BJP denies ticket to 43 sitting MLAs including four ministers
Jaipur, Nov 15: Looking to retain power in Rajasthan, the BJP has denied tickets to its 43 sitting MLAs, including four ministers, even as some leaders who have crossed over from other parties have been fielded for the upcoming assembly elections.
The ruling party has released two lists so far of 162 candidates for the elections to be held on December 7 for 200 assembly constituencies. Names of more candidates are expected to be announced soon.
The BJP had released its first list of 131 candidates on November 11, while the second list of 31 candidates was announced on November 14. In the second list itself, the party denied tickets to 14 sitting MLAs and three ministers.
In the two lists, a total of 92 sitting MLAs have been fielded again in the election.
The BJP had won 163 seats in the last 2013 elections, while its arch-rival Congress could get just 21. Traditionally, these two parties have ruled the state one after another.
So far, the saffron party has given tickets to 19 women candidates.
Besides, four leaders who have joined the BJP from some other parties have also got the party ticket for the polls.
These include Abhinesh Mehrishi, who would contest from Ratangarh seat after quitting BSP, Congress leaders Ashok Sharma and Mahesh Pratap Singh (for Rajakhera and Nathdwara seats, respectively) and two-time independent legislator Gurdeep Shahpini (Sangaria seat).
Those having been denied a ticket include Gyandeo Ahuja, a sitting MLA from Ramgarh seat of Alwar. When contacted, Ahuja declined to comment on denial of ticket from his existing constituency.
"I would comment only after meeting the office bearers of the RSS, Ahuja told PTI on Thursday.
He said he has not met Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje so far on this issue.
The BJP ministers who have been denied ticket by the party from their existing seats include Babulal Verma, Dhan Singh Rawat, Rajkumar Rinwa and Surendra Goyal. Goyal has resigned from the party and has announced he will contest the election independently.
The denial of ticket to leaders like Gyandev Ahuja and Dhan Singh Rawat has come as a surprise to many, even as they have been known for their hardliner comments that have often triggered controversies.
Sheo constituency MLA Manvendra Singh has joined the Congress while the Nathdwara assembly seat fell vacant after the demise of BJP legislator Kalyan Singh Chouhan.
The saffron party has not given ticket to any Muslim candidate so far.
It is also being keenly watched what would be the fate of Chief Minister Raje's close aide Yunus Khan, who was fielded from Didwana Assembly seat in last election. The party has not announced any candidate from that seat so far.
Also, there is no clarity so far on candidature of erstwhile royal family member Diya Kumari from Sawai Madhopur seat.
The counting of votes for December 7 elections would take place on December 11, along with the same for four other state assemblies, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
