Four including Ramesh Babu, Arathi Krishna nominated to Legislative Council: Reports
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Government has reportedly nominated four members to fill the vacant seats in the State Legislative Council.
Those nominated include former KPCC Media Cell head Ramesh Babu, Vice-President of the NRI Forum Dr. Arathi Krishna, senior journalist K. Shivakumar, and Dalit leader F.H. Jakkappanavar.
The vacancies had arisen following the expiry of terms of Congress members U.B. Venkatesh and Prakash K. Rathod in October 2024, and JDS member K.A. Tippeswamy in January 2025. Another seat became vacant after C.P. Yogeshwar resigned to contest the Channapatna by-election. These four nominees have now been named to fill the vacant positions.
Ramesh Babu, once with the JD(S), had rebelled against its leadership and later joined the Congress. He currently serves as a party spokesperson and has now been nominated to the Council.
Dr. Arathi Krishna, daughter of senior Congress leader and former Rural Development Minister Begane Ramaiah, has been nominated as well. She has long been associated with the Congress and earlier served as the first chairperson of the KPCC NRI Cell.
Professionally, she worked as a Community Development Officer at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC and as a consultant with the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs’ India Development Foundation.
She also established the Krishna Foundation, an NGO focused on educational facilities and socio-economic development in remote Karnataka villages. Dr. Arathi holds a master’s degree in Political Science from Mysore University and another in International Commerce and Public Policy from George Mason University, Washington. She has also been awarded an honorary doctorate by Kuvempu University.
For the first time in the country, a Dalit journalist has been nominated to the Legislative Council. Senior journalist Dr. K. Shivakumar, originally from Bangarpet in Kolar district, is the son of Krishnappa and Eramma. He pursued his early and higher education in Kolar before completing his PhD from Mysore University. Beginning his career at Andolana daily, he later joined The New Indian Express, where he currently serves as Senior Resident Editor.
Dalit community leader F.H. Jakkappanavar, who has served as a Trade Union president and also headed the Congress Dalit wing in the state, has also been nominated.
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Couple, son 'hacked' to death over witchcraft suspicion in Jharkhand's Palamu
Medininagar (PTI): A couple and their 18-year-old son were allegedly hacked to death over suspicion of practising witchcraft in Jharkhand's Palamu, police said on Sunday.
Their minor daughter was also injured in the attack late on Saturday, a police officer said.
The bodies were recovered from their house on Sunday in Panki police station area, he said.
“Initial investigation suggests that the case is related to witchcraft suspicion,” Manoj Kumar Jha, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Lesliganj told PTI.
A manhunt is on to nab the culprits, Jha said.
The girl suffered severe injuries and has been admitted to a government hospital, he said.
The deceased have been identified as Vijay Bhuiyan (45), his wife Kalia Devi (40), and their son Chotu Bhuiyan.
The bodies have been sent to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) for post-mortem examination.
