Alcohol distributed at BJP MP K Sudhakar's party thrown for poll win, crowd goes out of control
Bengaluru: A thanksgiving event for BJP-JDS workers, hosted by the newly elected Chikkaballapur BJP Lok Sabha member Dr. K Sudhakar in Nelamangala on Sunday, descended into chaos as attendees scrambled to collect free liquor being distributed at the venue. The event, allegedly sponsored by Nelamangala BJP president Jagadish Chowdhary, saw police struggling to manage the crowd and eventually had to stand by as the situation spiraled out of control.
According to eyewitnesses, the event featured non-vegetarian food, beer, and packets of hard liquor. Many participants were seen passing out at the venue. Organizers had expected a crowd of 10,000-15,000, but over 60,000 people turned up, making crowd control nearly impossible, said a police officer. “Even with the expected numbers, it would have still been difficult to control the crowd,” the officer added.
A letter has also surfaced in which BJP MP Sudhakar had previously written to the police department requesting security for the event, explicitly mentioning that alcohol would be served.
Bengaluru Rural SP CK Baba had earlier instructed the excise department not to grant a liquor license, but this directive was ignored.
"The Police department had placed restrictions and told the organisers not to serve alcohol at the event. They were also told that cases would be booked if they violated the conditions. However, they took permission from the Excise Department to serve alcohol," SP CK Baba said.
Excise Deputy Commissioner Nagesh Kumar stated that the organizers applied for permission and paid a fee of Rs 11,500, after which a one-day license was issued.
Assembly Opposition Leader R Ashoka, former MLA Nagaraju, and former MLC E Krishnappa from JDS also attended the event. Dr. Sudhakar distanced himself from the liquor distribution, claiming, “I am not aware of the distribution of liquor and I do not encourage such things. The participants might have bought liquor somewhere and had it at the venue.”
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundurao criticized the event on social media, stating, “Saying one thing, doing another, how to believe them (BJP)... BJP leaders are busy distributing liquor while the state is dengue-stricken. Where are the BJP leaders who questioned venturing into swimming when I visited Mangaluru? Is this (distribution of liquor) your culture?”
Sudhakar defeated Congress candidate MS Raksha Ramaiah by over 1.5 lakh votes.
Chikkaballapur, one of Karnataka's 28 Lok Sabha seats, was established in 1977 after the reorganization of Indian states. The constituency saw a 77% voter turnout in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 26.
BJP newly elected MP from chikkaballapur Dr K Sudhakar holds open alcohol party to thanks voters.
— Shantanu (@shaandelhite) July 8, 2024
People were brought in trucks and alcohol bottles were distributed among them.
Sanskar of the BJP …. pic.twitter.com/UxUHThjgDk
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Rupee falls 32 paise to all-time low of 95.20 against US dollar
Mumbai, Apr 30 (PTI): The rupee depreciated 32 paise to an all-time low of 95.20 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday, weighed down by elevated Brent crude oil prices, hovering around USD 122 per barrel, and strong American currency.
Forex traders said the USD/INR pair may see further downside, as rising crude oil prices are likely to sharply impact India's import costs, while concerns over potential wider conflict in West Asia are fuelling investor anxiety.
Meanwhile, the US dollar added to gains after the US FED Reserve kept rates unchanged. Safe-haven demand was also boosted by another diplomatic setback between Washington and Tehran.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 95.01 against the US dollar, then lost some ground and touched an all-time low of 95.20 against the US dollar in initial trade, registering a fall of 32 paise over its previous close.
On Wednesday, the rupee depreciated 20 paise to close at an all-time low of 94.88 against the US dollar.
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"The main effect on the rupee has been from the rising oil prices, which touched USD 120 per barrel and looked headed for further upside as the US continues with its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran does not allow any ship/tanker to pass through the Strait of Hormuz," said Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.01 per cent higher at 98.96.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by 3.16 per cent at USD 121.76 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, Sensex tumbled 821.79 points to 76,674.57 in early trade, while the Nifty dived 287.3 points to 23,890.35.
Foreign Institutional Investors offloaded equities worth Rs 2,468.42 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.
"FPIs continue with their sale of Indian Equities and debt (the yield touched 7 per cent on Wednesday) and are also dollar buyers consistently," Bhansali added.
