore export scam in Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka.

He resigned from his position as MLA and primary membership of BJP, and formally launched the Karnataka Janata Paksha in 2012. In November 2013, it was announced that he was considering an unconditional return to the BJP. On January 2, 2014, he announced merger with BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. He won from the Shimoga seat of Karnataka in the general election by a margin of 3,63,305 votes.

In 2016, BJP re-appointed Yeddyurappa as president of its Karnataka unit.

Yeddyurappa is an arts graduate and has been a farmer and a clerk. He has three daughters - Arunadevi, Padmavati and Umadevi - and two sons. His wife Maithra Devi died in 2004.

A farmer's son, Yeddyuruppa has had a few ups and down during his journey as a regional stalwart.

Bookanakere Siddalingappa Yeddyurappa, born on February 27, 1943, has made a strong stand for himself over the years. He was Karnataka's 19th chief minister, the current president of Karnataka BJP and is now ready to contest in the upcoming Karnataka election as the party's chief ministerial candidate. He became the Chief Minister of Karnataka after leading the BJP to a victory in the 2008 assembly elections. A seven-time member of the Karnataka Assembly, he represents the Shimoga constituency in the Lok Sabha. Yeddyurappa's political career began in Shikaripura at the taluk level (an administrative division) of the Jan Sangh (BJP traces its roots to the Jan Sangh) - of which he later became the president - during his college days in 1970 and he assiduously worked his way up. Yeddyurappa's official website says he was 15 when he joined the Sangh. He was imprisoned for 45 days during the Emergency in India and lodged in Bellary and Shimoga jails. Though born in Mandya district, Yeddyurappa made Shimoga his political base and entered the assembly for the first time from Shikaripura in that district in 1983. He has been representing the constituency since then, losing only once in 1999. Yeddyurappa once made a deal with Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Kumaraswmy to bring down Dharam Singh-led Congress government in the state in 2006. The agreement between the two leaders was that Kumarasway will be the chief minister for first 20 months, and Yeddyurappa for rest of the period. But Kumaraswamy went back on his words and in the ensuing feud, Yeddyurappa could become the chief minister only for seven days. It was only in the 2008 that his dream of helming the state affairs were realised. Yeddyurappa gave BJP a victory - and its first government in south - in the assembly elections in Karnataka and became the chief minister in May, 2008. Seventy five-year-old Yeddyurappa is the tallest Lingayat leader in Karnataka - one of the powerful communities in the state - and the BJP is banking on him to garner a sizeable chunk of Lingayat votes in the coming state elections. A farmer's son, Yeddyuruppa has had a few ups and down during his journey as a regional stalwart, the most prominent one being his decision to quit the BJP in 2011 after he was caught in an illegal mining case. The allegations were that he made profit from illegal land deals in Bengaluru and Shimoga, and was also involved in the illegal iron ore export scam in Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka. He resigned from his position as MLA and primary membership of BJP, and formally launched the Karnataka Janata Paksha in 2012. In November 2013, it was announced that he was considering an unconditional return to the BJP. On January 2, 2014, he announced merger with BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. He won from the Shimoga seat of Karnataka in the general election by a margin of 3,63,305 votes. In 2016, BJP re-appointed Yeddyurappa as president of its Karnataka unit. Yeddyurappa is an arts graduate and has been a farmer and a clerk. He has three daughters - Arunadevi, Padmavati and Umadevi - and two sons. His wife Maithra Devi died in 2004.

B S Yeddyurappa: Karnataka's Lingayat strongman BJP is pinning its hope on

A survey conducted by the Times Now-VMR has indicated a "photo-finish" in the Karnataka Assembly elections, with the BJP and the Congress neck-and-neck.

In the 224 member House, the Congress is likely to get 91 seats, and the BJP just two seats fewer. The JD(S) could emerge as the kingmaker with 40 seats, the survey, conducted between April 4 and April 16, stated.

"If polls were held now neither Chief Minister Siddaramaiah nor B S Yeddyurappa (of the BJP) is in a position to form the government as they are both well short of the 112 mark," it said.

As far as the choice for the chief ministerial post is concerned, Siddaramaiah leads the race with more than 46 per cent respondents voting for him. Yeddyurappa was the choice for the top post in the state for 32 per cent respondents, the survey stated.

The survey conducted by VMR for Times Now channel was had more than 4,000 respondents surveyed through stratified random sampling spread across all regions of the state.

The Karnataka Assembly election will be held on May 12 and the counting of votes will be done on May 15.

In the 224 member House, the Congress is likely to get 91 seats, and the BJP just two seats fewer

A survey conducted by the Times Now-VMR has indicated a "photo-finish" in the Karnataka Assembly elections, with the BJP and the Congress neck-and-neck. In the 224 member House, the Congress is likely to get 91 seats, and the BJP just two seats fewer. The JD(S) could emerge as the kingmaker with 40 seats, the survey, conducted between April 4 and April 16, stated. "If polls were held now neither Chief Minister Siddaramaiah nor B S Yeddyurappa (of the BJP) is in a position to form the government as they are both well short of the 112 mark," it said. As far as the choice for the chief ministerial post is concerned, Siddaramaiah leads the race with more than 46 per cent respondents voting for him. Yeddyurappa was the choice for the top post in the state for 32 per cent respondents, the survey stated. The survey conducted by VMR for Times Now channel was had more than 4,000 respondents surveyed through stratified random sampling spread across all regions of the state. The Karnataka Assembly election will be held on May 12 and the counting of votes will be done on May 15.

Karnataka elections: Survey indicates 'photo-finish' by Congress, BJP

BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa announced today that his son B Y Vijayendra would not be contesting from Varuna assembly constituency in Mysuru against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's son Yatindra.

Yeddyurappa's announcement at a meeting organised by the party at Nanjanagudu, near Mysuru, led to largescale protests by BJP workers, following which police resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control.

"Vijayendra is not filing nomination today, a common man (party worker) will be fielded and he will be filing the nomination," Yeddyurappa said.

"With folded hands I request all of you to support and bless that candidate and make him win," he said.

Battle for Varuna assembly constituency in Mysuru was projected as a fight between the sons of former and current chief ministers.

The BJP has not so far officially announced any candidate for Varuna.

Vijayendra, Yeddyurappa's second son, was projected as the candidate, despite the party not announcing any candidate.

He has been campaigning in the constituency for over a fortnight now, and even had rented a house there.

According to party sources, Vijayendra was to file his nomination from Varuna today.

As Yeddyurappa left the stage after making the announcement, angry workers got on to the dais and damage furniture.

They even tried to stop Vijayendra and other party leaders' cars to know the reason why he was denied the ticket.

Police said they resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control.

Siddaramaiah, who has chosen neighbouring Chamundeshwari and Badami in north Karnataka to contest the May 12 assembly election, has been representing Varuna after it became a constituency in 2008 following delimitation.

Yeddyurappa's elder son B Y Raghavendra is the sitting member of the assembly from Shikaripura in Shivamogga district.

Yeddyurappa is contesting the upcoming election"from Shikaripura.

The Karnataka Assembly polls will be held on May 12 and the votes will be counted on May 15.

Vijayendra, Yeddyurappa's second son, was projected as the candidate, despite the party not announcing any candidate

BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa announced today that his son B Y Vijayendra would not be contesting from Varuna assembly constituency in Mysuru against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's son Yatindra. Yeddyurappa's announcement at a meeting organised by the party at Nanjanagudu, near Mysuru, led to largescale protests by BJP workers, following which police resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control. "Vijayendra is not filing nomination today, a common man (party worker) will be fielded and he will be filing the nomination," Yeddyurappa said. "With folded hands I request all of you to support and bless that candidate and make him win," he said. Battle for Varuna assembly constituency in Mysuru was projected as a fight between the sons of former and current chief ministers. The BJP has not so far officially announced any candidate for Varuna. Vijayendra, Yeddyurappa's second son, was projected as the candidate, despite the party not announcing any candidate. He has been campaigning in the constituency for over a fortnight now, and even had rented a house there. According to party sources, Vijayendra was to file his nomination from Varuna today. As Yeddyurappa left the stage after making the announcement, angry workers got on to the dais and damage furniture. They even tried to stop Vijayendra and other party leaders' cars to know the reason why he was denied the ticket. Police said they resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control. Siddaramaiah, who has chosen neighbouring Chamundeshwari and Badami in north Karnataka to contest the May 12 assembly election, has been representing Varuna after it became a constituency in 2008 following delimitation. Yeddyurappa's elder son B Y Raghavendra is the sitting member of the assembly from Shikaripura in Shivamogga district. Yeddyurappa is contesting the upcoming election"from Shikaripura. The Karnataka Assembly polls will be held on May 12 and the votes will be counted on May 15.

Son not to contest polls from Varuna seat: Yeddyurappa

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government are headed for a showdown as the state&#39;s&nbsp;main opposition party has decided to go ahead with its &quot;Mangaluru Chalo&quot; bike rally despite the police denying permission for the same.

Clashes between the police and BJP workers have been reported from the Jyoti circle in Mangaluru, according to ANI.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Mangalore: Scuffle between Police and BJP workers during BJP&#39;s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MangaluruChalo?src=hash">#MangaluruChalo</a> rally at Jyoti circle <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash">#Karnataka</a> <a href="https://t.co/mrif8zHZhL">pic.twitter.com/mrif8zHZhL</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/905688930544115712">September 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Several party leaders including state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa are expected to address the rally.

Mangaluru Police commissioner, T R Suresh, said that the police won&#39;t allow the BJP workers to carry out the rally.

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Won&#39;t allow the rally. We will prevent them going ahead, if they carry out rally from here,will arrest them :TR Suresh,Police Commissioner <a href="https://t.co/mHdkTzfNBt">pic.twitter.com/mHdkTzfNBt</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/905629786948567041">September 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The police has permitted the BJP to hold a public meeting only at the Nehru Maidan from 11 am to 2 pm on Thursday.

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition asking for a ban on the bike rally by the BJP&#39;s Yuva Morcha.

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The police had denied permission for any rally

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government are headed for a showdown as the state's main opposition party has decided to go ahead with its "Mangaluru Chalo" bike rally despite the police denying permission for the same. Clashes between the police and BJP workers have been reported from the Jyoti circle in Mangaluru, according to ANI. Mangalore: Scuffle between Police and BJP workers during BJP's #MangaluruChalo rally at Jyoti circle #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/mrif8zHZhL — ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2017 × Several party leaders including state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa are expected to address the rally. Mangaluru Police commissioner, T R Suresh, said that the police won't allow the BJP workers to carry out the rally. Won't allow the rally. We will prevent them going ahead, if they carry out rally from here,will arrest them :TR Suresh,Police Commissioner pic.twitter.com/mHdkTzfNBt — ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2017 × The police has permitted the BJP to hold a public meeting only at the Nehru Maidan from 11 am to 2 pm on Thursday. The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition asking for a ban on the bike rally by the BJP's Yuva Morcha.

BJP workers clash with police as party to go ahead with 'Mangaluru Chalo' bike rally

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