The slip between the cup and the lip
The current assembly election results were quite a surprise for many. The voters had not exhibited their inclination despite highly charged speeches by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the popularity of Siddaramaiah. Adityanath, Modi, Amit Shah and other leaders from the north delivered highly charged speeches to the voters. This hadn’t borne any tangible results. Ananta Kumar Hegde, Prathap Simha and Shobha Karandlaje’s attempts to fan communal fires hadn’t borne any fruits. The voters kept their cards close to their chest. Though Sangh Parivar tried its best to start communal tension in Bantwal, it couldn’t be assumed that it could have its impact on the elections. Every political pundit thought Cong will emerge victorious from this.
But the results now show JD(S) is a decisive party with 38 seats, Cong has been reduced to 78 seats and BJP is at least 10 seats short of majority at 104 seats. But the percentage of votes is high in the favour of Congress which suffered a defeat. The sitting cabinet has suffered massive drubbing. This is a shocking verdict to Siddaramaiah and his friends. The main beneficiary in this is JD(S) which has secured enough number of seats to be able to negotiate a deal with any interested party to form the government.
The government led by Siddaramaiah wasn’t all that bad to be rejected by the government. This government had responded to people better than the BJP government led by Yeddyurappa. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had achieved a good hold over the matters relating to administration. There were hardly any corruption charges that could be proved, so much so that the people would reject it. On the other hand, the candidates within BJP weren’t too conducive for the people. Modi and Amit Shah travelled across the state and hypnotized people. Veerashaiva votes polled against Congress. Lingayat community did not stand by Siddaramaiah. JD(S) had, anyway, held Vokkaligas against Siddaramaiah. Upper class and caste votes, expectedly, went against Siddaramaiah. And some of his mistakes showed up to be big blunders and began to brew as discontentment within the party and among the voters too. In Varuna, Siddaramaiah showed he was for ‘dynasty’ politics by ensuring his son Yatheendra gets a ticket and posts victory. Though there was no tangible dissidence, it was difficult to sideline Siddaramaiah within the party for its leaders. The role of Congress in ensuring his defeat in Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari is as much as JD(S) too. If he had not chosen to contest from Badami where he emerged victorious from, his political journey would have come to a standstill today. However the difference of votes in victory, are big enough to provide any solace to the stature of a popular chief minister.
The opponents of BJP are interpreting its emergence as largest party in the current elections as victory based on money. BJP spent a lot of money from both state and centre. Central leadership had to do well in Karnataka because this is an indicator of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Though there were enough ‘rich’ candidates in Congress, the fear of IT raids had tied their hands. Along with this, Congress leaders are expressing their suspicions about EVM functioning too. The difference in votes between the victorious and the ones who didn’t make the cut, has given them this feeling. But to say this after the results are declared, doesn’t really make sense. The cong leaders had to ensure this problem was sorted even before the elections started. Now they will have to approach the Election Commission over this matter along with other secular forces.
Yet, amidst the humiliating defeat, Cong has been able to find a way of staying on the side of the government by joining hands with JD(S) and ensuring Kumaraswamy becomes the CM. Any delay in this decision would have cost it dearly. But Cong lost no time to do this. This may allow Parameshwar to be Dy CM too. Devegowda and sons are happy that they could cut Siddaramaiah to size with this move. Many have had their cake and eaten it too in this deal. The fact that they have kept the communal forces away is a big achievement enough. They have to be congratulated for keeping Karnataka free of the communal mess as of now.
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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
