BJP’s first list triggers heartburn; role of money sighted
Bengaluru: Announcement of the first list of 72 candidates by the BJP late on Sunday for the Assembly elections triggered heartburn among disappointed ticket aspirants in different parts of the State.
BJP top leaders, who returned from New Delhi after the central election committee meeting, had to face embarrassing moments as the disappointed ticket aspirants have not only resorted to protests, but also alleged the role of money.
According to a TH report, In Bengaluru, BJP leader N.R. Ramesh, who missed ticket for Chickpet constituency, publicly alleged the role of money. He said Union Minister Ananth Kumar was responsible for businessman Uday Garudachar getting ticket from Chickpet despite losing the previous elections.
The ticket distribution issue appears to have again brought to fore allegations of leaders from Karnataka Janata Party, with which Mr. Yeddyurappa associated himself for over a year, getting priority over loyal BJP workers in some constituencies.
In Bailhongal of Belagavi district, Vishwanath Patil, who had contested the previous polls on KJP ticket, has got ticket this time while senior leader Jagadish Metgud who had contested against him as BJP nominee has missed out this time. The supporters of Mr. Metgud alleged bias towards KJP in ticket selection. They staged a protest, shouted slogans against Mr. Yeddyurappa, and beat his effigy with footwear.
In Molakalmur of Chitradurga district, sitting MLA Thippeswamy has been ignored by the party, which has given ticket to B. Sriramulu, a leader from the neighbouring Ballari district. This has upset Mr. Thippeswamy who sent out a strong message to the party top leaders by holding a meeting of his supporters to express dissatisfaction.
In Bijapur, former Minister Appu Pattanshetty, who missed party ticket, kept his supporters guessing on his next political move. But he expressed dissatisfaction over people from other parties being inducted into BJP.
However, seeking to play down the embarrassing episode, BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa told reporters in Bengaluru that disappointment was common soon after declaration of party ticket. He said he would hold personal consultations with disappointed ticket aspirants to assuage their feelings.
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Adequate LPG stock in Chhattisgarh, no need to panic, says CM Sai
Raipur (PTI): Amid reports of shortage of commercial LPG cylinder in several parts of the country due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday assured people that they need not worry about the availability of cooking gas in the state.
He asserted that adequate stock of LPG as well as petrol and diesel was available in the state.
Sai said in a statement that authorities have been directed to regularly monitor stock at gas agencies and keep a close watch on the supply chain. Necessary instructions were issued to officials in all districts to ensure a smooth supply of LPG.
The chief minister instructed officials to take strict action if any complaint of black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders is received.
Sai urged state residents not to pay attention to rumours and to book cooking gas cylinders as per their actual requirement.
The government was fully alert to ensure the availability of essential commodities to citizens, he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association has issued an advisory to hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food businesses across the state, urging them to maintain calm and avoid panic buying.
In the advisory, Taranjeet Singh Hora, president of the association, asked members to maintain coordination and immediately inform it about any major disruption in LPG supply.
He cautioned businesses against hoarding cylinders, saying such practices could worsen the situation for the entire hospitality sector.
The association advised hotels and restaurants to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and already committed banquet events.
Use electric cooking equipment wherever possible for emergency and staff kitchens such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, electric rice cookers and kettles, the advisory stated.
