The Hindu : Karnataka News : Briefly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 14, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Briefly

Kharge, Dharam keep seats

By Our Special Correspondent

GULBARGA May 13. There were no surprises for the Home Minister, M. Mallikarjun Kharge, and the Public Works Minister, N. Dharam Singh, in the Assembly elections, and both continued their winning spree from their traditional Gurmitkal (reserved) and Jewargi Assembly constituencies for a record eighth time in succession. When the party was facing a rout everywhere in the region, Mr. Kharge and Mr. Singh won their seats with relative ease to enter the record books. While Mr. Kharge's winning margin came down from more than 47,580 votes to 18,543 votes in this election, Mr. Dharam Singh increased his margin from 1,961 votes in the 1999 elections to 2,731 votes in this election. Mr. Kharge and Mr. Singh. Mr. Kharge and Mr. Singh expressed their dissatisfaction over the performance of the Congress and admitted that the voters in the State had rejected the party despite the good performance of its government. Talking to presspersons separately, Mr. Singh and Mr. Kharge said the party leadership would take stock of the post-poll situation at a crucial meeting of senior leaders in Bangalore on Friday. The member of the All-India Congress Committee in charge of the State, Vilasrao Deshmukh, will participate in the meeting.

Sindhia not fully satisfied

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE MAY 13. The Janata Dal (Secular) today said it would chalk out a strategy in a day or two on the possibility of forming the next Government keeping in view the interests of the farmers in the State. Addressing presspersons here today, the Secretary-General of the Janata Dal (S), P.G.R. Sindhia, said the people had rejected the Congress Government led by the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna. "The Congress is a closed chapter," he said and added that the Janata Dal (S) had fought the elections against both the Congress and the BJP. Mr. Sindhia said he was happy but not fully satisfied with the performance of his party in the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. "I am surprised about the result but pained." After 1983, the State had a hung Assembly for the second time, he said. "We will take a decision in the interest of the State," he said. The legislature party of the Janata Dal (S) would hold a meeting in a day or two and take a final decision on forming a government or supporting a group, he said. Attributing the Janata Dal (S) victory in many constituencies to the leadership of the former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, he said no leaders from other political parties had approached the Janata Dal (S) so far. The Congress and the BJP had written off the Janata Dal (S). But now they had realised the importance of the party, he added. Asked about when the party would decide whether to stake its claim to form the government, he said many possibilities were open and it party would adopt the best possible strategy to protect the interest of the State.

`Shivakumar helped me win'

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE MAY 13. Tejaswini Sriramesh, television journalist and Congress nominee, who defeated the former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, in the Kanakapura Lok Sabha Constituency, said it was 15 days of hard work and sympathy for the outgoing Urban Development Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, that helped her win. Addressing a presspersons here today, Ms. Sriramesh said she had not taken chance and had worked 21 hours daily "to seek the blessings of the people." "Mr. Shivakumar campaigned for me for several days and provided all the support I required. I made the impossible possible by defeating Mr. Gowda," she added. Mr. Shivakumar, who was present, said the people of the State had given a clear mandate against the Congress. "We are all responsible for the defeat." However, the Congress had bounced back in the Lok Sabha polls under the leadership of the party President, Sonia Gandhi, and he was happy, he added. Asked about Mr. Deve Gowda' defeat, he said: "Mr. Gowda is finished, and he has to make a fresh beginning."

Berths in trains available

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore May 13. South Western Railway has announced that berths in second sleeper class are available on certain trains on Friday. The trains are: Train No. 7604, Yeshwantpur-Kacheguda Express; (6592) Bangalore- Hampi Express (berths in two-tier AC coaches are also available); (6227) Bangalore-Shimoga Express; (6513) Yeshwantpur-Bijapur Basava Express; and (2649) Yeshwantpur-Nizamuddin Sampark Kranti Express.

`Verdict of people against Congress'

By Our Staff Correspondent

BIJAPUR MAY 13. The Union Minister of State for Railways, Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal, said here today that the Congress should not be part of the next Government in the State as the verdict of the people was against it. Addressing presspersons after the announcement of his election from the Bijapur Lok Sabha constituency, he said the Janata Dal (S) should lend a helping hand to the Bharatiya Janata Party in its efforts to form the next government in the State. Referring to talk about the possible coming together of the Congress and the Janata Dal (S) in the State, he said both parties should respect the people's mandate. In the absence of a clear majority for any party, the Janata Dal (S) should join hands to form the Government. Any attempt to deny an opportunity to the BJP would be construed as disregard for the people's wishes. To a question, he said he was not an aspirant for the post of Chief Minister. He preferred to be at the Centre, he added.

Woman found

murdered

MYSORE MAY 13. A woman was found murdered at a lodge on Sayyaji Rao Road here on Wednesday. According to the police, the woman had checked into the lodge with a male companion on Wednesday.

The incident came to light on Thursday when there was no response from the room, following which the hotel staff broke open the door.

Sources said the hotel employees had seen the male companion of woman going out with another person on Wednesday.

The Mandi Police have registered a case. Investigation is on.

Book released

MANGALORE MAY 13. A book titled "Tulunadina Jaina Shasanagalu" (Jain inscriptions of Tulunadu) and written by Jayaprakash Mavinakuli and Devarakonda Reddy was released at a function in Moodbidri recently, a release said.

The function was organised by the Jain Milan.

Training

MANGALORE MAY 13. Narayanaguru Amateur Yakshagana Troupe, Urva Stores, in Mangalore would provide training on different aspects of Yakshagana on Sundays from June, a release said.

Besides dance, "Chende Vadana" and "Mrudanga Vadana" would also be taught.

The last date to register names is May 30. Details can be had from Chetana Commerce School, Urva Stores.

12 injured

MANGALORE MAY 13. At least 12 persons were injured when a mini bus overturned at Ujjodi here on Wednesday, the police said.

Among the injured, nine were women. They were returning to Mulky from Kolya when the accident occurred.

They were treated in a private hospital.

Drowned

MANGALORE MAY 13. A man was drowned while he was crossing a river at Madhya near Surathkal on Tuesday, the police said.

The police gave the name of the victim as Ramanatha (45).

Invited

MANGALORE MAY 13. The Department of Otolaryngology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia, has invited Kishore Chandra Prasad, head of the Department of ENT (Head and Neck Surgery), Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, to an international symposium to be held at Zagreb from May 14 to 16, a release said.

The symposium would be held on the topic: "Tumours of the head, neck, and functional and reconstructive laryngeal surgery."

He has been invited as a guest faculty.

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