As Candidates' future secured in EVMs, all eyes on Nov.6
Bengaluru,Nov.3: The by-poll elections for three lok sabha and two assembly seats in the state, that was seen as the crucial decider for upcoming general election in 2019, was ended peacefully on Saturday.
As the future of all the candidates is secured in the EVMs, now its agonising wait for them till Nov.6.
Voting that was started with low note on Saturday morning 7am picked up some moment in the afternoon. People visited their nearby polling booths and exercised their rights with enthusiasm.
In some places due to technical hiccups polling was delayed. Apart from few incidents of election boycott, voting was almost peaceful.
This election had created immense curiosity as it was considered as the direct fight between congress-JDS coalition and BJP. The result will be known only on Nov.6.
While by-elections were held in Ballari, Shivamogga and Mandya, in Jamakhandi and Ramanagar by-poll was held for assembly seats.
More than 30 candidates including, V.S Ugrappa-J.Shanta, Madhu Bangarappa- B.Y Raghavendra, L.R Shivaramegowda- Dr. Siddaramaiah, Anita Kumaraswamy, Anand Nyamagouda and Shrikant Kulkarni were in the frey.
B.Y Raghavendra contesting from Shivamogga constituency visited polling booth no.132 at Shikaripur taluk panchayat building along with his family. Madhu Bangarappa along with his family cast vote at Soraba booth no.31.
Ballari BJP candidate J. Shanta cast her vote at Ballari women and children development department office poll booth along with her son-in-law. Actor Ambareesh cast his right at booth no.164 at Maddoor Doddarasinakere.
Ally candidate Anand Nyamagouda cast his vote along with his family in Jamakhandi booth no. 125. MLA K.S Eshwarappa, Somashekar Reddy, former speaker D.H Shankaramurthy and other leaders cast their votes in various polling booths.
For the first time election commission had provided special vehicle facility for physically disabled people.
Villagers of Haraginadoni in Ballari boycotted the election demanding basic facilities to the village including drinking water.
High security was deployed in all five polling stations. Section 144 was imposed in the polling area. Local police along with central reserve police force was deployed to maintain law and order in the region.
Voting percentages:
Jamakhandi - 81.58%
Ramanagara - 73.71%
Ballari - 63.85%
Shivamogga - 61.05%
Mandya - 53.93%
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Mamata betrayed Bengal's women by conspiring with parties like Cong: BJP chief
Balurghat (WB) (PTI): BJP president Nitin Nabin on Sunday blamed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and opposition parties such as the Congress for the setback to the implementation of women's reservation in legislatures.
Addressing a rally in support of BJP candidate Bidyut Roy in Balurghat, Nabin said removing the TMC from power had become essential to drive out infiltrators from Bengal, prevent demographic change and safeguard national security.
"Despite being a woman, Mamata Banerjee betrayed the women of Bengal by conspiring with parties like the Congress so that the women's reservation bill could not be passed in the Lok Sabha," he alleged.
Urging women voters in the state to "teach her a lesson", he claimed that the TMC government had failed to ensure the safety and security of women, citing incidents such as those at RG Kar hospital and the medical college in Durgapur.
A Constitution Amendment Bill to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 was defeated on Friday.
Nabin also accused the chief minister of protecting infiltrators and said the BJP, if voted to power, would ensure good governance.
"Infiltrators will be driven out, and every bona fide citizen will be able to live peacefully in a secure environment if the BJP comes to power," he said.
Nabin said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had delivered on promises and prioritised national security, citing the abrogation of Article 370 and surgical strikes against Pakistan-backed terrorists.
"We need a government in Bengal which will ensure the state's well-being and security in every aspect," he said.
Appealing to voters to back the BJP, Nabin said, "If not now, then never."
"Let it be a historic victory. A new dawn will come, and after May 4, a government that will look after the aspirations of mothers, sisters, youth, the elderly and farmers will be installed in Bengal," he said.
At another election rally at Ratua in Malda district, Nabin claimed that time has come for the chief minister to “bid goodbye”.
Alleging deterioration in law and order, he said women were unsafe “from Park Street to Kamduni, and from R G Kar to Durgapur Medical College”, while there were many “unreported cases”.
He also alleged the involvement of ruling party leaders in various illegal activities.
“Wait for a few days. Members of the ‘bhaipo (nephew) syndicate’ of the TMC will be on the run, and caught one by one with legal action taken against them,” Nabin asserted.
He was referring to allegations by state BJP leaders about extortion syndicates “patronised by top TMC leaders” running into crores of rupees.
“At least one minister had been jailed, while many officials are behind the bars. Those involved in corruption would face strict action after May 4,” the BJP chief said.
Promising employment and welfare measures, Nabin said a BJP government would create job opportunities for the youth and ensure support for farmers.
He also assured the people of transparent recruitment based on merit, implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission, and direct transfer of benefits to bank accounts without “cut money” (commission).
Referring to the ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’ slogan of the Narendra Modi government, Nabin said “there will be inclusive growth involving all sections of society under the double engine government.”
“There will be no appeasement for one particular community, which caused change in the demography in several border districts of Bengal,” he said.
Nabin also took part in a programme of the ‘Balmiki Samaj’ – an outfit of backward Hindu castes – where he stressed on the need for inclusive growth.
Earlier, the BJP president led a colourful roadshow covering around 2 km in Balurghat town and adjoining areas of Dakshin Dinajpur district.
