<p><br />
The Union Home Ministry will examine in detail the Karnataka government&#39;s recommendation to grant religious minority tag to the Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community as and when it receives the proposal, an official said today.</p>

<p>The central government&#39;s reaction came a day after the Congress government in poll-bound Karnataka decided to recommend that religious minority tag be granted to the numerically strong and politically-influential Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community.</p>

<p>The issue of granting religious minority tag to the Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community will be examined as and when the Home Ministry receives the proposal from the Karnataka government, a senior home ministry official said here.</p>

<p>The Home Ministry is expected to forward the proposal to the Registrar General &amp; Census Commissioner for a detailed examination and suggestions, another official said.</p>

<p>The Karnataka government took the decision following a recommendation of an expert panel set up by the state government on the issue.</p>

<p>According to the expert panel, Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats are those who believe in the philosophy of Basaveshwara, 12th-century social reformer.</p>

<p>The demand for a separate religion tag to Veerashaiva Lingayat faiths has surfaced from the community, amidst resentment from over projecting the two communities as the same.</p>

<p>While one section led by Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha has demanded separate religion status, asserting that Veerashaiva and Lingayats are the same, the other group wanted it only for Lingayats.</p>

<p>They believe that Veerashaivas are one among the seven sects of Shaivas, which is part of Hinduism.</p>

<p>Of late, some Lingayats have also stated that they were open to having the Veerashaivas under their umbrella, but the Lingayat nomenclature was non-negotiable.</p>

<p>Karnataka State Minorities Commission had formed a seven-member committee, headed by retired high court Judge H N Nagamohan Das, on the issue which submitted its report on March 2.</p>

<p>The Lingayat Veerashaiva community that owes allegiance to the &quot;social reform movement&quot; initiated by Basaveshwara has a substantial population in Karnataka, especially in the northern parts of the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP and several sections of the Hindu community have maintained a cautious stance, keeping away from the move to give Veerashaiva Lingayat separate religion status. They have accused the Siddaramaiah government of dividing the society to draw political mileage ahead of assembly elections due in the next couple of months.</p>


The Home Ministry is expected to forward the proposal to the Registrar General & Census Commissioner for a detailed examination and suggestions

The Union Home Ministry will examine in detail the Karnataka government's recommendation to grant religious minority tag to the Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community as and when it receives the proposal, an official said today. The central government's reaction came a day after the Congress government in poll-bound Karnataka decided to recommend that religious minority tag be granted to the numerically strong and politically-influential Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community. The issue of granting religious minority tag to the Lingayat and Veerashaiva Lingayat community will be examined as and when the Home Ministry receives the proposal from the Karnataka government, a senior home ministry official said here. The Home Ministry is expected to forward the proposal to the Registrar General & Census Commissioner for a detailed examination and suggestions, another official said. The Karnataka government took the decision following a recommendation of an expert panel set up by the state government on the issue. According to the expert panel, Lingayats and Veerashaiva Lingayats are those who believe in the philosophy of Basaveshwara, 12th-century social reformer. The demand for a separate religion tag to Veerashaiva Lingayat faiths has surfaced from the community, amidst resentment from over projecting the two communities as the same. While one section led by Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Mahasabha has demanded separate religion status, asserting that Veerashaiva and Lingayats are the same, the other group wanted it only for Lingayats. They believe that Veerashaivas are one among the seven sects of Shaivas, which is part of Hinduism. Of late, some Lingayats have also stated that they were open to having the Veerashaivas under their umbrella, but the Lingayat nomenclature was non-negotiable. Karnataka State Minorities Commission had formed a seven-member committee, headed by retired high court Judge H N Nagamohan Das, on the issue which submitted its report on March 2. The Lingayat Veerashaiva community that owes allegiance to the "social reform movement" initiated by Basaveshwara has a substantial population in Karnataka, especially in the northern parts of the state. The BJP and several sections of the Hindu community have maintained a cautious stance, keeping away from the move to give Veerashaiva Lingayat separate religion status. They have accused the Siddaramaiah government of dividing the society to draw political mileage ahead of assembly elections due in the next couple of months.

Will examine Karnataka government's Lingayat proposal: Home ministry

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/clashes-after-karnataka-gives-separate-religion-status-to-lingayats-36434" target="_blank">Clashes after Karnataka gives separate religion status to Lingayats</a></p>

<p>Clashes between the members of Karnataka&#39;s Lingayat and Veerashaiva communities broke out on Monday in the state&#39;s Kalaburagi district hours after the Karnataka government approved&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-government-gives-nod-to-separate-religion-for-lingayats-36379">separate religion minority status</a>&nbsp;for the Lingayat and the Veerashaiva Lingayat community.</p>

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<p>VK Sasikala&#39;s husband Natarajan Maruthappa&nbsp;passed away due to multiple organ failures at Gleneagles Global Health City in Chennai.Maruthappa&nbsp;was admitted to the hospital on March 16 due to a severe chest infection.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/britain-eu-agree-brexit-transition-deal-36429" target="_blank">Britain, EU agree Brexit transition deal</a></p>

<p>Britain and the European Union on Monday reached a landmark deal on a transition phase that will see London follow the bloc&#39;s rules for nearly two years after the Brexit divorce.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/progressive-people-of-pakistan-eager-to-have-friendly-ties-with-india-muttahida-qaumi-movement-mqm-founder-36425" target="_blank">Progressive people of Pakistan eager to have friendly ties with India: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder</a></p>

<p>The founder leader of Pakistan&#39;s political party Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain, has claimed that he has never been against the country and only wants to eliminate the repressive and exploitative feudal system from there.</p>

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<p>British privacy regulators are seeking a warrant to search the offices of the political consultancy Cambridge Analytica late Monday following reports that the company may have&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-suspends-trump-campaign-data-firm-cambridge-analytica-36332" target="_blank">improperly gained access</a>&nbsp;to data on 50 million Facebook users, according to a Channel 4 television report.</p>


Clashes after Karnataka gives separate religion status to Lingayats Clashes between the members of Karnataka's Lingayat and Veerashaiva communities broke out on Monday in the state's Kalaburagi district hours after the Karnataka government approved separate religion minority status for the Lingayat and the Veerashaiva Lingayat community. VK Sasikala's husband Natarajan Maruthappa dead at 75 VK Sasikala's husband Natarajan Maruthappa passed away due to multiple organ failures at Gleneagles Global Health City in Chennai.Maruthappa was admitted to the hospital on March 16 due to a severe chest infection. Britain, EU agree Brexit transition deal Britain and the European Union on Monday reached a landmark deal on a transition phase that will see London follow the bloc's rules for nearly two years after the Brexit divorce. Progressive people of Pakistan eager to have friendly ties with India: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder The founder leader of Pakistan's political party Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain, has claimed that he has never been against the country and only wants to eliminate the repressive and exploitative feudal system from there. Facebook under pressure as US, EU urge probes of data practices British privacy regulators are seeking a warrant to search the offices of the political consultancy Cambridge Analytica late Monday following reports that the company may have improperly gained access to data on 50 million Facebook users, according to a Channel 4 television report.

WION Morning News Brief, March 20, 2018

<p>The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka Government on Monday accepted the suggestions of Nagamohan Das committee to form a separate religion status of the Lingayat&nbsp;community.</p>

<p>The decision came just months before the state assembly elections. Now the proposal will be sent to the Centre for the final approval.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A seven-member&nbsp;committee headed by Nagamohan Das retired high court Judge H N Nagamohan Das submitted its report on March 2, 2018, stating that &quot;Lingayats in Karnataka may be considered as a religious minority.&quot;</p>

<p><strong><em>Who are Lingayats?</em></strong></p>

<p>The Lingayats also known as the Veerashaiva community owes loyalty to the social reform movement of the 12th century initiated by Basaveshwara, a saint, has a considerable population in the northern part of the Karnataka. They rebelled against established Hindu traditions by defying the caste system and vedic rituals.</p>

<p>In their bid for a separate religion status, Lingayats were eager to dissociate themselves from Veerashaivas, a Shaivite religious tradition, whose followers adhere to the vedas. Lingayats, on the contrary, do not believe in rituals or vedas.</p>

<p>At the core of their ideology and belief systems, the Lingayats reject the ancient Hindu texts and vedas, the caste system and the belief in karma and reincarnation. In the Lingayat tradition, worship revolves bhakti or devotion and is centred on god Shiva.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><em>Basavanna/Basaveshwara</em></strong></p>

<p>The revolution that Basavanna led came years after the Buddha. It was Basavanna and his contemporary Sharanas who launched a very strong spiritual, social and religious rebellion against Brahminical hegemony. Basavanna had declared that &ldquo;work is worship&rdquo;. He gave women equal status in his movement through the vachanas (verses).</p>

<p>There are two sets of followers of Basavanna, who attracted people from both upper and lower castes. One group of his followers, called Veerashaivas, who consider Basavanna to be a later-day saint belonging to the Shaiva tradition, continued to follow many of the practices he had rejected, said historian S Shettar.</p>

<p><strong><em>Veerashaivas</em></strong></p>

<p>Veerashaivas are a sub-sect of Lingayats and ardent followers of Lord Shiva. They preceded Basavanna, the founder of Lingayatism and was spread by his followers among the Sharanas.</p>

<p><strong><em>How did it all begin?</em></strong></p>

<p>Lingayats have been demanding status of a separate religion for a long time. The issue came at the centrestage last year when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah promised to consider the demand. One part of the community demands the minority status for both Veerashaiva and Lingayats considering them the same, while another wants it only for the Lingayats as it considers Veershaivas to be Hindus.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reports quoted SM Jamdaar, who spearheaded the Lingayat movement as saying that this demand is not new and has been a long-standing issue which goes back to 1942 which surfaced again in 2017 after Siddaramaiah to look into the issue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jamdaar says that for over 700 years, Lingayats were a separate religion and the current agitation is simply seeking to restore the community to its former status.</p>

<p><strong><em>Impact on elections</em></strong></p>

<p>The Lingayats constitute 17% of Karnataka&#39;s population and weild strong influence in 110 constituencies, they were orignally supporters of the Congress party - 15% of the Lingayat electorate is estimated&nbsp;to have&nbsp;voted for the&nbsp;Congress in 2013. Eight of the state&rsquo;s 22 chief ministers belonged to this sect, including the BJP&rsquo;s current chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa.</p>

<p>Many prominent personalities, including journalist Gauri Lankesh and Kannada scholar MM Kalburgi, who were both shot dead, were Lingayats.</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah hopes for electoral gains fom this decision and has made many overtures to it, including making it mandatory to have portraits of Basavanna in government offices and naming the women&rsquo;s university in the state after Akka Mahadevi, a philosopher of the Lingayat tradition.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Rahul visited the Gavisiddeswara matha of the Lingayat community in Koppal, Karnataka. (PTI)</p>
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<p>The latest move appears to be a bid by Congress to split BJP&rsquo;s Lingayat vote base. The Congress hopes the move will get them support from the Lingayat community.</p>

<p>The BJP has shown hesitation to the decision. According to the party declaring Lingayats as a religious minority would divaricate the society&nbsp;and introduce more loopholes in the socio-economic front.<br />
<br />
BJP leaders are of the view that the Siddaramaiah government&#39;s decision may not translate into votes for the Congress. Though the decision may have pleased the Lingayats, however its benefits will take time to reach the community, according to the BJP.<br />
<br />
The BJP has accused the Karnataka CM of &quot;playing with fire&quot; for vote bank politics.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Lingayat ministers in the state government have planned a huge rally in Bengaluru where they plan to felicitate chief minister Siddaramaiah for according the community religious minority status.</p>


The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka Government on Monday accepted the suggestions of Nagamohan Das committee to form a separate religion status of the Lingayats community

The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka Government on Monday accepted the suggestions of Nagamohan Das committee to form a separate religion status of the Lingayat community. The decision came just months before the state assembly elections. Now the proposal will be sent to the Centre for the final approval. A seven-member committee headed by Nagamohan Das retired high court Judge H N Nagamohan Das submitted its report on March 2, 2018, stating that "Lingayats in Karnataka may be considered as a religious minority." Who are Lingayats? The Lingayats also known as the Veerashaiva community owes loyalty to the social reform movement of the 12th century initiated by Basaveshwara, a saint, has a considerable population in the northern part of the Karnataka. They rebelled against established Hindu traditions by defying the caste system and vedic rituals. In their bid for a separate religion status, Lingayats were eager to dissociate themselves from Veerashaivas, a Shaivite religious tradition, whose followers adhere to the vedas. Lingayats, on the contrary, do not believe in rituals or vedas. At the core of their ideology and belief systems, the Lingayats reject the ancient Hindu texts and vedas, the caste system and the belief in karma and reincarnation. In the Lingayat tradition, worship revolves bhakti or devotion and is centred on god Shiva. Basavanna/Basaveshwara The revolution that Basavanna led came years after the Buddha. It was Basavanna and his contemporary Sharanas who launched a very strong spiritual, social and religious rebellion against Brahminical hegemony. Basavanna had declared that “work is worship”. He gave women equal status in his movement through the vachanas (verses). There are two sets of followers of Basavanna, who attracted people from both upper and lower castes. One group of his followers, called Veerashaivas, who consider Basavanna to be a later-day saint belonging to the Shaiva tradition, continued to follow many of the practices he had rejected, said historian S Shettar. Veerashaivas Veerashaivas are a sub-sect of Lingayats and ardent followers of Lord Shiva. They preceded Basavanna, the founder of Lingayatism and was spread by his followers among the Sharanas. How did it all begin? Lingayats have been demanding status of a separate religion for a long time. The issue came at the centrestage last year when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah promised to consider the demand. One part of the community demands the minority status for both Veerashaiva and Lingayats considering them the same, while another wants it only for the Lingayats as it considers Veershaivas to be Hindus. Reports quoted SM Jamdaar, who spearheaded the Lingayat movement as saying that this demand is not new and has been a long-standing issue which goes back to 1942 which surfaced again in 2017 after Siddaramaiah to look into the issue. Jamdaar says that for over 700 years, Lingayats were a separate religion and the current agitation is simply seeking to restore the community to its former status. Impact on elections The Lingayats constitute 17% of Karnataka's population and weild strong influence in 110 constituencies, they were orignally supporters of the Congress party - 15% of the Lingayat electorate is estimated to have voted for the Congress in 2013. Eight of the state’s 22 chief ministers belonged to this sect, including the BJP’s current chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa. Many prominent personalities, including journalist Gauri Lankesh and Kannada scholar MM Kalburgi, who were both shot dead, were Lingayats. Siddaramaiah hopes for electoral gains fom this decision and has made many overtures to it, including making it mandatory to have portraits of Basavanna in government offices and naming the women’s university in the state after Akka Mahadevi, a philosopher of the Lingayat tradition. Rahul visited the Gavisiddeswara matha of the Lingayat community in Koppal, Karnataka. (PTI) × The latest move appears to be a bid by Congress to split BJP’s Lingayat vote base. The Congress hopes the move will get them support from the Lingayat community. The BJP has shown hesitation to the decision. According to the party declaring Lingayats as a religious minority would divaricate the society and introduce more loopholes in the socio-economic front. BJP leaders are of the view that the Siddaramaiah government's decision may not translate into votes for the Congress. Though the decision may have pleased the Lingayats, however its benefits will take time to reach the community, according to the BJP. The BJP has accused the Karnataka CM of "playing with fire" for vote bank politics. Meanwhile, the Lingayat ministers in the state government have planned a huge rally in Bengaluru where they plan to felicitate chief minister Siddaramaiah for according the community religious minority status.

Who are Lingayats and how will they impact Karnataka assembly elections?

<p>Electoral commitment reigns supreme in Indian politics but the desperation that politicians in Karnataka have shown for electoral benefits is as good as playing with fire.&nbsp;Now the Karnataka government has accepted the proposal of Justice Nagamohan Das Committee and decided to forward it to the Centre to make the final call on the issue, the outcome is anyone&#39;s guess.</p>

<p>The ramification will be felt nationally as the debate mutates from a sect&#39;s right to secede and acquire a separate identity to question of division of Hinduism into lesser denominations.&nbsp;On top of it, the larger Veer Shaiva community is opposed to this idea though Lingayats say that they are different from them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After the unceremonious sacking of Karnataka CM Virendra Patil by the Congress government, the Lingayat community never voted for the Congress in-block since then.&nbsp;Today the community stands behind the BJP but with this move, political blocks in Karnataka will no doubt be rearranged. The decision might suit the BJP nationally but in the state it will have to redefine its position.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Lingayats have a substantial presence in Karnataka and can play a make-or-break role in assembly elections. Even former BJP chief minister Yeddyurappa belongs to the Lingayat community.&nbsp;The birth of religions has never been an easy process in any part of the world as it involves the process of differentiation and codification which is always marked with social upheaval and violence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>New religious ecosystems are always linked to an idea of God, society and salvation which stands in opposition to the existing practice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But in Karnataka, the Lingayat churning has acquired an overt electoral colour. Caste reservations or linguistic reorganisation of states in the past too have been products of powerful agitations, but the demand for a separate religious status through a political agitation and mass rallies is a first in post-independent India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hinduism or as it is sometimes referred - Sanatan Dharma - is one of the five acknowledged religions in the Constitution of India. The Constitution provides freedom to practice and propagate religion in the country and this is enshrined as a fundamental right. In this context, the movement and protest in Karnataka is neither illegal nor outside the civilizational ethos of the subcontinent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The difference this time is that politicians in Karnataka have decided to play with a social movement within Hinduism whose attempt was to establish an egalitarian society opposed to the prevalent caste structure and upper caste practices.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Hinduism over time has seen the rise and fall of various sects which are primarily described as sampradayas. In this context, Lingayats say that they have been different from 12th century AD and also want to be differentiated from Veershaivas, who they feel are using the word &quot;Lingayats&quot; far too loosely.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Broadly, reform movements through centuries have made an impact on Hinduism, but eventually become part of the larger Hindu family. The ability to absorb and live peacefully with differences is one of the strengths of Hinduism.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
With political manoeuvring, it opens up a Pandora&#39;s box whose impact can be constitutional, civilizational and political. It will be constitutional because any addition will have to be legislated and the matter will undergo legal scrutiny. It is civilizational&nbsp;because after Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, Lingayats will become the fourth religion to be born in India out of a legal and political process and not through social negotiation with other religious cosmologies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For example, the birth of Sikhism was bloody and led to sacrifices by the Gurus who led the faith and subsequently codified it. In the Lingayat&rsquo;s context, the issue was examined a legal luminary and will be followed up by political luminaries at Centre.</p>

<p>The political impact of the Lingayat demand being accepted would be far more pervasive. It will reduce the demographic and numerical strength of Hinduism in Karnataka and secession will open the door to other sects to be recognised as a separate religion.</p>

<p>It can be argued that the strength of Hinduism has been its ability to absorb dissent by creating subspaces like sects which can be independent organizationally and socially, but still share common cultural codes of worship and life in general with Hinduism.</p>

<p>Though the context was different but the &quot;Communal Award&quot;&nbsp;announced by the British for a separate electorate touched the same nerve against which Mahatma Gandhi fasted. The time and subject is different but the context remains the same. The party which would pander to this may win Karnataka, but will lose India hands down for the polarisation it will create.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Politicians should remember that only the Goddess rides the tiger.</p>


Lingayats have a substantial presence in Karnataka and can play a make-or-break role in assembly elections.

Electoral commitment reigns supreme in Indian politics but the desperation that politicians in Karnataka have shown for electoral benefits is as good as playing with fire. Now the Karnataka government has accepted the proposal of Justice Nagamohan Das Committee and decided to forward it to the Centre to make the final call on the issue, the outcome is anyone's guess. The ramification will be felt nationally as the debate mutates from a sect's right to secede and acquire a separate identity to question of division of Hinduism into lesser denominations. On top of it, the larger Veer Shaiva community is opposed to this idea though Lingayats say that they are different from them. After the unceremonious sacking of Karnataka CM Virendra Patil by the Congress government, the Lingayat community never voted for the Congress in-block since then. Today the community stands behind the BJP but with this move, political blocks in Karnataka will no doubt be rearranged. The decision might suit the BJP nationally but in the state it will have to redefine its position. Lingayats have a substantial presence in Karnataka and can play a make-or-break role in assembly elections. Even former BJP chief minister Yeddyurappa belongs to the Lingayat community. The birth of religions has never been an easy process in any part of the world as it involves the process of differentiation and codification which is always marked with social upheaval and violence. New religious ecosystems are always linked to an idea of God, society and salvation which stands in opposition to the existing practice. But in Karnataka, the Lingayat churning has acquired an overt electoral colour. Caste reservations or linguistic reorganisation of states in the past too have been products of powerful agitations, but the demand for a separate religious status through a political agitation and mass rallies is a first in post-independent India. Hinduism or as it is sometimes referred - Sanatan Dharma - is one of the five acknowledged religions in the Constitution of India. The Constitution provides freedom to practice and propagate religion in the country and this is enshrined as a fundamental right. In this context, the movement and protest in Karnataka is neither illegal nor outside the civilizational ethos of the subcontinent. The difference this time is that politicians in Karnataka have decided to play with a social movement within Hinduism whose attempt was to establish an egalitarian society opposed to the prevalent caste structure and upper caste practices. Hinduism over time has seen the rise and fall of various sects which are primarily described as sampradayas. In this context, Lingayats say that they have been different from 12th century AD and also want to be differentiated from Veershaivas, who they feel are using the word "Lingayats" far too loosely. Broadly, reform movements through centuries have made an impact on Hinduism, but eventually become part of the larger Hindu family. The ability to absorb and live peacefully with differences is one of the strengths of Hinduism. With political manoeuvring, it opens up a Pandora's box whose impact can be constitutional, civilizational and political. It will be constitutional because any addition will have to be legislated and the matter will undergo legal scrutiny. It is civilizational because after Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, Lingayats will become the fourth religion to be born in India out of a legal and political process and not through social negotiation with other religious cosmologies. For example, the birth of Sikhism was bloody and led to sacrifices by the Gurus who led the faith and subsequently codified it. In the Lingayat’s context, the issue was examined a legal luminary and will be followed up by political luminaries at Centre. The political impact of the Lingayat demand being accepted would be far more pervasive. It will reduce the demographic and numerical strength of Hinduism in Karnataka and secession will open the door to other sects to be recognised as a separate religion. It can be argued that the strength of Hinduism has been its ability to absorb dissent by creating subspaces like sects which can be independent organizationally and socially, but still share common cultural codes of worship and life in general with Hinduism. Though the context was different but the "Communal Award" announced by the British for a separate electorate touched the same nerve against which Mahatma Gandhi fasted. The time and subject is different but the context remains the same. The party which would pander to this may win Karnataka, but will lose India hands down for the polarisation it will create. Politicians should remember that only the Goddess rides the tiger.

Opinion: Lingayat row - Only Goddess rides the Tiger

<p>Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday claimed that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will be the next Prime Minister and nobody can stop that from happening.</p>

<p>&quot;Nobody can stop Rahul Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister of the country in 2019,&quot; Siddaramaiah exclaimed while speaking at the 84th Congress Plenary Session in Delhi earlier today.</p>

<p>The Chief Minister also expressed confidence in winning the upcoming Karnataka Assembly polls.</p>

<p>&quot;I am confident that under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi we will come to power in Karnataka with a thumping majority. It will be a big pull and stepping stone for the upcoming elections,&quot; he noted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah further added that close to 90 percent of promises made in the election manifesto during 2013 Karnataka Assembly polls have been fulfilled by his government.</p>

<p>&quot;Today with the blessings of Sonia Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi our government has fulfilled more than 90% of what was promised made in our manifesto. We made realistic promises,&quot; Siddaramaiah added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from ANI)</em></p>


The Chief Minister also expressed confidence in winning the upcoming Karnataka Assembly polls

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday claimed that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will be the next Prime Minister and nobody can stop that from happening. "Nobody can stop Rahul Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister of the country in 2019," Siddaramaiah exclaimed while speaking at the 84th Congress Plenary Session in Delhi earlier today. The Chief Minister also expressed confidence in winning the upcoming Karnataka Assembly polls. "I am confident that under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi we will come to power in Karnataka with a thumping majority. It will be a big pull and stepping stone for the upcoming elections," he noted. Siddaramaiah further added that close to 90 percent of promises made in the election manifesto during 2013 Karnataka Assembly polls have been fulfilled by his government. "Today with the blessings of Sonia Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi our government has fulfilled more than 90% of what was promised made in our manifesto. We made realistic promises," Siddaramaiah added. (With inputs from ANI)

Nobody can stop Rahul Gandhi from becoming Prime Minister: Siddaramaiah

<p>Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has said that &quot;nobody can stop Rahul Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister of the country in 2019&quot;.</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah&#39;s remarks came during the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/youth-does-not-see-future-with-pm-modi-rahul-gandhi-at-plenary-session-36125" target="_blank">84th Plenary Session of Congress</a>.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nobody can stop Rahul Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister of the country in 2019: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CongressPlenarySession?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CongressPlenarySession</a> in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/rykklq0xmz">pic.twitter.com/rykklq0xmz</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/974920661897445376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p>The Congress party also hinted at&nbsp;forming an alliance to defeat the&nbsp;BJP-RSS in the&nbsp;2019 elections.</p>

<p>The party resolved to adopt a &quot;pragmatic approach&quot; for cooperation with all like-minded parties and evolve a common workable programme.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Backing the functioning of Congress under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Sachin Pilot has assured that the party will see big victories under his&nbsp;leadership.</p>

<p>He said, &quot;&nbsp;To those who challenge us, I would say... as of now we have won by-polls under leadership of Rahul Gandhi, soon you&#39;ll see us winning states and in 2019 Congress will win the elections&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">To those who challenge us, I would say... as of now we have won by-polls under leadership of Rahul Gandhi, soon you&#39;ll see us winning states and in 2019 Congress will win the elections: Sachin Pilot at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CongressPlenarySession?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CongressPlenarySession</a> <a href="https://t.co/Mlya50e4ZN">pic.twitter.com/Mlya50e4ZN</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/974903114368241666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge urged his party members and workers to collectively work for winning Karnataka polls.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">With your (party members &amp; workers) blessings &amp; cooperation we will once again win <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a>, your help is needed, the way BJP &amp; RSS workers go door-to-door, the same way you also help us in Karnataka: Mallikarjun Kharge at Congress Plenary Session <a href="https://t.co/MupGjZy5Ow">pic.twitter.com/MupGjZy5Ow</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/974896251362795520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Teemir (darkness) ko roshni kehte huye acha nahi lagta, mujhe gham ko khushi kehte huye acha nahi lagta... lahu (blood) insaniyat ko jo din-raat peete hain RSS-BJP ke log unko insaan kehte huye mujhe acha nahi lagta: Mallikarjun Kharge at Congress Plenary Session in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/ZsYQ7EBaGS">pic.twitter.com/ZsYQ7EBaGS</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/974892710430760960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The party resolved to adopt a 'pragmatic approach' for cooperation with all like-minded parties and evolve a common workable programme

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has said that "nobody can stop Rahul Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister of the country in 2019". Siddaramaiah's remarks came during the 84th Plenary Session of Congress. Nobody can stop Rahul Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister of the country in 2019: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah at #CongressPlenarySession in Delhi pic.twitter.com/rykklq0xmz — ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018 × The Congress party also hinted at forming an alliance to defeat the BJP-RSS in the 2019 elections. The party resolved to adopt a "pragmatic approach" for cooperation with all like-minded parties and evolve a common workable programme. Backing the functioning of Congress under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Sachin Pilot has assured that the party will see big victories under his leadership. He said, " To those who challenge us, I would say... as of now we have won by-polls under leadership of Rahul Gandhi, soon you'll see us winning states and in 2019 Congress will win the elections". To those who challenge us, I would say... as of now we have won by-polls under leadership of Rahul Gandhi, soon you'll see us winning states and in 2019 Congress will win the elections: Sachin Pilot at #CongressPlenarySession pic.twitter.com/Mlya50e4ZN — ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018 × Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge urged his party members and workers to collectively work for winning Karnataka polls. With your (party members & workers) blessings & cooperation we will once again win #Karnataka, your help is needed, the way BJP & RSS workers go door-to-door, the same way you also help us in Karnataka: Mallikarjun Kharge at Congress Plenary Session pic.twitter.com/MupGjZy5Ow — ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018 × Teemir (darkness) ko roshni kehte huye acha nahi lagta, mujhe gham ko khushi kehte huye acha nahi lagta... lahu (blood) insaniyat ko jo din-raat peete hain RSS-BJP ke log unko insaan kehte huye mujhe acha nahi lagta: Mallikarjun Kharge at Congress Plenary Session in Delhi pic.twitter.com/ZsYQ7EBaGS — ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2018 ×

Congress hints at possible alliance for 2019 polls

<p>Former Karnataka DGP HT Sangliana, who has been criticised for his insensitive remarks at a function where he said the Delhi gang-rape and murder victim&#39;s mother, Asha Devi, had a good physique has defended his stance.</p>

<p>The former cop had said that &nbsp;Asha Devi, the mother of the Delhi 16 gang-rape and murder victim, had a &lsquo;great physique&rsquo; and he could &lsquo;just imagine how beautiful her daughter would have been.&rsquo;</p>

<p>Sangliana, on Friday, issued another statement justifying his stand.</p>

<p>&quot;I consider my statement to be totally within the limit and I feel people are making an issue out of a non-issue. I said it in order to emphasise the importance of protection &amp; security to women, they should be given protection at all times,&quot; Sangliana said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I said it in order to emphasise the importance of protection &amp; security to women, they should be given protection at all times: HT Sangliana, former Karnataka DGP on his comment that 2012 delhi rape victim&#39;s mother had &#39;good physique&#39; <a href="https://t.co/KnKKffA18Q">pic.twitter.com/KnKKffA18Q</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/974586638629253120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Nirbhaya&#39;s mother, Asha Devi, also criticised the former cops comment and said:&nbsp;It would have been better if he had spoken about our struggle than making a personal remark. It shows that people&#39;s mentalities in our society has not changed.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It would have been better if he had spoken about our struggle than making a personal remark. It shows that people&#39;s mentalities in our society has not changed: Asha Devi, Mother of 2012 Delhi gangrape victim over former Karnataka DGP HT Sangliana&#39;s remarks <a href="https://t.co/F5VY5Z1sD0">pic.twitter.com/F5VY5Z1sD0</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/974615509269442562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>In a video shot at the Nirbhaya Awards 2018 in Bengaluru on March 8, Sangliana is seen reading from a prepared speech, which reeks of patriarchy. &ldquo;When I look at her (Nirbhaya&rsquo;s mother), her physique is very very nice. Then how beautiful Nirbhaya could have been,&rdquo; he says.</p>

<p>Stating that &ldquo;people like Nirbhaya attracted the attention of miscreants&rdquo;, the former top cop also offered what he called as &ldquo;safety tips for women&rdquo;, which attendees say was equally disgusting and rendered them speechless.</p>

<p>&ldquo;If you are overpowered, you should surrender initially and later follow up the case. That way we can be safe, save life and prevent being killed,&rdquo; Sangilana stated.</p>

<p>The comments sparked a massive row, with activists and journalists present at the event marking their protest.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A 23-year-old paramedical student was brutally gang-raped by five men and a juvenile on a moving bus in Delhi on December 16, 2012. The incident shocked the nation, with many stepping out to protest across the country seeking safety for women and stricter punishment for rapists.</p>

<p>All the six accused were later held and were awarded death sentence by the court. One of the accused, Ram Singh, committed suicide in jail while the juvenile was released after completing mandatory probation period in a remand home.</p>

<p>Five years since the incident, remaining accused persons are yet to hanged.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The former cop had said that Asha Devi, the mother of the Delhi 16 gang-rape and murder victim, had a ‘great physique’ and he could ‘just imagine how beautiful her daughter would have been’

Former Karnataka DGP HT Sangliana, who has been criticised for his insensitive remarks at a function where he said the Delhi gang-rape and murder victim's mother, Asha Devi, had a good physique has defended his stance. The former cop had said that Asha Devi, the mother of the Delhi 16 gang-rape and murder victim, had a ‘great physique’ and he could ‘just imagine how beautiful her daughter would have been.’ Sangliana, on Friday, issued another statement justifying his stand. "I consider my statement to be totally within the limit and I feel people are making an issue out of a non-issue. I said it in order to emphasise the importance of protection & security to women, they should be given protection at all times," Sangliana said. I said it in order to emphasise the importance of protection & security to women, they should be given protection at all times: HT Sangliana, former Karnataka DGP on his comment that 2012 delhi rape victim's mother had 'good physique' pic.twitter.com/KnKKffA18Q — ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 × Nirbhaya's mother, Asha Devi, also criticised the former cops comment and said: It would have been better if he had spoken about our struggle than making a personal remark. It shows that people's mentalities in our society has not changed." It would have been better if he had spoken about our struggle than making a personal remark. It shows that people's mentalities in our society has not changed: Asha Devi, Mother of 2012 Delhi gangrape victim over former Karnataka DGP HT Sangliana's remarks pic.twitter.com/F5VY5Z1sD0 — ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2018 × In a video shot at the Nirbhaya Awards 2018 in Bengaluru on March 8, Sangliana is seen reading from a prepared speech, which reeks of patriarchy. “When I look at her (Nirbhaya’s mother), her physique is very very nice. Then how beautiful Nirbhaya could have been,” he says. Stating that “people like Nirbhaya attracted the attention of miscreants”, the former top cop also offered what he called as “safety tips for women”, which attendees say was equally disgusting and rendered them speechless. “If you are overpowered, you should surrender initially and later follow up the case. That way we can be safe, save life and prevent being killed,” Sangilana stated. The comments sparked a massive row, with activists and journalists present at the event marking their protest. A 23-year-old paramedical student was brutally gang-raped by five men and a juvenile on a moving bus in Delhi on December 16, 2012. The incident shocked the nation, with many stepping out to protest across the country seeking safety for women and stricter punishment for rapists. All the six accused were later held and were awarded death sentence by the court. One of the accused, Ram Singh, committed suicide in jail while the juvenile was released after completing mandatory probation period in a remand home. Five years since the incident, remaining accused persons are yet to hanged.

Ex-Karnataka DGP defends comment on Nirbhaya's mother's 'good physique'

<p>Nearly five people were killed after a car collided with a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus in Tamil Nadu&#39;s Krishnagiri district on early Tuesday.</p>

<p>Out of five, two were women.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per media reports, all the people travelling in the car died on the spot.</p>

<p>The police reached the area and shifted the bodies to the hospital for further proceedings.</p>

<p>They are also trying to reach out to the family of the deceased.</p>

<p>More details are awaited.</p>


Nearly five people were killed after a car collided with a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri district on early Tuesday. Out of five, two were women. As per media reports, all the people travelling in the car died on the spot. The police reached the area and shifted the bodies to the hospital for further proceedings. They are also trying to reach out to the family of the deceased. More details are awaited.

Tamil Nadu: 5 people killed in car-bus collision

<p>Six months after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gauri-lankesh-was-shot-in-chest-indrajit-lankesh-19935" target="_blank">murder</a> of journalist Gauri Lankesh, Karnataka police today arrested a man said to be linked with a right-wing radical group for his suspected involvement in the sensational killing.</p>

<p>The Special Investigation Team, probing the murder, said it arrested alleged gunrunner K T Naveen Kumar, who was taken into police custody on March 2 for interrogation in connection with the case.</p>

<p>This is the first arrest in the case after the 55-year old Lankesh, known as an anti-establishment voice with strident anti-right wing views, was shot dead at close range by unknown assailants at her home here on September 5 last year.</p>

<p>&quot;He (Naveen Kumar) has been arrested. He is an accused (in the case),&quot; Deputy Commissioner of Police M N Anucheth, the investigating officer in the case, told PTI here.</p>

<p>Police said Kumar, in his 30s, was suspected to be linked with a fringe right-wing radical group.</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gauri-lankesh-and-that-piece-by-her-ex-husband-22818" target="_blank">Gauri </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gauri-lankesh-and-that-piece-by-her-ex-husband-22818" target="_blank">Lankesh,</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gauri-lankesh-and-that-piece-by-her-ex-husband-22818" target="_blank"> and that piece by her ex-husband</a></p>

<p>Initially, he was arrested on February 19 on charges of illegally possessing five bullets.</p>

<p>A case under the Arms Act was then registered against him and he was remanded to judicial custody by a court.</p>

<p>Subsequently after interrogation, he was taken into eight-days custody by the SIT for suspected links in the Lankesh murder case.</p>

<p>The arrest comes two days after state Home Minister&nbsp;Ramalinga Reddy said the SIT would soon clear the air whether the police have picked up the right person in the case. &nbsp;Kumar&#39;s family has maintained that he was innocent and in no way connected to the case.</p>

<p>The state government, which constituted the SIT headed by Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) B K Singh, had&nbsp;announced Rs 10 lakh reward for anyone giving clues about the? perpetrators of the crime.</p>

<p>The killing of the journalist had drawn widespread condemnation and the Siddaramaiah government had come under flak for not making any headway in nabbing the culprits. PTI&nbsp;</p>


The Special Investigation Team probing the murder said it had arrested alleged gunrunner KT Naveen Kumar who was taken into police custody on March 2 for interrogation

Six months after the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh, Karnataka police today arrested a man said to be linked with a right-wing radical group for his suspected involvement in the sensational killing. The Special Investigation Team, probing the murder, said it arrested alleged gunrunner K T Naveen Kumar, who was taken into police custody on March 2 for interrogation in connection with the case. This is the first arrest in the case after the 55-year old Lankesh, known as an anti-establishment voice with strident anti-right wing views, was shot dead at close range by unknown assailants at her home here on September 5 last year. "He (Naveen Kumar) has been arrested. He is an accused (in the case)," Deputy Commissioner of Police M N Anucheth, the investigating officer in the case, told PTI here. Police said Kumar, in his 30s, was suspected to be linked with a fringe right-wing radical group. Also read: Gauri Lankesh, and that piece by her ex-husband Initially, he was arrested on February 19 on charges of illegally possessing five bullets. A case under the Arms Act was then registered against him and he was remanded to judicial custody by a court. Subsequently after interrogation, he was taken into eight-days custody by the SIT for suspected links in the Lankesh murder case. The arrest comes two days after state Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the SIT would soon clear the air whether the police have picked up the right person in the case. Kumar's family has maintained that he was innocent and in no way connected to the case. The state government, which constituted the SIT headed by Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) B K Singh, had announced Rs 10 lakh reward for anyone giving clues about the? perpetrators of the crime. The killing of the journalist had drawn widespread condemnation and the Siddaramaiah government had come under flak for not making any headway in nabbing the culprits. PTI

Karnataka SIT makes first arrest in Gauri Lankesh murder case

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) ministers who resigned from the Union Cabinet that he is with Andhra Pradesh.</p>

<p>This was informed by YS Chowdary at a press conference in presence of Ashok Gajapathi Raju.</p>

<p>Union Aviation Minister Raju and Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences YS Chowdary submitted their resignations to Prime Minister Modi on Thursday evening amid the ongoing TDP-BJP tussle over the special status for Andhra Pradesh.</p>

<p>They resigned on the directions of TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.</p>

<p>&quot;Prime Minister Modi received us cordially and said that whatever delay has happened, but we will work towards it. The Prime Minister said clearly that &#39;I am with Andhra Pradesh and I will serve people of the state&#39;,&quot; Chowdary told reporters.</p>

<p>Replying a question about what was the way forward, Chowdary said, &quot;We have to ensure whatever commitments and assurances given in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act as well as the promises made by former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on the floor of the Rajya Sabha are fulfilled.&quot;</p>

<p>He said that since they have resigned from the council of ministers so they will have more freedom in the parliament to pursue the issues.</p>

<p>While answering another question, Chowdary said it was not fair to expect Prime Minister Modi to deal with these issues.</p>

<p>&quot;I don&#39;t think it&#39;s fair on our part to expect the Prime Minister to deal with these issues. It&#39;s for the concerned ministries to take up. A considerable amount of time has already lapsed. The sentiments of the Andhra has to be addressed by Chandrababu Naidu, and in these circumstances, unless we support our people, we hear them out and work for it, it does not make sense. So, our leader has made a made the right decision to come out of the government. As per the direction of our party president, we resigned today,&quot; Chowdary said.</p>

<p>Raju said that despite their resignations, the TDP is continuing as a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).</p>

<p>&quot;The issue of Special Category Status should have been addressed by the Centre a long time ago,&quot; Gajapathi Raju said.</p>

<p>He said that the Centre was viewing the Andhra people as &#39;residue material&#39;.</p>

<p>&quot;From Andhra Pradesh, we have now become residue state of Andhra Pradesh. The residue is the problem and there are certain commitments that were given by the national parties at that particular time and everyone in Andhra Pradesh wants that to be implemented,&quot; Raju said.</p>

<p>Both the TDP leaders thanked Prime Minister Modi for the &quot;cooperation extended by him&quot; during their tenure.&nbsp;</p>


Two TDP ministers quit Modi's cabinet Thursday over the Andhra special status row

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) ministers who resigned from the Union Cabinet that he is with Andhra Pradesh. This was informed by YS Chowdary at a press conference in presence of Ashok Gajapathi Raju. Union Aviation Minister Raju and Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences YS Chowdary submitted their resignations to Prime Minister Modi on Thursday evening amid the ongoing TDP-BJP tussle over the special status for Andhra Pradesh. They resigned on the directions of TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. "Prime Minister Modi received us cordially and said that whatever delay has happened, but we will work towards it. The Prime Minister said clearly that 'I am with Andhra Pradesh and I will serve people of the state'," Chowdary told reporters. Replying a question about what was the way forward, Chowdary said, "We have to ensure whatever commitments and assurances given in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act as well as the promises made by former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on the floor of the Rajya Sabha are fulfilled." He said that since they have resigned from the council of ministers so they will have more freedom in the parliament to pursue the issues. While answering another question, Chowdary said it was not fair to expect Prime Minister Modi to deal with these issues. "I don't think it's fair on our part to expect the Prime Minister to deal with these issues. It's for the concerned ministries to take up. A considerable amount of time has already lapsed. The sentiments of the Andhra has to be addressed by Chandrababu Naidu, and in these circumstances, unless we support our people, we hear them out and work for it, it does not make sense. So, our leader has made a made the right decision to come out of the government. As per the direction of our party president, we resigned today," Chowdary said. Raju said that despite their resignations, the TDP is continuing as a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). "The issue of Special Category Status should have been addressed by the Centre a long time ago," Gajapathi Raju said. He said that the Centre was viewing the Andhra people as 'residue material'. "From Andhra Pradesh, we have now become residue state of Andhra Pradesh. The residue is the problem and there are certain commitments that were given by the national parties at that particular time and everyone in Andhra Pradesh wants that to be implemented," Raju said. Both the TDP leaders thanked Prime Minister Modi for the "cooperation extended by him" during their tenure.

Modi tells TDP ministers, 'I am with Andhra'

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-speaks-to-andhra-cm-chandrababu-naidu-after-he-orders-two-tdp-ministers-to-quit-modis-cabinet-35109" target="_blank">Modi speaks to Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu, 2 TDP ministers quit Union Cabinet</a></p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu Thursday evening.&nbsp;The two TDP ministers in Modi&#39;s cabinet &mdash; Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Minister of State for Science and Technology YS Chowdary &mdash; later met with the prime minister and tendered their resignations to him.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-government-approves-state-flag-to-seek-approval-from-centre-35106" target="_blank">Karnataka unveils state flag, to seek approval from Centre</a></p>

<p>The Karnataka&#39;s Siddaramaiah government unveiled an official state flag on Thursday.&nbsp;The flag or Naada Dwaja with red, white and yellow colours have state emblem &ldquo;Ganda Bherunda&rdquo;, a two-headed mythical bird in the middle.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-love-jihad-case-supreme-court-restores-hadiyas-marriage-strikes-down-high-court-order-35101" target="_blank">Kerala &#39;love jihad&#39; case: Supreme Court restores Hadiya&#39;s marriage, strikes down </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-love-jihad-case-supreme-court-restores-hadiyas-marriage-strikes-down-high-court-order-35101" target="_blank">high</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-love-jihad-case-supreme-court-restores-hadiyas-marriage-strikes-down-high-court-order-35101" target="_blank"> court order</a></p>

<p>In a relief to Kerala-based Hadiya, an alleged victim of love jihad, the Supreme Court today set aside the high court order annulling her marriage to a Muslim man. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, however, said that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) may continue its investigation in the matter.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mehul-choksi-refuses-to-appear-in-front-of-cbi-on-health-grounds-35086" target="_blank">Mehul Choksi refuses to appear in front of CBI on health grounds, asks how he is </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mehul-choksi-refuses-to-appear-in-front-of-cbi-on-health-grounds-35086" target="_blank">security</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mehul-choksi-refuses-to-appear-in-front-of-cbi-on-health-grounds-35086" target="_blank"> threat to India</a></p>

<p>Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi refused to appear in front of investigating agency Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on health grounds. In a letter to CBI, he stated that he could not travel due to the health problem.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/curfew-in-sri-lankan-tourist-town-of-kandy-to-be-temporarily-lifted-35060" target="_blank">Curfew in Sri Lankan tourist town of Kandy to be temporarily lifted</a></p>

<p>A curfew in the Sri Lankan town of Kandy will be temporarily lifted on Thursday, authorities said, following days of violence against members of the minority Muslim community by Buddhists.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Modi speaks to Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu, 2 TDP ministers quit Union Cabinet Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu Thursday evening. The two TDP ministers in Modi's cabinet — Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Minister of State for Science and Technology YS Chowdary — later met with the prime minister and tendered their resignations to him. Karnataka unveils state flag, to seek approval from Centre The Karnataka's Siddaramaiah government unveiled an official state flag on Thursday. The flag or Naada Dwaja with red, white and yellow colours have state emblem “Ganda Bherunda”, a two-headed mythical bird in the middle. Kerala 'love jihad' case: Supreme Court restores Hadiya's marriage, strikes down high court order In a relief to Kerala-based Hadiya, an alleged victim of love jihad, the Supreme Court today set aside the high court order annulling her marriage to a Muslim man. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, however, said that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) may continue its investigation in the matter. Mehul Choksi refuses to appear in front of CBI on health grounds, asks how he is security threat to India Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi refused to appear in front of investigating agency Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on health grounds. In a letter to CBI, he stated that he could not travel due to the health problem. Curfew in Sri Lankan tourist town of Kandy to be temporarily lifted A curfew in the Sri Lankan town of Kandy will be temporarily lifted on Thursday, authorities said, following days of violence against members of the minority Muslim community by Buddhists.

WION Evening News Brief, March 8, 2018

<p>The Karnataka&#39;s Siddaramaiah government unveiled an official state flag on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The flag or Naada Dwaja with red, white and yellow colours have state emblem &ldquo;Ganda Bherunda&rdquo;, a two-headed mythical bird in the middle.</p>

<p>The committee to decide the design of the flag headed by Kannada Development Authority (KDA) chairman S G Siddaramaiah submitted the new design to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Vidhana Soudha on Thursday morning.</p>

<p>The CM has accepted the design and assured the committee that he will send it to the Centre. He said that there was no bar on state flags in the Constitution and all states can have their own flags.</p>

<p>Sources said the colours selected represented different things &ndash; yellow symbolises forgiveness, white for peace and red for bravery.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The emblem will the printed in black and white on the central white stripe.</p>

<p>The state emblem of Karnataka is based on the kingdom of Mysore and is carried on all Government of Karnataka correspondence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It has the Sarnath lion symbol which is popular in India, below which is a red shield with the &#39;ganda barunda&#39;. On either side are two lion-elephants called &lsquo;sharabha&rsquo;, a mythological creature believed to be 8-legged possessing the powers of lions and elephants.</p>


The state emblem of Karnataka is based on the kingdom of Mysore and is carried on all Government of Karnataka correspondence

The Karnataka's Siddaramaiah government unveiled an official state flag on Thursday. The flag or Naada Dwaja with red, white and yellow colours have state emblem “Ganda Bherunda”, a two-headed mythical bird in the middle. The committee to decide the design of the flag headed by Kannada Development Authority (KDA) chairman S G Siddaramaiah submitted the new design to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Vidhana Soudha on Thursday morning. The CM has accepted the design and assured the committee that he will send it to the Centre. He said that there was no bar on state flags in the Constitution and all states can have their own flags. Sources said the colours selected represented different things – yellow symbolises forgiveness, white for peace and red for bravery. The emblem will the printed in black and white on the central white stripe. The state emblem of Karnataka is based on the kingdom of Mysore and is carried on all Government of Karnataka correspondence. It has the Sarnath lion symbol which is popular in India, below which is a red shield with the 'ganda barunda'. On either side are two lion-elephants called ‘sharabha’, a mythological creature believed to be 8-legged possessing the powers of lions and elephants.

Karnataka unveils state flag, to seek approval from Centre

<p>Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty was stabbed three times in his Bengaluru office Wednesday while hearing a case.</p>

<p>The attacker, identified by police as Tejharaj Sharma, has been taken into custody by Bengaluru Police.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Bengaluru: Visual of the person who stabbed the Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty at his office in Bengaluru. He has been taken into custody by the police. <a href="https://t.co/QeaVd9QL6y">pic.twitter.com/QeaVd9QL6y</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/971313803114762240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Visuals</a> from the Karnataka Lokayukta office in Bengaluru: Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty was stabbed. The accused has been taken into custody by the police. <a href="https://t.co/C7KkXCtSZs">pic.twitter.com/C7KkXCtSZs</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/971314983014453248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Shetty is now out of danger/ Earlier reports had said the Shetty was in critical condition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;He (Sharma) was a contractor from Tumakuru. He complained to the Lokayukta about some tenders. He assaulted the judge and he was alone. The judge is out of danger now,&quot; Karnataka&nbsp;Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said. (Earlier reports had said the judge was critically wounded.)&nbsp;</p>

<p>Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also visited Bengaluru&#39;s Mallya Hospital&nbsp;to meet with Shetty.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also visited Bengaluru's Mallya Hospital to meet with Shetty

Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty was stabbed three times in his Bengaluru office Wednesday while hearing a case. The attacker, identified by police as Tejharaj Sharma, has been taken into custody by Bengaluru Police. Bengaluru: Visual of the person who stabbed the Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty at his office in Bengaluru. He has been taken into custody by the police. pic.twitter.com/QeaVd9QL6y — ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2018 × #Visuals from the Karnataka Lokayukta office in Bengaluru: Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty was stabbed. The accused has been taken into custody by the police. pic.twitter.com/C7KkXCtSZs — ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2018 × Shetty is now out of danger/ Earlier reports had said the Shetty was in critical condition. "He (Sharma) was a contractor from Tumakuru. He complained to the Lokayukta about some tenders. He assaulted the judge and he was alone. The judge is out of danger now," Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said. (Earlier reports had said the judge was critically wounded.) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also visited Bengaluru's Mallya Hospital to meet with Shetty.

Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty stabbed thrice in his office, attacker arrested

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today while addressing a farmer&#39;s rally at Karnataka&#39;s Davanagere.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;It is not Siddaramaih&#39;s government but &#39;Seedha Rupaiyya&#39; governance,&quot; PM Modi exclaimed saying that the government requires money for everything, then only things get done. &quot;It is a money first government,&quot; the PM noted.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Some people believe that there is Siddaramaiah governance in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a>, but in reality, it is &#39;Seedha Rupaiyya&#39; governance. Har cheej mein &#39;Seedha Rupaiyya&#39; hota hai, tabhi kaam hota hai. Ye &#39;Seedha Rupaiyya&#39; jaana chahiye: PM Modi in Davanagere <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> <a href="https://t.co/9XHxIPpb5B">pic.twitter.com/9XHxIPpb5B</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/968448218152366080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Prime Minister said that there is severe public anger against Congress&#39; rule in Karnataka, &quot;people have decided the government will go,&quot; he noted.</p>

<p>&quot;People have realised that the root cause of all ills is the Congress culture,&quot; the PM said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">One family ruled the country for 48 years &amp; one tea seller ruled for 48 months. Born in rich houses, they could not care for farmers in 48 years. But in 48 months, we multiplied Minimum Support Price (MSP) by 1 &amp; half for the farmers: PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/i77xT1PapX">pic.twitter.com/i77xT1PapX</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/968446606872686592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Prime Minister talked about the political dynasty of the Gandhi family and said that the family ruled the country for 48 years and &quot;could not care for the farmers&#39; plight&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;One tea seller ruled for 48 months and we multiplied Minimum Support Price (MSP) by one and a half for the farmers,&quot; noted PM Narendra Modi.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Karnataka Government is certain to be defeated. Their misdeeds have made the Government unpopular. Election after election what are the people doing? They are removing Congress. When Congress goes, the harmful Congress culture also goes: PM Narendra Modi in Davanagere <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> <a href="https://t.co/bW5YjtLipl">pic.twitter.com/bW5YjtLipl</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/968443441985146880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Prime Minister said that he is certain of Congress&#39; defeat in the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Their misdeeds have made the government unpopular. Election after election what are the people doing? They are removing Congress. When Congress goes, the harmful Congress culture will also go,&quot; noted PM Modi.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Prime Minister said that there is severe public anger against Congress' rule in Karnataka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today while addressing a farmer's rally at Karnataka's Davanagere. "It is not Siddaramaih's government but 'Seedha Rupaiyya' governance," PM Modi exclaimed saying that the government requires money for everything, then only things get done. "It is a money first government," the PM noted. Some people believe that there is Siddaramaiah governance in #Karnataka, but in reality, it is 'Seedha Rupaiyya' governance. Har cheej mein 'Seedha Rupaiyya' hota hai, tabhi kaam hota hai. Ye 'Seedha Rupaiyya' jaana chahiye: PM Modi in Davanagere #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/9XHxIPpb5B — ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2018 × The Prime Minister said that there is severe public anger against Congress' rule in Karnataka, "people have decided the government will go," he noted. "People have realised that the root cause of all ills is the Congress culture," the PM said. One family ruled the country for 48 years & one tea seller ruled for 48 months. Born in rich houses, they could not care for farmers in 48 years. But in 48 months, we multiplied Minimum Support Price (MSP) by 1 & half for the farmers: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/i77xT1PapX — ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2018 × The Prime Minister talked about the political dynasty of the Gandhi family and said that the family ruled the country for 48 years and "could not care for the farmers' plight". "One tea seller ruled for 48 months and we multiplied Minimum Support Price (MSP) by one and a half for the farmers," noted PM Narendra Modi. Karnataka Government is certain to be defeated. Their misdeeds have made the Government unpopular. Election after election what are the people doing? They are removing Congress. When Congress goes, the harmful Congress culture also goes: PM Narendra Modi in Davanagere #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/bW5YjtLipl — ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2018 × The Prime Minister said that he is certain of Congress' defeat in the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections. "Their misdeeds have made the government unpopular. Election after election what are the people doing? They are removing Congress. When Congress goes, the harmful Congress culture will also go," noted PM Modi.

Siddaramaiah runs 'money first' government: PM Modi at farmers' rally in Karnataka

<p>There is a very famous quote - &ldquo;It is relatively easy to reach the top but difficult to maintain the position there&rdquo;.</p>

<p>If someone understands it better and appreciates this more than anybody else, it is Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. &nbsp;As May 2019 is nearing, Modi and Shah must be getting goosebumps, since they have a mammoth task in hand to repeat BJP&rsquo;s massive performance during May 2014.</p>

<p>Make no mistake. What the BJP did in May 2014 was once in a lifetime phenomenon. It was after 30 years, that a party (BJP) got a full majority in the Lok Sabha. What exactly happened in 2014 was many positive factors for BJP coincided with each other - which was a rare coincidence. The&nbsp;factors included the weak and jaded performance of UPA 2, the unimaginative and smug leadership of Congress, a strong Modi wave, a fragmented opposition as well as strong groundwork and booth management of BJP cadre.</p>

<p>But both Modi and Shah are well aware that such miraculous coincidences don&rsquo;t take place every day. In 2014, BJP&#39;s performance in northern, central and western India peaked and from here it is only bound to wane for sure.</p>

<p>Look at the seat numbers for NDA in few of the states in General Election 2014:<br />
UP &ndash; 73 out of 80, Rajasthan &ndash; 25 of 25, Gujarat &ndash; 26 of 26, MP &ndash; 27 of 29, Bihar &ndash; 31 out 40, &nbsp;Maharashtra &ndash; 42 of 48 and Haryana &ndash; 7 of 10.</p>

<p>These are mind-boggling numbers. The BJP&rsquo;s leadership knows that these numbers are well-optimised numbers and it is the peak and the only road from here in these states is the one that goes down. &nbsp;</p>

<p>As per today&rsquo;s situation, BJP is bound to lose heavily in Rajasthan and Haryana in 2019. There would be significant losses on cards in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The tally in Maharashtra is also bound to come, albeit not by a big margin.</p>

<p>The solace, however, for the BJP/NDA is that it is still well poised in UP and Bihar, largely because of the Yogi&rsquo;s hold in UP and Nitish&#39;s return to the NDA fold. Moreover, in UP, Congress BSP and SP are still in a shamble state.</p>

<p>The NDA is set to lose around 50-60 seats in the above-mentioned top-performing states in 2019. Modi and Shah know that there is not much which can be done to avoid this loss. There are a serious anti-incumbency and resentment against the Raje government in Rajasthan. Similar is the story in Haryana. Shivraj in MP still sits steady but 16 years of incumbency is bound to have some effect. As visible from the recent state election in Gujarat, BJP is not the formidable force which it used to be during Modi&rsquo;s era there. Moreover, Congress has some visible leadership in MP and Gujarat in these states and flexing muscles.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sensing this, for last few months, Modi and Shah have been relentlessly vying to find out new territories to spread the wings of BJP to compensate the inevitable loss. &nbsp;As such not having pan-India presence has been the Achilles heel of BJP; for decades, they have been confined to specific territories. But the scenario started changing in 2014. BJP opened its account in West Bengal in May 2014 General Election, then swept state elections in Haryana and Assam and came to power there for the very first time. These were seminal events for the party.</p>

<p>That gave confidence to&nbsp;BJP for moving further. Amit Shah and Modi are sharp and astute politicians; rather say they have a mindset of a salesperson, a businessman. Like a shrewd business-owner, they scan the political atmosphere continually and figure out the weak spot to hit upon. Based on this quality only, they have identified their target areas and the same is evident with their initiatives over the past couple of years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi has been putting plenty of emphasis on the north-east. He knows that BJP can make inroads in north-east and BJP&rsquo;s success story in Assam has played a role of catalyst. Modi is pitching himself as an ultimate saviour and a panacea to the north-eastern states.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Then Tamilnadu is another battlefield. Modi is trying to rope in BJP in a big way after the death of Jayalalitha. He is eying for the right opportunity to establish BJP there amidst political instability. Odisha has been yet another bastion, where BJP is trying to capitalise on anti-incumbency against years of Naveen Patnaik&rsquo;s rule. Its local stalwarts Dharmendra Pradhan and Sambit Patra are trying to make headway and build a cadre.</p>

<p>West Bengal is another territory under the action plan of Modi-Shah duo. The BJP is trying to pitch itself as an alternative to the TMC as Congress in the state is almost dead and CPM is also not able to come to the forefront now. BJP sees West Bengal as a long-term big opportunity as it has been successful in putting Mamta in the defensive mode lately. Similarly, Amit Shah sees Kerala as yet another possible area to spread wings and has been able to get some success in building cadre there.</p>

<p>You may have a political disagreement with NaMo and Amit Shah but no one can rebut their political acumen and their relentless efforts for their party.</p>

<p>They know that they have to maintain the position at the peak and gearing up for same and finding new territories would be the key before 2019. They need to put up a firm plan in place to gain 50-60 seats from other territories, which are set to lose in their strong bastions during 2014.</p>

<p>One last thing, despite all those political victories over the past 3-4 years, complacency is the word which is not found in their dictionary.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


As May 2019 is nearing, Modi and Amit's performance in northern, central and western India peaks. From here it is only bound to wane for sure. Thus, the party is on the lookout for new territories.

There is a very famous quote - “It is relatively easy to reach the top but difficult to maintain the position there”. If someone understands it better and appreciates this more than anybody else, it is Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. As May 2019 is nearing, Modi and Shah must be getting goosebumps, since they have a mammoth task in hand to repeat BJP’s massive performance during May 2014. Make no mistake. What the BJP did in May 2014 was once in a lifetime phenomenon. It was after 30 years, that a party (BJP) got a full majority in the Lok Sabha. What exactly happened in 2014 was many positive factors for BJP coincided with each other - which was a rare coincidence. The factors included the weak and jaded performance of UPA 2, the unimaginative and smug leadership of Congress, a strong Modi wave, a fragmented opposition as well as strong groundwork and booth management of BJP cadre. But both Modi and Shah are well aware that such miraculous coincidences don’t take place every day. In 2014, BJP's performance in northern, central and western India peaked and from here it is only bound to wane for sure. Look at the seat numbers for NDA in few of the states in General Election 2014: UP – 73 out of 80, Rajasthan – 25 of 25, Gujarat – 26 of 26, MP – 27 of 29, Bihar – 31 out 40, Maharashtra – 42 of 48 and Haryana – 7 of 10. These are mind-boggling numbers. The BJP’s leadership knows that these numbers are well-optimised numbers and it is the peak and the only road from here in these states is the one that goes down. As per today’s situation, BJP is bound to lose heavily in Rajasthan and Haryana in 2019. There would be significant losses on cards in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The tally in Maharashtra is also bound to come, albeit not by a big margin. The solace, however, for the BJP/NDA is that it is still well poised in UP and Bihar, largely because of the Yogi’s hold in UP and Nitish's return to the NDA fold. Moreover, in UP, Congress BSP and SP are still in a shamble state. The NDA is set to lose around 50-60 seats in the above-mentioned top-performing states in 2019. Modi and Shah know that there is not much which can be done to avoid this loss. There are a serious anti-incumbency and resentment against the Raje government in Rajasthan. Similar is the story in Haryana. Shivraj in MP still sits steady but 16 years of incumbency is bound to have some effect. As visible from the recent state election in Gujarat, BJP is not the formidable force which it used to be during Modi’s era there. Moreover, Congress has some visible leadership in MP and Gujarat in these states and flexing muscles. Sensing this, for last few months, Modi and Shah have been relentlessly vying to find out new territories to spread the wings of BJP to compensate the inevitable loss. As such not having pan-India presence has been the Achilles heel of BJP; for decades, they have been confined to specific territories. But the scenario started changing in 2014. BJP opened its account in West Bengal in May 2014 General Election, then swept state elections in Haryana and Assam and came to power there for the very first time. These were seminal events for the party. That gave confidence to BJP for moving further. Amit Shah and Modi are sharp and astute politicians; rather say they have a mindset of a salesperson, a businessman. Like a shrewd business-owner, they scan the political atmosphere continually and figure out the weak spot to hit upon. Based on this quality only, they have identified their target areas and the same is evident with their initiatives over the past couple of years. Modi has been putting plenty of emphasis on the north-east. He knows that BJP can make inroads in north-east and BJP’s success story in Assam has played a role of catalyst. Modi is pitching himself as an ultimate saviour and a panacea to the north-eastern states. Then Tamilnadu is another battlefield. Modi is trying to rope in BJP in a big way after the death of Jayalalitha. He is eying for the right opportunity to establish BJP there amidst political instability. Odisha has been yet another bastion, where BJP is trying to capitalise on anti-incumbency against years of Naveen Patnaik’s rule. Its local stalwarts Dharmendra Pradhan and Sambit Patra are trying to make headway and build a cadre. West Bengal is another territory under the action plan of Modi-Shah duo. The BJP is trying to pitch itself as an alternative to the TMC as Congress in the state is almost dead and CPM is also not able to come to the forefront now. BJP sees West Bengal as a long-term big opportunity as it has been successful in putting Mamta in the defensive mode lately. Similarly, Amit Shah sees Kerala as yet another possible area to spread wings and has been able to get some success in building cadre there. You may have a political disagreement with NaMo and Amit Shah but no one can rebut their political acumen and their relentless efforts for their party. They know that they have to maintain the position at the peak and gearing up for same and finding new territories would be the key before 2019. They need to put up a firm plan in place to gain 50-60 seats from other territories, which are set to lose in their strong bastions during 2014. One last thing, despite all those political victories over the past 3-4 years, complacency is the word which is not found in their dictionary. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Modi-Shah duo expanding wings across states for 2019 elections

<p>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;.</p>

<p>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;.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>He also said that&nbsp;the constituency of Kharge in Karnataka was the most backward constituency in the state.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">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></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/968003987382284290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>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;</p>

<p>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.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">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></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/968008339916431360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&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.</p>

<p>The state is scheduled to undergo assembly elections in April-May.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">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></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/967988047773024256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


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

<p>A day after BJP president Amit Shah addressed sugarcane farmers in Karnataka, he will continue with his election campaign on Monday for the upcoming assembly polls in the state.</p>

<p>Shah is scheduled to address OBC and Maratha leaders today.</p>

<p>Amit Shah will interact with OBC leaders at around 11 am with the Maratha leaders at 6:30 in the evening.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He will also address a press conference at Gulbarga Hotel Grand at 10 and will inaugurate a women&#39;s college hostel at 11.</p>

<p>At 12:30, Shah will make an address at Gulbarga&#39;s ESI Auditorium while at 2:30 he will make an address at the Matrichaya Ground.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At 4:30, he will visit the Anubhava Mantappa in Bidar district&#39;s Basavkalyan.</p>

<p>Shah&#39;s three-day visit to the poll-bound state started on Saturday, February 24.</p>

<p>Congress President Rahul Gandhi&#39;s itinerary for the day meanwhile includes a public meeting at Godchi Temple Ground in Ramdurg and a visit to Shri Yellamma Renuka Devi Temple in Belgaum district.</p>

<p>He will also attend swagat at Ramdurg T. Junction, Village Mundalur, Village Kappa Inamgovan, Village Hooli and Village Inam Mongal.</p>

<p>Gandhi will also attend meeting at Government School Stadium, Saundatti and Nehru Stadium in Hubli.</p>

<p>The state will hold assembly elections in April-May.</p>


Karnataka is expected to go to the polls in April or May

A day after BJP president Amit Shah addressed sugarcane farmers in Karnataka, he will continue with his election campaign on Monday for the upcoming assembly polls in the state. Shah is scheduled to address OBC and Maratha leaders today. Amit Shah will interact with OBC leaders at around 11 am with the Maratha leaders at 6:30 in the evening. He will also address a press conference at Gulbarga Hotel Grand at 10 and will inaugurate a women's college hostel at 11. At 12:30, Shah will make an address at Gulbarga's ESI Auditorium while at 2:30 he will make an address at the Matrichaya Ground. At 4:30, he will visit the Anubhava Mantappa in Bidar district's Basavkalyan. Shah's three-day visit to the poll-bound state started on Saturday, February 24. Congress President Rahul Gandhi's itinerary for the day meanwhile includes a public meeting at Godchi Temple Ground in Ramdurg and a visit to Shri Yellamma Renuka Devi Temple in Belgaum district. He will also attend swagat at Ramdurg T. Junction, Village Mundalur, Village Kappa Inamgovan, Village Hooli and Village Inam Mongal. Gandhi will also attend meeting at Government School Stadium, Saundatti and Nehru Stadium in Hubli. The state will hold assembly elections in April-May.

Rahul, Amit Shah to continue election battle in Karnataka today; Gandhi to visit 2 temples

<p>Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Wednesday said the six &#39;enjoining hands&#39; symbol of his new political party &#39;Makkal Needhi Maiam&#39; represents six southern states.</p>

<p>While speaking at the launch of the party, for which Haasan has &quot;picked ideologies from everyone&quot;, the actor-turned-politician said he had kept his party&#39;s name &#39;Maiam&#39; (Centre) because he did not belong to either Left or Right.</p>

<p>The six southern states Haasan was referring to are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and one Union Territory Andeman and Nicobar Islands.</p>

<p>&quot;People ask me what is Maiam, and if I am a Left or a Right. This is why I have kept my party&#39;s name &#39;Maiam&#39;, which means centre. The six hands in my party symbol represent six states and the star in the middle represents people,&quot; Haasan said.</p>

<p>He said his party would work on providing quality education to all and diminishing caste and religion difference in the society.</p>

<p>&quot;We will work on many issues including these. We will set an example; fight corruption together. People have unfortunately sold their votes for merely Rs 6,000. People ask me if I will give them money. My answer is no, I will not. If you accept money, you cannot ask your representative for anything,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Haasan said that all these years he was in people&#39;s heart and now he wants to be a part of their residence, &quot;I am the lamp in your house, which does not flicker in winds of corruption.&quot;</p>

<p>When asked who his inspiration is -- Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi or Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, the former actor said he liked and was inspired from all, including Arvind Kejriwal, N. Chandrababu Naidu, Pinarayi Vijayan, and Barack Obama.</p>

<p>Haasan said he wanted to start his party silently and move slowly towards campaigning.</p>

<p>&quot;There is no starvation for money, but for good-hearted people.&quot;</p>

<p>On the Supreme Court&#39;s verdict on the Cauvery dispute, Haasan said Tamil Nadu could get water if there was good dialogue with Karnataka. &quot;I can even get blood (donated blood, not violence).&quot;</p>

<p>He said his two daughters - Shruti Haasan and Akshara Haasan, who were present at the launch event, were free to decide whether to join him in this new journey or not.</p>


The six southern states Haasan was talking about are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and one union territory, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Wednesday said the six 'enjoining hands' symbol of his new political party 'Makkal Needhi Maiam' represents six southern states. While speaking at the launch of the party, for which Haasan has "picked ideologies from everyone", the actor-turned-politician said he had kept his party's name 'Maiam' (Centre) because he did not belong to either Left or Right. The six southern states Haasan was referring to are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and one Union Territory Andeman and Nicobar Islands. "People ask me what is Maiam, and if I am a Left or a Right. This is why I have kept my party's name 'Maiam', which means centre. The six hands in my party symbol represent six states and the star in the middle represents people," Haasan said. He said his party would work on providing quality education to all and diminishing caste and religion difference in the society. "We will work on many issues including these. We will set an example; fight corruption together. People have unfortunately sold their votes for merely Rs 6,000. People ask me if I will give them money. My answer is no, I will not. If you accept money, you cannot ask your representative for anything," he said. Haasan said that all these years he was in people's heart and now he wants to be a part of their residence, "I am the lamp in your house, which does not flicker in winds of corruption." When asked who his inspiration is -- Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi or Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, the former actor said he liked and was inspired from all, including Arvind Kejriwal, N. Chandrababu Naidu, Pinarayi Vijayan, and Barack Obama. Haasan said he wanted to start his party silently and move slowly towards campaigning. "There is no starvation for money, but for good-hearted people." On the Supreme Court's verdict on the Cauvery dispute, Haasan said Tamil Nadu could get water if there was good dialogue with Karnataka. "I can even get blood (donated blood, not violence)." He said his two daughters - Shruti Haasan and Akshara Haasan, who were present at the launch event, were free to decide whether to join him in this new journey or not.

Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam party symbol explained

<p>Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday calling him &#39;&#39;unfit to continue as a Prime Minister&#39;&#39;.</p>

<p>Siddaramaiah&#39;s comment followed PM Modi&#39;s statement made yesterday at a campaign rally for the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi noted that new scams, corruption charges, and fresh allegations were emerging under him (Siddaramaiah) &quot;every day&quot;.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister addressed those who attended the rally and asked them if they want a &quot;commission government&quot;&nbsp;in Karnataka or &#39;&#39;mission government&#39;&#39;. He also called Siddarmaiah and his administration a &quot;10 per cent commission government&quot;.</p>

<p>Modi further alleged that &quot;central government funds under various schemes meant for the poor and middle class was not being properly utilised&nbsp;by the state.&quot;</p>

<p>Angered by Prime Minister&#39;s remarks on his administration, Siddaramaiah said, &quot;Prime Minister Modi is not speaking like a prime minister. There are so many issues concerning the state and the country but he has not opened his mouth&quot; adding, &quot;He is making politically motivated and irresponsible statements. He is unfit to continue as Prime Minister.&quot;</p>

<p>The Chief Minister also noted that the information shared by the Prime Minister at the rally was incorrect.</p>

<p>Taking to Twitter, the veteran Congress leader who is eyeing a second chief ministerial tenure in poll-bound Karnataka, further accused the PM Modi of making common men stand in queues during demonetisation while Nirav Modi is on the run with country&#39;s money.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dear PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ರವರೆ, since you are fond of talking about commission let me ask you-<br />
<br />
You made common people stand in queues to deposit their money in the Banks &amp; then let <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NiravModi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NiravModi</a> run away with over 12,000 cr of people&rsquo;s money.<br />
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What percent of people&rsquo;s money is that? <a href="https://t.co/whvsOIFYEi">pic.twitter.com/whvsOIFYEi</a></p>
&mdash; Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) <a href="https://twitter.com/siddaramaiah/status/965809203125374976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&ldquo;Dear PM Narendra Modi, since you are fond of talking about commission let me ask you- You made common people stand in queues to deposit their money in the Banks &amp; then let #NiravModi run away with over 12,000 cr of people&rsquo;s money. What percent of people&rsquo;s money is that?&rdquo; he asked.</p>

<p>This is not the first time that the Karnataka Chief Minister spoke out openly against the Prime Minister.</p>

<p>Earlier this month, Siddaramaiah had said Modi &ldquo;is morally not right to be the Prime Minister of the country&rdquo;. His comment came a day after PM Modi vowed to wipe Congress out of Karnataka at a rally in Bengaluru. He had further targeted BJP president Amit Shah, saying he is &ldquo;involved in murder case&rdquo; and attacked former Karnataka CM and BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa for being arrested in the past.</p>

<p>Both the Congress and BJP has been targetting each other on the social media and political rallies over the last two months ahead of the Karnataka Assembly polls, scheduled to be held later this year.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Siddaramaiah's comment came after PM Modi attacked him and his administration in a rally on Monday in a Mysuru

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday calling him ''unfit to continue as a Prime Minister''. Siddaramaiah's comment followed PM Modi's statement made yesterday at a campaign rally for the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections. PM Modi noted that new scams, corruption charges, and fresh allegations were emerging under him (Siddaramaiah) "every day". The Prime Minister addressed those who attended the rally and asked them if they want a "commission government" in Karnataka or ''mission government''. He also called Siddarmaiah and his administration a "10 per cent commission government". Modi further alleged that "central government funds under various schemes meant for the poor and middle class was not being properly utilised by the state." Angered by Prime Minister's remarks on his administration, Siddaramaiah said, "Prime Minister Modi is not speaking like a prime minister. There are so many issues concerning the state and the country but he has not opened his mouth" adding, "He is making politically motivated and irresponsible statements. He is unfit to continue as Prime Minister." The Chief Minister also noted that the information shared by the Prime Minister at the rally was incorrect. Taking to Twitter, the veteran Congress leader who is eyeing a second chief ministerial tenure in poll-bound Karnataka, further accused the PM Modi of making common men stand in queues during demonetisation while Nirav Modi is on the run with country's money. Dear PM @narendramodi ರವರೆ, since you are fond of talking about commission let me ask you- You made common people stand in queues to deposit their money in the Banks & then let #NiravModi run away with over 12,000 cr of people’s money. What percent of people’s money is that? pic.twitter.com/whvsOIFYEi — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) February 20, 2018 × “Dear PM Narendra Modi, since you are fond of talking about commission let me ask you- You made common people stand in queues to deposit their money in the Banks & then let #NiravModi run away with over 12,000 cr of people’s money. What percent of people’s money is that?” he asked. This is not the first time that the Karnataka Chief Minister spoke out openly against the Prime Minister. Earlier this month, Siddaramaiah had said Modi “is morally not right to be the Prime Minister of the country”. His comment came a day after PM Modi vowed to wipe Congress out of Karnataka at a rally in Bengaluru. He had further targeted BJP president Amit Shah, saying he is “involved in murder case” and attacked former Karnataka CM and BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa for being arrested in the past. Both the Congress and BJP has been targetting each other on the social media and political rallies over the last two months ahead of the Karnataka Assembly polls, scheduled to be held later this year.

Siddaramaiah says Narendra Modi 'unfit to continue as Prime Minister'

<p>Escalating his attack on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over graft, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday new scams, corruption charges and fresh allegations were emerging under him &quot;every day&quot;.</p>

<p>Taking the battle to Siddaramaiah&#39;s home turf at a rally in Mysore,&nbsp;Modi said he had earlier called his administration a &quot;10 per cent commission government&quot; but later came to know his information was not correct and that the cut the government got was much more.</p>

<p>In his second public rally in a fortnight in poll-bound Karnataka, Modi singled out corruption to attack Siddaramaiah and asked the gathering: &quot;Do you want a commission government in Karnataka or mission government? Commission or mission?&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;Recalling his Bengaluru remark that &quot;it is a 10 per cent commission business,&quot; Modi said many people were angry with him, some even called him, some sent messages and others expressed their anguish. &quot;They said my information was not correct. It was not 10 per cent, but more than that,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;Every day, a new scam, new corruption, new allegation is being levelled against their one or the other leader, against one or the other minister or one or the other programme of the government, in one or the other part of Karnataka,&quot; Modi said.</p>

<p>He alleged central government funds under various schemes meant for the poor and middle class were not being properly utilised by the state.</p>

<p>&quot;Their priority is political squabble, keeping Delhi (Congress high command) happy, and send them whatever is needed to keep them happy. Their interest is only in it ...Keeping their party bosses happy so that their seats are safe.&quot;</p>

<p>Contending that no state can function like this, he said, &quot;They don&#39;t care about the people and their feelings... Such governments, such leadership and personality will never strengthen democratic system.&quot;</p>

<p>Taking a jibe at Siddaramaiah, Modi said &quot;Mysuru is the land that spreads the message of social unity, Mysuru is the land of energy and youthfulness, Mysuru is a land that creates an atmosphere of harmony... But the person who was born from here should not have gone on the wrong path.&quot; &quot;He is associated with such people that whatever Mysuru taught him, he completely forgot on his way to Bengaluru, and is now taking entire Karnataka towards destruction.&quot;</p>

<p>Modi also hit out at the Congress for spreading &quot;lies repeatedly&quot; and asked the people to question its record. &quot;Ask those who come here, make speeches. For 50 years one family got an opportunity to rule. What is the reason that four crore families are still living the life of the 18 century?&quot; he said, attacking the Congress.</p>

<p>&quot;They don&#39;t even feel a bit of shame or sadness. They think by lying, by lying repeatedly, lying wherever they go, by lying loudly, by many people lying, not one or two days but for months on end, the people of this country will believe. &quot;You are talking from a wrong place; the country can&nbsp; never believe you, the country will never accept your lies. You will have to answer....&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Modi said his government wants to take the country forward at a faster pace, but Congress governments, wherever they are, are working to stop the pace of the country. They work as &quot;bumps&quot;, he said.</p>

<p>Modi said he has come to assure the people and see to it that the BJP government that would be formed in Karnataka would work with a mission. It would work towards changing the destiny of Karnataka, he said.</p>

<p>&quot;The way the government is functioning in Karnataka, and political developments are going on, you know that bundles and bundles of notes were seized and they are not ashamed of it. &quot;Diaries and what all were entered in it...Karnataka needs to get rid of it or not? Those who destroyed Karnataka..&quot; Modi said, apparently referring to the raids by Income Tax department on some ministers recently.</p>

<p>Modi also announced a six-lane 117 km Bengaluru-Mysuru national highway project at a cost of Rs 6,400 crore and a world-class new satellite railway station at Mysuru at an investment of Rs 800 crore.</p>

<p>He dedicated to the nation an electrified railway line&nbsp; between Mysuru and Bengaluru and flagged off the Palace Queen&nbsp; Humsafar Express between Mysuru and Udaipur. The train with only AC features connects five states in western India, according to South Western Railway.</p>

<p>The electrification of the railway line between Bengaluru and Mysuru, costing Rs 220 crore, is expected to benefit 25,000 passengers.</p>

<p>Assembly polls in Karnataka are due early this year. The BJP is pulling out all stops to unseat the Congress and return to power for a second time after its 2008-2013 rule that saw squabbling among its leaders and change of chief ministers thrice.&nbsp;</p>


Taking the battle to Siddaramaiah's home turf at a rally in Mysore, Modi said he had earlier called his administration a "10 per cent commission government" but later came to know his information was not correct and that the cut the government got was much more

Escalating his attack on Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over graft, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday new scams, corruption charges and fresh allegations were emerging under him "every day". Taking the battle to Siddaramaiah's home turf at a rally in Mysore, Modi said he had earlier called his administration a "10 per cent commission government" but later came to know his information was not correct and that the cut the government got was much more. In his second public rally in a fortnight in poll-bound Karnataka, Modi singled out corruption to attack Siddaramaiah and asked the gathering: "Do you want a commission government in Karnataka or mission government? Commission or mission?" Recalling his Bengaluru remark that "it is a 10 per cent commission business," Modi said many people were angry with him, some even called him, some sent messages and others expressed their anguish. "They said my information was not correct. It was not 10 per cent, but more than that," he said. "Every day, a new scam, new corruption, new allegation is being levelled against their one or the other leader, against one or the other minister or one or the other programme of the government, in one or the other part of Karnataka," Modi said. He alleged central government funds under various schemes meant for the poor and middle class were not being properly utilised by the state. "Their priority is political squabble, keeping Delhi (Congress high command) happy, and send them whatever is needed to keep them happy. Their interest is only in it ...Keeping their party bosses happy so that their seats are safe." Contending that no state can function like this, he said, "They don't care about the people and their feelings... Such governments, such leadership and personality will never strengthen democratic system." Taking a jibe at Siddaramaiah, Modi said "Mysuru is the land that spreads the message of social unity, Mysuru is the land of energy and youthfulness, Mysuru is a land that creates an atmosphere of harmony... But the person who was born from here should not have gone on the wrong path." "He is associated with such people that whatever Mysuru taught him, he completely forgot on his way to Bengaluru, and is now taking entire Karnataka towards destruction." Modi also hit out at the Congress for spreading "lies repeatedly" and asked the people to question its record. "Ask those who come here, make speeches. For 50 years one family got an opportunity to rule. What is the reason that four crore families are still living the life of the 18 century?" he said, attacking the Congress. "They don't even feel a bit of shame or sadness. They think by lying, by lying repeatedly, lying wherever they go, by lying loudly, by many people lying, not one or two days but for months on end, the people of this country will believe. "You are talking from a wrong place; the country can never believe you, the country will never accept your lies. You will have to answer...." he said. Modi said his government wants to take the country forward at a faster pace, but Congress governments, wherever they are, are working to stop the pace of the country. They work as "bumps", he said. Modi said he has come to assure the people and see to it that the BJP government that would be formed in Karnataka would work with a mission. It would work towards changing the destiny of Karnataka, he said. "The way the government is functioning in Karnataka, and political developments are going on, you know that bundles and bundles of notes were seized and they are not ashamed of it. "Diaries and what all were entered in it...Karnataka needs to get rid of it or not? Those who destroyed Karnataka.." Modi said, apparently referring to the raids by Income Tax department on some ministers recently. Modi also announced a six-lane 117 km Bengaluru-Mysuru national highway project at a cost of Rs 6,400 crore and a world-class new satellite railway station at Mysuru at an investment of Rs 800 crore. He dedicated to the nation an electrified railway line between Mysuru and Bengaluru and flagged off the Palace Queen Humsafar Express between Mysuru and Udaipur. The train with only AC features connects five states in western India, according to South Western Railway. The electrification of the railway line between Bengaluru and Mysuru, costing Rs 220 crore, is expected to benefit 25,000 passengers. Assembly polls in Karnataka are due early this year. The BJP is pulling out all stops to unseat the Congress and return to power for a second time after its 2008-2013 rule that saw squabbling among its leaders and change of chief ministers thrice.

Modi takes on Siddaramaiah on his home turf

<p>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;</p>

<p>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?</p>

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<p dir="ltr" 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></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965546875880341504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>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.</p>

<p>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;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" 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></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965545190835523584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He also talked about the Palace Humsafar Queen Express train which he had flagged off earlier in the day.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" 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></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965530677935509504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He said &quot; This Palace Queen Humsafar Express train which connects Mysore to Udaipur is a historical step and would boost tourism&quot;.</p>

<p>He also announced the widening of Bengaluru- Mysore National Highway with an investment of Rs 6400 Crore.&nbsp;</p>

<p>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;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" 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></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965541444948824064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>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.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" 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></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/965548260285911040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


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

<p>The Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cauvery-verdict-bus-services-between-karnataka-tamil-nadu-curtailed-33040">today delivered its verdict on</a>&nbsp;the decades-old Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.</p>

<p>The Supreme Court<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/siddaramaiah-refuses-to-release-cauvery-water-to-tamil-nadu-29432">&nbsp;judge directed Karnataka to</a>&nbsp;get additional 14.75&nbsp; thousand million cubic&nbsp;(TMC) water and Tamil Nadu to now get 177.25 TMC&nbsp;water instead of 192 TMC.</p>

<p>Following is the chronology of events in the decades-old Cauvery water dispute matter in which the Supreme Court today held that Karnataka will get 284.75 tmcft and Tamil Nadu 404.25 tmcft Cauvery water:</p>

<p>The original agreement, which was signed between the Madras Presidency and the princely State of Mysore in 1924, had lapsed in 1974.</p>

<p>*<strong>May 1990</strong>: SC directs Centre to constitute Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT), a demand made by Tamil Nadu since 1970.</p>

<p>*<strong>June 2</strong>: Centre notifies CWDT.</p>

<p>*<strong>Jan 1991</strong>: CWDT rejects TN government&#39;s plea for interim relief. TN appeals the rejection in SC.</p>

<p>*<strong>April</strong> : SC directs the CWDT to entertain TN&#39;s petition for interim relief.</p>

<p>*<strong>June</strong>: CWDT announces interim award. Karnataka ordered to release 205 tmcft. Karnataka passes an Ordinance to nullify the order. SC intervenes, strikes down Karnataka&#39;s ordinance and upholds the interim award of the CWDT. Karnataka refuses to oblige.</p>

<p>*<strong>Dec 11</strong>: Interim award is published in the Government of India gazette.</p>

<p>*<strong>Aug 1998</strong>: Centre constitutes Cauvery River Authority (CRA) to ensure implementation of CWDT interim award.</p>

<p>*<strong>Sep 8, 2002</strong>: CRA, chaired by the then Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, directs Karnataka to release 9,000 cusecs (0.8 tmcft) of Cauvery water to TN.</p>

<p>*<strong>Feb 5, 2007</strong>: CWDT gives final award after 17 years. Tribunal holds as valid the two agreements of 1892 and 1924 executed between the Madras Presidency and the princely State of Mysore on the apportionment of water to TN.</p>

<p>*<strong>Sep 19, 2012</strong>: At the seventh CRA, then PM Manmohan Singh directs Karnataka to release 9,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to TN at Biligundlu dam.</p>

<p>*<strong>Sep 28</strong>: SC slams Karnataka government for not complying with PM&#39;s direction at the CRA.</p>

<p>*<strong>March 19, 2013</strong>: TN moves SC to give directions to Water Ministry for constitution of Cauvery Management Board (CMB).</p>

<p>*<strong>May 10</strong>: SC directs Centre to set up panel to supervise Cauvery water release.</p>

<p>*<strong>May 28</strong>: TN moves SC, seeks Rs 2,480 cr damages from Karnataka for not following orders of the CWDT.</p>

<p>*<strong>June 12</strong>: Cauvery Supervisory Committee (CSC) terms the TN&#39;s plea for directions to Karnataka for release of Cauvery water as per the CWDT award as not &ldquo;feasible&rdquo;.</p>

<p>*<strong>June 14</strong>: TN decides to file contempt plea against Karnataka for its stand on the Cauvery Supervisory Committee.</p>

<p>*<strong>June 26</strong>: TN moves SC for constitution of CMB.</p>

<p>*<strong>June 28</strong>: TN files contempt petition in the SC against Karnataka.</p>

<p>*<strong>Nov 18, 2015</strong>: Karnataka objects to TN&rsquo;s plea to release Cauvery water. Karnataka government tells SC that TN&rsquo;s demand for release of 45.32 tmcft of Cauvery water proceeds from a wholly erroneous premise that the water year of 2015-16 in the Cauvery basin is a &ldquo;normal year&rdquo; and not a &ldquo;distress year&rdquo;.</p>

<p>*<strong>Sep 2, 2016</strong>: SC asks Karnataka to consider taking steps to release Cauvery water to TN.</p>

<p>*<strong>Sep 5</strong>: SC directs Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to TN for next 10 days.</p>

<p>*<strong>Sep 7</strong>: Karnataka begins releasing Cauvery water to TN as per SC order. *Sep 11: Karnataka files plea to modify SC order directing it to share water with TN.</p>

<p>*<strong>Sep 12</strong>: SC refuses plea by Karnataka to freeze the September 5 order. SC, however, reduces the quantum of daily water release ordered earlier, from 15,000 cusecs to 12,000 cusecs.</p>

<p>*<strong>Sep 19</strong>: CSC orders Karnataka to release 3,000 cubic feet of water per second (cusecs) for the rest of the month.</p>

<p>*<strong>July 14, 2017</strong>: SC says it would take a balanced view, keeping in mind the interests of the people of both the States. Karnataka sought a reduction in the quantum of Cauvery water it should release to TN from 192 tmcft to 132 tmcft.</p>

<p>*<strong>Sep 20</strong>: SC reserves verdict.</p>

<p>* <strong>Feb 16, 2018</strong>: SC pronounces final verdict, directs Karnataka to release 404.25 tmcft annually to TN which was earlier awarded 419 tmcft water by CWDT. Karnataka to now get enhanced 14.75 tmcft, i.E. 284.75 tmcft water. SC says its verdict on Cauvery water allocation will continue for next 15 years.&nbsp;</p>


The Supreme Court today delivered its verdict on the decades-old Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala

The Supreme Court today delivered its verdict on the decades-old Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. The Supreme Court judge directed Karnataka to get additional 14.75 thousand million cubic (TMC) water and Tamil Nadu to now get 177.25 TMC water instead of 192 TMC. Following is the chronology of events in the decades-old Cauvery water dispute matter in which the Supreme Court today held that Karnataka will get 284.75 tmcft and Tamil Nadu 404.25 tmcft Cauvery water: The original agreement, which was signed between the Madras Presidency and the princely State of Mysore in 1924, had lapsed in 1974. *May 1990: SC directs Centre to constitute Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT), a demand made by Tamil Nadu since 1970. *June 2: Centre notifies CWDT. *Jan 1991: CWDT rejects TN government's plea for interim relief. TN appeals the rejection in SC. *April : SC directs the CWDT to entertain TN's petition for interim relief. *June: CWDT announces interim award. Karnataka ordered to release 205 tmcft. Karnataka passes an Ordinance to nullify the order. SC intervenes, strikes down Karnataka's ordinance and upholds the interim award of the CWDT. Karnataka refuses to oblige. *Dec 11: Interim award is published in the Government of India gazette. *Aug 1998: Centre constitutes Cauvery River Authority (CRA) to ensure implementation of CWDT interim award. *Sep 8, 2002: CRA, chaired by the then Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, directs Karnataka to release 9,000 cusecs (0.8 tmcft) of Cauvery water to TN. *Feb 5, 2007: CWDT gives final award after 17 years. Tribunal holds as valid the two agreements of 1892 and 1924 executed between the Madras Presidency and the princely State of Mysore on the apportionment of water to TN. *Sep 19, 2012: At the seventh CRA, then PM Manmohan Singh directs Karnataka to release 9,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to TN at Biligundlu dam. *Sep 28: SC slams Karnataka government for not complying with PM's direction at the CRA. *March 19, 2013: TN moves SC to give directions to Water Ministry for constitution of Cauvery Management Board (CMB). *May 10: SC directs Centre to set up panel to supervise Cauvery water release. *May 28: TN moves SC, seeks Rs 2,480 cr damages from Karnataka for not following orders of the CWDT. *June 12: Cauvery Supervisory Committee (CSC) terms the TN's plea for directions to Karnataka for release of Cauvery water as per the CWDT award as not “feasible”. *June 14: TN decides to file contempt plea against Karnataka for its stand on the Cauvery Supervisory Committee. *June 26: TN moves SC for constitution of CMB. *June 28: TN files contempt petition in the SC against Karnataka. *Nov 18, 2015: Karnataka objects to TN’s plea to release Cauvery water. Karnataka government tells SC that TN’s demand for release of 45.32 tmcft of Cauvery water proceeds from a wholly erroneous premise that the water year of 2015-16 in the Cauvery basin is a “normal year” and not a “distress year”. *Sep 2, 2016: SC asks Karnataka to consider taking steps to release Cauvery water to TN. *Sep 5: SC directs Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to TN for next 10 days. *Sep 7: Karnataka begins releasing Cauvery water to TN as per SC order. *Sep 11: Karnataka files plea to modify SC order directing it to share water with TN. *Sep 12: SC refuses plea by Karnataka to freeze the September 5 order. SC, however, reduces the quantum of daily water release ordered earlier, from 15,000 cusecs to 12,000 cusecs. *Sep 19: CSC orders Karnataka to release 3,000 cubic feet of water per second (cusecs) for the rest of the month. *July 14, 2017: SC says it would take a balanced view, keeping in mind the interests of the people of both the States. Karnataka sought a reduction in the quantum of Cauvery water it should release to TN from 192 tmcft to 132 tmcft. *Sep 20: SC reserves verdict. * Feb 16, 2018: SC pronounces final verdict, directs Karnataka to release 404.25 tmcft annually to TN which was earlier awarded 419 tmcft water by CWDT. Karnataka to now get enhanced 14.75 tmcft, i.E. 284.75 tmcft water. SC says its verdict on Cauvery water allocation will continue for next 15 years.

1990-2018: How Supreme Court, state governments handled Cauvery water dispute

<p>The Supreme Court <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cauvery-verdict-bus-services-between-karnataka-tamil-nadu-curtailed-33040">today delivered its verdict on</a> the decades-old Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.</p>

<p>The Supreme Court<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/siddaramaiah-refuses-to-release-cauvery-water-to-tamil-nadu-29432"> judge directed Karnataka to</a> get additional 14.75&nbsp; thousand million cubic(TMC) water and Tamil Nadu to now get 177.25 TMC&nbsp;water instead of 192 TMC.</p>

<p>SC directed Karnataka to release 177.25 TMC&nbsp;of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu from its inter-state Biligundlu dam.</p>

<p>Bengaluru will get additional 4.2 TMC&nbsp;water, India&#39;s highest court said. There is no change in allocation for Kerala and Puducherry, the court declared.</p>

<p>The apex court also allowed Tami Nadu to draw an additional 10 TMC&nbsp;&#39;groundwater&#39; from a total of 20 TMC&nbsp;beneath the Cauvery basin.</p>

<p>It said the increase in share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft is because of the 10 tmcft groundwater and 4.75 tmcft drinking water requirement for Bengaluru residents.</p>

<p>The pre-Independence verdict is valid, the top court said in its verdict, adding that no state can claim&nbsp;&quot;exclusivity&nbsp;over rivers.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The court said there should be &quot;no deviance&quot;&nbsp;of the order by any state.</p>

<p>The Court also directed the Cauvery water dispute management to be set up. The Supreme Court order will remain in force for the next 15 years.</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu, represented by senior advocate Shekhar Naphade had urged the court to initiate a &ldquo;fundamental change&rdquo; in the water sharing arrangement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Cauvery water dispute was decided unanimously by CWDT in 2007, after determining the total availability of water in the Cauvery basin at 740 thousand million cubic (tmc) feet at the Lower Coleroon Anicut site, including 14 tmcft for environmental protection.</p>


The Supreme Court today delivered its verdict on the decades-old Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.

The Supreme Court today delivered its verdict on the decades-old Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. The Supreme Court judge directed Karnataka to get additional 14.75 thousand million cubic(TMC) water and Tamil Nadu to now get 177.25 TMC water instead of 192 TMC. SC directed Karnataka to release 177.25 TMC of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu from its inter-state Biligundlu dam. Bengaluru will get additional 4.2 TMC water, India's highest court said. There is no change in allocation for Kerala and Puducherry, the court declared. The apex court also allowed Tami Nadu to draw an additional 10 TMC 'groundwater' from a total of 20 TMC beneath the Cauvery basin. It said the increase in share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75 tmcft is because of the 10 tmcft groundwater and 4.75 tmcft drinking water requirement for Bengaluru residents. The pre-Independence verdict is valid, the top court said in its verdict, adding that no state can claim "exclusivity over rivers." The court said there should be "no deviance" of the order by any state. The Court also directed the Cauvery water dispute management to be set up. The Supreme Court order will remain in force for the next 15 years. Tamil Nadu, represented by senior advocate Shekhar Naphade had urged the court to initiate a “fundamental change” in the water sharing arrangement. The Cauvery water dispute was decided unanimously by CWDT in 2007, after determining the total availability of water in the Cauvery basin at 740 thousand million cubic (tmc) feet at the Lower Coleroon Anicut site, including 14 tmcft for environmental protection.

Supreme Court verdict on Cauvery dispute: Karnataka to get additional water, no change for Kerala

<p>After the Supreme Court verdict on Cauvery river,&nbsp; Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has hinted at introducing plans to resolve water issue in Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said their government was planning to introduce two river connectivity projects which they have researched upon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said their project for interlinking rivers would help in resolving the water issues in Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gadkari said &quot; The 3000 TMC water from the Godavari flows to the rivers. We are trying to introduce two projects in river connectivity, that we have researched upon.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Godavari ka 3,000 TMC paani samundra mein chala jaata hai. Hum koshish kar rahe hain ki 2 aise project laayein river connectivity mein, jiska adhyaan humne kiya hai: Nitin Gadkari <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CauveryVerdict?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CauveryVerdict</a> <a href="https://t.co/I4nau1paLb">pic.twitter.com/I4nau1paLb</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964412729778880512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Ye (Godavari) paani ko rok kar humlog Indravati ke paas Kaleshwar, Telangana ka dam le jaayenge. Uske baad Indravati ka paani Maharashtra or Chhattisgarh sarkaar ki anumati lekar, ye paani hum phir se 2 dam me daal kar Cauvery ke tail end tak Tamil Nadu le jaayenge: Nitin Gadkari <a href="https://t.co/F3kGeNSeJv">pic.twitter.com/F3kGeNSeJv</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964412733557915649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Aur Polavaram ka back water jo hai, wo bhi wahan se lekar, Godavari ka paani Krishna mein, Krishna ka paani Penna mein, aur Penna ka phir Godavari mein le jaayenge. Is surplus water se hum ye samasya jald se jald suljhane ki koshish karenge: Nitin Gadkari <a href="https://t.co/MfoDyOFbpW">pic.twitter.com/MfoDyOFbpW</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/964412737395683330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cauvery-verdict-bus-services-between-karnataka-tamil-nadu-curtailed-33040">today delivered its verdict on</a>&nbsp;the decades-old Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.</p>

<p>The Supreme Court<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/siddaramaiah-refuses-to-release-cauvery-water-to-tamil-nadu-29432">&nbsp;judge directed Karnataka to</a>&nbsp;get additional 14.75&nbsp; thousand million cubic (TMC) water and Tamil Nadu to now get 177.25 TMC&nbsp;water instead of 192 TMC.</p>


Gadkari said 'The 3000 TMC water from the Godavari flows to the rivers. We are trying to introduce two projects in river connectivity, that we have researched upon'

After the Supreme Court verdict on Cauvery river, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has hinted at introducing plans to resolve water issue in Tamil Nadu. He said their government was planning to introduce two river connectivity projects which they have researched upon. He said their project for interlinking rivers would help in resolving the water issues in Tamil Nadu. Gadkari said " The 3000 TMC water from the Godavari flows to the rivers. We are trying to introduce two projects in river connectivity, that we have researched upon." Godavari ka 3,000 TMC paani samundra mein chala jaata hai. Hum koshish kar rahe hain ki 2 aise project laayein river connectivity mein, jiska adhyaan humne kiya hai: Nitin Gadkari #CauveryVerdict pic.twitter.com/I4nau1paLb — ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2018 × Ye (Godavari) paani ko rok kar humlog Indravati ke paas Kaleshwar, Telangana ka dam le jaayenge. Uske baad Indravati ka paani Maharashtra or Chhattisgarh sarkaar ki anumati lekar, ye paani hum phir se 2 dam me daal kar Cauvery ke tail end tak Tamil Nadu le jaayenge: Nitin Gadkari pic.twitter.com/F3kGeNSeJv — ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2018 × Aur Polavaram ka back water jo hai, wo bhi wahan se lekar, Godavari ka paani Krishna mein, Krishna ka paani Penna mein, aur Penna ka phir Godavari mein le jaayenge. Is surplus water se hum ye samasya jald se jald suljhane ki koshish karenge: Nitin Gadkari pic.twitter.com/MfoDyOFbpW — ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2018 × The Supreme Court today delivered its verdict on the decades-old Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. The Supreme Court judge directed Karnataka to get additional 14.75 thousand million cubic (TMC) water and Tamil Nadu to now get 177.25 TMC water instead of 192 TMC.

Govt plans to link rivers to resolve Tamil Nadu water issues: Nitin Gadkari

<p>In a landmark verdict today, the Supreme Court has reduced the allocation of the Cauvery Waters for Tamil Nadu from 192 TMC, as allocated by the Cauvery Water Tribunal Award in 2007, to 177.25 TMC annually.&nbsp; This thousand million cubic feet of water is to be released from Billigundulu, the last measuring station in Karnataka on the Cauvery, to Mettur Dam, which is the first measuring station in Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery river. It is a historic judgment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The judgment is historical on two counts: first, it marks the culmination of the centuries-old inter-state water dispute that has been an epitome of hostile hydropolitics. Second, it sent a signal to the agricultural economy to efficiently use water and practise crop diversification. The principle followed here, though apparently seems like &ldquo;robbing Peter to pay Paul&rdquo; (by reducing 14.75 TMC water for Tamil Nadu and providing the same to Karnataka for its burgeoning urban water use), recognises a bigger global phenomenon of intersectoral water conflicts: agriculture versus urban water demand.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a 2009 paper co-authored with Jayanta Bandyopadhyay in Water Policy, I argued that around 85% of the waters of the Cauvery basin go for agriculture, with paddy emerging as the most dominant crop in the basin. While the Tamil Nadu delta has been historically cultivating paddy, Karnataka started developing their irrigation potential in the 1960s onwards.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The minimum support prices (MSP) of rice between the 80s and 90s were increasing at a faster rate vis-&agrave;-vis the drier alternative crop, namely, Ragi. Farmers, therefore, were incentivised to shift to water-consuming crop, for instance, from Ragi to paddy. However, the data over the last 10 years reveals that there has been an overall decline in acreage in the basin, and more so in the Karnataka part, in response to a reversal in the MSP movement. But, the traditional sugarcane agriculture in the delta regions still continues.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Who owns the Cauvery water?</strong></p>

<p>There are three extreme principles of water allocation based on divergent definitions of property rights: Harmon, History and Hobbes. The Harmon doctrine states the primary rights of water are bestowed on those who own land at the source of the water. History confers primary rights to historical users of water irrespective of their geographical location. Hobbes identifies rights as the final result of awards obtained through negotiations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu, given the long history of water use especially in the delta regions, has been advocating its position in terms of History. While the basin area&#39;s contribution to the river flow should also be an important variable to be taken into consideration, the principle of prescriptive rights given in the 1924 agreement between the Madras Presidency and the Princely State of Mysore also translates to the principle of prior appropriation or the doctrine of history as the basis of property rights definition.</p>

<p>On the other hand, Karnataka has always maintained that a downstream state cannot make a claim when there is a scarcity of water and inadequacy in the upstream areas. At the same time, upstream development should not be compromised because of downstream concerns. This implies that Karnataka has been exercising the Harmon doctrine for its property rights.</p>

<p>The divergent definitions of property rights are amplified by the fact that the subject of water falls in the State list, subject to the provisions of 56 (i) of the Indian Constitution. Even the provisions of the Interstate Water Dispute (ISWD) Act of 1956 and its subsequent amendment in 2002 merely talk of setting up tribunals for adjudications and declaring awards. In view of global standards on water governance, this is insufficient. One can perceive that Hobbesian modes of negotiations are failing. Besides, it has exposed the failings of a state-led, &lsquo;decentralised&rsquo; approach.</p>

<p>Interestingly, much in departure to this existing thinking of water being State subject, thereby, leading to divergent definitions of property rights, the Supreme Court has observed that water of the Cauvery river was a &ldquo;national asset and no single state could claim ownership over it&rdquo;.</p>

<p><strong>A holistic understanding is needed</strong></p>

<p>The verdict, therefore, presents an unprecedented benchmark in Indian water governance by seeking a departure from age-old policies. There are many solutions for managing agricultural water, such as crop-diversification through minimum support price, regime change in favour of drier crops, promoting water-use-efficiency through technical and institutional measures, imports of agricultural crops from water-rich regions, among others. But, the basic human needs should be met first.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, there is one more thing that remains to be taken care of, i.e. the cause of the ecosystems. The CWT award in 2007 was thoroughly based on reductionist &ldquo;arithmetic hydrology&rdquo;, and not on holistic eco-hydrology. The arithmetic by way of which this 50% dependability of water is arrived at depends on past precedence of estimates conducted by engineers like K.L. Rao.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The CWT seemed to be oblivious to the challenges by possible impacts of global warming and climate change that can result in variability in water availability. That award reserved the &ldquo;quantity &hellip; for environmental protection&rdquo; and &ldquo;quantity determined for inevitable escapages to the sea&rdquo; as 10 TMC and 4 TMC respectively, none of which adhere to any scientific assessment of the ecosystem-based water usages in the basin.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The present verdict does not have the cause of the ecosystem in its scope. But, ecological scientists must advocate for a more scientific approach for the cause of the ecosystems for life in the basin. The resolution mechanism worked out by the Cauvery Water Tribunal has been based on myopic number-games for sharing the waters, without much consideration about the broader institutions, economics, ecology, hydrology, and holistic understanding of the conflicts. There is a need to correct that.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)</em></p>


Much in departure to this existing thinking of water being State subject, thereby, leading to divergent definitions of property rights, the Supreme Court has observed that water of the Cauvery river was a “national asset and no single state could claim ownership over it”.

In a landmark verdict today, the Supreme Court has reduced the allocation of the Cauvery Waters for Tamil Nadu from 192 TMC, as allocated by the Cauvery Water Tribunal Award in 2007, to 177.25 TMC annually. This thousand million cubic feet of water is to be released from Billigundulu, the last measuring station in Karnataka on the Cauvery, to Mettur Dam, which is the first measuring station in Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery river. It is a historic judgment. The judgment is historical on two counts: first, it marks the culmination of the centuries-old inter-state water dispute that has been an epitome of hostile hydropolitics. Second, it sent a signal to the agricultural economy to efficiently use water and practise crop diversification. The principle followed here, though apparently seems like “robbing Peter to pay Paul” (by reducing 14.75 TMC water for Tamil Nadu and providing the same to Karnataka for its burgeoning urban water use), recognises a bigger global phenomenon of intersectoral water conflicts: agriculture versus urban water demand. In a 2009 paper co-authored with Jayanta Bandyopadhyay in Water Policy, I argued that around 85% of the waters of the Cauvery basin go for agriculture, with paddy emerging as the most dominant crop in the basin. While the Tamil Nadu delta has been historically cultivating paddy, Karnataka started developing their irrigation potential in the 1960s onwards. The minimum support prices (MSP) of rice between the 80s and 90s were increasing at a faster rate vis-à-vis the drier alternative crop, namely, Ragi. Farmers, therefore, were incentivised to shift to water-consuming crop, for instance, from Ragi to paddy. However, the data over the last 10 years reveals that there has been an overall decline in acreage in the basin, and more so in the Karnataka part, in response to a reversal in the MSP movement. But, the traditional sugarcane agriculture in the delta regions still continues. Who owns the Cauvery water? There are three extreme principles of water allocation based on divergent definitions of property rights: Harmon, History and Hobbes. The Harmon doctrine states the primary rights of water are bestowed on those who own land at the source of the water. History confers primary rights to historical users of water irrespective of their geographical location. Hobbes identifies rights as the final result of awards obtained through negotiations. Tamil Nadu, given the long history of water use especially in the delta regions, has been advocating its position in terms of History. While the basin area's contribution to the river flow should also be an important variable to be taken into consideration, the principle of prescriptive rights given in the 1924 agreement between the Madras Presidency and the Princely State of Mysore also translates to the principle of prior appropriation or the doctrine of history as the basis of property rights definition. On the other hand, Karnataka has always maintained that a downstream state cannot make a claim when there is a scarcity of water and inadequacy in the upstream areas. At the same time, upstream development should not be compromised because of downstream concerns. This implies that Karnataka has been exercising the Harmon doctrine for its property rights. The divergent definitions of property rights are amplified by the fact that the subject of water falls in the State list, subject to the provisions of 56 (i) of the Indian Constitution. Even the provisions of the Interstate Water Dispute (ISWD) Act of 1956 and its subsequent amendment in 2002 merely talk of setting up tribunals for adjudications and declaring awards. In view of global standards on water governance, this is insufficient. One can perceive that Hobbesian modes of negotiations are failing. Besides, it has exposed the failings of a state-led, ‘decentralised’ approach. Interestingly, much in departure to this existing thinking of water being State subject, thereby, leading to divergent definitions of property rights, the Supreme Court has observed that water of the Cauvery river was a “national asset and no single state could claim ownership over it”. A holistic understanding is needed The verdict, therefore, presents an unprecedented benchmark in Indian water governance by seeking a departure from age-old policies. There are many solutions for managing agricultural water, such as crop-diversification through minimum support price, regime change in favour of drier crops, promoting water-use-efficiency through technical and institutional measures, imports of agricultural crops from water-rich regions, among others. But, the basic human needs should be met first. However, there is one more thing that remains to be taken care of, i.e. the cause of the ecosystems. The CWT award in 2007 was thoroughly based on reductionist “arithmetic hydrology”, and not on holistic eco-hydrology. The arithmetic by way of which this 50% dependability of water is arrived at depends on past precedence of estimates conducted by engineers like K.L. Rao. The CWT seemed to be oblivious to the challenges by possible impacts of global warming and climate change that can result in variability in water availability. That award reserved the “quantity … for environmental protection” and “quantity determined for inevitable escapages to the sea” as 10 TMC and 4 TMC respectively, none of which adhere to any scientific assessment of the ecosystem-based water usages in the basin. The present verdict does not have the cause of the ecosystem in its scope. But, ecological scientists must advocate for a more scientific approach for the cause of the ecosystems for life in the basin. The resolution mechanism worked out by the Cauvery Water Tribunal has been based on myopic number-games for sharing the waters, without much consideration about the broader institutions, economics, ecology, hydrology, and holistic understanding of the conflicts. There is a need to correct that. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Cauvery is a national river, no state owns it

<p>The Supreme Court is likely to deliver the verdict&nbsp;on decades-old Cauvery water dispute between south Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.</p>

<p>On September 20, 2017, the final day of the hearings in the appeals, Tamil Nadu appealed to the Bench &mdash; comprising Justices Amitava Roy and A.M. Khanwilkar &mdash; to not reduce it to the state of a beggar before Karnataka.</p>

<p>A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud then reserved the verdict on the appeals filed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala against the 2007 award of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT) on sharing of water.</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu, represented by senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, urged the court to initiate a &ldquo;fundamental change&rdquo; in the water sharing arrangement. &ldquo;Several years have gone by... the river is perennial, but the litigation should not be,&rdquo; it submitted.</p>

<p>Naphade made it a point to express scepticism about the Central government&#39;s initiative in resolving the decades-long Cauvery dispute. Tamil Nadu said it wanted a judicial order and did not want to depend on a Centre that took six years to publish the Tribunal award in the gazette in 2013.</p>

<p>The decades-old Cauvery water dispute was decided unanimously by CWDT in 2007, after determining the total availability of water in the Cauvery basin at 740 thousand million cubic (tmc) feet at the Lower Coleroon Anicut site, including 14 tmcft for environmental protection.</p>

<p>The final award makes a yearly allocation of 419 tmcft to Tamil Nadu in the entire Cauvery basin, 270 tmcft to Karnataka, 30 tmcft to Kerala and 7 tmcft to Puducherry.</p>

<p>The top court had earlier clarified that any other forum could touch the matter relating to the Cauvery river basin only after it gives its verdict.</p>

<p>The apex court had in January said the verdict would be pronounced within a month, adding that the matter has already created enough confusion for decades.</p>

<p>The top court during the course of pendency of appeals of the neighbouring states against the arbitral award of 2007, had passed several orders directing Karnataka to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.</p>

<p>On September 30, 2016, the Supreme Court had pulled up Karnataka for its repeated &quot;defiance&quot; in flouting its orders for releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu and said no one would know when the &quot;wrath of the law&quot; would fall on it.</p>

<p>Later, Karnataka had moved a review petition in the apex court against its three orders on on the issue and direction to the Centre to create the Cauvery Water Management Board (CWMB), saying &quot;grave miscarriage of justice&quot; had been caused to it following the three apex court orders of September 20, 27 and 30, by which it was directed to release water.</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu had earlier also alleged that Kerala was drawing water in excess of what has been allocated to it by the tribunal.</p>

<p>The apex court had on December 9, 2016 upheld the maintainability of appeals filed by the riparian states saying it has the &quot;jurisdiction to decide the parameters, scope, authority and jurisdiction of the tribunal&quot;.</p>

<p>The Court had rejected the Centre&#39;s objection that the CWDT award amounted to a final decree and it had no jurisdiction to hear the appeals against the award.</p>

<p><em>(With PTI inputs)</em></p>


The top court had earlier clarified that any other forum could touch the matter relating to the Cauvery river basin only after it gives its verdict.

The Supreme Court is likely to deliver the verdict on decades-old Cauvery water dispute between south Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. On September 20, 2017, the final day of the hearings in the appeals, Tamil Nadu appealed to the Bench — comprising Justices Amitava Roy and A.M. Khanwilkar — to not reduce it to the state of a beggar before Karnataka. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud then reserved the verdict on the appeals filed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala against the 2007 award of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT) on sharing of water. Tamil Nadu, represented by senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, urged the court to initiate a “fundamental change” in the water sharing arrangement. “Several years have gone by... the river is perennial, but the litigation should not be,” it submitted. Naphade made it a point to express scepticism about the Central government's initiative in resolving the decades-long Cauvery dispute. Tamil Nadu said it wanted a judicial order and did not want to depend on a Centre that took six years to publish the Tribunal award in the gazette in 2013. The decades-old Cauvery water dispute was decided unanimously by CWDT in 2007, after determining the total availability of water in the Cauvery basin at 740 thousand million cubic (tmc) feet at the Lower Coleroon Anicut site, including 14 tmcft for environmental protection. The final award makes a yearly allocation of 419 tmcft to Tamil Nadu in the entire Cauvery basin, 270 tmcft to Karnataka, 30 tmcft to Kerala and 7 tmcft to Puducherry. The top court had earlier clarified that any other forum could touch the matter relating to the Cauvery river basin only after it gives its verdict. The apex court had in January said the verdict would be pronounced within a month, adding that the matter has already created enough confusion for decades. The top court during the course of pendency of appeals of the neighbouring states against the arbitral award of 2007, had passed several orders directing Karnataka to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. On September 30, 2016, the Supreme Court had pulled up Karnataka for its repeated "defiance" in flouting its orders for releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu and said no one would know when the "wrath of the law" would fall on it. Later, Karnataka had moved a review petition in the apex court against its three orders on on the issue and direction to the Centre to create the Cauvery Water Management Board (CWMB), saying "grave miscarriage of justice" had been caused to it following the three apex court orders of September 20, 27 and 30, by which it was directed to release water. Tamil Nadu had earlier also alleged that Kerala was drawing water in excess of what has been allocated to it by the tribunal. The apex court had on December 9, 2016 upheld the maintainability of appeals filed by the riparian states saying it has the "jurisdiction to decide the parameters, scope, authority and jurisdiction of the tribunal". The Court had rejected the Centre's objection that the CWDT award amounted to a final decree and it had no jurisdiction to hear the appeals against the award. (With PTI inputs)

Cauvery water dispute: Supreme Court likely to pronounce verdict today

<p>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;</p>

<p>He was accompanied by Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah.</p>

<p>The newly appointed party president also conducted a roadshow after his visit to the Dargah.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" 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></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/962926833476997120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>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;</p>

<p>He visited the Kanakachala Laxmi-Narasimha temple in Koppal district on Sunday.</p>

<p>While on the first day of his election campaign Gandhi he had visited the Goddess Huligamma temple and Gavi Siddheshwara Mutt in Koppal.</p>

<p>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;</p>


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

<p>Campaigning for the upcoming polls in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi today targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a gathering at Raichur.</p>

<p>&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.</p>

<p>PM Modi has no answers to huge unemployment and farmers&#39;&nbsp;distress, he alleged.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" 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></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/962964318320037888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>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.</p>

<p>&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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>Addressing roadside meetings in Raichur district, the Congress president also said farmers had asked the prime minister for help.</p>

<p>&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;</p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi will be addressing public meetings in Raichur and Kalaburagi districts of Hyderabad-Karnataka region today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>State Congress president G Parameshwara, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Leader of Congress Legislature Party in Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge are accompanying Gandhi.</p>


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

<p>The Income Tax department today said that it had unearthed alleged tax evasion and undisclosed income of Rs 195 crore in its first-ever major action against fish processing businesses in coastal Karnataka.</p>

<p>Making details of the recent operation public, the department also said that it had detected the role of a Chinese firm, in some instances, in &quot;paying commission&quot; to local middlemen, outside India.</p>

<p>This was being routed through hawala channels to countries such as Dubai, Oman and Mauritius, and nations in the Middle East and Africa, it said. It said the department has also detected some foreign account holdings and investments after it conducted searches and surveys at a total of 43 premises across five states in the last week in this case.</p>

<p>&quot;The anti-tax evasion action was undertaken against three major groups involved in fish processing business in Mangalore and Udupi regions of Karnataka. The investigation wing of the department based here spearheaded the operation,&quot; a senior I-T officer said.</p>

<p>The department, till now, has seized &quot;unaccounted&quot; cash to the tune of Rs 88 lakh as part of these operations that were launched on February 8 by involving over 150 sleuths from its various offices in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubli, Belgaum and Panaji.&quot;</p>

<p>The searches also resulted in unearthing of nearly Rs 195 crore undisclosed income so far.</p>

<p>&quot;This (total tax evaded amount) is likely to go up further as the department plans to investigate all related parties and concerns, bank transactions in India and abroad and about investments made in the foreign shores,&quot; the department said in a statement. It did not identify the groups.</p>

<p>The department said that during the searches, it was found that &quot;the processing units are, with the help of agents, showing huge bogus creditors in the name of fishermen.</p>

<p>&quot;It was also found that huge cash was paid to the agents in the name of fishermen, violating the provisions of the Income Tax Act,&quot; the department said. It said that tax sleuths also noticed that &quot;various benami entities were floated in the name of relatives and employees to make unaccounted investments&quot;, in alleged violation of the recently enforced Benami Transactions Act.</p>

<p>The searches, it said, also brought forth some of the other malpractices like &quot;the lab reports were being managed for the quality report on the fish food&quot;. &quot;The fish oil is adulterated in a few instances with other lower grade oils and the diesel subsidy is misused by procuring the boats on various benami names, as law regulates only one boat eligible per person for such subsidy,&quot; the department said in the statement. It said the processing units were importing fish meal and the same was &quot;re-exported for making false claim of duty draw back.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;The plant and machinery imported were under invoiced, causing loss of customs duty,&quot; it said. The department said that sleuths who were part of the raid operations found these firms were maintaining &quot;posh guest houses to extend hospitality to the persons with whom they deal with&quot;.</p>

<p>It was also detected, it said, that many agents and processing units are splitting their income in the name of relatives, employees and fictitious entities, in violation of the tax law. &quot;It was also noticed that some of the fishermen are under impression that their income is exempt, like agriculture income, which is not correct,&quot; it said.</p>

<p>The department, apart from searching the three unidentified groups, also raided the agents who support them in procuring raw fish. It said the taxman also conducted verification with some of the &quot;end users of the processed food.&quot; &quot;A similar modus operandi is believed to be followed by many entities and individuals connected with the fishing industry. All such persons may like to come forward and pay due taxes on their own,&quot; it said.&nbsp;</p>


The department said that during the searches, it was found that 'the processing units are, with the help of agents, showing huge bogus creditors in the name of fishermen'.

The Income Tax department today said that it had unearthed alleged tax evasion and undisclosed income of Rs 195 crore in its first-ever major action against fish processing businesses in coastal Karnataka. Making details of the recent operation public, the department also said that it had detected the role of a Chinese firm, in some instances, in "paying commission" to local middlemen, outside India. This was being routed through hawala channels to countries such as Dubai, Oman and Mauritius, and nations in the Middle East and Africa, it said. It said the department has also detected some foreign account holdings and investments after it conducted searches and surveys at a total of 43 premises across five states in the last week in this case. "The anti-tax evasion action was undertaken against three major groups involved in fish processing business in Mangalore and Udupi regions of Karnataka. The investigation wing of the department based here spearheaded the operation," a senior I-T officer said. The department, till now, has seized "unaccounted" cash to the tune of Rs 88 lakh as part of these operations that were launched on February 8 by involving over 150 sleuths from its various offices in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubli, Belgaum and Panaji." The searches also resulted in unearthing of nearly Rs 195 crore undisclosed income so far. "This (total tax evaded amount) is likely to go up further as the department plans to investigate all related parties and concerns, bank transactions in India and abroad and about investments made in the foreign shores," the department said in a statement. It did not identify the groups. The department said that during the searches, it was found that "the processing units are, with the help of agents, showing huge bogus creditors in the name of fishermen. "It was also found that huge cash was paid to the agents in the name of fishermen, violating the provisions of the Income Tax Act," the department said. It said that tax sleuths also noticed that "various benami entities were floated in the name of relatives and employees to make unaccounted investments", in alleged violation of the recently enforced Benami Transactions Act. The searches, it said, also brought forth some of the other malpractices like "the lab reports were being managed for the quality report on the fish food". "The fish oil is adulterated in a few instances with other lower grade oils and the diesel subsidy is misused by procuring the boats on various benami names, as law regulates only one boat eligible per person for such subsidy," the department said in the statement. It said the processing units were importing fish meal and the same was "re-exported for making false claim of duty draw back." "The plant and machinery imported were under invoiced, causing loss of customs duty," it said. The department said that sleuths who were part of the raid operations found these firms were maintaining "posh guest houses to extend hospitality to the persons with whom they deal with". It was also detected, it said, that many agents and processing units are splitting their income in the name of relatives, employees and fictitious entities, in violation of the tax law. "It was also noticed that some of the fishermen are under impression that their income is exempt, like agriculture income, which is not correct," it said. The department, apart from searching the three unidentified groups, also raided the agents who support them in procuring raw fish. It said the taxman also conducted verification with some of the "end users of the processed food." "A similar modus operandi is believed to be followed by many entities and individuals connected with the fishing industry. All such persons may like to come forward and pay due taxes on their own," it said.

Karnataka: IT raids major fish-processing firms, unearths black income worth Rs 195 crore

<p>Congress President Rahul Gandhi hit the temple trail for the second day of his election campaign in Karnataka today.</p>

<p>He stopped in the heart of Kanakagiri in Koppal district and visited Kanakachala Laxmi-Narasimha temple to pay obeisance to the dieties.</p>

<p>The temple, built by a local chieftain, has a history of 500 years of existence.</p>

<p>After spending 15 minutes there, Gandhi boarded the bus and hit the campaign trail again.</p>

<p>As the bus passed by several villages, he waved at the waiting people.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Black flags were shown at bus in which Congress President Rahul Gandhi was campaigning in Karnataka&#39;s Sindhanur earlier today. <a href="https://t.co/OAYjHCk3RJ">pic.twitter.com/OAYjHCk3RJ</a></p>
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<p>After launching the party&#39;s campaign at Ballari yesterday, Gandhi had visited Goddess Huligamma temple in Koppal district, a famous temple in the region.</p>

<p>He also had visited Gavi Siddheshwara Mutt in Koppal, a mutt of the majority Lingayat community.</p>

<p>On the third day of his four-day visit tomorrow, Gandhi would visit Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah in Kalaburagi district.</p>

<p>The Karnataka BJP has mocked at Gandhi&#39;s temple visits, calling him an &quot;election Hindu.&quot;&nbsp;</p>


The Congress President visited the Kanakachala Laxmi-Narasimha temple in Kanakagiri in Koppal district

Congress President Rahul Gandhi hit the temple trail for the second day of his election campaign in Karnataka today. He stopped in the heart of Kanakagiri in Koppal district and visited Kanakachala Laxmi-Narasimha temple to pay obeisance to the dieties. The temple, built by a local chieftain, has a history of 500 years of existence. After spending 15 minutes there, Gandhi boarded the bus and hit the campaign trail again. As the bus passed by several villages, he waved at the waiting people. Black flags were shown at bus in which Congress President Rahul Gandhi was campaigning in Karnataka's Sindhanur earlier today. pic.twitter.com/OAYjHCk3RJ — ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2018 × After launching the party's campaign at Ballari yesterday, Gandhi had visited Goddess Huligamma temple in Koppal district, a famous temple in the region. He also had visited Gavi Siddheshwara Mutt in Koppal, a mutt of the majority Lingayat community. On the third day of his four-day visit tomorrow, Gandhi would visit Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah in Kalaburagi district. The Karnataka BJP has mocked at Gandhi's temple visits, calling him an "election Hindu."

Rahul continues temple run in Karnataka

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<p>&nbsp;While speaking at a conference in&nbsp;poll-bound&nbsp;state, Karnataka, the state chief minister Siddaramaiah, said that Prime minister Narendra Modi has hurt the pride of Kannadigas.</p>

<p>He said &quot; PM has hurt pride of Kannadigas by uttering lies about the state&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">BJP President was involved in murder case, he only speaks lies. Here also they are projecting a CM candidate who has been to jail. PM has hurt pride of Kannadigas by uttering lies about the state: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah <a href="https://t.co/w9RHNy8tam">pic.twitter.com/w9RHNy8tam</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960423457921142785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He further asked the BJP to present facts and substantiate the&nbsp;allegations that they made on the State government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said &quot; Dear Narendra Modi being the PM of the country your words should carry high credibility. I would, therefore, request you to substantiate your allegation &quot; corruption and misgovernance&quot; with facts. Let us fight this election with dignity and based on just facts.&quot;</p>

<p>Citing the Godhra incident of 2000, he said &quot; Wherever BJP is in power there is no protection for minorities&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">How many died during their tenure in Godhra? 2000 dead. Also, is there any law and order in Haryana? Wherever BJP is in power there is no protection for minorities : Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960423149111316480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>He said &quot;PM keeps making comments that he has given so much money to the states. Where do you think this money is coming from? Its the taxes collected in the states which was sent to Centre. Its our money which comes back:Karnataka&quot;.</p>

<p>He also said that neither the PM nor Amit Shah is aware that they have to give Rs 10,000 crores to the state (as per 14th finance commission).<br />
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">As per 14th finance commission, in last three years we were supposed to get 95.200 crore,whereas we got 84.500 crores, so they have to give 10,000 crores. This neither PM knows nor Amit Shah:Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah <a href="https://t.co/g96ErmrhTW">pic.twitter.com/g96ErmrhTW</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960425304689868800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Questioning the PM over the Lokayukta he said &quot;Modi&nbsp;is morally not right to be the PM of the country&quot;.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What moral right does Narendra Modi have to talk on Lokpal when he did not have a Lokayukta for 9 years when he was CM? He is facilitating corruption. He is morally not right to be PM of the country: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah <a href="https://t.co/NGxwRwiAnL">pic.twitter.com/NGxwRwiAnL</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960427010882523136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I don&#39;t support people who indulge in personal attacks: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Congress leader Divya Spandana&#39;s tweet on PM Modi <a href="https://t.co/X9HOzQgvD2">pic.twitter.com/X9HOzQgvD2</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960430815455956992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said PM has hurt pride of Kannadigas by uttering lies about the state

While speaking at a conference in poll-bound state, Karnataka, the state chief minister Siddaramaiah, said that Prime minister Narendra Modi has hurt the pride of Kannadigas. He said " PM has hurt pride of Kannadigas by uttering lies about the state". BJP President was involved in murder case, he only speaks lies. Here also they are projecting a CM candidate who has been to jail. PM has hurt pride of Kannadigas by uttering lies about the state: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah pic.twitter.com/w9RHNy8tam — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × He further asked the BJP to present facts and substantiate the allegations that they made on the State government. He said " Dear Narendra Modi being the PM of the country your words should carry high credibility. I would, therefore, request you to substantiate your allegation " corruption and misgovernance" with facts. Let us fight this election with dignity and based on just facts." Citing the Godhra incident of 2000, he said " Wherever BJP is in power there is no protection for minorities". How many died during their tenure in Godhra? 2000 dead. Also, is there any law and order in Haryana? Wherever BJP is in power there is no protection for minorities : Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × He said "PM keeps making comments that he has given so much money to the states. Where do you think this money is coming from? Its the taxes collected in the states which was sent to Centre. Its our money which comes back:Karnataka". He also said that neither the PM nor Amit Shah is aware that they have to give Rs 10,000 crores to the state (as per 14th finance commission). As per 14th finance commission, in last three years we were supposed to get 95.200 crore,whereas we got 84.500 crores, so they have to give 10,000 crores. This neither PM knows nor Amit Shah:Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah pic.twitter.com/g96ErmrhTW — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × Questioning the PM over the Lokayukta he said "Modi is morally not right to be the PM of the country". What moral right does Narendra Modi have to talk on Lokpal when he did not have a Lokayukta for 9 years when he was CM? He is facilitating corruption. He is morally not right to be PM of the country: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah pic.twitter.com/NGxwRwiAnL — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × I don't support people who indulge in personal attacks: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Congress leader Divya Spandana's tweet on PM Modi pic.twitter.com/X9HOzQgvD2 — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 ×

PM Modi has hurt pride of Kannadigas: Siddaramaiah

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