Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that the BJP and RSS believed that Dalits and Adivasis should exist at the bottom rung of society.

Rahul Gandhi posted a video on Twitter showing atrocities against Dalits.

The Congress president wrote: "Central to the RSS/ BJP fascist ideology, is that Dalits & Adivasis must continue to exist at the bottom rung of society. In this disturbing video, the dangers of this mindset and how it’s openly propagated by senior RSS/ BJP leaders is revealed."

The video begins by stating that there is "horrific untouchability and violence against Dalits under the BJP."

It states that though PM Modi preaches co-operation by everyone, "every 12 minutes, Dalits faces atrocity, everyday six Dalit women are raped".&nbsp;

"Dalits are facing countless atrocities at the hands of PM Modi's brand of development."

In the video, the Congress president claims that the BJP's chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa practices untouchability in the 21st century and that he accepts Dalit votes but not food from a Dalit kitchen.

Referring to the Una incident, the video states that "lynchings are the essence of caste relations in Modi's India."

It concludes by stating, "Why are Dalits constantly prosecuted in Modi's new India... His silence reflects the mindset of RSS and BJP... Speak-up Mr Modi." 
&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Central to the RSS/ BJP fascist ideology, is that Dalits & Adivasis must continue to exist at the bottom rung of society. 
 
In this disturbing video, the dangers of this mindset and how it’s openly propagated by senior RSS/ BJP leaders is revealed. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AnswerMaadiModi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AnswerMaadiModi</a> <a href="https://t.co/gX2NwL0q27">pic.twitter.com/gX2NwL0q27</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/992965732857208832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

 
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah also chimed in, tweeting that Dalits did not need "empty outreach strategies like having meals with them. What they need is empowerment with dignity and justice. Will you take affirmative action or will you continue to send your leaders to Dalit homes with packed dinners?."&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
What Dalits need are not empty outreach strategies like having meals with them. 
 
What they need is empowerment with dignity and justice. 
 
Will you take affirmative action or will you continue to send your leaders to Dalit homes with packed dinners? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AnswerMaadiModi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AnswerMaadiModi</a> <a href="https://t.co/430b5iBLto">https://t.co/430b5iBLto</a>
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) <a href="https://twitter.com/siddaramaiah/status/992992624100360193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

He was referring to Uttar Pradesh minister Suresh Raina who had gone to a Dalit home for a meal carrying packed lunches. 
 
About 23 per cent of Karnataka's population comprises of Dalits.

The state goes to polls on May 12.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi posted a video on Twitter showing atrocities against Dalits

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said that the BJP and RSS believed that Dalits and Adivasis should exist at the bottom rung of society. Rahul Gandhi posted a video on Twitter showing atrocities against Dalits. The Congress president wrote: "Central to the RSS/ BJP fascist ideology, is that Dalits & Adivasis must continue to exist at the bottom rung of society. In this disturbing video, the dangers of this mindset and how it’s openly propagated by senior RSS/ BJP leaders is revealed." The video begins by stating that there is "horrific untouchability and violence against Dalits under the BJP." It states that though PM Modi preaches co-operation by everyone, "every 12 minutes, Dalits faces atrocity, everyday six Dalit women are raped". "Dalits are facing countless atrocities at the hands of PM Modi's brand of development." In the video, the Congress president claims that the BJP's chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa practices untouchability in the 21st century and that he accepts Dalit votes but not food from a Dalit kitchen. Referring to the Una incident, the video states that "lynchings are the essence of caste relations in Modi's India." It concludes by stating, "Why are Dalits constantly prosecuted in Modi's new India... His silence reflects the mindset of RSS and BJP... Speak-up Mr Modi." Central to the RSS/ BJP fascist ideology, is that Dalits & Adivasis must continue to exist at the bottom rung of society. In this disturbing video, the dangers of this mindset and how it’s openly propagated by senior RSS/ BJP leaders is revealed. #AnswerMaadiModi pic.twitter.com/gX2NwL0q27 — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 6, 2018 × Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah also chimed in, tweeting that Dalits did not need "empty outreach strategies like having meals with them. What they need is empowerment with dignity and justice. Will you take affirmative action or will you continue to send your leaders to Dalit homes with packed dinners?." What Dalits need are not empty outreach strategies like having meals with them. What they need is empowerment with dignity and justice. Will you take affirmative action or will you continue to send your leaders to Dalit homes with packed dinners? #AnswerMaadiModi https://t.co/430b5iBLto — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 6, 2018 × He was referring to Uttar Pradesh minister Suresh Raina who had gone to a Dalit home for a meal carrying packed lunches. About 23 per cent of Karnataka's population comprises of Dalits. The state goes to polls on May 12.

BJP wants Dalits to exist at the bottom rung of society: Rahul Gandhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed a rally in poll-bound Karnataka.

Launching an attack on the Congress in Tumakuru, PM Modi said the people of Karnataka were tired of the Congress which had "cheated" the poor.

"From Indira Gandhi's time, Congress has only fooled poor people of society to win elections. They're a party of lies, they lie time and again for votes. They do not care about farmers nor are they concerned about poor. People are now tired of Congress," said the prime minister.&nbsp;

The prime minister also alleged a "tacit alliance" between the Congress and the JD(S) in the state.

"People of Karnataka need to know the tacit alliance between Congress and the JD(S). They pretend to fight but in Bengaluru, the JD(S) supported a Congress mayor," PM Modi said.

The prime minister said the enthusiasm of the people was evident in Tumakuru which was a land of great men.

"Feel blessed to be in Tumakuru...People of Tumakuru want change...This land of Tumakuru is home to several greats. After becoming PM I had come here to Tumakuru and sought the blessings of Sivakumar Swami Ji at the Siddaganga Mutt," PM Modi said.

"For years, Congress spoke of poverty over and over again but is mum about it ever since the son of a poor mother became prime minister," he said.

The prime minister said the election was about women's security, farmers' development and would decide the future of Karnataka.

"Vote for the BJP and Karnataka will flourish," he said.

"Congress ignored farmers for 70 years," he said, adding,&nbsp;"Farmers' plight today is because of Congress' policies, we are trying to wash away their sins."

The prime minister blamed the Congress for depriving the people of Tumakuru of the water from the Hemavati river.

"Why have the people of Tumakuru not got water from Hemavati river as yet? Our Government has worked on irrigation projects on which no work was done for 30 years. Congress is only interested in filling their safes with black money," PM Modi said. 
 
Karnataka goes to polls on May 12. Counting of votes will take place on May 15.

Launching an attack on the Congress in Tumakuru, PM Modi said the people of Karnataka were tired of the Congress which had 'cheated' the poor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed a rally in poll-bound Karnataka. Launching an attack on the Congress in Tumakuru, PM Modi said the people of Karnataka were tired of the Congress which had "cheated" the poor. "From Indira Gandhi's time, Congress has only fooled poor people of society to win elections. They're a party of lies, they lie time and again for votes. They do not care about farmers nor are they concerned about poor. People are now tired of Congress," said the prime minister. The prime minister also alleged a "tacit alliance" between the Congress and the JD(S) in the state. "People of Karnataka need to know the tacit alliance between Congress and the JD(S). They pretend to fight but in Bengaluru, the JD(S) supported a Congress mayor," PM Modi said. The prime minister said the enthusiasm of the people was evident in Tumakuru which was a land of great men. "Feel blessed to be in Tumakuru...People of Tumakuru want change...This land of Tumakuru is home to several greats. After becoming PM I had come here to Tumakuru and sought the blessings of Sivakumar Swami Ji at the Siddaganga Mutt," PM Modi said. "For years, Congress spoke of poverty over and over again but is mum about it ever since the son of a poor mother became prime minister," he said. The prime minister said the election was about women's security, farmers' development and would decide the future of Karnataka. "Vote for the BJP and Karnataka will flourish," he said. "Congress ignored farmers for 70 years," he said, adding, "Farmers' plight today is because of Congress' policies, we are trying to wash away their sins." The prime minister blamed the Congress for depriving the people of Tumakuru of the water from the Hemavati river. "Why have the people of Tumakuru not got water from Hemavati river as yet? Our Government has worked on irrigation projects on which no work was done for 30 years. Congress is only interested in filling their safes with black money," PM Modi said. Karnataka goes to polls on May 12. Counting of votes will take place on May 15.

Tacit alliance between Congress, JD(S): PM Modi at Karnataka rally

In the run-up to the Karnataka elections, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today posted a video challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reply to the allegations of corruption against BJP leaders from the state.

Rahul wrote on Twitter that while PM Modi talked a lot, his actions did not match his words. The Congress president added that the video played out like an episode of "Karnataka's Most Wanted".

The Congress president tweeted: "You talk a lot. Problem is, your actions don’t match your words. Here's a primer on your candidate selection in Karnataka.&nbsp;It plays like an episode of "Karnataka's Most Wanted".&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
Dear Modi ji, 
 
You talk a lot. Problem is, your actions don’t match your words. Here's a primer on your candidate selection in Karnataka. 
 
It plays like an episode of "Karnataka's Most Wanted". <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AnswerMaadiModi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AnswerMaadiModi</a> <a href="https://t.co/G97AjBQUgO">pic.twitter.com/G97AjBQUgO</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/992619654811185152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

The video begins by asking PM Modi to speak for five minutes on the eight tickets granted to the corrupt Reddy brothers "gang" and on making BS Yeddyurappa the BJP's chief ministerial candidate despite the "23 cases of corruption, cheating and forgery" against him.

The video asks PM Modi when he will speak on the top 11 BJP leaders facing corruption cases.

It names B Sriramulu, Somashekar Reddy, TH Suresh Babu, Katta Subramanya Naidu, CT Ravi, Murgesh Nirani, ES EN Krisshnaiah Shetty Malur, K Shivanagouda Nayak, R Ashok, and Shobha Karandlaje as the BJP candidates facing criminal cases.&nbsp;

"Putting a lid on the Rs 35,000 crore illegal iron ore mining scam of the Reddy brothers. Awaiting your reply," states the video which shows external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj giving her blessings to the infamous Reddy brothers.

 
&nbsp;

In the run-up to the Karnataka elections, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today posted a video challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reply to the allegations of corruption against BJP leaders from the state

In the run-up to the Karnataka elections, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today posted a video challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reply to the allegations of corruption against BJP leaders from the state. Rahul wrote on Twitter that while PM Modi talked a lot, his actions did not match his words. The Congress president added that the video played out like an episode of "Karnataka's Most Wanted". The Congress president tweeted: "You talk a lot. Problem is, your actions don’t match your words. Here's a primer on your candidate selection in Karnataka. It plays like an episode of "Karnataka's Most Wanted". Dear Modi ji, You talk a lot. Problem is, your actions don’t match your words. Here's a primer on your candidate selection in Karnataka. It plays like an episode of "Karnataka's Most Wanted". #AnswerMaadiModi pic.twitter.com/G97AjBQUgO — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 5, 2018 × The video begins by asking PM Modi to speak for five minutes on the eight tickets granted to the corrupt Reddy brothers "gang" and on making BS Yeddyurappa the BJP's chief ministerial candidate despite the "23 cases of corruption, cheating and forgery" against him. The video asks PM Modi when he will speak on the top 11 BJP leaders facing corruption cases. It names B Sriramulu, Somashekar Reddy, TH Suresh Babu, Katta Subramanya Naidu, CT Ravi, Murgesh Nirani, ES EN Krisshnaiah Shetty Malur, K Shivanagouda Nayak, R Ashok, and Shobha Karandlaje as the BJP candidates facing criminal cases. "Putting a lid on the Rs 35,000 crore illegal iron ore mining scam of the Reddy brothers. Awaiting your reply," states the video which shows external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj giving her blessings to the infamous Reddy brothers.

'Karnataka's most wanted': Rahul Gandhi fires fresh salvo at PM Modi

With 2019 Lok Sabha elections just a year away, the countdown has already begun for the big two parties - BJP and Congress. Karnataka is the first major assembly elections this year for both to test the waters.

While BJP is upbeat after its success in the assembly elections in the Northeast earlier this year, Congress will be looking to hold its ground where it is still ruling.

Here is a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the key parties in fray. Let's start with the ruling party, Congress.

Strength 1: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

The incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is one of the biggest strengths of the party. In the last 40 years, he is the only chief minister who has been able to complete a full term in office. He joined Congress in 2006 after his expulsion from JD(S). Once considered an outsider in the party, Siddaramaiah has not only become almost indispensable for Congress in the state, but also one of its biggest regional leaders across the country.

Strength 2: Populist schemes

The Siddaramaiah government has taken several populist measures in the last few years. Apart from freebies like rice and milk to poor, the state government also offered laptops to SC/ST students and cash payments to women from minority communities. Siddaramaiah had also set up Indira canteens in the capital Bengaluru, something in line with the Amma canteens in Tamil Nadu. It offers food to the needy at subsidised rates.

Strength 3: The Lingayat strategy

The Lingayat community comprises a major chunk of BJP's vote base in Karnataka. Its chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa is one of the prominent leaders from the community. Ahead of the elections, the Siddaramaiah government approved the community's demand for a separate religious status. This could snatch away a good chunk of votes away from BJP.

While the party has a few strengths, there are certain factors that it needs to worry about too:

Weakness 1: Farmers' distress

More than 3,500 farmers have committed suicide in the state since Congress came to power in 2013. Most of these incidents happened due to two successive droughts. With rural seats constituting almost two-third of entire state, agrarian crisis will be one of the major poll issues that could haunt Congress. Though the Siddaramaiah government announced several measures like farm loan waivers, guaranteed income and cheap loans for farmers, it remains to be seen if they are enough to cut ice.

Weakness 2: Law and order

Two high profile murders in Karnataka rocked the nation. And both happened during Siddaramaiah's tenure. The murders of rationalist MM Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh became the subject of a raging debate across the country. BJP is also likely to raise the killing of pro-Hindu activists in the state during the election campaigns.

Weakness 3: Internal rift

Lack of coordination between the party and Siddaramaiah government could hurt Congress's prospects. The rift between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state Congress President G Parameswara became evident when the two leaders planned separate state-wide rallies in December without keeping each other in the loop. The party has also not been able to promote some of the welfare schemes initiated by the government.

Now let's focus on the BJP. The party is hoping to make a comeback in the state under the leadership of former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, and is doing all it can to realise its dream. Let's have a look at some of its strengths and weaknesses.

Strength 1: B S Yeddyurappa

The former chief minister is easily the tallest leader for BJP in Karnataka. After briefly breaking away from the party, he has returned to boost BJP's chances in this southern state.

Strength 2: Lingayat community

He also represents the Lingayat community which has 15-17 per cent vote share in the state. It is likely to back Yeddyurappa because he is projected as the chief ministerial candidate.

Strength 3: Modi-Shah combine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaigns and party chief Amit Shah's poll strategies have won BJP several states since it came to power in the Centre in 2014. Earlier this year, the party managed to gain further inroads in the northeast states by winning two out of three states, either on its own, or with shrewd selection of allies.

However, there are some factors that could dent BJP's chances in the elections:

Weakness 1: B S Yeddyurappa

While Yeddyurappa remains a strong factor for BJP in the state, he could still be a reason for its failure in the forthcoming polls because of his image. He was accused of corruption and was sent to jail before being acquitted. While BJP is busy highlighting corruption under Siddaramaiah, Congress will counter that with Yeddyurappa's track record.

Weakness 2: Factionalism

Difference between two key leaders - Yeddyurappa and Eshwarappa - remains a sore point for the BJP ahead of the elections. BJP chief Amit Shah tried to resolve the rift by taking strong actions against some of the office bearers belonging to the two factions. But it has not eased the tension between the two leaders.

Weakness 3: Hindutva agenda vs Kannada pride

Anti-Hindi sentiment or move to introduce separate flag for Karnataka are some of the strategies adopted by Congress to take on BJP's agenda in the state. Karnataka's move to keep Hindi out could unify the southern states, which have resisted BJP's plan to make Hindi the official language of the country.

There is also a third party who can be a gamechanger in Karnataka. However, no one is willing to stick the neck out and bet for Janata Dal (Secular) to win the election all by itself. Despite being the only regional party that could impact the assembly polls in Karnataka, pundits feel JD(S) is only worth a kingmaker's role in case of a hung verdict.

Here is what could be working for the party:

Strength 1: HD Kumaraswamy

He is easily the tallest leader JD(S) has right now to put up a challenge to the two national parties. The former chief minister is known to be an able administrator and has influence among the working class. He has been touring the state wooing farmers and promising loan waivers amid agrarian crisis.

Strength 2: Vokkaligas

This is one of the major vote bank for the party. With the community's strong backing, JD(S) had won 40 seats with a vote share of more than 20 per cent in the 2013 elections. While it may have lost some of its influence, it can still expect a strong backing from this community to enhance its chances, especially in the old Mysuru region.

Strength 3: Strategic alliances

The JD(S)'s alliance with BSP may help the party attract votes from the Dalit population in Karnataka. It is also trying to use actor Pavan Kalyan's popularity to attract young voters and consolidate its position.

But all these may not be enough, because JD(S) has more glaring weaknesses too.

Weakness 1: Lack of leaders

Apart from the father-son duo of HD Deve Gowda and HD Kumaraswamy, the party doesn't have a strong second line of leadership with a mass appeal. As many as seven of its legislators have deserted leaving the party in a vacuum.

Weakness 2: Limited influence

The JD(S) has its influence only in some of parts of Karnataka. Unlike BJP or Congress it does not have a pan-Karnataka presence. The party doesn't have leaders who can attract votes in the crucial north and coastal Karnataka. While it can hurt the prospects of the bigger parties by cutting into their votebanks, it doesn't stand a chance to win the elections on its own.

Weakness 3: Lack of funds

Limited resources will affect the party's chance in the elections. The candidates do not have enough funds for campaigning. It will be difficult for the party to match either BJP or Congress when it comes to grand political rallies to reach the mass. And this could also affect the morale of the party workers on ground.

But just like cricket, elections in India are also a game of uncertainty. It's never over, until the last vote is counted. We will have to wait and see who has the last laugh on May 15.

While BJP is upbeat after its success in the assembly elections in the Northeast earlier this year, Congress will be looking to hold its ground where it is still ruling.

With 2019 Lok Sabha elections just a year away, the countdown has already begun for the big two parties - BJP and Congress. Karnataka is the first major assembly elections this year for both to test the waters. While BJP is upbeat after its success in the assembly elections in the Northeast earlier this year, Congress will be looking to hold its ground where it is still ruling. Here is a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the key parties in fray. Let's start with the ruling party, Congress. Strength 1: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah The incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is one of the biggest strengths of the party. In the last 40 years, he is the only chief minister who has been able to complete a full term in office. He joined Congress in 2006 after his expulsion from JD(S). Once considered an outsider in the party, Siddaramaiah has not only become almost indispensable for Congress in the state, but also one of its biggest regional leaders across the country. Strength 2: Populist schemes The Siddaramaiah government has taken several populist measures in the last few years. Apart from freebies like rice and milk to poor, the state government also offered laptops to SC/ST students and cash payments to women from minority communities. Siddaramaiah had also set up Indira canteens in the capital Bengaluru, something in line with the Amma canteens in Tamil Nadu. It offers food to the needy at subsidised rates. Strength 3: The Lingayat strategy The Lingayat community comprises a major chunk of BJP's vote base in Karnataka. Its chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa is one of the prominent leaders from the community. Ahead of the elections, the Siddaramaiah government approved the community's demand for a separate religious status. This could snatch away a good chunk of votes away from BJP. While the party has a few strengths, there are certain factors that it needs to worry about too: Weakness 1: Farmers' distress More than 3,500 farmers have committed suicide in the state since Congress came to power in 2013. Most of these incidents happened due to two successive droughts. With rural seats constituting almost two-third of entire state, agrarian crisis will be one of the major poll issues that could haunt Congress. Though the Siddaramaiah government announced several measures like farm loan waivers, guaranteed income and cheap loans for farmers, it remains to be seen if they are enough to cut ice. Weakness 2: Law and order Two high profile murders in Karnataka rocked the nation. And both happened during Siddaramaiah's tenure. The murders of rationalist MM Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh became the subject of a raging debate across the country. BJP is also likely to raise the killing of pro-Hindu activists in the state during the election campaigns. Weakness 3: Internal rift Lack of coordination between the party and Siddaramaiah government could hurt Congress's prospects. The rift between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and state Congress President G Parameswara became evident when the two leaders planned separate state-wide rallies in December without keeping each other in the loop. The party has also not been able to promote some of the welfare schemes initiated by the government. Now let's focus on the BJP. The party is hoping to make a comeback in the state under the leadership of former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, and is doing all it can to realise its dream. Let's have a look at some of its strengths and weaknesses. Strength 1: B S Yeddyurappa The former chief minister is easily the tallest leader for BJP in Karnataka. After briefly breaking away from the party, he has returned to boost BJP's chances in this southern state. Strength 2: Lingayat community He also represents the Lingayat community which has 15-17 per cent vote share in the state. It is likely to back Yeddyurappa because he is projected as the chief ministerial candidate. Strength 3: Modi-Shah combine Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaigns and party chief Amit Shah's poll strategies have won BJP several states since it came to power in the Centre in 2014. Earlier this year, the party managed to gain further inroads in the northeast states by winning two out of three states, either on its own, or with shrewd selection of allies. However, there are some factors that could dent BJP's chances in the elections: Weakness 1: B S Yeddyurappa While Yeddyurappa remains a strong factor for BJP in the state, he could still be a reason for its failure in the forthcoming polls because of his image. He was accused of corruption and was sent to jail before being acquitted. While BJP is busy highlighting corruption under Siddaramaiah, Congress will counter that with Yeddyurappa's track record. Weakness 2: Factionalism Difference between two key leaders - Yeddyurappa and Eshwarappa - remains a sore point for the BJP ahead of the elections. BJP chief Amit Shah tried to resolve the rift by taking strong actions against some of the office bearers belonging to the two factions. But it has not eased the tension between the two leaders. Weakness 3: Hindutva agenda vs Kannada pride Anti-Hindi sentiment or move to introduce separate flag for Karnataka are some of the strategies adopted by Congress to take on BJP's agenda in the state. Karnataka's move to keep Hindi out could unify the southern states, which have resisted BJP's plan to make Hindi the official language of the country. There is also a third party who can be a gamechanger in Karnataka. However, no one is willing to stick the neck out and bet for Janata Dal (Secular) to win the election all by itself. Despite being the only regional party that could impact the assembly polls in Karnataka, pundits feel JD(S) is only worth a kingmaker's role in case of a hung verdict. Here is what could be working for the party: Strength 1: HD Kumaraswamy He is easily the tallest leader JD(S) has right now to put up a challenge to the two national parties. The former chief minister is known to be an able administrator and has influence among the working class. He has been touring the state wooing farmers and promising loan waivers amid agrarian crisis. Strength 2: Vokkaligas This is one of the major vote bank for the party. With the community's strong backing, JD(S) had won 40 seats with a vote share of more than 20 per cent in the 2013 elections. While it may have lost some of its influence, it can still expect a strong backing from this community to enhance its chances, especially in the old Mysuru region. Strength 3: Strategic alliances The JD(S)'s alliance with BSP may help the party attract votes from the Dalit population in Karnataka. It is also trying to use actor Pavan Kalyan's popularity to attract young voters and consolidate its position. But all these may not be enough, because JD(S) has more glaring weaknesses too. Weakness 1: Lack of leaders Apart from the father-son duo of HD Deve Gowda and HD Kumaraswamy, the party doesn't have a strong second line of leadership with a mass appeal. As many as seven of its legislators have deserted leaving the party in a vacuum. Weakness 2: Limited influence The JD(S) has its influence only in some of parts of Karnataka. Unlike BJP or Congress it does not have a pan-Karnataka presence. The party doesn't have leaders who can attract votes in the crucial north and coastal Karnataka. While it can hurt the prospects of the bigger parties by cutting into their votebanks, it doesn't stand a chance to win the elections on its own. Weakness 3: Lack of funds Limited resources will affect the party's chance in the elections. The candidates do not have enough funds for campaigning. It will be difficult for the party to match either BJP or Congress when it comes to grand political rallies to reach the mass. And this could also affect the morale of the party workers on ground. But just like cricket, elections in India are also a game of uncertainty. It's never over, until the last vote is counted. We will have to wait and see who has the last laugh on May 15.

Karnataka elections: Strengths and weaknesses of key parties

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?

Karnataka, which is heading for polls on May 12, is the only big state which left with Congress.

Once a pan-India party, the Congress's presence in the country is now reduced to just three states (Punjab, Mizoram and Karnataka) and one Union Territory (Puducherry).

The first major jolt to the party came in the form of defeat at the hands of Narendra Modi-led BJP in the general elections in 2014. Since then, Congress has been experiencing a series of failures. After losing the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, it has failed to stand against the might of Modi-Shah combine. The party lost electoral battles in Delhi, Assam, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tripura, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh etc.

The repeated loss of Congress has already put a question mark on the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. A loss again will translate into Rahul's inefficiency against the Modi-Shah might.

If the Congress is able to win the Assembly elections in Karnataka, the victory will certainly be attributed to current chief minister Siddaramaiah's strong reputation in the party. Siddaramaiah belongs to Kuruba (shepherd) caste but enjoys a status of a strong leader in the state. His name and political tenure has been out of any controversy. The various schemes and measures favouring Dalits and minorities that he introduced may also prove profitable to him.

The BJP contemplated the importance Siddaramaiah holds in the state politics as compared to its chief ministerial candidate Yeddyurappa and therefore fielded PM Modi and his "development agenda" against the fight with Congress.

A victory for the Congress in Karnataka will also decide the role that it will play in the potential grand alliance against the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had hosted a dinner party for the leaders of 20 opposition parties at her Janpath residence on March 13. The party was apparently hosted to devise a collective plan to root out the BJP-led NDA in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress said that the party meeting was called to promote "amity and friendship".

Quoting Tejashwi Yadav and Sharad Yadav, a news report said that the meeting was the first step towards a comprehensive alliance of the 2019 elections.

In a bid to win over the hearts (and the votes) of the people of Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi is not leaving any stone unturned. He is also resorting to the Hindutva card.

Rahul visited around 25 temples in Gujarat during the election campaign in the state. Similar religious symbolism is seen in his recent visits to temples and dargahs in Karnataka.

Also, to woo the Lingayat community in the state, the Karnataka government granted minority status to them in March. Lingayats, the single largest community in Karnataka constitutes 17 per cent of the vote share and plays an important role in about 100 of the state's 224 seats.

A win in the state will also have a significant impact for Congress in the upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram, and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The election in Karnataka is therefore seen as an existential battle for the Congress party which has almost vanished from the map of India.

The repeated loss of Congress has already put a question mark on the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.

Karnataka, which is heading for polls on May 12, is the only big state which left with Congress. Once a pan-India party, the Congress's presence in the country is now reduced to just three states (Punjab, Mizoram and Karnataka) and one Union Territory (Puducherry). The first major jolt to the party came in the form of defeat at the hands of Narendra Modi-led BJP in the general elections in 2014. Since then, Congress has been experiencing a series of failures. After losing the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, it has failed to stand against the might of Modi-Shah combine. The party lost electoral battles in Delhi, Assam, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tripura, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh etc. The repeated loss of Congress has already put a question mark on the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. A loss again will translate into Rahul's inefficiency against the Modi-Shah might. If the Congress is able to win the Assembly elections in Karnataka, the victory will certainly be attributed to current chief minister Siddaramaiah's strong reputation in the party. Siddaramaiah belongs to Kuruba (shepherd) caste but enjoys a status of a strong leader in the state. His name and political tenure has been out of any controversy. The various schemes and measures favouring Dalits and minorities that he introduced may also prove profitable to him. The BJP contemplated the importance Siddaramaiah holds in the state politics as compared to its chief ministerial candidate Yeddyurappa and therefore fielded PM Modi and his "development agenda" against the fight with Congress. A victory for the Congress in Karnataka will also decide the role that it will play in the potential grand alliance against the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had hosted a dinner party for the leaders of 20 opposition parties at her Janpath residence on March 13. The party was apparently hosted to devise a collective plan to root out the BJP-led NDA in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress said that the party meeting was called to promote "amity and friendship". Quoting Tejashwi Yadav and Sharad Yadav, a news report said that the meeting was the first step towards a comprehensive alliance of the 2019 elections. In a bid to win over the hearts (and the votes) of the people of Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi is not leaving any stone unturned. He is also resorting to the Hindutva card. Rahul visited around 25 temples in Gujarat during the election campaign in the state. Similar religious symbolism is seen in his recent visits to temples and dargahs in Karnataka. Also, to woo the Lingayat community in the state, the Karnataka government granted minority status to them in March. Lingayats, the single largest community in Karnataka constitutes 17 per cent of the vote share and plays an important role in about 100 of the state's 224 seats. A win in the state will also have a significant impact for Congress in the upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram, and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The election in Karnataka is therefore seen as an existential battle for the Congress party which has almost vanished from the map of India.

Karnataka elections: An existential battle for Congress

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

Siddaramaiah (he goes by this single name) has come a long way since his days of grazing cattle in a village near Mysore as a young boy. Born on August 12, 1948, he is the leader of the Indian National Congress and Karnataka's incumbent chief minister.

Siddaramaiah's humble background never came in the way of his success. He did not receive formal education during his initial years but went on to become a law graduate from Mysore University. Siddaramaiah was teaching law in Mysore for some time and made his political debut only in 1983 from Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysore.

Before joining Congress, Siddaramaiah was part of many Janata Parivar factions. As a member of H D Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular), he even served as deputy chief minister of Karnataka twice.

Siddaramaiah's debut in the Karnataka Assembly also came on a Lok Dal ticket, which was a part of the Janata Parivar. He has been winning assembly elections since then from Mysore district except twice, in 1989 and 1999, when he lost.

A private person, Siddaramaiah is always dressed in white kurta and panche (a famous South Indian attire) and carries an angavastra. He belongs to the Kuruba (shepherd) community - the third largest in Karnataka - but always projects himself as the champion of backward classes. He was instrumental in promoting AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) conventions.

Siddaramaiah had a long association with Deve Gowda and held various portfolios as minister in the governments of Janata Dal headed by Ramakrishna Hegde, H D Deve Gowda and J H Patel. Earning his name as a good finance minister, he presented five successive budgets from 1994 and two more as finance minister in the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) government in 2004-2006.

But the long partnership ended in 2006 when Siddramaiah was expelled from JD(S). He had accused Deve Gowda of promoting only his family members in the party. Siddaramaiah then joined Congress at a large public meeting in Bengaluru, in Sonia Gandhi's presence.

Siddaramaiah won the Chamundeshwari bypolls held in December that year, by a margin of 257 votes against M Shivabasappa of JD(S), despite a fierce campaign against him by Deve Gowda, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister Yeddyurappa. In the 2008 state assembly elections, he contested from Varuna Constituency and was re-elected for the fifth time.

He and his wife Parvathi had two sons - Rakesh and Yatindra. Rakesh, who helped his father in his political life, died of multi-organ failure in Belgium in 2016. His younger Yatindra is a doctor.

Siddaramaiah has won five times and tasted defeat twice at Chamundeshwari. He was representing Varuna constituency in Mysuru since 2008, which was later allotted to his son Yatindra.

Siddaramaiah's debut in the Karnataka Assembly came on a Lok Dal ticket, which was a part of the Janata Parivar.

Siddaramaiah (he goes by this single name) has come a long way since his days of grazing cattle in a village near Mysore as a young boy. Born on August 12, 1948, he is the leader of the Indian National Congress and Karnataka's incumbent chief minister. Siddaramaiah's humble background never came in the way of his success. He did not receive formal education during his initial years but went on to become a law graduate from Mysore University. Siddaramaiah was teaching law in Mysore for some time and made his political debut only in 1983 from Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysore. Before joining Congress, Siddaramaiah was part of many Janata Parivar factions. As a member of H D Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular), he even served as deputy chief minister of Karnataka twice. Siddaramaiah's debut in the Karnataka Assembly also came on a Lok Dal ticket, which was a part of the Janata Parivar. He has been winning assembly elections since then from Mysore district except twice, in 1989 and 1999, when he lost. A private person, Siddaramaiah is always dressed in white kurta and panche (a famous South Indian attire) and carries an angavastra. He belongs to the Kuruba (shepherd) community - the third largest in Karnataka - but always projects himself as the champion of backward classes. He was instrumental in promoting AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) conventions. Siddaramaiah had a long association with Deve Gowda and held various portfolios as minister in the governments of Janata Dal headed by Ramakrishna Hegde, H D Deve Gowda and J H Patel. Earning his name as a good finance minister, he presented five successive budgets from 1994 and two more as finance minister in the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) government in 2004-2006. But the long partnership ended in 2006 when Siddramaiah was expelled from JD(S). He had accused Deve Gowda of promoting only his family members in the party. Siddaramaiah then joined Congress at a large public meeting in Bengaluru, in Sonia Gandhi's presence. Siddaramaiah won the Chamundeshwari bypolls held in December that year, by a margin of 257 votes against M Shivabasappa of JD(S), despite a fierce campaign against him by Deve Gowda, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister Yeddyurappa. In the 2008 state assembly elections, he contested from Varuna Constituency and was re-elected for the fifth time. He and his wife Parvathi had two sons - Rakesh and Yatindra. Rakesh, who helped his father in his political life, died of multi-organ failure in Belgium in 2016. His younger Yatindra is a doctor. Siddaramaiah has won five times and tasted defeat twice at Chamundeshwari. He was representing Varuna constituency in Mysuru since 2008, which was later allotted to his son Yatindra.

Siddaramaiah: Janata Parivar veteran and Congress's best bet in Karnataka polls

Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi released party manifesto for the upcoming Karnataka polls earlier today. Gandhi noted that the manifesto is the 'Mann ki baat' for Karnataka people.&nbsp;

"Our manifesto is the voice of Karnataka, it shows Karnataka's sentiments" Rahul Gandhi noted during his address at TMA Pai Convention Hall in Mangaluru.

The Congress chief went on to say that his party believes in Basava's philosophy. Reacting to PM Modi's remarks made on the Congress yesterday during his live address to &nbsp;Karnataka BJP candidates, Rahul Gandhi noted that the Congress stands for truth.&nbsp;

He lashed out at the BJP saying that the BJP that does not stand for what they say and promise. "In our last manifesto, 95 percent of things we said have been done," Gandhi said.

"The Prime Minister guaranteed a corruption-free government but we see scams after scams," Gandhi exclaimed. He alluded to the multi-billion dollar PNB scam and fraudsters like Nirav Modi who were able to execute such scams "under PM Modi's rule".&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Mangalore: CM Siddaramaiah, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and other senior party leaders launch Congress party's manifesto for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElections2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElections2018</a>. Rahul Gandhi says,'Whatever the manifesto says will be done, 95% of what was mentioned in the last manifesto has been done.' <a href="https://t.co/p5J81iRW7R">pic.twitter.com/p5J81iRW7R</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/989734916769251328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"Why would you want to give votes to corrupt Reddys?" Gandhi reasoned.&nbsp;

Yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed BJP candidates for the upcoming Karnataka assembly polls. He stated his party's agenda for Karnataka is "development that is fast-paced and all-rounded".&nbsp;

The PM accused the Congress of hiring foreign companies for spreading lies.&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi-led Congress and the Bhartiya Janta Party are currently in full swing to lure the voters for the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections.

The polls to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly will be held on May 12. The southern state is slated to witness a three-corner contest involving the ruling Congress, the BJP and the H D Deve Gowda-led JD(S). The result of the polls will be announced on May 15.

The Congress chief went on to say that his party believes in Basava's philosophy

Congress Chief Rahul Gandhi released party manifesto for the upcoming Karnataka polls earlier today. Gandhi noted that the manifesto is the 'Mann ki baat' for Karnataka people. "Our manifesto is the voice of Karnataka, it shows Karnataka's sentiments" Rahul Gandhi noted during his address at TMA Pai Convention Hall in Mangaluru. The Congress chief went on to say that his party believes in Basava's philosophy. Reacting to PM Modi's remarks made on the Congress yesterday during his live address to Karnataka BJP candidates, Rahul Gandhi noted that the Congress stands for truth. He lashed out at the BJP saying that the BJP that does not stand for what they say and promise. "In our last manifesto, 95 percent of things we said have been done," Gandhi said. "The Prime Minister guaranteed a corruption-free government but we see scams after scams," Gandhi exclaimed. He alluded to the multi-billion dollar PNB scam and fraudsters like Nirav Modi who were able to execute such scams "under PM Modi's rule". Mangalore: CM Siddaramaiah, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and other senior party leaders launch Congress party's manifesto for #KarnatakaElections2018. Rahul Gandhi says,'Whatever the manifesto says will be done, 95% of what was mentioned in the last manifesto has been done.' pic.twitter.com/p5J81iRW7R — ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2018 × "Why would you want to give votes to corrupt Reddys?" Gandhi reasoned. Yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed BJP candidates for the upcoming Karnataka assembly polls. He stated his party's agenda for Karnataka is "development that is fast-paced and all-rounded". The PM accused the Congress of hiring foreign companies for spreading lies. Rahul Gandhi-led Congress and the Bhartiya Janta Party are currently in full swing to lure the voters for the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections. The polls to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly will be held on May 12. The southern state is slated to witness a three-corner contest involving the ruling Congress, the BJP and the H D Deve Gowda-led JD(S). The result of the polls will be announced on May 15.

Rahul Gandhi releases Karnataka manifesto, calls it 'Mann ki baat' of people of state

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reset the tone in the middle of Bharatiya Janata Party's election campaign in Karnataka. Unlike Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat where the party's campaign was centered around Pakistan, national security and cemetery, his speech on Thursday morning was focused on the issues of developmental work done by his government. The message was about number and data crunching. His speech was a comparison between his work of four years and that of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the same period in context of Karnataka. 
&nbsp; 
Why did he do so? For the simple reason that BJP is finding it difficult to handle Siddaramaiah on his own pitch. His party the Congress, which is ruling Karnataka, has built its campaign around social sector schemes for poor and backward castes, sense of regional pride centred around flag, language and injustice, and acknowledgement of Lingayats as separate religion. The Lingayat issue has become a thorn and for this reason PM Modi, without going into the detail, accused Congress of caste hunting in every election. 
&nbsp; 
Siddaramaiah's campaign also revolves around his personality. It exudes the confidence of a strong regional leader who has the capacity to take on the might of Modi. Similar narrative was successfully milked by Modi himself when he was the chief minister of Gujarat. The water of Narmada was turned into an issue of injustice. Similarly, Siddaramaiah has turned the issue of funds for the agricultural sector into sense of injustice to the state. Modi too represented regional pride when he was the chief minister so all the social development data campaign of the Congress failed repeatedly.

Modi that way has taken a risk. In 2012, when Congress built a campaign on economic index, it failed in front of 'Gujarati asmita' which Modi evoked. But from electoral perspective, BJP in Karnataka has been left with no choice.

Even Yedyurrapa has failed to campaign like a regional stalwart. The message in the electorate is that BJP president Amit Shah is calling all the shots unlike Siddaramaiah who has successfully cultivated the image of a leader who is impervious to the machinations of the Delhi-based leaders. The message is that Siddaramaiah gets his way with Congress leadership. Though Yedyrappa has been given prominence in posters with Modi and Shah, it has not achieved that standing in people's eyes. It is for this reason that the BJP is trying to shift goal posts to development and work done by the Centre. Though Modi in his speech said that he is a proud Kannadiga, it will take more than that for the BJP to turn this electoral battle around.

Till now, BJP has only been responding to the Congress's campaign. Barring Bengaluru civic issues, its campaign has really not created a buzz. If they want to wrest Karnataka, the BJP will have to strike an emotional chord with voters as to why they should be voted back as elections are purely anchored around emotive issues like identity, pride and justice.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Modi has taken a risk by focusing on developmental issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reset the tone in the middle of Bharatiya Janata Party's election campaign in Karnataka. Unlike Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat where the party's campaign was centered around Pakistan, national security and cemetery, his speech on Thursday morning was focused on the issues of developmental work done by his government. The message was about number and data crunching. His speech was a comparison between his work of four years and that of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the same period in context of Karnataka. Why did he do so? For the simple reason that BJP is finding it difficult to handle Siddaramaiah on his own pitch. His party the Congress, which is ruling Karnataka, has built its campaign around social sector schemes for poor and backward castes, sense of regional pride centred around flag, language and injustice, and acknowledgement of Lingayats as separate religion. The Lingayat issue has become a thorn and for this reason PM Modi, without going into the detail, accused Congress of caste hunting in every election. Siddaramaiah's campaign also revolves around his personality. It exudes the confidence of a strong regional leader who has the capacity to take on the might of Modi. Similar narrative was successfully milked by Modi himself when he was the chief minister of Gujarat. The water of Narmada was turned into an issue of injustice. Similarly, Siddaramaiah has turned the issue of funds for the agricultural sector into sense of injustice to the state. Modi too represented regional pride when he was the chief minister so all the social development data campaign of the Congress failed repeatedly. Modi that way has taken a risk. In 2012, when Congress built a campaign on economic index, it failed in front of 'Gujarati asmita' which Modi evoked. But from electoral perspective, BJP in Karnataka has been left with no choice. Even Yedyurrapa has failed to campaign like a regional stalwart. The message in the electorate is that BJP president Amit Shah is calling all the shots unlike Siddaramaiah who has successfully cultivated the image of a leader who is impervious to the machinations of the Delhi-based leaders. The message is that Siddaramaiah gets his way with Congress leadership. Though Yedyrappa has been given prominence in posters with Modi and Shah, it has not achieved that standing in people's eyes. It is for this reason that the BJP is trying to shift goal posts to development and work done by the Centre. Though Modi in his speech said that he is a proud Kannadiga, it will take more than that for the BJP to turn this electoral battle around. Till now, BJP has only been responding to the Congress's campaign. Barring Bengaluru civic issues, its campaign has really not created a buzz. If they want to wrest Karnataka, the BJP will have to strike an emotional chord with voters as to why they should be voted back as elections are purely anchored around emotive issues like identity, pride and justice. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: PM Modi resets Karnataka campaign tone

The Congress on Sunday released its second and final list of candidates for the&nbsp;Karnataka assembly polls.

The party in its final list gave tickets to five candidates while replacing six contenders.&nbsp;

The list also includes <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/siddaramaiah-to-file-nomination-from-second-constituency-badami-on-april-24-132180">Chief Minister Siddaramaiah</a> who was already given a ticket from Chamundeshwari constituency in the first&nbsp;list.&nbsp;

Siddaramaiah will now contest from two constituencies&nbsp;

He will replace Dr Devraj Patil in Badami constituency in North Karnataka.

Besides Devraj Patil, Congress&nbsp;has also replaced its candidates in Jagalur (reserved for Scheduled Tribes candidate), Tiptur, Malleshwaram, Padmanaba Nagar and Madikeri.&nbsp;

In Madikeri, K P Chandrakala will contest the election in the place of H S Chandra Mouli.&nbsp;

The Congress has fielded Dr B Inamdar, Vithal Dhondiba Katakdhond, Mallanna Niganna Sali, Syed Yasin and NA Harris from Kittur, Nagthan (reserved for scheduled castes), Sindgi, Raichur and Shanti Nagar respectively.&nbsp;

The party has not declared candidate for the Melkote segment, where it is likely to support Darshan Puttanaiah, who will fight the election on ticket from Swaraj India.&nbsp;

The Congress had released its<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-releases-list-of-218-candidates-for-karnataka-polls-130629"> first list of candidates on&nbsp;</a>April 15 announcing 218 candidates.&nbsp;

The election is scheduled to be held on May 12 and the poll results will be announced on May 15.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

Congress has replaced its candidates in Badami, Jagalur (reserved for Scheduled Tribes candidate), Tiptur, Malleshwaram, Padmanaba Nagar and Madikeri

The Congress on Sunday released its second and final list of candidates for the Karnataka assembly polls. The party in its final list gave tickets to five candidates while replacing six contenders. The list also includes Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who was already given a ticket from Chamundeshwari constituency in the first list. Siddaramaiah will now contest from two constituencies He will replace Dr Devraj Patil in Badami constituency in North Karnataka. Besides Devraj Patil, Congress has also replaced its candidates in Jagalur (reserved for Scheduled Tribes candidate), Tiptur, Malleshwaram, Padmanaba Nagar and Madikeri. In Madikeri, K P Chandrakala will contest the election in the place of H S Chandra Mouli. The Congress has fielded Dr B Inamdar, Vithal Dhondiba Katakdhond, Mallanna Niganna Sali, Syed Yasin and NA Harris from Kittur, Nagthan (reserved for scheduled castes), Sindgi, Raichur and Shanti Nagar respectively. The party has not declared candidate for the Melkote segment, where it is likely to support Darshan Puttanaiah, who will fight the election on ticket from Swaraj India. The Congress had released its first list of candidates on April 15 announcing 218 candidates. The election is scheduled to be held on May 12 and the poll results will be announced on May 15. (With inputs from PTI)

Karnataka assembly elections: Congress replaces 6 contenders in final list of candidates

The AICC released the first list of 218 candidates on Sunday night for the Karnataka assembly elections, prompting a series of protests across the state. Protests were witnessed in Nelamangala, Siraguppa, Bengaluru, Ballari, Mandya, Chikkamagalur, Udupi, Tumkur, Bagalkote and Haveri. Supporters of ticket aspirants who were left disappointed took to the streets, shouted slogans against Siddaramaiah and burnt tyres as a mark of protest.

In Nelamangala supporters of former minister Anjanamurthy staged a rasta roko after the ticket for the constituency was given to Narayanaswamy. In Siraguppa, over 15 Congress leaders threatened to resign and called for a bandh after sitting MLA Nagraj was denied a ticket. Minister Santhosh Lad was given the ticket instead. While CM Siddaramaiah faced brickbats in some areas, veteran Congress leader Veerappa Moiley faced flak in Karkala as supporters of Uday Kumar Shetty carried out a procession and burnt effigies over ticket denial.&nbsp;

Congress tried to downplay the protests, 'it is a natural expression of a strong opinion. Everyone knows Congress is coming back to power. Therefore party workers have some strong feelings, but that will subside very soon. Out of 224 seats, dissent is hardly in 4-5 places', says Radhakrishna, Congress Spokesperson.&nbsp;

In all Congress handed tickets to 112 sitting MLAs, 10 others were denied the opportunity to contest again. The dissent also stemmed from tickets being handed over to 7 rebel JD(S) leaders who joined the party recently, which includes Zamir Ahmed Khan, Chelluvarayyasamy, Iqbal Ansasi, Ramesh Bendi Siddhagowda, Bheema Nayak, Balakrishna and Akhanda Srinivas Moorthi. Two former BJP MLAs were also handed over tickets -- Anand Singh and B Nagendra -- both of whose names feature in the illegal mining scam which had rocked the previous BJP government.&nbsp;

"Congress is known to defeat their own people. What you are seeing as an outburst shows total indiscipline. It was mild in BJP. In Bagalkote they have given ticket to Methi, but denied ticket to Chimmankatti. Popular leaders have been ignored", says Vaman Acharya, BJP Spokesperson.&nbsp;

But despite facing criticism for his choices, the chief minister himself seems to have not got his way. Though he had expressed interest to contest from two seats, Chamundeshwari and Badami, Siddaramaiah has only managed to get a ticket only from the former contituency. But this list also includes several next generation Congressis, drawing the ire of loyalists. Apart from chief minister's doctor son Yatheendra who got a ticket from Varuna, Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy's daughter Sowmya, Law Minister TB Jayachandra's son Santhosh, Mallikarjun Kharge's son Priyank, Dharam Singh's son Ajay, Krishnappa's son Priya Krishna, KH Muniyappa's daughter Roopa and Shamnur Shivashankarappa's son SS Mallikarjun have all received tickets.&nbsp;

"When Congress was in trouble in Karnataka Priya Krishna, Priyank Kharge and Ajay Singh contested for the party and won. Therefore they are not successors biologically, but are successors of Congress ideology", says Radhakrishna. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;The party is yet to name candidates for six more constituencies, among which there is Bengaluru Central's Shantinagar. Congress seems to be rethinking about a ticket for its sitting MLA in the minority-dominated constituency, NA Haris, as his son Nalapad Haris has been embroiled in a pub brawl case and has been behind bars since mid February.&nbsp;

'Congress is known to defeat their own people,' the BJP said. 'Everyone knows Congress is coming back to power. Therefore party workers have some strong feelings,' said the Congress

The AICC released the first list of 218 candidates on Sunday night for the Karnataka assembly elections, prompting a series of protests across the state. Protests were witnessed in Nelamangala, Siraguppa, Bengaluru, Ballari, Mandya, Chikkamagalur, Udupi, Tumkur, Bagalkote and Haveri. Supporters of ticket aspirants who were left disappointed took to the streets, shouted slogans against Siddaramaiah and burnt tyres as a mark of protest. In Nelamangala supporters of former minister Anjanamurthy staged a rasta roko after the ticket for the constituency was given to Narayanaswamy. In Siraguppa, over 15 Congress leaders threatened to resign and called for a bandh after sitting MLA Nagraj was denied a ticket. Minister Santhosh Lad was given the ticket instead. While CM Siddaramaiah faced brickbats in some areas, veteran Congress leader Veerappa Moiley faced flak in Karkala as supporters of Uday Kumar Shetty carried out a procession and burnt effigies over ticket denial. Congress tried to downplay the protests, 'it is a natural expression of a strong opinion. Everyone knows Congress is coming back to power. Therefore party workers have some strong feelings, but that will subside very soon. Out of 224 seats, dissent is hardly in 4-5 places', says Radhakrishna, Congress Spokesperson. In all Congress handed tickets to 112 sitting MLAs, 10 others were denied the opportunity to contest again. The dissent also stemmed from tickets being handed over to 7 rebel JD(S) leaders who joined the party recently, which includes Zamir Ahmed Khan, Chelluvarayyasamy, Iqbal Ansasi, Ramesh Bendi Siddhagowda, Bheema Nayak, Balakrishna and Akhanda Srinivas Moorthi. Two former BJP MLAs were also handed over tickets -- Anand Singh and B Nagendra -- both of whose names feature in the illegal mining scam which had rocked the previous BJP government. "Congress is known to defeat their own people. What you are seeing as an outburst shows total indiscipline. It was mild in BJP. In Bagalkote they have given ticket to Methi, but denied ticket to Chimmankatti. Popular leaders have been ignored", says Vaman Acharya, BJP Spokesperson. But despite facing criticism for his choices, the chief minister himself seems to have not got his way. Though he had expressed interest to contest from two seats, Chamundeshwari and Badami, Siddaramaiah has only managed to get a ticket only from the former contituency. But this list also includes several next generation Congressis, drawing the ire of loyalists. Apart from chief minister's doctor son Yatheendra who got a ticket from Varuna, Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy's daughter Sowmya, Law Minister TB Jayachandra's son Santhosh, Mallikarjun Kharge's son Priyank, Dharam Singh's son Ajay, Krishnappa's son Priya Krishna, KH Muniyappa's daughter Roopa and Shamnur Shivashankarappa's son SS Mallikarjun have all received tickets. "When Congress was in trouble in Karnataka Priya Krishna, Priyank Kharge and Ajay Singh contested for the party and won. Therefore they are not successors biologically, but are successors of Congress ideology", says Radhakrishna. The party is yet to name candidates for six more constituencies, among which there is Bengaluru Central's Shantinagar. Congress seems to be rethinking about a ticket for its sitting MLA in the minority-dominated constituency, NA Haris, as his son Nalapad Haris has been embroiled in a pub brawl case and has been behind bars since mid February.

Siddaramaiah struggles to contain dissent in Karnataka Congress after distribution of tickets

Following BJP's release of the second list of its candidates for the upcoming Karnataka polls, supporters of a party member, Shashil Namoshi, protested against the BJP&nbsp;for not giving party&nbsp;ticket&nbsp;to their leader.

The former member of the Karnataka Legislative council, Shashil Namoshi, has been denied the party ticket for the upcoming election in the state to be held on May 12.

Disappointed on not finding his name in the list of candidates, Namoshi said that&nbsp;he had been working for the party for a long time and therefore expected a ticket for contesting polls.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-congress-workers-vandalise-partys-office-in-karnataka-over-distribution-of-tickets--130776">Watch: Congress workers </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-congress-workers-vandalise-partys-office-in-karnataka-over-distribution-of-tickets--130776">vandalise</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-congress-workers-vandalise-partys-office-in-karnataka-over-distribution-of-tickets--130776"> party's office in Karnataka over </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-congress-workers-vandalise-partys-office-in-karnataka-over-distribution-of-tickets--130776">distribution</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-congress-workers-vandalise-partys-office-in-karnataka-over-distribution-of-tickets--130776"> of tickets</a>

He said, " I've been working for the party for a long time, was shocked to hear my name is not there, I don't know what happened but it has hurt me".

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday released the second list of its candidates for the upcoming Karnataka elections.

The second list for the Karnataka assembly polls&nbsp;includes 82 candidates.&nbsp;

On April 8, the party had released its<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-announces-first-list-of-candidates-for-karnataka-elections-129221">&nbsp;first list including 72 candidates</a>.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Gulbarga: Supporters of BJP's Shashil Namoshi staged protest after he was not given a ticket. Shashil Namoshi says, 'I've been working for the party for a long time, was shocked to hear my name is not there, I don't know what happened but it has hurt me.' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElection2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElection2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/1oOlXNc0Zo">pic.twitter.com/1oOlXNc0Zo</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/985905535198392326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: BJP's Shashil Namoshi breaks down, while addressing the media in Kalaburgi, over not being given an election ticket. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaElection2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaElection2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/tXWYctR46S">pic.twitter.com/tXWYctR46S</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/985935416942579712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

The former member of the Karnataka Legislative council, Shashil Namoshi, has been denied the party ticket for the upcoming state elections to be held on May 12

Following BJP's release of the second list of its candidates for the upcoming Karnataka polls, supporters of a party member, Shashil Namoshi, protested against the BJP for not giving party ticket to their leader. The former member of the Karnataka Legislative council, Shashil Namoshi, has been denied the party ticket for the upcoming election in the state to be held on May 12. Disappointed on not finding his name in the list of candidates, Namoshi said that he had been working for the party for a long time and therefore expected a ticket for contesting polls. Watch: Congress workers vandalise party's office in Karnataka over distribution of tickets He said, " I've been working for the party for a long time, was shocked to hear my name is not there, I don't know what happened but it has hurt me". The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday released the second list of its candidates for the upcoming Karnataka elections. The second list for the Karnataka assembly polls includes 82 candidates. On April 8, the party had released its first list including 72 candidates. Gulbarga: Supporters of BJP's Shashil Namoshi staged protest after he was not given a ticket. Shashil Namoshi says, 'I've been working for the party for a long time, was shocked to hear my name is not there, I don't know what happened but it has hurt me.' #KarnatakaElection2018 pic.twitter.com/1oOlXNc0Zo — ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2018 × #WATCH: BJP's Shashil Namoshi breaks down, while addressing the media in Kalaburgi, over not being given an election ticket. #KarnatakaElection2018 pic.twitter.com/tXWYctR46S — ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2018 ×

Karnataka assembly elections: Supporters of party member protest over ticket distribution

Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S) has emerged as the biggest surprise in the run-up to this year's Assembly elections in Karnataka. A party which was out of the political depth for more than a decade is suddenly in news. The reason for this is the support it receives from the Vokkaligas, the traditional supporters of the JD(S) and a dominant caste in the South Karnataka region.

The ruling Congress is also aware of the Vokkaliga consolidation around JD(S). Congress insiders says that the strong backward caste, Dalit and Muslim polarisation, coupled with lack of any outreach towards the community, has led to Vokkaligas to rally around JD(S) in greater gusto. This community till today has given five chief ministers to the state.

The Vokkaligas hold sway in 10 districts of Karnataka like Mandya, Hassan, Mysore, Kolar and Chikamagalur - mostly in southern part of the state.

Congress sources say that in earlier elections, a part of the Vokkaliga community voted for the other parties, but this time the consolidation around JD(S) seems to have grown even more. Even Asadudin Owaisi has declared support for JD(S). He will not be fielding candidates and would campaign for the party if required.

This makes Congress more nervous than the BJP. The BJP's Lingayat-led alliance has traditionally never received a substantial chunk of this vote which dominates the old Mysore region. Vokkaligas are dominant peasantry and form the bedrock of Deve Gowda's vote bank. In this election they seem to be rallying hard around the former Prime Minister because they feel neglected by the Congress.

The BJP on the other hand understands that better performance of JD(S) means weak performance of the Congress in South Karnataka. BJP's strength lies in North Karnataka which is further sub-divided into Bombay Karnataka and Hyderabad Karnataka.

Few months back, Congress president Rahul Gandhi wanted agriculture minister of Karnataka Krishna Byre Gowda - a Vokkaliga - to take over as the chief of party's Karnataka unit. Reliable sources said that Gowda wanted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the same page as he did not want to be reduced as a symbolic head leading the Congress in the state.

Apparently, the chief minister did not take much interest in the proposal. Many say that lack of outreach is a result of acrimonious parting he had with JD(S) leadership years back.

Today, Siddaramiah is the face of Kannadiga pride and Dalit-Muslim and backward caste consolidation. Congress even has the number advantage over BJP but Vokkaligas still have the potential to derail Congress's comeback campaign by denying it a simple majority. Till polling, the game is on.

While the BJP is banking on its Lingayat support, the rallying of Vokkaligas around JD(S) is making Congress nervous.

Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S) has emerged as the biggest surprise in the run-up to this year's Assembly elections in Karnataka. A party which was out of the political depth for more than a decade is suddenly in news. The reason for this is the support it receives from the Vokkaligas, the traditional supporters of the JD(S) and a dominant caste in the South Karnataka region. The ruling Congress is also aware of the Vokkaliga consolidation around JD(S). Congress insiders says that the strong backward caste, Dalit and Muslim polarisation, coupled with lack of any outreach towards the community, has led to Vokkaligas to rally around JD(S) in greater gusto. This community till today has given five chief ministers to the state. The Vokkaligas hold sway in 10 districts of Karnataka like Mandya, Hassan, Mysore, Kolar and Chikamagalur - mostly in southern part of the state. Congress sources say that in earlier elections, a part of the Vokkaliga community voted for the other parties, but this time the consolidation around JD(S) seems to have grown even more. Even Asadudin Owaisi has declared support for JD(S). He will not be fielding candidates and would campaign for the party if required. This makes Congress more nervous than the BJP. The BJP's Lingayat-led alliance has traditionally never received a substantial chunk of this vote which dominates the old Mysore region. Vokkaligas are dominant peasantry and form the bedrock of Deve Gowda's vote bank. In this election they seem to be rallying hard around the former Prime Minister because they feel neglected by the Congress. The BJP on the other hand understands that better performance of JD(S) means weak performance of the Congress in South Karnataka. BJP's strength lies in North Karnataka which is further sub-divided into Bombay Karnataka and Hyderabad Karnataka. Few months back, Congress president Rahul Gandhi wanted agriculture minister of Karnataka Krishna Byre Gowda - a Vokkaliga - to take over as the chief of party's Karnataka unit. Reliable sources said that Gowda wanted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on the same page as he did not want to be reduced as a symbolic head leading the Congress in the state. Apparently, the chief minister did not take much interest in the proposal. Many say that lack of outreach is a result of acrimonious parting he had with JD(S) leadership years back. Today, Siddaramiah is the face of Kannadiga pride and Dalit-Muslim and backward caste consolidation. Congress even has the number advantage over BJP but Vokkaligas still have the potential to derail Congress's comeback campaign by denying it a simple majority. Till polling, the game is on.

The Vokkaliga fix may complicate Congress campaign in Karnataka

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday released the second list of its candidates for the upcoming Karnataka elections.

The second list for the Karnataka assembly polls&nbsp;includes 82 candidates.&nbsp;

On April 8, the party had released its<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-announces-first-list-of-candidates-for-karnataka-elections-129221">&nbsp;first list including 72 candidates</a>.

BJP's chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa will contest the elections from the Shikaripura constituency.

Rival party&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-releases-list-of-218-candidates-for-karnataka-polls-130629">Congress had released a list of 218 candidates for the Karnataka polls </a>on Sunday.&nbsp;

Elections in Karnataka will be held on May 12 in&nbsp;a single phase.

<img alt="bjp2.JPG" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="582" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/news/bjp2.JPG" width="614" />

<img alt="BJP 3.JPG" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="862" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/news/BJP%203.JPG" width="611" />

<img alt="bjp4_0.JPG" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="734" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/news/bjp4_0.JPG" width="619" />

On April 8, the party had released its first list including 72 candidates

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday released the second list of its candidates for the upcoming Karnataka elections. The second list for the Karnataka assembly polls includes 82 candidates. On April 8, the party had released its first list including 72 candidates. BJP's chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa will contest the elections from the Shikaripura constituency. Rival party Congress had released a list of 218 candidates for the Karnataka polls on Sunday. Elections in Karnataka will be held on May 12 in a single phase.

Karnataka assembly elections: BJP releases second list of 82 candidates

&nbsp;A day after&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-releases-list-of-218-candidates-for-karnataka-polls-130629">Congress released a list of 218 candidates for the upcoming Karnataka polls</a>, disgruntled Congress workers vandalised party's office in the state's Mandya district.

A video surfaced showing Congress workers trashing party assets including furniture, papers, and banners.&nbsp;

The workers are reportedly protesting over the distribution of tickets.&nbsp;

The party on Sunday released a list of 218 candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.&nbsp;

The list announced the constituency of over 200 candidates including current state chief minister and party's chief ministerial candidate Siddaramaiah who will contest from Chamundeshwari constituency. Siddaramaiah's son&nbsp;Yathindra Siddaramaiah will contest from Varuna constituency.&nbsp;

The assembly&nbsp;elections in Karnataka are scheduled to be&nbsp;held on May 12 in&nbsp;a single phase.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Congress workers vandalised party's office in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mandya?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mandya</a> protesting over the distribution of tickets of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KarnatakaAssemblyElections?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KarnatakaAssemblyElections</a> <a href="https://t.co/Bj4qdJW6m4">pic.twitter.com/Bj4qdJW6m4</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/985804232791154688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

A video surfaced showing Congress workers trashing party assets including furniture, papers, and banners

A day after Congress released a list of 218 candidates for the upcoming Karnataka polls, disgruntled Congress workers vandalised party's office in the state's Mandya district. A video surfaced showing Congress workers trashing party assets including furniture, papers, and banners. The workers are reportedly protesting over the distribution of tickets. The party on Sunday released a list of 218 candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. The list announced the constituency of over 200 candidates including current state chief minister and party's chief ministerial candidate Siddaramaiah who will contest from Chamundeshwari constituency. Siddaramaiah's son Yathindra Siddaramaiah will contest from Varuna constituency. The assembly elections in Karnataka are scheduled to be held on May 12 in a single phase. #WATCH Congress workers vandalised party's office in #Mandya protesting over the distribution of tickets of #KarnatakaAssemblyElections pic.twitter.com/Bj4qdJW6m4 — ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2018 ×

Watch: Congress workers vandalise party's office in Karnataka over distribution of tickets

Karnataka heads to polls on May 12. Counting of votes and announcement of results will take place on May 15. In the run-up to the elections, here are five issues that dominate politics in the state. 
&nbsp; 
Both parties are taking no chances with the state, considered by the BJP as the gateway to the South. Karnataka is under Congress rule and stands in the way of BJP’s agenda of Congress-free India. 
&nbsp; 
Here are five issues that will dominate the political landscape in the state. 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Law and order: The issue is one where the Siddaramaiah government finds itself on the backfoot. Rationalist and leading scholar MM Kalburgi was shot dead at his home in 2015. His wife has written to the Supreme Court stating that she is not satisfied with the probe being conducted by the state police and wants a Special Investigation Team to investigate her husband's death. Journalist Gauri Lankesh, a critic of right-wing ideology, was killed outside her home in Bengaluru in 2017 but the case has not been solved yet despite the arrest of a suspect Naveen Kumar. Investigators have said that there is a similarity in the killings of Gauri Lankesh and of Govind Pansare and Narendra Dabholkar, rationalists and vocal critics of the Hindutva agenda. Forensic reports confirm similar weapons were used and shootings were carried out by assassins on motorcycles but the cases remain unsolved. Several lynchings of BJP and RSS workers have been reported in the state recently. Incidents of sexual harassment and molestation during New Year celebrations in Bengaluru were reported for last two consecutive years. “In Karnataka, there is ease of doing murder,” Modi said in Bengaluru, in an apparent reference to the spate of murders that have taken place in recent months in coastal Karnataka and Bengaluru. 
&nbsp; 
Farmers' suicides: As many as 3,515 farmers have committed suicide between April 2013 and November 2017 in Karnataka. From April 2015 to April 2017, as many as 2,514 suicide cases were reported. The highest number of suicides (1,483) were reported during 2015-16. A majority of these suicides have been because of drought and farm failure as per the statistics provided by the State Agriculture Department. The government has taken steps that include asking banks not to force farmers to repay their dues and turn their short and medium-term crop loans into long-term loans with the waiver of interest. It has also registered cases against moneylenders who lend loans at exorbitant interest rates. However, the government has been accused of failing to solve the agrarian crisis. 
&nbsp; 
Kannada pride: The issue of the primacy of Kannada or Kannada Swabhimana has developed into a strong movement and is also expected to take centrestage in the elections. The Railways had to incorporate Kannada in tickets of trains plying within the state, the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru had to introduce Kannada in flight information display boards, Lufthansa, British Airways and Dragon Air started announcements in Kannada in Bengaluru-bound flights. This constituency of youngsters, led by mostly software professionals, under the banner of Banavasi Balaga and Kannada Grahakara Koota cannot be ignored. The Siddaramaiah government has caught on to the popular sentiment and is trying to introduce Kannada to be incorporated in passports used in Karnataka. Even more surprising was his decision to moot a separate Kannada flag, justifying it as the comeback of federalism. The flag has already been approved by the cabinet and will now be sent to the Union home ministry for its approval.The BJP, on the other hand, is an advocate of "one nation" and believes it will lead to divisive tendencies. The JD(U) has stayed away from this discussion. 
&nbsp; 
Corruption: Both the Congress and the BJP have dubbed each other as "the most corrupt". PM Modi has called the Siddaramaiah government the "10% government" where no work or project could take off without paying a commission to the Congress. Modi accused the Congress of being involved in multiple scams including buildings, transfers and sand. The Congress has accused former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa-led BJP government of presiding over the mining scam when it was in power in the state. Siddaramaiah has also been accused of nepotism. His son Yathindra Siddaramaiah's company Matrix Imaging Solutions was allegedly awarded a tender to set up a pathology laboratory inside the premises of the government-owned super-speciality Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. Siddaramaiah's rivals have stated that the deal violated the code of conduct for ministers. 
&nbsp; 
Politics of religion and caste: The BJP and the JDS have traditionally relied on religion and caste dynamics. However, in a major surprise political move ahead of the assembly elections, the state cabinet in March decided to recommend to the Centre according separate religion status to the numerically strong Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community. The move was seen as an attempt by the Siddaramaiah government to cut into the vote bank of BJP, as Lingayats/ Veerashaivas are considered the party's traditional supporters. Lingayats, a middle caste, comprise around 15 per cent of Karnataka's population, and dominate politics in the state. A section of the community has been seeking the status of a separate religion as distinct from the Hindu religion. 
&nbsp; 
The BJP has reached out to the Vokkaligas, who are believed to be the second largest caste group in the state after the Lingayats and who form the support base of the Janata Dal (Secular), a regional party run by Vokkaliga strongmen like former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy. The Congress party, with leaders like DK Shivakumar, has also got the support of the Vokkaligas. 
&nbsp; 
The Dalits are the third most important caste group which is why Siddaramaiah has tried to woo them through the AHINDA (acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) movement.

Both BJP and Congress are taking no chances, considered by the BJP as the gateway to the South. Karnataka is under Congress rule and stands in the way of BJP’s agenda of Congress-free India.

Karnataka heads to polls on May 12. Counting of votes and announcement of results will take place on May 15. In the run-up to the elections, here are five issues that dominate politics in the state. Both parties are taking no chances with the state, considered by the BJP as the gateway to the South. Karnataka is under Congress rule and stands in the way of BJP’s agenda of Congress-free India. Here are five issues that will dominate the political landscape in the state. Law and order: The issue is one where the Siddaramaiah government finds itself on the backfoot. Rationalist and leading scholar MM Kalburgi was shot dead at his home in 2015. His wife has written to the Supreme Court stating that she is not satisfied with the probe being conducted by the state police and wants a Special Investigation Team to investigate her husband's death. Journalist Gauri Lankesh, a critic of right-wing ideology, was killed outside her home in Bengaluru in 2017 but the case has not been solved yet despite the arrest of a suspect Naveen Kumar. Investigators have said that there is a similarity in the killings of Gauri Lankesh and of Govind Pansare and Narendra Dabholkar, rationalists and vocal critics of the Hindutva agenda. Forensic reports confirm similar weapons were used and shootings were carried out by assassins on motorcycles but the cases remain unsolved. Several lynchings of BJP and RSS workers have been reported in the state recently. Incidents of sexual harassment and molestation during New Year celebrations in Bengaluru were reported for last two consecutive years. “In Karnataka, there is ease of doing murder,” Modi said in Bengaluru, in an apparent reference to the spate of murders that have taken place in recent months in coastal Karnataka and Bengaluru. Farmers' suicides: As many as 3,515 farmers have committed suicide between April 2013 and November 2017 in Karnataka. From April 2015 to April 2017, as many as 2,514 suicide cases were reported. The highest number of suicides (1,483) were reported during 2015-16. A majority of these suicides have been because of drought and farm failure as per the statistics provided by the State Agriculture Department. The government has taken steps that include asking banks not to force farmers to repay their dues and turn their short and medium-term crop loans into long-term loans with the waiver of interest. It has also registered cases against moneylenders who lend loans at exorbitant interest rates. However, the government has been accused of failing to solve the agrarian crisis. Kannada pride: The issue of the primacy of Kannada or Kannada Swabhimana has developed into a strong movement and is also expected to take centrestage in the elections. The Railways had to incorporate Kannada in tickets of trains plying within the state, the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru had to introduce Kannada in flight information display boards, Lufthansa, British Airways and Dragon Air started announcements in Kannada in Bengaluru-bound flights. This constituency of youngsters, led by mostly software professionals, under the banner of Banavasi Balaga and Kannada Grahakara Koota cannot be ignored. The Siddaramaiah government has caught on to the popular sentiment and is trying to introduce Kannada to be incorporated in passports used in Karnataka. Even more surprising was his decision to moot a separate Kannada flag, justifying it as the comeback of federalism. The flag has already been approved by the cabinet and will now be sent to the Union home ministry for its approval.The BJP, on the other hand, is an advocate of "one nation" and believes it will lead to divisive tendencies. The JD(U) has stayed away from this discussion. Corruption: Both the Congress and the BJP have dubbed each other as "the most corrupt". PM Modi has called the Siddaramaiah government the "10% government" where no work or project could take off without paying a commission to the Congress. Modi accused the Congress of being involved in multiple scams including buildings, transfers and sand. The Congress has accused former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa-led BJP government of presiding over the mining scam when it was in power in the state. Siddaramaiah has also been accused of nepotism. His son Yathindra Siddaramaiah's company Matrix Imaging Solutions was allegedly awarded a tender to set up a pathology laboratory inside the premises of the government-owned super-speciality Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. Siddaramaiah's rivals have stated that the deal violated the code of conduct for ministers. Politics of religion and caste: The BJP and the JDS have traditionally relied on religion and caste dynamics. However, in a major surprise political move ahead of the assembly elections, the state cabinet in March decided to recommend to the Centre according separate religion status to the numerically strong Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community. The move was seen as an attempt by the Siddaramaiah government to cut into the vote bank of BJP, as Lingayats/ Veerashaivas are considered the party's traditional supporters. Lingayats, a middle caste, comprise around 15 per cent of Karnataka's population, and dominate politics in the state. A section of the community has been seeking the status of a separate religion as distinct from the Hindu religion. The BJP has reached out to the Vokkaligas, who are believed to be the second largest caste group in the state after the Lingayats and who form the support base of the Janata Dal (Secular), a regional party run by Vokkaliga strongmen like former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy. The Congress party, with leaders like DK Shivakumar, has also got the support of the Vokkaligas. The Dalits are the third most important caste group which is why Siddaramaiah has tried to woo them through the AHINDA (acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) movement.

Five issues that will dominate Karnataka Assembly elections

Following the seizure of lumpsum amounts of money, liquor, and gold, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that 1,156 flying squads and 1,255 static surveillance teams have been activated in poll-bound Karnataka.

In a detailed notice regarding the Model Code of Conduct violation and law and order enforcement in the state, Chief Electoral Officer Sanjiv Kumar stated that flying squads and teams constituted for enforcing the Model Code of Conduct have cumulatively removed 12,537 wall writings, 17,690 posters and 7.711 banners from public property, and have lodged four cases under the Karnataka Open Places (provisions of disfigurement) Act, 1981.

On the other hand, 6,866 wall inscriptions, 7,949 posters, and 2.543 banners were removed from private places, the notice stated.

Furthermore, one FIR has been lodged for misusing government vehicles, one for violation of loudspeaker, two for an illegal meeting without permission, five for inducement and gratification to electors in the last 24 hours, the ECI said.

The notice comes after the election-governing body seized two vehicles carrying unauthorised cash from Ilkal to Bagalkot without any proper documents here.

The EC also seized Rs 50 lakh from a car, and later in the day, seized Rs 4 lakh from another car.

In the last 24 hours, the flying squads have seized Rs 9.91,700 in cash, 18.90 litres of liquor, eight silk sarees, and 2.46 kg of gold worth Rs 49, 17,000, while the excise department has seized 1.2 litres of liquor and booked 60 heinous cases, 42 cases for breach of license conditions and 148 cases under Section 15 (a) of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, in the same time span.Meanwhile, 8,633 arms were deposited, one armed license was cancelled, 178 persons were bounded over and 253 non-bailable warrants were executed in the last 24 hours.

On a related note, the 224-member Karnataka Assembly will go to polls on May 12, and results will be out on May 15.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The EC seized Rs 50 lakh from a car and later in the day, Rs 4 lakh from another car

Following the seizure of lumpsum amounts of money, liquor, and gold, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that 1,156 flying squads and 1,255 static surveillance teams have been activated in poll-bound Karnataka. In a detailed notice regarding the Model Code of Conduct violation and law and order enforcement in the state, Chief Electoral Officer Sanjiv Kumar stated that flying squads and teams constituted for enforcing the Model Code of Conduct have cumulatively removed 12,537 wall writings, 17,690 posters and 7.711 banners from public property, and have lodged four cases under the Karnataka Open Places (provisions of disfigurement) Act, 1981. On the other hand, 6,866 wall inscriptions, 7,949 posters, and 2.543 banners were removed from private places, the notice stated. Furthermore, one FIR has been lodged for misusing government vehicles, one for violation of loudspeaker, two for an illegal meeting without permission, five for inducement and gratification to electors in the last 24 hours, the ECI said. The notice comes after the election-governing body seized two vehicles carrying unauthorised cash from Ilkal to Bagalkot without any proper documents here. The EC also seized Rs 50 lakh from a car, and later in the day, seized Rs 4 lakh from another car. In the last 24 hours, the flying squads have seized Rs 9.91,700 in cash, 18.90 litres of liquor, eight silk sarees, and 2.46 kg of gold worth Rs 49, 17,000, while the excise department has seized 1.2 litres of liquor and booked 60 heinous cases, 42 cases for breach of license conditions and 148 cases under Section 15 (a) of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, in the same time span.Meanwhile, 8,633 arms were deposited, one armed license was cancelled, 178 persons were bounded over and 253 non-bailable warrants were executed in the last 24 hours. On a related note, the 224-member Karnataka Assembly will go to polls on May 12, and results will be out on May 15.

Karnataka elections: Election Commission activates flying squads, static surveillance teams

Amid speculation over who is forming an alliance with whom in the in the run-up to the Karnataka Assembly elections, JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda has told the Congress to come with ‘workable proposal’.

Concerned over the possible split in minority votes, progressive thinkers had urged H D Deve&nbspGowda to have an understanding with Congress. To which, he responded, “Let Congress come with a ‘workable proposal’ and I will look into it.”

Former Prime Minister and JD(S) leader Deve Gowda’s see-saw on the possibility of JD(S) having an understanding with the Congress raised many eyebrows&nbspon Tuesday. However, his son and former CM Kumaraswamy clarified that they are not ready to join hands with Congress.

Speaking at Mangaluru on January 22, Deve Gowda had said "I've burnt my fingers having supported the Congress. We'll go before the people with our policies and programmes and leave the final verdict to the electorate. I won't get into guessing our numbers. But my aim is to ensure that the party has at least one MLA from each district".

Even on Monday, Gowda had blasted Congress president Rahul Gandhi for questioning secular credentials of his party. While Deve Gowda is in favour of forming a pre-poll alliance with the Congress, Kumaraswamy is keen on&nbspthe BJP.

Kumaraswamy hopes to win 128 seats in the state. In the midst of all the confusion, seven the JD(S) rebellious legislators have joined hands with the Congress.

JD(S) has already made a&nbsppre-poll alliance with the BSP. But the Congress is yet to respond to Deve Gowda's overture.

Concerned over possible split in minority votes, progressive thinkers had urged H D Devegowda Gowda to have an understanding with Congress. To which, he responded, “Let Congress come with a ‘workable proposal’ and I will look into it.”

Amid speculation over who is forming an alliance with whom in the in the run-up to the Karnataka Assembly elections, JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda has told the Congress to come with ‘workable proposal’. Concerned over the possible split in minority votes, progressive thinkers had urged H D Deve&nbspGowda to have an understanding with Congress. To which, he responded, “Let Congress come with a ‘workable proposal’ and I will look into it.” Former Prime Minister and JD(S) leader Deve Gowda’s see-saw on the possibility of JD(S) having an understanding with the Congress raised many eyebrows&nbspon Tuesday. However, his son and former CM Kumaraswamy clarified that they are not ready to join hands with Congress. Speaking at Mangaluru on January 22, Deve Gowda had said "I've burnt my fingers having supported the Congress. We'll go before the people with our policies and programmes and leave the final verdict to the electorate. I won't get into guessing our numbers. But my aim is to ensure that the party has at least one MLA from each district". Even on Monday, Gowda had blasted Congress president Rahul Gandhi for questioning secular credentials of his party. While Deve Gowda is in favour of forming a pre-poll alliance with the Congress, Kumaraswamy is keen on&nbspthe BJP. Kumaraswamy hopes to win 128 seats in the state. In the midst of all the confusion, seven the JD(S) rebellious legislators have joined hands with the Congress. JD(S) has already made a&nbsppre-poll alliance with the BSP. But the Congress is yet to respond to Deve Gowda's overture.

Karnataka polls: Let Congress come with ‘workable proposal’, says Deve Gowda on alliance

BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya found himself in the centre of a storm after he announced the dates for the Karnataka assembly elections ahead of the Election Commission's official announcement.

The tweet was later deleted -- Malviya credited it to a television channel -- but he got the date of counting/results wrong.

The date of counting announced by the Election Commission was May 15. Malviya tweeted that it was May 18.

Asked about the "leak" of poll dates, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) OP Rawat, who was then yet to announce the dates, dismissed the news as "conjectures" and said he would announce the dates and see if they were the same.

After discovering that the date was incorrect, the CEC said the commission would investigate the matter and take "stringent action".

Reacting to the news, the Congress sarcastically the BJP "Super Election Commission".

Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala also said the Election Commission's credibility was at test and asked if there would be any action against the ruling party and its chief Amit Shah.

"BJP becomes the Super Election Commission' as they announce poll dates for Karnataka even before the EC. 
"Credibility of EC is on test.

"Will EC now issue notice to BJP President, Amit Shah & register an FIR against BJP IT Head for leaking EC's confidential information?" Surjewala said on Twitter.

The Chief Election Commissioner said the commission would investigate the matter and take 'stringent action'

BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya found himself in the centre of a storm after he announced the dates for the Karnataka assembly elections ahead of the Election Commission's official announcement. The tweet was later deleted -- Malviya credited it to a television channel -- but he got the date of counting/results wrong. The date of counting announced by the Election Commission was May 15. Malviya tweeted that it was May 18. Asked about the "leak" of poll dates, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) OP Rawat, who was then yet to announce the dates, dismissed the news as "conjectures" and said he would announce the dates and see if they were the same. After discovering that the date was incorrect, the CEC said the commission would investigate the matter and take "stringent action". Reacting to the news, the Congress sarcastically the BJP "Super Election Commission". Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala also said the Election Commission's credibility was at test and asked if there would be any action against the ruling party and its chief Amit Shah. "BJP becomes the Super Election Commission' as they announce poll dates for Karnataka even before the EC. "Credibility of EC is on test. "Will EC now issue notice to BJP President, Amit Shah & register an FIR against BJP IT Head for leaking EC's confidential information?" Surjewala said on Twitter.

BJP's Amit Malviya in row for tweeting polling dates ahead of Election Commission

BJP President Amit Shah took a dig at the&nbsp;Siddaramaiah government in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-amit-shah-to-continue-election-battle-in-karnataka-today-34057" target="_blank">Karnataka</a> saying that the chief minister was &quot;synonymous with corruption&quot;.

He said &quot;&nbsp;Karnataka government&nbsp;has failed on all fronts. Corruption cases are on a rise. Corruption &amp; Siddaramaiah government&nbsp;have become synonymous&quot;.

He added that &quot;the manner in which all cases against Popular Front of India (PFI) and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI)&nbsp;have been withdrawn, shows the unidirectional action by Siddaramaiah government&quot;.&nbsp;

He also said that&nbsp;the constituency of Kharge in Karnataka was the most backward constituency in the state.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Congress ka shaasan kaisa hota hai wo dekhna hai to Kharge sahab ki constituency ko jakar dekhna chahiye. Mere paas karyakartaon se feedback aaya hai ki itna pichhdapan Karnataka ke kisi aur kshetra mein nahi hai jitna Kharge sahab ke svyam ke kshetra ke andar hai: Amit Shah <a href="https://t.co/HOWC3kPpRg">pic.twitter.com/HOWC3kPpRg</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/968003987382284290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Clarifying his party&#39;s stance over the remarks of BJP minister Anantkumar Hegde, he said that the party was not responsible for the comments made by him. He also added that the&nbsp;BJP leader had apologised for his remarks.&nbsp;

At a public function in Karnataka, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/those-who-call-themselves-secular-dont-know-about-their-parentage-mp-ananth-kumar-hegde-27714" target="_blank">Minister for State for Skill Development, Hegde</a> had said in December that the Constitution needs to be changed from time to time and that those who claim of being secular and progressive do not have an identity of their parents and their blood.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Hegde Ji ne maafi maang li hai aur maine kaha ki inke bayan se party ka ittefaq nahi hai: BJP President Amit Shah on Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde&#39;s remarks on Constitution <a href="https://t.co/bo2j5iwQUm">pic.twitter.com/bo2j5iwQUm</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/968008339916431360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;BJP Chief Amit Shah is on a three-day visit to the poll-bound state Karnataka, which started on Saturday. Shah began his&nbsp;third day of the election campaign by paying a visit to&nbsp;Sri Kshethra Malakheda Temple in Kalaburagi.

The state is scheduled to undergo assembly elections in April-May.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
BJP President Amit Shah offered prayers at Sri Kshethra Malakheda Temple in Kalaburagi, BS Yeddyurappa also present. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> <a href="https://t.co/I5L9mE9VZz">pic.twitter.com/I5L9mE9VZz</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/967988047773024256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

He said 'Karnataka government has failed on all fronts. Corruption cases are on a rise. Corruption & Siddaramaiah government have become synonymous'

BJP President Amit Shah took a dig at the Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka saying that the chief minister was "synonymous with corruption". He said " Karnataka government has failed on all fronts. Corruption cases are on a rise. Corruption & Siddaramaiah government have become synonymous". He added that "the manner in which all cases against Popular Front of India (PFI) and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) have been withdrawn, shows the unidirectional action by Siddaramaiah government". He also said that the constituency of Kharge in Karnataka was the most backward constituency in the state. Congress ka shaasan kaisa hota hai wo dekhna hai to Kharge sahab ki constituency ko jakar dekhna chahiye. Mere paas karyakartaon se feedback aaya hai ki itna pichhdapan Karnataka ke kisi aur kshetra mein nahi hai jitna Kharge sahab ke svyam ke kshetra ke andar hai: Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/HOWC3kPpRg — ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2018 × Clarifying his party's stance over the remarks of BJP minister Anantkumar Hegde, he said that the party was not responsible for the comments made by him. He also added that the BJP leader had apologised for his remarks. At a public function in Karnataka, Minister for State for Skill Development, Hegde had said in December that the Constitution needs to be changed from time to time and that those who claim of being secular and progressive do not have an identity of their parents and their blood. Hegde Ji ne maafi maang li hai aur maine kaha ki inke bayan se party ka ittefaq nahi hai: BJP President Amit Shah on Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde's remarks on Constitution pic.twitter.com/bo2j5iwQUm — ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2018 × BJP Chief Amit Shah is on a three-day visit to the poll-bound state Karnataka, which started on Saturday. Shah began his third day of the election campaign by paying a visit to Sri Kshethra Malakheda Temple in Kalaburagi. The state is scheduled to undergo assembly elections in April-May. BJP President Amit Shah offered prayers at Sri Kshethra Malakheda Temple in Kalaburagi, BS Yeddyurappa also present. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/I5L9mE9VZz — ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2018 ×

Corruption and Siddaramaiah government are synonymous: Amit Shah in Karnataka

While addressing the poll-bound state Karnataka,&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra&nbsp;Modi targetted the Congress&nbsp;calling it&nbsp;a party of &quot;commission&quot;.&nbsp;

He asked the people &quot;What do you need? A government&nbsp;of commission or a government&nbsp;of mission? A government&nbsp;which asks for 10% Commission to work or a government&nbsp;which works with the mission for development?

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
What do you need? A govt of commission or a govt of mission? A govt which asks for 10% Commission to work or a govt which works with the mission for development?: PM Narendra Modi in Mysuru <a href="https://t.co/bKgNRdhaIS">pic.twitter.com/bKgNRdhaIS</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965546875880341504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Hitting out at the demands of the Congress party, he said they could have delivered the same if they really wanted to, when they were in power for 50 years after independence.

He said &quot; Post-independence your party had ruled for 70-80% of the time. You are demanding things and facilities today. If you really feel about those things why didn&#39;t&nbsp;you do something when you were in power for 50 years&quot;.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Post independence your party had ruled for 70-80% of the time. You are demanding things &amp; facilities today. If you really feel about those things why didn&#39;t you do something when you were in power for 50 years: PM Narendra Modi in Mysuru <a href="https://t.co/vz1rETd6em">pic.twitter.com/vz1rETd6em</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965545190835523584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

He also talked about the Palace Humsafar Queen Express train which he had flagged off earlier in the day.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Mysuru: PM Narendra Modi flags off Palace Queen Humsafar Express train between Mysuru &amp; Udaipur. CM Siddaramaiah also present <a href="https://t.co/F2q00wzjIl">pic.twitter.com/F2q00wzjIl</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965530677935509504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

He said &quot; This Palace Queen Humsafar Express train which connects Mysore to Udaipur is a historical step and would boost tourism&quot;.

He also announced the widening of Bengaluru- Mysore National Highway with an investment of Rs 6400 Crore.&nbsp;

PM Modi also talked about a world-class satellite station for Mysore for Rs 800 Crore. He said this will be a modern railway station.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
If we have to fulfill the needs of the poorest of the poor then we need to strengthen our railway network. We are working towards this since last four years: PM Narendra Modi in Mysuru <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> <a href="https://t.co/TCsTyFiwDS">pic.twitter.com/TCsTyFiwDS</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965541444948824064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Talking about the 75th anniversary of the nation in 2022, he said that&nbsp;the country should work collectively for making India&nbsp;what our freedom fighters had dreamt of.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
In 2022, India will enter 75 years of its independence. We should work towards making an India which is just like what our freedom fighters had dreamt of: PM Narendra Modi <a href="https://t.co/CYdLLIwjFS">pic.twitter.com/CYdLLIwjFS</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965548260285911040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

While addressing the poll-bound state Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi targetted the Congress calling it a party of 'commission'

While addressing the poll-bound state Karnataka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi targetted the Congress calling it a party of "commission". He asked the people "What do you need? A government of commission or a government of mission? A government which asks for 10% Commission to work or a government which works with the mission for development? What do you need? A govt of commission or a govt of mission? A govt which asks for 10% Commission to work or a govt which works with the mission for development?: PM Narendra Modi in Mysuru pic.twitter.com/bKgNRdhaIS — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2018 × Hitting out at the demands of the Congress party, he said they could have delivered the same if they really wanted to, when they were in power for 50 years after independence. He said " Post-independence your party had ruled for 70-80% of the time. You are demanding things and facilities today. If you really feel about those things why didn't you do something when you were in power for 50 years". Post independence your party had ruled for 70-80% of the time. You are demanding things & facilities today. If you really feel about those things why didn't you do something when you were in power for 50 years: PM Narendra Modi in Mysuru pic.twitter.com/vz1rETd6em — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2018 × He also talked about the Palace Humsafar Queen Express train which he had flagged off earlier in the day. Mysuru: PM Narendra Modi flags off Palace Queen Humsafar Express train between Mysuru & Udaipur. CM Siddaramaiah also present pic.twitter.com/F2q00wzjIl — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2018 × He said " This Palace Queen Humsafar Express train which connects Mysore to Udaipur is a historical step and would boost tourism". He also announced the widening of Bengaluru- Mysore National Highway with an investment of Rs 6400 Crore. PM Modi also talked about a world-class satellite station for Mysore for Rs 800 Crore. He said this will be a modern railway station. If we have to fulfill the needs of the poorest of the poor then we need to strengthen our railway network. We are working towards this since last four years: PM Narendra Modi in Mysuru #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/TCsTyFiwDS — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2018 × Talking about the 75th anniversary of the nation in 2022, he said that the country should work collectively for making India what our freedom fighters had dreamt of. In 2022, India will enter 75 years of its independence. We should work towards making an India which is just like what our freedom fighters had dreamt of: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/CYdLLIwjFS — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2018 ×

Want government of 'Mission' or 'Commission' asks PM Modi in Mysore

The Lingayat movement for separate religion status is likely to become one of the deciding factors in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections.&nbsp;

With Assembly elections just a few months away, the demand for separate religious status for the Lingayats, a community that claims a historicity that separates them from the broad fabric of Hinduism, has started gaining ground in Karnataka again.&nbsp;

The community is believed to be the single largest in Karnataka accounting for around 18% of the state&rsquo;s population.&nbsp;

BJP&#39;s CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa is the tallest leader for the Lingayat community, which is the largest vote bank in the state.

In 2013, Lingayat voters didn&#39;t vote for BJP as the party removed BS Yeddyurappa from CM post. As a result, Congress made a &nbsp;comeback.&nbsp;

Now, if Congress becomes successful in getting a good share of Lingayat votes, it will prove to be troublesome for BJP.

Who are the Lingayats?

The tradition of Lingayatism is known to have been founded by social reformer and philosopher Basavanna in 12th century Karnataka.&nbsp;

Followers of the sect continue to revere him as the founder and prime philosopher of their religion.

The community instead of temple worship and casteism were taught to worship Shiva with great rigour and gave up the ritualistic brahmin practices.&nbsp;

The Lingayats are what political scientists call a &lsquo;caste-sect&rsquo;, and fall within the OBC category in the state.

The community is believed to be the single largest in Karnataka accounting for around 18% of the state’s population

The Lingayat movement for separate religion status is likely to become one of the deciding factors in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections. With Assembly elections just a few months away, the demand for separate religious status for the Lingayats, a community that claims a historicity that separates them from the broad fabric of Hinduism, has started gaining ground in Karnataka again. The community is believed to be the single largest in Karnataka accounting for around 18% of the state’s population. BJP's CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa is the tallest leader for the Lingayat community, which is the largest vote bank in the state. In 2013, Lingayat voters didn't vote for BJP as the party removed BS Yeddyurappa from CM post. As a result, Congress made a comeback. Now, if Congress becomes successful in getting a good share of Lingayat votes, it will prove to be troublesome for BJP. Who are the Lingayats? The tradition of Lingayatism is known to have been founded by social reformer and philosopher Basavanna in 12th century Karnataka. Followers of the sect continue to revere him as the founder and prime philosopher of their religion. The community instead of temple worship and casteism were taught to worship Shiva with great rigour and gave up the ritualistic brahmin practices. The Lingayats are what political scientists call a ‘caste-sect’, and fall within the OBC category in the state.

Karnataka elections: Demand for Lingayat as separate religion creates trouble for BJP

Congress President Rahul Gandhi visited a dargah in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-to-start-his-campaign-in-karnataka-from-today-32388" target="_blank">poll-bound state Karnataka</a>&nbsp;on Monday.&nbsp;

He was accompanied by Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah.

The newly appointed party president also conducted a roadshow after his visit to the Dargah.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Congress President Rahul Gandhi visited a Dargah in Raichur with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> CM Siddaramaiah; later conducted a roadshow <a href="https://t.co/Kr6MfrKkOz">pic.twitter.com/Kr6MfrKkOz</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/962926833476997120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

With the Karnataka state going to polls in April-May, the Congress President is expected to continue with his visit to several religious places.&nbsp;

He visited the Kanakachala Laxmi-Narasimha temple in Koppal district on Sunday.

While on the first day of his election campaign Gandhi he had visited the Goddess Huligamma temple and Gavi Siddheshwara Mutt in Koppal.

During the Gujarat assembly elections, Gandhi visited about 25 <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-to-continue-temple-run-in-karnataka-30075" target="_blank">temples in the state</a>, inviting criticism of &quot;soft Hindutva&quot; from the opposition.&nbsp;

With the Karnataka state going to polls in April-May, the Congress President is expected to continue with his visit to several religious places

Congress President Rahul Gandhi visited a dargah in the poll-bound state Karnataka on Monday. He was accompanied by Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah. The newly appointed party president also conducted a roadshow after his visit to the Dargah. Congress President Rahul Gandhi visited a Dargah in Raichur with #Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah; later conducted a roadshow pic.twitter.com/Kr6MfrKkOz — ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2018 × With the Karnataka state going to polls in April-May, the Congress President is expected to continue with his visit to several religious places. He visited the Kanakachala Laxmi-Narasimha temple in Koppal district on Sunday. While on the first day of his election campaign Gandhi he had visited the Goddess Huligamma temple and Gavi Siddheshwara Mutt in Koppal. During the Gujarat assembly elections, Gandhi visited about 25 temples in the state, inviting criticism of "soft Hindutva" from the opposition.

Rahul Gandhi visits dargah ahead of Karnataka polls

Campaigning for the upcoming polls in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi today targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a gathering at Raichur.

&quot;When China is creating 50,000 jobs every 24 hours, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite launching &#39;Make in India&#39;, Start up India&#39; and &#39;Digital India&#39;, has only created 450 to 500 jobs in 24 hours,&quot; Rahul Gandhi said.

PM Modi has no answers to huge unemployment and farmers&#39;&nbsp;distress, he alleged.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
PM said every year, he will give employment to 2 crore youth. China gives employment to 50,000 youth in 24 hours, Narendra Modi gives employment to 450 people in 24 hours. This is truth of the PM : Rahul Gandhi in Raichur <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> <a href="https://t.co/8Cy5yGt3Yj">pic.twitter.com/8Cy5yGt3Yj</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/962964318320037888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Gandhi, who is on day three of his Janashirvad Yatra in poll-bound Karnataka, said the prime minister should look &ldquo;left and right&rdquo; before talking of corruption.

&ldquo;If you want to talk about corruption, talk a bit about Amit Shah son&rsquo;s corruption. How he made Rs 80 crore out of Rs 50,000 in three months. You should also be telling this to the country,&rdquo; he said.

Amit Shah has rejected allegations of corruption against his son Jay Shah, who had&nbsp;filed a criminal defamation suit against the news portal which claimed his business fortunes had zoomed after the BJP came to power in 2014.

Addressing roadside meetings in Raichur district, the Congress president also said farmers had asked the prime minister for help.

&quot;I had personally gone to his office and requested him to waive their loans, Narendra Modi did not even utter a word and he kept quiet.&quot;

Rahul Gandhi will be addressing public meetings in Raichur and Kalaburagi districts of Hyderabad-Karnataka region today.&nbsp;

State Congress president G Parameshwara, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Leader of Congress Legislature Party in Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge are accompanying Gandhi.

Accompanied by Siddaramaiah, Rahul Gandhi is holding roadshows in Karnataka ahead of assembly elections in the state

Campaigning for the upcoming polls in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi today targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a gathering at Raichur. "When China is creating 50,000 jobs every 24 hours, our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite launching 'Make in India', Start up India' and 'Digital India', has only created 450 to 500 jobs in 24 hours," Rahul Gandhi said. PM Modi has no answers to huge unemployment and farmers' distress, he alleged. PM said every year, he will give employment to 2 crore youth. China gives employment to 50,000 youth in 24 hours, Narendra Modi gives employment to 450 people in 24 hours. This is truth of the PM : Rahul Gandhi in Raichur #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/8Cy5yGt3Yj — ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2018 × Gandhi, who is on day three of his Janashirvad Yatra in poll-bound Karnataka, said the prime minister should look “left and right” before talking of corruption. “If you want to talk about corruption, talk a bit about Amit Shah son’s corruption. How he made Rs 80 crore out of Rs 50,000 in three months. You should also be telling this to the country,” he said. Amit Shah has rejected allegations of corruption against his son Jay Shah, who had filed a criminal defamation suit against the news portal which claimed his business fortunes had zoomed after the BJP came to power in 2014. Addressing roadside meetings in Raichur district, the Congress president also said farmers had asked the prime minister for help. "I had personally gone to his office and requested him to waive their loans, Narendra Modi did not even utter a word and he kept quiet." Rahul Gandhi will be addressing public meetings in Raichur and Kalaburagi districts of Hyderabad-Karnataka region today. State Congress president G Parameshwara, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Leader of Congress Legislature Party in Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge are accompanying Gandhi.

China gives employment to 50,000 in 24 hours, India to 450: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi is all set to kickstart Congress party&#39;s election campaign for upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka from Saturday.

Gandhi will begin his four-day campaign tour from Bellary district, the same district from where Sonia Gandhi won&nbsp;in 1999 Assembly polls&nbsp;defeating current external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.

Rahul Gandhi campaigning in Karnataka is being compared to Sonia Gandhi&#39;s 1999 campaign&nbsp;noticing the similarity that Sonia Gandhi also started her campaign after she was elected as Congress president.

Media reports say Rahul Gandhi will&nbsp;be visiting Koppal&#39;s Huligamma Temple on Saturday and Gavi Siddeshwara Mutt in the evening.

The four-day campaign will&nbsp;involve road shows, public meetings, interactions with civil society groups and farmers.

Earlier former chief minister of Karnataka and Congress leader Gundu Rao had said that Rahul Gandhi is going to be a &quot;very key&quot; campaigner for the Congress in the state.

Countering criticism of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-to-continue-temple-run-in-karnataka-30075">Gandhi visiting temple</a> during the elections campaign, Congress leader Anil Shastri said that Gandhi&#39;s visit to temples is just a matter of faith and not intended to create a vote bank.&nbsp;

Rahul Gandhi also visited several temples during the Gujarat Assembly elections inviting criticism of playing &#39;&#39;soft&nbsp;Hindutva&#39;&#39; card.

The four-day campaign will involve road shows, public meetings, interactions with civil society groups and farmers

Rahul Gandhi is all set to kickstart Congress party's election campaign for upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka from Saturday. Gandhi will begin his four-day campaign tour from Bellary district, the same district from where Sonia Gandhi won in 1999 Assembly polls defeating current external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. Rahul Gandhi campaigning in Karnataka is being compared to Sonia Gandhi's 1999 campaign noticing the similarity that Sonia Gandhi also started her campaign after she was elected as Congress president. Media reports say Rahul Gandhi will be visiting Koppal's Huligamma Temple on Saturday and Gavi Siddeshwara Mutt in the evening. The four-day campaign will involve road shows, public meetings, interactions with civil society groups and farmers. Earlier former chief minister of Karnataka and Congress leader Gundu Rao had said that Rahul Gandhi is going to be a "very key" campaigner for the Congress in the state. Countering criticism of Gandhi visiting temple during the elections campaign, Congress leader Anil Shastri said that Gandhi's visit to temples is just a matter of faith and not intended to create a vote bank. Rahul Gandhi also visited several temples during the Gujarat Assembly elections inviting criticism of playing ''soft Hindutva'' card.

Rahul Gandhi to kickstart election campaign in Karnataka from today

Congress is standing at the exit gate in Karnataka. It has caused destruction here and Karnataka doesn&#39;t need a Congress culture, &nbsp;said Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a major rally on Sunday in bengaluru ahead of the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections.&nbsp;

&#39;&#39;Your enthusiasm shows that the countdown of Congress to make an exit has begun,&#39;&#39; Modi added.&nbsp;

The recent budget has solved one problem of Karnataka. with an investment of 17,000 crores, construction work of 160 km long sub-urban railway network will be started in Bengaluru, Modi said and added that 15 lakh commuters of the city will be benefited by it.&nbsp;

The government has set a goal to build more than 9,000 kms long National Highway across the nation this year, he said and added that under Bharatmala Pariyojana, 35,000 km of roads will be constructed with an investment of Rs 5,25,000.&nbsp;

There will be chaos in Bengaluru if it doesn&#39;t get electricity for a day. However, there are 7 lakhs homes in Karnataka &amp; 4 crores homes in the nation which lives in dark even after so many years of independence: PM Modi in Bengaluru.

Modi also slammed the Karnataka government and accused the state government of not using the extra fund provided by the Centre.&nbsp;

&#39;&#39;I want to ask you if you have seen the correct use and impact of extra money provided by the Center to the state government,&#39;&#39; PM said.&nbsp;

Modi also praised BJP&#39;s chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa and said that if he comes to power the projects for farmers will work at its best because he has farmer&#39;s best interest at heart.&nbsp;

&#39;&#39;In this budget, the government has made a significant decision so that correct price of crops is given to farmers. If Yeddyurappa, son of a farmer, becomes CM of Karnataka, the projects for farmers will work at its best because Yeddyurappa has farmer&#39;s best interest at heart,&#39;&#39; Modi said.&nbsp;

Modi also praised BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa and said that if he comes to power the projects for farmers will work at its best because he has farmer's best interest at heart.

Congress is standing at the exit gate in Karnataka. It has caused destruction here and Karnataka doesn't need a Congress culture, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a major rally on Sunday in bengaluru ahead of the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections. ''Your enthusiasm shows that the countdown of Congress to make an exit has begun,'' Modi added. The recent budget has solved one problem of Karnataka. with an investment of 17,000 crores, construction work of 160 km long sub-urban railway network will be started in Bengaluru, Modi said and added that 15 lakh commuters of the city will be benefited by it. The government has set a goal to build more than 9,000 kms long National Highway across the nation this year, he said and added that under Bharatmala Pariyojana, 35,000 km of roads will be constructed with an investment of Rs 5,25,000. There will be chaos in Bengaluru if it doesn't get electricity for a day. However, there are 7 lakhs homes in Karnataka & 4 crores homes in the nation which lives in dark even after so many years of independence: PM Modi in Bengaluru. Modi also slammed the Karnataka government and accused the state government of not using the extra fund provided by the Centre. ''I want to ask you if you have seen the correct use and impact of extra money provided by the Center to the state government,'' PM said. Modi also praised BJP's chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa and said that if he comes to power the projects for farmers will work at its best because he has farmer's best interest at heart. ''In this budget, the government has made a significant decision so that correct price of crops is given to farmers. If Yeddyurappa, son of a farmer, becomes CM of Karnataka, the projects for farmers will work at its best because Yeddyurappa has farmer's best interest at heart,'' Modi said.

Congress is standing at 'exit gate' in Karnataka: Modi

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/2nd-odi-india-romp-home-in-centurion-odi-by-9-wickets-lead-series-2-0-31746">2nd ODI: India romp home in Centurion ODI by 9 wickets, lead series 2-0</a>

Opener Shikhar Dhawan and Skipper Virat Kohli&#39;s 91 partnership helped India defeat South Africa by nine wickets in the 2nd ODI at SuperSport Park, Centurion.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-is-standing-at-the-exit-gate-in-karnataka-modi-31748">Congress is standing at &#39;exit gate&#39; in Karnataka: Modi</a>

Congress is standing at the exit gate in Karnataka. It has caused destruction here and Karnataka doesn&#39;t need a Congress culture, &nbsp;said Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a major rally on Sunday in Bengaluru ahead of the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-ksrtc-driver-goes-on-for-70-kilometres-with-body-stuck-to-bus-31742">Karnataka: Bus driven 70 kilometres with body stuck in undercarriage</a>

A driver with the &nbsp;Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) kept on driving for nearly 70 kilometres without realising that a dead body was stuck to the undercarriage of the bus.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indian-americans-hold-rally-to-support-merit-based-immigration-31737">Indian-Americans stage rare pro-Trump immigration rally to support merit-based system</a>

Several hundred highly-skilled Indian workers, in long agonising green card, wait, from across the US along with their children and spouses held a rally in front of the White House here in support of President Donald Trump&#39;s plan for a merit-based immigration system that among other things ends chain migration and diversity lottery visa.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-get-best-lawyer-to-get-ankit-justice-arvind-kejriwalon-ankit-saxenas-murder-31740">&#39;Will get </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-get-best-lawyer-to-get-ankit-justice-arvind-kejriwalon-ankit-saxenas-murder-31740">best</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-get-best-lawyer-to-get-ankit-justice-arvind-kejriwalon-ankit-saxenas-murder-31740"> lawyer to get Ankit justice,&#39; Arvind Kejriwal on Ankit Saxena&#39;s murder</a>

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed his regret over Ankit Saxena&#39;s murder and met with his kin today.&nbsp;

2nd ODI: India romp home in Centurion ODI by 9 wickets, lead series 2-0 Opener Shikhar Dhawan and Skipper Virat Kohli's 91 partnership helped India defeat South Africa by nine wickets in the 2nd ODI at SuperSport Park, Centurion. Congress is standing at 'exit gate' in Karnataka: Modi Congress is standing at the exit gate in Karnataka. It has caused destruction here and Karnataka doesn't need a Congress culture, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a major rally on Sunday in Bengaluru ahead of the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections. Karnataka: Bus driven 70 kilometres with body stuck in undercarriage A driver with the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) kept on driving for nearly 70 kilometres without realising that a dead body was stuck to the undercarriage of the bus. Indian-Americans stage rare pro-Trump immigration rally to support merit-based system Several hundred highly-skilled Indian workers, in long agonising green card, wait, from across the US along with their children and spouses held a rally in front of the White House here in support of President Donald Trump's plan for a merit-based immigration system that among other things ends chain migration and diversity lottery visa. 'Will get best lawyer to get Ankit justice,' Arvind Kejriwal on Ankit Saxena's murder Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed his regret over Ankit Saxena's murder and met with his kin today.

WION Evening News Brief, February 4, 2018

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the Congress of stalling&nbsp;&#39;Triple Talaq&#39; bill.&nbsp;

Modi was addressing &#39;Parivarthan rally&#39; in Bengaluru ahead of upcoming Karnataka assembly elections.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-is-standing-at-the-exit-gate-in-karnataka-modi-31748">Congress is standing at &#39;exit gate&#39; in Karnataka: Modi</a> 
&nbsp; 
&#39;They are trying to do the same with OBC Bill,&#39; Modi added.

Modi also praised Rahul Dravid as he slammed the&nbsp;Siddaramaiah government in the state.&nbsp;

&quot;Our U19 Cricket Team won World Cup yesterday. Their head coach Rahul Dravid was a significant factor behind this victory and this can&#39;t be denied. He teaches us to work honestly and live for others&quot;

&quot;This is the culture of Karnataka but the present state government&nbsp;is ruining this culture,&quot; he added.

He also accused Congress leaders of corruption. &quot;There are serious allegations of corruption against Congress leaders. Reports are coming about them demanding commission in several projects. &#39;&#39;I have been told that Karnataka government is being recognised as 10 per cent government as no work is possible without 10 per cent&nbsp;commission.&quot;

Triple Talaq bill was cleared in Lok Sabha last year and is expected to pass by Rajya Sabha during this year in a special budget session.

Modi is campaigning for upcoming Karnataka assembly elections in Bengaluru

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the Congress of stalling 'Triple Talaq' bill. Modi was addressing 'Parivarthan rally' in Bengaluru ahead of upcoming Karnataka assembly elections. Also read: Congress is standing at 'exit gate' in Karnataka: Modi 'They are trying to do the same with OBC Bill,' Modi added. Modi also praised Rahul Dravid as he slammed the Siddaramaiah government in the state. "Our U19 Cricket Team won World Cup yesterday. Their head coach Rahul Dravid was a significant factor behind this victory and this can't be denied. He teaches us to work honestly and live for others" "This is the culture of Karnataka but the present state government is ruining this culture," he added. He also accused Congress leaders of corruption. "There are serious allegations of corruption against Congress leaders. Reports are coming about them demanding commission in several projects. ''I have been told that Karnataka government is being recognised as 10 per cent government as no work is possible without 10 per cent commission." Triple Talaq bill was cleared in Lok Sabha last year and is expected to pass by Rajya Sabha during this year in a special budget session.

Congress is trying to stall 'triple talaq': Modi in Karnataka

karnataka-assembly-elections

Karnataka Assembly Elections, News on Karnataka Assembly Elections, stories on Karnataka Assembly Elections, articles on Karnataka Assembly Elections, Karnataka Assembly Elections stories at Wion, Karnataka Assembly Elections news, Karnataka Assembly Elections latest news

karnataka assembly-elections