Bandh observed in Ballari; CM convenes meeting on bifurcating district
Bengaluru, Oct 1: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has convened a meeting of legislators and parliamentarians from Ballari, where a bandh was observed on Tuesday, opposing the state government's plan to bifurcate the district to create a new Vijayanagara district.
There is stiff resistance, especially within sections of the ruling BJP, against the proposal to create the new district by carving out six taluks from Ballari.
Yediyurappa has called a meeting of MLAs, MLCs and MPs representing Ballari district on Wednesday at his home office Krishna here to discuss the issue, CMO officials said.
Police said the bandh called by various organisations in Ballari, opposing bifurcation passed off peacefully and normal life was not affected much.
"It has been peaceful. Life is mostly normal, public transport is also operating. Most schools and colleges also functioned.
Protests were held at main circles and commercial establishments shut for some time on their own to express solidarity.. Things are getting back to normal," Ballari Superintendent of Police C K Baba told PTI.
Much to the concern of the Yediyurappa government,several BJP leaders from Ballary like Minister B Sriramulu, MLAs Somashekar Reddy and Karunakara Reddy are against the division of Ballari.
Voicing opposition to the move, Somashekar Reddy who had earlier threatened to quit as MLA had said on Monday that "any approval for a separate Vijayanagara district will ignite a fire. We will not allow it to happen."
While Karunakara Reddy and Somashekara Reddy arebrothers of mining baron and former Minister G Janardhan Reddy, who once had "complete hold" on the mine rich Ballaridistrict's politics, Sriramulu is his close confidant.
BJP leaders are particularly upset with the Chief Minister over his swift action to create a new district,immediately after receiving a proposal from a delegation led by former Congress MLA from Vijayanagara constituency AnandSingh, without even consulting them.
Singh,one of the 17 disqualified MLAswhose rebellion led to the fall of the previous H D Kumaraswamy-led government, had cited the demand for a separate Vijayanagara district as one of the reasons for his resignation from Congress.
His resignation and absence of Singh and 16 other Congress-JD(S) legislators from the trust vote led to the collapse of theKumaraswamy-led Congress-JD(S) coalition government and helped BJP come to power.
BJP sources said the creation of the new district may politically benefit Singh, who is likely to be fielded as the saffron party's candidate from Vijayanagar assembly segment in the December 5 by-polls, necessitated following his resignation as MLA and subsequent disqualification.
Ballari comprises nine assembly segments,of which Congress had won five and the BJP four in the 2018 assembly polls.
The Chief Minister had earlier this month asked chief secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar to place the proposal on the creation of the district before the next cabinet meeting.
As per the plan, Hosapete, Kampli, Hagaribommanahalli, Kotturu, Hadagali and Harapanahalli would form part of the proposed Vijayanagara district, while Kurugodu, Ballari, Siruguppa,Sanduru and Kudligi will remain in Ballari district.
Meanwhile, CLP leader Siddaramaiah has also expressed reservations against the move to create Ballari district and termed it as an attempt by BJP government to help Singh.
He demanded to know why the much bigger district of Balagavi, with 18 assembly constituencies, has not been divided.
There has also been a long pending demand from some quarters to carve out Chikkodi as a separate district from Belagavi, which is the state's largest district in terms of area.
There has been growing demand for creation of new districts, with senior Congress leader G Parameshwara on Monday writing to Chief Minister Yediyurappa to consider creation of Madhugiri district by bifurcating Tumakuru.
Demand for the creation of a new Jamkhandi district from Bagalkot has also gained momentum.
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Elephant calf brought from Bijnor kept under care at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pilibhit (PTI): A 19-day-old elephant calf, brought from Bijnor, was placed under care at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday, an official said and added that the calf got separated from its mother in the forest area of Bijnor.
The calf was born on December 2 in the Bijnor forest area and got separated from its mother shortly after birth, the official said.
The forest department made several attempts to reunite it with its mother, but without any success. To ensure the calf's safety and better care, it was decided to transfer it to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on the instructions of senior officials.
On Saturday, Deputy Director Manish Singh received the calf. Special arrangements have been made in the reserve for its care. It has been kept in a safe and clean environment to provide it with a natural setting and protect it from external noise and disturbances.
Singh told reporters that raising an 19-day-old calf is challenging.
It requires a special diet as a substitute for mother's milk and constant monitoring.
He said a special team has been formed to provide 24-hour care. Since the calf is very young, it is being cared for like a newborn baby.
According to Singh, the primary responsibility for monitoring the calf's health has been entrusted to PTR's veterinarian, Dr Daksh Gangwar. Under his supervision, a complete record of the calf's health checkups, diet, and body temperature is being maintained. The team is ensuring that the calf does not contract any infection.
