Indian Social Forum celebrates Kannada Rajyotsava in Al-Khobar
Saudi Arabia, November 5: The Indian Social Forum Karnataka State division recently celebrated Kannada Rajyotsava at Gulf Darbar Restaurant at Al-Khobar in Saudi Arabia to commemorate formation day of Karnataka state.
The event was inaugurated by displaying the Kannada flag and playing state anthem of Karnataka followed by series of events like Kannada skit, felicitation ceremony, recitation of Kannada poems, quiz competition and stage programmes .
Indian Social Forum Karnataka State Eastern Province president Mohammad Shareef presided over the event.
Delivering the keynote speech, ISF State committee member Arif Jokatte highlighted the importance of Kannadigas’ role in building peaceful nation. Indian Fraternity Forum General Secretary Sajid Valavoor, Mohsin from Karkala Association of Saudi Arabia, Nizar from Rezayath Sparrow Company, Syed Safdar from Indian Embassy School of Dammam, Jamiatul Falah Dammam president Nizamuddin and DKSC Eastern Province president Hathim Kanchi were present as Chief Guests.
Documentary video was displayed during the event depicting the Karnataka’s beauty and unity in diversity . ISF Dammam Block team played an eloquent and funny skit which showed the variety of the Kannada language within different regions of Karnataka and the generous and kind attitude of Kannadigas. Spot quiz, pick & speech, Kannada songs and other cultural programmes were also held during the event.
Dakshina Karnataka Sunni Center (DKSC) was felicitated for successfully establishing various educational institutions under the umbrella of ‘Al-Ihsan Educational Trust’ at Muloor in Udupi. DKSC representatives Hathim Kanchi, Abdul Azeez Muduthota, Ismail Katipalla and Basheer Vardara received the memento.
Jamiathul Falah was also felicitated for its contribution in the field of education in Coastal Karnataka since 30 years. Jamiatul Falah representatives Nizamuddin Sheikh, Imran Karkala, Shareef Karkala and Azeem Alam received the memento.
ISF president Mohammad Shareef, State Committee members Arif Jokatte and Shareef Addoor felicitated the respective organizational representatives. ISF members Shareef Krishnapura welcomed the gathering. Irshad Haleyangadi hosted the event and Rizwan Sastana delivered the vote of Thanks.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
