Congress will win both bypoll seats, says Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar
Kundapur: State Women and Child Development Minister and Udupi district in-charge minister Lakshmi R. Hebbalkar expressed confidence that Congress candidates will win the upcoming by-elections in Davanagere South and Bagalkot constituencies.
Speaking to media persons near the Youth Meridian helipad at Koteshwar on Thursday, after arriving to attend a programme near Heranjalu, the minister said the party is certain of victory in both seats.
She said that in general, voters tend to support the ruling party in by-elections. “Our government’s guarantee schemes have reached every household. Along with development, people’s income has also increased. Women voters in particular are satisfied. Hence, we will win both constituencies,” she said.
On ticket distribution, Hebbalkar said that in a democracy everyone has the right to seek a ticket, but winning remains the main criterion. Referring to the seat vacated following the demise of Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, she said the ticket has been given to a member of his family as per the decision of the party high command, and the party is committed to it.
Warahi project
Responding to a question on the long-pending Varahi project, she said the government will ensure that no injustice is done to farmers. “Farmers from both sides have already submitted representations. The intention of the administration and the government is that no one should be affected,” she said.
She added that the Deputy Commissioner has already visited the site and inspected the situation. The government will take steps to complete the project at the earliest in a way that benefits all farmers, she said.
KSRTC bus stand issue
When her attention was drawn to the issue of some government buses not entering the newly inaugurated KSRTC bus stand in Byndoor, the minister said a meeting would be convened through the Deputy Commissioner with National Highway officials to resolve the matter soon.
Former Byndoor MLA K. Gopal Poojary, District Congress spokesperson Vikas Hegde, leaders Aravind Poojary, Sampigedi Sanjeeva Shetty, Shekhar Poojary, Ramesh Kanchan, Santosh Shetty Baladi, Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa T.K., Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar, Kundapur Sub-Divisional Assistant Commissioner Rashmi S.R., Tahsildar Pradeep Kurdekar, Kundapur Inspector Jayaram Gowda and Youth Meridian managing partner B. Udaykumar Shetty were present.
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Modi should leverage his ties with world leaders to de-escalate war in West Asia: Omar Abdullah
Jammu (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said India can play a meaningful role in de-escalation in West Asia, given Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong relations with the warring countries and their neighbours.
He said Pakistan was leveraging ties with Iran and the United States, and that any effort towards ending the war should be welcomed.
"As I said in the House (Assembly), we would like the war to end as soon as possible. The role that the prime minister can play may not be possible for anyone else because of his good relations with all these countries," Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
He, however, said any escalation would not be easy to manage.
"Any such move by US President Donald Trump, despite the long history of Iran resisting external domination, would not be easy," the chief minister said.
Asked about Pakistan mediating in the war, he said, "I will simply say that if any country can play a role in preventing this war, no one should have any objection to it."
He added, "I will repeat what I said … our prime minister has good and close relations with all countries — whether it is Israel, the United States, Iran, or the countries around Iran. If those relationships can be used to make some progress and help ease the situation, it would be a good thing."
Abdullah said attacks by terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in India, as suggested by a report from the United States, are not unlikely.
Meanwhile, he asserted that any efforts to end the war, be it from Pakistan, must not be resisted.
"Pakistan is using its good relations with Iran and the United States to its advantage, and it has done so. How can we object to that? If that angle helps in stopping the war, would you want them not to act and let the war continue? We want the war to stop. If any country can play a role in that, it should. And if we can play an even better role, then we should do so," he said.
On unemployment in J-K, the chief minister said the issue cannot be resolved overnight, and government jobs alone are not the solution.
He stressed the need to explore alternative avenues, highlighting the importance of Mission Yuva in promoting entrepreneurship.
"Mission Yuva provides not just funding but also support in preparing DPRs and post-startup assistance, such as marketing. In just nine months, distributing Rs 1,000 crore and approving numerous schemes is a significant achievement," he said.
Abdullah credited the coordination between the government and Jammu and Kashmir Bank for the scheme's progress.
