K'taka bypolls: Congress rebel Azeempeer Khadri to withdraw nomination on Oct 30, says DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Oct 26: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday said rebel Congress leader Sayed Azeempeer Khadri would withdraw his nomination as an Independent candidate from Shiggaon.
Taking everyone by surprise, Khadri had on Friday -- the last day to submit the papers -- filed his nomination for the November 13 assembly bypoll in Shiggaon at the eleventh hour.
Amid fears that Khadri would dent the prospects of Congress candidate Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, Shivakumar -- who is also the party's Karnataka unit chief -- said, "Khadri will withdraw his nomination on October 30. The party will give him a suitable position."
According to Shivakumar, the rebel Congress leader discussed his concerns with him.
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"He has been promised a suitable position in the party. I cannot disclose the promises made in view of the Model Code of Conduct. He will withdraw his nomination and work for the party. Khadri is with us," he said.
Khadri should have been given a ticket in the last elections itself, the veteran Congress leader said and added the party would never forget his sacrifices and he would be compensated with a suitable position.
Shivakumar hailed Khadri, saying that he was an honest person and committed to the Congress' secular philosophy.
Minister Zameer Ahmed, MLA Nazeer Ahmed, and Ismail Thamatagara played an important role in convincing Khadri to withdraw his nomination, the deputy chief minister said.
When Shivakumar was told that Khadri had not yet agreed to back out, he said, "We need to take the opinion of all local leaders. There is no dissidence now. We need to talk to his followers too and we will invite all of them to Bengaluru."
The BJP has fielded Haveri MP and former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai's son Bharath Bommai from Shiggaon.
Bypolls to three assembly seats -- Channapatna, Sandur and Shiggaon -- will be held on November 13. The counting of votes will take place on November 23.
Excluding the speaker, the Congress has 133 seats in the 224-member Karnataka Assembly. National Democratic Alliance (NDA) constituents the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) have 65 and 18 seats, respectively.
The remaining seats are held by other smaller parties and Independent MLAs.
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Govt launches Haj Suvidha App 2.0 for ease of pilgrims
New Delhi, Nov 23: The Minority Affairs Ministry on Saturday launched the Haj Suvidha App 2.0 with the new version introducing key features such as air travel details, a navigation system with Mina maps, and medical history and health advisories for Indian pilgrims going on Haj.
The application was launched by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju after he inaugurated the Conference of Chairpersons of State and UT Haj Committees in the presence of Minister of State for Minority Affairs, George Kurian and Chairman of the Haj Committee of India Abdullahkutti, among others.
In his address, Rijiju noted that the Haj pilgrimage is the largest logistical operation undertaken annually by the government of India beyond its borders.
He emphasised that Haj has long been a cornerstone of the strong bilateral relationship between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Rijiju highlighted several significant reforms aimed at improving the pilgrimage experience, including the removal of the discretionary quota, the integration of technology through the Haj Suvidha App, and the provision of facilities for female pilgrims without Mehram.
Kurian spoke about the new measures being implemented for Haj 2025, designed to enhance the comfort and convenience of the Indian pilgrims.
Among the key initiatives, he mentioned the procurement of modern buildings with lifts not only in Aziziya but also in nearby areas close to the Haram.
Additionally, the latest model buses will be introduced for travel between Makkah, Madinah, and within the Mashaer region.
The conference, organised by the Haj Committee of India under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, also marked the launch of the Haj Suvidha App 2.0 by Rijiju.
Building on the success of the Haj Suvidha App 1.0 in 2024, the new version introduces key features such as the selection process, boarding pass and air travel details, a navigation system with Mina maps, and medical history and health advisories for Indian pilgrims.
The conference included discussions on stakeholder feedback, suggestions and preparations.
